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Tech News
XChat, the standalone messaging app X launched earlier this year for direct messaging between users, has disappeared from the iOS App Store. The Android version remains available on Google Play, and no reason has been given for the iOS removal.
A reporter's visit to an AI-run store in San Francisco found few customers and little of practical value on offer, while the operation appeared to be burning through money quickly. The store, positioned as a showcase for automated retail, reportedly failed to demonstrate a working business model during the visit.
X Corp and xAI have filed to dismiss their antitrust lawsuit against Apple in a Texas federal court, with no explanation given for the move and no confirmation of a settlement. The suit had accused Apple of favoring OpenAI's ChatGPT within Apple Intelligence to the detriment of competitors like Grok. Musk's companies say their claims against OpenAI, also named in the original suit, will continue.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max pre-orders have slipped from launch-day delivery to estimates spanning late September into October, just days after orders opened. The Pro Max faces the longest wait, with US Apple Store estimates showing October 6-13 delivery across all colors and storage sizes, while the standard Pro shows September 29-October 6.
Apple has outlined how its AppleCare+ single-device insurance compares with the newer AppleCare One subscription, which covers multiple gadgets under one plan. AppleCare+ pricing varies by device, ranging from about $10 a month for the iPhone 17e to $14 a month for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and includes unlimited accidental damage repairs, priority support, and battery replacement once health drops below 80 percent. Deductibles still apply for specific repairs, such as $29 for screen damage and $149 for theft or loss replacement.
A new essay outlines a startup evaluation heuristic focused on power rather than incremental revenue growth: asking how a company can own the customer relationship, control money flow, become a platform others build on, or create network effects. The piece argues these structural shifts can multiply a company's value far more than simple revenue optimization.
Sony plans to resolve a Sherman Act class action by depositing PlayStation Store credit directly into eligible US PSN accounts, with no claim form required. Accounts that bought qualifying digital games between April 1, 2019 and December 31, 2023 were automatically enrolled, but payouts await final approval from a federal judge at an October fairness hearing.
Sony has received preliminary court approval for a $7.85 million settlement in the Caccuri v. Sony Interactive Entertainment class-action lawsuit, which accused the company of monopolizing digital game sales by killing off vouchers that let PlayStation owners buy games from rival retailers. Eligible US PlayStation customers can now file claims through a live settlement website ahead of a final approval hearing set for Oct. 15.
Farwave is a new iOS app that lets users explore a 3D globe to discover and listen to radio stations from around the world, including a 'Take me anywhere' shuffle feature and listening history. Beyond radio, the app organizes podcasts and personal music imports onto separate visual 'planets,' supporting playback queues, speed control, and offline downloads.
A community-run project on the Consumer Rights Wiki has assembled at least 44 documented examples—out of hundreds noted overall—where Sony's own PlayStation Store pages and marketing materials describe digital PS4 and PS5 games as something customers 'own.' The compilation directly counters Sony's argument in an ongoing lawsuit that no reasonable consumer would believe clicking 'Purchase' grants true ownership rather than a revocable license.
Apple opens iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max pre-orders Saturday at 8 a.m. ET, a day later than usual due to the date falling on 9/11. Customers can use Apple's 'Get Ready' feature in the Apple Store app or website to pre-select their model, accessories, financing and trade-in details ahead of time, speeding up checkout once orders go live. That setup window closes Friday night at 9 p.m. PT, despite a press release typo listing the cutoff as 9 a.m.
An update to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown shows Ubisoft experimenting with a new feature called Ubisoft Connect Services, which links a player's Ubisoft account without forcing them to install the full Ubisoft Connect client. Ubisoft says more of its Steam titles will eventually get this option, though no rollout timeline has been given.