Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports Apple is planning an Oct. 13 push into smart-home hardware, including a hub device, refreshed HomePod mini colors and a new Apple TV with Siri AI support.
Engadget says the new stick is faster and will retail for $60. The Verge reports that Amazon is also launching a redesigned Fire TV remote with a new shape and clickier controls.
DoorDash has unveiled an AI ordering agent that works inside Apple Messages, letting US waitlist users place food orders by text and check out with saved payment methods.
Samsung launched two new flagship tablets, the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, and there is no base Tab S12 in this lineup.
Samsung has announced the Galaxy SmartTag 3, a third-generation Bluetooth tracker with a smaller design and improved battery life.
Meta is adding an AI creative assistant to Instagram’s Edits app that uses a creator’s account metrics to suggest video ideas, hooks, captions, audio and scripts, with free use capped by a daily prompt limit and extra access tied to Meta One.
The New York Times reports Meta sought billions in research tax credits for A.I. data center expansion, classifying multibillion-dollar facilities as “pilot models” while warning in filings that the savings could be overturned by the IRS.
Google is reportedly running a pilot that pays roughly 100 publishers based on how much their content contributes to AI Overviews, AI Mode in Search and Gemini.
The company is also further restricting Old Reddit, limiting it to moderators and users with recent prior use.
TechCrunch reports Tinder is rolling out Group Hangouts, a feature that lets groups of friends discover other groups around shared activities and connect in a shared chat to make plans together.
Aimed at ages 7 to 13, the device offers calling, maps and tap-to-pay while limiting contacts to parent-approved people.
Xbox chief Asha Sharma denied reports that Microsoft is considering selling off or spinning out Xbox, saying, “Xbox is not for sale.”
The Steam app loads a separately installed GitHub shader through BGFX, while the effect itself is not bundled with the update.
The release post describes TaskSmith as a specialized orchestrator, rather than a general coding agent with a long prompt.
9to5Google reports the 7.0 beta adds a floating translucent bottom bar and broader interface updates on Android.
Lux Optics’ Halide camera app received an update that adds support for the iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture on the main camera.
OpenAI delayed the release of GPT-6.1 Astra over security concerns voiced by its researchers.
Restate has raised a $20 million Series A led by Singular, TechCrunch reports, as demand grows for infrastructure that keeps long-running AI agent workflows resilient through failures and interruptions.
The Verge reports Amazon wants 20,000 more pairs in use by 2027 as privacy questions mount over image collection.
The revamped storefront sorts faces into tabs for recommendations, brands, sports, entertainment and Facer Originals.
