Apple Abandons Plans for iPhone Hardware Subscription Service
Apple is no longer pursuing a hardware subscription service for its iPhones, according to a report from Bloomberg. Initially envisioned in 2022, the service aimed to let users upgrade to…
Look Around Now Available on Apple Maps Web Beta
Apple’s Look Around feature, its answer to Google Street View, is now accessible via Apple Maps on the web. This functionality allows users to explore cities with interactive, 360-degree imagery.…
SoundCloud Launches Affordable Plan for Artists
SoundCloud has introduced a budget-friendly subscription tier for artists, aiming to lower the barrier for musicians to access professional tools and global distribution. The new plan, named Artist, is priced…
FTC Bans Hidden Fees on Tickets and Short-Term Lodging
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a rule targeting deceptive pricing practices in the live-event ticketing and short-term lodging industries. This new “Junk Fees Rule,” finalized on Tuesday, mandates…
OpenAI Brings ChatGPT to Landlines and WhatsApp
ChatGPT is making its way to landlines, a bold move by OpenAI to expand access to its AI assistant. Starting Wednesday, users in the U.S. can dial 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478) and…
Amazon Workers in NYC and Illinois Plan Strikes Over Union Disputes
Amazon workers at two New York City warehouses plan to strike after the company missed a December 15 deadline to engage in union contract negotiations. Employees at the JFK8 facility…
Meta Fined $263 Million Over 2018 Facebook Data Breach in the EU
Meta has been fined €251 million ($263 million) by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) for a 2018 Facebook security breach that exposed the personal data of nearly three million users…
YouTube Gives Creators Control Over Third-Party AI Training Access
YouTube has introduced a new feature that lets creators decide how third-party companies can use their content for AI training. Announced on Monday, the move comes amid growing complaints from…
DOJ Demands Perplexity Input on Google’s Search Dominance
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing for Dmitry Shevelenko, the chief business officer of Perplexity, to testify in its antitrust case against Google, as revealed in recent court filings.…
Instagram Introduces Scheduled DMs Feature for Users Worldwide
Instagram users can now schedule direct messages (DMs) to be sent at a specific time, a feature designed to enhance communication for creators, brands, and regular users alike. Meta confirmed…
EU Begins Work on IRIS² Satellite Network for Secure Connectivity
The European Union has officially signed off on IRIS², a €10.6 billion ($11 billion) satellite network designed to rival SpaceX’s Starlink. Comprising 290 satellites across low- and medium-earth orbits, IRIS²…
Meta’s Threads Reaches 300 Million Monthly Users
Threads, Meta’s Twitter-like platform, has hit 100 million daily active users and surpassed 300 million monthly active users, according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. It’s the first time Meta has shared…
TikTok Asks Supreme Court to Step In As Ban Approaches
TikTok is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to step in as it faces a January 19 deadline that could force the app to shut down in the United States. In…
OpenAI Rolls Out ChatGPT Search to All Users
OpenAI’s AI-powered web search tool, ChatGPT Search, is now available to all ChatGPT users, extending its previously exclusive features to free-tier subscribers. The company announced the broader rollout during its…
Apple’s New Feature Will Let Airlines Track Lost Luggage Using AirTag Locations
United Airlines, Air Canada, and Aer Lingus now offer travelers a new way to track lost luggage with Apple AirTags. By using Apple’s “Share Item Location” feature, available on devices…
Rhode Island Social Services Hit by Major Cyberattack
A cyberattack on Rhode Island’s social services portal may have compromised the personal data of hundreds of thousands of residents, state officials announced. Governor Dan McKee’s office confirmed a “high…
Airbnb Tightens Its Grip with “Anti-Party Technology” for New Year’s Eve
Airbnb is stepping up its efforts to prevent unauthorized parties this holiday season. The company announced plans to deploy “anti-party technology” to block potentially disruptive bookings ahead of New Year’s…
Texas Sues New York Doctor Over Abortion Pills Prescribed via Telemedicine
Texas filed a lawsuit against Dr. Margaret Daley Carpenter, a New York physician, for prescribing abortion pills via telemedicine to a Texas resident, marking a significant legal clash between the…
Klarna’s Workforce Strategy Highlights AI’s Role but Leaves Room for Humans
Klarna’s CEO, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, recently spotlighted artificial intelligence as a transformative force reshaping the workforce. Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Siemiatkowski claimed the fintech company had effectively halted hiring due to…
Meta Joins Elon Musk in Opposing OpenAI’s Shift to For-Profit Status
Meta Platforms has urged California Attorney General Rob Bonta to block OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit organization. The move aligns Meta with Elon Musk, who has already…