FTC orders AI companies to hand over info about chatbots’ impact on kids
FTC orders AI companies to hand over info about chatbots' impact on kids The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is ordering seven AI chatbot companies to provide information about how they assess the effects of their virtual companions on kids and teens. OpenAI, Meta, its subsidiary Instagram, Snap, xAI, Google parent company Alphabet, and the maker […]
Gmail is launching a tab for all your Amazon purchases
Gmail is launching a tab for all your Amazon purchases Gmail is trying to make it easier to track your online orders with a new Purchases tab coming to mobile and web. When you click on the tab, you’ll only see emails related to your purchases, including order confirmations and shipping estimates. This new tab […]
Google’s Veo 3 can now generate vertical AI videos
Google's Veo 3 can now generate vertical AI videos These screenshots are two examples of vertical videos that Google generated using Veo 3’s updated features. Google has added support for 1080p resolution and vertical video formats to its Veo 3 AI video generator. According to the announcement on Google’s developer blog, both Veo 3 and […]
Google pulls the Pixel 10’s Daily Hub to ‘enhance its performance’
Google pulls the Pixel 10's Daily Hub to 'enhance its performance' Daily Hub aims to combine useful info with curated recommendations, but only sometimes succeeds. When Google launched the Pixel 10 line last month, it gave as much attention to its AI-enabled software tricks as it did the hardware upgrades. But now, less than two […]
Nova Launcher’s founder and sole developer has left
Nova Launcher's founder and sole developer has left An old screenshot of Nova Launcher. | Image: Nova Launcher After nearly everyone working on the Nova Launcher, one of the most recognizable names in Android launchers, was laid off last year, founder Kevin Barry, Nova’s sole remaining developer, said this weekend that he has left Nova’s […]
Google admits the open web is in ‘rapid decline’
Google admits the open web is in 'rapid decline' For months, Google has maintained that the web is “thriving,” AI isn’t tanking traffic, and its search engine is sending people to a wider variety of websites than ever. But in a court filing from last week, Google admitted that “the open web is already in […]
Google finally details Gemini usage limits
Google finally details Gemini usage limits Until very recently it wasn’t clear what usage limits were placed on Gemini at the various tiers. Thankfully Google has finally updated its Help Center article detailing “Gemini Apps limits & upgrades for Google AI subscribers.” Gone are the useless descriptors like “limited access” or vague statements like “we […]
Google Pixel 10 review: perfectly fine
Google Pixel 10 review: perfectly fine Pencils down. Asking the Pixel 10 to be more than what it is feels greedy. Google’s non-Pro Pixel is priced fairly at $799, which is significantly less than the $999 Pixel 10 Pro. It comes with some handy upgrades, like Qi2 charging with built-in magnets. Its AI features finally […]
Silicon Valley’s most powerful alliance just got stronger
Silicon Valley's most powerful alliance just got stronger Eddy Cue deserves a raise. As the executive overseeing Apple’s services division, he’s highly incentivized to protect the tens of billions of dollars a year that Google pays to be the default search engine in Safari. “I’ve lost a lot of sleep thinking about it,” he said […]
Google fined $3.5 billion by EU for ad tech abuse
Google fined $3.5 billion by EU for ad tech abuse The European Commission has waged a €2.95 billion (~$3.5 billion) fine against Google for “abusing its dominant position” in advertising technology. In its announcement, the Commission claims that Google’s alleged anticompetitive practices have increased costs for advertisers and publishers, potentially raising prices for consumers as […]