Author: alex

Why I think Google delaying Assistant’s retirement is embarrassing — and unsurprising I’m not fooled by Google’s PR line about making the Assistant→Gemini switch "seamless." Delaying the transition into 2026 tells me they shipped features before they honestly tested them across the wildly fragmented Android ecosystem. That’s product theater, not engineering rigor. Gemini on Pixel already exists, sure — but rolling a new assistant into millions of different phones is the kind of operational headache most companies only admit after a mess. I expected friction; the only surprise is that Google sounded so confident about a 2025 cutoff in the first place. What Google announced: The Assistant→Gemini upgrade timeline is being pushed past 2025 so the company can "ensure a seamless transition." Device requirements: Upgrades need Android 10 or newer…

Netflix acquires Ready Player Me to bring cross‑game avatars to its games Netflix has acquired Estonian avatar startup Ready Player Me, a company that builds cross‑game avatar technology designed to let players carry the same digital persona between different titles. The deal will fold Ready Player Me’s roughly 20 employees into Netflix’s games team; one founder, CEO Timmu Tõke, will stay on after the acquisition. Ready Player Me’s selling point is developer‑friendly avatar tooling and AI that can automatically adapt avatars to different games’ art styles and rigs. That makes it easier for studios to support a shared avatar system without heavy manual work. Why Netflix bought Ready Player Me Netflix is focusing on approachable multiplayer and IP‑based games rather than high‑budget AAA projects — avatar tech fits social and…

ExpressVPN holiday sale: Huge savings on 2‑year plans (plus 4 free months) ExpressVPN is running a substantial holiday promotion: two years of service plus four bonus months for just $101 — a steep discount from the regular ~$392 price. The deal applies across ExpressVPN’s new multi‑tier structure, with the Advanced plan (the mid tier) highlighted in the coverage. Key pricing examples from the sale: Basic: ~$2.79/month (78% off) — supports 10 simultaneous devices. Advanced: ~$3.59/month (74% off) — supports 12 devices and includes extras like a password manager on some tiers. Pro: ~$5.99/month (70% off) — top tier with 14 simultaneous devices and additional features. Why ExpressVPN is worth considering Engadget reviewers praise ExpressVPN for its high performance, fast speeds, easy-to-use apps and broad global server network — features that…

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative severs ties with FWD.us amid political pressure The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) has stopped funding FWD.us and one of its staffers has resigned from the advocacy group's board, marking a significant shift for an organization Zuckerberg co‑founded in 2013. CZI provided more than half of FWD.us's roughly $400 million in donations since its founding; this year it made no contributions and did not fill the vacant board seat. FWD.us — a group focused on immigration and criminal‑justice reform — has long relied on donations from technology philanthropies. The move by CZI follows reports that Zuckerberg met with Trump adviser Stephen Miller, and comes amid a series of policy changes at Meta earlier this year, including cuts to DEI programs and the removal of third‑party fact‑checkers. Key facts…

Choyong LC90: World receiver with internet radio, SIM/eSIM and classic design Choyong’s new LC90 blends a classic receiver look with modern connectivity aimed at listeners who want both traditional broadcast reception and online streaming. The device appears as a response to two growing markets: affordable DAB+ portables and inexpensive internet radios that offer access to thousands of stations. What sets the LC90 apart is its support for cellular connectivity — the unit includes a SIM/eSIM option for streaming without relying on Wi‑Fi — while still serving users who prefer DAB+ or other local broadcast standards. The result is a flexible "world receiver" that works in kitchens, workshops and on the go. Key features (at a glance) Classic, retro‑inspired design that suits home settings. Online radio access (thousands of stations) for…

Apple USB‑C Magic Mouse drops to $68 — a solid deal with a notable caveat Amazon is selling Apple’s USB‑C Magic Mouse for $68 — about 14% off its usual $79 price. The deal currently applies to the white model and represents a near‑record low for this official Apple accessory. If you want a compact, Apple‑branded mouse for a Mac desktop or laptop, this is one of the rare times the Magic Mouse goes on sale. The mouse charges over USB‑C and Apple claims a single charge can last around a month depending on usage. That’s convenient compared with the era of disposable AAs, and the USB‑C change is a welcome update for users who prefer a wired charging option. Important caveat Port placement: The USB‑C port is located on…

ChatGPT Go launches in Germany — a new €8/month entry tier OpenAI has made its new entry subscription, ChatGPT Go, available in Germany. Priced at €8 per month, the tier slots between the existing Free access and the higher-cost Plus and Pro plans. The move follows earlier tests of new pricing tiers in other markets and expands OpenAI’s range of paid options. ChatGPT Go provides a lower-cost pathway for users who want enhanced access beyond the free tier without committing to the more expensive plans. OpenAI first signaled experiments with tiered subscriptions in other regions this year and is now rolling this specific option out to German users. What to know Price: €8 per month in Germany. Positioning: Sits between the Free plan and Plus/Pro in OpenAI’s lineup. Availability: This…

HiFidelity: New open-source offline music player for macOS HiFidelity is a newly released open-source music player for macOS that intentionally focuses on playing local audio files. The app drops streaming services, user accounts and online libraries in favor of giving listeners full control over their own music collections and playback. The project is aimed at users who prefer offline listening for privacy, archival collections or simply better control of metadata and file-based libraries. Because HiFidelity is open-source, technically minded users can inspect the code, contribute or build it themselves. What to expect Strictly local playback — no streams or cloud libraries. Designed for users who manage their own music files and want a lightweight, privacy-first player. Open-source distribution — check the project repository for releases and build instructions. Before installing,…

TikTok to spin off U.S. business — ownership split, Oracle to host US data, deal expected Jan 22 TikTok has signed agreements to spin off its U.S. business into a new entity with a split ownership structure intended to address long‑running national‑security and regulatory concerns. Under the reported deal, Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi’s state investment firm MGX would each control roughly 15% of the new company, while ByteDance — TikTok’s China‑based parent — would retain about a 20% stake. The arrangement reportedly places U.S. user data under an Oracle‑operated system and establishes a seven‑member board to manage U.S. platform operations, with a U.S. majority on that board. TikTok’s internal memo set a target closing date of January 22. Key facts Ownership: Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX each ~15%;…

Wuben X4 Mini: iPhone charges the flashlight — it doesn’t work as an emergency power bank Many readers wondered if the compact Wuben X4 Mini flashlight could double as an emergency power bank for an iPhone — after all, it uses a removable 18650 cell and charges over USB‑C. In practice, the X4 Mini behaves differently: its USB‑C port is for charging the lamp (power in), not for providing power out to charge phones. That means plugging your iPhone into the X4 Mini won’t top up your phone. In fact, the connection can go the other way in some cases — the phone may supply power to the lamp. A red status LED and the lamp’s behavior indicate power flow, so don’t assume the flashlight will rescue a drained phone…