Author: alex

Amazon renames the Fire TV lineup — the Fire TV Stick 4K Max emerges as the smart pick Amazon recently updated the names and pricing for its Fire TV streaming devices. The new lineup now lists five models: the $35 Fire TV Stick HD, $40 Fire TV Stick 4K Select, $50 Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, $60 Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and the $140 Fire TV Cube. The reshuffle has left several mid-tier options that differ by small, sometimes confusing features. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each model offers and the practical differences to watch for: Fire TV Stick HD ($35) — 1080p streaming, best budget pick for older sets or basic upgrades. Fire TV Stick 4K Select ($40) — entry 4K option but lacks Dolby Vision and…

Twitch launches live shopping with e.l.f. Cosmetics, powered by Amazon Ads Twitch is rolling out a native live-shopping feature that lets viewers purchase products without leaving the stream. Announced at TwitchCon, the initial rollout is a partnership with e.l.f. Cosmetics and is powered by Amazon Ads. The shoppable element appears on e.l.f.'s Twitch presence, e.l.f.YOU!, letting viewers buy products as they discover them in-stream. Key points: Purchases happen inline—viewers stay on the stream rather than being redirected to another page. The first partner is e.l.f. Cosmetics, which has been active on Twitch since 2020 and often collaborates with gaming creators. The shopping tech is powered by Amazon Ads, signaling deeper commerce integrations across Amazon-owned services. This move follows a broader industry trend toward embedded commerce in social platforms—TikTok launched TikTok…

Spotify and Major Labels Unite on "Artist-First" AI Music Products Spotify announced a partnership with the major record labels—Sony, Universal and Warner—alongside digital-rights group Merlin and French label Believe to develop "artist-first" AI music products. The companies say the goal is to create AI features that empower artists and songwriters with upfront agreements, fair compensation and clear choices about participation. The move follows Spotify's recent efforts to remove unauthorized AI-generated content from its platform. The company framed the partnerships as a way to ensure AI-driven innovation in music happens with rights, consent and compensation rather than elsewhere without artist protections. Partnerships: Work with labels, distributors and publishers to shape AI tools. Choice: Artists must be able to opt in or out of AI uses of their work. Fair compensation: Upfront…

Spotify, Labels Partner on 'Artist-First' AI Music — What We Know Spotify announced a partnership with major music stakeholders — Sony, Universal, Warner, digital rights group Merlin and France's Believe — to develop "artist-first" AI music products. The move aims to build AI tools that prioritize artist choice, compensation and fan connections, but Spotify's public post focuses more on principles than specifics. This initiative follows Spotify's recent pledge to clean up the influx of low-quality, unauthorized AI-generated music on its platform. Company leadership framed the partnership as a way for the music industry to lead AI-driven innovation rather than having it happen "elsewhere, without rights, consent or compensation." Spotify says current AI tools aren’t built to power artists’ careers, which will shape the partners’ approach. Confirmed partners: Sony, Universal, Warner,…

Will Apple Release New Apple TV and HomePod mini After Recent Launches? Apple recently rolled out refreshed iPad Pro models, a smaller MacBook Pro and the Vision Pro — but that might not be the finish line for the year. Reports suggest Apple could still update its home devices, with the Apple TV set-top box and the HomePod mini topping the list of likely candidates. Key points to know: After a wave of high-profile product launches, attention has turned to Apple’s home ecosystem: Apple TV and HomePod mini. Both products are logical refresh targets — Apple TV for updated streaming and gaming features, and HomePod mini for smart-home and Siri improvements. No official Apple announcement has confirmed new models yet; current reports are based on industry rumors and analyst speculation.…

FCC Moves to Expel Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) from US Networks Over National Security Concerns The Federal Communications Commission has issued an "Order to Show Cause" to Hong Kong Telecom (HKT), directing the company to explain why the FCC should not begin revocation proceedings to remove HKT from U.S. telecommunications networks. The move centers on national security concerns and new rules aimed at companies with ties to foreign adversaries. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr framed the action as part of the agency's effort to prevent entities controlled by the Chinese Communist Party from connecting to U.S. networks. HKT is a major telecom operator in Hong Kong and a subsidiary of PCCW; about 18% of PCCW is owned by China Unicom, a state-owned Chinese carrier, which the FCC flagged in its 30-page…

Unionized EA Employees Demand Scrutiny of $55B Saudi-Backed Takeover Unionized Electronic Arts (EA) staffers — members of the industry-wide video game workers' union UVW-CWA — have issued a formal statement opposing the proposed $55 billion acquisition that would take EA private for the first time in its 35-year history. Their complaint isn't focused on the Saudi backers' human rights record; instead, workers say they were entirely excluded from negotiations and fear any cost-cutting layoffs would be a choice to enrich investors rather than a necessity. Union members have launched a petition urging regulators to scrutinize the deal and protect employees' jobs and creative autonomy. Deal value: $55 billion — would make EA private. Backers: Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners. Union concerns: lack…

Apple AirTag 4-pack hits record low — $65 (34% off) Apple's AirTag 4‑pack is currently on sale for $65 (about 34% off), bringing the per‑unit price to just $16.25. This deal makes it a convenient time to pick up trackers for wallets, backpacks, luggage or any frequently misplaced items. AirTags integrate with Apple's Find My network, using nearby iPhones, iPads and Macs to report location securely. On iPhone 11 and newer, AirTags also support Ultra Wideband (UWB) precision finding for directional guidance. They have a built‑in speaker to play a sound when you need to locate a nearby item, and a wide range of accessories makes them easy to attach to keys, bags or tags. Price: 4‑pack for $65 (34% off) — $16.25 per AirTag Key features: Find My network,…

Casio reissues CA-500 calculator watch for Back to the Future 40th anniversary Casio is releasing a special edition of its vintage CA-500 calculator watch to mark the 40th anniversary of the film Back to the Future. The limited CA-500WEBF will be available from October 22 for €119 online and at selected retailers. The CA-500WEBF is based on Casio's classic CA-500 design, a compact calculator watch known for its retro styling and built-in calculator keypad. This release plays into growing interest in retro tech and nostalgia for 1980s pop culture. Model: CA-500WEBF Price: €119 Release date: October 22 Typical features: built-in calculator, timekeeping, likely alarm and stopwatch as found in CA-500 series Availability: online and selected specialist retailers For more on Casio's vintage lineup, visit the official Casio site: Casio. For…

Quantic Dream Reveals Spellcasters Chronicles — Their First Multiplayer Magic MOBA Quantic Dream, best known for narrative single-player titles like Heavy Rain and Detroit: Become Human, has revealed Spellcasters Chronicles — the studio's first multiplayer game. The title is a 3 vs. 3, third-person magic MOBA that mixes deckbuilding, territory control, and spectacle-driven mechanics. Matches are designed to last around 25 minutes as teams summon minions, capture altars, and ultimately destroy opposing lifestones. Unique features include free flight for every mage, large summonable titans that can swing the tide of battle, and the ability to place buildings and alter environments mid-match. Gameplay: 3v3 third-person MOBA with flying mages, summoning, and strategic resource management. Deckbuilding: Players choose spells, summons and a titan before battle; each spell has limited uses. Monetization: Free-to-play…