Author: alex

Apple to power new Siri with a custom version of Google’s Gemini — $1B deal and plans for its own 1T‑parameter model Bloomberg reports Apple is finalizing plans to use a customized version of Google’s Gemini to power its upgraded Siri, with the company reportedly paying about $1 billion per year for the technology. Gemini will run on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers and take on key roles such as Siri’s summarizer and planner — functions that synthesize information and coordinate complex tasks. Apple will still use some in‑house models, but the Gemini integration is aimed at boosting Siri’s ability to execute multi‑step requests and manage app tasks. The deal is said to be largely behind the scenes; Apple does not plan to advertise the Google partnership and intends to…

DAZN arrives as an Amazon Prime Video add‑on in the US and UK DAZN is now available as a paid add‑on through Amazon Prime Video in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The channel will cost an additional $30 per month on top of your Prime Video subscription and offers a broad slate of live sports — from more than 185 fight nights per year to over 300 Serie A soccer matches. DAZN had previously been available via Prime in several other markets, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and Canada. The US/UK rollout expands Prime Video’s sports offerings and gives subscribers an easy way to add DAZN without leaving the Prime interface. What’s included More than 185 fight nights annually (boxing, MMA and combat sports coverage). Over…

EcoFlow Trail: Powerstation or just a big battery with a handle? EcoFlow’s new Trail series highlights how the line between traditional power banks and compact power stations is getting blurred. The Trail models are essentially very large batteries made more portable with a built-in carry handle — designed to be more usable in outdoor and backup scenarios than a typical pocket-sized charger. Rather than replacing full-size home powerstations, the Trail seems aimed at users who want more capacity than a phone power bank but still value portability. That makes it attractive for weekend camping, tailgates, or as a short-term emergency backup when you don’t want to lug a heavy inverter setup. Key points Design: Large-capacity battery in a compact form factor with a carry handle for easier transport. Use cases:…

UN Emissions Gap Report 2025: world still far off Paris targets The United Nations’ 2025 Emissions Gap Report delivers a stark assessment: the world is on a path toward roughly 2.3–2.5°C of warming relative to pre‑industrial levels — well above the Paris Agreement goals of limiting warming to 2°C and pursuing 1.5°C. While the 2025 projections look slightly better than last year’s, the report notes some of that improvement comes from methodological changes; the near‑term picture remains worrying. The UN also warns that the planned US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in January 2026 will erase about 0.1°C of the modest progress implied by current pledges. To stand a realistic chance of keeping warming to 1.5°C by 2100, global CO2 emissions would have to fall by roughly 55% by 2035;…

Readly holiday offer: 2 months of digital magazines for €1 Readly is offering a limited‑time holiday promotion: two months of its digital magazine subscription for just €1. The promotion is explicitly available to returning users as well as new subscribers and is aimed at keeping readers stocked up through the colder months. Readly is one of Europe’s leading platforms for digital magazines, with hundreds of titles across categories such as tech, news, lifestyle, travel and more. The deal is a low‑risk way to sample the service or add a short extension to your reading library. Quick facts Price: 2 months for €1. Eligibility: New and returning users (Readly confirms returners are included). Duration: Offer valid through the end of the year — check Readly for exact expiry and regional availability.…

Readly holiday offer: 2 months of digital magazines for €1 Readly is running a limited‑time holiday promotion: you can get two months of its digital magazine subscription for just €1. The offer is explicitly available to returning users as well as new signups and covers access through the end of the year. Readly is a major European platform for digital magazines, providing access to hundreds of titles across categories like news, tech, lifestyle, travel and more. The deal is a low‑risk way to try the service or top up your reading stash for the winter months. Quick facts Price: 2 months for €1. Who’s eligible: New and returning users (Readly confirmed returners are included). Duration: Offer valid through the end of the year (check Readly for exact expiry and regional…

Atari 50 adds Namco classics with The Namco Legendary Pack (Nov 13, $8) Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is expanding its retrospective with a paid DLC called The Namco Legendary Pack, due on November 13 for $8. The pack brings key Namco titles into the collection and adds a dedicated, interactive timeline packed with developer interviews and archival materials. The expansion aims to round out Atari’s historical survey by including some of the arcade era’s most influential games. Players will get multiple versions of classics and a deeper look at Namco’s relationship with Atari through curated stories and media. What’s included Pac‑Man: home versions for Atari 2600, Atari 5200 and Atari 8‑bit systems. Arcade versions of Dig Dug and Xevious. Home console versions of Galaga and Galaxian. An interactive Namco…

iOS 26.2 beta lets Japanese iPhone users install alternative App Stores Apple’s iOS 26.2 beta appears to introduce support for alternative app stores in Japan. Users testing the initial beta report that, after installing iOS 26.2, their iPhones show an option to install third‑party app stores — a notable change from Apple’s long‑standing App Store exclusivity. The feature is visible in the early developer/public preview and is currently limited to Japan in this build. That means it’s not yet widely available and could change before a final iOS release, but it signals a regional shift in how Apple may handle app distribution under local regulatory and market pressures. What this could mean More choice for users: Third‑party stores could offer alternative discovery methods, pricing and payment options that differ from…

MPA objects to Meta’s use of “PG‑13” for Instagram Teen Accounts The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has sent Meta a cease‑and‑desist over the company’s decision to describe its Instagram Teen Accounts using the term “PG‑13.” The MPA says Meta’s analogy is "literally false and highly misleading," arguing that the movie‑rating system is not comparable to the social‑media classification Meta is promoting. Meta recently updated how Instagram Teen Accounts work, saying its policies will aim to keep content roughly in line with what audiences might see in a PG‑13 movie. The company said the comparison was meant to help parents understand content expectations, and that it never claimed official PG‑13 certification from the MPA. What the MPA says The MPA warned that Meta’s use of the rating could create public confusion…

iOS 26.2 beta lets Japanese iPhone users install alternative App Stores Apple appears to be opening the door to alternative app stores in Japan. Reports from users testing the first iOS 26.2 beta indicate the update adds an option to install third‑party app stores on iPhones in Japan — a notable change from Apple’s long‑standing App Store exclusivity. The feature is visible in the initial developer/beta preview, so it’s not yet part of a public release for all users. That said, it signals a regional shift that could affect how apps are distributed, how payments are handled, and how developers reach customers in Japan. What this could mean More competition: Alternative stores can offer different fee structures and discovery systems, which may benefit some developers and lower prices for users.…