Author: alex

IWGB files legal claims against Rockstar Games over alleged union‑busting The Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) has issued formal legal claims against Rockstar Games, accusing the developer of union‑busting after it fired more than 30 employees who were organizing. The union says it tried to negotiate with Rockstar first but was rebuffed, and now seeks legal remedy on behalf of the dismissed workers. The IWGB alleges the firings amount to “victimization and collective dismissal linked to trade union activity.” Alex Marshall, IWGB president, said the union will "mount a full legal defense" and argued that private spaces such as trade‑union Discord servers have legal protections. The union also claims those dismissed were members of an IWGB Game Workers Union Discord server. Rockstar has defended its actions, saying the workers…

Airbnb tests Instacart integration so guests can pre-order groceries before a stay Airbnb is piloting a new service that lets guests order groceries through Instacart up to three weeks before their reservation. The pilot begins on January 5 and will run for three months in select US markets, including Phoenix, Orlando and Los Angeles. The key difference from ordinary grocery delivery is that hosts can opt to receive, unpack and store the groceries before guests arrive. For each completed order that the host puts away, Airbnb will pay the host $25. Guests can still place Instacart orders during their stay, but they’ll be responsible for handling the delivery themselves. How the pilot works Guests may place Instacart orders up to three weeks in advance of check-in. Participating hosts must accept…

Framework Laptop 16 gets NVIDIA RTX 5070 upgrade — modular gaming becomes practical Framework has rolled out a meaningful upgrade for its Laptop 16: users can now swap the discrete Radeon RX 7700S expansion module for an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070. This is one of the first times a laptop owner can realistically upgrade a discrete GPU, marking a milestone for modular PC design. The company also launched refreshed mainboards that support AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 or Ryzen AI 9 HZ 370 CPUs (both quoted at 45W TDP), a new 2,560 x 1,600 165Hz display with G‑Sync, Wi‑Fi 7 support and other refinements if you buy a new prebuilt model. Key specs & features Swappable GPU: GeForce RTX 5070 expansion module (8GB DDR7) available as an upgrade; Radeon RX…

BMW to be first automaker to integrate Amazon’s Alexa+ for more natural in‑car voice BMW will be the first carmaker to adopt Amazon’s new Alexa+ voice platform in its vehicles. The upgraded assistant is designed for more natural, multi‑turn conversations and adapts to personal usage patterns to deliver tailored responses while preserving BMW’s own in‑car interface and branding. The Alexa+ integration means drivers should be able to interact with the assistant in a more conversational way — follow‑ups and context are handled more smoothly than with earlier voice systems. At the same time, BMW is keeping the assistant visually and functionally integrated into its dashboards rather than swapping in Amazon’s branded UI. What to expect Natural dialogue: Alexa+ focuses on back‑and‑forth interactions so drivers can ask follow‑ups without repeating context.…

BMW integrates Amazon’s Alexa+ voice assistant into its cars BMW is set to become the first automaker to adopt Amazon’s new Alexa+ voice services in its vehicles. The updated assistant is built for more natural, conversational interactions and adapts to personal usage patterns to provide a more individualized experience. The Alexa+ integration will retain BMW’s visual and functional brand identity in the car’s interface while routing voice capabilities through Amazon’s Alexa+ technology. That means drivers should get smoother, context‑aware dialogues without losing the look and controls BMW customers expect. What to expect Natural dialogue: Alexa+ aims to handle back‑and‑forth conversations more naturally than previous voice assistants. Personalization: The system learns from usage to tailor responses and suggestions to individual drivers. BMW branding: The assistant will be visually and functionally integrated…

YouTube TV–Disney blackout continues: how to watch ESPN/ABC and alternatives The carriage dispute between Disney and YouTube TV has entered a second week with no clear resolution. Subscribers have been left without access to more than 20 Disney‑owned channels — including ESPN and ABC — and YouTube TV has begun issuing $20 credits to affected accounts as a partial consolation. The blackout means viewers are missing major live sports and network programming. Disney is reportedly losing about $4.3 million per day during the dispute, while YouTube TV customers face disrupted weekends of NFL, NBA and college football coverage. Channels currently affected ABC (and local ABC affiliates on YouTube TV) ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, SEC Network, ESPN Deportes Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD FX, FXX, FXM National Geographic, Nat Geo…

Insta360 expands Ace Pro 2 with three new videography bundles Insta360 has launched three new videography bundles for its Ace Pro 2 action camera, the Leica‑collaborated model introduced in fall 2024. The Ace Pro 2 gained attention for its 8K sensor, dual‑chip architecture and the novel ability to overlay Apple Watch data in video — the new bundles aim to simplify creative setups for shooters. The sets package accessories and workflow tools tailored to different use cases — from run‑and‑gun adventure filming to more controlled cinematic shoots. That makes it easier to pick a pre‑configured kit instead of sourcing individual accessories. What's included and who it's for Bundle focus: Each kit groups accessories (mounts, cages, filters, audio or stabilization tools) and presets optimized for popular shooting scenarios. Leica & tech…

Alien: Earth renewed for Season 2 — production set to start in London in 2026 FX’s Alien: Earth has been renewed for a second season, confirming that Noah Hawley will continue to lead the project under a newly reported multi‑year deal with Disney. The first season closed on a dramatic cliffhanger, and production on season two is slated to begin in London in 2026. Alien: Earth is set two years before the original Alien and follows a retro‑futuristic shipping vessel that crash‑lands on Earth carrying mysterious extraterrestrial cargo. The series explores the fallout around a terminally ill girl who becomes the first human‑synthetic hybrid, blending horror and science‑fiction in a fresh timeframe for the franchise. Key details Renewal: Season 2 confirmed after Season 1 concluded in September. Showrunner: Noah Hawley…

Walmart+ half-off: $49 for the first year — includes Peacock Premium Walmart is offering Walmart+ subscriptions for half off right now, bringing the cost down to $49 for your first year. One of the perks: subscribers can choose Peacock Premium (or Paramount+ Essential) at no extra charge — a significant saving compared with buying Peacock separately. Peacock Premium normally costs about $110 per year on its own, so this promotion can get you full Peacock access for less than half the standalone price when bundled with Walmart+. The Walmart+ membership also includes benefits like free shipping on orders over $35, discounts on gas, early access to Black Friday deals and more. Deal snapshot Offer: Walmart+ 50% off — $49 for the first year. Streaming perk: Choice of Peacock Premium or…

AirPods 4 drop to a record-low $85 ahead of Black Friday Apple’s AirPods 4 are on sale for a new low price of $85 as part of early Black Friday deals. These earbuds use Apple’s H2 chip and deliver many flagship conveniences in a more affordable package — though this non‑ANC model lacks active noise cancellation. The AirPods 4 are a solid choice if you want Apple ecosystem features, a comfortable redesigned fit and advanced audio tech without the higher cost of the ANC models. Here's a quick look at what they offer and what to consider before buying. Key features H2 chip: Enables improved audio processing and features like Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. Voice Isolation: Better call clarity by reducing background noise for your voice. Redesigned…