Author: alex

Meross launches Matter-enabled in-wall thermostats Meross has introduced two new in-wall (unterputz) thermostats that support the Matter smart home standard, allowing integration with Apple Home and other Matter-enabled platforms. The first model is designed for use with boilers and water-based underfloor heating systems. A second version is expected to be released by the end of the month. Key points: Matter support: native compatibility with Apple Home and other Matter ecosystems, improving cross-platform interoperability. Heating compatibility: the currently available model works with boilers and hydronic (water-based) underfloor heating systems. Staged rollout: Meross plans to ship an additional variant later this month to cover more heating setups. Why this matters: Matter is becoming the de facto bridge for smart home devices, reducing vendor lock-in and making it easier to control hardware from…

Apple Teases New MacBook Pro with M5 Pro Chip Apple appears to be gearing up to launch a new MacBook Pro model powered by an M5 Pro processor. Greg Joswiak, Apple's head of worldwide product marketing, posted a short, teasing video on X that many interpret as a direct hint the company will announce the machine soon. The post itself was brief but unmistakable: a teaser video and a punchy comment that suggest an imminent product reveal. While Apple has not yet published formal specs or a release date, the teaser renews expectations that the next-generation "M5" family could be aimed at professional users seeking higher sustained performance and efficiency. What we know: Greg Joswiak shared a short video on X teasing something "powerful," widely read as a MacBook Pro…

Samsung to Reveal Galaxy XR — First Android XR Commercial Headset — at "Worlds Wide Open" (Oct 21) Samsung has announced a livestreamed event called "Worlds Wide Open" where it will officially unveil its long-rumored Android XR headset. The event will stream on Tuesday, October 21 at 10PM ET and can be watched on Samsung's site or its YouTube channel. The headset, internally known as Project Moohan and reportedly branded as the Samsung Galaxy XR, is expected to be the first commercial product to run on the Android XR platform. Recent leaks disclosed several product details, increasing the likelihood that Samsung will reveal the headset's official name, release date, and pricing at the event. Key points: Event: "Worlds Wide Open" livestream — Oct 21, 10PM ET. Product: Likely called Samsung…

DirecTV to Replace TV Screensavers with AI-Generated Ads via Glance DirecTV is partnering with AI company Glance to replace traditional TV screensavers with AI-generated, shoppable ad experiences. The feature will roll out to DirecTV Gemini devices early next year and promises an interactive, "lean-in" television experience where viewers can engage with products directly from their screens. Glance — a firm that has received backing from Google and has worked on on-device AI tools — describes the feature as an immersive way to discover and buy products. In practice, the system lets users use the Glance mobile app to insert themselves or others into AI-generated videos shown on the TV, change a character's wardrobe with the voice remote, and then complete purchases from the phone. Rollout: Scheduled for DirecTV Gemini devices…

Gregg Mayles leaves Rare after 36 years — what it means for Sea of Thieves and Everwild Gregg Mayles, a longtime designer and the creative director behind titles such as Banjo‑Kazooie and Sea of Thieves, has confirmed he has left Rare after a 36‑year tenure. Mayles’ short poem posted on X (Twitter) on October 14, 2025, made his departure public following earlier reports during a wave of layoffs at Xbox Game Studios. Mayles joined Rare when the studio was still closely tied to Nintendo and remained through its transition to a Microsoft subsidiary. Over decades he contributed to classics like Donkey Kong Country, Battletoads and Banjo‑Kazooie, and more recently led Sea of Thieves to become one of Rare’s modern successes. The departure comes amid turmoil at Rare: the studio continued…

Meta Removes Facebook Group Allegedly Tracking ICE Agents After DOJ Contact Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X that the Department of Justice contacted Facebook asking it to remove a group she said "was being used to dox and target" U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating in Chicago. Meta told reporters the group was removed for violating its policies against "coordinated harm," but the company did not confirm the group name or directly acknowledge DOJ involvement. Reports say some ICE officers in Chicago have moved without visible name tags, sometimes wearing facial coverings and using unmarked vehicles. A U.S. District Judge has ruled that ICE agents who are not undercover must display visible identification while operating in the Chicagoland area — a ruling that underscores the tension between…

Google Proposes Equal Treatment for Vertical Search Services in EU Search Results Reuters reports Google is preparing to change how Search displays results to avoid billions in fines under the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The proposed change would let "vertical search services" (VSS) such as Expedia or Hotels.com show their own result boxes in Search with the same formatting as Google’s own services. Key points: Google would allow each VSS to display a dedicated results box populated from that VSS’s inventory. Google’s own services would keep the same visual format and appear alongside the VSS box; displayed order would be determined by "objective and non-discriminatory criteria." Results from airlines, car rental companies, and other direct suppliers would still appear, placed above or below the VSS box depending on…

5CA denies being hacked after Discord breach claims — what we know Customer support firm 5CA has pushed back against reports that it was the entry point in Discord’s recent data breach. Discord previously announced a breach affecting a “small number” of government-issued IDs submitted for age verification, later clarifying that roughly 70,000 users’ IDs may have been exposed and naming a third-party vendor involved in support operations. In a public statement, 5CA said none of its systems were involved and that it did not handle government-issued IDs for the client in question. The company added that the incident occurred outside its systems and that a preliminary investigation suggests the cause may be "human error," though it gave no specific details. Discord originally disclosed a breach that included government IDs…

Kobo launches $30 Bluetooth Remote for eReaders — on sale Nov 4 Kobo has introduced the Kobo Remote, a compact Bluetooth page-turner priced at $30 and set to be available starting November 4. Designed to pair with Kobo eReaders that support Bluetooth, the remote is meant to make long reading sessions more comfortable by letting users flip pages without holding the device. The remote will ship in black and white to match Kobo's product lineup and is compatible with devices such as the Libra 2 and Clara Colour. Kobo says the accessory will be sold in multiple regions including the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Singapore and Japan. Price: $30 Availability: November 4 (multiple regions) Compatibility: Kobo eReaders with Bluetooth (e.g., Libra 2, Clara Colour) Colors: Black and White The concept…

OpenAI Forms Expert Council on Well‑being and AI — Oversight or Optics? OpenAI announced the creation of an Expert Council on Well-being and AI composed of eight researchers and experts focusing on the intersection of technology and mental health. The council is intended to advise OpenAI on user mental and emotional wellness, including safety measures and protections for younger users. The move comes amid growing scrutiny of AI companies after lawsuits and reports linked chatbots to tragic incidents involving teens. Some members on the new council previously advised OpenAI on parental controls. Size & focus: Eight experts specializing in mental health, technology, and youth safety. Scope: Advisory — members provide guidance but do not hold decision-making power. Context: Announced as part of broader safety discussions across the AI industry. OpenAI’s…