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Spotify expands free tier — biggest upgrade since 2018 Date: September 15–16, 2025 Spotify has announced a major update to its free tier — the first notable overhaul of its free offering since 2018. According to reporting, the changes aim to give non‑paying listeners more control and a modernized free experience while keeping certain limits in place to incentivize Premium subscriptions. Key changes for free users Search and play specific songs on demand (no longer strictly shuffle-only in many cases) Create and customize playlists, including adding custom artwork Play songs shared via direct links Access to podcasts through the app Limits remain: free users still face restrictions such as a limited number of skips and partial on-demand listening compared with Premium subscribers. "Though this update provides more control to listeners…

YouTube’s new AI tools for creators — Made on YouTube 2025 YouTube announced a suite of AI-powered creator tools at the Made on YouTube event. Below is a summary of what’s coming and where to find more details. Highlights Auto-edit to a "first draft" — Automatically edits raw footage into a compelling first draft with music, transitions and voiceover. Auto-voiceovers (English & Hindi) — Built-in voiceover generation available in YouTube Create and Shorts (coming later this year). Dialogue → Soundtracks — Converts spoken dialogue into catchy soundtracks for Shorts. Veo 3 integration in Shorts — Text-prompt video generation with added sound, improved quality, better prompt matching, motion transfer and stylization options. YouTube Studio conversational AI — An AI assistant for analytics and creator insights (rolling out now). Collaboration for up…

OpenAI is developing an age‑gated ChatGPT experience that aims to identify teen users automatically and apply age‑appropriate policies. Key points: Age estimation & default gating: The system will attempt to estimate user age; if it cannot confidently determine age, it will default the user to the under‑18 experience. Content restrictions: Graphic sexual content will be blocked for teen users. Safety responses: In cases of acute distress, the system may contact law enforcement to help ensure user safety. Parental controls: Parents will be able to link accounts, set usage hours (curfews), and manage other settings. OpenAI said some parental controls are expected to arrive before the end of the month. Adult verification: Adults will be given a way to verify their age to restore full ChatGPT capabilities. “We prioritize safety ahead…

Homematic IP: New compact underfloor heating controller with automatic hydraulic balancing eQ‑3 has announced a new, more compact variant of its Homematic IP underfloor heating controller for water-based (hydronic) floor heating systems. According to the manufacturer, the controller takes over full regulation of the floor heating and supports automatic hydraulic balancing to optimise water distribution per circuit based on the set room temperature. Key features Compact, updated form factor compared with the predecessor Designed for water-based underfloor heating Automatic hydraulic balancing to optimise flow to each circuit Full regulation of floor heating based on room temperature settings Integration with Homematic IP ecosystem (per eQ‑3 product pages) Where to read more Manufacturer/product pages: Wired underfloor heating controller — Homematic IP (10 channels, 230 V) Floor heating controller — Homematic IP (12-channel…

KPop Demon Hunters Reportedly Coming to Fortnite Leakers on X (formerly Twitter) — @SpushFNBR and @Loolo — say a KPop Demon Hunters crossover is reportedly coming to Fortnite. Details are scarce, but the duo called their source "reliable" and promised more information in the coming weeks. The Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters made waves after its June debut and became Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time, racking up 236 million views between June 20 and August 26. Its soundtrack also performed strongly, with multiple tracks reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. What could a Fortnite crossover include? Possible options range from character skins based on the Huntr/X singers, themed map locations, in-game events, or even a limited-time game mode tied to the film’s demon-hunting story. Sources: initial reports surfaced…

Aurzen Roku TV Smart Projector D1R Cube — Roku OS Built‑In The Aurzen Roku TV Smart Projector D1R Cube brings Roku’s operating system inside a compact projector. Key highlights: Built‑in Roku OS with the Roku remote, mobile app and access to The Roku Channel and popular streaming apps 1080p Full HD resolution Brightness: 330 ANSI lumens Screen size support: 40–150 inches (indoor & outdoor use) Connectivity: HDMI input, Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth (headphones), 3.5mm audio out Audio: dual 5W speakers Setup: auto‑focus, auto keystone correction and guided setup Pricing and availability List price: $250. According to initial reports, there’s a coupon that can drop the price to $180 through Oct 1 (check the seller for current offers). Where to buy Aurzen official product pages: Aurzen projectors Search on Amazon (affiliate link):…

Apple Sports launches in Germany Anderthalb Jahre after its US debut, Apple Sports has arrived in Germany and is now available for free in the German App Store. The app focuses on delivering fast access to live scores, match schedules and results through a clean, lightweight interface rather than the deep feature sets offered by many commercial sports apps. What to expect Free download on the App Store: Apple Sports on the German App Store Official announcement: Apple Newsroom Quick live scores, schedules and results New customizable home‑screen widgets for iPhone, iPad and Mac Coverage expanded for several European leagues (including 2. Bundesliga, Ligue 2 and Serie B) Requires iOS/iPadOS 17.2 or later Who is it for? Fans who want fast, simple access to scores and schedules without the complexity…

Paramount+: 50% Off Annual Plans — Ends Sept 18 Paramount+ is offering 50% off annual subscriptions through September 18. This promotion brings the yearly costs down to: Essential (with ads): $30/year (normally $60) Premium (mostly ad-free, includes Showtime titles): $60/year (normally $120) Key details: The offer is available to new and returning subscribers. You must pay for the full year up front to get the discounted rate; month-to-month subscriptions remain at regular pricing. Premium includes access to Showtime content (e.g., Yellowjackets, Dexter). Notable shows available on Paramount+ include Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Yellowjackets, and Dexter. The platform also carries sports and other originals. If you want to grab the offer, sign up directly at the official Paramount+ site: https://www.paramountplus.com Will you take the deal? Share…

SwitchBot launches S20 and K11+ robot cleaners with Matter 1.4 SwitchBot has introduced two new cleaning robots that support the Matter 1.4 smart home standard: the Floor Cleaning Robot S20 and the compact Robot Vacuum K11+. This brings native integration with Apple Home and other Matter-compatible platforms without needing extra hubs. Key features SwitchBot S20: RinseSync™ roller mop system that continuously rinses and scrubs the mop; up to 10,000Pa suction; dual anti-tangle brushes; AI obstacle avoidance; MultiClean base station options including a Tank edition (2.7L clean water / 2.5L wastewater) and an Auto-fill & Drain edition that connects to household plumbing. Auto-emptying base holds dust for up to 90 days and dries the mop with heated air to prevent odors. SwitchBot K11+: smaller, maneuverable vacuum suited for compact spaces with…

Samsung EVO Select 256GB microSD — $20 Deal One of our favorite budget microSD cards, the Samsung EVO Select 256GB, is currently available for $20 (down from $27). This model offers read/write performance up to ~160MB/s and is a reliable, affordable way to expand storage on phones, tablets and the Nintendo Switch (note: may not be compatible with the second-generation Switch model). Why it’s a good buy 256GB capacity — plenty for apps, photos, and games Up to ~160MB/s read/write speeds Works with smartphones, tablets and the Nintendo Switch (original) Budget-friendly — great value for the price Shop on Amazon: Samsung EVO Select 256GB on Amazon Source: Deal originally reported by Engadget (article overview, removed direct RSS link). Follow comments below — where would you use this card?