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Where the HomePod Stands as Apple Chases AI Apple briefly showed a HomePod in the opener of yesterday’s event, but then offered no updates — a missed chance to reinvigorate an already beleaguered smart speaker. The HomePod has lagged behind rivals since its 2017 announcement, with cost and delayed features (and limited Siri) holding it back. The HomePod mini arrived in 2020 and the 2nd-gen HomePod added Thread support in 2023, but neither move reinvented the category. As AI gets folded into phones and computers, the need for a dedicated smart speaker feels smaller. Industry reports suggest Apple’s major Siri overhaul may not arrive until spring 2026, and an interactive smart home hub with HomePod-like audio could be years away (reports indicate around 2027). These timelines help explain why Apple…

HBO Max likely to get pricier and password-sharing crackdown — Zaslav signals price hikes David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, told attendees at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference that HBO Max is "way underpriced" and that the company sees "a chance to raise prices" thanks to the strength of its content across film, TV and streaming. Key points Zaslav said the company believes HBO Max can charge more because of high-quality content across its platforms. Current U.S. pricing (as referenced): Basic with ads — $9.99/month; Premium (ad-free) — $20.99/month. Warner Bros. Discovery has signaled plans to crack down on password-sharing, aiming to close loopholes and "begin to push on that." What this means Price increases and tighter enforcement of account-sharing are already common industry moves (Netflix and…

PS Plus Game Catalog Adds — SeptemberPS Plus Game Catalog Adds — SeptemberSony has added several new titles to the PS Plus Game Catalog for September. Highlights include Persona 5 Tactica, The Invincible, WWE 2K25, Fate/Samurai Remnant, Crow Country and Green Hell.Games & Short DescriptionsPersona 5 Tactica (PS5 / PS4) — A tactical RPG spin-off that turns the Phantom Thieves into grid-based strategists. Buy / search on AmazonThe Invincible (PS5) — Narrative sci-fi exploration inspired by Stanisław Lem’s novel; focus is on story and choices. Buy / search on AmazonWWE 2K25 (PS5 / PS4) — The latest wrestling sim with revamped gameplay and big rosters. Buy / search on AmazonFate / Samurai Remnant — An action RPG with samurai combat mechanics. Buy / search on AmazonCrow Country — A survival…

Best VPN deals: Save up to 87% on long-term plans You can save a lot by using a VPN and taking advantage of long-term deals. Below is a concise guide to current offers from major providers plus tips on what to watch for before you buy. Top deals (summary) NordVPN — Known for speed and strong privacy. Deal: two-year plan + extras. Official: NordVPN deals. More (Amazon search): NordVPN on Amazon. ExpressVPN — User-friendly, minimal speed loss. Deals available on multi-year plans. Official: ExpressVPN order. More (Amazon search): ExpressVPN on Amazon. Surfshark — Feature-rich and budget-friendly. Great multi-hop/rotating IP options. Official deal page: Surfshark deals. More (Amazon search): Surfshark on Amazon. CyberGhost — Strong automation and streaming-optimized servers. Official: CyberGhost offers. More (Amazon search): CyberGhost on Amazon. Private Internet Access…

AirPods Pro 3 — AirPods edging toward an "always-on" wearable Apple unveiled the AirPods Pro 3 at the iPhone 17 event. Priced at $249, the new buds add several features that push AirPods beyond mere audio accessories toward an "always‑on" wearable you might never take out. What's new Improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) — stronger ANC than previous models for a quieter listening experience. Foam‑filled ear tips — new foam‑lined tips for a better seal and more sizes for fit and comfort. Conversation Awareness — continues to make it easy to keep earbuds in while talking or interacting in public. Hearing health features — features that can act as hearing protection and assistive hearing tools. Heart‑rate sensor — can track heart rate during workouts and share metrics with Apple Fitness+…

Meta tests letting anyone request or rate Community Notes — what it means Meta is piloting new Community Notes features that let any user request a note on a post or rate whether an existing note is helpful. The company will also notify users who previously interacted (liked, commented, or shared) with a post if that post later receives a Community Note. Key facts Anyone can now request a Community Note or rate if a note is helpful. Users are notified when posts they've interacted with receive a Community Note. Guy Rosen says there are 70,000+ contributors and 15,000+ notes written, of which about 6% have been published. Background Community Notes—Meta’s crowdsourced system that replaced its previous fact-checking program—has been expanded to open more participation. While anyone can signal that…

Sony launches PlayStation Family app — mobile parental controls Sony has officially released the PlayStation Family mobile app, a companion to on-console parental controls. The global rollout started on September 10, 2025. The app is available on iOS and Android. See Sony’s announcement for full details: PlayStation Blog — PlayStation Family app. Key features Guided onboarding — Easy setup with age-based recommendations. Playtime limits — Set daily/weekly playtime restrictions. Activity reports — Daily and weekly summaries of playtime and activity. Real-time notifications — See what your child is playing now and receive alerts. Approve/deny requests — Grant extra playtime or access to restricted games from the app. Spending management — Set and monitor store spending and wallet top-ups. Privacy controls — Manage social and privacy settings for child accounts. How…

AirPods Pro (3rd Gen) — Key Features & First Impressions Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 build on the Pro line with several meaningful upgrades focused on sound, noise cancellation and new health/translation features. Preorders are open at $249 with availability starting September 19, 2025. Main upgrades Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Claimed to block twice as much noise as the Pro 2. Improved microphones, computational audio and new foam-infused silicone ear tips enhance passive isolation—especially for human voices. Foam-infused ear tips: Silicone exterior with injected foam for better seal and higher-frequency noise reduction. Live Translation: Works via a connected iPhone and the Translate app (H2 chip required). Activate with Siri, press-and-hold, or the Action Button. Useful for quick on-the-go translation; slight latency expected due to iPhone processing. Heart-rate monitoring: On-ear PPG sensor…

Lyft & May Mobility Launch Autonomous Pilot in Midtown Atlanta Lyft and May Mobility have launched a pilot program offering autonomous rides in Midtown Atlanta. The fleet features hybrid-electric Toyota Sienna Autono-MaaS vehicles equipped with May Mobility’s self-driving technology. While rides are fully autonomous, each vehicle includes a trained human safety operator who can take control if needed. Key details Service area: Midtown Atlanta (available to Lyft riders in the app). Vehicles: Hybrid-electric Toyota Sienna Autono-MaaS with May Mobility autonomy tech. Safety: Human standby operators onboard during the pilot; no timeline announced for removing them. Rider features: Temperature controls and standard Lyft app booking; availability varies by demand and service hours will expand "in the months ahead." Previous May Mobility deployment: May Mobility already operates driverless vehicles in Peachtree Corners,…

No Tax on Tips: What Streamers & Creators Need to Know Recent guidance tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill (signed July 4, 2024) indicates that "Digital Content Creators" are included among occupations eligible for a new federal tax deduction on tips. That means tips such as Twitch "Bits" or YouTube "Super Thanks" could be excluded from taxable income — with important limits and caveats. Key points Deduction: Up to $25,000 per year of tips may be deductible from federal taxable income. Phase-out: The deduction phases out for single filers with higher incomes (starts > $150,000 and phases out fully at higher thresholds). Exclusions: Treasury guidance notes tips won’t qualify "if received in the course of certain specified trades or businesses," including fields such as health, performing arts, and athletics.…