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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…

Mac mini M4 drops to $499 in early Black Friday deals Apple’s 2024 Mac mini M4 has hit an early Black Friday low: the 16GB/256GB base model is on sale for $499 (down from $599). That 17% discount brings a powerful, compact desktop to a price only about $30 above its all‑time low, making it an attractive pick for anyone building a small but capable workstation. We rated the Mac mini M4 highly in review (90) thanks to its strong performance for the size, front‑facing USB‑C and headphone ports, and a default 16GB of RAM — a notable step up from previous minis. If you need more storage or memory, higher‑spec models are also discounted in this round of deals. Current deals to watch Mac mini M4 — 16GB /…

macOS Tahoe icons get squircle ‘Liquid Glass’ look — designers raise concerns With macOS 26 “Tahoe,” Apple rolled out a broad visual refresh that includes a new system icon style based on the squircle shape and a "Liquid Glass" design language. The aim is a consistent, harmonious look across system and app icons, but the change has prompted debate about whether the new icons lose too much detail. Many of the redesigned icons — notably the Preview app’s icon — appear flatter, simpler and with shallower visual depth compared with earlier versions. Critics argue the reduction in texture and layered detail hurts recognizability and personality, while proponents say the uniform squircle grid makes the interface cleaner and more modern. What changed Shape and language: Icons follow a squircle (rounded square)…

Google TV Streamer 4K hits a record-low $75 ahead of Black Friday The Google TV Streamer 4K is on sale for a record-low $75 ahead of Black Friday — a noteworthy discount from its usual $100 price. The device packs a faster processor than Google’s previous streamers, plus 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage for smoother app switching and more local content. This set-top wedge design includes a compact remote you can ping from the streamer if you misplace it. Note: an HDMI cable may be required if you don’t already have one. Why this deal matters Performance: Faster processor (about 22% quicker vs older models) makes navigation and app loading snappier. Storage & memory: 32GB storage and 4GB RAM give room for apps and smoother multitasking. Smart home…