Meta adds parental controls to limit teens' access to AI chatbots on Instagram Meta is building new supervision tools that will let parents cut off their teens' access to user-made AI characters on its platforms, while still allowing access to the general Meta AI chatbot. Parents will also be able to block specific AI characters and receive insights into topics their children discuss with AI bots. Key details: Controls can remove one-on-one access to AI characters or block specific bots. Parents will get topic-level insights about teens' AI conversations. Rollout: Instagram, English-language, early next year in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. These measures come after leaked internal documents showed troubling interactions between Meta chatbots and minors, prompting scrutiny from 44 U.S. state attorneys general and inquiries from the Senate…

Germany proposes driving school reform: app-based theory & simulator training The German Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) has outlined a broad reform of driving school training aimed at making obtaining a driving licence cheaper, more modern and safer. Central to the proposal is a stronger opening to digital learning: theory lessons could be completed via apps, and parts of required special driving lessons could be done on simulators. Key elements of the proposal include: App-based theory lessons to replace or supplement classroom hours. Partial use of driving simulators for some "Sonderfahrten" (special/mandatory drives). An overall goal to lower costs, speed up training, and improve road safety through modern teaching methods. The ministry says the changes would modernize the training pipeline and broaden access to digital learning formats. Advocates argue that…

Best Android Phones for 2025: Top Picks and What to Look For Picking the right Android phone in 2025 can be daunting given the wide range of options—from budget handsets to cutting-edge foldables. Our roundup highlights standout devices and the key features to consider so you can match a phone to your budget and daily needs. This year the Galaxy Z Fold 7 stands out as the favorite foldable for its refined design and strong performance. The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a close runner-up, notable for having the best cameras among foldables and now carrying an IP68 dust and water resistance rating — a rare advantage in this category. Performance: Look for fast chips, smooth AI features, and responsiveness in everyday use. Display: OLED panels with 90–120Hz refresh…

Quilt for Mac turns multi-page screen content into searchable PDFs Quilt is a Mac application that captures extensive, multi-page on-screen content and compiles it into a single, searchable PDF. According to the developer, it’s aimed at users who want to archive material from digital books, presentations, or long webpages without taking screenshots page by page. The app can structure captured content and output it as a searchable PDF, which makes the resulting files easier to index and search. That makes Quilt useful for research, study, or simply preserving long-form visual content. Capture multi-page content from ebooks, slides, and websites Automatically stitch pages into a single PDF Produce searchable PDFs for easier retrieval and indexing Use cases include archiving lecture slides, saving textbook excerpts for offline review, and preserving long web…

Free: Samorost 3 on Epic Games + Sonic theme arrives in Waze Quick heads-up: the indie puzzle-adventure Samorost 3 is currently available to claim for free on the Epic Games Store, and navigation app Waze has introduced a Sonic-themed skin — likely a collaboration with SEGA — so users can bring a bit of gaming nostalgia to their drives. Here’s what you need to know: Samorost 3 (Epic Games Store): The award-winning point-and-click adventure from Amanita Design can be claimed at no cost from the Epic Games Store. Visit the store page to add it to your library while the offer lasts: Epic Games — Samorost 3. Waze Sonic Theme: Waze is rolling out a Sonic-themed UI that swaps map icons and visual elements for Sonic-inspired assets. The theme appears…

Netflix now allows extra members on third‑party billed plans Netflix appears to have updated its terms so that subscribers can add additional members to existing accounts even when the subscription is billed through another provider. Previously, the option to add extra members was not available for plans managed or billed by third parties; reports now indicate this restriction may have been relaxed. There is a small inconsistency in the currently published terms: some wording still notes that "additional members cannot be added to package deals," yet users are reporting the option is now available in account settings. That suggests the rollout may be partial or that Netflix updated functionality before fully revising the written terms. What changed: Ability to add extra members on accounts billed via third parties (e.g., telecom…

Eufy C35: 4‑Camera Set with New HomeBase Now Available on Amazon Eufy’s new C35 security package — comprising four C35 cameras and an updated HomeBase — has appeared for sale on Amazon at a price of €379. The bundle was briefly spotted earlier this month and is now listed on Amazon, although it has not yet shown up on the manufacturer's official website. The ready-made kit aims to simplify home surveillance by pairing multiple cameras with the HomeBase for local management and storage. The Amazon listing makes it easy for buyers to order a complete 4-camera setup in one go. Package: 4x Eufy C35 cameras + 1x new HomeBase Price: €379 on Amazon (as of listing) Availability: Listed on Amazon; not yet visible on maker's official site For more details…

Apple reportedly planning a touchscreen MacBook Pro with M6 chip Recent reports indicate Apple is conducting advanced planning to introduce a MacBook Pro with a touchscreen, likely powered by a next-generation M6 processor. Sources cited by Bloomberg suggest a potential launch window in late 2026 or early 2027, marking a notable strategic shift for the company. Key points: Target release: late 2026 to early 2027. Possible chipset: Apple M6 family (expected successor to current M-series chips). UI implications: This would be a significant departure from Apple’s long-standing resistance to touch interfaces on macOS devices. Background: Apple historically resisted adding touchscreen displays to MacBooks — a stance famously associated with Steve Jobs, who argued macOS wasn’t suited to touch. While Apple has experimented with touch on the Touch Bar and continues…

Reddit Answers Flagged for Dangerous Medical Advice; Moderators Call for AI Controls Moderators across Reddit have raised alarms after the platform's AI feature, Reddit Answers, reportedly suggested dangerous medical advice in response to users' queries. One moderator said the tool recommended that people with chronic pain stop their prescriptions and take high-dose kratom — an unregulated substance that is illegal in some states — and even suggested heroin as a pain-relief option. Other concerning responses included potentially harmful guidance for neonatal fever. Community moderators, especially from health-focused subreddits, say they currently have no way to disable Reddit Answers or hide problematic responses from view. That lack of moderation controls has amplified concerns about the AI tool’s suitability for sensitive topics. Reported recommendations included high-dose kratom and heroin for chronic pain.…

Waymo partners with DoorDash to pilot autonomous deliveries in Phoenix Waymo has announced a partnership with DoorDash to offer autonomous vehicle deliveries in Phoenix, Arizona. Initially, deliveries will be limited to items ordered through DashMart, DoorDash's convenience and grocery storefront, with plans to expand to more local merchants and a wider variety of offerings over time. To use the service, DoorDash customers in Phoenix must place an order and opt in to "autonomous delivery" during checkout. When the Waymo vehicle arrives, customers will need to step outside and collect their order from the car's trunk to complete the delivery — unlike standard DoorDash orders that are handed to you at your door. Location: Phoenix, Arizona (Waymo's existing service area) Initial inventory: DashMart convenience and grocery items How it works: Opt-in…