Amazon Echo Dot Max and Next-Gen Echo Studio: Hands-on Overview Amazon revealed two new Echo speakers at its NYC event: the Echo Dot Max and a redesigned, spherical Echo Studio. Both are available for preorder and are scheduled to ship on October 29. Pricing & Availability Echo Dot Max — $99.99 (preorder, ships Oct 29) Echo Studio (next-gen) — $219.99 (preorder, ships Oct 29) Quick Specs & Highlights Echo Dot Max: two-way speaker (woofer + custom tweeter), ~3x bass response vs standard Dot, redesigned internal airspace for stronger low end. Echo Studio (2025): new spherical design, ~40% smaller footprint than previous Studio, three full-range drivers + woofer, supports Dolby Atmos and spatial audio. Alexa Home Theater mode: can turn up to five Dot Max or Studio units into a surround…

Amazon Fall 2025 Hardware Roundup Amazon unveiled a broad set of new devices at its fall hardware event, all focused on Alexa+ and AI features. Highlights include refreshed Echo speakers and smart displays, color-capable Kindle Scribe models, new Fire TV hardware and OS news, plus updated Blink and Ring cameras. Echo Speakers Echo Dot Max — $100. Bigger bass, space-adaptive sound. Buy: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Echo+Dot+Max&tag=f1rede-20 Echo Studio (2025) — $220. Smaller body, Dolby Atmos, spatial audio. Buy: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Echo+Studio&tag=f1rede-20 Echo Show Echo Show 8 — $180; Echo Show 11 — $220. Improved cameras, stereo speakers, personalized AI features. Buy: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Echo+Show+8&tag=f1rede-20 Kindle Scribe Kindle Scribe Colorsoft — starts at $630. Full-color writing tablet with new display tech. Buy: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Kindle+Scribe+Colorsoft&tag=f1rede-20 Kindle Scribe (2025) — from $500. Larger 11" display, faster performance, AI notebook features. Buy:…

Imgur blocks UK access after ICO warns of fines over children’s data Imgur has restricted access for UK users, showing a “content not available in your region” notice across the site and on third-party embeds. The move follows a provisional warning from the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) that it intends to levy fines against Imgur’s owner, MediaLab AI, after an investigation into the service’s handling of children’s data, age verification and privacy protections. The ICO says its findings are provisional and that it will consider any representations from MediaLab before deciding on a monetary penalty. Regulators emphasized that a company exiting the UK does not remove potential liability for penalties related to breaches committed while operating in the jurisdiction. “Imgur's decision to restrict access in the UK is a…

Avalanche Studios restructures — Liverpool studio closed; Contraband halted Avalanche Studios announced a company-wide restructuring today. Key points: Liverpool studio: Full closure; all staff in the city affected. Malmö & Stockholm: Workforce reductions and team restructuring (scope not specified). Contraband: Development on the game has been halted after Microsoft ended active development; the project’s future is unclear. The announcement cites "current challenges to our business and the industry." While Avalanche didn’t explicitly link the moves to the cancellation of Contraband, the timing follows Microsoft’s decision to end active development on that project. Official statement: Avalanche Studios — Studio update Further coverage: Game Developer — Avalanche confirms layoffs and studio closure Avalanche remains known for the Just Cause series; Contraband was the main forthcoming title listed on their site, so the…

Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th gen) & Echo Show 11 — Hands-on Overview Amazon just refreshed its Echo Show lineup with two new smart displays: the fourth‑generation Echo Show 8 (8.7" display) and the Echo Show 11 (11" display). Both switch to a sleeker, fabric‑covered curved design and offer upgraded internals aimed at making them better smart‑home hubs. Design & Display Both models feature slim tablet‑style HD screens (8.7" or 11") mounted on rounded bases with mesh fabric on the rear. The new look is a clear departure from the older wedge shape — cleaner, more elegant, and easier to angle. Camera & Video Each Echo Show includes a 13MP camera with auto‑framing that tracks faces during video calls. Note: neither model includes a motor to physically rotate the display…

Blink and Ring reveal new security cameras: Blink Mini 2K+, Blink Outdoor 2K+, and Blink Arc Amazon has expanded its Blink lineup and refreshed Ring hardware with new camera models. Headlining Blink's announcements are the Blink Mini 2K+, the Blink Outdoor 2K+, and the Blink Arc — a dual-camera accessory that creates a stitched 180° panoramic view. Key features Blink Mini 2K+: Compact plug-in camera with 2K video and improved audio. Can be used outdoors with an optional weather-resistant power adapter. Blink Outdoor 2K+: 2K resolution, 4x zoom, better low-light performance, two-way noise-cancelling audio, and smart person/vehicle detection (requires a Blink Plus subscription for full smart alerts). Blink Arc: Combines two Blink Mini 2K+ cameras into a single 180° panoramic device via a special mount/stitching solution — sold as a…

OpenAI launches Sora — AI social video app (invite-only iOS) OpenAI has officially unveiled Sora, a new AI-powered social video app driven by the Sora 2 video generation model. The app lets users create short AI-generated videos from text, images, or video inputs and includes features like Remix, Re-cut, Storyboard, Loop, Blend and a "Cameo" mode that can insert your likeness into generated clips. Key details Model: Sora 2 powers the app, with improved video-generation capabilities. Cameo: Add your likeness to generated videos. Availability: iOS only for now; invite-only (each new user can invite up to 4 friends). Access: Sora is free at launch with generous limits; ChatGPT Pro users may see access to higher-quality Sora 2 Pro features. Where to learn more Official info: OpenAI — Sora News coverage:…

Cairn delayed to Q1 2026 — demo hits 600K, ghost recordings coming Oct 13 The Game Bakers have delayed their survival climbing game Cairn from the originally announced release date of November 5, 2025 to Q1 2026. The studio says the extra time will be used for optimization, debugging and polish. Creative Director Emeric Thoa commented: “After 5 years of work, it makes no sense to rush it — we want to be proud of the game we launch.” The demo has already reached 600,000 players. The developers will update the demo on October 13 to add ghost recordings from speedrunners and staffers so players can follow those runs to check techniques or discover new routes and hidden areas. Platforms: PC and PlayStation 5. The game has an official Steam…

Windows 11 2025 Update (25H2) — What’s New (and What’s Not) Microsoft has started rolling out the Windows 11 2025 feature update (often called 25H2). Rather than introducing big new features, this release focuses on security and reliability improvements and removes some legacy components. Below is a concise breakdown. Key points Security & AI-assisted protections: The update emphasizes improved build and runtime vulnerability detection with AI-assisted secure coding and other security hardening. No major user-facing features yet: Coverage describes this release as light on new features; Microsoft is delivering it in waves and plans more feature additions through regular updates later. Removal of legacy tooling: PowerShell 2.0 and WMIC are removed/deprecated, slimming the footprint but potentially breaking very old scripts used by power users and IT admins. Rollout: Microsoft is…

Amazon Basics Smart Remote — Alexa-programmable dimmer & remote Amazon appears to have a new Smart Remote (listed as a "Smart Dimmer Switch and Remote") that was shown alongside other devices. According to coverage, it’s a battery-powered remote you can mount on a wall or attach magnetically, with four configurable buttons that map to Alexa routines. Engadget reports a pre-order price of $19.99 and a release/shipping date of October 30. Key features Four physical buttons configurable via the Alexa app or by voice through an Echo device. Triggers Alexa routines (demo showed lights + music triggered by one button). Battery-powered; wall- or surface-mountable and magnetically attachable for convenience. Designed for quick one-touch automation instead of voice phrasing. Demo notes In the demo described in the article, an Amazon rep asked…