IXI autofocus glasses: what we know Finnish startup IXI is developing autofocus prescription glasses that use eye-tracking and liquid-crystal (LCD) lenses to automatically change focus based on where you look. The goal is to replace bifocals and progressive lenses with a single, normal-looking pair of spectacles that work at all distances. Key features Eye-tracking + LCD optics that adjust focus in real time. Design aims to look like regular eyewear (thinner frames than many smart glasses). Low-power electronics and tiny batteries claiming roughly a day of use on a single charge. If batteries die, lenses function as standard distance spectacles. Production & partnerships Engadget reported IXI acquired lens-maker Finnsusp and entered a long-term partnership with OptiSwiss. Independent searches (TechCrunch, IXI official site, The Next Web, MAFO, Cookie Magazine) confirm IXI…

EU rejects Apple's request to scrap the Digital Markets Act The European Commission has firmly rejected Apple’s call to abolish or replace the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In a recent consultation Apple argued the DMA forces changes like alternative app stores, sideloading and external payments that it says would delay features, harm user experience and increase security risks. The Commission has made clear it will continue to apply and enforce the DMA. Key points Apple: DMA could make iPhones less secure and degrade the user experience by requiring sideloading and third‑party payment options. European Commission: Keeps the DMA in force and signals it will enforce the rules to open up digital markets. Further reading: TechCrunch report Official Apple statement: Apple Newsroom What’s your view — is the DMA protecting consumers…

Lidl expands Scan & Go and Self‑Checkout areas in German stores Lidl is redesigning checkout zones across its German supermarkets, creating dedicated Self‑Checkout areas and expanding its Scan & Go offering. The move aims to make customer flow more flexible and enable staff to be deployed more effectively across stores. Key details New Self‑Checkout zones replace scattered self‑service tills; central service stations will assist customers with scanning and special cases. Scan & Go will be available at special lanes where payments are initially limited to Lidl Pay. Lidl plans a wider rollout: pilot in roughly 200 stores by February 2026 (currently in about 10 markets). Security measures under consideration include exit gates that open after successful scanning of the receipt; cash at self‑scan is being tested as well. The redesign…

Mist 0.30 adds macOS 26 (Tahoe) support Mist (open-source) has been updated to version 0.30 and now supports macOS 26 "Tahoe". The app, maintained by developer Nindi Gill (ninxsoft), can download full macOS installer packages and firmware from Apple's servers so you can create bootable USB installers or update Macs that are offline. What’s new in 0.30 Support for macOS 26 (Tahoe) installers and related firmware files. Bug fixes and some visual/icon updates for Tahoe. Key features Download full macOS installers and IPSW/firmware directly from Apple servers. Filter by Mac model compatibility and beta/dev releases (requires appropriate Apple ID). Create bootable installer media (requires running helper with admin privileges). Available as a DMG and via Homebrew cask. Where to get it Official releases are hosted on GitHub: https://github.com/ninxsoft/Mist/releases Additional coverage…

Doug Bowser to Step Down as Nintendo of America President & COO Nintendo has announced that Doug Bowser, President and Chief Operating Officer of Nintendo of America (NoA), will step down effective December 31, 2025. Leadership responsibilities will be split: Devon Pritchard, NoA's Executive Vice President of Revenue, Marketing and Consumer Experience, will take over as President, while Satoru Shibata will serve as the company's CEO. “Leading Nintendo of America has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am proud of what our team has accomplished in both business results and the experiences we’ve created for consumers... Now, it’s time for the next generation of leadership and Devon’s track record speaks for itself,” Doug Bowser said in a statement. Key points Departure effective date: December 31, 2025. Successors: Devon…

Meta Launches 'Vibes' — AI Short-Video Feed in Meta AI App Meta has added a new feature called Vibes to the Meta AI app and website: a short-form, TikTok-style feed for AI-generated videos. Users can scroll other people’s AI-created clips, remix or adapt existing videos, build new ones from scratch, and share via direct message or cross-post to Instagram and Facebook. Key features Personalized feed of AI-generated short videos. Remix tools to adapt existing clips (add music, change style, layer edits). Options to DM videos or cross-post to Instagram and Facebook. Planned future additions of more AI creation features. According to a Threads post by Mark Zuckerberg, Vibes is “an early look at some of the new product directions we’re exploring.” Meta also said its Meta Superintelligence Labs will work…

Trump Signs Executive Order Approving TikTok US Sale to American Investors President Donald Trump has signed an executive order finalizing terms for a deal that would place TikTok’s U.S. business under American control. According to reports, a group of U.S.-based investors including Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX will hold a majority stake; ByteDance will retain a 19.9% stake and keep control of TikTok’s recommendation algorithm. Key facts U.S. investors (reported core group: Oracle, Silver Lake, MGX) will own a large share of the new U.S. TikTok entity. ByteDance will retain a 19.9% stake and reportedly will continue to license the app’s recommendation algorithm. Vice President J.D. Vance said the arrangement ensures U.S. investors will "control over how the algorithm pushes content toward users." The new company’s valuation has been reported…

Google Asks Supreme Court to Pause Epic Games Injunction Google has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to temporarily stay a permanent injunction from the Epic Games antitrust case that would require Google to open the Play Store to third‑party app stores for three years and ban certain pre‑installation and billing arrangements. The company filed its request ahead of the injunction’s effective date, asking the justices to act by October 17. What the injunction would do Require Google to allow third‑party Android app stores to operate and distribute apps alongside Google Play for three years. Prohibit Google from requiring apps to use Google Play Billing for in‑app purchases and bar exclusive pre‑install deals that favor Play. Google's arguments for a stay Security and safety risks: Google says opening the ecosystem could…

ExpressVPN — Quick Summary & Findings (2025) Short take: ExpressVPN delivers on its "just working" promise — fast speeds, strong security, and a very simple interface. It trades advanced customization for ease of use and charges a premium for that reliability. Key findings at a glance Speed: Retains ~93% of download speed and ~98% of upload speed on average in worldwide tests. Security: OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Lightway protocols; no detected IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks in tests; RAM-only servers (TrustedServer). Usability: Extremely simple, consistent UI across platforms; set-and-forget experience. Drawbacks: Limited customization, higher price point ($12.95/month or ~$99.95/year), some virtual server locations. Details ExpressVPN is ideal for users who want a VPN that "just works": it unblocks streaming libraries reliably, maintains high speeds globally, and keeps core privacy promises. Advanced users may miss…

xAI sues OpenAI alleging trade secret theft Elon Musk’s xAI has filed a federal lawsuit accusing OpenAI of stealing trade secrets, alleging that several former xAI employees—named in the complaint—transferred proprietary information to OpenAI. The complaint cites examples including source code exfiltration and details about xAI’s rapid data‑center deployment methods. Key points xAI alleges engineers and a senior finance executive took confidential materials to OpenAI, giving it an unfair competitive advantage. xAI specifically names former employees such as Xuechen Li and Jimmy Fraiture in the complaint. OpenAI issued a statement denying interest in other labs’ trade secrets and saying it will not tolerate breaches of confidentiality. This suit follows other legal actions between Musk’s companies and OpenAI, including antitrust and business‑status disputes. Quotes from filings & statements “A broader and…