Technology ยท category
Gadgets
- 1Disney+ and Hulu raise prices up to 13 percentโDisney+ and Hulu raise prices by up to 13 percent after doubling profits
Disney is raising subscription prices for Disney+ and Hulu by as much as 13 percent, according to Ars Technica. The increases come in the same period the company reported its streaming profits had doubled, prompting criticism from subscribers who see the hikes as profiteering rather than a response to rising costs.
- 2
Meta has launched a new lineup of AI products and services, aiming to succeed in a field where other technology companies have struggled to turn AI offerings into lasting wins. The company is betting its scale and user reach can deliver where rivals have fallen short. Details of the announcement remain limited, with coverage so far largely repeating the company's framing of the release.
- 3
Japan's Nikkei index rose, driven by a surge in semiconductor and CPU-related stocks following the launch of a new gadget by Meta. Technology shares across Japanese markets gained ground, with chipmakers among the biggest winners as investors reacted to renewed demand expectations in the gadget and hardware sector.
- 4AI gadgets arrive, from wearable charms to smart speakersโReady or not, here come the AI gadgets, from "charms" to smart speakers
A new wave of AI-powered devices is hitting the consumer market, ranging from small wearable "charms" to reimagined smart speakers. The products aim to embed artificial intelligence assistants into everyday objects, moving beyond smartphones. Coverage highlights both the ambition of these designs and questions over whether consumers are actually ready to adopt dedicated AI hardware.
- 5Alibaba Launches Qwen Intelligence Agentic AI Platform for SmartphonesโAlibaba Launches Qwen Intelligence As A Full-Stack Agentic AI Platform For Smartphones
Alibaba has launched Qwen Intelligence as a full-stack agentic AI platform designed for smartphones. The platform is positioned to let phone makers deploy AI agents that can carry out tasks on users' behalf, building on Alibaba's Qwen model family. Details on partner manufacturers and rollout timelines have not yet been widely reported, but the move puts Alibaba in direct competition with other AI platform providers targeting the mobile device market.
- 6Apple said to plan more hardware launches before year's endโApple is expected to announce more hardware before the end of the year following the debut of the iPhone 18 Pro and fold
Apple is expected to announce additional hardware before the end of the year, following this month's debut of the iPhone 18 Pro and the folding iPhone Duo. Reported upcoming products include a new version of the HomePod mini, the iPad mini 8, and an updated Apple TV 4K, signaling an unusually packed late-year release schedule for the company.
- 7Xiaomi opens Android phones to Apple WatchโXiaomi now lets Apple Watch work with its Android phones
Xiaomi has announced that its Android smartphones can now pair with the Apple Watch, a notable break from Apple's restriction of the wearable to iPhones. The move means users can keep an Apple Watch while switching to a Xiaomi Android device. It is drawing attention as an unusual example of cross-ecosystem compatibility between two rival tech companies.
- 8Meta's $1,300 VR Glasses Tipped for Spring 2027 LaunchโSpring 2027 Launch Set for the $1,300 Meta VR Glasses
Meta's high-end VR glasses are reportedly set to launch in spring 2027 at a price of around $1,300. The reported timeframe suggests the device is still well over a year away from shelves, and the premium pricing positions it as a flagship product rather than a mass-market headset. Details on features and specifications have not been confirmed by the company.