Google's smart home ecosystem is getting its biggest update since the AI-fueled 2025 revamp.
A wearables expert explores the cultural tension surrounding smart glasses and AI wearables, using Netflix's 'A Man on the Inside' as a case study. The article highlights privacy concerns, the difficulty of building trust, and the potential for misuse, contrasting fictional narratives with real-world ethical dilemmas.
WhatsApp is allowing its 3 billion users to reserve usernames, a feature that will go live in the coming weeks. This allows users to share contact information without revealing their phone numbers, enhancing privacy for individuals and potentially simplifying customer outreach for businesses.
Station F, a Paris-based startup hub, is launching the second batch of its F/ai accelerator program in September to help AI startups generate revenue. The program aims to connect startups with major tech players and investors, targeting €1 million in revenue within six months.
Shenzhen-based startup Even Realities secured $150 million in pre-Series B funding, valuing it at $1 billion. The company focuses on display-first smart glasses emphasizing privacy, unlike competitors prioritizing cameras and AI.
Amazon's Mechanical Turk, a crowdsourcing service launched in 2005, will close to new customers on July 30, 2026. While existing users can continue, Amazon Web Services will not introduce new features, signaling the service is on life support.
The Sourdough Sidekick automates sourdough starter management, feeding it flour and water on a schedule. While it works well for frequent bakers, design quirks like mandatory large discard amounts and noisy operation limit its utility for casual users.
