A consumer economics watchdog has raised concerns about Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol, suggesting it could lead to consumers paying more for items. Google has refuted these claims, highlighting a potential clash over the implementation of AI in shopping experiences.
Exciting news for Animal Crossing enthusiasts as the highly anticipated 3.0 update is now available for download ahead of schedule. Players can dive back into the beloved island life sooner than expected, enjoying new features and improvements in the popular life simulation game.
The UK government has decided to abandon its plan to mandate digital IDs for workers, shifting focus to digital right-to-work checks by 2029. This decision will have implications for the market transition away from paper-based systems, emphasizing the importance of accessibility to public services over surveillance concerns.
Instagram is now offering English users the ability to customize the topics recommended by the Reels algorithm and highlight their top interests for the year ahead. This new feature allows users to have more control over the content they see, potentially leading to a more tailored and engaging user experience. While the algorithm may still need some refining, this update gives users a way to influence their content recommendations and navigate away from unwanted topics.
Proton’s Lumo chatbot now offers Projects, a dedicated and encrypted space for tasks that require long-term access, like semester papers or travel plans. Users can upload files, sync across devices, and integrate with Proton Drive. Each project is encrypted, ensuring privacy, and Lumo uses open source AI models. Free users have one project limit, while Lumo Plus subscribers can create unlimited projects for $10 a month.
Despite ongoing RAM shortages, the PC market saw an unexpected 10% growth in shipments during the fourth quarter of 2025. The boost can be attributed to Microsoft’s end of Windows 10 support, driving demand for new devices. This trend defies industry expectations and sets the stage for a potentially turbulent year ahead.
Discover how Lego’s new Smart Brick, showcased at CES, offers endless hacking potential and creative possibilities for consumers. Similar to a Raspberry Pi, this innovative technology allows users to build and customize their own devices, providing a hands-on learning experience and fostering creativity.
Meta has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a banking executive and former Republican White House official, as its new president and vice-chairman. McCormick’s experience in global finance and politics will guide Meta’s strategy and execution, marking the second former Trump official to take a prominent role in the company this month.
India is considering new smartphone security rules that would require device makers to provide government access to source code for ‘vulnerability analysis’ and notify authorities of major software updates. With nearly 750 million smartphones in the market, this move could have significant implications for manufacturers, potentially revealing proprietary information and causing delays in security updates. The Indian government’s push for stringent security measures could reshape the smartphone industry landscape.
After facing backlash for playing recruitment ads for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Spotify has confirmed that the ads have been removed from the platform since late 2025. The decision comes after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis, prompting campaigns urging users to cancel their subscriptions and boycott the service.
