Chris Liu
The Latest
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Roku Faces Backlash Over Startup Video Ads as Customers Push Back on Autoplay Strategy
Roku Inc. is testing a new advertising strategy that is drawing ire from its customer base: autoplaying video ads that launch immediately when a user powers on their device, before even reaching the familiar Roku home screen. Over the weekend, numerous Roku users reported encountering the unexpected ads, notably a trailer for Disney's upcoming Moana 2. 
Roku Inc. is testing a new advertising strategy that is drawing ire from its customer base: autoplaying video ads that launch immediately when a user powers on their device, before even reaching the familiar Roku home screen. Over the weekend, numerous Roku users reported encountering the unexpected ads, notably a trailer for Disney's upcoming Moana 2. -
Google Parent Alphabet in Advanced Talks to Acquire Wiz for Over $30 Billion
Alphabet Inc., parent company of Google, is in advanced negotiations to acquire Israeli cloud cybersecurity startup Wiz in a deal valued at more than $30 billion, according to a person familiar with the matter. If finalized, the acquisition would mark Alphabet's largest-ever purchase and a significant expansion of its cloud infrastructure and security portfolio. 
Alphabet Inc., parent company of Google, is in advanced negotiations to acquire Israeli cloud cybersecurity startup Wiz in a deal valued at more than $30 billion, according to a person familiar with the matter. If finalized, the acquisition would mark Alphabet's largest-ever purchase and a significant expansion of its cloud infrastructure and security portfolio. -
Apple’s iPhone 17 Air to Feature Ultra-Thin Design, But Camera Bump Reaches 9.5mm
Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 lineup is expected to introduce a major shift in design and performance, with the company reportedly replacing its "Plus" model with an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. The device, rumored to be around 6mm thick at its thinnest point, could feature a significant camera bump, bringing its total thickness to 9.5mm, according to a claim by prominent leaker Ice Universe. 
Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 lineup is expected to introduce a major shift in design and performance, with the company reportedly replacing its "Plus" model with an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. The device, rumored to be around 6mm thick at its thinnest point, could feature a significant camera bump, bringing its total thickness to 9.5mm, according to a claim by prominent leaker Ice Universe. -
North Korean Government Hackers Planted Spyware on Google Play Store, Cybersecurity Firm Finds
North Korean government-backed hackers successfully uploaded spyware to the Google Play Store, where it was downloaded by unsuspecting users, according to a report released Wednesday by cybersecurity firm Lookout. The malware, named KoSpy, was designed to conduct extensive surveillance, collecting call logs, messages, and even activating a device's camera and microphone. 
North Korean government-backed hackers successfully uploaded spyware to the Google Play Store, where it was downloaded by unsuspecting users, according to a report released Wednesday by cybersecurity firm Lookout. The malware, named KoSpy, was designed to conduct extensive surveillance, collecting call logs, messages, and even activating a device's camera and microphone. -
Saudi-Owned Scopely Acquires Pokémon Go in $3.5 Billion Deal
Niantic Inc. has announced the sale of its gaming division, including Pokémon Go, to Saudi Arabia-owned mobile game developer Scopely for $3.5 billion. The deal, which includes Pikmin Bloom and Monster Hunter Now, comes as Niantic struggles to replicate the success of Pokémon Go, its flagship augmented reality title. An additional $350 million in cash from Niantic is being distributed as part of the transaction, bringing the total deal value to $3.85 billion. 
Niantic Inc. has announced the sale of its gaming division, including Pokémon Go, to Saudi Arabia-owned mobile game developer Scopely for $3.5 billion. The deal, which includes Pikmin Bloom and Monster Hunter Now, comes as Niantic struggles to replicate the success of Pokémon Go, its flagship augmented reality title. An additional $350 million in cash from Niantic is being distributed as part of the transaction, bringing the total deal value to $3.85 billion. -
Apple Prepares Major iOS 19 and macOS 16 Redesign, Biggest UI Overhaul Since iOS 7
Apple is preparing to introduce a major redesign for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS with the upcoming releases of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16, marking the most significant visual overhaul of its software in years, according to Bloomberg. The changes will impact key interface elements, including icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons. 
Apple is preparing to introduce a major redesign for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS with the upcoming releases of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16, marking the most significant visual overhaul of its software in years, according to Bloomberg. The changes will impact key interface elements, including icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons. -
SpaceX Successfully Catches Booster But Starship Fails Again in High-Stakes Test
SpaceX lost contact with its Starship spacecraft Thursday evening during its eighth integrated test flight, marking another setback for the company's efforts to develop the world's most powerful rocket. The uncrewed vehicle, launched from Starbase in South Texas, was intended to complete a suborbital flight but lost signal approximately 20 seconds before the completion of its ascent burn. 
SpaceX lost contact with its Starship spacecraft Thursday evening during its eighth integrated test flight, marking another setback for the company's efforts to develop the world's most powerful rocket. The uncrewed vehicle, launched from Starbase in South Texas, was intended to complete a suborbital flight but lost signal approximately 20 seconds before the completion of its ascent burn. -
Apple Unveils M4 MacBook Air, Drops Prices Despite Trade Tensions
Apple unveiled its new M4-powered MacBook Air on Wednesday, introducing its latest chip technology alongside a $100 price reduction, a move that comes just as the U.S. enforces new tariffs on Chinese imports. 
Apple unveiled its new M4-powered MacBook Air on Wednesday, introducing its latest chip technology alongside a $100 price reduction, a move that comes just as the U.S. enforces new tariffs on Chinese imports. -
Digg Makes a Comeback: AI and Community-Driven Features Aim to Rival Reddit
Digg, the once-dominant link-sharing platform that helped define early social media, is making a comeback. More than a decade after its decline, Digg is relaunching under the leadership of its founder, Kevin Rose, with backing from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The new iteration aims to build a community-first social platform, using artificial intelligence to reshape content moderation and engagement. 
Digg, the once-dominant link-sharing platform that helped define early social media, is making a comeback. More than a decade after its decline, Digg is relaunching under the leadership of its founder, Kevin Rose, with backing from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The new iteration aims to build a community-first social platform, using artificial intelligence to reshape content moderation and engagement. -
UK Regulator Investigates TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur Over Children’s Data Practices
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched an investigation into TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur over concerns regarding how these platforms handle children's personal data and whether their algorithms expose young users to harmful content. The probe, announced Monday, will examine TikTok's data collection and content recommendation system for users aged 13 to 17, as well as the age verification practices used by Reddit and Imgur. 
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched an investigation into TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur over concerns regarding how these platforms handle children's personal data and whether their algorithms expose young users to harmful content. The probe, announced Monday, will examine TikTok's data collection and content recommendation system for users aged 13 to 17, as well as the age verification practices used by Reddit and Imgur.
