We’re approaching the end of 2025, and that also means Microsoft is readying a major annual Windows update, just like it does every year. If we go by rumors, Microsoft is only a few weeks away from releasing the Windows 11 25H2 stable update for general users.
Source: xda-developers.com
Character.AI removes Disney characters after receiving cease-and-desist letter
Character.AI received a cease-and-desist letter from Disney, urging the chatbot company to remove Disney characters from among the millions of AI companions on its plaftorm, Variety reports. Character.AI allows users to generate AI chatbots that can range from real people like Elon Musk to fictional characters like Hermione Granger, plus users’ own original creations. These chatbots can be quite … [Read More...]
Home Assistant's October update brings more automation improvements, smarter dashboards, and new AI-powered tricks
Home Assistant follows a monthly release cadence, typically where the first Wednesday of every month brings a new update, and the last Wednesday of every month is the beta for that release. October's update is now here and rolling out to every user. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read More...]
I ditched all my photo editors for this lightweight editing stack, and I'm never going back
Photo editing can get messy fast, it certainly does for me. I reach for one app for cropping, another for filters, another for retouching, and before I know it, my work is scattered across my desktop. Not to mention file storage — I have image duplicates and editing iterations in almost every folder. I thought that hoarding photo editing apps would give me more and better options, but it only … [Read More...]
Whizz co-founder says Trump’s Chicago crackdown is scaring delivery workers off the streets
The footage was striking: A food delivery worker scrambles with his e-bike across a bridge in Chicago, chased by a cadre of armed, masked federal agents. “Get him!” one yells, before the worker ultimately slips away. The viral clip became a rallying point this week for critics of President Donald Trump’s deportation machine, which has spread to multiple U.S. cities and swept up citizens in the … [Read More...]
FTC sues Zillow and accuses it of buying off rival Redfin
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is suing home-search website Zillow, alleging that it paid rival Redfin $100 million to eliminate competition in the online listing business. The suit refers to a deal inked back in February between the two companies in which Redfin allegedly agreed to become "an exclusive syndicator of Zillow listings."The allegations suggest that Redfin began copying over … [Read More...]
Why California’s new AI safety law succeeded where SB 1047 failed
California just made history as the first state to require AI safety transparency from the biggest labs in the industry. Governor Newsom signed SB 53 into law this week, mandating that AI giants like OpenAI and Anthropic disclose, and stick to, their safety protocols. The decision is already sparking debate about whether other states will follow suit. Adam Billen, vice president of public … [Read More...]
OpenAI’s new social app is filled with terrifying Sam Altman deepfakes
In a video on OpenAI’s new TikTok-like social media app Sora, a never-ending factory farm of pink pigs are grunting and snorting in their pens — each is equipped with a feeding trough and a smartphone screen, which plays a feed of vertical videos. A terrifyingly realistic Sam Altman stares directly at the camera, as though he’s making direct eye contact with the viewer. The AI-generated Altman … [Read More...]
I replaced Windows Search and I’ve never been happier
If you've been waiting for Microsoft to fix Windows 11's atrocious Search, I wouldn't bother. Not because the company shouldn't fix it, of course, but because they show no inclination to improve it and keep stuffing things users don't want, like targeted advertising, into the search results. The good news is that you've got plenty of options to replace Search with, depending on your needs and how … [Read More...]
Saturn’s ocean moon looks more hospitable to subsurface life than we thought
Mars isn't our only neighbor that may harbor life. The odds have risen that Saturn's moon Enceladus may, too. On Wednesday, scientists published a paper outlining the increasing complexity of molecules emitted from beneath the moon's surface. "We now have all elements required for Enceladus to harbour life," the ESA's Dr Jörn Helbert told The Guardian.Enceladus gives researchers a unique window … [Read More...]
What founders need to know before choosing their exit — straight from Roseanne Wincek, Jai Das, and Dan Springer — at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Exit planning is no longer optional — it’s an essential conversation on the Going Public Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27–29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West. Whether you’re already eyeing a liquidity event or just starting to scale, this is your chance to hear what top VCs and operators are looking for and how to set up your company for long-term success. Three of the best … [Read More...]