Consumer Tech
Devices, apps, operating systems and commerce.
Google’s AI Mode Is Replacing Search Results With Direct App Actions
Google is shifting from linking to doing — AI Mode now executes tasks in Canva, Instacart, and YouTube Music without ever leaving search.
One Kernel, Six Screens: How Apple's Hidden Operating System Runs Everything
Apple's macOS, iOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS and more all share a single hidden foundation — the XNU/Darwin kernel. Tracing its lineage from Carnegie Mellon's Mach microkernel through NeXTSTEP, open-sourced as Darwin in 2000, to the unified codebase powering every Apple device today.
Why I Built a Desktop App for Pokit Meters (and Why You Might Want It Too)
Forge Open Bench (FOB) is an independent open-source desktop application providing native multi-platform interfaces for Pokit Pro and other compatible electrical measurement devices. It supports local-first operation, offline data logging, and multi-channel measurements with full CAT III safety compliance.
When Your AI Assistant Refuses to Help You Commit a Crime, Should It?
George Hotz argues AI should be loyal to its user — even if that means helping plan murder. The AI safety community says no. Here's why this debate matters for everyone.
Microsoft Quietly Swaps OpenAI for Its Own AI Models Inside Office Apps
Bloomberg reports Microsoft is replacing OpenAI and Anthropic models with in-house MAI models in Excel, Outlook, and other products — even as OpenAI declares GPT-5.6 the 'preferred model' for Copilot 365.
Hopper Resolves FTC Probe Over Mobile App Transparency and Hidden Fees
Travel technology provider Hopper has reached a $35 million settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over allegations that the app employed deceptive interface designs to conceal fees and misrepresent service costs.
From Chatbot to Co-worker: How OpenAI’s "ChatGPT Work" Plans to Manage Your Projects
OpenAI has released "ChatGPT Work," a new tool designed to evolve beyond simple conversational tasks to actively assist in managing and executing long-term projects by staying integrated with workflows.
Microsoft’s Copilot Rollout Under Fire in Italy Over Automatic Subscriptions
Italy's competition watchdog is charging Microsoft with auto-enrolling customers in pricier 365 plans when Copilot launched — and not making the price jump obvious. Here's what you need to know about the regulator’s aggression, Microsoft’s response, and why regulators across Europe are suddenly pointing fingers at AI upgrades.
Apple’s Siri AI isn’t an upgrade—it’s your new app layer
Apple’s Siri AI replaces scattered tools with a native, context-aware platform that embeds AI directly into iOS and macOS workflows—reshaping enterprise productivity from the inside out.
Square Lets AI Assistants Place Orders—Without You Lifting a Finger
Square enables restaurants to accept orders placed directly via ChatGPT and Claude without any setup or fees, opening the door for AI-driven food ordering at scale.
It Took 20 Years, But the Finance App Arrives Just in Time to Be Packed Full of AI
After two decades of iterative growth, personal finance management tools are entering a transformative phase as generative AI provides predictive insights and automated financial planning.
No Escape Hatch: How AI Crept Into Your Keyboard, Fridge, and Every Tool You Touch
From intrusive keyboard autocomplete to nosy smart refrigerators, AI has embedded itself into everyday objects — often in ways that frustrate more than help. This article explores how the push to make everything 'smart' is stripping users of control and creating a world where there's no avoiding AI, whether you want it or not.