The US State Department has announced new visa restrictions targeting foreign officials responsible for censoring protected free speech in the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized foreign demands on American tech platforms to enforce global content moderation policies, calling such actions unacceptable infringements on US sovereignty. This move appears linked to opposition against Europe's Digital Services Act (DSA), a 2023 law enforcing safer online platform regulations and stricter content moderation across major platforms. The policy’s enforcement details remain unclear. Senior officials argue the DSA suppresses dissenting voices, while the US administration asserts it will not tolerate foreign interference that undermines free speech rights within the US.
Apple will change the naming convention for its major operating systems by marking versions according to the year, Bloomberg reports. Instead of incrementing version numbers sequentially, Apple will align version numbers with the year following the actual release, similar to the automobile industry. For example, the next iOS update will be named iOS 26, not iOS 19. This change will also apply to iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. Apple plans to announce this new naming strategy at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) commencing on June 9th. This approach aims to create consistency across Apple software version numbers, which currently vary widely (e.g., iOS 18, watchOS 12, visionOS 2). WWDC will also feature a design update of Apple's operating systems inspired by Vision Pro’s visionOS, with the keynote scheduled for June 9th at 1 PM ET.
Dyson, known for vacuum innovation rather than budget-friendly options, has their 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum on sale for $799.95, a $200 discount available at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Dyson. Although it lacks features like long battery life, AI obstacle avoidance, and an auto-empty dock, it excels in suction power with 65 air watts, making it one of the most powerful robot vacuums and ideal for carpets. The vacuum has a large front roller brush and a 500ml dustbin but is best suited for simple floor plans due to its navigation limitations and 65-minute runtime. Additional deals include JBL's Go 4 speaker, Star Wars Outlaws game on sale, and Thermacell E65 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller at discounted prices.
EA has officially canceled its Black Panther game, as reported by IGN. The announcement came through an internal email to EA employees. Following the cancellation, Cliffhanger Games, the studio created to develop the Black Panther title and led by Kevin Stephens, has been closed. The game was intended to be a single-player experience with an original story developed alongside Marvel Games, part of a three-game partnership between EA and Marvel announced in 2022. The other two games include an Iron Man title and an unannounced action game. The cancellation has also led to layoffs in other parts of EA, coinciding with recent policy changes including a return-to-office mandate and previous layoffs earlier this year. While this marks a significant setback, it does not end the possibility of a Black Panther-centered game, as Skydance New Media is developing Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, featuring Black Panther as a playable character. A correction was made regarding the developers involved in earlier reports.
Spotify is rolling out new podcast-focused features on its mobile app aiming to improve tracking and discovery. The new Following feed provides a dedicated space for users to easily catch the latest episodes from podcasts they follow, integrated within the main Podcast feed on Home. Additionally, podcast recommendations are now added below shortcuts on the Home feed, featuring playable or savable new shows and episodes. Spotify plans to include notes explaining some recommendations to make selections more approachable. For creators, an "In this episode" section will link to content mentioned in shows that's also on Spotify, launching soon. The app will also support threaded replies and emoji reactions to comments, enhancing interaction.
If you're gearing up for the Switch 2 launch on June 5th, you can save money by purchasing some of Hori's new accessories now on Amazon at a discount of at least 30%. The Puff Pouch carrying case, stylish and practical, is reduced from $44.99 to $29.99 and comes out June 16th. It fits the console, six game cartridges, and extra items like a small battery. The cross-body shoulder bag offers similar storage for $34.99, releasing June 30th. Lastly, the Dual USB PlayStand, a USB hub with two USB-A ports and a USB-C charging port, is discounted from $69.99 to $39.99, also releasing June 30th. These accessories can be used with both the original Switch and Switch 2 models.
Tesla's latest iOS app update (version 4.45.0) introduces Live Activities support, allowing users to monitor their car's Supercharging progress directly from the iPhone lock screen. This feature provides real-time updates such as remaining charging time, current battery percentage, estimated cost, charge speed, and energy added. However, it is currently limited to Supercharger stations and does not work for home charging or non-Supercharger stalls. Additionally, Tesla has launched a new "Child Left Alone" safety feature in Europe for newer Model 3 vehicles (mid-2023 and later), which uses in-cabin radar to detect if a child is left unattended in the car. This feature will be expanded to other models and regions in the future.
If you’ve noticed unusual battery drain on your Pixel phone, Instagram might be the cause. Google has confirmed in a support post that Instagram has released an update to fix the issue. The resolution is included in Instagram version 382.0.0.49.84, available now on Google Play. To check your version, long-press the Instagram app, select 'App info,' and scroll down to find the version number. The battery drain issue appeared after a Pixel software update earlier this month and affected multiple Pixel models from Pixel 6 through Pixel 9. It is unclear if other Android phones experienced similar problems or if Instagram was the sole cause.
Life360 has announced a tighter integration of Tile Bluetooth trackers directly into its app, eliminating the need for the separate Tile app for setup and management. After acquiring Tile's device-tracking business in 2022 for $205 million, Life360 now allows users to track people and items seamlessly in one place, including new features like push notifications for left-behind items and location history. While the Tile app is still operational, indications suggest a transition to Life360, with the Tile.com domain redirecting to Life360.com. Life360's updated subscription plans also include enhanced features such as SOS Alerts for emergency calls via Tile devices and expanded location history, positioning Life360 not just as a location app but a comprehensive family safety platform with additional services like crash detection, roadside assistance, and driver reports. Despite privacy concerns about data sharing with partners and potential insurance companies, Life360 emphasizes user control over location sharing within family circles, aiming to streamline and improve family safety and connectivity.
Razer has increased the price of its Blade 18 laptop from the initial $3,199.99 to $3,499.99 for the base model featuring an RTX 5070 Ti GPU. The higher-end RTX 5090 model saw a $400 price rise to $4,899.99, and a new RTX 5080 option is priced at $4,099.99. Razer has not provided a reason for the price hikes. The laptop was briefly unavailable during tariff announcements affecting tech components from China and Taiwan. Orders for the Blade 18, including a fully equipped variant with 4TB storage and 64GB RAM for $5,199.99, are now open with deliveries starting June 2nd.