AI & Software
Artificial intelligence, language models and generative AI, applications, software and digital services: assistants, office suites, development, operating systems, cloud and everyday tools.
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AI & Software
Amazon brings free Alexa+ to Fire TV, no Prime needed
Amazon is making its Alexa+ voice assistant free on all compatible Fire TV devices in the US, with no Prime subscription required. The update rolls out automatically and covers Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, and Fire TV OS smart TVs. August 20, 2026
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AI & Software
Firefox Smart Window adds web search, tab groups, Exa partnership
Firefox expands Smart Window capabilities with real-time web search, automatic tab groups, and visual history previews. These beta features, available in the US and Canada, leverage a partnership with Exa for sourced answers. August 20, 2026
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AI & Software
iOS 27 and macOS 27 beta 6: Siri AI, Liquid Glass, and under-the-hood tweaks
Apple is rolling out iOS 27 and macOS 27 Golden Gate beta 6 on August 17. These versions focus on internal improvements, with minor visual tweaks and AI features like Siri AI and Visual Intelligence, ahead of a final release expected in September. August 19, 2026
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AI & Software
Google’s Gemini 3.7 Flash: Faster, Cheaper, and More Powerful
Google launches Gemini 3.7 Flash, an improved version of its workhorse model for coding and agents, just three weeks after 3.6. The new model delivers significant gains in software development, workflow automation, and document understanding — all at half the price through the end of 2026. August 14, 2026
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AI & Software
Microsoft drops underused AI features, merges Copilot apps
Microsoft is discontinuing several underused AI features, such as Mico and Deep Research, while merging its consumer and enterprise Copilot apps into one. The transition begins on August 18, 2026. August 14, 2026
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AI & Software
Claude to watermark AI-generated text and images for EU compliance
Anthropic will embed invisible digital watermarks in text and images produced by Claude to comply with the EU AI Act. These identifiers will enable automatic detection of AI-generated or modified content, with phased implementation by December 2026. August 13, 2026
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AI & Software
China blocks Meta’s $2B Manus acquisition: deal collapses
China has definitively blocked Meta’s acquisition of AI startup Manus. The Chinese company, valued at $2 billion, is now independent after a formal ban by Beijing authorities in April 2026. August 13, 2026
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AI & Software
Europe mandates AI-generated content labeling from Sunday
Starting this Sunday, August 10, 2026, content created or altered by AI must be clearly labeled across Europe. This requirement applies to platforms, media, and creators under the EU’s AI transparency code of conduct. August 6, 2026
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AI & Software
Claude Opus 5 matches Fable 5 performance at half the price
Anthropic unveils Claude Opus 5, a model matching its flagship Fable 5 in performance but at half the cost. It becomes the default choice for Claude Max subscribers, outperforming on several key benchmarks. August 1, 2026
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AI & Software
Google unveils three new lightweight Gemini models
Google rolls out three lightweight AI models: 3.6 Flash (17% fewer tokens than 3.5 Flash), 3.5 Flash-Lite (350 tokens/second), and 3.5 Flash Cyber, reserved for governments. The first two are available now. August 1, 2026
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AI & Software
AI hits critical threshold: loss of control, fossil energy, and concentrated power
Artificial intelligence is entering a phase where its autonomy, energy consumption, and concentration in the hands of a few are outpacing existing safeguards. Between security incidents, ecological setbacks, and bold statements, warning signs are mounting. August 1, 2026
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AI & Software