Innehållsförteckning för #730 från Techlife News

Microsoft has quietly been imposing a bold new standard on its gaming arm—demanding that its Xbox studios deliver operating margins near 30 percent, a figure far above industry norms. The shift, initiated around late 2023, has sparked a wave of internal restructuring, including studio shutdowns, project cancellations and higher prices for hardware, subscription services and games. The moves mark a turning point in Microsoft’s approach to gaming, reflecting a stronger emphasis on profitability than ever before. A NEW FINANCIAL PLAYBOOK FOR GAME DEVELOPMENT According to internal disclosures and reporting, Microsoft’s gaming division was quietly tasked with delivering across-the-board “accountability margins” of approximately 30 percent—a benchmark rarely seen in the video-game industry. Traditionally, major publishers have operated in the range of 17-22 percent profit margins, according to market analysts. By comparison,…

Millions of discarded electronic devices from the United States are being shipped overseas each month and ending up in countries around Southeast Asia, where a combination of weak regulation, low-cost labour and hostile environments for hazardous waste management is creating a growing humanitarian and environmental crisis. According to a recent study, thousands of shipping containers filled with used electronics—many of them broken or obsolete—have arrived in places like Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. What started as a stream of landfill-destined scrap has become a torrent of toxic devices being processed or dumped under dangerous conditions. The volume is staggering. The report estimates that from January 2023 through February 2025, more than 10,000 containers—worth over US$1 billion—were reportedly exported by at least 10 U.S. companies to developing countries that lacked…

Apple has just floored the accelerator on its Formula 1 ambitions. The Cupertino company has inked a blockbuster five-year deal to become the exclusive U.S. broadcast partner for Formula 1, starting next season. All races, sessions, qualifiers, and Sprints will stream live on Apple TV, ditching cable giants like ESPN for a seamless, tech-infused digital pit lane. FROM SILVER SCREEN TO STARTING GRID Building on the turbocharged success of F1 The Movie, Apple Original Films' adrenaline-soaked hit that shattered box office records, this partnership cements a bond forged in Hollywood glamour and racetrack grit. With U.S. F1 fandom exploding to 52 million devotees in 2024, and a youthquake of 18-24-year-olds (47% of new fans) and women (over half ) flooding the stands, the timing couldn't be sharper. Whether you're a…

Apple’s newest 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip continues the company’s steady march toward professional computing built entirely on its own silicon. Following the already-impressive M4 generation, the M5 model introduces deeper architectural refinements aimed at sustained performance, graphics power, and efficiency. Rather than a cosmetic overhaul, the update represents an internal evolution designed to meet the demands of modern creative and technical workflows—video editors cutting 8K timelines, coders working with AI models, and designers running intensive rendering tasks. The M4 version of the 14-inch MacBook Pro was itself a major leap when it arrived, narrowing the performance gap between the smaller Pro and its 16-inch sibling. With the M5, Apple refines that success into a laptop that remains compact, elegant, and yet noticeably more capable. What makes this…

Volvo ES90 represents the Swedish automaker’s first major push into a high-end electric sedan built on its dedicated 800-volt architecture and premium safety technology stack. By combining sleek fastback proportions with SUV-level practicality, the ES90 seeks to bridge design, performance, and usability in one vehicle. From its refined Scandinavian materials to a charging system capable of rapid replenishment, the ES90 is clearly aimed at discerning drivers who demand electric vehicle excellence without compromise. DESIGN, SPACE & CABIN AMBIENCE The ES90 blends elements of a classic saloon, a fastback shooter, and an elevated driving stance more commonly seen in SUVs. Its long wheelbase and lift-back hatch design deliver generous rear legroom, while a height and seating position that edge toward crossover territory enhance visibility and in-car comfort. The interior builds on…

Apple is once again confronting regulatory turbulence in China, where it now faces a formal complaint accusing its App Store of violating antitrust law and restricting consumer choice. A group of 55 iPhone and iPad users, represented by attorney Wang Qiongfei, filed the case with the State Administration for Market Regulation, alleging that Apple’s control over app distribution and in-app payments creates unfair market conditions in the Chinese digital economy. The complaint centers on three claims: that Apple forces Chinese users to download apps exclusively through the App Store, blocks third-party payment systems, and continues to charge commissions of up to 30 percent on digital purchases. These practices mirror similar disputes Apple has faced in the United States, the European Union, and South Korea, where regulators have increasingly pressed the…

Artificial intelligence is often criticized for its substantial consumption of electricity and water—data centers powering AI now account for roughly 1.5% of global electricity usage, with projections showing that figure could double by 2030. Yet amid the concerns, researchers are discovering compelling ways in which AI itself may help tackle climate change and reduce environmental impact. Recent experiments and early deployments show AI systems being used to reduce energy consumption in buildings, optimise electric-vehicle charging schedules, support cleaner industrial processes and even reshape urban traffic flows to cut emissions. These applications demonstrate a paradox: the very technology that consumes large amounts of energy may become central to the systems that curb energy waste and greenhouse-gas output. SMART BUILDINGS, EVS AND TRAFFIC: WHERE AI MAKES A DIFFERENCE In the building sector—responsible…

Battery recycling pioneer Redwood Materials has raised $350 million in new funding to accelerate its expansion into large-scale energy storage and critical-materials production. The financing round, led by Eclipse Ventures with participation from Nvidia’s NVentures, lifts the company’s valuation above $6 billion and signals investor confidence in Redwood’s ability to bridge the gap between clean-energy infrastructure and digital-era demand. The funding will enable Redwood to expand its refining capacity, scale up production of cathode and anode materials, and invest in its growing energy-storage division, which designs grid-scale systems that repurpose used EV batteries. The move marks a natural evolution for the Nevada-based company, which was founded in 2017 by former Tesla CTO JB Straubel and has since become a cornerstone of the emerging circular-battery economy. BUILDING A CLOSED-LOOP BATTERY SUPPLY…

OpenAI has officially launched the Atlas browser, marking its most ambitious expansion yet beyond conversational AI and into the core infrastructure of the modern web. Atlas reimagines the browsing experience around ChatGPT, placing artificial intelligence—not a search bar—at the center of how users discover, navigate, and interact online. Available initially for macOS and rolling out soon to Windows, iOS, and Android, Atlas functions as both a traditional web browser and an intelligent assistant. Its interface replaces the familiar address bar with a conversational field powered by ChatGPT, capable of summarizing pages, comparing information, completing tasks, and proactively suggesting next steps. A new “Agent Mode,” designed for premium users, can perform multi-step operations—such as researching a product, comparing reviews, filling shopping carts, and completing purchases—without requiring the user to click between…

YouTube has unveiled an AI likeness detection tool designed to protect creators from unauthorized use of their face or voice in AI-generated videos. The feature represents one of the platform’s most significant steps yet in addressing the rapid rise of deepfakes and synthetic content that imitate real people without consent. Initially rolling out to verified creators under the YouTube Partner Program, the system aims to restore a sense of authenticity and accountability to the video-sharing ecosystem. The new feature arrives amid escalating concerns across the industry about how artificial intelligence can replicate likenesses with near-photorealistic precision. By enabling creators to confirm their identity and flag manipulated videos, YouTube is effectively positioning itself as an early adopter of defensive AI tools in a space increasingly defined by synthetic media and misinformation.…

Apple’s newest flagship, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, is dominating the premium smartphone market in the United States, outperforming expectations and reaffirming the company’s command of the high-end segment. Early data from industry analysts show that the iPhone 17 lineup has sold about 14 percent more units in its first ten days than last year’s iPhone 16 series, with the Pro Max model leading demand. The trend reflects a broader appetite for high-performance devices and an expanding willingness among U.S. consumers to pay more for top-tier hardware. PREMIUMIZATION AND CARRIER STRATEGIES DRIVING UPTAKE Major U.S. carriers, including T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, have centered their promotions on the Pro Max, offering aggressive trade-in credits and installment plans that make the $1,199 flagship more attainable. The strategy appears to be paying off.…

Apple has opened live streaming of all Major League Soccer playoff matches to every Apple TV subscriber, marking a pivotal expansion of its sports broadcasting strategy. Until now, access to postseason games was restricted to MLS Season Pass holders—a separate subscription introduced under Apple’s landmark ten-year partnership with the league. The change means that, for the first time, the entire playoff series will be available to Apple TV users worldwide without additional cost or paywalls. The decision underscores Apple’s growing ambition to integrate live sports more deeply into its entertainment ecosystem. By lifting restrictions at a decisive point in the season, the company aims to broaden audience reach, fuel interest in Major League Soccer’s postseason, and leverage the energy of playoff matches to strengthen Apple TV’s position within the increasingly…

Apple has mounted a high-stakes legal challenge against the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), a sweeping law designed to rein in the power of large technology platforms. The case, now before the European Union’s General Court in Luxembourg, represents one of the most significant confrontations between Silicon Valley and European regulators in years. Apple’s arguments center on what it calls disproportionate regulatory overreach—measures it claims threaten both the company’s integrated ecosystem and the privacy and security of its users. The DMA, which came into effect earlier this year, targets “gatekeeper” firms that control key digital services such as app stores, messaging systems, and operating systems. It requires those companies to open up their platforms to rival services, permit third-party app stores and payment systems, and ensure interoperability between competing…

Rivian Automotive has announced plans to lay off approximately 600 employees, about four percent of its U.S. workforce, in a renewed effort to reduce costs and navigate the growing turbulence in the electric vehicle market. The decision underscores a turning point for the California-based automaker, which is facing declining EV demand, the expiration of key tax credits, and intensifying competition from both established carmakers and newer electric rivals. Once viewed as one of the most promising startups in the EV space, Rivian is now confronting the realities of a shifting market landscape. With economic uncertainty dampening consumer spending and price-sensitive buyers gravitating toward more affordable options, the company is reassessing its growth trajectory to focus on operational efficiency and long-term sustainability. LAYOFFS REFLECT PRESSURE FROM MARKET CONDITIONS AND POLICY CHANGES…

Airbnb Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky has publicly declared that OpenAI’s suite of tools is not yet mature enough to power the company’s core app experiences. While many tech firms race to embed generative-AI agents and conversational interfaces directly into their platforms, Chesky said Airbnb is taking a more measured approach—waiting until integration quality, security and cost-efficiency align with its community-based ecosystem. He emphasized that Airbnb’s verified-user model, where hosts and guests rely on trust and safety, imposes higher demands on any AI integration. Chesky stated that while he remains a supporter of the broader AI progress, the practical technologies currently available from OpenAI do not yet meet Airbnb’s standards for deployment at scale. A STRATEGIC PAUSE IN AI COLLABORATION Chesky’s comments reflect a calculated delay. Rather than rush into…

Amazon is accelerating its shift toward automation across its U.S. operations, in what analysts describe as one of the largest workforce restructurings in the company’s history. Internal projections reviewed by multiple industry sources suggest that by 2033, Amazon expects to automate tasks equivalent to more than 600,000 human jobs, effectively reducing hiring needs even as its total output doubles. The long-term plan would see robots, artificial intelligence systems, and machine-learning tools taking over an expanding share of warehouse, logistics, and delivery operations. HOW AMAZON IS TRANSFORMING ITS WORKFORCE MODEL Over the past decade, Amazon has already installed more than a million robots in fulfillment centers around the world, but the new plan represents a far deeper integration of automation into everyday operations. The company is reportedly aiming to automate up…

Apple’s next iOS update introduces one of the most requested interface refinements of the year: a new setting that lets users adjust the transparency and tint intensity of the system’s “Liquid Glass” design language. Available with iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS 26.1, the feature gives users direct control over how translucent or opaque the operating system appears, addressing feedback about legibility and personalization that emerged following iOS 26’s visual redesign. The new option, located under Settings > Display & Brightness on iPhones and iPads (and System Settings > Appearance on Macs), introduces two interface modes: Clear, which retains the default transparent style, and Tinted, which increases opacity and contrast across navigation bars, control sheets, and widgets. The effect extends system-wide—impacting lock screens, notifications, and even multitasking overlays. With the…

Apple and NBCUniversal have officially launched their long-rumored streaming partnership, bringing Apple TV—now the unified identity for Apple’s entertainment platform—and Peacock Premium together in a discounted bundle. The new offer arrives at a pivotal moment for both companies, who are reshaping their streaming strategies around consolidation, brand clarity, and cross-platform value. The bundle, priced at $14.99 per month, grants access to Apple TV’s full slate of originals and Peacock’s expansive catalog of network shows, films, and live sports. A premium version with Peacock Premium Plus—which removes ads and allows offline viewing—costs $19.99 per month. Available starting this week in the United States, the deal underscores Apple’s ongoing push to grow its entertainment footprint while making its content ecosystem more seamless and recognizable to subscribers. APPLE TV’S REBRAND SIGNALS A NEW…

Real Madrid has embarked on an audacious digital-media initiative known internally as the “Bernabéu Infinito”, a concept first publicly introduced by club president Florentino Pérez during the club’s 2024-2025 season assembly. The idea was simple yet far-reaching: enable fans everywhere to experience matches at Santiago Bernabéu as if they were inside the stadium, via virtual reality and advanced capture systems. Apple is cited as the technological partner in this effort, with a pilot phase already underway. Reports detail that for the Champions League match against Juventus, over a hundred cameras—positioned throughout the stadium—were deployed to begin gathering immersive data and define how the venue can become “infinite” in reach. HOW THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS Rather than a simple live stream, the Infinito model draws on VR/AR hardware (notably the Apple Vision…