Pulse

NVIDIA's GeForce NOW cloud gaming service is adding several new titles, including the early access launch of 'Subnautica 2' and 'Forza Horizon 6'. The service also features a HITMAN World of Assassination reward event with exclusive in-game items for different membership tiers. These additions highlight GeForce NOW's ability to provide a seamless gaming experience across various devices without requiring powerful hardware or lengthy installations. AI

Apple is reportedly planning a significant overhaul of Siri, aiming to transform it into a more capable, chatbot-like assistant. This upgrade is expected to be integrated into iOS 18, with a focus on leveraging advanced AI technologies to enhance its conversational abilities and functionality. The enhanced Siri is anticipated to offer more natural interactions and a broader range of tasks, moving beyond its current limitations. AI

GitLab has announced layoffs impacting its AI division, leading to a 9% drop in its stock price. The specific number of employees affected and the exact reasons for the AI-focused cuts were not immediately clear. This move comes as the company navigates its strategy within the competitive AI landscape. AI

Samsung has acknowledged a bug within its One UI 8.5 software that is causing features within the Enhance-X application to disappear. The company is aware of the issue and is working on a fix. This glitch specifically impacts the Enhance-X app's functionality. AI

Bandai Namco has announced release dates for Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters. The game will launch in Japan on August 27, 2026, and worldwide on August 28, 2026. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC. AI

Vidicy is a new tool designed to streamline the visa application process by offering document review services. It provides users with embassy-specific checklists, risk scoring, and guidance to help ensure applications are complete and accurate. The platform aims to simplify the complex documentation requirements for international travel. AI

Google has significantly enhanced its "Help me write" feature within Gmail, introducing new capabilities such as integration with Google Drive and the ability to replicate a user's personal writing style. These updates aim to provide more personalized and context-aware assistance for email composition. AI

OpenAI is making its Codex model more accessible by enabling users to monitor and interact with it from their mobile devices. This expansion allows for greater flexibility in how developers and finance teams utilize Codex for coding and financial tasks. The move aims to integrate the AI tool more seamlessly into daily workflows, regardless of location. AI

An individual in New Zealand was incorrectly fined twice by an AI-powered parking camera system, highlighting the need for human oversight in automated enforcement. The man fought the fines, and the case has drawn attention to the potential for errors in AI systems used for penalties. This incident underscores the importance of human review before imposing fines based on AI outputs. AI

Microsoft is offering early retirement packages to veteran employees amidst significant AI investments. The details of these packages, obtained through internal documents, suggest a strategic workforce adjustment as the company pivots towards AI development. This move appears to be a cost-saving measure or a way to reallocate resources towards its growing AI initiatives, including Copilot. AI

Nous Research is offering free access to StepFun's Step 3.5 Flash model for the next 15 days through the Nous Portal. This limited-time promotion aims to increase accessibility and facilitate user testing of the AI model. AI

A new research paper titled "Beyond Semantic Similarity" has been published on arXiv, exploring advancements in language processing and machine learning. The paper delves into methods that go beyond traditional semantic similarity measures, suggesting new approaches for understanding and processing language. AI

Bumble is pivoting its dating app strategy to emphasize AI technology, with CEO Lidiane Jones announcing plans to move away from traditional swiping. The company will introduce an AI dating assistant named Bee to enhance user experience. This strategic shift aims to leverage AI for more personalized matchmaking and potentially streamline the dating process. AI

Dutch news organizations are providing their archives to GPT-NL, a project aimed at developing AI models trained on Dutch news content. The compensation for freelance journalists whose work is included in these archives remains unclear. The Authors' Guild is involved in discussions regarding this issue. AI

A group of journalists, podcasters, and audiobook narrators have filed a lawsuit against Google in Illinois federal court. They allege that Google misused thousands of hours of their voice recordings without permission to train its AI models. These models power systems like Google Assistant and Gemini Live, which are capable of replicating human voices. AI

Adobe Premiere Pro is now available for Android devices, offering professional video editing capabilities on the go. The app includes specific features designed for creating YouTube Shorts, allowing users to easily produce vertical video content optimized for the platform. This release marks a significant expansion of Adobe's creative tools to the mobile ecosystem. AI

Zenith Market AI has introduced a new feature that provides enhanced signal and risk context for stock market analysis. This tool offers insights into levels, momentum, and catalysts, aiming to assist investors. The platform highlights that increased stock movement dispersion, as seen with Tesla's significant drop, emphasizes the importance of position sizing over simply predicting market direction. AI

Google is implementing an OS verification feature in Android 17 to combat cybercriminals. This new measure aims to ensure the legitimacy of the operating system, enhancing security for users. AI

A new action platformer has gained significant traction on Steam this week, earning high ratings from players. The game features a unique combat mechanic where players can parry large industrial machinery, such as a giant digger, using a chainsaw. AI

DeepMind has developed a new AI-powered mouse pointer that aims to improve human-computer interaction. This innovative pointer can predict user intent and adapt its behavior accordingly, offering a more natural and efficient way to interact with digital interfaces. The technology could potentially redefine how users navigate and control their devices. AI

Google is developing a new feature that allows users to create custom widgets by simply describing their desired functionality. This tool aims to simplify the process of widget creation, enabling users to build personalized widgets without needing extensive technical knowledge. The initiative is part of Google's effort to enhance user customization and experience across its platforms. AI

Amazee.io will showcase its private-by-design AI infrastructure at DrupalSouth Wellington 2026. The company aims to demonstrate how its solutions enable safe integration of AI workflows and large language models into existing digital platforms. Attendees can also participate in prize draws and collect branded merchandise. AI

Android Auto is receiving a significant visual and functional update, adopting Google's Material You design language. This overhaul will introduce new widgets for enhanced usability and the capability to run video applications directly within the car's infotainment system. These features are scheduled for a phased rollout throughout the year, extending to vehicles equipped with Google built-in. AI