Cyberdecks are everywhere all of a sudden â used for music, for reading, or just for bling. But they go back to the earliest PCs.
Puget Systems at Unreal Fest 2026
Come visit Puget Systems at Unreal Fest in Chicago and find out how our workstations, laptops, and servers can enable your teams and workflows!
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Android Auto’s Newest Update Revamps Dashboard Engagement
Google has revealed that the platform is undergoing a significant update that includes numerous feature modifications and a complete aesthetic revamp. Google Maps is included in this update, featuring more sophisticated and user-friendly enhancements—this is the largest update for Maps in quite some time. This is notable news, as Google Maps ranks among the most crucial Android Auto applications.
The most noticeable change is Google’s Material 3 Expressive design, which represents an improvement over the company’s Material Design 3 or “Material You” design approach. The primary distinction with Google’s new design initiative is the focus on animations, which the company claims enhances “more usable and engaging products with emotion-driven UX (user experience).” For Android Auto, this translates into new, visually appealing typefaces, quicker animations with added flair, and refreshed visual elements such as wallpapers from the Android mobile experience.
Another significant visual update pertains to how the enhanced Android Auto adjusts to the configuration of your vehicle’s display. The platform has long accommodated landscape, portrait, ultrawide, and even circular screen formats, but the user experience hasn’t always been seamless. Now, Android Auto exploits more of the available display space across various screen shapes.
Home screen widgets have also made their debut, functioning similarly to Android widgets, providing critical information at a glance and quick access to your frequently used applications. In Auto, this includes your favorite contacts, garage door controls, traffic and weather updates, among others. This is part of a deliberate attempt to improve Android Auto—several electric vehicle manufacturers received a greatly beneficial Android Auto upgrade prior to this. While the core development of this latest update is closely linked to the visual enhancements and improved user experience, it is not the only significant modification.
What additional features does this Android Auto update introduce?
In addition to the visual transformation, there are multiple other improvements to discover in this update. Google indicates that these new features will be released in stages, with some arriving “soon” and others not being available until “
Netflix Unveils Plans to Broaden Ad Integration Throughout Its Application
Netflix’s Transition to Advertising: Broadening Ad-Tier and New Income Sources
Netflix, the premier streaming platform worldwide, has experienced a notable shift in its business strategy, especially with the launch of an ad-supported tier. Once opposed to the concept of featuring advertisements, Netflix has now adopted this approach in light of increasing subscription fees and market oversaturation. Consequently, more users are choosing the budget-friendly ad-supported option.
Recent updates reveal that Netflix’s ad tier has achieved impressive growth, with over 250 million global users utilizing this feature each month, a significant rise from 94 million only a year earlier. This increase in ad-tier subscriptions signifies a wider trend as consumers look for economical choices amid ongoing price increases.
In a recent showcase, Netflix outlined its intentions to further enhance its advertising initiatives in the forthcoming year. Two main strategies were underscored:
1. **Advertisements in the Vertical Video Feed**: Netflix will start incorporating advertisements into its newly revamped vertical video feed within the application. This strategy aims to boost user interaction and generate more advertising opportunities.
2. **Podcast Advertising**: The organization intends to add ads to more of its podcast content, leveraging the surging popularity of audio media and diversifying its revenue avenues.
These alterations are part of Netflix’s strategy to increase ad income, particularly as subscriber growth has decelerated due to market saturation. The company still stands as the leading streaming service, but industry dynamics are evolving, making it essential to focus on alternative revenue channels.
While Netflix shifts towards advertising, rivals such as Apple TV have not yet launched an ad-supported tier. Although Apple executives have not dismissed the notion of introducing ads in the future, any modifications seem likely to occur alongside forthcoming subscription price changes.
As Netflix continues to adjust to the changing streaming environment, its emphasis on advertising may transform its connection with consumers and alter the competitive landscape within the industry.
iPhone Ultra Release: Six Fresh Features of Apple’s High-End Model
Apple’s inaugural foldable iPhone, speculated to be called the iPhone Ultra, is anticipated to debut this fall. Here are six notable features predicted for this premium gadget.
### Design: Book-style fold with titanium, crease-less display
The iPhone Ultra will showcase a distinctive design, setting it apart from standard foldables by being broader than it is tall when open. It will utilize a book-style fold, featuring an outer display that is shorter and wider than earlier iPhone screens, while the inner display will mirror the dimensions and shape of an iPad mini. A significant leap for foldable technology, the inner display is expected to be free of creases. The design will include a titanium frame, making it ultra-slim when opened and resembling two stacked iPhone Airs when closed. Color choices are rumored to be confined to black and white.
### Displays: Distinct sizes and orientations
The iPhone Ultra will feature two screens: an outer display measuring between 5.3 to 5.5 inches and an inner display ranging from 7.6 to 7.8 inches. The outer screen will present a broader aspect ratio, resembling an iPhone mini, while the inner display will offer a more expansive viewing experience similar to holding an iPad mini.
### Cameras: Two rear lenses, plus two front-facing
Fitted with two rear cameras—48MP Main and 48MP Ultra Wide—the iPhone Ultra will not include a Telephoto lens that is available in the Pro variants. Furthermore, it will have two front-facing cameras, one for each display, likely utilizing the 18MP Center Stage camera introduced with the iPhone 17, designed in a hole-punch configuration.
### Software: iOS 27 multitasking features
The iPhone Ultra will operate on iOS 27, which is expected to bring multitasking functionalities unique to this model. Users can look forward to side-by-side app capabilities and iPad-like app layouts, though it will not support the complete windowing functionalities of iPadOS.
### Apple Silicon: A20 Pro chip, C2 cellular modem
The device will be fueled by the new A20 Pro chip and C2 cellular modem, both also anticipated in the iPhone 18 Pro. The A20 Pro chip will employ a 2-nanometer process for improved efficiency and will include 12GB of RAM with quicker LPDDR5 technology. The C2 modem will substitute Qualcomm’s 5G solutions with an Apple-designed alternative, promising numerous new advantages.
### Touch ID
Notably, the iPhone Ultra will not come with Face ID; instead, it will bring back Touch ID, integrated into the power button. This choice is due to the device’s slim design, which does not accommodate the necessary Face ID components.
### Pricing and Wrap-Up
Speculated pricing for the iPhone Ultra starts at about $1,999 for a 256GB version, potentially making it the priciest iPhone to date. This pricing reflects its dual role as both an iPhone and an iPad, justifying the elevated cost.
The iPhone Ultra is sparking considerable interest, and prospective buyers are left to ponder whether this groundbreaking device aligns with their needs compared to other models.
WhatsApp Unveils Incognito Chats Functionality with Meta AI
WhatsApp and the Meta AI application now enable users to switch on incognito mode for private discussions with Meta AI. This recently introduced feature, unveiled by Mark Zuckerberg, turns conversations into transient exchanges that vanish when the user leaves the session. It’s akin to functionalities provided by other chatbots such as ChatGPT and Claude.
The Incognito Chat functionality aims to bolster privacy, employing Private Processing technology that guarantees Meta cannot access the dialogue’s content. This system handles AI queries within a secure setting, swiftly erasing data post-processing, in contrast to other services that might keep conversation records for lengthy durations.
Alongside safeguarding chat content, Incognito Chat also protects online searches made during the discussion. Meta AI is able to conduct searches based on chat keywords without associating them with the user, further enhancing privacy.
The feature is currently being deployed, and users can obtain more details about it on WhatsApp’s official blog.
Crypto Clarity Act Returns to Senate as Banks Oppose It
Hello and welcome to Regulator, the newsletter for Verge subscribers that goes into tech shenanigans that take place in the backrooms of Washington. Really, it sometimes does feel like the online series The Backrooms: a parallel universe with no internal logic, evil corporations lurking in the background, and mind-rending eldritch horrors around every corner. (Not […]
Meta’s Muse Spark Debuts on AI Glasses Gen 1, Ray-Ban Display Launch Postponed
Mobile users will also see an update for Muse Spark this week.
Essential information
- Meta has announced that it is gearing up to release its Muse Spark AI on its AI Glasses Gen 1 and Gen 2, but notes that the Ray-Ban Display will not launch until the summer.
- An update for Muse Spark is coming which enhances its voice interaction features and introduces a helpful shopping option.
- Meta Connect 2026 is officially scheduled for September 23-24.
Meta’s latest LLM is the newest AI software being integrated into its devices, and the company has stated it will also be available on its smart glasses.
The company has disclosed a new update for Muse Spark that is being deployed this week, and it also confirmed its availability on several smart glasses. Shortly thereafter, Meta addressed a user’s inquiry regarding the timeline for Muse Spark’s introduction to its wearables. According to the announcement, users can anticipate the new AI model to gradually become available on the Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta glasses in the U.S. and Canada over the coming weeks.
It’s safe to assume this update has begun its gradual rollout, so users with these models (Meta AI glasses Gen 1 and Gen 2) should remain vigilant. A minor discussion on Reddit highlighted this, with one user having received an update, although it seems unrelated. For now, the anticipation persists. In response to the user’s inquiry about the Ray-Ban Display glasses, Meta indicated that users of this model will need to wait until summer for Muse Spark.
On Meta’s blog, the company outlined the expected updates for Muse Spark in its AI application. Leading the changes is an enhancement to the AI’s voice interaction features. It notes, “Muse Spark allows you to converse naturally with the assistant—interrupt, change topics, or switch languages.” Additionally, the AI is reported to adjust to your mindset as the conversation progresses. Muse Spark has the capability to create images or retrieve pertinent information from the internet during discussions.
Anthropic’s Cat Wu: AI Will Predict Your Needs Before You Realize Them
The head of product for Claude Code and Cowork says that the next big step for AI is proactivity.
Netflix’s ad ambitions just keep growing
For the second year in a row, Netflix’s ad-supported tier more than doubled its monthly viewerbase. During its 2026 upfront presentation, Netflix revealed that its $8.99-per-month plan reaches more than 250 million people around the globe, a significant leap from 94 million users reported last year. The streaming service reported earning $1.5 billion from ads […]
