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Casio Announces U.S. Pre‑Orders for Its New AI‑Powered Robotic Pet Moflin

Casio Announces U.S. Pre‑Orders for Its New AI‑Powered Robotic Pet Moflin

Casio has opened pre‑orders for Moflin, an AI‑enabled robotic pet that offers a calming, cuddle‑friendly experience. The plush, hamster‑like device, which can express emotions through head movements, touch sensors, and voice recognition, will ship later this year for a price of $449. Designed for users seeking a soothing companion, Moflin learns a unique personality over time based on interaction, though it lacks a reset function. The launch follows strong sales in Japan and marks Casio’s expansion into the U.S. market.

Waymo Teams with Lyft to Launch Robotaxi Service in Nashville by 2026

Waymo Teams with Lyft to Launch Robotaxi Service in Nashville by 2026

Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle firm, announced plans to introduce a robotaxi service in Nashville in 2026. The rollout will initially use the Waymo One app for ride requests, later expanding to Lyft’s platform. Lyft will manage fleet operations through its Flexdrive system, handling maintenance, cleaning and electric‑vehicle charging. The partnership follows earlier collaborations in Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta, and marks a significant step toward broader commercial deployments across multiple U.S. cities.

ChatGPT Beginner’s Guide: Getting Started with the AI Chatbot

ChatGPT Beginner’s Guide: Getting Started with the AI Chatbot

As the third anniversary of ChatGPT approaches, the AI chatbot has become a staple for millions of users. With roughly 700 million weekly users, it is widely used for information retrieval, writing assistance, coding, and language translation. The guide explains how to access ChatGPT via web or mobile apps, create an account, choose between free and premium tiers, and leverage basic features such as voice input and file uploads. It also offers practical tips for effective prompting, balancing AI assistance with critical thinking, and using the tool for both personal and professional tasks.

Americans Seek Greater Control Over AI in Daily Life, Pew Survey Finds

Americans Seek Greater Control Over AI in Daily Life, Pew Survey Finds

A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that a majority of Americans want more control over how artificial intelligence is used in their everyday lives. While many accept AI in areas like weather forecasts and fraud detection, respondents express discomfort with AI in personal realms such as relationships and creativity. The poll highlights a growing "AI control gap," with roughly half of adults feeling more concerned than excited about AI's expanding role. The findings suggest that clearer opt‑out mechanisms and transparency could be key to building public trust as AI becomes more embedded in consumer devices and online services.

M3GAN 2.0 Streams on Peacock Starting Sept. 26

M3GAN 2.0 Streams on Peacock Starting Sept. 26

The horror‑thriller sequel M3GAN 2.0, which debuted in theaters earlier this year, is set to arrive on Peacock on Friday, Sept. 26. Both the PG‑13 and Unrated cuts will be available, giving viewers the option to watch the film in its original theatrical form or the extended version. Peacock offers two subscription levels—Peacock Premium with ads and Premium Plus with fewer ads—for $8 or $14 a month respectively, with annual plans also available. The service also lets Premium Plus members download titles and access the local NBC channel.

U.S. Adults Express Broad Concerns Over AI’s Impact on Human Traits

U.S. Adults Express Broad Concerns Over AI’s Impact on Human Traits

A new survey by Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center finds that U.S. adults largely anticipate AI will have a more negative than positive effect on core human capacities such as empathy, critical thinking and self‑identity. While 41% believe AI will deliver as much good as harm, a quarter see the technology’s influence as mostly detrimental and only 9% expect it to improve humanity. Experts are less pessimistic than the public, but both groups highlight worries about mental‑health risks, loss of deep learning, and the potential for AI‑driven decision‑making errors.

Google Launches Experimental Windows Search App to Rival Spotlight

Google Launches Experimental Windows Search App to Rival Spotlight

Google has introduced an experimental desktop search app for Windows that brings the company’s search expertise to the PC. The app can locate installed programs, local files, Google Drive items and web results, and includes Google Lens for on‑screen identification and translation. It is launched through Google’s Search Labs program and is accessed with the Alt + Space shortcut, mirroring macOS’s Spotlight. While still limited in availability and potentially buggy, the tool aims to provide a more powerful alternative to Windows’ built‑in search and third‑party utilities such as Everything.

UK Leads US in Spotting Phishing Scams, NordVPN Study Finds

UK Leads US in Spotting Phishing Scams, NordVPN Study Finds

A recent NordVPN National Privacy Test reveals that the United Kingdom outperforms the United States in identifying phishing websites, with 31% of U.S. respondents unable to correctly spot such scams. While the UK ranks among the top English‑speaking nations for overall cybersecurity awareness, both countries lag in understanding AI‑related privacy issues, each scoring only 5% on that metric. The study also highlights gaps in password storage knowledge and the use of online privacy tools, underscoring areas where both nations could improve digital safety practices.

DJI Mini 5 Pro Launches as Sub‑250g Beginner Drone with 1‑Inch Sensor

DJI Mini 5 Pro Launches as Sub‑250g Beginner Drone with 1‑Inch Sensor

DJI has introduced the Mini 5 Pro, the first sub‑250‑gram Mini drone to feature a 1‑inch sensor. Weighing officially under 250 g, the drone offers 4K video at up to 120 fps, 50 MP stills, a 225‑degree roll‑rotation camera for vertical shooting, and enhanced safety with front‑facing LiDAR. Flight time reaches 36 minutes, and the new 360° ActiveTrack and QuickShots modes improve subject tracking. Priced at £679 (AU$1,119) for the base bundle, the Mini 5 Pro is not slated for an official U.S. launch, though independent retailers may carry it later. DJI positions the model as the top beginner drone on the market.

DJI Mini 5 Pro Sets New Benchmark for Sub‑250g Drones

DJI Mini 5 Pro Sets New Benchmark for Sub‑250g Drones

The DJI Mini 5 Pro delivers a powerful mix of a 1‑inch sensor, LiDAR‑enhanced safety, and 4K video up to 120 fps while staying under the 250‑gram weight limit. Reviewers praised its image quality, versatile 225‑degree roll gimbal, 360° ActiveTrack, and up to 36‑minute flight time. The drone ships with a 2,788 mAh battery, optional RC‑2 screen controller, and a range of ND filters. Pricing starts at £679 for the base kit, with Fly More Combo options that add extra batteries and a controller. No U.S. pricing was available at launch.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Review: Design, Camera, and Performance Highlights

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Review: Design, Camera, and Performance Highlights

Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max introduces a refreshed design with an aluminum chassis and new color options, while retaining the familiar form factor. The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display now reaches 3,000 nits, offering brighter outdoor visibility. Powered by the A19 Pro chip and 12 GB of RAM, the device delivers fast performance and efficient heat management through a vapor‑chamber system. The camera system features a 48 MP triple‑lens array with 4× optical and 8× sensor‑crop zoom, delivering impressive photos and video. Battery life extends beyond 30 hours in real‑world use, and iOS 26 adds a glassy UI and modest AI upgrades. Overall, the iPhone 17 Pro Max builds on its predecessor with notable improvements in design, display, photography, and performance.