PCMag – Page 3 – Tech News

California bans loud commercials on Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services

“We heard Californians loud and clear, and what’s clear is that they don’t want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program,” Governor Newsom said in a press release. “By signing SB 576, California is dialing down this inconvenience across streaming platforms, which had previously not been subject to commercial volume regulations passed by Congress in 2010.”
https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/07/california-bans-loud-commercials-on-netflix-hulu-and-other-streaming-services/

Is the Cookie About to Crumble? EU Considers Axing Pesky Consent Banners

A 2009 European law called the e-Privacy Directive required websites to get consent before loading cookies. The European Commission is now considering rolling back the law, Politico reports. The move is part of a larger initiative to remove red tape in technology regulation. A committee met to discuss alternatives last week, which could include allowing users to set their cookie preferences once, perhaps in the browser settings, rather than each time they visit a website.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/is-the-cookie-about-to-crumble-eu-considers-axing-pesky-consent-banners

Google to Block Sideloading of Apps From Unverified Developers

Starting next year, app installs on certified Android devices will be possible only if the developer has been verified by Google. The company compares the move to an "ID check at the airport," and says it is intended to tackle malicious actors who impersonate developers and their brand image to trick users into downloading fake apps.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/google-to-block-sideloading-of-apps-from-unverified-developers

Meta’s Smart Glasses With Built-In Display May Launch Next Month

Meta's display-equipped smart glasses may launch next month and cost less than previous estimates, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. The wearable, codenamed Hypernova, has been rumored for some time. It is expected to be a high-end version of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, with a small display at the bottom of the right lens. The display will only be visible to the wearer, and it can be controlled using a wrist accessory called Ceres—something Meta first teased in 2022.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/metas-smart-glasses-with-built-in-display-may-launch-next-month

Apple Makes Major Changes to App Store’s Age Ratings

Apple added 13+, 16+, and 18+ ratings to the existing 4+ and 9+ ratings, while removing the 12+ and 17+ age ranges. These changes have been applied automatically, based on developers’ previous responses to Apple’s questionnaires. But you’ll have to wait until September for the public rollout, unless you're running one of the beta versions of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, or watchOS 26. The tech giant has also introduced new questions to help identify sensitive content within apps before they are added to the App Store, including those covering the presence of medical or wellness topics, violence, and in-app controls. Apple has asked developers to complete the updated questionnaire via App Store Connect by Jan. 31, 2026. If they fail to comply, app updates will be blocked.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-makes-major-changes-to-app-stores-age-ratings

PSA: Google Ending Support for Early Gen Nest Learning Thermostats

This means users will no longer be able to control these models remotely from their phone or via Google Assistant, but they’ll still be able to adjust the temperature and modify schedules directly on the thermostat itself.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/psa-google-ends-support-for-early-gen-nest-learning-thermostats

Why Being Polite to ChatGPT Is Costing OpenAI Millions and Wasting Electricity

Polite exchanges are costing the AI company a fortune, CEO Sam Altman revealed in an exchange on X. "I wonder how much money OpenAI has lost in electricity costs from people saying 'please' and 'thank you' to their models," writes user @tomieinlove. "Tens of millions of dollars well spent—you never know," Altman responded.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/why-being-polite-to-chatgpt-is-costing-openai-millions-and-wasting-electricity