Google Chrome adds AI-powered store summaries to help US shoppers

image via techcrunch.com
image via techcrunch.com

Google on Monday announced an update to its Chrome web browser that will introduce AI-generated store reviews to U.S. shoppers with the aim of helping to determine the best places to make a purchase. The feature, which will be available by clicking an icon just to the left of the web address in the browser, will display a pop-up that informs consumers about the store’s reputation for things like product quality, shopping, pricing, customer service, and returns.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/google-chrome-adds-ai-powered-store-summaries-to-help-u-s-shoppers/

Pebble is officially Pebble again

image via theverge.com
image via theverge.com

In 2016, Pebble was acquired by Fitbit for $23 million, marking the end of the first Pebble era. Along the way, Fitbit was acquired by Google. That’s important because the tech giant agreed to open-source Pebble’s software, and Migicovsky announced earlier this year that Pebble was making a comeback. However, because Migicovsky didn’t have the trademark, the new Pebble watches were initially dubbed the Core 2 Duo and the Core Time 2. “Great news — we’ve been able to recover the trademark for Pebble! Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this to work out so easily,” Core Devices CEO Eric Migicovsky writes in an update blog. “Core 2 Duo is now Pebble 2 Duo. Core Time 2 is now Pebble Time 2.”

https://www.theverge.com/news/713931/pebble-smartwatch-name-trademark-recovered

Was That Amazing Video in Your Feed Real or AI? Tech Platforms Are Struggling to Let You Know

image c/o wsj.net
image c/o wsj.net

Meta, YouTube and TikTok are grasping for ways to protect users’ trust as their platforms fill with AI-generated photos and videos of events that never happened. But their patchwork of imperfect tools and voluntary policies sometimes inadvertently punishes “real” content and leaves plenty of AI work unlabeled.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/was-that-amazing-video-in-your-feed-real-or-ai-tech-platforms-are-struggling-to-let-you-know-fe7cceb6?mod=tech_lead_pos1

Applying to Jobs Has Become an AI-Powered Wasteland

image via futurism.com
image via futurism.com

If you’re one of millions of job seekers struggling to find stable employment, just know it’s probably not you. Per the New York Times, the number of applications sent via LinkedIn has surged over 45 percent since 2024; the rate now stands at a dizzying 11,000 apps per minute on the site. One HR worker was gobsmacked when her fully-remote job posting received 400 applications in just 12 hours, surging to over 1,200 apps 36 hours later.

https://futurism.com/job-applications-ai-slop

Apple Announces iOS 26 With ‘Liquid Glass’ Design, Live Translation, Overhauled Phone App, and More

image via macrumors.com
image via macrumors.com

Liquid Glass is a translucent material that reflects and refracts surroundings to create dynamic, responsive interface elements, according to Apple. The new design language transforms the Lock Screen, where the time fluidly adapts to available space in wallpapers, and spatial scenes add 3D effects when users move their iPhone. Meanwhile, app icons and widgets gain new customization options, including a striking clear appearance.

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/09/apple-announces-ios-26/

Samsung phones are getting a weird AI shopping platform nobody asked for

image via theverge.com
image via theverge.com

Glance AI, a brand owned by mobile advertising company InMobi, has announced a partnership with the Samsung Galaxy Store to roll out its e-commerce platform to Galaxy phones in the US. The company’s app centers around what it calls “a Generative AI shopping platform,” which is a serious contender for the most cursed phrase I’ve read today. The “experience” comprises both a standalone app and a lock screen component to try and sell you clothes. Crucially, the whole thing is “fully opt-in,” which, thank Christ. But even if you opt out — which you absolutely should! — this feels like a sign of things to come as advertisers try to leverage AI to sell us more stuff. Buckle up.

https://www.theverge.com/news/679541/samsung-galaxy-glance-ai-lock-screen-app