Substack’s new TV app for Apple and Google TV, Spotify’s AI-powered Prompted Playlists for Premium users, and Google Search’s AI Mode update with Personal Intelligence from Gmail and Photos. 

Introducing the Substack TV app, now in beta

https://on.substack.com/p/introducing-the-substack-tv-app-now

Spotify brings AI-powered Prompted Playlists to the US and Canada | TechCrunch

https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/22/spotify-brings-ai-powered-prompted-playlists-to-the-u-s-and-canada/

Google's AI Mode can now tap into your Gmail and Photos to provide tailored responses | TechCrunch

https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/22/googles-ai-mode-can-now-tap-into-your-gmail-and-photos-to-provide-tailored-responses/

Waymo is accepting public riders in Miami | The Verge

https://www.theverge.com/transportation/865145/waymo-miami-public-riders-waitlist

Craig Federighi rejected feature that would use AI to design your iPhone's home screen: report - 9to5Mac

https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/22/apple-ai-home-screen-iphone/

Meta’s global rollout of ads on Threads, YouTube’s new AI tools for Shorts and creators, and Apple’s development of an AI-powered wearable and major Siri upgrade. 

Threads rolls out ads to all users worldwide | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/21/threads-rolls-out-ads-to-all-users-worldwide/

YouTubers will be able to make Shorts with their own AI likenesses | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/864610/youtube-shorts-ai-likenesses-neal-mohan-2026

Apple reportedly replacing Siri interface with actual chatbot experience for iOS 27 - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/21/apple-reportedly-replacing-siri-interface-with-actual-chatbot-experience-for-ios-27/

Cover your eyes: Netflix vertical video is coming this year - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/21/cover-your-eyes-netflix-vertical-video-is-coming-this-year/

Apple Developing AirTag-Sized AI Pin With Dual Cameras - MacRumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/21/apple-ai-pin/

OpenAI’s rollout of age verification for ChatGPT ahead of adult content, Netflix adding live voting to its new interactive shows, and Amazon warning that U.S. prices are rising due to Trump’s tariffs. 

OpenAI rolls out age prediction on ChatGPT | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/technology/openai-rolls-out-age-prediction-chatgpt-2026-01-20/

Netflix is rolling out a live voting feature | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/20/netflix-is-rolling-out-a-live-voting-feature/

Amazon’s CEO says tariffs are starting to ‘creep into’ pricing | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/864390/amazon-ceo-andy-jassy-tariffs-creep-into-pricing

Netflix revises Warner Bros. bid to an all-cash offer | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/863318/netflix-warner-bros-discovery-merger-revision-cash-deal

Apple Regains Top Spot in China's Smartphone Market - MacRumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/20/apple-regains-top-spot-in-china/

OpenAI’s 2026 focus on practical AI adoption and new business models, Meta Threads surpassing X in global mobile users, and Google testing a Safari-to-Chrome data import tool for iOS.

OpenAI teases hardware unveil this year as Jony Ive's team hires more Apple alumni - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/19/openai-teases-hardware-unveil-this-year-as-jony-ives-team-hires-more-apple-alumni/

Threads overtakes X on mobile, but still lags far behind | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/864099/threads-overtakes-x-daily-mobile-ios-android-users

Chrome for iOS to get a guided Safari data migration feature - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/19/chrome-for-ios-to-get-a-guided-safari-data-migration-feature/

When is Apple releasing the more powerful M5 MacBook Pro models? - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/19/new-macbook-pro-release-date/

Apple Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With Full-Page Website Tribute - MacRumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/19/apple-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-tribute/

OpenAI is introducing ads to ChatGPT for free and Go users. Google has expanded its AI video tool Flow to more Workspace tiers. Netflix’s Ted Sarandos discusses the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition and commitment to theatrical windows.

Ads are coming soon to ChatGPT, starting with shopping links | The Verge

https://www.theverge.com/news/863428/openai-chatgpt-shopping-ads-test

Google brings its AI videomaker to Workspace users | The Verge

https://www.theverge.com/news/863570/google-flow-ai-video-generator-workspace

Ted Sarandos says Netflix will commit to 45-day theatrical releases | The Verge

https://www.theverge.com/streaming/863511/ted-sarandos-netflix-theatrical-movie-release-windows

VSCO adds prompt-based image editing - 9to5Mac

https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/16/vsco-adds-prompt-based-image-editing/

TikTok Launches a New Micro Drama App Called PineDrama - Business Insider

https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-launches-a-new-micro-drama-app-called-pinedrama-2026-1

Replit’s new iOS app publishing feature and its role in the AI coding market, TSMC’s shifting chip production priorities amid rising AI demand, and Verizon’s $20 account credit following its nationwide outage. We also touch on new Apple hardware filings and Spotify’s upcoming U.S. price increase.

AI startup Replit launches feature to vibe code mobile apps
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/15/ai-startup-replit-launches-feature-to-vibe-code-mobile-apps.html

Apple is Fighting for TSMC Capacity as Nvidia Takes Center Stage
https://www.culpium.com/p/exclusiveapple-is-fighting-for-tsmc

Verizon will pay you $20 following its nationwide outage — here’s how to get it | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/862607/verizon-will-pay-you-20-following-its-nationwide-outage-heres-how-to-get-it

Advocacy groups demand Apple and Google block X from app stores | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/862460/apple-google-app-stores-ditch-grok-x-open-letters

Spotify increases US pricing by 8%; some people are happy
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/15/spotify-increases-us-pricing-by-8-makes-at-least-some-people-happy/

Public beta relaunch of Digg with AI and privacy-focused features, preparations for major IPOs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX, and Verizon’s nationwide service outage affecting millions. We break down the key details and implications of each story.

Digg launches its new Reddit rival to the public | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/digg-launches-its-new-reddit-rival-to-the-public/

2026 May Be the Year of the Mega I.P.O. - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/technology/ai-ipo-openai-anthropic-spacex.html

Verizon is down, with many users seeing 'SOS' – here's everything we know about this outage | TechRadar
https://www.techradar.com/news/live/verizon-outage-january-2026

Gemini's new Personal Intelligence will look through your emails and photos - if you let it | ZDNET
https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-gemini-personal-intelligence/

Netflix’s first original podcasts star Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/861971/netflix-original-podcasts-pete-davidson-michael-irvin

Apple Card is already hurting JPMorgan Chase’s bottom line - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/14/apple-card-is-already-hurting-jpmorgan-chases-bottom-line/

Apple Arcade Adding These Four Games in February - MacRumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/14/apple-arcade-games-february-2026/

Roblox’s AI age verification issues and community response, the arrest warrant for OnePlus CEO Pete Lau in Taiwan, and Apple’s launch of its new Creator Studio subscription with Pixelmator Pro for iPad. 

Roblox’s AI-Powered Age Verification Is a Complete Mess | WIRED
https://www.wired.com/story/robloxs-ai-powered-age-verification-is-a-complete-mess/

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau Faces Taiwan Arrest Warrant in Tech Talent Probe - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-13/taiwan-issues-arrest-warrant-for-ceo-of-oneplus-over-china-hires

Nissan is among the first to offer magnetic phone chargers in the US | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/tech/861260/nissan-wireless-charger-2026-murano-pathfinder-qi2-magnetic

Apple confirms Pixelmator for iOS will no longer receive updates - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/13/apple-confirms-pixelmator-for-ios-will-no-longer-receive-updates/

Apple debuts 'Apple Creator Studio' subscription, here's what you get - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/13/apple-debuts-apple-creator-studio-subscription-heres-what-you-get/

These Apple Apps Will No Longer Receive All New Features Without a Subscription - MacRumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/13/apple-creator-studio-exclusive-app-features/

Meta’s new AI infrastructure initiative and Reality Labs layoffs, Apple’s partnership with Google to power future Apple Intelligence features, and New York’s proposal to tighten online safety rules for children. 

Meta launches new Meta Compute initiative to build AI infrastructure
https://www.axios.com/2026/01/12/meta-compute-ai-infrastructure

Google Gemini Partnership With Apple Will Go Beyond Siri Revamp - MacRumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/12/google-gemini-future-apple-intelligence-features/

Meta plans to lay off hundreds of metaverse employees this week | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/860984/meta-reality-labs-layoffs-metaverse

New York wants to regulate Roblox | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/policy/860727/new-york-governor-hochul-roblox-kids-online-safety

Apple confirms Google Gemini will power new Siri features - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/12/apple-confirms-googles-gemini-will-power-new-siri-features/

Pluribus now has official merch for sale, here’s everything available - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/12/pluribus-now-has-official-merch-for-sale-heres-everything-available/

California Parents & Kids Safe AI Act, Lego’s new Smart Bricks debut at CES 2026, and Apple’s February cutoff for the old Home app architecture. 

OpenAI and kids' safety advocates team up on California ballot measure

https://www.axios.com/2026/01/09/openai-kids-safety-california-ballot-measure

This semi-secret Lego Smart Brick feature gives it even more potential | The Verge

https://www.theverge.com/tech/859740/this-semi-secret-lego-smart-brick-feature-gives-it-even-more-potential

Democrats ask Apple and Google to remove X’s undressing bot from their app stores | The Verge

https://www.theverge.com/news/859631/democrats-x-grok-apple-google-app-store

Apple says Home app upgrade deadline is fast approaching - 9to5Mac

https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/09/apple-says-home-app-upgrade-deadline-is-fast-approaching/