Gregg Mayles, the veteran game designer behind Banjo-Kazooie and Sea of Thieves, has announced his departure from British video game developer Rare Ltd. after 36 years, marking the end of one of the longest careers in the studio’s history. Mayles, who joined Rare in 1989 straight out of high school, revealed his exit in a post on X titled “A Rather Resplendent Rewarding Rare Ramble,” in which he reflected on his decades-long career. “Now time to start new tales to tell, Farewell to Rare, he waves, farewell!” he wrote. https://twitter.com/Ghoulyboy/status/1978112736270655778 Throughout his tenure, Mayles contributed to over 30 titles that…
Author: Lalu Jazidi
Meta announced on Friday new parental supervision tools designed to help parents monitor and manage how their teenage children interact with AI characters across its platforms. The update is part of the company’s broader effort to strengthen online safety measures as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into social media use among younger audiences. The company said the new tools will allow parents to turn off their teens’ access to one-on-one chats with AI characters or block specific ones. Parents will also gain insights into conversation topics between teens and Meta’s AI assistant to encourage open dialogue about technology use. “We’re…
OpenAI has established an eight-member Expert Council on Well-Being and AI to provide guidance on designing artificial intelligence systems that promote positive mental health and responsible user experiences across its products, including ChatGPT and Sora. The company said the council comprises psychologists, psychiatrists, and researchers specializing in human-computer interaction. Their role is to advise on how AI technologies affect users’ emotions, motivation, and well-being, with a focus on defining what constitutes healthy interactions with AI. “Their role is to advise us, pose questions and help define what healthy interactions with AI should look like for all ages,” OpenAI said. The…
AI startup Ego AI has launched Character.World, a new engine that uses small language models and reinforcement learning to create lifelike, emotionally responsive characters for games and digital platforms. “Our mission is to move beyond chat windows and give people living, persistent characters who can make games richer and interactions more meaningful,” said Vishnu Hari, CEO and founder of Ego AI. The company also introduced the Character Context Protocol (CCP), an open-source framework that lets AI characters retain memories, personalities, and relationships across games, apps, and chat platforms. Early implementations include Unity, Unreal Engine, Roblox, and Discord. Ego AI has…
Google-owned navigation app Waze has partnered with SEGA to introduce Sonic the Hedgehog as a new in-app voice and theme option, allowing users to be guided by the blue speedster during their drives. The update is available globally in English and French starting today. “Get ready to feel unstoppable because Sonic the Hedgehog is taking you on the drive of a lifetime with Waze,” the company said in a statement announcing the collaboration. The character offers navigation prompts with playful phrases inspired by the video game series, including, “All right! Let’s roll! Keep your eyes on the road. Never know…
OnePlus has officially launched OxygenOS 16, its latest operating system built on Android 16, featuring a suite of AI-powered tools, integration with Google’s Gemini, and cross-device functions that now extend to Apple products. . AI is at the heart of the new system, led by Plus Mind, which organizes user data in a digital “Mind Space.” The update also adds voice note transcription, contextual search, image optimization, and creative features such as YumSee, which generates food photos from scanned menus, and Party Up, which makes short highlight videos from photos. OxygenOS 16 also integrates Google’s Gemini AI within Plus Mind,…
Lapsi Health has launched Keikku 2.0, an FDA-cleared, AI-powered digital stethoscope that records, transcribes, and analyzes patient sounds in real time. The company said the device allows physicians to “listen, document, and diagnose in real time with a single tool,” reducing time spent on administrative tasks. Keikku 2.0 automatically generates structured clinical notes and integrates with major electronic health record (EHR) systems. According to Lapsi Health, this helps doctors reclaim time lost to charting, which the American Medical Association estimates averages 36 minutes per patient visit. All data transmission is encrypted and compliant with HIPAA standards. The small, wireless device…
Coros has launched the Apex 4, a multisport smartwatch designed for endurance athletes, offering advanced tracking, navigation, and durability features. Available in 46-millimeter and 42-millimeter variants, the watch is priced at $479 and $429 respectively and can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. Shipping is expected to take seven to ten days. “The Coros Apex 4 is a smartwatch that focuses squarely on active athletes,” the company said in its announcement. The device supports local map displays, turn-by-turn navigation, and dual-frequency GPS, allowing for precise tracking even in challenging environments. It also includes a barometer for altitude measurements and can…
Spotify and Netflix announced a partnership to distribute select video podcasts from Spotify Studios and The Ringer on Netflix, marking a new step in the convergence of streaming video and podcast entertainment. The collaboration, launching in early 2026 in the United States before expanding to other markets, aims to widen the reach of popular shows across sports, culture, lifestyle, and true crime genres. Under the agreement, Netflix will host video versions of titles such as The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, Dissect, and Serial Killers. The initiative is designed to give audiences additional ways to engage with creators and diversify…
Google has announced the 53 startups selected to participate in its first Google for Startups Gemini Founders Forum, set for November 11–12 at its headquarters in Mountain View, California. The two-day summit, held in partnership with Google Cloud and Google DeepMind, will bring together founders from around the world to collaborate with Google experts on scaling their AI-driven innovations. “The world’s most innovative startups are building with Google Cloud’s AI stack, using the power of Gemini, our best-in-class infrastructure and our deep technical expertise,” Google said in a statement. The company said it received nearly 1,000 applications globally before selecting…