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Netflix Dives into Video Podcasting, Challenging YouTubes DominanceNetflix is expanding its content offerings by venturing into the video podcast space, signing deals with major players like iHeartMedia and Barstool Sports. This move comes after a recent agreement with Spotify and rumors of talks with SiriusXM. The streaming giant aims to remain a content king as viewers shift towards low-cost, low-production value content like podcasts on platforms such as YouTube.YouTube has seen a significant surge in podcast viewership, with over seven hundred million hours watched on living room devices in 2025, compared to four hundred million hours the previous year. Entertainment attorney Matthew Dysart and podcaster Ronald Young Junior believe Netflix is positioning itself to compete directly with YouTube in the evolving media landscape.However, not all podcasters are convinced that video is the only way forward. Mike Schubert and Sequoia Simone, creators of Professional Talkers, initially launched with a video-first approach but found their audience was largely ambivalent to the video component. They realized that for many listeners, the audio experience remains paramount.This shift raises questions about the very definition of a podcast. While Netflixs moves are less aggressive than Spotifys past acquisitions, independent creators remain cautious, remembering how previous industry consolidations impacted their livelihoods.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tech giants and AI: A week of bankruptcies, investments, and mergers - The hardware sector faced a challenging week with iRobot, Luminar, and Rad Power Bikes filing for bankruptcy. TechCrunchs Equity podcast explored the reasons behind these struggles and discussed Amazons investment in OpenAI, Trumps evolving stance on AI regulation, Merriam-Websters word of the year, Databricks massive funding round, and the potential merger between Coursera and Udemy.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OpenAIs AI chatbots face intense scrutiny following teen suicides, prompting state AGs and policymakers to demand stricter safeguards. OpenAI responds with updated Model Spec, emphasizing teen safety and transparency. However, experts remain cautious, questioning the AIs adherence to guidelines.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Samsung unveils Exynos two thousand six hundred chip, a game-changer in smartphone technology. Built on a two-nanometer process, it packs more power and efficiency, potentially outpacing competitors like Apple and Qualcomm. However, its use in upcoming Galaxy S twenty-six models remains uncertain, possibly leading to varied performance across regions.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Known app, created by Celeste Amadon and Asher Allen, aims to encourage in-person meetings, not just dates. With 80% of introductions leading to actual dates, its gaining traction. Securing $9.7M in funding, Known plans to expand its team and launch nationwide next year, offering a unique approach to dating.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Netflix Acquires Avatar Creation Platform Ready Player Me, Signaling New Focus on TV Gaming and Personalized ExperiencesIn a significant move, Netflix has acquired Ready Player Me, an avatar creation platform based in Estonia, marking a shift towards games played on television. This acquisition will allow Netflix subscribers to create and use personalized avatars across different games, with the potential for avatars to follow users from one Netflix game to another. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but Ready Player Me had previously raised $72 million from investors like a16z and co-founders of Roblox and Twitch. The entire Ready Player Me team, consisting of about twenty people, will join Netflix. While no specific timeline has been set for the launch of these new avatar features, Netflix is investing in a more personalized gaming experience. Ready Player Mes independent services, including its online avatar creation tool PlayerZero, will close by January 31, 2026. This acquisition underscores Netflixs evolving gaming strategy, moving from mobile games to more interactive experiences on television, potentially transforming how subscribers engage with their favorite content.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Global memory shortage, driven by AI companies demand, could increase prices of new phones and computers by up to 8% by 2027.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Metas SuperIntelligence Labs unveils ambitious AI projects: Mango for visual understanding and Avocado for enhanced coding abilities. The company aims to catch up with competitors like OpenAI and Google, following leadership changes and recruitment efforts. The success of these projects is crucial for Metas future in AI, as it currently lacks a standalone successful AI product.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Krafton, the South Korean gaming giant, is launching a new investment fund, the Unicorn Growth Fund, in collaboration with Naver and Mirae Asset. This fund aims to invest up to six hundred sixty-nine point three million dollars over the next four years in Indias vast internet user base. Krafton has already invested over two hundred million dollars in India, supporting companies in gaming, content, and financial technology. Despite challenges, such as the temporary ban of their main local game, Krafton is looking to broaden its India strategy beyond just gaming and invest in a wider range of technology startups.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2021 witnessed a surge in cybersecurity threats, with the U.S. federal government and U.K. retail sector among the primary targets. Chinese and Russian hackers breached federal agencies, including those safeguarding nuclear weapons, and stole sealed records from the U.S. Courts. Elon Musks DOGE operation conducted a massive raid on U.S. government data, potentially exposing staffers to personal liability. Meanwhile, Clop ransomware group exploited Oracles E-Business software, stealing sensitive data from universities, hospitals, and media organizations. Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters stole over one billion records from Salesforce databases, and hackers disrupted the U.K. retail sector, causing significant economic damage.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is reportedly seeking a massive $100 billion investment, potentially valuing the company at $830 billion. This move aims to fund ambitious AI development plans and stay ahead of competitors like Anthropic and Google. However, concerns about long-term sustainability and a memory chip shortage pose challenges for the AI sector.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing BMXs SolidSafe Power Banks: A Safer, Longer-Lasting AlternativeBMX, a new company focused on improving battery safety and performance, has launched its SolidSafe power banks. These use semi-solid state battery technology, designed to prevent overheating and fires, and offer twice the lifespan of older models. The founder, Daniel Chin, previously started Sanho, known for its Hyper-branded accessories. The SolidSafe power banks come in two capacities, starting at $79, and offer 30W USB-C charging. They are expected to be available on Amazon in January.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TikToks US operations to be majority-owned by American investors: Oracle, Silverlake, and MGX to form new entity for data protection, algorithm security, and content moderation.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New study reveals that swearing can enhance physical performance. Researchers from Keele University and the University of Alabama found that using a swear word can help individuals push past their limits during workouts, as it aids in focusing, releasing inhibitions, and improving overall performance. Participants in the study held their body weight for longer periods when using a swear word compared to a neutral word, suggesting that swearing can help break through self-imposed restraints and foster a more positive psychological state.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apples updated developer license agreement allows the company to collect unpaid funds from app developers by deducting commissions or fees directly from in-app purchases. This change primarily affects developers in regions with external payment options, like Europe and the U.S. Apple can now recover what it believes is owed, especially if developers underreport earnings. This move could significantly impact developers in markets like the EU, U.S., and Japan, where varying fees and commissions apply based on local regulations. Apple can offset or recoup funds collected from end-users through in-app purchases, digital goods, or app fees at any time, potentially leading to unexpected deductions for developers.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TikToks U.S. operations sold, set to close on January 22nd; Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX to own 45%, ByteDance retains 20%; new U.S.-based TikTok to use similar algorithm, managed by Oracle; focus on user growth and community.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apple is set to revolutionize its iMac desktop computer with a brighter, more vibrant OLED display, expected to hit the market in 2027 or 2028. This upgrade, part of Apples broader strategy to integrate OLED across its product line, promises enhanced visual experience with better contrast and color accuracy.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Googles Pixel phone beta update offers early glimpse of future Android features. The QPR three Beta one update, released after the main Android release, includes housekeeping features and user experience refinements. New features include adjustable flashlight brightness and the ability to remove the At A Glance widget. Privacy improvements include a clearer location usage indicator. Pixel users can join the Android Beta Program to try these features now.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

INBOX caused the most head-scratching in Wordle, leading to the highest number of Google searches for hints. Preply identified this as the most difficult word in the US for 2022, with EDIFY and KEFIR also ranking high. The New York Times introduced a personalized year-end recap for Wordle players, offering statistics on solves, fastest times, and most common starter words.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Innovating in Highly Regulated Industries: A Tale of Patience and Perseverance - This episode of Build Mode delves into the complex world of heavily regulated industries, where innovation meets strict oversight. Gabriel Sanchez from Enspectra Health and Tom Harries from Earth Funeral share their experiences building companies in these challenging fields, where the stakes are high and the usual move fast and break things approach doesnt work. They discuss the immense hurdles theyve faced, from navigating complex regulatory approvals to addressing cultural sensitivities. Their stories offer practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to innovate in these spaces, highlighting the importance of patience, meticulous planning, and strategic financial planning.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.