Mozilla’s Lifeline is Safe After Judge’s Google Antitrust Ruling
Mozilla, the organization behind Firefox, can continue receiving payments from Google following a U.S. antitrust ruling against Google for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act due to its monopolistic control over search markets. Over 85% of Mozilla’s revenue comes from Google’s search deal, and losing it could have threatened Firefox’s existence. District Judge Amit P. Mehta’s September 2025 ruling preserved this financial lifeline while imposing restrictions on Google, such as banning exclusive contracts and requiring data sharing with competitors. This outcome ensures Firefox’s survival but highlights Mozilla’s need to find alternative revenue sources.
Mozilla, the organization behind Firefox, can continue receiving payments from Google following a U.S. antitrust ruling against Google for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act due to its monopolistic control over search markets. Over 85% of Mozilla’s revenue comes from Google’s search deal, and losing it could have threatened Firefox’s existence. District Judge Amit P. Mehta’s September 2025 ruling preserved this financial lifeline while imposing restrictions on Google, such as banning exclusive contracts and requiring data sharing with competitors. This outcome ensures Firefox’s survival but highlights Mozilla’s need to find alternative revenue sources.
DuckDuckGo Revamps Subnoscription With Upgraded AI Chat, VPN Perks, And More
DuckDuckGo is enhancing its Privacy Pro subnoscription, priced at $9.99/month or $99/year, as part of its Duck.ai focus. The updated subnoscription includes a VPN for secure browsing across up to five devices, Personal Information Removal to combat identity theft and spam (U.S.-only), and Identity Theft Restoration support. It also offers access to advanced AI models like OpenAI’s GPT-4o and GPT-5, Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4, and Meta’s Llama Maverick, with free LLM use still available. The service emphasizes privacy by preventing data collection and is accessible in the U.S., Canada, EU, and UK via duck.ai.
DuckDuckGo is enhancing its Privacy Pro subnoscription, priced at $9.99/month or $99/year, as part of its Duck.ai focus. The updated subnoscription includes a VPN for secure browsing across up to five devices, Personal Information Removal to combat identity theft and spam (U.S.-only), and Identity Theft Restoration support. It also offers access to advanced AI models like OpenAI’s GPT-4o and GPT-5, Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4, and Meta’s Llama Maverick, with free LLM use still available. The service emphasizes privacy by preventing data collection and is accessible in the U.S., Canada, EU, and UK via duck.ai.
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The Browser Company, maker of Arc and Dia, is being acquired
Atlassian, known for tools like Jira and Confluence, has agreed to acquire The Browser Company, creators of the Arc and Dia web browsers, for $610 million in cash. The acquisition aims to integrate The Browser Company’s AI-powered browser technology with Atlassian’s expertise in enterprise software to develop a browser tailored for knowledge workers. The deal follows reports that OpenAI and Perplexity also considered acquiring The Browser Company. The acquisition is expected to close in Atlassian’s fiscal second quarter, ending December 2025.
Atlassian, known for tools like Jira and Confluence, has agreed to acquire The Browser Company, creators of the Arc and Dia web browsers, for $610 million in cash. The acquisition aims to integrate The Browser Company’s AI-powered browser technology with Atlassian’s expertise in enterprise software to develop a browser tailored for knowledge workers. The deal follows reports that OpenAI and Perplexity also considered acquiring The Browser Company. The acquisition is expected to close in Atlassian’s fiscal second quarter, ending December 2025.
Google NotebookLM's AI podcast hosts can now get into an argument over your notes
Google's NotebookLM has updated its Audio Overviews feature, adding three new AI podcast formats—Brief, Critique, and Debate—to the existing Deep Dive option. The Brief format delivers a short summary in 1-2 minutes, Critique provides constructive feedback on your notes, and Debate has AI hosts argue opposing viewpoints on key topics. Users can customize aspects like tone, language, and length for more tailored audio experiences. This enhances the tool's interactivity for learning, boosts accessibility (e.g., for visual impairments), and promotes critical thinking, though it risks over-reliance on AI. The rollout starts in the US, with global expansion expected.
Google's NotebookLM has updated its Audio Overviews feature, adding three new AI podcast formats—Brief, Critique, and Debate—to the existing Deep Dive option. The Brief format delivers a short summary in 1-2 minutes, Critique provides constructive feedback on your notes, and Debate has AI hosts argue opposing viewpoints on key topics. Users can customize aspects like tone, language, and length for more tailored audio experiences. This enhances the tool's interactivity for learning, boosts accessibility (e.g., for visual impairments), and promotes critical thinking, though it risks over-reliance on AI. The rollout starts in the US, with global expansion expected.
Warp Code: Revolutionizing Prompt-Based Coding with Agent Steering
Warp, a Rust-powered, cross-platform coding tool, launched Warp Code, a feature set for agent-generated code from prompt to production. Initially a modern terminal, Warp pivoted to an Agentic Development Environment with Warp 2.0, boosting signups and revenue 30x. Warp Code refines prompt-based coding with "agent steering" for better control, integrating top coding agents, code review tools, and a lightweight editor with tabs and syntax highlighting. Available free on Windows, macOS, and Linux (AppImage/DEB), it’s closed-source, requires signup, and has paid plans for full use.
Warp, a Rust-powered, cross-platform coding tool, launched Warp Code, a feature set for agent-generated code from prompt to production. Initially a modern terminal, Warp pivoted to an Agentic Development Environment with Warp 2.0, boosting signups and revenue 30x. Warp Code refines prompt-based coding with "agent steering" for better control, integrating top coding agents, code review tools, and a lightweight editor with tabs and syntax highlighting. Available free on Windows, macOS, and Linux (AppImage/DEB), it’s closed-source, requires signup, and has paid plans for full use.
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Qualcomm and BMW Unveil Hands-Free Driver-Assist System
Qualcomm and BMW have collaborated on Snapdragon Ride Pilot, a new hands-free driver-assist system for BMW’s iX3, debuted at the Munich auto show. Built on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride system-on-a-chip, it meets high safety standards and supports Level 2 Plus automation, allowing hands-free driving on approved roads in over 60 countries, with plans to expand to 100+ in 2026. Comparable to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving and similar systems, it aims to enhance safety and convenience. Qualcomm, with a $45 billion automotive revenue pipeline, emphasizes driver engagement to counter overreliance risks, as safety concerns grow with partial automation systems. The system is available to all automakers and Tier-1 suppliers.
Qualcomm and BMW have collaborated on Snapdragon Ride Pilot, a new hands-free driver-assist system for BMW’s iX3, debuted at the Munich auto show. Built on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride system-on-a-chip, it meets high safety standards and supports Level 2 Plus automation, allowing hands-free driving on approved roads in over 60 countries, with plans to expand to 100+ in 2026. Comparable to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving and similar systems, it aims to enhance safety and convenience. Qualcomm, with a $45 billion automotive revenue pipeline, emphasizes driver engagement to counter overreliance risks, as safety concerns grow with partial automation systems. The system is available to all automakers and Tier-1 suppliers.
Firefox 32-bit Linux Support to End in 2026
Mozilla will end Firefox support for 32-bit Linux systems in September 2026, with Firefox 144 being the last release to include 32-bit builds. Maintaining these builds has become challenging as most Linux distributions have phased out 32-bit support, and modern CPUs are 64-bit. Firefox ESR 140 will provide security updates for 32-bit systems until the cutoff. Mozilla urges users to switch to 64-bit systems for continued support. This decision reflects Mozilla’s broader efforts to optimize resources amid financial strain, including shutting down services, adjusting licensing for advertisers, and focusing on AI features.
Mozilla will end Firefox support for 32-bit Linux systems in September 2026, with Firefox 144 being the last release to include 32-bit builds. Maintaining these builds has become challenging as most Linux distributions have phased out 32-bit support, and modern CPUs are 64-bit. Firefox ESR 140 will provide security updates for 32-bit systems until the cutoff. Mozilla urges users to switch to 64-bit systems for continued support. This decision reflects Mozilla’s broader efforts to optimize resources amid financial strain, including shutting down services, adjusting licensing for advertisers, and focusing on AI features.
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Google finally details Gemini usage limits
Google has updated its Help Center to clarify usage limits for Gemini Apps across different tiers. Free accounts get up to 5 prompts per day with Gemini 2.5 Pro, 5 Deep Research reports, and 100 generated images daily. AI Pro plan users receive 100 prompts, while AI Ultra plan users get 500 prompts. Both Pro and Ultra plans allow up to 1,000 generated images per day.
Google has updated its Help Center to clarify usage limits for Gemini Apps across different tiers. Free accounts get up to 5 prompts per day with Gemini 2.5 Pro, 5 Deep Research reports, and 100 generated images daily. AI Pro plan users receive 100 prompts, while AI Ultra plan users get 500 prompts. Both Pro and Ultra plans allow up to 1,000 generated images per day.
Kerminal: Modern Terminal with SSH, Tunneling & Cross-Device Sync
Kerminal is a modern terminal application that combines powerful SSH management, comprehensive tunneling capabilities, and cross-device synchronization. Built with Electron and Vue.js, it provides an intuitive interface for developers and system administrators.
Kerminal is a modern terminal application that combines powerful SSH management, comprehensive tunneling capabilities, and cross-device synchronization. Built with Electron and Vue.js, it provides an intuitive interface for developers and system administrators.
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Signal’s first paid feature adds encrypted media and message backups
Signal is launching its first paid feature encrypted backups for $1.99/month, letting you save media and text history beyond 45 days. Free users can still back up the last 45 days of media and up to 100MB of messages. Backups are tied to a recovery key, not your account; lose the key and Signal can’t help recover it.
The feature is in Android beta now, with iOS and desktop support coming soon.
Signal is launching its first paid feature encrypted backups for $1.99/month, letting you save media and text history beyond 45 days. Free users can still back up the last 45 days of media and up to 100MB of messages. Backups are tied to a recovery key, not your account; lose the key and Signal can’t help recover it.
The feature is in Android beta now, with iOS and desktop support coming soon.
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Spotify Launches New 'Smart Filters' To Help Organize Your Library On The Fly
Spotify has introduced Smart Filters for Premium users in select countries (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK, US) to organize saved music by genre, activity, or mood (e.g., funny, rebellious, relaxing). Accessible via a filters button in the app, it sorts your library based on chosen criteria, hiding non-matching songs until the filter is cleared. This is part of Spotify's ongoing updates, including direct messaging, a desktop mini player, and features like snoozing tracks for 30 days or hiding unwanted playlist songs.
Spotify has introduced Smart Filters for Premium users in select countries (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK, US) to organize saved music by genre, activity, or mood (e.g., funny, rebellious, relaxing). Accessible via a filters button in the app, it sorts your library based on chosen criteria, hiding non-matching songs until the filter is cleared. This is part of Spotify's ongoing updates, including direct messaging, a desktop mini player, and features like snoozing tracks for 30 days or hiding unwanted playlist songs.
RSS co-creator launches new protocol for AI data licensing
A group of technologists and web publishers, led by RSS co-creator Eckart Walther, has launched the Real Simple Licensing (RSL) protocol to address the AI industry's training data licensing issues, prompted by lawsuits like Anthropic’s $1.5 billion copyright settlement. RSL enables scalable data licensing by allowing publishers to set terms in their "robots.txt" files and negotiate royalties through the RSL Collective, supported by major publishers like Reddit, Yahoo, and Quora. While some publishers already have individual deals, RSL aims to simplify licensing for smaller entities. Challenges remain, as tracking data usage in AI models is complex, and AI companies may resist paying for data traditionally accessed for free. RSL’s creators are optimistic, citing industry leaders’ calls for such a system.
A group of technologists and web publishers, led by RSS co-creator Eckart Walther, has launched the Real Simple Licensing (RSL) protocol to address the AI industry's training data licensing issues, prompted by lawsuits like Anthropic’s $1.5 billion copyright settlement. RSL enables scalable data licensing by allowing publishers to set terms in their "robots.txt" files and negotiate royalties through the RSL Collective, supported by major publishers like Reddit, Yahoo, and Quora. While some publishers already have individual deals, RSL aims to simplify licensing for smaller entities. Challenges remain, as tracking data usage in AI models is complex, and AI companies may resist paying for data traditionally accessed for free. RSL’s creators are optimistic, citing industry leaders’ calls for such a system.