Today's tech digest covers Adobe's settlement of a US government lawsuit, Amazon's price increase for ad-free Prime Video, and Elon Musk's declaration to rebuild xAI. Other significant developments include a substantial fee for the US in a TikTok deal and key takeaways from the 2026 Game Developers Conference.
Adobe Settles US Lawsuit Over Subscription Cancellations
According to The New York Times, Adobe has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by the U.S. government. The lawsuit centered on allegations that the company employed "dark patterns" in its subscription services, which reportedly made it challenging for consumers to cancel their subscriptions. This settlement addresses the practices related to the ease of ending ongoing service agreements, highlighting ongoing regulatory scrutiny on such business practices.
Amazon Ups Ad-Free Prime Video Price by $2, Restricts 4K
CNBC reports that Amazon is set to raise the price of its ad-free Prime Video subscription tier in the United States. The monthly cost for this tier will increase by two dollars, bringing it to a new total of $4.99 per month, effective April 10. This rebranded offering, now called 'Prime Video Ultra', will also encompass features such as 4K streaming capabilities and support for up to five simultaneous devices, redefining the benefits included with the ad-free experience.
Musk Vows to Rebuild xAI Amid Co-Founder Exodus
Elon Musk has announced that his artificial intelligence startup, xAI, is undergoing a complete reconstruction, being "rebuilt from the foundations up," according to CNBC. This declaration was made on the social media platform X, following the recent departures of several co-founders including Zihang Dai, Guodong Zhang, and Jimmy Ba. The company is actively hiring new talent as it navigates this restructuring, which also follows a significant merger with SpaceX, a deal Musk valued at $1.25 trillion.
US to Receive $10 Billion Fee in TikTok Deal
Bloomberg Technology, referencing a report from The Wall Street Journal, indicates that the U.S. government is slated to receive a substantial fee of ten billion dollars. This fee is part of an agreement concerning the social media platform TikTok. The development underscores the significant economic and regulatory considerations involved when foreign technology platforms operate within the United States.
Top Five Takeaways from GDC 2026
The 2026 Game Developers Conference (GDC) has concluded, with Bloomberg Technology publishing a newsletter detailing its top five takeaways. This report identifies several key trends and innovations emerging from the event, which are anticipated to influence the future trajectory of the gaming industry. The insights cover various aspects of game development and technology showcased at the conference.
Spotify Tests User Control Over Taste Profile
Spotify is reportedly testing a new feature designed to give Premium users more control over their listening experience, according to The Verge. This test allows users to directly view and edit their "Taste Profile," a mechanism that influences their personalized music and podcast recommendations. Rolling out initially in New Zealand, the feature enables users to specify preferences, such as requesting more or less of certain artists, genres, or podcasts, in an effort to refine the algorithmic suggestions.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Review Spotlights Privacy Screen
Wired's review of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra spotlights a new "Privacy Display" feature, a hardware integration designed to obscure the screen's content from side-angle views. The smartphone, priced at $1,300, includes an integrated S Pen, enhancing its utility for productivity and creative tasks. However, the review notes the device does not support Qi2 magnetic charging, a modern charging standard. This privacy feature can also be automated to activate for specific applications, adding an extra layer of user control.
Nvidia Readies New AI Inference Chip for Market Launch
Nvidia is reportedly preparing to introduce a new chip specifically engineered for AI inference tasks, according to the Financial Times. This strategic launch aims to bolster Nvidia's position in the competitive artificial intelligence hardware market, where it currently holds a dominant share. The new inference chip is intended to address the increasing demand for specialized hardware capable of efficiently running AI models.