bungie Bungie Regains Full Control of Destiny Franchise After Activision Split Bungie is ending its eight-year publishing partnership with Activision to take full control of the Destiny franchise. The split allows Bungie to self-publish future content, though it does not instantly resolve the series' past development struggles.
emeritus Emeritus Secures $40M to Expand Online University Partnerships Emeritus, an online education company partnering with top universities, raises $40 million in a Series C round led by Sequoia India. The startup plans to use the funds to expand its global reach and develop courses in new languages.
improbable Epic and Improbable Create $25M Fund After Unity License Revocation Following Unity's decision to revoke Improbable's engine license, Epic Games and Improbable partner to establish a $25 million fund. This financial support helps affected developers transition to more open game development platforms.
samsung Samsung Unveils New Robotics Division and Trio of Consumer Bots Samsung introduces a new robotics division alongside three consumer robots focused on healthcare, air quality, and retail. The impressive demos suggest serious potential, though hands-on interaction remains limited.
lyft Lyft Teams Up With Segway Ninebot to Launch Heavy-Duty Scooters Lyft partners with Segway Ninebot to deploy a new generation of rugged electric scooters designed to withstand heavy wear and tear. The upgraded vehicles feature longer battery life, larger wheels, and eventually swappable batteries.
amazon Amazon's Ring Faces Severe Privacy Backlash Over Unencrypted Video Access Amazon's Ring doorbell company faces intense scrutiny after reports reveal unencrypted customer videos are accessible to teams in Ukraine and US executives.
sensetime Valued AI Startup SenseTime Opens Self-Driving Test Center in Japan Chinese artificial intelligence firm SenseTime launches an autonomous driving research and testing facility in Joso, Japan. The move aligns with Japan's goal to deploy driverless vehicles ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
facebook Study Finds Heavy Facebook Users Show Decision-Making Impairments Similar to Drug Addicts Michigan State University researchers discover that excessive Facebook users perform poorly on a classic decision-making test, exhibiting behavioral patterns similar to those seen in cocaine and heroin addicts.
spotify Spotify Expands Podcast Reach With Original Content and Ad Sales Spotify leverages its 200 million user base to push heavily into podcasts through better recommendations, exclusive deals, and its own ad sales network.
samsung Samsung Tests Wearable GEMS Exoskeletons at CES 2019 Samsung showcases its GEMS line of wearable exoskeletons designed to assist walking and build strength. The hip-mounted device provides noticeable resistance and assistance, though the tech giant's long-term plans remain unclear.
unity Unity Terminates Game Engine License for Cloud Startup Improbable Unity pulls the license of cloud gaming startup Improbable, sparking a major public dispute over terms of service violations. The move leaves developers uncertain about the future of their multiplayer projects.
google Google Releases Two Android Apps to Improve Audio Accessibility Google introduces Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier, two new Android applications designed to assist deaf and hard-of-hearing users in their daily lives.
unity Unity Terminates Improbable's Game Engine License in Cloud Gaming Dispute Unity terminates Improbable's game engine license over terms of service violations, sparking a major gaming industry dispute.
snap Snap Plunges 9% in Tech Sell-Off Snap Inc. stock plunges 9% amid a broader tech sell-off and concerns about slowing user growth.
halo neuroscience Halo's Second-Gen Brain-Stimulating Headphones Run $399 Halo Neuroscience unveils the Halo Sport 2 at CES 2019 with wireless Bluetooth and a major price drop to $399.