Why demand for supposedly obsolete tech is growing
As about 53% of American adults seek to reduce screen time, companies like Back Market are seeing growing demand for supposedly obsolete, minimalist technology.
Monday, August 3, 2026
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As about 53% of American adults seek to reduce screen time, companies like Back Market are seeing growing demand for supposedly obsolete, minimalist technology.
Google users can disable AI features like Gemini pop-ups in Google Docs by adjusting bottom bar preferences or toggling smart features within Gmail settings.
Karamo Brown has launched Kē, a wellness app featuring an AI digital clone powered by Delphi, available for $14.99 per month.
Apple agreed with Brazil’s competition regulator CADE to allow alternative app stores and payment methods, marking another shift in its app ecosystem control.
MapTap is a daily geography game available on web and mobile that challenges users with five questions, tending to reward those with strong geography knowledge.
Spotify has launched "Reserved," a feature holding two concert tickets for eligible superfans before general sales to boost engagement and combat scalpers using automated tools.
Adobe is integrating its Firefly AI assistant into Premiere, Illustrator, InDesign, and Frame.io, while planning future support for Google Gemini and Slack.
Pixi has launched an iOS app that enables users to send AI-powered, interactive AR characters through iMessage, with plans to expand to other platforms.
Instagram, Threads, and TikTok are introducing AI-powered tools allowing users to customize recommendation algorithms, a shift likely intended to boost engagement by tailoring content to individual preferences.
Mastodon is introducing email newsletters to help solve the open social web’s audience growth problem, though the feature is, for now, intended more for institutional users.
Pinterest launched 'Ask Pinterest,' an experimental AI app for conversational shopping that could eventually integrate into its main platform to enhance product discovery.
Uber plans to launch a premium robotaxi service in Houston by mid-2027, marking its second U.S. market as it deepens partnerships with Lucid and Nuro.
Apple is moving "Hide My Email" addresses to a new domain, a change that could make it easier for websites to identify and block anonymous sign-ups.
Google has released Android 17 and Wear OS 7, featuring new AI integrations and claiming up to 10% better battery life for smartwatches.
Threads has reached 500 million monthly active users and is rolling out new personalization and community features to better compete with rival platform X.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT market share has fallen below 50% for the first time as users migrate to competitors like Gemini and Claude, signaling an industry shift toward monetization.
Meta is rolling out new AI search and editing features on Facebook while reportedly developing additional AI-focused subscription tiers for its global platforms.
Bluesky has launched group chats for up to 50 people, marking a strategic shift toward community-focused features as it attempts to differentiate from larger social platforms.
Meta is adding an upcoming AI assistant and desktop version to its Edits app to better compete with ByteDance’s CapCut and drive creator engagement.
Coinbase has launched AI agents capable of executing trades and paying for research, aiming to combine exchange access with a native payments protocol.