This week, we noticed main choices that would rock the tech world, as social media was known as addictive in a landmark trial, and the US banned international Wi-Fi routers.
To make amends for this, in addition to the most recent critiques and different important tech information tales, scroll down for our full ICYMI recap of the week.
While you’re completed right here, be certain additionally to learn our specialists’ picks for the seven new motion pictures and TV exhibits to look at this weekend.
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On Wednesday, a Los Angeles jury discovered that Meta and Google are accountable for designing merchandise which can be intentionally addictive, a case that would change social media ceaselessly. The plaintiff, a lady recognized solely as KGM, testified that “she turned hooked on YouTube at age six and Instagram at 9”, resulting in physique picture points and self-harm.
KGM’s attorneys, of their closing remarks, stated: “How do you make a baby by no means put down the telephone? That’s known as the engineering of dependancy.” We pinpointed three persuasive methods social media corporations use to maintain customers glued to their screens, and precisely how the infinite-scroll loop hijacks youngsters’s still-developing brains — all in response to the most recent scientific analysis.
2. We heard the Sonos Play in all of its glory
(Picture credit score: Future / Max Langridge)
We’ve spent a number of weeks testing the Sonos Play speaker, and it’s an actual return to type for Sonos. Not as a result of it’s the best-sounding speaker on this planet (although it’s actually spectacular for one thing that measurement) or as a result of it has each function possible (although it affords extra choices than mainly the rest in its value vary) — however as a result of it will get again to what Sonos was recognized for: audio system so handy that you just’ll hearken to extra music than ever.
It’s a battery-powered transportable speaker that’s compact and lightweight sufficient to seize and take round with you, however that’s additionally highly effective and high-quality sufficient to make use of as your foremost residence wi-fi speaker in a room. Meaning it’s all the time grabbable at a second’s discover, so we discovered ourselves utilizing it extra usually, in additional locations, than with different transportable audio system.
The nice, sturdy design with a charging cradle is what helps cement this as possibly the perfect do-anything wi-fi speaker for the house, although it’s not low-cost.
3. We flew the DJI 360 drone
(Picture credit score: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
We’ve examined the DJI Avata 360, and our verdict is in: it’s the 360 drone to beat. It’s extra agile and versatile than the earlier frontrunner, the Antigravity A1, and boasts wonderful 10-bit picture high quality — did we point out it’s extra inexpensive too?
Sure, different DJI drones provide higher pure picture high quality, and 360 footage requires post-production enhancing. Nonetheless, as an all-rounder that is each a succesful 360 digital camera and an exhilarating FPV flyer, the Avata 360 delivers brilliantly.
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4. US banned non-American routers
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On this week’s rendition of what bizarre tech legislation the Trump administration will dump on us, it simply banned new non-US-made Wi-Fi routers — which means they’ll be banned except they’re made within the States.
In line with the FCC, routers manufactured outdoors the US characterize each a “provide chain vulnerability” and a “extreme cybersecurity threat”. Primarily, they concern these international routers might be used to spy on US residents.
Whereas this isn’t probably the most illogical transfer, the large hassle is that discovering American-made routers isn’t straightforward, and the entire greatest we’ve examined are made outdoors the nation — which means a brand new router you ‘improve’ to might in truth be a downgrade.
5. OpenAI killed Sora
(Picture credit score: Getty Photos/Bloomberg)
Sora, we barely knew ya. Simply six months after launching what may be the world’s first social AI app and simply 18 months after launching the Sora generative video mannequin into the world, OpenAI pulled the plug.
Sora, as a platform and app, appears to be no extra.
OpenAI introduced the information in a social put up and has since provided little clarification. We’ve got some guesses, just like the skyrocketing prices of supporting all that video technology, the shrinking curiosity within the app, or possibly OpenAI’s preparation for going public. It’s one thing they may must do since Disney additionally simply pulled out of a $1B take care of the AI firm.
6. iOS 26.4 sparked an argument
(Picture credit score: Future)
iOS updates often ship enjoyable new treats for iPhone followers, however this week, iOS 26.4 got here with a much less welcome present — age verification checks for UK customers.
While you set up the replace, it’s a must to show you’re over 18, and that’s prompted issues for a lot of who don’t have a driving license or a bank card to scan. The buggy course of and issues across the safety of age verification checks have additionally doused this already sizzling subject with further gasoline.
If you happen to’re having iOS 26.4 points, we’ve outlined some potential fixes in our information under. This controversy is probably going solely simply getting began, however possibly WWDC 2026 (additionally introduced this week for June 8) will assist give us some solutions.
7. Netflix hiked costs
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It’s that point of 12 months once more! We’re not speaking concerning the altering of the seasons, no, in fact, it’s Netflix mountaineering costs. Yippee…
The world’s greatest streaming service has quietly introduced that the Customary with adverts tier goes up by $1 to $8.99, whereas each ad-free tiers, Customary and Premium, are going up by $2 to $19.99 and $26.99, respectively.
What’s extra, Netflix’s further member payment will rise from $7.99 to $9.99 — yikes!
It’s not clear if this alteration will launch outdoors the US anytime quickly, however you’ll be able to all the time rely on three issues in life: demise, taxes, and Netflix value hikes.
