Tech Giants Grapple with AI, Design Shifts, and Financial Headwinds
The tech world is undergoing significant shifts as Google disables features on older Pixel phones due to a bug, Apple welcomes a new designer to its team, Meta prioritizes AI, Tesla faces financial challenges, and Apple launches its Creator Studio subscription bundle.
Google disabled the "Take a Message" and next-generation Call Screen features on Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 devices after acknowledging a bug that inadvertently leaked background audio to callers, according to The Verge on January 29, 2026. The issue exposed background audio during missed calls under "very specific and rare circumstances," The Verge reported.
Meanwhile, Apple's design team gained a new member with the addition of Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of Lux, known for apps like Halide, Kino, and Orion. De With announced his move on January 28, 2026, stating he was "so excited to work with the very best team in the world on my favorite products," according to The Verge. De With is also known for his deep dives on Apple's iPhone cameras, including a post about the "vibe" of the iPhone 16E's camera.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is shifting focus from the metaverse to AI-generated social feeds. In an earnings call on Wednesday, Zuckerberg reiterated his belief that AI will become the next big media format, making feeds more immersive and interactive, The Verge reported on January 28, 2026.
Tesla's financial results for 2025 revealed a challenging year. Ars Technica reported that revenues fell year over year for the first time in the company's history. Automotive revenues fell by 11 percent to $17.7 billion, though double-digit growth in its energy storage business (up 25 percent to $3.8 billion) and services (up 18 percent to $3.4 billion) partially offset the shortfall, according to Ars Technica.
Apple launched its new Creator Studio subscription bundle, offering access to a range of updated professional apps for a price of $12.99 a month or $129 a year, Ars Technica reported. A discounted rate of $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year is available for teachers and students. The bundle includes access to or enhanced features for 10 Apple apps, including Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Keynote, Pages, Numbers, Freeform, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage (Mac only).
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