Tech Giants Expand Services, Face Challenges in Shifting Landscapes
Several major technology companies announced expansions and navigated challenges this week, signaling shifts in the gaming, data transfer, and transportation sectors. Google is expanding its AirDrop-like functionality, Roblox is targeting an older audience, Nintendo's Switch 2 will feature retro games, Waymo is facing hurdles in Washington D.C., and a new cybersecurity threat is targeting cloud credentials.
Google is set to broaden AirDrop support to more Android devices "very soon," according to The Verge. This expansion follows the introduction of AirDrop compatibility on Pixel 10 phones last year. The move aims to improve interoperability between Android's Quick Share and Apple's AirDrop, simplifying data transfer between iPhones and Android devices.
Roblox, the popular social and gaming platform, is actively working to attract adult players, Stevie Bonifield reported for The Verge. Following the rollout of age verification in 2025, the company is prioritizing high-fidelity shooters, RPGs, sports, and racing games to appeal to users over 18. Roblox's 2025 year-end earnings report indicated that 45 percent of its daily active users are over 18.
Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 will feature a new "Virtual Console" in the form of the "Console Archives" line, Ars Technica reported. Hamster Corporation will offer downloadable versions of retro console games for direct individual purchase, a departure from Nintendo's previous approach of time-limited access through a paid Nintendo Switch Online subscription. The Console Archives will be available on the Switch 2 starting this week and on the PlayStation 5 next week.
Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving vehicle technology company, is encountering difficulties in Washington, D.C., according to Wired. Despite operating robotaxis in six cities and planning launches in a dozen more this year, Waymo's operations in D.C. have faced a "rough patch." The company began testing in the District in 2024 and has spent tens of thousands of dollars on lobbying efforts. Waymo reports it has served over 20 million rides since 2020, with 14 million of those in 2025 alone.
VentureBeat reported on a new cybersecurity threat dubbed the "IAM pivot." This attack chain involves a developer receiving a LinkedIn message from a recruiter, installing a malicious package during a coding assessment, and subsequently having their cloud credentials exfiltrated. According to Louis Columbus, this method allows adversaries to gain access to cloud environments within minutes by stealing GitHub personal access tokens, AWS API keys, and Azure service principals. CrowdStrike Intelligence research published on January 29 highlighted the vulnerability.
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