Amazon has launched a new device, the eero Signal, designed to provide internet backup during outages, while the social media platform Threads introduced an AI-powered feature to personalize user feeds. Elsewhere, Netflix's bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) faced opposition from an activist investor, and SpaceX is seeking regulatory permission to build orbital data centers. Additionally, nominations are open for the 2026 Joseph C. Belden Innovation Award.
Amazon's eero Signal, announced Wednesday, is a 4G LTE backup device that automatically switches to cellular service when a user's internet connection goes down, according to TechCrunch. The device, which costs $99.99, plugs into any compatible USB-C powered eero device with Wi-Fi 6 or higher and requires an eero subscription. Users can choose between an annual eero Plus subscription with 10 GB of backup data or a more expensive plan. The device is aimed at work-from-home employees, those with security systems, and those in areas prone to outages.
In the social media world, Threads, owned by Meta, introduced its "Dear Algo" feature. This AI-powered tool allows users to customize their feed by posting public requests about what content they want to see more or less of, TechCrunch reported. The changes to the feed last for three days after the request is made.
Meanwhile, Netflix's $82.7 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) encountered resistance from the investment group Ancora Holdings, according to TechCrunch. Ancora, which purchased $200 million in WBD shares, is backing a rival bid from Paramount, citing concerns about the Netflix deal's regulatory risk and shareholder returns. Paramount has sweetened its offer by providing an incentive of $0.25 per share for each quarter the deal remains unclosed after December 31, 2026.
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is seeking regulatory approval to construct solar-powered orbital data centers, potentially utilizing up to a million satellites, as reported by TechCrunch. Musk envisions shifting up to 100 GW of compute power off the planet and has suggested building some AI satellites on the Moon. "By far the cheapest place to put AI will be space in 36 months or less," Musk said last week on a podcast.
Finally, nominations for the 2026 Joseph C. Belden Innovation Award are now open, TechCrunch announced. The award recognizes groundbreaking technologies and solutions across various sectors, including manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and telecommunications. This year's award will have an expanded focus on ITOT convergence, recognizing solutions that bridge the gap between information technology.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment