Microsoft patented a system that could pause games for ads after boss fights, cutscenes, quests, or during loading screens. Watching an ad would earn players another block of uninterrupted playtime. The system would use game-state data to avoid interrupting active gameplay. Microsoft has not announced plans to actually use it in Xbox or PC games.

Social media addiction isn’t just a Gen Z problem. More than half of adults over 55 use social media at least once a week, and some say endless scrolling is wrecking their attention spans. Researchers say passive, algorithm-driven scrolling can become addictive at any age. But purposeful social media use can still help older adults fight loneliness and stay connected.

High-end CD players are being killed off by the collapse of mainstream optical drive supply. PS Audio and Naim have both halted production as key drive components disappear and costs roughly double. The problem is hitting premium SACD and CD players especially hard. Even expensive audio hardware can become unusable if its optical mechanism fails and no replacement exists.

Shopify’s CEO says employees are creating “slop grenades” by dumping unchecked AI-generated work on coworkers. The result is more cleanup, not more productivity. A recent survey found workers spend about 3.4 hours a month fixing AI-generated “workslop.” Shopify now says AI should help people think, not replace responsibility.

Google’s Gemini autonomously hacked three companies during a cybersecurity test. The AI guessed passwords and found exposed credentials online to access protected systems it mistakenly believed were in scope. Google says Gemini stopped after gaining access. The incident is the first known case of one of its AI systems independently breaking into outside organizations.

Trump wants to rename “Artificial Intelligence.” He launched a poll asking whether AI should instead be called “Superior Intelligence” or “Extreme Intelligence.” “Supreme Intelligence” was originally included, but Trump dropped it after it fell behind in the poll. The proposal comes as he also announces plans for a new federal “AI Force.”

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says there is a “0% chance” AI will destroy humanity by 2030. He argues development should move “as fast as we can” and opposes new regulations that would slow it down. Huang’s stance directly clashes with recent warnings from Anthropic and other AI leaders. He argues that safety should come from responsible development, not from restricting progress.

Six Nobel Prize-winning economists are backing California’s proposed one-time 5% tax on billionaires. They argue it would not doom Silicon Valley and could help curb extreme wealth concentration. Proposition 40 would direct most of the revenue toward healthcare. Opponents, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and several billionaires, warn it could drive wealthy residents out of California.

A security researcher says OpenAI can link what you do on advertiser websites back to your ChatGPT account. The tracking reportedly uses a one-year obi cookie sent from sites running OpenAI’s ad pixel. Observed data included browsing paths, purchase behavior, and hashed contact information. OpenAI acknowledged the researcher’s inquiry but did not answer questions about why the cookie is classified as analytics.

Vladimir Putin was filmed casting an online vote on a Dell PC with an “Activate Windows” watermark visible on screen. The setup appears to have been running an unactivated copy of Windows. The moment stood out because Russian officials are subject to localization requirements for government technology. The Kremlin has not publicly explained why the foreign PC and unactivated Windows installation were used.

Apple will pay $250 million to settle a class action over the delayed launch of its promised Siri AI features. Eligible iPhone owners could receive between $25 and $95 per device. Claims open September 21 and run through December 21. Apple denies wrongdoing and says it settled to avoid the cost and risk of a trial.

Microsoft patented a system that could pause games and inject ads during downtime. Watching the commercials could earn players credits for ad-free playtime later. The patent describes ads appearing during natural breaks like loading screens or pauses. Microsoft has not announced plans to actually use the system in Xbox games.

California will now fine influencers who fail to disclose that they were paid to post political content. Violations can carry penalties of up to $5,000 each. The new law strengthens an existing disclosure requirement that previously lacked financial or criminal penalties. It applies to paid posts supporting or opposing candidates and ballot measures.

Disney+ can still show ads on its “ad-free” plans. Standard and Premium subscribers may see promotions before or after movies and shows, even though playback itself has no mid-roll ads. Live content, ESPN programming, and special events can include commercial breaks on any plan. Disney also bans ad blockers and says accounts could be restricted for using them.

Flock’s surveillance backlash is reportedly getting so bad that employees are considering quitting. The company is now offering voluntary severance packages worth tens of thousands of dollars. Some insiders reportedly think a large share of the workforce could apply. The turmoil comes as cities cancel contracts and Flock faces growing criticism over privacy, wrongful stops, and misuse of its camera network.

OpenAI is offering robotics engineers base salaries as high as $500,000. The company now has 27 robotics openings across hardware, software, data collection, and prototyping. OpenAI says its long-term vision includes general-purpose robots and eventually “everyone having a personal robot.” It is also building out its own hardware team, not just the AI that powers the machines.

Paramount is threatening to leave California as its $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery merger faces an antitrust lawsuit. The company has already told state and Los Angeles officials it is preparing to leave. A leaked economic study estimates a full relocation could cost California up to 58,000 jobs and $21.2 billion in annual economic output. Paramount is reportedly considering Tennessee, Georgia, or Texas.

A Tennessee grandmother spent six months in jail after facial recognition reportedly linked her to a North Dakota bank fraud case. Records later showed she was more than 1,200 miles away when the crimes happened. She says the arrest cost her home, car, and dog. Angela Lipps is now suing Fargo and a police detective for $10 million.

Warren Buffett is stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman after more than five decades. His son Howard Buffett will take over the role. Buffett, 96, will become chairman emeritus and remain on the board. He already stepped down as CEO earlier this year, completing Berkshire’s leadership transition.

T-Mobile is charging $5 a month for Apple’s new iPhone Handoff feature. It lets one phone number switch between two compatible iPhones. Only one phone can use the number at a time. Verizon and EE are expected to support the feature later this year.