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Birdfy’s new Roku app lets you watch your backyard birds on TV.

2026-09-21T18:12:23-04:00

If you have one of Birdfy’s smart birdwatching devices, you can tune into its video feed on the biggest screen in the house now on the Roku version of the Birdfy companion app.

Microsoft patent application shows how it might start using in-game context to show ads.

2026-09-21T15:38:46-04:00

A system for “contextually aware” ads described in the patent application could pause gameplay “at the operating system level” to show an ad when certain in-game events or triggers happen. For instance, players might get an ad break after a boss fight or when their avatar “is determined to be in a safe location, such as the user’s team base.”

[Link: Microsoft Patents “Ad-Credit” System for PC and Consoles to Serve In-Game Ads During Pause Windows | https://respawnfirst.com/microsoft-patents-ad-credit-system-for-pc-and-consoles-to-serve-in-game-ads-during-pause-windows/ | RespawnFirst]

Insta360 is extending the Luna Ultra’s zoom with a $50 lens and AI.

2026-09-21T15:23:12-04:00

Insta360’s Luna Ultra and the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P added telephoto lenses to baby steadycams this year. The Ultra’s zoom originally offered 3x optical, 6x lossless crop, or 12x with reduction in detail, but a firmware update now gives you an AI-enhanced 15x. Or make it 4.5x optical and up to 22.5x zoom by adding the new $50 “Ultra Telephoto Lens,” too:

The new 1.5x “ultra telephoto” blocks your main lens in favor of extra zoom. | Image: Insta360" data-portal-copyright="Image: Insta360" />

Today’s Vergecast: Googlebooks are coming for your Mac.

2026-09-21T15:25:16-04:00

We tried out the new Googlebooks, which are essentially Chromebooks evolved with an Android elemental stone. They’re made by Dell, Lenovo, HP, Acer, and Asus (not Google), but all have the new Googlebook OS, heavy integration with Android phones and Gemini, and a built-in “Glowbar.” Laptop reviewer Antonio G. Di Benedetto went hands-on with the new devices, and reports back to guest host David Imel.

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Googlebooks, Googlebooks, Googlebooks.

2026-09-21T14:58:51-04:00

As I mention in my Googlebook hands-on piece, Google’s new laptop OS has clever ideas about how an Android-based laptop and an Android phone interact. It’s worth checking out in motion, like in our short video that went up today.

We’ll of course be testing and reviewing Googlebooks to see if they actually have the juice. In the meantime, watch me hold a microphone like a goof.

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Apple’s smart display could finally arrive next month.

2026-09-21T14:41:51-04:00

According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, the long-rumored Apple home hub with a screen is now being positioned as an AI hub for the home, working in tandem with your personal AI hub, the iPhone. He writes:

“It will bring together all of your connected-device controls, video calls, intercom capabilities and media, while giving you access to Apple services and apps. It also will feature a new operating system built around Siri AI.”

I shared my ideas for what I want to see Apple do with a truly “intelligent home hub” in this piece, but in the meantime I’ll make do with Apple just shipping something here.

[Link: After the “intelligent personal hub,” Apple needs to build the intelligent home hub. | https://www.theverge.com/tech/993892/apples-next-computer-smart-home-hub-airport-router | The Verge]

Steam Frame mission debriefing.

2026-09-21T13:44:23-04:00

I didn’t just review Valve’s Steam Frame last week — I spent a whole lot of time talking about the headset with fellow reviewers. I interviewed CNET’s Scott Stein about his review on The Vergecast, then Aftermath’s Chris Person turned the tables on me for Aftermath Hours, too!

There’s one intriguing thing we all agree on.

Spotify might make free tier users wait to listen to new releases.

2026-09-21T16:33:19-04:00

A new “Premium early access” feature for users in India forces users without a subscription to wait three extra days for access to new albums:

With UMG’s ‘Hear It First’, participating artists and their labels can collaborate with Spotify to choose to make select new releases available to Premium subscribers up to three days early. Every Spotify listener gets access after that – or free listeners can subscribe at any time to get early access.

Update: Added quote from Spotify support page.

Got an Intel Panther Lake laptop or handheld? Auto SR could boost your gaming.

2026-09-21T12:43:00-04:00

Microsoft’s DLSS competitor isn’t just for Qualcomm laptops and Xbox Ally X anymore — the MSI Claw EX handheld and anything else Intel Core Ultra Series 3 should now qualify. Microsoft claims it’s enough to play at ultra instead of high, among other examples, and I see the hard-to-find Claw EX is now back in stock at B&H, MSI, and ExcaliberPC.

[Link: Auto SR Comes to Intel Core Ultra Series-3 Processors – DirectX Developer Blog | https://devblogs.microsoft.com/directx/autosr-on-intel/ | DirectX Developer Blog]

Paramount has reportedly reached a settlement with the state AGs blocking its Warner Bros. merger.

2026-09-21T16:08:08-04:00

According to Reuters, the settlement with California and 11 other states “includes the creation of independent editorial boards for CNN and CBS” as well as “a $30 million penalty per film for any shortfall against Paramount’s pledge to release 30 movies annually.”

Update: Paramount and the state AGs have officially announced a settlement.

[Link: Paramount settles with US states in big step towards closing Warner Bros merger, source says | https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/paramount-settles-with-california-other-states-clearing-major-hurdle-warner-bros-2026-09-21 | Reuters]