Neowin

Google is following in the footsteps of Facebook in banning political ads after the 2020 U.S. elections close on September 3. The company says this is to prevent confusion ahead of official results.

Amazon is rolling out a bunch of new Alexa features in the next few months meant to help customers connect with distant family members or secure your home while you're away, among other capabilities.

Amazon introduced today a new cloud gaming service that's expected to take on Google's Stadia and Microsoft's xCloud, called Luna. Customers in the U.S. can request early access to Luna from today.

Amazon today announced a refreshed Echo Dot with a new design and a first-generation processor that integrates machine learning applications. It also unveiled a new Echo Dot with clock and more.

Facebook confirmed today that it will also reject ads that will claim victory for any political camp immediately after the U.S. elections on November 3, contrary to previous reports.

Samsung has announced that the electrocardiogram feature for the Galaxy Watch3 and Galaxy Watch Active2 is now available in the U.S. following approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Google Maps will begin rolling out a new Maps feature designed to help you view and understand the number of COVID-19 cases in certain locations. It will be available this week on iOS and Android.

YouTube will require some users in Europe to verify their age before watching age-restricted videos. The upcoming change will take effect in the next few months in line with the region's regulations.

Disney+ TV shows and movies are now available to stream directly on smart displays including the Nest Hub and the Nest Hub Max, courtesy of Google Assistant's new support for the streaming platform.

Facebook has introduced a new update to its rights management tool that will let content creators protect their original images from infringement by controlling how and where they appear.

A new leak reveals that the remote control for Google's next Chromecast may feature dedicated buttons for Netflix and YouTube. The Android TV-based dongle is expected to debut on September 30.

Comcast is providing free internet service to low-income students under a new multi-year program that will open more than a thousand Wi-Fi zones in community centers located across the U.S.

Amazon now lets you share your Alexa Routines with anyone, provided you're living in the U.S. You can turn your Routines into shareable links that you can send via text, email, or social media.

Mozilla is shuttering two legacy services under Firefox Test Pilot, starting with the encrypted file-sharing app Firefox Send. In November, the firm will also shut down Firefox Notes.

Facebook is limiting the reach of groups tied to violence and health advice by removing them from recommendations, among other restrictions. Groups with no admin for some time will also be archived.

Apple has introduced a new feature that will let family members stay connected using their Apple Watch even if they don't have an iPhone. Family Setup will be available on September 16 in 12 regions.

Facebook Gaming is giving its partnered streamers access to a vast collection of copyrighted songs that they can play while livestreaming games, thanks to its partnerships with the music industry.

Verizon is acquiring Tracfone from America Movil for more than $6 billion. Tracfone is an MVNO that operates over 90,000 retail locations across the U.S., with around 21 million subscribers.

OPPO is rolling out its latest UI based on Android 11 to more than 28 phone models starting today. ColorOS 11 brings users a bit closer to the stock Android experience with its new customizations.

Instagram has filed a patent for a new feature that will ask users to pay for live links in their posts. The fee may be imposed only on businesses and individual users may not have to pay for that.

Microsoft confirmed today that it will no longer buy TikTok's operations in the U.S. after ByteDance dropped its takeover bid. Instead, ByteDance is reportedly opting for a partnership with Oracle.

iFixit has concluded that Microsoft's Surface Duo is "not something meant to be repaired" and given it a low repairability score. The phone's fragile cables and glued battery are among its cons.

Facebook is helping state election authorities recruit poll station workers through a new feature in the News Feed and free ad credits. The new initiative will be rolled out starting this weekend.

Apple One, the name of Apple's rumored subscription bundle, has been spotted in a string of code seen on the latest beta version of Apple Music for Android. It is expected to debut next week.

The NFL will use Microsoft Teams to virtually connect players with fans and bring spectators into the game since they are unable to personally attend the event live due to the pandemic.

Nintendo is set to release a Fortnite-themed Nintendo Switch in Europe and other regions beginning in October. There's no official word on whether it will arrive for U.S. consumers.

Waze has released a new update that allows you to bring your planned trips on desktop to your mobile device in a single tap, plus more new features that improve your trip planning experience.

Samsung has received one of its largest 5G contracts, courtesy of a new deal with Verizon amounting to $6.6 billion. The South Korean firm will provide 5G equipment to the carrier for five years.

Removing and replacing equipment from Huawei and ZTE in the networks of U.S. carriers could cost approximately $1.837 billion, the Federal Communications Commission revealed today.

Apple says it won't be requiring developers to obtain users' consent to gather their data and track their activities until early 2021. The app privacy rule was initially set to take effect this fall.

Facebook has announced a new forwarding limit on Messenger to fight the spread of misinformation and harmful content on the platform amid the pandemic and as the U.S. elections draw near.

Apple is helping developers gain new customers and win back old subscribers with offer codes. This new type of offer will give app subscribers some special deals such as discounts or free offers.

Twitch's Watch Parties are now live for every creator worldwide, allowing everyone to watch Amazon Prime Video movies and TV shows together with their fans with a Prime membership.

Google Maps is letting drivers make payments for parking fees directly from within the app using Google Pay. The new feature is available in Austin, Texas initially through a tie-up with Passport.

Google has unveiled new features meant to make it easier to explore local news through Assistant and listen to a mix of personalized news articles based on the users' interests via a Nest speaker.

Samsung's Galaxy A42 5G is now official, its latest 5G mid-range smartphone that will presumably cost less than the Galaxy A51 5G. The company hasn't revealed much information about the phone, though.

AT&T has reportedly withdrawn its decision to sell Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for approximately $4 billion as it sees potential growth in that business, among other reasons.

Twitter has introduced representative tweets and descriptions meant to provide more context around some trending topics and help users understand why these topics have become popular.