Emma Roth

News Writer

Emma RothJan 17, 2024

The Atari-themed hotel dream isn’t over yet.

Nearly four years ago, Atari announced a licensing deal that would allow a company called GSD Group to build Atari-themed hotels with “immersive” VR / AR experiences and esports venues — and we haven’t heard much since.

But now the Las Vegas Review-Journal says Atari Hotel is “in talks with land partners for potential Las Vegas sites” and that a “series of project announcements” is coming in the first half of this year. I’m looking forward to seeing if the brand can follow through on all of its lofty promises.

Image: Atari Hotels

Emma RothJan 17, 2024

Google is bringing “AI-powered insights” to multisearch.

The company’s multisearch feature already lets you search with images and text with Lens, but these new AI insights are supposed to take things a step further by letting you ask questions about the image you’re searching for.

As an example, Google says you can take a picture of a board game and type “how do you play this?” Lens will then offer up an AI-generated answer that gives you more information about the game. This feature is rolling out this week in the US on the Google app for Android and iOS.

GIF: Google

Tesla’s Cybertruck is having trouble living up to the hype

Emma RothJan 17, 2024

Starlink’s community gateways promise “fiber-like speeds from space.”

The satellite internet company has announced a new program that lets internet service providers deliver symmetrical download and upload speeds of up to 10Gbps to remote areas.

One remote town in Alaska is already using the gateway to provide connectivity across the community — the only catch is that it costs ISPs $1.25 million upfront on top of a $75,000 / Gbps per month fee.

Starlink’s community gateway in Unalaska, Alaska.

Image: Starlink

Emma RothJan 17, 2024

Are these the phones Samsung is announcing today?

Reliable leaker Evan Blass has shared images of what appears to be the Galaxy S24 and S24 Ultra in a pair of eye-catching colors. Luckily, we’ll only have to wait a little longer to see the real thing when Samsung’s AI-themed Galaxy Unpacked event kicks off at 1PM ET.

Emma RothJan 16, 2024

Fitbit and Pixel Watch users can get a free SoulCycle class.

After dropping a not-so-subtle teaser last week, Google has announced that users wearing a Fitbit device or Pixel Watch to a SoulCycle class from January 22nd to 28th will get a complimentary class they can attend with a friend.

Google says users can redeem the offer at any class with the “Soul Surprise presented by Fitbit” theme from January 29th to February 4th.

Charge up your 2024 goals with Fitbit and SoulCycle

[Google]

Emma RothJan 16, 2024

JetBlue’s $3.8 billion Spirit merger isn’t happening.

US District Judge William G. Young blocked the acquisition in a decision on Tuesday, stating the move “would eliminate one of the airline industry’s few primary competitors that provides unique innovation and price discipline.”

JetBlue launched a hostile takeover of the low-cost Spirit Airlines in 2022, but it faced a lawsuit from the DOJ that claimed the merger would increase fares for passengers and stifle competition.

Spirit (SAVE) Stock Falls After JetBlue (JBLU) Purchase Blocked

[Bloomberg]