120 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Richard Lawler

Richard Lawler

Senior News Editor

Senior News Editor

    More From Richard Lawler

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Apple’s attempt to replace Qualcomm’s iPhone modem chips might get pushed back.

    Following an in-depth report from the Wall Street Journal in September, this update from Bloomberg may further explain why Apple recently extended its deal for Qualcomm modems.

    It says Apple already delayed a plan to have the chips ready next year, and now they might not launch in new iPhones until the end of 2025 or in 2026. Issues mentioned include rewriting software it acquired from Intel (one person quoted anonymously said, “Why we thought we could take a failed project from Intel and somehow succeed is a mystery,” and avoiding infringing on Qualcomm’s patents.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Now Meta’s Messenger app has a Notes status update feature just like Instagram and WhatsApp.

    Over the last year, Meta has added AIM status-like features to Instagram and WhatsApp and today announced it’s rolling out Notes (using the same name as Instagram’s feature) for Messenger globally.

    You can’t post them from the desktop, but a support document explains how to add or remove Notes via iPhone, iPad, or Android device by clicking the thought bubble next to your profile picture. If you don’t remove them manually, the messages expire after 24 hours.

    Screenshot of the Messenger app showing icons for online friends with message bubbles over their faces showing their current status posted as a note. One nmaed Ana is telling her friends “Best time of the Year!, while Alicia posts “wtw?” abd Michael’s note is an upside down smiley face emoji.
    Notes in Messenger
    Image: Meta
    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Lewis Hamilton had a chrome helmet, and now Oscar Piastri has a Chrome helmet.

    It’s not as slick as the fully reflective, Daft Punk-like helmet Lewis Hamilton had at Suzuka earlier this year, but as Formula 1 drivers take to the improvised racetrack in Las Vegas this week, McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri will be wearing a *Google Chrome helmet, that matches the sponsor’s wheel covers on his car.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Broken, busted, and out of order.

    After experiencing fast-charging frustration in her Mustang Mach-E, WSJ’s Joanna Stern tried connecting DC chargers to a Rivian R1T at 30 LA-area stations from EVgo, Electrify America, and EVCS. More than 40 percent of the stations had a problem somewhere, with 27 percent of the 126 charging stalls offline.

    A lot of money is being spent to improve charging electric cars in the US, but broken parts, handshake issues, and payment processing are still hurdles. Opening up access to Tesla’s Superchargers and switching over to NACS may help some in the future, but this is the present.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    The Netflix Cup: Netflix’s first live sports event was a bit of a mess.

    And that was before Carlos Sainz dropped the inaugural championship trophy.

    Marky Mark joked about Bert Kreischer being “security” after the comedian grabbed a protester who ran onto the course, there were constant audio issues, no one seemed to be clear on the rules, and a juddering framerate problem (possibly due to incorrect shutter settings) ruined Netflix’s attempt to recreate the NFL’s popularmegalodon” close-up camera angle. But, at least the stream never crashed?

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Cruise robotaxi shutdown expands, pressing pause on supervised and manual trips too.

    Cruise’s robotaxis are front and center of the industry’s trust issue after losing their California permit following an incident where a pedestrian ended up stuck underneath one of its cars.

    It already halted service nationwide and said it’s installing new updates. Now Cruise has announced it’s taking its cars off of public roads while it undergoes a full safety review. Meanwhile, Cruise board member and GM legal executive VP Craig Glidden is “expanding” his role to lead Cruise’s Legal, Communications, and Finance teams.

    In the coming days, we are also pausing our supervised and manual AV operations in the U.S., affecting roughly 70 vehicles. This orderly pause is a further step to rebuild public trust while we undergo a full safety review. We will continue to operate our vehicles in closed course training environments and maintain an active simulation program in order to stay focused on advancing AV technology.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Netflix’s first live sports broadcast starts at 6PM ET.

    After Netflix’s live Love is Blind reunion show ran into some issues this spring, it’s trying to go live again.

    Tonight, its first-ever live sports broadcast pairs F1 racers from Drive to Survive — conveniently in the US for the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend— with golfers from Full Swing in a chase for the inaugural Netflix Cup. What might come next? Maybe Netflix could bid on future NBA In-Season Tournament games (presumably, that name is a placeholder for the Netflix NBA Cup).

    (Disclosure: Vox Media Studios produced Full Swing, and The Verge recently produced a series with Netflix.)

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    If you buy a Cybertruck, Tesla says you can’t sell it for a year.

    Whatever you think of its windshield wiper, if you are one of the first Cybertruck owners (price still TBA), Tesla intends for you to hang onto your electric truck.

    Tesla’s order agreement says “You agree that, you will not sell or otherwise attempt to sell the Vehicle within the first year following your Vehicle’s delivery date,” without getting permission. Breaking the deal could result in your truck being remotely deactivated.