Apple CarPlay gets icon boost, EV charging upgrade in iOS 18.4

Image: MacRumors

Apple's recent iOS 18.4 update quietly introduced notable enhancements to CarPlay, offering users with larger infotainment screens an expanded icon layout and improved electric vehicle routing.

MacRumors discovered that iOS 18.4 now displays three rows of app icons on CarPlay for vehicles with larger displays, up from the standard two. This allows for quicker access to more apps, reducing driver distraction. However, this feature appears limited to cars with larger screens, such as the 14-inch display found in the Toyota Tundra and is not visible on smaller displays like the 9-inch screen in a Honda Civic.

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Niantic offloads 'Pokémon Go,' game division to Scopely in US$3.5 billion deal

Image: Niantic

Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon Go, has sold its gaming division to Scopely, a mobile game company owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, for US$3.5 billion. The acquisition includes popular titles like Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now. This move signals a significant shift for Niantic, which will now concentrate on its geospatial technology and artificial intelligence mapping initiatives under the newly formed Niantic Spatial.  

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An ASUS-made Microsoft Xbox handheld console in the works?

Project Kennan render

While Microsoft has confirmed it's been working on a handheld Xbox console, little is known about this heavily rumoured device. A new report from The Verge claims the company is relying on ASUS to manufacture the gaming device.

Codenamed Project Kennan, the console will reportedly feature Xbox branding and will launch late in 2025. The report noted the project is still in development so the timeline might change.

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Roomba maker warns of potential closure amid financial woes

Photo: iRobot

iRobot, the company behind the iconic Roomba vacuum cleaner, has issued a dire warning to investors, stating it may cease operations within the next 12 months. The announcement follows the collapse of a planned acquisition by Amazon due to regulatory hurdles and comes amidst intense competition from Chinese manufacturers. The company has since undergone significant restructuring, including substantial layoffs and a sharp expense reduction. iRobot's stock plummeted roughly 36% following the news, reflecting investor concerns about the company's future viability.

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