Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup - 11/17 - 11/23

The Hollywood Suite Free Preview returns in December

Google Pixel Tablet 2 tipped to get a keyboard case

Gmail tipped to offer temporary email addresses

HarperCollins seeks AI training rights from authors

Next-gen Apple AirTag tipped to be more tamper-proof

Fitbit app tests Sleep Labs feature

Report: US DOJ seeks sweeping reforms for Google, including Chrome spin-off

Quantum dot display tech coming to the Apple Pro Display XDR?

Instagram will let you manually reset its recommendation algorithm

Apple's thinnest iPhone yet?

Microsoft Teams tests AI interpreter that sounds like you

Samsung begins One UI 6 rollout to older Galaxy smartwatches

Bose to purchase high-end audio company McIntosh

TP-Link debuts Wi-Fi 7 routers

ChatGPT might soon see what you see

Amazon debuts larger Echo Show 21

Amazon upgrades Echo Show 15

'Minecraft' is getting real-life theme parks

Amazon's Alexa: From AI ambitions to practical partnerships?

Rabbit R1 is now teachable

Rabbit R1 is now teachable

Rabbit has started rolling out an experimental Teach mode that allows the Rabbit R1 to perform tasks for you. As its name suggests, the artificial intelligence agent "learns" a task you demonstrate, like helping draft a social media post or getting updates from your favourite content creators.

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Amazon's Alexa: From AI ambitions to practical partnerships?

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Amazon's Alexa is undergoing a strategic shift, pivoting from ambitious artificial-powered aspirations to a more pragmatic approach. Instead of relying on complex AI models, the company is reportedly focusing on partnerships with established companies like Uber, OpenTable, GrubHub, Ticketmaster, and Instacart. This strategic move aims to enhance Alexa's capabilities in specific tasks, such as ordering food, booking rides, and making reservations.

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'Minecraft' is getting real-life theme parks

Image: Merlin Entertainments

The company behind LEGOLAND is bringing Minecraft to life. Merlin Entertainments and Mojang Studios are creating two permanent Minecraft amusement parks. One will be opened in the US and another in the UK. They're scheduled to open between 2026 and 2027.

The parks will feature interactive attractions, rides, restaurants, gift shops, and everything else you expect from a theme park. But there will also be digital tie-ins. It's unclear what they'll be but Merlin claims there will be "touchpoints that will allow guests to unlock exclusive in-game content to continue their gaming journey." The company also intends to bring these experiences to other locations.

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