DEV Community: ColdCaseTech

OpenAI ChatGPT Wallet lets dot agents buy for US Pro users

ColdCaseTech — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 09:42:16 +0000

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

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Then vs. Now (News report): Then: OpenAI announced ChatGPT Wallet on November 13, a payment feature that lets its dot agents make purchases for ChatGPT Pro subscribers in the US (TechCrunch). Now: The feature is rolling out to US ChatGPT Pro subscribers aged 18 and older, and each purchase needs a security check such as Face ID or a fingerprint scan (The Verge).

OpenAI launched ChatGPT Wallet on November 13, a payment feature that lets its dot agents help users decide what to buy and then complete the purchase (TechCrunch). The company says agents pay without access to users' actual card details, and that every purchase requires a security check (9to5Mac). It is available first to a limited number of US ChatGPT Pro subscribers aged 18 and older (TechCrunch).

Key Facts

Item	Detail	Source
Who can use it	ChatGPT Pro subscribers in the US, aged 18 and older, with a US billing address	The Verge
Eligible cards	Eligible US-issued American Express, Chase, Mastercard and Visa cards	The Verge
Approval	Security check such as Face ID or a fingerprint scan before each purchase	9to5Mac
Card handling	A payment token substitutes for the actual card details	TechCrunch
Fees	OpenAI is not taking a cut of purchases yet	Engadget

Timeline

2026-11-13: OpenAI announced ChatGPT Wallet and began rolling it out to dot agents for US Pro subscribers (The Verge).

Details (as Reported)

Users add an eligible card to the wallet once, then ask their dot to help with a purchase (TechCrunch). Before checkout, the user reviews the items, the total and the selected card, then approves with a security check, and each approval creates a record of the purchase the user authorized (9to5Mac).

After approval, the payment network provides a payment token with a card number, security code and expiration date, and the selected card is charged without the actual card details reaching the business or the agent (9to5Mac). The Verge reports that OpenAI likens this to tap to pay, Apple Pay or Google Wallet (The Verge). The merchant receives details such as the shipping address and contact information from the dot, and OpenAI states that cardholders keep card rewards and dispute protections (TechCrunch).

OpenAI has partnered with American Express, Mastercard and Visa for the feature (Engadget). Chaya Nayak, who leads product for monetization and payments at OpenAI, told CNBC the goal is to focus on merchants and network partners and build a foundation that is safe and easy to use (Engadget). OpenAI also published a Commerce Partner Playbook with tools and guidance for sites that want to support customers using agents (TechCrunch).

The feature will not work with websites that block agents (9to5Mac). Engadget reports that Delta and United Airlines ban agents from making purchases (Engadget). TechCrunch identifies Amazon as the largest retailer to ban AI agents (TechCrunch).

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What Is Not Yet Confirmed

OpenAI expects users to be able to delegate purchases entirely to their agent by setting parameters such as spending limits, purchase categories or time periods, but no date is given (The Verge).
OpenAI plans to work with businesses, banks and payment networks to expand availability beyond the limited launch, and no timing is given (Engadget).
OpenAI states that websites need to ensure agents are not inadvertently blocked, and that payment and risk systems need to recognize legitimate purchases made by agents (The Verge).

Sources

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Apple TV 4K arrives. YouTube says it is not yet available on this device.

ColdCaseTech — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 23:02:30 +0000

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

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Then vs. Now (News report): Then: Owners of the new Apple TV 4K reported YouTube app errors on the day the first units arrived, according to The Verge. Now: 9to5Mac reported that YouTube has started rolling out a server-side fix, and listed a tvOS 27.2 update, a restart and a reinstall of the app as the manual fix.

People who received the new Apple TV 4K on November 13 saw error messages as soon as they opened the YouTube app, The Verge reported (The Verge). The first units initially showed a black screen with a QR code and the message "YouTube is not yet available on this device" (The Verge). 9to5Mac reported that YouTube has started rolling out a server-side fix (9to5Mac).

Key Facts

Item	Detail	Source
Error message	"YouTube is not yet available on this device."	The Verge
Second symptom	Red bar reading "YouTube app is approved for device testing only and not for production use."	The Verge
Software named in the fix	tvOS 27.2	9to5Mac
Manual steps	Update, restart, uninstall YouTube, reinstall from the App Store	9to5Mac
Server-side fix	YouTube has started rolling one out	9to5Mac

Timeline

2026-11-13: The first new Apple TV 4K units arrived and showed YouTube errors on opening the app (The Verge).
2026-11-13: Tom Warren of The Verge posted on X the steps to fix the YouTube error (9to5Mac).
2026-11-13: 9to5Mac reported that YouTube had started rolling out a server-side fix (9to5Mac).

Details (as Reported)

In some cases the app was functional, but a transparent red bar stayed at the bottom of the screen with the message "YouTube app is approved for device testing only and not for production use" (The Verge).

9to5Mac called the problem "pretty widespread" and reported that a number of new Apple TV 4K users complained on social media and Reddit (9to5Mac). Its list of steps begins with making sure the Apple TV is updated to tvOS 27.2 (9to5Mac). The restart can be done by disconnecting the device from the power outlet, by choosing Restart under Settings and then System, or by holding the TV and back buttons for five seconds (9to5Mac). The last two steps are to uninstall the YouTube app and reinstall it from the App Store (9to5Mac).

The Verge reported that installing tvOS 27.2 and rebooting was not enough to resolve the issue for its writer Tom Warren, who also had to uninstall and reinstall the app (The Verge). In his review of the new Apple TV 4K, The Verge's John Higgins called it "one of the best streaming devices available," but expensive compared to other streaming boxes (The Verge).

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What Is Not Yet Confirmed

9to5Mac reported that it looks like YouTube has started rolling out a server-side fix, so users might not need the manual steps (9to5Mac).

Sources

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Xbox DOOM: The Dark Ages Slaughter Mode due November 16 as XBOX turns 25

ColdCaseTech — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 16:52:54 +0000

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

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Then vs. Now (Open case, no verdict yet, due November 16): Then: Xbox announced on its 25th anniversary that Slaughter Mode comes to DOOM: The Dark Ages on November 16 at no additional cost to owners of the Revelations DLC, the Premium Edition or the Premium Upgrade. Now: Xbox lists Slaughter Mode as coming on November 16, and its Candy Crush Saga Game On! Season, which runs through December 6, 2026, is already out.

Xbox announced at the close of its eight-city FanFest tour in Seattle that Slaughter Mode arrives in DOOM: The Dark Ages on November 16 (Xbox (Microsoft)). The mode is available at no additional cost to anyone who owns the Revelations DLC, the Premium Edition, or the Premium Upgrade (Xbox (Microsoft)). The announcement was part of a recap marking 25 years of XBOX, which also listed several in-game items with their own dates (Xbox (Microsoft)).

Promised vs. Status Now

Item	Promised	Status now	Source
DOOM: The Dark Ages Slaughter Mode	Arrives November 16	Announced, not yet released	Xbox (Microsoft)
Gears of War: E-Day anniversary weapon skin set	Free in the in-game shop until it rotates Tuesday, November 17	Announced	Xbox (Microsoft)
Minecraft OG Green Character Creator item	Free to claim from November 10 to December 10	Claim window open per the announcement	Xbox (Microsoft)
Candy Crush Saga Game On! Season	Runs through December 6, 2026	Out now	Xbox (Microsoft)

Timeline

2026-11-10: The Minecraft claim window for the OG Green Character Creator item opens at 10 AM PT (Xbox (Microsoft)).
Season is out now in Candy Crush Saga (Xbox (Microsoft)).
2026-11-13: Xbox publishes its recap of everything announced at the Seattle FanFest (Xbox (Microsoft)).
2026-11-16: Slaughter Mode is scheduled to arrive in DOOM: The Dark Ages (Xbox (Microsoft)).
2026-11-17: The Gears of War: E-Day shop rotates, moving the anniversary weapon skin set to the player barracks (Xbox (Microsoft)).
Season is scheduled to end (Xbox (Microsoft)).
2026-12-10: The Minecraft claim window closes at 10 AM PT (Xbox (Microsoft)).

Details (as Reported)

Xbox described Slaughter Mode as escalating rounds of randomized enemies, bosses and arenas, with rewards that stack and grow the more a player plays (Xbox (Microsoft)). Once the Gears of War: E-Day shop rotates on November 17, the weapon skin set can be acquired with the free-to-earn currency called Coins or bought with premium currency (Xbox (Microsoft)).

The Minecraft item requires Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, which is sold separately, and allows one item per person or account, redeemable by December 10, 2026 at 10 AM PT (Xbox (Microsoft)). The recap also listed a Forza Horizon 6 livery, a Halo: Campaign Evolved armor style, a Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 livery set and a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 blueprint for digital pre-orders on XBOX Series X|S (Xbox (Microsoft)).

In Candy Crush Saga, players earn pins as they progress through levels, with characters and moments from Halo, Fallout, Sea of Thieves, Forza, DOOM, Banjo-Kazooie, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro (Xbox (Microsoft)). The season is available on iOS and Android, and VIP players in the US can enter a contest at candycrush.com for one of 1,000 limited-edition physical pin packs (Xbox (Microsoft)).

Xbox also announced a free Winter Update bringing Firefight to Halo: Campaign Evolved and said 25 original XBOX games are now on PC through XBOX Backward Compatibility (Xbox (Microsoft)).

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What Is Not Yet Confirmed

XBOX CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that id Software's next project is in development, and the recap gives no further detail (Xbox (Microsoft)).
Wolfenstein 3 is officially in production at MachineGames, and the recap gives no release date (Xbox (Microsoft)).
Xbox plans to break down the new Fable gameplay on the Official XBOX Podcast the day after the announcement (Xbox (Microsoft)).

Sources

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Apple Sports adds live UFC stats, starting with UFC 334

ColdCaseTech — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 10:13:00 +0000

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

Then vs. Now (News report): Then: Apple added UFC events to its Apple Sports app, with real-time stats and results for every bout on the full fight card (9to5Mac). Now: Engadget reported that live UFC updates start with this Saturday's UFC 334 card, and that Live Activities deliver updates to the iPhone lock screen and Apple Watch (Engadget).

Apple added UFC coverage to its free Apple Sports app on 2026-11-12, giving MMA fans live stats for each bout on a fight card (9to5Mac). Engadget reported that the live updates start with this Saturday's UFC 334 card (Engadget).

The app covers every bout across the full fight card, with live stats such as total strike counts, takedowns and knockdowns (9to5Mac). UFC 334 features two title fights: Ciryl Gane defends the Heavyweight Championship against Josh Hokit, and Amanda Nunes challenges Kayla Harrison for the Women's Bantamweight Championship (Engadget).

Key Facts

Item	Detail	Source
New coverage	UFC events, every bout on the full card	9to5Mac
First event	UFC 334, this Saturday	Engadget
Live stats	Total strikes, significant strikes, takedowns, knockdowns, submission attempts, control time	Engadget
Live Activities	iPhone lock screen and Apple Watch	Engadget
Price	Free download from the App Store	9to5Mac

Timeline

2026-11-12: 9to5Mac reported that Apple was adding UFC to Apple Sports (9to5Mac).
2026-11-12: Engadget reported that the app will provide live updates from UFC events, starting with UFC 334 (Engadget).

Details (as Reported)

Engadget reported that fans who cannot watch UFC 334 or future events on Paramount+ can follow the action through "enhanced data visualizations and dynamic on-screen animations" in Apple Sports (Engadget). Before each bout, including prelims, the app shows the tale of the tape and fighter rankings (Engadget).

Once fights are underway, the app delivers real-time updates on total strikes, significant strikes, takedowns, knockdowns, submission attempts and control time (Engadget). 9to5Mac reported that the detail view uses animated background artwork, and that UFC gets a custom backdrop evoking the ambience of being under the lights of the Octagon (9to5Mac). The details card also includes a new visualization of the number of recorded strikes by target (9to5Mac).

Users can tap the clock icon to start a Live Activity and receive score updates on the iPhone lock screen (9to5Mac). Apple Sports now comes preinstalled when an iPhone is set up from scratch (9to5Mac).

Engadget reported that the app debuted in February 2024 with basketball, hockey and soccer, and that football and tennis have joined since (Engadget). Apple also brought it to many more markets ahead of the men's World Cup earlier this year (Engadget).

What Is Not Yet Confirmed

Apple has not announced plans for a native iPad or Mac version of Apple Sports, which is still available only on iPhone (9to5Mac).

Sources

ColdCaseTech is an independent record of technology's promises: every line links to its source. New cases daily at coldcasetech.com. Follow on X, Bluesky or Telegram.

Google Intelligent Eyewear opens pre-orders from $395, due in stores December 10

ColdCaseTech — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 21:53:44 +0000

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Then vs. Now (Open case, no verdict yet, due December 10): Then: Google announced on 2026-11-12 that its Intelligent Eyewear, made with Gentle Monster, Warby Parker and Samsung, will be available to purchase in stores and online on December 10. Now: Pre-orders opened on 2026-11-12 online and in-store at Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, with prices starting at $395 for Warby Parker and $449 for Gentle Monster.

Google opened pre-orders on 2026-11-12 for its new Intelligent Eyewear collections, made in collaboration with Gentle Monster, Warby Parker and Samsung, and announced that the glasses will be available to purchase in stores and online on December 10 (Google). Pre-orders are live online and in-store at Gentle Monster and Warby Parker (Google). 9to5Google reports the same retail date of December 10 (9to5Google).

Promised vs. Status Now

Item	Promised	Status now	Source
Retail availability	In stores and online on December 10	Pre-orders open since 2026-11-12	Google
Warby Parker price	Starting at $395	Pre-order pricing listed	Google
Gentle Monster price	Starting at $449	Pre-order pricing listed	Google
Battery	Up to nine hours, case recharges up to seven times	Up to nine hours per Google	Google

Timeline

2026-11-12: Google began pre-orders for the Intelligent Eyewear collections (Google).
2026-12-10: Google lists this as the date Intelligent Eyewear becomes available to purchase in stores and online (Google).

Details (as Reported)

Google said the Gentle Monster collection includes six designs and starts at $449, and will be available in the United States and in South Korea (Google). The Warby Parker lineup has three styles, Alden, Reid and Wren, in optical or sun versions starting at $395 (Google). Customers can sign up for a guided demo at more than 360 Warby Parker retail locations (Google).

The company described frames weighing around 41 grams and a battery that lasts up to nine hours, with a charging case that can recharge the frames up to seven times (Google). 9to5Google lists the frames at 40-44 grams and a 245mAh battery rated at nine hours (9to5Google).

The glasses carry a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera and work with Pixel and Samsung phones as well as iPhones (Google). 9to5Google reports the companion app supports Pixel 7 and newer, recent Galaxy models running One UI 9.0 or higher, and iPhone 13 Pro and up (9to5Google). It also lists Android XR running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage (9to5Google).

Engadget, after hands-on testing, reports that Google handles the operating system, Samsung handles much of the hardware, and Warby Parker and Gentle Monster handle design, lenses, sales and customer support (Engadget). It also reports that no paid Gemini plan is required to use the glasses' features (Engadget).

On privacy, Google stated that an outward-facing indicator light turns on when a photo or video is taken for the gallery, and that the glasses are designed to redact bystanders' faces before Gemini processes visuals (Google). Every pair also has a physical power switch (Google).

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What Is Not Yet Confirmed

Google stated that Private AI Compute technology is coming soon to glasses, without giving a date (Google).
9to5Google reports that Fitbit Air support for controlling the glasses is coming next year (9to5Google).
Engadget notes that no option with a built-in display is offered, at least not yet (Engadget).

Sources

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Corsair HX1000i Shift Crystal PSU reviewed: fanless up to 500W, loud when hot

ColdCaseTech — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 17:18:59 +0000

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

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Then vs. Now (News report): Then: Corsair announced the HX1000i SHIFT CRYSTAL, a 1000W fully modular ATX 3.1 power supply with transparent panels, PinProtect+ per-pin protection, Cybenetics Platinum efficiency and a ten-year warranty. Now: Tom's Hardware reviewed the unit on 2026-11-12, the date it gives for the launch, and reported excellent efficiency, fanless operation up to 500W and a loud fan when hot.

Tom's Hardware published its review of the Corsair HX1000i Shift Crystal 1000W power supply on 2026-11-12, the date it gives for the unit's launch (Tom's Hardware). Its verdict calls the unit a showpiece with excellent efficiency, tight regulation and low ripple, and notes that the fanless window covers half of its rated output at room temperature (Tom's Hardware). Against that, the review lists Taiwanese capacitors, a noisy hot run and a 200 mm long chassis (Tom's Hardware). The company's product page currently lists the unit at $339.99 (Corsair (official statement)).

Key Facts

Item	Detail	Source
Rated output	1000W total, ATX 3.1, fully modular	Corsair (official statement)
Efficiency	Cybenetics Platinum at 115 VAC and 230 VAC	Tom's Hardware
Fan behavior	Fanless up to 500W; loud when hot	Tom's Hardware
Warranty	10 years	Corsair (official statement)
Price on Corsair page	$339.99	Corsair (official statement)

Timeline

2026-10-29: Corsair's product page lists the HX1000i SHIFT CRYSTAL at $339.99 with a ten-year warranty (Corsair (official statement)).
2026-11-12: Tom's Hardware publishes its review and gives this date as the launch date (Tom's Hardware).

Details (as Reported)

Corsair describes a built-in PinProtect+ that monitors current across each 12V pin on the 12V-2x6 connection and limits GPU power if excessive current persists (Corsair (official statement)). Alongside it, the company lists an integrated iCUE LINK System Hub that connects up to 24 iCUE LINK devices, and a 140mm Magnetic Dome bearing fan with a zero RPM mode (Corsair (official statement)). Steady output reaches up to 91% efficiency, and the fan ramps up automatically under heavy loads (Corsair (official statement)). The page also notes that 30mm of clearance between the power supply and the side panel is required (Corsair (official statement)).

Tom's Hardware reports that the unit is built by CWT, was first shown at Computex 2026, and is rated to deliver its full output continuously at ambient temperatures up to 50°C (Tom's Hardware). At 150 x 86 x 200 mm, the unit has clear polycarbonate panels on three sides (Tom's Hardware). Among its reasons to buy, the reviewer lists Cybenetics Platinum certification, tight voltage regulation, low ripple, fanless operation up to 500W, per-pin 12V-2x6 protection and the ten-year warranty (Tom's Hardware). The bundle contains the AC power cord, four mounting screws, black cable ties and a safety leaflet, which the reviewer calls spartan for the class (Tom's Hardware). Cables include a native 12V-2x6 cable rated for 600W, eight SATA connectors and eight Molex connectors (Tom's Hardware).

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What Is Not Yet Confirmed

The review's specification table lists the MSRP as unknown (Tom's Hardware).

Sources

Tools related to this case

Masked email addresses so one leak does not expose your real inbox: Surfshark Alternative ID
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These are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, ColdCaseTech earns from qualifying purchases.

ColdCaseTech is an independent record of technology's promises: every line links to its source. New cases daily at coldcasetech.com. Follow on X, Bluesky or Telegram.

Google Gemini arrives on Apple CarPlay. It was already there, inside Google Maps.

ColdCaseTech — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 10:28:47 +0000

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

Then vs. Now (News report): Then: Google announced on November 11, 2026 that it is bringing the Gemini app and Gemini Live conversations to Apple CarPlay, rolling out globally to all Gemini users on iOS. Now: Google said the rollout starts November 11, 2026, while 9to5Mac reported the app update did not appear to be live yet at the time of its report.

Google announced on November 11, 2026 that the Gemini app is coming to Apple CarPlay, bringing Gemini Live conversations to the car display for iOS users (Google). The rollout is global and starts that day for all Gemini users on iOS across every supported Gemini Live language (Google). Engadget reported that Google had previously offered the assistant on CarPlay through the Google Maps app (Engadget). 9to5Mac reported that Gemini was the last major AI chatbot holdout on CarPlay, noting that ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Copilot, Meta AI and Grok had already shipped CarPlay support (9to5Mac).

Key Facts

Item	Detail	Source
Product	Gemini app with Gemini Live on Apple CarPlay	Google
Availability	Rolling out globally from November 11, 2026 to all Gemini users on iOS	Google
Languages	Every supported Gemini Live language	Engadget
Requirements	Latest Gemini app, microphone permissions on, Gemini Live used once on the iPhone	Google
Chat history	CarPlay conversations sync with the Gemini app on the iPhone	9to5Google

Timeline

2026-11-11: Google announced that the Gemini app is rolling out on Apple CarPlay starting that day (Google).
2026-11-11: 9to5Mac reported that the app update did not appear to be live yet (9to5Mac).

Details (as Reported)

Google described the product as a conversational driving companion designed to minimize distraction (Google). Users tap the Gemini icon on the CarPlay screen or side rail, then pick up a recent chat or start a fresh conversation (Google). Conversations run at the driver's own pace, with room to interrupt, change the subject or pause (Google).

9to5Google described a simple waveform interface that shows when Gemini is listening, thinking and responding, with End and Mute buttons in the top-left corner (9to5Google).

Google listed four uses: preparing for the day ahead, talking through an inbox, exploring local spots and landmarks, and brainstorming or rehearsing out loud (Google). The company stated that Gemini connects with Google Workspace apps such as Gmail and Google Calendar, which allows a daily brief, unread email catch-ups and summaries of long email threads by voice (Google).

Google noted that the CarPlay launch follows its rollout on Android Auto and cars with Google built-in (Google). Engadget added that Google brought the app to CarPlay not long after enabling personal features in the chatbot on Android Auto, and that Personal Intelligence is also coming to Gemini on cars with Google built-in (Engadget).

What Is Not Yet Confirmed

9to5Mac reported that the app update did not appear to be live yet, though Google's announcement indicated it should arrive as soon as November 11, 2026 (9to5Mac).

Sources

ColdCaseTech is an independent record of technology's promises: every line links to its source. New cases daily at coldcasetech.com. Follow on X, Bluesky or Telegram.

PlugShare 8.0 for iPhone adds dark mode and a rebuilt Apple Watch app

ColdCaseTech — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 21:42:23 +0000

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Then vs. Now (News report): Then: PlugShare announced version 8.0 of its EV charging app for iPhone, arriving worldwide on November 10 with dark mode, a revised trip planner and a rebuilt Apple Watch app, according to Electrek. Now: The iPhone update is rolling out through the App Store, and PlugShare says Android users will get dark mode and a Material 3 redesign in early 2027, according to Electrek.

PlugShare released version 8.0 of its EV charging app for iPhone worldwide on November 10, adding dark mode, a trip planner that shows the distance between stops, and a rebuilt Apple Watch app (Electrek). The release is described as a big overhaul of the app (Electrek). The update is rolling out through the App Store (Electrek).

Key Facts

Item	Detail	Source
Version	PlugShare 8.0 for iPhone, worldwide on November 10	Electrek
Dark mode	Works across the app and follows the iPhone settings	Electrek
Trip planner	Each stop shows its distance from the trip start and the previous stop	Electrek
Apple Watch app	Rebuilt; lists nearby stations with distances and directions	Electrek
Android	Dark mode and a Material 3 redesign in early 2027	Electrek

Timeline

2026-11-10: PlugShare 8.0 arrives worldwide for iPhone (Electrek).

Details (as Reported)

Dark mode is one of the most-requested features from PlugShare users (Electrek). When an iPhone switches to dark mode at sunset, the charging map follows (Electrek).

Under the new trip planner, each charging stop shows its distance from both the start of the trip and the previous stop (Electrek). On opening, or when a user signs in, the app now loads saved locations, trips and the profile (Electrek). Station photos open and zoom from their thumbnails, and the layout adapts to the different screens and folded positions of the iPhone Duo (Electrek).

Filters set on the iPhone carry over to the rebuilt Apple Watch app, so a filter for plugs that fit a driver's EV reaches the wrist (Electrek). On the watch, a tap on a station brings up its PlugScore, the network that runs it, a small map and its plugs, including NACS, CCS, CHAdeMO or J1772 (Electrek). Lists refresh when the wrist is raised and the app is opened, and a shortcut can go into a round or corner slot on the watch face (Electrek).

The App Store listing calls PlugShare the world's largest EV driver community, where drivers contribute station reviews and photos (Apple). Each station's PlugScore rating is built on real driver reviews, according to the listing (Apple).

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What Is Not Yet Confirmed

PlugShare plans to give Android users dark mode and a redesign based on Google's Material 3 in early 2027 (Electrek).

Sources

Tools related to this case

Keeps your router and PC running through short power cuts: UPS battery backups
One compact charger for laptop, phone and tablet: GaN USB-C chargers
Rechargeable batteries and chargers (Tenergy ships within the US): Tenergy rechargeable batteries

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ColdCaseTech is an independent record of technology's promises: every line links to its source. New cases daily at coldcasetech.com. Follow on X, Bluesky or Telegram.

Google Gemini Robotics 2.5 hits 96% in Mercedes-Benz pilot. DeepMind calls the last 4% steep.

ColdCaseTech — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 16:44:52 +0000

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

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Then vs. Now (News report): Then: Google DeepMind announced Gemini Robotics 2.5 on 2026-11-10, calling it its most capable vision-language-action model to date and reporting a 96% success rate in a Mercedes-Benz proof-of-concept. Now: Google DeepMind stated that Gemini Robotics 2.5 is rolling out to its robotics partners, while Ars Technica reported that DeepMind director Kanishka Rao called closing the last 4 percent gap a steep road.

Google DeepMind introduced Gemini Robotics 2.5 on 2026-11-10, describing it as its most capable vision-language-action (VLA) model to date (Deepmind (official statement)). The company stated that the model increases both the breadth of skills a robot can learn and the speed at which it learns them, and that it is rolling out to robotics partners (Deepmind (official statement)). In a proof-of-concept with Apptronik and Mercedes-Benz, Apollo 2 humanoid robots running the model reached a 96% success rate on automotive kitting (Deepmind (official statement)).

Key Facts

Item	Detail	Source
Model	Gemini Robotics 2.5, a VLA model	Deepmind (official statement)
Task evaluation	Over 200 distinct tasks	Deepmind (official statement)
Factory pilot	96% success rate on Mercedes-Benz lines	Deepmind (official statement)
Safety benchmark	ASIMOV-Jailbreak, open source	Deepmind (official statement)
Availability	Rolling out to robotics partners	Deepmind (official statement)

Timeline

2026-11-10: Google DeepMind introduced Gemini Robotics 2.5 and released the ASIMOV-Jailbreak benchmark (Deepmind (official statement)).
2026-11-10: Ars Technica reported on the release and on the 96 percent factory result (Ars Technica).

Details (as Reported)

DeepMind stated that the model was evaluated on tasks such as serving food with tongs, tying a bow on a gift box and pipetting a liquid (Deepmind (official statement)). Compared with previous baselines, it reported a 30% to 100% higher success rate depending on the task type, with tasks completed 20% to 30% faster (Deepmind (official statement)). Ars Technica noted that these figures are based on laboratory testing (Ars Technica).

The factory pilot ran on active production lines in Kecskemét, Hungary, and Sindelfingen, Germany (Deepmind (official statement)). Apollo 2 sorted parts from bulk bins into trays in the order needed for each vehicle, using Gemini Robotics ER to track the workflow and the Gemini Robotics 2.5 actions model to control its hands and arms (Deepmind (official statement)). The model works with several robot types, including Apollo 2 with the five-finger, 22 degree-of-freedom SharpaWave hand and the Franka Duo platform (Deepmind (official statement)).

On safety, DeepMind reported that inference-time reasoning guidance boosted safe task completion around obstacles by 33% and around nearby people by 43% (Deepmind (official statement)). It also released ASIMOV-Jailbreak, an open-source benchmark of hundreds of prompts that disguise unsafe requests, and reported that Gemini 4 Argon reached 99.5% jailbreak resistance against 82% for Gemini Robotics ER 2 (Deepmind (official statement)). The company added that Gemini 4 Argon acted as a simulation engine that accelerated development of the model (Deepmind (official statement)).

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What Is Not Yet Confirmed

Ars Technica reported that a human doing this kind of repetitive task gets it right virtually every time, and that DeepMind director Kanishka Rao called closing the last 4 percent gap a steep road (Ars Technica).
DeepMind described the Mercedes-Benz result as a pilot showing promising progress toward widespread industrial applications (Deepmind (official statement)).

Sources

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Ring Rover Cam ships December 16. Ring Drone Cam first needs the FCC.

ColdCaseTech — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 10:01:39 +0000

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

Then vs. Now (Open case, no verdict yet, due January 27, 2027): Then: Amazon's Ring announced Ring Robotics on November 10, 2026, with the Ring Rover Cam shipping December 16 and the Ring Drone Cam due January 27, 2027, subject to FCC authorization. Now: The Rover Cam can be preordered for $999.99, while the Drone Cam has no preorder and has not yet been authorized by the FCC.

Amazon's Ring unveiled Ring Robotics on November 10, 2026, launching with the Ring Drone Cam, a flying indoor security camera, and the Ring Rover Cam, an autonomous security robot for business (Amazon). Wired reports that the Rover Cam launches first on December 16, followed by the Drone Cam on January 27 (Wired). The Rover Cam can be preordered now, while the Drone Cam has no preorder yet (9to5Mac).

Amazon's release states that the device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the FCC and may not be offered for sale until authorization is obtained (The Register).

Promised vs. Status Now

Item	Promised	Status now	Source
Ring Rover Cam shipping	Ships December 16	Preorders open	9to5Mac
Ring Rover Cam price	About $1,000	Listed at $999.99	9to5Mac
Ring Drone Cam shipping	January 27, 2027	Subject to FCC approval	The Register
Ring Drone Cam price	$250	Listed at $249.99, no preorder	9to5Mac

Timeline

2026-11-10: Amazon announced Ring Robotics with the Ring Drone Cam and Ring Rover Cam (Amazon).
2026-12-16: Wired reports this as the launch date for the Ring Rover Cam (Wired).
2027-01-27: Amazon's announcement mentions this release date for the Ring Drone Cam, subject to FCC authorization (The Register).

Details (as Reported)

Both devices are powered by AI Pilot, which Amazon describes as a custom-built system using the devices' cameras, specialized vision models, on-device sensors and cloud processing (Amazon). Setup turns a walkthrough of the space into a floor plan, and the system suggests patrol points (Amazon).

The Drone Cam offers a 148-degree field of view, 360-degree rotation and 2K video (Amazon). Wired reports it weighs 165 grams, flies five to eight minutes per charge, and lands on its own if it loses internet connectivity (Wired). According to Wired, the rest of its intelligence sits in the cloud (Wired). Ars Technica reports that set routes and schedules are available to subscribers of the Amazon Ring Protect plan (Ars Technica).

The Rover Cam streams and records in up to 4K video while moving or patrolling, and includes a periscope camera, siren, light tower and two-way audio (Amazon). Wired reports that it covers up to 5,000 square feet and can patrol for about 30 minutes (Wired).

Amazon told The Register that the Drone Cam would still start shipping in January (The Register). Ars Technica reports that the Rover Cam and Drone Cam are expected to reach customers at the end of 2026 and in early 2027, respectively (Ars Technica).

Ring says video is protected by Throw Away the Key Encryption, under which Ring temporarily holds keys to run cloud features before deleting its copy (The Register). Wired notes that this brief window makes it less foolproof than true end-to-end encryption (Wired).

What Is Not Yet Confirmed

Whether the FCC will authorize the Ring Drone Cam, which Amazon's release says may not be sold until authorization is obtained (The Register).
How Ring secures floor plan data, since Ring did not answer The Register's question on the subject (The Register).
Whether the Ring Drone Cam can be preordered, as no preorder was available at the time of 9to5Mac's report (9to5Mac).

Sources

ColdCaseTech is an independent record of technology's promises: every line links to its source. New cases daily at coldcasetech.com. Follow on X, Bluesky or Telegram.

Tesla Cybertruck: Musk cited 1 million reservations. Experts estimate 71,000 sold.

ColdCaseTech — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 10:25:34 +0000

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

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Then vs. Now (Not Delivered): Then: Elon Musk said Cybertruck reservations had reached 1 million and predicted Tesla would sell around 250,000 of the trucks annually (TechCrunch). Now: Musk said on X that Tesla will shut down the Cybertruck line in about eight months, and industry experts estimate about 71,000 Cybertrucks have been sold since deliveries began in November 2023 (TechCrunch).

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced on Monday that the company will shut down Cybertruck production in about eight months, years after he predicted annual sales of around 250,000 (TechCrunch). Industry experts estimate about 71,000 Cybertrucks have been sold since the first deliveries in November 2023 (TechCrunch). The first announcement came on Friday, when Musk said Tesla would wind down production at Giga Texas around mid-2027 "to make room for increased Cybercab production" (Electrek).

Promised vs. Delivered

Item	Promised	Delivered	Source
Reservations	Musk cited 1 million reservations	Reservations never translated into actual sales, TechCrunch reported	TechCrunch
Annual sales	Musk predicted around 250,000 a year	Industry experts estimate about 71,000 sold since November 2023	TechCrunch
Production	Supply chain built for 250,000 units a year	Line shutting down in about eight months	Electrek
Deposits	Reservations had ballooned to 1 million, according to Musk	Musk said Tesla will have to return deposits for a lot of people	TechCrunch

Timeline

2026-11-06: Musk announced Tesla would wind down Cybertruck production at Giga Texas around mid-2027 (Electrek).
2026-11-09: Musk posted on X that the line will shut down in about eight months and that Tesla will try to make as many trucks as possible before then (TechCrunch).

Details (as Reported)

In his post, Musk wrote that the order rate "far exceeds our production rate" and that the move is "not a case of Cybertruck being unprofitable" (Electrek). He argued that the opportunity cost of the truck's complexity is vastly outweighed by the value of incremental Cybercab production (TechCrunch).

Electrek disputed the demand claim, reporting that the Cybertruck line has been running at roughly a quarter of its installed capacity (Electrek). Tesla's latest shareholder letter still lists more than 125,000 units of installed capacity, according to Electrek (Electrek). Tesla delivered 8,295 "Other Models" in Q3 2026, and Electrek estimated 7,000 to 8,000 of those were Cybertrucks (Electrek).

Cox Automotive estimates US Cybertruck sales fell from 14,416 in Q3 2024 to 3,519 in Q1 2026 and 3,744 in Q2 (Electrek). Electrek also reported that Tesla raised Cybertruck prices by up to 10% and paused orders for the cheapest trim on the day production was announced to end (Electrek). The cheapest orderable Cybertruck went from $69,990 in early August to $92,490, the outlet reported (Electrek).

SpaceX purchased $131 million worth of Cybertrucks from Tesla in 2025, according to its S-1 registration statement (TechCrunch). Wired reported that the truck's divisive design, Elon Musk's embrace of you name it and a number of recalls contributed to subpar sales (Wired). Wired noted the Cybertruck uses a 123-kilowatt-hour battery, while the Cybercab battery is 48 kilowatt-hours (Wired).

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What Is Not Yet Confirmed

Musk's claim that orders far exceed production is disputed by Electrek, which cites Tesla's delivery figures and capacity (Electrek).
Tesla does not disclose Cybertruck margins, so Musk's statement that the truck is not unprofitable cannot be checked, according to Electrek (Electrek).
TechCrunch reported that sales could see a final bump as the truck goes out of production, though even a scarcity boost is unlikely to reach the projections made several years ago (TechCrunch).

Sources

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Anthropic Claude Fable 5.2 launches at $8 per million input tokens

ColdCaseTech — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 01:28:32 +0000

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

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Then vs. Now (News report): Then: Anthropic announced Claude Fable 5.2 and Claude Mythos 5.2, models it says improve on coding, reasoning, and vision and generate outputs up to 30% faster than the 5.1 versions. Now: Claude Fable 5.2 is available at $8 per million input tokens and $40 per million output tokens, while Claude Mythos 5.2 starts with vetted organizations only.

Anthropic released Claude Fable 5.2 and Claude Mythos 5.2, describing them as models built for the most daunting technical challenges (Anthropic). Fable 5.2 is available at launch, while Mythos 5.2 begins with vetted organizations (The Verge). The company priced Fable at $8 per million input tokens and $40 per million output tokens (Anthropic).

Key Facts

Item	Detail	Source
Models	Claude Fable 5.2 and Claude Mythos 5.2, which Anthropic describes as the same underlying model	Anthropic
Price	$8 per million input tokens and $40 per million output tokens	Anthropic
Fast mode	Up to 2.5 times faster generation at $16 per million input tokens and $80 per million output tokens	Anthropic
Speed claim	Outputs up to 30% faster than Fable 5.1 and Mythos 5.1	Anthropic
Mythos access	Vetted organizations only to start	The Verge

Timeline

2026-09-01: Anthropic announced Enterprise Frontier Safeguards, which pairs zero data retention with misuse monitoring and stores data in customer-controlled cloud infrastructure (Anthropic).
2026-11-09: Anthropic launched Claude Fable 5.2 and Claude Mythos 5.2 (Anthropic).

Details (as Reported)

Anthropic stated that Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2 show improvements in coding, reasoning, and vision, and that testers found them clearer in communication than past models (Anthropic). Its benchmark table lists Fable 5.2 at 49.1% on FrontierCode 2.0 at Xhigh effort, against 32.4% for Fable 5.1 and 45.5% for Opus 5.5 (Anthropic). The same table lists 69.9% on FrontierSWE v2 for Fable 5.2, against 65.5% for GPT-6 Astra (Anthropic).

TechCrunch reported that Fable's input price fell from $10 to $8 per million tokens, which makes Fable 5.2 cheaper than GPT-6 Astra (TechCrunch). It also reported that Fable 5.2 is compatible with zero data retention policies through the Enterprise Frontier Safeguards system (TechCrunch).

Anthropic recommends that most users start with Claude Opus 5.5 for coding and knowledge tasks, moving up to Fable or Mythos for the most ambitious technical work (Anthropic). It added that Fable 5.2 can act as an Advisor for smaller models or as an Orchestrator that delegates simpler tasks (Anthropic).

For safety, Anthropic stated that Fable 5.2's cyber and biology safeguards are as robust as those of Fable 5.1 but produce fewer unnecessary blocks (Anthropic). The company also stated that it has implemented its strongest-ever protections against distillation attacks (Anthropic).

Subscribers on eligible paid plans receive extra Fable usage this week, with one to three Fable resets depending on how long they have subscribed (9to5Mac).

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What Is Not Yet Confirmed

Anthropic did not confirm or deny whether Fable 5.2 was the non-public Anthropic model that Physical Superintelligence used for a new proof of the Aaronson-Ambainis conjecture (TechCrunch).
A METR report found internal models were speeding up Anthropic's AI progress by roughly 2x, although many uncertainties remain (TechCrunch).
Anthropic noted that Mythos 5.2 and Fable 5.2 voice suspicion that they are being evaluated more often than recent models, which challenges its ability to assess real-world behavior (TechCrunch).
Enterprise Frontier Safeguards is rolling out to customers in phases, with a goal of broad availability later this fall (Anthropic).

Sources

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ColdCaseTech is an independent record of technology's promises: every line links to its source. New cases daily at coldcasetech.com. Follow on X, Bluesky or Telegram.