WTF is this, Google?

Google is preparing to launch "Google Books" this fall, the successor to Chromebooks, running on Android-based "Aluminium OS." This new OS will natively run Android apps without emulation and will feature "Magic Pointer," an AI tool that activates Gemini by wiggling the cursor for tasks like data visualization or translation. Google is collaborating with major OEMs and chip manufacturers like Intel, Qualcomm, and MediaTek to ensure premium hardware quality and support for both x86 and ARM processors. Meanwhile, the "Trump phone" is reportedly shipping this week after receiving FCC and PTCB approval. Despite initial user concerns and viral misinformation about deposit refunds, the terms and conditions explicitly promise refunds if the phone is not shipped, though delivery timelines are unspecified. Meta employees are organizing protests against new mouse and keyboard tracking software intended to train AI agents that may replace them. This comes as Meta plans to lay off 10% of its staff to fund AI spending, facing a difficult period with stock drops and a significant penalty from a New Mexico lawsuit. Spotify experienced a global outage, affecting thousands of users on the same day it launched a new listening history feature. The EU is developing expanded child safety legislation for social platforms, targeting addictive features, though enforcement may be challenging. Amazon is accelerating its quick commerce efforts with 30-minute deliveries in several US cities. Apple released iOS 26.5, urging immediate updates to patch over 60 security flaws. Finally, Chinese company Unitry debuted a $650,000, 9-foot manned mecha, the GD01, capable of transforming and crawling.