Topic: consumer choice
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Microsoft sued for misleading millions of Australians over 365 subscriptions
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is suing Microsoft for allegedly misleading 2.7 million customers by not disclosing a cheaper "Classic" plan option when introducing Copilot AI features and price increases. Microsoft's communications presented subscribers with only two choices: ...
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AI Agents: The 2026 Marketing Revolution
Agentic AI represents a new type of autonomous customer, executing purchases and requiring marketers to adapt by making product data structured and accessible for these systems. The consumer journey is being reshaped, demanding brands be both human-trusted and AI-interpretable, with customer serv...
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Dumbphones Get Smarter: A New Option for Disillusioned Users
The growing stress from smartphone overuse is driving a resurgence of "dumbphones," which offer a simpler, less distracting alternative for communication. People adopt these devices for reasons like digital detox, mental wellbeing, privacy, and managing screen time, forming communities to share a...
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Ford CEO Slams Apple CarPlay Ultra
Ford's CEO expressed hesitation about Apple's CarPlay Ultra, citing concerns over system control and integration boundaries, and will monitor its development before adoption. Ford Pro clients rely on proprietary software for fleet management, and Farley worries that CarPlay Ultra could complicate...
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Chamberlain Locks Out Smart Home Garage Door Integrations Again
Chamberlain Group's new Security+ 3.0 platform blocks third-party integrations, forcing users into its ad-filled MyQ ecosystem and paid partner subscriptions. The company cites enhanced security and modernization, but critics view the move as a vendor lock-in strategy that renders previous commun...
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LG TVs Add Copilot Web App, But You Can Remove It
LG will allow users to remove the Microsoft Copilot shortcut from its smart TVs, reversing a previous software update that installed the icon without a deletion option. The decision follows significant consumer frustration, highlighted by a viral online post, over the lack of control and consent ...
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Sling TV Beats Disney in Court Over One-Day Cable Passes
A federal court ruled in favor of Sling TV, allowing it to continue offering one-day streaming passes for live television, which Disney had tried to block, citing insufficient evidence of irreparable harm. The dispute centered on Sling's temporary passes, which include Disney-owned channels like ...
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Android Music Apps: A Disappointing Reality
Android's audio ecosystem is fragmented and frustrating, forcing users to navigate multiple ad-filled apps for music and podcasts, unlike iOS's integrated approach. The absence of a standard media hub on Android leads to a reliance on subpar, ad-supported apps that often require subscriptions for...
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Shovelware Crisis: Why Platforms Must Act Now
The removal of low-quality games from the PlayStation Store highlights a systemic **shovelware crisis**, where digital storefronts are flooded with opportunistic, poor-quality titles that degrade user experience and hinder discovery for genuine games. The problem is exacerbated by generative AI, ...
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Halo on PlayStation Could Save Xbox
Xbox is shifting its strategy by releasing flagship exclusives like Halo on multiple platforms, including PlayStation, to secure its future in a changing industry rather than showing weakness. Recent data shows Xbox-published games such as Indiana Jones and Forza Horizon 5 are highly downloaded o...
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Apple Watch 11 vs Ultra 3: Which Should You Buy?
Assuming September brings us both the anticipated Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, you may be wondering, which one might be best for you? Based on all the leaks and rumors so far, along with insights gleaned from prior Apple Watch launches, and general tech nerd intuition, here’s how the Apple Watch 11 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 3 comparison might play out. Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: Price(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide)Apple has been pretty consistent with pricing ...
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iPhone 17 Review: My Unexpected Advice This Year
The iPhone 17 lineup exemplifies the "tyranny of choice," offering compelling options including the value-packed standard model, improved Pro versions, and futuristic iPhone Air. The base iPhone 17 at $799 provides unprecedented value with major upgrades like a 120Hz 6.3-inch display, a 48MP dual...
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Philips Hue Unveils Major Overhaul to Rival Budget Competitors
Philips Hue has launched a budget-friendly Essentials line and introduced Matter-over-Thread connectivity, aiming to broaden its appeal while competing with more affordable brands. The Essentials collection offers lower-cost bulbs and light strips with good color performance, though they lack the...
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The Inevitable Rise of Wearable Tech
Major tech companies are aggressively expanding wearable ecosystems, pushing consumers to adopt multiple devices like smart glasses, rings, and watches simultaneously. The proliferation of wearables creates compatibility issues and physical limitations, as devices compete for space on the body an...
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SpaceX Demands Starlink Be Considered for State Broadband Grants
SpaceX is lobbying states to adopt contract terms ensuring it receives federal BEAD grant money for Starlink, even if residents in subsidized areas do not subscribe, raising accountability concerns over public funds. The company proposes providing free customer equipment but only commits to a mon...
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Starlink's New $40 Plan: Unlimited Data, But There's a Catch
SpaceX has launched a new $40 per month Starlink internet plan with unlimited data and download speeds capped at 100 Mbps, targeting users in underserved or rural areas. The plan is significantly cheaper than Starlink's existing offerings, functioning as a capped version of the Residential Lite p...
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Save Hundreds on Refurbished Remarkable Paper Pro Tablets
The Remarkable Paper Pro tablet offers a distraction-free, paper-like e-ink workspace for focused writing and sketching, unlike multipurpose laptops. The device is currently more accessible through promotions on certified refurbished models, offering significant savings of hundreds of dollars. Re...
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