Google is finally replacing traditional SMS text messaging with a more Apple iMessage-like texting option that offers read receipts, the ability to message over Wi-Fi or mobile data, and the ability to leave group chats. The improved texting is powered by technology called RCS, which stands for Rich Communication Services, and begins rolling out Thursday, …

Disney Plus finally launched Tuesday, and with it a daunting array of choices. But in addition to the first day being marred by service failures and login problems, it’s become apparent that the streaming service also doesn’t work with Vizio smart TVs as reported earlier by Business Insider. “Disney Plus is not currently available on Vizio TVs as a built-in …

At its annual Xbox event in London, X019, Microsoft delivered updates on its Project xCloud cloud-gaming service, which went into preview on Android phones in mid-October in the US and UK. Most of it revealed the features we can expect next year — for instance, the preview will be coming to Windows 10, support an expanded list of Bluetooth controllers, and become available …

The Los Angeles Clippers are no longer playing second fiddle to the Lakers. After trading for Anthony Davis this past offseason to join none other than LeBron James, the Lakers were a good bet to be the talk of the town for yet another season in LA. The Clippers then made their move, signing Kawhi Leonard fresh off of winning the …

New Jersey is the latest state to say Uber’s drivers should be classified as employees rather than independent contractors. The state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development said that because of this misclassification, the ride-hailing company owes it roughly $650 million in unemployment taxes and disability insurance, according to Bloomberg Law. The Department of Labor reportedly has been trying to …

Apple might start offering subscription bundles as early as 2020, Bloomberg reported Thursday.  The bundling could possibly include Apple News Plus, Apple Music and Apple TV Plus.  Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Bloomberg said selling content could be a growth strategy for Apple as the smartphone market slows.    Apple News Plus launched in March. It’s …

A long period of beta incubation has come to an end with the release of Brave 1.0, the privacy-focused speed demon of a browser that’s been turning heads with its cavalier approach to ad-blocking and its promises of cryptocurrency payouts. The open source brainchild of Javascript creator and Mozilla project co-founder Brendan Eich, Brave now touts more than 8 million users …

Google has a new feature to help you learn to pronounce those words you read all the time but have no idea how to say. The feature announced Thursday will even show you an image representing the word so you know what it is or means, and help you practice how to say it. “We’re helping people pronounce tricky words …

It may not be obvious, but you’re almost certainly using AI every day. Artificial intelligence-boosting hardware in your phone enables voice recognition and spots your friends in photos. In the cloud, it delivers search results and weeds out spam email. Next up for dedicated AI hardware will be your laptop, Intel expects. Computer and software makers haven’t started clamoring for hardware …

Adobe’s Lightroom photo editing tool is about to get way more useful on Apple’s iPad with the ability to import photos directly from a memory card. Apple’s tablet doesn’t have all the same features as Lightroom on a personal computer, but direct import is a crucial step for those who want to leave their laptops at home. Adobe is testing …