Phoenix startups presented new health technology wearables, clean energy solutions, and smart home devices at CES 2026. These companies attracted attention from investors and industry leaders, highlighting Phoenix's emergence as a technology hub. Local founders credited a supportive business ecosystem and access to talent for their success. The event increased the visibility of Phoenix startups and created new partnership opportunities, positioning the city for further growth in the tech sector.

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Waymo and Tesla have expanded driverless taxi operations in major US cities, including San Francisco, Atlanta, Austin, and Phoenix. Waymo operates in six cities and plans to enter Dallas, Houston, and Miami, while Tesla is growing its ride-hailing fleet in Austin and San Francisco with plans for Arizona, Florida, and Nevada. Amazon's Zoox runs robotaxis in Las Vegas, Miami, and Seattle. Waymo reports over one million autonomous rides monthly and seeks a $100 billion valuation. Both companies are testing various business models, such as app-based bookings and partnerships with Uber, and are working to access airport and highway routes. The industry faces challenges with incidents, regulatory scrutiny, and the need to achieve financial sustainability without human drivers.

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Brivo and Eagle Eye Networks announced a merger to combine cloud-based access control and video surveillance technologies, aiming to offer a unified security platform for business owners and property managers. The merger will accelerate product development, expand market reach, and provide integrated security management tools for commercial and residential clients. Both companies plan to leverage shared resources to introduce new features, improve analytics, and streamline security operations across multiple locations.

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Microsoft reports a 29 percent year-over-year decrease in Xbox hardware sales and a 70 percent drop in console sales, while the broader industry faces a 27 percent decline in hardware spending. Microsoft shifts its strategy from console competition to expanding cloud gaming and cross-platform access, growing Xbox Game Pass to 34 million subscribers and nearly $5 billion in annual revenue. The company acquires multiple game studios, moves away from exclusive titles, implements layoffs and price increases, and tests an ad-supported Game Pass tier to reach new users as it focuses on global gaming accessibility.

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Personal care brands are increasing consumer engagement by maintaining consistent visibility across multiple touchpoints, including streaming entertainment and digital advertising. Over 77 percent of U.S. consumers think about shopping several times a week and interact with brands an average of 11 times before making a purchase, with most decisions planned in advance and driven by routine. More than 40 percent of shoppers recall ads before buying, and over half discover new brands while streaming entertainment. Amazon Ads connects brands to consumers through platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, Roku, and Spotify, using interactive ad formats and AI-driven marketing tools to optimize performance and support early engagement, brand nurturing, and long-term brand equity.

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A pirate activist group extracted and released 256 million rows of Spotify track metadata and 86 million audio files, with only metadata made public so far. Spotify confirmed the unauthorized access and stated that illicit tactics bypassed digital rights management. The company is investigating the incident and working to strengthen security. Industry leaders note that the released data could enable individuals to create private music libraries, but copyright laws remain a barrier. The breach is larger than previous open music archives, and the activist group describes the project as an effort to preserve cultural knowledge. Business leaders are advised to review data protection strategies in response to evolving digital risks.

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Parallax, a Leeds-based technology consultancy, reported securing 25 new clients and expanding into international markets, with one third of its revenue now coming from global clients. The company forecasts a 7.5 million pound revenue for 2026, representing a 35 percent increase over previous years. Parallax attributes its growth to international expansion, investments in talent and technology, and partnerships with organizations including Norwegian universities.

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SoundThinking opened a new office in downtown Orlando to provide advanced safety technology, including real-time data analytics, gunshot detection, and digital evidence management. The office will support public agencies and private businesses, offer training and resources, and facilitate collaboration to enhance emergency response and crime prevention in the city.

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Google’s Gemini app now enables verification of videos created with Google AI. U.S. consumers interact with brands across eleven touchpoints before making purchases, with 77 percent considering shopping multiple times per week. Over 80 percent of personal care purchases are planned, and nearly half are driven by routine, while fewer than 13 percent of shoppers switch brands at the point of purchase. More than 40 percent of shoppers recall ads before buying, and premium entertainment is a growing discovery channel as consumers spend more time on solo activities. Amazon Ads leverages streaming platforms, digital content, and AI analytics to help brands connect with consumers throughout their shopping journey.

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U.S. consumers consider shopping several times per week and interact with brands across an average of 11 touchpoints before making a purchase. Over 80 percent of personal care purchases are planned in advance, with routine and brand loyalty influencing most decisions. Advertising maintains influence, with more than 40 percent of shoppers recalling ads before buying, and streaming TV now plays a significant role in brand discovery and engagement. Consumers spend over 90 minutes daily on streaming platforms, where 54 percent report discovering new brands and 72 percent take consideration actions such as researching or bookmarking products. Amazon Ads leverages these trends by connecting brands to audiences through premium entertainment, interactive ad formats, and data-driven marketing strategies.

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The unemployment rate for tech jobs in the United States rose to four percent in November, according to CompTIA analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics and Lightcast data. Between October and November, the number of technology workers across industries declined by 134,000, with the tech industry itself losing more than 6,800 jobs. Tech job postings dropped by over 31,800 during the same period. Factors contributing to these trends include ongoing layoffs, reduced demand for new technology projects, and economic uncertainty. Business owners and leaders are advised to reassess talent strategies, invest in employee upskilling, and monitor labor market trends to inform workforce planning.

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Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside in Jacksonville, Florida, implemented a needle-free tumor removal procedure using high-intensity focused ultrasound, which eliminates tumors with sound waves instead of incisions. The technology is guided by real-time imaging and aims to reduce recovery times and infection risks. Jeff Bezos and Peter Thiel are among the investors supporting this innovation. The hospital is the first in North Florida to adopt this method, which may lead to shorter patient stays, lower costs, and new opportunities for healthcare startups and providers.

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Hidden digital clutter such as cache files, error logs, duplicate photos, outdated backups, and unused applications can slow down Mac computers, especially when available disk space drops below ten percent. Automated cleaning tools like CleanMyMac by MacPaw help identify and remove unnecessary files, improve storage, and enhance system performance. Regularly managing startup applications, keeping software updated, and conducting security scans can further optimize Mac efficiency and protect against malware. Establishing ongoing digital maintenance routines reduces system slowdowns and supports business productivity.

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Uncomplicated Inc. partnered with Epicenter and CodeCrew to launch a technology program in Memphis that aims to expand access to technology education, support local talent, and create pathways to high-demand tech jobs. The initiative focuses on workforce development, mentorship, and entrepreneurship, targeting underrepresented groups and supporting the regional tech ecosystem.

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Apple is introducing notification forwarding in iOS 26.3 to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, enabling users to send iPhone notifications to a single third-party accessory. The feature is managed through a new AccessoryNotifications framework and allows users to control which apps can forward notifications. When enabled, notifications do not appear on Apple Watch, and users are informed that forwarded notifications may include full content and app names. Apple has not released full developer documentation for the framework. The update creates new integration opportunities for accessory and app developers while raising data privacy considerations.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong sold over seven million copies in three months, excluding Xbox Game Pass players. Team Cherry announced a free Sea of Sorrow expansion for release next year and a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition launching in 2026 with enhanced performance, free for existing Switch owners. The game set records with over half a million concurrent Steam players and 4.5 million wishlists, and received a Metacritic score of 90. Silksong earned multiple nominations at the 2026 New York Game Awards, including Best Indie Game of the Year, while Nintendo led publisher nominations.

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Jim Siders, former CIO of Palantir Technologies, has been appointed CEO of Shield Technology Partners, a new IT services company launched by Thrive Holdings with over $100 million in initial funding. Shield acquires and supports IT services companies, providing them with AI technology and engineering resources, and allows these companies to retain equity. Shield currently works with seven companies, expects over $100 million in revenue this year, and plans to expand its portfolio. Thrive Holdings, which also operates in the accounting sector, recently partnered with OpenAI, which has taken an ownership stake and will embed teams within its portfolio companies.

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Linux released the 6.19-rc1 kernel early from Japan, introducing major driver updates for GPU, networking, media, and sound subsystems, expanding automatic compiler cleanup infrastructure in the Virtual File System layer, advancing Rust integration with new drivers and subsystems, and preparing for AMD Zen 6 and Intel Nova Lake and Diamond Rapids platforms. The update also includes expanded file-system capabilities, tooling and documentation updates, and improvements to memory management and scheduling.

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The Middle Michigan Development Corporation awarded Technology Improvement Grants to 42 small businesses in Clare, Isabella, and Osceola counties to support upgrades in digital systems, equipment, and cybersecurity. Funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Trusted Connector Grant targets companies with fewer than 50 employees. Osceola County recipients include Homemade & More Consignment Shop, Northern Precision Products, and The Shepherds Fare, which are using the grants to modernize point-of-sale systems, update computer infrastructure, and improve transaction reliability. The program aims to address practical technology needs and promote long-term business growth in rural Michigan.

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WhatsApp introduced a feature allowing users to leave instant voice or video messages after missed calls, replacing traditional voicemail. Users are prompted to record messages immediately in the chat, streamlining communication. Additional updates include the ability to send reactions during voice chats, automatic speaker highlighting in video calls, and the integration of Midjourney and Flux AI models into image generation tools. These changes aim to improve communication efficiency for business users and organizations.

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