The fake mustache trick exposing age-verification tech
Contributed by Pia Mitchell, Marketing Producer
Welcome back to the latest edition of Quantious’ Tech Roundup, where you gain exclusive insights into the tech news you need to know to stay at the top of your game.
Today we’re covering Google’s updates to AI search, Microsoft’s decision to give up on Xbox Copilot AI, the kids bypassing age-verification checks, the AI companies allowing the U.S. government to test unreleased AI models, and the startup developing an AI-powered beanie that can read your thoughts.
With our Tech Roundup, you can trust that you’re getting concise updates on just the news that matters most. Let’s get to it!
PMMs, when's the last time a launch went exactly to plan? 🤔
Most of us can name the patterns by now: enablement built and ignored, ownership that nobody quite has, leadership asking "what happened?" when the numbers come in soft.
The hard part is figuring out where it actually broke, and how to fix it before the next launch, instead of running the same playbook with crossed fingers.
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Top Tech Highlights
Google updates AI search to include quotes from Reddit and other sources
Google is trying to make its AI search results feel more human by pulling in forum posts, social media discussions, and creator context alongside AI Overviews. But in doing so, it’s blurring the line between AI-generated answers and traditional search results — which could either make search more useful or way more chaotic.
Microsoft gives up on Xbox Copilot AI
icrosoft is pulling the plug on Xbox Copilot before it ever fully launched, signaling a major shift in priorities under new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. The move is part of a broader shake-up aimed at speeding up Xbox’s growth and refocusing on features that better serve players and developers.
Spotify is selling books now
Spotify’s partnership with Bookshop.org brings physical book purchases into its app, positioning audiobooks as a companion rather than a replacement. The move supports indie bookstores while tapping into the enduring appeal of print, blending digital discovery with real-world ownership.
Some kids are bypassing age-verification checks with a fake mustache
Kids are already finding ridiculous ways to bypass online age checks, from drawing fake mustaches on their faces to showing adult-looking video game characters to webcams. The trend is raising bigger questions about whether these age-verification systems actually protect children — or just create new privacy and security risks for everyone online.
Microsoft, Google and xAI will let the government test their AI models before launch
Google, Microsoft, and xAI are teaming up with the U.S. government to let officials test unreleased AI models before they go public. The move comes as concerns grow over AI’s potential cybersecurity risks, especially after Anthropic’s latest model sparked fresh alarm in Washington.
Startup Says It’s Invented a Beanie That Reads Your Mind
A startup called Sabi is developing an AI-powered beanie that claims it can turn brain signals into text using thousands of EEG sensors woven into the fabric. While the idea sounds straight out of sci-fi, experts are skeptical the tech can actually decode thoughts as accurately as the company promises.
How to maintain authenticity at scale, with Gwyneth Paltrow
How do brands maintain authenticity at scale? At Meltwater Summit in NYC, Goop CEO Gwyneth Paltrow shared that brands make a decision each day to either prioritize integrity and quality, or not.
“It’s so important we stay true to our values. We’re not for everybody—but we’re really for the people we’re for. It’s against my DNA to compromise.”
Marketing Producer Pia Mitchell reported live from Meltwater’s Summit this week. Follow our socials for more learnings!
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