ITmedia NEWS

Google Play added new features including Ask Play and Game Finder, and allows users to run apps created with AI Studio on their devices without developer registration.

• •A new feature allows users to launch and run self-made Android apps created via vibe coding in Google AI Studio on their own devices without developer registration.
• •An AI-based app comparison feature called Ask Play is being provided.
• •Game Finder, which analyzes play styles to recommend preferred games, will be rolled out gradually.

Apple announced new smart home products including HomeView with Siri AI and A19-powered Apple TV 4K, with some products launching in Japan.

• •HomeView, featuring a 7-inch display and 'Siri AI', was announced.
• •Apple TV 4K with the 'A19' chip and HomePod mini 2, which glows in sync with sound, were revealed.
• •Smart home products co-developed with LG and others were also announced, with some launching in Japan.

Getty Images filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced a plan to take its shares private, aiming to complete restructuring within the year amid intensifying competition from AI-generated images.

• •The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
• •A plan to take its shares private was announced.
• •It aims to complete restructuring within the year as competition from AI-generated images intensifies.

A book published by a Ryukyu University professor was recalled and discontinued after it was found to contain non-existent case law generated by AI.

• •The book 'The System of Irresponsibility and the Battle of Okinawa' contained three non-existent case laws generated by AI that were published without verification.
• •Publisher Takubunken announced the recall and discontinuation of the book on September 24.
• •Author Jun Shimabukuro published a document on October 10 explaining the circumstances and apologizing, describing it as an unforgivable blunder for a researcher.

Rescue teams are warning against over-reliance on AI after a 16-year-old boy in Canada used generative AI for a hiking plan and got lost.

• •A 16-year-old boy got lost in the mountains of British Columbia, western Canada.
• •The boy admitted to using generative AI to create his hiking plan.
• •Rescue teams are cautioning against blindly trusting routes indicated by AI.

New gTLD applications resumed after 14 years, with 84 from Japan and many AI-related domains from overseas.

• •Japan submitted 84 applications, including '.manga' by Kodansha, '.anime' by Toei Animation, and '.docomo' by Docomo.
• •Overseas applications for AI-related domains are prominent, with 13 applicants, including Meta and OpenAI, competing for '.agent'.
• •The new gTLD application round was implemented for the first time in 14 years.

Apple is expected to hold an experience event in New York on October 13, announcing new smart home products including a Siri AI-powered display hub and a new HomePod mini model.

• •An Apple executive posted "Welcome home. October 13." on X, revealing an event in New York on that date.
• •Smart home announcements are expected, with a display hub featuring the new "Siri AI" agent drawing attention.
• •New models of the HomePod mini and Apple TV are also listed as potential announcements.

A new integration allows users to launch Claude from the sidebars of Google Workspace document tools to directly edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

• •Users can now invoke Claude from the sidebars of Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
• •This feature enables direct AI-assisted file editing without switching to external tools.
• •The supported Google Workspace tools are Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Google signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy, adding 890MW via upgrades to 11 existing nuclear reactors to meet growing AI demand.

• •A 20-year power contract was signed to add 890MW to the grid by increasing the output of 11 existing nuclear reactors.
• •The goal is to support the power demand driven by the expansion of AI.
• •The framework avoids passing costs to other users, and technical partnerships are expanding, including introducing Gemini to nuclear operations.

The Norwegian government plans to propose a bill regulating the use of AI-powered smart glasses in public places.

• •On the 5th, the Norwegian government announced plans to propose a bill regulating AI glasses in public areas like parks and beaches.
• •Reuters reported this move follows growing concerns about covert recording by AI devices.
• •Regulations and responses to similar concerns are accelerating in various countries.