List of AI agents that can live in your text messages
TechCrunch compiles a list of notable AI agents that operate within text messages, from general assistants to specialized agents for families, travel, and work.
#Daily archive
Tech News for Saturday, October 3, 2026
26 stories from 31 outlets. Times show when each story first broke, in UTC.
Top stories
Jagex reveals RuneScape 4 MMO in Unreal Engine and an animated series with MoistCr1TiKaL
Jagex confirms a fourth RuneScape game is under development using Unreal Engine, tentatively named RS4. The studio also plans an animated series collaboration with MoistCr1TiKaL. More details on the game are expected next year.
Also covered by Polygon, TechSpot, IGN, Wccftech, Hacker News
#Treasury Secretary Bessent says AI industry must own risks and warns alarmism without solutions is not leadership
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticizes AI leaders who warn of disaster but offer no fixes, and says the AI industry must own its risks and find solutions.
Also covered by The Next Web
#NASA flight director Milt Windler who helped save Apollo 13 dies at 94
Milt Windler, a NASA flight director who played a key role in the successful rescue of the Apollo 13 crew, has died at age 94. Windler served as a flight director during the Apollo program and later worked on Skylab and the Space Shuttle.
#Decade-long deep reef experiment uncovers mysteries of ocean's 'deep reefs'
Researchers retrieved structures placed up to 100 meters underwater a decade earlier, revealing insights into deep reef ecosystems and their resilience.
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Gadgets 4
Exoskeletons show noticeable benefits for users in real-world tasks
Exoskeleton devices continue to demonstrate significant benefits for users in various real-world applications, from industrial work to rehabilitation. The technology is proving its practical value beyond experimental settings.
#3D movies finally become worth watching as display technology matures
After years of being a tech flop, 3D movies are now worth watching thanks to improved display technology. The Verge's writer explains why they are suddenly buying 3D Blu-rays, noting that the technology has finally caught up to the promise of James Cameron's Avatar.
#Jagex pulls RuneScape trailer after fans spot AI-generated six-fingered knight
Jagex pulled a RuneScape trailer after fans spotted a six-fingered knight, leading to allegations of generative AI use. The company clarified its stance on AI in the trailer.
Also covered by GamesIndustry.biz, Gizmodo, IGN, Hacker News
#Best Prime Day Kindle deals: Save up to $150 across Kindle lineup
Amazon's October Prime Day deals cut up to $150 off Kindles, including the Paperwhite Signature Edition at $169.99 and Kindle Scribe Colorsoft at $519.99, plus free Kindle Unlimited. A roundup highlights seven top deals.
Also covered by Mashable Tech
#Business 3
Taiwan's foreign minister to visit Arizona to deepen semiconductor and economic ties
Taiwan's foreign minister plans a trip to Arizona for meetings with local officials and semiconductor companies, part of Taipei's push to strengthen economic ties with the US as the Trump administration seeks to stabilize relations with China.
#Musk rejects TSMC takeover of Terafab; Intel reaffirms 14A node deal as Musk floats cleanroom sublease
Elon Musk denies rumors that TSMC will take over the Terafab project, while Intel confirms it remains part of the venture with a 14A node deal. Musk also suggests TSMC could sublease part of the cleanroom facility.
Also covered by Tom's Hardware, The Next Web, Quartz, Wccftech
#Forward-deployed engineers emerge as key to enterprise AI adoption
Insight Partners and Palantir highlight the role of forward-deployed engineers in embedding AI into customer workflows, turning experiments into production products.
Also covered by MIT Technology Review, The Register
#AI 3
Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava says AI-generated emails are killing genuine conversations
In an interview, Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava argues that AI-written emails reduce meaningful communication. She discusses the impact on creative collaboration and the music production industry.
#OpenAI safety employee David Robinson quits, warns of broken culture and calls for AI regulation like nuclear power
OpenAI safety leader David Robinson quits, warns of broken culture and calls for nuclear-plant-style safeguards, saying the company fails to achieve adequate care as it moves from one product launch to the next.
Also covered by TechCrunch, The Verge, The Guardian Tech, Engadget, The Next Web
#Sam Altman compares AI to fire and OpenAI to Prometheus in new interview
In a new interview, Sam Altman compares AI to fire and OpenAI to the Greek god Prometheus. He also warns against treating AI as a religion, calling it a safety issue.
Also covered by The Decoder, Gizmodo
#Big Tech 3
Jack Dorsey's Bitchat disappears from app stores in India after government order
Bitchat, the decentralized social app backed by Jack Dorsey, has been removed from Apple and Google app stores in India following a government order. The app is now largely unavailable in the country.
#Samsung expands One UI 9 (Android 17) rollout to Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6
The Android 17-based One UI 9 update is rolling out to a new wave of Galaxy flagships, including the Z Fold 6 and Flip 6.
Also covered by Engadget, Android Authority, Android Police
#Google cuts Gemini model access for free and AI Plus users, limiting free users to weakest model starting October 9
Google is restricting free Gemini users to the weakest AI model, while AI Plus subscribers also lose access to Flash and Pro models. The changes take effect on October 9, significantly reducing capabilities for non-paying users.
Also covered by 9to5Google, 9to5Mac, Engadget, The Decoder, XDA Developers
#Science 1
Astronomers confirm discovery of youngest known exoplanet, under 1 million years old
Astronomers have confirmed the discovery of 'Elias 2-24b', the youngest exoplanet ever observed at under 1 million years old. The finding may force researchers to reevaluate planetary formation theories.
Also covered by Hackaday
#Security 1
Google pauses open-source bug bounty program after AI-generated report flood, reversing earlier praise for AI bug hunting
Google has halted its open-source bug bounty rewards due to a surge in invalid automated reports, many generated by AI. This comes after Google previously praised AI for making bug hunting easier.
Also covered by Tom's Hardware, Android Authority, BleepingComputer, TechRadar, TechSpot
#Everything else 6
How to start a CD collection or get more out of existing discs
Fed up with streaming music you don't own? A guide to collecting CDs covers how to start a collection and get more out of existing discs. The article explains the appeal of physical media ownership and practical steps for building a CD library.
#Vessev built an electric ferry that almost flies
Vessev hopes its electric hydrofoil ferry will change the way people and cities think about boats.
#US AI Task Force to Report on Technology’s Risks, WSJ Reports
A new White House task force will produce a report assessing risks posed by artificial intelligence and what responsibility the US federal government should have over the technology, the Wall Street Journal reported.
#Best mosquito repellents for your yard: what works and what doesn't in 2026
Wired tests repellents, traps, and sprays to find effective ways to keep bugs at bay, and identifies methods that aren't worth the effort.
#Capcom says it will use AI to speed up game development times
Capcom plans to integrate AI into game development to speed up production, following the success of Resident Evil Requiem.
Also covered by Fast Company Tech, Polygon
#Capcom clarifies stance on AI after RE Engine conference, stressing efficiency over creative work
Capcom says AI will assist development efficiency rather than creative work, responding to reaction from RE Engine conference comments about its REX project.
Also covered by GamesIndustry.biz, IGN, Wccftech
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