Google’ announced the date for its big Made By Google event in New York, and Dr. Niki gives an update on science funding in the US.
Starring Jason Howell, Huyen Tue Dao, Tom Merritt, and Dr. Niki.
JASON: This is the Daily Tech News for Thursday, July 17, 2025. We tell you what you need to know, follow up on the context of those stories and help each other understand.
HUYEN: Today Dr. Niki updates us on science funding in the US and Beeper’s Back, Baby! [18:40]
I’m Jason Howell,
I’m Huyen Tue Dao
JASON: Let’s start with what you need to know with the big story.
BIG STORY
Beeper’s all‑in‑one messaging app relaunches with an on‑device model and premium upgrades
JASON: Beeper is relaunching its all‑in‑one cross‑service messaging app with an improved tech stack aimed at improving security and adding some premium features. On the security front, Beeper will now offer direct end‑to‑end encrypted connections for platforms that support it, meaning Beeper won't have to rely on its own cloud infrastructure for relaying messages, keeping message data on‑device.
Beeper improved the free tier to allow for up to 12 accounts. Beeper also launched the new Plus subscription tier with perks like message scheduling, incognito mode, voice note transcription, and the ability to manage up to ten accounts including up to three accounts from any single service. The Beeper Plus Plus tier (yes you heard that right) will offer unlimited access to multiple accounts per chat service and costs $49.99 per month.
Beeper is attempting to keep services happy and friendly to their efforts. To that end, they plan to relay ads shown in apps like Telegram into the Beeper experience so those impressions aren't lost.
All of this comes after the company was bought by Automattic, owner of Wordpress.com, last year. Beeper has had to reinvent itself a few times now following its breakout feature that attempted to enable Android users to chat with Apple iMessage users. Apple's restrictions made that ultimately impossible and since then, Apple has rolled out expansive RCS compatibilities that have reduced the need for such a specialized service.
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JASON: There’s more we need to know today, let’s get to the briefs.
BRIEFS
The next Made By Google event (better known as the Pixel launch) is set for August 20
Google’s next Pixel Fold might be completely dust‑proof
HUYEN: Google officially announced its next major Pixel hardware event for August 20. The Pixel 10 series, along with the Pixel Watch 4 and possibly new Pixel Buds are expected at the event, which takes place in New York. The phones are expected to be powered by new Tensor G5 chips. Another rumor making the rounds is the possibility that the new Pixel Fold will be the first foldable rated for dust protection with an IP68 rating. There are also credible rumors pointing to a new line of Magnetic Qi2 charging technology for the Pixel line, codenamed Pixelsnap.
US authors suing Anthropic can band together in copyright class action, judge rules
JASON: Federal Judge Alsup has permitted three authors to bring a nationwide class action lawsuit against Anthropic for its alleged use of copyrighted books that were downloaded from pirated sources to train its AI system. This follows Alsup's original ruling that some of the company's use of legally‑obtained copyrighted content constituted fair use. Anthropic's possible use of up to 7 million books downloaded from pirate sites could make the company liable for damages to the tune of billions of dollars if the case against them is successful.
Mark Zuckerberg and other Meta bigwigs just agreed to a settlement in $8 billion suit
HUYEN: Meta Platforms, CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and former executives have reached an agreement to settle an $8 billion shareholder lawsuit stemming from privacy violations related to the Facebook Cambridge Analytica scandal from 2018. The settlement happened shortly before Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Marc Andreesen, Sheryl Sandberg, and Desmon‑Hellman were set to testify about their knowledge of the details related to the case. While financial details of the settlement have not been revealed publicly, it's likely the payout was less than the $8 billion originally asked for.
Roblox will require a facial scan or government ID to have unfiltered chats
JASON: Roblox is tightening its chat security by requiring Persona's age verification via facial scanning or government ID for users over 13 years old. Without that proof, teens will have their messages filtered and monitored for harmful conduct. Those with proof will have an unfiltered chat experience along with gaining access to the Party social feature that allows up to six players to group up across the platform.
Adobe’s new AI tool turns silly noises into realistic audio effects
HUYEN: Adobe introduced new generative AI features within its Firefly suite that allow users to create realistic sound effects from voice prompts or text instructions. Users can synchronize the sound with visual content in a timeline interface. The Firefly update also offers support for composition referencing and a wide range of style presets.
TikTok's latest feature will help songwriters show off their work
JASON: TikTok launched a beta set of features aimed at songwriters who want to showcase their own copyrighted music on their profile pages. Limited to a select group at launch during the beta release, artists can apply a Songwriter label to their profile and display select tracks that they've written in a Songwriter Music Tab. The new features are the result of extensive surveys with 871 songwriters, and follow similar features available to artists on Spotify since 2020.
HUYEN: Those are the essentials for today. Let’s dive a little deeper.
IN DEPTH
JASON: Each month, we’ve been checking in with Dr. Niki on what’s been happening with US science funding. Today, we have a quick update and a brewing debate over animal models. [TRT 12:37]
PROMO
HUYEN: If you have feedback about anything that gets brought up on the show… Get in touch with us on the socials. @DTNSshow on X, Instagram, Threads!, Blue Sky and Mastodon (mstdn.social). For TikTok and YouTube you can find us at Daily Tech News Show.
HELPING EACH OTHER UNDERSTAND
JASON: We end every episode of DTNS with some shared wisdom. Today Mike is helping us understand.
HUYEN: Mike writes:
In an email you read a few episodes ago, you mentioned that Android's battery settings allow you to charge the battery to a max of 80%. I immediately enabled that on my new Pixel 9a. IMHO, it should be enabled by default, allowing users to opt into "overclocking" their battery if they want, but extending the useful lives of the devices by default. Degrading battery life is usually the reason I end up buying a new phone nowadays.
I wish this ability existed on all battery‑operated devices. My primary mode of transportation is a Onewheel and I live at the top of a very large hill. The Onewheel has regenerative braking and if I leave the house with a full charge, the brakes fail because there's no room left in the battery to absorb the energy. I wish it was possible to automatically cut off charging at 80% so I don't have to babysit it as it charges.
Mike from underwater Austin, TX
JASON: What are you thinking about? Got some insight into a story? Share it with us feedback@dailytechnewsshow.com
JASON: Thanks to Dr. Niki and Mike for contributing to today’s show. And thank YOU for being along for Daily Tech News Show. You can keep us in business by becoming a patron, at Patreon.com/dtns
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