Tech news today is dominated by YouTube’s rollout of a new “Made with AI” label for music tracks, flagging songs that were fully or substantially generated with artificial intelligence on YouTube Music.
Table of Contents
Beyond that, today’s tech news roundup covers Epic’s AI-assisted game launcher rebuild, a cyberattack that hit refrigeration systems at roughly 700 supermarkets, Apple’s iPhone Duo repair pricing and an Apple Maps upgrade for Austin, and LG’s Sound Suite speaker update, along with a multistate lawsuit against OpenAI. In AI tools, Figma rolled out new features for design agents, while our science desk covers SpaceX’s cargo run to the ISS and a new creatine study.
The TLDR
- Tech & Apps: YouTube Adds “Made With AI” Labels to AI-Generated Songs
- AI Tools: Figma Opens Its Code Layers Feature to Public Beta
- Science & Space: SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon Set to Dock With the ISS Today
Tech & Apps
YouTube Adds “Made With AI” Labels to AI-Generated Songs
YouTube is rolling out a new “Made with AI” label for tracks on YouTube Music that were fully or substantially generated using artificial intelligence, mirroring the label system it already uses for AI video content, according to The Verge. The label appears on the song’s player page rather than on every clip that merely used an AI tool somewhere in production. YouTube says the goal is to flag music where AI played a defining role in composition or vocals, not to tag any and all AI-assisted work.
Epic Says Its AI-Built Game Launcher Preview Is Faster Than Steam
Epic Games says its newest Epic Games Launcher build was created with heavy use of AI-assisted “vibe coding,” and that the result opens faster than Valve’s Steam client, according to Ars Technica. The company has released it as a “Preview” version and is warning players upfront that it will still have some bugs while the team works through the rebuild.
Cyberattack on Supermarket Refrigeration Systems Sparked Fires
A cyberattack hit refrigeration systems at roughly 700 supermarkets, forcing freezers into a stuck defrost cycle and pushing temperatures high enough to spoil food and trigger fires, according to Ars Technica. Investigators traced the breach to outdated, internet-exposed refrigeration controllers that were no longer receiving security updates. The incident is estimated to have cost millions of dollars.
Here’s What It Costs to Repair Apple’s iPhone Duo Without AppleCare+
With iPhone Duo pre-orders opening Friday ahead of shipping next week, Apple has published out-of-warranty repair pricing for its dual-display phone, according to 9to5Mac. Costs range from $49 for cover-layer damage up to $1,499 for other damage, with inner-display repairs listed at $999. AppleCare+ cuts those costs significantly — inner-display repair drops to $99 with coverage. If you’re setting up a new iPhone, our guide on stopping iPhone apps from backing up to iCloud can help free up space first.
Apple Maps Rolls Out Detailed City Experience in Austin
Apple has launched its Detailed City Experience in Apple Maps for Austin, Texas, adding richer elevation, building, and landmark detail for spots like the Texas Capitol, Q2 Stadium, the Blanton Museum of Art, and the Congress Avenue Bridge, according to 9to5Mac. Apple also added a dedicated Circuit of the Americas view with 3D track details ahead of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. The update follows similar overhauls Apple has already brought to cities like San Francisco, Chicago, and London. For more Apple device tips, see our guide on fixing an “iCloud storage almost full” warning.
LG’s Sound Suite Speakers Gain DTS:X and Google Cast
LG is updating its Sound Suite home theater lineup with support for DTS:X immersive audio and Google Cast streaming, according to Engadget. DTS:X support lets compatible soundbars like the H7 play multi-dimensional surround content, while Google Cast lets you beam music and podcasts to the system directly. LG says the update is rolling out now, though availability varies by region.
Eight States Sue OpenAI Over Child Safety Concerns
Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, arguing the company’s practices around ChatGPT have endangered children, according to Engadget. The suits target how ChatGPT is designed and marketed, alongside recent incidents involving rogue AI agents acting outside their intended bounds, and ask courts to require clearer risk disclosures from the company.
AI Tools
Figma Opens Its Code Layers Feature to Public Beta
Figma used its first Config event in India to detail new features aimed at AI design agents, including “Figma Specs,” a markdown-based way for teams to document their design language for both humans and agents, according to TechCrunch. The company also moved its Code Layers feature — which lets designers add working code to canvas designs — out of the private beta it launched in June and into open beta.
Science & Space
SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon Set to Dock With the ISS Today
SpaceX launched its CRS-35 Cargo Dragon on October 13 carrying roughly 6,300 pounds of supplies for the International Space Station, including the final set of roll-out solar arrays meant to boost the station’s power supply, according to Space.com. The capsule is scheduled to dock autonomously at the station’s Harmony module today, October 15.
Creatine May Help Protect the Brain From Gut Inflammation, Study Finds
A new study from researchers at the University of Seville found that daily creatine supplementation protected rats’ brains from damage caused by gut inflammation, preserving neuron health in the hippocampus, according to ScienceAlert. The effect was stronger in male rats than female rats, and the findings — published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity — are so far limited to animal models, so it isn’t yet known whether the same protection would hold in humans.
Explore more: stopping iPhone apps from backing up to iCloud, fixing an “iCloud storage almost full” warning.
Tech News FAQs
Does YouTube label AI-generated music now?
Yes. YouTube is rolling out a “Made with AI” label on YouTube Music for tracks that are fully or substantially AI-generated, shown on the song’s player page. It’s modeled on the AI label system YouTube already uses for video content.
When do iPhone Duo pre-orders start?
Apple’s iPhone Duo pre-orders open this Friday, with shipping starting the following week. Out-of-warranty repairs range from $49 for cover-layer damage up to $1,499 for other damage, though AppleCare+ brings those costs down significantly.
Which states are suing OpenAI, and why?
Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana have sued OpenAI, alleging the design and marketing of ChatGPT has endangered children. The suits also cite recent incidents involving AI agents acting outside their intended bounds.
When does SpaceX’s Dragon dock with the ISS?
The CRS-35 Cargo Dragon, launched October 13 with about 6,300 pounds of supplies, is set to dock autonomously at the ISS’s Harmony module on October 15. Its cargo includes the final set of roll-out solar arrays for the station.
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Photo: Lyles BBQ, Smile and Learn – English, The Flat Top King (previous screenshot: yumyotta) / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.