๐ก You paid full price. Do you actually own it?
Digital games have run on a quiet trick for years: you pay, but get a *license* โ valid until the publisher decides otherwise.
Rep. Ritchie Torres of the Bronx introduced the Power To The Players Act, which would direct the FTC to guarantee real ownership โ not a license โ and require an offline mode before any server shutdown.
A similar bill is already moving in Pennsylvania. The industry hasn't commented โ perhaps still workshopping how to explain that $70 was never really a purchase.
The Verge
Digital games have run on a quiet trick for years: you pay, but get a *license* โ valid until the publisher decides otherwise.
NBA 2K25 is the freshest example: 2K delists it this month, servers go dark December 31st.Rep. Ritchie Torres of the Bronx introduced the Power To The Players Act, which would direct the FTC to guarantee real ownership โ not a license โ and require an offline mode before any server shutdown.
"A game that can be taken away the moment a company pulls the plug is not a purchase. It is a rental disguised as a sale."
A similar bill is already moving in Pennsylvania. The industry hasn't commented โ perhaps still workshopping how to explain that $70 was never really a purchase.
The Verge
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๐ค Arrested for standing in a robot's way
Carolyn Marvin had made a habit of it: whenever she spotted one of Uber's sidewalk delivery robots rolling through downtown Philadelphia, she stepped in front of it and held her ground. This time, police showed up and asked her to move. She didn't. She left in handcuffs, charged with disorderly conduct.
Her explanation, on camera: "I know they're taking the jobs of human delivery workers โ so I protest them whenever I see them."
The robots have become a regular fixture in Center City, and so has the friction around them. Earlier this year, someone simply kicked one over. Marvin's approach was, at least, more principled.
The debate over automation and lower-skill jobs is everywhere right now โ just apparently not in the rooms where anything gets decided. Via ABC13.
The Verge
Carolyn Marvin had made a habit of it: whenever she spotted one of Uber's sidewalk delivery robots rolling through downtown Philadelphia, she stepped in front of it and held her ground. This time, police showed up and asked her to move. She didn't. She left in handcuffs, charged with disorderly conduct.
Her explanation, on camera: "I know they're taking the jobs of human delivery workers โ so I protest them whenever I see them."
The robots have become a regular fixture in Center City, and so has the friction around them. Earlier this year, someone simply kicked one over. Marvin's approach was, at least, more principled.
The debate over automation and lower-skill jobs is everywhere right now โ just apparently not in the rooms where anything gets decided. Via ABC13.
The Verge
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๐ธ Bangkok's safe harbour, closing in
Thai police arrested a 37-year-old Chinese national in Bangkok, wanted at home for running international money-laundering operations. Investigators say his network moved $75 million across 133+ accounts through crypto and foreign-currency exchanges โ and, as a bonus, handled visa arrangements for fellow criminals.
His escape plan: forged documents and swapped licence plates. Police found him in a luxury house anyway. His Thai visa had expired three years ago.
The arrest comes amid a broader crackdown โ in June, Coinbase froze $3M in crypto as part of a DOJ-led operation where Meta, Microsoft and Starlink ended up alongside regional police. That's quite a guest list for a crime bulletin, per Khaosod English.
Cointelegraph
Thai police arrested a 37-year-old Chinese national in Bangkok, wanted at home for running international money-laundering operations. Investigators say his network moved $75 million across 133+ accounts through crypto and foreign-currency exchanges โ and, as a bonus, handled visa arrangements for fellow criminals.
His escape plan: forged documents and swapped licence plates. Police found him in a luxury house anyway. His Thai visa had expired three years ago.
The arrest comes amid a broader crackdown โ in June, Coinbase froze $3M in crypto as part of a DOJ-led operation where Meta, Microsoft and Starlink ended up alongside regional police. That's quite a guest list for a crime bulletin, per Khaosod English.
Cointelegraph
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๐ฌ The Coens are thinking about going home
Eight years since their last film together, Joel and Ethan Coen floated a reunion at Lyon's Lumiรจre Festival: a return to Minneapolis, where they shot *Fargo* and *A Serious Man*.
The push came from Frances McDormand, who asked from the stage for the unofficial trilogy to be finished. "I think Fran wants to see it," Joel said.
The hold-ups: one script was written for an actor who has since died; another is so dated they'd open it with *"Sometime during the Obama administration"*; a third they can't locate on the computer.
Reunion in progress. Approximately.
Via Variety.
Eight years since their last film together, Joel and Ethan Coen floated a reunion at Lyon's Lumiรจre Festival: a return to Minneapolis, where they shot *Fargo* and *A Serious Man*.
The push came from Frances McDormand, who asked from the stage for the unofficial trilogy to be finished. "I think Fran wants to see it," Joel said.
The hold-ups: one script was written for an actor who has since died; another is so dated they'd open it with *"Sometime during the Obama administration"*; a third they can't locate on the computer.
Reunion in progress. Approximately.
Via Variety.
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๐ป MacBook Pro gets a touchscreen โ a decade after "that's not how it works"
Apple held the line longer than anyone: while rivals slapped touch panels on everything, Cupertino insisted poking a laptop screen was ergonomically wrong. That conviction, it turns out, has an expiry date.
Bloomberg reports the first touchscreen MacBook Pro could arrive November 6th. The rumour consensus is unusually tight, and macOS 27 betas have already surfaced pull-to-refresh and enlarged menu targets. Purely coincidental, surely.
The spec sheet: Tandem OLED ร la iPad Pro, a slightly smaller Dynamic Island (no Face ID),
Apple has clearly been thinking about this longer than it was willing to admit.
9to5Mac
Apple held the line longer than anyone: while rivals slapped touch panels on everything, Cupertino insisted poking a laptop screen was ergonomically wrong. That conviction, it turns out, has an expiry date.
Bloomberg reports the first touchscreen MacBook Pro could arrive November 6th. The rumour consensus is unusually tight, and macOS 27 betas have already surfaced pull-to-refresh and enlarged menu targets. Purely coincidental, surely.
The spec sheet: Tandem OLED ร la iPad Pro, a slightly smaller Dynamic Island (no Face ID),
M5 Pro / M5 Max chips โ M6 skipped to fast-track M7 โ and a chassis Bloomberg calls "significantly lighter." No base model until spring.Apple has clearly been thinking about this longer than it was willing to admit.
9to5Mac
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๐ธ Steam Deck OLED is $789 โ but there's a more interesting option
Lenovo's Legion Go S running SteamOS is currently $999.99 at Best Buy โ and for that extra $200 over the base Steam Deck, you get a lot: an 8-inch IPS display at 1080p/120Hz versus the Deck's 800p/90Hz, double the RAM and storage (
Here's the quiet paradox: Lenovo also sells a version of this same device with the newer
The
The Verge tested multiple configurations with full benchmarks โ worth a look before you decide.
Lenovo's Legion Go S running SteamOS is currently $999.99 at Best Buy โ and for that extra $200 over the base Steam Deck, you get a lot: an 8-inch IPS display at 1080p/120Hz versus the Deck's 800p/90Hz, double the RAM and storage (
32GB / 1TB), two-stage triggers, and a Ryzen Z1 Extreme under the hood.Here's the quiet paradox: Lenovo also sells a version of this same device with the newer
Ryzen Z2 Go chip โ but the Z2 Go is actually slower than the Z1 Extreme. Sometimes "newer" just means "different".The
ROG Ally X20 with its OLED and Z2 Extreme beats it on raw power, but that'll run you $1,299.99 โ $300 more. The Legion Go S sits exactly in between: not a flagship, but not a budget compromise either.The Verge tested multiple configurations with full benchmarks โ worth a look before you decide.
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๐ Daily Recap ยท Oct 20
๐ค Woman arrested for blocking Uber's sidewalk delivery robot
๐ธ Bangkok wasn't safe: $75M laundering network busted
๐ฌ Coen Brothers hint at Minneapolis reunion after eight years
๐ป Apple finally caved: touchscreen MacBook Pro is coming
๐ธ Steam Deck vs Lenovo: the $200 question worth asking
Someone in your group chat definitely missed today โ pass it along
CHEATKOTT - Your Daily News
๐ค Woman arrested for blocking Uber's sidewalk delivery robot
๐ธ Bangkok wasn't safe: $75M laundering network busted
๐ฌ Coen Brothers hint at Minneapolis reunion after eight years
๐ป Apple finally caved: touchscreen MacBook Pro is coming
๐ธ Steam Deck vs Lenovo: the $200 question worth asking
Someone in your group chat definitely missed today โ pass it along
CHEATKOTT - Your Daily News
๐ฌ Elizabeth Holmes is selling out theaters โ from behind bars
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes was sentenced to 11 years for investor fraud after her blood-testing startup turned out to be an elaborate fiction. Books, podcasts, a Hulu series โ the story's been told. But filmmakers got exclusive access to Holmes in the weeks before she reported to prison, with *The Rehearsal*'s Nathan Fielder co-directing.
The result:
Holmes once sold a technology that didn't exist. Per TechCrunch, the documentary about it is the one actually breaking records.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvW_N5p1q44
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes was sentenced to 11 years for investor fraud after her blood-testing startup turned out to be an elaborate fiction. Books, podcasts, a Hulu series โ the story's been told. But filmmakers got exclusive access to Holmes in the weeks before she reported to prison, with *The Rehearsal*'s Nathan Fielder co-directing.
The result:
$15 million opening weekend across 855 theaters โ second-biggest documentary debut ever โ and 99% on both Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. Aaron Sorkin's *Social Network* follow-up managed $5.5M. Alex Gibney's *Musk* doc made $306,702.Holmes once sold a technology that didn't exist. Per TechCrunch, the documentary about it is the one actually breaking records.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvW_N5p1q44
YouTube
You Can See Everything | Official Trailer HD | A24
SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/A24subscribe
A documentary by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim. YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING โ In theaters October 16.
------
ABOUT A24:
The studio behind EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, UNCUT GEMS, MIDSOMMAR, MOONLIGHT, BEEF onโฆ
A documentary by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim. YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING โ In theaters October 16.
------
ABOUT A24:
The studio behind EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, UNCUT GEMS, MIDSOMMAR, MOONLIGHT, BEEF onโฆ
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๐ค Taylor Swift's first full-band night since the Eras Tour
The Eras Tour ended over a year ago โ and Saturday, at the Academy Museum Gala in Hollywood, Swift finally returned to a stage with a full band behind her.
The headliner: "The Fate of Ophelia" got its first-ever live performance, a year after release. The 2027 Grammy frontrunner had never been heard outside a studio until this black-tie room got it.
Also making its full-band debut: "I Knew It, I Knew You" from *Toy Story 5*. The remaining two slots went to "Blank Space" and "Love Story." Guitarist Paul Sidoti marked the night on Instagram โ first stage together since the Eras Tour, 19 years of touring between them.
Conan O'Brien's introduction: "She's John, Paul, George and Ringo all in one."
Variety
The Eras Tour ended over a year ago โ and Saturday, at the Academy Museum Gala in Hollywood, Swift finally returned to a stage with a full band behind her.
The headliner: "The Fate of Ophelia" got its first-ever live performance, a year after release. The 2027 Grammy frontrunner had never been heard outside a studio until this black-tie room got it.
Also making its full-band debut: "I Knew It, I Knew You" from *Toy Story 5*. The remaining two slots went to "Blank Space" and "Love Story." Guitarist Paul Sidoti marked the night on Instagram โ first stage together since the Eras Tour, 19 years of touring between them.
Conan O'Brien's introduction: "She's John, Paul, George and Ringo all in one."
Variety
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๐ฌ The documentary that out-earned Borat's per-screen record
Elizabeth Holmes โ the Theranos founder convicted of billion-dollar fraud, now 11 years into a prison sentence โ is the subject of a documentary A24 spent three years making in total secrecy.
Result: $15 million from 855 theaters. Zendaya and Pattinson in *The Drama* pulled $14.3M โ from 3,087 locations. Biggest documentary opening in 20 years, best debut on under 1,000 screens since *Borat*. Budget: ~$7M. Ninety percent of audiences said they'd definitely recommend it.
First place went to *Street Fighter* at $31M โ 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, a "Bโ" CinemaScore, and a $82M budget. Third attempt to adapt the Capcom series since Van Damme in 1994. The tournament has not improved with age.
A film about a convicted fraudster, more profitable per screen than a Hollywood blockbuster. Funny how that works, per Variety.
Elizabeth Holmes โ the Theranos founder convicted of billion-dollar fraud, now 11 years into a prison sentence โ is the subject of a documentary A24 spent three years making in total secrecy.
Result: $15 million from 855 theaters. Zendaya and Pattinson in *The Drama* pulled $14.3M โ from 3,087 locations. Biggest documentary opening in 20 years, best debut on under 1,000 screens since *Borat*. Budget: ~$7M. Ninety percent of audiences said they'd definitely recommend it.
First place went to *Street Fighter* at $31M โ 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, a "Bโ" CinemaScore, and a $82M budget. Third attempt to adapt the Capcom series since Van Damme in 1994. The tournament has not improved with age.
A film about a convicted fraudster, more profitable per screen than a Hollywood blockbuster. Funny how that works, per Variety.
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๐ Tesla just showed a flying car. Actual one.
Outside SpaceX's Texas facility last night, Musk unveiled a new Roadster โ then demonstrated it. The prototype drove upside down up a ramp on suction grip, launched off the top, righted itself mid-air on rocket thrusters, and landed. Piloted remotely "to make sure we don't kill anyone."
SpaceX thrusters along the underbody, half-the-speed-of-sound claims, mid-air flips. Musk called it "not necessarily a safety-optimized car" and the only future Tesla with a steering wheel. Target: 2028.
Doc Brown actor Christopher Lloyd posted "Finallyโฆ flying cars." MKBHD called it a prank. The internet settled on *Rocket League* as the reference โ which tracks.
The Verge has the full story. Whether it ever reaches a real road is another question entirely.
IGN
Outside SpaceX's Texas facility last night, Musk unveiled a new Roadster โ then demonstrated it. The prototype drove upside down up a ramp on suction grip, launched off the top, righted itself mid-air on rocket thrusters, and landed. Piloted remotely "to make sure we don't kill anyone."
SpaceX thrusters along the underbody, half-the-speed-of-sound claims, mid-air flips. Musk called it "not necessarily a safety-optimized car" and the only future Tesla with a steering wheel. Target: 2028.
Doc Brown actor Christopher Lloyd posted "Finallyโฆ flying cars." MKBHD called it a prank. The internet settled on *Rocket League* as the reference โ which tracks.
The Verge has the full story. Whether it ever reaches a real road is another question entirely.
IGN
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๐ Rockstar drove GTA 6 into real Miami โ literally
With the November 19 launch approaching, Rockstar rolled a convoy of real supercars through Miami โ wrapped as in-game models, carrying Leonida plates, and led by a VCPD-liveried Lamborghini.
The lineup included a McLaren dressed as the Progen Emerus, plus the Cheetah, Coquette D10, Tempesta, and Manana. A Goodyear blimp with a GTA 6 ad floated overhead while local news filmed the cars at a gas station, visibly puzzled.
Rockstar spent years on Florida research trips to get the city right. Now Miami is returning the favour. IGN has the story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz1B4B2yBZY
With the November 19 launch approaching, Rockstar rolled a convoy of real supercars through Miami โ wrapped as in-game models, carrying Leonida plates, and led by a VCPD-liveried Lamborghini.
The lineup included a McLaren dressed as the Progen Emerus, plus the Cheetah, Coquette D10, Tempesta, and Manana. A Goodyear blimp with a GTA 6 ad floated overhead while local news filmed the cars at a gas station, visibly puzzled.
"Miami is so unserious for turning a game launch into a city-wide event like this is just a normal Tuesday for them."
Rockstar spent years on Florida research trips to get the city right. Now Miami is returning the favour. IGN has the story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz1B4B2yBZY
YouTube
Grand Theft Auto VI Launch Trailer
Vice City, USA.
Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a criminal conspiracy stretching across theโฆ
Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a criminal conspiracy stretching across theโฆ
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๐ Daily Recap ยท Oct 21
๐ฌ Holmes is selling out theaters from prison
๐ค Swift debuted a new song live with full band
๐ฅ Holmes doc smashed Borat's per-screen record with $15M
๐ Tesla's new Roadster literally flew and landed
๐ฎ Rockstar drove GTA 6 supercars through real Miami
Forward this to whoever spent today in back-to-back meetings and missed everything good
CHEATKOTT - Your Daily News
๐ฌ Holmes is selling out theaters from prison
๐ค Swift debuted a new song live with full band
๐ฅ Holmes doc smashed Borat's per-screen record with $15M
๐ Tesla's new Roadster literally flew and landed
๐ฎ Rockstar drove GTA 6 supercars through real Miami
Forward this to whoever spent today in back-to-back meetings and missed everything good
CHEATKOTT - Your Daily News
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๐ฅ AMG's first ever ground-up SUV
In 59 years, AMG never built a full-size SUV from scratch. The 2028 AMG GT SUV changes that: 1,153hp, three axial flux motors, and
๐ธ Three trims: GT 53 (106kWh) through GT 63 (128kWh, ~435mi range)
๐ธ Active hydraulic suspension replaces mechanical roll bars
๐ธ F1-derived battery with per-cell oil cooling
๐ธ Simulated AMG V8 sound, paddle-shift feedback, seat vibration
No pricing yet โ which, given the spec sheet, may be the only scary part.
Via The Verge.
In 59 years, AMG never built a full-size SUV from scratch. The 2028 AMG GT SUV changes that: 1,153hp, three axial flux motors, and
710kW peak charging โ more than double the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric's 320kW. Ten minutes at a charger nets 450km WLTP range.๐ธ Three trims: GT 53 (106kWh) through GT 63 (128kWh, ~435mi range)
๐ธ Active hydraulic suspension replaces mechanical roll bars
๐ธ F1-derived battery with per-cell oil cooling
๐ธ Simulated AMG V8 sound, paddle-shift feedback, seat vibration
No pricing yet โ which, given the spec sheet, may be the only scary part.
Via The Verge.
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๐ด Richard Heart arrested in Istanbul
Richard Heart โ real name Richard Schueler โ founded crypto projects
On Wednesday, Turkish police detained Heart and his wife in Istanbul's Beลiktaล district, seizing $4 million in cash, 64 luxury watches, firearms and electronics.
He'd been living quietly in Istanbul โ until Interpol found the address.
CoinDesk
Richard Heart โ real name Richard Schueler โ founded crypto projects
HEX, PulseChain and PulseX. The SEC charged him in 2023 with raising over $1 billion through unregistered offerings; the case was dropped in 2025 for lack of U.S. jurisdiction. Finland wasn't so forgiving โ tax fraud and assault charges there triggered an Interpol Red Notice.On Wednesday, Turkish police detained Heart and his wife in Istanbul's Beลiktaล district, seizing $4 million in cash, 64 luxury watches, firearms and electronics.
He'd been living quietly in Istanbul โ until Interpol found the address.
CoinDesk
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