Apple today seeded the fourth betas of upcoming iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released the third betas. Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update. iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 do not include new Siri capabilities, suggesting any ‌Siri‌ updates are being held until iOS 27. The Maps app has a Suggested Places feature for recommending locations to visit nearby based on trends and recent searches, plus Apple is laying the groundwork for ads in the Apple Maps app. Apple is continuing to test end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android users. Apple included the feature in the iOS 26.4 beta, but removed it before the update launched to the public. In the European Union, Apple is testing proximity pairing, notification forwarding, and Live Activities for third-party wearables like earbuds and smartwatches. The functionality will allow third-party wearables to have many of the same features as the Apple Watch and AirPods. More detail on what's new in iOS 26.5 can be found in our iOS 26.5 beta features guide. Update 1:05 pm: The update is now also available to public beta testers.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26This article, "Apple Seeds Fourth iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 Betas to Developers" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple today provided developers with the fourth betas of upcoming watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple released the third betas for each platform. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. There's no word on what's in the software as of yet. watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS often get few features in each new beta, with updates primarily focusing on bug fixes and performance improvements. Nothing new was found in the first three betas. Related Roundups: Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, watchOS 26Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy), Vision Pro (Buy Now)Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, Apple Vision Pro, Apple WatchThis article, "Apple Releases Fourth watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5 and visionOS 26.5 Betas" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

It’s not reductive to call it a Steam Deck without the screen. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Most PC gamers already have a controller they love using with Steam - a Sony DualSense, a 8BitDo Ultimate, a Nintendo Switch Pro, or something else. Part of that love comes from Steam treating them like "native" controllers. They can do the things that made the first Steam Controller worth buying. Namely, they offer a level of customizable control never before seen on PC and that you still can't get on a console. With Steam Input, any of those controllers can have multiple control schemes for different game scenarios (flight, on-foot, in menus), and you swap between them with a button press. You can also create onscreen menus that bloom whe … Read the full story at The Verge.

After my brief hands-on last year with Valve's new Steam Controller, I said it might be my dream controller. I've been looking for a controller with the customization and sheer function available on Valve's Steam Deck while I'm playing games on the TV. You, me, and a lot of other people have been waiting for this. I've had the new controller in my hands for more than two weeks, and it's already changing how I play at home. I used to make the Steam Deck handheld my go-to couch gaming experience because of how good it feels to hold, but the Controller has me docking my Deck to play on the TV because it feels even better. I've spent hours cr … Read the full story at The Verge.

Last November, Valve introduced the world to its new vision of living room gaming: the Steam Machine and Steam Controller. Then, RAMageddon. Memory shortages forced Valve to delay all its hardware and reset expectations. Now, Valve is releasing the Steam Controller without the Steam Machine. The Steam Controller is officially going on sale May 4th at 1PM ET for $99 USD, $149 CAD, $149 AUD, £85 in the UK and €99 in the EU. We've already spent two weeks with the pad paired to our Steam Decks and gaming desktops, and you can read reviews from my colleagues Jay Peters and Cameron Faulkner right now. It's pretty great! What about the Steam Ma … Read the full story at The Verge.

Hey hey, it's Jay Peters, senior reporter at The Verge. Today, Valve finally announced that the second version of the Steam Controller - and the first piece of Valve's slate of new gaming hardware set to launch this year - is finally going on sale for $99 on May 4th. My colleague Cameron Faulkner and I have had the new Controller in our hands for more than two weeks, and we've each written reviews of it. For Verge subscribers, we have a treat: if you have any questions about the new gamepad, we'd be happy to answer them for you in the comments of this article. Valve hasn't shared any new information about when the Steam Machine PC and Stea … Read the full story at The Verge.

Article URL: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/sovereign-wealth-fund-carney-major-projects-9.7178238 Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47924188 Points: 127 # Comments: 76

The IAM Union representing Apple employees in Towson, Maryland today said that it is filing an Unfair Labor Practice charge [PDF] against Apple with the National Labor Relations Board. The union is accusing Apple of unlawful discrimination against unionized workers. Earlier this month, Apple announced plans to close the Towson Apple Store alongside two other Apple locations in Connecticut and California. The Towson store was the first Apple retail location to unionize in the U.S. back in 2022. With most store closures, employees are relocated automatically to nearby stores, but Apple said the union rules at the Towson location prevented it from moving the workers to other stores. Apple instead said that Towson employees are "eligible to apply for open roles at Apple in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement." The IAM Union said at the time that it was "outraged" by Apple's decision, and that there was nothing in the agreement that prevented employees from being relocated. IAM said Apple's claim was false, and that it raised "serious concerns" that the closure was a "cynical attempt to bust the union." In today's filing, the IAM Union complained that Apple allowed employees at two non-union stores to transfer to other locations, but forced Towson employees to reapply for positions through the same process as external candidates. "This is about whether workers are treated fairly under the law or punished for exercising their rights," said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. "Apple is denying union-represented workers the same opportunities it is giving to others -- and doing so because these workers chose to organize. That is discrimination, and it is exactly what federal labor law is designed to prevent." The union has asked Apple to reverse its decision and give Towson workers the same opportunity to transfer to other retail locations. The three stores that Apple is closing are located in struggling shopping malls that are slowly shutting down and losing foot traffic. Update: Apple has issued the following statement to MacRumors regarding the complaint:We strongly disagree with the claims made, and we will continue to abide by the agreement that was negotiated and agreed with the union. We look forward to presenting all of the facts to the NLRB.Tag: Apple StoreThis article, "Apple Hit With Unfair Labor Practice Charge for Refusing to Transfer Unionized Towson Workers" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy Glasses look nearly identical to Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses in leaked images from Android Headlines. The glasses, which could be announced at Google I/O next month, are code-named "Jinju" and will reportedly cost between $379 and $499, on par with the display-free Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2. They'll reportedly include a Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 processor, a 12-megapixel Sony IMX681 camera, a 155mAh battery, and bone conduction speakers; however, this pair won't have a built-in display. Samsung is reportedly saving a micro-LED display for a more premium pair of glasses, code-named "Haean," which it plans to launch in 20 … Read the full story at The Verge.

OpenAI and Microsoft's partnership-turned-situationship just got even less committed. And a clause about artificial general intelligence, which has for years dictated the future of their deal, has officially been dropped. On Monday morning, Microsoft announced a handful of big changes to its long-standing OpenAI deal. Microsoft will remain OpenAI's "primary cloud partner, and OpenAI products will ship first on Azure, unless Microsoft cannot and chooses not to support the necessary capabilities." But OpenAI can "now serve all its products to customers across any cloud provider." That lets OpenAI pursue its goals of courting enterprise custom … Read the full story at The Verge.

Spotify – yes, the music app – is expanding into video workouts in a new partnership with Peloton, and there’s a pretty big advantage over Fitbit here already. more…

Article URL: https://github.blog/news-insights/company-news/github-copilot-is-moving-to-usage-based-billing/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47923357 Points: 419 # Comments: 330

The new ‘Trips’ grouping in Samsung Wallet will become the go-to spot for reservations, tickets, and other travel plans. more…

Over the weekend, 9to5Google published an early look at Google’s new icons for Workspace apps such as Gmail and Drive and, already, someone has recreated the new look so you can use them early. more…

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by a sizable price drop on Galaxy Watch 8 Classic at $300 off alongside Galaxy Watch 8 from $200 and some notable Galaxy Tab offers at well below the new-, higher list prices – Tab S10 Lite up to $167 off and Tab S10 FE at $220 off. We also spotted the Google TV Streamer 4K dropping even lower to $77 shipped alongside Best Buy’s new Featured Top Deals of the Week sale – LG and Samsung OLED TVs from $600, appliance bundles up to $2,600 off, and more. Head below for a closer look. more…

Article URL: https://eclecticlight.co/2026/04/23/networking-changes-coming-in-macos-27/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47923010 Points: 153 # Comments: 128

Article URL: https://muffin.ink/blog/scratch-svg-sanitization/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47922957 Points: 137 # Comments: 53

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/27/politics/geofencing-supreme-g... Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47922940 Points: 171 # Comments: 110

Article URL: https://www.techzine.eu/news/infrastructure/140634/dutch-central-bank-chooses-lidl-for-european-cloud/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47922712 Points: 281 # Comments: 118

The latest set of updates for Pocket Casts on Android has added the ability to prevent auto-downloads to your device if you’re running low on storage. more…

Apple's MacBook Neo has recently been struck by delayed delivery estimates on Apple.com, due to the notebook's booming popularity. However, both Walmart and Amazon offer deliveries as soon as tomorrow, and even feature small discounts on the Neo. Following its launch in March, the ‌MacBook Neo‌ has become a big hit for Apple, with the company struggling to keep the computer in stock online and in Apple stores. As of writing, Apple.com quotes a 2-3 week delivery estimate on every model of the Neo in the U.S. and many other countries. If you want to prioritize saving a bit of money, Amazon has every model of the MacBook Neo for $9 off this week. Free delivery options place the Neo arriving as soon as May 2, while Prime members can get same-day shipping on the 256GB models in many locations. Over at Walmart, you won't find any discounts, but you will find similarly quick delivery estimates. Select locations should see delivery estimates as soon as April 28 through April 29 on every model of the ‌MacBook Neo‌. If you have Walmart+ instead of Amazon Prime, this could be a better option despite the lack of a straight cash discount. The ‌MacBook Neo‌ is Apple's low-cost Mac, priced at $599 for the 256GB model and $699 for the 512GB model with Touch ID. Students can get the computer for even cheaper at $499 through Apple's education store on its website. If you're shopping for the new M5 MacBook Air, Amazon is currently hosting big $150 discounts on nearly every model. Prices now start at $949.99 for the 512GB 13-inch model. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.Related Roundup: MacBook NeoBuyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now)Related Forum: MacBook NeoThis article, "MacBook Neo Still Seeing Extended Delivery Estimates at Apple, But Amazon and Walmart Have Stock" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

An updated deal between OpenAI and Microsoft will see the ChatGPT owner able to serve all of its products via cloud providers other than Microsoft. more…

Apple has decided to market two of its new products over the next year as "Ultra" devices, Macworld reports. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the report claims that Apple's first foldable iPhone will be called the "iPhone Ultra." The device will become the highest end option in the lineup. The ‌iPhone Ultra‌ will not be considered part of the iPhone 18 iPhone lineup, despite arriving alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max. This would be just like how the iPhone Air is not considered to be part of the iPhone 17 series. Although Apple is hoping to ship the ‌iPhone Ultra‌ alongside the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌, it may launch a few weeks later and with scarcer availability. Moreover, Apple is apparently planning to release a "MacBook Ultra" later this year or in early 2027. It will feature an OLED panel and a touchscreen, sitting above the MacBook Pro in the lineup at a "significantly" higher price point. While the device was originally intended to launch later this year, it is now likely pushed back by several months due to memory supply chain shortages. Apple already offers M-series Ultra chips, the Apple Watch Ultra, and CarPlay Ultra. "Ultra" branding for the foldable iPhone and OLED MacBook was previously rumored by Bloomberg, which added that "AirPods Ultra" could also be on the way.Related Roundups: iPhone Fold, MacBook ProTags: iPhone Ultra, MacBook Ultra, MacworldBuyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: MacBook ProThis article, "Apple Planning to Launch Two New 'Ultra' Products in the Next Year" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Article URL: https://lawrencecpaulson.github.io//2026/04/23/Why_not_Lean.html Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47922079 Points: 220 # Comments: 137

Samsung has been teasing its arrival in the fledgling smart glasses scene since the launch of Galaxy XR last fall, reportedly developing a pair without a display alongside one with a built-in screen. Now, we’re getting our first look at the display-less variant planned for launch later this year, and in comparison to some of its competition, this pair is looking pretty slick. more…

OpenAI is working on a smartphone in what appears to be a significant reversal from previous reports that the company had no plans to enter the phone market, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo shared the findings from his latest supply chain checks in a post on X, saying MediaTek and Qualcomm are the chosen chip partners and Luxshare Precision Industry is the exclusive manufacturing partner, with mass production scheduled for 2028. Exact chip specifications and additional suppliers are expected to be finalized by late 2026 or the first quarter of 2027. Kuo argues that the smartphone remains uniquely positioned for AI agent use because it is the only device that captures a user's full real-time state, including location, activity, communication, and context, which he describes as the most important input for real-time AI agent inference. He claims that AI agents will fundamentally change how people interact with a phone, shifting the focus from launching individual apps to completing tasks through a more continuous, context-aware interface. He argues that fully controlling both the operating system and the hardware is the only way for the company to deliver a comprehensive AI agent service, and that a subscription-bundled business model could enable OpenAI to build a developer ecosystem around those agents. Kuo suggests that Luxshare, which has long sought to reduce its dependence on Apple supply chain work, could benefit substantially from an early position in what he frames as the next generation of smartphone hardware. The development represents a notable reversal in OpenAI's publicly stated hardware strategy. Previous reports have consistently described the company's hardware ambitions as centered on non-phone form factors developed in collaboration with Jony Ive, the former Apple design chief whose startup io Products was acquired by OpenAI for $6.5 billion. Those plans include a smart speaker, which is likely the first product to launch, along with smart glasses, a smart lamp, and potentially earbuds. OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane has said the first hardware announcement is expected in the second half of 2026, with launch around early 2027. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted on X the same day Kuo published his analysis, writing that it "feels like a good time to seriously rethink how operating systems and user interfaces are designed." Such a device would obviously put OpenAI in direct competition with Apple's iPhone.Tags: Ming-Chi Kuo, OpenAIThis article, "OpenAI Reportedly Working on an AI Smartphone to Rival iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Earlier this month, Amazon introduced a few new record low prices on the M5 MacBook Air and the best deal is back today. You can get the 512GB 13-inch M5 MacBook Air for $949.99, down from $1,099.00, available in all colors. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. You'll find up to $150 off every model of the M5 MacBook Air on Amazon, with free delivery around May 2 for most models. In terms of other 13-inch models, Amazon also has the 24GB/1TB model for $1,349.00, down from $1,499.00. Both of these represent a match for the record low prices for each configuration. $149 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $949.99 $150 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,149.00 $150 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (24GB/1TB) for $1,349.00 In terms of the 15-inch models, you'll find up to $150 off the M5 MacBook Air, with multiple color options on sale for each configuration. Prices start at $1,149.99 for the 512GB model, down from $1,299.00, and also include both 1TB models on sale. $149 OFF15-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,149.99 $150 OFF15-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,349.00 $150 OFF15-inch M5 MacBook Air (24GB/1TB) for $1,549.00 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "Apple's M5 MacBook Air Returns to $949.99 Low Price on Amazon" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Gift Article: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-27/microsoft...https://openai.com/index/next-phase-of-microsoft-partnership...https://x.com/ajassy/status/2048806022253609115 Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47921248 Points: 605 # Comments: 528

Scored 65.2% vs google's official 47.8%, and the existing top closed source model Junie CLI's 64.3%.Since there are a lot of reports of deliberate cheating on TerminalBench 2.0 lately (https://debugml.github.io/cheating-agents/), I would like to also clarify a few things1. Absolutely no {agents/skills}.md files were inserted at any point. No cheating mechanisms whatsoever2. The cli agent was run in leaderboard compliant way (no modification of resources or timeouts)3. The full terminal bench run was done using the fully open source version of the agent, no difference between what is on github and what was run.I was originally going to wait for it to land on the leaderboard, but it has been 8 days and the maintainers do not respond unfortunately (there is a large backlog of the pull requests on their HF) so I decided to post anyways.HF PR: https://huggingface.co/datasets/harborframework/terminal-ben...It is astounding how much the harness matters, based on this and other experiments I have done. Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47920787 Points: 271 # Comments: 105

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-blocks-fore...https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj0v0gr2yz7o Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47920315 Points: 164 # Comments: 92

Article URL: https://www.alexselimov.com/posts/men_who_stare_at_walls/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47920074 Points: 347 # Comments: 178

It wasn't necessarily a surprise given circulating rumors, but the biggest news in the Apple world this week was the announcement that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO, with John Ternus taking over the reins as of September 1. Other recent news included updated details on color options for the iPhone 18 Pro, as well as fresh rumors about the standard iPhone 18 and timing for the launch of the highly anticipated touch screen-equipped MacBook Pro and updated Mac Studio, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! Top Stories Apple CEO Tim Cook Stepping Down, John Ternus Taking Over Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down as chief executive officer, and hardware engineering chief John Ternus is set to take over, Apple announced this week. Cook will continue on as Apple CEO through the summer, with Ternus set to join Apple's Board of Directors and take over as CEO on September 1, 2026. Cook is going to transition to executive chairman, and he will "assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world." In an all-hands meeting for Apple employees following the announcement, Cook said that he remains healthy and that he plans to stay in the executive chairman role "for a long time." Apple's current chip chief Johny Srouji will also be taking on an expanded role as Chief Hardware Officer, adding oversight of the Hardware Engineering group that had reported to John Ternus to his existing responsibilities with Apple's Hardware Technologies group. iPhone 18 Pro's Four Rumored Colors Revealed, Including 'Dark Cherry' A source said to be familiar with Apple's supply chain recently revealed the color options Apple is planning for the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max. The information comes from Macworld, which says the signature new color for this year's Pro models will be Dark Cherry, a deep wine-like red. While other sources had previously reported on a "Dark Red" option, the hue is said to be considerably closer to wine than a brighter red. According to Macworld's source, Apple has been working on four color options for the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and Pro Max, with the following Pantone codes said to be in use internally: Light Blue (Pantone 2121), resembling the current iPhone 17's Mist Blue Dark Cherry (Pantone 6076), the headline new color Dark Gray (Pantone 426C) Silver (Pantone 427C), similar to the current generation MacBook Pro With Touch Screen and New Mac Studio Likely 'Postponed' The global memory chip shortage may result in the next MacBook Pro and Mac Studio models launching later than expected, according to the latest rumor. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has repeatedly stated that 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with a touch screen are slated to launch in late 2026 to early 2027. In his Power On newsletter this week, though, he said to be prepared for the laptops to potentially arrive towards the end of that timeframe due to the chip shortage. In other words, early 2027 is now more likely than late 2026. Gurman previously expected a new Mac Studio to launch around the middle of 2026, which pointed towards an announcement around WWDC 2026 in June. However, in his newsletter, he wrote that sources within Apple believe that the next Mac Studio models will not ship until around October this year as a result of the shortage. Leaker: Apple Downgrading iPhone 18 to Cut Costs Apple is downgrading the planned specifications of the standard iPhone 18 to cut costs, a leaker claims. In a new post on Weibo, the user known as "Fixed Focus Digital" said that the ‌iPhone 18‌ features "certain manufacturing downgrades" that bring it more into line with the low-cost iPhone 18e model. The decision is said to be "a cost-cutting measure" that will "effectively bring it in line with the '18e' model." In follow-up posts, the leaker provided further detail indicating the iPhone 18 is likely to see downgrades to the display and main chip

Amazon today has the AirPods 4 available for $99.00, down from $129.00. This remains one of the best deals on the AirPods 4 so far in 2026, and it's accompanied by a solid deal on the AirPods Max 2. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Apple's new AirPods Max 2 launched earlier this month, and Amazon is still one of the only retailers offering a discount on the headphones. You can get the Midnight and Starlight color options for $529.99 on Amazon, down from $549.00. $30 OFFAirPods 4 for $99.00 $19 OFFAirPods Max 2 for $529.99 Although this is only a $19 discount on the AirPods Max 2, it's the best markdown you'll find online if you're looking to order the new headphones. Free delivery has the AirPods Max 2 arriving around April 30, but they can be delivered as soon as tomorrow with Prime shipping. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "Get AirPods 4 for $99 and AirPods Max 2 for $529.99 on Amazon" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple is planning to start showing ads in the Apple Maps app this summer, and signs of ads have already shown up in the iOS 26.5 beta as Apple prepares to roll them out. Where Ads Show Up Ads will be displayed in the ‌Apple Maps‌ search interface. Depending on the search, relevant ads will be shown first in search results. Apple is also implementing a new Suggested Places feature in Maps that will show recommendations based on what's trending nearby and the user's recent searches. Suggested Places The Maps app is getting a Suggested Places feature that recommends locations to visit based on trending places that are around you and your recent Maps searches. Ads will be shown in Suggested Places. No Opt-Out Similar to ads in the App Store, there will be no option to turn off ads in ‌Apple Maps‌. Ads will be displayed for all users in the U.S. and Canada. Countries Ads will be shown in ‌Apple Maps‌ in the United States and Canada first, and could expand to other countries in the future. Platforms Ads will be displayed in the Maps app on iPhone and iPad. What Ads Look Like Apple says that ads in Maps will be clearly marked as ads with an "Ad" label, similar to how ads show up in the ‌App Store‌ search results. Businesses will be able to bid for ad placement, which is how ads in the ‌App Store‌ work. The highest bidder for a given term will have their ad shown in the app. Privacy Your location and ads that you see and interact with in the Maps app are not associated with your Apple Account, and the data is not shared with third parties. Beta Testing Apple is laying the groundwork for Maps ads in the iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 betas. There's an ads splash screen in the Maps app along with underlying ad code, but ads are not yet live. Launch Date Apple only said "summer" for the ads launch. "Summer" in the Northern Hemisphere starts on June 21 and ends on September 22. iOS 26.5 is likely to launch in late May or early June, and it's possible ads will be tied to the update.Tag: Apple MapsThis article, "Ads Are Coming to Apple Maps This Summer: Here's What to Expect" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

X today launched XChat, a standalone messaging app for the iPhone and iPad, available now on the App Store. XChat allows users to chat with anyone on X in a private, focused space separate from the main X app. At launch, the app supports direct messaging and group chats, audio and video calls, and file sharing. X claims all messages are end-to-end encrypted and PIN protected, with no ads or tracking. Other features include disappearing messages, the ability to edit and delete messages for everyone in a chat, and a mechanism to block or alert users when a screenshot is attempted. The app is free to download and requires iOS 26.0 or later. Chat with anyone on X.Completely private.Now on your home screen.Download for iOS: https://t.co/wBBfjJyJmu pic.twitter.com/u0QeGs1Z3D— XChat (@chat) April 24, 2026 The app has been in testing with a small group of beta users since last year. X says more updates are still planned, with X lead designer Benji Taylor teasing that XChat is "just the beginning of what we're building for messaging." Unlike the main X app, XChat adopts iOS 26 design conventions, including the ‌iOS 26‌ keyboard. The app offers several customization options, including light and dark modes, message permissions, left-swipe interaction settings, and a selection of app icon options. There is also a prominent button within XChat for jumping back to the main X app. XChat can now be downloaded from the App Store in the United States. A release date for an Android version of the app has not yet been announced.Tag: TwitterThis article, "XChat App Now Available" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple's standard iPhone 18 could feature 12GB of memory for the first time, according to analyst Dan Nystedt. In a new post on X, Nystedt said that the standard ‌iPhone 18‌ will match the 12GB of RAM Apple gave the iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max last September. It would mark the first time the entry-level iPhone model has shipped with that much memory. This rumor making the rounds again, add 12GB of RAM. https://t.co/vP14mEn5le— Dan Nystedt (@dnystedt) April 24, 2026 Nystedt also flagged an earlier rumor claiming that Apple has secured TSMC's first 2nm chip production run for the A20 chip set to power the ‌iPhone 18‌ lineup. According to that report, TSMC's 2nm process delivers 15% better computing performance than 3nm, with no loss in power efficiency. The iPhone 17 series uses TSMC's N3P ‌3nm‌ node. The jump to 12GB of RAM on the base model is likely tied to Apple Intelligence. Apple is expected to introduce expanded AI features with iOS 27, which the company is set to announce at WWDC on June 8. On-device AI workloads are memory-intensive, and keeping the entry-level iPhone capable of running ‌Apple Intelligence‌ in full would give Apple reason to push the standard model's memory up to par with last year's Pro tier. The ‌iPhone 18‌ is not expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro this fall. Apple is reportedly planning to delay the standard model until early 2027, alongside the iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air, while the Pro models and the long-anticipated foldable iPhone will ship in the usual fall time frame.Related Roundup: iPhone 18Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "iPhone 18 Could Come With 12GB of RAM" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Wisconsin has filed a civil complaint in Dane County Circuit Court accusing Kalshi, Robinhood, and Coinbase, along with affiliated subsidiaries, of operating what it describes as illegal sports betting through prediction markets and event contracts under state law. The complaint opens by reaffirming the state’s gambling restrictions, stating: “Sports betting has long been illegal in Wisconsin, with exceptions only for certain Native American tribal gaming operations.” It further alleges coordinated conduct among the companies: “Yet three companies—Kalshi, Robinhood, and Coinbase—are working together to facilitate illegal sports betting throughout the state.” State alleges disguised sports wagering through “event contracts” Wisconsin argues the platforms are effectively enabling sports wagering while rebranding it as financial trading. The complaint states: “Through their so-called ‘prediction markets,’ Kalshi, Robinhood, and Coinbase profit from Wisconsin residents placing bets on the outcome of sporting events, just like how ordinary casino sportsbooks profit from the bets people make there.” The filing contends that the underlying structure mirrors traditional gambling products despite its financial-market framing. College basketball betting used as key example As part of its argument, Wisconsin cites specific examples from college athletics betting activity. The complaint notes: For instance, Wisconsinites could use these companies’ services to place all kinds of bets on the recent NCAA college basketball tournament, including who would win the Final Four matchup between the University of Michigan and the University of Arizona, which team would cover the point spread, and even which team would first score ten points.” The state argues these offerings demonstrate that the platforms are functionally indistinguishable from sportsbook-style wagering. Allegation of “casino-style” mechanics behind trading language The complaint also focuses on how the platforms generate revenue, stating: “And for every bet made, these companies collect a fee akin to a casino’s rake at a poker table.” Wisconsin argues that this fee structure reinforces its claim that the companies are operating gambling services rather than neutral financial marketplaces. The filing further claims the companies use financial terminology to mask gambling mechanics. It states: “Kalshi, Robinhood, and Coinbase use a fig leaf to disguise the casino-style sports betting they facilitate in Wisconsin.” “They relabel their sports bets as ‘event contracts,’ meaning contracts traded between buyers and sellers at agreed-upon prices that mimic the odds of a sports-related outcome.” Pricing structure tied to implied probabilities Wisconsin also details how contract pricing reflects real-time probability estimates. “As of April 3, 2026, traders could buy contracts taking the position that the University of Michigan would win its Final Four matchup with the University of Arizona for around $0.53, which reflected a roughly 53% projected chance of Michigan winning.” It adds that payouts function in binary fashion: winning positions pay $1 per contract, while losing positions expire worthless, mirroring traditional betting outcomes. Broader legal pressure on prediction markets Separately, prediction market operators are facing increasing regulatory scrutiny across multiple jurisdictions. In New York, regulators and prosecutors have pursued actions involving Coinbase and Gemini over compliance and consumer protection concerns tied to trading products. Kalshi is also engaged in ongoing litigation, including an injunction request in Montana seeking to block state-level restrictions on its contracts, while an Arizona court is handling procedural disputes in a separate challenge involving the classification of event contracts. Wisconsin seeks injunction and legal classification Wisconsin is asking the court to halt the companies from offering sports-related event contracts within the

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have accused a U.S. Army soldier of turning secret military knowledge into a lucrative betting scheme, saying he pocketed more than $400,000 by wagering on a classified operation. According to court filings, Van Dyke was stationed at Fort Bragg and had access to classified planning materials related to the operation, which aimed to capture Maduro. He had signed agreements explicitly barring him from disclosing or using that information. Bets on Maduro’s capture Prosecutors say he created a Polymarket account in late December 2025 and placed around 13 bets. Each wager backed outcomes tied to U.S. military involvement in Venezuela and Maduro’s removal from power. In total, authorities say he staked about $33,000, consistently betting “YES” on those scenarios. Events unfolded quickly. In the early hours of Jan. 3, 2026, U.S. special forces captured Maduro in Caracas. Once the operation became public, the prediction markets resolved in Van Dyke’s favor, bringing him roughly $409,881, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors: “Clear Insider Trading” Prediction markets are not a haven for using misappropriated confidential or classified information for personal gain,” Clayton said, calling the alleged conduct a direct breach of federal trust and national security obligations. Prosecutors argue that Van Dyke’s actions meet the definition of insider trading in substance, if not in traditional market form, because they relied on nonpublic military intelligence to generate profit. They say the trades were not based on analysis or speculation, but on advance knowledge of a real-world classified operation’s timing and outcome. Alleged attempts to conceal funds According to court filings, Van Dyke allegedly took steps to obscure the source and movement of his winnings shortly after the operation became public. Prosecutors say he transferred funds through cryptocurrency channels designed to mask transaction history, including routing assets through a foreign-based digital wallet service before moving them into a brokerage account. Authorities also allege he attempted to delete or deactivate his Polymarket account and modified related crypto account details in an effort to disrupt the financial trail. Blanche underscored the government’s position on misuse of classified access, stating that service members are entrusted with sensitive intelligence solely to execute missions, not to derive personal financial benefit from it. Growing Scrutiny of Prediction Markets The case arrives amid increasing scrutiny of prediction markets and event-based trading platforms. Regulators and lawmakers have raised concerns about insider access to politically or militarily sensitive information being used for profit. In a separate case, political candidates have also faced penalties tied to trading on election-related contracts, underscoring broader concerns about market integrity. FBI, DOJ response and potential sentencing “Today’s announcement makes clear no one is above the law,” Patel said, adding that the FBI would act to protect national security and classified information. If convicted, Van Dyke faces up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud count, along with additional penalties on related charges. Prosecutors say sentencing would ultimately be determined by a judge. Featured image: Wesley Tingey/Unsplash The post U.S. soldier accused of using classified intel in $400K betting scheme appeared first on ReadWrite.

Caesars Entertainment is now facing a proposed federal class action that says the casino and hotel company failed to protect customer information during a second cyber incident, coming after its widely reported 2023 breach. The case was filed in Nevada on behalf of plaintiff Mark Huddleston, a Texas resident who says he has belonged to Caesars Rewards since 2007 and has regularly gambled with Caesars both online and in person. He says Caesars gathered personal information through those transactions and loyalty program activity over many years. NEW: Caesars hit with class action alleging 2026 data breach exposed customer info after 2023 hack, raising fraud fears. @RWW pic.twitter.com/vLVEJAIQ5G— Suswati Basu (@suswatibasu) April 22, 2026 Huddleston is seeking to hold Caesars responsible for injuries allegedly caused by “Caesars’s inadequate data security,” which the complaint says resulted in private information being exposed to unauthorized third parties. The filing refers to the incident as the “Data Breach.” According to the lawsuit, reviewed by ReadWrite, Caesars had already experienced a data breach in September 2023. It alleges that despite that earlier event, the company “failed to implement the requisite security measures, and failed to prevent another Data Breach from occurring in early 2026.” The complaint says customer data was again taken by cybercriminals, leaving proposed class members exposed to “an elevated and significant risk of fraud and identity theft.” Caesars alleged data breach puts privacy promises under scrutiny The suit says information affected in the 2026 incident included at least customer contact details and dates of birth. It adds that based on what was exposed in 2023, “it can be expected that even more sensitive information, including Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers were also stolen in 2026.” The complaint also points to Caesars’ privacy policy, which states: “We maintain physical, electronic and organizational safeguards that reasonably and appropriately protect against the loss, misuse and alteration of the information under our control.” Huddleston argues those promises were misleading. The lawsuit says Caesars “did not ‘maintain physical, electronic and organizational safeguards that reasonably and appropriately protect against the loss, misuse and alteration of the information under our control.’” It further claims customers still face long-term consequences because their information may remain in circulation. The filing says class members now face “a present and continuing risk of fraud and identity theft for years to come.” The proposed nationwide class would include “All persons in the United States whose Private Information was compromised in the Caesars’s Data Breach discovered in March, 2026.” Claims in the case include negligence, breach of implied contract, unjust enrichment, negligence per se, and alleged violations of the Nevada Consumer Fraud Act. The suit seeks damages, credit monitoring, identity theft protection services, and court-ordered security improvements.The Caesars case arrives as other gambling operators face similar scrutiny. ReadWrite recently reported the litigation tied to alleged Wynn Resorts data breaches, including a separate federal class action. We also found that German gambling company Merkur was hit by a major cyberattack. ReadWrite has reached out to Caesars Entertainment for comment. Featured image: Bernard Spragg via Flickr / CC0 1.0 The post Caesars faces new lawsuit after second alleged data security breach claims appeared first on ReadWrite.

Sportradar pushed back hard Wednesday after a short-selling firm accused the company of having meaningful links to unlawful betting sites. “A short report issued today contains factual inaccuracies about the company, and we unequivocally challenge these assertions,” a Sportradar spokesperson told ReadWrite. NEW: @Sportradar responds to claims its profits are tied to illegal gambling revenues, saying it "demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of our business."   @RWW pic.twitter.com/PYSOtJxBve— Suswati Basu (@suswatibasu) April 22, 2026 The company said the report misread both its operations and the wider betting market. The spokesperson added: “The report demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of our business and the industry and was authored by a short seller trying to erode shareholder value and profit from stock disruption.” Callisto Research published the report and disclosed that it held a short position in Sportradar shares. It says Sportradar’s image as a sports integrity specialist conflicts with allegations that some websites using its tools or feeds operate unlawfully. Callisto said it found “over 270 individual platforms” that it says use Sportradar products or services while operating illegally in regulated or prohibited markets. It also alleged that some lacked licences and that certain regulators had started reviews. ReadWrite has not independently verified those allegations. Sportradar compliance questions and short seller market reaction to alleged illegal betting Sportradar answered by pointing to its controls, licensing checks and public disclosures. “Sportradar works exclusively with licensed operators, follows strict global compliance, and due diligence standards, and we stand by our independently audited financial statements, risk disclosures, and information provided to investors and regulators,” the spokesperson said. The company also stressed its internal standards. The company added: “We conduct our business with the highest ethical standards consistent with company policies, laws and regulations.” The Callisto document focuses on examples where Sportradar widgets, virtual sports products, backend tools or branding allegedly appeared on sites aimed at places where gambling is limited or banned. Separate appendices released with research materials from Muddy Waters Research describe technical methods used to identify what the authors said were customer integrations. These included reviews of client IDs, widget loaders and licensing endpoints. Even so, code snippets, branding elements, old references or third-party integrations on external websites do not automatically prove a current commercial relationship. They also do not by themselves establish knowledge, misconduct or a regulatory breach by Sportradar. Short-seller reports are written by investors who benefit if a company’s share price drops. That does not mean every claim lacks merit, but it does mean the research comes from an interested party. Such reports commonly include disclaimers stating they are not investment advice. At the time of writing, Sportradar stock was down 23% ahead of reporting its first quarter results on May 6. The combo punch of @callistores and @muddywatersre has sent Sportradar reeling. $SRADTake your twenties, gentlemen. pic.twitter.com/Xv5kaozn4Q— Codfish Johnny (@CodfishJohnny) April 22, 2026 Sportradar sells sports data, integrity monitoring and betting technology to leagues, bookmakers and media groups around the world. Because the company has long promoted anti-match-fixing work and regulatory compliance, any prolonged scrutiny of those claims could draw investor attention even while management firmly rejects the accusations. As of publication, no regulator had publicly announced enforcement action against Sportradar tied to the specific allegations in the report. Featured image: Sportradar The post Sportradar denies short seller claims of links to illegal betting appeared first on ReadWrite.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order blocking state workers from using confidential government information to make money on prediction markets, calling the practice a threat to public trust. The order was signed on Wednesday (April 22) in Albany and took effect immediately. It applies to covered state officers and employees. They are barred from using “any nonpublic information obtained in the course of their official duties” to seek gains or avoid losses through trades on prediction market platforms. They also cannot help other people profit by passing along inside information. NEW: @GovKathyHochul signs EO No. 60 barring state workers from using insider info to profit on prediction markets, violation means firing @RWW #PredictionMarkets pic.twitter.com/b6kyiGngD5— Suswati Basu (@suswatibasu) April 22, 2026 Violations can bring dismissal, other discipline, and possible referrals to law enforcement or ethics agencies. “Getting rich by betting on inside information is corruption, plain and simple,” Hochul said in the state’s announcement. “Our actions will ensure that public servants work for the people they represent, not their own personal enrichment.” We’ve all seen it. Anonymous traders betting on government secrets and walking away with massive payouts.Washington is fine with it. New York isn’t. pic.twitter.com/LUKXG5szCL— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) April 22, 2026 Prediction markets let users buy and sell contracts based on whether future events happen. The governor’s office said those events can include “outcomes of military activity, election results, or the severity of natural disasters,” along with “obscure and manipulable events” such as “the attire of public officials at appearances” or “the volume of social media posts made by an individual.” How the Hochul insider trading order reaches prediction markets The executive order says ethics rules need to keep pace with newer trading platforms. It states that “the maintenance of public trust is founded on the principle that public servants are charged with using their positions to benefit the public good,” and that officials should not use access to government information “for personal financial gain.” It also says the “recent proliferation of prediction markets” has raised the risk that people with privileged knowledge may try to profit by “trading on insider information.” Each public authority in New York is directed to adopt matching policies for officers and employees who serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The order defines a prediction market as an exchange-traded platform or service not licensed or permitted by the New York State Gaming Commission, where participants trade contracts tied to future events including elections, sports, economic indicators, or the actions and speech of individuals. The move lands as prediction markets face heavier scrutiny across the country. We previously reported the controversy around a Polymarket contract tied to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, where questions were raised about settlement decisions and whether insiders could benefit from opaque processes. In a video statement posted on X, Hochul pointed to what she called “really suspicious bets with huge payoffs” including the Polymarket contract tied to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, markets on the timing and location of military actions in Iran, and even bets on the length of White House press briefings. She said insider trading in stocks has long been illegal, but argued similar conduct on prediction markets can happen with “zero consequences.” She also drew a contrast with Washington, saying, “some in Washington think this is fair, but here in New York, we say no.” The state has also been aggressive in policing other financial platforms. State regulators have pursued major crypto companies including Coinbase and Gemini in separate legal actions centered on compliance, disclosures, and consumer protections. At the same t

Prediction-market exchange Kalshi has publicly identified three political candidates it says violated rules that bar traders from betting on contests they can influence. Their names appeared in formal enforcement notices after the company first announced the cases without identifying anyone. Kalshi earlier published a company update titled “Enforcement update: Kalshi continues crackdown on political insider trading,” saying three investigations had been completed. The company wrote: “Today, we’re releasing notices related to three enforcement investigations.” It added that “All three cases concern political insider trading and were flagged because of our newly released safeguards to block political candidates from trading on their own elections.” Today, we're releasing notices related to three enforcement investigations.All three cases concern political insider trading and were flagged because of our newly released safeguards to block political candidates from trading on their own elections.Kalshi does not tolerate…— robertjdenault (@robertjdenault) April 22, 2026 It described the punishments but did not name the people involved. Public disciplinary records linked to the update identified them as Matt Klein, Mark Moran, and Ezekiel Enriquez.  Who are the alleged election candidates penalized by Kalshi? Prediction markets appear to be pushing deeper into the worlds of politics and sport, raising urgent questions about whether they can truly guard against insider advantage. Critics warn that when candidates, campaign operatives, donors, or others with privileged access are allowed to trade on election-linked contracts, the integrity of those markets is immediately called into question. Kalshi, for its part, says it is tightening the net. The company has stated stronger restrictions on politicians and athletes, increased automated surveillance, and improved reviews designed to identify conflicts before they can distort the market, following another two insider trading cases. The company said the three matters showed how internal controls can identify improper activity. In its update, Kalshi said the cases demonstrated how “developing proactive engineering solutions can help identify illicit trading activity.” Kalshi has also argued that prediction markets can function as information tools rather than gambling products. However, it depends heavily on confidence that insiders cannot profit from private knowledge or direct control over outcomes. The three candidate cases In the first matter, a settlement notice said Klein had “announced himself as a candidate for public office and was added as a market option for a contract on [election].” The notice continued: “As a candidate, Klein qualified as a direct decision maker for the contract and had direct influence on the outcome of the Underlying event.” Kalshi said Klein then traded “in violation of Rule 5.17(z),” which prohibits users from trading on markets where they are a decision-maker or have influence over the outcome. Under the settlement, Kalshi suspended Klein from direct or indirect access to the platform for five years and imposed a $539.85 financial penalty. Klein is a Democratic Minnesota state senator and reported he admitted making a $50 wager. In a statement on X, Klein wrote: “In October 2025 I heard from friends that there was a prediction market site with wagers on my primary race. I had never wagered on a predictions market previously. I was curious about how it worked. I set up an account and bet $50 of my own funds that I would win the primary.  !I was informed in March of 2026 that this was a violation of the platform rules. In compliance with their request, I paid a penalty and agreed to be suspended from the platform. That was the only wager I have ever made on a predictions market. This was a mistake, and I apologize.” pic.twitter.com/gjQgGGWxrx— Dr. Matt Klein (@DrMattKleinMN) April 22, 2026 The second case involved Mark Moran. Kalshi alleged that “in N

A federal appeals court has given the Comanche Nation a mixed but meaningful win in its fight over the Warm Springs Casino run by the Fort Sill Apache Tribe near Lawton, Oklahoma. In a decision filed Tuesday (April 21), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit said part of the lawsuit can keep moving even after arguments that tribal sovereign immunity should block the case. Judges said the Comanche Nation may continue claims under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, known as IGRA, against Fort Sill Apache officials sued in their official roles. NEW: Tenth Circuit splits casino immunity case: Comanche Nation IGRA claims survive, while Fort Sill Apache officials win partial RICO shield @RWW pic.twitter.com/W7xOcyrTNH— Suswati Basu (@suswatibasu) April 21, 2026 The dispute began after Warm Springs Casino opened in 2022. According to the ruling, the Comanche Nation runs nearby gaming properties and claimed that “The resulting competition made the Nation’s casinos less profitable.” The Nation asked the court to stop casino operations and award damages. The opinion says the Nation alleged the casino “was opened in violation of federal law.” Writing for the three-judge panel, Circuit Judge Timothy Tymkovich said the court would “affirm in part and reverse in part.” Why the Warm Springs Casino ruling supporting the Comanche Nation matters The panel said “the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) abrogates the Tribe’s sovereign immunity defense, so the Nation can proceed with its official-capacity claims under IGRA.” It keeps alive the central argument that Warm Springs Casino may be operating outside the Fort Sill Apache Tribe’s gaming compact with Oklahoma. The Comanche Nation contends the casino sits on land that does not qualify as Fort Sill Apache land under that compact. Judges said the complaint alleges the Tsalote Allotment remains Kiowa land, not Fort Sill Apache land. At this stage, the court said it had to accept properly pleaded allegations as true. The ruling also said the claim fits a federal provision allowing suits “initiated by a State or Indian tribe to enjoin a class III gaming activity located on Indian lands and conducted in violation of any Tribal-State compact.” But the Comanche Nation did not win across the board. The judges rejected official-capacity racketeering claims under RICO that sought injunctions and declarations. The panel said the Ex Parte Young exception could not be used here because the complaint did not tie the named officials to ongoing casino operations. As the panel put it, “Ex Parte Young does not help the Nation because its claims are not against officials charged with operating the casino.” The court separately allowed individual-capacity RICO damages claims to continue, saying those claims target officials personally rather than the tribe itself. Because of that, judges wrote, “they cannot raise the Tribe’s sovereign immunity.” The panel did not decide whether those officials might later assert qualified immunity. The case now returns to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The decision lands amid wider tribal gaming battles, including a temporary casino deal involving Yocha Dehe, Vallejo, and Scotts Valley in California, and a paused northern California tribal casino lawsuit. Featured image: Google Maps The post Appeals court revives Comanche challenge to Oklahoma tribal casino lawsuit appeared first on ReadWrite.

MGM Resorts International said Tuesday (April 21) it finished the sale of the operating business at MGM Northfield Park, wrapping up a $546 million all-cash transaction that hands control of the Ohio property to funds managed by Clairvest Group Inc. The company announced the closing from Las Vegas and framed the move as another step in reshaping its holdings while unlocking money for other priorities. The sale had been expected and now formally removes the racino from MGM’s operating lineup. Dear guests, please see detailed FAQs about our property's transition here: https://t.co/f8w8gNlfcy pic.twitter.com/XVIJ0GwpPC— Northfield Park Racino (@RacinoNP) April 17, 2026 Executives said the Northfield Park property had become a leading venue in its region and credited employees for sustaining performance in a competitive market. “MGM Northfield Park is a market-leading property supported by a talented team that has consistently delivered outstanding guest experiences,” said Bill Hornbuckle, CEO & President, MGM Resorts International.  “The property has a strong foundation, and we extend our best wishes to the team and new ownership for continued success in the next chapter of the property’s evolution.” The transaction also changes MGM’s lease structure with VICI Properties Inc. MGM said its master lease, which previously included MGM Northfield Park, was amended at closing and will lower annual rent by $53 million. After taxes and deal expenses, MGM expects to receive about $420 million in net cash proceeds. That gives the company additional flexibility as it weighs investments, debt management, and shareholder returns. Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Halkyard said the sale showcases the strength of MGM’s operating assets while allowing the company to move on from a property it no longer views as core to long-term plans. “The closing of this transaction underscores the value of MGM’s high-quality operations and provides an opportunity to divest a non-strategic regional asset at a significantly higher multiple than currently ascribed to our premium portfolio,” said Jonathan Halkyard, CFO, MGM Resorts International. “The proceeds will be deployed in line with our priorities of maintaining a strong balance sheet, selectively investing in growth opportunities, and returning capital to shareholders.” MGM said Northfield Park produced roughly $142 million in adjusted EBITDAR for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025. The company noted that adjusted EBITDAR is a non-GAAP financial measure often used in gaming and hospitality to compare property-level performance. Advisers on the sale included Jefferies LLC and SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. Legal counsel was provided by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Northfield Park sale gives MGM more room for capital plans The completed transaction adds liquidity while MGM continues to concentrate on larger resort destinations and digital gaming interests. The company has repeatedly said it wants to focus capital where returns can be strongest. MGM Resorts operates casino and hotel properties across the United States and in international markets. It also holds online sports betting and iGaming interests through BetMGM and related brands, while pursuing a major integrated resort project in Japan as part of its Asia growth strategy. Featured image: MGM Resorts via Facebook The post MGM completes Northfield Park sale for $546M appeared first on ReadWrite.

Resorts World New York City says it plans to open New York City’s first live table games casino on April 28, bringing blackjack, craps, baccarat and roulette to Queens in a major expansion beside Aqueduct Racetrack. The start still depends on final testing by the New York Gaming Commission this week. If regulators sign off, the property says it will become the first place in the five boroughs to run live dealer table games. A rebuilt third floor is set to debut with more than 240 tables and over 1,500 gaming positions spread across blackjack, craps, baccarat and roulette. Guests will also find more than 2,500 slot machines on opening day. The company says thousands of additional machines are expected later in 2026. Resorts World New York City will open its table games April 28, the casino announced earlier today; Resorts World in Queens will become the first legal casino in New York City to offer live dealer table games— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) April 21, 2026 “New York City has never seen anything like what we’re planning for April 28. Once the Gaming Commission’s final testing is complete, live table games will be open and operating right here in Queens for the first time in the history of New York City. We are ready to welcome New Yorkers to this exciting new experience,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East.  “Resorts World now employees over 2,200 Team Members and have already doubled our workforce and expect thousands more Team Members as the integrated resort is developed over the next three years. This is a transformational moment for Resorts World New York City, and we cannot wait to share it with our fellow New Yorkers.” Resorts World Queens casino hiring ramped up ahead of live tables opening Ahead of the launch, Resorts World says it added 1,250 jobs, including 950 new table-game dealers. Most of those hires completed orientation during several sessions this week. The company says its workforce now stands at about 2,200 people and could climb past 2,700 by summer as operations grow. Resorts World New York City lanyards are seen ahead of the casino’s live table games launch. Credit: Whitmore Studios / Resorts World Executives also pointed out a local training pipeline. Resorts World says its Introduction to Gaming program began in 2022 and has trained more than 350 residents for gaming careers. It also says the Resorts World Dealer School has already trained and hired more than 400 local residents in Queens, with another 500 graduates expected by May. A formal opening ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, at 9:30 a.m. with plans calling for a ribbon-cutting and a ceremonial first roll of the dice. The company says Genting Chairman KT Lim and NAS are expected to attend alongside elected officials, community leaders and other guests. The property at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd. in Jamaica says it remains the city’s only casino-hotel and has generated nearly $5 billion for New York public education since 2011. It also includes the 400-room Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World New York City, which opened in 2021. The expansion arrives as New York moves toward awarding three downstate casino licenses. Resorts World has submitted a reported $5.5 billion proposal to redevelop the site into a larger integrated resort, and its community advisory committee recently advanced the bid to the next stage. Featured: Whitmore Studios / Resorts World The post Resorts World Queens casino to debut first live tables in April appeared first on ReadWrite.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has opened what may become one of the biggest state fights yet over prediction markets, suing Coinbase and Gemini and accusing both companies of running illegal online gambling operations. The paired cases were filed in New York Supreme Court and ask judges for heavy financial penalties that could ripple across a fast-growing corner of crypto finance. State lawyers say residents were allowed to stake money on sports, elections, and entertainment results without the gaming licenses New York requires for legal wagering. In the attorney general’s view, calling those products market contracts does not change what they are. .@Gemini and @coinbase's so-called prediction markets are just illegal gambling operations that expose young people to addictive platforms.Gambling by another name is still gambling. I'm suing to stop these platforms from breaking the law.https://t.co/DosDKe2un1— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) April 21, 2026 James said the companies cannot sidestep gambling law by changing labels, and that “New Yorkers deserve the protections that come with legal, regulated gaming.” Her office said it wants the court to force both firms to surrender profits, compensate consumers, and “pay fines equal to three times the profits the companies made through their illegal actions.” The filings also ask for permanent court orders stopping the businesses from continuing in New York. New York AG launches sweeping state investigation against Coinbase and Gemini The complaints address how much direct testing state investigators say they carried out themselves. According to the filings, investigators placed about 22,000 bets on Coinbase and another 12,000 bets on Gemini over roughly two and a half months. The New York AG's Office placed 12,000 bets on Gemini over a two-and-a-half-month period. pic.twitter.com/k9AKRpCokL— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) April 21, 2026 The complaints indicate investigators tracked how accounts were opened, how wagers were entered, what fees were charged, and how payouts moved back to users. The timing matters because New York already runs one of the country’s most tightly controlled sports betting systems. Licensed mobile sportsbooks operate under strict rules, identity checks, and tax rates that have produced more than $1 billion a year for the state. Officials argue prediction markets cut around that structure while avoiding the same safeguards. James has recently tied the spread of prediction markets to concerns often raised about sports betting expansion, especially risks for young men and vulnerable consumers. State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr., a key Albany voice on gaming issues, previously told ReadWrite that federally regulated event-contract platforms may be pushing into territory traditionally overseen by states. The allegations against Gemini Titan and Coinbase The Gemini complaint says Gemini Titan LLC rolled out Gemini Predictions in December 2025 and made the product available across the country, including New York. Prosecutors cite Gemini’s own statement that it was “now live across all 50 U.S. states.” State lawyers say users could take positions on outcomes ranging from the Super Bowl to college basketball and reality television, including “Survivor Season 50.” The petition argues Gemini “seeks to avoid the legal and financial consequences of New York’s close regulation of gambling by offering what is quintessentially wagering under the guise of offering ‘event contracts’ on a ‘prediction market.’” The state also claims the platform allowed users between ages 18 and 21 to participate, despite New York restricting sports wagering to those 21 and older. The Coinbase case follows the same blueprint. Prosecutors say Coinbase entered the prediction market business in December 2025 and later said its products were “live in all 50 states.” According to the complaint, users could wager on whether the New York Knicks would cover a point spread, who would win the

Kalshi went to federal court in Montana on Tuesday (April 21), asking a judge to stop state officials from using gambling laws against its federally regulated prediction market. The company says Montana is trying to shut down trading activity that falls under the sole authority of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The filing seeks a preliminary injunction in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana. On the same day, Kalshi also filed an unopposed request to pause case deadlines while both sides continue discussions. Defendants include Attorney General Austin Knudsen, the Montana Gambling Control Division, and other state officials. NEW: Kalshi sues Montana officials, claiming state crackdown on event contracts violates federal authority over derivatives markets #PredictionMarkets @RWW pic.twitter.com/K6RIjpB4Xk— Suswati Basu (@suswatibasu) April 13, 2026 Kalshi told the court state officials are “unconstitutionally threatening to prohibit trading on Kalshi’s federally designated contract market,” even though its contracts are “federally authorized” and Congress granted the CFTC “exclusive jurisdiction” over designated contract markets. Kalshi runs a federally licensed exchange offering event contracts. The contracts let users trade on whether future events will happen, from economic data to elections and sports outcomes. The company argues those products are derivatives governed by federal commodities law, not sports wagers or gambling products controlled separately by each state. According to the complaint, Montana regulators decided Kalshi’s offerings in the state “constitute illegal gambling” under Montana law and ordered the company to stop offering contracts to residents. The state warned that it “expect[ed]” Kalshi to “voluntarily comply” and that “[r]efusal to do so will result in legal action against Kalshi.” Why Kalshi is asking for a preliminary injunction against Montana Kalshi said Montana had previously agreed to a standstill in April 2025. Under that deal, the Gambling Control Division said it would “not initiate any civil or criminal enforcement against Kalshi during the pendency of” related Nevada litigation and would “defer any enforcement pending the outcome of the proceedings before Chief Judge Gordon in Nevada and any appeal to the Ninth Circuit.” The company says those Nevada proceedings were still active when Montana sent a new cease-and-desist letter dated April 6, 2026. Kalshi says it received that letter on April 11, asked officials for clarification, but “received no response and filed the Complaint.” In its latest brief, Kalshi argued Congress built a national framework for exchanges like its own, and letting states block trading one by one would break that system. The company cited legislative history saying that “different State laws would just lead to total chaos.” The Montana case follows similar fights around the country. Kalshi has recently pointed to favorable rulings in New Jersey, Arizona, and Tennessee, where judges found the company was likely to succeed on arguments that federal commodities law preempts state gaming enforcement. It has also sued Iowa while challenging similar state actions elsewhere. Kalshi says immediate relief is needed because Montana’s newest letter creates an “imminent threat” of enforcement. It asked the court to stop officials from enforcing Montana gambling statutes or “any other Montana law that attempts to regulate Kalshi’s exchange” while the lawsuit moves ahead. Featured image: Kalshi / Canva The post Kalshi seeks Montana court injunction over federal prediction market authority fight appeared first on ReadWrite.

Germany’s gambling regulator says it has intensified action against rapper Capital Bra after what it describes as repeated promotion of illegal online gambling across his social media accounts. The Joint Gambling Authority of the Länder, or GGL, said on Monday (April 20) that an ongoing case centers on videos and livestreams in which the artist allegedly showed himself using unauthorized gambling services while encouraging followers to engage with them. The news comes after reports that he was rushed to the hospital the same day following an alleged drug overdose. Capital Bra soll Werbung gemacht, selbst gespielt und das im Internet gezeigt haben. Die Glücksspielbehörde will, dass er zahlt, doch der Rapper reagiert nicht. https://t.co/Fq9g0Fz4Au— stern (@sternde) April 20, 2026 According to the authority, videos remained available on his channels after the streams ended, while banner advertising for related sites continued to appear. Regulators also allege he ran a comparison website that directed users toward illegal gambling providers. German law bars advertising for illegal gambling under Section 5, paragraph 7 of the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling. The GGL says showing participation in unlawful gambling can itself function as marketing because it normalizes the activity and drives traffic. How the illegal gambling crackdown grew against Capital Bra The authority said it first opened proceedings in October 2025 over suspected illegal gambling advertising. It says a hearing notice received no response. A prohibition order followed, including the threat of a coercive fine, and regulators say that order also went unanswered. The GGL then set a coercive penalty of 250,000 euros ($294,000). With assistance from West Hesse police, officials served the notice during one of the rapper’s club concerts in Wiesbaden last weekend. “We are not deterred even by well-known names. Anyone who promotes illegal gambling must expect decisive regulatory action,” Ronald Benter, executive board member of the GGL, said in the statement. The regulator says cases involving celebrities and influencers can be harder to enforce when individuals are difficult to contact or documents cannot be served easily. Even so, it says it will keep using available legal tools and police cooperation when needed. Germany has recently warned consumers about newer forms of illegal social betting that can spread quickly online through community-style platforms and creator promotion. Officials say those offers may appear harmless or game-like while still exposing users to unlicensed gambling risks. There has been increasing scrutiny of celebrity-linked gambling promotion internationally. Recent reporting has examined claims around high-profile streaming losses involving Drake and Stake, raising questions about whether sponsored personalities gamble with their own funds or promotional balances. Elsewhere in Europe, regulators have also stepped up enforcement. Finnish authorities recently moved against two influencers over gambling marketing tied to possible fines of 30,000 euros, while the Dutch gambling authority took action involving influencer LeftLanePapi over illegal gambling promotion. The GGL says its campaign is meant to protect consumers from sites outside state supervision. It warns those operators may lack player safeguards and can expose users to addiction, manipulated game presentations, and serious financial losses. Featured image: Stefan Brending / CC-BY-SA-3.0 de The post German regulator targets Capital Bra over alleged illegal gambling promotion case appeared first on ReadWrite.

A former finance manager for the Fresno Arts Council has pleaded guilty after federal prosecutors accused her of siphoning more than $1.8 million from the nonprofit, and spending part of the money to gamble at local casinos, pay for vacations, and cover other personal expenses. Suliana Caldwell, 46, of Fresno, admitted one count of wire fraud in federal court, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California said. Prosecutors contend the losses mounted while she controlled key accounts and handled internal financial reporting. The former Fresno Arts Council operations manager pleaded guilty today to federal wire fraud charges following an investigation by the FBI and the @FresnoPolice. She embezzled more than $1.8 million from the organization. Please visit https://t.co/otOrH4iwxb for more information. pic.twitter.com/XdNBCs7vgC— FBI Sacramento (@FBISacramento) April 20, 2026 According to court records, Caldwell worked as the council’s operations manager from 2021 until February 2026. The position gave her authority over bank accounts, payroll, grants, donations and other day-to-day finances. She also assembled financial updates that were shared with the executive director, board members and local government officials. Investigators say the theft started in 2022, when Caldwell began making “unauthorized transfers from the FAC’s bank accounts to her own personal PayPal and to her bank accounts.” Prosecutors said the amounts grew sharply the following year after new public money reached the organization. The plea agreement says those transfers “increased significantly in 2023” after the council began receiving Measure P funds. Measure P is a voter-approved Fresno tax measure that supports parks, trails, arts programming and other community projects. Federal prosecutors said the Fresno Arts Council received $9.4 million in August 2023, followed by another $5.7 million in October 2024. How Fresno Arts Council manager hid money used for gambling and personal expenses Federal prosecutors said Caldwell used a position of trust to keep the scheme from being detected. According to the plea agreement, she “altered and misreported the financial figures in the reports to make the reports appear as though no unauthorized transfers were occurring.” They were then provided to council leaders and public officials as if they were accurate, prosecutors said. The filing says that between June 2022 and February 2026, Caldwell took more than $1.8 million. It adds: “She then used the funds to gamble at local casinos, pay for vacations, and for other improper personal expenses.” Investigators said Caldwell later met with the Fresno Police Department and the FBI on March 26, 2026. During that interview, authorities said, she confessed and described the organization’s financial procedures during her time there. Caldwell’s defense attorney, Kevin Rooney, told reporters outside the court: “Ms Caldwell had some emotional problems, alcohol problems, all of it spiralled into a gambling addiction. “Ms Caldwell’s extremely distraught about what she’s done. It’s impacted her family; it’s impacted the Fresno Arts Council.” Suliana Caldwell walked into federal court on Monday to plead guilty after prosecutors said she stole $1.8 million from the Fresno Arts Council.I exclusively reported on the investigation and her identity in February.Watch my latest reporting for @ABC30 pic.twitter.com/01g9CzutJD— Gabe Ferris (@GabeABC30) April 21, 2026 When asked about the artists impacted by the theft, Rooney added, “I can’t speak exactly to what Ms. Caldwell would say. She’s very upset. It’s just unfortunate all around for the artists, for the community, for Ms Caldwell, for her family.” The FBI and Fresno Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cody S. Chapple and Joseph D. Barton are leading the prosecution. Caldwell is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on August 10, 2026. She fa

Fanatics Markets has introduced a new product called Combos, giving customers another way to trade sports outcomes as the basketball playoffs get underway. The feature was rolled out Monday (April 20). It allows users to bundle multiple outcomes into one new contract inside Fanatics Markets. The selections can include player props, winners, spreads and totals. Customers can mix picks from different sports, different games, or keep everything inside a single matchup. .@Fanatics Markets launches Combos, letting users bundle sports predictions across leagues. Available on iOS and Android in 24 states today. @RWW pic.twitter.com/oXffK0FYWT— Suswati Basu (@suswatibasu) April 20, 2026 The launch adds to Fanatics’ push into prediction markets, an area the company entered in 2025 when it rolled out Fanatics Markets. Earlier reporting around the launch said Fanatics was moving into the space through a partnership with Crypto.com, in a bid to offer event-based trading tied to sports results. How Fanatics Markets Combos works Fanatics said customers can find eligible markets by looking for the combo icon, then building a custom contract from there. The company says Combos is currently available for professional basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, football, boxing, MMA and tennis, with more sports expected later. The company said it is launching the product “just in time for basketball’s postseason,” while making it usable across several major leagues at the same time. Fanatics Markets is available on iOS and Android in 24 states and four U.S. territories. The company also says web access is offered in those same approved jurisdictions. Among the states specifically named were California, Texas and Florida. Fanatics Markets has combos now pic.twitter.com/XEwHK3G11l— Dustin Gouker (@DustinGouker) April 15, 2026 The company says the platform runs on infrastructure provided by Crypto.com Derivatives North America, or CDNA, which Fanatics identified as a CFTC-registered exchange. Fanatics has argued that structure gives users a regulated venue to trade contracts tied to sports moments such as game winners, player milestones and championship outcomes. The regulatory backdrop has drawn attention across the industry. Coverage this year also noted a Nevada court dispute involving Crypto.com, which may end up affecting the partnership. Fanatics states it is also introducing consumer safeguards alongside the new product. According to the company, Fanatics Markets includes tools intended to help customers manage exposure and make informed decisions while trading. This includes deposit limits, session limits, timeouts and self-exclusion options. The company says those settings are designed to support responsible use of the platform. Featured image: Fanatics via Instagram The post Fanatics Markets launches Combos feature as basketball postseason trading starts appeared first on ReadWrite.