Tech News — Mar 31, 2026

Tech News — Mar 31, 2026 | Trace

The day in brief

What connected the day

17 topics

01
3 sources · 3 updates
Meta Launches New Prescription Smart Glasses
Meta has unveiled two new styles of prescription smart glasses, the Blayzer and Scriber, designed to accommodate a wide range of vision needs. Priced at $499, these glasses feature customizable fittings and will be available for preorder starting April 14th. Additionally, an AI-powered nutrition logging feature will be integrated into the glasses later this summer.
- The glasses support an unrestricted range of prescriptions, a significant upgrade from previous models.
- They include features like flexible hinges and adjustable nose pads for enhanced comfort.
02
2 sources · 2 updates
Samsung Galaxy Watches Gain Blood Pressure Monitoring
Samsung has officially launched blood pressure monitoring for Galaxy Watch users in the US, a feature that has been available in South Korea for six years. This capability is accessible on all models starting from the Galaxy Watch 4 and requires users to calibrate their devices every 28 days with a traditional upper arm cuff for accurate readings.
- Blood pressure tracking is classified as a wellness feature, not a medical tool.
- Users must download the Samsung Health Monitor app to access the feature.
03
2 sources · 2 updates
Gmail address change feature now live
Google has officially launched a feature allowing users in the US to change their Gmail address while retaining access to their old email as an alternate. This update enhances digital identity management and is part of a gradual rollout that may take time to reach all users. The feature was previously tested in other regions and is now available to all Google Account users in the US.
- Users can change their Gmail username once every 12 months.
- The feature can be accessed through Google Account settings under Personal info > Email.
04
2 sources · 2 updates
Whoop Raises $575 Million from High-Profile Investors
Fitness tracking company Whoop has secured $575 million in Series G funding, elevating its valuation to $10.1 billion. The funding round attracted notable investors, including athletes Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James, and highlighted Whoop's impressive growth, with bookings increasing by 103% year over year.
- 2.5 million members currently use Whoop's services.
- The latest model, Whoop MG, has received FDA clearance for medical-grade ECG and blood pressure monitoring.
05
2 sources · 2 updates
Nvidia Partners with Marvell for $2 Billion Investment
Nvidia Corp. has made a significant move by investing $2 billion in Marvell Technology Inc. to advance their collaboration on silicon photonics technology. This partnership aims to enhance capabilities in AI and cloud computing, focusing on high-speed, energy-efficient data transmission essential for modern applications.
- Marvell Technology shares surged 8% following the announcement of Nvidia's investment.
- This investment marks Nvidia's sixth $2 billion stake in tech companies recently.
06
2 sources · 2 updates
Opendoor Acquires Doma's Escrow Business to Cut Refinancing Costs
Opendoor has announced its acquisition of Doma's closing and escrow business, aiming to streamline processes and reduce mortgage refinance costs for homeowners. This move is expected to save homeowners approximately $1,100 per refinance as mortgage applications have recently dropped by 20% due to rising interest rates.
- 85 employees from Doma will be integrated into Opendoor following the acquisition.
- The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased to 6.36%, while the 30-year fixed refinance rate stands at 6.43%.
07
2 sources · 2 updates
Instagram Tests Paid Anonymous Story Views
Meta is currently testing a new subscription service called Instagram Plus that allows users to view stories anonymously. This feature, being trialed in Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines, also enables subscribers to create unlimited audience lists and see how many times their stories have been replayed, enhancing user engagement.
- The subscription pricing ranges from $1.07 in the Philippines to $2.20 in Mexico.
- Subscribers can extend story visibility beyond the current 24-hour limit.
08
2 sources · 2 updates
Airbnb Expands Services with Car Pickups
Airbnb has announced a partnership with Welcome Pickups to provide private car pickup services for international guests in 125 cities worldwide. This new feature allows guests to schedule pickups directly through the Airbnb app, enhancing their travel experience with options for meet-and-greet services upon arrival.
- Paris, Bali, and Mexico City are among the major cities included in the service rollout.
- Guests can arrange their car pickups after booking their stay, streamlining their travel logistics.
09
1 sources · 3 updates
Apple Enhances Siri and Shortcuts with AI in iOS 27
Apple's upcoming iOS 27 will introduce significant enhancements to the Siri and Shortcuts apps, integrating AI-driven capabilities that allow users to create custom actions using voice commands. This update aims to streamline user interaction by incorporating an upgraded Siri interface alongside the new features in Shortcuts.
- iOS 27 will enable users to generate unique actions in Shortcuts through AI prompts.
- The revamped Siri app will feature a conversation view similar to Apple Messages, allowing users to pin favorite chats and upload attachments.
10
1 sources · 1 updates
Samsung might raise prices on its most expensive phones, starting in South Korea
Samsung is set to raise prices on its premium smartphones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, and S25 Edge, starting April 1st in South Korea. The increase will affect only the higher storage tiers, with the 512GB models rising by approximately 100,000 won (~$65) and the 1TB version of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 increasing by nearly 200,000 won (~$130), while the entry-level 256GB models will retain their original prices.
- The price of the 512GB models will increase by approximately 100,000 won (~$65).
- The 1TB version of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will see a price increase of nearly 200,000 won (~$130).
11
1 sources · 1 updates
How did Anthropic measure AI's "theoretical capabilities" in the job market?
Anthropic's recent report highlights the theoretical capabilities of large language models (LLMs) in the job market, suggesting they could potentially perform up to 80% of tasks across various occupations. However, the study reveals that these projections are based on speculative assumptions and subjective evaluations, with only 2.3% of jobs currently seeing significant exposure to LLMs. The researchers caution that their findings do not imply LLMs will replace human labor but rather augment it in specific tasks.
- Anthropic's analysis suggests LLMs could theoretically enhance 47-56% of all job tasks.
- Only 2.3% of occupations currently have over half their tasks exposed to LLMs.
12
1 sources · 1 updates
OpenAI launches a Codex plugin that runs inside Anthropic's Claude Code
OpenAI has introduced a Codex plugin that seamlessly integrates its AI coding assistant into Anthropic's Claude Code platform. This plugin provides features such as standard code reviews, adversarial reviews that scrutinize weaknesses, and the ability to delegate tasks to Codex in the background, all while operating on OpenAI's infrastructure. This move is part of OpenAI's broader strategy to enhance its coding tools and consolidate its offerings into a unified desktop application.
- The Codex plugin offers standard and adversarial code reviews and task handoff.
- OpenAI's plugin runs on its infrastructure, enhancing user experience without switching tools.
13
1 sources · 1 updates
You can order Grubhub and Uber Eats ‘conversationally’ with Alexa Plus
Amazon has launched a new feature for its Alexa Plus that allows users to order food from Grubhub and Uber Eats in a conversational manner, eliminating the awkwardness of traditional voice commands. This update enables users to modify their orders seamlessly during the conversation, with Alexa stepping in only when needed. The feature is part of Amazon's broader initiative to enhance Alexa's capabilities and will initially roll out to subscribers using Echo Show 8 devices and larger.
- Alexa Plus subscribers can now order food from Grubhub and Uber Eats conversationally.
- The feature is currently available on Echo Show 8 devices and larger.
14
1 sources · 1 updates
Nvidia rolls out DLSS 4.5 update with new frame generation features
Nvidia has unveiled its DLSS 4.5 update, enhancing its Deep Learning Super Sampling technology with new AI-driven frame generation capabilities for GeForce RTX graphics cards. The standout feature, 6x Multi Frame Generation, allows users with RTX 50-series GPUs to generate five additional frames for every natively rendered frame, significantly boosting performance across more than 20 supported gaming titles while maintaining responsiveness.
- DLSS 4.5 introduces 6x Multi Frame Generation, allowing five additional frames per rendered frame.
- The update supports over 20 gaming titles, enhancing performance and image quality.
15
1 sources · 1 updates
Google shows how you should use ‘Ask Maps’ as the feature rolls out widely
Google Maps has officially rolled out its new 'Ask Maps' feature, powered by Gemini, to users in the US and India. This conversational tool allows users to pose complex, real-world questions to receive tailored recommendations, enhancing the mapping experience significantly. Google has provided example prompts to illustrate how users can leverage this feature for various needs, from dining suggestions to scenic route planning.
- 'Ask Maps' is now available to all users in the US and India.
- The feature allows users to ask complex questions for personalized recommendations.
16
1 sources · 1 updates
Microsoft hit with UK competition regulator probe over software business
Microsoft is under scrutiny from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regarding its business software ecosystem, with an investigation set to begin in May 2026. The CMA's concerns focus on Microsoft's licensing practices in cloud services, which affect hundreds of thousands of businesses and public sector organizations in the UK. Microsoft has expressed its commitment to address these issues constructively as the CMA aims to ensure fair competition in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
- The UK's Competition and Markets Authority will begin its investigation in May 2026.
- Microsoft and Amazon each hold a 30-40% share of the infrastructure-as-a-service market.
17
1 sources · 1 updates
Netflix Is Testing Just How Much You Will Pay
Netflix is currently testing subscription price increases of up to $3 as part of a strategy to determine how much customers are willing to pay for its streaming services. This move reflects the company's ongoing efforts to balance revenue growth with customer retention amid a competitive market landscape.
- Netflix is testing subscription price increases of up to $3.
- The company aims to gauge how much customers are willing to pay for its services.

The archive

What moved

CNBC Technology

Oracle cutting thousands in latest layoff round as company continues to ramp AI spending

Oracle lays off thousands amid AI investment surge

Read source

Yahoo Finance Tech

Whoop CEO after raising $575 million: Our next step is an IPO

Whoop raises $575 million, eyes IPO.

Read source

The tech day has moved on.

What connected the day

Meta Launches New Prescription Smart Glasses

Samsung Galaxy Watches Gain Blood Pressure Monitoring

Gmail address change feature now live

Whoop Raises $575 Million from High-Profile Investors

Nvidia Partners with Marvell for $2 Billion Investment

Opendoor Acquires Doma's Escrow Business to Cut Refinancing Costs

Instagram Tests Paid Anonymous Story Views

Airbnb Expands Services with Car Pickups

Apple Enhances Siri and Shortcuts with AI in iOS 27

Samsung might raise prices on its most expensive phones, starting in South Korea

How did Anthropic measure AI's "theoretical capabilities" in the job market?

OpenAI launches a Codex plugin that runs inside Anthropic's Claude Code

You can order Grubhub and Uber Eats ‘conversationally’ with Alexa Plus

Nvidia rolls out DLSS 4.5 update with new frame generation features

Google shows how you should use ‘Ask Maps’ as the feature rolls out widely

Microsoft hit with UK competition regulator probe over software business

Netflix Is Testing Just How Much You Will Pay

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Galaxy Watch users in the US can finally track their blood pressure after years of waiting

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Qwen3.5-Omni learned to write code from spoken instructions and video without anyone training it to

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Mortgage and refinance interest rates today, March 31, 2026: Lower, as bonds gain favor