US court rebuffs Anthropic in latest round of AI battle with Trump admin

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 9, 2026 | Technology

A US federal appeals court on Wednesday refused to block the Pentagon from blacklisting artificial intelligence laboratory Anthropic in a decision that differed from the conclusions reached in another judge’s ruling on the same issues.

The US Court of Appeals in Washington rejected Anthropic’s request for an order that would shield the San Francisco company from the fallout stemming from a dispute over how the Pentagon could deploy its Claude chatbot in fully autonomous weapons and potential surveillance of Americans while the panel is still collecting evidence about the case.

But the setback in Washington came after Anthropic had already prevailed in a separate case focused on the same issues in San Francisco federal court.

In that case, a judge forced President Donald Trump’s administration to remove a label tainting the company as a national security risk.

Anthropic filed the two separate lawsuits in San Francisco and the Washington appeals court last month, asserting the Trump administration was engaging in an “unlawful campaign of retaliation” because of its attempt to impose limits on how its AI technology can be deployed.

The Trump administration blasted Anthropic as a liberal-leaning company trying to dictate US military policy.

In the San Francisco case, US District Judge Rita Lin ruled that the Trump administration had overstepped its bounds by labeling Anthropic a supply chain risk unqualified to work with military contractors and issuing other directives that could cripple a company locked in a race for AI supremacy against rivals such as ChatGPT maker Open AI and Google.

That decision prompted the Trump administration to remove the stigmatising labels from Anthropic and take other steps clearing the way for government employees and contractors to continue using Claude and other chatbots, according to court filing made in San Francisco earlier this week.

The appeals court in Washington didn’t see things the same way, even though it conceded the company would “likely suffer some degree of irreparable harm” if it’s deemed a supply chain risk.

But the appeals court didn’t see sufficient reason to issue its own order revoking the Trump administration’s actions, partly because “the precise amount of Anthropic’s financial harm is not fully clear”.

Further evidence in the case is scheduled to be presented before the appeals court in a hearing scheduled for May 19.

“We’re grateful the court recognized these issues need to be resolved quickly and remain confident the courts will ultimately agree that these supply chain designations were unlawful,” Anthropic said in a statement.

Matt Schruers, the CEO of the technology trade group Computer and Communications Industry Association, expressed worries that the conflicting court decisions issued so far in the standoff between Anthropic and the Trump administration will muddle the business landscape at a pivotal time.

“The Pentagon’s actions and the DC Circuit’s ruling create substantial business uncertainty at a time when US companies are competing with global counterparts to lead in AI,” Schruers said.

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Tech Wrap April 8: MSI laptops launched, Vertical tabs in Chrome, OPPO F33

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 8, 2026 | Technology

MSI has introduced two new flagship laptops in India — the MSI Prestige 13 AI+ A3M and the Raider 18 Max HX — aimed at professionals and gamers, respectively. According to MSI, the Prestige 13 AI+ is designed for portability with AI-ready performance in a lightweight build, while the Raider 18 Max HX is positioned as a gaming-focused machine with an 18-inch display.

Google is rolling out a new update for the Chrome browser. As per a company blog post, the update adds vertical tabs and an improved reading mode, offering users more control over how they organise tabs and view content. While one feature is aimed at better tab management, the other focuses on simplifying reading on cluttered web pages.

OPPO has confirmed that its F33 Series will launch in India on April 15. The lineup is expected to include a standard model and a Pro variant. Ahead of the launch, the company has shared some key details, including camera and display specifications. OPPO said that the F33 Series smartphones will feature a 50MP primary rear camera with an OV50D40 sensor. Meanwhile, the Pro model will also feature a 50MP front-facing camera.

Google is rolling out an update to Google Maps that introduces AI-powered caption suggestions using Gemini, along with a range of changes focused on simplifying how users upload content and monitor their activity on the platform. The update emphasises content sharing, with Gemini now helping automatically generate captions for photos.

Google is rolling out updates to Gemini AI aimed at helping users connect to mental health support more quickly. According to the company, the changes are designed to detect when a user may be in distress and guide them towards verified resources, including crisis helplines. Alongside this, Google has also announced funding to expand mental health support services globally.

Spotify is expanding its AI-based Prompted Playlist feature to include podcasts along with music. The feature, currently in beta, allows users to create playlists using prompts based on their interests, listening history and trends on the platform. With this update, users can now discover podcast episodes alongside songs, making it possible to explore topics, moods and ideas in a more personalised way.

Google has reportedly confirmed that it is introducing system-level controller remapping in Android 17 beta to improve the gaming experience on the platform. According to a report by Android Authority, the feature allows users to customise how their gamepad buttons, triggers and sticks function across the entire system.

Amazon has reportedly confirmed that it will discontinue key Kindle Store functions on older Kindle devices starting May 20, 2026. In a statement to The Verge, the company said the change will affect Kindle e-readers and Kindle Fire tablets released in 2012 and earlier, with these devices no longer able to purchase, borrow or download new books directly from the Kindle Store after the deadline.

Adobe has introduced a new feature called Student Spaces in Adobe Acrobat that allows students to organise study material and manage coursework more efficiently. The feature, currently available in beta and free to use, brings together notes, documents and AI-powered tools in one place. It allows users to create study guides, summaries and other learning material, while also supporting revision and group work.

Bethesda has announced that Starfield is now officially available on PlayStation 5, bringing its space exploration RPG to Sony’s console for the first time. According to Bethesda, PS5 players will get access to the most complete version of the game at launch, including all updates and patches released so far, along with the major Free Lanes update.

Anthropic has introduced Project Glasswing, a new cybersecurity initiative that brings together Amazon Web Services, Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, CrowdStrike, Google, JPMorganChase, the Linux Foundation, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Palo Alto Networks to secure critical software systems using advanced AI. The company said the effort is driven by capabilities observed in its unreleased frontier model, Claude Mythos Preview, which can identify software vulnerabilities and help security teams fix them before they are exploited.

Apple Inc.’s first foldable phone is on track to arrive during the company’s normal iPhone launch period later this year, people with knowledge of the matter said, rebutting concerns about major manufacturing snags. The company is scheduled to introduce the foldable model in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans haven’t been announced. Apple’s phones typically hit store shelves the week after they’re unveiled.

Global artificial intelligence (AI) investment reached $800 billion in 2025, with venture capital funding nearly doubling to $226 billion, according to SenseAI Ventures’ State of AI Report 2026, signalling a shift from experimentation to large-scale commercial deployment.

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Android 17 beta introduces system-level gaming controller remapping: Report

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 8, 2026 | Technology

As per the report, the update was detailed by Mishaal Rahman, a former Android Authority editor now working at Google, who shared that the move comes in response to consistent user demand for native controller remapping on Android.

Work across games, not just individual titles

As per Android Authority, the new implementation operates at the system level, unlike existing solutions that depend on in-game settings or third-party apps. This means users can set up a preferred button layout once and have it apply across all supported games, removing the need for repeated configuration.

The feature reportedly supports both wired and Bluetooth controllers and offers granular control over inputs. Users can remap face buttons, triggers and thumbstick clicks, as well as swap directional controls between analogue sticks and the D-pad.

Where to find it and how it works

Android Authority notes that the feature is accessible through a new Game Controller settings menu. For wired controllers, users can navigate to:

Open Settings

Click on System

Tap on Game Controller for wired gamepads

For Bluetooth gamepads:

Head to Settings

Click on Connected devices

Tap on Device details (after selecting your connected gamepad)

Click on Game Controller Settings

Users can save their customised layouts directly on the device, making it easier to maintain consistent controls across different games and sessions.

Focus on accessibility, but still in beta

According to the report, Google has designed the feature with accessibility in mind, allowing users to adjust controls based on their physical needs or familiarity with different controller layouts across platforms.

However, the feature is currently limited to devices running Android 17 beta (beta 2 or later). Android Authority reports that since this is an early version, some issues persist, such as incorrect button icons appearing for certain controllers, even though the remapping functionality itself works as expected.

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Spotify's AI-powered Prompted Playlist now lets you add podcasts: What's it

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 8, 2026 | Technology

Spotify is expanding its AI-based Prompted Playlist feature to include podcasts alongside music. The feature, currently in beta, allows users to create playlists using prompts based on their interests, listening history and trends on the platform. With this update, users can now discover podcast episodes along with songs, making it possible to explore topics, moods and ideas in a more personalised way.

Prompted Playlist now includes podcasts: What’s new

Prompted Playlist was introduced earlier as a way for users to guide recommendations by typing prompts. Instead of relying only on the algorithm, users can describe what they want to listen to, and Spotify generates a playlist based on that input.

With the latest update, the feature now supports podcasts as well. This means users can create playlists focused on specific topics such as science, entertainment or true crime, combining different podcast episodes in one place.

How the feature works

Users can access the Prompted Playlist from the “Create” option in the app. They can either type their own prompt or choose from the suggested ones available on the home screen.

Once a playlist is generated, it can be edited or refreshed. Users can also set playlists to update daily or weekly so that new content is added regularly. Each episode or track in the playlist includes a short explanation of why it was selected.

Focus on discovery

Spotify said that several podcasts are discovered on the platform every week. By adding podcasts to the Prompted Playlist, the company is trying to make it simpler for users to find new shows or revisit older content based on their interests. According to Spotify, the feature also gives podcast creators more visibility, as their content can appear in playlists generated through user prompts.

Availability and rollout

The updated Prompted Playlist feature is currently rolling out in English to Premium users in select markets, including the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden.

Since the feature is still in beta, Spotify noted that some parts of the experience may change over time. Usage limits also apply, and these could be adjusted based on user feedback.

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Starfield is now available on PlayStation 5 with Free Lanes update: Details

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 8, 2026 | Technology

Released in 2023, Starfield has been exclusive to Xbox consoles and PC till now.

What PS5 players can expect

As per Bethesda, Starfield on PlayStation 5 offers the full core experience centred around open-ended exploration and player choice. Players can create their own character and explore the Settled Systems, where decisions and actions can shape how the story unfolds.

The game allows players to visit key locations such as New Atlantis and Akila City, interact with various factions and build outposts on different planets. Bethesda says the experience is designed to offer flexibility, whether players want to focus on exploration, alliances or building their presence across the galaxy.

Customisation and gameplay features

Bethesda highlights that ship customisation remains a central part of the experience. Players can design and modify their spacecraft based on their preferred playstyle, ranging from stealth-focused ships to more combat-heavy builds.

The game is said to take advantage of PlayStation 5 hardware, though specific enhancements were not detailed in the announcement. As per earlier reports, it is expected to support features specific to the console, including the DualSense controller’s light bar, adaptive triggers and touchpad. On the PS5 Pro, players may get two modes — one focused on improving frame rates and the other on enhancing visual quality.

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Anthropic unveils Project Glasswing to boost cybersecurity with AI: Details

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 8, 2026 | Technology

Anthropic has announced Project Glasswing, a new cybersecurity initiative bringing together Amazon Web Services, Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, CrowdStrike, Google, JPMorganChase, the Linux Foundation, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Palo Alto Networks to secure critical software systems using advanced AI. The company said the effort is driven by capabilities observed in its unreleased frontier model, Claude Mythos Preview, which can identify software vulnerabilities and help security teams fix them before they are misused by attackers.

What will Claude Mythos do

According to Anthropic, Claude Mythos Preview is capable of scanning code and systems to detect previously unknown security flaws, including critical vulnerabilities that may have gone unnoticed for years. The model can also simulate how these flaws could be exploited, allowing companies to better understand the risks and patch them more effectively.

Anthropic said the model has already identified thousands of high-severity vulnerabilities across major operating systems, web browsers and widely used software. These findings are being responsibly disclosed so that developers can fix them before any real-world misuse.

Regarding its availability, the company said, “We do not plan to make Claude Mythos Preview generally available, but our eventual goal is to enable our users to safely deploy Mythos-class models at scale—for cybersecurity purposes, but also for the myriad other benefits that such highly capable models will bring. To do so, we need to make progress in developing cybersecurity (and other) safeguards that detect and block the model’s most dangerous outputs. We plan to launch new safeguards with an upcoming Claude Opus model, allowing us to improve and refine them with a model that does not pose the same level of risk as Mythos Preview.”

What this means for users

For everyday users, the announcement points to a future where cybersecurity could improve significantly, even as threats grow. Anthropic noted that many digital services people rely on—from banking to healthcare—run on software that may contain hidden flaws.

With AI tools like Mythos Preview, companies can detect and fix these issues faster, potentially reducing the risk of data breaches, service disruptions and cyberattacks. The initiative also extends to open-source software, which powers many consumer apps and platforms.

Industry collaboration and next steps

Project Glasswing includes participation from the listed companies along with over 40 additional organisations working on critical infrastructure. Anthropic said it is committing up to $100 million in usage credits for the initiative, along with funding support for open-source security efforts.

The company emphasised that collaboration will be key as AI-driven threats evolve. It plans to share learnings from the project, including vulnerabilities fixed and best practices, to help improve cybersecurity standards across the industry.

Anthropic added that while advanced AI models introduce new risks, they can also play a crucial role in strengthening digital security when used responsibly.

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