Meta Connect 2026 dropped VR, a Tamagotchi AI gadget, and a supercharged Muse agent. Meanwhile, Google says Gemini 4 is 'almost ready.' Almost.
• Gemini 4 is almost ready, says new Google DeepMind chief
Google DeepMind's new chief Koray Kavukcuoglu says Gemini 4 is in its final refinement stage and will launch well before the end of 2026, as Google races to close the gap on OpenAI and Anthropic.
• Meta is making a standalone Muse AI gadget
Meta unveiled the Muse Charm, a standalone AI hardware device for its Muse agent that requires no phone, with a holiday December ship date announced at Meta Connect 2026.
• Meta Connect 2026: The 7 biggest announcements
Meta's annual Connect showcase unveiled the Meta VR Glasses — a 100g, strap-free virtual reality headset tethered to a pocket puck — alongside camera-free smart glasses, a Gen 3 Ray-Ban update, and new AI features.
• Everything new coming to Meta’s AI agent Muse
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg used the company's annual Connect event to unveil a wave of new features for its AI agent Muse, positioning it as the personal superintelligence he expects billions of people to eventually rely on.
• Meta made a Tamagotchi-like wearable for its Muse AI agent
Meta unveiled the Muse Charm, a Tamagotchi-like keychain wearable housing its Muse AI agent, announced by Mark Zuckerberg at the company's annual Connect event with a holiday December ship date.
• Meta is trying VR glasses (again), this time with more IMAX
Meta unveiled VR Glasses at its Connect event, a lightweight eyewear-style VR device launching next spring at $1,299.99 — a major departure from bulky headsets, with IMAX certification and Disney+ 3D integration baked in.
• RFK Jr.'s CDC isn’t letting states order COVID-19 shots for kids, blocking access
The CDC under RFK Jr. is blocking states from ordering COVID-19 vaccines for children through the federal Vaccines for Children program, leaving over half of all U.S. kids with uncertain access heading into respiratory virus season.
• Falcons vs. Packers predictions, odds, time: Week 3 'Thursday Night Football' picks from proven model
The Atlanta Falcons (0-2) head to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers (1-1) in a Week 3 Thursday Night Football matchup, with Green Bay favored by 5.5 points and a predictive model leaning toward a high-scoring game.
• Western volleyball survives major test from Marshall
Western's volleyball team remained undefeated this season after narrowly fending off a tough challenge from Marshall on Wednesday.
• Our Ohio State football experts make bold predictions for Illinois game
Ohio State football analysts are laying out bold predictions ahead of the Buckeyes' matchup against Illinois, setting expectations for a high-stakes Big Ten clash.
• Taylor Swift surprises fans with new music announcement day after single news
Taylor Swift surprised fans with a new music announcement, coming just one day after news broke about an upcoming sin
