T-Mobile has begun updating its 5G network to the L4S standard (Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable), becoming the first mobile service to do so. The technology reduces latency, resulting in improved video calls and smoother cloud gaming. T-Mobile says the format is “a key step toward a smarter, programmable 5G,” describing L4S as consistently delivering “low latency, minimal packet loss and real-time responsiveness — even under heavy traffic,” marking a significant improvement in “performance-driven use cases where every millisecond matters,” including Extended Reality (XR) “and even remote driving” for driverless cars. Read more

Fox Corporation found a receptive audience among advertisers during the 2025-26 upfront cycle, where its Tubi streaming service, sports franchise and FOX News operations drew attention and assurances of revenue. Having principally wrapped negotiations, the Murdoch operation won a vote of confidence from Madison Avenue, which promised new spending highs. NBCUniversal, the first company to conclude negotiations, also had a record upfront propelled largely by sports, including what was said to be a sell-out on the Super Bowl inventory across linear, Peacock streaming, and Spanish-language Telemundo platforms (30-second spots reportedly reached $8 million). Read more

An increasing number of teens are experimenting with AI companions like chatbots for advice and sometimes even for friendship, according to a new study from Common Sense Media. The survey found that 72 percent of U.S. teens have interacted with a personal, as opposed to a productivity, chatbot at least once. The inquiry characterized either personal AI, or chatbots with recreational settings, as “companions.” Exploring the use of artificial intelligence by children ages 13 to 17 revealed that of the nearly three-quarters who had tried an AI companion, more than half — 52 percent — identified as regular users. Read more

Orlando, Florida-based digital distribution company FreeCast is launching Test Drive Live, a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel that is also shoppable. The idea is to offer telecoms and ISPs the ability to offer “monetizable video” without requiring substantive infrastructure and hardware investments, FreeCast explains. Test Drive Live will be offered via FreeCast’s own streaming platform and through Roku. The company says that through FreeCast, Test Drive Live will be immediately available on Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV, Xbox, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac “and most streaming devices.” Read more

Popular neighborhood news and social media platform Nextdoor is getting a redesign that aims to boost user engagement. The platform will be offering AI-curated advice, neighbor recommendations and insights, while emphasizing urgent posts, including a “critical alerts” system with “real-time updates on everything from daily weather and traffic to critical moments like power outages, severe storms, and wildfires.” Since launching in 2011, Nextdoor has accrued more than 100 million subscribers, the company says, adding that the shift to more remote and hybrid work means “people are spending more time in their neighborhoods,” making local connections increasingly relevant. Read more