• Get ready for Waymo’s autonomous cars on Australian roads – report

    January 16, 2026

    Waymo is looking to test its autonomous vehicles on public roads in Australia later this year, with reports suggesting it’s in discussions with the federal government to begin trials. According to The Sizzle, Waymo – owned by Alphabet, the parent company of Google – has held meetings with federal government officials to discuss trials of its autonomous cars on public roads as soon as this year. The company has reportedly held a private, preliminary briefing with federal Transport Minister Catherine King as part of the process. There’s no word on exactly where or when Waymo may roll out on local…

  • Netflix’s expanded Sony deal includes streaming rights to the Legend of Zelda movie

    January 16, 2026

    As part of a new agreement, films from Sony Pictures Entertainment will stream on Netflix first, the companies announced via a joint statement. The new deal expands on the exclusive rights Netflix had to Sony films in the US, and means the service will be the first place people will be able to stream upcoming projects like the live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, and a quartet of biopics about The Beatles. Sony’s films will stream worldwide on Netflix in what’s called “Pay-1,” the first window of availability after a movie’s theatrical and VOD releases. As part of the…

  • Tiger Global loses India tax case tied to Walmart-Flipkart deal in blow to offshore playbook

    January 16, 2026

    India’s top court has ruled against Tiger Global in a tax case stemming from its Flipkart exit during Walmart’s 2018 takeover, a decision that strengthens New Delhi’s ability to challenge offshore treaty structures and could raise tax risk for global funds counting on predictable exits from one of the world’s fastest-growing major markets. On Thursday, the Indian Supreme Court backed the tax authorities in a dispute over whether Tiger Global could use its Mauritius-based entities to claim protection under the India–Mauritius tax treaty and avoid paying capital gains tax in India on profits linked to its exit in the Walmart–Flipkart…

  • Volvo EX60 set to beat Tesla Model 3 and become Australia’s EV range king

    January 16, 2026

    Move over Tesla Model 3, there’s a new hypermiling king among electric vehicles (EVs): the Volvo EX60 electric SUV. Key charging capabilities have been revealed for the EX60 ahead of its official unveiling on January 21 and Australian arrival later this year, with its claimed 810km (WLTP) range better than any EV currently on sale locally. It will also boast the ability to add up to 340km of range after just a 10-minute charge, albeit at 400kW speeds which aren’t offered in Australia, although Tesla Superchargers can deliver up to 320kW.  Volvo shared the details in a statement, with the…

  • Bluesky’s ‘Live Now’ badge is available to everyone

    January 16, 2026

    After testing the feature in a limited beta, Bluesky is making its “Live Now” badge for streamers available for everyone on the social network to try. Live Now is included as part of Bluesky’s v1.114 update, alongside “cashtags,” a separate type of hashtag for collecting conversations about publicly-traded companies. Bluesky first started testing its Live Now badge in May 2025 with a limited group of accounts, including the official NBA account. The feature lets Twitch streamers with Bluesky profiles append a Live Now badge to their profile picture that links directly to their livestream. Live Now badges are limited to…

  • Parloa triples its valuation in 8 months to $3B with $350M raise

    January 16, 2026

    Berlin-based Parloa has raised $350 million in Series D funding from existing investors, valuing the six-year-old customer service AI startup at $3 billion. The round comes just eight months after the company raised $120 million at a $1 billion valuation. The new round was led by General Catalyst, with participation from returning backers, including EQT Ventures, Altimeter Capital, Durable Capital, and Mosaic Ventures. Parloa is one of many startups developing AI agents that promise to automate the kind of customer service work previously handled by human representatives and help desk staff. The company’s competitors include Sierra, co-founded by OpenAI chairman…

  • GAC locks in EV hatch as fourth model for Australia

    January 16, 2026

    Just a few months after GAC launched in Australia with three models, the Chinese brand has confirmed that it will add another in the form of a small electric hatchback by mid-2026. The 2026 GAC Aion UT will launch locally in the second quarter of this year (April-June), joining the already-launched Aion V mid-size electric SUV, Emzoom small petrol SUV, and M8 plug-in hybrid people mover. Pricing and full specifications have yet to be confirmed, though GAC Australia president Kevin Shu says the Aion UT is another piece in the brand’s rapidly evolving local puzzle. “Our strategy of ‘In Australia,…

  • Spotify raises its subscription prices in the US again

    January 16, 2026

    Spotify raised prices for its subscription plan in the U.S. for the third time in three years, as it hiked the monthly plan from $11.99 per month to $12.99 per month. The company sent an email to its paid users notifying them of the new price, which is applicable from the next monthly billing cycle. Image Credits:Spotify “Occasional updates to pricing across our markets reflect the value that Spotify delivers, enabling us to continue offering the best possible experience and benefit artists,” the company said in a blog post. In November 2025, the Financial Times reported that the audio platform…

  • 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC: New supercharged hero for Blue Oval pony car

    January 16, 2026

    Ford has announced a more powerful Dark Horse SC version of the Mustang for the US, packing a version of the 5.2-litre supercharged ‘Predator’ V8 from the hardcore Mustang GTD, but don’t hold your breath for it to be offered in Australia. Pricing and engine outputs are yet to be revealed for North America, where the Dark Horse SC will be available around mid-2026, and positioned between the standard Dark Horse and the GTD flagship. However, a high expected price tag and Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) make it unlikely to be sold here, even if the SC was…