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- ⚡️ Unity CEO QUITS after massive backlash
⚡️ Unity CEO QUITS after massive backlash
PLUS: DIY fixers score win over Big Tech
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Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.
Unity has been fighting some major backlash in the past couple of weeks due to a hike in its pricing plan for developers.
And now, The CEO has just quit. Let’s get into it…
In today’s tech rundown:
🎮 Unity CEO exits after pricing backlash
📱 California enacts right-to-repair law for devices
🛠️ 7 New products
📰 7 quick stories
Read time: 3 minutes
TODAY’S HEADLINES
UNITY
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1adf7453-2a33-4236-bace-a6d6c386fa01/unity.png)
Image source: Twitter @zackhargett
The Rundown: Unity CEO John Riccitiello has resigned following intense backlash over controversial new pricing plans for the company's gaming engine.
The details:
Unity wanted to charge developers fees based on game installs, angering studios big and small.
The proposal sparked outrage and threats to leave the platform, forcing Unity to roll back the pricing model and issue an apology.
Riccitello led Unity's growth since 2013, taking it public in a $13.6 billion IPO. But shares have sunk amid losses.
He also resigned from EA in 2007 after missing forecasts, saying he was "100% accountable."
The relevance: The Unity saga shows listening to your community is vital — especially when making major business model pivots. Rebuilding trust with the community takes time (and apparently new leadership).
TOGETHER WITH AKKIO
The Rundown: You're not data deficient; you're flush with data but can't get actionable insights. While big corporations throw armies of analysts at the problem, SMBs don't have the luxury.
That's where Akkio changes the game:
Chat with your data for visualizations and transformations
Build machine learning models in a click
Share real-time reports
Analyze the past, predict the future, and act on it—so you can visualize survey sentiment, forecast revenue, and engage with qualified leads through one intuitive platform.
TECH REGULATION
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/0ca6fa6a-522f-49db-b94a-5c2152b85b05/ghost_z12_a_cartoon_image_of_an_iphone_being_repaired_DIY_1839194f-f1fd-4a87-9e8e-686c32b2c1ba__1_.png)
Image source: Midjourney
The Rundown: California's governor Gavin Newsom just signed a bill into law making DIY and third-party repairs much easier for consumer electronics over $100 — in a win for users against tech giants like Apple and Google.
The details:
The law empowers independent repair shops and give more choice to consumers — who were previously punished with excessive terms and conditions for trying to repair devices with third parties.
Manufacturers must provide tools, parts, and manuals for repairs for 7 years after device production.
Apple and others have dropped opposition after initially trying to fight the bill.
Game consoles and alarm systems are currently excluded, but the law covers most other electronics.
Why it matters: If you’ve ever had to get an iPhone or device repaired — you probably know the hoops the giants make you jump through. This is a huge win — more repairable devices means less e-waste and more affordability.
NEW PRODUCTS
📱 AppManager- Streamline your app & user provisioning with this IT agent for startups (link)
👨💻 Frigade- Product onboarding for React and Next.js (link)
🪄 Framer AI- Generate a website in minutes from prompts (link)
💘 Longshot- ChatGPT for enterprises. Upload your docs, fact check, ensure zero hallucinations and integrate anywhere (link)
✨ Magic Studio- Create amazing product photos in minutes (link)
🎤 Castmagic- Turn long-form audio into ready-to-use content assets, instantly (link)
🦄 Screen Story- Create video demos, tutorials, education videos, gifs, and promo videos (link)
Browse the most popular tools ever featured with our tool database.
SNIPPETS
Google is calling for patent reform after a judge invalidated Sonos' patents and tossed out a $32 million verdict, saying Sonos abused the system to "punish an innovator and enrich a pretender."
Rice University created a magnetoelectric material that rapidly stimulates nerves and can repair nerve damage.
Qualcomm introduces Snapdragon X chips, rivaling Apple's M-series, with improved performance, battery life, and on-device AI processing.
Sony unveils a new "Slim" PS5 model with a detachable disc drive and 1TB storage, releasing in November for $499.99 or $449.99 without the drive.
TikTok introduces a new API allowing users to post directly from approved third-party apps like Adobe Premiere Pro and Twitch; photo content support to follow soon.
California court finds Facebook's age and gender ad-targeting violates state anti-discrimination law after a user claimed discriminatory ad practices.
Caroline Ellison testified on Wednesday that Sam Bankman-Fried directed her to commit fraud and money laundering crimes, including taking billions from FTX customers.
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THAT’S A WRAP
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