⚡️ Unity CEO QUITS after massive backlash

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

🎮 Unity CEO exits after pricing backlash

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).

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TECH REGULATION

📱 California enacts right-to-repair law for devices

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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❤️ Rundown review of the day