HeyWhatsNew: Ring Expands AI Pet Search and Epic Moves to Fix Its PC Launcher
Hello, Heyuppers! Ready for your weekly scoop? From tech and gaming to the latest in innovation, here are the stories shaping the week of 09/02/2026.
Apple Prepares iPhone 17e and Multiple Device Updates
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17e roughly one year after the release of the iPhone 16e, according to reporting by Mark Gurman. The iPhone 17e is said to include the A19 chip from the iPhone 17 lineup, add MagSafe charging support, and transition to Apple’s in-house cellular chips. Despite increases in component costs such as RAM and storage, Apple reportedly plans to maintain the device’s price at $599. The company is expected to market the iPhone 17e strongly in emerging markets and to enterprise customers, positioning it as a competitive option while rival brands focus on higher-end devices.
Alongside the iPhone 17e, Apple is also expected to introduce updates to several other products. The base-model iPad is reportedly moving to an A18 chip, enabling support for Apple Intelligence, while the iPad Air is expected to receive an M4 processor and adopt an OLED display. Updated MacBook Pro models and a MacBook Air with an M5 processor are also anticipated. According to Gurman, most of these product launches are expected to take place by early March.
Ring Expands AI-Powered Search Party Feature to All U.S. Users
Ring has expanded its AI-powered “Search Party” feature, which helps locate lost dogs by scanning neighborhood camera footage, to all Ring app users in the United States. Previously limited to customers who owned Ring cameras, the feature is now also available to users without Ring hardware. When a lost dog is reported in the Ring app, nearby outdoor cameras use AI to identify potential matches. If a match is detected, the camera owner is notified and can choose to share relevant footage or contact the pet owner without revealing personal contact details. Ring reports that the feature has helped reunite more than one dog per day since its launch last fall.
Alongside the expansion, Ring announced a $1 million commitment to provide Ring camera systems to approximately 4,000 animal shelters across the U.S. By integrating shelters into its camera network, the company aims to increase the chances of reuniting lost pets with their owners. Ring also noted that it already works with nonprofit organizations such as Petco Love and Best Friends Animal Society and is open to additional partnerships to further support pet recovery efforts.
Alibaba’s Qwen Chatbot Pauses Coupon Campaign After User Surge
Alibaba’s AI chatbot Qwen has temporarily stopped issuing shopping coupons after being overwhelmed by user demand, disrupting a new campaign designed to showcase its shopping and payment capabilities. The initiative allowed users to make purchases on Alibaba-owned platforms directly through chatbot prompts and marked the first phase of a 3 billion yuan plan to attract users during China’s Spring Festival period. Alibaba reported that 10 million orders were placed within the first nine hours, leading to system overload and repeated refusals when users attempted additional purchases.
The campaign is part of Alibaba’s broader effort to position Qwen as a central access point for its ecosystem, enabling users to interact with multiple apps and complete payments within the chatbot. However, technical issues emerged soon after the rollout, prompting Qwen to ask users for patience via its official social media channel. While coupon issuance has been paused, Alibaba said the coupons will remain valid until February 28.
Epic Games Plans Improvements to Its PC Launcher
Epic Games has acknowledged that its PC launcher suffers from performance issues and requires significant improvement. The company explained that the launcher’s slow responsiveness is linked to frequent backend system calls during navigation. Work to rebuild the launcher’s underlying architecture began in late 2025, with speed improvements expected to be introduced by mid-2026.
In addition to performance updates, Epic Games plans to introduce several long-requested features aimed at improving the user experience. These include player profiles, messaging, voice and text chat, community spaces, and a shared game library across PC and mobile platforms. The company noted that while earlier development efforts focused on supporting developers, current engineering priorities are now centered on enhancing player-facing features.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Expands to Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox
Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox consoles on June 3, 2026. Revealed during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation, the release will bring the second installment of the Final Fantasy VII remake project to new platforms, allowing Nintendo and Xbox players to continue the story that began with Final Fantasy VII Remake. Pre-orders for the game are now open on the Nintendo eShop, with digital bonuses available.
Final Fantasy VII Remake originally launched in 2020 and later expanded to additional platforms, earning strong critical reception for its modern take on the classic RPG. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has also been widely praised, building on the foundation of Remake with expanded gameplay and world design. With Rebirth arriving on more platforms, players will be fully caught up ahead of the expected announcement of the third and final entry in the remake trilogy.
Concerns Emerge Over Baldur’s Gate 3 HBO Adaptation
HBO has confirmed a live-action adaptation of Baldur’s Gate 3, led by Craig Mazin, the writer behind The Last of Us and Chernobyl. The series is expected to continue the story established in the game. However, Polygon reports that none of the developers from Larian Studios, including the game’s writers and creative leads, are involved in the production. This revelation has raised questions about how closely the adaptation will reflect the tone, characters, and narrative that made the game successful.
Reaction from both developers and fans has been mixed. Larian’s director of publishing, Michael Douse, publicly expressed concern about whether the characters and story will be represented with the same care as in the game, while acknowledging the creative talent behind Baldur’s Gate 3. Although Larian CEO Swen Vincke has indicated that Mazin reached out to the studio, many fans remain skeptical about the level of influence this will have. With no direct involvement from the original creators, there is growing uncertainty over whether the adaptation can do justice to the source material.
That concludes this week’s roundup, Heyuppers. See you next week with more updates.
