HeyWhatsNew: Amazon Ends Support for Older Kindles, and DOOM Soundtrack Added to US National Recording Registry
Hello, Heyuppers! The tech world never slows down, and neither do we. Here are this week’s standout stories in gaming and technology, starting 18/05/2026.
AI Chatbots Are Becoming More Common at Fast Food Drive-Thrus
More fast food chains are using AI chatbots to take customer orders at drive-thrus. McDonald's was one of the first major brands to test the technology in 2021 after buying the AI startup Apprente in 2019. The company later worked with IBMto grow the system. Since then, brands like Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Checkers and Rally’s have also started using AI voice ordering at some of their drive-thrus across the US.
These companies say AI can help make ordering faster and more accurate while allowing employees to focus on other tasks in the restaurant. Wendy’s created its “FreshAI” chatbot with help from Google and trained it to understand the chain’s menu terms and common customer phrases. According to Wendy’s, the chatbot was able to complete orders correctly without staff help 86 percent of the time during testing. Taco Bell is also planning to expand its AI ordering system to more locations across the US.
Older Kindles Lose Support, Prompting Users to Jailbreak Devices
Amazon is ending technical support for several older Kindle models, including early Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, and Kindle Fire devices. After May 20, these devices will no longer receive updates and will mainly be limited to reading content already stored on them. This change has led some users to explore ways to unlock more features on their devices instead of replacing them.
One of the most common methods is jailbreaking, which removes Amazon’s software restrictions to allow extra features such as custom fonts, alternative reading apps, and improved file support. The process typically involves blocking automatic updates, installing jailbreak files through a computer, and adding tools like KOReader. While it can extend the usefulness of older devices, jailbreaking carries risks, including software issues, security concerns, and possible violations of Amazon’s terms of service. Some users prefer safer options like transferring books manually without changing the device software.
Microsoft Removes Teams “Together Mode” to Improve Performance and Simplicity
Microsoft is removing the “Together mode” feature from its Teams platform, a virtual meeting tool that was introduced in 2020 during the pandemic to make video calls feel more like people sharing the same space. The feature was originally designed to improve remote collaboration, but the company is now shifting focus to a simpler video layout called Gallery mode.
Microsoft says the change is meant to reduce system strain and improve video quality, especially on less powerful devices. The company explained that Together mode added complexity and could make performance worse on mobile devices. Gallery mode will instead adjust video tiles more efficiently and support improvements like better resolution and clearer visuals. The move also reflects ongoing criticism of Teams for being slow and overly complicated, with Microsoft aiming to streamline the experience.
DOOM Soundtrack Enters US National Recording Registry
The original 1993 soundtrack for DOOM has been officially added to the United States Library of Congress National Recording Registry, recognizing it as a culturally significant piece of video game music. Composed by Bobby Prince, the soundtrack is one of 25 recordings selected for the 2026 class out of more than 3,000 public nominations, placing it alongside major music releases such as Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” and Taylor Swift’s 1989.
The soundtrack is widely praised for shaping the identity of early first-person shooter games. Prince created the music using MIDI technology and designed it to work within the limited audio capabilities of early 1990s hardware, often drawing inspiration from heavy metal and industrial music. He also worked closely with DOOM’s development team, finishing much of the soundtrack before levels were completed. While some debate its similarities to existing rock influences, the soundtrack remains highly influential and is also credited for helping define the sound of 1990s gaming.
Party Animals Studio Faces Backlash Over AI Video Contest
Recreate Games, the studio behind Party Animals, has apologized after announcing an AI-generated video competition that sparked backlash from players. The contest, which offered a $75,000 prize pool, invited users to create short videos using generative AI tools. However, many players criticized the idea, arguing it undervalues human creativity and traditional game art.
In response to the criticism, the studio issued an apology, saying its goal was to make content creation more accessible by lowering technical barriers for players. It also acknowledged that communication around the contest was unclear. A community poll followed, giving players options to cancel the contest, modify it to include non-AI entries, or continue it with added categories. The majority voted to cancel the AI-only version, reflecting ongoing debate in the gaming industry about the role of generative AI in creative work.
That’s a wrap, Heyuppers. But don’t go far, there’s plenty more news, drops, and surprises coming your way soon. See you next week!