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Meta is testing AI use in technical interviews - DTNSB 5070
🕑 Added 2025-07-29 18:07:52 +0000 UTCApple is closing one of its stores in China for the first time, and Tom’s getting the new Elgato Facecam 4k with 49mm lens support.
Starring Jason Howell, Tom Merritt, and Jason Koebler.
JASON: This is the Daily Tech News for Tuesday, July 29, 2025. We tell you what you need to know, follow up on the context of those stories and help each other understand.
TOM: Today Jason Koebler from 404media joins us to discuss Meta’s new policy letting candidates use AI in coding interviews.
I’m Jason Howell,
I’m Tom Merritt.
JASON: Let’s start with what you need to know with the big story.
BIG STORY
Meta Is Going to Let Job Candidates Use AI During Coding Tests
"Meta Is Going to Let Job Candidates Use AI During Coding Tests | WIRED"
“Math teachers protest against calculator use” - circa 1966
JASON: Welcome to the show, Jason Koebler for 404media! Your reporting shows how Meta's pushing to make its technical interviews more representative of modern coding environments that involve collaboration with AI. Why not start there, what did 404media see in the internal communications that make the foundation of your reporting?
Big thanks to Jason Koebler, you can find his excellent reporting at 404media.co.
TOM: DTNS is made possible by you the listener. Thanks to
Pele_Glendale
Tim Deputy
Brandon Brooks
JASON: There’s more we need to know today, let’s get to the briefs.
BRIEFS
Apple to Shutter a Retail Store in China for the First Time Ever
Bloomberg
TOM: Apple has closed stores without relocating them before, but not very often. It's only done it four times in the US (if you don't count Apple HQ), and it's never done it in China. Until now. Apple will close its store in Parkland Mall in Dalian City, one of two stores in the city. At the same time, Apple is opening new stores in Beijing and Shanghai this year. And Apple isn't the first to leave the Parkland Mall, which also said goodbye to Coach, Sandro, and Hugo Boss in recent years.
Adobe adds new AI-powered image editing features to Photoshop
TechCrunch
JASON: Adobe launched new AI-powered tools for Photoshop that I know I'll be checking out closely. Generative Upscale will increase resolution on an image up to 8 megapixels, useful for restoring old photos and upscaling lower res images for print projects. Harmonize allows users to fit a new digital object into a scene while removing the background from the placed image and making a series of adjustments to ensure it blends into the scene naturally, including color, lighting, shadows, and tones. Lastly, an updated object removal algorithm that should result in cleaner removal and gap filling without some of the usual unwanted artifacts that has appeared in the past. The new features are available in beta form now. Harmonize is also available in the iOS app through an early access program.
Jack Dorsey’s Bluetooth messaging app Bitchat now on App Store
TechCrunch
TOM: Jack Dorsey’s new messaging app, Bitchat is launching in the Apple app store, no TestFlight needed. If you recall, Bitchat lets users chat with others nearby using Bluetooth, no internet access necessary. Users are not required to log in to use the app and the app experience is designed to be simple and easy to understand. A box shows nearby users who are also logged into the app by their display name, which you can then tap to send a chat request to. The app is available on the Apple app store now. The Android version is still only available on Github. And there are a few imposter apps on the Play Store, so be on the lookout for fakes!
Elgato’s new 4K webcam lets you swap lens filters like a pro camera
The Verge
JASON: Elgato has launched the Facecam 4K webcam that lets users record in 4K 60fps, pretty standard webcam fare in 2025. It's unique in that it supports 49mm lens filters, which allows users to apply cinematic filters and reduce glare, similar to pro camera capabilities. Elgato offers a free Circular Polarizing filter when ordered through the Elgato store. It works with Elgato's Camera Hub software for manual controls and saves settings direct to the camera. The camera connects via USB-C and is Nintendo Switch 2 capable. The Elgato Facecam 4k is available today for $199.99.
Google Pixel grows in US, settling into top 4 spot ahead of Pixel 10 launch
9to5Google
Another Google Pixel 6a catches fire after battery-nerfing update
Ars Technica
TOM: Google Pixel has some good news and some bad news.
Let's start with the good news. Pixel has moved past TCL into the fourth spot in US smartphone market share, with around 800,000 units shipped in Q2 2025, according to a Canalys report. That's a 13% increase over last year. Pixel is holding its own but still sits behind Apple, Samsung, and Motorola which collectively make up for than 90% of shipments nationwide. But hey, progress!
Now the bad news. Another Pixel 6a has caught fire only this time, it happened after receiving the battery-limiting update that was meant to prevent such an incident. The July 2025 update slowed charging and reduced battery capacity once certain phones reached 400 charging cycles. That wasn't enough to keep one Redditor's 6a from erupting into flames while it charged overnight. Thankfully, the house was not set on fire as a result. Google has not given Ars Technica a statement on this incident.
Commodore Announces Xenon 3: Hyperblast For Steam, Switch And PlayStation
Time Extension
JASON: Commodore, the classic computer company, had already announced its pending return under new owners, and a revival of the classic form factor with modern hardware, in a play to rekindle its old school magic. Now, Commodore has announced its first game, Xenon 3: Hyperblast, a follow-up to the classic Amiga shooter series that's less a sequel and more a reimagining of the original's style. The new game will first hit Commodore's Starcade ecosystem before making its way to Steam, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch at release. Commodore is also working on an updated version of Taito's "New Zealand Story." The Commodore 64-ening is upon us!
PROMO
TOM: Join in the conversation in our Discord which you can join by linking to a Patreon account at patreon.com/dtns
HELPING EACH OTHER UNDERSTAND
JASON: We end every episode of DTNS with some shared wisdom. Today Dan is helping us understand.
TOM: Just finished listening to your science weekend update with Dr. Niki Ackermans and really enjoyed the in-depth one-on-one discussion about DNA and current use, the concerns, and the limits around how it currently is being used and how it can be highly accurate, but not strictly zero chance for failure.
I hope to hear more of these bite-sized in-depth shows in the future, keep up the good work.
Long time listener and supporter through Patreon for many years, thank you for all you and the team do!
Dan in Bellevue, Nebraska
JASON: What are you thinking about? Got some insight into a story? Share it with us feedback@dailytechnewsshow.com
JASON: Thanks to Dan andJason Koebler for contributing to today’s show. And thank YOU for being along for Daily Tech News Show. You can keep us in business by becoming a patron, atPatreon.com/dtns
Comments
David Ward
Two, things, this is at least the second or third episode of "Briefings" where the long form interview, in this case about VIBE coding, was up front. I don't know if others agree, and I've been listening to Briefings since the beginning, before that the regular AKA "Live" show. But, that's a NO go for me, I want to hear the news... "Briefing" first, please, pretty please. 90% of the time I lsten to the long form discussion at the end, but there's time, I've got the run or the topic doesn't interest me, so anywho, my two cents. Secondly, about "Bit Chat", an not sure I got the spelling right there, but it sounds like a tool for Protestors or those engaged in Demonstrations where typical networks (Internet or Phone) might be taken offline by authorities. Sounded like it had the mesh component. Of coarse, I'm sure there's other uses, like during natural disasters adn such, but then again, we're talking like really low powered transmisions, and I'd think you'd need a certain density of folks using this to create an effective mesh network. Do think, it would be a nice native feature to see come to Apple/Android or part of the WiFI Alliance Specs, for situations like the later. Love the Show and Rock on!
R W Nash
Can I use a calculator in my exam please? Had that at the start of the segment (honest) I would like some DTNS artefacts please? My 6a, still nominal. Remember playing Xenon II It's a Megablast. Yes, me playing a game. Yes to byte sized. Thank you.
