Daily Tech Headlines: "iRobot files for Bankruptcy" – December 15, 2025

Hosts: Jen Kutter (main reader for this episode)
Episode Focus: Major tech news of the day, highlighted by iRobot’s bankruptcy and acquisition deal, alongside rapid-fire updates on other tech industry developments.

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of top tech stories from December 15, 2025. The headline is iRobot’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and its planned acquisition by China’s Pysia Robotics. Other key topics include Reddit's legal challenge in Australia, a satellite near-miss involving Starlink, new AI-powered Kindle features from Amazon, Google and Disney’s ongoing battles over AI-generated content, Uber’s new personalized wrap-ups, X/Twitter’s iOS widgets, and a retro-inspired smartphone from Ayaneo.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. iRobot Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

• Time: 02:36
• Summary:
  • iRobot, the iconic robot vacuum manufacturer, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after 35 years in business.
  • Plans are in place for acquisition by Chinese company Pysia Robotics; the deal is slated to complete by February 2026 if bankruptcy court approval is granted.
  • iRobot assures customers and partners of business continuity: "no anticipated disruption to its app functionality, customer programs, global partners, supply chain relationships or ongoing product support."
  • Context: The move follows the blocked Amazon acquisition (threatened veto by EU regulators in 2024) and a March 2025 statement from iRobot warning of significant doubts about continued operations.
• Notable Quote:
  • "On Sunday, robot vacuum maker iRobot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after 35 years in operation. iRobot plans to be acquired by Chinese company Pysia Robotics in a deal expected to close in February 2026 if approved by the bankruptcy court." – Jen Kutter (02:36)

2. Reddit’s Legal Battle Against Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban

• Time: 03:25
• Summary:
  • Reddit files a lawsuit opposing its inclusion in Australia's ban on social media access for under-16s.
  • Reddit argues that it should be treated as a collection of adult-oriented public forums rather than conventional social media.
  • The company claims the law impinges on the implied freedom of political communication.
• Notable Quote:
  • "[Reddit said] this law is applied to Reddit inaccurately since we're a forum primarily for adults and we don't have the traditional social media features the government has taken issue with." – Jen Kutter (03:51)

3. Starlink Satellite Near Miss

• Time: 04:24
• Summary:
  • Starlink VP of Engineering, Michael Nichols, shares on X (formerly Twitter) about a near-collision in space between a Starlink and a newly launched Chinese satellite.
  • The two satellites came within 200 meters of each other; Starlink blames the lack of trajectory data sharing from the Chinese launch, limiting collision avoidance options.
• Notable Quote:
  • "Nichols said the satellites were launched from the Zhouchuan satellite launch center in northwestern China, with no data provided to allow other satellites to make course adjustments." – Jen Kutter (04:36)

4. Amazon Rolls Out ‘Ask this Book’ AI Feature for Kindle

• Time: 04:53
• Summary:
  • Amazon introduces "Ask this Book," an AI feature on the Kindle iOS app enabling users to query books directly.
  • The feature supports “thousands of English language bestsellers” but lacks specifics on broader catalog coverage.
  • The AI feature is “always on”; authors and publishers cannot opt out.
  • Planned to expand to Android and physical Kindle devices in 2026.
• Notable Quote:
  • "To ensure a consistent reading experience, the feature is always on and there is no option for authors or publishers to opt titles out." – reported by Reactor, formerly Tor.com (05:27)

5. Google Complies with Disney Over AI Copyright Infringement

• Time: 05:45
• Summary:
  • Google removes dozens of YouTube videos featuring AI-generated Disney IPs after receiving a cease and desist from Disney.
  • Disney claims that Google both hosted infringing material and used Disney copyrights to train their own AI video generators (specifically "nanobanana" and "veo").
  • Disney is actively pursuing other AI copyright infringement cases, while also striking a deal with OpenAI for Disney characters in Sora and ChatGPT.
• Notable Quote:
  • "Google removed dozens of YouTube videos featuring AI generated Disney IPs after previously receiving a cease and desist letter claiming Google is using AI to engage in copyright infringement on a massive scale." – Jen Kutter (06:00)

6. Uber’s 2025 Personalized 'Uber Y O U B E R' Feature

• Time: 06:28
• Summary:
  • Uber unveils "Uber Y O U B E R," a wrap-up feature for Uber and Uber Eats users in the U.S.
  • Details provided include unique stats (e.g., being a top customer at a restaurant), Uber Comfort usage, and personal profile assignments such as "Rise Shiner" or "Delivery Darling."
  • A playful twist on Spotify Wrapped, but for ride and delivery preferences.

7. X (Formerly Twitter) Launches iOS Widgets

• Time: 06:54
• Summary:
  • X announces new iOS widgets for home and lock screens, offering news highlights and quick access to features like X notifications, messages, and Grok (the platform’s AI assistant).

8. Ayaneo Announces ‘Pocket Play’ Smartphone

• Time: 07:07
• Summary:
  • Ayaneo launches a Kickstarter campaign for Pocket Play, a smartphone with physical gaming controls reminiscent of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play.
  • The slide-out controller includes a D-pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, and two touchpads.
  • No specifications or pricing yet; the campaign is imminent.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On iRobot’s Bankruptcy:
  “On Sunday, robot vacuum maker iRobot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after 35 years in operation. iRobot plans to be acquired by Chinese company Pysia Robotics in a deal expected to close in February 2026 if approved by the bankruptcy court.”
  — Jen Kutter, (02:36)

• On the Starlink Near-Miss:
  “Nichols said the satellites were launched from the Zhouchuan satellite launch center in northwestern China, with no data provided to allow other satellites to make course adjustments.”
  — Jen Kutter, (04:36)

• On Reddit’s Legal Stance:
  “[Reddit said] this law is applied to Reddit inaccurately since we’re a forum primarily for adults and we don’t have the traditional social media features the government has taken issue with.”
  — Jen Kutter, (03:51)

• On Amazon’s AI for Kindle:
  “To ensure a consistent reading experience, the feature is always on and there is no option for authors or publishers to opt titles out.”
  — Reactor via Jen Kutter, (05:27)

• On Google & Disney Copyright:
  “Google removed dozens of YouTube videos featuring AI generated Disney IPs after previously receiving a cease and desist letter claiming Google is using AI to engage in copyright infringement on a massive scale.”
  — Jen Kutter, (06:00)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 02:36 – iRobot files for bankruptcy, plans acquisition
• 03:25 – Reddit sues Australian government
• 04:24 – Starlink near-miss with Chinese satellite
• 04:53 – Amazon’s 'Ask this Book' AI rollout
• 05:45 – Google pulls Disney AI videos, Disney seizes on copyright
• 06:28 – Uber introduces year-end review feature
• 06:54 – X/Twitter brings widgets to iOS
• 07:07 – Ayaneo’s retro gaming phone Kickstarter

Final Note

This episode packed a lot of news into a tight format, giving listeners the essential updates on fast-moving developments across robotics, litigation, AI, digital media, and consumer tech. The tone remained factual, brisk, and accessible, as is typical for the show.

For deeper discussion on these stories, listeners are encouraged to check out the main Daily Tech News Show.