Major League Baseball Adds Robot-Umpires for 2026- DTH - Daily Tech Headlines

Daily Tech Headlines – Major League Baseball Adds Robot-Umpires for 2026

Episode Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Sarah Lane, Robb Dunewood, Tom Merritt
Main Host for this Episode: Jen Kutter (filling in)
Episode Theme:
A concise breakdown of today’s essential tech news, with a focus on Major League Baseball’s announcement that robot umpires will debut in 2026. Additional stories cover major social media regulation, privacy news, tech updates, and subscription changes.

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the latest global tech news, highlighting Major League Baseball’s announcement to implement robot umpires for ball and strike calls starting in the 2026 season. The episode also features updates on social media age bans in Australia, WhatsApp’s new translation feature, new AI tools from Google, Disney+'s price increases, and more.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. MLB Introduces Robot-Umpires (05:35)

News: Major League Baseball will use automated ball-strike systems, or “robot umpires,” at home plate starting in 2026.
How It Works:
- Only used when a player challenges a human umpire's call.
- Two challenges per game, eligible to the pitcher, catcher, or batter.
Background:
- Previously tested in the minor leagues, spring training, and at the 2025 All-Star Game.
Purpose: To create a “more impartial and accurate way to call balls and strikes.”
Notable Quote:
- Jen Kutter: “The automated ball strike system is viewed as an impartial and more accurate way to call balls and strikes.” (05:40)

2. Australia Expands Under-16 Social Media Ban (02:08)

Australian Esafety Commission: Expands the list of platforms potentially affected by their upcoming social media ban for users under 16, coming into effect December 10, 2025.
Platforms Contacted Include: Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, X, Pinterest, Discord, Reddit, Twitch, Kick, Steam, Roblox, LEGO Play, GitHub, and Match.com.

3. WhatsApp In-App Translation Feature (02:38)

New Feature: WhatsApp launches an in-app translation tool:
- Android: Supports six languages (English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic).
- iPhone: Over 19 languages.
Rollout: Gradual expansion with more languages expected.

4. TikTok Privacy Investigation in Canada (02:59)

Findings:
- TikTok needs to do more to keep under-13s off the platform and provide clarity on data collection.
Canadian Federal Privacy Commissioner’s Statement:
- “For the moment we find it’s conditionally resolved, and we are going to be monitoring the situation.” (03:35)
Context: A 2024 dissolution order of TikTok's Canadian business followed a national security review—did not block app access.

5. Amazon to Close All UK Fresh Grocery Stores (04:06)

Action:
- 19 Amazon Fresh stores in the UK to close.
- Five to convert to Whole Foods.
Features:
- Many stores used “Just Walk Out” cashierless tech.
Future Plans:
- Amazon will offer same-day grocery delivery, including perishables, in the UK by 2026.

6. Google AI Editing and Mood Board Tools (04:51)

Google Photos Update:
- “Help Me Edit” option allows editing via text or voice using Gemini AI (Android, US only, 18+).
Google Mixboard Beta:
- AI-powered mood board tool for designers, similar to Figma and Adobe Firefly Boards, available in public beta in the US.

7. Disney+ (and Bundle) Price Increases (05:22)

Effective October 21 in US:
- Disney+ and Hulu with ads: +$2 ($13/month).
- Disney+, Hulu, ESPN with ads: +$3 ($20/month).
- Ad-free versions: up to $30/month.
- Ad-free Disney plans have tripled in price since 2019.
Notable Quote:
- Jen Kutter: “Engadget notes that ad free Disney plans have tripled in price since launching in 2019.” (05:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On MLB Robot Umpires:
- “Robo umps were previously tested in the minor leagues, spring training and the 2025 All Star Game.” (05:45)
On Social Media Ban Enforcement:
- “The ban comes into effect December 10.” (02:18)
On TikTok Privacy Review:
- “We are going to be monitoring the situation.” (03:38)

Important Timestamps

02:08 – Australian social media ban expansion
02:38 – WhatsApp translation rollout details
02:59 – TikTok privacy investigation outcomes
04:06 – Amazon Fresh UK store closures and future delivery plans
04:51 – Google AI-based editing and Mixboard launch
05:22 – Disney+ price increases
05:35 – MLB’s robot umpires announcement and explanation

Summary Takeaway

This edition of Daily Tech Headlines captures a significant milestone in both sports and tech, as MLB formalizes the inclusion of robot umpires to enhance fairness in officiating. Elsewhere, tech regulation tightens for youth in Australia, privacy light shines on TikTok, and major players like Amazon, Google, and Disney continue to evolve their product offerings and pricing — all highlighting the constant state of change and innovation in the tech world.

Transcript

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These are the daily tech headlines for Wednesday, September 24, 2025. I'm Jen Kutter, ABC the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports the Esafety Commission has expanded the list of companies it's contacted to decide if they need to comply with the Australian social media ban for people under 16 years of age. The full list of companies contacted include Meta for their apps, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, Snap, TikTok, YouTube X, Pinterest, Discord, Reddit, streaming services, Twitch and Kick gaming platforms Steam, Roblox and Lego Play, the Hub app, GitHub and the dating site Match. The ban comes into effect December 10. WhatsApp is adding a built in translation feature for both Android and iPhone users, enabling messages to be translated into a predetermined language. The update on Android initially includes support for six English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic. While iPhone users will have access to over 19 languages, the new feature is gradually rolling out to users, with more language options to come. On Tuesday, the Canadian Federal Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufres presented the results of an investigation into TikTok's video privacy practices involving younger users. The commissioner said TikTok needs to improve its efforts to keep under 13s off of the platform and present clearer explanations of its data collection practices, adding, for the moment we find it's conditionally resolved and and we are going to be monitoring the situation. In 2024, the Canadian government ordered the dissolution of TikTok's Canadian business following a national security review, but it did not block access to the app. Also on Tuesday, Amazon announced it will close all 19 of its fresh grocery stores in the United Kingdom, with five expected to convert to a Whole Foods store. Many fresh stores featured Amazon's Just walk Out tech. Instead of cashiers for purchases, Amazon plans to offer same day delivery of groceries in the UK, including perishables, beginning in 2026. Google Photos users on Android can now edit photos with AI using natural language in text or with voice using Help Me Edit. Users can describe desired changes, use suggestions provided by Gemini, or Simply instruct the AI to make it better. The AI editing option is currently available to US users 18 and up and only in English. Google is also launching an AI concept tool for design mood boards called Mixboard, with pre generated board templates available or assistance through text prompts using Google's Gemini 2.5 flash model. The tool is currently in public beta in the US and looks similar to existing board generating tools like figjam or Adobe's Firefly boards. Disney is raising the prices for Disney plus subscriptions in the United States beginning October 21st. Disney plus and Hulu with ads are going up by $2 to $13. Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN select with ads will go up $3 to $20 and the ad free versions of those will rise by $3 to $30. Disney Plus, Hulu and HBO Max Basic with ads are going up by $3 to $20 and ad free Disney plus premium, Hulu premium and HBO Max will go up $3 to $. Engadget notes that ad free Disney plans have tripled in price since launching in 2019, and major league Baseball will use robot umpires at home plate beginning in 2026. The automated ball strike system is viewed as an impartial and more accurate way to call balls and strikes. ABs will only be utilized when a player challenges a human umpire's call with two challenges available per game and it can only be requested by the pitcher, catcher or batter. Robo umps were previously tested in the minor leagues, spring training and the 2025 All Star Game. For more discussion on the tech news of the day, subscribe to the Daily Tech news show@dailytechnewshow.com where you can also find the show notes and links to every headline. Please remember to rate and review daily tech headlines on your podcast service of choice from everyone here at Daily Tech Headlines. Thanks for listening.