💻 Fox Just Spent $22 Billion to Change How You Watch TV — And That's Just the Start

Fox is acquiring Roku in a $22 billion deal that could shake up the entire streaming landscape, and Roku device owners are already being put on notice. The UK is rolling out one of the most sweeping social media bans for children ever seen, and other countries may soon follow. Meta's smart glasses are at the center of a startling facial recognition revelation tied to a major Pentagon supplier. Meanwhile, NASA's quiet supersonic jet is hitting new milestones, the FBI has built a secret fake town to simulate cyberattacks, and Apple is quietly holding back features that could make your older iPhone feel brand new.

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Welcome to Technology Daily, your source for the latest in tech news. I'm your host, and today is June 15th, 2026. We've got a packed show for you, covering everything from a massive media acquisition to a social media ban for kids, autonomous drones, and some fascinating science. Let's dive right in.

Our biggest story today is one that could reshape how millions of people watch television. Fox has announced it is acquiring Roku in a deal worth a staggering 22 billion dollars. Once complete, the merger will combine Fox's TV networks and its Tubi streaming service with Roku's massive ecosystem of streaming devices, smart TV software, and The Roku Channel. The two companies say this will make them the third-largest player in the US TV industry by viewing share. What does this mean for you if you own a Roku device? Expect Fox content to be pushed more prominently on your home screen. This is a significant consolidation in the streaming wars, and it's one worth watching closely.

Next up, the United Kingdom is making a bold move on children's online safety. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a sweeping ban on social media for children under the age of 16. The ban, which could take effect as early as next year, goes beyond just restricting TikTok and Instagram. It also aims to prevent children from talking to strangers in online games, livestreaming, and using romantic or sexual chatbots. The UK is following Australia, which implemented a similar measure, and the move is sure to spark a global debate about digital parenting, enforcement challenges, and the responsibility of tech platforms. Starmer asked during the announcement whether social media truly creates a happy, safe environment for children — a question many parents around the world are wrestling with right now.

Moving on, there's a fascinating and slightly unsettling story from the world of tech and defense. Wired is reporting that Meta worked with Rank One Computing, a Pentagon supplier, to prototype facial recognition technology for its smart glasses. Rank One's board reportedly includes a former CIA deputy director and a former FBI science chief. The revelation raises serious questions about where consumer wearables end and surveillance technology begins. We'll be keeping an eye on how Meta responds to the growing scrutiny around this.

In the drone world, Skydio CEO Adam Bry sat down for an in-depth conversation about the future of autonomous flight. Skydio is currently the largest US drone manufacturer, and the company finds itself in a pivotal moment. Since the Trump administration banned foreign-made drones late last year, the inexpensive DJI drones that first responders, utility companies, and hobbyists relied on have essentially vanished from the US market. Skydio is now the main alternative, and Bry was candid about the opportunities and responsibilities that creates. He spoke about Skydio's commitment to manufacturing in the United States — something the company has done since 2016, even when investors thought it was crazy. The company is now planning to invest 3.5 billion dollars over five years in US manufacturing. Bry also addressed tough questions about military use of its drones and whether Silicon Valley companies should draw ethical red lines around defense applications. His view? It's not the company's place to dictate how the military uses its technology — that's a decision for democratically accountable institutions. It's a nuanced, controversial stance that's worth your time to explore in full.

Here's a fun one. Google has finally made its long-hidden flight simulator in Google Earth accessible to everyone through a web browser. The desktop version has had this feature tucked away since 2007, but now you can head to the Google Earth website, click Explore Earth, and find Flight Simulator in the Tools menu without downloading anything. It's a delightful little feature for the curious and the armchair pilot in all of us.

On the space front, Russia appears to finally be moving to address serious, long-running cracks in modules of the International Space Station. This has apparently been a persistent behind-the-scenes dispute between NASA and the Russian space agency Roscosmos. The structural integrity of aging space station components is not a small issue, and the fact that this has been an ongoing disagreement is something to keep in mind as we think about the future of international space cooperation.

NASA also has some exciting news on the aviation front. Its experimental X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft has hit new speed and altitude milestones, putting it on track for its first flights over US communities. The goal is to prove that supersonic passenger travel doesn't have to come with that disruptive sonic boom. If successful, it could pave the way for a new era of faster commercial flight.

In science news, researchers have developed a strange new material made from staple-shaped particles that can tangle together to be both strong and flexible. Here's the remarkable part — the material can be locked into a sturdy structure or rapidly unraveled using vibrations. The potential applications are wild: recyclable buildings, reconfigurable structures, and even advanced robotics. It sounds like something from science fiction, but it's very real.

Also from the world of physics, Oxford scientists have created a new type of quantum state inspired by the famous Schrödinger's cat thought experiment — but using components that are themselves quantum in nature. The advance could help build more resilient quantum computers. Quantum computing continues to inch forward in fascinating ways.

On the security front, the FBI has built a fake town in Huntsville, Alabama, specifically designed for simulating cyberattacks. The 22,000-square-foot facility includes a convenience store, gas station, hospital, and furnished homes — all wired up like a real town and connected to over 200 servers that can be hacked and infected with malware for training purposes. It's a remarkable investment in preparing for real-world cyber threats.

Finally, a quick note for Apple fans. Wired is reporting that iOS improvements are on the way that will make even older devices like the iPhone 11 feel more responsive, thanks to enhancements to an often overlooked background system feature. Apple is also reportedly holding back three additional iOS 27 features for a fall reveal. Good things, apparently, come to those who wait.

That's all for today's Technology Daily. Whether you're watching your Roku device with new eyes, following the UK's social media ban, or just excited to fly around in Google Earth, there's no shortage of big tech stories shaping our world. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you tomorrow.