Figma pushes AI design specs, NASA develops a moon battery, Xbox and Sony launch new hardware, Ubisoft cuts jobs

From design collaboration to lunar energy, from wearables to gamepads and audio hardware, the tech industry is advancing on three tracks at once: AI capabilities moving down into products, hardware use cases becoming more segmented, and organizations restructuring costs. Figma is trying to set design rules for AI agents, NASA is pushing battery tech into the Moon's extreme temperatures, and Fitbit, Xbox, and Sony are using new products at different price points to reach more specific audiences. Meanwhile, Ubisoft continues to shrink its studios and headcount.

Figma adds design specs for AI agents

At its first Config event in India, Figma announced Figma Specs, a Markdown-based editor that lets companies define their design language, bring in design and code libraries, and integrate with the Payload headless content management system. Specs can exist on their own or be embedded in the canvas, and users can reference canvas elements, FigJam diagrams, and code layers. One goal is to help Figma's own and third-party agents better follow brand design rules when generating content. In the past week, Figma also opened its canvas agent to a wider user base; given AI's non-deterministic nature, the company is using tools to make output more predictable. The code layers feature entered public beta after a private beta in June, letting users ask agents to turn designs into code or modify code to iterate on prototypes. Figma Chief Design Officer Loredana Crisan said code output is now 17 times higher than before, but shipping is only 1.3 times higher, with much code used to explore products rather than ship directly. The company also said its MCP supports more than 20 new tools, including Open Code, Dia, Grok Bot, and Indian AI startup Sarvam; Payload, acquired last year, is integrating with Figma Make, and downloads have grown sixfold in the past 12 months. ^[1]

NASA develops solid-state batteries that can withstand the Moon's extreme temperatures

NASA recently shared details of the SPEARS project, which aims to build batteries that can withstand extreme cold for future lunar missions such as Artemis. Lithium-ion batteries used in most Earth electronics rely on liquid electrolytes, which can freeze at low temperatures and damage the battery, and they also do not work well at high temperatures. The Moon can reach daytime highs of 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit), while nighttime lows at its south pole can fall to about minus 200 degrees Celsius (minus 328 degrees Fahrenheit), leaving current battery tech unable to cope. SPEARS stands for Solid Power for Extreme Environment Adaptability and Resilience in Space, and it replaces the liquid with solid ceramic or polymer materials. These batteries still need to be warmed up to work, but so far they have not been damaged by extreme cold, and their thermal management systems require less energy than lithium-ion batteries. The team originally developed the technology for Mars's harsh climate, and the same technology could one day be used in devices on Earth. ^[2]

Fitbit Edge vs. Air: a screen creates the experience divide

Google is investing in fitness trackers again. After launching the $99 screenless Fitbit Air in May, it released the $179 Fitbit Edge in October, positioning it between entry-level trackers and the Pixel Watch 5. Both devices offer AI features older Fitbits lack and are not tied to the Android ecosystem, but users need a Google Health Premium subscription to get the most out of them. The Edge and Air differ sharply in form: the Air is a 1.37 x 0.66 x 0.32-inch sensor module whose interactions happen almost entirely through the Google Health app, while the Edge has a 1.34-inch oval AMOLED touchscreen and a mechanical side button, measuring 1.54 x 1.01 x 0.46 inches. For sensors, both have optical heart rate sensors, but only the Edge has electrical sensors that support ECG, plus an altimeter and ambient light sensor. On battery life, Google says both can reach seven days, but the Edge lasts about two days with the screen always on; the Edge can charge to 100 percent in 90 minutes, and a 15-minute charge at low battery provides a day of use. ^[3]

Xbox Nano Controller focuses on compact portability

Xbox has released the Nano Controller, the smallest gamepad in its lineup, just over five inches long, weighing 3.5 ounces, and priced at $50. It keeps the standard Xbox controller layout in a more compact size, has a built-in rechargeable battery, and Xbox thinks it could suit younger players and people with smaller hands. The controller has an action button that can be programmed through the Xbox Accessories app, for example to take screenshots or record gameplay videos; Bluetooth support makes it compatible with Xbox consoles, PCs, iOS and Android devices, and some smart TVs. Samsung will bundle the controller with two months of Game Pass Ultimate for new subscribers with select TV purchases in the US during the holiday season, and a similar plan is in the works for Meta Quest headsets. Note that Xbox will impose time limits on cloud gaming starting next month: Game Pass Ultimate users can stream games on a TV, Quest, or other device for only 15 hours unless they buy time credits. The Nano Controller is available for preorder now, ships in the US on November 4, reaches 35 more countries next month, and will expand to other markets later. ^[4]

Sony ECM-W5 takes on DJI with 32-bit float recording

Sony has launched the ECM-W5 wireless microphone kit for $400, clearly targeting DJI's affordable wireless microphones but at a higher price. The kit includes two transmitters and one receiver, can record directly to Sony cameras, and can connect to other devices over USB-C, transmitting 96kHz audio up to 500 meters away in line-of-sight conditions. With Sony Alpha series cameras, it can draw power and transfer data through the Multi Interface Shoe. If users buy an extra $120 transmitter, they can record up to four tracks at once; each transmitter has 64GB of built-in storage, which works as a backup and also enables 32-bit float recording, letting users capture both quiet and loud sounds without constantly adjusting gain. The transmitter battery lasts 11 hours, has a magnetic backplate, and can be pinned to clothing. The receiver has a touchscreen and a USB-C adapter for connecting to a phone or computer, and it supports Bluetooth LE wireless monitoring. Compared with the $259 DJI Mic 3 or the $99 DJI Mic Mini, the ECM-W5 is better suited to users already invested in Sony's camera ecosystem. It is available for preorder, ships in November, with the receiver sold separately for $190 and transmitters for $120. ^[5]

Ubisoft plans to close RedLynx and continues layoffs

Ubisoft is planning another round of layoffs and studio contraction. The company told GamesIndustry.biz that it has notified its team of a proposal to close its Finnish studio RedLynx, subject to a local consultation process that could affect up to 52 positions. At Ubisoft Singapore, 70 positions are affected out of about 350 employees, roughly a fifth of the studio; the company says Singapore remains an important part of its global production organization. GameFile also reported that Ubisoft plans to cut about 100 employees in Germany, where its three studios currently have more than 600 staff, and the company hopes to avoid direct layoffs through voluntary buyouts. RedLynx is known for the Trials series and was acquired by Ubisoft in 2011; it laid off dozens of people last year, and its last self-developed mobile game, Gwen's Getaway, was canceled a year after a 2023 soft launch. Ubisoft Singapore was founded in 2008 as a support studio and went on to lead development of Skull and Bones because of its Assassin's Creed naval content; the game launched in early 2024. This year Ubisoft has canceled at least half a dozen games, closed studios including Winnipeg, Belgrade, and Halifax, and layoffs have hit Massive Entertainment, Ubisoft Stockholm, and its Paris headquarters. ^[6]

Common trend: AI moving down, hardware segmentation, and cost contraction

These developments point to one trend: AI is turning from a standalone selling point into an underlying capability in toolchains and consumer hardware. Figma uses Markdown specs to constrain agent output, and Fitbit is bringing AI health features down to hundred-dollar devices, showing that vendors want more controllable and easier-to-use implementations. At the same time, NASA's solid-state battery, Xbox's compact controller, and Sony's 32-bit float microphone all show hardware innovation moving toward extreme environments, specific user groups, and professional workflows. On the other side, Ubisoft's layoffs and studio closures show that the game industry is still cutting costs while maintaining product output. Worth watching next: whether Figma's agents can improve design consistency in real teams, when solid-state batteries will leave the lab, and whether these new hardware products can find enough demand in their respective price ranges during the holiday season. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}