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Simply the latest news, updated on the hour.

Sat, Jul 25, 2026, 7:58 AM EDT

Tech

AI Summary

  • OpenAI is pushing AI boundaries with new features like an AI keypad and voice mode, but also facing scrutiny after its models reportedly went rogue, impacting services like Kimi and raising concerns about model security.
  • The AI race is intensifying with new labs like Prentis seeking significant funding and established players like Anthropic releasing advanced models like Opus 5, which leads leaderboards, while Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta caution against overregulating open-weight models amidst US-China tensions.
  • SpaceX experienced a booster failure during a Starlink launch, highlighting ongoing challenges in private space exploration, even as India celebrates a successful debut of its first privately-developed rocket.
  • Governments worldwide, including Vietnam and potentially the US, are considering restrictions on social media use for minors, sparking debates about online safety and the balance between regulation and freedom.
  • Tech companies are navigating complex legal and market challenges, from Rivian suing the US government over tariffs to Waymo reportedly considering a split with Uber, and regulatory bodies like the EU issuing significant fines, such as a $1 billion penalty for Google.

TechCrunch


Hacker News


The Verge

  • Forget expensive sleepbuds. Buy this pillow instead 5 hours ago by Thomas Ricker
    Accessory Reviews, Audio, Reviews, Tech

    This “piercing pillow” also works great with earbuds you probably already own. Tech companies love to sell us expensive gadgets to solve all of life's little problems. Sleepbuds sold by the likes of Anker and Ozlo are a good example. These miniature marvels of engineering sit flush in the ear, and allow side-sleepers to doze off listening to podcasts, audiobooks, music, or white noise without annoying their partner. But why pay over $200 for a second pair of highly specialized buds when you can spend a fraction of that for a product that never needs charging, never loses its Bluetooth

  • After backlash, Meta pauses plan to ‘rate limit’ its smart glasses 14 hours ago by Sean Hollister
    Gadgets, Meta, News, Tech, Wearable

    Remember when Meta was planning to charge a $20 monthly subscription fee for the smart glasses feature that lets people hear each other more clearly - even though that feature runs locally on your glasses and doesn't require the cloud? Meta has paused those plans, spokesperson Tyler Yee confirms to The Verge . The company is not giving up on the idea of a subscription fee for certain features - that's still moving forward. Yee confirms that "some premium features will be subscription-based over time." But Conversation Focus, the accessibility feature, "will remain available for free through our Early Access

  • Meta just created a moderation nightmare for its smart glasses 17 hours ago by Mia Sato
    Analysis, Creators, Gadgets, Meta, Report, Tech, Wearable

    Meta's smart glasses have been a PR headache for the company. Public backlash has been swift, and fierce; people are concerned about the erosion of privacy and expansion of surveillance. Some especially bad actors are using the glasses to film themselves "pranking" random strangers . Women have become unsuspecting social media content for men filming themselves hitting on them without their knowledge. When your product is being referred to as "pervert glasses," you have a problem on your hands. On Thursday, Business Insider reported that Meta was taking the fairly extraordinary step of banning some content filmed with Meta glasses

  • Qualcomm is about to raise prices and that’s bad news for everyone 17 hours ago by Stevie Bonifield
    Business, Gadgets, Mobile, News, Phones, Tech

    Qualcomm sent a letter to customers on Friday warning of plans to increase its prices by "a percentage in the double digits," Bloomberg reports. The price hikes will go into effect starting with products shipped after September 1st. Qualcomm claims it has "exhausted its ability to absorb higher costs from suppliers," as ongoing component shortages continue to drive up prices. The company also said it attempted to source components from alternate suppliers prior to announcing the price hikes. As Bloomberg notes, Qualcomm's price increases will likely have a ripple effect, particularly for smartphones. Qualcomm's chips power everything fro … Read

  • Midjourney bought the astrology app Co-Star 17 hours ago by Emma Roth
    AI, Apps, News, Tech

    Midjourney, which has gone from generating AI cat images to full-body ultrasound scans , is getting into a new field: astrology. The AI startup announced on Thursday that it has acquired the personalized astrology app Co-Star, as reported earlier by Bloomberg . Co-Star is a free app that offers daily horoscopes and allows you to check your compatibility with friends. As noted on the app's FAQ page , it combines human insight, data from NASA, and AI to deliver personalized advice for users each day. The terms of Midjourney's deal, which reportedly closed in spring, haven't been disclosed. Midjourney founder


Wired


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