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Tech

AI Summary

  • Substantial investments are pouring into artificial intelligence, with companies like Anthropic and Harvey securing multi-billion dollar funding rounds and a widespread push for AI integration across enterprise, consumer platforms, and even early ad testing in chatbots.
  • Major consumer applications are enhancing user safety and control through features like Lyft's new teen accounts with parental oversight, and Discord's global age verification rollout to manage access to adult content.
  • Persistent cybersecurity vulnerabilities continue to expose sensitive user data, notably with multiple "stalkerware" companies experiencing significant hacks and leaks, alongside public concern over surveillance capabilities in consumer devices.
  • The streaming and media industry is shifting towards more segmented and monetized offerings, exemplified by YouTube TV launching tailored, cheaper channel bundles and YouTube Music placing lyrics behind a paywall, while platforms like HBO Max expand internationally.
  • Regulatory attention is increasing on the environmental and consumer impact of tech infrastructure, with New York lawmakers proposing a three-year moratorium on new data center development to facilitate impact assessments.

TechCrunch


Hacker News


Engadget

  • OpenAI starts testing ads in ChatGPT an hour ago by Kris Holt
    Arts & Entertainment, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Kris Holt

    Users on ChatGPT's free and Go plans in the US may now start to see ads as OpenAI has started testing them in the chatbot. The company announced plans to bring ads to ChatGPT. At the time, the company said it would display sponsored products and services that are relevant to the current conversations of logged-in users, though they can disable personalization and "clear the data used for ads” whenever they wish. “Our goal is for ads to support broader access to more powerful ChatGPT features while maintaining the trust people place in ChatGPT for important and personal tasks,” OpenAI wrote

  • Here's how to disable Ring's creepy Search Party feature 2 hours ago by Lawrence Bonk
    Media, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Lawrence Bonk

    Ring aired a Super Bowl ad touting its Search Party feature that didn't quite get the intended buzz. Instead, the commercial scared the pants off of anyone concerned about a mass surveillance state. The feature is advertised as a way to reunite missing dogs with their owners, a noble cause indeed, but Search Party does this by turning individual Ring devices into a surveillance network. Each camera uses AI to identify pets running across its field of vision and all feeds are pooled together to potentially identify lost animals. I've never seen a slope quite so slippery, as the technology could

  • Get two years of NordVPN's Complete plan for 70 percent off 2 hours ago by Rob Webb
    Internet & Networking Technology, Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Rob Webb

    NordVPN is having a big sale on its two-year plans right now. The Complete tier, for example is 70 percent off, bringing the price of 24 months down to just $130. NordVPN regularly appears on Engadget’s list of the best VPN services thanks to its wide server network, strong security tools and consistent performance across devices. NordVPN’s latest promotion puts one of its most comprehensive plans at a price that undercuts many competing premium VPN subscriptions. The Complete tier includes full access to NordVPN’s core VPN service, which encrypts internet traffic and masks a user’s IP address to help protect online activity

  • YouTube TV launches curated subscription packages this week 3 hours ago by Lawrence Bonk
    Television, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Lawrence Bonk

    YouTube is launching YouTube TV Plans this week, after revealing the program back in December. These are genre-specific subscription packages that let users opt into a curated version of the service and save a few bucks in the process. Yeah. It's pretty much cable, proving you can't cut a cord if it's made out of invisible radio waves. There more than ten plans available and they are all cheaper than the typical asking price of $83 per month. There's a Sports Plan that costs $65 per month and includes channels like FS1, NBC Sports Network and all of the ESPN networks.

  • The best microSD cards in 2026 4 hours ago by Jeff Dunn
    Credit Cards, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Jeff Dunn

    Most microSD cards are fast enough for boosting storage space and making simple file transfers, but some provide a little more value than others. If you’ve got a device that still accepts microSD cards — whether it’s an older gaming handheld, the new Nintendo Switch 2, a dash cam, a drone or an Android tablet — we’ve scoured the market and put close to 20 top contenders through a number of benchmark tests. You can find our recommendations for the best microSD cards below, alongside some general shopping advice worth knowing before you buy. BEST MICROSD CARDS OF 2026 BEST MICROSD EXPRESS


The Verge

  • AI-generated ads dropped the ball at this year’s Super Bowl 3 hours ago
    AI, Analysis, Report

    It feels like everyone who produced ad spots for this year's Super Bowl with generative AI failed in terms of making gen AI seem useful or like something worth getting excited about. Though we've seen plenty of AI-generated commercials before (at previous Super Bowls, no less), this year's event was oversaturated with them. That's in part because image and video generation models have become more sophisticated in the past year - though still subpar compared to what humans create, they're just improved enough for a number of brands to now be comfortable having their names associated with AI-derived footage. Also, it's

  • Ferrari’s first EV will have an interior designed by Jony Ive 3 hours ago by Andrew J. Hawkins
    Apple, Electric Cars, News, Tech, Transportation

    Ferrari released the first interior images of the company's first all-electric supercar, called the Ferrari Luce ("light" in Italian). This is the second time the Italian automaker has teased the Luce (formerly Elettrica) without showing us the actual car, or even a silhouette. But the interior images should suffice given the bold-faced name of the designer: Jony Ive. Ferrari decided to outsource the work of designing the Luce's interior to Ive and his partner Marc Newson, who together run the design shop LoveFrom. Ive, obviously, is well known for his work as Apple's former chief designer, overseeing such iconic products as

  • Google’s Pixel 9A is back down to $349, its cheapest price so far 4 hours ago by Cameron Faulkner
    Deals, Gadgets, Verge Shopping

    The Pixel 9A is an incredible phone that’s worth hopping on while it’s $349 for the 128GB version in blue, black, or pink at Amazon and Best Buy. It’s discounted ahead of the new Pixel 10A, for which Google will open pre-orders on February 18. That’s also when the company will share more details regarding specs and price for the midrange phone. GOOGLE PIXEL 9A The Pixel 9A adds more robust water resistance and a brighter, bigger screen to what was already a winning formula for a good midrange phone. Read our review. WHERE TO BUY: * $499 $349 at Amazon * $499

  • Leaked specs for Sony’s next flagship wireless earbuds reveal ANC upgrades 4 hours ago by Andrew Liszewski
    Audio, Gadgets, Headphones, News, Sony, Tech

    It’s been two-and-a-half years since Sony last upgraded its flagship ANC earbuds. | Image: The Walkman Blog Following images of Sony's new WF-1000XM6 earbuds shared by a retailer last week ahead of an official announcement, reliable leaker billbil-kun has revealed what they're claiming are the full specs and new features of the company's next flagship buds. The WF-1000XM6 will be powered by a new QN3e processor that's "three times faster" than what's inside the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds that debuted over two-and-a-half years ago. The upgraded processor will provide improved ANC performance alongside the addition of two more microphones, giving the WF-1000XM6 eight in

  • Linux 6.19 arrives with a teaser for Linux 7.0 5 hours ago by Stevie Bonifield
    Linux, News, Tech

    Fedora systems like this one running Linux kernel 6.17 could soon get an update. | Image: Stevie Bonifield / The Verge On Sunday, Linux developer Linus Torvalds announced the release of Linux 6.19, which will be the last update in this kernel cycle, as previously reported by Phoronix. It adds support for the modern AMDGPU driver for older AMD GCN 1.0 and 1.1 graphics cards, like Radeon HD 7000 series GPUs, along with Vulkan support through the RADV driver, and improved power management. Linux 6.19 also includes improved HDR support with the addition of the DRM Color Pipeline, an updated Asus Armoury


Wired

  • Save $100 On Our Favorite Home Printer 2 hours ago by Brad Bourque
    Gear, Gear / Deals, Gear / Products, Gear / Products / Home Office, Deal, of, the, Day

    The Epson ET-2980 is a great value at its full price, and the discount sweetens the deal.

  • Ferrari’s New Jony Ive–Designed EV Is Swathed in Glass and Aluminum 8 hours ago by Jeremy White, Boone Ashworth
    Gear, Gear / Gear News and Events, Heart, of, Glass

    We got a peek at the interior of Ferrari’s new Luce electric car, which was dreamed up by famed ex-Apple designer and his firm, LoveFrom. It looks and feels a whole lot like an Apple product.

  • Best Ebike Locks (2026): Kryptonite, Litelok, Abus, Hiplok 8 hours ago by Ryan Waniata, Matthew Korfhage
    Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Outdoor, Lock, Stock

    These are our favorite ebike locks for every ride, including the best bike locks designed to thwart angle grinders.

  • Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro Review: Open Earbuds With ANC? 9 hours ago by Ryan Waniata
    Gear, Gear / Products, Gear / Reviews, Gear / Products / Audio, Gear / Products / Headphones, Product, Review

    The design of Soundcore’s latest open earbuds magically transforms them into noise-canceling buds. But does it actually work?

  • No Company Has Admitted to Replacing Workers With AI in New York 9 hours ago by Paresh Dave
    Business, Business / Artificial Intelligence, Record, Keeping

    New York state has required companies to disclose if “technological innovation or automation” was the cause of job loss for nearly a year. So far, none has.


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