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Sun, May 24, 2026, 4:34 PM EDT

Tech

AI Summary

  • The tech industry is grappling with the widespread integration and implications of AI, from resurrecting voices to potential job displacement, as seen in recent developments with Google's Gemini and OpenAI's efforts to manage AI's public perception.
  • The smart device and wearable market continues to evolve, with companies like Xreal pushing the boundaries of smartglasses and innovations in smart rings and home gadgets aiming to simplify daily life.
  • The mobility sector, particularly robotaxis, is facing a reality check, while established players like SpaceX and Blue Origin are making significant advancements and facing setbacks in their space exploration endeavors.
  • Major tech companies, including Google and Microsoft, are implementing significant changes to their services and platforms, from app store rules and search functionalities to the introduction of new hardware and the open-sourcing of historical code.
  • The ongoing debate around data privacy and security is highlighted by news of spyware protection features, the use of AI for nefarious purposes, and regulatory scrutiny over market practices, as seen with the UK's investigation into Microsoft Office.

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The Verge

  • The best Memorial Day sales you can shop this weekend 5 hours ago
    Deals, Gadgets, Verge Shopping

    Memorial Day is nearly here, meaning the seasonal sales are in full swing. If your weekend plans involve pool parties or barbecues, now is a great time to pick up a portable speaker or set of solar lights , as many of our favorite models are currently on sale. You can also find deals on everything from 4K OLED TVs and noise-canceling earbuds to tents , laptops , and plenty of our favorite everyday essentials . To give you more options, we’ve also included a selection of deals from retailers that aren’t necessarily running their own Memorial Day sales but

  • On Trails is a wandering tale that blends hiking, science, and history 6 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    Book Review, Books, Column, Entertainment, Science

    Hiking is one of life's great joys. Turning off the screens and stepping out into nature for an extended period of time, perhaps even several days, is rejuvenating. Unfortunately, as someone with two young kids and a bad back, I'm not really able to go backpacking anymore. So I often find myself trying to live vicariously through others who write about their lengthy travails along the Appalachian or the PCT . That's what I thought I was signing up for when I picked up On Trails: An Exploration by Robert Moor . But it turned out to be so much

  • Apple’s latest MacBook Air is $200 off in both sizes for Memorial Day 6 hours ago by Sheena Vasani
    Apple, Deals, Gadgets, Laptops, Tech, Verge Shopping

    If you’re looking for a laptop that’ll still perform well several years from now, Apple’s latest MacBook Air is hard to beat. Now, in particular, is a good time to pick one up, as you can currently buy the 13-inch MacBook Air at Amazon in the run-up to Memorial Day with an M5 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD for $899.99 ($200 off), which is a new low price. The 15-inch model, meanwhile, is also on sale at Amazon for $1,099.99 ($200 off) in select colors, or at Best Buy for $1,149. Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M5) Where

  • Hackers are learning to exploit chatbot ‘personalities’ 9 hours ago by Robert Hart
    AI, Column, Security, Tech, The Stepback

    This is The Stepback , a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on AI mischief, follow Robert Hart . The Stepback arrives in our subscribers' inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here . How it started Hacking the first generation of AI chatbots was a laughably simple affair. You didn't need any technical know-how, backdoor access, or even a basic understanding of what a large language model was. You didn't need to code. To get an AI system that had cost billions to build to abandon its safety instructions, sometimes

  • Why Nuro thinks being a robotaxi ‘second mover’ gives it an advantage 10 hours ago by Andrew J. Hawkins
    Autonomous Cars, Report, Transportation

    Waymo is the undisputed leader in the robotaxi space, operating a fleet of over 3,000 driverless cars in at least 10 cities across the US. A number of companies, including Tesla, Zoox, Avride, and Motional, are racing to catch up with the Alphabet-owned firm. But what if being No. 2 was actually better? Nuro, the delivery robot company created by veterans of Google's self-driving car project, thinks it has a decent shot at occupying the slot. After pivoting from delivery to robotaxis in 2024, Nuro struck a deal with Uber and Lucid to deploy tens of thousands of robotaxis all


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