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Simply the latest news, updated on the hour.

Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 8:21 AM EDT

Tech

AI Summary

  • The tech landscape is buzzing with AI advancements, from new AI agents for employees and dating assistants to generative AI features integrated into sales tools and social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Startups are also leveraging AI, with Rox AI and Sunday achieving significant valuations, while companies like Webflow are acquiring AI content platforms.
  • Quantum computing, though still on the horizon, is influencing current enterprise strategies, with one startup aiming to bridge the gap for businesses seeking to leverage its future capabilities today.
  • The entertainment and media sectors are embracing new formats, including YouTube's cable-like 'channel surfing' feature and Substack's new recording studio, while gaming sees updates like Fortnite's original mode going free and PEGI ratings considering age restrictions for loot boxes.
  • Electric vehicle manufacturers are navigating complex market dynamics; Rivian is delaying its lower-cost R2 model, while Lucid Motors has unveiled a robotaxi concept, and Tesla is entering the utility sector in the UK, setting up potential regulatory clashes.
  • Developments in personal tech and infrastructure include enhanced AI assistants like Alexa+ with new personality options, a botnet takedown involving hacked routers, and updates to operating systems and development tools like Vite 8.0 and Google Chrome for ARM Linux devices.

TechCrunch

  • Before quantum computing arrives, this startup wants enterprises already running on it 8 hours ago by Anna Heim
    Startups, AI, finland, quantum computing, postscriptum, qutwo, peter sarlin

    After selling his AI startup to AMD for $665 million, Peter Sarlin is back with QuTwo, a new venture building the infrastructure it believes enterprises will need when quantum computing finally arrives.

  • Truecaller now lets you hang up on scammers — on behalf of your family 8 hours ago by Ivan Mehta
    AI, Apps, India, Scam detection, Truecaller

    Caller identity platform Truecaller recently launched a new feature that lets one person become an admin of a family group, get alerts about fraud calls received by other members, and even end a call on their behalf if they suspect a family member might get scammed. The company, which has over 450 million users, first […]

  • How to watch Jensen Huang’s Nvidia GTC 2026 keynote 14 hours ago by Rebecca Szkutak
    AI, Enterprise, GTC, Jensen Huang, nvidia, nvidia gtc, Nvidia GTC 2026

    GTC — which stands for GPU Technology Conference — is Nvidia's flagship annual event, where the chipmaker typically uses the spotlight to announce new products, champion partnerships, and lay out its vision for the future of computing. Huang's keynote will focus on Nvidia's role in the future of computing and AI.

  • Sales automation startup Rox AI hits $1.2B valuation, sources say 15 hours ago by Marina Temkin
    AI, Startups, exclsuive, General Catalyst, sales, Sequoia

    Rox, founded in 2024 by the former chief growth officer of New Relic, offers an AI-native alternative to CRM tools.

  • Channel Surfer lets you watch YouTube like it’s old-school cable TV 16 hours ago by Sarah Perez
    Apps, Media & Entertainment, indie, YouTube

    The web app lets you turn on YouTube and surf channels like you're watching cable TV in the '90s.


Hacker News


Engadget

  • The Morning After: Our verdict on Apple’s $600 Macbook Neo an hour ago by Mat Smith
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Mat Smith

    Apple's new family of laptops might have a cringeworthy name, but don't let it fool you. Despite the MacBook Neo running on a built-for-iPhone A-series processor and being limited to 8GB of RAM, it delivers on what Macs do best. It has a capable screen, keyboardand trackpadand its overall build quality should embarrass other laptop-making rivals that have compromised on those areas with their $600 laptops. Engadget Don't expect a gaming rig – it struggled predictably to run Lies of P, but for most of the things you need a laptop for – especially for students and desk workers – it handles

  • The 5 best meditation apps for 2026 an hour ago by Lawrence Bonk
    Software, Health, Mobile Apps, Alternative Medicine, Technology & Electronics, Small Businesses, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Lawrence Bonk

    Meditation is often touted as a mental cure-all, purported to help with stress, sleep, mood, focus and even certain medical conditions. I’ve been meditating most of my adult life. I’ve done silent retreats. I’ve been formally trained in various techniques. I’ve had someone in my contacts list who I referred to as a “guru.” So I feel I’m relatively qualified to give some bad news: Meditation won’t fix your life, despite what David Lynch says. However, there’s also some good news: Despite not actually being a cure-all for everything bad in the universe, meditation can certainly take the edge off. This

  • Uber robotaxi rides are now available for passengers in Las Vegas an hour ago by Mariella Moon
    Business, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Mariella Moon

    Uber’s and Motional's Hyundai Ioniq 5 autonomous EVs will start appearing as an option for riders in Las Vegas. Passengers requesting for an UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric ride may be matched with a Motional robotaxi. They will not be forced to take it, though, and will be notified and given the option to decline and choose a regular ride instead. But if they want to try it, they can boost their chances of getting matched with a robotaxi ride by opting in via the Ride Preferences section under Settings. Riders who get on autonomous rides will

  • MacBook Air M5 review: Same but faster an hour ago by Nathan Ingraham
    Computing, Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Nathan Ingraham

    It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost four years since Apple gave the MacBook Air a serious glow-up. The 2022 model was a total redesign that bumped its performance with the M2 chip and also improved a number of key components. It was also the first MacBook Air to drop the signature tapered design, and Apple added a 15-inch model one year later to boot. Since then, Apple’s primarily focused on making sure it has a new chip every year — we’re already up to the M5, if you can believe it.  As such, the latest MacBook Air is an

  • Apple says F1 streaming already exceeds everyone's expectations 2 hours ago by Steve Dent
    Motor Racing, Formula One, Sports & Recreation, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Steve Dent

    Apple's exclusive deal for US broadcast rights of Formula 1 was a big shift to streaming from ESPN's cable coverage of the past, but after the first race (the Australian Grand Prix), it seems to be going well. "The 2026 Formula 1 season on Apple TV is off to a strong start, with fans responding positively and viewership up year over year for the first weekend, exceeding both F1 and Apple expectations," Apple VP Eddy Cue told The Hollywood Reporter.  Apple didn't give any ratings or other details, but we can glean some clues from previous data. Last year, ESPN said


The Verge

  • PC makers are not ready for the MacBook Neo an hour ago by Antonio G. Di Benedetto
    Analysis, Apple, Asus, Dell, Gadgets, Laptops, Microsoft, Report, Tech, Windows

    This thing is poised to eat their lunch. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge The MacBook Neo is here, and it took no time at all for an executive from a major PC manufacturer to put their foot in their mouth trying to discuss this new competition from Apple's $600 laptop. On Asus' latest earnings call, CFO Nick Wu said that the Neo and its aggressive entry-level pricing were "certainly a shock to the entire market." Wu also disclosed that Asus had some knowledge of Apple developing the Neo back in 2025, much as many of us had

  • Apple reduces App Store fees in China to ward off regulators 2 hours ago by Jess Weatherbed
    Apple, News, Tech

    Apple is cutting App Store developer fees in China from March 15th, dropping its typical commission on purchases from 30 percent down to 25 percent. The decision was made following "discussions with the Chinese regulator," according to Apple's announcement, suggesting that the reduction aims to avoid regulatory intervention after China reportedly considered opening a formal investigation into the iPhone maker's App Store fees and policies in early February. The fee updates will apply to the App Store on both iOS and iPadOS. The commission rate for small businesses and mini app developers will also fall from 15 percent to 12 percent.

  • The best Bluetooth trackers for Apple and Android phones 14 hours ago
    Buying Guides, Gadgets, Tech, Verge Shopping, Wearable

    Bluetooth trackers come in all shapes and sizes. | Illustration: Cath Virginia / The Verge Some people rarely lose things. Wallets are always exactly where they’re supposed to be, keys never go missing, and remotes never slip between the couch cushions. And then there’s the rest of us — the folks who can’t ever seem to find the thing that was right there a few seconds ago. For us, there are Bluetooth trackers. Bluetooth trackers have been around for a long time, and they all generally work the same way. You stick the tracker onto an object, pair it with your phone,

  • Google Chrome is coming to Arm-powered Linux devices later this year 15 hours ago by Sean Hollister
    Chrome, Google, Linux, News, Tech

    You can download Chrome for Linux, and you can download Chrome for Arm devices - but if you've got a computer running Linux on Arm, not so much! Now, Google says it's finally bringing Chrome to ARM64 Linux machines in Q2 2026, following Chrome for Arm Macs in 2020 and Chrome for Windows on Arm in 2024. Why Arm + Linux now? In a blog post, Google only says that it "addresses the growing demand for a browsing experience that combines the benefits of the open-source Chromium project with the Google ecosystem of apps and features." What we're left wondering is

  • What it was like to watch grieving parents stare down Mark Zuckerberg in court 18 hours ago by Lauren Feiner
    Google, Law, Meta, Policy, Report, Streaming, Tech, YouTube

    Around a dozen parents huddled in the dim hallway outside the courtroom in February, nervously gripping paper tickets. They were glaring at a gray tote bag held by a member of the court staff - the one who'd determine, by lottery, if they made it inside. Pinned on bags and coats, butterfly clips honored children they'd lost, deaths these parents link to their children's experiences online. The clips were a symbolic gesture chosen to not inadvertently prejudice the jury, which would decide if social media companies could be held liable for the kinds of harms they believe their children experienced.


Wired

  • China’s OpenClaw Boom Is a Gold Rush for AI Companies an hour ago by Zeyi Yang
    Business, Made, in, China

    Hype around the open source agent is driving people to rent cloud servers and buy AI subscriptions just to try it, creating a windfall for tech companies.

  • Logitech K98M Wireless Keyboard Review: Great for Productivity 2 hours ago by Henri Robbins
    Gear, Gear / Products, Gear / Reviews, Gear / Products / Computers, Gear / Products / Home Office, Product, Review

    After a series of great low-profile keyboards, the iconic peripherals brand has finally figured out a wireless mechanical model.

  • Gamers’ Worst Nightmares About AI Are Coming True 2 hours ago by Helen Vogelsong-Donahue
    Culture, Culture / Video Games, End, Game

    From the global RAM shortage driving up console prices to job loss in the industry, gaming is shaping up to be one of the AI boom's biggest casualties.

  • Sony WF-1000XM6 Review: My New Favorite Earbuds 2 hours ago by Parker Hall
    Gear, Gear / Products, Gear / Reviews, Gear / Products / Audio, Gear / Products / Headphones, Product, Reviews

    Sony's latest flagship earbuds have the best noise canceling—and maybe the best bass—I've ever heard from wireless earbuds.

  • 6G Is Coming. Here’s What to Expect From the Next Generation of Cellular Tech 2 hours ago by Julian Chokkattu
    Gear, Gear / Gear News and Events, Gear / Products / Phones, Sixth, Sense

    When it succeeds 5G in 2030, the next-gen mobile network will focus on upload speeds, AI, and radar-like “sensing” of vehicles, devices, and people.


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