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Tech

AI Summary

  • Startup funding in India saw a significant decline in 2025, with investors becoming more selective and concentrating their capital on fewer companies, indicating a potential cooling of the startup ecosystem.
  • FaZe Clan, a prominent esports organization, faces uncertainty following the departure of six influencers after failed contract negotiations, raising concerns about its future viability in the competitive gaming space.
  • OpenAI is actively hiring a Head of Preparedness to anticipate and mitigate the potential harms of its AI models, a move prompted by increasing concerns over mental health impacts and the dangers of AI misuse.
  • New York has enacted a law mandating social media platforms to display warning labels about potentially addictive features to protect younger users, steering efforts towards more responsible digital environments.
  • The cybersecurity landscape is evolving, with new startups emerging and increased scrutiny and discussions surrounding previous high-profile breaches and technological developments, suggesting a burgeoning focus on security in both the consumer and enterprise realms.

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Engadget

  • Samsung's two new speakers will deliver crisp audio while blending into your decor 4 hours ago by Jackson Chen
    Audio Technology, Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Jackson Chen

    Samsung is adding two brand new speakers to its audio lineup, along with updated soundbars boosted with AI features. While not as inconspicuous as the Samsung Frame, the new WiFi speakers, called the Music Studio 5 and 7, were designed to blend into your living room's atmosphere with their minimalist design. However, if you're looking for a more convenient option, Samsung also updated its flagship HW-Q990H soundbar, while also introducing the more affordable choice of the HW-QS90H. Samsung built the Music Studio 5 with a four-inch woofer and dual tweeters, pairing them with a built-in waveguide to deliver better sound. To

  • OpenAI is hiring a new Head of Preparedness to try to predict and mitigate AI's harms 5 hours ago by Cheyenne MacDonald
    Arts & Entertainment, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Cheyenne MacDonald

    OpenAI is looking for a new Head of Preparedness who can help it anticipate the potential harms of its models and how they can be abused, in order to guide the company's safety strategy. It comes at the end of a year that's seen OpenAI hit with numerous accusations about ChatGPT's impacts on users' mental health, including a few wrongful death lawsuits. In a post on X about the position, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged that the "potential impact of models on mental health was something we saw a preview of in 2025," along with other "real challenges" that have

  • Here’s the first real look at the Retroid Pocket 6 running PS2 games 7 hours ago by Jackson Chen
    Video Games, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Jackson Chen

    The Retroid Pocket 6 may have gotten off to a rocky start, but the gaming handheld is officially completed and going to see its first shipments soon. The handheld maker revealed the final product shots of the Retroid Pocket 6 in black and orange on X. Along with in-person product pics, Retroid revealed gameplay videos of its handheld, running emulation of PlayStation 2 games. For those looking to relive some classic Nintendo or PlayStation titles, the Retroid Pocket 6 offers a great entry point into the retro handheld world since it can emulate games up to Nintendo Switch and PS2. However,

  • Stardew Valley players on the Nintendo Switch 2 get a free upgrade 9 hours ago by Jackson Chen
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Jackson Chen

    Stardew Valley is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Fans of the farm life simulator, specifically those who already own it for the Nintendo Switch 2, can download a free upgrade that introduces new features and multiplayer modes. However, fans have reported some bugs following the free release, and Eric Barone, the game's developer that's better known as ConcernedApe, is working on fixes. If you have Stardew Valley on the Switch 2, you can download the Upgrade Pack that introduces mouse controls to make it easier to place furniture and organize your inventory. The upgrade also adds local split-screen co-op

  • New York State will require warning labels on social media platforms a day ago by Andre Revilla
    Addiction & Substance Abuse, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Andre Revilla

    The State of New York will now require social media platforms to display warning labels similar to those found on cigarettes. The bill was passed by the New York Legislature in June and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday. It will apply to any platforms that feature infinite scrolling, auto-play, like counts or algorithmic feeds. The labels will caution those on the platform about potential harm to young users' mental health. Social media companies will be required to display these warning labels when a user first interacts with any of the features the state considers predatory. The warning


The Verge

  • Two new wireless Samsung speakers for 2026 lean into aesthetics 4 hours ago by John.Higgins
    CES, News, Speakers, Tech

    For years, Samsung has made products that try to camouflage what they are by displaying works of art. The Frame TV is the most famous example, but the company also released the Music Frame, a speaker disguised as a picture frame, at last year's CES. Now, instead of hiding a speaker with a piece of art, Samsung worked with designer Erwan Bouroullec to make a speaker into a piece of art. According to Samsung, the Music Studio line of speakers, debuting at CES 2026, draw inspiration from the "timeless dot concept" found throughout music and art. As a musician, the Music

  • Sam Altman is hiring someone to worry about the dangers of AI 8 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    AI, News, OpenAI

    ISO corporate scapegoat. OpenAI is hiring a Head of Preparedness. Or, in other words, someone whose primary job is to think about all the ways AI could go horribly, horribly wrong. In a post on X, Sam Altman announced the position by acknowledging that the rapid improvement of AI models poses "some real challenges." The post goes on to specifically call out the potential impact on people's mental health and the dangers of AI-powered cybersecurity weapons. The job listing says the person in the role would be responsible for: > "Tracking and preparing for frontier capabilities that create new risks of severe harm.

  • Pixel 10 phones and Switch 2 games round out this week’s best deals 11 hours ago by Sheena Vasani
    Deals, Gadgets, Tech, Verge Shopping

    Google’s Pixel 10 phones are some of the best Android phones on the market. If you’re taking it easy during the slow, in-between week between Christmas and New Year’s, now’s a good time to catch up on deals you might’ve missed. Many of our favorite discounts from the past week are still hanging around, making this an especially convenient moment to shop. Whether you’re eyeing a new phone, gearing up for travel, or just looking to treat yourself before the year wraps up, we’re seeing notable price drops on Google’s Pixel 10 lineup, AirTags, and a wide selection of Nintendo Switch

  • 8 great games for your Steam Deck from 2025 14 hours ago by Jay Peters
    Entertainment, Gaming, Report, Roundup, Verge Games

    I played a lot of games on my Steam Deck this year. It seemed like there was a never-ending list of incredible indie games to try - The Verge wrote about a lot of them! - and many worked brilliantly on Valve's handheld gaming PC. Some bigger games made a splash on Steam Deck, too, and while they may not look as good as on a beefy PC, I'm usually happy to deal with that simply because I can play them on the couch or out of the house. If you're unwrapping a Steam Deck for the holidays this year, or

  • Trump’s war on offshore wind faces another lawsuit a day ago by Justine Calma
    AI, Climate, Energy, Environment, News, Policy, Science

    Dominion Energy, an offshore wind developer and utility serving Virginia's "data center alley," filed suit against the Trump administration this week over its decision to pause federal leases for large offshore wind projects. The move puts a sudden stop to five wind farms already under construction, including Dominion's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. The complaint Dominion filed Tuesday alleges that a stop work order that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued Monday is unlawful, "arbitrary and capricious," and "infringes upon constitutional principles that limit actions by the Executive Branch." Dominion wants a fede … Read the full story at The


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