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AI Summary

  • The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune have filed lawsuits against AI company Perplexity for alleged copyright infringement, highlighting growing tensions between media organizations and AI startups over content usage.
  • Meta has announced partnerships with several major news outlets including CNN and USA Today to enhance its AI capabilities, revealing a trend where tech companies are collaborating with publishers to improve content sourcing while avoiding legal disputes.
  • The energy storage sector in the U.S. has surpassed its ambitious targets, indicating a significant shift toward renewable energy solutions that are becoming integral to the grid.
  • Tesla's announcement about allowing texting capabilities while driving has drawn criticism, as it raises safety concerns amidst ongoing debates about responsible use of autonomous vehicle features.
  • The streaming landscape is undergoing transformative changes, with Netflix making headlines as it plans to acquire Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion, signaling a reshaping of the entertainment industry and streaming service competition.

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Engadget

  • X hit with $140 million fine from the EU an hour ago by Matt Tate
    Financial Fraud Prevention, Business, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Matt Tate

    The European Commission has fined Elon Musk’s X €120 million (around $140 million) for breaching its transparency rules under the Digital Services Act. The European Union’s executive arm announced that it was investigating the social media company’s blue checkmarking verification system — first introduced when it was still known as Twitter — last year, along with other alleged DSA violations. Today’s verdict concerns the "deceptive design" of the checkmark, as well as "the lack of transparency of [X's] advertising repository, and the failure to provide access to public data for researchers." The Commission's issue with X’s verification system is that where

  • How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw live today an hour ago by Danica Creahan
    Sports & Recreation, Soccer, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Danica Creahan

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw is this Friday. (Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) Hector Vivas - FIFA via Getty Images The draw for the 2026 World Cup is this Friday at 12 PM ET, where we’ll learn which group the 39 qualified countries and three host nations will land in for the international soccer tournament. The 2026 World Cup draw will air live on Fox. Pre-show coverage of the draw begins at 11:30 a.m. The venues and kickoff times for the World Cup group stage games be announced the following day. Tickets for the World Cup are already available. Here's

  • The best stocking stuffers you can get for $50 or less an hour ago by Valentina Palladino
    Shopping, Personal Finance - Lifestyle, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Valentina Palladino

    The big ticket tech gifts may get the lion's share of attention during the holidays, but it's surprising how much people appreciate small and thoughtful accessories and gadgets. We picked out a dozen such stocking stuffers for under $50 — perfect for a little something extra for a loved one or a welcome gift for a coworker. Just be sure to check the shipping windows to make sure these handy gizmos will arrive in time. Here are some of our favorite techie gift ideas that come in at $50 or less. BEST STOCKING STUFFERS FOR $50 OR LESS Check out the rest

  • The New York Times and Chicago Tribune sue Perplexity over alleged copyright infringement 2 hours ago by Kris Holt
    Business, Company Legal & Law Matters, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Kris Holt

    The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune have filed separate lawsuits against Perplexity over alleged copyright infringement. The Times said it had sent Perplexity several cease-and-desist demands to stop using its content until the two reached an agreement, but the AI company persisted in doing so.  In the lawsuit [PDF], the Times accused Perplexity of infringing on its copyrights at two main stages. First, by scraping its website (including in real time) to train AI models and feed content into the likes of the Claude chatbot and Comet browser. Second, in the output of Perplexity's products, with the Times accusing

  • Where the hell is Samsung's Ballie robot? 2 hours ago by Nathan Ingraham
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Nathan Ingraham

    Another CES is nearly upon us, another year where we’ll see new gadgets aplenty from giant companies and tiny ones you’ve never heard of. And the not-so-secret secret of CES is that many of these things never make it to market — but usually it isn’t things companies like Samsung show off. But here we are, nearly six years since Samsung first showed off its Ballie personal robot and it is nowhere to be found. For those who may not recall, Ballie is an adorable circular robot that can putter around your house and project things onto the floor and wall.


The Verge

  • The Apple Airpods 4 with ANC are at their lowest price an hour ago by Barbara Krasnoff
    Apple, Deals, Gadgets, Tech, Verge Shopping

    The Apple Airpods 4 with active noise cancellation are now at their lowest price of $99 ($80 off) at Amazon and Walmart. The AirPods 4 offer upgraded sound quality, wireless charging, and a built-in speaker in the case that rings if you can’t find it. The ANC, while not the best on the market, is pretty good among open design earbuds at blocking noise. APPLE AIRPODS 4 WITH ANC Apple’s AirPods 4 improve on previous models with better sound, clearer voice calls, and an even more comfortable design. WHERE TO BUY: * $179 $99 at Amazon * $179 $99 at Walmart There aren’t many

  • The 38 best gift ideas for mom this holiday season an hour ago by Cameron Faulkner
    Gadgets, Gift Guides, Tech, Verge Shopping

    Your mom deserves the best, and we're going to help you get them something special. The right gift can make family or friend time more valuable, after all, or it can greatly enrich time spent alone. If your mom says that she has all that she needs, don't take her word for it and show up empty-handed. Instead, peruse this handy guide, sorted by price, to find a gift that she'll remember for years to come. There are plenty of ideas below that can show the maternal figure in your life that you know them well - such as the practical

  • The New York Times sues Perplexity for producing ‘verbatim’ copies of its work 2 hours ago by Emma Roth
    AI, Copyright, Law, News, Policy, Tech

    The New York Times has escalated its legal battle against the AI startup Perplexity, as it’s now suing the AI “answer engine” for allegedly producing and profiting from responses that are “verbatim or substantially similar copies” of the publication’s work. The lawsuit, filed in a New York federal court on Friday, claims Perplexity “unlawfully crawls, scrapes, copies, and distributes” content from the NYT. It comes after the outlet’s repeated demands for Perplexity to stop using content from its website, as the NYT sent cease-and-desist notices to the AI startup last year and most recently in July, according to the lawsuit.  The

  • Elon Musk says Tesla drivers can text while driving, but they absolutely should not 2 hours ago by Andrew J. Hawkins
    Autonomous Cars, Electric Cars, Elon Musk, News, Tech, Tesla, Transportation

    I can’t believe I have to say this, but Tesla drivers should not start texting while driving, despite what Elon Musk says. Do not listen to the billionaire CEO of the company that makes your car. He will not be liable if there’s a crash — you will. Musk took a break from posting racist and xenophobic screeds yesterday to confirm that the latest version of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software would allow for some instances of texting while driving, despite it being incredibly unsafe and illegal in 49 states, Washington, DC, and the US territories. (Montana, wyd?) “Depending on context of

  • Sony’s new PS5 DualSense controller might have way more battery life 2 hours ago by Stevie Bonifield
    Gaming, News, PlayStation, Sony, Tech

    It might not look much different on the outside, but the newest version of the PS5’s DualSense controller could feature a major improvement in battery life. Polish modder Modyfikator89 shared in a post on X that the new DualSense V2 variant, model number CFI-ZCT2W, lasted for more than 15 hours of continuous play in a battery life test.  Modyfikator89 added that the “longer playtime [was] achieved by removing components (e.g., secondary mic) and optimizing the electronics.” YouTuber Austin Evans also noticed the missing rear mic in a teardown video posted in October, along with a new plastic support around the battery


Wired

  • Here’s What You Should Know About Launching an AI Startup an hour ago by Steven Levy
    Business, Business / Tech Culture, Backchannel

    AI startups say the promise of turning dazzling models into useful products is harder than anyone expected. Three founders discuss what it takes.

  • 9 Best Lubes (2025): Water-Based, Silicone, Natural Oils 2 hours ago by Amanda Chatel
    Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Lifestyle, Gear / Products / Health and Fitness, Slip, 'n, Slide

    For the most sensitive parts of the human body, friction is the enemy. Here’s how to keep it at bay with our favorite lubes made of water, silicone, or natural oil.

  • GoTrax Mustang Electric Bike Review: Punchy and Tiny 3 hours ago by Michael Venutolo-Mantovani
    Gear, Gear / Products, Gear / Reviews, Gear / Products / Outdoor, Product, Review

    This nimble, compact ebike packs plenty of punch, but doesn’t offer a wide range of sizes.

  • The Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Total Life Optimization (2025) 5 hours ago by Pete Cottell
    Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Health and Fitness, Buying, Guide

    Solve the problem of cooking and chewing food with these full-meal replacement drinks.

  • AI Slop Is Ruining Reddit for Everyone 5 hours ago by Kat Tenbarge
    Culture, Culture / Digital Culture, Unreal

    Reddit is considered one of the most human spaces left on the internet, but mods and users are overwhelmed with slop posts in the most popular subreddits.


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