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Sun, Jul 19, 2026, 9:48 PM EDT

Tech

AI Summary

  • Netflix's significant investment in Ben Affleck's AI filmmaking startup signals a new frontier in content creation, while Christopher Nolan voices concerns about AI as a 'Trojan horse.'
  • The tech industry is grappling with the regulatory landscape for autonomous vehicles, as highlighted by ongoing battles over robotaxi rules and Waymo's service disruptions in San Francisco.
  • Apple is facing a lawsuit that could potentially disrupt OpenAI's hardware ambitions, underscoring the intensifying competition and legal challenges in the AI hardware space.
  • Despite widespread EV charging concerns, a 600-mile road trip demonstrated that EV charging infrastructure is significantly improving, even as some EV models are being discontinued in the U.S.
  • Databricks has achieved a $188 billion valuation, solidifying its position as a key player in the AI ecosystem, while other AI initiatives like nonprofit Current AI aim for open access to AI technologies.

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The Verge

  • This unpronounceable series of glyphs is an incredible side project from Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet) 6 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    Column, Entertainment, Music, Music Review

    Sure is a lot of porcelein in there. | Image: Kieran Hebden Just why? ʅ͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡(̸̢̛̼̞̭͋ͅ)̸͚̰͛̔̾̀̿͒͂:̴͓̞̑̌̂̆̊͋̀:̸͎̟̯̂̓̌ ҉ ͡ ͞ ͞ ͞ ҉● ࿀ ●  ࿀  ● ҉⃝ ⃝͢ ͞ ͘ ͞⃝̕ ͢ ̛ ⃝ ̸ ̡ ͢⃝̧ ͡ ͡ ̀ ̧ ̢⃝͜ ҉ ͞ ͞ ⃝͞ ͞ ͡⃝  ⃝҉҈҉҈҉҈҉҈҉҈҉ :̶̢͙͙͕̠̩͆(̷̮͍͚̫͚͂̍)̵̳̗̊( ̟̞̝̜̙̘̗̖҉̵̴̨̧̢̡̼̻̺̹̳̲̱̰̯̮̭̬̫̪̩̦̥ What am I supposed to do with this? It's un-Googleable. Unpronounceable. It doesn't even render the same way on various platforms. It looks one way on YouTube Music. Another on Apple Music. And yet another on Bandcamp. Even the artist name ⣎⡇ꉺლ༽இ•̛)ྀ◞ ༎ຶ ༽ৣৢ؞ৢ؞ؖ ꉺლ is an unpronounceable series of glyphs that would make

  • Kodak EC35 is a dirt-cheap point-and-shoot film camera 7 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    Cameras, Gadgets, News

    I’m partial to that avocado green one. | Image: Reto Project Following the success of its $99 Kodak-branded Snapic A1 , Reto Project is releasing the Kodak EC35 , an even more affordable 35mm film camera for just $34.99. The EC35 certainly isn't fancy. Its 25mm acrylic lens with a fixed f/10 aperture and 1/100 shutter speed basically put it on par with a drugstore disposable. The fact that it has a manual wind and rewind only emphasizes that. And you can really lean into that disposable aesthetic thanks to its built-in automatic flash. Unlike the A1, there's no double

  • I hate that I don’t hate this song made with Suno 9 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    AI, Entertainment, Music, Report, Tech

    1010Benja won’t apologize for using AI. | Image: 1010Benja / Instagram I would never go so far as to say there's no place for AI in music (I'm a fan of Holly Herndon, after all). But I generally find music made with generative AI to be offensively boring , especially the outputs of Suno . So I'm having a bit of a tough time processing the fact that I actually quite enjoy 1010Benja's " Semiramis' Dream ." Benja has been unapologetic about his use of generative AI on his latest EP, Time Has Nothing To Do With What You Choose…

  • The FBI reportedly won’t investigate ICE anymore 10 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    News, Policy, Politics

    ICE agents hide behind masks while skulking through the halls of immigration court | Image: Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images According to the New York Times , federal agents have been told that the FBI will no longer be investigating confrontations involving ICE agents. The DHS and DOJ denied the change in policy to The Times. The reported change in guidance follows renewed scrutiny of violence by ICE agents who have killed two people in the last two weeks. The shootings in Maine and Texas were just the latest civilian deaths at the hands of ICE agents, who have

  • Orchid is a delightfully retro and approachable hipster synth 11 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    Accessory Reviews, Entertainment, Gadgets, Music, Reviews, Tech

    A modern tribute to electric chord organs which were basically giant harmonicas connected to a fan. | Photo: Terrence O’Brien / The Verge In 2017, I bought an old Magnus chord organ off Craigslist for $10. It's one of my favorite music gear purchases. Electric chord organs let you play full chords with just a press of a button, making them perfect for aspiring singer-songwriters or fooling around at home. But chord organs largely fell out of favor in the '80s, as digital keyboards like those from Casio grew in popularity. The Telepathic Instruments Orchid attempts to recapture some of


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