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Simply the latest news, updated on the hour.

Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 2:20 PM EDT

Tech

AI Summary

  • Waymo is expanding its autonomous taxi service to Dallas, signaling continued growth in the robotaxi sector.
  • Spotify is pushing further into AI-powered music creation with expanded remix and cover features, following a Merlin partnership.
  • Texas is enacting stricter regulations on data centers, with the governor calling for audits due to concerns about power grid strain.
  • Hackers successfully targeted hardware wallets, stealing over $130 million by exploiting a vulnerability in offline cryptocurrency storage.
  • Apple is investigating potential data leaks involving former employees who may have shared confidential information with OpenAI.

Sources

TechCrunch

  • Waymo opens up robotaxi service in Dallas to everyone an hour ago by Kirsten Korosec
    Transportation, robotaxis, Waymo

    Waymo has dropped the waitlist for its robotaxi service in Dallas, the latest step in the company's bid to scale its self-driving technology across the United States, U.K., and Europe.

  • Take an extra $100 off your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass: This week only! an hour ago by TechCrunch Events
    Startups, TechCrunch Disrupt

    Starting today, you can take an additional $100 off your founder, investor, or attendee TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass, which is a nice bonus on top of our current discounted pricing.

  • TV Time co-founder launches Bingers to revive the beloved TV-tracking app 2 hours ago by Sarah Perez
    Apps, Media & Entertainment, TV Time

    Bingers is a new TV and movie tracker that revives the social features fans loved with TV Time, while adding support for importing their viewing history.

  • Hackers steal over $130M by exploiting bug in offline hardware wallets 2 hours ago by Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai
    Security, Bitcoin, blockchain, cryptocurrency, cybercrime, hackers

    A security vulnerability in the cryptocurrency hardware wallet Coldcard is allowing hackers to drain the crypto from victims’ wallets. The total losses amount to more than $130 million, according to blockchain-monitoring firms.

  • Spotify expands AI remix and covers project with Merlin partnership 3 hours ago by Sarah Perez
    AI, Apps, Media & Entertainment, music streaming, Spotify

    Spotify says Merlin, which represents more than 30,000 independent labels and distributors, has joined Universal Music Group in backing its upcoming AI-powered remix and covers product. The paid tool will let fans create AI-generated covers and remixes of participating artists’ music while ensuring artists opt in, receive credit, and are compensated.

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Hacker News

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Engadget

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The Verge

  • Lenovo’s Legion Go S with SteamOS is down to its lowest price ever an hour ago by Brad Bourque
    Deals, Gadgets, Gaming, PC Gaming, Verge Shopping

    Lenovo’s Legion Go S with SteamOS. | Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge Memory and storage prices will be inflated for the foreseeable future, so we’re always happy to find a good deal on capable gaming hardware, like this discount on the Lenovo Legion Go S with a Z2 Go processor and SteamOS. Normally $1,137.41 (and selling for close to $1,000 at Best Buy ), Lenovo has the handheld console on sale for just $635.54 when you use code EXTRASAVEAFF at checkout, the lowest price we’ve seen yet for this model. Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS (Z2 Go)

  • ‘Not healthy’ LLM use is more common than you think an hour ago by Robert Hart
    AI, Tech

    Hank Green, a popular YouTuber and science communicator, said he is stepping back from production amid intense criticism over his use of AI. Green described his AI usage as "not healthy," but stressed that he used it for finding research sources and not to write scripts. Much of the ensuing firestorm in this corner of the internet has centered on how a creator can square a brand built on authenticity and credibility with a technology trained on the (often uncompensated) works of others, and which has a well-known tendency to generate plausible-sounding falsehoods. Some attention has fallen on Green's description

  • BMW’s in-car Spider-Man ad is villain behavior an hour ago by Jess Weatherbed
    BMW, Cars, Entertainment, News, Transportation

    With great power comes great responsibility… to not justify ads in the name of movie promotions. | Image: BMW / Sony Pictures When a premium car brand like BMW says it has a "special surprise" in store for drivers, I'd expect something more luxurious than having a movie commercial beamed onto the dashboard. That's exactly what's happening to many BMW owners, however, who are being shown banner ads for Spider-man: Brand New Day on their Control Display upon starting the vehicle. In a statement to The Autopian , BMW confirmed that the ads are definitely real, serving as part of

  • T-Mobile’s $0-down financing plan bundles taxes and fees 3 hours ago by Emma Roth
    Mobile, News, T-Mobile, Tech

    T-Mobile is launching a new financing option that will allow you to pay for a device, taxes, and fees over 36 months. In an update on Tuesday , T-Mobile says its new Equipment Installment Plan (EIP) Flex 36 requires no upfront payment and will come with a 0 percent APR for a limited time. Even if you are financing a device, carriers typically require you to pay sales tax, an activation fee, or a down payment at checkout. T-Mobile says its new plan eliminates that by allowing you to pay off all of these costs over time - though its

  • Skylight’s smart calendars are up to $90 off during its back-to-school sale 3 hours ago by Sheena Vasani
    Deals, Gadgets, Smart Home, Tech, Verge Shopping

    The 15-inch Skylight Calendar 2 can stand on a table or mounted to the wall. | Image: Skylight The start of a new school year can feel hectic, as parents juggle their kids’ classes, extracurriculars and sports on top of work, appointments, and other responsibilities. It’s easy for things to slip through the cracks, but Skylight’s shared smart calendars can help keep everyone on track, and from August 2nd through August 9th they’re up to $110 off. The sale includes the 15-inch Skylight Calendar 2 for $279.99 ($20 off) at Best Buy and the 27-inch Skylight Calendar Max for $509.99

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Wired

  • Landmark Deal Would Officially Add Laser Weapons to US Army Arsenal 3 hours ago by Noah Shachtman
    Security, Security / National Security, Pew

    Facing a growing drone threat, the Pentagon is poised to sign a first-of-its-kind contract for “Enduring High Energy Lasers”—and make directed energy weapons an official part of the Army’s kit.

  • The Best Gaming Mouse You Can Buy After Testing Dozens of Models 7 hours ago by Henri Robbins
    Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Gaming, Gear / Products / Accessories, Buying, Guide

    From wired to wireless to ultralight, we've tested dozens of gaming mice to find the best for work, your next MMO, and everything in between.

  • Purple Carrot Meal Kit Review: Tastier Than Meal Kits With Meat 7 hours ago by Matthew Korfhage
    Gear / Reviews, Gear, Gear / Products / Kitchen, Gear / Products / Online Services, Product, Review

    I’m an omnivore. Purple Carrot’s vegan meal kit offers some of the best cooking I’ve seen from any meal kit, with or without meat.

  • The Best Cordless Vacuums (2026): My Brand-New Top Pick 8 hours ago by Nena Farrell
    Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Home, Suck, It

    Clean your house without the constraint of a power cord, thanks to these stick vacuums.

  • Is This Poker Player Bluffing? The AI Thinks So 8 hours ago by Ben Dowsett
    Gear, Gear / Trends, New, Deal

    ESPN unveiled an “AI tells detection” tool during broadcasts of the 2026 World Series of Poker. Is it a neat computer-powered party trick, or a real threat to poker’s future?

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