Minimalist News

Simply the latest news, updated on the hour.

Tech

AI Summary

  • AI development and investment are accelerating, with India notably becoming a significant center for AI infrastructure build-out and user adoption.
  • The rapid expansion of AI is drawing increased scrutiny regarding ethical use, copyright infringement, and privacy, leading to legal challenges and pushback from creative industries and public interest groups.
  • Governments are actively engaging with tech companies on issues of national security, surveillance, and data access, raising concerns about privacy and civil liberties.
  • The venture capital market shows continued activity in specialized tech, but also a shift towards a more diverse investment strategy beyond just high-profile AI deals.
  • Consumer tech and entertainment sectors are releasing new products and services, experiencing both delays in software integration and notable developments in areas like gaming and smart devices.

TechCrunch


Hacker News


Engadget

  • Monarch Money deal: Get a 50 percent off one of our favorite budgeting apps 3 hours ago by Georgie Peru
    Personal Budgeting, Technology & Electronics, Banking & Budgeting, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Georgie Peru

    If you’ve been meaning to get a better handle on your finances, now might be a good time to try one of our favorite budgeting apps without paying full price. Monarch Money is offering new users 50 percent off an annual subscription when you use the code MONARCHVIP at checkout, bringing the cost down to $50 for a full year of access instead of the usual $100. Monarch regularly earns a spot in our guide to the best budgeting apps thanks to its detailed tracking tools, flexible budgeting systems and collaborative features. The app lets you connect unlimited accounts, track spending

  • ByteDance promises to tighten up its new AI video generator after viral Cruise vs. Pitt clip 3 hours ago by Sarah Fielding
    Media, Celebrities, Company Legal & Law Matters, Arts & Entertainment, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Sarah Fielding

    ByteDance released Seedance 2.0 less than a week ago and enraged artists everywhere with a viral clip AI-generated clip of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt fighting. Unsurprisingly, the AI video-making tool has reportedly already received multiple cease-and-desist letters around copyright infringement. Now, it appears ByteDance is going to curb the new media generator's use of prohibited content.  In a statement to the BBC, ByteDance said, "We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorised use of intellectual property and likeness by users." It added that the company "respects intellectual property rights and we have heard

  • The best gaming handhelds for 2026 5 hours ago by Jeff Dunn
    Technology & Electronics, Consumer Discretionary, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Jeff Dunn

    Handheld gaming systems aren’t niche anymore. Today’s devices range from compact devices built around retro emulation to full-fledged portable PCs capable of running modern AAA games. That variety is exciting, but it also makes shopping harder. The “best” gaming handheld now depends less on a single, standout device and more on how, where and what you want to play. Some handhelds are designed for quick sessions and classic libraries, prioritizing simplicity, long battery life and pocketable designs. Others blur the line between console and PC, offering large screens, powerful chips and access to massive game libraries, often at the cost of

  • OpenAI has hired the developer behind AI agent OpenClaw 5 hours ago by Steve Dent
    Software, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Steve Dent

    Recently we were introduced to OpenClaw, an AI that allows users to create their own agents to control apps like email, Spotify and home controls. Now, Sam Altman has announced that OpenAI has absorbed OpenClaw by hiring developer Peter Steinberger "to drive the next generation of personal agents," he wrote on X. Steinberger confirmed the news on his own blog. "I’m joining OpenAI to work on bringing agents to everyone. OpenClaw will move to a foundation and stay open and independent."  Steinberger was also in talks to join Meta, with both companies reportedly making offers in the "billions," according to Implicator.AI.

  • The best cheap phones for 2026 7 hours ago by Igor Bonifacic,Sam Rutherford
    Shopping, Technology & Electronics, Handheld & Connected Devices, Personal Investing Ideas & Strategies, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Igor Bonifacic

    A few years ago, it may have been fashionable to spend $1,000 on the latest flagship smartphone, but for most people, that’s neither practical nor necessary. You don't even have to spend $500 today to get a decent handset, whether it’s a refurbished iPhone or an affordable Android phone, as there are plenty of decent options as low as $160. However, navigating the budget phone market can be tricky; options that look good on paper may not be in practice, and some devices will end up costing you more when you consider many come with restrictive storage. While we spend most


The Verge

  • Samsung ad confirms rumors of a useful S26 ‘privacy display’ 3 hours ago by Dominic Preston
    Gadgets, Mobile, News, Phones, Samsung, Tech

    Last year’s Galaxy S25 Ultra. | Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge Samsung has released a new advertisement for its upcoming Galaxy S26 launch that all-but confirms rumors of a new display with a built-in privacy mode. Leaked videos show that the feature could be capable of entirely blacking out content from specific apps or parts of the display when viewed at an angle. The new advert shows a woman reading a racy romance novel on a subway, while curious passengers look over her shoulder. An overlay shows a quick flick of a "Zero-peeking privacy" toggle, which blacks out the titillating

  • After spooking Hollywood, ByteDance will tweak safeguards on new AI model 3 hours ago by Jess Weatherbed
    AI, News, Policy, Politics, Regulation, Tech

    Hollywood groups have spoken out against Seedance 2.0 since generated videos like fight scenes between Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt went viral. | Image by Dave Benett / WireImage via Getty TikTok creator ByteDance says that it is working to improve safeguards on its new AI video generator after Disney, Paramount, and Hollywood trade groups accused the tool of violating copyright protections. Concerns were raised after hyperrealistic videos generated by the Seedance 2.0 model went viral last week, with the likeness of actors, such as Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, and characters from Dragon Ball Z, Family Guy, and Pokémon. "ByteDance respects

  • A Star is born 4 hours ago by David Pierce
    Creators, Netflix, Streaming, Tech, TikTok

    Two hours before one of the most important live events in Netflix's history, LA's sprawling CBS Radford Studio Center is abuzz with the strangest combination of things. As I walk through one cavernous soundstage on a Tuesday afternoon, I hear multiple people warming up their voices to sing. I pass a man carefully waving a hair dryer in front of a piano. Outside, a man and a woman, both in scant black leather, walk past with a wave. I'm told they're aerialists. Somewhere in this enormous rehearsal space, there's also a 74-year-old budding standup comedian, an 11-year-old gospel singer, and

  • OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger is joining OpenAI 16 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    AI, News, OpenAI, Tech

    Sam Altman announced on X that Peter Steinberger, the man behind the trendy AI agent OpenClaw, was joining OpenAI. He said that Steinberger has "a lot of amazing ideas" about getting AI agents to interact with each other, saying "the future is going to be extremely multi-agent." He also said that this ability for agents to work together will "quickly become core to our product offerings." OpenClaw, previously known as Moltbot and Clawdbot, exploded on the scene earlier this year and became the darling of the tech world. Its rise was swift, but not without its bumps along the way. Earlier

  • You need to watch the intensely surreal cult classic Possession 21 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    Column, Entertainment, Film, Movie Review

    This isn’t one for the squeamish. | Image: Metrograph Pictures Let me just say that I highly recommend you go into Possession blind. Don't watch a trailer. Don't even finish reading this. Go watch it now over on Shudder, Criterion, or Metrograph. It's also available through Kanopy or Hoopla if your library provides access. Then come back so we can talk about it in the comments. Though this probably isn't one for the squeamish. Warning: Spoilers ahead. Possession is the sort of film that, even if you've had the whole plot spoiled for you, can be difficult to follow. After watching it twice,


Wired


Looking for more? Search Google News