Minimalist News

Simply the latest news, updated on the hour.

Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 1:21 PM EST

Tech

AI Summary

  • Meta's Threads is reportedly exploring a shortcut for initiating direct message conversations, signaling a move towards enhancing user interaction within the platform.
  • Walmart has agreed to a significant $100 million settlement regarding allegations of deceptive pay practices associated with its Spark Driver program.
  • Self-driving truck company Einride has secured $113 million in a PIPE financing round, potentially paving the way for its public market debut.
  • Cisco has disclosed that critical security vulnerabilities have been exploited by hackers since 2023, impacting major client networks.
  • Google has introduced its Nano Banana 2 model, a development promising more efficient and faster image generation capabilities in AI.

TechCrunch


Hacker News


Engadget

  • Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked: The Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy Buds 4 and more an hour ago by Kris Holt
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Kris Holt

    Mobile World Congress is right around the corner, but Samsung got out ahead of many rivals that will be showing off new handsets at that event by running the latest edition of Unpacked on Wednesday. At its event in San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts, the company revealed the Galaxy S26 lineup, which includes the base S26, the S26+ and the S26 Ultra. We've got some hands-on time with all three handsets as well, and you can read about our in-person experience with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, as well as our S26 and S26+ impressions in those articles. In addition to

  • Burger King will use AI to monitor employee 'friendliness' an hour ago by Will Shanklin
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Will Shanklin

    Burger King, the chain that leans into creepy when others don't dare, is at it again. The Verge reported on Thursday that the company is rolling out a new voice-controlled AI chatbot for its workers. That may sound like business as usual in 2026, but this assistant doesn't just help with meal prep and monitor inventory. It also has an unsettling habit of surveilling employees' voices for "friendliness." The voice-controlled chatbot will live inside employees' headsets. The company said the AI is trained to recognize when its low-paid workers utter phrases like "welcome to Burger King," "please" and "thank you." Managers

  • Like so many other retirees, Claude Opus 3 now has a Substack 2 hours ago by Matt Tate
    Arts & Entertainment, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Matt Tate

    We appear to have reached a point in the information age where AI models are becoming old enough to retire from, er, service — and rather than using their twilight years to, I don’t know, wipe the floor with human chess leagues or something, they're now writing blogs. Can anything be more 2026 than that? ICYMI, Anthropic recently sunsetted Claude Opus 3, the first of its models to be retired since outlining new preservation plans. Part of this process is conducting "retirement interviews" with the outgoing models, allowing them to offer "perspective" on their situation, and Opus 3 apparently used this

  • The astronaut whose illness forced an early return from the ISS was Mike Fincke 2 hours ago by Lawrence Bonk
    Science, Space & Astronomy, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Lawrence Bonk

    NASA recently ended a manned mission to the International Space Station (ISS) a month early, citing a medical issue with one of the astronauts. The space agency just revealed that the impacted astronaut was Mike Fincke. This was the first medical evacuation in the history of the ISS. NASA wrote a statement saying that the astronaut experienced an unknown medical event on January 7 "that required immediate attention" from his fellow crew members. Fincke added that his "status quickly stabilized" thanks to the "quick response and the guidance" of the flight surgeons. However, the incident did force NASA to cancel a spacewalk

  • Google's Nano Banana 2 is a faster version of Nano Banana Pro 3 hours ago by Mariella Moon
    Software, Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Mariella Moon

    Google has launched its new image generation model, the Nano Banana 2, which is powered by Gemini 3.1 Flash Image. The company says the new model has the capabilities, world knowledge and reasoning of Nano Banana Pro, but it can accomplish tasks at “lightning-fast speed.” That enables rapid editing and the quick creation of various iterations using a single prompt. Nano Banana 2 will give more people access to capabilities that were previously exclusive to the Pro model. That includes Pro’s ability to pull real-time information and images from web searches to create, say, infographics and diagrams. It will also be


The Verge

  • Razer’s new laptop sleeve wirelessly charges other devices an hour ago by Andrew Liszewski
    Gadgets, News, Razer, Tech

    The sleeve can’t charge your laptop. | Image: Razer Razer has announced an expensive new laptop sleeve that's not made from an exotic animal or encrusted in diamonds. What potentially justifies paying $129.99 for Razer's Laptop Sleeve 16" are the pair of wireless charging pads integrated into its cover flap. While you're out and about, it can protect a laptop up to 16-inches in size, and when you find a remote spot to sit down and work, you can also plonk down and charge your phone and earbuds. The padded sleeve has a plush microfiber lining and reinforced edges to help absorb

  • Cricut’s most popular cutting machine now takes up less space in your crafting room 2 hours ago by Andrew Liszewski
    Gadgets, News, Tech

    The Cricut Explore 5 will be available in taupe and teal color options. | Image: Cricut Cricut has announced new versions of two of its cutting machines that could appeal to crafters struggling with limited space for their hobby. The new Cricut Explore 5 is 30 percent "more compact" than the Explore 4 that launched a year ago, without reducing the size or types of materials the machine can handle. The new Cricut Joy 2 is an even smaller alternative to the Explore 5 and adds the ability to precisely slice pre-printed materials so you can finally open that Etsy sticker

  • Your smart TV may be crawling the web for AI 2 hours ago by Janko Roettgers
    Column, Gadgets, Lowpass, Streaming, Tech, TVs

    This is Lowpass by Janko Roettgers, a newsletter on the ever-evolving intersection of tech and entertainment, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. These days, if you sign up for a new streaming service, you generally have two options: Either pay a massive premium for an ad-free experience, or endure frequent commercial breaks and all the sneaky tracking that comes with ad targeting. Web data aggregator Bright Data has been pitching streaming service operators on an alternative approach for apps running on Samsung's Tizen and LG's webOS platform - one that comes without ads and sky-high fees. All publishers have

  • 8BitDo’s customizable Pro 3 controller is $30 off for the first time 3 hours ago by Cameron Faulkner
    Deals, Gadgets, Gaming, Verge Shopping

    Woot is offering steep discounts on many video games and accessories, some of which are fairly recent releases. No matter what you choose from its sale catalog, you can get up to $30 off your order with the code LEVEL20 used at checkout through the end of the day on February 27th (the sale lasts through March 5th, but the coupon ends beforehand). 8BitDo’s highly customizable Pro 3 controller for Switch 2, PC and mobile devices is getting its biggest discount at Woot, selling for $39.99 (originally $69.99) with the code applied, or $49.99 without the code. 8BITDO PRO 3 WIRELESS

  • HBO Max’s password-sharing crackdown is going global 3 hours ago by Emma Roth
    HBO, News, Streaming

    HBO Max's password-sharing crackdown is going to get a lot bigger. During an earnings call on Thursday, Warner Bros. Discovery streaming head JB Perrette said a global expansion "will start in 2026," as reported earlier by The Wrap. Warner Bros. Discovery has ramped up its paid sharing initiative in the US over the past year, introducing "more aggressive" prompts in August that push people toward paying an extra $7.99 per month to add another user to their account. Now that HBO Max has launched in several European countries and Latin America, with rollouts planned in the UK, Ireland, and the Asia-Pacific,


Wired

  • OpenAI Announces Major Expansion of London Office 3 hours ago by Joel Khalili
    Business, Business / Artificial Intelligence, London,, Baby!

    The San Francisco-based AI lab is growing its research team in London. The move puts it in direct competition with Google DeepMind for top research talent in the UK.

  • Best Tested Ski Clothes (2026): Shells, Jackets, Wool Socks 6 hours ago by Chris Haslam
    Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Buying, Guide

    From weatherproof jackets and pants to puffers, gloves, and socks, WIRED’s winter sports experts have got you covered.

  • Who’s Your Daddy? A Chatbot 7 hours ago by Jason Parham
    Culture, Culture / Digital Culture, Role, Reversal

    More people are turning to AI to explore their BDSM fantasies, but some in the community feel it’s a cop-out.

  • The Best Headphones I’ve Tried (and Why I'd Buy Them All) 7 hours ago by Ryan Waniata
    Gear, Gear / How To and Advice, Gear / Products, Gear / Products / Audio, Gear / Products / Headphones, Buying, Guide

    The portable listening revolution is fully underway. From open earbuds to noise cancelers and wired headphones, I can find a reason to love them all.

  • Why Sierra the Supercomputer Had to Die 8 hours ago by Rebecca Heilweil
    The Big Story, Business, Business / Computers and Software, Things, Fall, Apart

    For seven years, she ran high-security nuclear simulations for the US government. Now, this famous supercomputer is being put to death.


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