Minimalist News

Simply the latest news, updated on the hour.

Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 10:10 PM EDT

Tech

AI Summary

  • Autonomous vehicle tech is advancing rapidly, with Tesla, Uber, and Waymo securing significant operational approvals in Nevada, signaling a new era for robotaxis.
  • The AI sector is experiencing explosive growth, highlighted by startups like Micro1 reaching substantial revenue milestones and OpenAI seeing increased business adoption, despite ongoing debates about AI's impact and ethics.
  • VC funding remains a critical topic, with insights emerging on founder strategies for raising capital, as seen in a founder's $1B success story, while established firms like Mayfield actively recruit talent.
  • Developments in hardware and infrastructure are also noteworthy, including advancements in AI model routers from Ramp, investments in hypersonic missile production by Castelion, and ongoing innovation in EV design with models like the Genesis GV90.
  • The tech industry is grappling with the societal implications of its creations, from concerns about AI authorship on the web and data center cooling methods to the challenges of AI safety protocols at OpenAI and debates over copyright and fair use in the age of generative AI.

TechCrunch


Hacker News


The Verge

  • Genki’s new customizable controller has a big screen and adjustable buttons 41 minutes ago by Andrew Liszewski
    Gadgets, Gaming, News, Tech

    After collaborating with 8BitDo on a gamepad two years ago, Genki launched the first controller the company designed from the ground up today. With an unorthodox design that positions its thumbsticks and buttons above a large 2.9-inch LCD screen, the Manta looks a lot chunkier than competing controllers. But what really sets it apart is a deeper focus on customizability with numerous settings that can be adjusted using the controller's screen plus buttons and thumbsticks that can be tailored to each player's preferences. The Genki Manta is launching today through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign . The earliest backers can preorder

  • Google Discover is getting an AI chatbot-tuned feed 5 hours ago by Emma Roth
    AI, Apps, Google, News, Tech

    Google will soon allow you to customize your Discover feed by describing what you want to see. The new feature , rolling out to the Google app in the "coming days," will use AI to automatically tweak your feed and "remember" your preferences for future visits. You'll find the option within the three-dot menu on your Discover feed. As shown in a video shared by Google, tapping the feature will open a chatbot-style interface, where you'll be able to describe your preferences. The chatbot will confirm your choices and lay out the types of content it will prioritize, but you'll

  • Riot is ending development on its League of Legends fighting game 7 hours ago by Jay Peters
    Entertainment, Gaming, News

    Riot Games is already winding down work on 2XKO , the free-to-play League of Legends fighting game, less than a year after its initial launch. Riot says "active development" will conclude at the end of 2026 because the company hasn't "seen enough players stick with the game to get to a path toward sustainability." Servers will stay online "beyond 2026," and Riot is unlocking all playable characters and refunding money spent on the game. 2XKO launched in an early access beta on PC in October 2025 and hit PS5 and Xbox Series X / S in January . But shortly

  • The Genesis GV90 blows the bloody doors off what’s possible in EV design 7 hours ago by Andrew J. Hawkins
    Electric Cars, News, Transportation

    Genesis, Hyundai's luxury brand, just revealed its first full-size, three-row electric SUV for the US market, the GV90 . And arguably it has some of the wildest designs and features in the auto market today. Right off the bat, the coach-style doors signal that things aren't what they seem with the GV90. When the front and rear doors open outward, the B-pillar disappears, creating an extra-large opening into the vehicle - because you're the kind of person who can afford it. Genesis is calling it the Neolun Arch Gate, "the world's first independently opening and closing hidden B-pillar coach door."

  • Mark Zuckerberg bought an Irish castle 8 hours ago by Jay Peters
    Meta, News, Tech

    Mark Zuckerberg. | Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge; Getty Images Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg now owns an actual castle. Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan bought Strancally Castle and its 440-acre estate in Ireland "several weeks ago," according to The Irish Times . While the exact price of the purchase is unclear, the family could have paid "anywhere between €20 million and €30 million" for the 16,000-square-foot castle, which was restored by its previous owners. "Mark and his family look forward to caring for this historic home and visiting when traveling to Ireland, where Meta maintains its international headquarters,"


Wired


Looking for more? Search Google News