Tech
AI Summary
- AI continues to dominate headlines, with significant developments in model capabilities from companies like Inherent and discussions around AI safety and regulation, exemplified by OpenAI's stance on California's AI safety bill and ongoing debates about containing rogue models.
- The quick-commerce and AI startup landscape is heating up, with Walmart's Flipkart making strides in India and AI accounting startup Rillet achieving unicorn status rapidly, while educational institutions like Harvard are exploring AI integration, such as offering AI avatars of instructors.
- Big Tech companies are facing scrutiny and making adjustments, including Apple reportedly cutting jobs from Siri and Vision Pro teams, and TikTok settling a substantial privacy lawsuit concerning children's data, indicating ongoing challenges with regulatory compliance and product development.
- Hardware and infrastructure developments are also noteworthy, with US battery startups finding support in defense sectors, Nvidia's growing influence in data center partnerships, and discussions around the future of wireless technology with Wi-Fi 8 potentially focusing beyond just speed.
- Consumer tech sees mixed reviews and strategic shifts, from iterative upgrades like the Pixel 11 Pro XL to the discontinuation of Tesla's solar roof, alongside new offerings in smartwatches and the ongoing relevance of older technologies like Z80 microprocessors.
Sources
TechCrunch
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Two years after launch, Walmart’s Flipkart is closing in on India’s quick-commerce leaders
6 hours ago
by Jagmeet Singh
Commerce, Startups, Blinkit, Exclusive, Flipkart, Quick commerce, Swiggy, Swiggy Instamart, ZeptoFlipkart's quick-commerce venture is delivering 1.1 million to 1.2 million orders a day, nearly triple its November volume.
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Harvard’s $699 startup bootcamp offers AI avatars of its instructors
11 hours ago
by Anthony Ha
AI, Harvard Business SchoolIn the HBS Foundry program, AI avatars provide feedback during practice pitches and board meetings.
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Will the DOJ’s investigation into a16z spook other VCs?
13 hours ago
by Anthony Ha
Government & Policy, Venture, a16z, Equity podcast, US Department of JusticeOn the latest episode of Equity, we wonder why the DOJ is investigating startup board seats.
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Inherent, founded by DeepMind alumni, says its AI ‘teammate’ just outperformed Anthropic and OpenAI at replicating research
14 hours ago
by Anna Heim
AI, London, google deepmindBuilt by DeepMind alumni, British AI lab Inherent released Faraday, an AI agent whose ability to replicate scientific papers could be a stepping stone for innovation.
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OpenAI says California should strengthen its AI safety bill
17 hours ago
by Anthony Ha
AI, Government & Policy, OpenAI, sb 53OpenAI is calling for California to strengthen SB 53, an AI safety bill that the company previously opposed.
Hacker News
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The Verge
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Doodle generative compositions in your browser with Musical Spirograph
16 hours ago
by Terrence O’Brien
Entertainment, Music, Tech, WebSo pretty. | Screenshot: Terrence O’Brien / The Verge I remember having a Spirograph as a kid and being obsessed with it. Its geometric patterns are hypnotic and gorgeous. I also love generative music composition. So bringing those two things together in a browser tab, I'm hooked. Musical Spirograph is a relatively simple concept. A set of points dash around the screen according to mathematical equations, generating hypotrochoids and epitrochoids. Those points pass through a series of concentric rings which trigger specific notes. Honestly, that alone is fun enough, but you can customize it quite a bit. There are six
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W. Kamau Bell has the most practical ‘most indispensable tool’
18 hours ago
by Terrence O’Brien
Entertainment, Interview, ReportI’m just as confused as you. | Image: Aundre Larrow W. Kamau Bell is one of those people who has always just seemed to be there. From Totally Biased , to Politically Re-Active , United Shades of America , and We Need to Talk About Cosby , his blend of comedy, social commentary, and political activism has helped him stand out. He's won a Peabody and four Emmys, been a Celebrity Jeopardy! champion, received honors from the ACLU, and been crowned the Ambassador of Fishbone by founding member Chris Dowd. Bell is, if nothing else, a busy man. So we're
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Amazon just hiked the prices for Echo, Fire TV, and Kindle products by up to 60 percent
19 hours ago
by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Amazon, Amazon Alexa, News, TechThe Echo Dot Max went from $99.99 to $119.99 overnight, while its sibling the Echo Dot jumped to $79.99 from $49.99. | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge Citing "significant increases in memory and storage component costs," Amazon has raised prices on Echos, Kindles, Fire TVs , and Eeros by up to 60 percent, as first reported by Fortune . The cheapest products in Amazon's lineup were hit hardest, with the Echo Dot smart speaker jumping from $49.99 to $79.99. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max also rose by over 40 percent to $84.99, and the base level
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An okay laptop with 16GB of RAM is better than a nice laptop with 8GB, and this $520 HP OmniBook proves it
20 hours ago
by Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Gadgets, HP, Laptop Reviews, Laptops, Microsoft, Reviews, Tech, WindowsThe OmniBook 3 isn’t a sweet treat, but it gets things done on the cheap. | Photo: Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge Laptop prices are out of whack. $500 used to get you a tolerable laptop, and $900 got you a really good one. They often had similar CPU, RAM, and storage options because that stuff was comparatively cheap; the difference was often in build quality and screen rather than power. But RAMageddon has thrown everything off. Even laptops like the $950 Surface Laptop now start with 8GB of RAM, which isn't enough. And on the lower end,
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Two great new repairable gadgets
21 hours ago
by Jay Peters
Installer, TechHi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 141, your guide to the best and Verge -iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, I'm newish here too, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage .) This week, I've been getting back into the Installer groove, trying out some ergonomic Switch 2 grips I bought on Etsy , researching bike stuff because I'm about to get a Velotric e-bike, inching my way through the fourth book in The Dark Tower series, trying to figure out what feels off about Sonic in the new Fortnite
Wired
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Saily Ultra eSIM Premum Plan Review: Packed With Perks
20 hours ago
by Simon Hill
Gear, Gear / Reviews, Gear / Products / Phones, Product, ReviewFor uninterrupted service as you country-hop, the Saily Ultra eSIM works well and comes with plentiful perks. It’s pricey though.
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The 4 Best Monitor Arms to Clear Up Your Desk Space (2026)
a day ago
by Luke Larsen
Gear, Gear / Products, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Home Office, Buying, GuideYour desk setup needs a monitor arm, and I’ve been testing every one I can get my hands on to find the best.
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Set Up a Separate Work Profile on Your Android Phone
a day ago
by David Nield
Gear, Gear / How To and Advice, Double, LifeIt is possible to achieve your desired work-life balance on your smartphone. Just set up separate accounts using this built-in Android feature.
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The Best Mattress Toppers I've Tried (2026): Supportive, Plush, Memory Foam
a day ago
by Nena Farrell
Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Sleep, Nap, TestedThese toppers will transform your mattress into exactly what you need, whether that’s a super-plush pillow top, memory foam, or targeted back support.
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Your Expired Visa Card Could Be ‘Zombified’ to Make Contactless Payments
a day ago
by Andy Greenberg, Lily Hay Newman
Security, Security / Security News, RoundupPlus: Apple sends out an “unprecedented” number of spyware warnings, Ukraine hits a Russian ecommerce giant with cyber and drone attacks, and more.