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Simply the latest news, updated on the hour.

Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 11:21 AM EDT

Tech

AI Summary

  • Amazon is pursuing significant advancements in AI, with Google rolling out Gemini across its product suite and Meta developing new AI chips, while NVIDIA is investing heavily in open-source AI models and developing its own AI agent platform.
  • The automotive industry is seeing a push towards electric and autonomous vehicles, with Rivian launching its R2 model and testing autonomous tech in Tokyo, alongside efforts from Uber and Nissan, though challenges like tariffs and competition are leading Honda to scrap some EV plans.
  • The entertainment and media landscape is evolving with Disney+ introducing a TikTok-like video feed and Netflix potentially acquiring an AI startup, while AI's role in content creation is growing, albeit with concerns about misuse and copyright infringement, as seen with Grammarly facing lawsuits.
  • Tech giants are enhancing user experiences with new features: Google Maps is integrating AI for navigation and flood prediction, Google Play is expanding its offerings with game trials and paid content, and X is combating spam with mass account suspensions.
  • The intersection of technology and cybersecurity is becoming more critical, with major data leaks exposing millions of identity records and startups like Malus offering 'Clean Room as a Service' for data security, alongside efforts to combat sophisticated scamming operations.

TechCrunch


Hacker News


Engadget

  • Uber is shooting for even more upscale clientele with Uber Elite an hour ago by Matt Tate
    Travel & Tourism, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Matt Tate

    Uber has launched a new invite-only luxury ride experience called Uber Elite. Aimed at "executives, frequent travelers, and riders looking for a more elevated experience," it sounds like an upgraded version of Uber Black for the, well, uber-rich. A ride booked through Uber Elite will be operated by a professional chauffeur driving a new-model luxury vehicle less than three years old. An Elite-only "Meet and Greet" feature allows riders to pre-arrange to be picked up in the airport terminal they arrive at from a flight, with their chauffeur dutifully awaiting them at baggage claim. Uber says all Elite rides include chargers, bottled

  • Rivian's R2 EV arrives this spring with a $58,000 price tag an hour ago by Sam Rutherford
    Autos, Transportation, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Sam Rutherford

    Ahead of its official release later this spring, today Rivan is announcing full pricing and trim levels for its long-awaited R2 electric SUV.  The rollout for the company's first mid-size (two-row) offering will be similar to its previous vehicles, with more expensive premium models hitting the road first this spring, followed by more affordable configurations becoming available later this year and into 2027. This timeline is especially important for anyone hoping to snag the $45,000 base model of the R2, which isn't expected to go on sale until sometime in late 2027. The R2 Performance with Launch Package and R2 Premium

  • Disney+ gets its own time-sucking vertical video section 3 hours ago by Daniel Cooper
    Media, Arts & Entertainment, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Daniel Cooper

    It’s not just the major social platforms that know how effective an endless scroll of short videos is at hijacking your dopamine system. Disney+ is adding Verts, a selection of short vertical clips you can scroll through to keep your brain chemistry happy when you are in the bathroom so inclined. The company says it’s a “dynamic feed” to help users “quickly find their next favorite watch,” letting you jump straight in to see the full movie or TV show the clip hails from. Not to mention the side benefit of elbowing out those social platforms, many of which use

  • Starfleet Academy is the best first season of as Star Trek show ever 3 hours ago by Kris Naudus
    Media, Celebrities, Arts & Entertainment, Television, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Kris Naudus

    The first season of a TV show is a tricky thing. It has to convince people to watch it and justify the show’s existence to the network (or streaming service) execs. It has to deal with actors and writers who may not have fully dialed into the characters and world yet. There are some shows with absolutely stellar first seasons — Stranger Things, Veronica Mars and Ted Lasso are a few — but many other hit shows stumbled out of the gate, like The Office and Supernatural. Star Trek is not immune to this phenomenon. The Original Series had a decent

  • Google’s GFiber internet business is merging with Astound Broadband 3 hours ago by Matt Tate
    Internet & Networking Technology, Investment & Company Information, Technology & Electronics, Finance, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Matt Tate

    Google has announced that GFiber is merging with Astound Broadband, in an agreement that sees Astound’s parent company Stonepeak become the majority owner, with Alphabet retaining a minority stake. No financial specifics were detailed in a press release, but the new combined business will be an independent provider led by GFiber’s executive team, who Google says will use its "expertise in high-speed fiber innovation to manage the combined network footprint." Astound already serves over one million customers across the US, and by joining forces Google says the two providers will be able to grant better internet access to more communities. GFiber, formerly


The Verge

  • Microsoft’s head of experiences and devices is retiring, triggering a shakeup an hour ago by Tom Warren
    Microsoft, News, Tech

    Rajesh Jha, executive vice president of Microsoft's experiences and devices group, is retiring after more than 35 years at the software giant. Jha was a big part of the team that helped move Microsoft's Office suite to the cloud, and has recently been overseeing Microsoft 365 Copilot, Windows, Office, and more. "After 35+ years at Microsoft, I am moving into retirement," says Jha in an internal memo. "I will transition out on July 1st and then stay in an advisory role." Jha is leaving at the end of June, but Microsoft isn't promoting anyone as a direct replacement for Jha's role.

  • PEGI’s new age ratings will restrict FC 27 to kids over 16 an hour ago by Jess Weatherbed
    Entertainment, Gaming, News, Tech

    Loot boxes like the virtual card packs featured in EA’s FC franchise will soon be taken into consideration for PEGI age ratings. | Image: EA The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) body previously assigned its age ratings based on the presence of sex, drugs, violence, bad language, and fear. Now it's adding four new options that tie age suitability to interactive features, like rating games that contain loot boxes as unsuitable for children under 16. Games like EA's FC series - which typically carry a PEGI 3 age rating - will be among the most impacted, with the virtual card packs included in

  • WordPress launches an in-browser website creator an hour ago by Emma Roth
    News, Tech, Web

    WordPress.org is launching a new tool that lets you create a private website directly in your browser, according to an announcement on Wednesday. You can access the tool by heading to my.WordPress.net, which opens up a workspace where you can start building a website without signing up to WordPress, choosing a hosting plan, or selecting a domain. As noted by WordPress, the private sites created using its in-browser workspace "aren't optimized for traffic, discovery, or presentation." Instead, WordPress positions the tool as a way to create a private environment for creating drafts, journaling, and research, as well as for experimenting with

  • Rivian R2 prices revealed: you’re going to have to wait longer for that $45,000 version an hour ago by Andrew J. Hawkins
    Electric Cars, Transportation

    When Rivian first revealed the R2 in 2024, a lot of the excitement was centered on the starting price of $45,000 - placing it slightly below the current average selling price for a new internal combustion vehicle. Finally, here was a decently sized electric SUV with great design and impressive software that wouldn't require taking out a 7-8 year auto loan. Of course, we all knew that a $45,000 starting price for the base model was aspirational and would take a while to get here - like other automakers, Rivian is prioritizing its pricier trims - and now we have more

  • Dyson’s new stain-spotting AI robovac is now available an hour ago by Andrew Liszewski
    Gadgets, Robot, Smart Home, Tech

    Dyson’s bringing the lasers from its handheld vacuums to its new autonomous cleaner. | Image: Dyson Dyson's latest autonomous robot vacuum cleaner first debuted during IFA 2025 in Berlin last September. The Spot+Scrub Ai Robot is the company's follow-up to its 360 Vis Nav robovac launched in 2023 with upgrades that include a new self-cleaning roller mop, a multifunction dock, and lasers that can identify stains. It's available now for $1,199 through Dyson's physical stores and website - which is the same price as its less capable predecessor. Dyson has abandoned the vision-based navigation system used on its earlier robovacs for lidar


Wired

  • Essential Gear for an Emergency Kit—for Cars or Go-Bags 2 hours ago by Matthew Korfhage
    Gear, Gear / How To and Advice, Gear / Products / Home, Bug, Out

    We consulted preparedness experts and WIRED's team of testers for the essential gear to keep on hand in case of wildfires, earthquakes, and lord knows what else.

  • Google Maps Gets Chatty With a New Gemini-Powered Interface 4 hours ago by Reece Rogers
    Gear, Gear / Gear News and Events, Gear / Products / Apps, Gear / Products / Phones, Map, Quest

    “Ask Maps,” rolling out today to Google Maps on mobile, lets you ask Gemini questions about locations and even to plan trips on your behalf.

  • 10 Best Meal Delivery Services, Tested by an Ex-Restaurant Critic 4 hours ago by Matthew Korfhage
    Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Kitchen, Gear / Products / Online Services, Dinner, Winners

    Here are the best meal kits in 2026, from Martha Stewart’s meal kit to the best meal delivery on a budget.

  • Sennheiser RS 275 TV Headphone Bundle Review: Awesome Tech, OK Headphones 5 hours ago by Ryan Waniata
    Gear, Gear / Reviews, Gear / Products / Audio, Gear / Products / Headphones, Review

    Sennheiser’s new TV transmitter system uses the power of Auracast to connect nearly infinite headphones—if you can find a pair you like.

  • Best Massage Guns of 2026: Hyperice, Therabody, and More 5 hours ago by Boutayna Chokrane
    Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Health and Fitness, Gear / Products / Lifestyle, Trigger, Points

    Massage guns used to be simple percussive devices. Now, they use vibrations, hot and cold therapy, and even LED light to ease post-workout pain and promote muscle recovery.


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