Minimalist News

Simply the latest news, updated on the hour.

Tech

AI Summary

  • The media and entertainment landscape is witnessing a significant rise in innovative startups, particularly within the Wholesome framework, suggesting a shift in consumer preferences toward authentic content.
  • The anonymous social app Fizz is gaining traction among Gen Z users, indicating a desire for less curated social experiences, diverging from platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
  • As artificial intelligence solutions become more pervasive, investors are predicting substantial changes to the labor market by 2026, which may result in shifts in enterprise spending and the employment landscape.
  • The emergence of "college dropout" as a badge of honor among startup founders reflects changing perceptions about educational credentials in the tech industry.
  • The gaming sector is preparing for an exciting year as CES 2026 promises a range of announcements, including new console technologies, innovative devices, and AI-powered applications across various platforms.

Powered by OpenAI

TechCrunch

  • The top 6 media/entertainment startups from Disrupt Startup Battlefield 2 hours ago by Julie Bort
    Startups, Startup Battlefield, Disrupt 2025, startup battlefield 2025

    Here is the full list of the media/entertainment Startup Battlefield 200 selectees, along with a note on what made us select them for the competition.

  • Fizz social app’s CEO on why anon works 4 hours ago by Theresa Loconsolo
    Startups, Social, anonymous social, fizz, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Equity Video

    Fizz is betting that Gen Z is tired of performing their lives on Instagram and TikTok.   What started as a pandemic-era group chat frustration has turned into the dominant social platform on college campuses across the US, focused on the 99% of life that doesn’t make it into a highlight reel. Capturing the attention of a demographic typically glued […]

  • ‘College dropout’ has become the most coveted startup founder credential 14 hours ago by Marina Temkin
    Startups, Venture, AI, dropout, university, YCombinator

    AI founders are increasingly using their "dropout" status as a credential during YC pitches.

  • Investors predict AI is coming for labor in 2026 a day ago by Rebecca Szkutak
    Enterprise, AI, Layoffs, artificial intelligence, labor market, 2026 predictions

    The exact impact AI will have on the enterprise labor market is unclear but investors predict trends will start to emerge in 2026.

  • These are the best gadgets for your pet right now a day ago by Lauren Forristal
    Hardware, Gadgets, Pets, pet tech, evergreens

    From AI smart cameras that describe your pet's actions to a smart door that knows when they want to go outside, these are the best pet gadgets of 2025.


Hacker News


Engadget

  • Pick up a four-pack of AirTags for only $65 right now an hour ago by Anna Washenko
    Shopping, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Anna Washenko

    Most Apple products are pretty expensive, but some of the most affordable (and useful) ones are AirTags. The Bluetooth trackers are priced pretty reasonably even when not on sale, but they can be a steal if you can get them on a discount — like right now. A four pack of AirTags is on sale for $65 at Amazon, which is only a few dollars more than the record-low price we saw during Black Friday a couple of months ago. AirTags can be useful for people who travel frequently, helping you to keep track of essentials like your passport as well

  • Airloom will showcase its new approach to wind power at CES an hour ago by Anna Washenko
    Environment, Nature & Environment, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Anna Washenko

    One of the many concerns about artificial intelligence these days is how the rush to build data centers is impacting local communities. Data centers can create a drain on resources, and some utility companies have already said customers can expect to see their electricity bills growing as these facilities increase demand. There have been some discussions of what other power sources could support the AI engine, and wind power specialist Airloom is one company that's looking to address the problem. Ahead of the business' upcoming appearance at CES, we've learned a bit about what Airloom has accomplished this year and

  • How to watch the NVIDIA CES 2026 presentation live 3 hours ago by Katie Teague
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Katie Teague

    CFOTO via Getty Images During CES 2025, we watched NVIDIA tout its leading position in the artificial intelligence arena for the bulk of the presentation. But it did reveal some new hardware, including its RTX 5000-series GPUs and Project Digits desktop supercomputer (later redubbed Spark). This year, the company's website says it's "lighting up CES 2026 with the power of AI." To that end, NVIDIA is pulling out all the stops at its Vegas installation, promising hands-on demos in its booth at the Fontainebleau, replete with the "latest NVIDIA solutions driving innovation and productivity across industries." But don't worry if you're not

  • In 2025, quitting social media felt easier than ever 3 hours ago by Amy Skorheim
    Social & Online Media, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Amy Skorheim

    For a tech writer, being very offline is sort of like being a marathon coach who doesn’t run. So in 2025, I tried to reverse years of studied avoidance towards the most ubiquitous technological phenomenon on earth — I got back on social media. The change was short-lived.  My first exodus from the feeds took some work — disabling notifications, removing apps from my homescreen and then deleting accounts entirely. This time, the phone put itself down. The whole thing has simply lost its luster. I started with Instagram. Every experience went like this: I’d see a single post from one of

  • How to watch the Bosch CES 2026 press conference live 4 hours ago by Katie Teague
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Katie Teague

    You may know Bosch as a home appliance brand (via its partnership with Siemens), but the German multinational is generally more focused on providing underlying technology and engineering solutions to auto, home and manufacturing partners across the globe. It's fitting, then, that much of what it's showing off at CES 2026 is more intended to be licensed to other companies versus Bosch-branded products you'll be seeing on store shelves. Case in point is Bosch's automotive plans at CES. The company will present "AI in the car," or more specifically, in the cockpit of the car. "Bosch's AI-powered cockpit makes driving more


The Verge

  • Public domain 2026: Betty Boop, Pluto, and Nancy Drew set free 40 minutes ago
    Copyright, Entertainment, Film, Law, Music, Policy, TV Shows

    Betty Boop made her debut as an anthropomorphic dog in Dizzy Dishes. | Image: Fleischer Studios Some years ago, I was writing a science fiction short story in which I wanted to incorporate verses from a 1928 song, "Button Up Your Overcoat." However, when I sold the story, my editor told me that since the song was still copyrighted, it was safer not to include the verses. If I had written the story today, I could have used them - because the song passed into public domain two years ago. If you're looking for songs, books, or movies with content you want to

  • Meet the new tech laws of 2026 2 hours ago by Adi Robertson
    Analysis, Policy, Report

    As usual, 2025 was a year of deep congressional dysfunction in the US. But state legislatures were passing laws that govern everything from AI to social media to the right to repair. Many of these laws, alongside rules passed in past years, take effect in 2026 - either right now or in the coming months. As of January 1st, Americans should have the right to crypto ATM refunds in Colorado, wide-ranging electronics repairs in Colorado and Washington, and AI system transparency in California, among other things. But a last-minute court ruling offered a reprieve from one high-profile state law: Texas' App

  • You can’t trust your eyes to tell you what’s real anymore, says the head of Instagram 18 hours ago by Richard Lawler
    AI, Cameras, Gadgets, Instagram, Meta, News, Tech

    Instagram boss Adam Mosseri is closing out 2025 with a 20-images-deep dive into what a new era of "infinite synthetic content" means as it all becomes harder and harder to distinguish from reality, and the old, more personal Instagram feed that he says has been "dead" for years. Last year, The Verge's Sarah Jeong wrote that "…the default assumption about a photo is about to become that it's faked, because creating realistic and believable fake photos is now trivial to do," and Mosseri eventually concurs: > For most of my life I could safely assume photographs or videos were largely accurate

  • Net neutrality was back, until it wasn’t a day ago by Stevie Bonifield
    Policy, Report, Tech

    The fight for net neutrality never seems to be truly won or lost. Federal net neutrality rules have been on and off for the past 15 years. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed the Open Internet Order under President Barack Obama in 2010, prohibiting ISPs from blocking or throttling lawful internet traffic, the baseline rule of net neutrality. Then, at the request of those ISPs, a court blocked its rules. An updated framework was passed by the FCC in 2015, only to be overturned in 2017 under President Donald Trump's first administration. It seemed poised for a comeback in 2024, but

  • Leaked video shows the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s new camera island a day ago by Justine Calma
    Gadgets, Mobile, News, Samsung, Tech

    New photos and video seem to confirm previous leaks hinting that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will sport a new camera bump. OnLeaks posted images of what look like dummy phones on X, following renders it leaked back in September. > #Samsung #GalaxyS26Ultra pic.twitter.com/0lzaFIxYev > > - Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) December 30, 2025 We've seen a similarly raised island on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which 9to5Google points out could lead to an annoying wobble when using the device on a table. > #Samsung #GalaxyS26 #GalaxyS26Ultra pic.twitter.com/5wFb4aiZiL > > - Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) December 30, 2025 More leaked renders in November appeared to show t … Read


Wired

  • 4 Best Smart Scales (2026), Tested and Reviewed 5 hours ago by Christopher Null
    Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Health and Fitness, Buying, Guide

    If you’re ready to start tracking your weight, BMI, and other health data on your phone, we’ve weighed in on some great options.

  • 14 Best Fitness Trackers (2025), Tested and Reviewed 5 hours ago by Adrienne So
    Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Health and Fitness, Gear / Products / Outdoor, Buying, Guide

    Whether you’re skiing in the backcountry or trampolining in the backyard, we have an activity tracker for you.

  • How to Start (and Keep) a Healthy Habit (2026) 5 hours ago by Scott Gilbertson
    Gear, Gear / How To and Advice, Level, Up

    Whether you want to run a marathon or learn to play the guitar, here’s how to set yourself up for success.

  • AI Labor Is Boring. AI Lust Is Big Business 6 hours ago by Reece Rogers
    Business / Artificial Intelligence, Gear, EXPIRED/TIRED/WIRED

    After years of hype about generative AI increasing productivity and making lives easier, 2025 was the year erotic chatbots defined AI’s narrative.

  • I Tested Popular Functional Coffee Add-Ins for a Week Each (2026) 7 hours ago by Pete Cottell
    Gear, Gear / Products / Kitchen, Func-y, Fresh

    Our reviewer optimized his morning cup of coffee with creamer substitutes that promise health benefits and mental clarity.


Looking for more? Search Google News