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Simply the latest news, updated on the hour.

Thu, Aug 6, 2026, 8:20 PM EDT

Tech

AI Summary

  • OpenAI is reportedly launching an AI smart speaker priced between $300 and $400, signaling a move into consumer hardware, while also expanding unlimited text chats for free ChatGPT users.
  • Cybersecurity threats are escalating, with Google reporting hackers targeting financial firm employees, China-linked LightSpy spyware identified in 13 countries, and a hacker pleading guilty to stealing data from over 165 Snowflake customers.
  • Major tech companies are investing heavily in advanced technologies: Tesla and SpaceX plan a $16.8B 'Terafab' chip factory in Texas, and AMD is acquiring Taalas to enhance inference performance through silicon etching.
  • The evolving landscape of social and dating apps includes Bumble teasing a swipe-free future and Gen Z apps like Ditto opting for AI matchmaking over traditional swiping, alongside Meta being ordered to pay $942M for harm to kids from social media.
  • Layoffs and strategic shifts are occurring, with TikTok laying off 250 employees and closing its Nashville office, while eBay continues to focus on live shopping after a strong quarter.

TechCrunch


Hacker News


The Verge

  • Trevor Noah is hosting Google’s Pixel 11 launch event 4 hours ago by Jay Peters
    Google, Google Pixel, News, Tech

    Google is set to host its next live Made by Google hardware launch event on August 12th, and the company says in a new video that comedian Trevor Noah will be hosting the show. The video indicates that the event will feature other celebrities and influencers as well, including Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper (who was at the 2025 event), Indian cricketer Shubman Gill (who has starred in Pixel ads ), Japanese actress Ayami Nakajo (who has also starred in Pixel ads ), and NBA star / Google Performance Advisor Stephen Curry. (Cooper and Noah are also bringing shows

  • Jony Ive’s first OpenAI gadget is reportedly a hockey puck-sized smart speaker 4 hours ago by Stevie Bonifield
    AI, News, OpenAI

    The AI device OpenAI is developing with former Apple designer Jony Ive is "essentially a smart speaker without a display" that's battery-powered, doughnut-shaped and roughly the size of a hockey puck, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. The device, expected to launch in 2027 for a price over $300, reportedly "will have a unique look, complete with moving parts," including some that will move on their own to show when the device is responding or interacting with the user, along with lights, a camera system, and other sensors. Gurman's sources also say the "battery-powered" device is designed to be "easy

  • The AirPods Pro are $60 off, their best price since late June 5 hours ago by Sheena Vasani
    Apple, Deals, Gadgets, Tech, Verge Shopping

    AirPods Pro 3 | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Best Buy kicked off a sale on Apple products with discounts on its latest smartwatches to phones . Another deal that caught our eye is on the latest AirPods Pro, Apple’s flagship wireless earbuds, which are down to $189.99 ($60 off), with retailers like Amazon and Walmart matching the price. That’s their lowest price since Prime Day in late June, and just $20 shy of their all-time low. AirPods Pro 3 The AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass,

  • The Zelda movie’s Ganondorf casting hints at more movies 6 hours ago by Jay Peters
    Entertainment, Film, Gaming, News, Nintendo

    Deadline reported Thursday that the upcoming The Legend of Zelda movie will feature Australian actor Uli Latukefu as the villain Ganondorf, and the publication notes that "We hear Latukefu inked a multi-picture deal." Nintendo or Sony haven't formally confirmed that there's more than one movie in the works, though it's been rumored that Nintendo and Sony might be planning a trilogy . Still, it's not exactly unexpected that more Zelda movies might be on the way, especially given the huge success of the recent Super Mario films at the box office. Nintendo initially announced the live-action Zelda movie, which it's

  • Suno shares plans to combat spammy AI music 7 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    AI, Entertainment, Music, News

    Suno’s AI vocalists could learn a thing or two from this glitchy image. | Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images Suno announced plans to implement a new watermarking technology and download policy to limit the spread of spammy AI tracks and increase transparency. In a lengthy blog post , CEO and co-founder Mikey Shulman laid out the company's principles and the next steps for the company as it seeks legitimacy. The company is rolling out new transparency tools, along with new watermarking and fingerprinting tech. Shulman says it aligns with " emerging industry standards " that will make


Wired

  • Hackers Stalked Me by Hijacking a Smartwatch for Kids 3 hours ago by Andy Greenberg, Matt Burgess, Yulia Almazova
    Security, Security / Cyberattacks and Hacks, Watch, Out

    Security researchers tracked and eavesdropped on a WIRED reporter using vulnerabilities in a pink plastic smartwatch. It’s just one piece of a deeply insecure supply chain of GPS-enabled gadgets.

  • Why Normal People Aren’t Using AI Agents 5 hours ago by Maxwell Zeff
    Business, Business / Artificial Intelligence, Model, Behavior

    The tech industry is realizing it needs to build agents based on what regular consumers want, not just what its AI models can do.

  • Flock Highlighted Police Departments Using Its Tech. Now 4 Face Allegations of Misuse 5 hours ago by Caroline Haskins
    Business, Business / Startups, Police, State

    Flock posted videos on its YouTube channel highlighting at least four police departments whose officers have faced allegations of misusing the company’s tech.

  • ICE’s DNA Collection Increases, SpaceX’s Rocket Crashes Into the Moon, and the AI Backlash Grows 5 hours ago by Brian Barrett, Zoë Schiffer, Leah Feiger, Molly Taft
    Business, AI Hub, Business / Big Tech, Business / Artificial Intelligence, Business / Regulation, Politics, Politics / Politics News, Uncanny, Valley

    In today’s episode of Uncanny Valley, we discuss how ICE has been collecting DNA samples of people who have no criminal convictions, including children, which end up in an FBI database indefinitely.

  • DeepMind Says Its AI Can Predict Hurricanes Earlier Than Everyone Else 8 hours ago by Victoria Turk
    Science, Science / Environment, Looking, Ahead

    Its WeatherNext model, which will be open-sourced, can accurately predict a storm’s track and intensity using lower-resolution weather data. Researchers don’t yet fully understand how it does this.


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