Tech, AI, science news. MIT Tech Review, Wired, Verge, Ars, and more.
Published dates (RSS): 21 Jan – 11 Aug
State confirms nine cases, including five deaths, from Vibrio vulnificus organism, which thrives in seawater Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacterium found in coastal waters. Louisiana has confirmed nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, the state’s health department said last week…
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. AI for science needs reasoning, not just data —Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google and the cofounder of Schmidt Sciences, and Suhas Mahesh, who leads the AI for science work…
As Pluto edges further away from the sun, the chilly temperatures are causing its atmosphere to condense onto its barren surface as frost.
Willy Myco has made over 120 videos showing people his exact process for making everything from LSD to DMT vapes. Not everyone’s a fan of his methods.
Clean, free power from the sun is easier and more affordable to capture than ever with the best portable solar panels.
My grandfather Glyn Morton, who has died aged 86, was an environmental microbiologist based for most of his career at the University of Lancashire, rising from senior lecturer to professor and then head of department. In 2007 he was appointed emeritus professor. He published more than 140 papers and supervised dozens of researchers. He was a chartered biologist, a fellow of the Royal Society of…
Platforms are finally recognizing that people don’t want to consume AI slop. A growing number of sites and apps now have tools and policies to flag, label, and ban AI-generated content.
Looking to read more? These handy ebook readers are here to help.
The approach is like a Costco for heat pumps, and it’s helping make installations more accessible as heat waves worsen.
Discovery of 2,100-year-old vessel hailed as ‘one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years’ A 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck carrying about 500 amphorae has been discovered 3 miles off the coast of Mazara del Vallo in Sicily. Italy’s Carabinieri cultural heritage protection squad investigated the wreck with the help of divers and underwater cameras after…
Shopping for a camera can be confusing. Here’s how to sift through the acronyms, sensor options, and extra features to find the best one for you.
An AI interview is increasingly the first step of a hiring process. Since there’s no human on the other end, candidates are scheduling them whenever—even deep into the night.
Astronomers have nearly doubled the number of known cosmic X-ray sources.
Space.comFor the 14th time, a Google product has hit 1 billion users. Google CEO Sundar Pichai posted on X that a billion people are using Gemini every month, and that Gemini is Google's fastest-growing pro…
The VergeThe Perseids will peak between August 12 and 13. Here’s what time—and where—you can get the best view, and why 2026 will be an exceptional year.
WiredA flight tracking service is suing Kalshi for using its data without authorization.
EngadgetMeta has launched a Threads app for Meta Quest VR headsets, the company announced on Tuesday. The launch follows Meta bringing the app to its Ray-Ban Display AR glasses last month and the recent ne…
The Verge"I think the producers had more time to prepare for season 4 and every episode felt incredible on the page"
Space.comZoom screen-sharing bug let people fully take over other devices on a call.
EngadgetAbbott partners with Google Health for AI-powered glucose monitoring.
EngadgetGoogle TV Freeplay, the company's free, ad-supported streaming service, now supports video on demand. Instead of tuning into Google TV Freeplay's selection of always-on channels, you can now choose…
The VergeDepending on the model, you might have hundreds to choose from—or just one.
Ars TechnicaMost current models support at least two.
EngadgetThirteen authors joined a little-known Google AI study in 2022. Now they're facing backlash.
EngadgetFDA report reveals where Taylor Farms sent its lettuce—and it raises questions.
Ars TechnicaScientists found a Martian meteorite on Earth that is finally filling in a nearly 2-billion-year-old geology-history gap on the Red Planet.
Space.comEclipse glasses can offer protection from harmful rays of sunlight but most high street stores have sold out.
BBC ScienceBrad Lightcap, OpenAI's special projects lead and the company's former COO, announced his departure after an eight-year stint at the AI lab. In an internal memo he later posted to X, Lightcap told …
The VergeDating app Bumble is changing its policy to allow either person to message first, and is extending its response window from 24 to 72 hours.
CNET NewsLooking for great pair of earbuds that work particularly well with Android phones? The Google Pixel Buds 2a are currently discounted to $99 (usually $129) at various retailers, including Amazon, Be…
The VergeModern iPhones reflect years of gradual evolution, blending new capabilities with familiar elements that keep users adapting along the way.
EngadgetDisney+ will be the new global streaming home of Formula E racing.
EngadgetLast year's Made by Google event for the Pixel 10 resembled a late night talk show, complete with Jimmy Fallon as host, and it aired an hour after the phones were revealed. Spec dives and executive…
The VergeGoogle is gearing up to reveal a bunch of new Pixel devices on August 12th. A series of leaks leading up to the event suggest that the Pixel 11 lineup will come in an array of colors, with signs po…
The VergeSpecialist glasses are all but sold out online ahead of the UK's most significant eclipse since 1999.
BBC ScienceGiving your controllers a good clean can help with stick drift.
EngadgetWith some shops running out of stock, it may be too late to buy eclipse glasses - but you can still safely watch the spectacle using some household items.
BBC ScienceHot hours of summer could triple in the coming decades.
Ars TechnicaSpaceX launched 29 more of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit from Florida's Space Coast today (Aug. 11).
Space.comApple is seemingly developing an iOS feature that can verify when a photograph was taken using an iPhone camera. 9to5Mac reports that the iOS 27 beta 5 includes code references for an "Apple Refere…
The VergeClaire Stapleton's new book, Don't Be Evil , recounts her journey from company cheerleader to outspoken dissident.
Ars TechnicaThe maker of Until Dawn and Directive 8020 says it's cutting jobs to ensure it remains sustainable.
Engadget"Scientists can study the sun's corona in a way we can't from anywhere else in the solar system."
Space.comCameras are typically banned in courtrooms, and Meta Glasses are no exception in England and Wales.
EngadgetState laws around driving with headphones vary, so make sure you know what's legal.
EngadgetTrump has resisted urge to fire FCC Democrat despite recent Supreme Court win.
Ars TechnicaThe firm says it has invested in the chalk stream and water quality is "influenced by a range of factors".
BBC ScienceLook to the skies on Wednesday because one of the most spectacular solar eclipses for decades is coming the UK's way with likely optimum viewing conditions for many.
BBC ScienceWithout property rights in space, one of the most important economic incentives for the commercial development — and ultimately the settlement — of celestial bodies is missing.
Space.comThe PC gaming world has tried to move on from bulky, heavier mice, but the Naga V3 Pro proves that it still has its place.
WiredZoom has patched a major security vulnerability that could allow an attacker to hijack anyone's device during a meeting. In a blog post on Tuesday, researchers at A Security say they uncovered the …
The VergeThe PS5 may not support Bluetooth audio directly, but there are workarounds.
EngadgetThe FDA approved Samsung's Galaxy Buds hearing aid feature, which will soon be available alongside a hearing test.
EngadgetPeople should take precautions while witnessing the "amazing celestial event", an expert says.
BBC ScienceThe Lion Nebula glows gloriously in this new snapshot from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Space.comPresident Eisenhower inspects the Discoverer 13 capsule after its return to Earth.
Space.comNew research finds that by making the fossil fuel industry more productive, AI could help increase carbon emissions by up to nearly 5 percent—vastly outpacing the impact of data centers.
WiredMusic streaming platform creates ‘AI persona’ label that will appear on profiles and track listings in crackdown on fake performers Spotify is to label AI artists and exclude them from algorithm re…
The Guardian TechIs Garmin's new option worth $100 more than the Fitbit Air?
EngadgetEarlier this summer, Amazon customers began noticing that emails related to their online orders looked sparse: Order confirmation emails didn't name specific items anymore, and instead listed only …
The VergeAcademic paper says often illicit trade exposes enthusiasts – and postal workers handling items – to serious risks A growing global trade in mummified human remains has been described by academics …
The Guardian SciencePhone and Bluetooth signals could turn roadside cameras into far richer tracking tools.
Ars Technica