The New Wild West of AI Kids’ Toys
These cuddly, connected companions could disrupt everything from make-believe to bedtime stories. No wonder some lawmakers want them banned.
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The Best Cat Water Fountains of 2026: Petlibro, Petkit, Oneisall
Ensuring your cat stays hydrated is one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy. The right pet water fountain can help.
Venom and Hot Peppers Offer a Key to Killing Resistant Bacteria
Researchers have developed three new antibiotics from scorpion venom and habanero peppers to combat tuberculosis and other drug-resistant pathogens.
‘Nurse, the joypad!’: the eight greatest medical video games
For anyone needing a break from binging The Pitt, you can always put in your own shifts as a hospital manager, surgeon, paramedic and of course as a demonic morgue assistant Like the rest of the western world, our household is currently binging medical drama The Pitt, revelling in its visceral depiction of life in a modern emergency department. So far the series has yet to inspire a video game…
Meet Rassvet, Russia’s Answer to Starlink
With the launch of the first 16 satellites, Russia begins construction of a network for satellite internet that aims to cover the entire country by 2030. But getting there won’t be easy.
I made my husband ill with a few words – nobody is immune to the power of the nocebo effect | Helen Pilcher
My prank demonstrated how our minds can adversely affect our health, and scientists are increasingly showing that negative thoughts can produce very real symptoms For his last birthday, I gave my husband a monthly beer box subscription. While he saw it as a generous and delicious present, it spawned a mischievous idea on my part. One evening, as I watched him drain the last bottle, I opened my…
The Canvas Hack Is a New Kind of Ransomware Debacle
Thousands of schools around the US were paralyzed on Thursday after education tech firm Instructure shut down access to its Canvas platform following a breach by hackers going by the name ShinyHunters.
50% Off DoorDash Promo Code | May 2026
Explore today’s top DoorDash promo codes for $25 off your first order, free delivery, and 50% off DashPass for students and select users.
Musk v. Altman Evidence Shows What Microsoft Executives Thought of OpenAI
Leaders at the tech giant were skeptical of OpenAI—but wary of pushing it into the arms of Amazon, according to emails dating back to 2018.
UK schools should remove pupils’ online photos as AI blackmail threat grows, say experts
Criminals are manipulating pictures found on school websites and social media to create sexually explicit images UK schools should remove pictures of pupils’ faces from their websites and social media accounts because blackmailers are using them to create sexually explicit images, experts have said. Child safety experts and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) warn that criminals are using AI to…
Artemis astronauts may find remnants of a 'decapitated' asteroid's impact on the moon
An ancient impact may have scattered material from deep inside the moon toward NASA's planned Artemis landing sites near the lunar south pole.
Trump Pivots on AI Regulation, Worker Ousted by DOGE Runs for Office, and Hantavirus Explained
Today on Uncanny Valley, we’re diving into recent reports that the Trump administration is considering an executive order that would establish some sort of federal oversight over new AI models.
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Daybreak is OpenAI's response to Anthropic's Claude Mythos
OpenAI has launched a cybersecurity initiative called Daybreak, powered by GPT-5.5 and Codex Security.
Engadget -
Prime Video Shoots for Assassins and Steamy Titles With New TV Show Pickups
Brett Goldstein stars as an escort in one show, and Hannah Waddingham is a professional killer in another.
CNET News -
Ilya Sutskever Stands by His Role in Sam Altman’s OpenAI Ouster: ‘I Didn’t Want It to Be Destroyed’
The former OpenAI chief scientist may be estranged from the company, but he still came to its defense as he testified on Monday.
Wired -
'The Rings of Power': Here's When Season 3 Hits Prime Video
A multiple-year time jump sets the third season in the middle of the war between Sauron and the elves.
CNET News -
OpenAI just released its answer to Claude Mythos
OpenAI is launching Daybreak, an AI initiative focused on detecting and patching vulnerabilities before attackers find them. Daybreak uses the Codex Security AI agent that launched in March to crea…
The Verge -
Meta Sued by California County Over Alleged Scam Ads on Social Media
Santa Clara County is seeking restitution, damages and policy changes.
CNET News -
Astronomers use the Webb telescope to improve our map of the cosmic web
Adding significantly more detail means better future investigations into the universe's past.
Engadget -
Yarbo says it will remove the intentional backdoor from its robot lawn mower
The company behind the robot lawn mower that ran me over has changed its tune. Yarbo now plans to completely remove the remote backdoor access that could have let bad actors reprogram the robot ove…
The Verge -
Linux bitten by second severe vulnerability in as many weeks
Production-version patches are coming online and should be installed pronto.
Ars Technica -
The 14 Best Electric Toothbrushes for Keeping Your Pearly Whites Clean
After testing over 20 electric toothbrushes, one model stood out thanks to its affordable price and effective features.
CNET News -
Here’s what Mira Murati’s AI company is up to
Thinking Machines, the AI company founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, announced Monday that it's working on something called "interaction models." The idea behind interaction models, accordin…
The Verge -
14 of the Best Peacock Shows You Can Stream Today
A second season of The Paper premieres in September.
CNET News -
Big Glass, Power Doors and Phone Chargers That Don't Suck: Audi Previews Q9 Interior
Audi's upcoming full-size flagship SUV inches closer to its July world premiere. I got an early look at its luxurious cabin.
CNET News -
Audi has a new Q9 flagship coming soon: Here's its interior
Audi made sure to consult American tastes for its first full-size SUV.
Ars Technica -
Can Air Purifiers Combat Pet Dander? What Our Testing Revealed
We tested Dreame's pet-focused air purifiers to see if they live up to their promises.
CNET News -
Scientists May Have Discovered 27 Star Wars-Like Planets With Two Suns
Stellar eclipses may hold the key to finding new hidden worlds in binary star systems.
CNET News -
Apple's Next Vision Pro Headset Is Reportedly Years Away
The company has diverted resources away from producing the next mixed-reality headset.
CNET News -
Texas Sues Netflix for Alleged Data Collection of Children Without Consent
The Texas Attorney General alleges that Netflix has designed its platform to be addictive and plans to sell data "for a handsome profit."
CNET News -
What Is Earthshine? Spot the Lunar Marvel in the Skies This Week
The best time to see Earthshine is a few days before and a few days after each new moon during the spring.
CNET News -
After banning foreign routers, FCC says existing ones can get updates until 2029
FCC extends waiver allowing routers and drones to get patches for two more years.
Ars Technica -
Data center guzzled 30 million gallons of water and nobody noticed for months
Can AI save us from the AI industry’s endless thirst for water? Outlook not so good.
Ars Technica -
Wordle Heads to Television With a New Primetime Game Show on NBC
Grab two of your smartest word-nerd friends. Wordle is looking for teams of contestants.
CNET News -
Logitech's Rumored Folding Mouse Is Like a Little Flip Phone
Leaked images purport to show a portable wireless mouse that folds in half for easy packing.
CNET News -
Texas AG sues Netflix, claiming the streaming service collects user data without consent
The case particularly focuses on children's accounts.
Engadget -
Samsung Featured Dua Lipa on Its TV Packaging. Now, She's Suing for $15M
The popstar appeared on the boxes used to sell Samsung TVs -- but she says she owns the rights to the image.
CNET News -
Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for May 12, #596
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for May 12, No. 596.
CNET News -
Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for May 12 #800
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for May 12, No. 800.
CNET News -
Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for May 12, #1066
Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for May 12, No. 1,066.
CNET News -
Today's Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for May 12, #1788
Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for May 12, No. 1,788.
CNET News -
NASA's Artemis 3 rocket is taking shape for 2027 launch to test lunar landers (photo)
The core stage for NASA's Artemis 3 rocket has been raised inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, and is awaiting engine integration.
Space.com -
Govee’s new portable smart lamp is on sale for the first time
If you’ve always liked the idea of the Philips Hue Go portable lamp but couldn’t justify the $100+ price tag, Govee recently released a much cheaper alternative, the Govee Table Lamp Classic, and i…
The Verge -
Microsoft's Next Windows 11 Update Could Come With a Big Speed Boost
The rumored Low Latency Profile mode supposedly boosts your system's processor to maximum frequency for high-priority tasks, like opening new apps.
CNET News -
'Nothing short of magical': Astrophotographer captures Lyrid meteors beside the Milky Way
Dury captured shooting stars glowing with the Milky Way from the remote Scottish Island of Skye.
Space.com -
The Health-Tracking Whoop App Will Now Connect You to On-Demand Doctors. Plus, New AI Features
If you own a Whoop fitness-tracking wearable, you’ll want to check out these new updates surrounding medical records and AI insights.
CNET News -
Testing for ‘Bad Cholesterol’ Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
There’s a more accurate way of measuring who’s at risk for cholesterol-related health issues. So why don’t more doctors use it?
Wired -
iOS 26.5 Is Out Now and Brings End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messaging to Your iPhone
The update also brings some changes to your Maps app and loads of bug fixes to your device.
CNET News -
Palantir’s true believers are wearing this jacket
In late April, Palantir - the software company that, in recent years, has perhaps become best known for its defense industry contracts and work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement - announced …
The Verge -
iOS end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging begins rolling today in beta
Look for the new lock icon in your Android chats.
Engadget -
How to Watch The Android Show: I/O Edition Tomorrow Before Google I/O
Google's virtual Android event will arrive one week before I/O 2026, where the company is expected to spotlight Android, Gemini and its broader AI push.
CNET News -
Passengers from hantavirus ship arrive in US; 3 people in biocontainment
A US passenger tested "mildly positive," but WHO is calling it "inconclusive" for now.
Ars Technica -
Google announces its first-ever discovery of a zero-day exploit made with AI
The Google Threat Intelligence Group said its proactive measures stopped a "mass exploitation event."
Engadget -
This Slim Robot Vacuum Gets in All the Corners of My Home, and It's Currently $700 Off
The Dreame X50 Ultra can leave every floor type spotless, and now you can grab one for under $1,000.
CNET News -
The FCC Received Hundreds of Complaints About Bad Bunny’s ‘Vulgar’ Super Bowl Performance
The complaints, obtained by WIRED, described Bad Bunny’s performance as being overly sexual and protested that the show was in Spanish.
Wired -
Satellite spies one of Russia's most active volcanoes melting snow from the inside out
Fresh satellite images reveal volcanic heat melting snow around Russia's relentless Shiveluch volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Space.com -
Apple brings encrypted RCS chats to iPhone
Apple now lets you have encrypted RCS conversations with Android users through the Messages app on iOS. As part of iOS 26.5, which was released on Monday, Apple added support for end-to-end encrypt…
The Verge -
Starlink shuts down its GPS-style cheat code. Researchers may unlock it anyway.
Shutdown of Starlink location feature won’t dampen interest in GPS alternatives.
Ars Technica -
OpenADR and Matter are collaborating to let your smart home talk to the grid
This should make it easier to connect appliances to demand response programs.
Engadget -
There’s an Unhinged New Video Game About Trump and the Iran War
The game, developed by the group of anonymous artists known as Secret Handshake, is available online and in person in Washington, DC.
Wired -
iOS, macOS, and iPadOS 26.5 updates arrive with encrypted RCS messaging and more
Probably the last big updates we'll see before the next versions appear at WWDC.
Ars Technica -
A New Hantavirus Vaccine Is in the Works
Since 2023, Moderna and Korea University have been developing a new mRNA vaccine for hantavirus. The work has been promising so far, but a finished product isn't likely coming any time soon.
Wired