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Samsung leaks Galaxy Watch 9, Ultra 2, and Galaxy Buds On ahead of launch
Samsung has inadvertently confirmed the Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2, along with new Galaxy Buds, ahead of their expected launch later this month. Screenshots from the Samsung Members app show the names, while the Galaxy Wearable app hints at earbuds branded as 'Galaxy Buds On.'
AI character Tilly Norwood to star in feature film "Misaligned"
Tilly Norwood, an AI character, is set to star in a feature-length film titled "Misaligned," reported by Variety. Produced by Particle6 Productions, the film is described as a coming-of-age story in a fictional 'Tillyverse' involving Norwood's quest to become more human.
Double Fine and Compulsion to Retain IPs After Xbox Restructuring
Microsoft is spinning off four Xbox studios, with Double Fine and Compulsion allowed to retain their game franchises and catalogs. This move marks a transition for these studios back to independent management, enabling them to continue developing distinctive titles.
Apple restores card payments in India for Apple Account purchases after four years
Apple has reintroduced card payments for Apple Account purchases in India, allowing Visa and Mastercard users to pay for subscriptions like iCloud+ and Apple Music. This move comes after a four-year suspension due to regulatory changes in India's digital payments landscape, adapting to local requirements for recurring payments.
Apple offers free 4K upgrades for selected TV shows on Apple TV app
Apple has begun providing free 4K upgrades for select TV shows previously purchased through the iTunes Store. This move extends the company's earlier offer for movies and enhances viewing quality for users at no extra cost.
British Grand Prix marred by automated software error during race
The British Grand Prix saw an erroneous on-screen message indicating a late-race restart after a safety car, disappointing viewers and commentators. The unexpected end to an entertaining race underscored ongoing reliability issues within F1 this season, affecting team strategies and fan expectations.
Samsung to raise prices for Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 by 10%
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 9 series and Watch Ultra 2 will see a price increase of approximately 10%, as reported by WinFuture. This change, which adds €30 to €50 per model compared to the Galaxy Watch 8, suggests Samsung anticipates consumers will support the higher prices for additional features and performance.
CS2 Fog Of War Plugin Reduces Wallhack Efficacy in Counter-Strike 2
The CS2FOW plugin for Counter-Strike 2 reduces wallhack effectiveness by preventing hidden enemy data from being sent to clients. This server-side tool filters out live enemy positions when they are entirely obscured, while still allowing for normal gameplay interactions.
Hayabusa2 and Tianwen-2 successfully engage with asteroids
Japan's Hayabusa2 completed a flyby of asteroid Torifune, and China's Tianwen-2 arrived at its target. Both missions represent significant advancements in asteroid exploration and sample return efforts from different nations.
DOJ Shuts Down Criminal Case Against Abbott Laboratories Over Baby Formula
The DOJ has closed a criminal investigation into Abbott Laboratories regarding contaminated baby formula. This decision signals a shift towards less aggressive corporate prosecutions in health and safety cases, raising concerns about consumer protection enforcement.
Sony headphones now serve as real-time head tracker for PC games
Developer Nicholas Slattery's 'Sony Head Tracker' app transforms compatible Sony headphones into real-time head tracking devices for PC racing and flight simulators. This innovation enhances immersion in over 200 supported games by utilizing existing sensors in the headphones, expanding their functionality beyond audio features.
UTA's Creators division discusses the business of the creator economy
Ali Berman and Raina Penchansky of UTA's Creators division detail their approach to talent management in the creator economy. They focus on helping influencers transition from content creation to running multimillion-dollar businesses, while addressing challenges posed by AI and platform dynamics.
Android Auto update causes crashes for beta users
Recent updates to Android Auto, particularly version 17.2, are crashing for beta users. This disrupts functionality, reverting to the car's native systems after a few minutes of use, affecting user experience significantly.
CNN and CNBC Promote Kalshi Amid Financial Conflicts
CNN and CNBC have been promoting Kalshi, a prediction market, since striking deals in December 2025. However, both networks have inconsistently disclosed their financial ties to Kalshi, raising concerns about transparency in reporting.
WhatsApp iPhone beta adds green dot feature to indicate online status
WhatsApp's iPhone beta now includes a green dot to indicate when contacts are online, similar to the Android version. The feature enhances real-time communication while maintaining privacy settings related to online visibility.
Wisconsin residents sue Microsoft over noise and pollution from AI data center
Residents of Sturtevant, Wisconsin, have filed a class-action lawsuit against Microsoft due to excessive noise and light pollution from its Fairwater AI data center. The complaint highlights inadequate noise mitigation measures and claims the disturbances have significantly impacted local quality of life.
Cloudflare launches Monetization Gateway to facilitate blog revenues
Cloudflare has launched its Monetization Gateway, enabling users to control pricing and access adjustments for online content. Currently in closed beta, it aims to simplify monetization for blogs and APIs—potentially transforming the digital advertisement model.
Alibaba wins temporary reprieve from US military designation ban
A US judge has ruled that Alibaba cannot be treated as a Chinese military company under new lobbying restrictions. This ruling comes after Alibaba sued the US government, claiming it violated the company's constitutional rights, impacting its ability to lobby effectively in the US.
India warns Meta over child abuse ads on Instagram, urges immediate action
The Indian government has issued a stern notice to Meta regarding child sexual abuse material in advertisements on Instagram, demanding immediate action. This action reflects increasing regulatory risks for Meta in India, its largest market with over 480 million Instagram users.
Wealthy families turn to AI for children's education amid traditional schooling skepticism
Wealthy American families are opting for AI-powered education, spending tens of thousands for their children to attend companies like Forge Prep and Alpha School. This trend highlights a growing skepticism towards traditional schooling methods and raises concerns about the effectiveness and content of AI-driven education.
Delta flight encounters firework upon landing at Midway Airport
A Delta flight was struck by a firework while landing at Chicago's Midway Airport on July 4. The incident raised safety concerns, but no damage was reported after inspection and the FAA is investigating.
AI may pose global threat without international regulation, warns UK foreign secretary
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warns that unregulated AI development poses a severe threat to humanity, akin to the dangers of nuclear weapons. She calls for international agreements to govern AI, highlighting potential risks from malicious actors and the need for proactive measures.
Amazon to stop accepting new customers for Mechanical Turk by July 2026
Amazon has announced that its Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing service will close to new customers on July 30, 2026. Existing customers may continue to use the service, but no new features will be introduced, indicating a decline in Amazon's focus on the platform.
Preorders for Grand Theft Auto VI Now Open, Launching November 19, 2026
Rockstar Games announced that Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X. Preorders are available for two editions, the Standard at $79.99 and the Ultimate at $99.99, with both offering digital download options and exclusive preorder perks.
Germany's ICS video game archive project shuts down due to funding loss
The Internationale Computerspielesammlung (ICS), aimed at creating the world's largest video game archive, has been abandoned after €1.5 million in funding expired. The decision to wind down the project follows the federal government's refusal to renew funding, leaving the status of its extensive database of over 60,000 games uncertain.
DMARC's new 'np' tag faces compatibility issues with DNSSEC
The new 'np' tag introduced in DMARC's RFC 9989 conflicts with DNSSEC standards, leading to potential policy failure. This incompatibility affects domains utilizing DNSSEC from major providers like Cloudflare and AWS, which could undermine email security efforts.
Successful solar railway trial in Switzerland may lead to European adoption
A solar railway trial in Switzerland has produced 16,000 kWh of energy in one year, leading to potential expansion across Europe. This system may transform railway lines into solar farms, capable of generating significant renewable energy.
New es40 fork enables Windows 2000 on DEC Alpha through JIT compiler
A new fork of the es40 DEC Alpha emulator allows Windows 2000 to run with speedups through a JIT compiler. This development enhances performance for both Windows NT and OpenVMS on DEC Alpha systems, broadening the OS compatibility for legacy architecture.
Organic Maps App Reaches 6M Installs for Offline Navigation
Organic Maps, a privacy-focused offline maps and GPS application, has reached 6 million installs as of December 2025. Developed by the community behind MapsWithMe/Maps.Me, the app offers comprehensive offline navigation features without ads or tracking, making it suitable for hikers, cyclists, and drivers.
US Navy tests 3D printed parts to reduce aircraft repair times by 50%
The U.S. Navy is testing 3D printed composite parts for F/A-18 Super Hornets to expedite repairs by around 50%. This approach allows for on-site manufacturing of parts, significantly improving operational readiness and logistical efficiency at forward operating bases.
F1 25 2026 Season Pack DLC introduces new teams, circuits, and gameplay mechanics
The 2026 Season Pack DLC for F1 25 adds two new teams, a new circuit, and gameplay updates including an Overtake Mode and Active Aero. These changes reflect real-life regulations and enhance the racing experience, notably increasing the emphasis on driver skill and strategy.
Keurig's Impact on Coffee: Convenience vs. Quality and Environmental Concerns
Keurig's single-cup brewers transformed coffee consumption by enabling fresh, conveniently made cups. However, the widespread use of K-Cups has raised significant environmental concerns and criticism regarding coffee quality, prompting the company to adapt to evolving consumer preferences.
Popular smartphones nearing end of software support pose security risks
Many widely-used smartphones are entering their last year of software support, meaning they will soon stop receiving critical security updates. As manufacturers end support, devices may become vulnerable to emerging security threats, putting users' sensitive data at risk.
Vizio's Mini LED Quantum TV raises privacy concerns with Walmart data collection
Vizio launched its Mini LED Quantum TV, the cheapest quantum-dot TV at $398, amid privacy concerns. Users must create a Walmart account to access streaming features, allowing Walmart to collect usage data, highlighting the challenge of smart TV privacy.
Half-Life 2 port launched for browser play at over 100 FPS with new features
An unofficial browser port of Half-Life 2 has been released, allowing full gameplay without downloads. Developed using WebGL 2, it supports save states, console commands, and runs natively on devices, achieving over 100 FPS on desktop setups.
Asteroid impacts linked to Earth’s early continental crust formation
Geologists propose that asteroid bombardments sustained high temperatures in Earth’s early crust, facilitating the formation of continents. This theory challenges existing notions of plate tectonics versus mantle plume activity during the Hadean eon, where evidence remains scarce.
Claire Parfitt leads Mars exploration after career beginning at space toilet cleaning
Claire Parfitt, who began her career cleaning a space toilet, now leads teams for future Mars missions at the European Space Agency. Her journey reflects the importance of early exposure and mentorship in building careers in space exploration.
Europe Faces Air Conditioning Culture Wars Amid Record Heatwave
Europe is experiencing unprecedented heat, prompting debates over air conditioning usage. Critics argue for increased AC reliance amidst health risks, while others emphasize long-term cooling solutions.
Study finds inverse link between egg consumption and Alzheimer's disease
A study involving 39,498 participants from the Adventist Health Study-2 found that higher egg consumption is associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. Moderate intake of eggs showed a significant reduction in risk, suggesting potential neuroprotective benefits of egg nutrients.
Rise of Book Club Scams Target Authors with Fees and Impersonations
New scam targeting authors involves fake book clubs sending phishing emails to solicit fees for features. Reports include both fictional and impersonated local book clubs, with charges from $55 to $350 for purported appearances. This trend highlights ongoing tactics used in digital marketing scams, primarily originating from Nigeria.