Medici family mystery may be solved after more than 400 years

Any text-to-SQL benchmark should address difficulties of real-world data stores

Malleable Computing, Emacs, and You

Fairphone 6 wide camera experimental Linux support

Clarity didn't work, trying mysterianism

Show HN: Cactus Hybrid: We taught Gemma 4 to know when it's wrong

Quality non-fiction books are the antithesis of AI slop

Heritage vehicle technician apprenticeships blend traditional skills with modern technology

Ollie Priestley, an apprentice at Tolman, is learning to restore classic cars using both traditional methods and modern technologies like CAD and 3D printing. This shift in apprenticeship training reflects a broader trend towards incorporating advanced skills in technical education, as evidenced by a decline in lower-level apprentice enrollments in favor of higher-level programs.

Amazon's Adaptive Display for Fire TV Stick HD Begins Rollout

Amazon has officially launched the Adaptive Display feature for Fire TV Stick HD, enhancing accessibility. This feature improves text and UI readability by resizing elements while maintaining image proportions, which will help users better navigate the Fire TV interface.

Google Photos introduces toggle between classic search and Ask Photos

Google Photos has launched a toggle feature that allows users to switch between classic search and Ask Photos. This update enhances user experience by providing flexibility in search methods, encouraging exploration of the AI-powered capabilities.

Drones to Aid Firefighting Efforts Amid Increasing Wildfire Risks

Drones capable of spraying water and fire retardants are undergoing testing in California and Alaska to combat wildfires. This technology aims to enable quicker responses to small fires before they escalate, as wildfires become an almost year-round threat due to climate change.

Hoymiles launches first UL 3700-compliant plug-in solar microinverter in the US

Hoymiles has released the HiFlow Pro, the first UL 3700-compliant plug-in solar microinverter in the US. This product allows renters to utilize solar power via standard household outlets, promoting wider adoption of small-scale solar energy solutions.

Apple leases 126,000-square-foot office in Sunnyvale, expanding its footprint

Apple has signed a lease for a 125,800-square-foot office building in Sunnyvale, continuing its expansion in the area after significant real estate investments in 2025. This move aligns with an increase in office leasing activity in the South Bay, indicating potential growth in the market.

Volvo introduces Apple Music to over 2 million vehicles via OTA update

Volvo is enhancing its infotainment systems by adding Apple Music through an over-the-air update for over two million cars. This integration includes models from 2020 onwards, and offers up to three months of free service for eligible customers.

US Space Force seeks up to $30 billion for rocket launches

The US Space Force announced plans to increase its National Security Space Launch contract maximum to $17 billion from $5.6 billion. This move reflects the Pentagon's growing need for military satellite launches, enabling more procurement and competition among commercial launch providers.

Humble offers 15-game 2K Megahits bundle for $15 until August 7

The "2K Megahits 2026 Bundle" from Humble provides 15 classic PC games for $15, including Borderlands 3 and BioShock Infinite. This package combines notable titles from the 2010s, offering significant value with proceeds benefiting Covenant House.

X launches rebuilt Android app after extensive revisions

X has released a new Android app built from the ground up after significant development efforts. The update aims to improve user experience and performance on the platform, which has historically lagged behind its iOS counterpart.

WhatsApp Mac app receives Liquid Glass redesign update

WhatsApp is rolling out its Liquid Glass redesign to its Mac app, aligning it with iPhone and iPad versions. The update features a redesigned sidebar, added sections for locked chats and communities, enhancing consistency across platforms.

AT&T loses bid to stop mandatory basic phone service in California

A federal judge ruled that California can enforce mandatory basic phone service rules for AT&T. This decision impacts AT&T's plans to stop offering basic service to new customers and could affect its existing customer base.

AI tools generate and formalize mathematical counterexamples

AI tools, including ChatGPT, have recently generated significant mathematical counterexamples, notably disproving Erdős’ Unit Distance conjecture. This development showcases the potential role of AI in formalizing complex mathematical proofs and highlights a shift in trust from human mathematicians to automated systems.

Netflix adds ASL interpretations to 73 kids' shows and movies

Netflix will provide ASL interpretations for 73 titles, including both shows and movies. This initiative, in partnership with SignUp Media, aims to improve accessibility for hearing-impaired children, addressing literacy challenges they face compared to peers.

Anker 511 Nano 3 USB charger price drops to $15.99 during seasonal sale

The price of the Anker 511 Nano 3 USB charger has dropped from $19.99 to $15.99 due to a seasonal deal. Its compact size, strong power delivery, and reliability make it an appealing budget option for consumers.

Study shows 32% of new arXiv papers may be AI-generated

A study analyzed 12,750 arXiv papers and found that approximately 32% read as machine-written, post-ChatGPT. The research used a calibrated detector to establish a baseline and highlight the rising trend of AI-generated content in academic papers.

IEEE Launches Women in Science, Engineering Project for Rural Indian Girls

The IEEE has initiated the Women in Science, Engineering (WiSE) project to support rural Indian girls in STEM education. This effort seeks to combat social barriers that contribute to higher dropout rates among girls, particularly between ages 11 to 14, by providing better access to educational resources and opportunities.

GitHub Sponsors surpasses $100 million funding mark for open source projects

GitHub has announced that its Sponsors program has facilitated over $100 million in funding for open source maintainers and projects. This milestone reflects a growing trend towards support for sustainable open source development and highlights the increasing involvement of both individuals and organizations in funding these initiatives.

Machine learning algorithms impact F1 performance at Belgium Grand Prix

The Belgium Grand Prix highlighted issues with Formula 1 cars' performance, exacerbated by machine learning algorithms. Current 2026 F1 battery technology limits power delivery, leaving cars less powerful than F2 counterparts during races.

YouTube updates policies to limit monetization of AI-generated content

YouTube has clarified its monetization policies to restrict low-quality AI-generated content. The updated guidelines define three categories of inauthentic content that cannot earn revenue through the YouTube Partner Program.

Apple schedules release of documentary 'Being Heumann' on Apple TV

Apple announced that the documentary 'Being Heumann', directed by Sian Heder, will debut on Apple TV on November 13. The film focuses on disability rights activist Judy Heumann and aims to continue Apple's momentum in the film industry after the success of 'CODA' in 2022.

NOPD Draft Manual Suggested Armed Drones; Current Policy Prohibits Weapons

The New Orleans Police Department's draft manual indicated plans to arm drones, allowing weapons with approval. The final version published on July 1 prohibits any armaments, highlighting concerns over surveillance and public policy alignment.

Flock Safety CEO to Address Surveillance and Privacy at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley will discuss the interplay of AI, surveillance, and public safety at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. The event, scheduled for October 13-15, will address the growing privacy concerns surrounding Flock's surveillance technology, which faces significant public backlash despite the company's rapid growth and high valuation.

Amazon alters emails, disrupts Apple Wallet order tracking capability

Amazon is removing detailed product information from its order confirmation emails, limiting Apple Wallet's order tracking feature. This change renders the feature less effective for Amazon shoppers as the app can no longer display specific item details without such information in the emails.

Archer Aviation unveils Thunder, a hybrid air taxi for military and commercial use

Archer Aviation introduced Thunder, a hybrid vertical takeoff and landing aircraft developed with Anduril. Designed for both military and commercial applications, it aims to extend operational ranges while entering new markets, including military logistics and strikes.

Higher Apple prices likely to slow upgrade cycles, poll shows

A poll reveals that increased Apple prices are expected to lead to slower upgrade cycles among users. Over 90% of respondents indicated changes in their purchasing behavior, including waiting for sales or upgrading less frequently, reflecting a significant impact on consumer habits for Apple products.

NYC updates weekly building footprint dataset to track all structures

The New York City Office of Technology and Innovation now updates its dataset of building footprints weekly, encompassing over one million structures. This dataset includes essential geospatial data that supports city planning and management, revealing insights about the city's architectural evolution and current landscape.

Entertainment Apps Are Merging into Universal Platforms Driven by AI

Major entertainment apps are evolving into universal platforms due to market maturity, creator versatility, and AI capabilities. This trend aims to maximize user engagement by offering diverse content, increasing revenue opportunities for companies.

Survey reveals tech workers fear more workload due to AI, not job loss

A survey of 6,000 tech professionals shows that their primary concern is increased workload without pay increase due to AI advancements. The sentiments indicate rising burnout and declining optimism among tech workers, who report feeling squeezed by higher expectations as AI capabilities grow.

Poll shows half of Americans oppose government ownership in companies

A CNBC poll indicates that 49% of Americans oppose government ownership stakes in companies, with only 19% in favor. This sentiment arises as the Trump administration negotiates multiple equity deals, including potential involvement with OpenAI and a notable stake in Intel.

Record Sea-Surface Temperatures Signal Climate Change Warnings

This year, sea-surface temperatures in the Niño 3.4 region have set new records, diverging significantly from past observations. The changes are critical as they influence global weather patterns and are exacerbated by human-induced climate changes.

Materials innovation faces critical scale-up challenges, not discovery issues

Current materials necessary for advancements in AI, quantum tech, and energy are known, yet stuck in the lab due to scale-up difficulties. This bottleneck inhibits technological progress across numerous industries, emphasizing the need for improved manufacturing techniques.

Computational Theory Links Market Competitiveness to P vs NP Problem

Research indicates that competitive market outcomes depend on whether P = NP. If P = NP, collusion could be sustained in markets, while P != NP renders collusion unstable, signaling a fundamental trade-off between market efficiency and competitiveness.