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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.
German Consortium Releases Soofi S, a 30B Open-Source AI Model
The German consortium has released Soofi S, an open-source AI model with 30 billion parameters. It notably outperforms other models in benchmarks and is designed for European industrial applications. Soofi S follows a Mixture-of-Experts architecture for efficient processing, but faces criticism over its adherence to Chinchilla scaling laws.
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.
StrictlyVC announces return to NYC on September 10 for startup community event
StrictlyVC will host its first event in New York City since 2024 on September 10, 2026. The event, taking place at Ideal Glass Studios, marks an important moment as NYC startups continue to attract significant funding, with $1.13 billion raised in seed funding during H1 2026.
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.
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.
Samsung supplies VESA DisplayHDR True Black 1400 panels for new laptops
Samsung Display has begun supplying its VESA DisplayHDR True Black 1400 tandem OLED panels to Lenovo, Asus, Dell, and MSI for upcoming laptops. This new display standard requires at least 40% higher brightness than prior models, enhancing visual performance significantly and impacting laptop designs in the premium segment.
New HIH Index Launches to Track Material Cyber Breaches
Richard Bird has launched the HIH Index to track material breaches, using two ledgers for data collection. The index aims to provide a resource for cybersecurity stakeholders and highlights discrepancies in reported losses over time, emphasizing an increase in companies affected rather than individual breach costs.
Fix for Mac beach ball and trackpad issues discovered in macOS 26.5
Users encountering beach ball problems and unresponsive trackpads on macOS 26.5 can resolve the issue by deleting the CoreSpotlight metadata folder. The fix, which requires rebuilding Spotlight, has reportedly improved system performance for affected users.
DIY 3D printed Companion Cube project launched after dbrand's cancellation
A 3D printing enthusiast has created a DIY version of the dbrand Steam Machine Companion Cube after its cancellation due to copyright issues with Valve. The project allows users to print and assemble the cube at home using detailed instructions and a list of required materials.
Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike Gaming Mouse Discounted to $125.99
Logitech's G Pro X2 Superstrike gaming mouse is now available for $125.99 following a $54 discount. This reduction marks the first significant price drop for this mouse since its February 2026 release, making it more accessible for gamers.
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.
Microsoft Fixes Shutdown Issues on Some Dell PCs with Windows Update
Microsoft released KB5121767 and KB5121768 updates to fix shutdown and performance issues on some Dell PCs caused by a driver incompatibility after recent Windows 11 updates. The conflict arose between Intel's driver and the new Windows USB-C Connection Manager. The fix matters for users experiencing device instability and performance degradation.
US gas prices rise to $4 a gallon amid US-Iran tensions
US gas prices have reached an average of $4 a gallon as tensions escalate between the US and Iran. This increase follows a period of declining prices, which had fallen below $4 due to an interim deal between the two nations earlier this summer.
Companies undertaking measures to reduce rising AI expenses
Businesses are pursuing various strategies to control escalating costs associated with AI deployment and operation. This trend reflects the growing concern over the financial sustainability of AI technologies amidst increased demand and resource requirements.
Public Leaderboard Introduces Competition for LoRA Fine-Tuning Techniques
A new public leaderboard has been launched to track wall-clock records for fine-tuning techniques using LoRA on the Qwen2.5-1.5B model. This platform allows users to attempt and verify their fine-tuning runs for accuracy, creating a standardized environment for comparing different methods in real-time.
Zhongji Innolight's shares rise after $8 billion Hong Kong listing approval
Zhongji Innolight received approval for a Hong Kong listing worth up to $8 billion, driving shares up by 8%. This move positions it as a major player in the city's strong IPO market, which has seen significant investor interest from tech firms.
AI-Edited Bird Images Threaten Citizen Science Credibility
Concerns are rising regarding the use of AI in editing bird images, which could undermine the credibility of citizen science platforms like iNaturalist. Research shows that fake and enhanced bird photos may contaminate vital data used in tracking species distributions.
Big Tech Targets Native American Land for Data Center Development
Major tech companies are increasingly pursuing land in Native American territories for data centers. This trend raises concerns about environmental impact, land rights, and the sovereignty of Native tribes.
Moonshine Enables Game Streaming from PC to Any Device via Moonlight
Moonshine allows users to stream games from their PC to any device running Moonlight, supporting isolated sessions and HDR streaming. It works on headless servers and supports various input devices without requiring a monitor.
Apple trials AI-driven 'Live Notes' for Genius Bar customer interactions
Apple is piloting a 'Live Notes' AI system at select stores to record and transcribe Genius Bar sessions. This system aims to enhance customer service by allowing employees to focus on interactions rather than taking notes.
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 Rocket Successfully Achieves Orbit on First Launch
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket has successfully reached orbit on its inaugural launch from Sriharikota, marking India's entry into the private satellite launcher market. This represents a significant milestone in India's space capabilities, allowing it to compete in the commercial space sector.
Mayday Health Creates Billboards to Warn Texans of Surveillance
Mayday Health launched a billboard campaign in Houston to inform Texans about surveillance risks related to reproductive healthcare. The billboards aim to raise awareness that Texas may track pregnant individuals through various surveillance methods, including license plate readers and location tracking tools.
Grok-iOS enables remote Grok Build control from iPhone via WebSocket
Grok-iOS allows users to control Grok Build from their iPhone, utilizing a connection via WebSocket. This integration enhances accessibility for developers, enabling remote management of build tasks directly from iOS devices.
Netflix acquires Ben Affleck's AI startup InterPositive for $587 million
Netflix has acquired InterPositive, a startup co-founded by Ben Affleck, for $587 million. The acquisition aims to enhance Netflix's filmmaking capabilities using AI tools to address common production challenges.
Intel Itanium Emulator Released, Boots Windows Server 2003 and XP
An Intel Itanium (IA-64) emulator capable of booting Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP 64-bit has been released. Developed by Yufeng Gao, this emulator signifies progress in non-x86 CPU emulation, albeit with limited performance.
Heavy TV Watching Linked to Smaller Brain Structures, New Study Reveals
A study published in 'Alzheimer’s and Dementia' links heavy TV watching to reduced brain volume, particularly in memory-related areas. This suggests sedentary activities, specifically TV watching, may impact cognitive health more than previously understood.
Google Pixel Watch bands discounted to around $10 from various retailers
Select official Pixel Watch bands are now discounted, with prices starting at around $10. Discounts are available through sellers like Amazon and Best Buy, indicating a cyclical trend in pricing.
Orion Browser by Kagi Launches for Multiple Platforms
Orion Browser, developed by Kagi, is now available for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and Linux, with a Windows version in alpha. It emphasizes speed, privacy, and extensive customization through support for various extensions.
NASA releases timelapse of Psyche spacecraft's flyby of Mars
NASA's Psyche spacecraft shared a timelapse video from its May flyby of Mars, showcasing stunning images. This gravity assist maneuver enhances its trajectory towards the asteroid Psyche, expected to be reached in 2029.
Natural experiments confirm phytoplankton effectively remove carbon from atmosphere
Natural events demonstrate that adding minerals to nutrient-deprived oceans can enhance phytoplankton growth, leading to increased carbon dioxide removal. This research supports using ocean nutrient enrichment as a viable method for carbon mitigation strategies.
HMD Touch 4G Launches as Hybrid Phone with Cloud Features
The HMD Touch 4G combines features of smartphones and feature phones, including a touchscreen, cloud phone service, and the Express Chat App for video calls. It supports 4G LTE, allowing global roaming and connectivity, appealing to users looking for a simpler, cost-effective option with smart features.
Final MPEG-4 Visual Patent Expires, Allowing Broader Use of the Format
The last active patent for MPEG-4 Visual has expired in Brazil, concluding a series of expirations. This development allows unrestricted use of the MPEG-4 format, which is widely utilized in multimedia applications.
Uber and Waymo Clash Over Proposed Robotaxi Bill in Washington, D.C.
Uber and Waymo are in conflict over proposed legislation in Washington, D.C. affecting autonomous vehicle operations. Uber argues the bill could monopolize the market for Waymo while threatening existing human driver jobs. Waymo supports the bill, which aligns with their operational goals. This disagreement underscores the intense competition between the two companies in the robotaxi sector.
Bowling center owner builds scoring system with ESP32, saving $118k
An owner of a rural bowling center replaced a costly scoring system with a DIY solution involving ESP32 microcontrollers, reducing costs from $120k to approximately $1,600. This development highlights the potential of affordable, open-source technologies for replacing expensive legacy systems in niche environments.
Telepathic Instruments Launches Orchid Retro Synth for Songwriters
Telepathic Instruments released the Orchid, a retro-style synthesizer designed for easy chord progression creation. Collaborating with Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, the Orchid offers modern digital capabilities while maintaining a vintage aesthetic, appealing particularly to songwriters.
AMD Zen 6 Medusa Point APU Leaks Show High Geekbench Performance
AMD's upcoming Zen 6 'Medusa Point' APU has appeared on Geekbench, demonstrating superior performance in both single-core and multi-core tests to current AMD and Intel mobile chips. As a 10-core APU with a notable increase in scores—up to 3,329 in single-core and 16,555 in multi-core—the data suggests performance advancements in AMD's next-generation mobile CPUs, expected at CES 2027.
Current AI Develops Open AI Infrastructure for Multilingual Access
Current AI, a nonprofit, is building an open-source AI infrastructure to support 22 Indian languages. This initiative, exemplified by the offline Suno Sutra device, aims to provide language accessibility and bridge the gap left by major AI developments predominantly in English.
Cortex Introduces DRIVE Framework for AI-Driven Engineering
Cortex has launched DRIVE, a framework to measure the health of engineering organizations in the AI era. It focuses on five key pillars to address the changing landscape of software development as AI automates portions of the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
OLED TVs remain premium choice in 2026 despite LCD advancements
As of 2026, OLED TVs are highly regarded for superior color contrast and pixel response times. While advancements in LCD technology with Mini-LED and local dimming are closing the gap, OLEDs still offer benefits such as individual pixel lighting and faster response times for high-paced content.