Top stories
Banana plants bear fruit in Rayleigh after 15 years due to warmer climate
In Rayleigh, UK, Peter and Emma Stav's banana plants have produced fruit after 15 years, attributed to warmer summers and milder winters. This trend may lead to a shift in British gardening, impacting traditional crops as climate change facilitates the growth of heat-loving plants like bananas.
Northwestern University introduces motion-blur cloaked Phantom Twist drone
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed the Phantom Twist drone, which spins at 25 RPM, rendering it nearly invisible due to motion blur. This design, which leverages AI for optimization, is ten times less visible than standard quadcopters, potentially advancing drone stealth technology.
Samsung cuts 739 US jobs as it relocates consumer electronics HQ to Texas
Samsung has eliminated 739 jobs in New Jersey and about 100 in Texas as part of its move to relocate the headquarters of Samsung Electronics America to Texas by year-end. The layoffs predominantly affected the company's U.S. consumer electronics division, which faces challenges despite record profits in its chip division.
Russian drones employ magnetic compasses amid GPS jamming challenges
Russian forces are retrofitting Molniya drones with magnetic compasses to enhance navigation amid frequent GPS jamming in Ukraine. This $2 modification allows operators to verify their position visually and could improve mission success in contested airspace.
Shark Detect Lift-Away XL enhances corded vacuum technology with new features
The Shark Detect Lift-Away XL introduces a sensor that adjusts roller speed based on the cleaning surface. This enhancement provides a seamless cleaning experience across different floor types without manual adjustments, making the corded vacuum more versatile.
Expanded mosquito ranges highlight need for improved monitoring programs
Climate change is causing mosquito species to migrate to historically temperate regions, increasing disease risks. Connecticut's monitoring program, which tracks invasive species, exemplifies the need for improved national surveillance systems.
PC Powered by 192 AA Batteries Successfully Runs Linux and Games
Creator Uwoslab powered a desktop PC using 192 AA batteries, successfully booting into Hannah Montana Linux and running FreeDoom. This project demonstrates the feasibility of using conventional batteries for powering modern computing systems.
$5 ESP32 microcontroller builds ad-blocking DNS filter for 537,000 domains
A developer has created a DNS filter using a $5 ESP32-C3 microcontroller that blocks over 537,000 domains. This solution offers an efficient and cost-effective method of ad blocking with minimal latency, appealing to users seeking budget-friendly tech solutions.
Victoria proposes ‘demasking’ powers for social media to combat online vilification
Victoria's new laws could require social media platforms to reveal anonymous accounts accused of vilification. These reforms aim to enhance protections for children and may lower legal thresholds for negligence suits linked to online harms.
UK tech advocates protest Burnham's proposed abolition of technology department
UK PM Andy Burnham's proposal to dissolve the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has sparked backlash from MPs and tech experts. Concerns center on the potential impacts on tech policy and effectiveness amidst growing importance of AI and technology in government.
AMD GFX1250 LLVM Commits Indicate New Datacenter Accelerators
AMD is set to unveil its new MI400 series Datacenter Accelerators, including the GFX1250 chip for machine learning. Early LLVM commits show architectural similarities with previous generations and highlight its operational mode, which deviates from prior designs.
Apple Implements Price Increases Across Hardware and Services
Apple has raised prices across various products and services, starting with hardware increases in June. Key factors for these hikes include rising component costs and increased licensing fees.
FDA approves Lipfendra, first oral PCSK9 inhibitor for cholesterol management
The FDA has approved Lipfendra (enlicitide), the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor for cholesterol reduction. This medication offers a new option for patients with hypercholesterolemia who need further LDL-C reduction beyond existing therapies.
Deepsec Launches Agent-Powered Vulnerability Scanner for Large Codebases
Deepsec released a vulnerability scanner that operates on existing large-scale repositories, optimizing on-demand reviews of code. The tool aims to uncover longstanding vulnerabilities, and its parallel processing feature allows for efficient scanning, even if interrupted.
Castor Enables Smooth Streaming from Terminal to Smart TVs
Castor allows users to cast video from any web page to a Smart TV with full quality and auto-generated subtitles. The tool circumvents common casting limitations by extracting and transcoding streams directly, making it compatible with various video platforms.
Launch of Transcribe.cpp: New Cross-Platform Transcription Library
Transcribe.cpp is a new transcription library based on ggml, supporting over 60 models with features like GPU acceleration. It aims to provide a reliable and efficient solution for cross-platform speech-to-text applications, addressing existing limitations in the ASR ecosystem.
Harness Engineering Enhances Agent Output by Improving Context and Tools
Harness engineering aims to improve AI agent performance by refining the environment around them, focusing on context and tools. This methodology allows organizations to integrate their nonfunctional requirements and operational states into the agents' processes, enhancing iterative learning and performance over time.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 to use Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset, leaked images reveal
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 9 will now feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset, marking a shift from Exynos. This change indicates improved performance and AI capabilities for the smartwatch.
Mayor Mamdani Bans AI-Generated Images in Rental Listings
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced new guidelines prohibiting landlords from using AI-generated images in property listings. The 'Rental Ripoff Report' details the need for transparency regarding AI alterations to combat misleading advertisements in real estate.
Amiga Freeware Archive offers thousands of classic titles for free download
The Amiga Freeware Archive has made over 10,000 MiB of classic Amiga games, applications, and demos available for free download. This archive includes contributions from notable public domain libraries and user groups from the Amiga community, revitalizing access to historic software.
Research on digital primordial soup reveals co-evolution of replication and problem-solving
A recent study explores the emergence of self-replication in digital programs through random mutations. It demonstrates that self-replication and problem-solving capabilities co-evolve in response to environmental tasks, suggesting implications for computational biology and AI development.
Dave Eggers criticizes ChatGPT's impact on education at OpenAI event
Author Dave Eggers criticized ChatGPT during a talk at OpenAI, claiming it negatively affects education. He asserted that its use by students undermines their writing skills and individuality, calling it a tragedy that silences generations.
YouTube PiP mode malfunction reported on iPhone and Android devices
YouTube has acknowledged functionality issues with picture-in-picture (PiP) mode on Android and iPhone. Users are unable to activate PiP when closing the app, leading to audio playback without a video window, particularly affecting iOS users.
ANU criticized for 'hysterical' AI cheating response amid assessment reforms
The Australian National University (ANU) faces criticism for its response to student AI use in assessments, labeled as ‘hysterical’ by some academics. The institution is consulting on ways to classify assessments as either secure or insecure to address concerns over AI cheating, raising fears about impacts on education quality and inclusivity.
France orders ISPs to block access to Polymarket amid gambling regulations
France's gambling authority has mandated ISPs to block Polymarket's website, citing illegal gambling practices. This follows previous actions that restricted financial transactions by residents and aims to curb access as the platform's popularity rises in the country.
Waymo resumes San Francisco robotaxi service after outage pause
Waymo's robotaxi service in San Francisco resumed after a one-hour pause due to a power outage affecting 7,000 PG&E customers. The company made temporary adjustments while assessing conditions and coordinating with local officials.
Indie App 'Passable' Facilitates Contact Sharing via Apple Wallet
Passable is an indie app that streamlines sharing contact information and links using Apple Wallet. It allows users to customize passes for various contexts, supports website sharing, and updates shared passes remotely.
SwitchBot RGBICWW ceiling light integrates native Matter support with Apple Home
SwitchBot has launched the RGBICWW ceiling light, which supports Matter and connects directly to Apple Home without a hub. Available in two sizes, it features dynamic RGBIC color display and adjustable white temperature, aiming to enhance smart home lighting options.
REO Trucks Launches Affordable I4 4WD Pickup Starting at $21,500
REO Trucks has introduced the Runabout, an affordable pickup truck priced at $21,500, featuring a gasoline I4 powertrain and mechanical 4WD. The truck aims to offer a proven and reliable alternative to electric vehicles in a market where 90% of new cars are gas-powered.
ZA/UM Studio lays off 32 employees after weak game performance
ZA/UM Studio has laid off up to 32 employees following poor sales of its game Zero Parades. The studio cited insufficient commercial performance as the reason for the layoffs, which affects staff across all departments.
X and music publishers settle copyright infringement lawsuits
X and major music publishers have settled their ongoing lawsuits without disclosing terms, ending a three-year legal dispute. The legal battle stemmed from claims of copyright infringement by users of the platform, which lacked licensing agreements with the publishers.
AI Trade Drives Mixed Results in Wall Street Amid Cybersecurity Stock Rise
The stock market experienced mixed outcomes during the holiday-shortened week, influenced by AI-related trades and geopolitical tensions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record high before pulling back, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq saw gains. Cybersecurity stocks improved with investors anticipating more AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, despite semiconductor volatility. Renewed US-Iran tensions contributed to market uncertainty.
Study finds no adverse birth outcomes linked to acetaminophen use in pregnancy
Research led by the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health found no significant impact of acetaminophen use during pregnancy on gestational age or birth weight. The study informs public health guidance regarding the safety of this commonly used medication during pregnancy.
Apple Watch Water Lock Feature Disables Screen and Ejects Water
The Apple Watch's water lock feature disables the screen to prevent accidental taps and ejects water from the device. This feature significantly aids in protecting the watch during water activities, enhancing its usability for swimmers and divers.
Q3Edit: Browser-based Editor for Quake III Maps Launched
Q3Edit allows users to edit and play Quake III maps directly in the browser using TypeScript and WebGL2. The tool supports real .map files and includes features like a Radiant-style UI and WebAssembly compilation with ioquake3.
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI Gaming Laptop Discounted at Best Buy
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI gaming laptop is discounted by $300 at Best Buy, now priced at $1,899.99. This laptop features a 16-inch QHD+ OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, and an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor. The discount offers a compelling option amidst rising component costs affecting gaming laptop prices.
GoPro Max 2 bundle discounted to $369 with $100 in accessories
The GoPro Max 2 camera bundle is now available for $369, including over $100 worth of accessories. This bundle offers essential gear for capturing 360-degree and 180-degree videos, enhancing value for new users.
Rumors Suggest iPhone 18 Pro Max Will Feature Larger Battery and Increased Weight
Leaks suggest that the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a significantly larger battery of up to 5,567mAh, compared to 5,088mAh in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and may weigh more at 240g, attributed to the increased battery size. These changes are expected to impact the model's weight and differentiate it further from the iPhone 18 Pro. Verification of these details is still pending due to the unconfirmed nature of the leaks.
LG ThinQ App Terms of Use Raise Privacy Concerns
LG's updated ThinQ app terms of use include extensive rights over user data and limit legal options. These changes, including broad data usage rights and low liability limits, may impact users' privacy and legal recourse.
EU bans destruction of unsold clothes, shoes to combat waste
Effective July 19, 2024, large companies in the EU are prohibited from destroying unsold clothing and footwear. This regulation aims to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the reuse and recycling of textile products, with medium-sized companies to comply starting in 2030.