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LONGi claims 35.5% efficiency for new crystalline silicon-perovskite solar cell
LONGi has developed a solar cell with a verified conversion efficiency of 35.5%, surpassing the 25% typical for commercial cells. This advancement in crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem solar technology highlights potential for higher efficiency in solar energy applications.
Sony launches Bravia 9 II RGB LED TV with advanced features
Sony has introduced the Bravia 9 II, a flagship RGB LED TV featuring improved brightness, more dimming zones, and enhanced color accuracy. Priced higher than flagship OLEDs, it aims to set new standards in TV technology as RGB LED becomes a focal point in 2026.
Telemundo Gains Popularity Among English Speakers for World Cup Coverage
Telemundo's broadcasts of the World Cup have captured 49% of the U.S. audience, attracting many English-speaking viewers. The attraction of Telemundo's lively, uninterrupted soccer coverage contrasts with Fox Sports' politically charged broadcasts.
9to5Google launches membership program 9to5Google Pro
9to5Google has launched a membership program named 9to5Google Pro, aimed at enhancing community interaction and content offerings. Subscribers will gain access to ad-free podcasts, a dedicated Discord server for discussions, and tiered benefits that expand with membership growth.
New indie games including 'Denshattack!' and 'D-topia' launched this week
Indie games 'Denshattack!' and 'D-topia' have been released, featuring unique gameplay mechanics and narratives. These titles contribute to the growing diversity in the indie gaming landscape, appealing to various player interests.
AGI AI828 SSD Review Highlights Strong Specs with Budget Limitations
The AGI AI828 SSD offers a wide range of capacities but exhibits sluggish performance and poor efficiency. It is positioned as a budget-friendly option, though not recommended for best performance in typical scenarios.
Fable 5 outperforms GPT-5.6 Sol on NP-hard optimization problem
Claude Fable 5 achieved superior results in solving a complex NP-hard fiber-network design issue compared to GPT-5.6 Sol. While the introduction of the /goal mode did not significantly enhance performance, Fable 5's consistency was noteworthy.
OpenAI to Notify Parents If Teen Kicked Off ChatGPT for Policy Violations
OpenAI will now notify parents when their teen is banned from ChatGPT for violence-related policy violations. This expansion follows concerns over online safety and aims to involve parents in monitoring their child's usage of the platform.
1.44MB Game Development Contest Launched by Korean Culture Site
A new game development competition invites submissions of original games that must fit within a 1.44MB limit of a floppy disk. Hosted by Korean site 2P_Game_Arcade, the contest promotes creative coding skills, offering a ₩1.14 million prize pool (around $750).
Steam Machine Sales Estimated Between 12k and 15k Units Weekly
Valve's Steam Machine is estimated to sell between 12,000 and 15,000 units weekly during its launch window, as inferred from its second-place position on Steam's Global Top Sellers chart. This estimation leverages Valve’s revenue reporting methods, indicating a significant market response to the device.
Ancient Egyptian Princesses Found to Be Skilled Weapon Users
Research reveals that mummified bodies of ancient Egyptian princesses were buried with weapons and exhibit skeletal signs indicating they were skilled in archery and melee combat. This challenges traditional views of gender roles in ancient societies and suggests women participated actively in warfare activities.
Study Analyzes Security Bulletins of Qubes OS from 2011 to 2025
A longitudinal analysis of 109 Qubes Security Bulletins reveals persistent upstream vulnerability dependence. The study indicates that 79.8% of Qubes advisories can be attributed to external components rather than its core logic.
Linn Products' 1988 Custom Silicon Resurfaces in Modern Computing
A custom processor developed by Linn Products in 1988 for hi-fi manufacturing showed advanced memory handling features. Though it was buried in the Forth and Clyde Canal after its decline, its ideas are now reflected in contemporary Arm silicon, highlighting a shift in computing economics.
Tornyol micro-drone achieves first air-to-air insect kill, targeting mosquitoes
Tornyol Systems' micro-drone has completed its first air-to-air insect kill, using advanced sonar and DSP technology to locate targets. The drone aims to contribute to efforts in eradicating mosquitoes, which pose serious health risks globally.
Neil Rimer anticipates AI wealth redistribution among tech leaders
Neil Rimer, co-founder of Index Ventures, predicts a redistribution of wealth in AI, either voluntary or involuntary. This statement signals potential shifts in tech philanthropy, particularly as traditional giving models like the Giving Pledge lose traction.
Introduction of Regressive JPEGs Enables Incremental Image Loading
Regressive JPEGs can be constructed to allow partial image viewing during slow downloads by leveraging multiple scans. This capability could enable new forms of image delivery and efficiency over limited bandwidth, impacting how images are used in web applications.
Stenchill: 3D Printable Solder Paste Stencil Generator Launched
Stenchill allows users to upload Gerber files to generate 3D-printable solder paste stencils almost instantly. This tool enables rapid prototyping at no cost, enhancing the efficiency of PCB assembly for hobbyists and small-scale manufacturers.
Startup Battlefield Australia Application Deadline Extended to July 20
TechCrunch's Startup Battlefield Australia, originally scheduled to close applications on July 6, has extended its deadline to July 20 due to high demand. This event will allow eight selected Australian startups to pitch at Stripe Tour Sydney on August 19, with awards including entry to TechCrunch Disrupt. A past edition of the competition led to startups raising significant funds.
Vertu launches $6,880 Alphafold smartphone with AI automation for executives
Vertu introduces the Alphafold smartphone at $6,880, targeting executives with its AI agent, Hermes. This luxury device combines high-end materials with automation features designed to streamline executive tasks, marking an atypical approach in a crowded smartphone market.
Kaiser nurses report AI surveillance impacts patient care and job performance
Kaiser Permanente nurses report that AI-driven workplace surveillance undermines patient care quality. The surveillance includes monitoring call duration and using algorithms to evaluate empathy, which may jeopardize both work performance and patient outcomes.
FAA reinstates Boeing's authority for airworthiness certificates on 737 MAX, 787
The FAA has restored Boeing's authority to issue airworthiness certificates for the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliners after a review showed comparable production quality between Boeing and FAA inspections. This decision marks a significant step for Boeing, allowing it more autonomy in certifying its aircraft following past safety concerns.
Open Book Touch: New Open Source E-Reader Unveiled
Open Book Touch is a new open-source e-reader featuring a 4.26-inch front-lit e-paper touchscreen. It supports EPUB and plain text files, with a focus on a high-quality reading experience through its typesetting engine and customizable frontlight.
Topcoat Framework for Rust Launches as Fullstack Solution
Topcoat, a modular Rust framework for building fullstack applications, has been introduced. It simplifies the development process by rendering all markup on the server, enabling async components, and minimizing the need for separate API layers.
S+ tree implementation achieves 40x speedup over binary search
The implementation of a static search tree (S+ tree) reportedly offers a throughput of 40x compared to traditional binary search techniques. This optimization focuses on high-throughput searching of sorted datasets, making it beneficial for applications requiring efficient query handling.
Union Pacific applies white paint to railroad rails to prevent heat-related derailments
Union Pacific is painting the sides of railroad rails white to reduce heat-related thermal misalignment. This technique resulted in a 20-degree drop in rail temperature, enhancing safety and reducing derailment risks during extreme heat.
Zoom user changes name to avoid consent for recording
VC Jeremy Levine alters his Zoom display name to protest AI transcription recording. This trend reflects growing concerns about consent and privacy in meetings as AI note-taking becomes more common.
Abbott Laboratories investigates two cybersecurity incidents amid extortion claims
Abbott Laboratories is investigating two cyber incidents involving unauthorized access to its internal systems. The investigations include claims by the ShinyHunters group regarding data breaches linked to its Cancer Diagnostics business and LabCentral portal.
Apple raises iPhone prices in Japan by up to 11%
Apple has increased prices for the iPhone 17 lineup, iPhone Air, and iPhone 16e in Japan by up to 11%. The rise is likely influenced by currency fluctuations, specifically the weak yen, which impacts the dollar value of sales in the region.
Agility Robotics opens facility near Tesla to train humanoid robots
Agility Robotics has established a 60,000-square-foot facility in Fremont, California, to develop its humanoid robot, Digit. The company, seeking to transition to a public company, aims to capitalize on its existing contracts and experience while competing with Tesla's Optimus robot, which is set to begin production soon.
TikTok tests AI likeness detection tool for creators
TikTok is testing an opt-in tool for U.S. creators that detects unauthorized AI likenesses. This tool, currently in limited beta, allows creators to authenticate their identities and report misuse of their likenesses, similar to efforts by YouTube.
Valar Atomics seeks $1B funding round at $6B valuation for modular nuclear reactors
Valar Atomics is negotiating a new funding round aiming for a $6 billion valuation, led by Sequoia. The company has previously raised $450 million and is exploring nuclear energy to power AI data centers, highlighting the increasing interest in small modular reactors amid rising energy demands.
Pentagon's Space Development Agency to be folded into Space Force amid satellite launch
The Pentagon's Space Development Agency (SDA), created in 2019 to expedite military satellite deployment, is set to be integrated into the Space Force as it launches its first operational satellites. This decision comes amid bipartisan congressional support for the agency's closure, aiming to streamline military procurement processes.
Pebble's 30-Day Warranty Stresses Trust Amid Product Issues
Pebble's founder Eric Migicovsky emphasizes the company's 30-day warranty for new smartwatches focuses on trust and transparency with customers. Despite reports of early hardware issues, Pebble has replaced 330 faulty units and is considering offering DIY repair parts.
ICE Flight Monitor Launches Interactive Dashboard for Tracking Deportation Flights
The ICE Flight Monitor has launched an interactive dashboard to visualize ICE Air flight data, aiming to enhance public accountability. It allows users to track routes, deportation patterns, and historical trends from 2020 onwards, providing transparency regarding ICE operations.
Apple TV 4K price increases significantly, raising questions about its value
Apple has increased the price of the Apple TV 4K from $129 to $199 for the 64GB model and from $149 to $249 for the 128GB model. This significant price hike raises questions about the value of an aging product in a competitive streaming market.
CIFAR-10 inference achieved in 200ms with homomorphic encryption
Researchers demonstrated homomorphic encryption techniques enabling CIFAR-10 image classification inference in 200 milliseconds. This achievement highlights the practicality of secure computations on encrypted data for machine learning tasks.
Brex develops CrabTrap for AI agent governance by analyzing real agent behavior
Brex created an internal platform named CrabTrap to enhance AI agent governance by analyzing actual agent behavior rather than relying solely on predefined rules. This shift utilizes an open-source proxy to intercept and evaluate network requests, addressing security challenges at the transport layer.
Apple files lawsuit against OpenAI amid rising AI competition
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, raising various allegations regarding competitive practices. The suit appears to be part of a broader strategy as Apple introduces new AI features in its products, potentially indicating concern over OpenAI's advancements in the AI space.
Judge Grants Apple Access to Federal Documents in Ongoing Antitrust Case
A judge ruled that Apple can access documents from 14 federal agencies to bolster its defense against a DOJ antitrust case. This development could support Apple's claim that its iPhone practices are competitive. Concurrently, Apple and the DOJ are in settlement talks, though no agreement has been reached yet.
Amazon Quick adds Mobile Layout for Free Form dashboards
Amazon Quick now offers a Mobile Layout feature for Free Form dashboards, allowing automatic rendering in a single-column view for mobile devices. This change facilitates easier access to data on phones and tablets, enhancing user experience without requiring any modifications from dashboard authors.