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Briar Project Continues in Maintenance Mode with Security Updates
Briar will continue to operate in maintenance mode, focusing on essential security updates and fixing bugs. This decision comes after challenges in addressing longstanding issues like high battery usage and unreliable operation on Android.
NASA flight surgeon Anil Menon achieves dream of going to space
NASA flight surgeon Anil Menon, who faced rejection in his astronaut applications, successfully traveled to space. His journey illustrates resilience and adaptability in pursuing one's dreams, inspiring others in the field.
Webinar Addresses Security Risks in AI-Era Ad Tech
A new on-demand webinar highlights the Approval Gap in ad tech, emphasizing the security risks posed by unmonitored third-party scripts. It features insights from Reflectiz and Taboola, discussing how to vet vendors effectively to protect customer data.
Real World VoiceEQ Benchmark Launches To Evaluate Voice AI Quality
Real World VoiceEQ has been introduced as a benchmark for assessing the human quality of voice models. The tool measures 15+ evaluation dimensions and identifies failures in voice interactions, aiming to improve the reliability of voice AI systems in real conversations.
Home Depot upgrades 12-foot skeleton with interactive features
Home Depot has announced an upgraded version of its popular 12-foot skeleton, now allowing users to interact via a mobile app. The skeleton features 20 animations, real-time voice interaction, and customizable mouth movements, enhancing its appeal as a Halloween decoration.
Realta Fusion to build fusion reactor in former Oscar Meyer factory
Realta Fusion will establish its R&D facility at the vacant Oscar Meyer factory in Madison, Wisconsin, planning to create its first plasma by 2029. This decision, supported by bipartisan state incentives totaling approximately $55 million, highlights Wisconsin's commitment to advancing fusion energy amidst increasing electricity demands.
Emergent AI coding startup becomes unicorn with $130M Series C funding
Emergent has raised $130 million in Series C funding, reaching a valuation of $1.5 billion. This significant investment underscores the rising interest in AI coding platforms that cater to small and medium businesses.
Nvidia RTX 3060 Graphics Card Returns Amid AI Component Crunch
Nvidia's GeForce RTX 3060, a graphics card with 12GB of VRAM initially released in 2021, has been reintroduced as a response to AI-driven component shortages. MSI's Ventus 2X OC model is now available at Newegg for $329.99, a reduction from its previous near-$400 price. Palit has also launched a new Infinity 2 OC variant. This move aims to address the scarcity of GPUs vital for gaming and AI applications.
Captchainbox introduces paid verification for unknown email senders
Captchainbox has launched a service requiring unknown email senders to complete a CAPTCHA or pay a fee to reach a user's inbox. This aims to reduce AI-generated spam and enhance user control over incoming communications.
Model predicts World Cup winners accurately for 10 tournaments
A predictive model for the FIFA World Cup has successfully identified the champion's two favorites for the past ten tournaments. This achievement demonstrates the potential accuracy of statistical modeling in sports outcomes.
Intel Invests $5.7 Billion in Irish Facility to Enhance Chip Production
Intel is investing $5.7 billion to upgrade its Leixlip, Ireland facility, focusing on increasing output for Xeon 6 and next-generation Xeon processors using the Intel 3 process. This move is part of Intel's strategy to meet rising demands in server and AI markets, and follows the recent cancellation of its planned German fab project.
Weathergotchi: Open-source climate data logger launched
The Weathergotchi is an open-source temperature and humidity data logger featuring an e-paper display. It is designed for low power consumption and can operate for over a week on a small Li-Po battery, making it beneficial for environmental monitoring projects.
Django Steering Council Supports Triptych Project for Enhanced HTML Standards
The Django Steering Council endorsed a funding application for the Triptych Project, proposing enhancements to HTML. The initiative aims to introduce new methods like PUT and PATCH for forms, and simpler button actions, enabling more web functionality without JavaScript dependencies.
OpenVPN Introduces Three Deployment Options with Varying Costs
OpenVPN has released three options for VPN deployment: Community Edition, Access Server, and CloudConnexa. Each version offers different management levels and pricing structures, catering to varying user needs from free community usage to fully managed solutions.
Withings launches Body Scan 2 scale with advanced health monitoring features
Withings has launched the Body Scan 2, an ultra-premium scale now available for $600 in the US. It offers enhanced health monitoring with 60 biomarkers compared to 40 in the previous model, including features like Impedance Cardiography and Bioimpedance Spectroscopy.
Claude AI Reveals Value Variation Across Models and Languages
Research on Claude AI has identified 3,000 distinct values reflected in its responses, categorized into four axes of value variation. This study aims to enhance the understanding of how different models and languages impact the AI's decision-making and advice.
Sotheby's Auctions T. Rex Skeleton 'Gus' for Up to $30 Million
Sotheby's auction for a 67-million-year-old T. rex skeleton, named Gus, raises concerns about private fossil ownership hindering scientific research. Gus is expected to sell for as much as $30 million, reflecting the growing trend of private collectors at auction.
Senra raises $65M to modernize wire harness manufacturing
Senra, a startup co-founded by former SpaceX engineer Jordan Black, announced a $65 million Series B funding round. The company aims to modernize wire harness production for various industries using software tools and automation, responding to outdated manual manufacturing processes.
Boss: New Open Source Dependency Manager for Delphi and Lazarus
Boss is an open source dependency manager for Delphi and Lazarus, inspired by npm. It simplifies project dependencies, installation, and version management for developers in these environments.
Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) Enhance LLM Reliability
Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) are used to guide LLMs in code generation, ensuring precise outcomes. The example of Tickloom highlights how DSLs act as sources of truth and facilitate effective iterations in software development with LLMs.
Telegram Launches Serverless Solution for Bot and Mini App Development
Telegram has introduced Serverless, allowing developers to run backend code for bots and Mini Apps without managing servers. This innovation simplifies the development process, enabling deployment with a single command and automatic scaling without the need for a dedicated hosting environment.
CXMT aims to match Micron's DRAM capacity by 2026, boosting China's production capabilities
ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) is projected to reach 350,000 wafer starts per month (WSPM) by 2026, nearing Micron's capacity. This advancement positions China as the potential second-largest DRAM producer globally, driven by government initiatives and domestic technology transfers.
Siemens, Schneider, Rockwell Address Critical ICS Vulnerabilities in July Patch Tuesday
Siemens, Schneider Electric, and Rockwell Automation released advisories for vulnerabilities in their industrial control system (ICS) products. Significant vulnerabilities, including critical flaws with CVSS scores up to 10, were addressed, mitigating risks of remote exploitation and operational disruption.
PS5 emulation advances with new projects after Sony ceases physical game production
Sony's decision to stop producing physical PS5 games has led to a surge in PS5 emulation projects, with emulators like SharpEmu and KytyPS5 making significant strides. Notably, recent developments allow some PS5 games to boot and run, highlighting a rapid evolution in the emulation scene.
Small RPKI servers enhance routing security with decentralized trust
Independent RPKI publication servers support global internet routing security alongside RIRs by authorizing prefixes. Understanding who operates these servers is crucial for the BGP ecosystem and overall internet stability.
RISC-V Aims for High-Performance Computing with RVA23 Standard
RISC-V is targeting high-performance computing with its RVA23 standard, marking its entry into enterprise data centers. Companies like Qualcomm, Nvidia, and Google are integrating RISC-V technology, indicating a shift in the competitive landscape away from proprietary architectures.
Bank of England's Bailey calls for global cooperation on AI threats
Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey urged for international collaboration to combat AI dangers, emphasizing that the US cannot manage these risks in isolation. His comments followed the temporary ban on foreign access to the Claude Mythos model by Anthropic, highlighting the need for coordinated testing of AI systems to prevent misuse.
Electric vehicle drivers face parking fines while charging their cars
Electric vehicle (EV) drivers in the UK report receiving parking fines when charging at public chargers. The lack of clear signage regarding parking tariffs and hours of operation has led to confusion and financial penalties for users intending only to charge their vehicles.
OpenAI researcher Miles Wang to launch AI drug discovery startup valued at $2B
Miles Wang, an OpenAI researcher, is leaving to start an AI drug discovery company aiming for a $2 billion valuation with a $200 million funding round. This move reflects growing investor interest in AI applications within life sciences, following recent significant funding in the sector.
Data centers cause $23B electricity rate hike for consumers across the U.S.
Data centers are projected to drive a $23 billion increase in electricity costs for U.S. consumers, impacting rates until 2028. This increase stems from the demand for power as tech companies expand their data center operations, leaving consumers concerned about their potential financial burden.
AI System Star Fleet Solves Erdős Problems with Parallel Processing
Star Fleet, an AI system, has successfully solved multiple Erdős problems using 20 parallel GPT-5.6 instances. This achievement highlights advancements in computational mathematics and the effectiveness of distributed processing for solving complex mathematical problems.
Opera's iOS browser users grow significantly in US and UK
Opera reports a 93% increase in monthly active users in the UK and 50% in the US for Q2 2026. This growth follows regulatory changes that enhanced browser visibility on iOS and is attributed to user retention driven by new features.
Google opens temporary Pixel Care+ enrollment for Pixel 9 and 10 owners
Google has launched a limited-time open enrollment for Pixel Care+ for Pixel 9 and 10 owners until August 2, 2023. This plan includes unlimited accidental damage coverage and various repair benefits, which is significant for users seeking device protection beyond the standard purchase period.
LeMario: A JEPA World Model Trained on Super Mario Bros
A researcher successfully trained a Joint-Embedding Predictive Architecture (JEPA) on Super Mario Bros. The model showed promising predictive capabilities but struggled with complex gameplay dynamics, highlighting limitations in current methodologies for learning game strategies.
Nothing Watch 3 Pro smartwatch price drops to $69 on Amazon
The CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro is now available on Amazon for $69, down from its typical price range of $79 to $99. This budget smartwatch features a 1.43-inch OLED display, dual-band GPS, and up to 13 days of battery life, making it a competitive option in the budget fitness tracker market.
US Expats in DRC Face Travel Restrictions Amid Ebola Outbreak, Sent to Germany for Care
Two Americans in the Democratic Republic of Congo have tested positive for Ebola and are being treated in Germany. The Trump administration has imposed strict travel restrictions, requiring US citizens in DRC to spend 21 days in a third country before returning home. The outbreak, led by the Bundibugyo strain, is the third largest recorded and highlights ongoing global health coordination challenges.
Windows 11 patch introduces indefinite update pause option
Windows 11's latest Patch Tuesday update allows users to pause updates indefinitely, extending the previous 35-day limit. This change responds to user feedback and aims to enhance overall performance and security by patching vulnerabilities discovered via AI.
Cybersecurity stocks rise as IBM CEO highlights cybersecurity spending shift
Cybersecurity stocks saw significant gains following comments by IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, who identified increasing cybersecurity concerns as a top priority for clients. Krishna highlighted that spending is shifting as companies reassess their budgets amid fears of advanced AI-driven cyber threats.
Humanoid robots perform surgery for the first time in operating theatre
Humanoid robots have executed surgical procedures in an operating theatre, controlled remotely by surgeons. This first-of-its-kind event demonstrates the potential for robotics in healthcare and may influence future surgical practices.
ZTE gains US approval to purchase Nvidia H200 AI chips amid Sino-American trade tensions
Chinese telecom firm ZTE has received U.S. approval to purchase Nvidia's H200 AI chips, joining companies like Alibaba and Tencent. This development highlights ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and China concerning technology access amid protectionist policies on both sides.