From Ars Technica · 40 stories
Trailblazing Pilot and Space Traveler Wally Funk Dies at 87
Wally Funk, a pioneering aviator and space traveler, died at 87 at her home in Grapevine, Texas. She was known as the oldest person to fly in space at 82 aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard in 2021. Funk was a member of the Mercury 13, an unrecognized group of female astronaut trainees in the 1960s.
OpenAI Faces Allegations of Evidence Withholding in Ongoing Copyright Suit
OpenAI is facing serious allegations from news organizations, including The New York Times, of concealing evidence in a copyright infringement lawsuit. Key claims involve OpenAI's misleading statements about its ability to search its ChatGPT logs and datasets for potential copyright infringements. This case could impact legal interpretations of AI's use of copyrighted content as fair use or infringement.
Brown University Professor's In-Person Exams Highlight Potential AI Cheating Issue
Brown University professor Roberto Serrano suspects AI-facilitated cheating after a drastic score drop from take-home to in-person finals. His class had grown to 86 students, with a notable reduction in attendance after the exam format change. This incident indicates potential academic dishonesty and highlights the impact of AI on examination processes.
Google Revises Android Bench with New Framework and LLMs
Google updated its Android Bench ranking system, incorporating the Harbor framework to evaluate AI models specifically for Android development. The bench now includes eight new large language models, with changes allowing developers to submit tasks for model evaluation. Google's Gemini 3.1 Pro now ranks fifth, trailing behind newer models.
South Korea Commits $880 Billion for Semiconductor and AI Projects Amid Infrastructure Challenges
South Korea announced a $880 billion initiative for semiconductors, AI, and robotics with a focus on megaprojects like the Yongin Semiconductor Complex. This aims to address global chip shortages and bolster AI infrastructure but faces significant power and water supply challenges. The ambitious plan impacts major companies like Samsung and SK Hynix.
DeepSeek Enters AI Chip Market to Counter US Export Controls
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, is reportedly developing its own chips for data center inference to reduce dependency on vendors like NVIDIA and Huawei. This move follows US export controls limiting access to foreign chips, compelling Chinese firms to explore custom silicon designs. The development could potentially shift dynamics in the Chinese AI market.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell Donates Stock to Trump's Children's Savings Accounts
Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX President, announced a donation of her SpaceX stock to the Trump Accounts, children's savings accounts introduced by Donald Trump. The initiative, which aims to boost financial resources for children under 18, has already enrolled 6 million participants. The accounts officially launched on July 4th, accompanied by other contributions from tech figures.
FCA Calls for Enhanced Powers to Regulate AI in UK Financial Services
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is advocating for stronger regulatory powers to tackle AI-related risks in UK financial services. A report led by FCA's Sheldon Mills highlights the potential for AI to both support consumer access and increase threats such as fraud and cybersecurity risks. The gravitation towards AI requires robust regulation to safeguard consumer interests as AI reshapes financial markets.
Bentley Unveils 'Torcal', Its First Electric Vehicle, Launch Set for September 23
Bentley has announced that its first electric vehicle, named the Torcal, will be unveiled on September 23 in London. The vehicle, inspired by the Spanish landmark El Torcal de Antequera, marks Bentley's strategic move into the electric market. Previously seen testing in extreme conditions, the Torcal represents a shift towards electrification in luxury vehicles.
FTC Urged to Maintain Privacy Audits on Musk's X amid Concerns
Privacy advocates, including the EFF, are urging the FTC to retain audits on X (formerly Twitter) to ensure data privacy compliance. X, having rebranded under Elon Musk, argues for the termination of the audits, citing redundancy with GDPR obligations. The company's history of privacy violations and corrective actions like rebranding are central to this debate, affecting millions of users.
Blue Origin Investigates New Glenn Rocket Explosion, Aims for 2023 Return
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded on the launch pad in May, halting operations and investigations are ongoing. The company is analyzing data to determine the cause, with aims to resume launches this year, crucial for NASA's Artemis Program. The incident may delay important lunar missions.
University of Minnesota Creates Synthetic Cells That Grow and Divide
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed synthetic cells, termed 'SpudCells', capable of growth and division. This experimental system replicates some basic cellular functions but requires significant human intervention. The achievement offers insights into synthetic biology and the origins of life.
Google Introduces Google Finance App with AI Features in Android
Google Finance has launched a new app for Android, marking its entry into mobile finance. The app includes AI-powered features for monitoring market data and providing investment insights. An iOS version is expected by 2026. This release expands Google's finance tools, enhancing investment tracking and research capabilities.
Two Unvaccinated Individuals Die from Measles in Pennsylvania Amidst Rising Cases
Two unvaccinated individuals in Pennsylvania have died from measles, marking the first measles deaths in the state in 35 years and the first in the US in 2026. These deaths occur as national vaccination rates decline and measles cases surge, with 2,777 cases reported in the US in 2026, the highest total since 1991.
Lawsuit Filed Against CBP for Alleged Data Copying from Traveler's Phone
An Argentinian-American writer and immigration advocate sued the U.S. federal government, alleging Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents copied data from his phone without consent during re-entry to the United States. The lawsuit demands the deletion of any data obtained, raising concerns about traveler privacy rights at borders.
Georgia Tech develops SWANS system for in-body implant communication using body tissue
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed SWANS (Smart Wireless Autonomous Networking System), a new communication system for medical implants that uses body tissue for signal transmission instead of radio waves. This system addresses the power consumption and signal attenuation issues associated with current radio-based methods like Bluetooth Low Energy and NFC, potentially enabling more coordinated and efficient implant networks.
Google DeepMind Develops Watermarking for AI-Designed Proteins
Google's DeepMind team published research on a protein watermarking system to identify AI-designed proteins. This system embeds a watermark directly into protein sequences without affecting their function, allowing for the distinction between trusted and potentially threatening AI-generated proteins.
Discord launches Ads Manager and expands Video Quests for advertisers
Discord introduced Discord Ads Manager, a self-service platform for managing ad campaigns, and expanded its Video Quests ad format. These changes aim to broaden advertising access on the platform to more companies, including smaller businesses, and increase ad revenue.
TCL Sues Samsung Over Misleading "Mini LED" TV Advertising
TCL has filed a lawsuit against Samsung, alleging that Samsung falsely advertises its M-series TVs as "Mini LED" displays. TCL claims Samsung's M-series models lack the technological advancements associated with Mini LED technology, such as full array local dimming (FALD). This dispute highlights the lack of industry-wide standards for defining "Mini LED" technology.
Butterfly Wing Patterns Create Visual Illusions to Evade Predators
A new paper in Nature suggests that patterns on butterfly wings create visual illusions, similar to the barbershop pole effect, making it difficult for predators to accurately gauge their speed and direction. This mechanism helps butterflies evade predatory birds by interfering with their visual targeting systems during an attack.
Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' for US Users Following Executive Order
Google Maps has updated its display for users in the United States, renaming "Lake Ontario" to "Lake America" following an executive order by President Trump and an update to the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). This change aligns with Google's policy of reflecting official government name changes for bodies of water, while users in Canada will continue to see "Lake Ontario." This is the second such renaming, following "Gulf of America" in February 2025.
Retatrutide obesity drug trial shows up to 25% weight loss in patients
Late-stage clinical trial data for the obesity drug retatrutide showed patients lost an average of 25% of their body weight after 80 weeks, with some losing up to 30% after 104 weeks. This drug also improved cardiometabolic measurements and resolved prediabetes in over 90% of affected participants, indicating a significant advancement in obesity treatment.
Public Citizen alleges Trump administration ads violate anti-propaganda laws
Public Citizen filed a complaint with the FCC and FTC, alleging that Trump administration ads, including one titled "The Final Battle," violate laws against using taxpayer funds for propaganda and restricting political activity by federal employees. The group claims these ads are nearly identical to 2024 campaign ads but are paid for by the US government, raising concerns about the misuse of public funds for political purposes.
Apple Increases Prices for Apple TV and Individual Apple One Subscriptions
Apple has raised the monthly price of Apple TV from $12.99 to $14.99 and the annual price from $99 to $119. The individual Apple One subscription also increased from $19.95 to $21.95 per month. This marks the fourth price increase for Apple TV in four years and follows recent price adjustments for other Apple services.
Google Images Revamps Homepage with Personalized Gallery and AI Features
Google Images is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a redesigned homepage. The update introduces a dynamic, personalized image gallery and includes AI features like image generation via Nano Banana 2 Lite. These changes aim to enhance user engagement and improve the visual search experience.
SpaceX Plans to Retire Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 for Low-Earth Orbit Missions Post-2030
SpaceX has informed NASA and private space station developers that it intends to retire its Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket from low-Earth orbit missions after 2030. This decision impacts NASA's long-term strategy for fostering a commercial space economy in low-Earth orbit, as SpaceX will no longer provide transportation for future private space stations.
University of Delaware team develops battery-based carbon capture device
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new electrochemical carbon-capture technique using a battery-like device. This method aims to reduce energy consumption and cost compared to existing reversible-filter designs for carbon dioxide capture.
Disney+ and Hulu Increase Subscription Prices for Most Plans
Disney+ and Hulu have raised prices for most of their subscription plans, with ad-free options seeing the largest increases. This adjustment makes the Disney+/Hulu bundle more competitive against individual service subscriptions.
Trump White House launches online arcade with games based on popular titles
The Trump White House released an online arcade featuring games that appropriate popular titles for political messaging. These games include variations of Flappy Bird, Tetris, and Snake, with themes related to border security and financial policies.
Humanoid Robots Surpass Usain Bolt's 100m Record at World Humanoid Robot Games
Two Chinese humanoid robots, Tiangong Ultra and Honor's Lightning, recorded 100-meter dash times of 9.39 and 9.47 seconds respectively, exceeding Usain Bolt's human record of 9.58 seconds. This development demonstrates rapid progress in bipedal robot locomotion, though the robots still lack controlled stopping mechanisms.
Peacock Raises Streaming Prices Across All Tiers, Up to $3 Per Month
Peacock has increased prices for all its streaming plans, with the ad-supported Select tier now $8.99/month, Premium at $12.99/month, and the ad-free Premium Plus at $19.99/month. These changes take effect for new subscribers on August 18 and for existing subscribers after September 17, marking the service's latest price adjustment.
Study finds pharmaceutical companies triple drug patents, delaying generic competition
A JAMA study revealed that the average number of patents per small-molecule drug tripled between 1990 and 2019, primarily due to nonprimary patents. This increase in patent thickets extends the period drugs are under patent protection, delaying the market entry of affordable generics and contributing to higher drug prices.
Federal Appeals Court Rules Kalshi Prediction Markets Subject to State Gambling Laws
A federal appeals court ruled that prediction market Kalshi's sports wagers are not exempt from state gambling laws, affirming that states can enforce their regulations. This decision impacts Kalshi's operations, as it offers sports betting nationwide without state licenses or taxes, even in states where sports gambling is illegal or restricted.
NASA Investigates Issues with International Space Station's Canadarm2 Robotic Arm
NASA is troubleshooting communication errors affecting the mobile transporter for the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm following a routine maneuver. This issue prevents the transporter from moving and is being investigated for potential software or hardware causes, with teams also checking for GPS interference with the Dragon spacecraft.
BMW Reveals i3 50 xDrive Details: 468-Mile Range, $62,850 Starting Price, Q1 2027 Launch
BMW has released further specifications for its revamped i3 50 xDrive electric sedan, including a confirmed EPA-estimated range of 468 miles and a starting price of $62,850. The vehicle is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2027, providing more clarity on its market positioning and performance capabilities.
John Deere Demonstrates Self-Repair Service for Tractors Amidst Right-to-Repair Scrutiny
John Deere showcased its Operations Center Pro Service, a self-repair software designed to assist owners in diagnosing and fixing issues on their agricultural machinery. This demonstration comes as the company faces criticism from the right-to-repair movement regarding its historical restrictions on product repairs.
Google Ads delivered tech support scam freezing Windows and Mac devices
Researchers found Google Ads distributing a tech support scam that froze Windows and Mac screens, instructing users to call a fraudulent call center. The scam aimed to trick users into paying fees, granting remote access, or divulging personal information, affecting users across various high-traffic websites.
Starfish Space to launch first Otter spacecraft for NASA debris inspection mission
Starfish Space will launch its first Otter spacecraft on a Falcon 9 Transporter mission next month, seven years after the company's founding. The mission, named SSPICY, is a NASA-funded demonstration to inspect defunct US-owned satellites in orbit, marking NASA's first commercial debris inspection mission.
Geely unveils new EV battery capable of 10-70% charge in 4.5 minutes
Geely has introduced a new electric vehicle battery that can charge from 10% to 70% in 4.5 minutes, reaching up to 2.2 MW. This development addresses a key challenge for EV adoption by significantly reducing charging times, potentially influencing future battery technology and infrastructure globally.
NASA advances PRIMA mission as first Probe Explorer space telescope
NASA announced it is moving forward with PRIMA (Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics), the first mission in its new Probe Explorer class of space observatories. This initiative aims to balance the cost and scientific output between smaller Explorer missions and multi-billion dollar flagship telescopes, with PRIMA expected to launch in the early 2030s.