Business & Technology
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Only 13% of Latvia's residents have never taken a loan or leasing
A survey shows that 13% of Latvia's adult residents have never taken out a loan, leasing agreement or used a credit limit, according to data provided to LETA by the Credit Information Bureau (KIB).
Apollo.lv · 20 Sept, 23:48
Is it better to leave your smart TV in standby or unplug it completely?
Modern smart TVs typically enter standby mode rather than switching off fully, and this comes with several practical benefits. Experts explain why fully unplugging isn't always the better choice.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 23:47
Nvidia's Jensen Huang dismisses fears that AI poses an existential risk
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in a TV interview there is a "0% chance" AI could end the world, calling warnings about AI dangers unnecessary and irresponsible. His stance contrasts sharply with concerns raised by other industry leaders and researchers.
The Verge · 20 Sept, 22:50
Is the AI industry really ready to slow down?
TechCrunch's Equity podcast hosts debate whether AI leaders are seriously planning to slow development after Anthropic's Dario Amodei published a plan to "pace the frontier," while Nvidia's Jensen Huang dismisses the need for regulation.
TechCrunch AI · 20 Sept, 22:49
Musk pitches Hyperloop link between Austin and San Antonio
Elon Musk says his company The Boring Company is developing an early-stage Hyperloop concept between Austin and San Antonio that would cut travel time to under 30 minutes, though the firm has a track record of unrealized infrastructure projects.
TechCrunch · 20 Sept, 22:43
Retroid Pocket unexpectedly adds a Duo Lite Plus to its handheld lineup
Handheld maker Retroid Pocket has opened preorders for a new Duo Lite Plus device that blends features of its two existing models. Customers who already ordered the Duo Lite are being offered a free exchange.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 21:51
Kojima Productions denies reports of studio trouble
After reports of losing Sony's support and disappointing sales, Hideo Kojima's studio stated it remains in a healthy, profitable condition. The company emphasized its relationship with PlayStation is still strong.
The Verge · 20 Sept, 21:50
Vocci's smart ring brings a new form factor to meeting note-taking
Vocci has launched a ring-shaped meeting notetaker that transcribes conversations accurately but raises privacy concerns and still has an underdeveloped app.
TechCrunch · 20 Sept, 21:47
Vocci launches a ring for meeting note-taking, raising privacy questions
Vocci has released a ring-shaped device for meeting note-taking, joining pendants and pins in a crowded market, though its discreet design raises privacy concerns. The device records conversations well but its companion software still lags behind competitors.
TechCrunch AI · 20 Sept, 21:46
How to customize the side button on your Samsung Galaxy phone
Samsung Galaxy phones have used a multifunctional side button instead of a traditional power button since 2019, and most of its functions can be remapped through the phone's settings.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 20:44
California toughens penalties for influencers who hide paid political posts
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law imposing fines of up to $5,000 per violation on influencers who fail to disclose paid political content. The measure follows revelations that billionaire Tom Steyer paid dozens of influencers who initially did not disclose the payments.
TechCrunch · 20 Sept, 19:45
Joby Aviation completes first fully autonomous flight across the US
Joby Aviation says it has completed the first fully autonomous flight across the United States using a converted Cessna Caravan, flying from California to North Carolina without pilot control input.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 19:44
How to easily set up your Sonos speakers using the app
Sonos' official S2 app has become noticeably more reliable in recent years, making it easy to set up new speakers. The guide covers first-time setup steps, fixes for common connection problems, and tips for improving sound quality.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 18:47
Trump announces plans for an 'AI Force' and an 'AI czar'
US President Donald Trump has announced plans to create a new 'AI Force' and appoint an 'AI czar' to lead it. The announcement comes as politicians and industry figures increasingly call for AI development to slow down.
The Verge · 20 Sept, 18:43
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 set for San Francisco in October, early ticket pricing ends soon
TechCrunch has announced that its annual Disrupt 2026 conference will take place October 13–15 in San Francisco, with discounted ticket pricing available only until September 25.
TechCrunch · 20 Sept, 17:49
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: days remaining for discounted tickets
Organizers of TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 are reminding attendees that current ticket pricing, offering savings of up to $200, ends September 25, after which prices will rise. The conference runs October 13-15 in San Francisco.
TechCrunch AI · 20 Sept, 17:48
Meta challenges UK's Ofcom over WhatsApp and Instagram classification
Meta has filed a new legal appeal against Ofcom, the UK media regulator, disputing the classification of WhatsApp and Instagram under a category that imposes extra duties under the Online Safety Act. It is the latest in a series of legal actions by tech firms against the regulator.
The Guardian World · 20 Sept, 17:47
Simple room and speaker adjustments can dramatically improve home surround sound
Audio experts say most home theater sound problems stem not from faulty equipment but from outdated speaker placement and untreated room acoustics. Several low-cost tweaks can noticeably improve performance.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 17:45
Winamp to return in 2027 with new streaming subscription via Deezer deal
Winamp, the once-dominant MP3 player, will relaunch in 2027 as a new app offering a paid streaming subscription built on Deezer's licensing and infrastructure, alongside the still-active classic desktop version.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 16:46
The hidden monopoly behind your TI graphing calculator
The Verge's podcast Version History examines how Texas Instruments built and has kept a near-total grip on the school graphing calculator market since the early 2000s. Host David Pierce is joined by Nilay Patel and Victoria Song for the discussion.
The Verge · 20 Sept, 15:49
Thermacell Updates Its LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System
US company Thermacell has released an upgraded version of its perimeter mosquito repellent system LIV, two years after the original, with nearly all hardware components replaced.
Wired · 20 Sept, 14:48
Estonia's electricity exchange price keeps slowly rising, while Latvia and Lithuania see a drop
In the week of September 14-20, the average electricity exchange price in Estonia's price zone rose by 7.5%, while in Latvia and Lithuania it fell from 11.5 to 9.5 cents per kilowatt-hour.
ERR (rus) · 20 Sept, 14:43
Norway's Magnora and Sunly to form joint venture for data center in Risti
Norwegian listed company Magnora Data Center is acquiring a 50% stake in a Sunly subsidiary to develop a 180 MW data center in Risti, Estonia. The project's total construction cost could exceed 1.7 billion euros.
ERR (rus) · 20 Sept, 13:45
Meta's New AI Agent Muse: Useful Assistant or Data-Collection Machine?
Meta's new Muse AI agent app has been downloaded over 900,000 times in its first week, but hands-on testing suggests it pushes users to share personal data more than it actually completes tasks.
Wired · 20 Sept, 13:44
Riga's heating utility warns cheap gas era is over as tariffs may rise up to 30%
Riga's district heating company Rīgas siltums says the era of cheap natural gas has ended and plans five years of investment in alternative energy sources, while heating tariffs in Riga could rise 20-30% from December.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Sept, 13:43
T. rex teeth suggest its body ran as warm as an elephant's
UCLA researchers analyzing isotopes in T. rex tooth enamel found the dinosaur's body temperature was around 36 degrees Celsius, similar to a modern elephant, supporting the idea it was warm-blooded.
Ars Technica · 20 Sept, 12:49
How to Spot Fake Discounts and Untrustworthy Sellers on Amazon
Ahead of Amazon's early-October sales event, Wired outlines practical steps for identifying shady sellers, fake discounts, and manipulated reviews on the platform. Simple checks can reduce the risk of receiving a counterfeit or low-quality product.
Wired · 20 Sept, 12:44
Estonian experts: social media should be made safer for children, not banned
Estonian media researchers criticize the EU's plan to ban social media for children under 13, arguing that platforms themselves need to be improved rather than restricting children's access.
ERR News · 20 Sept, 10:48
Estonia to sell postal company "Omniva" for €52 million — what does it mean for Latvia?
Estonia's government has decided to sell its state-owned postal and logistics company "Eesti Post", operating under the "Omniva" brand, for a starting price of €52 million. Experts say the deal could affect competition across the Baltic market and revive questions about the future of "Latvijas Pasts".
Delfi · 20 Sept, 09:50
Cost of raising a baby in Europe: Latvia among cheapest, but formula takes biggest share
A new study shows first-year baby essential costs across Europe range from €2,813 in the UK to €6,294 in Spain, with Latvia among the cheapest at €3,392 — though baby formula there accounts for an unusually large share of spending.
Euronews Business · 20 Sept, 08:52
US tech leaders warn about the rapid rise of artificial intelligence
Several US technology company leaders have voiced concerns this month about the overly fast development of artificial intelligence, while China's leader and the US president plan to discuss the topic in Washington next week.
iAuto.lv · 20 Sept, 08:47
Eight Common Mistakes People Make With Household Electrical Appliances
Latvian portal Jauns.lv has compiled a list of eight frequent mistakes people make when using household electrical appliances, ranging from improper extension cord use to habits that waste electricity or create safety hazards.
Jauns.lv · 20 Sept, 07:46
Chiptune band Anamanaguchi shares its favorite tech tools
US chiptune band Anamanaguchi, known for the "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" game soundtrack, released a new single, "Yeah I Guess," and answered The Verge's weekly tech questionnaire.
The Verge · 20 Sept, 06:54
Petlibro launches AI feeder lineup built for multi-cat households
Petlibro has released the Granary 2 series of automatic dry food feeders, using a built-in scale and AI camera to track each pet's individual eating habits. The lineup includes four models priced from $129.99 to $249.99.
TechCrunch AI · 20 Sept, 06:53
Australian PM Asks Apple CEO to Back Online Safety Laws
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to support Canberra's online safety and AI regulation efforts. The PM said the goal is to keep Australians safe online.
Al Jazeera · 20 Sept, 06:51
What robot vacuums still can't do: the hidden downsides
Robot vacuums save time but can't fully replace human cleaning, struggling with obstacles, corners and varied floor types. Extra features like self-emptying and mopping significantly raise the price.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 06:49