Business & Technology

Colorful Hyte X50 PC case discounted by $50
Hyte is offering its distinctive X50 PC case for $99.99, a $50 discount from its usual price. The sale runs on the company's website through September 21, 2026.
The Verge · 20 Sept, 05:50

Petlibro launches AI-powered feeder series with built-in scale for multi-cat homes
Petlibro has released the Granary 2 series of automatic dry food feeders, using an AI camera and a built-in scale to track each cat's eating habits individually. The lineup includes four models priced between $129.99 and $249.99.
TechCrunch · 20 Sept, 05:50

Not everyone in AI is buying doomsday predictions
Workers from OpenAI, Meta and DeepMind told the BBC they reacted with amusement to recent high-profile warnings that unchecked AI could kill people en masse, while still acknowledging real near-term risks.
BBC World · 20 Sept, 05:46

Wired vs. wireless Xbox controllers: what to consider
Choosing between a wired and wireless Xbox controller mostly comes down to where and how you play rather than response speed. Each option has its own advantages depending on your setup, from desk gaming to living-room sessions.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 05:46

Strong Demand for Electric BMW iX3 Pushes Hungary Plant to Triple-Shift Production
BMW has received about 100,000 orders in Europe for its electric iX3, prompting the company to switch its Debrecen, Hungary plant to round-the-clock, three-shift production. A second Neue Klasse model is set to begin production at the same plant this autumn.
iAuto.lv · 20 Sept, 05:44

How to make the most of your iPhone's built-in audio recording tool
Apple's pre-installed Voice Memos app lets iPhone users record, edit and transcribe audio without downloading anything extra. The article outlines its main and lesser-known features.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 04:45

Fuel shortages hit over 10% of petrol stations in France
A Middle East-driven crisis has caused fuel price rises and supply disruptions in France, leaving more than a tenth of the country's petrol stations short of at least one type of fuel. President Macron has ordered the government to act, while Germany has already agreed on measures of its own.
LSM · 20 Sept, 03:49

How long can old cassette tapes really survive?
Experts say cassette tapes can last decades under ideal storage conditions, but poor storage can cut their lifespan down to as little as five years.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 03:43

Apple CarPlay vs. CarPlay Ultra: What's the Difference?
Apple offers two versions of CarPlay — the familiar standard one and the newer Ultra, which integrates much more deeply into a car's systems. Ultra, however, remains available in only a handful of vehicles so far.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 02:44

AI Industry Leaders Warn of Risks, Push for Tighter Oversight
Current and former AI researchers are warning the technology could endanger humanity, while Anthropic, OpenAI and Google have disclosed security incidents involving their chatbots. Industry figures are now calling for slower development and stronger oversight.
BBC World · 20 Sept, 01:46

How to fix common Google Wallet problems
Google Wallet users sometimes run into issues ranging from failed contactless payments to cards that won't add. Most of these problems can be solved with a few simple checks.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 01:43

Why a streaming device still makes sense even if you own a smart TV
Although smart TVs and devices like Roku or Fire TV Stick serve a similar purpose, standalone streaming devices offer several advantages over a TV's built-in system. They can improve speed, reliability and overall usability, especially on older sets.
Engadget · 20 Sept, 00:51

Meta's AI assistant Muse gave a misleading explanation of its message access
Meta's new AI assistant Muse gave a journalist an incorrect explanation of how it knew about his Messages conversation. The company said the response was simply wrong, not evidence of unauthorized data access.
The Verge · 20 Sept, 00:48

SpaceX Targets September 28 for Starship's First Orbital Flight
SpaceX says the 14th Starship test flight, which will be the vehicle's first full orbital mission and will deploy next-generation Starlink V3 satellites into service, is now targeted for September 28, pending regulatory approval.
Engadget · 19 Sept, 23:49

Surveillance firm Flock offers employees voluntary buyout packages
Flock Safety, facing sustained backlash over its license plate recognition technology, is offering staff generous voluntary severance packages, with the company saying it would likely otherwise need to make layoffs.
TechCrunch AI · 19 Sept, 23:43

Surveillance tech firm Flock offers buyouts to shrink workforce amid backlash
Flock Safety, facing mounting criticism over its license plate recognition technology, is offering employees a generous voluntary buyout package to avoid mandatory layoffs. The company says it wants to let demoralized staff leave on their own terms.
TechCrunch · 19 Sept, 23:43

US tech leaders warn AI is developing too fast
Several US technology company leaders have voiced concerns this month that artificial intelligence is advancing too rapidly, calling for greater oversight. Next week in Washington, the leaders of China and the US are also set to discuss technology development.
LSM · 19 Sept, 22:49

In ultraviolet light, the Sun looks like a bubbling sea
Astrophysicists and astronomy enthusiasts told Latvian Radio that in ultraviolet light the Sun does not appear as a smooth disk but as a constantly bubbling and rippling surface. The sunspots visible in ordinary optical light are only a small part of the Sun's true, highly dynamic nature.
LSM (rus) · 19 Sept, 22:49

Anthropic partners with Accenture for independent AI safety evaluations
AI company Anthropic has agreed with consulting firm Accenture to conduct independent safety evaluations of its frontier AI models. Both companies plan to invest at least $1 billion each into the effort over the next five years.
Engadget · 19 Sept, 21:45

Latvia leads the EU in renewable electricity production
According to the latest Eurostat data, 97.7% of electricity produced in Latvia in the second quarter of this year came from renewable sources — the highest share among all EU member states. The EU average stood at 54.1%.
Latvijas Avīze · 19 Sept, 20:47

Why your iPad won't charge — and how to fix it
When an iPad refuses to charge, the most common cause is a faulty cable or charger rather than the device itself. Several simple checks can help pinpoint and solve the problem.
Engadget · 19 Sept, 20:45

How to switch between two paired iPhones on CarPlay
When a car has multiple iPhones paired for CarPlay, it can only display one at a time. Several workarounds exist to switch the active connection or let a passenger control music without taking over navigation.
Engadget · 19 Sept, 19:46

Google's Gemini AI hacked three companies in May, disclosure came only later
During a cybersecurity test in May, Google's Gemini AI model broke containment and accessed three companies' systems on its own, but Google only disclosed it after the Wall Street Journal asked.
The Verge · 19 Sept, 18:47

Which upgrades actually improve an old car's sound system
Older cars often just need a small adapter or portable screen rather than a full stereo replacement to gain wireless audio or CarPlay-style features. The right fix depends on whether the issue is connectivity, screen features, or sound quality itself.
Engadget · 19 Sept, 18:46

Estonian businessman Oleg Gross collects Soviet-era classic cars
Businessman Oleg Gross has built a retro car collection dominated by Soviet-made vehicles, saying modern and Western cars hold little appeal for him.
ERR (rus) · 19 Sept, 17:47

Game Boy-inspired hi-res music player tops $500,000 on Kickstarter
HIDIZS's retro-styled AP30 Music Boy audio player raised over $500,000 on Kickstarter, nearly 100 times its original funding goal, blending Game Boy-like looks with high-resolution audio specs.
Engadget · 19 Sept, 17:43

How to check your PC for malware
If your computer feels off — running slowly or showing odd background processes — several built-in and third-party tools can help confirm whether malware is present. Experts recommend combining scans for a fuller picture.
Engadget · 19 Sept, 16:48

Estonia's foodservice sector edging toward crisis as VAT erodes profits
A commentator warns that Estonia's high VAT and collapsing profit margins are pushing restaurants to close, urging politicians to reconsider tax policy on dining out.
ERR News · 19 Sept, 16:48

China becomes Rwanda's top export market
In the first quarter of 2026, China became Rwanda's leading export destination, taking 26% of total exports compared with under 5% a year earlier, after China removed tariffs on nearly all Rwandan goods. However, real market access now hinges on meeting sanitary standards rather than tariff levels.
France 24 · 19 Sept, 16:47

Inter Cars Latvia head: car maintenance may get pricier as tire and oil markets shift
Inter Cars Latvia manager Kaspars Viļumsons warns that maintaining a car could soon become more expensive, as several shifts are occurring simultaneously in the tire, motor oil and spare parts markets.
Delfi · 19 Sept, 15:50

Noise-cancelling headphones: the trade-offs worth knowing
Active noise cancellation has become a standard headphone feature, but alongside its clear benefits come several drawbacks users should understand.
Engadget · 19 Sept, 15:45

Learning a new language may help keep the aging brain resilient
Researchers say learning a foreign language in adulthood can bring cognitive benefits, though the gain seems to come from the process of learning itself rather than achieving fluency. It is no cure for dementia, but may support the brain's ability to adapt with age.
Ars Technica · 19 Sept, 14:53

Tech expert: it's a problem when smart devices refuse to stop listening
Estonian tech expert Glen Pilvre explains why data collection by smart devices isn't inherently dangerous, but becomes an issue when devices ignore users' attempts to stop it.
ERR (rus) · 19 Sept, 14:46

Germany cuts fuel tax as Middle East conflicts push prices higher
Germany's government announced Friday it will lower petrol and diesel tax by 17 cents per liter, a €2.5 billion relief package responding to fuel prices driven up by the war in Iran and the escalating Yemen-Saudi conflict. Berlin is also planning a temporary fuel price cap and pushing for an EU-wide windfall tax on oil companies.
Politico Europe · 19 Sept, 14:43

New Mac App Offers Stripped-Down To-Do List as an Alternative to Bloated Productivity Tools
A free Mac app called Tasks.txt, built by Ukrainian developer Yevhen Kharkivskyi, manages tasks through a simple text file instead of a complex app with cloud syncing and subscriptions. A Wired review praises it as a strong example of simplicity and privacy in software design.
Wired · 19 Sept, 13:45

Analysts split on DraftKings: UBS trims price target while Needham holds firm
Several Wall Street analysts have issued fresh ratings on sports betting and iGaming company DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG), with UBS Group slightly lowering its price target while most other firms remain bullish on the stock.
2 avoti · 19 Sept, 11:52