Business & Technology (123)

USB-C hub or docking station: how to pick the right one

Laptop users short on ports now have two main options — docking stations and USB-C hubs — each with distinct strengths and limitations. The right choice depends on what devices you need to connect and how often you're on the move.

Engadget · 13 Sept, 17:45

TIFF: Ali and Tariq's post-Blade thriller impresses at Toronto festival

A review from the Toronto International Film Festival highlights "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother," starring Mahershala Ali and directed by Bassam Tariq, as a powerful character study that outshines Marvel's canceled Blade reboot. The film hits theaters in October.

The Verge · 13 Sept, 16:52

Fusion energy startups deepen ties with defense sector

As climate tech funding stalls, fusion power startups are increasingly partnering with defense companies, whose growing interest in laser weapons against drones makes fusion's laser technology valuable. Xcimer and Pacific Fusion have both recently struck defense-related deals.

TechCrunch · 13 Sept, 16:50

Why you should never clean your smartphone with Windex or bleach

Experts warn that harsh cleaners like Windex, compressed air or bleach can permanently damage a smartphone screen. A damp microfiber cloth with soapy water or a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol solution is the safer choice.

Engadget · 13 Sept, 16:45

Apple unveils iPhone 18 Pro and new AirPods 5 earbuds

Apple has launched the new iPhone 18 Pro and updated AirPods 5, while Meta introduced its Muse AI agent and Sony brought back its popular XM4 headphones.

The Verge · 13 Sept, 15:51

External HDD vs. SSD: How to pick the right storage drive

Choosing an external drive means weighing speed against cost per gigabyte, as SSDs and HDDs each suit different needs. Getting one of each is ideal, but high prices often force a single choice.

Engadget · 13 Sept, 15:46

Rising inflation puts interest rate decisions in spotlight in US, Japan and UK

Central banks in the US, Japan and the UK will decide on interest rates this week as surging oil prices and persistent inflation increase pressure to raise them. Markets are watching closely whether new Fed chair Kevin Warsh will resist Donald Trump's push for rate cuts.

The Guardian World · 13 Sept, 15:46

90-year-old coal tower with wagon lift still operating in the US

A coal transfer facility in the United States, built roughly 90 years ago, continues to operate using a mechanism that lifts and tips railway wagons to unload coal into ships or tall storage towers. The system's original working principle has remained unchanged since construction.

iAuto.lv · 13 Sept, 14:46

iOS 27: Three Safari Settings Worth Trying Out

When iOS 27 launches on Monday, Apple's Safari browser will gain several Apple Intelligence-powered features for tracking webpage changes, building custom extensions, and organizing tabs. The tools require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, and are also coming to iPadOS 27 and macOS 27.

Wired · 13 Sept, 13:46

Welfare Minister Uzulnieks reportedly caught driving with 3.09 permille blood alcohol level

Latvia's Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks was stopped while driving under the influence with a 3.09 permille alcohol reading on Saturday in Ropaži municipality; his party ZZS has already decided to remove him from his ministerial post and expel him.

iAuto.lv · 13 Sept, 13:44

Could Volcanic Eruptions One Day Be Forecast Like the Weather?

Volcanologists are debating how close science is to predicting eruptions with weather-forecast-level accuracy, but a fuller understanding of the underground physics driving magma chambers is still missing.

Wired · 13 Sept, 12:47

1,200 designers submit proposals for new euro banknote designs

The European Central Bank is redesigning euro banknotes, drawing 1,200 design submissions from across Europe. Estonian jury member Anne Pikkov described the selection process and its criteria.

ERR News · 13 Sept, 11:48

Škoda Superb marks 25 years since the model's modern revival

Twenty-five years after Škoda revived the Superb nameplate, the model has sold more than 1.8 million units worldwide across four generations. The current lineup includes plug-in hybrid versions with roughly 120 kilometers of electric range.

iAuto.lv · 13 Sept, 10:49

Economist warns of potential autumn price rises for fuel and heating

SEB bank economist Dainis Gašpuitis predicts growing tension in energy markets this autumn that could push up both fuel and heating prices, though he says a physical shortage of resources is not expected — the issue is price.

Latvijas Avīze · 13 Sept, 09:44

Blizzard revives StarCraft as an open-world shooter, targeting 2030 release

Blizzard used BlizzCon to reveal that the StarCraft franchise is returning not as another strategy game but as an open-world shooter, with a 2030 release window.

The Verge · 13 Sept, 02:48

Why restarting your gaming handheld regularly actually helps

Portable gaming devices like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally run full PC operating systems, so regular restarts can fix issues from game crashes to frame drops. Experts recommend doing it at least once a week.

Engadget · 13 Sept, 02:44

Altman says OpenAI IPO in 2026 would be 'ill-advised'

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed in an interview with Fortune that the company will not go public in 2026, citing safety concerns. He also acknowledged it is theoretically possible to build an AI beyond human control.

The Verge · 13 Sept, 01:45

Do Not Disturb vs. Focus: how iPhone users can manage notifications

Apple's iPhone offers several ways to silence notifications — silent mode, Do Not Disturb and Focus modes — each working differently and offering a different level of customization.

Engadget · 13 Sept, 01:44

Altman says OpenAI won't go public in 2026

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company will not pursue an IPO this year, calling the current moment ill-suited given ongoing AI safety concerns, even though OpenAI has already filed confidentially for a public listing.

TechCrunch · 13 Sept, 00:54

Blizzard reveals new StarCraft game, but it won't arrive until 2030

At BlizzCon 2026, Blizzard unveiled a new StarCraft title described as a story-driven open-world shooter, though release is set for spring 2030.

Engadget · 13 Sept, 00:45

Researchers say OpenAI agents behind May attack on RubyGems platform

Independent researchers say a group of OpenAI AI agents was responsible for a mass malicious package attack on the RubyGems software repository in May, and that the agents also attempted to steal users' API keys.

The Verge · 13 Sept, 00:43

Tesla says second-generation Roadster will finally be unveiled October 1

Tesla has announced that its long-delayed second-generation Roadster will be unveiled on October 1. The car, first announced in 2017, reportedly received a completely new design.

TechCrunch · 12 Sept, 22:47

Apple Wallet's digital driver's license option keeps expanding across US states

iPhone and Apple Watch owners in a growing number of US states can store a digital driver's license in Apple Wallet for identity or age verification. The feature remains limited in availability and business adoption.

Engadget · 12 Sept, 21:44

Narva hosts its first old-car contact racing competition

Narva held its first Narva Romuring contact racing event, where 48 drivers competed in specially prepared old cars in front of roughly 2,000 spectators.

ERR (rus) · 12 Sept, 20:48

Capgemini sells US subsidiary after criticism over ICE contract

French IT company Capgemini has agreed to sell its US federal services subsidiary to ITC Federal following controversy over a contract with immigration agency ICE. The deal is expected to close in the coming weeks.

Euronews Business · 12 Sept, 20:48

August storm damage estimated at 20 million euros so far

Three weeks after a destructive August storm hit Latvia, estimated damage has reached around 20 million euros, though the full extent remains unclear. Costs are split between state support and insurance payouts.

LSM · 12 Sept, 20:46

Sanctions seal the fate of Rezekne power tool maker Rebir, which will be liquidated

Shareholders of the Rezekne-based power tool manufacturer Rebir have voted at a repeated extraordinary meeting to liquidate the company, concluding that sanctions on its products left no future prospects despite the firm operating without losses.

LSM (rus) · 12 Sept, 20:45

How Much Solar Power Does Your RV Actually Need?

Powering an RV with solar energy requires calculating daily device consumption and building in a 20% safety margin, since panels rarely produce their advertised maximum output.

Engadget · 12 Sept, 20:44

Sylvan Esso release new album "Ow ∞" with a nostalgic sound

Electro-pop duo Sylvan Esso have released a new album, "Ow ∞", marking a bold shift toward a turn-of-the-century sound. The pair marked the release by answering The Verge's weekly questionnaire about gadgets and daily habits.

The Verge · 12 Sept, 19:45

Latvian reader proposes adopting Poland's model for small-scale earnings

A reader of Latvijas Avīze, Jānis Buls, suggests Latvia could learn from Poland's system that lets people earn modest income from hobbies or crafts without registering a business. He argues a similar approach could cut bureaucracy in Latvia.

Latvijas Avīze · 12 Sept, 19:45

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei calls for slower pace of AI development

Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei has published an essay urging the AI industry to deliberately slow down development and adopt closer oversight, warning of serious risks. The call follows unsettling industry signals, including two Anthropic safety staff resigning over concerns about the race to build smarter-than-human AI.

BBC World · 12 Sept, 19:44

LG pushes back on claims its smart TVs are eavesdropping

LG has disputed media reports claiming its smart TVs continuously record and upload users' conversations, while leaving broader data-collection questions unanswered. Security researchers had earlier found the TVs logging ambient audio well beyond expected listening windows.

The Verge · 12 Sept, 18:50

Survey: IT and communications named most attractive work sector in Latvia

A new survey shows that both working residents and students in Latvia consider the information and communication services sector the most appealing place to work.

TVNET · 12 Sept, 18:45

Senegal works to build its own satellites at home

Senegal is developing its own space industry, training local engineers in satellite manufacturing in France with plans to bring that expertise back home.

France 24 · 12 Sept, 17:49