Business & Technology
OpenAI launches GPT-6 Astra, calling it the world's most intelligent model
OpenAI has released a new AI model called GPT-6 Astra, emphasizing its strength in computer use, browsing, coding and cybersecurity tasks. The launch comes just under two months after the company's previous model family.
Engadget · 4 Sept, 04:29
Tesla's Cybercab debut in Austin arrives with unusual restraint
Tesla held a closed-door event in Austin, Texas to officially launch its driverless Cybercab, though without a livestream and with a limited, mostly pro-Tesla guest list. The company has 45 Cybercabs registered in Texas, but it remains unclear how many will enter full commercial service soon.
The Verge · 4 Sept, 04:28
Volkswagen to cut 50,000 more jobs amid tariffs and Chinese competition
Volkswagen's supervisory board has approved a sweeping restructuring plan that includes cutting another 50,000 jobs worldwide. The move is the largest overhaul in the company's history as it battles US tariffs, overcapacity and growing pressure from Chinese rivals.
France 24 · 4 Sept, 04:27
Wikipedia Workers Form a Union for the First Time
More than 200 Wikimedia Foundation employees voted to join the Communication Workers of America union, as the organization faces rising AI competition and declining reader traffic.
Wired · 4 Sept, 04:27
Data center developer Crusoe reportedly raises $3B at a $30B valuation
AI infrastructure company Crusoe has closed a new $3 billion funding round valuing it at $30 billion, Bloomberg reports. The company recently also signed a $13 billion, five-year cloud deal with trading firm Jane Street.
TechCrunch · 4 Sept, 04:25
Microsoft imposes new monthly time caps on Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming
Starting in November, Microsoft will limit how many hours per month Game Pass subscribers can stream games via Xbox Cloud Gaming, ending years of unlimited access. The company says only a small share of subscribers will be affected.
Ars Technica · 4 Sept, 03:29
NBA suspends Ballmer for a year over Kawhi Leonard payment scheme
The NBA has suspended Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and team executive Gillian Zucker for a year following an investigation into disguised payments to star player Kawhi Leonard, which investigators tied to a scoreboard contract. The Clippers will also forfeit five future draft picks and pay a $30 million fine.
The Verge · 4 Sept, 03:27
Audacity releases version 4.0 with dark mode and major editing overhaul
Free open-source audio editor Audacity has launched version 4.0, its biggest update since version 3.0 more than five years ago. The release adds a dark mode, expanded non-destructive editing, and other tools previously found mainly in paid software.
Engadget · 4 Sept, 03:25
US: CDC deletes Pennsylvania measles deaths from data amid dispute with HHS
The US Department of Health and Human Services, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has had the CDC remove two measles-linked deaths in Pennsylvania from its official count, following a public clash between Kennedy and the state's governor over vaccine misinformation.
Ars Technica · 4 Sept, 02:28
Smart ring maker Oura files for IPO
Finnish smart ring company Oura has filed with the SEC to go public, revealing sharply higher revenue and millions of paying members. The company is also facing a proposed class action over sleep-tracking accuracy claims.
TechCrunch · 4 Sept, 02:26
Wired rounds up video doorbells: solid runners-up and models to avoid
Wired has published an extended comparison of video doorbell cameras, covering both decent alternatives and devices testers advise skipping. The review weighs video quality, installation, subscription requirements and reliability.
Wired · 4 Sept, 02:25
What Water-Resistance Rating Should You Look for in a Bluetooth Speaker?
When buying a Bluetooth speaker, its IP rating for dust and water resistance can make a real difference. Here's a breakdown of which ratings actually matter for everyday use, from rain to showers.
Engadget · 4 Sept, 02:25
OpenAI unveils Astra model; president Brockman says "we've already reached AGI"
OpenAI launched its new Astra AI model on Thursday, calling it the company's most powerful creation to date. President Greg Brockman said that, in his personal view, the company has already achieved artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Ukrainska Pravda · 4 Sept, 01:28
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OpenAI, Anthropic and xAI Hit by Simultaneous Outages, Cause Unclear
On Thursday morning, ChatGPT, Claude and Grok all experienced outages within a similar timeframe, though neither OpenAI nor Anthropic pointed to a shared external cause despite the suspicious timing.
Wired · 4 Sept, 01:27
Ugreen enters smart home market with local AI hubs
Ugreen has unveiled a new smart home product line centered on local AI hubs that process data without relying on the cloud. The lineup also includes security cameras, a smart picture frame and a speaker, with prices ranging from under $100 to as much as $20,000.
Engadget · 4 Sept, 01:26
Ugreen launches world's first liquid-cooled wireless charging power bank
Ugreen has released the MagFlow Pro power bank featuring a built-in liquid-cooling system and a transparent window that lets users watch the coolant circulate. The 10,000mAh device is priced at $149.99.
The Verge · 4 Sept, 01:26
Tesla opens door for businesses to buy and operate Cybercab fleets
Tesla has published a form for companies interested in purchasing Cybercab fleets or supplying infrastructure for its robotaxi network. The move signals the company may expand its robotaxi ambitions beyond running the service itself.
TechCrunch · 4 Sept, 01:25
Netflix developing live-action 'Ravenloft' series based on Dungeons & Dragons
Netflix is working on a new live-action series set in the Dungeons & Dragons Ravenloft world, centered on the origins of the iconic vampire Strahd von Zarovich. The news also brought word that another planned D&D adaptation, a Forgotten Realms series, has been dropped.
The Verge · 4 Sept, 00:31
Farage pledges to cut UK households' energy bills
Nigel Farage has pledged to lower energy bills for British households, adding his voice to an intensifying national debate over the cost of electricity and heating.
Politico Europe · 4 Sept, 00:28
Apple Vision Pro used in real-world hip surgery for the first time
Medical technology firm Stryker says its SportSuite Vision app for the Apple Vision Pro headset was used in an actual hip arthroscopy at Duke Health, marking the software's first real-world surgical use after receiving FDA clearance in July.
Engadget · 4 Sept, 00:25
Accel reportedly in talks to lead $1B funding round for Mira Murati's Thinking Machines at $40B valuation
Thinking Machines, the AI startup led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, is reportedly negotiating a $1 billion raise at a valuation of at least $40 billion, with existing investor Accel in talks to lead the round.
TechCrunch AI · 3 Sept, 23:32
Tesla's Cybercab launch in Austin marks a defining moment for the company
Tesla is set to launch its two-seat, steering-wheel-free Cybercab in Austin, Texas today. The event could determine whether Tesla truly becomes an AI and robotics company or remains, at its core, an automaker.
TechCrunch · 3 Sept, 23:31
US senator urges NSA to issue clear guidance on VPN use
Senator Ron Wyden has asked the NSA to provide specific recommendations on VPN security, arguing existing public guidance lacks enough detail for informed decisions. The letter was sent to the NSA director on Wednesday.
Ars Technica · 3 Sept, 23:30
Google DeepMind rolls out WeatherNext 3, an AI weather model powered by live satellite data
Google DeepMind has released WeatherNext 3, an AI weather forecasting model that uses live satellite data to produce sharper, more frequent forecasts than its predecessor. The company says the model delivers up to 50% more accurate precipitation predictions.
Engadget · 3 Sept, 23:29
Dutch Central Bank Moves 90 Tons of Gold Out of U.S. Federal Reserve
The Netherlands' central bank has relocated roughly 90 tons of gold from the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, citing rising geopolitical unrest. It is the second European country this year to announce a reduction or elimination of its U.S.-held gold reserves.
The New York Times · 3 Sept, 23:27
TikTok pulls out of House committee meeting to dodge child safety questions, chairman says
The chair of the House Select Committee on China says TikTok backed out of a planned public roundtable, citing a wish to avoid scrutiny over child safety practices. The committee says it will try to reschedule the session before year's end.
The Verge · 3 Sept, 22:30
Startup turns AI 'guardrail removal' into a commercial service
Startup Abliteration.ai now offers paid access to open-weight AI models with their safety guardrails stripped, including Z.ai's GLM-5.3. Critics warn the service could enable real-world harm, while the company argues it helps cybersecurity defenders.
TechCrunch · 3 Sept, 22:29
Cert.lv warns of intensified cyberattacks on MikroTik routers, urges Exchange Server updates
Latvia's national cybersecurity center Cert.lv is calling on organizations to urgently update internet-exposed MikroTik routers and patch a serious vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server.
Jauns.lv · 3 Sept, 22:27
Zuckerberg reportedly told Trump a national AI regulator would be a flawed idea
According to reports, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told President Donald Trump in a private phone call that creating a dedicated national artificial intelligence regulator would be a flawed approach. The Trump administration is now weighing two alternative paths for AI oversight.
Politico Europe · 3 Sept, 22:26
OpenAI Unveils GPT-6 Astra, Says It May Mark Start of AGI Era
OpenAI has launched GPT-6 Astra, billing it as its best computer-use model yet, with company leaders suggesting the world may already be entering the artificial general intelligence era.
Wired · 3 Sept, 21:31
Cert.lv warns of intensified attacks targeting MikroTik routers
Latvia's Cert.lv cybersecurity institution has warned of increased attacker activity attempting to compromise MikroTik routers. The agency is monitoring the situation as it develops.
TVNET · 3 Sept, 21:31
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CERT.LV warns of increased attacker activity targeting MikroTik routers
Latvia's cybersecurity authority CERT.LV issued a warning on Thursday evening about heightened attacker activity aimed at compromising MikroTik routers. Owners of the devices are urged to stay alert.
Apollo.lv · 3 Sept, 21:29
Samsung's popular Q990F soundbar system gets a big Labor Day price cut
Best Buy and Amazon are selling the Samsung Q990F soundbar bundle for $999.99, hundreds below its usual price. Other Labor Day deals include a Ring doorbell, a Sonos subwoofer, and a Nintendo Switch 2 case.
The Verge · 3 Sept, 21:29
Xbox to cap cloud gaming streaming hours starting in November
Microsoft is ending unlimited Xbox cloud gaming for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, moving instead to monthly hour limits across all three subscription tiers starting in November. At the same time, cloud streaming will become available to anyone, not just Game Pass members.
Engadget · 3 Sept, 21:28
EU import ban on meat from Brazil takes effect
The European Union has today halted imports of meat and other animal-origin products from Brazil, citing concerns over antibiotic use and non-compliance with EU standards.
LSM · 3 Sept, 21:27
Meta Offers Steep Discounts to Users Who Share Data With Its New AI Model
Meta has introduced a pricing scheme for its new Muse Spark model that gives users discounts of up to roughly 95% if they agree to let their prompts and outputs be used for future model training. The move highlights an industry-wide struggle to obtain quality usage data needed to improve agentic AI tools.
TechCrunch · 3 Sept, 21:25