Business & Technology
Free media player VLC surpasses 7 billion downloads
VLC, the free offline media player made by non-profit VideoLAN, has reached 7 billion downloads across all platforms, project lead Jean-Baptiste Kempf announced.
TechCrunch · 31 Aug, 19:28
Honor's Robot Phone with built-in gimbal goes on sale in China
Honor has begun selling its experimental Robot Phone in China, featuring a tiny built-in three-axis gimbal for its 200-megapixel main camera. The device, first shown at MWC 2026, will not officially launch outside China for now.
Engadget · 31 Aug, 18:31
Future 6G networks could let antennas 'see' people through walls
Technology being developed for 6G mobile networks would allow antennas to double as radar-like sensors detecting human movement and even body functions, including through walls — raising privacy concerns among German experts.
Latvijas Avīze · 31 Aug, 18:26
Nvidia's $3.5B MediaTek investment shows its strategy amid Big Tech's custom chip push
Nvidia is investing $3.5 billion in Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek, giving it access to technology for designing custom AI chips that plug into Nvidia's data center ecosystem. The move helps Nvidia retain its infrastructure dominance as major tech companies increasingly build their own chips.
TechCrunch AI · 31 Aug, 18:26
AI Could Reshape the Balance Between Encryption and Government Hacking
Cryptographer Matthew Green warns that AI may make software so secure that governments lose the ability to lawfully hack devices, sparking debate among cybersecurity experts.
TechCrunch · 31 Aug, 18:25
NY Governor Hochul defends teen social media limits and AI regulation stance
New York Governor Kathy Hochul discussed the state's approach to tech regulation in a wide-ranging interview, covering the Meta teen safety settlement, a data center moratorium, and 3D-printed gun restrictions.
The Verge · 31 Aug, 17:32
Garmin Cirqa review: a screenless health band with no clear reason to buy it
Garmin has launched Cirqa, a screenless fitness band priced at $200 aimed at rivaling Whoop, but a new review finds solid tracking undermined by limited software insights. The device works well as a sensor but lacks the AI-driven guidance that competitors offer.
Engadget · 31 Aug, 17:32
QatarEnergy extends LNG delivery cancellations into November as Hormuz disruption persists
QatarEnergy has again extended force majeure on LNG shipments to Europe and Asia as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains largely halted. An expert warns the global market may not return to balance until 2028.
Euronews Business · 31 Aug, 16:31
Elekta secures €100 million EIB loan to advance cancer and neurological treatments
Swedish medtech company Elekta has obtained a loan of up to €100 million from the European Investment Bank to fund new cancer and neurological treatment research between 2026 and 2029.
EU-Startups · 31 Aug, 16:27
Who are the economic winners and losers of the US-Israel war on Iran?
The US-Israel military conflict with Iran has split industries into clear winners and losers — airlines and automakers are taking losses, while banks and energy companies are reaping large profits.
Al Jazeera · 31 Aug, 15:31
Bessent to Face Down Doubts Over US Debt at G20 Talks
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to tell foreign counterparts at the G20 that Washington can manage its massive national debt without endangering the global financial system.
Politico Europe · 31 Aug, 15:29
Porsche Latvia to operate from single showroom
Porsche's two representation centres in Riga are being merged into one — the "Porsche centrs Lidosta" facility opened in May. The team and services from the older Krasta iela location are relocating there.
Dienas Bizness · 31 Aug, 15:28
Business sentiment improves in construction and services in Latvia
Business confidence indicators in Latvia rose in August in both the services and construction sectors, while the overall economic sentiment indicator remained unchanged. At the same time, employment expectations weakened to their lowest level since autumn 2024.
Dienas Bizness · 31 Aug, 14:28
Latvia's GDP grows 2.8% in first half of the year
Latvia's gross domestic product rose 2.8% in the first six months of this year compared with the same period in 2025, according to the Central Statistical Bureau. Second-quarter growth reached 3% under unadjusted data.
LSM (rus) · 31 Aug, 14:27
Mentalium study: why 10 European mental-health startups collapsed
An analysis by Mentalium covering 542 digital mental-health companies found consumer-paid services shut down at more than double the rate of institution-funded ones. The report details ten specific failures across Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Poland, Estonia and Lithuania.
EU-Startups · 31 Aug, 14:25
Latvia's GDP grows 2.8% in first half of 2026, reaching €21.3 billion
Latvia's gross domestic product rose by 2.8% in the first half of this year, with second-quarter output up 0.7% from the previous quarter. Growth was mainly driven by manufacturing, trade and the IT sector.
Dienas Bizness · 31 Aug, 13:32
What your stress response reveals about your leadership
Two leadership coaches have outlined six distinct ways executives respond to stress, arguing that the ability to shift between them matters more than fitting one ideal type. The framework also shows how this internal dynamic shapes a company's external reputation and communication.
EU-Startups · 31 Aug, 13:30
Latvia's wage growth second-lowest since 2017
Base salaries for employees staying in the same position rose 5.8% in Latvia over the past 12 months, less than in Lithuania but more than in Estonia. Experts expect even slower growth next year.
Dienas Bizness · 31 Aug, 12:27
London's HITAI acquires fitness gaming developer Quell to strengthen motion-tracking tech
London-based HITAI, a sports motion-tracking platform, has acquired the technology and IP of fitness gaming developer Quell. The deal will add Quell's camera-less motion-recognition tech to HITAI's video-based system.
EU-Startups · 31 Aug, 10:28
Conexus posts €38.6 million turnover in first half, profit down 30%
Latvian gas system operator Conexus reported €38.6 million in turnover for the first half of the year, while net profit fell to €11.5 million. Both transported and consumed gas volumes rose, though storage levels at Inčukalns are lower than last year.
Dienas Bizness · 31 Aug, 10:28
Rīgas Piena Kombināts invests €50,000 in expanding its yogurt range
Latvian dairy processor Rīgas Piena Kombināts has invested €50,000 in developing its yogurt category, introducing five new or improved products under the Limbažu Piens and Rasēns brands. The company has also redesigned the packaging of its Limbažu Piens yogurts.
Dienas Bizness · 31 Aug, 09:32
Experts remind public of simple first steps in personal data protection
Specialists warn that even a personal ID number, phone number or vehicle registration plate can help scammers build a convincing fraud scenario, and recommend several basic self-protection measures for digital security.
iAuto.lv · 31 Aug, 09:27
Twenty years on, Pluto's demotion still divides scientists
Two decades after the International Astronomical Union reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet, the debate over whether the 2006 decision was a mistake remains unresolved among scientists and the public. Critics argue the IAU's definition is scientifically unworkable and politically driven.
The Guardian Science · 31 Aug, 07:33
US and Venezuela announce oil deal following Maduro's capture
The United States and Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodríguez have announced a deal giving Washington access to the country's oil reserves, though many key details remain unclear.
Euronews Business · 31 Aug, 07:31
Why passwords are no longer a reliable way to prove your identity
A cybersecurity expert explains why password reuse and poor digital habits remain a major cause of cyberattacks, and points to digital identity as the way forward beyond passwords.
Žurnāls Ir · 31 Aug, 07:31
Oil prices rise on renewed US-Iran tensions as Fed's Warsh signals possible rate hike
Asian stocks fell on Monday after Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh signalled openness to raising interest rates, while oil prices jumped following a fresh flare-up between the US and Iran.
Euronews · 31 Aug, 07:28
How to watch the NFL season cheaply without a full cable package
With the NFL season starting September 9, cord-cutters have several cheaper ways to follow games, though truly complete access to every matchup still comes at a steep price.
Engadget · 31 Aug, 06:32
US tightens rules on Chinese drones and robots, but Beijing's scale offers a way around them
Washington introduced new tariffs and restrictions on foreign-made drones and advanced robots this summer, but industry experts say China's manufacturing scale and cost advantages will let it expand into other global markets.
TechCrunch AI · 31 Aug, 06:28
US builds barriers around drones and robots, but China has the scale to get around them
Washington tightened restrictions on foreign robotics and imposed tariffs on imported drones this summer, but analysts warn the moves don't address China's manufacturing scale and cost advantages. Industry experts predict a more regionally fragmented robotics market rather than a clean US-China split.
TechCrunch · 31 Aug, 06:28
Four Simple Steps to Fix Bad YouTube Recommendations
YouTube's recommendation algorithm can go off track when it lacks clear signals from viewers, but a handful of settings changes can retrain it. Adjusting watch history, feedback and account settings can restore more relevant suggestions.
Engadget · 31 Aug, 05:31
Why your phone charges slowly in the car: check these simple factors first
When a smartphone charges unusually slowly in a car, the cause is often not the vehicle's electrical system but the charging chain itself — the charger, the cable and the phone's supported standards. Experts suggest checking each link separately.
Latvijas Avīze · 31 Aug, 05:30
Grindr wants to become an 'everything app' for gay men, but investors remain unconvinced
CEO George Arison says Grindr, which has nearly tripled revenue since 2022, is pushing beyond dating into healthcare and travel services. Yet part of Wall Street still applies what one investor called a 'Grindr discount' to the stock.
TechCrunch · 31 Aug, 05:25
NASA successfully launches new space telescope
NASA launched a new space telescope from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, named after astronomer Nancy Grace Roman. Scientists are calling it a true "discovery machine".
France 24 · 31 Aug, 04:32
How to fix an "iPhone Unavailable" lockscreen message
An iPhone that shows an "Unavailable" message after too many wrong passcode attempts can be unlocked through several methods depending on the iOS version and equipment on hand. Options range from restoring a recent previous passcode to a full reset using Find My or a computer.
Engadget · 31 Aug, 04:26
How to restart, soft reset or hard reset your iPhone
When an iPhone starts acting up or is being handed off to a new owner, there are three escalating troubleshooting steps available — from a simple restart to wiping all data. Each serves a different purpose in fixing problems.
Engadget · 31 Aug, 03:28
12TB Steam data leak exposes over a decade of lost PC gaming history
A roughly 12TB archive of content from Valve's defunct Steam2 server system, covering 2003 to 2013, has spread online, revealing previously unseen prototypes and playtest builds. Among the finds are cut content from Portal 2 and traces of the never-released Half-Life 2: Episode 3.
Ars Technica · 31 Aug, 02:28