Business & Technology

Bandai to release a Tamagotchi ring with a color screen
Bandai has unveiled a wearable Tamagotchi in ring form, its smallest fully playable device yet. The gadget is currently available only in Japan, with no confirmed plans for a wider release.
Engadget · 30 Aug, 05:29

Why does your Kindle even have Bluetooth?
Kindle e-readers released after 2016 come with Bluetooth, but the feature exists for listening to audiobooks and accessibility tools rather than for turning pages. Users can pair wireless headphones or speakers directly through the device's menus.
Engadget · 30 Aug, 04:26

GTA VI on track to become the most expensive video game ever made
Analysts estimate Rockstar Games has spent well over $1 billion, possibly up to $1.5 billion, developing Grand Theft Auto VI, making it one of the costliest entertainment productions in history. The release has been delayed multiple times amid reports of intense crunch for developers.
Engadget · 30 Aug, 03:27

How to cut your phone bill by switching to an MVNO
Major carrier phone plans often carry high prices due to bundled extras, but mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) can deliver comparable network quality at a much lower cost. These providers lease network access from the big carriers and resell it more cheaply.
Engadget · 30 Aug, 02:25

US Appeals Court Sides With Nevada in Legal Fight With Kalshi
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Kalshi's bid to block Nevada from regulating its prediction market platform, deepening a nationwide legal dispute over how such platforms should be overseen.
Engadget · 30 Aug, 01:29

Why pay $359 for the most expensive Whoop membership?
Fitness wearable maker Whoop offers three subscription tiers, with the priciest costing $359 a year. Most users likely don't need that much data.
Engadget · 30 Aug, 00:31

Pixel-art journal lets you experience the Appalachian Trail from your couch
Developer Andy Moliski, along with his brothers, created an interactive digital trail journal called "A Trail Tale" that recreates a hike along the Appalachian Trail using pixel art. The project combines visual storytelling, an original musical score, and game-like elements to let users follow the journey remotely.
The Verge · 30 Aug, 00:28

From managing $4B at a16z to a handful of concentrated bets: Vijay Pande's new path
Former a16z biotech investment leader Vijay Pande left the firm last June, where he managed nearly $4 billion, to co-found a much smaller firm called VZVC with Zach Werner. The new outfit makes only about five investments a year and relies heavily on AI for daily operations.
TechCrunch · 29 Aug, 23:32

Controversial alt-right figure Milo Yiannopoulos deported from US to UK
Divisive alt-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos was arrested by ICE on Thursday and has now been deported back to the United Kingdom after overstaying his US visa.
The Verge · 29 Aug, 23:27

August earnings show Australians spending less on pizza, more on weight-loss drugs
Australia's August corporate reporting season reveals shifting consumer habits, from fewer pizza discounts to rising weight-loss drug sales, dupe brands and electric vehicles, as cost of living pressures return.
The Guardian World · 29 Aug, 23:26

How to watch the 2026 US Open Tennis Championships
The 2026 US Open runs from August 30 to September 13 in New York, with an ESPN Unlimited subscription offering the most complete way to follow the tournament.
Engadget · 29 Aug, 23:26

Sony and Warner Sue Anthropic for Alleged Copyright Violations in AI Training
Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music have jointly filed a lawsuit against AI company Anthropic, accusing it of mass copyright infringement by using song lyrics to train its Claude models. The publishers are seeking billions in damages.
Engadget · 29 Aug, 22:30

From managing $4 billion to placing just a handful of bets: Vijay Pande's new approach to AI in biotech
Former a16z investor Vijay Pande, who oversaw a nearly $4 billion portfolio, has launched a small firm called VZVC that makes only about five concentrated investments a year. In an interview, he discusses how AI is reshaping drug development and why biological data remains the field's core challenge.
TechCrunch AI · 29 Aug, 21:30

At TechBBQ in Copenhagen, Europe's tech leaders debate who controls AI
At the TechBBQ conference in Copenhagen, industry figures discussed Europe's reliance on U.S. and Chinese AI infrastructure, a topic sharpened by Anthropic's earlier outage of its models outside Europe.
TechCrunch · 29 Aug, 21:29

Why a 1080p movie can sometimes look better than a 4K stream
Resolution alone doesn't guarantee picture quality — a heavily compressed 4K stream can look worse than a clean 1080p Blu-ray. Bitrate and codec efficiency matter just as much.
Engadget · 29 Aug, 21:28

Sony Music and Warner Chappell sue Anthropic over copyright infringement
Sony Music and Warner Chappell have filed suit against AI company Anthropic, accusing it of illegally using tens of thousands of copyrighted songs to train its Claude models. Damages could reach several billion dollars.
The Verge · 29 Aug, 21:25

How to reset your Roku TV: from a quick restart to a full factory reset
Roku TVs can occasionally freeze, drop Wi-Fi connections or stop responding, and depending on the severity, either a basic restart or a full factory reset can fix the issue. It's best to have Roku account and Wi-Fi details ready before attempting either.
Engadget · 29 Aug, 20:27

Anbernic's new RG 55G1 handheld, modeled after the Switch Lite, launches August 31
Anbernic will begin selling the RG 55G1, a horizontal gaming handheld resembling Nintendo's Switch Lite but built for retro game emulation, starting August 31 at a $150 base price.
Engadget · 29 Aug, 20:14

Bluetooth or Wi-Fi: how wireless CarPlay actually connects
Apple has detailed how wireless CarPlay relies on both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, each handling a distinct part of the connection process. Bluetooth manages pairing while Wi-Fi carries the active session, including phone-call audio.
Engadget · 29 Aug, 19:41

Minimalist writing gadget BYOK plans to add custom scripts
The maker of BYOK, a distraction-free writing device, is developing an optional scripting system to let users extend its functionality. The feature is still in early development, and the company is seeking user feedback.
The Verge · 29 Aug, 19:40

Artemis II astronauts awarded America's highest space honor
The four astronauts who flew around the moon in April received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in Houston, as President Trump also announced a new US space academy.
The Guardian World · 29 Aug, 19:39

Hollywood celebrities are moving into microdrama apps
A growing number of well-known Hollywood actors and producers are getting involved in microdramas — short, phone-friendly episodic series — as the format's U.S. revenue is projected to hit $1.5 billion this year.
TechCrunch · 29 Aug, 19:36

OpenAI to cut Cursor off from its models after SpaceXAI acquisition
OpenAI says it will stop providing its AI models to coding assistant Cursor following its acquisition by SpaceXAI, citing distrust in Elon Musk-run companies' contract compliance.
Engadget · 29 Aug, 18:38

Welcome to Night Vale cocreator Joseph Fink says Grim Fandango shaped his storytelling
Joseph Fink, cocreator of the podcast Welcome to Night Vale, discussed his creative influences and his upcoming novella The Nudge, out September 1st.
The Verge · 29 Aug, 18:38

Theragun Sense makes everyday muscle recovery simple and guesswork-free
Therabody's second-generation Theragun Sense massage gun uses on-device guided routines and an AI coaching feature to simplify everyday recovery. The $299 device won over a reviewer who was previously skeptical of massage guns.
TechCrunch · 29 Aug, 17:39

Hormuz Strait tensions could push six-month Euribor toward 3%
The six-month Euribor keeps rising amid the US-Iran conflict, costlier energy and persistent inflation pressure, though loan demand has yet to weaken. Analysts disagree on how far the rate will climb.
ERR (rus) · 29 Aug, 17:34

Why clearing your cache won't always speed up your devices
Deleting cached data is a common troubleshooting habit for slow devices, but it only helps when the stored data itself is causing the problem. Otherwise, it can temporarily slow things down instead of speeding them up.
Engadget · 29 Aug, 17:33

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8: minor hardware update, bigger changes to the cover screen
Samsung has launched the Galaxy Z Flip 8 foldable phone, whose main upgrade is full app support on the cover screen, while the hardware remains largely unchanged. The price has risen by $100 to $1,199.99.
The Verge · 29 Aug, 16:38

Nvidia's edge is expanding beyond the GPU itself
Nvidia's new Vera Rubin system shows the company's advantage in AI now extends beyond GPUs to the complex infrastructure surrounding them. Investors are reassessing the company's outlook following Wednesday's earnings report.
TechCrunch · 29 Aug, 16:37

How to choose a USB Bluetooth adapter for your PC
As more PC peripherals go wireless, USB Bluetooth adapters offer a simple fix for computers lacking built-in Bluetooth. The right pick depends on needs ranging from basic headset pairing to multi-device support and high-quality audio.
Engadget · 29 Aug, 16:34

Economist: Latvia's exports are simpler than Estonia's and Lithuania's
Bank of Latvia economist Oļegs Krasnopjorovs says Latvia exports simpler products than its EU neighbors, while long-term economic growth depends on producing and exporting increasingly complex goods.
TVNET · 29 Aug, 15:40

Estonia's 'UFO' sightings turn out to be Starlink satellite trains
Mysterious lights recently reported over Estonia's night sky, some mistaken for UFOs or shooting stars, are actually newly launched SpaceX Starlink satellites, Tartu Postimees reports.
ERR News · 29 Aug, 15:39

EDM musicians turn detective to expose AI-generated tracks
Producers Max "H4RRIS" Harris and Nihil Young are publicly calling out artists they suspect of passing off AI-generated songs as human-made, warning it undermines trust and hurts real musicians' livelihoods.
The Verge · 29 Aug, 15:38

Before resetting your MacBook, check these settings for the real slowdown culprit
Apple recommends checking storage, memory pressure and background apps before turning to a factory reset or third-party cleanup tool when a MacBook slows down.
Engadget · 29 Aug, 15:34

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro: Earbuds That Stand Out for Call Quality
A Wired review praises the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro for strong noise cancellation and notably superior call quality, all at a significantly lower price than rivals.
Wired · 29 Aug, 14:41

Latvian news site LA.LV publishes quiz testing drivers' practical car knowledge
News portal LA.LV has published a 10-question quiz letting drivers check whether they properly know how to maintain their car and handle unusual situations on the road.
Latvijas Avīze · 29 Aug, 14:38