Business & Technology
Google rolls out new AI study tools across Search and Gemini
Google unveiled a batch of new AI-powered study features for Search and Gemini on Wednesday, including interactive visuals, 3D simulations, and customized practice quizzes. The move is meant to position Gemini as students' go-to learning assistant amid competition from OpenAI and education startups.
TechCrunch AI · 20 Aug, 05:06
Google Gemini to launch a dedicated student hub
Ahead of the new school year, Google is adding a dedicated student hub to Gemini with research and study tools, alongside a new Deep Research feature in Gemini Live and updates to Lens.
The Verge · 20 Aug, 05:06
Live TV debate examines airBaltic's business plan and Latvia's national interests
A live broadcast discussion on August 19 brought together government officials, airBaltic leadership and members of parliament from several parties to address whether the airline's business plan aligns with Latvia's national interests.
LSM · 20 Aug, 05:05
Google's $10 million purchase of bankrupt Spirit Airlines' worker data alarms flight attendants
Google won a bankruptcy auction to buy a massive trove of former Spirit Airlines employee data for $10 million, and the flight attendants' union is now asking a court to block the sale unless workers get the same privacy protections as customers.
Ars Technica · 20 Aug, 05:04
airBaltic misses bond interest payment but avoids immediate collapse
Latvian airline airBaltic has failed to pay several million euros in interest owed to bondholders, though it has so far avoided a financial collapse and continues flying. Decisive government action on the carrier's future appears to be on hold until after the upcoming elections.
Žurnāls Ir · 20 Aug, 05:03
Travis Kalanick renews VC criticism: only 1% are actually helpful
Uber founder Travis Kalanick sharply criticized venture capitalists in a podcast interview, saying only about 1% are genuinely helpful to founders. He also revisited his boardroom clash with Uber investor Benchmark.
TechCrunch · 20 Aug, 05:01
FDA approves first automated robot for blood draws in doctors' offices
The FDA has approved Aletta, a robotic device capable of independently performing blood draws in outpatient settings, aimed at easing pressure from a shortage of trained phlebotomists.
Engadget · 20 Aug, 04:05
OpenAI unveils privacy-first safety monitoring in apparent jab at Anthropic
OpenAI has announced Private Safety Processing, a new system for detecting AI misuse without retaining customer data, positioned as a contrast to Anthropic's recent data-retention policy.
TechCrunch · 20 Aug, 04:02
US national debt tops $40 trillion for the first time
The US gross national debt surpassed $40 trillion on Tuesday, exceeding earlier official forecasts as borrowing accelerates and long-term bond yields climb. Economists warn rising interest costs could squeeze consumers and businesses even without a full-blown crisis.
France 24 · 20 Aug, 04:02
NASA calls off mission to rescue Swift gamma-ray observatory
NASA and startup Katalyst Space Technologies have abandoned their plan to save the aging Swift gamma-ray telescope from an uncontrolled reentry, after the rescue satellite Link suffered attitude control failures that left it unable to complete the job.
Ars Technica · 20 Aug, 04:00
Amazon aims to expand Prime Air delivery drones to nearly 500 US neighborhoods by year's end
Amazon plans a sixfold expansion of its Prime Air drone delivery service to nearly 500 US cities and towns by the end of 2026, as growing rollout across companies fuels rising complaints about noise and safety.
Ars Technica · 20 Aug, 03:04
The Binding of Isaac: Repentance+ Online console launch to clash with GTA 6 on November 19
Edmund McMillen's online multiplayer expansion for The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, Repentance+ Online, is set to launch on consoles on November 19 — the same day as Grand Theft Auto 6. The move stands out as other studios have shifted their release dates to dodge GTA 6.
Engadget · 20 Aug, 03:02
Stripe buys AI gateway OpenRouter for $7.5B — and it's not really about the 'singularity'
Payments company Stripe has confirmed acquiring OpenRouter for a reported $7.5 billion, far above the startup's $1.3 billion valuation from May. Despite founders jokingly citing the 'singularity,' the deal appears aimed at expanding Stripe into AI expense management.
TechCrunch · 20 Aug, 03:00
Stripe buys AI routing startup OpenRouter for a reported $7.5B
Payments giant Stripe has confirmed acquiring OpenRouter for a reported $7.5 billion, far above the startup's $1.3 billion valuation from May. A leaked founders' letter frames the deal around AI's growing role in the economy, jokingly citing the 'singularity.'
TechCrunch AI · 20 Aug, 03:00
Waymo's Ojai robotaxi vans now open to all riders in three cities
Waymo has fully launched its purpose-built Ojai robotaxi vans for all passengers in Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco, marking its second service expansion announced in a week.
Engadget · 20 Aug, 02:04
Trump backs down from 50 percent tariff threat on Canada
U.S. President Donald Trump has dropped his plan to impose 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods, though the threat itself had already shaken up long-stalled trade talks between the two countries.
Politico Europe · 20 Aug, 02:03
Meta faces landmark trial over social media addiction claims
A major lawsuit against Meta could result in significant fines and force fundamental changes to how Facebook and Instagram operate.
Al Jazeera · 20 Aug, 02:02
OpenAI Rolls Out Privacy-Focused Safety Tool in Apparent Jab at Anthropic
OpenAI has unveiled a new automated monitoring system that flags potential AI misuse without storing customer data, contrasting with Anthropic's recent data-retention policy.
TechCrunch AI · 20 Aug, 02:01
Valve accidentally leaks eight how-to videos for Steam Frame VR headset
Valve mistakenly made public eight tutorial videos for its upcoming Steam Frame VR headset, revealing details about wearing, fitting and signing into the device. Users saved and shared the clips before they could be pulled.
Engadget · 20 Aug, 01:03
LA.lv launches virtual test on budgeting skills until payday
Latvian news outlet Latvijas Avīze has created an interactive quiz letting readers test how well they could manage money between paydays. The simulator presents everyday financial scenarios without any real risk to personal savings.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Aug, 01:02
AI accounting startup Rillet raises $100M, hits $1B valuation
US accounting technology startup Rillet has raised a $100 million Series C round at a $1 billion valuation. The company says it has doubled its annual recurring revenue over the past three months.
TechCrunch · 20 Aug, 00:04
Framework responds to complaints that BIOS update bricks Ryzen 7040 laptops
Framework has acknowledged that BIOS updates are bricking Ryzen 7040-based Framework Laptop 13 devices and says it will offer exceptions for some out-of-warranty repairs while rolling out a new recovery feature.
Ars Technica · 20 Aug, 00:01
Polaroid and Pokémon team up for a themed instant camera collection
Polaroid is releasing three Pokémon-themed instant cameras alongside matching film and accessories to mark the franchise's 30th anniversary. Preorders open August 25, with release set for October 5.
Engadget · 20 Aug, 00:00
Chinese Start-Up LandSpace Lands Reusable Rocket for First Time
Private Chinese company LandSpace has successfully recovered and landed a rocket's first stage for the first time, moving China closer to challenging SpaceX in low-cost spaceflight.
The New York Times · 19 Aug, 23:59
airBaltic to cut total flight capacity by 10% after fleet reduction
airBaltic board member Vitolds Jakovļevs said the airline's total flight capacity will shrink by 10% following a reduction in its aircraft fleet. The new business plan focuses on the most profitable routes.
LSM · 19 Aug, 23:58
AI industry faces growing public distrust, even top executives admit
Surveys and political pushback show Americans' distrust of AI is rising, and even industry leaders, including Anthropic's Dario Amodei, admit the sector has yet to deliver on its promises.
TechCrunch · 19 Aug, 23:04
Surveys show public trust in AI keeps eroding despite industry growth
New polling and industry statements show public skepticism toward AI is deepening rather than fading, prompting even top executives to call it a business problem.
TechCrunch AI · 19 Aug, 23:04
Motor oil prices in Russia jump 40% amid supply disruptions
Russia's motor oil market is facing lengthening delivery times and price spikes of up to 40% in some segments, with both imported and domestically produced oils affected.
Meduza · 19 Aug, 23:03
Nielsen adds wearable device data to sharpen TV viewership measurement
Starting August 31st, Nielsen will fold in data from wrist-worn devices to better estimate how many people are co-watching a given program, part of a broader set of methodology updates ahead of the fall TV season.
The Verge · 19 Aug, 22:59
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China Rejects Cooperation with EU Probe into JD.com Deal
China on Wednesday criticized the European Union's investigation into retailer JD.com over its intention to acquire German electronics retail group Ceconomy. Beijing has refused to cooperate with the EU in this matter.
TVNET · 19 Aug, 22:59
Mechanics name the most reliable and least reliable car brands
British mechanics point to Toyota as the most dependable car brand, while warning that Jaguar Land Rover models tend to bring frequent and costly problems.
Latvijas Avīze · 19 Aug, 22:03
OpenAI cyber-research access revoked for some vetted users due to error
Several security researchers report losing access to OpenAI's restricted-access Trusted Access for Cyber program, which the company attributes to a technical issue and asks affected users to re-verify.
TechCrunch AI · 19 Aug, 22:01
August's VPN Crackdown in Russia Relied on Data Already Collected by Domestic Apps
Russia saw one of its largest-ever waves of VPN blocking in early August, which VPN providers say drew for the first time on data gathered by Russian apps such as Yandex, VK, Max and HeadHunter. Experts say the blocking has become increasingly automated and scalable.
Meduza · 19 Aug, 21:59
Silicon Data raises $30M to build a pricing benchmark for AI compute
Startup Silicon Data has closed a $30 million Series A funding round aiming to become the reference price for GPU rental and the basis for futures contracts on the CME. The company plans to launch compute futures trading on October 5th, pending regulatory approval.
TechCrunch AI · 19 Aug, 21:03
Startup Silicon Data raises $30M to bring price transparency to AI compute
Silicon Data has closed a $30 million Series A round to build a reference price for GPU rentals and an index for Wall Street futures contracts. The company plans to launch compute futures trading on the CME on October 5th, pending regulatory approval.
TechCrunch · 19 Aug, 21:03
IKEA and Xbox tease a possible joint collection
IKEA posted a cryptic video hinting at a collaboration with Xbox, with more details expected next week at Gamescom.
Engadget · 19 Aug, 21:00