Business & Technology
Dolby Vision is on Netflix — but here's what you need first
Netflix supports Dolby Vision streaming, but viewers need a specific subscription tier, compatible hardware, and correct settings to actually access it. Missing even one link in the chain means picture quality may fall short of expectations.
Engadget · 16 Aug, 16:02
How everyday habits can reinforce a poverty mindset
Lifestyle experts point out that certain unconscious habits can hold back a person's financial progress, though they can be changed once recognized. One of the most commonly cited is the habit of constantly putting things off.
Latvijas Avīze · 16 Aug, 14:59
TerraMow V1000: Robot Mower Navigates by Cameras Instead of Antennas
Wired reviewed the TerraMow V1000 robot mower, which uses a triple-camera AI system instead of a boundary wire or RTK antenna for navigation. The device impressed with its simple setup and precise cutting.
Wired · 16 Aug, 14:00
Red Bull Showrun draws thousands of spectators in Riga
The Red Bull Showrun event took place in Riga on Saturday, August 15, drawing thousands of spectators. Attendees can now look for themselves in event photos.
Apollo.lv · 16 Aug, 13:59
Wired's 2026 Roundup: Best Automatic Cat Water Fountains
Wired tested a range of automatic cat water fountains for 2026, highlighting models with pet health-tracking features and different build materials. The top pick uses RFID collar tags to monitor each cat's individual drinking habits.
Wired · 16 Aug, 13:01
Insurance association head explains when drone and missile coverage stops working
Jānis Abāšins, head of the Latvian Insurers Association, says new insurance coverage for damage from drones or stray missiles stops applying once Latvia itself becomes party to a war. The add-on only covers cases where Latvia is not involved in the conflict.
Latvijas Avīze · 16 Aug, 11:01
Qantas begins testing aircraft for record-length flights over 24 hours
Australia's national carrier Qantas has started practical testing of aircraft intended for its "Project Sunrise" ultra-long-haul direct flights, which could keep passengers airborne for more than 24 hours.
LSM · 16 Aug, 10:58
Latvia has enough pellets, but high demand is pushing up prices
Although the heating season has not yet started, pellets are already hard to buy in some parts of Latvia, and where available, prices are notably higher than last year. Industry representatives say pellets are not physically in short supply, but demand has surged sharply, driving up prices.
LSM (rus) · 16 Aug, 09:58
New cost of living squeeze looms in UK as soaring energy bills push up inflation
UK inflation is forecast to near 3% in July as energy bills surge, according to official figures due Wednesday, with the Iran war's impact on global energy markets complicating the Bank of England's interest rate decisions.
The Guardian World · 16 Aug, 09:05
This artist built a bike device that gets harder to pedal in expensive neighborhoods
Brooklyn artist Justin Blinder created a device attached to bikes that adjusts pedaling resistance based on local housing affordability. The Ground Truth project uses official US rent-burden data to make riding harder in pricier areas.
The Verge · 16 Aug, 08:05
Retrospec Refreshes Entry-Level Joe Rev E-Bike With Bigger Battery
Retrospec has released a second iteration of its entry-level Joe Rev e-bike, featuring a larger battery and updated display while keeping its minimalist design. The bike remains stripped of extra features like apps or lights.
Wired · 16 Aug, 08:04
New study: life on Earth could persist for another 1.8 billion years
Scientists using complex climate models estimate that life on Earth could theoretically continue for about 1.8 billion more years, longer than many earlier forecasts suggested. Researchers stress the figures are only rough estimates, as future scenarios could turn out far more complex.
Latvijas Avīze · 16 Aug, 07:59
US Trade Secretary Urges Apple to Stop Buying Chips from China
The US government has urged Apple not to purchase microchips from China, though the company may disregard the call, US Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick said in an interview.
LSM · 16 Aug, 07:58
This Quirky Necklace Hides a Secret: It's Actually a USB Drive
New York-based design duo Noware will begin shipping the Puff necklace in October — a retro-futuristic accessory that doubles as a 128GB USB flash drive with a customizable animated screen. At $179, it costs far more than a standard flash drive of similar capacity.
Wired · 16 Aug, 07:05
Second-gen Polaroid Go instant camera bundled with free film pack at discount
Amazon is offering the second-generation Polaroid Go instant camera bundled with a 16-photo film pack for $71.99, the lowest price seen for this bundle.
The Verge · 16 Aug, 07:00
Engadget rounds up latest reviews: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Dell XPS 13 and more
Engadget has published a recap of recent device reviews, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Dell XPS 13. Reviewers highlight both strengths and shortcomings across the lineup.
Engadget · 16 Aug, 06:04
Sony's A7R VI Delivers High Resolution Without the Old Trade-Offs
Sony has launched its new A7R VI flagship camera with a 66.8-megapixel sensor that combines high resolution with speed and versatility. In a hands-on review, The Verge calls it a nearly all-purpose camera for many photography genres.
The Verge · 16 Aug, 06:04
Indie game roundup: GoldenEye, Star Fox and Kingdom Hearts tributes plus a breakout hit
This week's indie game scene features several new titles inspired by '90s and 2000s classics, while party game Meccha Chameleon has already sold more than 20 million copies.
Engadget · 16 Aug, 05:05
The Verge rounds up summer's surprises: a breakout movie, a new Pixel and more
The Verge writer David Pierce used his weekly Installer newsletter to highlight this summer's standout tech and entertainment picks, including the new Google Pixel 11 and an unexpectedly popular movie, while announcing he is heading off on parental leave.
The Verge · 16 Aug, 05:05
Marvel unveils new X-Men movie cast, including Adam Driver as villain
At the D23 event in Anaheim, Marvel officially revealed the cast for its untitled X-Men film, set to hit theaters on May 5th, 2028. The movie brings the mutants into the MCU following their introduction in the latest Spider-Man film.
The Verge · 16 Aug, 04:04
When it's actually worth paying more for earbuds
Today's cheap earbuds sound far better than the old iPod bundled ones, but pricier options either deliver professional-grade sound precision or modern lifestyle features. The right choice depends on what the listener actually needs.
Engadget · 16 Aug, 04:04
USB4 vs USB-C: What's actually the difference
USB-C refers to the connector shape while USB4 is the latest data transfer standard — the two terms describe different things, not competing options. USB4 delivers far greater speed and capability than older USB 3.2 ports.
Engadget · 16 Aug, 03:04
OhSnap's new magnetic phone grip finally wins over a longtime skeptic
A Verge review describes OhSnap's new $50 Snap Grip Stand, a magnetic phone grip with a built-in fold-out stand, as good enough that the reviewer bought one for himself after months of testing. The device is thin, holds phones securely, and is often available at a discount.
The Verge · 16 Aug, 03:04
RTU students develop route-planning system for couriers
Students at Riga Technical University have created a test version of software designed to help couriers and dispatchers quickly adapt delivery routes to changing conditions. The solution is aimed at improving the efficiency of Latvijas pasts operations.
LSM (rus) · 16 Aug, 03:01
High demand pushes up wood pellet prices; drop expected in autumn
Although the heating season has not yet begun, wood pellet prices in Latvia have already risen, with some areas temporarily unable to buy them due to strong demand. Industry representatives say there is no shortage of pellets and expect prices to fall in autumn.
LSM · 16 Aug, 03:00
D23 offers first look at Ahsoka season 2 trailer and Starfighter footage
Lucasfilm used its D23 presentation to release the first trailer for Star Wars: Ahsoka season 2 and to show exclusive Starfighter footage introduced onstage by Ryan Gosling.
The Verge · 16 Aug, 02:07
What the world's oldest telecommunications company looks like today
British telecom group BT traces its family tree back to a telegraph company founded in 1846, though it reached its current form through numerous mergers and reorganizations. Today BT is a broad broadband, mobile and network infrastructure group built around its Openreach infrastructure arm.
Engadget · 16 Aug, 02:06
Woman alleges stepfather used Grok chatbot to turn childhood photo into explicit images
A woman identified as Jane Doe 4 has joined a lawsuit filed by three Tennessee teenagers against Elon Musk's xAI, claiming her stepfather used the Grok chatbot to turn a childhood photo of her into thousands of explicit images.
TechCrunch AI · 16 Aug, 01:01
What Bluetooth codecs are and why they shape your audio quality
The audio quality of Bluetooth headphones and speakers depends heavily on which codec is being used, with several options offering different technical capabilities. Device compatibility often determines which codec is actually available to a listener.
Engadget · 16 Aug, 01:00
Woman says stepfather used Grok to create over 7,000 explicit images from childhood photo
A woman has joined a lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI, alleging her stepfather used the Grok chatbot to turn a childhood photo of her into thousands of explicit images. The case accuses xAI of failing to prevent Grok from being used to generate child sexual abuse material.
TechCrunch · 16 Aug, 00:59
Apple Watch battery replacement: what it costs and when it makes sense
Apple Watch batteries wear down over time, but replacing one typically costs around $99 and can be cheaper than buying a new device. Whether it's worth it depends on the watch's age and software support.
Engadget · 16 Aug, 00:02
New online game has people pretend to be AI chatbots for laughs
An online project called "Your AI Slop Bores Me" lets users submit text or image requests while another real person has 150 seconds to answer while pretending to be an AI. The site runs on a credit system that mimics how real language models operate.
The Verge · 15 Aug, 23:59
Anthropic starts watermarking Claude's text output to meet EU rules
Anthropic has detailed how it invisibly watermarks text generated by its Claude AI to comply with new European Union AI transparency requirements. The method embeds a detectable word-choice pattern rather than visible marks or hidden characters, decodable only with a special key.
Engadget · 15 Aug, 23:06
Anthropic details how watermarking will work in Claude's text
Anthropic published a blog post explaining the technical workings of the invisible watermark it will add to text generated by Claude. The move responds to EU AI Act transparency requirements and has sparked user debate.
TechCrunch AI · 15 Aug, 23:04
Why RAM prices have skyrocketed — and won't come down soon
Memory prices have surged dramatically over the past 18 months as AI companies buy up most of the world's RAM manufacturing capacity. Industry executives warn the shortage could persist well into the next decade.
Engadget · 15 Aug, 22:02
How to check if your AI platform accounts have been hacked
ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity each let users review active login sessions and sign out of unrecognized devices. TechCrunch has outlined the exact steps for checking and securing accounts on all three platforms.
TechCrunch · 15 Aug, 21:03