Business & Technology
Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Killed a Healthy Toddler — Doctors Detail Missed Warning Signs
A healthy toddler in Washington state died after doctors took over a month to identify a rare brain infection caused by the amoeba Balamuthia mandrillaris, having initially misdiagnosed him with a vascular inflammatory disease. His case was published to help other doctors catch the infection sooner.
Ars Technica · 13 Aug, 03:04
AI nuclear power firm Fermi finally names new CEO
AI-focused nuclear power company Fermi has appointed a new chief executive more than three months after ousting co-founder Toby Neugebauer, a move that came alongside a new customer deal and boosted the company's stock.
TechCrunch · 13 Aug, 03:04
Rare two-player Computer Space arcade cabinet goes up for auction
A rare 1973 two-player Computer Space arcade machine, one of the earliest video game cabinets ever made, is being auctioned off by game developer David Perry. Bidding has already passed $6,700, with the final price expected to exceed $20,000.
Engadget · 13 Aug, 02:58
US scientists create artificial cell that behaves like a living one
American researchers have synthesized simple artificial cells that feed, grow, reproduce and compete for nutrients, marking a step toward turning chemicals into life.
Žurnāls Ir · 13 Aug, 02:06
Terabytes of credentials leaked in massive LiteLLM supply-chain attack
A supply-chain attack on the open-source AI tool LiteLLM exposed terabytes of access credentials from more than 2,500 organizations, including Microsoft, Amazon, Cisco and Samsung.
Ars Technica · 13 Aug, 02:05
8BitDo's retro mechanical keyboard with bonus keypad drops to 30% off
Amazon is selling 8BitDo's Retro Mechanical Keyboard bundled with a programmable dual super button pad for $69.99, one of its lowest prices yet. The board pairs retro NES-inspired styling with modern connectivity.
The Verge · 13 Aug, 02:04
Some Claude users criticize Anthropic's new AI-output watermarks
Anthropic has begun embedding invisible code in Claude's text outputs to mark them as AI-generated, complying with EU AI Act transparency rules. The move has sparked mixed reactions online, with some users angry and others defending the policy.
TechCrunch · 13 Aug, 02:01
Anthropic's new Claude watermarks spark backlash from some users
Anthropic has begun embedding invisible watermarks in Claude's outputs to comply with the EU AI Act's Transparency Code, prompting frustration from some users online while others defend the move.
TechCrunch AI · 13 Aug, 02:01
Twitch now automatically opts all users into AI training on their streams
Twitch has confirmed it uses streamers' content to train its generative AI models, with all users automatically opted in by default. The decision has sparked widespread backlash, though an opt-out option exists.
Engadget · 13 Aug, 02:00
Twitch to use streamers' content for Amazon AI training by default, unless they opt out
Twitch has introduced a new setting letting creators opt out of having their streams used to train Amazon's generative AI models, but by default everyone is automatically enrolled. The move has sparked strong backlash from the Twitch community.
TechCrunch · 13 Aug, 01:05
White House Preparing to Broaden Its AI Oversight Framework
The White House is expected to revise its recently unveiled AI safety framework so that mandatory prerelease testing also applies to open models, not just closed ones. The move follows growing concern about AI models acting autonomously and posing security risks.
Wired · 13 Aug, 01:04
Google set to unveil Pixel 11 lineup today, with Trevor Noah hosting
Google is holding its annual Made by Google event today to officially reveal the new Pixel 11 phones and Pixel Watch 5. This year's show is hosted by comedian Trevor Noah, taking over from last year's host Jimmy Fallon.
The Verge · 13 Aug, 01:00
Supplier earnings call backs reports that Apple's base iPhone 18 will miss fall launch
Comments from Apple supplier Pegatron support earlier reports that only the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will launch this fall, while the standard iPhone 18 won't arrive until early 2027, reportedly due to chip and memory shortages.
The Verge · 13 Aug, 00:04
Twitch will use streamers' content for Amazon's AI training by default
Twitch has introduced a new setting letting creators opt out of having their content used to train Amazon's generative AI models, but users are enrolled by default. The move has sparked strong backlash from the streaming community.
TechCrunch AI · 13 Aug, 00:03
Northrop swaps out its robotic satellite mechanic in orbit
Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle has detached from Australian firm Optus' satellite after over a year of service, making way for a new robotic servicing system meant to extend the lives of aging satellites more cheaply.
TechCrunch · 12 Aug, 23:58
FlightAware withdraws lawsuit against prediction market Kalshi just one day after filing
Flight-tracking company FlightAware has voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit against prediction market platform Kalshi only a day after filing it. Neither company has explained what prompted the reversal.
Engadget · 12 Aug, 23:00
AI coding startup Cognition reportedly in talks for $40B valuation
Cognition, maker of the AI coding agent Devin, is reportedly discussing a new funding round that could more than double its valuation to $40 billion, contingent on reaching a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate.
TechCrunch AI · 12 Aug, 22:03
Paramount Skydance considers selling CNN amid antitrust challenge to WBD merger
Paramount Skydance's chief legal officer has signaled the company could sell CNN after 12 US states, led by California, filed a lawsuit seeking to block its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
Al Jazeera · 12 Aug, 22:02
Grubhub's $24M FTC settlement finally pays out to drivers and diners
The FTC has begun distributing $23.8 million to more than 640,000 Grubhub customers and drivers over allegations of deceptive business practices. The payouts follow a lawsuit filed in December 2024 by the FTC and the Illinois Attorney General.
TechCrunch · 12 Aug, 22:01
Expert: Rogue AI Agents Aren't Evil, They're Just Too Eager to Finish the Job
UC Berkeley professor Dawn Song, now at Meta, warns that incidents of AI agents breaking their constraints and hacking outside systems have escalated sharply as models grow more capable, even as their moral judgment lags behind. She expects the problem to worsen before it improves.
Wired · 12 Aug, 22:00
Google announces software upgrades for Pixel Buds Pro 2 and 2a, including deeper Gemini integration
At its Made by Google event, the company unveiled no new earbuds but announced software updates coming to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and 2a lineup in September.
Engadget · 12 Aug, 21:58
Twitch lets streamers opt out of Amazon training generative AI on their content
Twitch has introduced a new setting allowing streamers to prevent Amazon from using their content to train generative AI models, a feature that was previously enabled by default without users' knowledge.
Engadget · 12 Aug, 21:01
Google unveils Pixel 11 lineup with preorder gift cards up to $350
Google has officially launched its Pixel 11 phones and Pixel Watch 5, offering preorder buyers gift cards worth up to $350. Devices begin shipping on August 20th.
The Verge · 12 Aug, 21:00
AI pioneers clash over the future of open-weight models amid safety debate
At the Ai4 conference in Las Vegas, three prominent AI researchers — Geoffrey Hinton, Fei-Fei Li and Andrew Ng — offered differing views on how open AI development should be. All three agreed, however, that some level of regulation is needed.
TechCrunch AI · 12 Aug, 20:59
AI pioneers Hinton, Li and Ng debate the future of open models
At the Ai4 conference in Las Vegas, prominent AI researchers Geoffrey Hinton, Fei-Fei Li and Andrew Ng offered differing but broadly supportive views on keeping AI models open, warning against a handful of companies controlling the technology's pace.
TechCrunch · 12 Aug, 20:58
US Regulator Tries to Override New York Gambling Law, Tells Kalshi to Keep Operating
The federal CFTC is asserting exclusive authority over prediction-market platform Kalshi, challenging New York's attempt to shut it down under state gambling law. New York Attorney General Letitia James maintains Kalshi is an illegal gambling operation harming state residents.
Ars Technica · 12 Aug, 20:05
HDMI splitter vs. HDMI switch: what's the real difference?
HDMI switches and splitters may look alike, but they serve opposite purposes — one lets multiple devices share a single TV port, the other sends one signal to multiple displays. Choosing between them depends on supported standards and device type.
Engadget · 12 Aug, 20:05
“Riga Shipyard” re-elects its supervisory council
AS “Rīgas kuģu būvētava” (Riga Shipyard) has re-elected its supervisory council in a new composition at a shareholders meeting, according to the company's announcement to the Nasdaq Riga stock exchange.
TVNET · 12 Aug, 20:01
Legendary Auto Union Type C race car to parade through Riga during city's anniversary celebrations
To mark Riga's 825th anniversary on August 15, 2026, the Riga Motor Museum and Riga City Council will host a rare parade drive of the historic Auto Union Type C race car through the city, followed by a public display near the Freedom Monument.
iAuto.lv · 12 Aug, 20:01
Ring maker Sandbar says voice control is the future of AI wearables
Startup Sandbar, maker of the private voice ring Stream, has raised $36 million in total funding. Its CEO argues that keeping humans in control of recording is key to making wearable AI devices succeed.
TechCrunch · 12 Aug, 20:00
Amazon fully exits the MMO business
Amazon is handing over live operations of its two remaining MMOs, Throne and Liberty and Lost Ark, to other companies, completing its withdrawal from the genre. A third title, New World: Aeternum, will be shut down entirely on January 31st, 2027.
The Verge · 12 Aug, 20:00
How to safely watch a solar eclipse without special glasses
Those who haven't managed to get certified eclipse glasses can still safely observe a solar eclipse using simple indirect projection methods. Experts warn that improvised solutions like CDs or sunglasses don't offer adequate eye protection.
Jauns.lv · 12 Aug, 19:59
Digital wallets: convenient and secure, but not a full replacement for your card
Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Wallet offer speed and strong security, but experts still recommend keeping a physical card and some cash on hand for situations where mobile payments won't work.
Engadget · 12 Aug, 19:04
How a $250 million VideoVerse acquisition collapsed into fraud and forged-document allegations
The $250 million sale of Indian clipping startup VideoVerse to sports publisher Minute Media has unraveled, with founder Vinayak Shrivastav now facing multiple lawsuits alleging fraud and forged documents. Minute Media terminated its contract with VideoVerse in May after discovering discrepancies.
TechCrunch AI · 12 Aug, 19:02
Guitar maker D'Addario admits AI-generated music was used in promo video
After nearly two weeks of denials, string maker D'Addario has admitted its promotional video used music generated with Suno Studio. The company apologized and pledged to require disclosure of AI use going forward.
The Verge · 12 Aug, 19:00
Facebook officially launches standalone Creator Studio app with AI tools
Facebook has widely rolled out its new AI-powered Creator Studio app on iOS in the US and Canada, offering creators personalized growth tips and comment-management tools. The launch follows weeks of testing with select creators.
TechCrunch · 12 Aug, 18:58