Business & Technology
Saber denies replacing Rideshare Stimulator writers with AI, but confirms AI use in one mode
Saber's CEO rejects a former lead writer's claim that AI replaced her work on Rideshare Stimulator, while acknowledging AI is used in the game's free-ride mode.
The Verge · 12 Aug, 04:15
Google's free Freeplay streaming service adds on-demand shows and movies
Google has expanded its free, ad-supported Freeplay streaming service to let users choose from more than 10,000 shows and movies on demand, alongside a wider live channel lineup.
The Verge · 12 Aug, 03:21
Google says Gemini hit 1 billion users faster than any other of its products
Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Gemini has surpassed 1 billion monthly active users, reaching the milestone faster than any previous Google product.
Ars Technica · 12 Aug, 03:19
Zoom fixes vulnerability that let attackers fully take over other users' devices
Cybersecurity researchers found a Zoom bug that allowed attackers to remotely seize control of another participant's device during screen sharing. Zoom has issued a fix and urges users to update.
Engadget · 12 Aug, 02:22
Chrome tests new defense against session cookie theft
Google Chrome is rolling out Device Bound Session Credentials (DBSC), a feature designed to block account takeovers even when attackers steal session cookies. The protection relies on a private key locked inside a device's security chip.
Ars Technica · 12 Aug, 02:18
Reddit user shares photos of apparent Xbox Elite 3 prototype pad
A Redditor claims to have bought a prototype Xbox Elite Series 3 controller for $200 on OfferUp, revealing a previously unseen built-in screen. The photos also show new scroll wheels, extra rear paddles and repair-friendly design features.
The Verge · 12 Aug, 02:16
Russian-made drones found near key European gas site are blown up in Black Sea
Romanian army divers destroyed two Russian-made drones found drifting near the Neptun Deep gas project in the Black Sea. Ukraine confirmed the systems do not belong to it.
Ars Technica · 12 Aug, 01:18
FCC filing hints at new Sonos headphones arriving this fall
A filing with the US Federal Communications Commission reveals details about upcoming Sonos wireless headphones with model number S52A, likely a successor to the 2024 Sonos Ace.
The Verge · 12 Aug, 01:18
Accel closes oversubscribed $550M India fund within weeks
Venture firm Accel has closed a new $550 million India-focused fund, oversubscribed and raised within weeks, less than two years after its previous India vehicle. The fund is part of a broader $3.5 billion coordinated global fundraise.
TechCrunch AI · 12 Aug, 01:16
Report: Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni reportedly knew about Phia's 'cookie stuffing' for months
A new Bloomberg investigation claims shopping startup Phia's founders knew about improper affiliate credit practices since December, despite earlier public denials.
TechCrunch · 12 Aug, 01:15
airBaltic shifts course: smaller fleet, new financing needed
Latvia's national airline airBaltic is preparing a new business plan that calls for shrinking rather than expanding its fleet and focusing on its most profitable routes from Riga, while the company still needs hundreds of millions of euros in new financing.
LSM · 12 Aug, 00:24
FBI warns hackers are breaking into online accounts to steal intimate images
The FBI has issued a public alert warning that cybercriminals are hacking into the social media accounts of adults and children to steal intimate images and videos, often using the material for extortion or publishing it online.
TechCrunch · 12 Aug, 00:23
Appeals court rules Meta can't dodge $1.4 trillion states' lawsuit before trial
A US appeals court rejected Meta's bid to halt a multistate lawsuit over social media's impact on youth, ruling that Section 230 disputes must be resolved through trial rather than an early appeal.
Ars Technica · 12 Aug, 00:21
US government workers cleared to use TikTok on official devices again
A new OMB memo says federal employees may now use TikTok on government devices, formally ending the 2022 ban.
Engadget · 12 Aug, 00:15
OpenAI releases ChatGPT desktop app for Linux
OpenAI has launched a ChatGPT desktop app for Linux, completing its rollout across every major desktop operating system. The app is currently available in preview for several popular Linux distributions.
TechCrunch AI · 11 Aug, 23:20
ChatGPT and Gemini both cross the 1 billion user mark
Both OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini have now surpassed 1 billion users, though on different timelines and measured differently, showing how tightly the AI chatbot race has become.
The Verge · 11 Aug, 23:18
Uber surprises Serve Robotics by offloading its entire stake
Uber has sold its complete stake in autonomous delivery robot company Serve Robotics, a firm it spun off and partnered with for years. Serve says it only learned of the sale once it was officially disclosed.
TechCrunch · 11 Aug, 23:15
Google's Gemini app hits one billion monthly users
Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that the Gemini app has surpassed one billion monthly active users, becoming the 14th Google product to reach that milestone. This puts Gemini on pace with OpenAI's ChatGPT, which crossed the same threshold in June.
TechCrunch · 11 Aug, 22:19
Meta brings Threads to Quest VR headsets
Meta has released a Threads app for its Meta Quest virtual reality headsets, extending the social platform's reach into VR. The app carries over most of Threads' core features.
The Verge · 11 Aug, 22:15
Flight-tracking service FlightAware sues prediction market Kalshi over data use
FlightAware has filed a lawsuit accusing prediction market platform Kalshi of using its flight data and trademark without authorization to run gambling-style markets on flight cancellations. The company is seeking damages and a permanent injunction.
Engadget · 11 Aug, 22:15
OpenAI's longtime COO Brad Lightcap departs to 'start something new'
Brad Lightcap, OpenAI's chief operating officer, has announced he is leaving the company to pursue a new venture. His departure comes amid a broader wave of executive changes at the AI firm ahead of its planned IPO.
TechCrunch AI · 11 Aug, 21:22
Kulbergs: airBaltic's situation is very serious, new business plan sets direction
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs told a Tuesday cabinet meeting that airBaltic's approved business plan points in the right direction but warned the airline's situation remains very serious. Creditors' response over the coming weeks will be decisive.
Latvijas Avīze · 11 Aug, 21:21
Bluesky's active user base shrinks as company shifts focus beyond the app
Bluesky's mobile app has lost over a quarter of its monthly active users year-over-year and more than half since its late-2024 peak, even as the company pivots toward expanding its underlying AT Proto protocol rather than the app itself.
TechCrunch · 11 Aug, 21:20
Electric Motorcycle Boom Sweeps Developing Countries
With gas prices remaining high, more people in developing countries are switching to battery-powered motorcycles. The New York Times examined the trend on a test ride in Lahore, Pakistan.
The New York Times · 11 Aug, 21:19
Another OpenAI executive departs as Brad Lightcap heads for new venture
Brad Lightcap, OpenAI's special projects lead and former COO, is leaving the company after eight years to pursue something new. His exit adds to a string of recent high-profile departures from OpenAI's leadership team.
The Verge · 11 Aug, 21:18
FDA report: less than 2.5% of Taylor Farms' recalled lettuce went to Taco Bell
A new FDA enforcement report shows that most of the Cyclospora-contaminated lettuce behind a nationwide outbreak went not to Taco Bell but to Walmart and Taylor Farms' own brand. The outbreak has sickened over 23,000 people across 47 states and killed two.
Ars Technica · 11 Aug, 21:17
Russia's Central Bank clears Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT for exchange trading, caps retail access
Russia's Central Bank has authorized Bitcoin, Ethereum and the USDT stablecoin for exchange trading, while setting an annual cap on how much nonqualified investors can buy.
Meduza · 11 Aug, 21:16
How to fix stick drift on PS5 and Xbox controllers
Stick drift is a common issue on PS5 DualSense and Xbox Wireless Controllers, but it can often be resolved through cleaning, resetting or firmware updates. Users whose controllers are still under warranty are advised to seek repair or replacement from Sony or Microsoft rather than opening the device themselves.
Engadget · 11 Aug, 20:22
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Kulbergs: airBaltic situation is very serious, must be discussed openly
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has stated that the situation at national airline airBaltic is very serious and called for open, clear communication with the public about it.
TVNET · 11 Aug, 20:18
French property buyers now prioritise thermal comfort over south-facing views amid heatwaves
As heatwaves recur across France, home buyers are increasingly judging properties by how well they stay cool rather than by traditionally desirable south-facing exposure. A survey shows most French people feel discomfort from heat at home, and one in three would consider moving because of it.
Euronews Business · 11 Aug, 20:16
Sanctions against Mere owner leave Latvian food producers facing losses
Sanctions imposed on the owner of the Mere retail chain have caused several hundred thousand euros in losses for food producers operating in Latvia, who can neither recover delivered goods nor collect payment for products already sold. Businesses are calling on the government to help find a solution.
Dienas Bizness · 11 Aug, 20:15
Finance Ministry: food prices to keep falling this year, rise expected next year
Latvia's Finance Ministry expects annual food price deflation to continue for the rest of this year, but says a food price increase is likely unavoidable next year. July brought the first month-on-month drop in consumer prices since the start of the year.
Jauns.lv · 11 Aug, 19:20
Joby Aviation acquires defense tech firm Resonant Sciences for $500M
Electric air taxi maker Joby Aviation has agreed to buy Ohio-based Resonant Sciences for $500 million, expanding its defense business and gaining a revenue-generating unit.
TechCrunch · 11 Aug, 19:16
New Ernests Gulbis tennis centre in Piņķi to cost €13 million
A new tennis and padel centre bearing Ernests Gulbis's name is under construction in Piņķi, with total project investment reaching €13 million, financed by Bigbank.
Dienas Bizness · 11 Aug, 19:14
Zoom fixes security flaw found with fewer than 20 AI prompts
Zoom has patched a serious security vulnerability that researchers at A Security uncovered using publicly available AI models. The flaw could have let an attacker seize control of a victim's device during a meeting without any action on their part.
The Verge · 11 Aug, 18:20
Russian Wheat Exports Could Hit Decade Low in August
Escalating Black Sea vessel attacks have created severe port bottlenecks, threatening to push Russia's August wheat exports to their lowest level in about a decade. The resulting glut is pushing down domestic grain prices.
The Moscow Times · 11 Aug, 18:19