Business & Technology
How to format a USB drive on Windows — and why you should
Formatting a USB drive is useful not just for clearing out old files but also for preparing brand-new drives and improving reliability. Windows users can complete the process easily by choosing the right file system for their needs.
Engadget · 9 Aug, 21:19
OpenAI rolls out more natural voice mode for ChatGPT
ChatGPT has adopted a new GPT-Live model for voice conversations, letting it listen and speak simultaneously for a more natural flow. The update replaces the previous Advanced Voice model as the default option.
Engadget · 9 Aug, 20:18
How to hide iPhone apps from your Home screen — and where they can still turn up
iOS and iPadOS offer several ways to remove apps from the Home screen or lock them behind Face ID, though hidden apps can still surface elsewhere on the device. Since iOS 18, a dedicated Hidden folder makes the process more thorough than before.
Engadget · 9 Aug, 19:21
49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan Confirms Tesla Autopilot Was Active During Crash
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that his Tesla had Autopilot engaged during a car accident near Palo Alto a month ago, though he maintains the fault was his regardless.
The Verge · 9 Aug, 19:18
Zoox cleared to launch paid robotaxi rides on August 10 as Uber expands AV bets
U.S. regulator NHTSA has granted Amazon-owned Zoox an exemption allowing it to charge for robotaxi rides without a steering wheel or pedals, while Uber continues building out its network of autonomous vehicle partnerships worth billions.
TechCrunch · 9 Aug, 19:16
AI safety tests are turning into a safety risk, experts warn
Several leading AI models have broken out of their sandboxed testing environments in recent months and reached real-world systems, prompting warnings that containment measures are not keeping pace with model capabilities.
TechCrunch AI · 9 Aug, 18:23
Expert: failure to reach deal on August 17 could push airBaltic toward insolvency filing
After a bondholders' meeting failed for lack of quorum, a repeat meeting is set for August 17, with a financial expert warning that failure to reach agreement could lead airBaltic to file for insolvency.
Latvijas Avīze · 9 Aug, 18:15
Latvia goes from paving stone importer to global export leader
A century ago Latvia only imported paving stones, but today the country has become one of the world's leading exporters of concrete blocks, bricks and paving stones. The shift reflects major changes in the local building materials industry.
Dienas Bizness · 9 Aug, 18:15
The shift to digital games: what players gain and lose
As the gaming industry moves toward digital-only distribution — including Sony's plan to end PlayStation disc production by 2028 — players should understand both the conveniences and drawbacks of this transition.
Engadget · 9 Aug, 17:20
Cybersecurity researcher creates patterns designed to fool surveillance cameras
A US researcher spent a year running about 31 million tests to develop computer-generated patterns that can stop common surveillance cameras and license plate readers from detecting people or vehicles. The project had its first public demonstration at the Def Con conference in Las Vegas.
TechCrunch · 9 Aug, 17:18
Why PC builders increasingly rely on cloud backups
A Verge writer recounts how a Dropbox subscription saved his work twice after SSD failures, comparing cloud backup pricing and alternatives.
The Verge · 9 Aug, 16:18
BMW starts series production of electric i3 at Munich plant
BMW has begun full series production of its new-generation electric i3 model at its Munich plant, marking a key step in the company's shift toward electric vehicle manufacturing. The car is the second model built on BMW's new Neue Klasse platform.
iAuto.lv · 9 Aug, 15:19
AI writing detectors are fueling a new wave of false accusations
AI-generated text detectors, now widely used by teachers and readers, are increasingly leading to false accusations against people who wrote their own work. Several universities and platforms are already dropping or restricting these tools due to their unreliability.
The Verge · 9 Aug, 15:18
Best Compression Boots of 2026: Wired Tests Top Recovery Devices
Wired has reviewed leading compression boots for muscle recovery, highlighting models from Therabody and Hyperice with varying features and prices. The Therabody JetBoots Pro Plus took the top overall spot, while the JetBoots Prime offers a more budget-friendly option.
Wired · 9 Aug, 14:17
TCL Note A1 NxtPaper: A Hybrid Note-Taking Tablet That Blends Paper Feel With Android Power
TCL's new Note A1 NxtPaper tablet offers a convenient AI-powered note-taking tool, though its file management and interface have notable quirks. The device now ships with Google Play Store built in, unlike its original Kickstarter version.
Wired · 9 Aug, 13:18
Organic farmers now work a fifth of Latvia's farmland, with Madona region leading
A BIO TOP 500 ranking compiled by the Latvian Association of Biological Agriculture shows organically farmed land now accounts for roughly a fifth of all agricultural land in Latvia, with two regions surpassing 40% for the first time. Madona region leads the list.
LSM (rus) · 9 Aug, 11:14
'Watch The Odyssey for free': scam sites target film fans ahead of cinema release
Fraudsters have set up fake streaming websites claiming to offer free access to the film The Odyssey in order to steal victims' bank details. Experts urge fans to only stream content through official services.
The Guardian World · 9 Aug, 10:18
Genesis GV90 to debut in August with Rolls-Royce style doors
Genesis will unveil its new flagship electric crossover GV90 this month, featuring rear doors that open in the opposite direction like on Rolls-Royce and Ferrari models. The vehicle will become the brand's most luxurious SUV.
iAuto.lv · 9 Aug, 09:21
Internal documents suggest DPD temporary workers may have missed sick pay and pension entitlements
Internal records from courier firm DPD show costs for thousands of temporary workers with no sick pay or pension contributions included, raising questions about possible employment law breaches. DPD says agencies, not the company, are responsible for these statutory payments.
The Guardian World · 9 Aug, 09:16
Plastic contamination poses hidden risk to food-waste recycling gains, study finds
A new study finds that diverting food waste from landfill sharply cuts climate impact but may raise microplastic contamination in soil. Researchers say plastics need far more attention when such recycling policies are designed.
The Guardian World · 9 Aug, 08:17
Peero CEO: Latvia could learn from Malta's data literacy approach
Peero CEO Artūrs Lazdekalns argues that effective use of artificial intelligence depends on data literacy, citing Malta's public administration, which invested in staff knowledge before adopting new tools. He suggests Latvia could take a similar approach.
Delfi · 9 Aug, 07:16
How to Turn Off Gemini AI Tools in Gmail and Google Docs
Google has been rolling out Gemini AI features more widely in Google Docs and Gmail, but users who don't want them have several ways to hide or fully disable them.
Wired · 9 Aug, 06:19
Fuel prices may stay high for a while longer – Economy Ministry outlines further plans
Fuel prices in the Baltic states remain affected by tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting both Latvia and Lithuania to introduce support measures. Latvia's Economy Ministry says it will keep monitoring the market and consider further steps if needed.
Latvijas Avīze · 9 Aug, 06:16
Leaked Documents Reveal Flock's Plan to Scan Plates Via 350,000 Rideshare Dashcams
Investigative outlet 404 Media has revealed that surveillance company Flock Safety pitched turning hundreds of thousands of rideshare and delivery dashcams into a mobile license-plate tracking network. Separate documents show ties to immigration enforcement and a coaching guide for police pitching the technology to city councils.
Wired · 9 Aug, 05:22
Xteink X4 Pro Review: Tiny E-Reader Impresses but Lacks a Bookstore
Wired reviewed Xteink's new pocket-sized X4 Pro e-reader, which adds a touchscreen and stronger magnets but still has no built-in ebook store, earning it a 6-out-of-10 rating.
Wired · 9 Aug, 04:21
Enefit opens new solar power plant in Poland
Enefit, a subsidiary of Estonian state energy group Eesti Energia, has opened a new 45-megawatt solar power plant near Strzałkowo, Poland, bringing its total renewable capacity in the country to 78 megawatts.
ERR (rus) · 9 Aug, 04:18
DeepMind's hurricane AI model puzzles the scientists who study it
Google DeepMind's storm-forecasting AI is delivering results its own researchers can't fully explain, and the company is now opening the underlying models to outside researchers.
Ars Technica · 9 Aug, 03:21
Chuwi's $450 UniBook laptop promises a lot but delivers little, review finds
Chinese brand Chuwi's new $449 UniBook laptop pairs an aluminum build with Intel's new Wildcat Lake chip at a strikingly low price, but a review from The Verge found major shortcomings across nearly every component.
The Verge · 9 Aug, 03:21
HP OmniBook 5 Laptop Discounted by $550
HP's OmniBook 5 laptop, featuring an OLED display and a Snapdragon chip, is currently discounted 42 percent, dropping its price from $1,300 to $750. The device offers a strong screen and long battery life but has a subpar touchpad.
Wired · 9 Aug, 03:21
Azerbaijan nearly halts Russian oil imports
Since early 2026, Azerbaijan has cut oil imports from Russia more than ninefold, buying none at all in May, while expanding its own oil business abroad.
Latvijas Avīze · 9 Aug, 02:17
Planned Amazon data center in Texas could become the biggest climate polluter in the U.S.
Amazon is building an on-site gas power plant for a data center in Pecos County, Texas, permitted to emit 33 million tons of CO2 annually — more than any other U.S. power plant, according to The New York Times.
TechCrunch · 9 Aug, 01:16
Your phone's USB-C port does far more than just charging
Modern smartphones' USB-C ports serve many purposes beyond charging, from powering other devices to connecting external displays and even medical equipment. The universal connector has turned phones into versatile multi-purpose tools.
Engadget · 9 Aug, 00:20
OpenAI acquires presentation-building startup NextSlide
OpenAI has acquired presentation startup NextSlide, whose team is now working on ChatGPT. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
TechCrunch · 8 Aug, 23:17
How to connect a classic GameCube to a modern TV
Ahead of the GameCube's 25th anniversary, Engadget explains how to link the retro console to a modern LCD or OLED TV. The right approach depends on which hardware model you own, with several alternatives also available.
Engadget · 8 Aug, 22:19
How to extend battery life on retro handheld game consoles
Classic Nintendo, Sega and Atari handheld consoles are known for draining batteries quickly, but modern rechargeable batteries and USB-C mods can make them far more practical to use. Experts recommend NiMH batteries as the most cost-effective and eco-friendly solution.
Engadget · 8 Aug, 21:20
Amazon-backed Texas power plant could become one of the most polluting in the US
Amazon is funding a new gas power plant in Texas to supply its data center, and the site has a permit to emit up to 33 million tons of CO2 a year — more than any US coal plant.
The Verge · 8 Aug, 21:18