Business & Technology (186)

X to replace revenue sharing program with new Original Content Rewards system

Elon Musk's X is phasing out its current creator revenue sharing program and launching a new Original Content Rewards system on September 8 that emphasizes originality. X will stop accepting new participants in the old program, while current members keep earning through September 7.

TechCrunch · 8 Aug, 20:19

Wired vs. wireless CarPlay: which connection type works better for you?

Apple CarPlay offers identical features whether connected by cable or wirelessly, but each option comes with distinct trade-offs depending on driving habits.

Engadget · 8 Aug, 20:19

Analysts name the deadliest cars on the road

US analytics platform iSeeCars has compiled a ranking of vehicles with the worst fatality statistics based on recent years of crash data, finding that even strong crash-test scores do not guarantee safety on the road.

Latvijas Avīze · 8 Aug, 20:17

Claude vs. ChatGPT: How the Two Leading AI Assistants Compare in 2026

A new comparison shows Anthropic's Claude and OpenAI's ChatGPT diverge in accuracy, features and public trust in 2026, even though everyday use feels nearly identical. The differences become clearer once benchmarks, tools and pricing are examined closely.

Engadget · 8 Aug, 19:21

Buc-ee's avoids John Oliver's challenge, sues small Ohio store instead

US gas station and convenience store chain Buc-ee's has ignored comedian John Oliver's public dare to sue him, instead filing a trademark lawsuit against a small, long-established family-run store in Ohio.

The Verge · 8 Aug, 19:19

Kindle Scribe Colorsoft: A fun color e-reader with a steep price and narrow appeal

After a two-month test, TechCrunch found the Amazon Kindle Scribe Colorsoft enjoyable for note-taking and reading, but its high price and large size make it a niche device rather than a must-have.

TechCrunch · 8 Aug, 19:18

Fan-made VR mod puts you inside Mario Kart 64's tracks

Developer RaYRoD TV has released a free VR mod for the 1997 classic Mario Kart 64 that places players in a first-person, head-tracked view. The mod, built on the existing SpaghettiKart PC port, is available on GitHub.

Engadget · 8 Aug, 18:19

Google's top hacker hunter explains the logic behind hacking group codenames

Google overhauled its naming system for hacking groups last month, replacing Mandiant's old APT numbering with memorable codenames. A company executive explains why consistent naming helps defenders track and respond to cyber threats.

TechCrunch · 8 Aug, 18:16

The hidden Apple Watch feature that gives a deeper look at your heart

Many Apple Watch owners overlook the built-in ECG app, which offers a far more detailed heart analysis than the standard heart rate monitor. The tool is available on most recent models, though not in every country.

Engadget · 8 Aug, 17:21

EU increases liquefied gas imports from Russia in June

EU countries imported 14% more liquefied natural gas from Russia in June than a year earlier, according to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

Apollo.lv · 8 Aug, 16:22

Estonia's exchange electricity price falls to 2.4 cents per kWh

In the week of August 3-9, the average electricity price in Estonia's Nord Pool price zone continued to decline, reaching 2.36 cents per kilowatt-hour, while Latvia and Lithuania saw notably higher prices.

ERR (rus) · 8 Aug, 16:21

Supernatural's fitness chief on relaunching the VR workout app after Meta cuts

After Meta slashed staff and paused new content for VR fitness app Supernatural, the platform is set to relaunch as an independent company later this year at higher prices. Head of Fitness Leanne Pedante explains what users can expect.

Engadget · 8 Aug, 16:19

Sharpest-Ever Photo of the Sun Reveals Long-Predicted Plasma Vortices

A new visible-light photograph of the Sun, the most precise ever captured, has allowed scientists to directly observe tiny plasma vortices that were theoretically predicted more than a century ago.

Wired · 8 Aug, 16:15

NASA's Perseverance rover proves autonomous driving success while probing Mars' ancient rocks

NASA's Perseverance rover, exploring some of the oldest known rocks in the Solar System within Jezero Crater, continues to perform well with its self-driving technology and shows little wear after years on Mars.

Ars Technica · 8 Aug, 15:20

South Korean Probe Captures First Images of Crater Left by SpaceX Rocket on the Moon

South Korea's Danuri lunar orbiter has taken the first before-and-after photos of the site where a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage struck the moon. The images confirm astronomers' predictions about the crater's size, adding to earlier telescope evidence of the impact.

Wired · 8 Aug, 15:18

The Verge's weekly roundup highlights the return of 'Ted Lasso'

The Verge's Installer newsletter this week spotlights the return of 'Ted Lasso' for a fourth season, alongside new bags, headphones and apps. The roundup also features reader recommendations for games, books and shows.

The Verge · 8 Aug, 15:17

Best Gaming Laptops of 2026: Razer, Asus, Dell and More Reviewed

Wired has rounded up its top gaming laptop picks for 2026, ranging from slim high-performance machines to budget options around $1,000. The list also covers experimental form factors like tablet-style and dual-screen devices.

Wired · 8 Aug, 14:16

Mere store closures over EU sanctions cause millions in losses for suppliers

The closure of the Mere retail chain due to EU sanctions has caused millions in losses for Latvian producers, whose goods sat stuck in warehouses for two weeks with no clarity on their fate. The Financial Intelligence Service has now allowed suppliers to retrieve products without special approval, though this does not resolve all their problems.

LSM · 8 Aug, 14:14

Chinese carmaker Zeekr enters the Latvian market

Chinese automaker Zeekr has entered the Latvian car market. Detailed information on specific models, pricing or dealers is not yet publicly available.

iAuto.lv · 8 Aug, 13:17

Security Researcher's 'No Reply' Domains Became an Accidental Trove of Company Secrets

By owning the domains noreply.us and noreply.net, security researcher Cory Solovewicz has received hundreds of thousands of automated emails containing sensitive company and personal data. He is now warning organizations about the misconfigurations behind the leaks.

Wired · 8 Aug, 13:16

WhatsApp Rolls Out @all Feature and Other Group Chat Upgrades

WhatsApp began gradually rolling out a new @all feature for group chats on August 4, alongside poll improvements and easier creation of smaller groups. The platform also plans to launch usernames later this year.

Wired · 8 Aug, 12:18

Fuel prices rise in Riga, fall in Tallinn and Vilnius

Over the past working week, fuel prices in Riga increased, while in Tallinn and Vilnius they decreased.

LSM (rus) · 8 Aug, 11:14

Nitecore's newest power bank is its lightest and most compact yet

Nitecore has released the fourth generation of its ultralight NB10000 power bank, now the lightest and most compact 10,000mAh charger on the market. The device targets outdoor enthusiasts and endurance athletes despite a higher price tag.

The Verge · 8 Aug, 10:18

LVRTC: Border security upgrade on Latvia-Belarus frontier proceeding on schedule

Latvia's State Radio and Television Centre says the installation of modern surveillance technology along the Latvia-Belarus border is proceeding as planned and will be completed by year's end. About half of the border section has already been handed over to border guards.

iAuto.lv · 8 Aug, 10:16

AI glasses spark serious privacy concerns

AI-powered glasses are a new technology trend, and their spread is raising serious concerns about privacy.

LSM · 8 Aug, 10:15

Volkswagen begins presales of new electric SUV ID. Aura T6 in China

FAW-Volkswagen has launched presales in China for the new electric mid-size crossover ID. Aura T6, equipped with modern technology and autonomous driving assistance systems.

iAuto.lv · 8 Aug, 08:19

Sony reportedly planning a cheaper version of its WH-1000XM4 headphones

Leaks suggest Sony will launch a more affordable, updated version of its six-year-old WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones in September, keeping most of the original's features at a lower price but with slightly reduced battery life.

The Verge · 8 Aug, 06:21

AI is reshaping cybersecurity — arming attackers as fast as defenders

Generative AI has become a powerful tool for cybercriminals, making sophisticated attacks accessible even to inexperienced actors. Security professionals are deploying AI defenses in response, but attackers still hold a significant edge.

Engadget · 8 Aug, 06:21

US watchdog: 96% of DOGE's claimed grant savings cannot be verified

The US Government Accountability Office says it could not confirm most of the savings claimed by the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, including nearly all of the $49.2 billion attributed to canceled grants.

Ars Technica · 8 Aug, 06:18

Leadership shake-up at Google's AI division sparks questions about the company's direction

Several senior members of Google's AI team, including longtime engineer Jeff Dean, changed roles this week, with some leaving the company entirely. The move has prompted discussion about whether it signals internal turmoil at Google.

The Verge · 8 Aug, 05:22

Europe's gas market squeezed by sanctions, Middle East tensions and a methane dispute

In July, Europe's gas market was shaped by three separate developments — a Greek concession unlocked a new EU sanctions package against Russia, renewed Middle East violence pushed gas prices higher, and the EU clashed with the oil and gas industry over new methane rules.

Politico Europe · 8 Aug, 05:21

New official 30th anniversary Quake mission pack adds fresh maps and mechanics

A new free campaign called Dawn of the Machine has been added to the remastered version of classic shooter Quake, introducing a time-loop structure and persistent upgrades. The release comes even as Microsoft's Xbox division has seen significant layoffs affecting original developer id Software.

Ars Technica · 8 Aug, 05:18

Microsoft Edge to phase out older extensions, cutting off uBlock Origin

Microsoft is gradually disabling Manifest V2 extensions in Edge, including the popular uBlock Origin ad blocker, following Google Chrome's earlier move. The consumer transition to MV3 should finish by the end of this year, with enterprise users affected starting early 2027.

The Verge · 8 Aug, 04:19

Overwatch 2 unveils new hero D.Mon and her mech Beast

Blizzard has revealed D.Mon, Overwatch's 53rd playable hero and 15th tank, blending abilities from D.Va and Reinhardt. The character arrives August 11 with Season 4: Heroes of Busan.

Engadget · 8 Aug, 04:19