Business & Technology

HP HyperX Omen 15 review: New-gen gaming at a higher price
The HP HyperX Omen 15 replaces the budget-friendly Victus 15, but its $1,200 starting price is far above its predecessor’s $800. It brings an RTX 5050 GPU, a brighter 16:10 display, and a 1080p webcam, while still cutting corners elsewhere.
The Verge · 2 Aug, 17:54

Australian house prices fall as downturn spreads; Brisbane drops after 40-month streak
House prices have declined across most of Australia since May, with Brisbane ending a historic 40-month run, according to Cotality data, as higher interest rates, the US-Iran conflict and tax changes cool demand.
The Guardian World · 2 Aug, 17:54

Drought forces Serbia to cut hydropower output
Serbia has sharply reduced electricity generation at its hydroelectric plants because the Danube's water level has dropped to a record low amid drought, the energy minister announced on Sunday.
TVNET · 2 Aug, 17:52

How to solve common Bluetooth speaker problems
Bluetooth speakers often face connection and audio issues, but many can be fixed with simple troubleshooting steps such as restarting devices, re-pairing, checking volume levels, and reducing interference.
Engadget · 2 Aug, 17:50

AI startup Pippa pays artists royalties — but can it overcome AI ethics doubts?
AI startup Pippa pays artists royalties for using their styles, but it still relies on models trained on scraped internet content, drawing skepticism about its ethical claims.
The Verge · 2 Aug, 16:56

Does using your phone while charging harm battery life?
Using a smartphone while it is charging will not generally reduce its battery's lifespan, though the charging speed may decrease. Modern devices include technologies such as bypass charging and heat management to prevent overheating.
Engadget · 2 Aug, 16:52

Foldable phones have become boring — and that's great news for Apple
After years of rapid improvement, foldable phones have matured into a niche product. Apple's first foldable iPhone, expected next month, might change that.
The Verge · 2 Aug, 15:58

Trump has found a new legal basis for tariffs, raising threat to global trade
After the Supreme Court limited his emergency tariff powers, Trump has turned to a rarely used provision of the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act that could give him sweeping authority. The move heightens concerns that his trade war may become difficult to stop.
The Guardian World · 2 Aug, 15:56

8 Best Password Managers (2026), Tested and Reviewed
WIRED has tested and reviewed eight password managers, finding Bitwarden the best for most people and Proton Pass the best free option.
Wired · 2 Aug, 14:52
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Best Car Vacuums 2026: Handheld, Cordless, and Shopping Tips
Wired's expert tested multiple vacuums for car cleaning and picked the best models, from compact handhelds to versatile cordless options.
Wired · 2 Aug, 13:49

Millionaire migration hits historic record as wealthy seek safety
More than 140,000 millionaires changed their country of residence in 2025, a record. Safety and political uncertainty now drive moves more than tax advantages.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Aug, 10:50

New EU Rules Will Reveal How Deeply AI Is Embedded in Daily Life
New European Union rules require people to be told when they interact with AI or view AI-generated or edited content, raising concerns about "disclosure fatigue".
Wired · 2 Aug, 09:50

EVs and hybrids take nearly half of Australian new car sales as fuel prices rise
New data from the Australian Automobile Association shows electric and hybrid vehicles made up almost half of new car sales in Australia between April and June, while fuel prices are expected to rise again as government subsidies end.
The Guardian World · 2 Aug, 08:56

Dreo's August Flash Sale Cuts Chefmaker Price in Half, Discounts Misting Fan
Dreo's three-day flash sale runs from August 1 to 3, halving the price of its Chefmaker combi air fryer and offering 30% off a new misting tower fan.
Wired · 2 Aug, 07:56

Average weekly electricity price on exchange drops to 2.46 cents per kWh
Last week, the average electricity price in the Estonian price zone of the Nord Pool exchange halved to 2.46 cents per kilowatt-hour. Prices in Latvia and Lithuania averaged about 3.8 cents, while in Finland they were 1.47 cents.
ERR (rus) · 2 Aug, 07:55

Waze or Google Maps: How to Choose the Right Navigation App for Your Trip
The choice between Waze and Google Maps depends on driving habits: Waze suits daily commutes in Latvia, while Google Maps is better for travel abroad and public transport users.
Jauns.lv · 2 Aug, 07:49

Fruit flies use memory, not just reflexes, to track scent plumes
Scientists have found that fruit flies rely on short-term memories of odor plume edges rather than only reflexive responses to locate food. The discovery challenges the classic surge-and-cast model and shows how a tiny brain can store spatial goals.
Ars Technica · 2 Aug, 06:54

Defcon's new badge hides an open-source security chip inside
This year's Defcon badges, created by hardware hacker Andrew "bunnie" Huang, feature a transparent, removable open-source chip that can be used as a security key after the conference.
Ars Technica · 2 Aug, 05:55

Judge orders Waymo to halt overnight charging in Santa Monica after noise complaints
A California judge has banned Waymo from overnight charging at two Santa Monica lots, citing residents' complaints over noise and light pollution as part of a public nuisance lawsuit.
Ars Technica · 2 Aug, 04:54
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Quiz: Can you identify a car by its headlights?
TVNET has prepared a quiz where participants must identify a car make by looking only at its headlights. Anyone interested can test their skills.
TVNET · 2 Aug, 04:52

Reddit CEO questions Google AI Overviews' value as shares dip
Reddit's chief executive used the company's latest earnings report to cast doubt on Google's AI-generated search summaries, arguing they have yet to provide the benefits that traditional link lists delivered.
Ars Technica · 2 Aug, 03:56

The Mermaid Mask offers a captivating murder mystery aboard a submarine
SFB Games’ new point-and-click adventure The Mermaid Mask is out now for Nintendo Switch, PC, and PS5. In a review, The Verge praises the game’s engaging story, memorable characters, and satisfying finale despite some frustrating puzzle pacing.
The Verge · 2 Aug, 02:53
Silicon carbon batteries promise longer phone runtimes, but shorter lifespans
Smartphones are increasingly adopting silicon carbon batteries, which offer significantly higher capacity and faster charging, but may have a shorter lifespan than traditional lithium-ion cells.
Engadget · 2 Aug, 02:53

California raises minimum wage to $17.40 as governor takes aim at Trump
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state's minimum wage will increase to $17.40 next year, the highest in the US. The move, effective January 1, comes with criticism of the federal minimum wage and the Trump administration.
The Guardian World · 2 Aug, 01:52

CarPlay not working? Here are the first things to check
If CarPlay stops working, most issues can be solved with simple steps like restarting devices, enabling Siri, changing the cable, or re-pairing the connection. This article walks through the key troubleshooting checks from basic to advanced.
Engadget · 2 Aug, 00:54

Pixel 11 lineup specs and prices leak: price hikes and RAM cuts
Android Headlines has published what it claims are full Pixel 11 series specs and prices, pointing to higher costs and reduced RAM on several models.
The Verge · 2 Aug, 00:49

Angela Nissel on grief, humor, and the complicated legacy of Okayplayer
Angela Nissel’s latest memoir tackles terminal illness with gallows humor, as she reflects on her career, from The Broke Diaries to co-founding Okayplayer, and shares the tools and habits she relies on every day.
The Verge · 1 Aug, 23:53

Judge denies xAI's bid to block Minnesota's 'nudify' app ban
A federal judge has ruled that Minnesota's first-of-its-kind ban on apps that can create nude images of people without consent can take effect while xAI's legal challenge proceeds, citing the company's delayed filing.
TechCrunch · 1 Aug, 23:51

Four US Families Sue Meta, TikTok, Snap and Google Over Child Deaths
The Social Media Victims Law Center has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Meta, TikTok, Snap and Google, accusing the platforms of contributing to the deaths of four minors via addictive designs and harmful content.
Engadget · 1 Aug, 22:55

Engineers race to stabilize satellite bound for NASA's Swift rescue
Katalyst Space Technologies is working to regain control of its Link satellite after an unexpected spin threatens its mission to boost NASA's Swift observatory.
Ars Technica · 1 Aug, 22:54

YouTuber Hank Green apologizes for AI chatbot use, plans to slow down
Hank Green, a popular YouTuber and author, apologized to his audience after a video appeared to include AI-generated script. He admitted to using ChatGPT for research and said he will reduce his video output.
TechCrunch · 1 Aug, 22:51

YouTuber Hank Green apologizes for AI chatbot reliance, will slow down video output
Hank Green, a novelist and YouTuber with 3.2 million subscribers, has apologized after viewers suspected a chatbot wrote part of his script. He says he'll reduce video production and reassess his use of AI tools.
TechCrunch AI · 1 Aug, 22:50

Billboard Hot 100 hit 'Rubberz' sparks AI-generated speculation
Fenix Flexin's solo track 'Rubberz' debuted at No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100, immediately raising questions about whether it was largely created by artificial intelligence. The rapper denies the claims, but a range of digital artifacts and live performance issues keep the controversy alive.
The Verge · 1 Aug, 21:54

What is USB tethering and how to enable it
USB tethering lets a computer use a phone's cellular connection over a cable, offering a stable and less visible connection. Here's how to set it up on Android and iPhone, and what to keep in mind.
Engadget · 1 Aug, 21:52

Smartphone buying vs subscribing: new ownership models reshape the market
Smartphone makers are increasingly offering leasing and subscription plans to counter longer replacement cycles and high prices, though outright purchases are unlikely to disappear.
TechCrunch · 1 Aug, 21:50

OpenAI CEO touts ChatGPT-powered family morning podcasts; creator of 'Gravity Falls' pushes back
Sam Altman suggested families use ChatGPT Work to generate personalized morning podcasts for school drives. A viral reply from 'Gravity Falls' creator Alex Hirsch questioned the need for technology in parent-child conversation.
TechCrunch · 1 Aug, 20:55