Business & Technology
Phoebe Gates' AI Shopping App Phia Allegedly Claimed Unearned Affiliate Sales via Fake Clicks
The AI shopping browser extension Phia, co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, has been accused of using 'cookie stuffing' to claim commissions on sales it didn't generate. Investigations by multiple parties found the app taking credit for referrals it didn't drive, which the company blames on a bug.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 23:36
Oregon Attorney General withdraws effort to delay Paramount and Warner Bros. merger
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield has withdrawn his request to delay the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger, but the office continues to consider next steps.
The Verge · 11 Jul, 22:37
Philips offers free replacements after update bricks smart lighting hubs
Philips confirmed that a June software update specifically bricked some Hue Bridge Pro devices under certain conditions, and is offering free replacements regardless of warranty.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 21:37
Camera-less smart glasses: Even Realities G2 puts productivity first
The Even Realities G2 smart glasses skip cameras and speakers to focus on productivity, featuring a monochrome heads-up display visible in any light.
TechCrunch · 11 Jul, 20:36
FL Studio CEO Constantin Koehncke turns to Reddit for feedback and fun
Image Line CEO Constantin Koehncke discusses the future of the company, the role of AI in music creation, and his daily routine, which includes active participation on Reddit and FL Studio forums.
The Verge · 11 Jul, 19:37
OpenAI's Head of Safety Leaves as Part of Company Reorganization
Johannes Heidecke, OpenAI's head of safety systems, is leaving the company amid a major restructuring that merges research and safety teams under a single executive.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 19:37
Russia Continues Pirated BMW Production Without Permission
Despite BMW's exit from Russia after the war in Ukraine, the Kaliningrad plant of former partner Avtotor is assembling SUVs without authorization, selling them at luxury prices. The vehicles lack quality control and use local parts.
ERR (rus) · 11 Jul, 18:37
Nintendo’s Talking Flower Gets a Small Price Cut
The Nintendo Talking Flower, a toy based on a character from Super Mario Bros. Wonder, has received a price reduction from $34.99 to $29.99 at Amazon and Walmart.
The Verge · 11 Jul, 18:37
Which USB Port Should You Use for Your Mouse and Keyboard?
To save high-speed ports for more demanding devices, mice and keyboards should be plugged into the slowest USB 2.0 ports available.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 18:36
OpenAI targets families with dedicated product manager for household AI
OpenAI is hiring a product manager focused on families, caregivers, and seniors, as ChatGPT's user base ages and parents increasingly use the platform.
TechCrunch AI · 11 Jul, 17:38
Engadget review recap: Steam Machine, Samsung Music Studio 7, Oura Ring 5 and more
Engadget has compiled its latest product reviews, covering the Valve Steam Machine, Samsung Music Studio 7, Oura Ring 5, HP OmniBook Ultra 14, and Alienware 34 QD-OLED monitor.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 17:38
OpenAI bets on families as ChatGPT goes deeper into households
OpenAI is hiring a product manager to build experiences for families, caregivers, and older adults, as ChatGPT's user base ages and expands beyond individual users.
TechCrunch · 11 Jul, 17:37
White House taps Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb to lead UFO advisory group
The White House has established a UAP Science Advisory Council led by Avi Loeb, a Harvard astrophysicist known for controversial claims about aliens, including that Oumuamua was an alien probe.
The Verge · 11 Jul, 17:37
ICE officer kills innocent man in Texas as agency faces criticism for violence
An ICE officer shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a father of three who had lived in the US for 35 years. ICE claimed he tried to weaponize his vehicle, but video suggests otherwise. The incident is part of a pattern of ICE violence and lack of accountability.
The Verge · 11 Jul, 16:37
Estonia's new state workboat powered by biomethane from Saaremaa cattle manure
The Estonian State Fleet will soon receive a new workboat that runs on compressed biomethane produced from cow manure on the island of Saaremaa. The vessel, built by Baltic Workboats, features a unique fuel system with interchangeable gas containers.
ERR News · 11 Jul, 16:37
Samsung Gallery to End OneDrive Syncing in September 2026
Samsung and Microsoft are discontinuing direct OneDrive integration in the Samsung Gallery app. Users will need to use the OneDrive app itself or alternative services after the deadline.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 16:36
The Verge recommends: iFixit repair kit, Nothing earbuds, and more tech picks
David Pierce's latest Installer newsletter features recommendations including the iFixit Megalodon Driver Kit, Nothing Earbuds 3A, Ugmonk Analog cards, and other tech and lifestyle products.
The Verge · 11 Jul, 15:38
A Jupiter-size planet that escaped its star's death
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered that the planet WD 1856 b, orbiting a dead star, is unexpectedly hot and contains methane, indicating an unusual migration history.
Ars Technica · 11 Jul, 15:37
ORIGAME DIGITAL Announces ‘Penguin Colony’ – Lovecraftian Horror Through the Eyes of a Penguin
Independent studio ORIGAME DIGITAL, known for the award-winning ‘Umurangi Generation’, has announced its next project: ‘Penguin Colony’, a Lovecraftian horror game exploring colonial indifference as experienced by an Antarctic penguin. Scheduled for 2026 on PC and Nintendo Switch 2.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 15:36
Beatbot AquaSense X Review: Self-Cleaning Station Promises Less Work for Pool Owners
The Beatbot AquaSense X is a new pool cleaning robot with a self-cleaning station called AstroRinse. Its performance is similar to the previous model, but the new system simplifies maintenance.
Wired · 11 Jul, 14:37
Microsoft, Amazon and Google carbon emissions rise to a third of France's
The combined carbon emissions of Microsoft, Amazon and Google have increased by nearly a fifth in the past year, reaching 119 million metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent – about a third of France's total emissions.
The Guardian World · 11 Jul, 14:37
New indie games: Palworld 1.0, Tiny Bookshop mobile, and more
This week's indie game roundup highlights the full release of Palworld 1.0, the mobile launch of Tiny Bookshop, and several other new and upcoming titles.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 14:37
Wall Street’s new obsession: reading Washington
Investors are trying to stay ahead of a president whose announcements can move markets overnight, from Intel to AI.
Politico Europe · 11 Jul, 13:37
Japan Successfully Tests Reusable Rocket Prototype
Japan's space agency JAXA has successfully tested the RV-X reusable rocket prototype, which launched and landed at about 10 meters altitude. This marks a step toward cheaper space launches, competing with SpaceX and China.
TVNET · 11 Jul, 13:36
Samsung Micro RGB R95H Review: New Display Tech Falls Short
The Samsung Micro RGB R95H offers easy setup and a great AI Soccer Mode Pro, but its color reproduction and picture customization lag behind competitors LG and Hisense.
Wired · 11 Jul, 13:36
Joolca Hottap Go portable shower: expensive but effective for hot showers anywhere
The Australian company Joolca's Hottap Go portable shower features an integrated water tank and recirculation system, but costs up to $719.
The Verge · 11 Jul, 10:37
Meta ditches Muse Image AI feature over privacy backlash
Meta has discontinued its newly launched AI feature “Muse Image” that let users generate images from public Instagram accounts, after facing widespread criticism over privacy concerns, including from Hollywood union SAG-AFTRA.
The Guardian World · 11 Jul, 08:38
Small businesses in Latvia most concerned about rising costs and inflation
A survey shows that 35% of Latvian small business owners consider inflation and rising operating costs as the biggest risk by the end of the year, followed by energy and fuel price increases.
Jauns.lv · 11 Jul, 07:36
Aldis Ērglis: Smaller Teams, Greater Responsibility – How AI Transforms Organizations
Artificial intelligence is reshaping job roles and fostering a new type of specialist – the 'builder' – who combines multiple skills and shortens development cycles. Organizations must restructure teams to fully harness AI's potential.
Delfi · 11 Jul, 06:38
HyperTexting app turns the open web into a scrollable social media feed
A new iOS app called HyperTexting lets users browse the web like scrolling through social media and easily publish to personal websites.
TechCrunch · 11 Jul, 06:37
Disney Might Be Planning a Free Disney+ Tier
Disney is reportedly considering a free, ad-supported tier for Disney+ to attract younger viewers away from free platforms like YouTube.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 06:37
Spotify will let you fine-tune your weekly Release Radar playlist
Spotify introduces new controls to let listeners customize their weekly Release Radar playlist with options like genre focus and discovering new artists.
The Verge · 11 Jul, 06:37
Russian gasoline prices surge nearly 7% in June, up almost 20% year-on-year; Ukrainian drone strikes disrupt supply
According to Rosstat, Russian gasoline prices rose 6.88% in June 2026 compared to May, and are 19.90% higher than a year ago. The increase is attributed to reduced production due to Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries.
Meduza · 11 Jul, 05:38
Study reveals disparities in MMRV vaccine use among low-income and minority families
A new study in King County shows that the MMRV vaccine, which carries a slightly higher risk of febrile seizures, is disproportionately given to vulnerable groups, including low-income and minority toddlers.
Ars Technica · 11 Jul, 05:37
Volkswagen Group sees 5.8% drop in EV sales
In the first half of 2026, Volkswagen Group's electric vehicle sales fell 5.8% year-on-year, but the company maintained its market lead in Europe.
iAuto.lv · 11 Jul, 05:36
Ransomware negotiator who secretly aided attackers sentenced to 6 years
A former DigitalMint employee hired to negotiate ransomware payments on behalf of victims was sentenced to six years in prison for secretly colluding with the BlackCat ransomware group to maximize extortion amounts.
Ars Technica · 11 Jul, 04:37