Business & Technology

Netflix, Paramount, Sony and Others Reportedly in Talks to Buy Letterboxd
The film-focused social network Letterboxd is seeking new ownership, with major studios and investors including Netflix, Sony, and Paramount among interested parties.
Engadget · 10 Jul, 20:36

China Successfully Recovers Rocket First Stage for First Time
China on Friday successfully landed the first stage of its Long March-10B rocket after launch, marking the first recovery of a rocket stage for the country. SpaceX has been using similar technology for years.
Delfi · 10 Jul, 19:37

Delta: Higher airfares expected to last despite drop in oil prices
Delta Airlines expects airfares to remain elevated as travel demand stays strong despite recent declines in oil prices.
The Guardian World · 10 Jul, 19:37

Netflix is Turning into YouTube – New Content Strategy Raises Questions
Netflix expands its content lineup to include YouTube-style videos, leading experts to question the logic behind this move, given that no one has successfully competed with YouTube. Meanwhile, Meta's smart glasses strategy faces contradictions in privacy approach.
The Verge · 10 Jul, 19:37

Steam Machine Game Compatibility Now Visible — But Well Hidden
Valve has added Steam Machine game compatibility checks, but they are tucked away within the Steam Deck compatibility section.
Engadget · 10 Jul, 19:36

Disney+ Is Considering a Free Streaming Tier, Report Says
Disney+ may offer some content for free to compete with YouTube and Tubi, according to a Business Insider report.
TechCrunch · 10 Jul, 19:36

UK plans to force big tech platforms to ban scam ads
Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has proposed new measures requiring major online platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X to block fraudulent advertisers and prevent them from creating new accounts, as part of the next phase of the Online Safety Act to tackle online fraud.
The Guardian World · 10 Jul, 18:38

Hiboy P6 Fat Tire Electric Bike: Comfort and Power, But Not for Everyone
The Hiboy P6 fat tire e-bike offers comfort and power but may be awkward for shorter riders, as the manufacturer doesn't recommend it for people under 5'3".
Wired · 10 Jul, 18:37

Disney Plus reportedly exploring a free streaming tier
According to a Business Insider report, Disney Plus is considering offering some content for free to compete with YouTube.
The Verge · 10 Jul, 18:36
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EU Commission Warns Meta to Change Addictive Features on Facebook and Instagram
The European Commission demands Meta modify its social media platforms to protect users, especially children, from addictive design, or face a hefty fine.
Apollo.lv · 10 Jul, 17:37

EU threatens Meta with fines over addictive features on Facebook and Instagram
The European Commission announced that Meta is in breach of the Digital Services Act by using addictive design features. If Meta fails to make changes, it could face a fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover.
TechCrunch · 10 Jul, 17:37

Engadget Podcast Discusses Massive Xbox Layoffs and Future Industry Trends
The Engadget podcast covers Microsoft's layoff of 3,200 Xbox employees, the decline of the brand since Xbox One, and predictions for the gaming industry.
Engadget · 10 Jul, 17:37

Trump T1 phone review: expensive, ugly, and barely functional
After a week with the Trump Mobile T1, The Verge concludes it's a poorly designed, overpriced device that fails as a serious smartphone.
The Verge · 10 Jul, 17:36

China Becomes Second Country to Successfully Recover Rocket Booster
China has recovered a Long March 10B rocket booster using a net at sea, becoming the second nation to achieve reusable rocket technology, a major step toward its space power ambitions.
Engadget · 10 Jul, 16:37

Solar company Sunrun wants to turn your home into part of an AI data center
Sunrun, a U.S. solar and home battery storage company, launches a pilot program where customers can host small compute nodes at home for compensation. The company aims to sell this distributed computing power to AI firms, offering an alternative to traditional data centers.
The Verge · 10 Jul, 16:36

How to Share Your Location on an iPhone or Android Phone (2026 Guide)
Smartphones offer several easy ways to share your location, from Google Maps to Emergency SOS. This article summarizes updated instructions from July 2026 for various platforms.
Wired · 10 Jul, 15:38

Id Software Lays Off Half Its Staff; Doom: The Dark Ages Expansion Highlights Studio’s Craft
Id Software, the developer of Doom, laid off about half of its employees while releasing Revelations, an expansion for Doom: The Dark Ages that showcases the studio’s unique approach.
The Verge · 10 Jul, 15:38

Government Nears Decision on LMT and Tet Share Buyout: 23 Investors Show Interest
23 investors are in advanced talks to acquire Telia's shares in LMT and Tet. The government reviewed the deal's progress in an emergency meeting and aims to choose an investor that best serves Latvia's interests.
BNN · 10 Jul, 15:38

EU Finds Instagram and Facebook Design Addictive in Preliminary Ruling
The European Commission has preliminarily concluded that Meta's design of Instagram and Facebook violates the Digital Services Act by fostering addiction and harming users' well-being, especially minors.
Ukrainska Pravda · 10 Jul, 14:38

One in Three Latvians Unaware of Summer First Aid Kit Essentials
A survey shows 36% of Latvians don't know what to include in a summer first aid kit. A pharmacist provides advice on essential items.
iAuto.lv · 10 Jul, 14:36

BirdyChat expands app with artificial intelligence
The latest updates to BirdyChat, a work chat app founded in Latvia, enable integration with companies' daily work tools and AI assistants, making communication faster and more practical for business processes.
Labs of Latvia · 10 Jul, 14:36
En Carta Diagnostics Raises €5 Million for At-Home Molecular Tests for Lyme Disease and STIs
Paris-based DeepTech startup En Carta Diagnostics has announced the first closing of €5 million to develop next-generation molecular diagnostics for home use, targeting Lyme disease and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
EU-Startups · 10 Jul, 14:36

Alarm over launch of facial recognition in UK shops that instantly alerts police
Facewatch, a facial recognition system used by over 100 UK retailers, will soon alert police in real time about serious offenders, prompting civil liberties groups to warn of a dangerous escalation in surveillance.
The Guardian World · 10 Jul, 13:38
Luxury watch platform Groupe Chaumont launches with acquisition of two Swiss watchmaking startups
Private equity operator Vam Investments has acquired two Swiss watchmaking startups and two established companies to launch a new industrial platform, Groupe Chaumont, focused on producing high-end watch components.
EU-Startups · 10 Jul, 13:37

Upgrade Your Pool with Smart Accessories: From Robotic Cleaners to Floating Sunglasses
New pool technologies, including robotic skimmers, smart water monitors, and safety alarms, can save pool owners time and enhance their summer experience.
Wired · 10 Jul, 13:36
Why building under regulation is an advantage for European founders
According to a recent article, the former CTO of N26 discovered that working under strict regulation can be a competitive edge, as it forces startups to build solid foundations and increase discipline.
EU-Startups · 10 Jul, 12:37

EU Households Double Energy Use for Air Conditioning in Six Years
Eurostat reports that EU households consumed 80.4 terajoules for air conditioning in 2024, double the 2018 figure. Italy, Spain, and Greece lead in absolute consumption, while Cyprus and Malta have the highest share of household electricity used for cooling.
ERR (rus) · 10 Jul, 12:36

NVIDIA Announces GeForce Trading Cards Amid Gamer Backlash
NVIDIA has introduced a series of 14 GeForce Trading Cards, giving them away at events and online, despite recent tensions with gamers over its focus on AI hardware.
Engadget · 10 Jul, 11:37

Belgium to Introduce Road Usage Fee
From May 1, Belgium plans to introduce a vignette for driving on highways, with the fee depending on vehicle CO2 emissions.
Ukrainska Pravda · 10 Jul, 11:37

South Korea’s SK Hynix raises $26.5bn in record-breaking US IPO
South Korean chip giant SK Hynix has raised $26.5bn in its US initial public offering, marking the largest-ever debut by a foreign company on Wall Street.
Al Jazeera · 10 Jul, 10:37

Fatal crash in Ķekava municipality claims driver's life
A head-on collision between a Toyota and a Volkswagen on the Rīgas HES-Pulkarne road on Thursday resulted in the death of one driver. The other driver declined hospitalization. Police are investigating.
iAuto.lv · 10 Jul, 10:37

Raul Aron: Tax debate overlooks crucial competitiveness issue
Raul Aron argues that Estonia's tax debate should focus on competitiveness rather than raising taxes to the EU average, noting that the tax burden has increased the fastest in the EU and government spending has outpaced economic growth.
ERR News · 10 Jul, 09:37

Contracts signed for anti-mobility infrastructure construction of Baltic Defense Line
Contracts have been signed for the construction of anti-tank ditches, material-technical staging areas, and communication towers along Latvia's eastern border, with total investments of nearly 13 million euros.
Dienas Bizness · 10 Jul, 09:37
New Lithuanian unicorn: Oxylabs raises €113.6 million at €3.1 billion valuation
Oxylabs, a Vilnius-based data infrastructure platform, has secured €113.6 million from Warburg Pincus, becoming the second bootstrapped unicorn from the Tesonet accelerator.
EU-Startups · 10 Jul, 09:36

France gains a new millionaire every 15 minutes. How does Europe compare?
According to a UBS report, nearly one million people became dollar millionaires worldwide in 2025, with Europe contributing significantly. Eastern European countries, including Latvia, saw the fastest percentage growth.
Euronews Business · 10 Jul, 08:38

Small Businesses Fear Cost Hikes and Fuel Prices as Top Risks
A survey reveals that 35% of small entrepreneurs in Latvia see cost increases as the main risk, while nearly a third point to fuel prices. Geopolitical situation and tax changes add to concerns.
Dienas Bizness · 10 Jul, 08:37