Business & Technology
Google ad featuring founding fathers using AI sparks outrage
Google's latest commercial shows the founding fathers using Gemini to draft the Declaration of Independence, drawing sharp criticism for tastelessness.
The Verge · 5 Jul, 17:36
Delivery firm Evri sues BBC for £1.2m over Panorama documentary
Evri is taking legal action against the BBC, seeking £1.2 million in damages after a Panorama documentary allegedly caused loss of business by claiming the company used exploitative practices and misled Parliament.
The Guardian World · 5 Jul, 17:36
Vizio Mini LED Quantum TV: A cheap smart TV that can be used as a dumb TV
Vizio's Mini LED Quantum TV at $398 offers quantum dot and Mini LED technology, but the standout feature is the ability to use it as a dumb TV by bypassing data collection and Walmart account requirements.
The Verge · 5 Jul, 16:37
Bending Spoons goes public: Milan-based tech conglomerate with a massive acquisition strategy
Bending Spoons, the Milan-based tech conglomerate known for acquiring AOL, Vimeo, and other digital brands, recently went public on the Nasdaq. Its aggressive acquisition strategy, which often involves layoffs and price increases, has drawn both controversy and investor interest.
TechCrunch · 5 Jul, 16:37
Popular Smartphones Entering Last Year of Software Support
Many popular smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy S23, Google Pixel 7, and Motorola Edge 2024, are in their final year of software support. After support ends, devices will no longer receive security updates, leaving sensitive data vulnerable.
Engadget · 5 Jul, 16:36
Microsoft’s Xbox division faces severe crisis after massive spending
Despite a successful game showcase, Microsoft’s Xbox division is in turmoil, with reports of impending layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations. New CEO Asha Sharma announced a “reset” after years of expensive acquisitions and a plateauing Game Pass subscription service.
The Verge · 5 Jul, 15:38
Survey: One in Three Latvian Residents Spend Over €1,000 Annually on Hobbies
According to a survey by Luminor Bank and Norstat, one in three Latvian residents spends more than €1,000 per year on hobbies. The largest expense category is travel, with notable differences between genders and age groups.
Jauns.lv · 5 Jul, 15:37
Chemical accidents rise as Trump administration moves to weaken safety rules
New data shows chemical accidents are increasing, even as the Trump administration proposes rolling back safety regulations implemented under Biden.
Ars Technica · 5 Jul, 14:37
Eight Sleep Pod 5 Review: The Smartest, Nosiest Bed You Can Buy
Wired reviews the Eight Sleep Pod 5, a smart mattress cover that regulates temperature and tracks sleep. While the technology works well, the journalist highlights the subscription model, privacy concerns, and cloud dependency as drawbacks.
Wired · 5 Jul, 13:36
Vacation spending rises: nearly a third of Latvians plan to spend over €1,000
A survey shows 31% of Latvian residents this year intend to spend more than €1,000 on holidays, up from 26% last year and 25% in 2024.
Jauns.lv · 5 Jul, 11:37
Fuel crisis in Russia boosts demand for Chinese electric cars
Shortages and price hikes due to Ukrainian strikes on refineries have led many Russian drivers to consider Chinese EVs, with sales jumping from a few per month to several per day.
iAuto.lv · 5 Jul, 11:37
PrivatBank's Latvian Business Taken Over by Industra Bank
The Latvian Financial and Capital Market Commission allowed PrivatBank to transfer its credit institution business to Industra Bank, which took over client accounts, loans, and deposits.
TVNET · 5 Jul, 09:37
Oliver Laas: The Eliza Effect and Critical Thinking
In a commentary on Vikerraadio, Oliver Laas discusses how the Eliza effect and the human tendency to attribute intelligence to machines hinders critical thinking about artificial intelligence, urging awareness of this psychological pitfall.
ERR (rus) · 5 Jul, 09:37
Porsche Reduces Dealer Count in China as Sales Plummet
Facing declining sales and profitability, Porsche plans to reduce its dealer network in China from over 115 to around 80 centers. The company is losing between €2,700 and €4,000 per vehicle sold.
iAuto.lv · 5 Jul, 08:36
Drones Growing in Popularity in Latvia: Regulations and Fines to Know
In recent years, drones have become a popular hobby in Latvia, but regulations have also evolved, with fines up to 1000 euros for violations.
TVNET · 5 Jul, 06:36
How to Use Apple's Buried Assistive Access Feature to Make the Perfect Kid's Dumb Phone
A journalist accidentally discovers that Apple's Assistive Access, designed for cognitive disabilities, is ideal for creating a child's phone with no internet browser but full navigation and tracking capabilities.
Wired · 5 Jul, 05:38
Martian Rock Surface Contains Carbon – Origin Uncertain
NASA's Perseverance rover has detected complex macromolecular carbon on the surface of a Martian rock, a find that on Earth would typically signal biological origins, but its source on Mars remains unknown.
Ars Technica · 5 Jul, 05:38
Expert: Bold decisions needed for Latvia’s public transport sector amid funding shortfall
Intercity bus services face a deficit of approximately 37 million euros, and an expert urges the new transport minister to initiate reforms, including gradually transferring major routes to commercial operators.
Delfi · 5 Jul, 05:37
When the Ability to Smell Goes Away: A Window into Brain Health
Smell disorders, affecting up to 22% of the population, are linked to numerous neurological conditions including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred new research highlighting the connection between olfaction and brain health.
Ars Technica · 5 Jul, 04:38
41 Buildings Compete for the Title of Most Energy-Efficient in Latvia
The competition "Energy-Efficient Building of Latvia 2026" received 41 applications, most in the renovated apartment building category. Winners will be announced in September.
Delfi · 5 Jul, 04:37
Best MagSafe Wireless Chargers of 2026: Wired's Tested Picks
Wired has updated its list of top MagSafe and Qi2 wireless chargers, featuring stands, travel chargers, power banks, and more.
Wired · 5 Jul, 04:37
Midjourney Wants Hollywood Studios to Disclose AI Use in Court
The AI image generator is asking a federal court to overturn a magistrate's order that allowed Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, and Universal to withhold most information about their AI use, as Midjourney seeks evidence for its fair use defense.
Engadget · 5 Jul, 04:37
Tesla Driver Charged with Manslaughter After Crash Kills Woman in Her Home
A Tesla Model 3 driver using Full Self-Driving mode has been charged with manslaughter after crashing into a Texas home and killing an elderly woman.
Engadget · 5 Jul, 03:37
Supergirl Review: Not a Disaster, Just Not Enough for Today's Market
Critics find the Supergirl movie surprisingly good, but in an oversaturated superhero market, being 'pretty good' isn't enough to draw audiences to theaters, leading to a disappointing box office.
Ars Technica · 5 Jul, 01:37
US Army Creates Special Reserve Unit for Tech Executives
The US Army has established a new reserve unit that allows Silicon Valley tech leaders to become officers on an accelerated track. Three executives received the rank of lieutenant colonel in June and joined the cyber forces.
Delfi · 5 Jul, 00:37
Google Commercial Reimagines Declaration of Independence with AI-Powered Collaboration
A new Google advertisement depicts the Founding Fathers using Google Workspace and AI tools to draft the Declaration of Independence, sparking mixed reactions online.
TechCrunch AI · 5 Jul, 00:37
New Google ad imagines Founding Fathers using AI to write Declaration of Independence
Google released a commercial depicting the Founding Fathers drafting the Declaration of Independence with Google Workspace and AI tools, sparking mixed reactions online.
TechCrunch · 5 Jul, 00:37
Vera C. Rubin Observatory Begins 10-Year Sky Survey, Cyborg Cockroaches Learn to Dive, NASA Announces Moon Base Missions
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has started its decade-long Legacy Survey of Space and Time, capturing high-definition images of the universe every 40 seconds. Meanwhile, scientists have equipped cyborg cockroaches with diving suits to survive underwater for hours, and NASA has selected three companies for 2028 Moon base deliveries.
Engadget · 4 Jul, 23:38
Midjourney Wants Hollywood Studios to Reveal Their AI Usage Details
AI startup Midjourney is seeking to compel Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. to disclose how they use generative AI themselves, arguing that internal studio use would support its fair use defense in a copyright lawsuit.
TechCrunch AI · 4 Jul, 22:37
Smartwatches and AI: Can They Detect Early Signs of Illness?
Smartwatches track various health metrics, but only a few are clinically reliable. Experts warn they are not diagnostic tools but can help spot deviations from normal patterns.
Engadget · 4 Jul, 22:37
NASA launches emergency mission to save Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth
NASA has dispatched Katalyst Space Technologies' Link spacecraft on an urgent mission to boost the Swift Observatory's orbit and prevent its fiery demise in the atmosphere.
The Verge · 4 Jul, 22:37
Mistral AI: French Firm Grew from $20M to $400M Annual Revenue, Targets $1B
Mistral AI, a French AI startup, has rapidly increased revenue, raised billions, and positioned itself as a sovereign alternative to US AI labs, focusing on enterprise and government deployment.
TechCrunch · 4 Jul, 20:38
Mistral AI: European AI Hope Following the Palantir Playbook
Mistral AI, often misunderstood as the European OpenAI, actually focuses on deploying models for governments and large enterprises, with rapidly growing revenue and plans to build its own AI cloud.
TechCrunch AI · 4 Jul, 20:37
Matic robot vacuum price to increase by $250 in September
The Matic robot vacuum, a favorite among reviewers, will cost $1,495 from September 9th, up $250 from its current price. The company cites rising component costs for the hike.
The Verge · 4 Jul, 20:37
Tesla Expands Robotaxi Service to Small Section of Miami
Tesla has launched its robotaxi service in a small area of West Miami, initially available outside the city center. The service operates without safety monitors in vehicles, a feature that previously sparked controversy.
Engadget · 4 Jul, 20:36
NASA launches mission to rescue the falling Swift observatory
NASA's Swift Boost mission launched successfully to save the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from orbital decay. The robotic spacecraft LINK will dock and raise its orbit, extending its lifespan by about a decade.
Engadget · 4 Jul, 19:37