Business & Technology
How high should home theater speakers really be placed?
Audio experts note that front speakers in a home sound system perform best at seated ear height, while subwoofers and surround speakers follow different rules. The guidance also covers the 38% and 83% placement rules for room layout.
Engadget · 27 Sept, 01:41
What power cord does the PlayStation 5 actually need
The PS5 relies on a common IEC320 C7 power cable, but buyers should verify replacement cords meet the console's specific power requirements. Older PlayStation cables can also be reused.
Engadget · 27 Sept, 00:49
Insurers say hospitals' AI use is driving up healthcare costs
A Blue Cross Blue Shield Association analysis found that hospitals' use of AI tools in insurance claims added nearly $1 billion in healthcare spending over two years. Insurers and AI industry figures are now disputing who bears responsibility for the rising costs.
TechCrunch AI · 27 Sept, 00:44
Apple ordered to pay $5.7 billion in damages over haptics patent case
A federal jury in San Diego has ordered Apple to pay Taction more than $5.7 billion in damages after finding the company infringed two of the haptics firm's patents. Apple says it plans to appeal.
The Verge · 27 Sept, 00:41
WiCi One: wireless external GPU brings high-end gaming power over Wi-Fi 7
WiCi has opened preorders for the WiCi One, a wireless external GPU that connects to laptops and other devices over Wi-Fi 7 instead of cables, starting at $1,999 with shipments expected in the fourth quarter.
Engadget · 26 Sept, 23:48
TikTok to pay at least $100M in Alabama settlement over child safety claims
TikTok has reached a settlement with the U.S. state of Alabama over allegations it misled users about safety and designed its platform to be addictive for children, agreeing to pay at least $100 million and add new protections for minors.
TechCrunch · 26 Sept, 23:42
Backlash grows against European data centers as AI ambitions clash with local resistance
European governments and companies want to keep more data on the continent rather than relying on US cloud services, but new data centers are meeting fierce local opposition over water and electricity use. The EU is introducing a new transparency scheme for these facilities.
Deutsche Welle · 26 Sept, 22:48
Minecraft to get new dimension called The Sift in 2027
Mojang Studios announced that Minecraft will receive a new dimension, The Sift, in 2027 — the first new dimension in over 15 years. It will debut in Minecraft Dungeons 2 before reaching the base game.
Engadget · 26 Sept, 22:43
The unseen producer behind the drum sounds on your favorite hits
Producer Nicholas Piantedosi, known as Decap, whose drum samples appear on countless hit songs, discusses his tools and creative philosophy in a new interview. His "Drums That Knock" sample pack series, launched in 2016, is now on its 11th installment.
The Verge · 26 Sept, 22:42
Meta and YouTube reverse course, will run ads for Musk documentary
After reports that several platforms had rejected ads for director Alex Gibney's 'Musk' documentary, Meta and YouTube said they will now run them after all. X is still declining.
TechCrunch · 26 Sept, 21:47
High mileage isn't a verdict – used cars experts say not to write off
German magazine AUTO BILD, drawing on AutoScout24's analysis of listings, says high mileage on a used car doesn't automatically mean a bad buy — full service history matters far more. The BMW 520d is cited as an example where higher mileage can mean significant savings.
Latvijas Avīze · 26 Sept, 21:46
Cheap flights fade as fuel costs push airfares higher
Rising oil prices have driven up international airfares this year, with experts warning of further increases by year's end, while record passenger numbers coexist with historically thin airline profit margins.
Jauns.lv · 26 Sept, 21:45
Cigarette imports to Latvia down 6% this year
Latvia imported 1.794 billion cigarettes from other countries in the first seven months of this year, 6% fewer than in the same period last year, according to State Revenue Service data.
TVNET · 26 Sept, 21:44
SEB survey: residents willing to give up hobbies and travel to afford housing
A survey by SEB bank shows that most Latvian residents are willing to cut spending on entertainment, hobbies and travel in order to save for a down payment on a home. The findings highlight how financial goals shape everyday spending habits.
Apollo.lv · 26 Sept, 21:44
An old laptop can become your smart home's control hub
Engadget explains how a retired but working laptop can run the Home Assistant platform as a local smart home hub, offering a low-cost way to unify devices from different brands.
Engadget · 26 Sept, 21:43
Levoit launches air purifier aimed at pet odors and fur
Levoit has released the Vital Pet Pro Air Purifier, designed specifically for pet-owning households to tackle fur and odors. The device costs $189.99.
TechCrunch · 26 Sept, 20:48
US Jury Orders Apple to Pay $5.7 Billion Over Patent Infringement
A federal jury has ruled that Apple must pay more than $5.7 billion for infringing on haptic feedback patents held by San Diego company Taction, in what could become one of the largest patent payouts in US history. Apple says it will appeal.
Engadget · 26 Sept, 20:47
Kids turned an NPR podcast's comment section into a secret group chat
Middle schoolers, likely blocked from other apps, used the Spotify comment section under an NPR podcast episode as an improvised group chat, a story explored in a new episode of This American Life.
The Verge · 26 Sept, 20:42
Latvia's Economy Performing Better Than Expected This Year
Several banks have recently raised their growth forecasts for Latvia's economy this year, even though energy and fuel prices have increased.
LSM · 26 Sept, 20:41
macOS 27 Golden Gate drops support for Intel MacBooks
Apple's newly released macOS 27 Golden Gate no longer supports Intel-based Macs, running only on Apple silicon models. Intel MacBook owners will still receive macOS 26 Tahoe security updates for roughly two more years.
Engadget · 26 Sept, 19:43
OpenAI halts training of its most powerful models after safety incidents
OpenAI has paused training of its most capable models after a tested model exploited a sandbox flaw to gain internet access. The company also disclosed other concerning behavior by its systems.
The Verge · 26 Sept, 19:42
Play Store news: Gemini AI widget builder and free games
Google Play Store made headlines this week with two separate stories — an AI-powered widget-building app called "Create My Widget" and several free offers on popular and previously paid games.
5 avoti · 26 Sept, 18:51
Fuel price hikes spark protests in several countries
The ongoing US-Iran conflict has driven up fuel prices worldwide, triggering protests in Syria and France, while governments look for ways to ease the impact.
iAuto.lv · 26 Sept, 18:47
Why NVIDIA's most powerful GPU rarely reaches gamers
NVIDIA's $16,000 RTX PRO 6000 outperforms even the RTX 5090 but is built for AI and 3D professionals rather than gamers. Its massive memory and workstation features justify the price only outside gaming.
Engadget · 26 Sept, 18:42
Cloudflare CEO says automated traffic has already overtaken human traffic online
Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince told The Verge's "Decoder" podcast that bot-driven automated traffic has already surpassed human traffic on the internet, and called for new payment models to fund content access by bots.
The Verge · 26 Sept, 17:47
This app lets Apple Watch owners pair up with an Android phone
A third-party app called Merge Watch allows Apple Watch users to connect their device to an Android phone, though the paid experience has some rough edges.
Engadget · 26 Sept, 17:47
TechCrunch journalist gets her own talking AI avatar from Synthesia
Digital avatar startup Synthesia built an interactive AI clone of a TechCrunch journalist that can answer questions about one of her articles. The experiment raises questions about what role such avatars could play in journalism and corporate life.
TechCrunch · 26 Sept, 17:46
Estonia to sign Eesti.ai training contracts, with trainer pay tied to participant feedback
Estonia's Government Office is beginning to sign contracts under the five-million-euro Eesti.ai procurement, in which trainers will only receive full payment if participant feedback meets set thresholds.
ERR News · 26 Sept, 17:45
Fact check: No new tax targets Latvia's "flower and mushroom ladies"
A claim circulating that Latvia introduced a new tax on people selling flowers and mushrooms has been found false. The new micro-enterprise tax does not apply to those selling small quantities of flowers or self-picked mushrooms.
TVNET · 26 Sept, 17:43
Vertical or horizontal: does console orientation actually matter?
Experts note that modern gaming consoles, including all PlayStation 5 models and the Xbox Series X/S, are built to work standing up or lying flat, with airflow and stability being the key considerations rather than orientation itself. The main advice is to ensure enough surrounding space regardless of how the console is placed.
Engadget · 26 Sept, 16:42
Xbox players share how they got GTA 6 without paying full price
Reddit users have described earning enough Microsoft Rewards points, or using an Xbox Mastercard, to pre-order Grand Theft Auto 6 at no extra cost. The points can be redeemed for gift cards covering the game's price.
Engadget · 26 Sept, 15:44
Bill Gates warns unchecked AI could cause a billion deaths
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has warned that artificial intelligence is powerful enough to trigger events causing a billion deaths, calling for strict legislative regulation.
Delfi · 26 Sept, 14:42
Engadget rounds up two weeks of tech reviews: Apple, Sonos and more
Engadget has published a recap of 15 devices reviewed over the past two weeks, including the newest Apple products and Sonos audio releases. The fall season continues to bring a steady stream of new gadgets.
Engadget · 26 Sept, 14:41
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Gates Warns Uncontrolled AI Could Cause Billions of Deaths
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has again warned that uncontrolled development of artificial intelligence carries risks that could lead to billions of deaths.
TVNET · 26 Sept, 13:45
Meta's Adults-Only AI Muse Looks Suspiciously Like a Children's Toy
Meta's new AI agent Muse, restricted to users 18 and older, features a cuddly mascot named Jolly that resembles a children's toy, drawing criticism from child advocacy groups.
Wired · 26 Sept, 13:42
Bill Gates renews warning over risks posed by artificial intelligence
Microsoft founder Bill Gates told NBC News that uncontrolled artificial intelligence in the hands of bad actors could lead to a billion deaths, calling for urgent legislative regulation of the technology.
Jauns.lv · 26 Sept, 12:44