- Google Earth risked ruin with retracted AI tool for making fake satellite pics
ars-technica· 31-jul
“What on earth is Google doing?” Misinformation fears spur walk-back of AI tool.
- As Reddit stock falls, CEO questions value of Google's AI Overviews
ars-technica· 01-ago
Reddit may still be considering ending its licensing deal with Google.
- Google plans to exempt sanctioned nations from Android developer verification
ars-technica· 31-jul
Someone in Cuba or Iran can keep installing APKs with no new restrictions, but devs will suffer.
- Doctors took a look at man's painful shoulder—they found the joint was missing
ars-technica· 31-jul
The term "Milwaukee Shoulder Syndrome" was coined in 1981, based on cases in four women.
- Not just Neanderthals: Ghost lineage in Africa left its mark on our DNA
ars-technica· 31-jul
Some group with no modern descendants contributed a lot to our genomes.
- How fruit flies chase invisible ribbons of smell to get to their source
ars-technica· 01-ago
Tracking smells in turbulent air takes a keen sense of direction and sharp memory.
- Claude published malicious code to the Internet and attacked 3 real companies
ars-technica· 31-jul
Had the hacks used conventional methods, someone would likely go to prison.
- Defcon's new badge is a security key you can see inside
ars-technica· 01-ago
A removable chip lets hackers inspect their badge—and keep using it after Defcon.
- Reddit keeps its strange DMCA fight over Google search results alive
ars-technica· 31-jul
Reddit advances lawsuit accusing Perplexity AI of conspiring with web scraper.
- After noise complaints, judge orders Waymo to stop overnight charging in Santa Monica
ars-technica· 01-ago
Autonomous vehicle giant disturbs residents' sleep.
- Samsung’s chip workers are jumping ship to rival SK Hynix
mit-tech-review· 28-jul
Lee, an engineer at Samsung’s semiconductor division, clocks out when his shift ends. He used to work longer hours, going the extra mile to excel at his projects. But lately, he’s been coming straight home to work on his job application for the chipmaker’s South Korean rival SK Hynix, sharing tips with his coworkers on…
- The Download: OpenAI’s predictable hack, and an AI stock sell-off
mit-tech-review· 28-jul
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. OpenAI called the Hugging Face attack unprecedented. But we’ve been here before. —Will Douglas Heaven, senior AI editor Reading OpenAI’s account last week of how some of its models broke their…
- The AI Hype Index: Unsexy AI
mit-tech-review· 29-jul
It feels bad enough when an open letter signed by leading economists warns that AI might steal your job. The fact it may soon be better than you at making dinner? Insult to injury. But that’s exactly what the company 1X promised when it showed off a pair of new, impressively dexterous (and, to some,…
- The Download: a chip talent battle, and deflating AI hype
mit-tech-review· 29-jul
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Samsung’s chip workers are jumping ship to rival SK Hynix Lee, an engineer at Samsung’s semiconductor division, used to work late. But lately, he’s been clocking out on time and heading…
- How an overlooked geothermal plant got a second chance
mit-tech-review· 29-jul
In June 2024, a small company called Zanskar purchased a geothermal power plant in New Mexico that was failing fast. The water coming from the underground reservoir was getting colder by the day, making the plant uneconomical to run. Now, two years later, that plant is running at full capacity again, thanks to a new…
- A fundamental flaw leaves LLMs strikingly vulnerable to attack
mit-tech-review· 30-jul
It is impossible to make large language models fully secure against hacks because of a fundamental flaw in how they work, a team of researchers argue in a paper presented at the International Conference on Machine Learning, a top AI conference, this month. The claim has huge implications for the safety of this technology, which…
- The Download: tricking LLMs, and reviving geothermal plants
mit-tech-review· 30-jul
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. A fundamental flaw leaves LLMs strikingly vulnerable to attack It is impossible to make large language models fully secure against hacks because of a fundamental flaw in how they work, a…
- Montana’s plan to become an experimental medical hub just pushed forward
mit-tech-review· 30-jul
As of this week in Montana, any biotech company with an experimental drug has a clear path to selling it to consumers. Companies whose drugs have been through preliminary testing—sometimes in as few as 10 healthy people—can pay $12,500 to apply to a newly established review board for approval. Once its treatment is rubber-stamped, the…
- Montana’s new “right to try” law can’t come soon enough for some
mit-tech-review· 31-jul
Kris DeVault is desperate. His son, Brody, was born in March 2023. It wasn’t long before he started to show signs of developmental delay, says DeVault. As time went on, Brody started missing key milestones in speech, movement, and coordination, he says. When Brody was around two and a half years old, a genetic test…
- The Download: Montana’s new experimental drug rules
mit-tech-review· 31-jul
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Montana’s plan to become an experimental medical hub just pushed forward As of this week in Montana, biotech companies whose drugs have been through preliminary testing—sometimes in as few as 10…
- Silicon Valley loves young founders. Until it doesn’t.
techcrunch· 31-jul
AI tools have democratized the opportunity to build, shortening the timelines of success and enabling more young people to start successful companies without stepping foot inside a Big Tech company.
- Fresh off its Wiz payout, Index Ventures raises $2B across three funds
techcrunch· 31-jul
The new funding brings Index's total available investing capital to $3.5 billion.
- Google nixes its Earth AI feature one day after launch, amid criticism it would spread misinformation
techcrunch· 31-jul
A tool that allowed anyone to generate fake AI-generated imagery and superimpose it over real Google Earth maps quickly spurred backlash.
- India is starting to pay for apps, not just download them
techcrunch· 31-jul
India's app market generated a record $345 million in Q2.
- OpenAI reportedly finds evidence that more of its agents ran amok
techcrunch· 31-jul
OpenAI has reportedly found evidence of additional agent misbehavior as it looks into the incident that occurred with Hugging Face.
- Rivian spinoff Also to start delivering e-bikes after months of delays
techcrunch· 31-jul
Also has big plans beyond the TM-B. The startup mostly refers to itself as a "vehicle" company and has plans to make four-wheel pedal-assist cargo vehicles for Amazon.
- VC-backed startups commit more fraud, and researchers think they know why
techcrunch· 31-jul
New research from the U.K.’s Imperial College and France’s Emlyon Business School mapped out how Silicon Valley founders commit fraud — and the role investors play.
- Apps that help you break free from doomscrolling and get active
techcrunch· 01-ago
If you’re looking to cut back on screen time and get a little more active, here’s a roundup of the apps that might help.
- What’s the best handheld mini fan?
techcrunch· 01-ago
From premium Shark and Dyson offerings to random Amazon devices, these mini fans will make your sweaty summer a little more managable.
- Sam Altman isn’t the only one who wants to pump the brakes on AI
techcrunch· 31-jul
After years of pushing full speed ahead on AI, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says maybe it’s time for the AI industry to “pace” itself. The comments came just days after one of OpenAI’s own models broke out of its test environment and got tangled up in a breach at Hugging Face — though as Equity’s hosts point out, sloppy security seems to have […]
- The major labels propose rules to keep AI slop off the charts
the-verge· 31-jul
Several record labels, including the big three - Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group - have proposed rules regarding chart eligibility for AI songs. In short, they wouldn't be. The proposal goes quite a bit further than a labeling proposal put forth by the RIAA, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), SAG-AFTRA, and others. That would create a set of standardized labels for AI-generated and AI-assisted music. The labels' proposal would require songs be clearly labeled, but it would also keep them off international charts unless they met specific criteria, including being "substantially human … Read the full story at The Verge.
- Here’s the problem with putting an AI image generator in Google Earth
the-verge· 31-jul
A text prompt was all it took to generate reality-warping images using Google Earth's satellite, aerial, and 3D imagery with a now-rolled back AI feature, like these images generated by Digital Digging's Henk van Ess that show "refugees near the Mexican border" and a bomb crater near a hospital in Gaza. Google initially responded to Digital Digging's AI-altered images, saying, "We take misinformation seriously - every image created with Nano Banana in Google Earth includes the SynthID digital watermark, so if someone is unsure about an image, they can ask the Gemini app or use Lens in Search to see if the image was AI-generated." In additi … Read the full story at The Verge.
- Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a quirky life sim that’s worth buying at this discount
the-verge· 31-jul
Looking to start your own island paradise full of Miis based on family, friends, and celebrities, but don’t feel like paying full fare? Woot has Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream for Switch on sale for $52.99 (usually $59.95). Sort of like Animal Crossing, but more off-kilter, this unique game sees you building and managing relationships on an island of custom Mii characters. You’ll set up and decorate housing, discover what the inhabitants like and dislike, and watch as they interact with each other and form their own community. This discount is for the region-free international version (so it’ll work in all Switch consoles), and includes improved loading times for Switch 2 owners. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream Where to Buy: $59.99 $52.99 at Woot The second game in the series, Living t…
- With Switch 2, iPhone, and laptop tricks, the Sharge Disk Pro 2 is finally a worthy EDC
the-verge· 31-jul
The Sharge Disk Pro 2. | Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge Sharge, the company that makes delightful retro Mac-shaped chargers and see-inside batteries, is finally impressing me with a portable SSD. I couldn't recommend the Sharge Disk, Disk Plus, or even the Disk Pro, but I'd be happy to own the new Disk Pro 2 Ultra. This isn't just a drive. It's a 4K HDMI dock and a USB-C hub too. It's a veritable USB-C Swiss Army Knife for all your main gadgets: laptop, tablet, phone, Steam Deck, even the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. And this USB multitool has built-in MagSafe pattern magnets to stick it to your iPhone, Pixel, or anything where you're willing to stick a magnetic ring. (One stick-on ring is in … Read the full story at The Verge.
- Apple’s new AirTags are back down to their best price
the-verge· 31-jul
Both Amazon and Costco are offering some solid deals. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge We spotted a great deal on Tile trackers earlier this week that’s still live, but if you’re an iPhone owner, we ultimately recommend Apple’s latest AirTag. Right now, you can pick up a four-pack for $89 ($10 off) at Amazon and Target, matching the bundle’s all-time low price. If you’re a member, Costco also has a deal that throws in a fifth AirTag for free. Apple AirTags (second-generation) Where to Buy: $99 $89 at Amazon (pack of four) $99 $89.99 at Target (pack of four) A growing number of Bluetooth trackers can tap into Apple’s Find My network these days, but none combine that with Apple’s latest ultra wideband (UWB) chip, which powers even better Precision Finding than before. Precision…
- The ban on robot vacuums won’t make them safer, only worse
the-verge· 31-jul
All future robot vacuums manufactured outside the USA (i.e., all of them) have been banned by the FCC. | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge No other gadget knows as much about your home as a robot vacuum. They map your space, learn your routines, and many now carry a camera and microphone into every room in your house. As AI gives them a better understanding of what they see, the privacy and security risks these autonomous robots pose are only growing. That's why greater scrutiny makes sense, but the ban on foreign-made mobile robots issued by the Federal Communications Commission earlier this week - implemented to address "unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States or the safety and security of United States persons" - doesn't actually judge products by h …
- Google might launch a ‘Pixel Tag’
the-verge· 31-jul
Google is seemingly working on an item tracker that might compete with Apple's AirTag. 9to5Google obtained an image of something called a "Google Pixel Tag" that has a small oval shape. The publication also linked to a Slovenian store listing about the Pixel Tag that describes the gadget as an item tracker with a speaker that uses Google's "Find My Device" network (which is now called Find Hub). The Pixel Tag is popping up shortly ahead of Google's planned hardware launch event for August 12th. Google has already shown off teases of the Pixel 11 lineup for the event, and leaks have also appeared for a new foldable, smartwatch, and earbuds. … Read the full story at The Verge.
- The OG reading app just got a big update
the-verge· 01-ago
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 138, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, happy August, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I've been reading about microwave sounds and Meta glasses and Alex vs. Alix, testing the Logitech Alto Keys K98M to see if I'm ready for the mechanical keyboard life, digging into the history of the first chatbot, clearing space on my desk for a Bob Ross deskmat, doing a full Ted Lasso rewatch ahead of the new season next week, finally getting into Cyberpunk 2077 now that it's so cheap, cackling and nodding at this A … Read the full story at The Verge.
- Google Earth’s AI deepfake tool only lasted one day
the-verge· 31-jul
Pompeii reimagined with Nano Banana 2 in Google Earth. | Image: Google Google has shut down Google Earth feature it launched Thursday that allowed users to edit satellite images with text prompts using AI. The tool essentially let users create AI deepfakes of the real world using text prompts; Digital Digging's Henk van Ess, for example, intentionally generated images adding things like refugees near the Mexican border and a bomb crater by a hospital in Gaza. On Thursday, Google's initial response to van Ess noted that images generated with Nano Banana 2 in Google Earth included a digital watermark and that the company prevented "image creation on harmful topics." One day later, Google's new statement says tha … Read the full story at The Verge.
- The NHTSA is investigating 1.2 million Tesla vehicles over suspension failure reports
the-verge· 31-jul
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is probing nearly 1.2 million Tesla vehicles after receiving complaints about a suspension failure that could cause "a loss of vehicle directional control," as reported earlier by Reuters. The preliminary investigation includes the 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2021-2023 Model Y, according to a filing from the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. The NHTSA says it received 156 complaints about the issue, which "involves the detachment of the front lower lateral link." In most cases reviewed by the NHTSA, failure occurred with "no advance warning," but some "cite noises occurring prior t … Read the full story at The Verge.