Uber has laid off approximately 3,300 employees, representing around 10% of its total workforce. The move is part of a broad reorganization initiative led by Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi. Khosrowshahi described the goal as building a leaner and more efficient organization. The sweeping cuts signal a significant strategic shift in how the ride-hailing giant plans to operate going forward.
Startup Wonderful has closed a $550 million Series C funding round, more than doubling its valuation to $5 billion in less than six months. The round was led by Insight Partners, a prominent growth-stage investment firm. Several other notable investors participated, including Salesforce, Index Ventures, IVP, Vine Ventures, 9Yards, and Bessemer. The significant valuation jump highlights strong investor confidence in the company's growth trajectory.
Indian conglomerate Jio, backed by the country's wealthiest individual, has unveiled a plan to transform outdated computers into AI-capable machines. The company is targeting a low-cost entry point of approximately $11 for a two-month subscription. The initiative aims to make artificial intelligence accessible to users who cannot afford new hardware. This move reflects Jio's broader ambition to democratize technology access across India's vast and price-sensitive market.
YouTube creator Jimmy 'MrBeast' Donaldson has entered a multi-year partnership with Google to feature its products in upcoming videos. The collaboration will highlight Gemini AI, Google Health, and the new Fitbit Air across multiple releases. The first video, launching September 5, will follow MrBeast and his crew attempting to survive three of Earth's harshest environments: a jungle, a desert, and the Arctic. Teams will use Gemini to identify dangers, adapt to extreme weather, and navigate the challenging terrain. The partnership marks a significant branded content push by Google through one of YouTube's most-watched creators.
A US federal judge has declined the Justice Department's request to force Google to divest parts of its advertising technology business. Judge Leonie Brinkema instead opted for behavioral remedies to address the ad markets Google was found to have illegally monopolized. The judge said she would adopt most of the behavioral changes proposed by the parties, with some modifications. The specific remedies have not yet been made public, pending a review by both parties and redaction of confidential information. Possible measures could include restrictions on Google's self-preferencing practices in ad auctions.
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A federal judge has ruled that Google does not need to break up its advertising technology business, marking a significant legal victory for the tech giant. The decision came after a long-awaited antitrust case examining Google's dominance in the ad tech sector. While the court found that some corrective measures are necessary, the specific remedies were not made public. The ruling draws a line between requiring structural changes and forcing a full divestiture of Google's ad tech operations.
AI security startup HiddenLayer has closed a $100 million Series B funding round. The investment was led by a group of prominent backers including Delta-v Capital, Ten Eleven Ventures, Morgan Stanley, Microsoft's M12, and Booz Allen Hamilton. The raise reflects growing demand among enterprises to secure their AI deployments against emerging threats. The funding is expected to help HiddenLayer scale its AI security solutions to meet this rising need.
Belkin's SoundForm Mini 2 wireless headphones for children are currently discounted 25 percent using the code VERGE25OFF at checkout. The on-ear headphones are designed for kids aged three and up, featuring an 85-decibel volume cap, adjustable headband, and cushioned earcups. The base model without a carrying case drops from $29.99 to $22.49, while the bundle with a case is reduced from $39.99 to $29.99. The headphones offer up to 55 hours of battery life, fold for easy storage, and include an audio-sharing mode that streams sound to a second pair without additional hardware. The discount applies to a maximum of two pairs per purchase.
Amazon has introduced a new scam-detection capability within its Alexa for Shopping AI assistant. The feature is designed to help users verify whether suspicious emails, texts, or other messages genuinely originate from Amazon. Shoppers can use the tool to cross-check communications they suspect may be fraudulent. The move aims to protect customers from phishing attempts and impersonation scams that misuse Amazon's brand.
Toyohiro Akiyama, a Japanese journalist who made history as the first citizen of Japan to travel to space, has died at the age of 84. Akiyama flew to the Soviet Mir space station in 1990 as part of a deal between his employer, Tokyo Broadcasting System, and the Soviet space program. During his mission, he broadcast live reports from orbit, blending journalism with spaceflight in an unprecedented way. Among his memorable dispatches, he noted that only the heavier Japanese tree frogs aboard seemed to adapt well to the weightlessness of space. His journey remains a landmark moment in both space exploration and broadcast journalism history.
Members of the UK House of Lords are calling for the introduction of so-called 'kill switch' powers to control advanced artificial intelligence systems. The proposal is aimed at providing a safeguard against AI systems that could operate beyond human control. Supporters describe the measure as a 'vital safety net' against powerful AI developed by companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic. The move reflects growing concern among British lawmakers about the risks posed by rapidly advancing AI technology.
OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman are named in 30 new lawsuits filed in a California federal court on Wednesday over the Tumbler Ridge school shooting in Canada. The suits were brought by students, teachers, and the school's principal who were present during the attack. Plaintiffs accuse OpenAI of providing substantial assistance and encouragement to alleged shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar. The lawsuits claim OpenAI failed to act despite its own automated review system flagging the suspect's ChatGPT conversations about gun violence. These cases follow similar suits filed in April by victims' families making comparable allegations.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a one-year moratorium on AI use in public school classrooms, set to take effect during the 2026-2027 school year. The policy will affect approximately 600,000 students enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade across the city's public schools. Under the new rules from the NYC Department of Education, teachers will also be prohibited from using AI tools to grade student assignments. The restrictions are being introduced alongside broader limits on digital devices in schools and a small pilot program focused on AI education tools. Students will only be permitted to use AI once they reach high school.
German smart home company Tado has unveiled its Smart Thermostat X (2nd generation), a Matter-over-Thread device targeting European smart thermostat users. The launch follows Google's exit from the European thermostat market last year, during which Google itself directed its customers to Tado. Tado cofounder Christian Deilmann told The Verge that Google's server shutdowns for its older Nest models had already driven significant sales to the company. While Google's third-generation Nest still holds strong European penetration, Deilmann believes its long-term support is uncertain. Tado is positioning the new thermostat to capture users who may eventually lose support for their current Nest devices.
Adobe has acquired Rilo, an Indian market intelligence startup, marking its second acquisition from India. The deal follows Adobe's earlier purchase of Rephrase.ai, an Indian AI startup, in 2023. Rilo specializes in market intelligence solutions, adding to Adobe's growing portfolio of data and analytics capabilities. The financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed. This move signals Adobe's continued interest in sourcing innovation and talent from India's expanding tech ecosystem.
Norway is considering regulations to ban or restrict wearable camera-enabled smart glasses, commonly dubbed 'pervert glasses.' The Norwegian government has raised concerns about the significant privacy risks posed by such devices. The headsets, which can discreetly record people without their knowledge, have drawn scrutiny from Nordic authorities. Officials argue that clear regulatory frameworks are needed to govern the use of these wearable cameras in public spaces.
Adobe is integrating several of its flagship tools into the workplace messaging platform Slack. The move will give users access to Adobe Express, Premiere, and Acrobat without leaving the Slack environment. This integration aims to streamline creative and document workflows for teams already operating within Slack. By embedding these tools directly into the platform, Adobe seeks to reduce friction for professionals who rely on both services in their daily work.
The US Army has successfully used a 20-kilowatt laser weapon to shoot down three drones in a recent test. The system demonstrated its ability to both track and destroy hostile unmanned aerial vehicles. This marks a notable milestone in the military's development of directed-energy weapons for drone defense. The capability is seen as increasingly important as drone threats on the battlefield continue to grow.
The New York Times is rolling out a new weekly perk for its subscribers: a set of five to six bonus puzzles released every Wednesday. These puzzles are built around popular NYT games such as Wordle, Strands, Connections, and Crossword, each featuring a unique twist on the original format. One example, called 'Wordle in 1', offers five rounds where players must guess a single correct word per round using just one clue. The selection of bonus puzzles may change from week to week, keeping the experience varied for players. The initiative appears aimed at adding subscriber value to the NYT Games platform.
