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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Anthropic shares more details about how Claude’s new watermarks will work
How will the watermarking actually work? Can it be hidden with editing? And how does this affect code?
Technology
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Elektron's Budget Model:Samples and Model:Cycles Are Underrated Groovebox Gems
Elektron's Model:Samples and Model:Cycles are affordable grooveboxes often recommended for beginners in electronic music production. Despite being overshadowed by trendier brands like Teenage Engineering and even Elektron's own higher-end devices such as the Digitakt and Octatrack, the Model series holds its own. Reviewers note that the instruments punch well above their budget price point in terms of power and enjoyment. Even experienced musicians with more expensive gear in their collections continue to return to the Model series regularly. Beginners are often steered toward more recognizable names like Korg, making Elektron's budget lineup an underappreciated option worth considering.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
SpaceX officially closes its Cursor acquisition
AI coding startup Cursor is now officially a part of SpaceX.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
How to Check If Your AI Platform Accounts Have Been Compromised
Cybersecurity concerns are growing as hackers increasingly target accounts on popular AI platforms. Users of these services may be unaware that their accounts have been breached without knowing the warning signs. TechCrunch has published a practical guide to help users identify whether their AI platform accounts have been accessed without authorization. The guide covers the most widely used AI services, offering step-by-step checks to detect potential intrusions. Staying vigilant is critical as AI platforms store sensitive personal data and usage history.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
Ukraine strikes major Russian rocket factory with cruise missiles
"Flamingo missiles were used. A good achievement."
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Switched on Pop hosts Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding break down pop music's craft
Switched on Pop is a music podcast co-hosted by Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding, who deeply analyze pop songs for their musical theory and production techniques. The show is said to have been inspired by Carly Rae Jepsen's 2012 hit 'Call Me Maybe.' Sloan is a composer and musicology professor at USC Thornton School of Music, with research interests spanning pop, jazz, and Tin Pan Alley. Harding brings his background as a songwriter, music journalist, and professor to the collaboration. Together, the duo have built a reputation as one of the most insightful voices in pop music analysis.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Ahsoka Season 2 Trailer and Starfighter Movie Teased at D23
Lucasfilm used the D23 convention to preview upcoming Star Wars projects, including a first trailer for Ahsoka season 2. The new season is set to premiere on January 20, 2027, and the trailer hints at a darker tone featuring witchcraft elements within the Star Wars universe. Grand Admiral Thrawn returns as the central villain, threatening to plunge the galaxy into large-scale conflict following the fall of the Empire. Ryan Gosling also appeared on stage to tease the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter film, though the footage shown was exclusive to the live audience. No public preview of the Starfighter material was released at the event.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Disney D23 2026: X-Men Cast, Avengers Trailer, and Star Wars Teasers Revealed
Disney's annual D23 fan event showcased a series of major announcements across its entertainment franchises. Marvel unveiled the cast for its upcoming X-Men film, which includes Inde Navarrette and Adam Driver, alongside a new trailer for Avengers: Doomsday featuring Robert Downey Jr. as Doom. Star Wars fans received a teaser for Ahsoka season two and a first look at Star Wars: Starfighter, with Ryan Gosling making an appearance at the event. Disney Plus also debuted the first trailer for VisionQuest, reuniting Paul Bettany and James Spader. Additional updates were shared for Pixar projects, The Simpsons, Bluey, and Kingdom Hearts.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
OhSnap Snap Grip Stand review: A $50 magnetic phone grip worth keeping on
The OhSnap Snap Grip Stand is a $50 magnetic phone grip and vertical stand accessory designed to stay attached to a user's phone at all times. The Verge reviewer Sean Hollister had previously tested other OhSnap products but found them overpriced or slightly flawed, opting instead for a cheaper $25 alternative. The Snap Grip Stand won him over with its ability to prop phones upright vertically with ease. It retains OhSnap's double-sided magnet system while adding more practical stand functionality. Hollister considers it the best product the company has released to date.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Marvel unveils full X-Men MCU cast featuring Adam Driver, Kit Connor, and more
Marvel officially announced the cast for its upcoming untitled X-Men film at the D23 event in Anaheim. The movie, set for a May 5, 2028 theatrical release, brings the iconic mutant team into the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time. Previously revealed Sadie Sink will play Jean Grey, while Kit Connor takes on Cyclops and Christopher Abbott portrays Professor X. Samara Weaving, Maya Boyd, and Inde Navarrette are set to play Emma Frost, Storm, and Rogue, respectively. Marvel has not yet disclosed Adam Driver's role in the film.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Fusion Energy Startups Have Collectively Raised $7.1 Billion in Funding
Fusion energy startups have attracted a total of $7.1 billion in investment funding to date. The bulk of this capital has been concentrated among a small number of companies in the sector. Several individual startups have crossed the $100 million fundraising threshold, reflecting growing investor confidence in fusion as a future energy source. The trend highlights how private capital is increasingly flowing into what was once considered purely government-funded scientific research.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Xteink E-Readers Gain Free Library Book Access via Libby Plugin
Xteink's pocket-sized e-readers have historically required users to source their own DRM-free ebooks, unlike Kindle or Kobo devices that offer built-in storefronts. That is set to change with CrossPoint Reader, a free alternative firmware for the X3, X4, and X4 Pro models, which is introducing support for third-party plugins. One of the first community-built plugins will allow users to borrow DRM-protected ebooks through OverDrive's Libby library app. The move significantly expands the content ecosystem available to Xteink device owners at no extra cost.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Sony A7R VI Arrives With 66.8MP Sensor and Versatile 8K Video Capability
Sony has unveiled the A7R VI, its latest flagship high-resolution full-frame camera featuring a 66.8-megapixel sensor. The camera marks a modest resolution increase over its predecessor, the A7R V, while introducing a new fully stacked sensor and Bionz XR2 processor. These upgrades enable a wider range of shooting scenarios, including fast-moving sports, action photography, and 8K video capture. Historically, high-resolution cameras were limited by slower performance and increased noise, but the A7R VI aims to overcome those trade-offs. The new hardware positions it as a versatile all-around camera rather than a specialized tool for a single type of photography.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
The surprise must-see movie of the summer
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 140, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, don't forget to hydrate, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I've been reading about Will Ferrell and Fabrizio Romano and Heather Cox Richardson, scrolling and scrolling through Ordinary Abundance, watching Avatar Aang (which is as good as you said it was), finally getting proficient in CapCut, obsessing over the latest scandal unearthed by PTFO, rewatching Tires now that the third season is out, trying Spark's AI tools
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TechnologyBBC Tech ·
Bulk Secondhand Book Orders Surge, Possibly Linked to AI Training Data
Secondhand booksellers are experiencing an unusual boom in sales, driven largely by mysterious bulk purchases. Experts and sellers suspect the books are being acquired to serve as training data for artificial intelligence models. Once digitised for this purpose, the physical books are believed to be pulped rather than resold or preserved. The trend has raised questions about the scale of data collection by AI developers and its impact on the secondhand book market.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
Solar Dominates New US Power Plants Added This Year, Batteries Follow
Utility-scale solar has emerged as the clear leader among new power plants that came online in the United States this year. Battery storage secured the second spot in the rankings of newly commissioned facilities. Fossil fuel-based power generation lagged significantly behind renewables in new capacity additions. The data reflects a broader shift in the US energy mix toward cleaner power sources. This trend underscores accelerating momentum in renewable energy infrastructure deployment across the country.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Artist's Bike Device Makes Pedaling Harder in Unaffordable Neighborhoods
Brooklyn-based artist and technologist Justin Blinder conceived the project 'Ground Truth' in 2020 after losing his job just before COVID-19 lockdowns began. While working as a food delivery cyclist across New York City, he observed sharp economic contrasts between neighboring areas. These observations inspired him to develop a device that physically reflects housing unaffordability by increasing resistance on a bicycle in costlier neighborhoods. The project aims to make riders viscerally aware of economic disparities that are geographically close but feel worlds apart.
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TechnologyNYT Technology ·
Iranian YouTube Debate Show Azad Challenges Boundaries of Authoritarian Censorship
Azad is a popular Iranian online debate program hosted on YouTube that openly tackles controversial topics rarely discussed under Iran's authoritarian regime. The show has gained significant viewership by pushing the boundaries of what is permissible in Iranian public discourse. Its continued operation has raised questions among observers about how it has managed to stay on air without being shut down by authorities. The program represents an unusual case of relatively candid public debate in a country known for strict media censorship and control.
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TechnologyBBC Tech ·
Tech Leaders Race to Publish Lengthy AI Manifestos — But Why?
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has become the latest major tech executive to publish a lengthy written statement outlining his views on artificial intelligence. The trend of senior technology leaders releasing detailed AI manifestos has grown increasingly common across the industry. These documents, often running to thousands of words, reflect the growing importance executives place on shaping public and policy narratives around AI. Analysts suggest the letters serve both as personal branding tools and as attempts to influence the broader conversation on AI development and regulation.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
PayPal sale talks with Stripe and Advent International gain momentum
PayPal is reportedly in active negotiations over a potential sale involving payments giant Stripe and private equity firm Advent. The discussions come as PayPal's newly appointed CEO works to engineer a turnaround for the struggling fintech company. Both Stripe and Advent are said to be engaged in separate or joint talks regarding the acquisition. The development signals growing pressure on PayPal to explore strategic options amid ongoing business challenges.