Technology

Buc-ee's ignores John Oliver's lawsuit bait, sues another small Ohio business

Buc-ee's, the Texas-based mega-convenience store chain, has a documented history of filing lawsuits against small gas stations and convenience stores. Comedian John Oliver recently challenged the company on Last Week Tonight to sue him after he sold merchandise mocking the brand, but Buc-ee's declined. Instead, the company has turned its legal attention to a small business in Ohio's Miami Valley region. Buc-ee's expanded into Ohio earlier this year, opening its first locations in the state. Critics note the company consistently targets smaller businesses that lack the resources to mount a strong legal defense.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Why Google and security firms assign codenames to hacking groups

Google recently updated the way it names and categorizes hacking groups it tracks. TechCrunch interviewed a senior Google cybersecurity expert to explore the reasoning behind these codename systems. Assigning structured identifiers helps researchers consistently track and communicate about threat actors across the industry. Codenames allow security teams to reference groups without revealing sensitive intelligence or causing public confusion. The practice has become a standard approach among major cybersecurity organizations worldwide.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Indie musician Tom Vek develops Sleevenote, a new digital music player

British musician Tom Vek, known for his 2005 debut album 'We Have Sound', has been developing a digital music player called Sleevenote since 2020. Vek rose to prominence with his blend of indie and electronic music, earning placements on the GTA IV soundtrack and TV show The OC. He has continued releasing music over the years, with his most recent album 'Newer Symbols' dropping in 2022. The Sleevenote project represents a new entrepreneurial venture for the artist, branching beyond music into product development. The player draws inspiration from the vinyl listening experience, though Vek reportedly resists labelling it as a retro device.

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TechnologyBBC Tech ·

Why Tech Investors Bet on AI-Driven World Cup Plans — And What Went Wrong

Tech investors recently backed a proposal to integrate artificial intelligence into World Cup operations, though the plan has since been scrapped. The initiative reflected growing interest from the technology sector in leveraging AI within major global sporting events. Backers believed AI could streamline tournament management, broadcasting, or fan engagement at scale. However, the proposal faced enough resistance or practical hurdles to be abandoned before implementation. Experts and industry observers are now debating whether similar AI-driven sports ventures are inevitable in the future.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Chuwi UniBook review: $450 Windows laptop with Intel chip falls short of hype

Chinese PC brand Chuwi released the UniBook, a $450 Windows laptop featuring an aluminum build and a new Intel Wildcat Lake processor. The device was positioned as a budget-friendly alternative at a time when finding quality laptops under $500 has become increasingly difficult. The MacBook Neo, currently priced at $699, has set a high bar for affordable laptops that Windows machines have struggled to match. Despite its competitive price tag and a decent port selection, the UniBook ultimately fails to live up to its promising specifications. The Verge's review concluded that the laptop's appeal does not hold up beyond its low price point.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

My favorite feel-good show is back

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 139, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, barbecue sauce, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I've been reading about Johnny Knoxville and Google Zero and the history of the bicycle, @all-ing everyone in all my WhatsApp chats just because I can now, rereading There Will Come Soft Rains because this week is when it happens, seeing if Sabbath can help fix my screentime problems, once again moving everything around in my home office, eating altogether too much of

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

NASA's Perseverance Rover Drives Autonomously for 90% of Its Mars Journey

NASA's Perseverance rover has demonstrated remarkable success as the first self-driving vehicle to operate on Mars. Approximately 90 percent of the total distance covered by the rover has been achieved through autonomous navigation. This capability allows the rover to independently chart safe routes across the Martian terrain without waiting for instructions from Earth. The achievement marks a significant milestone in autonomous space exploration technology.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

DeepMind's WeatherNext Model Impresses Scientists with Low-Resolution Forecasts

Google DeepMind has developed an open source weather forecasting model called WeatherNext that has caught the attention of meteorologists. The model is notable for its ability to produce accurate weather predictions even when working with lower-resolution input data. This capability has surprised scientists in the weather forecasting community, who did not expect such performance under those conditions. The development represents a potentially significant advancement in AI-driven approaches to meteorology and hurricane prediction.

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TechnologyNYT Technology ·

Amazon's Texas Data Center to Be Powered by US's Most Polluting Gas Plant

Amazon is investing in a natural-gas-burning power plant in Texas to supply electricity to a large new data center. The planned facility is projected to become the most polluting power plant in the United States. The move raises questions about the tech giant's credibility, given its existing public commitments to climate and sustainability goals. The development highlights the growing tension between the surging energy demands of AI-driven data centers and corporate environmental pledges.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Nitecore NB10000 Gen 4 Is the Lightest 10,000mAh Power Bank Available

Nitecore has released the NB10000 Gen 4, a fourth-generation ultralight power bank priced at $83.95. The device weighs just 146 grams and measures 1.45 x 11.6 x 4.68 cm, making it the most compact 10,000mAh power bank currently on the market. It is designed with endurance athletes, backpackers, and bikepackers in mind, prioritizing minimal weight over extra features. The Verge reviewer tested the unit over several weeks and confirmed its class-leading size and weight credentials.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

OpenAI Pauses Astra Model Development Citing Cybersecurity Concerns

OpenAI has halted certain aspects of development on its upcoming Astra model due to cybersecurity-related concerns. The company flagged that the model's security capabilities raised issues significant enough to warrant a slowdown. This marks a notable instance of a leading AI firm voluntarily delaying a model over safety and security considerations. No timeline has been provided for when development work on Astra will resume.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Walmart-sponsored gaming site Restart lays off entire editorial team

Restart, a gaming media website launched in late 2024 and sponsored by Walmart, has laid off its entire editorial staff. The site's former editor-in-chief, Brandy Berthelson, announced the layoffs in a Friday post, with other staff members also confirming they had been let go. Restart was operated by Moonrock, a content marketing agency, and functioned as a Walmart-affiliated platform that embedded partner tracking links to Walmart product pages within its game coverage. The site's editorial mission page described it as 'powered' by Walmart, though it noted the arrangement provided no direct revenue share from purchases made through those links.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Copernicus Browser Adds Wildfire Tracking Tools Amid Record Fire Season

The European Union's free Copernicus satellite service has updated its browser platform with new wildfire visualization features. The upgrade makes it easier for users to monitor and track active wildfires using satellite imagery. The enhancement comes as Europe and other regions are experiencing a record-breaking wildfire season. Copernicus, which provides open-access Earth observation data, aims to support emergency responders, researchers, and the general public with improved fire monitoring tools.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Rippling launches AI Spend Console to track employee AI costs after internal overspend

HR and workforce management platform Rippling has launched a new product called AI Spend Console this week. The tool allows companies to monitor AI-related spending at both the individual employee and team levels. The release follows Rippling's own experience of burning through millions of dollars on AI tools within a short period. That internal wake-up call reportedly prompted the company to build a solution to help other businesses avoid similar overspending on AI.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Wacom Launches Movink Pad 11 as Mid-Range Option for Digital Artists

Wacom has introduced the Movinkpad 11, a new graphics tablet targeting digital artists at a mid-range price point. The device is designed to offer versatility for users looking to create digital artwork. It positions itself as an accessible entry point for those entering or expanding within the digital art space. The tablet aims to balance affordability with functionality for aspiring and hobbyist artists.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Screwworm Fly Infections Surpass 500 Human Cases in Mexico, Six Dead

Mexico is facing a significant outbreak of flesh-eating screwworm fly infections, with human cases exceeding 500. The screwworm, whose larvae burrow into and feed on living flesh, has caused six deaths among those infected. At least one of those fatalities has been directly attributed to the parasitic flies. The outbreak has raised serious public health concerns in the region. Authorities are working to contain the spread of the dangerous parasite.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Polish Courts, Hospitals and Airports Found Vulnerable to Cyberattacks

Security researchers conducted a broad scan of Polish government and public-sector websites, uncovering significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The investigation found that critical institutions, including courts, hospitals, and airports, were at risk of being compromised by hackers. A key weakness identified was flawed content management software used to organize and display web content across these sites. Such vulnerabilities could have allowed malicious actors to gain unauthorized access and cause widespread disruption to essential public services.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Rapper Fenix Flexin Effectively Admits AI Tool Was Used to Make Song 'Rubberz'

LA rapper Fenix Flexin has largely acknowledged the use of AI in creating his 80s synth pop-themed track 'Rubberz', stating he never denied it. In an Instagram comment, he clarified that AI had no role in the recording process itself and that he was unaware of the app until the mixing stage. The admission follows videos by producer Medasin alleging that an AI tool called Treblo, formerly known as Sonauto, was used to produce the song. Treblo itself released an AI detector that reportedly identified 'Rubberz' as AI-generated content. The controversy comes amid similar scrutiny of rapper Tyga, who admitted to using AI for his own 80s-influenced album '$tarface'.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Meta ordered to pay $567M into youth mental health fund after NM court ruling

A New Mexico judge has ruled that Meta created a 'public nuisance' through its social media platforms and their impact on young users. The court ordered the company to establish a $567 million fund to address the resulting youth mental health crisis. The ruling marks a significant legal setback for Meta, holding it financially accountable for harms linked to its platforms. The decision reflects growing judicial scrutiny of social media companies over their effects on the mental well-being of minors.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Concorde Once Chased a Solar Eclipse to Capture Record Corona Images

A specially equipped Concorde aircraft was used to chase the Moon's shadow during a solar eclipse, extending the observation window far beyond what ground-based viewing allows. The supersonic jet was fitted with telescopes to study the Sun's corona, the outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere. By flying at high speed in the same direction as the eclipse's path, the plane was able to keep pace with the Moon's shadow for an extended period. This resulted in the longest continuous imaging of the solar corona ever achieved at the time. The mission demonstrated how aviation technology could be combined with astronomy to push the boundaries of scientific observation.

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