Technology

Microsoft Surface Laptop with Snapdragon X2 Plus drops to $999 at Best Buy

Best Buy is offering the 2026 Microsoft Surface Laptop (13.8-inch) at $999.99, down from its original price of $1,599.99, with the deal running through July 30th. The discounted model features a 10-core Snapdragon X2 Plus chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, available in black and dune colorways. The Verge recommends the 16GB configuration over the base 8GB model, citing a noticeably better Windows 11 experience and double the storage. The Arm-based laptop is noted for its strong design, long battery life, and improved performance over its predecessor. Best Buy is also running same-day deals on Nvidia RTX 5060 gaming laptops priced around $1,000 to $1,100.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Main Stage to Feature Amazon, Replit and Tether Leaders

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 has announced that its flagship Disrupt Stage will feature top executives from Amazon, Replit, and Tether. The Disrupt Stage is the event's premier platform, known for hosting major conversations across the technology industry. The conference has maintained this tradition for over a decade, establishing itself as a key gathering for tech leaders. Additional speakers and participants are expected to be announced ahead of the event.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

FTC sues Hims & Hers for sharing patient medical data with Meta and Snap

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against telehealth company Hims & Hers over alleged misuse of patient data. The company, which offers services related to sexual wellness and mental health, reportedly used tracking tools embedded on its website to collect sensitive customer information. This data was then allegedly shared with advertising platforms including Meta and Snap. The FTC, which serves as the country's primary consumer protection agency, contends the practice violated patients' privacy. The case highlights growing regulatory scrutiny over how health-focused digital platforms handle and monetize personal medical information.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Zoox wins federal safety exemption to launch commercial robotaxi service

Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company Zoox has received a temporary exemption from federal safety regulators, clearing the final regulatory hurdle for its robotaxi service. The exemption allows Zoox to charge customers for rides in its purpose-built autonomous vehicles. This marks a significant milestone for the company as it moves from testing to commercial operations. The custom-built robotaxi, designed specifically for autonomous use, will now be able to operate as a paid service following the regulatory green light.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Inforcer Raises $50M Series C to Bolster AI and Cybersecurity for SMBs

London-based cybersecurity startup Inforcer has secured $50 million in a Series C funding round. The round was led by investment firm Insight Partners. Inforcer focuses on helping smaller businesses navigate growing risks tied to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity threats. The fresh capital is expected to support the company's efforts to expand its security solutions tailored for the SMB market.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Dili Raises $21.7M Series A to Deploy AI for Infrastructure Compliance

Dili has secured $21.7 million in a Series A funding round aimed at applying artificial intelligence to compliance processes within the infrastructure sector. The round was led by Khosla Ventures, reflecting strong venture capital interest in AI-driven regulatory solutions. Additional investors included Allianz, Rebel Fund, Brick and Mortar Ventures' Darren Bechtel, and Y Combinator's Garry Tan. The funding comes amid a broader boom in infrastructure development, which has heightened demand for streamlined compliance tools. Dili plans to use the capital to expand its AI-powered platform catering to this growing market need.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Spotify Launches AI-Powered Running Mode to Match Music to Your Workout Pace

Spotify has introduced a new Running Mode feature designed to help users build playlists tailored to their workout goals, music preferences, and desired beats per minute. The AI-powered tool aims to reduce time spent searching for suitable workout music by offering customizable running presets and optional coaching features. Running Mode builds on the personalization technology behind Prompted Playlists, which Spotify launched last year, with fitness-related prompts proving among the most popular uses of that feature. The new feature is available exclusively to Spotify Premium subscribers.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Amazon's Kindle Short Story Collections Offer a Unique Reading Experience

Amazon offers curated short story collections on Kindle that continue to make the e-reader a compelling device for book lovers. While many readers have shifted back to physical books for a greater sense of ownership and connection, Kindle retains distinct advantages such as portability, vast storage, and instant purchases. Short-form fiction available on the platform provides a reading experience that is difficult to replicate with physical media. These collections represent one of the standout features keeping dedicated readers engaged with their Kindle devices.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P adds telephoto lens at a lower price than Insta360 rival

DJI has launched the Osmo Pocket 4P, an upgraded version of the Osmo Pocket 4 featuring a second 3x telephoto camera lens. The device competes directly with Insta360's dual-lens Luna Ultra, which is currently the only comparable rival in the market. DJI has priced the Pocket 4P below the Luna Ultra while delivering similar or better image quality, making it a strong value proposition for most buyers. However, the camera will not be available for sale in the United States, limiting its reach. The added lens does increase the device's size, weight, and cost compared to the standard Pocket 4, but reviewers find the trade-off worthwhile for most use cases.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

SwitchBot Battery Circulator Fan 2 Pro offers 70-hour battery and Matter support for $120

SwitchBot has launched the Battery Circulator Fan 2 Pro, a portable smart fan priced at $119.99. The device features a 3,600mAh battery capable of delivering up to 70 hours of cordless operation at low speed, or around four hours at maximum power. It supports native Matter-over-Wi-Fi, enabling direct smart home integration without requiring a separate SwitchBot Hub. Compared to its predecessor, the Fan 2 Pro trades the height-adjustable stand for improvements in battery life, wind throw distance, and overall speed. The compact fan is designed for use in medium-sized rooms, on balconies, or in outdoor settings such as camping tents.

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TechnologyNYT Technology ·

Canadian Man Acquitted After Serving 18 Months Over Single-Character Username Mix-Up

A Canadian appeals court has acquitted Brandon Klayme of child pornography-related charges after finding he was wrongly convicted. The error stemmed from a confusion between two Kik usernames that differed by just one underscore character. Klayme had already served 18 months in prison before the court recognized the mistake. The case highlights how a minor typographical discrepancy in a username can have severe consequences for the wrong individual.

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TechnologyNYT Technology ·

Apple Upgrades Siri With AI Overhaul: Five Prompts to Try Now

Apple has significantly upgraded Siri, transforming the long-criticized virtual assistant into a more capable AI-powered chatbot. The overhaul represents a major shift in how Siri processes and responds to user queries. While the updated assistant still has limitations, reviewers consider it a meaningful improvement worth exploring. To help users get started, five example prompts have been highlighted to showcase the new capabilities.

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TechnologyNYT Technology ·

Bay Area Pastor Builds AI Version of Himself to Offer Round-the-Clock Spiritual Guidance

Justin Lester, a pastor based in the San Francisco Bay Area, has developed an artificial intelligence replica of himself to better serve his congregation. The AI twin is designed to discuss matters of faith and answer questions about God at any hour. Lester created the tool in response to the increasing demands placed on him by his growing church community. Since its launch, he has observed a steady rise in the number of people engaging with the AI version of him daily.

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TechnologyNYT Technology ·

AI-Generated Text Detected in Hockey Romance Fan Fiction, Fandom Erupts

An anonymous account on X sparked controversy after posting a detailed analysis identifying AI-generated text in 38 popular fan fiction stories based on the hockey romance 'Heated Rivalry'. The allegations sent the fan community into a spiral of debate and outrage. The breakdown reportedly highlighted specific chatbot-style language patterns within the stories. The incident has reignited broader tensions within online fan fiction communities over the use of artificial intelligence in creative writing.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Microsoft Unveils In-House AI Models to Rival OpenAI and Anthropic

Microsoft made a bold push into the AI competition on Wednesday, showcasing its own internally developed AI models and tools. The tech giant presented its strategy directly to Wall Street investors, signaling a shift toward greater AI self-reliance. Among the announcements was a competitor to Mythos, indicating Microsoft is broadening its AI product portfolio. The company expressed confidence in continued growth as it positions itself more aggressively against partners-turned-rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Zuckerberg forecasts billions will use personal AI agents within five years

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has predicted that billions of people will have access to personal AI agents within the next five years. The forecast comes as Meta continues to invest heavily in AI infrastructure and agent technology. Zuckerberg made the remarks as part of an effort to reassure investors that the company's massive AI spending will ultimately deliver returns. The bold prediction signals Meta's strategic bet that AI agents will become a mainstream, widely adopted technology in the near future.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Microsoft books $3.2B gain on Anthropic stake as AI investment results vary

Microsoft reported strong fourth-quarter earnings for its fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, revealing details about its investments in two major competing AI companies. The tech giant recorded a $3.2 billion gain from its stake in Anthropic, the AI lab behind the Claude models. However, its investment in OpenAI delivered more mixed financial results during the same period. The disclosures came as part of Microsoft's broader fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report, highlighting the diverging performance of its AI lab bets.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Meta Eyes Broad Enterprise AI Push Beyond Just Agents, Says Zuckerberg

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg outlined an expansive enterprise AI strategy during the company's second-quarter earnings call on Wednesday. He described the opportunity as extending well beyond AI agents alone, encompassing APIs, compute infrastructure, and internal software tools. Zuckerberg characterized this as a 'large enterprise opportunity' for the social media and technology giant. The remarks signal Meta's ambition to compete more broadly in the business-facing AI market rather than focusing on a single product category.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Microsoft to launch unified Copilot super app combining chat, coding, and AI agents

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella confirmed during a Wednesday earnings call that the company is developing a Copilot 'super app' set to launch this year. The app will consolidate chat, coding, and agentic AI features into a single platform. Nadella described Copilot as evolving 'from chat to Cowork to Autopilots,' signaling a major shift in how the tool functions. The super app is designed to serve both consumer and enterprise users. The announcement follows earlier reports that Microsoft was working on a unified AI application blending multiple Copilot capabilities.

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TechnologyBBC Tech ·

Chinese Robotics Firms Eye UK Retail Amid Labour Shortages and Low Productivity

Chinese robotics companies are increasingly targeting the UK retail sector as a key growth market. Britain's persistent labour shortages and weak productivity growth have created a significant opening for automation solutions. Chinese firms, already dominant in robotics manufacturing, are positioning themselves to fill the gap left by a shrinking workforce. The trend reflects a broader shift in UK retail toward automated warehouse and logistics operations. This development raises both economic opportunity and questions around supply chain dependence on Chinese technology.

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