Google has released three new artificial intelligence models under its Gemini lineup. One of the models is described as the most powerful the company has built to date. Another has been specifically fine-tuned to handle cybersecurity-related tasks. The releases come as Google intensifies competition with AI rivals such as OpenAI and Anthropic.
Light, a tech company co-founded by Kaiwei Tang, has launched a new flip phone described as colorful and budget-friendly. Tang previously co-created the iconic Motorola Razr, making him a notable figure in the flip phone space. The launch comes more than two decades after the original Razr debuted, a timeline that even Tang finds surprising. The new device signals a broader revival of the flip phone form factor in the modern smartphone market.
Light, the company known for distraction-free devices, is developing a new flip phone following feedback from its user base. Cofounder Kaiwei Tang said many users — especially younger ones — not only wanted to avoid smartphone features but also disliked devices that resembled smartphones. This response came after Light released the Light Phone III, its most smartphone-like product to date, which featured a touchscreen, camera, and additional capabilities. The new flip form factor is designed to visually and functionally distance itself from conventional smartphones. The move reflects a growing demand among some consumers for phones that signal a deliberate break from mainstream smartphone culture.
Google has introduced Gemini 3.5 Flash Cyber, an AI model designed to identify and fix security vulnerabilities quickly and affordably. Announced in a blog post on Tuesday, Google positions it as a cost-efficient alternative to larger, pricier AI security systems such as Anthropic's Mythos. The model is built on top of Gemini 3.5 Flash and will initially be made available to governments and trusted partners. It operates through CodeMender, Google's security-focused coding agent, which can invoke the model repeatedly at high speed and low cost. This approach allows the system to scan a broader range of code paths and uncover more vulnerabilities than traditional methods.
Snap has agreed to a tentative settlement in a lawsuit alleging that social media platforms cause harm to children and young adults. The case had been scheduled to go to trial later this month. TikTok previously settled its own portion of the same lawsuit with the plaintiff. The legal action is part of broader litigation targeting major tech companies over the addictive nature of their platforms on younger users. Details of Snap's settlement terms have not yet been disclosed.
AI music generation platform Suno has suffered a significant data breach affecting approximately 55 million users. A hacker gained unauthorized access to sensitive personal information belonging to Suno's customer base. The stolen data includes users' names, phone numbers, and physical addresses. The breach was flagged and reported through Have I Been Pwned, a well-known data breach notification service.
Stellantis and Intel's Mobileye announced Tuesday a partnership to bring Level 2 hands-free driving features to Stellantis vehicle brands. The rollout is set to begin in 2027, leveraging Mobileye's EyeQ system-on-a-chip for advanced driver assistance. The integration will also include Mobileye's Road Experience Management program, which crowdsources real-time data from equipped vehicles to build a global 3D map. The technology is designed to support hands-free, eyes-on driving and intelligent lane keeping, even on unmarked roads under specific conditions. Stellantis, the parent company of brands including Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Fiat, and Peugeot, will apply the system across its portfolio.
Paramount has announced plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a deal valued at approximately $111 billion. The proposed merger is being described as one of the largest and most significant transactions in Hollywood history. The deal would combine two of the entertainment industry's major media conglomerates under a single ownership. Details of the acquisition continue to emerge as the negotiations and regulatory processes develop.
The United Kingdom's government has officially cancelled its planned digital ID card program following significant public resistance. Millions of British citizens had voiced opposition to the initiative. The decision was made in favour of redirecting resources toward a tax cut aimed at addressing the ongoing cost-of-living pressures. The move marks a notable policy reversal for the new administration.
Xteink has upgraded its pocket-sized e-reader with the launch of the X4 Pro. The new model adds a touchscreen interface, making navigation more intuitive for users. A built-in front light has also been introduced, allowing reading in low-light conditions. The X4 Pro retains the compact, portable design that the brand's earlier e-readers were known for.
Xteink has launched the X4 Pro, its latest compact e-reader, priced at $99 and available now through its online store. The device upgrades its predecessor with a touchscreen and front lighting, making it the most capable Xteink e-reader to date. Its 4.26-inch E Ink screen is housed in a pocketable body slightly smaller than the X3, though a standard USB-C port has been dropped in favor of a magnetic pogo-pin connector that requires an included adapter. While the touchscreen improves navigation, responsiveness remains below the standard set by Kindles and Kobos, and the stock software continues to draw criticism. Third-party firmware CrossPoint Reader is expected to be available at launch, offering a potential workaround for users frustrated by the built-in software experience.
Modern vehicles increasingly rely on cloud-based services for features like navigation, remote access, and over-the-air updates. However, automakers do not guarantee indefinite support for these connected services, raising concerns about feature loss over time. When a manufacturer discontinues cloud support, vehicle owners may find that key digital functions stop working, even if the car itself remains mechanically sound. This creates a growing tension between the long lifespan of physical vehicles and the shorter lifecycle of the software and servers that power them. Consumers and regulators are beginning to question what obligations automakers have to maintain connectivity for vehicles already on the road.
Garmin has unveiled the Cirqa, a screenless smart fitness band aimed at continuous health and activity tracking. The device monitors heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature, and motion around the clock, while its lack of a screen helps extend battery life up to 10 days. The Cirqa competes with similar screenless wearables such as the Whoop 5.0 and the recently announced Fitbit Air. Unlike some rivals, Garmin's offering requires no ongoing subscription fee. The band is available now via Garmin's online store at $199.99 and comes with an adjustable fabric strap in multiple colors.
French music streaming platform Deezer has revealed that more than half of all tracks uploaded to its service each day are AI-generated. In June, this translated to over 90,000 AI-created songs being added to the platform daily. The surge highlights the growing scale at which artificial intelligence is being used to produce music content. This trend raises concerns for streaming platforms about content quality, authenticity, and the potential dilution of human-made music. Deezer's disclosure underscores the broader challenge the music industry faces in managing the rapid influx of AI-generated material.
Woot is offering the Nintendo Switch 2 at a discount as part of its 22nd anniversary week-long sale. New customers can save $50 off the standard $449.99 price using coupon code GIFT26 at checkout, while existing account holders receive a $22 discount. The deal runs until July 25th, 2026, or while supplies last, and the code is limited to one use per account. The offer carries added urgency as Nintendo has announced the Switch 2's price will increase to $499.99 starting September 1st, 2026. Discounts on the console have been uncommon since its launch, making this a relatively rare opportunity for prospective buyers.
Maritime nuclear energy startup Bluecore Energy has closed a $10 million pre-seed funding round. The investment was led by venture capital firm Slauson & Co. The company is focused on developing portable nuclear reactors designed to be deployed on barges. This approach aims to bring modular nuclear energy solutions to maritime and potentially off-grid settings.
A study has found that more than one-eighth of mobile applications used by US military personnel contain code originating from China and Russia. The presence of foreign code in these apps raises significant national security concerns for the United States. Analysts examined a broad range of applications commonly used by troops and identified the problematic software components. The findings highlight potential vulnerabilities that could expose sensitive military data to foreign adversaries.
Kia has updated its Seltos SUV for the 2027 model year, with the base version priced at just under $25,000. The compact SUV offers strong value for its segment, according to an early first-drive evaluation. A hybrid powertrain variant is also planned for the Seltos lineup. However, the hybrid model will not be available to buyers until next year. The 2027 Seltos positions itself as an affordable yet well-equipped option in the competitive compact SUV market.
Halliday has released its second-generation smart glasses, the Gen 2, marking a notable upgrade over the original model. The first-generation glasses, demoed at CES 2025, featured a small movable display window embedded in the frame that was difficult to view and caused eye strain during use. Reviewers found the original concept interesting but poorly executed compared to competing smart glasses at the event. The Gen 2 replaces that problematic hidden display with a more conventional alternative, resulting in a significantly better user experience. The improved design has won over at least one critic who was previously unimpressed by Halliday's debut product.
Glorious has launched the GHS InfinitePlay, a wireless gaming headset priced at $229.99. The headset features a hot-swap battery system that allows users to replace batteries without any interruption to audio playback. This is made possible by a built-in fallback battery that keeps the headset running during the swap. The design builds on a concept popularized by SteelSeries, which previously made swappable rechargeable batteries a notable feature in premium headsets. The reviewer describes it as the fastest and most seamless hot-swap battery system they have encountered in a gaming headset.
