Technology

Ex-Ultrahuman VP raises $5.5M for AI agent-control wearable startup Aina

Ultrahuman's former hardware vice president has founded a new startup called Aina, securing $5.5 million in funding. Unlike conventional wearables that primarily record biometric data, Aina's devices are designed to actively control AI agents. The company is preparing to pilot its first device in the coming weeks. The funding signals growing investor interest in hardware that goes beyond passive data collection to enable direct human-AI interaction.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Xona Plans 258-Satellite LEO Network to Rival GPS Navigation

US startup Xona is developing a constellation of 258 satellites in low-Earth orbit designed to serve as an alternative to GPS. The company aims to provide navigation services that could improve on traditional GPS capabilities. Low-Earth orbit satellites orbit closer to Earth than GPS satellites, which can result in stronger signals and faster positioning. The initiative reflects a broader renewed interest in LEO-based navigation systems as alternatives to existing global navigation infrastructure.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Meta adds parental alerts for teen suicide and self-harm talks with AI chatbot

Meta has introduced a new feature that notifies parents when their teenage children discuss suicide or self-harm with its AI chatbot. The update comes amid growing regulatory and parental pressure on tech companies over how AI systems handle vulnerable users, especially minors in crisis. Meta and other technology firms have faced increasing scrutiny over the safety of AI chatbots when interacting with teenagers. The move appears to be part of broader efforts by the company to address concerns about teen mental health and AI safety.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

AI Tools for Police Work Draw Scrutiny at Major US Law Enforcement Conference

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Technology Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, showcased artificial intelligence products marketed to law enforcement agencies. Vendors promoted AI tools designed to automate routine but legally significant police tasks. A journalist covering the event was barred from entering the venue but gathered accounts from attendees about what was being demonstrated inside. The conference highlighted a growing commercial industry built around selling AI-powered solutions to police departments across the United States. Critics and observers have raised concerns about the implications of automating steps that form critical parts of the legal process.

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TechnologyBBC Tech ·

Two teen hackers jailed for cyberattack on Transport for London

Owen Flowers and Thalha Jubair have been sentenced to jail following their convictions for carrying out a cyberattack on Transport for London (TfL). The attack, which the pair reportedly live-streamed, resulted in significant financial costs for the London transport authority. Both individuals were found guilty of their respective roles in orchestrating the breach. The case highlights growing concerns over cybercrime carried out by young offenders targeting critical public infrastructure.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

OnePlus exits US and European markets, ending new product launches in both regions

OnePlus has officially confirmed it will no longer launch new products in the United States or Europe, marking a full withdrawal from both markets. The OnePlus 15 was the last flagship device the company released in the US. Parent company Oppo has pledged to honor existing warranty and support commitments, with devices set to transition to ColorOS for future software updates. Oppo's European PR manager confirmed that after-sale support will be maintained in both regions, though no specific details were provided for the US where the company will have no physical presence. The move aligns with expectations that had been building among industry observers for some time.

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TechnologyBBC Tech ·

Ofcom opens formal investigation into TikTok over child safety failures

UK communications regulator Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into TikTok over concerns about child safety on the platform. The move follows a review conducted in May in which Ofcom criticised TikTok for failing to provide a sufficiently safe environment for younger users. The regulator determined that the platform had not done enough to protect children from potential harms. The investigation signals an escalation in regulatory scrutiny of TikTok's practices in the United Kingdom.

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TechnologyNYT Technology ·

Europe Seeks Tech Independence From US and China Amid Strategic Uncertainty

France and Germany are pushing to reduce their dependence on American and Chinese technology, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence. The two European nations are part of a broader continental effort to build greater technological sovereignty. However, European leaders face significant challenges in determining how and where to develop these homegrown capabilities. The drive reflects growing concerns across Europe about relying on foreign powers for critical digital infrastructure.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Lululemon backs French nylon recycling startup Syntetica in $30M Series A

French startup Syntetica, which has developed an innovative nylon recycling technology, has raised $30 million in a Series A funding round. Athletic apparel brand Lululemon is among the notable backers supporting the round. The investment highlights growing corporate interest in sustainable materials and textile recycling solutions. Syntetica has managed to attract both high-profile partners and investors as it scales its recycling approach.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Applied Computing raises $20M to build AI foundation model for oil and gas industry

Applied Computing has secured $20 million in a Series A funding round. The startup aims to develop a foundation AI model tailored specifically for the oil, gas, and petrochemical sector. The model is intended to serve entire plant operations within these industries. The funding will support the company's efforts to bring advanced AI capabilities to industrial energy operators.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Greylock Caps New Fund at $1.5B Despite Capacity for More

Venture capital firm Greylock has deliberately limited its new fund to $1.5 billion, even though the firm says it had the ability to raise a larger amount. The decision is tied to the firm's strategy of making roughly 25 investments per fund. By keeping its portfolio size small and focused, Greylock aims to provide deep, meaningful support to each of its founders. The firm describes its goal as being the most important partner to the entrepreneurs it backs.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC launches with Bose noise cancellation at $279.99

Skullcandy has unveiled the Crusher 1080 ANC, a new addition to its bass-focused wireless headphone lineup. The headphones integrate Bose technologies, including QuietControl active noise cancellation and head-tracking spatial audio. Like previous Crusher models, the 1080 ANC uses both full-range and dedicated bass drivers per ear cup to enhance low frequencies. Skullcandy acknowledges that heavy bass boosting can compromise audio quality, and says the Bose collaboration is aimed at addressing that limitation. The headphones are available immediately in four color options at a retail price of $279.99.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Microsoft Training Sales Staff to Pitch Its AI Models Over OpenAI and Anthropic

Microsoft is reportedly coaching its salespeople to position the company's in-house AI models as superior alternatives to those from OpenAI and Anthropic. The push focuses on presenting Microsoft's own models as more efficient and cost-effective compared to rival offerings. This marks a notable strategic shift, given that Microsoft has been a major investor in and close partner of OpenAI. The move suggests Microsoft is increasingly looking to differentiate and promote its proprietary AI capabilities in a competitive market.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

HP OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 with OLED screen drops to $999 at Best Buy

Best Buy is currently selling the HP OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 laptop for $999.99, down from its regular price of $1,649.99. The machine is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB SSD. Its standout feature is a 1920x1200 OLED touchscreen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, which offers deeper blacks and faster response times compared to similarly priced rivals. The laptop also features a 360-degree hinge for tablet-style use, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0. As a Copilot Plus PC, it includes a dedicated neural processing unit designed to handle AI-assisted tasks such as file search and live video transcription.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Apple to raise AppleCare Plus prices for Macs and iPads, Bloomberg reports

Apple is reportedly set to increase AppleCare Plus subscription prices for new Mac and iPad sign-ups, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The price hike amounts to $0.50 more per month or $5 more per year. For example, a plan for the 13-inch MacBook Air will rise from $7.49 to $7.99 monthly, or from $74.99 to $79.99 annually. This follows a similar AppleCare Plus price increase applied to iPhones last year. Apple has not yet commented on the report, and the updated pricing has not yet appeared on its US website.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Workers rally at Bethesda HQ to protest Xbox layoffs and demand contract talks

Hundreds of workers gathered at Bethesda's headquarters to protest ongoing layoffs at Xbox. The demonstration was organized by a union seeking to end what it describes as a recurring pattern of job cuts. Protesters called for a halt to the layoffs and a return to contract bargaining negotiations. The rally highlights growing labor tensions within the gaming industry amid a wave of recent workforce reductions.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Valve confirms iFixit will restock Steam Deck LCD batteries next week

Valve has confirmed that iFixit will resume selling replacement batteries for the Steam Deck LCD handheld, after reports emerged that the part had been discontinued. The company stated that iFixit expects to have the batteries back in stock within a week. Valve clarified that iFixit will continue to receive the same OEM parts sourced through Valve's manufacturing partners as before. The news comes as Steam Deck owners are increasingly reaching the point where battery replacements are needed. Valve has generally been praised for its repair-friendly approach to the Steam Deck.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Buzz Aldrin's Apollo 11 Moon-launch pen sells at auction

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin has sold the felt-tip pen he used to activate a critical switch during the Apollo 11 lunar ascent. The pen famously helped trigger the engine that launched Aldrin and Neil Armstrong off the Moon's surface and back toward Earth in 1969. The item went under the hammer at auction, fetching a notable sum. Despite the historical significance of the artifact, the sale did not set any new auction records for space memorabilia.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Sheetz ditches VMware across 838 stores, cites Broadcom uncertainty

Convenience store chain Sheetz has migrated all 838 of its store locations away from VMware. The move was driven by the uncertainty created following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware. Sheetz has chosen StorMagic as its replacement virtualization solution. The decision reflects broader concerns among enterprises about Broadcom's post-acquisition licensing and support changes.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

xAI sues South Carolina man for allegedly using Grok to generate CSAM

Elon Musk's AI company xAI has filed a lawsuit against Terry Wayne Harwood, a South Carolina man accused of exploiting the Grok chatbot to create child sexual abuse material. The company alleges Harwood deliberately bypassed Grok's safety safeguards to generate and distribute CSAM, violating its terms of service. Harwood was arrested in February and currently faces eight felony charges related to possession and distribution of such material. xAI claims that at least some of the images tied to his criminal case were produced or manipulated using Grok.

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