SpaceX is preparing to conduct the 13th test flight of its Starship rocket later this week. The upcoming flight will subject the vehicle to higher pressure conditions than previous tests. The mission will also involve testing new Starlink satellites once in orbit. The back-to-back objectives make this a technically significant milestone for the program.
Uber Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal has outlined the company's strategic priorities in a wide-ranging interview with TechCrunch. Kansal discussed Uber's ambitions in financial services and its evolving, increasingly complex relationship with autonomous vehicle partner Waymo. He also shed light on Uber's newly launched AV Labs data operation, which is tied to its self-driving vehicle efforts. Additionally, Kansal explained how artificial intelligence is beginning to surface in practical, noticeable ways for both riders and drivers. He emphasized that Uber intends to remain focused rather than expanding into every possible market.
Singapore-based video generation startup PixVerse has secured $439 million in a Series C extension round. The fundraise has pushed the company's valuation beyond the $2 billion mark. PixVerse cited a user base of 15 million monthly active users as a key driver behind the investment. The startup operates in the rapidly growing AI-powered video generation space.
X has made changes to its content recommendation algorithm aimed at creating a friendlier user experience. The platform will now amplify posts from mutual followers, meaning content from people who follow each other will be given greater visibility. The move is intended to give users' feeds a more communal, connected feel. X hopes the update will shift the platform's tone away from its reputation as a contentious online space.
Nous Research, the AI company behind the Hermes agent model, is in discussions to secure a new funding round valuing it at $1.5 billion. The raise is expected to total at least $75 million, according to reports. The round is being led by Robot, with notable participation from Union Square Ventures and other prominent investors. The funding talks signal growing investor confidence in the AI agent development space.
Food tracking apps have grown in popularity as tools for monitoring dietary habits. These apps allow users to log their meals and purchases in an effort to improve their eating choices. However, questions remain about whether such tracking genuinely leads to healthier diets. Experts and researchers continue to debate the real-world effectiveness of these digital nutrition tools.
A second American citizen infected with Ebola has been transported to Germany for medical treatment. The patient is currently being treated at a hospital in Frankfurt. The United States has continued its policy of not repatriating Ebola-infected American citizens for treatment on home soil. The patient is reported to be in stable condition and doing well according to available information.
Microsoft is testing a stripped-down version of the Windows 11 search menu that eliminates ads, trending searches, daily quizzes, and other recommended content. The updated design limits the search homescreen to displaying only recent searches, removing the distracting tiles currently visible in the right pane. The company announced the change in a blog post on Monday, rolling it out to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel. Microsoft framed the move as part of a broader effort to rebuild user trust and improve the Windows experience.
OnePlus and its parent company Oppo are expected to announce within days that the OnePlus brand will withdraw from the US and European markets, according to a translated WinFuture report. The move would end months of speculation about the brand's future in these regions. Rumors of OnePlus being dismantled first surfaced in January, though the company at the time assured users that North American operations were continuing. A March report from 9to5Google had also suggested OnePlus might halt global operations entirely.
The DJI Mic 3 two-transmitter kit has received its first price cut, dropping from $259 to $219 at major retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo. The bundle includes two wireless lavalier microphones, a receiver unit, a charging case, cables, and four windscreens. Compared to earlier DJI mic generations, the Mic 3 receiver features expanded 32GB onboard storage, support for 24-bit and 32-bit floating point audio, and a built-in display for monitoring battery and connection status. The microphones offer noise reduction, active gain control, and up to eight hours of battery life per charge, while the receiver lasts around ten hours. The included charging case can fully recharge the entire set at least twice before needing a power source.
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a warning about Russian state-sponsored hackers actively targeting routers. The attackers are exploiting routers to build residential proxy networks, which help disguise malicious traffic as ordinary internet activity. Such proxies have become an increasingly popular tool among threat actors seeking to evade detection. CISA is urging both home users and businesses to remain vigilant and ensure their router firmware and security settings are up to date.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella published a blog post on Monday cautioning businesses about the risks of depending on proprietary AI models. His warning specifically referenced models from leading AI firms such as Anthropic and OpenAI. The advisory is notable given Microsoft's own significant investment and partnership with OpenAI. Nadella's message appears aimed at enterprises currently evaluating or using closed, third-party AI systems.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro, a bone conduction headset designed for outdoor workouts, is currently on sale for $109 — $50 off its regular price. The deal is available at Amazon, Walmart, and B&H Photo, matching the product's all-time low price last seen in January. Unlike standard earbuds, the OpenRun Pro sits outside the ear and uses bone conduction technology to deliver audio. This open-ear design allows users to remain aware of their surroundings, such as traffic and cyclists, while still listening to music.
Leaked Amazon placeholder listings, spotted and reported by 9to5Google, suggest Google's upcoming Pixel 11 series will be available in several new colorways. The standard Pixel 11 appears to be offered in hot pink Fuchsia, vibrant green Moss, and classic black Midnight. The Pixel 11 Pro, meanwhile, was listed in shades including dusky green Pine, frosty blue Light Fog, and pastel purple Sterling. Notably, the listings included two sets of color names for the same shades, causing some confusion around the final branding. The Amazon listings have since been deleted, and Google has not officially confirmed any color options for the Pixel 11 lineup.
Apple has made public betas available for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, and macOS 27 Golden Gate, with official releases expected this fall. The standout new feature is a revamped AI-powered Siri, referred to as Siri AI, which had previously been delayed. Early impressions suggest the updated assistant is functional, though its responses tend to be brief. Users who choose to install the betas are advised to expect potential issues such as software glitches and faster battery drain. Apple recommends that users weigh the risks before installing beta software rather than waiting for the stable public release.
Apple's watchOS developer beta introduces an upgraded Siri powered by AI, marking a notable shift in how the Apple Watch handles voice assistance. Since the device's launch, Siri on the wrist has largely been limited to basic tasks like setting timers or checking the weather. The new Siri AI upgrade suggests Apple is rethinking how smartwatches should be used, moving beyond simple commands toward a more capable wrist-based computing experience. The change is not expected to reach all users immediately, but early testing indicates a meaningful improvement in functionality. The shift also reflects a broader trend among tech companies in reimagining the role of AI assistants on wearable devices.
Apple released the first public beta of iOS 27 today, opening up testing beyond developers for the first time. The update is being described as a performance-focused release, prioritizing bug fixes and speed improvements over major new features. Key enhancements include faster app launches, improved Photos search, and quicker AirDrop transfers. The Messages app gains in-line replies and end-to-end encryption for RCS messages. Siri AI upgrades are also part of the release, with the Liquid Glass interface receiving further refinements.
Apple has released the public beta of macOS 27 Golden Gate, making it accessible to all M-series Mac users without requiring a developer account. The release is said to be at parity with the third developer beta, offering a relatively stable testing experience. A notable change in this version is a more subdued Liquid Glass aesthetic, toning down the heavy transparency seen in earlier builds. Unlike major macOS overhauls, this release is reported to focus on performance improvements, bug fixes, and quality-of-life refinements. The public beta gives users an early opportunity to explore these changes ahead of the official release.
Ukraine launched an intensive drone campaign targeting Russian vessels operating in the Sea of Azov. The strikes proved highly effective, forcing Russia to halt shipping activity in the strategically important waterway. The disruption occurred within less than a week of the drone offensive beginning. The Sea of Azov corridor is considered vital to Russian logistics and supply operations in the region.
Apple has acknowledged that a former employee exploited an unusual software vulnerability to download confidential files from the company's internal network. The incident allegedly occurred after the individual had already left Apple to join rival AI firm OpenAI. The bug is described by Apple as 'rare,' suggesting it was not a commonly known or easily exploitable flaw. Apple declined to provide further comment on the nature or extent of the security breach. The case raises concerns about data security protocols for departing employees at major tech firms.