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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Should AI help you get away with killing your spouse?
What does a world of total user-aligned AI actually look like?
Technology
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
US Officials Raise Concerns Over Limited Crew Dragon Availability for Space Missions
Industry officials are expressing growing concern about the availability of SpaceX's Crew Dragon as the sole crewed spacecraft option in the United States. Experts warn that relying on a single vehicle creates a significant vulnerability in NASA's human spaceflight program. The situation has been described by some officials as a potential disaster in the making, given the lack of a backup crew transport option. There is broad agreement within the industry that the US urgently needs an additional crewed vehicle to reduce dependence on Crew Dragon. The concern underscores wider gaps in American space infrastructure as demand for crew transportation continues to grow.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
TV Time founder launches Bingers app to carry forward its community and watch data
TV Time, a popular TV-tracking app, is shutting down after building a loyal user base over the years. Its founder is now developing a new app called Bingers as a direct successor to the platform. Bingers will allow users to import their existing watch histories from TV Time, ensuring their data is not lost. The new app aims to preserve the community aspect that made TV Time popular, giving fans a space to discuss their favorite shows. The move signals the founder's commitment to keeping the audience together despite the original platform's closure.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Anthropic introduces rupee-based Claude subscription pricing for Indian users
Anthropic has begun localizing its Claude AI subscription pricing for users in India, the company's largest market outside the United States. Indian users are now starting to see subscription plans denominated in Indian rupees rather than US dollars. The move signals Anthropic's strategic focus on expanding its presence in the Indian market. Localized pricing typically makes services more accessible and affordable for regional users by removing currency conversion barriers.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
Defenders Use 'Context Bombing' to Stop AI Hacking Agents in Their Tracks
Cybersecurity defenders are now turning the tables on AI-powered hacking tools by adopting a technique called 'context bombing.' The method works by exploiting prompt injection vulnerabilities in autonomous hacking agents, causing them to shut down before completing malicious tasks. Rather than solely defending against prompt injection attacks, security professionals are now weaponizing the same technique offensively. This marks a significant shift in AI security strategy, using attackers' own methods against them.
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TechnologyNYT Technology ·
Teacher Brings Back Beloved 1990s Backyard Baseball Game After Years Off Market
Backyard Baseball, a popular video game from the 1990s, had been unavailable to players for several years. Teacher Lindsay Barnett took it upon herself to revive the classic title. Her determination drove efforts to bring the game back into circulation. The revival reflects a broader nostalgia for childhood gaming experiences among those who grew up in the 1990s.
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TechnologyNYT Technology ·
EV Charger Installations Surge Across Southern US Despite Slowing Car Sales
Electric vehicle charger installations are expanding rapidly across Southern states, even as overall EV sales have declined. Businesses including fast food restaurants and retail stores are driving the growth by adding charging stations to their premises. The strategy is aimed at attracting customers who may spend time and money on-site while their vehicles charge. This trend highlights a growing commercial interest in EV infrastructure independent of vehicle sales momentum.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Nvidia's Automotive Chief on Self-Driving Progress, China's EV Lead, and GPU Competition
Xinzhou Wu, head of automotive at Nvidia, spoke about the company's growing role in supplying autonomous driving technology to automakers, with its system already deployed in newer Mercedes EVs. Wu highlighted significant progress toward the 'software-defined vehicle,' where a few powerful computers replace the hundreds of independent electronic control units traditionally found in cars. He noted that Chinese automakers have gained an early advantage by building directly on EV platforms, avoiding the legacy transition challenges faced by Western manufacturers. Wu also acknowledged the internal reality of competing for Nvidia's compute resources against the company's dominant AI business, describing what it takes to win those arguments when automotive customers are slow-moving and cost-sensitive. The conversation also touched on AI-driven autonomy, Tesla's self-driving claims, and whether lidar-free systems can deliver on Elon Musk's promises.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Asus ROG Flow Z13 Gaming Tablet With 64GB RAM Drops to $2,100 at Best Buy
Best Buy has cut the price of the 2025 Asus ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet from $2,999.99 to $2,099.99 for the top-tier configuration featuring AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The device functions as both a tablet and a laptop, using AMD's Strix Halo integrated graphics instead of a discrete GPU. Despite lacking a dedicated graphics card, the tablet delivers gaming performance comparable to RTX 4060 laptops, averaging 50–60 fps in graphically demanding titles at low to medium settings. Its portable form factor and capable processor also make it competitive with bulkier, pricier 16-inch gaming laptops for everyday tasks. The 2025 model has been positioned as a more powerful alternative to portable gaming devices like the Steam Deck OLED.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
FAA Clears SpaceX Starship for New Test Flight After May Booster Failure
The FAA has given SpaceX the green light to resume Starship test flights following a booster failure in May. This upcoming launch marks the first Starship test flight since SpaceX became a public company. The flight will serve as a test of investor confidence in SpaceX's iterative 'fly, fail, fix' development philosophy. SpaceX's approach to rocket development is known for its acceptance of failures, including explosions, as part of the engineering process.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Waze rolls out Gemini-powered AI features and new customization tools
Waze has announced a series of new features, including AI-powered capabilities driven by Google's Gemini assistant. The update reflects Google's ongoing strategy to embed Gemini across its suite of products and services. The additions also aim to strengthen Waze's competitive position against rival navigation platforms such as Apple Maps. Alongside the AI enhancements, the update includes new customization options for users.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
LAPD ends Flock Safety contract over civil liberties and privacy concerns
The Los Angeles Police Department has decided not to renew its contract with Flock Safety, a major surveillance technology company. The LAPD was one of Flock's largest government clients, making the decision a significant blow to the firm. Authorities cited serious concerns over civil liberties and privacy as the primary reasons for letting the contract expire. The move reflects growing scrutiny over the use of mass surveillance tools by law enforcement agencies.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Uber and Waymo Clash Over Robotaxi Regulations in Washington D.C.
Uber and Waymo are engaged in a lobbying conflict in Washington D.C. over the future of autonomous vehicle regulations. The two companies hold competing visions for how robotaxis should be governed at the federal level. Uber, which partners with some autonomous vehicle firms but also competes with others, has been pushing for regulatory frameworks that may not align with Waymo's interests. Waymo, which operates its own fully driverless ride-hailing service, stands to be directly affected by the outcome of these lobbying efforts.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
World Models in AI: What They Can Do and Where They Fall Short
World models are a class of AI systems designed to simulate and predict how environments behave, attracting significant attention in the field. Experts have weighed in on the underlying mechanics of these models, explaining how they learn representations of reality from data. While they show promise in areas like robotics, planning, and game-playing, their capabilities remain bounded by key technical limitations. Researchers note that fundamental questions about their reliability and generalization are still unresolved. The technology represents an exciting but unsettled frontier in artificial intelligence development.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
WhatCable app lets Apple Silicon Mac users identify USB-C cable specs for free
A free Mac app called WhatCable allows users with Apple Silicon Macs to identify the speed and power capabilities of their USB-C cables. The app works by reading device data that macOS already collects from attached USB accessories but does not normally display to users. Accessible via a menu bar widget, WhatCable provides detailed information about every connected USB-C cable and device. The app fills a gap left by a discontinued $8 hardware cable tester that previously offered similar functionality at low cost.
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TechnologyNYT Technology ·
European Commission Eyes Social Media Ban for Children Across EU
The European Commission is considering new rules that could restrict children's access to social media platforms across all 27 EU member states. The move follows the release of a new report that appears to have prompted the policy deliberation. If adopted, the changes would apply bloc-wide, marking a significant regulatory shift for major platforms operating in Europe. The proposal reflects growing concern among European policymakers about the impact of social media on young users.
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TechnologyNYT Technology ·
European Commission Eyes Social Media Ban for Children Across 27 Nations
The European Commission is considering new rules that could restrict children's access to social media platforms across all 27 EU member states. The move follows the release of a new report that appears to have prompted a review of existing regulations. The proposed changes would represent a significant shift in how the bloc approaches child safety online. If adopted, the new rules would apply uniformly across the entire European Union.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
EU weighs strict social media age limits and phased access rules for teens
The European Union is considering sweeping restrictions on teenagers' social media use, including age limits, a potential ban, and phased access provisions. Platforms may also be required to demonstrate that their services are not harmful before minors are permitted to use them. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that new legislation could be proposed within months, following the release of expert panel recommendations. The move reflects growing concern among EU policymakers about the impact of social media on children's wellbeing.
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TechnologyNYT Technology ·
New Documentary Exposes eBay Employees' Cyberstalking Campaign Against Journalists
A new documentary titled 'Whatever It Takes' has been released, examining a disturbing scandal involving eBay employees. The film details how workers at the e-commerce giant orchestrated a coordinated cyberstalking campaign targeting journalists and critics of the company. The documentary presents the events in a thriller-like style, bringing renewed attention to one of corporate America's more shocking misconduct cases. The release makes the full story of the plot accessible to a wider audience for the first time.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Google Integrates Gemini AI Into Waze With Voice and Personalization Features
Google is bringing its Gemini AI assistant to Waze as part of a set of four new updates to the navigation app. Two of the updates are directly powered by Gemini, enhancing how drivers interact with the app using conversational voice commands. An upgraded conversation reporting feature allows users to report traffic incidents and suggest map corrections, such as road closures or outdated addresses, hands-free. A new Destination Search feature also lets drivers find nearby places, like open coffee shops, using natural language queries. The updates aim to make trips more personalized and the reporting process more intuitive for Waze users.
