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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Microsoft joins AI cost-cutting trend by relying more on its own models
Microsoft is the latest Silicon Valley giant to cut back on its AI spending.
Technology
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
Microsoft layoffs hit Bethesda and id Software with up to 50% team cuts
Microsoft has carried out significant layoffs affecting Bethesda and id Software, two of its major game development studios. Some teams within these studios have reportedly seen workforce reductions of as much as 50 percent. The cuts are part of a broader round of layoffs impacting Microsoft's gaming division. Reports suggest the reductions may not be over, with further cuts potentially on the way.
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TechnologyNYT Technology ·
Meta Launches AI Image Generator for Instagram and WhatsApp Users
Meta has introduced a new AI-powered image generation tool called Muse Image. The tool enables users on Instagram and WhatsApp to create realistic images. The launch represents Meta's continued effort to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving global AI landscape. The move signals the company's push to integrate generative AI features across its major social and messaging platforms.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Discord fixes AI moderation bug that wrongfully banned users for harmless images
Discord has acknowledged a bug in its AI-powered moderation system that resulted in users being wrongfully banned. The issue had been silently affecting accounts since May, going undetected for several months. Over a single weekend, an additional 200 users were incorrectly banned before Discord's team caught the problem. The company has since identified the root cause and deployed a fix to prevent further wrongful bans.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
Google Pixel 11 Launch Confirmed for August 12 Amid Rumored Price Hikes
Google has scheduled its next Pixel smartphone launch event for August 12. The upcoming Pixel 11 lineup is expected to be unveiled at the event. Reports suggest the new devices may come with higher price tags compared to their predecessors. The phones are also rumored to feature glowing LED elements as part of their design. No official pricing or full specifications have been confirmed by Google yet.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Google to Unveil New Pixel Devices at August 12 Event
Google has announced a hardware event scheduled for August 12. The company is expected to introduce new additions to its Pixel device lineup at the event. This announcement was reported by TechCrunch, pointing to an upcoming product reveal. The August date marks a key moment in Google's hardware calendar for the year.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Figma acquires YC-backed startup known for vibe coding and agent tools
Figma has acquired the team behind a Y Combinator-backed startup that developed a vibe coding platform. The company had initially launched a vibe coding application before expanding into agent creation products. The acquisition brings the startup's team and technology under Figma's umbrella. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
The Weather Channel raises streaming subscription prices by up to $20
The Weather Channel has increased the prices of its streaming subscription plans by as much as $20. The changes affect access to the channel through its dedicated app. The entry-level tier now starts at $5 per month following the price hike. The move reflects a broader trend of streaming services adjusting their pricing structures.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
X launches in-app video editor to combat widespread content theft by top accounts
X's head of product Nikita Bier revealed on Monday that many videos posted by top accounts on the platform are stolen from other users, sometimes years after they originally went viral. Bier noted that videos account for nearly half of all impressions on X, highlighting the scale of the recycled content problem. To address this, X has introduced a new in-app video editor and recorder aimed at encouraging original content creation. The tools are currently available on X's iOS app and include features such as multi-language caption overlays. The move signals X's push to differentiate its video content from what circulates on other platforms.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
Nintendo Switch Still Has Years Left Despite Age, Analysis Suggests
The Nintendo Switch, which launched nine years ago, may continue selling for several more years according to an analysis by Ars Technica. Despite its age, the console has shown remarkable staying power in the gaming market. The analysis examined sales trends and market conditions to assess the Switch's remaining commercial lifespan. While a successor is anticipated, no definitive end date for the Switch's retail life has been established. The findings suggest Nintendo's aging hardware may have more runway left than many industry observers expect.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Lisbon Startup Amble Launches Street-Legal Electric Buggy Aimed at Compact Urban Use
Amble, a new EV startup based in Lisbon, Portugal, has unveiled the Amble One, a premium street-legal electric buggy with a neo-retro design. Unlike mainstream EVs, the vehicle does not prioritize high performance or self-driving technology. The company is positioning it as a minimalist alternative for locations where full-sized cars are considered unnecessary or impractical. The Amble One appears to target a niche market that values compact, low-speed urban or leisure mobility over conventional automotive benchmarks.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
ABC Pushes Back on FCC Investigation Into The View's Political Coverage
ABC has formally responded to a Federal Communications Commission investigation into how The View handled airtime for political candidates. In a Tuesday letter to the FCC, the network argued that the agency's scrutiny threatens editorial independence by targeting shows seen as critical of the current administration. The dispute centers on FCC Chair Brendan Carr's decision in February to reexamine whether The View qualifies as a 'bona fide' news program. The review was triggered after the talk show aired an interview with Democratic Senate candidate Rep. James Talarico of Texas. The View's news classification is significant because it carries certain legal exemptions related to political broadcast rules.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Anthropic Expands Claude Cowork to Mobile and Web, Starting with Max Subscribers
Anthropic is rolling out its Claude Cowork AI platform to mobile and web starting Tuesday, broadening access beyond its previous desktop-only availability on macOS and Windows. The expansion brings support to iOS and Android users, with access initially limited to Max subscribers before reaching other plan users in the coming weeks. Cowork sessions will now run in the cloud by default, enabling users to continue work seamlessly across multiple devices. However, Anthropic notes that the full Cowork experience, including local file access, will remain exclusive to the desktop app.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Netflix partners with Rolling Stone, Variety to offer short-form video content
Netflix is expanding its content offerings by introducing short-form videos ranging from 2 to 20 minutes in length. The streaming giant has struck new deals with digital publishers, including Rolling Stone and Variety, to bring this content to its platform. The move marks a notable shift for Netflix, which has traditionally focused on long-form films and series. These publisher partnerships suggest Netflix is exploring new content formats to diversify its library and potentially attract broader audiences.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Google to Unveil Pixel 11 at August 12 Evening Event in New York City
Google has officially announced a Made by Google hardware launch event scheduled for August 12 in New York City, set to begin at 6PM ET. The company sent invitations to media outlets including The Verge, with a brief animation hinting at a gold-colored phone from the Pixel 11 lineup. The base Pixel 11 is expected to feature slimmer bezels and a solid black camera bar compared to its predecessor, according to prior leaks. The Pixel 11 Pro is rumored to be slightly thinner than the Pixel 10 Pro, with similar slimming reported for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The evening timing of the event is notably unusual for Google's hardware launches.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
This race car is made from plant fibers, volcanoes, ... and seawater?
The T70S can be eligible for racing events or built to be road-legal.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
The Most Damaging Cyberattacks and Data Breaches of 2026 So Far
The year 2026 has already seen several major cybersecurity incidents affecting both government and critical infrastructure. Among the most serious breaches was a large-scale leak of DOGE-related data, exposing sensitive information. Hackers also successfully targeted critical energy and water systems, raising concerns about national security vulnerabilities. In a particularly alarming incident, an FBI surveillance system was compromised, potentially exposing law enforcement operations. These events collectively highlight the growing scale and sophistication of cyber threats facing public institutions in 2026.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Claude Cowork Now Available Across Mobile and Web Platforms
Claude Cowork has expanded its availability to both mobile and web, allowing users to access the service beyond desktop. The update enables a seamless cross-device workflow, where tasks can be initiated on a computer and monitored via smartphone. Users can receive status updates on their phones even when their laptops are closed or offline. The finished output remains accessible whenever and wherever the user chooses to retrieve it.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
DeepSeek Plans to Develop In-House Chips Amid US Export Restrictions
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is working on developing its own semiconductor chips as a strategic response to US export controls. The move aims to reduce the company's reliance on chips from Nvidia and Huawei. While the initiative is still in early stages, it signals a broader push by Chinese tech firms to achieve hardware self-sufficiency. US export restrictions have increasingly limited Chinese companies' access to advanced foreign chips, prompting domestic alternatives. DeepSeek's chip development plans reflect growing urgency in China to build independent AI infrastructure.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
id Software loses roughly half its staff in Xbox-driven layoffs
Doom developer id Software has laid off approximately 50 percent of its workforce as part of broader mass layoffs at Xbox, according to Game Developer. More than 90 employees are reported to have been made redundant, with the studio's QA department said to be among the hardest hit. Former id employee Michael Maynard confirmed the scale of the cuts in a LinkedIn post, describing the figure as 'roughly' half the company. The layoffs were reported on the same day id Software released a major expansion for its latest Doom title.
