Technology

TechnologyArs Technica ·

Google's AI revenue-sharing program delivers minimal returns for websites

Google launched a program to compensate websites whose content is used to generate AI-powered answers. However, the initiative is struggling to gain meaningful traction among participating publishers. Many sites are reportedly receiving AI-related payments equivalent to just 0.1 percent of their total advertising revenue. The disparity highlights the financial imbalance between the value publishers provide to AI systems and what they receive in return. The program's poor performance raises broader questions about fair compensation for content creators in the age of generative AI.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

DoorDash Launches AI Text Agent to Simplify Food Ordering

DoorDash has introduced an AI-powered agent that allows customers to place food orders via text messages. The move is part of the company's strategy to differentiate itself in a competitive food delivery market. With rivals like Uber Eats and Grubhub vying for market share, DoorDash is betting on conversational AI to attract and retain users. The new feature aims to make the ordering process more seamless and accessible for customers.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Destro AI Differentiates Itself by Bridging Human-Robot Communication

Destro AI is positioning itself as a distinct player in the automation space by explicitly distancing itself from being classified as a robotics company. The startup's core focus appears to be on improving coordination and communication between humans and robots. This approach is being cited as a key competitive advantage over traditional robotics firms. By operating outside the conventional robotics category, Destro AI believes it can solve problems that hardware-focused competitors overlook.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Halide app gives iPhone 18 Pro users granular manual aperture control

Lux Optics has released an update to its Halide Mark III camera app adding full manual control over the variable aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro's main camera. While Apple's native iOS camera app offers only four aperture presets, and rivals BlackMagic Camera and Moment Pro Camera II provide 10 presets in 1/3-stop increments, Halide goes further with even more granular adjustment options. The update also introduces two new photography looks for users. Halide is not the first third-party app to support the iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture feature, but it offers the most precise control available among alternative camera apps.

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TechnologyNYT Technology ·

FTC Probes OpenAI and Anthropic for Possible Consumer Protection Violations

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has launched investigations into artificial intelligence companies OpenAI and Anthropic. The agency is examining whether the two AI labs have violated federal laws that bar unfair or deceptive business practices. The inquiries reflect growing regulatory scrutiny of leading AI developers and their potential impact on consumers. The FTC has broad authority to act against companies whose products or conduct may harm the public.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Instinct Rolls Out Curated Recommendations, Drawing User Backlash

Instinct is introducing a new feature offering human-curated product and travel recommendations to its users. The rollout has been met with mixed reactions, with a portion of users expressing dissatisfaction. The core complaint centers on receiving unsolicited suggestions that users did not opt into or request. The move marks a shift in Instinct's platform experience, though the company has not publicly addressed the negative feedback.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Google develops watermarking method for AI-generated protein designs

Google has developed a technique to embed watermarks into proteins designed by artificial intelligence. The method is intended to strengthen biosecurity by helping track and identify AI-generated biological molecules. It is compatible with a widely used AI protein design tool, making it broadly applicable in the field. The watermarking approach could help researchers and regulators distinguish AI-designed proteins from naturally occurring ones.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

FedEx places $300M order for 2,000 electric trucks from startup Harbinger

FedEx has agreed to purchase 2,000 electric trucks from Harbinger in a deal valued at approximately $300 million. This marks the largest single order in Harbinger's history as a company. The agreement signals FedEx's continued push to electrify its delivery fleet. The deal comes at a significant moment for Harbinger, which is reportedly exploring the possibility of an initial public offering.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Meta's Muse AI Agent: Capable but Controversial Amid Privacy and Security Concerns

Meta has launched Muse, an AI agent designed to assist users with tasks such as sending emails and making online purchases, requiring access to personal data and payment information. The platform has expanded rapidly, with planned integrations into Meta smart glasses, a Mac app, and a Tamagotchi-style hardware device called the Muse Charm. However, Muse has faced significant scrutiny, including a security exploit that allowed attackers to hijack the AI agent and an incident where a user's address was mistakenly shared with a stranger. Meta has also announced an Enterprise Platform to bring Muse capabilities to businesses, while some third parties like Amazon have moved to block the agent. The rollout reflects Meta's broader push to compete in the AI race, even as critics raise concerns about the risks of granting the company deeper access to users' digital lives.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

New PS5 Exploit Unlocks Nearly All Console Versions

A significant new exploit has been developed for the PlayStation 5, marking a major advancement in the console's hacking scene. The vulnerability works on all PS5 units except those running the most recently released firmware update. This means a large portion of existing PS5 consoles in the wild are potentially affected. Users who have kept their consoles updated to the latest software version are currently protected from the exploit.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Discord Expands Advertising Platform, Opens Targeting Tools to All Advertisers

Discord is broadening access to its advertising platform by welcoming advertisers of all budget sizes. The move marks a significant shift for the chat-focused platform, which has historically been more reserved about commercial advertising. New targeting tools are being made available to a wider range of brands and marketers. The expansion signals Discord's intent to grow its revenue streams beyond subscriptions and other existing monetization methods.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Butterfly Wing Patterns Create Optical Illusion That Confuses Predators

New research reveals that butterfly wing patterns produce a 'motion dazzle' effect similar to the rotating stripes of a barbershop pole. The visual illusion makes it difficult for predators to accurately judge a butterfly's speed and direction during flight. The combination of distinctive wing markings and flight dynamics work together to generate this disorienting effect. Scientists believe this serves as an evolutionary defense mechanism, giving butterflies a survival advantage against would-be attackers.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Google pilots payments to publishers for AI search content contributions

Google has launched a pilot program paying select publishers whose content contributes to its AI-powered search features, according to reports from The Information and Digiday. The program involves roughly 100 publishers and began less than a year ago. Participating publishers are compensated based on how much their content feeds into AI Overviews, AI Mode in Search, and the Gemini chatbot. The initiative comes amid growing scrutiny over AI search features reducing traffic to publisher websites. At least one early participant reportedly earned more than $1 million through the arrangement.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Trump and AI Leaders Sign Pledge Containing Misspelling of 'United States'

A formal pledge signed by President Donald Trump and prominent artificial intelligence industry leaders contained a misspelling of the name 'United States.' The error appeared in an official document bearing the signatures of some of the most powerful figures in both government and the tech sector. The mistake was notable given the high-profile nature of the signatories and the document's significance. The incident drew attention and commentary, highlighting an embarrassing oversight in the preparation of the official pledge.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

BMW Prices 2027 i3 EV at $61,500, Over $11K More Than Gas 330

BMW has revealed US pricing for its 2027 3 Series lineup. The entry-level 2027 BMW 330 starts at $49,900, while the electric i3 50 xDrive carries a significantly higher starting price of $61,500. The EV commands a premium of over $11,000 compared to its gasoline-powered counterpart. The pricing announcement highlights the continued cost gap between electric and internal combustion engine vehicles in the premium sedan segment.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Google launches Fitbit Air in India at a premium over US pricing

Google has launched the Fitbit Air smartwatch in India, expanding the product's availability to the South Asian market. The device is priced at approximately $146 in India, which is notably higher than its US retail price. Indian consumers are paying around $47 more than their American counterparts for the same product. The significant price gap has raised concerns that the premium cost could limit the device's appeal among mainstream Indian buyers.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Instagram adds AI creative assistant to Edits app to help creators improve posts

Instagram announced on Wednesday the addition of an AI-powered creative assistant to its standalone Edits app. The tool connects to a user's Instagram account and analyzes performance data such as likes, views, video retention, and shares. Creators can ask the assistant open-ended questions about content trends, audience engagement, and why certain posts performed better than others. The feature is designed to help users refine their content strategy based on personalized insights drawn directly from their account metrics.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Instagram launches AI-powered video editing tool aimed at creators

Instagram has rolled out a new AI-based video editing assistant designed specifically for content creators. The tool functions as a conversational AI, meaning users can interact with it directly to refine their videos. Unlike standard editing aids, it is built to deliver personalized feedback rather than one-size-fits-all suggestions. The feature reflects Instagram's broader push to integrate AI tools into its creator ecosystem.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Cerebras CEO to Address AI Scaling Limits at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

Cerebras Systems CEO and co-founder Andrew Feldman is set to speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. He will discuss the rising demand for compute power, energy, and infrastructure in the AI industry. Feldman is also expected to outline how Cerebras is tackling these resource constraints through a differentiated approach. Additionally, he will address what the future may hold if current AI hardware hits its scaling limits.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Restate Raises $20M to Build Durable Infrastructure for AI Agents

Restate, a startup founded by veterans of Apache Flink, has secured $20 million in funding to develop durable infrastructure tailored for AI agents. The company is positioning itself as a competitor to Temporal, a well-established player in the workflow orchestration space. The funding reflects growing demand for reliable backend infrastructure as AI agents become more prevalent in software systems. Restate aims to provide developers with tools that ensure workflows remain stable and recoverable even when failures occur.

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