Technology

Xteink X4 Pro adds touchscreen and light but software still lags behind Kindle

Xteink has launched the X4 Pro, its latest compact e-reader, priced at $99 and available now through its online store. The device upgrades its predecessor with a touchscreen and front lighting, making it the most capable Xteink e-reader to date. Its 4.26-inch E Ink screen is housed in a pocketable body slightly smaller than the X3, though a standard USB-C port has been dropped in favor of a magnetic pogo-pin connector that requires an included adapter. While the touchscreen improves navigation, responsiveness remains below the standard set by Kindles and Kobos, and the stock software continues to draw criticism. Third-party firmware CrossPoint Reader is expected to be available at launch, offering a potential workaround for users frustrated by the built-in software experience.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Connected Cars Face Uncertain Future When Automakers Cut Cloud Support

Modern vehicles increasingly rely on cloud-based services for features like navigation, remote access, and over-the-air updates. However, automakers do not guarantee indefinite support for these connected services, raising concerns about feature loss over time. When a manufacturer discontinues cloud support, vehicle owners may find that key digital functions stop working, even if the car itself remains mechanically sound. This creates a growing tension between the long lifespan of physical vehicles and the shorter lifecycle of the software and servers that power them. Consumers and regulators are beginning to question what obligations automakers have to maintain connectivity for vehicles already on the road.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Garmin Launches Cirqa, a Screen-Free Fitness Band With No Subscription Fee

Garmin has unveiled the Cirqa, a screenless smart fitness band aimed at continuous health and activity tracking. The device monitors heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature, and motion around the clock, while its lack of a screen helps extend battery life up to 10 days. The Cirqa competes with similar screenless wearables such as the Whoop 5.0 and the recently announced Fitbit Air. Unlike some rivals, Garmin's offering requires no ongoing subscription fee. The band is available now via Garmin's online store at $199.99 and comes with an adjustable fabric strap in multiple colors.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Deezer Reports Over Half of Daily Music Uploads Are AI-Generated

French music streaming platform Deezer has revealed that more than half of all tracks uploaded to its service each day are AI-generated. In June, this translated to over 90,000 AI-created songs being added to the platform daily. The surge highlights the growing scale at which artificial intelligence is being used to produce music content. This trend raises concerns for streaming platforms about content quality, authenticity, and the potential dilution of human-made music. Deezer's disclosure underscores the broader challenge the music industry faces in managing the rapid influx of AI-generated material.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Nintendo Switch 2 discounted up to $50 at Woot during anniversary sale

Woot is offering the Nintendo Switch 2 at a discount as part of its 22nd anniversary week-long sale. New customers can save $50 off the standard $449.99 price using coupon code GIFT26 at checkout, while existing account holders receive a $22 discount. The deal runs until July 25th, 2026, or while supplies last, and the code is limited to one use per account. The offer carries added urgency as Nintendo has announced the Switch 2's price will increase to $499.99 starting September 1st, 2026. Discounts on the console have been uncommon since its launch, making this a relatively rare opportunity for prospective buyers.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Bluecore Energy secures $10M pre-seed to develop barge-based portable nuclear reactors

Maritime nuclear energy startup Bluecore Energy has closed a $10 million pre-seed funding round. The investment was led by venture capital firm Slauson & Co. The company is focused on developing portable nuclear reactors designed to be deployed on barges. This approach aims to bring modular nuclear energy solutions to maritime and potentially off-grid settings.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Study Finds Chinese and Russian Code Embedded in Apps Used by US Troops

A study has found that more than one-eighth of mobile applications used by US military personnel contain code originating from China and Russia. The presence of foreign code in these apps raises significant national security concerns for the United States. Analysts examined a broad range of applications commonly used by troops and identified the problematic software components. The findings highlight potential vulnerabilities that could expose sensitive military data to foreign adversaries.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

2027 Kia Seltos Refreshed With Hybrid Option, Base Price Under $25,000

Kia has updated its Seltos SUV for the 2027 model year, with the base version priced at just under $25,000. The compact SUV offers strong value for its segment, according to an early first-drive evaluation. A hybrid powertrain variant is also planned for the Seltos lineup. However, the hybrid model will not be available to buyers until next year. The 2027 Seltos positions itself as an affordable yet well-equipped option in the competitive compact SUV market.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Halliday Gen 2 Smart Glasses Ditch Finicky Display for Improved Design

Halliday has released its second-generation smart glasses, the Gen 2, marking a notable upgrade over the original model. The first-generation glasses, demoed at CES 2025, featured a small movable display window embedded in the frame that was difficult to view and caused eye strain during use. Reviewers found the original concept interesting but poorly executed compared to competing smart glasses at the event. The Gen 2 replaces that problematic hidden display with a more conventional alternative, resulting in a significantly better user experience. The improved design has won over at least one critic who was previously unimpressed by Halliday's debut product.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Glorious GHS InfinitePlay headset offers seamless hot-swap battery with zero audio downtime

Glorious has launched the GHS InfinitePlay, a wireless gaming headset priced at $229.99. The headset features a hot-swap battery system that allows users to replace batteries without any interruption to audio playback. This is made possible by a built-in fallback battery that keeps the headset running during the swap. The design builds on a concept popularized by SteelSeries, which previously made swappable rechargeable batteries a notable feature in premium headsets. The reviewer describes it as the fastest and most seamless hot-swap battery system they have encountered in a gaming headset.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Nintendo's Splatoon Raiders expands franchise with new gameplay direction

Nintendo's Splatoon series began as an unconventional entry into the competitive online shooter genre, offering a colorful, non-violent alternative to titles like Call of Duty and Battlefield. Starring squid-like skate punk characters in a paintball-style format, the franchise has refined its formula across three mainline entries. The series is credited with introducing competitive shooter gameplay to entirely new audiences who may have been put off by more traditional, violent titles. The latest addition, Splatoon Raiders, takes the franchise in a new direction while maintaining the series' accessible and distinctive approach to the genre.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Chinese AI Advances Keep Catching the US Off Guard — Experts Say They Shouldn't

Two Chinese AI companies last week unveiled models they claim can rival leading systems from OpenAI and Anthropic. The announcements triggered market volatility and alarmed commentators, with outlets like the AP and Bloomberg describing the developments as surprise breakthroughs. The reaction prompted concern that US firms may need to reconsider their massive investments in data centers and chips. Critics argue that the recurring cycle of shock over Chinese AI progress reflects a persistent failure to take the country's capabilities seriously. The pattern suggests the US tech industry and policymakers remain unprepared despite repeated signals of China's growing AI competitiveness.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

GPUs Power the AI Boom — But at What Environmental and Ethical Cost?

Graphics processing units, originally developed for gaming, now underpin the global AI boom, with hundreds of thousands crammed into data centers worldwide. Their manufacturing involves mining raw materials and exposing workers to toxic chemicals, while operational data centers consume vast amounts of water and energy, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The United States hosts more data centers than any other country, and tech companies are racing to build more, raising concerns among local communities. Experts like ethics professor Catherine Flick note that GPUs have long been at the center of significant ethical questions, from gaming to artificial intelligence. Some venture capitalists have attributed slow AI consumer adoption to negative environmental coverage, a claim critics dismiss as deflecting responsibility away from the industry itself.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Gritt raises $34M to deploy construction robots starting with solar plants

Construction robotics startup Gritt has emerged from stealth mode with $34 million in funding. The company aims to automate the most demanding and labor-intensive tasks found on construction sites. Gritt's initial focus will be on building solar energy installations using its robotic technology. The startup has broader ambitions beyond solar, with plans to expand its automation capabilities across the wider construction industry.

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TechnologyBBC Tech ·

UK Gets Dedicated AI Minister but Standalone Tech Department Scrapped

The UK government has restructured its technology leadership under changes introduced by Andy Burnham. Kanishka Narayan has been appointed as AI minister with cabinet-level attendance, elevating the profile of artificial intelligence policy. However, the restructuring eliminates the standalone technology secretary role that previously led the department. The shake-up signals a shift in how the government prioritises AI governance over broader tech departmental leadership.

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TechnologyNYT Technology ·

Cooper Hewitt Exhibition Honors the Music Machines of the Pre-Streaming Era

A new exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt museum pays tribute to the physical devices that shaped how people listened to music throughout history. The show celebrates iconic machines such as record players, jukeboxes, and other audio equipment that once served as communal listening experiences. These technologies brought people together around shared soundtracks before digital streaming platforms rendered them largely obsolete. The exhibition highlights the cultural and social significance of these devices, framing music listening as a collective, participatory activity rather than a solitary one.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Anthropic's $1.5B Copyright Settlement Receives Final Court Approval

Anthropic has received final approval for a landmark $1.5 billion copyright settlement, closing out one significant legal dispute. The case centered on the use of copyrighted works in training artificial intelligence models. While the settlement marks a major resolution, it does not establish a definitive legal standard for the broader industry practice of using copyrighted material in AI training. The underlying question of whether such use is legally permissible remains unresolved across the AI sector.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Colossal Biosciences seeks funding at up to $30B valuation, tripling prior worth

De-extinction startup Colossal Biosciences is reportedly in talks to raise a new round of capital. The company is targeting a valuation between $20 billion and $30 billion. If achieved, this would represent roughly double to triple its previous valuation. The fundraising discussions signal growing investor interest in the biotech firm's work on reviving extinct species.

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TechnologyBBC Tech ·

Companies blend traditional craftsmanship with tech skills in apprentice training

Businesses are increasingly required to balance modern technology with traditional hands-on skills when developing their young workforce. Apprentices and trainees are being taught both digital tools and age-old craft techniques as part of their professional development. Firms recognize that neither set of skills alone is sufficient to meet the demands of today's industries. This dual approach to training reflects a broader trend of integrating heritage expertise with cutting-edge innovation in the workplace.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Trump's AI Standards Center Director Resigns, Adding to Leadership Instability

The director position at the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) has seen yet another resignation, continuing a pattern of leadership turnover. The departure follows David Sacks stepping down from his role as the administration's AI czar. The CAISI directorship has effectively become a revolving door, with multiple officials exiting the post in quick succession. The repeated leadership changes raise concerns about continuity and stability in the United States' AI policy and standards efforts.

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