A federal judge has ruled that OpenAI must provide hiring records to Apple. The order compels OpenAI to share interview materials involving former Apple employees. It also requires the release of private messages and testimony from key individuals. This decision is part of an ongoing legal case where Apple alleges trade secret violations.
The fusion power startup Cambridge Heavy Industries is developing a small, laser-powered fusion device. The company aims to use this device to fuel future fusion power plants. This development effort has been conducted discreetly. The technology is intended to support the anticipated wave of new fusion energy facilities.
Apple appears to have changed its Music app icon in the latest iOS 27.2 beta release. The new design reportedly features a black-and-white color scheme instead of the traditional red. This update aligns with a new logo spotted on the Apple Music Hall website last month. The change also extends to app widgets, which now have black backgrounds.
The startup Licube is positioning itself to be a key supplier for the emerging fusion power industry. Fusion power plants are expected to require substantial amounts of lithium as fuel. Licube's business strategy focuses on providing this critical material. The company presented its plans at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference.
Donald Trump's campaign aired a television ad criticizing his opponents after a court had ordered it blocked. The commercial was part of a series targeting figures Trump considers his enemies. The U.S. Attorney's office subsequently apologized to the court for the continued broadcast. Officials stated that the government had since stopped running the advertisements, complying with the judicial order.
A new initiative proposes establishing a data center in Earth's orbit. The concept involves connecting a network of satellites to form the facility. This plan aims to operate computing infrastructure from space. The project is currently in the planning phase, as reported by BBC Tech.
Shopify announced on Tuesday that it is opening its catalog to more AI agents. The move allows shoppers to configure their own AI assistants to browse and purchase products on their behalf. This expands access to over one billion product listings across Shopify's platform. The company previously partnered exclusively with Meta's Muse agent in September but is now removing that restriction. This change is part of Shopify's broader strategy to advance agentic commerce.
Microsoft has officially acknowledged the rise of AI-assisted modding and porting in the gaming community. The company has formed a new group called Xbox Labs to study this emerging trend. This initiative follows modders using AI to port classic games to new platforms and create unique hybrid experiences. Xbox Labs will explore how AI models enable modders to remix game code in novel ways.
San Francisco-based startup Niobia has launched a new service for tech manufacturers. The company focuses on the battery and chip production sectors. Its goal is to identify defects on production lines in real time. This aims to reduce expensive operational downtime and prevent costly manufacturing errors.
A bundle deal on Amazon offers the Nothing Headphone A and a Charli XCX album at a discounted price. The bundle reduces the total cost to $97.52, which is lower than the headphones' typical retail price. This offer applies to black and white color variants, with other colors available at a higher discounted price. The Headphone A model features physical controls, an opaque design, and over five days of battery life.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that recent military drone strikes on Russian data centers have diminished disinformation efforts. He made these remarks days after Ukrainian drones targeted facilities belonging to the Russian tech company Yandex. Zelenskyy asserted that social media platforms have seen a reduction in hate speech, division, and provocations since the operation. He is not alone in observing a decline in activity from Russian bot farms following the strikes.
Mind Robotics, a company spun off from electric vehicle maker Rivian, has hired former Ford electric vehicle chief Doug Field. Field previously led development of the Tesla Model 3 and also worked on Apple's secretive car project. This major hire was announced in a report by TechCrunch. The move signals Mind Robotics's intent to leverage top industry talent for its undisclosed ventures.
Mind Robotics, a robotics startup spun off from Rivian, has appointed Doug Field as its president. Field's most recent role was at Ford, where he led its electric vehicle and software division since 2021. He has a long history in the automotive and tech sectors, including key positions at Tesla and Apple. The move is considered a significant hire for the secretive robotics company.
Flox Intelligence is creating an AI system designed to prevent wildlife from approaching critical infrastructure. The system uses edge devices to identify different animal species. It then emits sounds specifically tailored to each species to drive them away. The technology aims to protect animals and prevent collisions and damage near railways, airports, and roads.
Disney is proposing a $20 million acquisition of chatbot technology from Character.AI. The company was among the first chatbot makers connected to a child suicide scandal. The potential deal involves technology that has been mired in controversy. Disney's offer comes despite the technology's troubling past associations.
The streaming service Discovery+ has increased its subscription prices by up to 20 percent. The price hike affects subscribers across its plans. Company officials state this change is not related to its recent merger with Skydance Media. The increase is effective immediately for new customers.
Meta launched a feature called 'Your Algorithm' for Facebook users on Tuesday. This tool enables users to exert more influence over the content shown in their main feed. The AI-powered feature was first introduced on Instagram. It represents a broader trend of social platforms offering users more control over their algorithmic experiences.
The company Longshot proposes using a very large gun, rather than a rocket, to launch cargo into space. Its goal is to enable the construction of data centers in orbit. The company will showcase its concept at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in 2026. This method aims to provide a potentially more cost-effective way to transport materials to space.
A Verge reporter tested the Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses over several days during routine activities like running and reading. The glasses played music and handled phone calls, but their integrated AI assistant encountered functional issues. When asked to check a calendar, the AI incorrectly stated the Google Calendar was not connected, despite it being set up. The interaction highlighted current limitations in the smart glasses' AI capabilities, though music playback functioned as intended.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating reports that Tesla's robotaxis are speeding in active school zones. The probe, requested by a petition filed in September 2026, focuses on approximately 1,000 Tesla vehicles using the company's automated driving system. Similar automated vehicles from Waymo have also faced scrutiny for incidents involving school zones and buses. The agency's Office of Defects Investigation is now evaluating these allegations to determine if a formal investigation is warranted.
