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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
TechCrunch Mobility: The battle over robotaxi rules
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for the future of transportation and now, more than ever, how AI is playing a part.
Technology
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Orchid Synth Revives the Simplicity of Vintage Electric Chord Organs
Telepathic Instruments has released the Orchid, a modern synthesizer inspired by vintage electric chord organs popular before the 1980s. Electric chord organs allowed players to produce full chords with a single button press, making them accessible to beginners and casual musicians. The instruments lost popularity as digital keyboards from brands like Casio became widespread. The Orchid aims to bring back that approachable, parlor-instrument experience for contemporary players. It lets users play rich chord progressions without requiring advanced music theory or complex technique.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Birdfy's Solar-Powered AI Bird Feeder Drops to $149.99 in Midyear Sale
Netvue's Birdfy AI-Powered Smart Bird Feeder with Camera is currently on sale for $149.99, down from its $259.99 list price, as part of Birdfy's midyear promotion offering up to 40% off select products. The bundle includes a solar panel and lifetime AI bird identification at no additional cost, representing a saving of $110. The feeder is equipped with a 1080p wide-angle camera featuring color night vision and sends real-time motion alerts to the Birdfy app. Its built-in AI can identify over 6,000 bird species as well as squirrels and other animals without a subscription. Additional features include a 1.5-liter seed container, IP65 weather resistance, and both local and cloud storage options, with three months of free cloud storage included.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Christopher Nolan Warns AI Is a Trojan Horse for the Film Industry
Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan has publicly voiced strong skepticism about artificial intelligence, describing it as an obvious Trojan horse. Speaking in the context of his upcoming film 'Odyssey,' Nolan implied that the dangers of AI are hiding in plain sight, referencing the Greek myth with the remark 'Everybody knows the Greeks are inside.' His comments reflect growing concern among Hollywood filmmakers about the unchecked integration of AI into the creative industry. Nolan joins a number of prominent voices warning that AI poses a significant threat to human artistry and authorship.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Tate Brothers Arrested in Miami on UK Rape and Sex Trafficking Charges
Andrew and Tristan Tate were arrested in Miami on Saturday by US Marshals in connection with new criminal charges filed in England. British authorities are seeking the extradition of both brothers. Andrew Tate faces seven counts of rape, three of sex trafficking, three counts of assault, and 19 charges related to sexual images of children and extreme pornography. Tristan Tate faces two counts of rape, one of sexual assault, and three counts of sex trafficking. These new charges come on top of 21 charges already announced against the brothers earlier in 2025.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Nonprofit Current AI Aims to Build an Open, Culturally Inclusive AI Network
Current AI, a nonprofit organization, is working to develop a universally accessible AI infrastructure it describes as a kind of World Wide Web for artificial intelligence. The initiative is designed to ensure that no culture is excluded from the benefits of AI technology. The organization has reportedly made significant progress across multiple fronts, including device compatibility and AI-powered chat applications. Current AI's mission centers on building an open AI ecosystem that is freely available to all users globally.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
How the Clapper became a pop culture icon despite being a flawed gadget
The Clapper, a sound-activated electrical switch that turned devices on and off with two claps, became a surprising commercial hit despite its unreliable performance. The device was notoriously difficult to trigger correctly and could sometimes damage the electronics plugged into it. Despite these shortcomings, it gained widespread recognition largely due to a highly memorable advertising campaign. The Verge's Version History podcast explores the product's origins, originally marketed as The Great American Turn-On, and its rise to cultural prominence. Hosts David Pierce and Victoria Song are joined by expert Allison Marsh to tell the full story.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
GTA VI to launch without a disc as physical games face uncertain future
Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI will not be released in a physical disc format, marking a significant shift for one of gaming's biggest franchises. The move reflects a broader industry trend away from physical media as digital downloads become the dominant distribution method. For decades, physical game purchases were a central part of gaming culture, with stores like GameStop and Best Buy serving as key retail destinations for players. The decline of disc-based games raises concerns among collectors and fans of physical media about the long-term preservation of video games. Industry observers see GTA VI's all-digital release as a potential turning point that could accelerate the end of physical game sales.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
Expanding Mosquito Ranges Raise Disease Risk, Experts Urge Better Monitoring
Mosquitoes are expanding their geographic ranges, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks in new regions. Public health officials rely on monitoring programs to detect and respond to these threats before they escalate. However, such surveillance efforts are costly and require significant labor to carry out effectively. Despite these challenges, experts emphasize that robust monitoring is essential to preventing the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
High Schoolers Race 630 Miles Across Texas on Solar Power in 30th Annual Challenge
Dozens of high school teams will compete in a five-day, 630-mile road race from Fort Worth to Fort Stockton, Texas, starting July 19th. The event marks the 30th anniversary of the Solar Car Challenge, an annual competition that draws student teams from across the country. Participants design and build their own solar-powered vehicles using off-the-shelf components and 3D-printed materials. The race winner is determined by the team that logs the most driven miles over the course of the event. Solar energy is the only permitted fuel source for the student-built cars.
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TechnologyNYT Technology ·
Political Campaigns Push to Shape How AI Chatbots Portray Candidates
Political campaigns are increasingly concerned about how AI chatbots respond when voters ask questions about candidates. Chatbots sometimes produce unflattering or incomplete information about political figures, prompting campaigns to take action. Politicians and their teams are now actively trying to influence what these AI systems say about them. This emerging issue adds a new dimension to how campaigns manage their public image in the digital age.
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TechnologyNYT Technology ·
Polymarket and Kalshi Founders Locked in Bitter Rivalry Over Prediction Markets
Shayne Coplan of Polymarket and Tarek Mansour of Kalshi are two young billionaires competing for dominance in the prediction markets industry. The rivalry between the two founders has grown intensely personal, described by those familiar with the situation as 'bad blood.' Both men lead prominent platforms that allow users to bet on the outcomes of real-world events. The feud goes beyond ordinary business competition, reflecting deeper tensions between two of the sector's most powerful figures.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Dave Eggers told OpenAI staff ChatGPT is harming education and silencing writers
Author Dave Eggers was invited by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to speak to approximately 200 company employees last year. Rather than offering career advice, Eggers used the opportunity to criticize the company's flagship AI tool, ChatGPT. He told staff that the technology has had a catastrophic effect on educators and is silencing an entire generation of writers. Eggers, who founded McSweeney's and multiple nonprofits supporting writing and the arts, argued that the harm caused by ChatGPT was real regardless of intent.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Waymo Pauses San Francisco Robotaxi Service During Power Outage
Waymo reportedly suspended its autonomous ride-hailing service in San Francisco amid a power outage affecting the city. The pause highlights the vulnerability of autonomous vehicle operations to infrastructure disruptions. This is not the first time power outages have caused operational issues for Waymo's service. No timeline for full service restoration was immediately available based on the available reporting.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Moonshot AI Releases New Kimi Model, Sparking Debate in AI Community
Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI launched an updated version of its Kimi artificial intelligence model this week. The release has generated significant discussion and concern within the technology sector. Critics have raised ideological questions, with some invoking the phrase 'full AI communism' in response to the development. The launch highlights growing international attention on Chinese AI firms competing in the global AI landscape.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Pixel 11a Tipped to Return to Flagship Tensor G6 Chip After 10a Downgrade
A leak from Mystic Leaks suggests Google's upcoming Pixel 11a will feature the flagship-grade Tensor G6 processor. This would mark a return to form after the Pixel 10a disappointed fans by shipping with the older Tensor G4 instead of the current-generation chip. The Tensor G6 is expected to retain the same PowerVR GPU as the G5 but would still offer a notable improvement over the Mali-G715 GPU in the Tensor G4. A key upgrade in the G6 is the switch from Samsung's Exynos modem to a MediaTek M90 modem. No official confirmation has been made by Google regarding the Pixel 11a's specifications.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Google open-sources its 3D emoji set on World Emoji Day
Google has announced it is open-sourcing its full set of 3D emoji, making the raw .OBJ files freely available to the public. The announcement was made on World Emoji Day, with Google also sharing insights into its 3D emoji design process. Unlike 2D illustrations, designing 3D emoji required decisions about form and depth, such as whether a smiley face should be a sphere, a mask, or a flat disc. The released files are intended to help developers and creators build immersive experiences, including VR environments.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Honda Prologue Joins List of EVs Discontinued in the U.S. This Year
Honda has announced it will stop selling the Prologue electric vehicle in the United States. The Prologue becomes one of several EV models to exit the American market in the same year. This development reflects a broader trend of automakers pulling certain electric vehicles from the U.S. market. The growing list of discontinued EVs signals ongoing challenges in sustaining diverse EV lineups domestically.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
DOJ Clears Federal Employees to Install TikTok on Government Devices
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that federal employees are now permitted to download TikTok on their government-issued devices. This reverses previous restrictions that had barred the use of the Chinese-owned app on federal work phones. The policy shift marks a notable change in the government's stance toward TikTok on official equipment. No further details were immediately provided regarding the conditions or scope of the new allowance.
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TechnologyNYT Technology ·
World Cup Broadcasts Are Delayed — and Some Viewers See Goals Much Sooner
So-called 'live' World Cup broadcasts are not truly real-time, as all viewers experience some degree of delay. The gap between when a goal is scored and when it appears on screen varies significantly depending on the platform or service being used. Some viewers receive the footage considerably faster than others, creating an uneven experience among audiences. This delay is a result of the technical processes involved in transmitting and streaming broadcast signals. The difference can be significant enough that some fans learn of goals from social media or others before seeing them on their own screens.
