Technology

Trump's teleprompter operator accused of insider trading on prediction platform Kalshi

Federal investigators believe Gabriel Perez, who has served as Donald Trump's teleprompter operator since 2016, used privileged access to speech content to place bets on prediction market platform Kalshi. Kalshi offers 'mentions' markets, where users wager on specific words or phrases a public figure will say during major events. Perez is accused of exploiting his insider knowledge to bet on Trump's remarks across more than a dozen events. ABC News first reported the allegations, with Kalshi claiming it identified and flagged the suspected insider trading activity.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Google Vids adds personal AI avatars and Gemini-powered video editing tools

Google is expanding its Vids platform with personalized AI avatars that allow users to feature a digital version of themselves in videos. The update also introduces Gemini Omni-powered tools that can generate and edit video content based on text prompts and reference images. The new features aim to make video creation more accessible and customizable for users. This addition marks a significant step in Google's push to integrate generative AI deeper into its productivity suite.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Roblox Adds AI-Powered Game Creation Tool to Its Mobile App

Roblox has launched a new feature called 'Build' within its mobile app, allowing users to create basic games using a single text prompt. The AI-powered tool simplifies game development by removing the need for traditional coding or design skills. The feature is aimed at lowering the barrier to entry for aspiring game creators on the platform. By integrating generative AI, Roblox continues to expand its creator-focused tools for its large and growing user base.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Helium detected escaping from rocky exoplanet's atmosphere

Scientists have detected helium being stripped away from the atmosphere of a large, rocky exoplanet. This marks a significant observational milestone in the study of planetary atmospheres beyond our solar system. The detection of escaping helium allows researchers to draw inferences about the remaining atmospheric composition of the planet. Such findings help astronomers better understand how planetary atmospheres evolve and erode over time under stellar radiation.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

New York Governor Uses AI to Scan All State Rules for Outdated Laws

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has revealed that her team is using artificial intelligence to review every rule, regulation, and policy across the state. The initiative aims to identify and eliminate outdated or obsolete legislation still on the books. Among the examples Hochul cited were a $25 fee required to take a dog hunting and a rule mandating permits for pregnant people working after midnight. Hochul noted that conducting such a comprehensive review through traditional staff work would have taken approximately five years. The announcement comes even as Hochul recently signed a moratorium on new AI data centers in the state.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Ecovacs Deebot X11 Robot Vacuum and Mop Drops to Record Low $699

The Ecovacs Deebot X11, a robot vacuum and mop hybrid, is now available at a record low price of $699, reflecting a $400 discount. The deal is live on both Amazon and the official Ecovacs website. The X11 features 19,500Pa suction power and self-cleaning capabilities, making it a strong all-round floor cleaning option. It was previously among The Verge's top-ranked robot vacuum and mop combos, though it has since been displaced by the Matic in their current rankings. Despite losing its top spot, the X11 is still considered a capable choice, particularly at its reduced price point.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

BP Shuts Down Its Corporate Venture Arm After Nearly Two Decades

Oil major BP is closing BP Ventures, its corporate investment division, after nearly 20 years of operation. The decision marks the end of a venture arm that reportedly failed to deliver strong returns over its lifespan. BP Ventures had been active for close to two decades, backing various technology and energy-related startups. The shutdown reflects a broader reassessment by BP of how it allocates capital across its business units.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Uber to acquire Delivery Hero in $14.8B all-stock deal

Uber has agreed to purchase Delivery Hero in an all-stock transaction valued at $14.8 billion. The deal would nearly double Uber's global operational footprint in the food delivery sector. If completed, the combined entity would rank among the world's largest food delivery platforms outside of China. The acquisition signals Uber's ambition to significantly expand its presence in international delivery markets.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Beehiiv adds subscriber chat feature and AI Copilot for newsletter publishers

Newsletter platform Beehiiv has announced two major new features aimed at enhancing its publishing tools. The platform now allows subscribers to communicate directly with one another, fostering community engagement within newsletters. Beehiiv has also introduced an AI Copilot designed to assist publishers in growing their audience and interpreting analytics. These updates reflect the platform's push to offer more comprehensive tools for independent newsletter creators.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

EU Orders Google to Open Android to Rival AI Assistants

The European Commission on Thursday ruled that Google must grant rival AI assistants greater access to Android, the open-source mobile operating system used by billions of devices globally. The decision is one of two competition rulings issued against Google by the EU's executive arm. While the order may appear to be a setback for Google, which had long resisted such access, analysts suggest the company navigated EU regulations more strategically than its peers. The outcome is being viewed as a sign that Google played Brussels' regulatory game more shrewdly than rivals like Apple.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Roblox adds AI-powered game creation tools to its mobile app

Roblox is introducing AI-powered game development tools directly within its mobile app, making game creation more accessible to a wider audience. The company has been steadily expanding its AI offerings, including tools for generating 3D assets and an AI chatbot assistant for developers. The newly announced mobile features represent a step toward lowering the barrier to entry for game creation on the platform. Roblox says it is starting small with the rollout before potentially expanding the capabilities further.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

X to Use Grok AI to Detect Stolen Content and Redirect Creator Payouts

X has announced plans to deploy its Grok AI technology to identify and combat content theft on the platform. The initiative aims to ensure that monetization payouts are redirected from those stealing content to the original creators. The crackdown will also target engagement bait, a common tactic used to artificially boost interactions. The move signals X's broader effort to protect creator rights and improve content integrity across its platform.

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TechnologyNYT Technology ·

Pioneer of Plant Genetic Engineering Mary-Dell Chilton Dies at 87

Mary-Dell Chilton, a groundbreaking plant biologist, has died at the age of 87. In 1982, she led a research team that successfully developed a method to genetically modify plants for the first time. Her discovery laid the scientific foundation for what would become a revolution in agricultural biotechnology. The techniques her team pioneered eventually enabled the development of genetically engineered crops now grown across the world.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

OnePlus exits US and European smartphone markets, halts new phone releases

OnePlus has announced it will no longer release new smartphones in the United States and Europe, marking a significant retreat from two major markets. The Chinese phone maker had previously been known for offering high-spec devices at competitive prices, giving consumers an alternative to dominant brands. The decision further narrows the range of smartphone choices available to buyers in these regions. OnePlus has stated it will continue to provide software support and updates for devices it has already sold in these markets.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Destroying Starlink Would Backfire on China and Russia, Analysts Warn

Military analysts have raised questions about whether China and Russia could realistically destroy SpaceX's Starlink satellite constellation. Experts suggest that any attempt to do so would carry severe consequences for the attacking nations themselves, likening the outcome to a boomerang effect. Destroying hundreds of satellites could trigger Kessler Syndrome, a cascade of orbital debris that would render low Earth orbit unusable for all parties. This mutual vulnerability is seen as a deterrent, making a large-scale attack on Starlink strategically self-defeating. Analysts note that similar debates are expected to arise once China deploys its own Starlink-equivalent satellite constellation.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

AI travel agency Fora raises $60M Series D, reaches $1B unicorn valuation

Fora, an AI-powered travel agency, has closed a $60 million Series D funding round, pushing its valuation to $1 billion. The round was led by investment firms Forerunner and Tactile Ventures. The announcement marks Fora's entry into unicorn status, a milestone reserved for privately held startups valued at or above $1 billion. The funding is expected to support Fora's continued growth in the AI-driven travel sector.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Google AI Mode Gains App Integration for Task Completion

Google has updated its AI Mode feature to extend its capabilities beyond simple question-answering. The new functionality allows users to link and interact with select third-party applications directly within AI Mode. This expansion enables users to complete tasks across apps they regularly use, rather than just receiving informational responses. The update marks a significant shift in Google's AI Mode from a search-like tool to a more action-oriented assistant.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Google Renames NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook

Google has rebranded its AI note-taking tool NotebookLM, renaming it Gemini Notebook. The move continues the company's ongoing trend of consolidating its AI products under the Gemini brand. Users will soon be able to access their notebooks directly through AI Mode in Google Search. The rebranding signals Google's push to unify its AI offerings within a single, recognizable product family.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Google Renames NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook Amid Deeper AI Integration

Google announced on Thursday that its AI note-taking app NotebookLM is being rebranded as Gemini Notebook. Despite the name change, the app will continue to operate as a standalone product while integrating more closely with Gemini and Google Search. The app was originally introduced as Project Tailwind in May 2023 before a wider public release later that year. Over time, Google has expanded its features to include AI-generated podcasts, narrated slideshows, and short-form video summaries of user notes.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Energy IPOs Hit Century-High Pace Amid Surging AI Power Demand

Energy companies are going public at the fastest rate this century, driven by strong investor appetite linked to the artificial intelligence boom. Investors are increasingly seeking exposure to energy markets as AI infrastructure requires massive amounts of electricity. The surge in initial public offerings reflects a broader trend of capital flowing into sectors that support AI's growing power needs. This wave of energy IPOs marks a significant shift in how markets are responding to the infrastructure demands of emerging technologies.

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