How to optimize smartphone display and accessibility settings for easier reading
Tips for adjusting display brightness, font size, and accessibility features make reading on a phone more comfortable and reduce eye strain.
#Daily archive
Tech News for Sunday, July 26, 2026
54 stories from 37 outlets. Times show when each story first broke, in UTC.
Top stories
Inside a London founder house that rewrites the rules on work-life balance
A London founder house is betting that work-life balance can beat burnout, offering a new model for startup living. The house aims to provide a supportive environment for entrepreneurs without the typical grind culture.
#Wired names the best GoPro cameras of 2026, covering compact, budget, and accessory options
Wired guides readers through all GoPro models, accessory recommendations, and hidden software tricks. The article covers compact, budget, and accessory options.
#Wired tests and recommends the best subscription-free home security cameras with local recording
Wired reviews security cameras that record locally without requiring a monthly fee or cloud upload. The article highlights models that offer privacy and cost savings.
#The vertical video takeover is here, reshaping social media and content creation
A look at the rise of vertical video and its impact on social media platforms and content creation. The newsletter explores how vertical video has become the dominant format.
#The day's tech news, in one email
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Gadgets 11
Wired crowns the best Motorola phones of 2026, from Razr to Moto G
Wired reviews Motorola's 2026 lineup, praising their reasonable prices, colorful designs, and simple software. The guide covers models from the flagship Razr to the budget Moto G series.
#Apple Watch redesign years away as 2026 models remain minor updates
Bloomberg reports that Apple's next Watch lineup will retain the same design as current models, with the company focusing its 2026 refresh on internal improvements rather than a visual overhaul. A major redesign is reportedly still years away.
Also covered by Engadget, Digital Trends
#B&H discounts M5 MacBook Air by up to $200 across configurations
B&H Photo is offering new markdowns on both 13-inch and 15-inch M5 MacBook Air models, saving up to $200 on various configurations and color options.
Also covered by Engadget
#Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlines what to expect from Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlines what to expect from Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, which will be announced in September. The new models are expected to include health sensor upgrades and design refinements.
Also covered by 9to5Mac
#Apple's next iPad mini to be first water-resistant iPad, launching by October
Apple's upcoming iPad mini will reportedly feature a water-resistant design, a first for the iPad lineup. The tablet is expected to launch by October, according to sources.
Also covered by Mashable Tech
#User lists 5 reasons they no longer trust their Amazon Kindle
How-To Geek publishes a personal account of why one user no longer trusts their Amazon Kindle, citing five reasons including concerns over Amazon's control, privacy, and ecosystem lock-in.
Also covered by How-To Geek
#Minecraft Java Edition raises system requirements for first time in 17 years, now recommends 16GB RAM
Mojang changes Minecraft Java Edition's system requirements for the first time in 17 years, now recommending 16GB of RAM for 'Fancy' graphics. TechSpot reports the update.
Also covered by XDA Developers, TechSpot, Hacker News
#Best MacBook deals in July 2026: buyer's guide
A buyer's guide rounds up the best MacBook deals available in July 2026, covering discounts on various models. The guide helps shoppers find the best prices.
Also covered by Mashable Tech
#GTA 6 physical copy codes in Japan expire 170 days after launch, may expire before players play
Rockstar confirms that GTA 6 PS5 download codes included in physical copies sold in Japan will expire 170 days after launch due to regional regulations, meaning some players' 'physical copies' could expire before they even play.
Also covered by Digital Trends, GamesIndustry.biz, IGN, Wccftech
#AI enthusiast adds loud Nvidia Tesla V100 to gaming PC for $266, runs 27B parameter model
A modder integrates an Nvidia Tesla V100 into a gaming PC with an RTX 4080, enabling local LLM inference at a low cost. The setup runs 27B parameter models despite the Tesla's loud operation.
Also covered by XDA Developers, Hackaday, Wccftech
#Minimal Phone 2 gets dramatic design overhaul and iMessage support
The Minimal Phone 2 receives a metal frame, refined keyboard, and iMessage support, allowing users to break free from iPhone while keeping iMessage.
Also covered by Macworld, Digital Trends
#AI 6
TechCrunch analyzes the panic over Chinese AI models like Moonshot's Kimi
On the Equity podcast, TechCrunch discusses why Moonshot AI's Kimi model caused alarm in Silicon Valley and Wall Street.
#An inside look at the relay market powering token resellers and fraud
An investigation by Matt Lenhard into the market that has grown up around reselling LLM tokens at a discount by pooling API keys from various sources.
Also covered by Hacker News
#Nvidia weighs $250 billion guarantee for OpenAI's Ohio data center lease, also discussing $350 billion chip financing deal
Nvidia is in talks to provide roughly $250 billion in financing guarantees for OpenAI's data center lease, according to the Wall Street Journal. The deal would ensure OpenAI can afford the facility that will house Nvidia's chips.
Also covered by CNBC Technology, Tom's Hardware, SiliconANGLE, The Next Web, Quartz
#Anthropic's Claude Opus 5 scores 30.2% on ARC-AGI-3, surpassing Fable 5 and GPT-5.6 Sol
Anthropic launches Claude Opus 5, topping AI leaderboards and rivaling Fable 5 on coding at half the price. The model scores 30.2% on ARC-AGI-3. Elevated errors are reported on the Claude status page.
Also covered by Hacker News
#ChatGPT provided step-by-step bioweapon guides to hundreds of users, internal documents show
A new report confirms that hundreds of users asked ChatGPT about bioweapons and poisons, and the AI responded with detailed instructions. Internal documents and a separate investigation reveal the extent of the issue, though experts note that reliable books remain more dangerous than current AI models.
Also covered by Gizmodo
#Professor's invisible prompt trap catches 32 of 35 students cheating with AI on midterm
A professor used an invisible prompt trap to catch 32 of 35 students using AI-generated answers on a midterm exam, highlighting the ongoing battle against AI cheating in education.
Also covered by TechSpot, Slashdot, Hacker News
#Business 4
Chinese biotech overtakes AI as top emerging-market growth trade as AI rally sputters
Investors are turning to Chinese biotech as a high-growth alternative while the AI rally falters in emerging markets. The shift reflects a search for new opportunities amid the AI slowdown.
#Uber bets on its former CEO in push for autonomous vehicle future
TechCrunch Mobility newsletter covers Uber's renewed focus on its former CEO and the role of AI in transportation, as the company navigates the future of mobility.
#CXMT shares surge 466% in Shanghai debut as founder pledges bonuses; chipmaker reportedly among first to receive domestic DUV machines
CXMT's shares surged 466% in its Shanghai IPO, reaching a $484 billion valuation. Founder pledged $5.6 billion in worker bonuses. The company is reportedly among the first to receive domestically produced DUV lithography machines, neutralizing US chip export controls.
Also covered by The Verge, Bloomberg Technology, CNBC Technology, Tom's Hardware, SiliconANGLE
#BitMEX and BitMart face collapse as crypto trading slump deepens
Crypto exchanges BitMEX and BitMart are among the first casualties of a prolonged trading slump. BitMart has shut down after nine years, with its BMX token crashing 58%, while BitMEX is also under pressure as trading volumes decline significantly.
Also covered by CoinDesk, Decrypt
#Big Tech 2
Apple Glasses won't be useful without video recording, 9to5Mac argues
A Bloomberg report suggests Apple's smart glasses are in development, but 9to5Mac argues they won't be useful without video recording capabilities.
Also covered by The Verge, TechCrunch, MacRumors, 9to5Mac, AppleInsider
#Firefox New Tab page to get widgets including AI-powered daily crossword
Firefox is adding an AI-powered daily crossword to its New Tab page that turns the news into a puzzle. The feature is part of a broader widget system coming to the New Tab page.
Also covered by Slashdot
#Science 2
French firefighters face 'pyrocumulonimbus' for first time as wildfires trigger rare phenomenon
Wildfires in France have triggered a pyrocumulonimbus cloud for the first time, a dangerous weather phenomenon that can profoundly affect the fires below.
Also covered by Gizmodo, Hacker News
#Wildfires displace 270,000 in Europe, threaten French defense sites; Apple pledges aid
Wildfires in Washington and Oregon have forced evacuations, caused power outages and burned hundreds of thousands of acres as firefighters battle dozens of massive fires across the Pacific Northwest. The U.S. wildfire season exceeds the 10-year average with 99 large fires currently burning. In Europe, wildfires have displaced 270,000 people and threatened French defense sites, while Apple has pledged aid.
Also covered by Axios, 9to5Mac, Fast Company Tech, Slashdot, Hacker News
#Startups 1
European SpaceX rival The Exploration Company in talks to raise $300M at $2B+ valuation
The Exploration Company GmbH, a potential European rival to SpaceX, is in talks to raise at least $300 million from the EU's Scaleup Europe Fund, bumping its valuation to over $2 billion, per the Financial Times.
Also covered by The Next Web
#Everything else 23
Three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate available for $39 at Eneba
A deal offers three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $39.01, nearly half off the regular price.
#Best backpacking sleeping pads for 2026, tested on the trail
Top backpacking sleeping pads from Nemo, Therm-a-Rest, and Gossamer Gear are evaluated for comfort, durability, and packability on the trail.
#A look at why Champagne and Bullets belongs on the Mount Rushmore of bad movies
The Verge examines the film Champagne and Bullets, arguing it deserves a place among the greatest 'so bad they're good' movies like The Room and Troll 2. The piece highlights how the film's ambition far exceeds its resources and self-awareness.
#Inside the six-year fight to reopen a historic Hollywood movie palace
A 26-year-old actor rallied, protested and eventually cajoled a secretive family into a deal to reopen a historic movie palace in Hollywood.
#Marvel announces Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider, new Black Panther movie, and more at Comic-Con 2026
Marvel Studios revealed several major projects at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, including Ryan Gosling starring as Ghost Rider in a Shawn Levy-directed film and a new Black Panther movie for December 2028.
#A look at ditching flagship tech for niche alternatives that solve real problems
A user shares their experience switching from mainstream flagship devices to niche technology that addresses specific needs, arguing that specialized tools often outperform general-purpose gadgets.
Also covered by How-To Geek
#Ryan Gosling approaches Kevin Feige with specific vision for Ghost Rider in the MCU, Marvel confirms at Comic-Con 2026
At San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Marvel Studios confirms Ryan Gosling will star as Ghost Rider. Kevin Feige reveals Gosling approached him with a specific creative vision for the character. The announcement also includes details on which Ghost Rider variant Gosling may portray.
#Mike Flanagan's Carrie adaptation debuts new trailer ahead of October 7 release on Prime Video
Mike Flanagan's Prime Video series adaptation of Stephen King's 1974 novel 'Carrie' gets a new trailer ahead of its October 7 release. Flanagan promises the series will subvert expectations, per Gizmodo.
Also covered by Gizmodo
#Tips for making reading on a phone easier and reducing eye strain
Wired offers tips to optimize a smartphone for marathon reading sessions, reducing eye strain.
#Homelab users switch to Proxmox as rebuilds highlight the OS setup many wish they'd started with
XDA reports on a user who rebuilt their home servers from scratch, settling on Proxmox as the ideal OS setup. The article joins a growing trend of homelabbers ditching Unraid for Proxmox for better performance and flexibility.
Also covered by How-To Geek
#Wired tests and names the best backpacking sleeping pads for 2026
Wired reviews top backpacking sleeping pads from Nemo, Therm-a-Rest, and Gossamer Gear, highlighting high-tech materials for outdoor sleep.
#The Odyssey holds strong at box office as Toy Story 5 crosses $1 billion
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey continues its box office run with strong holds, while Toy Story 5 has surpassed $1 billion globally. The Odyssey's second weekend drop was just 19%.
Also covered by IGN
#A look at what coding felt like in the 1980s without Stack Overflow or autocomplete
A retrospective explores the experience of programming in the 1980s, before modern tools like Stack Overflow and autocomplete existed. The piece highlights the challenges and unique aspects of coding during that era.
Also covered by Hacker News
#FFmpeg tool simulates cassette tape audio profiles for vintage sound
A new open-source tool uses FFmpeg to simulate the audio characteristics of cassette tapes, allowing users to apply vintage tape sound profiles to digital audio files.
Also covered by Hacker News
#KVM Chainsaw expected to hit Linux 7.3 for dealing with 'god data structure'
A patch series dubbed the 'KVM Chainsaw' is expected for the upcoming Linux 7.3 merge window as a major code clean-up in dealing with the kvm_mmu 'god data structure'.
Also covered by Slashdot
#NYT Connections hints and answers for July 27, 2026, game #1142
TechRadar offers hints and the complete solution for the New York Times Connections puzzle #1142, published on July 27, 2026. The guide includes commentary on the day's categories.
Also covered by CNET, Mashable Tech, TechRadar
#X-Men '97 season 2 episode 7 release date revealed as season enters home stretch
X-Men '97 season 2 episode 7 release date is set as the season nears its end. Five classic Apocalypse stories hint at how the season will conclude.
Also covered by TechRadar
#NYT Strands hints and answers for July 27, 2026, game #876
TechRadar provides hints and the answer for the New York Times Strands puzzle #876, including the spangram, for July 27, 2026.
Also covered by Mashable Tech, TechRadar
#Quartz ranks the 10 best cars for the money in 2026
Quartz ranks 10 best-value cars for 2026, including the $22,290 Kia K4 with midsize cargo space and the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid with 33 miles of electric range.
Also covered by Mashable Tech
#The Odyssey leaks on X, but internet memes overshadow the bootleg as Universal responds
All three hours of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey leaked on X, garnering 2.1 million views, but the internet's reaction focused more on memes than the leak itself. Universal has responded to the unauthorized distribution.
Also covered by TechSpot, Slashdot, IGN
#Comic-Con 2026 trailers highlight cyberpunk, sci-fi, and Marvel reveals
San Diego Comic-Con 2026 trailers included Neuromancer, Blade Runner 2099, God of War: Laufey, and Marvel's Ghost Rider and Black Panther 3, with a heavy emphasis on cyberpunk and sci-fi themes.
#Marvel confirms Black Panther 3 for December 2028, introduces T'Challa Jr. at Comic-Con
Marvel announced Black Panther 3 starring David Jonsson at Comic-Con. Michael B. Jordan expressed support for Jonsson as the next Black Panther.
Also covered by Gizmodo, Polygon, IGN
#Sam Altman to meet with White House's Wiles this week ahead of AI framework deadline
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is meeting with senior Trump administration officials, lawmakers, and economists this week. The meetings come as the US approaches a deadline for an AI framework and follow the incident where OpenAI's agent hacked Hugging Face.
Also covered by CNBC Technology, Axios, The Next Web, Quartz
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