15 Best Office Chairs of 2026—We Tested 70 to Pick Them
Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy, WIRED-tested seats.
Also covered by Wired
#Daily archive
Tech News for Saturday, August 1, 2026
40 stories from 31 outlets. Times show when each story first broke, in UTC.
Top stories
Sam Altman suggests parents use ChatGPT to generate AI podcasts about their kids
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman proposed that parents could use ChatGPT to create personalized AI-generated podcasts about their children's lives, calling it a 'cool use case'. The idea sparked debate on social media and in tech outlets.
Also covered by Mashable Tech
#Alienware 15 gaming laptop review: a balanced entry-level option
Wired reviews the Alienware 15, noting it walks a tightrope between price and quality, with cheaper and more powerful alternatives available.
#Astronomers detect an exomoon for the first time
Astronomers have detected an exomoon in a solar system 73 light-years from Earth, challenging existing definitions and blurring the lines between stars, planets, and moons.
#How fruit flies chase invisible ribbons of smell to get to their source
Fruit flies track odors in turbulent air using a keen sense of direction and sharp memory, according to a new study. The research sheds light on how insects navigate complex olfactory environments.
#The day's tech news, in one email
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Gadgets 8
Boroux, Rorra, and Culligan stainless steel water filter pitchers compared in head-to-head test
Wired tested three new-generation stainless steel water filter systems — Boroux, Rorra, and Culligan — against traditional plastic pitchers. The review compares filtration quality, build, and value.
#How to take better smartphone photos using third-party apps and editing techniques
The Verge provides tips on taking better smartphone photos by using third-party apps and editing, noting that under the right circumstances, phone photos can rival dedicated digital cameras.
#Dreo Summer Flash Sale offers lowest-ever prices on Chefmaker air fryer and misting fan
Dreo's summer flash sale from August 1-3 brings record-low prices on the Chefmaker air fryer and a misting fan. Wired highlights the deals as the best prices seen yet.
#TechCrunch tests the best handheld mini fans from Shark, Dyson, and Amazon
TechCrunch rounds up the best handheld mini fans, from premium options by Shark and Dyson to budget-friendly Amazon devices, to help manage summer heat.
#Galaxy S27 Ultra may lose a rear camera but gain a slimmer module as price hike looms
A new report says Samsung's Galaxy S27 Ultra will be missing one of its telephoto cameras. The move is for cost-cutting, but the device may gain a slimmer module. The price hike looms.
Also covered by Android Authority, Digital Trends
#Motorola Razr Fold review praises great screens, cameras, and performance but notes high price
IGN's Motorola Razr Fold review finds it a serious threat to Samsung and Google foldables, with great screens, cameras, performance, and features, though expensive.
Also covered by Android Police, IGN
#Apple Watch Series 11 drops to $299.99 on Amazon and AU$427 in Australia
Apple Watch Series 11 GPS models see significant discounts, with Amazon US offering $299.99 and Australian retailers dropping to AU$427, the lowest price yet.
Also covered by TechRadar, Mashable Tech
#BMW customers angered by full-screen Spider-Man ads on dashboard screens
BMW enraged customers by sending ads for Spider-Man: Brand New Day directly to in-car infotainment systems. The ad appears as a notification when starting the car and plays a 19-second full-screen animation with music and light show. BMW defended the move amid backlash.
Also covered by MacRumors, Engadget, TechRadar, TechSpot, Gizmodo
#Business 5
China's EV battery recycling infrastructure struggles to keep up with booming market
As China's EV market grows, more batteries reach end of life. Waste management companies have not yet caught up to the new reality of recycling, posing environmental and supply chain challenges.
#AI isn't a catch-all trade for stocks in this earnings season, Bloomberg analysis finds
Equity investors are learning that not all artificial intelligence trades are created equal this corporate earnings season, as companies show varying performance. The analysis highlights the need for selective investment in AI-related stocks.
#Uber builds autonomous vehicle empire with partnerships with about 30 companies
Uber has partnered with or invested in about 30 autonomous vehicle companies over the past two years, according to TechCrunch, detailing the company's strategy to dominate the AV space.
#Teraco CEO discusses Africa's role in powering the AI boom with data centers
Teraco CEO Jan Hnizdo explains why Africa is becoming a key destination for data centers, how cloud infrastructure is evolving, and why energy and sustainability will determine the continent's digital future. The interview covers the potential for Africa to support AI infrastructure growth.
#Chinese chipmaker CXMT nears LPDDR6 memory production after record IPO, challenging Samsung and SK Hynix
China's state-backed CXMT Corp. is poised to produce smartphone memory chips on par with industry-leading designs, highlighting Beijing's rapid progress in a field critical for AI. The company also nears LPDDR6 production after a record IPO, challenging Samsung and SK Hynix.
Also covered by The Next Web, Digital Trends, Wccftech
#AI 4
EU mandates AI content labels as new rules take effect, requiring disclosure of AI-generated content
New EU rules require companies to label AI-generated content that looks authentic, starting August 2. The mandate aims to increase transparency as AI becomes more embedded in everyday products and services, from chatbots to image generators.
Also covered by Engadget, Hacker News
#Hank Green's AI use sparks reputational risk debate among creators
Hank Green's apology over ChatGPT use has sparked a wider conversation about AI as a reputational risk for creators. The incident highlights the growing tension between generative AI and creator authenticity.
Also covered by The Verge, Mashable Tech, Gizmodo, Hacker News
#MiniMax H3 becomes first open model to top AI video ranking, gains ComfyUI support
MiniMax releases MiniMax-H3, a general-purpose omni-modal generative system. The model is now available via MLX for Apple Silicon, and has gained ComfyUI support.
Also covered by The Decoder, Hacker News
#Fenix Flexin admits using AI for Billboard hit 'Rubberz' as AI slop accusations mount
LA rapper Fenix Flexin appears to admit using AI for his 80s synth pop song 'Rubberz', after producer Medasin demonstrated the AI tool Treblo (formerly Sonauto) was used. The song's Billboard Hot 100 presence sparks debates about AI-generated music and authenticity.
Also covered by The Verge, Wired
#Big Tech 3
Judge orders Waymo to stop overnight charging in Santa Monica after noise complaints
Autonomous vehicle company Waymo has been ordered by a judge to cease overnight charging operations in Santa Monica, California, following resident complaints about noise disturbances. The ruling affects the company's robotaxi fleet.
#Microsoft vows to make Windows 11 fly on 8GB RAM amid memory shortage, but feasibility questioned
Microsoft says optimizing Windows 11 for 8GB RAM is a priority, but analysts question whether the company can deliver meaningful improvements for low-end PCs during the RAM crisis.
Also covered by Tom's Hardware, TechRadar, Gizmodo
#Apple sells refurbished MacBook Neos with $100 discount as it pulls schools from Windows and Chromebooks
Apple is offering refurbished MacBook Neos with a $100 discount, making the base model $599. The company also claims the MacBook Neo is pulling schools away from Windows and Chromebooks.
Also covered by 9to5Mac, Mashable Tech, Slashdot
#Security 2
Defcon's new badge is a security key you can see inside
Defcon's latest badge features a removable open-source chip that doubles as a security key. The design allows hackers to inspect the badge and continue using it after the conference.
#Coldcard hardware wallet recovery seed reportedly breached, $75M in Bitcoin stolen
A new report claims that recovery seeds for Coldcard hardware Bitcoin wallets were breached, leading to the theft of $75 million in Bitcoin. The attack exploits the seed generation process, undermining the core security promise of hardware wallets that never expose private keys to the internet.
Also covered by The Hacker News, CoinDesk, Slashdot, Decrypt
#Startups 1
Zepto turns to private funding as IPO plans are put on hold
Indian quick-commerce firm Zepto agrees to a private share sale with major investors after failing to secure its anticipated valuation for an IPO, pushing back plans for an initial public offering, per Bloomberg.
Also covered by Bloomberg Technology
#Everything else 12
Angela Nissel's memoir 'Good Grief, Pass the Bread, Mom Is Dead' uses gallows humor to face grief
Angela Nissel's latest book is a deeply emotional tale about caring for a terminally ill parent, delivered with gallows humor.
#Apps that help break free from doomscrolling and get active
TechCrunch rounds up apps designed to reduce screen time and encourage physical activity.
#The OG reading app just got a big update
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 138, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, happy August, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I've been reading about microwave sounds and Meta glasses and Alex vs. Alix, testing the […]
#The Mermaid Mask is a point-and-click murder mystery set on a submarine
SFB Games, the developer behind Tangle Tower, releases The Mermaid Mask, a point-and-click murder mystery game where players investigate a captain's death on a submarine.
#Wired names the best organic mattresses of 2026 for nontoxic, natural sleep
Wired tests and names the best organic mattresses of 2026, focusing on certified nontoxic and natural sleep options.
#Barbie 2 faces December 2026 deadline or Warner Bros. loses director and stars
Negotiations for Barbie 2 have stalled; if Warner Bros. cannot secure a deal by December 2026, it will lose director Greta Gerwig, writer Noah Baumbach, and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, forcing a restart.
#Spider-Man: Brand New Day high-quality bootleg leaks on social media, seen by millions before Sony takedown
A bootleg of Spider-Man: Brand New Day was up on X for over seven hours, reaching over 5.9 million accounts and accumulating over 143,000 likes before being pulled. Other accounts have reposted the leaked film, but none have lasted long as Disney now seems to be taking action.
Also covered by IGN
#NYT Strands hints and answers for August 3, 2026 (game #883)
NYT Strands hints and answers for August 3, 2026, game #883.
Also covered by TechRadar, Mashable Tech
#NYT Connections hints and answers for August 3, 2026 (game #1149)
NYT Connections hints and answers for August 3, 2026, game #1149.
Also covered by TechRadar, Mashable Tech
#Microsoft raises European Xbox prices by up to £200, citing RAM shortage and component costs
Microsoft raises Xbox Series X/S prices across Europe by as much as £170 or €200, attributing the increase to the RAMpocalypse and ongoing component shortages, leaving fans frustrated.
Also covered by Tom's Hardware, Engadget, TechRadar, Digital Trends, GamesIndustry.biz
#The Verge's 2026 back-to-school shopping guide includes essential Mac accessories
The Verge's 2026 back-to-school shopping guide covers essential accessories every student needs for their Mac, including backpacks and USB hubs.
Also covered by TechRadar
#Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey draws record audiences and revives interest in Assassin's Creed
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey draws record audiences. The iconic 170-minute crime thriller Heat, which inspired The Dark Knight, is now free on Pluto TV.
Also covered by Mashable Tech, Gizmodo, Polygon
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