Australia expands demand that Big Tech pay for news stories
Australia's government plans to expand the scope and raise charges on Big Tech companies to encourage deals with local media.
#Daily archive
Tech News for Sunday, August 2, 2026
41 stories from 39 outlets. Times show when each story first broke, in UTC.
Top stories
Wired tests and names the best kids' backpacks for the 2026 school year
Wired's guide covers the best backpacks for children, tested by their own kids. The recommendations focus on durability, comfort, and style for the upcoming school year.
#The Verge examines whether paying artists enough can convince them to embrace AI training
Illustrators have long objected to AI training on their work without permission. As some companies offer compensation, the question remains whether payment alone can resolve ethical concerns and win over the creative community.
#AI is turning retail traders into DIY hedge funds
Bloomberg reports that powerful AI tools are enabling a new generation of retail traders to create automated trading strategies, raising concerns about market volatility.
#Netflix looks to add Hot Ones to its lineup of YouTube hits
Netflix is in talks to acquire or produce a version of the popular YouTube talk show 'Hot Ones' as part of its strategy to bring viral YouTube content to its platform.
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Big Tech 6
Bloomberg Tech: Apple subscriptions, MacBook Air shortages, Apple to make glasses health device
Bloomberg Technology covers Apple's subscription plans, MacBook Air supply shortages, and Apple's push to make smart glasses a health device.
#TechCrunch Mobility newsletter examines diverging robotaxi paths
TechCrunch Mobility's latest newsletter explores the diverging strategies in the robotaxi industry, covering autonomy players, regulatory landscapes, and the role of AI in transportation. The column highlights key developments and challenges.
#Google voice search redesign merges AI Mode, Search Live, and Song lookup on Android
Google is testing a redesigned voice search interface that combines regular search, AI Mode, Search Live, and Song Search into a single swipeable toolbar. The update aims to make AI-powered search tools more accessible on Android.
Also covered by Android Authority, Digital Trends
#MacBook Air shortages driven by global memory crisis, but Apple refurbished deals offer a better buy
The MacBook Air is facing shortages due to a global memory crisis, but Apple's refurbished store offers a great way to score a laptop deal at a lower price.
Also covered by MacRumors, 9to5Mac, Engadget, Macworld, Mashable Tech
#Apple's smart glasses reportedly developed as health and fitness devices, similar to Apple Watch
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is developing its future smart glasses and headsets to double as health and fitness devices, positioning them as a companion to the Apple Watch.
Also covered by MacRumors, 9to5Mac, Digital Trends, Gizmodo
#Lucid delays affordable Cosmos EV to 2027, focuses on robotaxi project with Uber and Nuro
Lucid's Cosmos EV is now slated for release in the second half of 2027. CEO Silivo Napoli said he's focused on getting the EV right as well as its nearer-term robotaxi project with Uber and Nuro.
Also covered by TechCrunch, CNET, The Next Web
#Gadgets 6
Foldables are becoming boring, which is great news for Apple's eventual entry
An opinion piece argues that foldable phones have become predictable and unexciting, setting the stage for Apple to enter the market with a refined product.
#HP HyperX Omen 15 review: budget gaming laptop falls short of predecessor
The HP HyperX Omen 15 replaces the Victus 15 but offers modest upgrades and a higher price, making it less of a budget-friendly option than its predecessor.
#Wired names the best car vacuums for 2026, including handheld and cordless options
Wired tests and recommends the best portable vacuums for cars, covering handheld, cordless, and other models suitable for cleaning crumbs, pet hair, and debris. Shopping tips are included.
#Apple's rumored AirPods with cameras could arrive this fall
A report claims Apple is aiming to launch camera-equipped AirPods this fall. The feature has been rumored for some time and could arrive sooner than expected.
Also covered by MacRumors, CNET, Macworld, Mashable Tech
#Sources: Microsoft plans to continue Xbox physical disc support amid PS6 backlash
Digital Foundry's John Linneman says sources told him Microsoft plans to continue supporting physical game discs with an emphasis on backward compatibility. The report follows backlash over Sony's decision to phase out discs.
#Privacy backlash explodes against Meta's smart glasses as 'pervert glasses' label grows; Wetherspoons bans filming
Privacy backlash against Meta's smart glasses continues as a German advocacy group lodges a criminal complaint. The glasses have been labeled 'pervert glasses' and Wetherspoons has banned filming.
Also covered by The Register, The Guardian Tech, Engadget, Gizmodo, Slashdot
#Business 5
Jefferies analyst slams simple-minded criticism of SpaceX governance
Aniket Shah of Jefferies argues that investors who blacklist SpaceX over governance concerns are too focused on box-checking and risk missing out on long-term gains.
#Bitcoin holds at $63,600 as US and Japan intervene to support yen, testing carry-trade fears
The US and Japan jointly intervene to support the yen, with Bitcoin trading at $63,600 amid carry-trade concerns. The action signals US goals and market risks.
Also covered by Axios, CoinDesk, Quartz, Hacker News
#Palantir posts blowout Q2 earnings as stock surges 30%, short sellers hit with $3B losses
Palantir's Q2 earnings beat expectations with 93% revenue growth; stock surges 30%, short sellers lose $3B in paper gains.
Also covered by TechCrunch, Bloomberg Technology, CNBC Technology, The Guardian Tech, Fast Company Tech
#Fender CEO walks back comments comparing cover bands to AI after musician backlash
Fender CEO Andy Mooney drew backlash after comparing cover bands to AI, calling both uncreative. He has since walked back the comments, saying he wants to set the record straight.
Also covered by Fast Company Tech
#New York finalizes social media rules for minors as SCREEN Act heads to Senate markup
New York has finalized its social media rules for minors while the U.S. Senate prepares to mark up the SCREEN Act, which would expand age verification to a broad range of websites. Critics, including 404 Media, warn the federal bill goes too far.
Also covered by Techdirt, Slashdot
#AI 4
Sam Altman calls for pacing AI development, sparking decel debate
On the latest episode of TechCrunch's Equity podcast, the discussion centers on Sam Altman's recent call for the industry to 'pace the rate of AI development.' The episode explores the implications of this decelerationist stance within the AI community.
#Economist Jason Furman argues not every AI problem should be solved the same way
Bloomberg Technology features economist Jason Furman discussing AI regulation, arguing that society should adapt to some AI problems while government should regulate others.
#EU gains enforcement powers over AI models on August 2, can inspect, fine 3% of turnover, block market access
The European Commission's enforcement powers under the EU AI Act took effect on August 2, ending the grace period for general-purpose AI models. The Commission can now inspect models, block market access, and impose fines of up to 3% of annual global turnover.
Also covered by The Next Web, Quartz, Hacker News
#OpenAI's Astra model solves 10 long-standing math problems for roughly $2,000, publishes proofs on GitHub
OpenAI's Astra model cracked ten unsolved mathematics and theoretical computer science problems, publishing machine-checkable Lean 4 proofs on GitHub. The company says it cost roughly $2,000 to run the problems, and the results include the first explicit construction of a non-sofic group.
Also covered by Mashable Tech, BleepingComputer, Quartz, Slashdot, Hacker News
#Science 2
James Webb Telescope is changing astronomers' understanding of the ancient cosmos
New images from the James Webb Space Telescope are providing unprecedented views of the early universe, challenging existing theories of galaxy formation and cosmic evolution.
#August 2026 total solar eclipse guide: what North America will see and when
The August 2026 total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of North America. A guide covers viewing times and locations.
Also covered by AppleInsider, Engadget, Mashable Tech, Quartz
#Security 2
Dozens of police officers accused of using license plate cameras to track women
TechSpot reports that dozens of police officers are accused of using license plate cameras to track women.
Also covered by Slashdot, Hacker News
#Apple caps bug bounty submissions after flood of AI-generated fake reports
Apple capped bug bounty submissions after a flood of AI-generated fake reports. Security experts now say the changes make sense.
Also covered by MacRumors, 9to5Mac, AppleInsider, Engadget, TechRadar
#Everything else 11
Q&A with YouTube star AboFlah on streaming, charity, and wanting his kids to live offline
AboFlah, a prominent YouTube streamer, discusses his new goals, charity streaming, and the importance of logging off for his children in an interview with Wired.
#Bloomberg This Weekend covers Iran strikes on hold and the digital divide over AI
Bloomberg's weekend show discusses the pause on Iran strikes and the digital divide in AI, featuring guests including Rep. Jonathan Jackson and former US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides.
#Rachika Nayar's Heaven Come Crashing delivers an instrumental epic of desperate longing
Rachika Nayar's new album Heaven Come Crashing features a massive drum and bass beat drop, marking a departure from her percussion-free debut. The Verge reviews the instrumental epic as a work of desperate longing.
#Malaysia reportedly shutting down Balaji Srinivasan's Network School
TechCrunch reports that Malaysian authorities are shutting down Network School, a 'frontier community for techno-optimists' founded by Balaji Srinivasan, with reasons not fully disclosed.
#Dave Bautista in talks to play Kratos in Amazon's God of War show after Ryan Hurst's injury exit
Wccftech reports that Dave Bautista is in talks to replace an injured Ryan Hurst as Kratos in Amazon's God of War TV series.
Also covered by TechRadar, Gizmodo, Polygon, IGN, Wccftech
#Desktop Linux cracks 10% market share as Windows 11 decline drives gains
Desktop Linux market share surpasses 10% in North America for the first time. ZDNET reports that Windows is in decline, with both Macs and Linux gaining ground at its expense.
Also covered by ZDNET, Hacker News
#Beast of Reincarnation dev promises continuous updates after mixed launch
The developer of Beast of Reincarnation has pledged continuous updates to address technical problems and story issues following a mixed reception from players.
Also covered by The Guardian Tech, CNET, Mashable Tech, TechRadar, Polygon
#Linux use skyrockets to historic high, but CNET questions whether bots inflate the number
Linux market share reportedly hit 10%, but CNET suggests the sharp increase may be due to misattributed data rather than more users. PCWorld also argued bots inflate the number, fueling debate over actual adoption.
Also covered by PCWorld, XDA Developers, Slashdot
#Coldcard entropy flaw linked to 1,596 BTC theft; exploit losses top $88M
New technical analysis traces the $88M+ Coldcard exploit to an entropy failure that let attackers drain 1,596 BTC from hardware wallets. The write-up details how a few lines of code determined the wallet's randomness, while phishing campaigns continue to target victims.
Also covered by BleepingComputer, CoinDesk, Decrypt, Hacker News
#Doom runs in Microsoft Paint via inventive clipboard trick
Microsoft Azure CTO Mark Russinovich used Claude to build a setup that runs Doom in the background and pastes each rendered frame into Microsoft Paint through the Windows clipboard. The project is referred to as 'DoomPaint' or 'MS Paint Doom'.
Also covered by Tom's Hardware, Engadget, TechSpot, XDA Developers, Gizmodo
#Coldcard exploit losses exceed $88M as onchain fallout shows 210,000 bitcoin leaving old wallets
The Coldcard entropy flaw exploit has led to losses exceeding $88 million, with onchain data revealing 210,000 bitcoin moving from old wallets. Attackers continue to drain wallets as the hacker's wallet becomes a graffiti wall of pleas and hustles.
Also covered by CoinDesk, Decrypt, Hacker News
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