Tech News for Friday, August 14, 2026

New Mexico gas pipeline for Oracle data center delayed to 2027

A key natural gas pipeline project in New Mexico that would supply power for a planned Oracle data center has been delayed, now expected to enter service in 2027, per Bloomberg Technology.

Also covered by The Next Web

Kushner's Thrive Capital invests $215 million in Amazon

Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital has purchased approximately $215 million worth of Amazon shares, continuing the venture firm's push into public company investments.

Also covered by The Next Web

Deutsche Bank analyst says AI is driving broader market growth, not just AI stocks

Deutsche Bank's Binky Chadha told Bloomberg that broader demand for artificial intelligence is contributing to sustained positive performance across the market, not just among AI players.

Energy traders use drones to improve weather forecasts for trading profits

Data collected by drones are providing intelligence for energy traders and military strategists, helping boost bottom lines, per Bloomberg.

FTC strikes deals to ignore unlawful credit discrimination against auto dealers

The Federal Trade Commission signed agreements to not enforce parts of federal court orders against auto dealers accused of discrimination, without notifying judges or at least one co-plaintiff.

Data center gas power plants use less efficient turbines than standard gas plants, Wired reports

A massive new gas plant in Texas built to power data centers uses much less efficient technology than regular gas plants, and it is far from the only data center power project relying on dirty turbines, per Wired.

UK starts process to water down EV mandate in boon for carmakers

The UK government will review its zero-emission vehicle sales mandate, a win for automakers pushing Prime Minister Andy Burnham to ease the targets. The move could slow the country's transition to electric vehicles.

CXMT unlikely to join CSI 300 Index until end of 2027, Bloomberg Intelligence says

Bloomberg Intelligence reports that China's CSI 300 Index risks losing appeal until it includes memory giant CXMT, an event unlikely before end of 2027.

Japanese power futures trading volumes rise as utilities hedge fuel-price risk

Short-term power futures contracts on Japan's largest trading platform rise for four consecutive months as utilities increasingly use derivatives to manage fuel-price volatility, Bloomberg reports.

AI boom reshapes commodity markets as power demand and geopolitical risks reshape trade

AI's massive energy needs are transforming commodity markets, with uranium and gold remaining attractive while oil markets face complacency and critical-mineral supply chains are rethought.

Chinese tech hardware stocks rally as earnings renew focus over internet platforms

Chinese tech firms' early earnings are giving hardware stocks renewed momentum, while internet platforms still struggle to show a full consumer demand recovery, per Bloomberg Technology.

Hong Kong lifts economic forecast as AI boom turbocharges growth

Hong Kong raised its full-year growth forecast for 2026, citing a global AI investment boom that supercharged exports and lifted the trading hub's economy.

Investors push back on high-grade bond prices after corporate debt deluge

Blue-chip firms are flooding the U.S. debt market to fund acquisitions and AI buildouts, but investors are becoming pickier about pricing amid the borrowing frenzy.

Kioxia buyback propels Japanese corporate stock buying to record high

Japanese corporations logged the highest weekly equity purchases on record, driven by memory maker Kioxia Holdings Corp.'s share buyback. The buyback boosted the tally and reflects broader corporate stock-buying trends in Japan.

Partners Group becomes worst-performing European financial stock amid evergreen fund redemption concerns

Partners Group Holding AG became the worst performing stock in MSCI’s European financial sector index this year. Investor concern is mounting over redemptions from the firm's popular evergreen funds.

US retail sales post biggest drop in over a year as consumer confidence slides

US retail sales unexpectedly dropped in July, signaling a slowing consumer. Oil prices rise as Washington threatens more economic pressure on Iran. OpenAI's revenue tops $40B.

AI drove growth at Indeed after investors feared the worst for the jobs-search site

Bloomberg reports that AI sparked growth at Indeed, a jobs-search platform that some investors feared was doomed. The company leveraged AI to improve matching and efficiency.

RedotPay said to put $1 billion US IPO plan on hold

Bloomberg reports that stablecoin firm RedotPay is delaying its US IPO due to legal issues. The company had been planning a $1 billion listing.

Also covered by CoinDesk

Thrive Capital's first investor letter shows how completely OpenAI has come to define it

Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital has sent its first formal letter to investors, revealing how one of its funds has swelled due to its OpenAI investment. The letter underscores the AI era's impact on the firm.

Also covered by Bloomberg Technology, The Next Web

PayPal now willing to sell to Stripe and Advent; regulatory approval is the open question

PayPal is reportedly in talks to sell itself to Stripe and Advent, with the company no longer refusing a sale. The main hurdle now is whether regulators will allow the deal.

Also covered by Engadget, The Next Web

Pokémon Pokopia tops 5 million Switch 2 sales, lifting Nintendo stock

Pokémon Pokopia crossed 5 million sales just over four months after launch, becoming the second best-selling Switch 2 title and helping Nintendo's stock surge.

Also covered by CNBC Technology, The Guardian Tech, Polygon, Quartz

Nvidia discloses $21B SpaceX stake as Intel investment grows to nearly $25B

A new filing shows Nvidia holds a $21 billion stake in SpaceX, and its earlier $5 billion Intel investment has grown to nearly $25 billion. The disclosure follows Elon Musk's announcement of an exclusive Nvidia arrangement for his data centers.

Also covered by Ars Technica, CNBC Technology, Tom's Hardware, TechSpot

Trump imposes up to 100% tariffs on imported drones, driving up consumer prices

President Trump has imposed tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones, citing national security concerns. The move is expected to significantly increase prices for consumer drones.

Also covered by Rest of World, Tom's Hardware, Engadget, The Next Web, Mashable Tech

Alibaba sells gaming arm Lingxi Games to Trustar Capital for $1.5B to fund AI pivot

Alibaba has agreed to sell its game development unit Lingxi Games to Asian private equity firm Trustar Capital for at least $1.5 billion. The proceeds will help fund Alibaba's AI buildout.

Also covered by Bloomberg Technology, Tom's Hardware, The Next Web, Quartz

Jane Street posts first monthly loss in a decade after AI hedge fund Situational Awareness implodes

Situational Awareness lost roughly $30 billion in July. New details reveal the desk ran two auctions at once, with one set of bidders never knowing, per The Next Web.

Also covered by The Next Web, Quartz, Hacker News

Trump meets with crypto executives, pushes for digital asset legislation, and Bitcoin soars

President Trump held a White House meeting with crypto CEOs to push for the Clarity Act, and Bitcoin rose over 5% following the meeting, with reports of surging prices.

Also covered by Quartz, Decrypt

U.S. national debt tops $40 trillion as Treasury secretary says deficit has peaked

The U.S. national debt has surpassed $40 trillion, with Bloomberg Money covering the milestone and its implications. Treasury Secretary Bessent signals the deficit may have peaked, while bond buyback plans are discussed.

Also covered by Axios, Quartz, Hacker News

Apple trains its own AI model for China with Alibaba's support

Apple has trained its own large language model for the China market, with support from Alibaba, rather than relying on a third-party model. The move aims to comply with local regulations and offer a tailored AI experience.

Also covered by 9to5Mac, MacRumors, AppleInsider, The Next Web, Quartz

Republican state lawmakers draft bills to block human-AI marriages

Human-AI marriages are not recognized under US law, and Republican state policymakers are drafting legislation to keep it that way. The bills aim to prevent legal recognition of chatbot marriages.

Tim O'Reilly says big AI labs don't understand what people want

Tim O'Reilly argues that major AI labs are missing what people actually want and advocates for open-source AI. His comments come as AI disrupts the publishing industry he helped build.

Neura Robotics CEO says pace of physical AI development is 'ridiculous'

Neura Robotics CEO David Reger says the pace of physical AI development is tremendous and believes it can be a new growth engine for Europe. He spoke on Bloomberg Tech: Europe.

Alibaba, Baidu, and Kuaishou address mounting AI costs amid intensifying competition

Alibaba Group, Baidu Inc., and Kuaishou Technology are among the next big tech names to address concerns over the growing financial costs of sustaining AI competition, per Bloomberg Technology.

OpenAI and Anthropic cut model prices as Chinese AI rivals gain ground

OpenAI and Anthropic are releasing cheaper models in response to competitive pressure from Chinese AI rivals. The price war reflects intensifying competition in the AI market.

Natural gas price forecast could triple hyperscalers' AI data center power bills

A new forecast suggests natural gas prices could triple in parts of the U.S., potentially saddling hyperscalers with enormous costs to power AI data centers.

Goldman Sachs says India less exposed to AI job risks than others

Goldman Sachs' chief India economist Santanu Sengupta said India's labor force is unlikely to face widespread job losses from artificial intelligence, though some services sector positions could be affected. The analysis contrasts with broader concerns about AI-driven displacement in other economies.

Uber and Pony.ai plan to bring 2,000 robotaxis to Europe

Uber and Pony.ai are planning to deploy more than 2,000 robotaxis across Europe. The companies will expand their existing Zagreb service to four additional European cities, with Middle East deployment also planned.

Also covered by CNBC Technology, The Next Web, Quartz, Tech.eu

will.i.am discusses why human creativity will survive the AI era

Musician and tech CEO will.i.am tells Bloomberg that AI can assist human creativity rather than replace it. He also reflects on the meaning of his song 'Where Is the Love?' in today's fractured world.

Also covered by Bloomberg Technology

Joi AI claims AI-guided 'wellness' sessions reduce stress by 25%, restlessness by 19%

Joi AI, which hired consultants to use its AI companion in a wellness study, says participants reported 25% lower stress and 19% less restlessness after guided sessions. The company is promoting the results as evidence of mental health benefits.

Also covered by Digital Trends, Gizmodo

Z.ai debuts GLM-5.3 with long-horizon coding and cyberscurity upgrades

Chinese AI developer Z.ai released GLM-5.3, an open-source LLM that sets records across benchmarks, with long-horizon coding and cybersecurity upgrades.

Also covered by VentureBeat, The Decoder, SiliconANGLE, Decrypt, Hacker News

Anthropic details unreleased Model 2, new alignment concerns in AI risk report

Anthropic published its Risk Report, covering the period to July 15. The report details unreleased Model 2 and new alignment concerns, and reveals that the company ran 133 million contractor chats with bioweapon filters turned off.

Also covered by The Next Web, Hacker News

Google lets users say goodbye to Gemini watermarks

Google now allows users to turn off the visible watermark on Gemini-generated images, video, and music. However, content remains flagged as AI even without the watermark, with invisible metadata still marking it as synthetic.

Also covered by The Verge, Engadget, Android Authority, Android Police, PCWorld

Does Mark Zuckerberg really believe AI is 'for everyone'? Critics question Meta's motives

Following Meta's release of open-weight AI model Glimmer and a letter from Mark Zuckerberg, critics question whether the company's push for open AI is genuine or self-serving.

Also covered by TechCrunch

OpenAI's Computer History replaces screenshot surveillance with keylogging for ChatGPT on Mac

OpenAI's Computer History feature on Mac now tracks keystrokes instead of screenshots, raising privacy concerns about keylogging.

Also covered by CNET, The Next Web, Slashdot

Self-driving trucks from Aurora and Kodiak begin testing on California highways

California issues first permits for autonomous truck testing to Aurora and Kodiak, but the rules behind them face legal challenges in court.

Also covered by The Next Web

GitHub outage affects Cursor Origin, its new Git platform

A GitHub degradation is affecting Cursor Origin, the new Git platform from Cursor, as reported on Hacker News. This follows SpaceX's official closure of its Cursor acquisition.

Also covered by 9to5Mac, VentureBeat, Engadget, The Next Web, Wccftech

Anthropic details Claude watermarking system and offers detection API; users find workarounds

Anthropic has detailed its invisible watermarking system for AI-generated content and is offering a detection API to comply with new EU rules. However, coders report they have already found workarounds to remove the watermarks.

Also covered by Wired, The Decoder, Android Authority, PCWorld, ZDNET

Pew survey finds 55% of Americans under 30 are more worried than excited about AI, first majority since 2021

A Pew survey found 55% of Americans under 30 are now more concerned than excited about AI, the first majority since 2021, with 73% expecting job losses. A European Commission survey also found growing skepticism about AI's benefits among young people.

Also covered by TechSpot, The Next Web, Gizmodo

Best Pixel 10 cases and accessories for 2026

Wired recommends the best Pixel 10 cases, screen protectors, and Qi2 chargers from brands like Mous, dbrand, and Bellroy. The guide covers Pixel 10a, Pixel 10, and Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Also covered by Mashable Tech

CMF clip earbuds balance affordability and comfort with ambient awareness

The Verge reviews CMF's clip earbuds, noting they offer a compromise between comfort and sound quality. The design prioritizes ambient awareness and comfort over audio fidelity.

MSI Claw EX is the most important handheld since Steam Deck but reviewer wouldn't buy one

The MSI Claw EX features a next-gen Intel chip and improved design, making it the most powerful handheld PC, but remains a niche device.

Hoto launches cordless soldering iron that heats up in three seconds

Hoto introduces its I-A06 Cordless Soldering Iron through the modular Snapbloq collection, heating to over 200 degrees Celsius in about three seconds.

Best computer monitors of 2026 for home offices, from budget to premium

Wired's expert advice on what computer monitor to buy for a home office, covering budget-tier to fully featured models.

Unitree G1 humanoid robot becomes an online influencer, but can it hold a real job?

Wired profiles the Unitree G1, a 4-foot-tall humanoid robot from China that has gained popularity on social media for its charming antics. The article questions whether the relatively affordable robot can transition from viral fame to practical applications in the workforce.

A look at wearing an electrical muscle stimulation body suit for two months to test fitness gains

Wired's reporter wore an EMS body suit for two months to test whether electrifying workouts can offer a shortcut to fitness. The experiment explores the effectiveness and comfort of the technology.

8BitDo FlipPad brings back real buttons and launches in Europe

8BitDo's FlipPad is a flip-style USB-C gamepad that turns iPhones and Android devices into retro handhelds. It is now available in Europe after launching in the US.

Also covered by Android Police, Mashable Tech

Samsung developing over-ear headphones to complement Galaxy Buds lineup, findings suggest

New findings indicate Samsung is working on over-ear headphones that would complement its Galaxy Buds lineup, potentially competing with Apple and Sony.

Also covered by 9to5Google, Android Authority, Digital Trends, Gizmodo

Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H offer up to $500 discounts on M5 Pro MacBook Pro models

Multiple retailers discount Apple's M5 MacBook Pro, with B&H offering a $350 discount bringing the price to $1,669. Amazon and Best Buy also have up to $500 off on various configurations.

Also covered by MacRumors, AppleInsider, Macworld, Mashable Tech, TechRadar

Best Pixel 11 cases roundup includes Pixelsnap-ready, metal, and protective options

TechRadar recommends cases for the Pixel 11 Pro XL, including options with strong Pixelsnap magnets and durable protection. The guide advises against cheap cases.

Also covered by TechRadar, Digital Trends, IGN

New York City lawmakers push to ban biometric scanning at Madison Square Garden

Politicians, musicians, and privacy advocates call for tighter restrictions on biometric surveillance at public venues like Madison Square Garden, arguing for a 'ban the scan' policy.

What is known about alleged Iranian hacks on US water utilities

Hackers have targeted and broken into the systems of several water plants in the United States in a wave of attacks allegedly carried out by the Iranian government.

US courts will publicly report government spyware use in wiretap authorizations

U.S. courts will soon publicly disclose how often judges authorize spyware and hacking tools for surveillance, giving Americans a clearer view of government monitoring.

Also covered by Digital Trends

Russian missile uses Nvidia AI chip to help target Ukraine, report says

A Russian cruise missile used an Nvidia Jetson AI chip to assist targeting, according to Ukrainian officials, who call for tighter export controls on foreign silicon.

Also covered by Tom's Hardware, Slashdot

Clop ransomware gang created custom web shell for Windchill data theft attacks

A custom Java web shell linked to Clop was designed for PTC Windchill and FlexPLM servers, with features to decrypt credentials and steal files. Shell, Philips, and GE investigate data theft claims.

Also covered by The Hacker News, BleepingComputer

France's tax authority data breach exposes 600,000 taxpayers' information including private messages

France's tax authority confirms a breach exposed personal data and private messages of approximately 600,000 taxpayers after attackers gained access via stolen login credentials.

Also covered by The Register, The Next Web, BleepingComputer, Decrypt, Hacker News

Amazon reintroduces user agreement clause to curb class-action lawsuits

Amazon adds a clause to its user agreement seeking to prevent shoppers from filing class-action lawsuits, a legal buffer it removed five years ago.

Google Health update adds Coach control and toggle to remove AI guidance from Today tab

Google Health update adds a toggle to hide the AI Coach from the Today tab, responding to user requests for less intrusive AI guidance.

Also covered by Android Authority, TechRadar

Intel may refresh Raptor Lake for a third time as DDR5 prices push buyers toward older hardware

Intel is reportedly considering a third refresh of its Raptor Lake CPUs due to high DDR5 prices driving demand for older hardware, per TechSpot.

Also covered by TechSpot, Wccftech

Meta patents AI glasses that use facial recognition to create highlight reels of events

Meta has patented a smart-glasses system that could use facial recognition to identify people and automatically create personalized highlight reels of events such as dinner parties. The patent does not guarantee the feature will ship, but it offers a detailed look at how Meta is exploring the technology.

Also covered by Digital Trends, Slashdot, Decrypt, Hacker News

Intel's 28-core Nova Lake-S desktop CPU reportedly draws 296W, Intel VP says it hits desktops before data center

Leaks indicate Intel's 28-core Nova Lake-S CPU has a PL1 of 296W, nearly 2.4x its expected 125W TDP. Intel VP confirms Nova Lake will launch on desktops before data center, and Razor Lake may use TSMC N2X.

Also covered by Tom's Hardware, TechSpot, Wccftech

Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 introduces built-in App Lock and system blur

Google's Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 adds a native App Lock feature, system blur, and customizable Quick Settings, though some users report widget and app drawer issues.

Also covered by 9to5Google, CNET, Android Authority, MakeUseOf

Rocket Lab shows off flexibility; Blue Origin plans two-pad launch site

This week's rocket report covers Rocket Lab's new capabilities, Blue Origin's two-pad plan, and other space industry developments. Launch capacity remains constrained.

Focused ultrasound treats meth addiction in a single session, replacing brain surgery

A woman with severe meth addiction was treated with a single session of noninvasive focused ultrasound, which appeared to work as well as brain surgery. The case suggests a potential new treatment for addiction without the risks of invasive procedures.

A look at five weird tricks for having a brain, from octopus minds to organoids

Wired explores five insights about the brain, including the multibrained octopus and bitty brain organoids, arguing that all brains are inference engines making flawed bets on the future.

Scientist works to build a missing map of childhood as part of the Human Cell Atlas

Deanne Taylor, after attending a presentation on the Human Cell Atlas, realized the need to map every cell in the human body, leading to efforts to build a comprehensive map of childhood development.

Europe faces difficult choices on rocket reuse as economics favor reusable launchers

Policy experts say Europe's launch industry is struggling to compete as reusable rocket economics prove highly favorable. The continent faces a choice between investing in reusable technology or falling behind.

224 Ventures launches with $100M+ to invest in AI startups; co-founded by Yann LeCun

Former AIX Ventures co-founder Shaun Johnson, ex-DeepMind researcher Oriol Vinyals, and AI pioneer Yann LeCun launch 224 Ventures, a seed-stage AI venture firm with over $100M in assets under management.

Indian startup uses cancer-sniffing dogs and AI for early detection

Bengaluru-based startup Dognosis pairs trained sniffer dogs with artificial intelligence to detect cancer from breath samples. The prescreening approach aims to flag cancer early, though it comes with caveats regarding accuracy and real-world deployment.

Also covered by The Next Web

Overcast creator Marco Arment launches Unforgetful, a task-management app for Apple devices

Marco Arment, the developer behind the Overcast podcast app, has released a new app called Unforgetful for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The app enhances Apple Reminders with additional task-management features.

Also covered by 9to5Mac

A close-up look at what a killer drone swarm looks like

Bloomberg reports on autonomous drone swarms from companies that can turn arrays of uncrewed platforms into swarming killing machines.

Monkey Island creator Ron Gilbert finds wealthy investor for Thimbleweed Park 2

Ron Gilbert, creator of Monkey Island, has secured funding from a wealthy investor for Thimbleweed Park 2, bypassing traditional publishers. The game is a sequel to the 2017 point-and-click adventure.

Best Wireless Chargers (2026): My Picks After Testing 100+

Stop fumbling for cables in the dark. These WIRED-tested stands and pads will take the hassle out of refueling your phone, wireless earbuds, and watch.

US Oil Growth Faces Headwinds as Shale Producers Cut Spending

Some of the largest US oil companies are dialing back capital spending in the country’s shale basins as they use the windfall from high crude prices to boost shareholder returns and pay down debt rather than accelerate production growth.

Job titles of the future: Space travel agent emerges as luxury travel niche

Roman Chiporukha, co-owner of luxury lifestyle firm Roman & Erica, has arranged extraordinary travel experiences including space travel, highlighting the emerging role of space travel agents in the luxury market.

Art project slows down Citi Bikes to make NYC's rent crisis feel real

An art project called Ground Truth makes Citi Bikes harder to pedal through rent-burdened neighborhoods, offering a tangible way for people to experience income inequality.

Ars Live recap explores how to stop publishers from killing their own games

Ars Technica's live event discussed the Stop Killing Games movement and the challenges of preventing publishers from shutting down online games.

Cards Against Humanity crowdfunds monument to annoy Elon Musk

Cards Against Humanity is crowdfunding a 'grand monument' to Elon Musk on land it owns near Starbase, Texas. The company, known for its vulgar humor, is raising money to build something that will annoy the Tesla and SpaceX CEO.

Apple proposes to take a 15% cut of purchases made outside the App Store

Apple is asking a federal judge to allow it to charge commissions of up to 15% on purchases made through external links in iOS apps.

Read-it-later app Pocket shuts down; best alternatives listed as users have until October 8 to export data

Pocket, the read-it-later app, is shutting down. Users have until October 8 to export their saved articles, lists, archives, favorites, notes, and highlights. TechCrunch lists the best alternatives.

2025 GOTY Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is down to $33

For RPG fans who dig Persona-style turn-based action and who are pursuing games with original stories and fantastic tunes, look no further than Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This praise might come off sounding weird, but I really like that Sandfall Interactive’s breakout hit isn’t overly long compared to RPGs it was inspired by. It’s worth […]

Kog is going deeper to squeeze more inference out of GPUs

The idea that GPUs are poorly suited for agentic workflows may be a misconception, according to French startup Kog.

Senator Warren probes Taylor Farms' Trump admin connections amid Cyclospora response

Senator Elizabeth Warren is investigating whether Taylor Farms' political connections influenced the Trump administration's response to a Cyclospora outbreak linked to the company's products.

A guide to shopping for back-to-school laptops amid RAM and storage crunch

Computer prices are out of whack due to ongoing RAM and storage crunch, making some laptops pricier. The Verge offers a guide to finding affordable options for students.

Wired tests and ranks the 4 best planners of 2026

Wired reviews paper planners including Roterunner, Hobonichi, and Cloth & Paper, recommending them as alternatives to digital calendars.

UK issues emergency phone alert as heat raises wildfire risk

The UK government issued a wildfire alert to mobile phones as drought and the tail end of a heat wave left much of the country at very high fire risk.

UBS' Fowler Says Parts of Nasdaq Look 'Outright Cheap'

Gerry Fowler, chief European equity strategist and head of derivates at UBS, explains why he thinks markets are in an "unprecedented growth era." Speaking on Bloomberg Television, Fowler says the recent bout of de-risking "appears to now be over," and that he expects investors to "lean back" into the tech trade as they return from vacation. (Source: Bloomberg)

Czinger 21C Spyder debuts organic-looking brake assemblies made with additive manufacturing

Czinger used topological design and additive manufacturing to create the organic-looking brake assemblies on its new 21C Spyder.

Massachusetts teen charged with killing mother and brother; prosecutors point to ChatGPT

A Massachusetts teenager, Arjun Aravind, 17, is accused of killing his mother and brother. Prosecutors say he used ChatGPT and the internet to search for fantasy stories about killing his family. He is being held without bail.

Also covered by The Next Web, Mashable Tech

Lamborghini Revuelto levels up with SV trim

Lamborghini introduces the SV trim for its flagship Revuelto hybrid supercar, adding more power and track-focused enhancements.

Also covered by Digital Trends

Ahsoka Season 2 premieres January 20, 2027; Star Wars: Starfighter teased at D23

Lucasfilm released the first trailer for Ahsoka Season 2 at D23, showing a darker, witchcraft-filled take on the Star Wars universe. Additionally, a new Star Wars: Starfighter project was teased.

Also covered by Gizmodo, Polygon, IGN

Vulnerability giving attackers full control of Macs is under active exploitation

Hackers actively exploit a macOS Screen Sharing flaw that allows remote attackers to log in without a password, deploying a Monero miner.

Also covered by BleepingComputer, Slashdot

Plaintiff hides invisible AI instructions in court filings to secretly influence automated review

A plaintiff inserted hidden AI prompts in court documents to manipulate automated document review systems, raising security concerns about AI in legal processes. The Decoder reports the incident.

Also covered by Tom's Hardware, The Decoder, Techdirt, Hacker News

Epic Games Store officially coming to Linux, company confirms

Epic Games has confirmed during a Discord AMA that it is developing a native Linux version of its storefront, potentially eliminating the need for third-party launchers on Steam Deck and other Linux devices, reports PC Guide.

Also covered by XDA Developers, Slashdot

AI scrambles political map as it becomes a major issue in 40% of US races

AI has become a major issue in nearly 40% of US races, leapfrogging topics like Israel, racism, and crypto as a campaign topic. Data centers also feature prominently in the political discourse.

Also covered by The Decoder, Gizmodo

Tim Cook hopes people say he was a good and decent man when reflecting on his Apple legacy

Tim Cook hopes people say he was a good and decent man when reflecting on his Apple legacy, while a new commentary examines his tenure, arguing he did his best for better or worse.

Also covered by 9to5Mac, MacRumors, Macworld, TechRadar

France's top court blocks social media ban for under-15s over freedom of expression concerns

The French Constitutional Council struck down a law banning social media for children under 15, citing freedom of expression, in a ruling that could affect other EU countries.

Also covered by Engadget, The Next Web, TechRadar, Techdirt, Slashdot

One UI 9.5 leak reveals refined Camera app, widget creation tool, and Galaxy ecosystem features

Samsung is readying a custom widget tool in an early build of One UI 9.5, similar to what Google announced earlier. The update also includes a refined Camera app and expanded Galaxy ecosystem features.

Also covered by Android Authority, Mashable Tech, Digital Trends