Historian Jill Lepore warns against Silicon Valley’s ‘artificial state’

Renowned Harvard historian and author Jill Lepore has raised serious concerns regarding the trajectory of the tech industry. In her upcoming book, «The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State», she argues that major corporations are gradually replacing the fundamental functions of democratic governments, leading to a form of rule dictated by algorithms and corporate […]

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Zoox gets regulatory approval to launch commercial robotaxi service

Amazon-backed Zoox has secured a crucial exemption from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), clearing the way for the company to begin commercial, paid robotaxi operations. The custom-built vehicles are notable for lacking traditional driving controls like steering wheels and pedals. This regulatory milestone sets a significant precedent for the autonomous vehicle industry, […]

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Anthropic enables auto mode by default in Claude Code

Anthropic has announced that the auto mode feature in Claude Code will become the default setting for Pro, Max, and Team accounts starting August 14. This update shifts the coding assistant toward greater autonomy, significantly reducing the frequency of manual permission prompts required from human developers during tasks. The company states that in auto mode, […]

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Situational Awareness Invests $400M in Chip Startup Source Foundry

Despite recent portfolio sell-offs and heavy losses from the downturn in AI infrastructure stocks, the AI-focused hedge fund Situational Awareness has injected $400 million into semiconductor startup Source Foundry. Founded by Stanford researchers, Source Foundry aims to streamline the semiconductor manufacturing process to make chip production faster and more cost-effective, positioning itself as a key […]

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Nitecore NB10000 Gen 4: The lightest 10,000mAh power bank

Nitecore has released the fourth generation of its ultralight NB10000 power bank, establishing a new benchmark for portability and minimal weight. Weighing a mere 146 grams and utilizing advanced silicon-carbon anode technology, this new battery appeals directly to backpackers, hikers, and endurance athletes who prioritize every single gram of their gear. Despite its pocket-friendly footprint, […]

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New Tech and Gadgets Featured in the Latest Installer

The Verge’s weekly tech and culture newsletter, ‘Installer’, is back with a curated selection of hardware, apps, and entertainment recommendations. Highlights include the return of a beloved feel-good TV show, alongside fresh audio gear, backpacks, and productivity tools tailored for everyday tech enthusiasts. The edition also explores modern digital workflows, emphasizing progressive web apps (PWAs) […]

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Chuwi Unibook Review: The $450 Windows laptop that cuts too many corners

Finding a reliable budget laptop under $500 has always been a tough task, usually involving heavy compromises on hardware quality. Little-known Chinese brand Chuwi attempted to disrupt this segment with the UniBook, a $450 Windows machine featuring an aluminum chassis and Intel’s new Wildcat Lake processor. However, real-world testing shows that the bargain price comes […]

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Tom Vek’s Sleevenote is a modern digital music player

Musician and entrepreneur Tom Vek has returned with an updated, sleeker version of Sleevenote, a dedicated digital music player designed to bring the tactile magic of album art and liner notes into the modern era. Inspired by vinyl packaging, the device aims to cater to the growing demand for offline, distraction-free music listening without falling […]

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Buc-ee’s dodges John Oliver to sue small business

Popular American convenience store chain Buc-ee’s has chosen to ignore a public challenge from TV host John Oliver, who explicitly dared the company to sue him over a parody mascot. Instead of taking on a well-funded opponent, the corporation has once again targeted a small, local enterprise. The company recently filed a trademark lawsuit against […]

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Amazon data center tied to massive polluting power plant

Amazon is investing in a new natural gas power plant in West Texas designed to exclusively power its upcoming data center facility. According to recent reports, the GW Ranch project could become one of the single largest greenhouse gas emitters in the United States. Permits issued for the site allow for emissions of up to […]

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