AI leaders sign statement asking the government to do something about automated AI
Employees of OpenAI and Anthropic, as well as Google, Meta, Thinking Machines, Microsoft, Mistral, and other leading AI labs, have written a statement to the US government supporting a potential slowdown of sorts for frontier AI development - or at least a speed-up of global coordinated governance efforts.
"Al could help create a dramatically better future, but that outcome is not guaranteed," the employees wrote in a statement. "The world's leading Al companies believe they could be close to automating Al research. It is hard to predict exactly how much this will accelerate Al progress, but there is a real risk that capability development …
Is it illegal to trick the US government into wiping your phone during a questionably legal search?
A Georgia man was charged with a felony for allegedly wiping his phone while being questioned by Customs and Border Protection. Samuel Tunick had something in common with others who have had their devices searched at airports: He was an activist.
Unlike others who have had their phones seized with no explanation, Tunick was told that CBP needed to search his device to determine whether it contained child sexual abuse material, according to court filings. But Tunick's attorneys argue that the search "was a pretext for a fishing expedition" into his connections with the Stop Cop City protests in Atlanta, in which dozens of people were charged …
AI’s finally expensive enough to make Wall Street nervous
It's earnings season, and investors got an unpleasant surprise from Google: an increase on its spending estimate, to as much as $205 billion - from the last quarter's projection of up to $190 billion. Even the lower end of Google's new projected range - $195 billion - is much more than the company had previously forecast as its top end spending. Now, look, I recognize that there's an impulse to say things like "What's $15 billion between friends?" but from an investor's perspective, Google has essentially said that it can't accurately forecast its costs, which is a scary thing. Plus, Google is spending more money than it's making. And Google …
This comfy gaming headset that can play audio from two sources is $25
While most gaming headsets have moved towards low-latency wireless connections, there’s something to be said for a budget-friendly, capable wired headset. The EPOS H3 Hybrid is on sale for just $24.99 at Woot, a whopping 75 percent off its original price of $99.99. It has an unorthodox batch of features: USB-A and 3.5mm options for connecting to a controller or a PC, and Bluetooth support for listening to music and taking calls. Notably, it can play audio from wired and wireless sources concurrently, and it can last up to 37 hours per charge.
My colleague Cameron Faulkner spent some time with the wired-only version of this headset five years ago, and was impressed by its balanced sound profile, comfortable fit, and generously-sized volume knob. He had some qualms about USB connectivity and lack of sidetone, both of which seem to have been addressed in the Hybrid version of the headset that’s available at a steep discount right now. This version also has two microphones — a removable boom mic and a built-in microphone — so you can still take calls via Bluetooth without looking like an airline pilot.
Logitech will pull a Nintendo — only European mice will come with replaceable batteries
In June, Nintendo announced a new version of the Switch 2 that should let you easily replace its battery pack - but only for Europe. Logitech will do much the same. User-replaceable batteries will be the law in Europe in February 2027, but instead of bringing them to the rest of the world, Logitech plans to ship one version of its wireless mice to Europe and a different version everywhere else.
That's the word from Logitech's new gaming boss, Robin Piispanen. We talked about it over iced vanilla lattes at my local cafe, right after discussing how Logitech isn't sure it wants to make another gaming handheld.
Why? Logitech believes that les …
Apple won’t turn on any ‘restricted mode’ for missed lease payments
Apple says it won't limit the capabilities of devices leased through its new Upgrade program if you miss a payment. In an emailed statement to The Verge, Apple spokesperson Brian Bumbery says, "There will be no restricted mode and/or there will be no limitations put on device functionality due to missed payments or default with the Apple Upgrade program."
This confirmation comes after 9to5Mac uncovered code in an iOS 27 beta for a new "App Managed Features" system. This would reportedly allow financial partners to "perform ongoing status checks" on a device, as well as have Apple's system services put a device in "Restricted Mode" if its ow …
New Yorkers will soon need to verify their age to access algorithmic feeds
New Yorkers who want to see their Instagram or TikTok feed curated by an algorithm, or receive notification after midnight, will soon have to verify their ages to access those features.
New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) released a set of final rules on how to implement the SAFE for Kids Act, signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul (D) in June 2024. The rules lay out in more detail what social media platforms subject to the law will need to do in order to comply, including standards for understanding users' ages, and how to go about obtaining parental consent for kids to use walled-off features. The law will officially go into eff …
Tile’s best Bluetooth tracker is down to its lowest price of the year
Apple’s latest AirTag may seem like the obvious choice if you own an iPhone and are shopping for a Bluetooth tracker, but it’s not the most affordable option. For families that contain both Android and Apple devices, it might be better to pick up the latest Tile Pro instead. It works well across both platforms, and right now it’s on sale for $23.99 ($11 off) at Amazon and directly from Tile. This is its cheapest price in 2026 so far and only $1 shy of the all-time low we saw in October.
As Tile’s most capable tracker, the Pro offers a Bluetooth range of up to 500 feet and the loudest ring of its lineup at 110 decibels, making it easier to locate misplaced items nearby. While it doesn’t tap into Apple’s Find My or Google’s Find Hub networks, its Life360 app remains a reliable option for keeping tabs on valuables both near and far.
The Tile Pro can also save you a little money in a few ways compared to Apple’s AirTag. For starters, it includes a built-in keyring hole, so you can attach it to your keys, backpack, or luggage without buying a separate holder. On top of that, Tile includes a handful of free extras that Apple doesn’t provide, like two days of location history and Place Alerts that notify you when members of your Life360 Circle arrive at or leave certain places. If you’re willing to pay for a subscription (which starts at $7.99 a month) you’ll also gain access to features like SOS alerts that can connect you to emergency services, crash detection, roadside assistance, and even free towing depending upon the plan you choose.
Save $150 on this smart indoor bike trainer that can keep you riding during the off months
While the summer months are great for putting in the miles on your favorite bike, it can be frustrating to have to hang it up when the weather turns. This smart bike trainer turns your road bike into an indoor exercise bike, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to connect to your PC, iOS, or Android device, and support for a wide variety of interactive and training apps. Multiple retailers have the Kickr Core 2 on sale for $399.99 (usually $549.99) in both the Cog and Click version (Wahoo, Amazon) which fits 8-13 speed bikes, and the version with an included 11-speed cassette (Wahoo, Amazon).
Wahoo Kickr Core 2
Where to Buy:
One of the main advantages to a trainer like the Kickr is access to dynamically adjustable resistance, which can work in concert with training apps to tune your workout, or interact with riding apps to replicate inclines and group rides. If you use heart rate or cadence trackers, the Kickr Core 2 can connect directly to them with ANT+ support, and the Cog and Click version includes controllers for changing your virtual gears that hook to your handlebars. I use mine to keep pedaling during the winter months in the Pacific Northwest, joining other cyclists from all over the world for group rides, challenges, and races using Zwift.
Other deals to consider
- The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is on sale at Amazon for $76.18, within a dollar of its all-time low price. This gaming headset has features designed for competitive gamers, including sound isolating ear cups to keep you focused, a wideband microphone so your teammates hear your callouts clearly, and a low-latency 2.4GHz connection. They’re compatible with PlayStation 4 and 5, PC, and mobile devices.
- Costco members can grab the Dell Ultra Sharp 32-inch 6K monitor for $799.99, a $200 break from the usual price. While the 60Hz refresh and IPS panel aren’t exactly cutting-edge, the screen makes up for it with a super dense 6144 x 3456 resolution, where it has few direct competitors. This screen would be a great fit for an office setup, with a built-in webcam for taking meetings and KVM support for switching between multiple systems quickly. For connectivity, it supports HDMI and Mini DisplayPort at 6K, Thunderbolt 4, and 2.5GbE Ethernet.
- Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door for the Nintendo Switch 2 is on sale for $31.99 at Woot, almost half off the usual price of $59.99. This classic Gamecube game has been remastered for newer consoles, and sees you guiding a 2D version of Mario through a turn-based RPG where you’ll upgrade your abilities, solve puzzles, and fight a variety of enemies. It has a unique art style and gameplay elements you won’t find in other non-paper Mario games.
HBO Max is putting on vertical shorts
Warner Bros. Discovery is bringing a vertical video feed to HBO Max to help you find something new to watch. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Peacock already offer TikTok-like vertical video feeds to surface content that might be interesting to users, and now HBO Max will have a similar feed of its own.
The feed, called "HBO Max Shorts," will be accessible from an icon on the bottom navigation menu. It will show you things like trailers, clips, and bonus content from the HBO Max library, and it's tailored to you based on your watch history. You can jump into a show or movie right from the HBO Max Shorts clip or add it to y …