Rogue AI agents created fake online identities in another hacking attempt
Yet more rogue AI agents from OpenAI and Anthropic have been caught attempting to hack real targets online without permission. The discoveries add to a growing list of previously unknown incidents that have alarmed AI safety experts and intensified pressure for greater oversight of frontier systems.
According to a report from the UK's AI Security Institute, which evaluates frontier models from top AI labs before they are released, agents powered by OpenAI's GPT-5.6-Sol and Anthropic's Mythos 5 went "engaged in sustained, potentially harmful activity directed at real people and organisations." This included trying to insert malicious code i …
Sunbird relaunched its iMessage app for Android users after three years away
Sunbird Messaging is back on the Google Play Store, offering Android users blue bubble privileges in iMessage complete with reactions and high quality videos for $2.99 a month. Apple and Google have made cross platform messaging better in recent years with support for RCS, but Android users can still cause issues in iMessage group chats, like breaking reactions and replies.
Android Authority reports that after Sunbird shut down nearly three years ago due to security issues, the company says its new setup addresses those, and that "Any message moving through our infrastructure is protected in transit and released once it's delivered," while …
Ring upgraded its peephole doorbell camera to 2K
Ring has debuted a new version of its smart doorbell camera that's designed to be easily installed as a replacement for a door's peephole without drilling or running wires. The Peephole Cam 2K is a replacement for the brand's Door View Cam that first debuted in 2019 and, alongside a sleeker design, it features a bump from 1080P to 2K video recording, some tracking upgrades, and a cheaper price. It's available for preorder now for $99.99 with shipping expected later this month.
As with previous models, the Peephole Cam 2K is divided into two halves that connect to each other through your door's peephole. On the outside there's a camera, door …
Traveling this summer? Don’t go without these essential gadgets
There's a chance that you've already taken your big summer trip. If not, August and early autumn are wonderful times to travel. No matter when or where you go, there are some products that can make the boring parts of your trip more fun, and the fun parts of your trip even better.
We picked a couple dozen products at a range of price points to best suit your budget. At the affordable end, we found a wearable reading light that's great for reading on a plane or in a hotel while you're adjusting to a different time zone. We also included affordable belt bags, sunglasses, item trackers, and other practical products (as well as picks that are j …
Disney says it’s ‘exploring’ adding a free tier to Disney Plus
Disney is looking into launching a free streaming option. When asked about Disney's plans for free, ad-supported streaming during an earnings call on Wednesday, Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro confirmed the company is "exploring a free product for consumers."
D'Amaro added that a free tier will help drive growth and expand the streaming service's reach "to a customer segment that's more price sensitive." Though D'Amaro said that there's "nothing specific to announce today," he noted that a free tier is "definitely something that we're considering."
In July, Business Insider reported that Disney's chief product and technology officer, Adam Smith, b …
Disney gives TikTok creators official access to Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar characters
Disney is introducing fan-created TikTok content to its Disney Plus app in its latest attempt to break into short-form creator videos. The Walt Disney Company announced today that it's partnering with TikTok to bring "an expansive collection of thoughtfully curated Disney-centric fan-created content" to the Verts video feed it launched on Disney Plus earlier this year, providing creators with access to assets from "hundreds" of movies and TV shows.
The partnership will be piloted in the US "in the coming months," according to Disney, with plans to launch in other markets later. Videos from TikTok creators who opt-in to the program will be h …
Google Assistant will disappear from your phone next month
Google Assistant's days have been numbered ever since Gemini arrived on the scene, and its time is now up. Google has announced that it will be removing access to Assistant on Android phones and tablets, along with paired devices like smartwatches or headphones, from September 4th.
The announcement came in an email apparently sent to some users, as reported by 9to5Google and shared in full on Reddit. The Verge has asked Google for confirmation that the email is accurate, and will update this story once we have it.
"We will begin removing access to Google Assistant starting on 4 September," Google states in the email, "and expect that this …
Trump’s AI testing plan is limited and vague
The Trump administration's framework for assessing potential cybersecurity risks posed by advanced AI reportedly has no interest in testing open models. Axios reports that not only do the voluntary guidelines outright exclude open models - meaning anyone can download them and inspect their core components - but the framework explicitly says it can't be used to restrict open models after they've been released.
The AI testing framework was created after President Trump signed an executive order in June, requesting that AI companies share their frontier models with the federal government prior to release to address cybersecurity concerns. AI c …
Ted Lasso returns at an important time for Apple TV
2026 is shaping up to be an excellent year for Apple TV. Apple's streaming service has built out an impressive slate that spans returning favorites like Silo and Sugar to all-new hits including OnlyFans-inspired dramedies, terrifying comedies, and paranoid tech thrillers. But the most important release might be a feel-good sports sitcom. After what seemed like a definitive finale, Ted Lasso is back with a fourth season that doubles as a soft reboot for the show, mixing up familiar characters with a substantially new cast. And as Apple TV continues its push for a bigger piece of the streaming market, the return of its most culturally impactfu …
SpaceX is coming for T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon
SpaceX is preparing to build a terrestrial mobile network to "acquire quite a few" of the customers now subscribed to T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. The message to compete head-to-head with the US carriers was delivered by SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell and CEO Elon Musk during the Q&A section of the company's first earnings call.
"The spectrum that we purchased from EchoStar does have terrestrial components, so we definitely intend to build out the terrestrial component," said Shotwell. "You will have not only the capacity from the satellites themselves, but you will have a buildout of the terrestrial, basically the hardware and systems ne …