Online American technology news publication by Vox Media
OpenAI has said its unreleased model Astra may have reached a "Critical" capability for autonomous cyberattacks and has paused internal activities that do not meet heightened safeguards. The company has implemented isolated testing, universal monitoring for risky actions, and is working with government agencies and safety organisations to evaluate Astra's abilities.
Tesla is accelerating its AI and robotics agenda while its robotaxi rollout remains limited and costly. Quarterly data show robotaxi miles dwindling, even as Musk pushes Optimus and other AI initiatives. Analysts warn that regulatory hurdles and high CapEx complicate the path to scale.
This week has seen major moves in AI infrastructure financing and buildouts. SpaceX has released renderings for Terafab, a more-than-100-million-square-foot semiconductor factory it plans in Texas that it values at at least $16.8bn for the initial phase. Separately, Nvidia has been reported to be negotiating a $250bn guarantee to back OpenAI’s proposed 10-gigawatt Ohio data‑centre lease and construction debt.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 line remains the flagship, with the Ultra model offering higher-end cameras and battery life. Other foldables from rival brands enter markets with new shapes, improved screens, and pricing shifts. Preorders and deals signal growing consumer interest, while reviews highlight both value and trade-offs.
Electronic Arts has been taken private in a $55 billion deal led by Saudi Arabia's PIF, with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. The move delists EA from Nasdaq and adds $20 billion in debt. Analysts expect a focus on core franchises and potential cost-cutting. Regulators approved the deal, and governance implications are under scrutiny.
SpaceX has released its first quarterly earnings since going public. Revenue has grown, but AI-related capex has surged, raising questions about sustainability as the stock price remains volatile. Investors warn that rapid spending could outpace revenue growth, while Starlink and data centres continue to drive cash flow.
Ford has announced the Fathom, a sub-$30,000 electric pickup built on a new Universal EV Platform. Prototypes will start in early 2027 with deliveries later that year, as Ford pushes a cost-focused, vertically integrated approach to catch up with Chinese competitors and Tesla.
The Pixel 11 lineup is set for an August 12 Made by Google event. Leaks point to incremental upgrades across models, a new LED camera light, a Pixel Fold, and a Pixel Watch 5. Pricing is rising across the range, with 256GB starting storage for most models and a likely $899 base price.
The US market now allows installation of third-party app stores in Google Play, following a ruling connected to the Epic Games suit. Aptoide is the first such store available in Play Store, with broader catalog access promised later. Other regions will follow, though initial access remains limited.
Spotify has announced it will add an "AI Persona" badge to artist profiles from mid‑September to flag identities that do not represent real people. The badge will appear on profiles, search and track rows; such artists will be excluded from editorial and personalized recommendations by default, and can self‑disclose or appeal Spotify's decision.
Serve Robotics has expanded its autonomous sidewalk delivery rollout in Washington and San Jose, while continuing partnerships in Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. Uber has divested its stake, signaling a strategic pivot as Serve scales the fleet and explores coordination with new partners.
Google reports Gemini has reached 1 billion monthly active users across its app, with 63% using voice input. The milestone is framed as rapid growth alongside competition from OpenAI, with Google stressing integration across products and recent model updates.
The Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to spend up to $20 million to outfit ICE officers and agents with CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E. gloves that deliver electrical shocks to gain quick compliance. The devices, produced by Compliant Technologies, are intended as a non-lethal de-escalation tool but have drawn civil rights concerns and questions about misuse. Training and policy work are ongoing, with some jurisdictions already using similar devices.
Flock Safety has announced mandatory changes to its national license-plate camera network after reporting dozens of US officers misused the system. The company has shortened default data retention from 30 days to seven, will require case codes for searches and will force all customers to enable an audit tool that can lock out flagged users.
Twitch has updated its policy, allowing users to opt out of using their streams, VODs, clips, and chats to train Amazon’s generative AI. The change confirms that training has been happening and gives creators a clear privacy toggle. Opting out is available in channel privacy settings.
Starcloud has secured a funding extension valuing the company at $2.3 billion to expand manufacturing and advance Starcloud-3, a spacecraft intended to ride on SpaceX’s Starship. The company plans two 8 kW satellites for 2027 launches, with aims to sign additional launch contracts as SpaceX’s Starship rollout could lower costs. Nvidia and others back the round, underscoring growing space compute ambitions.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan have purchased Strancally Castle and its 440-acre estate in Waterford, Ireland. The off-market deal, estimated at $23-35 million, positions the property as a strategic Irish base for Meta while the couple plans to keep their US residence.
Chinese regulators have announced recalls affecting more than 4 million electric vehicles; Tesla has accounted for roughly 2.98 million Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X cars made or imported into China. Automakers will receive software updates and warning labels to fix retractable door-handle failures and improve driver-monitoring systems.