The Verge

The Trump administration's AI testing framework excludes open models and cannot restrict them post-release. The framework was established after an executive order in June requiring AI companies to share frontier models with the government before release to address cybersecurity risks.

SpaceX plans to build a terrestrial mobile network to compete with T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, aiming to attract their customers. The company's president, Gwynne Shotwell, confirmed the use of spectrum purchased from EchoStar to develop terrestrial infrastructure alongside satellite capacity.

Signal now allows users to link multiple phones, including Android and iPhone, to a single account. The update enables message syncing across devices and optional transfer of end-to-end encrypted messages to mitigate security risks. The feature is available with Signal versions 8.20 (Android) and 8.22 (iPhone/iPad).

A Reddit user in a skincare subreddit asked about a hypochlorous acid spray, prompting a response from a user named Primary-Taro4254 who recommended a similar product from Honeydew Labs. The comment, which detailed positive personal experience with the product, is cited as an example of AI SEO spam on the platform.

Fender CEO Edward 'Bud' Cole compared bandmates and cover songs to analog AI in an interview celebrating the Telecaster's 75th anniversary. The comments resurfaced amid backlash against Fender's cease-and-desist letters to guitar builders over the Stratocaster's body shape, leading some influential guitar YouTubers to pledge to stop buying Fender gear.

Microsoft is increasing prices for Xbox consoles in the EU and UK by up to €200 or £170, with the 1TB Xbox Series X rising by over 30% and the 512GB Xbox Series S by over 43% due to soaring RAM and storage costs driven by the AI industry.

Skylight’s smart calendars are discounted up to $90 during its back-to-school sale from August 2nd to 9th. The 10-inch model is priced at $119.99 ($50 off), the 15-inch Calendar 2 at $259.99 ($20 off), and the 27-inch Calendar Max at $479.99 ($90 off). Features include shared calendars, color-coded profiles, integration with multiple calendar services, shared to-do lists, and AI-powered organization tools through the Plus Plan.

The HP HyperX Omen 15 replaces the budget-friendly HP Victus 15, which started at $800. The Omen 15 offers upgrades like an RTX 5050 GPU, a brighter 16:10 display, and a 1080p webcam but starts at $1,200 due to RAMageddon. It is positioned as a working-class gaming laptop, though less affordable than its predecessor.

Illustrators criticize generative AI startups for using their work without permission, leading to legal battles and the emergence of startups like Pippa that claim to offer more ethical AI solutions. Pippa markets its text-to-video model as a user-focused alternative to competitors.

The article discusses how foldable phones, pioneered by Royole with the FlexPai and later Samsung's problematic Galaxy Fold, have become less exciting, which is seen as positive news for Apple.

Android Headlines leaked the Pixel 11 lineup's specs and prices, confirming a $100 price increase to $899 for the base model with 256GB storage. The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL models see RAM reduced to 12GB and prices raised to $1,099 and $1,299, respectively. The entire lineup will feature Tensor G6 and Titan M3 chips.

Trump blames Governor Tim Walz for cyberattacks on Minnesota's water systems, while the FBI, EPA, and CISA suggest Iran is likely responsible. Trump denies the cyberattack occurred, contradicting the FBI's warning about spreading attacks on infrastructure.

The OG reading app Installer No. 138 received a significant update, featuring coverage of topics like Meta glasses, mechanical keyboards, the history of the first chatbot, and other tech and culture highlights.

The Sharge Disk Pro 2 Ultra is a portable SSD that doubles as a 4K HDMI dock and USB-C hub, compatible with devices like the Nintendo Switch 2, iPhone, and laptops. It features built-in MagSafe magnets for attaching to smartphones and supports multiple gadgets as a USB-C 'Swiss Army Knife.'

Apple’s second-generation AirTags are available at a discounted price of $89 for a four-pack at Amazon and Target, with Costco offering a fifth unit free for members. The devices feature Apple’s ultra wideband (UWB) chip for enhanced Precision Finding, improved Bluetooth range, and a louder built-in speaker. Additional features include AirTag sharing and compatibility with airlines like United, Delta, and American Airlines for location tracking.

A new painless tattoo method is being tested at a London railway station, described as a hybrid between a biolab and traditional tattoo studio. The process, which permanently marks skin without pain, was demonstrated with a small sparkle design. The article is published by The Verge.

Sony has decided to discontinue physical game disc production for PlayStation despite fan backlash. The company's CFO, Lin Tao, stated that digitalization trends are the primary reason for the decision, and Sony remains committed to proceeding cautiously.

Apple CEO Tim Cook suggested during an earnings call that users may pay to increase AI usage limits through an upgraded iCloud Plus tier. The company plans to launch its Siri AI with iOS 27, featuring capabilities like answering screen-related questions and a ChatGPT-like standalone app.

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma outlined priorities to return Xbox to growth and improve profits following a major restructuring that included layoffs and studio spin-offs. She aims to achieve these goals by the end of fiscal year 2027.

SwitchBot has released the Battery Circulator Fan 2 Pro, a portable smart fan with a 3,600mAh battery offering up to 70 hours of low-speed operation. Priced at $119.99, it features improved wind speed, throw distance, and native Matter-over-Wi-Fi integration, eliminating the need for a separate SwitchBot Hub. The fan is designed for medium-sized rooms, balconies, or family tents.