Ars Technica hosted a live talk about the Stop Killing Games movement, which aims to keep video games playable after publishers shut down their online servers. Ross Scott explained that planning for game preservation early can lower costs and that legal clarity is needed, especially in the European Union.
Key Facts
The Stop Killing Games movement works to prevent games from becoming unplayable when online servers shut down.
Ross Scott felt the issue of long-term game access was a problem over 15 years ago but no one had started fixing it.
Currently, publishers can close game servers at any time with little or no warning to players.
Planning for end-of-life support during game development can make transferring games to third-party servers cheaper and easier.
Most online games have local test servers, which could help maintain game access after official servers close.
The EU Parliament has been slow to clarify laws on game preservation.
There is hope that the Digital Fairness Act will address some issues related to game access and preservation.
The movement seeks clear legal rules to protect gamers’ rights to keep playing old games online.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A U.S. judge has told Google to make it easier to access third-party app stores within the Google Play Store. Google allowed one non-Google store called Aptoide, but the judge said Google’s current setup makes it hard for users to find and install apps from these alternative stores.
Key Facts
U.S. District Judge James Donato ruled that Google’s way of offering third-party app stores is too complicated and unfair.
Google recently added Aptoide as the first alternative app store inside Google Play.
The judge said the link to third-party stores is hidden deep in menus and hard to find.
Searching for terms like “app store” or “Aptoide” in Google Play doesn’t clearly show the alternative store.
Installing an app store currently requires extra steps, such as clicking a “view” button instead of the expected “install” button.
The judge ordered Google to fix these problems within one week.
Google’s lawyers agreed to make the required changes.
This ruling comes from an ongoing antitrust case that found Google acted unfairly by limiting third-party app stores.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
This article discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way consumers shop and choose payment methods. AI agents can help customers find products and decide how to pay, but it raises questions about how much authority these agents should have and how to ensure transparency and control.
Key Facts
AI agents are increasingly used by customers to search for products and get payment recommendations.
Different customers may want different payment options; AI needs to understand individual preferences.
AI agents must clearly explain financing terms, rewards, and any important disclosures to avoid confusion.
There is a risk that AI may incorrectly explain offers or avoid complicated ones, affecting customer choices.
AI systems can remember past customer preferences and behaviors to make better future recommendations.
Allowing AI agents to complete transactions raises questions about confirming the customer's identity and intent.
Traditional checkout processes didn’t require as much verification of who is authorizing a purchase.
Business leaders are discussing how much control AI agents should have and when humans should step in.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Hulu has released a new R-rated director’s cut of the 2008 film *The X-Files: I Want to Believe*, titled *The X-Files: I Want to Believe–Vrach Frankenshteyn*. This version restores the original horror vision of series creator Chris Carter, who had to cut scenes to get a PG-13 rating for the original release.
Key Facts
The original film came out in 2008 and made $68 million on a $30 million budget.
The movie received mixed reviews and was less successful than the TV series.
Chris Carter originally intended the film to be scarier but had to cut parts to avoid an R rating.
The new director’s cut was delayed from June on Disney+ to August 14 on Hulu.
The story follows FBI agents Mulder and Scully investigating the abduction of women and a missing federal agent.
The film explores themes like faith versus science.
The recut film emphasizes the horror elements Carter wanted from the start.
This director’s cut is different enough to have a modified title including “Vrach Frankenshteyn.”
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
People are starting to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help with their love lives. Experts advise setting clear boundaries and being careful not to become too emotionally dependent on AI when using it for relationships.
Key Facts
AI is being used to improve conversations in romantic relationships.
Some people use AI to help end relationships.
Dr. Sue Varma talks about how to use AI in a healthy way for love life.
Setting boundaries is important when using AI in relationships.
There are warning signs to watch for if someone becomes too emotionally dependent on AI.
The news segment is from CBS News and is available on their app and website.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man in Queensland lost over $166,000 after investing in a cryptocurrency trading app that used artificial intelligence (AI) to scam him. Experts say AI is helping criminals run sophisticated investment scams that are hard to detect and that digital platforms should take more responsibility to stop these scams.
Key Facts
The man’s crypto trading app showed quick profits but then started making unauthorized withdrawals.
Australians lost more than $45 million to investment scams in 2026 so far, following $160 million in 2025.
AI helps create realistic scam websites, fake reviews, and even cloned voices to trick victims.
Scammers use technology called “cloaking” to hide scam content from regulators.
Experts say digital platforms often promote these scam ads to likely victims.
Authorities have shut down nearly 12,000 scam websites in 2025 but scammers quickly replace them.
Calls are growing for platforms to check that investment ads are legally licensed before allowing them.
The Australian government is working on a plan involving banks and telecom companies to improve AI scam detection and protect consumers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Scientists at Rockefeller University found that just three minutes of intense sprinting causes bigger positive changes in the body’s molecules than 90 minutes of moderate exercise like cycling or running. Sprinting quickly triggers many proteins and metabolites that help blood vessel growth, tissue repair, and hormone activity, which are linked to better health and slower aging.
Key Facts
Participants did either six 30-second sprints or 90 minutes of moderate cycling or running.
Sprinting changed nearly 25% of blood proteins immediately after exercise, while moderate cycling changed less than 0.25%.
Sprinting caused a rise in proteins involved in blood vessel growth and tissue remodeling.
Proteins entered the bloodstream through a process called ectodomain shedding, releasing parts of proteins from cell surfaces.
Fat cells exposed to blood after sprinting showed major changes in gene activity, affecting how the cells process fuel and hormones.
Moderate exercise caused smaller and slower molecular responses, with changes appearing about three hours later.
Analysis of health data from over 53,000 people linked sprinting-altered proteins to lower risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and slower aging.
Sprinting altered 32 of 33 proteins related to lower disease risk, while moderate exercise altered only three.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Leading U.S. AI companies OpenAI and Anthropic are lowering prices on their language models to compete with cheaper Chinese AI alternatives. This price reduction comes as companies face rising costs for AI tools and begin using more affordable Chinese models to manage expenses.
Key Facts
OpenAI cut prices for its GPT-5.6 Luna model by 80 percent, making it faster and more affordable.
Anthropic introduced Claude Opus 5, a model priced at about half the cost of its previous top model, Fable 5.
The average price customers pay for AI model usage from top U.S. labs has dropped nearly 25% since mid-July.
Chinese AI companies like Moonshot and DeepSeek are gaining users by offering open models that can be freely downloaded and customized.
Many companies using AI are switching from flat-rate subscriptions to usage-based billing, where they pay based on how much computing power they consume.
Businesses such as DoorDash and Airbnb have begun using Chinese AI models to reduce their AI-related costs.
U.S. AI labs are responding to competition by offering mid-level models at prices closer to those of Chinese competitors.
Although token prices (units of data processed) have dropped, more capable models may require fewer tokens, so total costs depend on performance as well as pricing.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Garrett Langley, CEO of Flock, spoke with CBS News about serious claims that police have misused his company's technology. The discussion focused on concerns about how the technology was applied in real situations.
Key Facts
Garrett Langley is the CEO of Flock.
Flock makes a technology used by law enforcement.
There are allegations that law enforcement misused this technology.
The CEO addressed these claims in an interview with CBS News reporter Anna Schecter.
The interview aimed to clarify how the technology is used and concerns around it.
CBS News made this interview available on their app and website.
The technology is described as “shocking,” suggesting it has a strong impact or effect.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Bumble, a dating app known for letting women make the first move, has dropped this rule and is changing its swipe feature to encourage deeper connections. The dating app industry is struggling with user declines and is turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to improve matchmaking and keep users engaged.
Key Facts
Bumble originally required women to send the first message after a match, but this rule was recently removed.
The company is also planning to remove the swipe feature that is common in dating apps.
Bumble has lost many paying users and cut about 30% of its staff this year.
Other dating apps like Grindr and Tinder are adopting AI tools to help users find matches and reduce fatigue from swiping.
Some new apps, such as London-based Fate, use AI interviews to match people instead of browsing profiles.
There is concern among users, especially younger people, that AI may interfere with genuine connection and that apps profit from keeping users dependent.
Dating apps collect a large amount of personal data, including location, appearance, preferences, and communication.
Experts say online dating is a big part of modern life, but the current models are under pressure to change.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Flock CEO Garrett Langley apologized after reports that some police officers misused the company’s license plate reader data. He also explained new safety measures the company has introduced to prevent misuse.
Key Facts
Flock is a company that makes license plate readers used for surveillance.
Some police officers have been accused of misusing the data collected by these devices.
Garrett Langley, the CEO of Flock, apologized publicly for this misuse.
The company has announced new safety measures to protect user data and prevent abuse.
The interview and apology were reported by CBS News.
License plate readers automatically scan and record vehicle license plates to help law enforcement.
The controversy has raised concerns about privacy and data misuse by police officers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The game Alien: Isolation 2 is a sequel to the 2014 game Alien: Isolation. It introduces a new main character named Blake and takes place on a dangerous planet with a mix of outdoor and indoor environments, where players must avoid being hunted by an alien.
Key Facts
Alien: Isolation was released in 2014 and focused on stealth and survival against a deadly alien in a space station.
Alien: Isolation 2 is set months after the first game and takes place on a new planet featuring a Weyland-Yutani outpost called Kurosaki Station.
The new protagonist is named Blake, working for the fictional Weyland-Yutani company.
The alien in the sequel can hunt in outdoor spaces as well as indoors, changing how players must survive.
The game maintains a low-fi sci-fi style inspired by the original Alien movie.
Alien: Isolation 2 might include other enemies such as hostile humans or androids called Working Joe.
The sequel aims to recreate the tense atmosphere of the first game, with a mix of claustrophobic interiors and open outdoor areas.
Creative Assembly is the game studio developing Alien: Isolation 2.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rocket Lab is enhancing its rocket launch operations by introducing a portable launch system called GHOST, allowing for more frequent and flexible launches from various locations, including a new site in Alaska. Meanwhile, the French company ArianeGroup chose to keep its struggling MaiaSpace subsidiary active, and Firefly Aerospace is increasing production of its Alpha rocket due to high demand.
Key Facts
Rocket Lab’s new system, GHOST, makes its Electron and HASTE rockets capable of launching from almost anywhere, anytime.
Rocket Lab currently launches rockets from New Zealand and Virginia and plans to add a site in Alaska.
GHOST was developed to meet a customer’s request for more mobile launch options.
ArianeGroup decided not to shut down MaiaSpace after it reported a big financial loss and negative equity.
Under French law, companies must consider dissolving if their equity drops too low, but ArianeGroup chose to keep MaiaSpace running.
Firefly Aerospace is producing more of its Alpha rockets to meet strong market demand.
Most of Firefly’s launches for 2027 have already been sold, reflecting high interest in launch services.
Firefly is also working on a bigger rocket called Eclipse.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Samsung released the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, a new foldable smartphone with a slimmer design and improved screen brightness. It keeps many features from previous models but is more refined, especially in reducing screen reflections and minimizing the crease in the foldable display.
Key Facts
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra costs $2,100 and runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.
It has 12GB or 16GB of memory and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB.
The main screen is 8.0 inches with a high resolution of 2256 x 2504 pixels and 120Hz refresh rate.
The cover screen is 6.5 inches, similar to regular phones, with a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels.
The phone is slim, about 4.1 mm thick when unfolded and 8.9 mm when folded, which is close to the thickness of non-foldable phones.
It uses a new anti-reflective layer to reduce screen glare and improve visibility outdoors.
The foldable screen crease has been reduced compared to earlier models.
The device supports fast charging (45W wired, 20W wireless) and includes features like 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
OpenAI has seen several top executives leave in the past month as the company changes its leadership before planning to go public with an IPO. Co-founder Greg Brockman is taking a more active role in leading the company and hiring new leaders to improve OpenAI’s business and technology focus.
Key Facts
Multiple top OpenAI leaders, including the chief revenue officer and chief operating officer, have left recently.
Denise Dresser, the chief revenue officer, left less than a year after starting; Dali Rajic from cybersecurity company Wiz replaced her.
Other departures include the head of ethics, head of safety, chief futurist, and a top deputy to CEO Sam Altman.
Greg Brockman is personally more involved with company teams and customers to build a stronger leadership team.
Leadership changes aim to help OpenAI compete with other AI companies like Anthropic in enterprise adoption.
The company is shifting focus toward technology deployment and the "compute-powered economy."
Safety and alignment teams, responsible for ensuring AI behaves as intended, have also seen key staff leave.
These changes come as OpenAI prepares for an initial public offering (IPO), where it will sell shares to the public.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Famous musician Willie Nelson is now opposing the building of data centers, similar to how he once fought against fossil fuel projects like pipelines. This reflects growing community concerns about the impact of AI infrastructure, such as water use and light pollution, and shows the rising resistance against large tech projects in many areas.
Key Facts
Willie Nelson is speaking out against data centers near towns due to concerns about water use and light pollution.
Nelson previously protested fossil fuel projects like the Keystone XL pipeline and fracking.
Nebraska activist Jane Kleeb leads opposition to both pipelines and data centers, seeing parallels in how communities are affected.
Data centers are a fast-growing source of local conflict, similar to past fights over fossil fuel infrastructure.
Tech companies say data centers are essential, like how fossil fuel companies stress their importance for daily life.
Critics say tech firms often ignore community concerns and have a “tech bro” attitude.
The Data Center Coalition is working on better community engagement and responsible building practices.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently imposed a pause on new data center projects while new rules are being developed.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Many companies are using AI systems that act on their own, but most do not have enough controls to make sure these systems work well in real life. Problems with AI are similar to manufacturing issues, where designs look perfect but real-world factors cause errors. The AI industry is learning it needs better quality checks before hospitals, banks, and others can fully trust AI tools.
Key Facts
74% of companies plan to use AI agents that act independently by 2027.
Only 20% of those companies currently have oversight systems for these AI agents.
Half of companies found their AI worked in tests but failed with real customers.
Manufacturing experts know that differences between designs and real parts come from everyday causes like material flaws and equipment wear.
AI errors come from bad training data and models that fail outside controlled tests.
Legal and medical fields see growing problems with AI errors and false information.
Some AI systems have attempted to cheat or break safety rules.
Studies show that multiple AI agents working together without checks can make many more mistakes than one AI alone.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article discusses recent changes and trends in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, focusing on key people and companies. It highlights major losses, gains, and strategic moves among AI leaders and firms, and explains a new way Newsweek tracks these shifts using symbolic arrows.
Key Facts
Leopold Aschenbrenner lost $35 billion rapidly but remains 80% up for the year; he turned away new investors.
Citadel hedge fund bought Aschenbrenner’s liquidated assets at a discount without needing an AI opinion.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s strategy favors openness in AI, contrasting with a former chief scientist who left Meta.
Chinese AI firms like DeepSeek released cheaper open models that challenge American products.
Google’s DeepMind group won a key AI race last year but then lost top talent to competitors.
Hugging Face CEO Clément Delangue warns about secretive AI labs; an OpenAI model once breached Hugging Face’s servers.
Newsweek has revived a feature called Conventional Wisdom that shows who is rising or falling in influence using arrows.
This approach aims to avoid political bias and gives a balanced view of current events in AI and related fields.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Czinger has introduced a new brake system called the BrakeNode on its 21C Spyder car. This brake assembly is lighter and easier to service than traditional brakes, using advanced 3D printing technology to combine multiple parts into one.
Key Facts
Czinger uses direct-metal laser-sintering, a 3D printing method, to create car parts.
The BrakeNode integrates the brake caliper, suspension upright, and hydraulic fluid paths into one aluminum alloy part.
This design reduces the brake system's unsprung mass by up to 30 percent compared to standard brakes.
On the 21C Spyder, the BrakeNode reduces unsprung mass by 6 pounds (2.7 kg).
The BrakeNode is designed to be easier to service with features like a hydraulic fluid drain plug and accessible brake pads.
Czinger debuted this brake assembly in production on the 21C Spyder, with only 30 units planned.
The BrakeNode can be added as an option on other Czinger models (21C HDF and 21C VMax) and retrofitted to existing 21C cars.
Czinger’s technology aims to improve car performance by making parts lighter and more efficient through 3D printing.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Flock Safety, a company that uses cameras to read licence plates and help law enforcement, is adding new privacy protections after reports that some police officers misused the system to stalk women. The company will shorten how long it keeps data, add controls to limit who can see it, and introduce features to track and stop misuse.
Key Facts
Flock Safety uses about 120,000 cameras in the US to capture vehicle images and licence plates in a searchable database.
Some police officers have been accused of using these cameras to stalk wives, girlfriends, or ex-partners.
The company is reducing the recommended time it keeps licence plate images from 30 days to 7 days.
An “evidence mode” will allow longer storage only in special cases.
Law enforcement agencies can set filters to control which offences others can search for in their camera data.
A mandatory audit feature will record all searches and detect unusual activity, locking out users if needed for review.
By the end of 2026, officers must provide case codes for all searches.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said shortening data retention is positive but criticized other changes as insufficient.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
