Senator Steve Padilla (D-CA) introduced a bill on Monday that would place a four-year ban on the sale and manufacture of toys with AI chatbot capabilities for kids under 18. The goal is to give safety regulators time to develop regulations to protect children from “dangerous AI interactions.” “Chatbots and other AI tools may become … Read more
The founder of a U.S.-based spyware company, whose surveillance products allowed customers to spy on the phones and computers of unsuspecting victims, pleaded guilty to federal charges linked to his long-running operation. pcTattletale founder Bryan Fleming entered a guilty plea in a San Diego federal court on Tuesday to charges of computer hacking, the sale … Read more
Mario Götze will go down in soccer history as the player who scored the winning goal that made Germany the 2014 FIFA World Cup champion. But he is also an increasingly seasoned angel investor. Companion M, Götze’s personal investment vehicle, now has a portfolio of more than 70 companies, two of which became unicorns in … Read more
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) said on Tuesday at CES 2026 that it had installed the first magnet in its Sparc fusion reactor, the demonstration device that it hopes to turn on next year. The magnet is the first of 18 that, when the reactor is complete, will create a doughnut-like shape that will produce a … Read more
When they decided to take on age verification in their latest season, Industry cocreators Konrad Kay and Mickey Down didn’t anticipate the issue would become such a political football. “It was in the ether of British politics, but it wasn’t front and center when we started writing the scripts or shooting it, and then it … Read more
Meta is pausing its plans to sell its Ray-Ban Display glasses outside the U.S. due to “unprecedented demand and limited supply,” the company said on Tuesday. Meta had originally planned to launch the glasses in France, Italy, Canada, and the U.K. in early 2026. “Since launching last fall, we’ve seen an overwhelming amount of interest, … Read more
Amazon’s augmenting its Ring smart doorbells with new features, including new fire alerts, an app store, and a new set of Ring Sensors. The company said the new Ring Sensors can detect motion, openings, glass breakage, and smoke, and can also monitor carbon monoxide levels, leaks, temperature changes, and air quality. They also let you … Read more
For many regions, winter feels like a time of dormancy. Trees are bare, mammals are hibernating, people are bed-rotting. While migratory birds do fly south for the winter, many seed- and insect-eating birds do not, and with leaves off the trees, the winter months are often the best time to watch them. As someone who … Read more
When my dog sniffs at certain spots on our morning walk, my daughter calls it “checking her pee-mails.” Yes, the animal kingdom has it right: Urine conveys a wealth of health information, and by analyzing it, you can access critical data about your body without having to wear a fitness tracker 24/7 or get stuck … Read more
The best gym bags work overtime. If it isn’t comfortable to carry, can’t keep my gear organized and fresh, or makes my commute harder, then it’s not doing its job. Sure, you could toss your gym gear into a spare tote or shopping bag. Technically, anything can be a gym bag if you’re determined enough. … Read more