Google introduces a faster, cheaper image generator with Nano Banana 2 Lite
Google is updating its image generator to make it faster and cheaper, making it a more useful tool for creators looking to make AI content.
The Download: Google’s AI shake-up and Meta’s rogue model
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Google’s AI empire is being reshaped. Here’s what’s changed. After a wave of painful losses in the tech talent wars, delays to its next flagship model, and murmurings of poor morale,…
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Clicks shows off its BlackBerry-inspired phone in a new hands-on video
A new video shows the final production version of the upcoming Clicks Communicator, a BlackBerry-like smartphone that runs modern apps.
Nvidia competitor Etched hits $5B valuation, $1B in sales for AI chip
Nvidia AI chip competitor Etched says it has already booked $1 billion under contract for the inference systems powered by its chip.
Anthropic launches Claude Sonnet 5 as a cheaper way to run agents
Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 5 brings stronger agentic capabilities, lower pricing, and improved safety, positioning the model as a cheaper alternative to Opus, GPT-5.5, and Gemini Pro.
Acti puts AI agents directly into your smartphone keyboard
Acti is betting the smartphone keyboard is the next home for AI assistants. The startup’s new keyboard for iOS and Android works across apps and lets users create custom AI-powered shortcuts using natural language.
Roundtables: Longevity’s Next Frontier: “Reprogramming” Your Body
Listen to the session or watch below Billions of dollars are flooding into efforts to reverse aging as scientists explore ways to return cells to a younger state. But how far off are these experimental treatments? Will they really work? Watch a conversation exploring longevity’s new focus. Speakers: Mary Beth Griggs, science editor and Jessica…
Threads adds new features to Live Chats as it expands access
The updates include translations, new tools for hosts, and more.
Blue Origin still doesn’t know why its New Glenn rocket blew up last month
But the company is still claiming that New Glenn will return to flight this year.
Tesla starts testing Cybercab without pedals or a steering wheel in Austin
The company may finally be ready to try to deliver on Elon Musk’s years-long promise of launching a robotaxi network of its own.
X now offers an MCP server to make its platform easier for AI tools to use
X has launched a hosted MCP server, making it easier for developers to connect AI applications with the company’s API.