August 4, 2026

The Download: US robot restrictions, and ICE’s DNA grab

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. Trump’s AI protectionism has come for robotics   —James O’Donnell  Humanoid robots usually elicit more cringe than awe: They stumble, kick children, and despite advances are still worse at using their hands than my toddler. It’s…

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The Download: an organ transplant breakthrough, and homegrown Chinese chips

July 24, 2026
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. Supercooled kidneys have been transplanted into pigs in a “landmark achievement”  When it comes to organ donation, time is everything. As soon as an organ has been removed from a donor’s…

Patreon lays off off 20% of its workforce

July 23, 2026
In a memo to staff that was posted online, Conte the company’s core business is strong, but that the platform has to respond to market changes and adjust its cost structure to remain stable.