Google Is Changing Its Search Bar for the First Time in 25 Years — Here’s What to Expect
The tech giant is making its iconic search bar bigger and more interactive so people can ask longer and more complex questions.
The Download: failed social media bans, and extending pets’ lives
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. Kids are outsmarting social media bans. That’s not a problem we need to solve. —Michal Luria, Aliya Bhatia, and Danah Boyd Social media bans are stacking up. In July, France joined…
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Waymo pauses Atlanta service as its robotaxis keep driving into floods
Waymo’s robotaxi service is now suspended in both Atlanta and San Antonio, as the company works to stop its vehicles from driving into flooded roads.
The Path, founded by Tony Robbins and Calm alums, hopes to offer safer AI therapy
The Path says its AI model has scored 95 on the mental health safety AI benchmark, Vera-MH. This compares to a top score of 65 for the consumer bots.
Hark raises $700M Series A for its secretive “universal” AI interface
Brett Adcock’s new AI startup is now valued at $6 billion by its investors.
Maka Kids is redefining kids’ screen time with a streaming app optimized for well-being, not engagement
Maka Kids is building a streaming app for children ages zero to six featuring content designed for healthy development. The startup has now raised $3 million in seed funding to scale its platform.
Google is pitching an AI agent ecosystem to consumers who may not buy it
The AI agents are coming. A lot of them.
Wayve’s self-driving tech is headed to US cars made by Stellantis
Wayve’s self-driving tech will show up in Stellantis vehicles in 2028.
With aluminum prices up 20%, recycling startups bet on AI to cash in
Recycling startups are using AI to improve the recovery of critical minerals like aluminum, aiming to build a massive source of the metal.
Flipper unveils a Linux-powered networking gadget built for hackers and tinkerers
Flipper Devices said that the new gadget is in development and the base model will cost under $350
The Download: online safety’s future and climate tech’s big pivot
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. Tech researchers are suing the Trump administration over the future of online safety For months, the Trump administration has been going after researchers who study and try to counter hate speech,…