Amazon Is Making Another Smartphone — More Than a Decade After Its Fire Phone Flopped
The Fire Phone was scrapped barely a year after its 2014 launch, but now the company is developing the “Transformer.”
Desalination plants in the Middle East are increasingly vulnerable
MIT Technology Review Explains: Let our writers untangle the complex, messy world of technology to help you understand what’s coming next. You can read more from the series here. As the conflict in Iran has escalated, a crucial resource is under fire: the desalination technology that supplies water across much of the region. In early…
The Download: tracing AI-fueled delusions, and OpenAI admits Microsoft risks
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. The hardest question to answer about AI-fueled delusions What actually happens when people spiral into delusion with AI? To find out, Stanford researchers analyzed transcripts from chatbot users who experienced these spirals. Their findings suggest that…
TikTok ads are about to get a tad more disruptive
One new ad format displays another brand’s logo alongside TikTok’s on the launch page when users open the app.
Mirage raises $75M to continue building models for its AI video editing app Captions
Mirage, the maker of video editing app Captions, has raised $75 million in growth financing from General Catalyst’s Customer Value Fund (CVF).
Spotify’s new SongDNA feature maps how your favorite songs are connected
The new feature lets you explore samples, covers, and more about the people behind your favorite songs, says Spotify.
Snapchat’s new ‘AI Clips’ Lens format turns photos into five-second videos
Snapchat says both experienced and new developers can use the new “AI Clips” Lens format to turn a single prompt into a published Lens in minutes without the need for external tools.
Zoox brings its robotaxis to Austin and Miami
After nearly two years of testing in the two cities, the Amazon-owned company says it’s getting closer to offering rides.
Agile Robots becomes the latest robotics company to partner with Google DeepMind
Agile Robots will incorporate Google DeepMind’s robotics foundation models into its bots while collecting data for the AI research lab.
Ultrahuman ramps up U.S. push with Ring Pro as Oura tightens its grip
Ultrahuman pushes back into the U.S. with Ring Pro, as Oura strengthens its lead in a market driving 60% of global demand.
Delve halts demos, Insight Partners scrubs investment post amid ‘fake compliance’ allegations
After a whistleblower alleged that the startup fabricated audit evidence, its prominent Series A investor removed an article detailing why it led the deal.