Why Xiaomi phones aren’t banned, but are rarely sold in the US

Engadget

The Chinese company is allowed to sell its impressive phones in the States, but it doesn’t. Here’s why.

The correct way to position your router’s antennas depends on your home

Engadget

Know where to place your router and how to position its antennas should get you better coverage.

The real mystery behind Moana: After 1,700 years, why did Polynesians suddenly sail east?

Ars Technica

New climate evidence adds context to these long voyages.

The Best Robotic Pool Cleaners of 2026: Beatbot, iGarden, Dreame

Wired

Send the pool guy packing. Let one of these robotic buddies maintain your water quality instead.

Here’s How Apple Is Updating Its Child Safety Features in iOS 27

Wired

Apple has announced several new Child Safety features coming soon to iPhones and other devices. Here’s what’s changing.

The SpaceX IPO made history. Is the excitement still there?

BBC Technology

A month on from the firm’s stock market debut, the reality of how SpaceX currently makes money has seemed to come into clearer focus.

10 years of Pokémon Go and the millions still trying to catch ’em all

BBC Technology

Michael Steranka, vice president at the mobile game’s owner Scopely, says it has always been about bringing people together.

Summer Games Done Quick once again raises over $2 million for Doctors Without Borders

Engadget

The annual speedrunning marathon event ran from July 5-11.

What are your plans for AI Appreciation Day?

Engadget

The best way to celebrate AI Appreciation Day is to not.

Pentagon releases new batch of UFO files, China’s Tianwen-2 reaches its asteroid target, and more science stories

Engadget

Catch up on the most interesting science news from the last week.

Uber’s Autonomous Vehicle Strategy: Slow Their Adoption

Wired

In at least two places, Uber has pushed a policy that could give it an advantage over developers of self-driving cars. The company says it’s fighting monopolies.

Xbox gamer wins lawsuit against Microsoft to restore account and digital library

Engadget

Microsoft also has to pay roughly $400 in damages to the user.

Why GameCube games are so expensive (and why they’re rarely sold at retro stores)

Engadget

Vintage games can be hard to find, but Nintendo GameCube titles are exceptionally elusive.

Refreshed Apple Pencils may arrive next year with improved repairability

Engadget

Thanks to upcoming EU regulations, the next Apple Pencil could feature replaceable batteries.

28 Best STEM Toys for Kids (2026): Learning Made Fun

Wired

We found lots of math-filled and science-rich toys for tiny nerds to assemble, bake, squish—or even tear apart and rebuild.

Scientists’ Side Hustle? Using AI and Quantum Computing to Generate New Peptides

Wired

Researchers cobbled together funding and time to show how quantum computing could aid in the development of drugs to help underserved populations and combat rare diseases.

Best External Hard Drives (2026): SSD to Store Data, Video, and More

Wired

Need an ultrafast drive for video editing or a rugged option to back up your photos in the field? We’ve got a solution for every situation.

The 10 Best Pet Cameras of 2026: Furbo, Petcube, and Enabot

Wired

Whether you’re near or far, keep an eye on your fur baby with our favorite pet cameras.

Phoebe Gates’ AI shopping app Phia reportedly claimed unearned affiliate sales through fake clicks

Engadget

Gates, who is Bill Gates’ daughter, founded the app alongside Sophia Kianni.

Cybersecurity

Ransomware negotiator hired to represent victims was working for the attackers

Ars Technica

Six years in prison for man who “sold out the very victims he was hired to represent.”

OpenAI Releases GPT-5.6 Sol, Its Most Powerful AI Model Yet

NYT Technology

The new release was delayed after the U.S. government restricted the latest artificial intelligence models over cybersecurity concerns.

Artificial Intelligence

Apple Sues OpenAI, Accusing It of Stealing Company Secrets

NYT Technology

The two companies struck a deal in 2024 to offer A.I. services on Apple devices, but their partnership has soured.

Meta pulls new AI image feature after days of backlash

BBC Technology

Meta’s release this week of an AI feature that let people alter Instagram content drew swift blowback.

Apple sues OpenAI, its employees claiming theft of trade secrets

BBC Technology

Apple said in a Friday lawsuit that OpenAI’s nascent hardware business is “rotten to its core.”

A Top OpenAI Executive, Fidji Simo, Steps Down

NYT Technology

Ms. Simo, who was Sam Altman’s second in command before taking a medical leave in April, will become a part-time adviser to the company.

Top 10 AI Tools That Will Transform Your Content Creation in 2025

TechCrunch

Looking to level up your content creation game in 2025? You’re in the right place! The digital landscape has evolved dramatically, and AI tools have become essential for creators who want to stay ahead of the curve.

Hardware

Quantum error correction can constantly recalibrate a processor

Ars Technica

Reinforcement learning uses error information to adjust control algorithms.

Valve’s new Steam Machine verification system is silent on these Steam Deck-busters

Ars Technica

Dozens of titles too taxing for Steam Deck are still unrated for the new hardware.

John Deere Farm Equipment Owners Have Right-to-Repair, F.T.C. Says

NYT Technology

A settlement by the company with the Federal Trade Commission will allow farmers and local mechanics to make their own fixes, instead of relying on authorized dealers.

Computers

One of SteelSeries’ best gaming headsets is over $100 off

The Verge

SteelSeries has the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless gaming headset on sale for $239.99 (currently between $300 and $350 at other retailers). The Xbox version that supports a host of other platforms including PlayStation, PC, and Switch is available in both black and white. The PlayStation version, which…

Mobile

Samsung Micro RGB R95H Review (2026): Not the Brightest

Wired

There’s a new fleet of TVs using new mini and micro RBG display tech, and Samsung’s R95H model isn’t as impressive as it should be.

Space

China recovered its first reusable rocket and showed a new way to do it

Ars Technica

“Clearly, they admire the work that’s being done by SpaceX and are trying to replicate it.”

How Philips Hue got the smart home right

The Verge

The state of the smart home can be frustrating, because it is just so obvious how things ought to work. You should be able to control everything from everywhere. Your spaces should adapt to what you’re doing and how you’re feeling.

Green Tech

What is Eclipsa Video, and how does it compare to Dolby Vision and HDR10?

Engadget

The new format is coming to a device near you — Here’s why it matters.

Beatbot AquaSense X Review: A Pool Robot That Cleans Itself

Wired

The AquaSense X brings self-cleaning technology to pool robots for the first time, but is it worth nearly twice the price of Beatbot’s flagship cleaner?

Volkswagen Is Cutting Production as Sales in China Plunge

NYT Technology

The German automaker has struggled to compete with fast-growing Chinese companies that offer more affordable and sophisticated electric vehicles.

Do Social Media Bans Work? + A Conversation About A.I. Consciousness + Tool Time

NYT Technology

“If the net result is that all the teens in Australia are still using social media, even after they’re technically banned from doing it, why are we doing any of this?”