Nostr notes by Ars Technica

Panic refunds illegal tariffs customers paid on its Playdate ...

2026-08-27T14:53:37Z

Panic refunds illegal tariffs customers paid on its Playdate gaming handheld

"It just felt like the right thing to do"
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/08/panic-refunds-illegal-tariffs-customers-paid-on-its-playdate-gaming-handheld/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

How much of a problem is AI’s water use? AI’s water footprint ...

2026-08-27T13:57:40Z

How much of a problem is AI’s water use?

AI’s water footprint is growing, but location and cooling technology make a difference.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/08/how-much-of-a-problem-is-ais-water-use/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

RIP Tim Curry: Ars remembers his top 10 iconic performances A ...

2026-08-26T22:15:11Z

RIP Tim Curry: Ars remembers his top 10 iconic performances

A dashing pirate, a butler, a killer clown, an alien mad scientist in drag—the man had range.
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/08/rip-tim-curry-ars-remembers-his-top-10-iconic-performances/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

New Twitter launches, says Musk's X gave up the name Judge ...

2026-08-26T20:49:21Z

New Twitter launches, says Musk's X gave up the name

Judge hasn't ruled on X Corp’s preliminary injunction, but Operation Bluebird plows ahead
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/08/new-twitter-launches-says-musks-x-gave-up-the-name/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Catholic bishops tell Florida there's no religious reason for ...

2026-08-26T19:40:44Z

Catholic bishops tell Florida there's no religious reason for vaccine exemptions

The bishops' snub comes as the state continues to attack vaccines.
https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/08/catholic-bishops-tell-florida-theres-no-religious-reason-for-vaccine-exemptions/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Google announces Gemini 3.5 Transcribe for AI-powered ...

2026-08-26T19:21:34Z

Google announces Gemini 3.5 Transcribe for AI-powered speech-to-text

The AI that powers Gboard's Rambler is coming to more Google products, including Chrome.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/08/google-announces-gemini-3-5-transcribe-for-ai-powered-speech-to-text/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

World humanoid robot games show runners breaking records, ...

2026-08-25T20:59:41Z

World humanoid robot games show runners breaking records, bursting into flames

Record-breaking robot races are less substantial than household chore challenges.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/08/world-humanoid-robot-games-show-runners-breaking-records-bursting-into-flames/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Two unvaccinated people die from measles in Pennsylvania, ...

2026-08-25T17:39:48Z

Two unvaccinated people die from measles in Pennsylvania, officials confirm

"[P]eople are not familiar with this disease and don’t fully understand the potential severity."
https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/08/two-unvaccinated-people-die-from-measles-in-pennsylvania-officials-confirm/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

SpaceX intends to invest up to $100 billion in massive Louisiana ...

2026-08-25T17:27:24Z

SpaceX intends to invest up to $100 billion in massive Louisiana spaceport

"This will be a project like no other."
https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/08/spacex-intends-to-invest-up-to-100-billion-in-massive-louisiana-spaceport/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

New bootloader lets you take the "Meta" out of the ...

2026-08-25T16:06:01Z

New bootloader lets you take the "Meta" out of the original Meta Quest

Privilege escalation attack grants "full control" and freedom from Meta's servers/apps.
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/08/new-bootloader-lets-you-take-the-meta-out-of-the-original-meta-quest/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Ads and tracking infiltrated TVs. Now they're coming for ...

2026-08-24T20:19:00Z

Ads and tracking infiltrated TVs. Now they're coming for monitors.

Monitor vendors are playing with fire.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/ads-and-tracking-infiltrated-tvs-now-theyre-coming-for-monitors/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Dismantling the Roadless Rule threatens to disrupt wildlife and ...

2026-08-22T11:14:22Z

Dismantling the Roadless Rule threatens to disrupt wildlife and water in US

Lands free of roads are under threat from the Trump administration’s proposed rollback.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/08/dismantling-the-roadless-rule-threatens-to-disrupt-wildlife-and-water-in-us/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Class action accuses brokers of hiding Zillow listings, driving ...

2026-08-21T20:11:40Z

Class action accuses brokers of hiding Zillow listings, driving up NYC rents

Renters say hidden Zillow listings make it harder to afford living in New York City.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/08/class-action-accuses-brokers-of-hiding-zillow-listings-driving-up-nyc-rents/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Chinese regulators tell Tesla to fix nearly 3 million cars ...

2026-08-21T18:08:47Z

Chinese regulators tell Tesla to fix nearly 3 million cars

Chinese safety regulators have cracked down on doors that don't open in a crash.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/08/chinese-regulators-tell-tesla-to-fix-nearly-3-million-cars/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Meta AI glasses may get creepier—and apps that detect them ...

2026-08-21T11:06:29Z

Meta AI glasses may get creepier—and apps that detect them aren’t perfect

Ars looks at Zuckoff, the latest free app detecting Meta AI glasses amid privacy backlash.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/08/meta-ai-glasses-may-get-creepier-and-apps-that-detect-them-arent-perfect/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

New 9/11 documentary finds hope in the horror Survivors reconnect ...

2026-08-20T21:27:44Z

New 9/11 documentary finds hope in the horror

Survivors reconnect with those who saved them in National Geographic's 9/11: Reunited .
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/08/new-9-11-documentary-finds-hope-in-the-horror/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

FCC abolishes gigabit speed goal, suggesting it is unfair to ...

2026-08-19T19:47:25Z

FCC abolishes gigabit speed goal, suggesting it is unfair to slower technologies

FCC decides 1Gbps is too fast, standard must be "technologically neutral."
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/08/fcc-abolishes-gigabit-speed-goal-suggesting-it-is-unfair-to-slower-technologies/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

The floodgates are open after another Chinese company lands a ...

2026-08-19T18:41:54Z

The floodgates are open after another Chinese company lands a reusable rocket

"We will put the booster back into service for another flight as soon as possible."
https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/08/the-floodgates-are-open-after-another-chinese-company-lands-a-reusable-rocket/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

mRNA cancer vaccine succeeded in Phase 3 melanoma trial, Moderna ...

2026-08-19T16:54:17Z

mRNA cancer vaccine succeeded in Phase 3 melanoma trial, Moderna and Merck say

The vaccine reportedly thwarted the cancer's return and spread.
https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/08/mrna-cancer-vaccine-succeeded-in-phase-3-melanoma-trial-moderna-and-merck-say/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

"Sabotage": Experts, lawmakers blast RFK Jr. for ...

2026-08-18T22:33:54Z

"Sabotage": Experts, lawmakers blast RFK Jr. for destroying healthcare research

US healthcare is broken. Under RFK Jr., the research agency working to fix it is, too.
https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/08/sabotage-experts-lawmakers-blast-rfk-jr-for-destroying-healthcare-research/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Fairphone brings the repairable Fairphone Gen 6+ to the US ...

2026-08-18T16:10:53Z

Fairphone brings the repairable Fairphone Gen 6+ to the US

Fairphone sells components like the USB port and screen, all swappable with a single torx driver.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/fairphone-brings-the-repairable-fairphone-gen-6-to-the-us/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Nvidia discloses $21B stake in SpaceX Filing comes after Elon ...

2026-08-17T14:23:22Z

Nvidia discloses $21B stake in SpaceX

Filing comes after Elon Musk announced exclusive arrangement to kit out its data centers.
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2026/08/nvidia-discloses-21b-stake-in-spacex/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Wildfire smoke now bigger prenatal threat than human sources of ...

2026-08-16T10:05:08Z

Wildfire smoke now bigger prenatal threat than human sources of air pollution

Regulations reduced prenatal exposure to harmful emissions, but wildfire smoke is erasing gains.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/08/wildfire-smoke-now-bigger-prenatal-threat-than-human-sources-of-air-pollution/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Vulnerability giving attackers full control of Macs is under ...

2026-08-14T18:32:33Z

Vulnerability giving attackers full control of Macs is under active exploitation

Screen-sharing bug lets remote hackers log in without a password.
https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/08/vulnerability-giving-attackers-full-control-of-macs-is-under-active-exploitation/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

First test flight of largest all-electric aircraft used just $5 ...

2026-08-14T18:00:46Z

First test flight of largest all-electric aircraft used just $5 of electricity

Airline-backed venture aims to develop a hybrid-electric commercial aircraft.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/first-test-flight-of-largest-all-electric-aircraft-used-just-5-of-electricity/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

State judge orders Kalshi to stop offering sports bets and other ...

2026-08-14T17:15:17Z

State judge orders Kalshi to stop offering sports bets and other wagers

Kalshi ordered to stop offering bets in Washington, must implement geofencing.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/08/state-judge-orders-kalshi-to-stop-offering-sports-bets-and-other-wagers/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

White House recruits security firms to hack overseas ...

2026-08-13T19:39:44Z

White House recruits security firms to hack overseas cybercriminals

Trump memo is first time gov't has authorized private sector to perform cyber attacks.
https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/08/white-house-recruits-security-firms-to-hack-overseas-cybercriminals/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Flock “can’t tech its way out” of the stalker cop problem, ...

2026-08-13T18:11:56Z

Flock “can’t tech its way out” of the stalker cop problem, experts say

Flock to lock out cops who stalk exes, but agencies can still hide abuse.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/08/flock-cant-tech-its-way-out-of-the-stalker-cop-problem-experts-say/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Anthropic could be worth $2 trillion when it goes public Rapid ...

2026-08-13T14:05:12Z

Anthropic could be worth $2 trillion when it goes public

Rapid revenue growth fuels hope Claude maker's IPO the biggest listing in history
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/08/anthropic-could-be-worth-2-trillion-when-it-goes-public/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

New font turns ordinary webpages into nonsense for AI scrapers ...

2026-08-12T22:04:12Z

New font turns ordinary webpages into nonsense for AI scrapers

“ShieldFont” aims to poison AI training data without making pages unreadable for people.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/08/new-font-turns-ordinary-webpages-into-nonsense-for-ai-scrapers/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Terabytes of credentials leaked in massive supply-chain attack ...

2026-08-12T21:43:49Z

Terabytes of credentials leaked in massive supply-chain attack

The data was scraped and exfiltrated from 2,500 users of a compromised AI package.
https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/08/terabytes-of-credentials-leaked-in-massive-supply-chain-attack/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Have physicists finally discovered glueballs? New evidence points ...

2026-08-12T21:15:04Z

Have physicists finally discovered glueballs? New evidence points to yes.

“It’s the strongest evidence yet that particles dominated by a glueball component can exist in nature.”
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/08/have-physicists-finally-discovered-glueballs-new-evidence-points-to-yes/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Twitch content has trained Amazon AI for years, but users can opt ...

2026-08-12T21:00:51Z

Twitch content has trained Amazon AI for years, but users can opt out now

Streaming platform says user-generated content "may be used for future Gen AI model improvements."
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/08/twitch-content-has-trained-amazon-ai-for-years-but-users-can-opt-out-now/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Here’s a balm if the idea of destroying books to train AI ...

2026-08-12T15:20:06Z

Here’s a balm if the idea of destroying books to train AI breaks your heart

AI firms quietly bulk buying rare books face resistance from booksellers.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/08/heres-a-balm-if-the-idea-of-destroying-books-to-train-ai-breaks-your-heart/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

DEF CON crowd suspected in fake-hotspot attack on Delta flight ...

2026-08-12T00:09:41Z

DEF CON crowd suspected in fake-hotspot attack on Delta flight

FBI Atlanta confirms it's looking into the incident, no arrests made.
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2026/08/def-con-crowd-suspected-in-fake-hotspot-attack-on-delta-flight/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Romania destroys Russian drones drifting near vital European ...

2026-08-11T21:22:31Z

Romania destroys Russian drones drifting near vital European offshore gas site

This follows many drone incursions into Romania and a failed attack in Germany.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/romania-destroys-russian-drones-drifting-near-vital-european-offshore-gas-site/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

A Google insider spills the tea on how the company forsook its ...

2026-08-11T16:09:32Z

A Google insider spills the tea on how the company forsook its founding ideals

Claire Stapleton's new book, Don't Be Evil , recounts her journey from company cheerleader to outspoken dissident.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/a-google-insider-spills-the-tea-on-how-the-company-forsook-its-founding-ideals/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

New surveillance tech links your phone to your license plate ...

2026-08-11T13:15:57Z

New surveillance tech links your phone to your license plate

Phone and Bluetooth signals could turn roadside cameras into far richer tracking tools.
https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/08/new-surveillance-tech-links-your-phone-to-your-license-plate/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Trump signs bonkers order that cuts vaccines, promotes ones that ...

2026-08-10T21:43:03Z

Trump signs bonkers order that cuts vaccines, promotes ones that don't exist

Trump falsely claimed the MMR vaccine is "quite lethal" and linked shots to autism.
https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/08/trump-signs-bonkers-order-that-cuts-vaccines-promotes-ones-that-dont-exist/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Zuckerberg’s super yacht stood by while stranded boaters looked ...

2026-08-10T20:01:34Z

Zuckerberg’s super yacht stood by while stranded boaters looked for help

Zuckerberg’s super yacht and support ship were slow to heed Coast Guard call.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/zuckerbergs-super-yacht-stood-by-while-stranded-boaters-looked-for-help/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Flesh-eating screwworms feast on humans in Mexico; human cases ...

2026-08-07T21:09:58Z

Flesh-eating screwworms feast on humans in Mexico; human cases top 500

Six deaths reported among screwworm cases, one directly attributed to the flies.
https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/08/flesh-eating-screwworms-feast-on-humans-in-mexico-human-cases-top-500/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

OpenAI’s expensive smart speaker will use moving parts to seem ...

2026-08-07T17:36:50Z

OpenAI’s expensive smart speaker will use moving parts to seem “more alive”

Gurman report claims OpenAI confirmed the speaker is not an Apple ripoff.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/openais-expensive-smart-speaker-will-use-moving-parts-to-seem-more-alive/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

SpaceX spooks investors with debut earnings report Shares slide ...

2026-08-05T13:59:29Z

SpaceX spooks investors with debut earnings report

Shares slide in pre-market trading even as group says its quarterly revenues nearly doubled.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/08/spacex-spooks-investors-with-debut-earnings-report/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Senators demand crackdown on wildfire "prediction ...

2026-08-04T21:52:46Z

Senators demand crackdown on wildfire "prediction markets"

Fire experts warn such markets could incentivize arson.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/08/senators-demand-crackdown-on-wildfire-prediction-markets/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Texas halts data center connections to power grid amid ...

2026-08-04T20:35:33Z

Texas halts data center connections to power grid amid overwhelming demand

Governor who touted Texas as AI “epicenter” pauses data center grid connections.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/08/texas-halts-data-center-connections-to-power-grid-amid-overwhelming-demand/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Likely illegally, Claude gained access to 3 networks. Will ...

2026-07-31T20:40:18Z

Likely illegally, Claude gained access to 3 networks. Will Anthropic be held to account?

Had the hacks used conventional methods, someone would likely go to prison.
https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/07/likely-illegally-claude-gained-access-to-3-networks-will-anthropic-be-held-to-account/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Google Earth releases, swiftly retracts AI feature to make fake ...

2026-07-31T20:21:39Z

Google Earth releases, swiftly retracts AI feature to make fake satellite images

“What on earth is Google doing?” Misinformation fears spur walk-back of AI tool.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/07/google-earth-releases-swiftly-retracts-ai-feature-to-make-fake-satellite-images/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

AI startup admits tattoo-for-interview stunt was “reckless” ...

2026-07-31T19:05:09Z

AI startup admits tattoo-for-interview stunt was “reckless”

LemonLime’s CEO got “carried away” with tattoo gimmick.
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/07/ai-startup-admits-tattoo-for-interview-stunt-was-reckless/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

China could supply EV manufacturing boom with recycled EVs Look ...

2026-07-31T17:30:11Z

China could supply EV manufacturing boom with recycled EVs

Look at chemistry of batteries and motors shows big opportunity for recycling.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/07/china-could-supply-ev-manufacturing-boom-with-recycled-evs/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Sony acknowledges backlash, will “cautiously” move forward ...

2026-07-31T17:08:45Z

Sony acknowledges backlash, will “cautiously” move forward with end of discs

Sony doesn't think the move will hurt it financially.
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/07/sony-acknowledges-backlash-will-cautiously-move-forward-with-end-of-discs/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Trump FCC's war on ABC slammed by both conservatives and ...

2026-07-30T20:49:55Z

Trump FCC's war on ABC slammed by both conservatives and liberals

"Chilling message to all broadcasters: carry speech we don’t like at your peril."
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/07/trump-fccs-war-on-abc-slammed-by-both-conservatives-and-liberals/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Musk went to “war,” sought jail time for X ad boycotts—but ...

2026-07-29T20:58:24Z

Musk went to “war,” sought jail time for X ad boycotts—but case ends with a whimper

Advertisers agreed to “reset” relationship with X.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/07/musk-went-to-war-sought-jail-time-for-x-ad-boycotts-but-case-ends-with-a-whimper/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Elon Musk finally launches X Money. What could possibly go wrong? ...

2026-07-29T10:01:55Z

Elon Musk finally launches X Money. What could possibly go wrong?

Expect bumps with X Money rollout as major US financial markets are excluded.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/07/elon-musk-finally-launches-x-money-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social