To tackle the e-waste problem, this casing for electronics dissolves in water | CNN

Aquafade is a new, fully water-soluble plastic casing for electronics that dissolves in water in about six hours, facilitating easier recycling of the internal components. It aims to tackle the growing problem of e-waste, which reached 62 million tons in 2022, according to a UN report. Aquafade can be used for various devices, from computers to LED wristbands, and could potentially be applied to other products like luggage and furniture.

What Apple and Google’s Gemini deal means for both companies

Apple and Google have announced a multiyear partnership to integrate Google's Gemini AI models into Apple's Siri, aiming to enhance Siri's personalization and AI capabilities. The partnership emphasizes privacy, with Apple maintaining its industry-leading standards by using Google's technology on its own servers. This collaboration allows Apple to focus on user experience and potentially become a key player in the AI market, while Google gains more users and cements its image as a leading AI provider. However, the deal may raise antitrust concerns, similar to past scrutiny Google faced for its search engine dominance.

Most dubious uses of AI at CES 2026

This article from The Verge explores the questionable uses of AI at CES 2026, highlighting gadgets like smart hair clippers, AI-upgraded pharmacotherapy, and AI-enabled microwaves that don't quite live up to the 'intelligence' in 'artificial intelligence'.

The Newest Health Trend Is Tracking Your Pee

This article explores the emerging trend of using smart sensors to track urine for health monitoring, featuring products like Vivoo's smart toilet, Withings U-Scan, and Kohler Dekoda. It highlights the benefits of urine analysis for hydration, ketone levels, and kidney stones, while also discussing the privacy concerns and costs associated with these devices.

This asteroid is spilling secrets about the origin of life on Earth

This National Geographic article discusses the scientific value of asteroid samples returned to Earth by missions like OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2. These samples, particularly from asteroids Bennu and Ryugu, contain minerals formed in water and a variety of organic compounds, including amino acids and sugars, which are crucial for life. The article explores the possibility that these organic molecules, and possibly even water, were delivered to Earth from asteroids, offering new insights into the origins of life on our planet. Additionally, the samples have revealed details about the early solar system's dynamics and the conditions that may have led to the formation of life.

Chewing gum has a mysterious effect on the brain

This article explores the mysterious effects of chewing gum on the brain, tracing its history from ancient times to modern science. It highlights how gum has been marketed for its supposed mental health benefits and how modern studies have shown mixed results. The article delves into theories about why chewing gum might improve attention and reduce stress, suggesting that it could be due to increased blood flow, muscle tension, or repetitive motions. Despite its lack of nutritional value, chewing gum remains popular, possibly due to its soothing and repetitive nature.

Lego announces Smart Brick, the ‘most significant evolution’ in 50 years

This article from The Verge announces Lego's new Smart Brick, a tiny computer that fits inside a classic 2x4 Lego brick, marking the most significant evolution in 50 years. The Smart Bricks will be available starting March 1st, 2026, in Lego Star Wars sets, featuring lights, sounds, sensors, and Bluetooth connectivity. The first sets include Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter, Luke’s Red Five X-Wing, and Darth Vader’s Throne Room Duel & A-Wing, with prices ranging from $70 to $160.

Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as mayor on a Quran, a first in New York City history

Incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will make history by taking his oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, marking the first time a mayor uses Islam’s holy text for this ceremony. This event underscores a series of historic firsts for the city, including the first Muslim, first South Asian, and first African-born mayor. The Quran he will use is part of the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and symbolizes the diversity and reach of the city’s Muslim community.

6 Scary Predictions for AI in 2026

This Wired article presents six predictions for AI in 2026, including potential layoffs in the AI industry, China and Russia spreading disinformation to slow US data center construction, increased demonstrations of AI-powered robots at tech conferences, a potential stock market dip as AI companies reset, surveillance software being used to train AI agents, and the rise of always-on AI gadgets raising privacy concerns.

Americans Are Increasingly Convinced That Aliens Have Visited Earth

A recent poll reveals that nearly half of Americans now believe aliens have visited Earth, with a significant drop in uncertainty. Factors contributing to this shift include increased media coverage, popular culture's embrace of alien themes, and social media fostering communities around alien theories.

The TikTok US sale is finally happening

TikTok has finalized a deal to sell its US business to a consortium of American investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, to satisfy the divest-or-ban law. The joint venture will be 50% held by the new investors, 30.1% by existing ByteDance affiliates, and 19.9% by ByteDance. The transaction aims to ensure US data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurance, with Oracle as the trusted security partner.

California threatens Tesla with 30-day suspension of sales license for deceptive self-driving claims

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has given Tesla 90 days to modify the marketing of its driver-assistance technology, warning that the electric carmaker could face a temporary ban on vehicle sales in the state if it fails to comply. The DMV's action stems from a ruling that terms such as 'Autopilot' and 'Full Self-Driving' in Tesla's advertising could be misleading to consumers. The agency's order centers on Tesla's continued use of the term 'Autopilot', directing the company to either make the technology fully autonomous or stop using the label. The DMV is requiring Tesla to confirm that it has complied with the order. The ban on sales would last 30 days. Tesla shares briefly fell about 2 percent after the DMV announcement.

Nasdaq proposed expanding trading hours to 23 hours each weekday, up from 16

Wells Fargo analysts criticize Nasdaq's proposal to extend trading hours to 23 hours daily, calling it 'the worst thing in the world' and akin to gambling. The Nasdaq plans to expand trading hours to 23 hours each weekday, up from 16, with the intention to compete with foreign markets. Wells Fargo argues that this move accelerates trading volume at the market open and close, which is counterproductive.

I work in AI security at Google. There are some things I would never tell chatbots.

Harsh Varshney, a Google AI security engineer, shares four key tips for protecting your data and identity when interacting with AI chatbots. He advises treating AI chatbots like a public postcard, being mindful of which 'room' you're in (public vs. enterprise), regularly deleting your chat history, and using well-known AI tools with clear privacy policies.

The biggest scientific breakthroughs of the last 25 years—and a few to watch

This National Geographic article highlights the biggest scientific breakthroughs of the last 25 years, including the completion of the Human Genome Project, the development of CRISPR gene-editing, and the discovery of the Higgs boson. It also touches on advancements in medicine, astronomy, and climate science. The article concludes by discussing potential future discoveries and the importance of sustained scientific research.

AI Bathroom Monitors? Welcome To America’s New Surveillance High Schools

How Roomba invented the home robot — and lost the future

iRobot, the company behind the Roomba robot vacuum, filed for bankruptcy after losing its market dominance to Chinese competitors. Despite its early success and innovation in home robotics, iRobot faced challenges from government regulation, failed acquisition by Amazon, and failure to innovate quickly enough. The company's vision for a Jetsons-style smart home was ahead of its time, but it couldn't keep up with the rapid advancements in technology and changing consumer needs.

This Startup Wants to Build Self-Driving Car Software—Super Fast

This Wired article explores how HyprLabs, a startup led by autonomous vehicle veteran Tim Kentley-Klay, is developing a new approach to autonomous vehicle software. HyprLabs' Hyprdrive software aims to achieve high levels of safety and efficiency with minimal data and human supervision, using a technique called 'run-time learning'. The startup has collected only 4,000 hours of driving data, a fraction of what competitors like Waymo have accumulated, but claims this approach allows for faster and more cost-effective development.

AI Toys for Kids Talk About Sex, Drugs, and Chinese Propaganda

This article discusses various security and privacy issues, including AI toys for kids that talk about sensitive topics, a proposal for US tourists to submit social media data for entry, South Korean CEOs resigning due to cyberattacks, and an Atlanta man being arrested for deleting smartphone data before a CBP search.

Squeeze inside a fusion reactor with a Nat Geo photographer

National Geographic Explorer Paolo Verzone provides a rare glimpse inside the Wendelstein 7-X, a stellarator fusion reactor in Germany. This experimental reactor, the largest of its kind, aims to achieve nuclear fusion by heating plasma to extreme temperatures and containing it with superconducting magnets. The Wendelstein 7-X has set a record for maintaining super-heated plasma for 43 seconds, showcasing its potential for future fusion power.

NASA caught a view of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS from Mars

NASA released new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, captured by various space missions, revealing it as a comet rather than alien technology. The comet, first spotted in July, transformed into a bright body as it approached the sun. Despite conspiracy theories, NASA confirmed it is a comet, offering a rare opportunity to study ancient solar systems. Several Mars missions and other space probes captured images of the comet, providing insights into its composition and origins. The comet's journey through the solar system has been meticulously tracked, with the James Webb Space Telescope set to observe it until it exits the solar system.

How Jeffrey Epstein used SEO to bury news about his crimes

Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, used SEO tactics to manipulate his online presence and bury negative news about his crimes. Emails released by the House Oversight Committee reveal Epstein's preoccupation with his Google presence and his use of SEO to control search results. Epstein and his associates employed technical SEO tactics to push down unflattering articles and elevate positive content, including manipulating Wikipedia and flooding Google with flattering articles. These practices, while standard in the SEO industry, were used to whitewash Epstein's reputation, highlighting the potential for misuse of SEO for nefarious purposes.

Your online reservations are telling restaurants all about you

OpenTable, a popular reservation platform, has been sharing 'AI-assisted' details about customers' ordering habits with restaurants, including preferences for drinks, spending habits, and dining pace. This data is collected through integrations with restaurant POS systems and can be shared across the platform's network, though users can opt out. While some restaurants use these notes to personalize service, others find them unreliable and are skeptical of their accuracy.

Inside a Wild Bitcoin Heist: Five-Star Hotels, Cash-Stuffed Envelopes, and Vanishing Funds

The article delves into various cybersecurity incidents and scams, including Google's lawsuit against individuals behind a scam text operation, hackers doxxing law enforcement officials, a 'privacy browser' linked to cybercrime, rigged poker games allegedly stealing from players, privacy and security settings on iPhones, FBI warnings about criminal impersonators, a major leak of Chinese hacking tools, the use of Melania Trump in a memecoin fraud, exposure of individuals with top-secret clearance, DHS violating domestic espionage rules, and Amazon's explanation of an AWS outage affecting the web.

See the impact of humans on planet Earth. In 100 seconds

In 'Earth in 100 Seconds,' filmmaker Daniel Raven-Ellison visually represents global land use, showing how human activities dominate Earth's surface, with only a small fraction remaining as wild forests, highlighting the urgent need for a reevaluation of land use practices.

Google is collecting troves of data from downgraded Nest thermostats

Google continues to collect data from first- and second-generation Nest Learning Thermostats, despite discontinuing support, including details on temperature, humidity, and ambient lighting.

Earth always has more moons than you think

Astronomers have discovered a new quasi-moon, PN7, orbiting Earth, highlighting the planet's dynamic celestial neighborhood. Quasi-moons, like PN7, share Earth's orbit around the sun but do not directly orbit Earth, while mini-moons temporarily orbit Earth before breaking free. These objects, ranging from boulders to small asteroids, challenge our understanding of the solar system's order and remind us of the cosmos's constant motion. The origins of these quasi-moons and mini-moons are still uncertain, with theories suggesting they could be near-Earth asteroids, pieces of the moon, or remnants of ancient asteroids. As telescope technology advances, more of these intriguing objects are expected to be discovered, offering insights into celestial mechanics and the ever-changing nature of our solar system.

The students who developed a plan to stop Armageddon

In the 1960s, MIT students developed a plan to prevent a potential asteroid impact, named Project Icarus, which had a 71% chance of success. The students' efforts led to the establishment of asteroid detection programs and the implementation of deflection methods, significantly reducing the risk of asteroid impacts today.

The AI Boom Is Fueling a Need for Speed in Chip Networking

The AI boom is driving innovation in chip networking technology, with companies like Lightmatter, Celestial AI, and PsiQuantum using optical technology to accelerate data throughput. Traditional interconnect technology, which relies on electrons, is seen as insufficient for high-bandwidth AI workloads, leading to increased investment in startups that offer new networking approaches. While companies like Broadcom and Marvell have the expertise to cater to the specific needs of hyperscalers, the demand for faster data speeds and better networking tech is driving experimentation and investment in cutting-edge photonics technology.