Business Articles

Geothermal power plant from Fervo Energy in Nevada (image: Google / Fervo)

Google and Fervo Energy's geothermal project provides CO₂-free power to thousands of homes

Google and Fervo Energy are working to reduce the impact of climate change with the next generation of geothermal energy. Unlike wind and solar power, geothermal energy provides a continuous supply of electricity and, with governm...

Nicole Dominikowski, 28 Dec 2023 17:15

Chinese regulators can't seem to decide whether to ban game mechanics. (Image source: Unsplash)

China flip-flops on addictive gaming mechanic restrictions as stocks plumet and gamers celebrate

The Chinese government recently tightened its grasp on the gaming industry and predatory practices that a lot of game studios use to generate revenue. More recently, government officials have said that these new rules may be recon...

Julian van der Merwe, 27 Dec 2023 21:47

Prime Video's The Grand Tour is one of its most popular shows. (Image source: Amazon MGM Studios)

Amazon Prime Video introduces Ads beginning January 29

Amazon Prime users who would rather avoid the ad breaks will need to pay an additional $2.99 a month for a commercial-free subscription.

Robert Gelo, 27 Dec 2023 20:20

Passive houses: the future of sustainable living? (symbolic image: Bing AI)

Passive houses use up to 90% less energy to heat and cool: one of the most energy-efficient ways to build

Passive houses can reduce heating and cooling requirements by up to 90%. This energy-saving architecture for a sustainable future began in Canada in the 1970s. Although this special type of energy-efficient construction has not ye...

Nicole Dominikowski, 26 Dec 2023 21:45

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Image source: Apple)

Apple Watch U.S. import ban is enforced today

There is currently no legal way to purchase Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 (models with pulse oximeters) in the U.S. Apple immediately appealed the ITC's decision.

Robert Gelo, 26 Dec 2023 18:08

Hydrogen aircraft takes off: a milestone on the path to zero-emission aviation (image: ZeroAvia)

Hydrogen-powered aircraft completes first flight and is voted Breakthrough Technology of 2023

This year, zero-emissions flying came closer: the first flight of ZeroAvia's hydrogen-powered aircraft was voted the breakthrough technology of 2023 in a survey by MIT Technology Review. The company has already raised over $140 mi...

Nicole Dominikowski, 25 Dec 2023 18:18

Virgin Hyperloop systems test at the DevLoop site outside Las Vegas. Image source: Virgin Hyperloop

Hyperloop One closes down by the end of December

The high-speed transportation company said it had not been able to secure the necessary funding to continue operations. It plans to sell the intellectual property of Hyperloop One to another company.

Robert Gelo, 25 Dec 2023 18:18

New battery recycling methods could bring down the price of electric cars (image: Redwood Materials)

New battery recycling methods could make e-cars cheaper

The recycling of batteries is becoming more crucial in the field of electromobility. As the demand for electric cars rises, so does the need for materials to produce lithium-ion batteries. To meet climate targets and maintain affo...

Nicole Dominikowski, 24 Dec 2023 22:15

Infinix INBook Y2 Plus launches as India's latest sub-$450 laptop

Infinix' latest INBook-series laptop has hit the Indian market with a metallic unibody design and Windows 11. The Y2 Plus offers HDMI and USB-C charging for ~$420 or less on its new retail platform. Then again, it is also powered ...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 24 Dec 2023 19:03

ChatGPT’s OpenAI set to raise new funding at $100B valuation

The company is reportedly in preliminary negotiations with investors. Should the investment round progress as anticipated, OpenAI would become the second most valuable startup in the United States, following Elon Musk's Space X.

Robert Gelo, 24 Dec 2023 17:45

The Galaxy XCover6 Pro. (Source: Samsung)

Samsung Galaxy XCover7 allegedly headed to Europe as sub-$450 rugged smartphone

Samsung's next Galaxy XCover-series smartphone is coming to Europe, according to a new leak. It is tipped to hit the market with "nice" specs for its typically rugged category of Android devices. Nevertheless, it may also have an ...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 23 Dec 2023 18:15

Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra previewed as new 360-degree camera with up to 8K recording

The Qoocam 3 Ultra is a "cutting-edge" new dual-lens action camera rated for super-high recording in 3D. Kandao's upcoming lifestyle vlogging device is also backed to take high-quality, instantly-shareable panoramic photos. It wil...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 22 Dec 2023 19:39

Former e-mobility leader Bird files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after stock delisting. (Source: Bird)

Bird wings clipped in US Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing

Formerly high-flying, e-scooter rental company Bird has filed for US Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The original e-mobility sharing leader was once valued at over $2 billion, but COVID-19 lockdowns forced its stock delisting earlier this ...

David Chien, 20 Dec 2023 23:28

Lenovo has put the last-gen ThinkPad X1 Carbon on sale for 45% off (Image: Benjamin Herzig)

Deal | ThinkPad X1 Carbon with Core i5-1240P and 16GB RAM is just $639 in Lenovo's refurbished business laptop sale

These certified refurbished units of last year's ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 are covered by a two-year warranty and present laptop buyers with a great opportunity to save a lot of money by ordering the well-equipped 14-inch business...

Enrico Frahn, 20 Dec 2023 21:53

Tesla's Autopilot Safety Report data doesn't tell the full story of Tesla's accident rate. (Image source: Tesla/IIHS - edited)

Study finds Tesla drivers crash more than any other brand as sneaky data tricks hide true accident rate in Autopilot Safety Report

A recent study found that Tesla tops the list of car brands with the most accidents per driver, despite the company's claims to the contrary. Tesla often boasts about the safety of its vehicles, comparing its numbers to NHTSA data...

Julian van der Merwe, 20 Dec 2023 06:54

AI use has a high carbon footprint (symbolic image: Bing AI)

AI image uses as much energy as a phone charge — are ChatGPT & co. harmful to the climate?

AI models like ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion require large amounts of energy and CO₂. This is a worrying trend, and recent studies provide important insights into the climate impact of artificial intelligence.

Nicole Dominikowski, 19 Dec 2023 19:39

The Adobe Headquarters (Image source: Adobe Inc.)

Adobe scraps $20B acquisition of Figma with $1B termination fee

The cancellation comes after the European Commission and the UK's competition and markets authority raised concerns that the merger would stifle competition in the online design software market.

Robert Gelo, 19 Dec 2023 08:29

The Ford F-150 Lightning may soon get a frunk accessory that greatly increases its usefulness over the Cybertruck's two-seater frunk. (Image source: US Patent Application Publication)

Ford F-150 Lightning takes on Tesla Cybertruck with new multi-functional frunk workstation

The Tesla Cybertruck made some waves with a frunk that doubles as a bench for two people, despite the electric pickup's disappointing storage volume. Not to be outdone, a recent Ford patent takes the concept of a multi-functional ...

Julian van der Merwe, 19 Dec 2023 07:12

Elon Musk speaking out at the Atreju conference in Rome (image: Independent/YT)

Elon Musk defends fossil fuels as green energy backstop and calls climate change alarmism 'exaggerated'

Mankind shouldn't scoff at oil and gas as transitional energy sources in the climate change fight interim, argues Elon Musk. Tesla's CEO spoke out at a conference organized by the Italian prime minister Meloni.

Daniel Zlatev, 17 Dec 2023 15:58

VanMoof: The situation for buyers is bleak (symbolic image, image: the blowup)

VanMoof: Very poor prospects for buyers and owners of e-bikes, high financial losses almost certain

According to a recent report, things are going from bad to worse for customers of manufacturer VanMoof. Buyers or owners of an e-bike from the brand should thus have little expectation of refunds or repairs.

Silvio Werner, 16 Dec 2023 23:42

Google DeepMind's new materials are being tested in the A-Lab using robotics (Image: Marilyn Sargent / Berkeley Lab)

Google DeepMind's new AI has developed over 700 materials for EV batteries, solar cells, and more

Google DeepMind's new AI is developing numerous materials, including for EV batteries, solar cells, computer chips and much more. In addition, the new A-Lab laboratory is taking material development to a next level by combining ro...

Nicole Dominikowski, 16 Dec 2023 17:37

Epic Games scores a potentially vital win. (Source: Epic Games)

Epic Games beats Google in US court over Play Store billing monopoly

Epic Games describes the result of its case in Northern California's District Court "a win for all app developers". The verdict is that Google does in fact exert a monopoly over distribution and billing mechanisms in the Play Stor...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 15 Dec 2023 20:12

Honor x Porsche Design smartphone teased ahead of Magic6 series launch

Honor has indicated that its upcoming Magic6 series of flagship Android smartphones will have a top-end special edition. Furthermore, the OEM has collaborated with Porsche Design to deliver this premium device. The partners assert...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 15 Dec 2023 18:58

Falcon Heavy USSF-52 satellite launch mission (image: SpaceX)

FCC nixes rural Starlink satellite Internet subsidy as it greenlights T-Mobile phone connection tests

Elon Musk's mom had some strong words to say to President Biden's administration for granting and snatching $886 million in federal rural Starlink Internet subsidy. Meanwhile, SpaceX prepares to launch its first satellites with di...

Daniel Zlatev, 15 Dec 2023 18:28

X (Twitter) violates GDPR and DSA: Illegal micro-targeting for political advertising

X (Twitter) violates GDPR and Digital Services Act: Illegal micro-targeting for political advertising

The EU Commission has been placing advertisements on X for planned chat control. To this end, they have been specifically evaluating and contacting users based on political interests. The fact that this is possible on the platform...

Christian Hintze, 15 Dec 2023 00:16

Dough Spectrum One with Gorilla Glass goes to pre-order

The Dough Spectrum One is a gaming-focused monitor that is now available with Gorilla Glass. This latest version of the display still has 4K/144Hz specs, but is touted as more "abrasion-resistant" thanks to its new protective laye...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 13 Dec 2023 22:57

Dell aims to have serviceable display in laptops next year with Concept Luna. (Image Source: Dell)

Dell Concept Luna 2023 further aims to increase modularity, laptops with serviceable displays coming in 2024

Upcoming Dell laptops in 2024 are likely to feature serviceable displays as part of Dell's Concept Luna sustainability initiative. This year, Dell is augmenting Concept Luna with an emphasis on "circular design" that includes modu...

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 13 Dec 2023 19:33

It doesn't look good for Elon Musk at the moment with the X. Image source: Getty Images

Elon Musk X’s ad revenue is reportedly almost $1B down compared to last year

X is facing a significant decline in its ad revenue, with the company expected to bring in only $2.5 billion this year. This marks a sharp drop from 2022 when ad revenue reached $3.4 billion.

Robert Gelo, 13 Dec 2023 18:42

Optimus Gen 2 has tactile sensing on all fingers (image: Tesla)

Tesla outs faster Optimus Gen 2 humanoid robot with new hands and foot force sensing

New hands with tactile feeling on all fingers and foot torque sensing are just some of Tesla's Optimus Gen 2 improvements. The humanoid robot is also much faster and lighter.

Daniel Zlatev, 13 Dec 2023 06:44

The Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 4Matic electric sedan soared past its EPA range estimates in a recent real-world range test. (Image source: Merceeds-Benz - edited)

Rivian, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Mercedes-Benz embarrass Tesla, F-150 Lightning in real-world highway range test

Consumer Reports's recent real-world EV range test revealed that EPA estimates from Tesla, Lucid, and certain Ford models overstate range by a significant margin, while others over-performed, despite suboptimal SUV and pickup truc...

Julian van der Merwe, 13 Dec 2023 00:11

The Huawei Mate 60 Pro is causing headaches in the USA. (Image: Huawei)

USA finds Huawei Mate 60 Pro 'deeply concerning': US Secretary of Commerce threatens new sanctions

Huawei has been largely driven out of the Western smartphone market by strict US sanctions, but the Chinese technology giant is not giving up. Several months ago, the company launched a 5G smartphone onto the market for the first ...

Hannes Brecher, 12 Dec 2023 23:03

Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2 made official for the international market

Huawei's extra-large flagship tablet has gone global today (December 12, 2023). The MatePad Pro 13.2 brings its "masterpiece" X-True OLED display to new markets, as well as its "ultra-thin" form-factor and stylus support. Its pre-...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 12 Dec 2023 21:38

Starlink speeds dropped in Q3 (image: SpaceX)

Starlink satellite Internet download speeds stall with subscriber growth

Elon Musk recently dismissed the idea for a Starlink IPO in 2024 as SpaceX is focusing on the service expansion and financials of its satellite Internet service. The unprecedented Starlink subscriber growth, however, has stunted i...

Daniel Zlatev, 12 Dec 2023 19:06

BOOX Note Air3 launches as a monochrome-only e-reader with style

The latest addition to the BOOX Note Air3 is touted to deliver distraction-free note-taking or reading thanks to its black-and-white only display. Nevertheless, its new Carta 1200 display is packaged in the same kind of light, thi...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 12 Dec 2023 19:02

Mistral AI team is based in Paris, France. Image source: Mistral AI

French start-up Mistral AI has a valuation of $2 billion

The Paris-based startup, Mistral AI, raised $415 million after the Series A funding round closed. It is valued at roughly $2 billion, according to Bloomberg.

Robert Gelo, 12 Dec 2023 18:06

30 days left until the demise of the Grammarly Desktop Editor (Source: Own)

Grammarly's Desktop Editor will stop working in 30 days

Released in 2009, Grammarly became a popular assistant for students, professional writers, and people who need assistance with various projects from time to time. While the standalone Editor apps for Windows and Mac will be discon...

Codrut Nistor, 11 Dec 2023 23:31

Could Huawei 5G be back in Europe? (Source: Flickr)

Huawei unveils plans to manufacture 1 billion devices per year in Europe

Huawei has announced that it has broken ground on its first factory outside its native China. The facility is to be located in northeastern France, has a projected output of 1 billion new products per year and is estimated to empl...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 11 Dec 2023 20:29

Costco Japan has been selling Starlink terminals for a while (image: hiro_mahalo/X)

Starlink satellite Internet kits now sold in Costco with free subscription months for club members

After stocking Costco stores in Japan with Starlink terminals, SpaceX is expanding its partnership with the wholesaler on this side of the pond, too. The same Costco Japan promotion of free Starlink satellite Internet service mont...

Daniel Zlatev, 11 Dec 2023 20:16

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced expansion plans in Vietnam. Image source: Nvidia Corporation

Nvidia set to launch production in Vietnam

Vietnam might develop into a hub for Nvidia's chip research and manufacturing. The local media reports that the company intends to establish a legal entity in the country.

Robert Gelo, 11 Dec 2023 17:18

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 under review: A long-lasting, silent Ryzen laptop

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4: Ryzen power, endurance, and quiet fans for under $700

With its longer battery life, LTE modem, and low noise and heat output, the Lenovo business notebook is an excellent choice. There is plenty of processing power available with a Ryzen 7 APU. The dual RAM slot configuration is a no...

Sascha Mölck, 11 Dec 2023 15:24

The HP Elite t755 Thin Client has been officially announced (image via HP)

HP Elite t755 Thin Client announced with AMD Ryzen embedded CPU and compact form factor

The HP Elite t755 Thin Client is now official. It runs a custom Windows 10 version and comes with a laundry list of security protections, making it ideal for enterprise environments. It will be available for purchase sometime in J...

Anil Ganti, 11 Dec 2023 15:00

Insta360 GO 3 refreshed in new Matte Black colorway

The Insta360 GO 3 is one of the most innovative products in the action camera market. Furthermore, it is also now available in a color other than white. The new Matte Black shade is applied to the GO 3's Action Pod as well as its ...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 09 Dec 2023 18:36

The Fiat 500e will be the first car used in a Stellantis trial of Ample's EV battery-swapping solution. (Image source: Stellantis)

Fiat 500e to get EV battery swapping solution in new trial

A fleet of Fiat 500e EVs will be the first from Stellantis to trial Ample's battery-swapping technology. The trial will begin in 2024, with the project aiming to find a solution to ease range anxiety. Ample's modular batteries fit...

Polly Allcock, 08 Dec 2023 18:10

Grok AI is now available to X Premium+ subscribers in the US. (Image source: xAI)

Elon Musk's Grok AI chatbot now rolling out to subscribers

Grok, the AI chatbot "with a rebellious streak," is now available to X members in the US with a Premium+ subscription. Elon Musk, founder of xAI, the company behind Grok, has also announced broader rollout plans. Plus, an SEC fili...

Polly Allcock, 08 Dec 2023 17:21

The Tesla Cybertruck's front exclusively features sharp corners, possibly excluding it from release in the EU. (Image source: Tesla)

Elon Musk touts Cybertruck pedestrian safety after avoiding EU launch over missed pedestrian safety regulations for vehicle design

Elon Musk claims Tesla is "highly confident that Cybertruck will be much safer per mile than other trucks," despite a Tesla technician recently explaining in a report that the Cybertruck's design precludes it from launching in Eur...

Julian van der Merwe, 08 Dec 2023 08:30

The next-generation Chevrolet Bolt will only arrive in crossover EUV form, abandoning the compact hatchback entirely. (Image source: Chevrolet - edited)

GM kills new Chevrolet Bolt EV subcompact hatch for 2025 in favour of pricey EUV that erodes the idea of the affordable compact EV

General Motors has confirmed that the upcoming Chevrolet Bolt will not make a return in its subcompact EV form. The implications of this include a potentially higher starting price, not to mention a much more expensive top-end tri...

Julian van der Merwe, 08 Dec 2023 01:02