Is AI the New Fracking?
The Financial Times opinion piece argues that today’s AI boom is the new fracking, drawing parallels between massive capital inflows and speculative fervor. AI startups attracted over $200 billion in 2023 funding, comparable to the trillions poured into fracking at its peak, while compute demand now rivals the energy intensity of oil extraction. The article warns that, like fracking, AI raises profound ethical, environmental, and regulatory challenges that could trigger a sector correction. It concludes that AI’s productivity promise is real, but investors must heed the fracking‑era lessons.
New AI Tool Predicts Whether Aggressive Small Cell Lung Cancer Will Respond to Treatment
A new AI‑driven pathology tool called PhenopyCell can forecast whether patients with extensive‑stage small cell lung cancer will benefit from platinum‑based chemotherapy using only the diagnostic biopsy slide. The retrospective study examined 281 patients across Roswell Park, Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute,...
NASA’s Fiscal Year 2027: Thumbs Up…Thumbs Down?
The White House’s FY 2027 budget request proposes a 23% cut to NASA’s overall funding, slashing the agency’s budget to roughly $11 billion. Within that, the Science Mission Directorate would be reduced by 47%, dropping from $7.25 billion to about $3.9 billion. The Planetary...
I Turned My Android Into a Stream Deck without Spending a Dollar on Hardware
Elgato’s Stream Deck Mini costs about $60, but the free Stream Deck Mobile app turns any Android (or iPhone) into a virtual macro pad. The app pairs with the desktop client, giving six customizable keys per profile, with a $2.99‑per‑month...
AI Could Transform Patient Education in Eye Care, New Research Shows
Researchers at the University of East London have created a multilingual, voice‑enabled AI chatbot to educate patients about retinal detachment, a sight‑threatening condition that often requires urgent surgery. The system leverages retrieval‑augmented generation to pull answers from a clinician‑curated knowledge...
Venus Has A Giant Volcanic Cave Beneath Its Surface
A University of Trento team re‑examined NASA’s 1990s Magellan radar data and identified a massive volcanic cave beneath the Nyx Mons region on Venus. The skylight‑like pit is roughly 1 km wide, with a 150 m thick roof, 375 m height and a 45 km‑long...
Lidl Is Selling a £12.99 Gadget Is that Will Save Parents Precious Time in the Kitchen when Cooking for the...
Lidl is rolling out the Silvercrest Silver Multi Chopper for £12.99 (about $16.50) starting 12 April. The compact appliance features a 1.2‑L glass container, two speed settings (5,000 rpm and 6,300 rpm), and a dishwasher‑safe design. It can chop fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts,...
I Found 7 Windows Apps that Use Your PC's NPU to Improve Efficiency and Performance with AI — You Might...
Microsoft’s push for neural processing units (NPUs) has moved beyond Copilot+ PCs, spreading to Intel and AMD processors and enabling a growing suite of third‑party Windows apps. Seven highlighted applications—Cephable, Adobe Photoshop, Norton, Algoriddim djay Pro, BufferZone NoCloud AI, HP IQ, and...
China Reveals Military Capabilities in New Space Solar Power Plant Design
China’s Zhuri program has unveiled a revamped OMEGA design that replaces a single massive orbital power station with a modular array of smaller solar‑collecting units. The new architecture emphasizes ultra‑narrow, steerable microwave beams capable of both wireless power transmission and...
Stopping Algae Blooms with Bacteria-Busting Buoys
University of Toledo researchers have engineered PVC buoys that slowly release a hydrogen‑peroxide‑based algaecide to combat harmful cyanobacterial blooms. Laboratory tests using water from Lake Erie showed the buoys eliminated nearly all cyanobacteria within a week while leaving other microbes...
Limited Edition Atari Wristwatches Dip Under $500 in 20% Off Sale — Classic Console Inspired Rainbow Designs Available in Five...
Watchmaker Nubeo has launched the Torrent Automatic Atari Rainbow Limited Edition, offering five retro‑inspired colourways—Azure Arcade, Orange Curve, Pine Pixel, Shadow Console and Spectrum—with only 100 pieces per variant. The watches, featuring a Japanese automatic movement, Swiss Newlite illumination and...
Roku Is The Most Popular Streaming Player in The United States, Dominating Fire TVs, Google TV, & Apple TV
A Cord Cutter News survey of over 1,200 U.S. cord‑cutters shows Roku remains the dominant streaming player, with 64.8% of respondents naming it a primary device. Amazon’s Fire TV falls far behind at 27.7%, while Google TV (19.9%) and Apple...
The Algorithm Won’t Hold Your Mother’s Hand
The article warns that AI‑driven elder‑care solutions are expanding amid a looming geriatric workforce shortage, with only about 7,000 board‑certified geriatricians for 70 million baby boomers. The AI‑in‑aging‑care market is projected to hit $322 billion by 2034, but many family caregivers lack...
Satellite Services for Weather Forecasting Market Analysis 2026
The global satellite weather services market surpassed $2.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow around 7.5% annually through 2028. Commercial operators such as Spire Global, Tomorrow.io and GeoOptics are increasingly supplying high‑resolution atmospheric data—especially GNSS radio‑occultation profiles—that complement traditional...
Moving Up the Stack: Analytics Engineering in the Age of Agents
The article argues that analytics engineering must “move up the stack” again, this time leveraging AI agents to automate routine data work. It highlights dbt’s meteoric growth—over three million daily downloads and a billion total downloads—showing how the tool already reshaped...
Researchers Didn’t Want to Glamorize Cybercrims. So They Roasted Them
Researchers at Trellix launched the Dark Web Roast, a meme‑filled blog that mocks cybercrime groups to counteract industry glamorization. The series lampoons a ransomware crew’s content‑calendar extortion tactics, an exploit developer pricing a Cisco RCE bug at $70,000, and undervalued...
China’s Push for Hydrogen-Powered Planes Takes Step Forward Amid Iran Energy Crisis
China’s Aero Engine Corporation successfully flew a 7.5‑tonne unmanned cargo plane powered by a 1‑megawatt hydrogen turboprop, completing a 16‑minute, 36‑kilometre test at 220 km/h and 300 metres altitude. The flight proves the engine’s reliability and showcases China’s claim of a complete...
Should You Shut Down Your Laptop or Just Close the Lid?
Closing a laptop lid puts most modern devices into sleep mode, preserving open apps while using only a small amount of power. Sleep mode is convenient for short breaks, but it does not fully reset the system, leading to potential...
Is the Slate Truck Too Minimal for Its Own Good?
Slate’s first electric pickup is a compact two‑seater measuring 174.6 inches long, 70.6 inches wide, and weighing about 3,602 pounds. The company stripped out non‑essential features—no paint, radio, power windows—to keep costs low, offering a base price near the mid‑$20,000...
Devils on the Moon Brings the Score-Chasing of Pinball to the Playdate
Amano released Devils on the Moon Pinball, its third Playdate title, drawing direct inspiration from the classic Pokemon Pinball. The game features a three‑level vertical board, stylized physics, and tilt controls that mimic real‑life nudging, while the crank is unused....
Avoiding a Two-Speed Economy: Ensuring the AI Revolution Is Sustainable
AI adoption in the UK is accelerating but highly uneven, with only 16% of organisations deploying AI at scale while a third remain in research or pilot phases. This gap creates a “two‑speed” economy where larger, digitally mature firms reap...
'Silent Killers': How AI Start-Ups Are Trying to Solve One of the Retail Industry's Biggest Problems
AI start‑ups such as Catches are rolling out virtual‑try‑on platforms that create realistic digital twins of shoppers, aiming to curb the retail sector’s $850 billion return problem. The National Retail Federation reports that 15.8% of U.S. sales – 19.3% online –...
The Hidden Cost of Hybrid: Data Risk and Compliance Gaps in Financial Services
Hybrid working has become the default model for UK financial services, but it is fragmenting data governance and exposing firms to hidden compliance risks. The spread of personal devices, unsecured networks, and shadow‑IT tools makes it difficult to maintain audit...
‘I Sleep Like a Baby Now’: The Simple Pair of Night-Time Glasses Shoppers Swear by Is Suddenly 25% Off
British shoppers are turning to BON CHARGE’s Brooklyn Blue Blocking glasses to improve sleep. The glasses filter blue and green light, helping melatonin production, and are now 25% off, bringing prices to roughly $95 for non‑prescription frames, $105 for reader...
How the Amazon Echo Learned to Talk — and Listen
Amazon’s Jeff Bezos long‑standing vision for a voice‑first computer finally materialized with the Echo speaker and Alexa assistant. After years of technical hurdles, the team launched the Echo in 2014 without fanfare, quickly capturing consumer attention. The device’s surprise success...
Scientists Create World’s First ‘T-Rex Leather’ Handbag with $600k Starting Price
Scientists announced a lab‑grown handbag marketed as “T‑Rex leather,” using collagen fragments extracted from fossilized remains and cultured without animal hides. Designed by tech‑wear label Enfin Levé, the teal bag features claw‑like incisions and will be auctioned with a starting...
Best Apple Watch Bands of 2026: Nike, Hermés, and More
WIRED’s editors conducted a two‑week, hands‑on evaluation of Apple Watch bands and identified top performers for everyday wear, titanium, silicone, leather, and luxury segments. The Nike Sport Loop earned the everyday award for its breathable recycled construction, while Nomad’s Stratos...
MODEX 2026: Datalogic Introduces Mobile Computer, Image Readers and Safety Laser Scanner
At MODEX 2026 Datalogic unveiled a new suite of logistics technologies, including next‑generation mobile computers (Falcon X60/X65 and Skorpio X40/X45), high‑speed Matrix 830/930 image readers, and the world‑first SLS 10m safety laser scanner. The Falcon line returns with enhanced long‑range...
Satellite Mirror Plans Could Disrupt Sleep and Ecosystems Worldwide, Scientists Say
Scientists from four international chronobiology societies warned the FCC that Reflect Orbital’s proposed reflective mirrors and SpaceX’s plan to launch up to one million low‑Earth‑orbit satellites could dramatically alter the natural night‑time light environment. The mirrors would project 5–6 km wide beams...
Does Ubuntu Now Require More RAM Than Windows 11?
Canonical has raised Ubuntu 26.04 LTS's minimum system requirements to 6 GB of RAM, a 2 GB increase over the previous 4 GB baseline. The change reflects the growing resource demands of the GNOME desktop, modern browsers, and multitasking workloads rather than a...
Meet a Former VC Who Has a Plan to Prepare American Students for an AI-Disrupted Future
Former venture capitalist Ted Dintersmith warns that AI will upend traditional careers and argues that U.S. schools are teaching obsolete math. In his new book *Aftermath* he advocates replacing algebra‑centric curricula with real‑world probability, statistics, and vocational skills. Dintersmith highlights...
Intel's Upcoming 42-Core Nova Lake SKU Allegedly Upgraded to 44 Cores — New Config Frees up 6P+12E Tiles that Could...
Intel’s upcoming Nova Lake‑S desktop processor line has a leaked 44‑core SKU, replacing the previously announced 42‑core model by using two identical 8P+12E compute tiles. The change frees up 6P+12E tiles, which could be sold as lower‑priced, locked non‑K variants...
How PopSockets Built a Global Business by Turning the Back of Your Phone Into Valuable Real Estate
PopSockets transformed the unused back of a smartphone into a monetizable surface, evolving from a garage prototype in 2011 to a global brand that posted $169 million in revenue by 2017. The product’s success hinged on embedding a simple grip into...
CBP Facility Codes Sure Seem to Have Leaked via Online Flashcards
A public Quizlet flashcard set titled “USBP Review” inadvertently disclosed four‑digit gate codes and internal procedural details for a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility in Kingsville, Texas. The set was taken down after WIRED alerted the platform, and...
How Agentic AI Is Reshaping Banking in South Africa
Agentic AI is moving from hype to operational reality in South Africa’s banking sector, with 79% of senior executives worldwide already deploying AI agents, according to PwC. Absa’s partnership with Salesforce introduced the Agentforce platform, testing three autonomous agents that...
Don't Run Home Assistant in Docker, Do This Instead
Running Home Assistant in Docker is common, but it limits access to the platform’s native add‑ons and requires manual Docker‑Compose configuration. The Home Assistant Operating System (HAOS) bundles a Supervisor that installs and updates apps like Zigbee2MQTT, Node‑RED, and ESPHome...
BNPL Fintech Klarna Commits to $1.7B Transaction Supporting Up to $40B+ of Lending,
Klarna announced two major funding moves to boost its capital efficiency. A $2 billion forward‑flow facility with Elliott Investment Management will support up to $17 billion in U.S. loan originations over the next three years. On April 1, the fintech completed its largest...
Nadi Facilities Open to Civil Servants Under 'WFH' Policy, Says Fahmi
Malaysia’s Communications Ministry will open National Information Dissemination Centres (Nadi) to civil servants working from home starting April 15. The 1,098 centres, including 101 in Johor, already host online meetings and will now serve as secondary workspaces with high‑speed internet....
The Complete Engineering Story of the James Webb Space Telescope’s Sunshield: Five Layers of Kapton Thinner than a Human Hair...
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope relies on a five‑layer Kapton sunshield, the size of a tennis court, to passively cool its instruments to roughly 40 Kelvin. Each layer, thinner than a human hair, is coated with silicon or aluminum to reflect...
Homemade Solar Drone Smashes Endurance Record with 5+ Hours Aloft
Luke and Mike Bell’s latest solar‑powered multirotor set an unofficial endurance record, staying aloft for 5 hours, 2 minutes and 21 seconds. The final prototype carries 28 lightweight solar panels that generate over 110 watts, enough to sustain hover and charge an auxiliary battery via a...
Russia Establishing Long-Range Drone Bases In Belarus, Warns Ukraine
Russia intends to construct four ground‑control stations for long‑range drones in Belarus, dramatically shortening the distance to Ukrainian targets from roughly 1,500 km to 440 km. The move follows a recent surge of Russian missile and drone attacks that killed...
Post-Quantum Cryptography: Moving From Awareness to Execution
Google’s new whitepaper moves the anticipated quantum‑break date, or “Q‑Day,” to 2029 and urges enterprises to adopt post‑quantum cryptography (PQC). The tech giant highlights that elliptic‑curve encryption could be compromised with fewer qubits than previously thought, and it showcases concrete...
I Founded Culture Pop in My 50s, but My Youngest Hires Keep It Relevant and Fresh
Tom First, 59, launched probiotic soda brand Culture Pop in 2020 and has expanded it to all 50 states, with revenue doubling year‑over‑year and a target of $100 million soon. He leans heavily on Gen Z and millennial employees to keep the...
Your Neighbor Just Got a Home Security System, but Should You Be Worried? ‘It’s Inherently a Little Creepy’ Says Surveillance...
Hilary Schneider, CEO of SimpliSafe, says rising privacy concerns are reshaping the home‑security market after a controversial Ring Super Bowl ad and backlash against AI‑powered license‑plate cameras. SimpliSafe differentiates itself by giving customers ownership of video footage, employing mechanical privacy...
Digital Payments Provider Checkout.com Focuses on APAC Region, Enters New Partnerships to Enhance Operations
Checkout.com reported a 71% year‑over‑year rise in APAC payment volume, marking its third consecutive year of over 50% net‑revenue growth in the region. The fintech firm returned to full‑year EBITDA profitability and saw worldwide net revenue climb 30%, processing more...
With One Million Displaced, Lebanon Turns to Digital Wallets for Aid
More than one million Lebanese have been displaced by recent Israeli attacks, prompting a rapid shift toward digital wallets for humanitarian aid. With banks frozen and traditional channels strained, diaspora donors are sending funds instantly through fintech platforms such as...
GUEST COLUMN: Beyond Layoffs, India Emerges as Creative-Tech Hub
Despite widespread headlines about layoffs in media and tech, the industry is undergoing a structural shift toward integrated, agile creative‑tech workflows. Companies are redistributing talent globally, positioning India as a central hub for strategy, production, and performance optimisation. Accelerated hiring...
Himachal: Naina Devi Temple Trust Starts Producing Biogas From Leftover Food
The Naina Devi Temple Trust in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, has launched a biogas plant that converts organic waste from its community kitchen into fuel. The pre‑fabricated system processes about 200 kg of food waste each day, generating roughly 20 kg of biogas,...
How Hollywood Support Staff Are Integrating AI Into Workflows, From Mundane Tasks to Creative Development, Amid Cost-Cutting and Workload Demands...
Hollywood studios are increasingly tasking support staff with AI‑driven tools that automate routine duties and assist in creative development. The shift is driven by cost‑cutting pressures and mounting workloads, prompting assistants to wonder if the technology threatens their jobs. Meanwhile,...
The Hack That Exposed Syria’s Sweeping Security Failures
In early March 2026, several Syrian government accounts on X—including the presidency, central bank and ministries—were hijacked, posting pro‑Israel messages and explicit content. The breach was quickly contained, but investigators traced the takeover to shared credentials and a lack of...