GoKawiil
Tech News
The EPA is seeking to rescind a Biden-era rule requiring power plants to cut most greenhouse gas emissions by 2039 or shut down. It is also arguing that the agency lacks authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate such emissions, claiming without scientific support that they pose no threat to public health or the environment.
Smartphones pick up significant grime through constant handling, with studies showing they can carry far more bacteria than a toilet seat. Despite this, cleaning experts caution against using Windex, compressed air, hydrogen peroxide or bleach on phone screens, since these substances can permanently damage the display's protective coating.
A tech cleaning guide outlines steps for disinfecting used electronics purchases, starting with unplugging devices and wiping surfaces with microfiber cloths rather than abrasive materials. It recommends mild detergent solutions or dedicated products like Whoosh! and Tech2Clean for screens, while warning against chlorine, peroxide, solvent or ammonia-based cleaners that can damage components. For devices with crevices like laptops or turntables, it suggests compressed air, soft brushes and specialized cleaning kits to remove trapped dust and debris.
MIT Technology Review's 2026 list of young innovators highlights Laureen Meroueh, founder of Hertha Metals, who has developed a furnace that converts iron ore directly into refined liquid steel in one step using natural gas instead of coal. The list also spotlights biotech researchers working on vision-restoring gene therapies, brain electrodes, and AI-designed viruses.
A review of Coway's new Airmega Halo air purifier found the device operates quietly and effectively clears visible smoke from a room. However, the accompanying air-quality sensor readings did not consistently provide reassurance about actual air cleanliness during testing.
Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order requiring data centers with peak demand above 25 megawatts to supply their own clean power meeting state renewable energy standards, or fund new generation or pay into a ratepayer protection fund. The order also discourages communities from signing non-disclosure agreements with developers and pauses a recently enacted data center sales tax exemption while regulators implement the new rules.
Apple's iOS 27 update expands the Clean Up feature in the Photos app with a new Auto control that lets users choose between two processing modes. A Fast mode uses a smaller AI model for quick edits like removing background clutter, while a High Quality mode uses more advanced AI for complex scenes, such as removing multiple people from a photo, at the cost of speed and battery life.
Hertha Metals founder Laureen Meroueh has developed a new furnace design that converts iron ore directly into refined liquid steel in one step, replacing coal with natural gas. The company says this approach can cut carbon emissions by at least half and reduce production costs by 25% compared with conventional steelmaking.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld dismissal of a 2022 lawsuit brought by four Jackson residents who claimed the city's lead-tainted water supply violated their constitutional right to bodily integrity. Judge Kurt Engelhardt wrote that while the harm was serious, it did not fall under any established constitutional protection, and there is no constitutional right to truthful information from officials during a public health crisis.
Phone manufacturers including Apple and Samsung recommend a simple two-minute cleaning routine using a lint-free microfiber cloth, slightly dampened for a deeper clean, to remove both visible smudges and invisible bacteria from device screens. Users should power off and unplug phones before cleaning, remove cases, and avoid letting moisture or soap enter any openings even on water-resistant models.
An Android Authority writer found their Gmail account eating up 5.27GB of Google's 15GB free storage tier, largely due to accumulated email attachments rather than message count. Using Gmail's built-in 'Clean up space' tool, they identified and deleted large attachments, then cleared out Spam and Trash folders to recover storage without paying for Google One.
Roborock, known for its robot vacuums, unveiled its first robotic pool cleaner, the RockAqua P1, at IFA Berlin. The device autonomously cleans pool floors, walls and waterlines using adaptive path navigation and vision-based obstacle detection, while offering a suction rate of 6,800 gallons per hour that it can adjust to avoid dislodging larger debris.