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Pangram, a 24-person AI-detection startup that raised $13 million, has flagged high AI-generated percentages in several notable works, including a Hachette-acquired novel that was subsequently canceled, a New York Times Modern Love column, and prize-winning fiction. Substack recently integrated Pangram's detection tool so readers can check content for AI involvement.
Fomu is a tiny programmable device that plugs directly into a USB-A port, combining an FPGA chip, four touch pads, and an RGB LED in a compact plastic case. It ships with enough RAM and storage to run Python natively, while also supporting a RISC-V softcore and other softcores like LM32 and OpenRISC, all programmable through a fully open-source toolchain without accounts, NDAs, or heavy installers.
SteamDB, the widely used Steam analytics and database site, has been sold to Chosen, the company behind Nexus Mods. Co-founder Pavel Djundik said running the site solo had become unsustainable after burnout following years of increasing workload since launching it in 2013 with Marlamin. Chosen CEO Victor Folmann said the site will be commercialized through partnerships and affiliate links rather than ads, while preserving what makes it useful to users.
Xiaomi's mobile division president Lu Weibing posted official renders confirming the Xiaomi 18 Fold will debut in China on September 7, 2026, two days before Apple's expected iPhone Ultra foldable reveal. The device features a 5.38-inch cover display, a 7.58-inch inner screen, a triple rear camera system, and Xiaomi's new XRing O3 chipset, with leaks pointing to a 3.5x optical zoom telephoto lens.
California's Proposition 65, the 1986 law requiring warnings on products that may expose consumers to chemicals linked to cancer or reproductive harm, is marking its 40th anniversary this year even as many consumers remain confused by its labels. The law does not ban the chemicals in question but forces businesses to disclose their presence above certain thresholds, leaving buyers to decide for themselves whether to avoid a product.
Acer showed off a concept device called Project DualPlay Mini, an 8-inch Windows handheld gaming PC that opens up like a laptop to reveal a backlit physical keyboard, with the screen swiveling inward to complete the transformation. Alongside it, Acer launched the Predator Atlas 7, a smaller 7-inch sibling to the Predator Atlas 8 handheld released earlier this year.
Acer unveiled two new laptops at IFA 2026: the Swift Blade 14, launching a new sub-brand within its Swift lineup, and the Swift Air 16, a larger lightweight machine. The Blade 14 weighs just 799g and packs an Intel Core 7 processor 350 with up to a 3K OLED display, while the Air 16 offers a 16-inch OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits brightness.
Acer has introduced two new Android tablets, the Iconia X14 and X16, ahead of IFA 2026, both featuring OLED displays, metal bodies, and kickstands in Matte Black. Despite the modern screens, both models run on the aging MediaTek Helio G80 chipset from 2020, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage on Android 16, with a Q4 launch planned and pricing still unannounced.
Acer introduced the EP130K, an ePaper monitor aimed at professionals and readers who spend long hours in front of screens. It offers up to 3,200 x 2,400 resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate, switchable color and black-and-white modes, touch and stylus support, and can hold an image without drawing power. The device connects and charges via a single USB-C cable, though Acer has not disclosed its screen size or internal chipset.
Mykhailo Fedorov, recently removed as Ukraine's defense minister, is starting a defense technology company that will count Palantir CEO Alex Karp as its first lead investor. Details such as the company's name, funding amount, and specific technologies remain undisclosed, though Fedorov's office says more about the Palantir partnership will be revealed over time.
An Android Authority roundup argues that buyers considering the newly US-available Fairphone Gen 6 Plus ($650) might get more for their money elsewhere. It highlights the HMD Skyline as a nearly as repairable but cheaper (~$400) alternative with a better camera, bigger battery and faster display, alongside four other Android phones recommended for shoppers willing to trade some repairability for extra performance and features.
At IFA, Acer showed off Project DualPlay Mini, a Predator-branded concept device that can switch between a handheld gaming controller layout and a compact laptop with backlit keyboard and mouse. The device supports external display connections and uses the same dual-fan cooling system found in the Predator Atlas 8, marking Acer's 50th anniversary with an etched logo on its rear panel.