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Introduction to the A* Algorithm (2014)

Created 26 May 2014, updated Aug 2014, Feb 2016, Jun 2016, Jun 2020, Jul 2023 Graph search algorithms let us find the shortest path on a map represented as a graph. Move the blob (start point) and cross (end point) to see the shortest path found by the A* Algorithm: A* is one of a family of related graph search algorithms: Breadth First Search[1] explores equally in all directions. Dijkstra’s Algorithm[2] takes into account movement costs. A*[3] explores more towards a single destination. In ad

Six-month-old, solo-owned vibe coder Base44 sells to Wix for $80M cash

There’s a lot of talk in the startup world about how AI makes individuals so productive that it could give rise to a generation of “solo unicorns” – one-person companies worth over $1 billion. While an actual solo unicorn remains a mythical creature, Israeli developer Maor Shlomo provided compelling evidence Wednesday that the concept might not be impossible. Shlomo sold his six-month-old, bootstrapped vibe-coding startup Base44 to Wix for $80 million deal, Wix announced Wednesday. And the dea

How I turned my Apple Watch into a dumbphone (and why you should, too)

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET Dumbphones are becoming the solution du jour to the nationwide screen addiction issue. Search interest in the device -- whose primary capability is calling and texting (and not much else) -- has skyrocketed in the past year, according to data from Google Trends. Clearly, there's a heightened interest among tech enthusiasts and haters alike in an alternative to the endless pings, distractions, and social media doom readily accessible through their smartphones. Also: I repl

Jell-O and Kool-Aid Will Soon Stop Using Artificial Dyes. Here's How to Avoid These Food Dyes Right Now

In January, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned Red Dye No. 3 in food and ingested drugs. Then, in April, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked that food manufacturers remove eight petroleum-based food dyes from products by the end of 2026. Now, Kraft Heinz, the company behind Jell-O and Kool-Aid, said that it plans to remove all artificial dyes from all its US products by the end of 2027, according to the Wall Street Journal. "The vast majority of our

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is 2D action at its best

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance has been one of my most anticipated games of the year for a few reasons. First off, I love the old Shinobi games and classic Sega. Shinobi III for the Sega Genesis is one of my favorite games from the 16-bit era. I also adored Art of Vengeance developer Lizardcube’s last game, Streets of Rage 4. Like this new Shinobi, it brought back a dormant Sega series with some modern flair and stunning 2D art. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance releases on August 29, but I had a chance to

This Insignia 50″ Smart TV Drops Below the Price of the Same-Size Amazon Fire TV for a Limited Time

It’s time to upgrade that smart TV you bought 10 years ago. Amazon has a wide range of TVs from all the big name providers and you can secure yourself something that looks great without breaking the bank. One of the major deals we’ve come across is for the Insignia 55-inch Class F50 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV. Typically priced at $300, right now you’d save a solid 40%. That brings the price down to just $180, saving you $120. This Insignia smart TV supports HDR 10, allowing for true darkne

Meta’s Oakley Smart Glasses Could Spell the End for GoPros

Smart glasses are complicated. They have to be thin but also big enough to fit all of the important tech. They ought to be more than just glorified Bluetooth audio devices, too, since we already have those; they definitely have to fit a camera that doesn’t suck and a voice assistant that can get the job done. On top of all of the technical constraints, there’s also one burden that makes them different than other wearables—they absolutely, positively, cannot look dorky on your face. Because of th

Futureproof

AI tools are flooding the culture ecosystem — and no corner of the arts space is immune. In this series, we’re looking at the ways artists are embracing AI, pushing back on it, or trying their best to find an equilibrium with a new technology that’s both sweeping and destabilizing. We talk to perfumers questioning the looming automation of scent creation, fanfic writers pushing back on archive scrapers, and illustrators replacing the AI that once replaced them. The tech isn’t going away. Here’s

Samsung’s latest midrange phone is on sale for its lowest price ever

Choosing a budget Android phone typically means wading through a ton of product pages and doing spec comparisons. Of course, a simpler way through the noise is to use The Verge’s handy guide to the best cheap phones. But we’re going to make it even easier for you today with a great discounted option. The 128GB version of Samsung’s Galaxy A36 5G is currently on sale for $349.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. This $50 discount is enough to bring the smartphone, which launched in early 2025, dow

This smart light has party speaker aspirations

The most surprising thing about Govee’s colorful smart lamp with a speaker built-in is that we didn’t get something like this sooner. We’ve had color-changing smart home lights that sync to music via an app, and we’ve had Bluetooth speakers with RGB lights — putting the two together feels like the natural next step. The Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro X Sound by JBL ($179.99) combines snazzy lighting effects and decent sound into one fun, portable package. Unlike most RGB Bluetooth party speakers, it’s

4 Best Smart Glasses (2025), Tested and Reviewed

The idea of smart glasses has been around for decades, but the technology is finally catching up. The best smart glasses can entertain, guide us with directions, help us document our lives, and even teach us about the world around us, but the category is incredibly varied, and not all smart glasses have the same features. A computer you wear on your face has obvious potential, not least because it leaves your hands free. As a new wave of smart glasses arrives, we got sneak-peek demos of several

Eufy’s new smart display keeps an eye on your security cams

Eufy is launching its first portable smart display, designed to allow multiple users to control and monitor security devices from a single hub. The Smart Display E10 is capable of displaying up to four live camera feeds simultaneously and can be paired with the company’s AI-supported video doorbells, smart locks, or the Homebase S380 data hub to unlock live notification and facial recognition features. The technical specifications for the E10 largely match those in a leaked brochure shared to R

9 Best Smart Shades, Blinds, and Curtains (2025), Tested and Reviewed

Tailor-Made vs. Off-the-Shelf: Few things look smarter than perfectly fitted shades in a window frame, and few things look worse than shades that don’t quite fit. If you’re lucky enough to have window sizes that match the exact proportions of off-the-shelf shades then go for it, but most folks will be better served by going the made-to-order route. The downside is that tailor-made options are always going to be more expensive. Measure Properly: Look at your chosen manufacturer’s website to find

Introduction to the A* Algorithm

Created 26 May 2014, updated Aug 2014, Feb 2016, Jun 2016, Jun 2020, Jul 2023 Graph search algorithms let us find the shortest path on a map represented as a graph. Move the blob (start point) and cross (end point) to see the shortest path found by the A* Algorithm: A* is one of a family of related graph search algorithms: Breadth First Search[1] explores equally in all directions. Dijkstra’s Algorithm[2] takes into account movement costs. A*[3] explores more towards a single destination. In ad

10 tiny gadgets I never leave home without (and how they work)

My keychain essentials. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET I've collected my fair share of multitools and gadgets, but I've lost track of how often I've needed one -- only to realize it's sitting at home or in the car. Carrying a full toolbox everywhere just isn't practical. What I do have with me almost all the time, though, is my keychain -- and it turns out, it's the perfect way to keep essential tools within reach. Also: Are Amazon Basics tools any good? I bought a bunch to find out, and you'd

I Bought Smart Home Devices Using These 3 Tips and Made My Home Smarter

There are numerous reasons to set up the best smart home devices in your living space. For some, it's about making their home more energy-efficient in the summer months; for others, it's about making their homes safer with security cameras. A recent CNET survey found that 71% of US adults are taking action to prevent porch thefts, something smart home devices can help deter. Years ago, having a smart home seemed like living in the future. Now, it's easier than ever to make your home smart. Afte

Police shut down Cluely’s party, the ‘cheat at everything’ startup

The latest San Francisco startup culture drama happened on Monday night. And it centered around “the most legendary party that never happened,” Cluely founder and CEO Roy Lee tells TechCrunch. Cluely had hoped to throw an after-party for a Y Combinator event occurring on Monday and Tuesday called AI Startup School. The event drew crowds thanks to scheduled speakers like Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, and Elon Musk. Cluely is an AI startup born of controversy and rage-bait comedy marketing. True to

‘Ironheart’ Will Continue Tony Stark’s Legacy, and Robert Downey Jr. Approves

“I want to continue Stark’s legacy,” says Riri Williams, the main character in the upcoming Marvel Studios show Ironheart. Played by Dominique Thorne, Riri is a genius inventor, just like the late, great Iron Man, but without his billionaire resources. That conflict will be at the heart of the new show, which debuts on Disney+ June 24, and Tony Stark himself just endorsed it. Two fantastic Ironheart videos just came online, one of which focuses on the practical suits built for the production. E

Pick up a Samsung SmartTag 2 tracker for only $16 right now

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . We live in a world filled with so much stuff. There's keys, phones, wallets — the list goes on of things that you need to hold on to every day. With this in mind, it's often a good idea to get a Bluetooth tracker for all the important things. Luckily, right now the Samsung Galaxy Smar

Jell-O and Kool-Aid Will No Longer Contain Artificial Dyes. This Is What's Replacing Them.

Following the FDA's banning of Red Dye No. 3 in food and ingested drugs in January and the approval of three natural food colors in May, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked that food manufacturers remove eight petroleum-based food dyes from their products by the end of 2026. Now, Kraft Heinz, the company behind Jell-O and Kool-Aid, announced that it plans to remove artificial dyes from all its US products before the end of 2027, according to an exclusive with the W

Meta is reportedly building AI smart glasses with Prada, too

In Brief Meta is working on a pair of AI smart glasses with the Italian high fashion brand, Prada, according to a report from CNBC on Tuesday. It’s unclear at this time when Meta’s Prada smart glasses will be publicly announced. The reported Prada collaboration signifies that Meta aims to bring its AI smart glasses technology to more fashion companies outside of its relationship with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica. Until now, Meta has collaborated closely with EssilorLuxottica and its numerous

AI copyright anxiety will hold back creativity

During a later visit to a Picasso exhibit in Milan, I came across a famous informational diagram by the art historian Alfred Barr, mapping how modernist movements like Cubism evolved from earlier artistic traditions. Picasso is often held up as one of modern art’s most original and influential figures, but Barr’s chart made plain the many artists he drew from—Goya, El Greco, Cézanne, African sculptors. This made me wonder: If a generative AI model had been fed all those inputs, might it have pro

Last call to volunteer at TechCrunch All Stage 2025

TechCrunch All Stage, our founder-focused summit, is gearing up to return to Boston on July 15! We’re doing a last call for exceptional volunteers to join us in bringing this event to life. If you’ve ever wondered about the inner workings of tech events, now’s your chance to get involved. Volunteer spots are limited, so don’t miss out! Apply before the July 1 deadline to be considered. As a volunteer, you’ll gain exclusive access to the behind-the-scenes action, witnessing firsthand how these

How you breathe is like a fingerprint that can identify you

Every breath you take ... could add to a breathing pattern that is unique to you, a study finds.Credit: Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto via Getty Like the swirls in fingerprints, a person’s breathing pattern might be unique to them — offering a way not only to identify individuals, but also to identify some of their physical and mental traits. A team of researchers measured the breathing of 97 healthy people for 24 hours, and found that they could identify participants with relatively high accuracy f

‘Spaceballs 2’ Adds an Unlikely Legacy Character

Dan Trachtenberg has ideas for another Predator film after Badlands. A familiar face will return for American Horror Story‘s next season. Plus, get a look at Shea Couleé’s Ironheart character. Spoilers get! Spaceballs 2 Star Trek: Voyager‘s Tim Russ seemingly confirmed on Twitter he’s set to return as the trooper who “ain’t found shit” while combing the desert in Spaceballs 2. I may be ….. combing the desert again..!!! https://t.co/DjtBWKpznG — tim russ (@timruss2) June 13, 2025 Untitled Pre

Observability startup Coralogix becomes a unicorn, eyes India expansion

Coralogix, an Israeli startup offering a full-stack observability and security platform, has raised $115 million at a pre-money valuation of over $1 billion, almost doubling in three years from its last round in 2022. With the influx of cash, the startup is looking to expand its engineering base in India and develop its AI agent. The all-equity and all-primary Series E round is led by California-based venture growth firm NewView Capital, with participation from the Canada Pension Plan Investme

Apple could be coming for your Nest Hub with the HomePad

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority TL;DR A leak suggests Apple’s long-rumored “HomePod with a display” will launch this year as the “HomePad.” Per previous leaks, the HomePad smart home hub could feature a touchscreen, camera, rechargeable battery, and Apple Intelligence support. This new device could offer a touch-friendly smart home hub interface and challenge existing ecosystems like Google Home. Over the past several months, we’ve seen plenty of exasperated smart home owners frustrated by

Why the Google Pixel Tablet is still my smart home display after a year (and it's on sale)

ZDNET's key takeaways The Google Pixel Tablet retails for $499. The 11-inch tablet runs Android 13 on Google's Tensor G2 chip It has solid performance, small bezels surrounding the screen that can handle multitasking, and a charging dock. Android can be buggy on the Pixel Tablet, though less so than on competing devices; the refresh rate tops out at 60Hz, and picking up the tablet takes some getting used to. $499 at Target $499 at Best Buy more buying choices On Amazon, the 128GB Google Pixe

Oakley and Meta tease new smart glasses launch for Friday, Apple eyes 2026 debut

It looks like Meta’s smart glasses lineup is about to expand beyond Ray-Ban. A new verified Instagram page called “Oakley | Meta” popped up this week, teasing a joint product launch scheduled for Friday, June 20. Here’s what to expect. This partnership has been in the rumor pipeline for a while now. Back in January, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Meta was preparing a new set of smart glasses under the Oakley brand, aimed at cyclists and other athletes. Unlike the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, w

9 Urgent Questions About Trump Mobile and the Gold T1 Smartphone

On Monday morning, the Trump Organization announced that it would soon offer a new wireless service, Trump Mobile, and a golden, $499 smartphone to go with it. None of it makes much sense. To be clear, the Trumps would be far from the only celebrities to moonlight as mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, a pretty common practice where small carriers piggyback off of bigger networks under a different name. Even the SmartLess podcast guys have one. But the more you read about Trump’s cell pla