David Baker, who shared the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for computational protein design, is leading a new initiative called AI BioDesign, backed by the Allen Institute, University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. The project pairs AI models with large-scale lab experiments to design molecules and biological functions that don't exist in nature but are chemically feasible, aiming to build public databases and tools for future medicines and technologies.
NYC DSA's Tech Action Working Group posted an Instagram carousel arguing that AI doom warnings and AI hype serve the same purpose: distracting the public from present-day harms of the technology. The post, which gained over 25,000 likes, drew backlash from commenters and highlights a growing rift among leftists, some of whom—like Senator Bernie Sanders—have embraced warnings that AI could threaten humanity's survival.
Google has released stable versions of its AndroidX Security State and Security State Provider libraries, giving apps a way to check the security status of individual Android components rather than relying solely on the device's overall security patch date. Apps can now determine which specific fixes are installed, which updates are pending, and whether known vulnerabilities have been addressed, even if the broad patch level hasn't changed.
Natasha Singer's book 'Coding Kids' traces how Code.org and its founder Hadi Partovi convinced schools that coding was essential to economic survival, paving the way for tech companies to influence curricula. In an interview with The 74, Singer argues today's AI push by Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic and Google into classrooms mirrors that earlier coding campaign, despite growing public distrust of Big Tech.
A Wire survey found that 61% of security leaders say access to shared files in Microsoft 365 often stays active far longer than intended, while more than a third struggle to even identify who currently has access to sensitive shared content. The report points to routine sharing habits—like adding freelancers to SharePoint folders or inviting new members into Teams channels—as common ways access quietly persists beyond its original purpose.
Samsung has released Gallery Assistant, a Good Lock module that adds seven new tools to the Gallery app on Galaxy phones, including size reduction, rotate and flip, image clipping, watermarking, image comparison, and PDF export. Many of these tools support batch processing, letting users apply the same edit to multiple images or videos simultaneously instead of repeating actions one by one.
ATF agents arrested 19-year-old Emani Rey Justavino of Jacksonville after he sold undercover agents 3D-printed 'Glock switches,' devices that convert semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic weapons, in two separate transactions in August. Investigators traced the sales back to Instagram accounts advertising the parts, with Justavino allegedly offering dozens more printed devices and a Glock 19 handgun during the deal. He was formally charged on September 3 and taken into custody on September 10.
The New York Times is celebrating its 175th anniversary since its founding on September 18, 1851, by honoring the advertisers who have supported its journalism over nearly two centuries. The centerpiece is a nine-page print spread showcasing seven real advertisements pulled from the paper's archives, some dating back to its very first year. The campaign also spans a dedicated timeline landing page on its Advertising site, digital placements across its verticals, and audio spots on its podcasts.
A newly launched web simulator invites users to try their hand at designing a hypothetical next-generation iPhone, offering a playful interface for experimenting with device concepts. The tool is aimed at Apple fans who want to sketch out features and aesthetics without any real engineering constraints.
The US Climate Prediction Center says above-normal temperatures will persist across much of the country through late September, driven by a strong El Niño pattern and an atmospheric ridge trapping warm air. Some regions, including the Upper Midwest and Deep South, could see readings 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, extending a summer that already set numerous heat records nationwide.
Mophie's MagSafe 3-in-1 Charging Stand, which charges an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously, is now on sale at roughly 49 percent off its usual price. The stand's standout feature is a telescoping pole that lets the iPhone pad extend from 7.5 to 16 inches and tilt, and the charger is both MFi and Qi certified, delivering up to 15 watts to the phone and 5 watts each to the watch and earbuds. It ships with a 36-watt power supply and a 5-foot USB-C cable.
Microsoft plans to update Teams' Weaponizable File Protection feature so administrators can customize which file types get blocked in chats and channels, rather than relying solely on Microsoft's default list. The change is listed on the Microsoft 365 roadmap and is expected to roll out starting November 2026 across Android, desktop, iOS, macOS and web.
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