AI lab HUMXN is subsidizing plumbing, electrical, HVAC, air-duct, and carpet cleaning services for homeowners in three cities in exchange for recording technicians at work using wearable capture technology. Founder Thomas Unise says the goal is to collect real-world data on how skilled laborers perform tasks, which is scarce in formats AI systems can learn from. Service professionals are still paid for their work, while HUMXN covers the cost to homeowners.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-10-17
A 2026 Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior paper by researchers Liana Kreamer, Steven Rogelberg and Jon Gray synthesizes decades of 'meeting science' findings. The review notes that nearly 1 billion meetings occur daily worldwide, with CEOs spending close to 75% of their workdays in them, and examines what makes meetings effective.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-17
Langdao Silex, founded in 2024 by alumni of Tsinghua University's Gas Discharge Plasma Laboratory, showed off a prototype laser-produced plasma EUV light source called FlintNano LPP-OXXO at a Shanghai trade fair. The unit reportedly outputs over 15W with 90% domestically sourced components and can run continuously for more than 100 hours, but TrendForce reports commercialization is still three to five years away.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-10-16
Tesla unveiled an updated, production-intent second-generation Roadster at a Texas event, demonstrating it driving up a ramp and holding vertically on a wall via underbody suction fans, then flipping upside down and performing a barrel roll using SpaceX-derived cold gas thrusters. Engineering VP Lars Moravy said the suction system can generate up to 2Gs, and the car also hopped over a row of parked Tesla vehicles during the demo.
cnet.com
· 2026-10-16
Startup Veritas has released a new version of its authentication chip that works on metal surfaces and can be scanned through glass, extending its use beyond garments to jewelry, trophies and fragrance bottles. Founder Luci Holland says the chip generates a unique secure response on each tap and includes a tamper-detection wire, tying a product's digital identity directly to the physical object. The company also announced a partnership with ATHLOS, the women's track competition founded by investor Alexis Ohanian, embedding its chips in all 18 championship crowns.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-16
A reviewer tested Technics' EAH-A1000 headphones, praising their bass response, soundstage and adaptive active noise cancellation. The reviewer compared the sound favorably to the Sennheiser HDB 630, noting a bigger sense of space, while suggesting the high frequencies could use slightly more brightness on tracks like AC/DC and the Arctic Monkeys.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-16
E Ink has introduced its Kaleido 4 display panel, claiming improved color saturation, better visibility, and smoother page-turning performance compared to prior generations of its color e-paper technology. The upgrade targets devices like ePaper tablets and e-readers that currently rely on E Ink's screens.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-16
Online sellers say AI agents acting on behalf of shoppers are now inserting themselves into the buying process, creating friction between businesses and their customers. These agents can handle tasks like comparison shopping, negotiating, or completing purchases without direct human interaction with the merchant's own interface.
wsj.com
· 2026-10-16
Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley publicly defended his company's automated license-plate reader technology after facing national backlash over privacy and abuse concerns. He acknowledged the system is 'far from perfect' but argued it helps police departments address staffing shortages and improve public safety, claiming millions of people have benefited from it.
yro.slashdot.org
· 2026-10-15
CoreWeave's credit default swap spread spiked above 1,140 basis points before settling near 1,088, up 33% in a week and 177% over the past year, as bond yields on its 2031 notes climbed to nearly 16%. The neocloud company, which has amassed over $51 billion in debt and obligations for AI infrastructure, saw its stock fall further Thursday after a 15.5% drop the prior day, while peers Nebius and Iren also declined.
cnbc.com
· 2026-10-15
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 held its third and final day at Moscone West, drawing over 10,000 founders, investors and technology leaders. The day included AI, fundraising and growth-strategy sessions, a Startup Battlefield component, and an Expo Hall featuring more than 320 exhibiting startups.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-15
Flock founder and CEO Garrett Langley publicly defended his company's license-plate camera and surveillance systems at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, arguing that halting the technology's expansion would hinder crime accountability. He addressed criticism that has led some cities to cancel contracts and the company to lay off staff, but largely responded with anecdotes from police chiefs rather than direct solutions to privacy concerns.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-15
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