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The former Meta employee testified that the company culture prioritized user numbers over child safety measures.

(Image credit: KARL MONDON)

The federal debt reached $40 trillion as the government adds red ink at a rapid rate. That's leading nervous investors to demand higher interest rates —pushing up borrowing costs for everyone else.

(Image credit: Tasos Katopodis)

Dr. David Morens, a former aide to Dr. Anthony Fauci, has pleaded guilty to violating federal law by trying to conceal emails about the origins of the COVID-1 pandemic.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik)

The company’s doing a trial run on a loyalty program that includes discounts on brand merch.

Lawyers for Rep. Joyce Beatty asked a judge to rule speedily on the complex's renovation and entrance tarp. The National Symphony Orchestra also announced its new season, away from the Kennedy Center.

(Image credit: Brendan Smialowski)

There's a reason why the escapist hit from singer Aitana has swept most of the Spanish-language world.

(Image credit: Pablo Alzaga)

Whoop is known for its wearable fitness tracker. Now it wants to become your source for lab testing.

Defense analyst Stacie Pettyjohn says while the U.S. military is facing long-range missile shortages, prolonged deployments and vacated regional bases, Iran is building cheaper weapons quickly.

Google’s most advanced Pixel phone loses its cheapest tier, gains a few features, but most of it remains the same. And that’s just fine.

• New analysis links aggressive driving to premature EV battery degradation 
• Chinese researchers found optimizing driving style can prolong battery life  
• Researchers used AI modeling to link driving style to battery wear

Researchers at Shanghai Dianji University in China have linked aggressive driving styles to premature EV battery degradation, concluding that optimizing driving style is an “effective way to alleviate the aging of power batteries and extend cycle life”.

The researchers pored over a year’s worth of driving data from 15 EVs in Guangzhou during 2022, gathering data every 10 seconds on metrics such as speed, current and state of charge to determine the overall smoothness of acceleration and deceleration, as well as the overall intensity of driving.

Once gathered, the data was compiled to create profiles, with the smoothest category dubbed ‘eco-driving’ and the most aggressive category housing those scenarios where the vehicle was pulling very high electrical current from the battery, and included situations such as repeated high-torque demands at relatively low speeds, according to Science Alert.

But this is where it gets clever, because instead of simply looking for correlations between factors like acceleration and battery stress, the researchers developed machine learning frameworks that could separate driving behavior from other factors that can adversely affect long-term battery performance, such as temperature, the battery’s state of charge and time spent idling.

While the paper is clear to point out that the dataset didn't have directly measured long-term battery state-of-health or capacity-fade data, instead using a model to predict long-term degradation, it did find that the most aggressive driving category produced a battery aging rate 18.4 times higher than the most economical driving style.

Longer term, the research group’s battery-aging model estimated a 53.22% capacity fade after 1,000 cycles for the most aggressive driving style, compared with 21.15% for the most economical.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that the fastest drivers are going to wear out their EV batteries quicker, but it could suggest those that regularly launch their electric vehicles away from traffic lights or constantly plant the throttle only to slam on the brakes a few seconds later could be putting substantially more stress on their battery packs.

Analysis: too many variables for concrete evidence

(Image credit: Tesla)

Admittedly, I’m not claiming to be on the same academic level as the researchers from Shanghai Dianji University, but it feels like there are a lot of confounding variables that could also speed up battery degradation.

The way in which an EV is charged has often been cited as a potential contributing factor to premature battery degradation, although a study by Recurrent (via CleanTechnica) found that there was no significant difference in range degradation between Teslas that fast charge more than 90% of the time and those that fast charge less than 10% of the time.

However, this could be a different case entirely if an EV owner was to exclusively charge via 400kW or higher outlets, as opposed to Tesla’s 250kW max charging speeds.

Similarly, factors like vehicle load, the terrain and gradient of roads regularly used by owners and even traffic conditions could all be contributing factors to diminishing range over time.

That said, it’s generally wise to drive as smoothly as possible, both in order to maximize EV range and keep your passengers from your spoiling your box-fresh EV interior.

But now, long-term battery health could also be a consideration for a lighter approach to the accelerator pedal.

Kids aren't the only ones who need new shoes for the school year. August is a perfect time to pick up a pair of sneakers, and Amazon's back-to-school sale is slashing prices on top-rated models from brands like Nike, Hoka, New Balance, Adidas, and Skechers.

Below are popular women's and men's running shoe models on sale, with savings up to 35% and prices starting at just $54. I've listed a wide range of athletic shoes, including extra support for runners and casual walking sneakers for everyday wear. Every model listed below is highly rated on Amazon, and some are included in our best running shoes guide.

You'll find links to popular sneaker brands below if you want to browse Amazon's site, followed by my pick of today's best back-to-school deals on running shoes. Keep in mind these are limited-time offers, and today's discount lets you kick off the new school year with a new (discounted) pair of shoes.

Amazon's back-to-school running shoe sale

• Nike running shoes
• Brooks running shoes
• New Balance running shoes
• Hoka running shoes
• Sketcher running shoes

The best Women's back-to-school running shoe deals

Skechers Skechers Women's Glide-Step Altus Hands-Free Slip-Ins Sneakers

Nike Nike Women's Revolution 8 Road Running Shoes

NORTIV 8 Nortiv 8 Women's Walking Shoes

New Balance New Balance Women's Dynasoft Tektrel V1 Suede Trail Running Shoe

New Balance New Balance Women's Fresh Foam Roav Running Shoe

New Balance New Balance Women's 327 Sneakers

Brooks Brooks Women Ghost Max 3 Running Shoe

HOKA Hoka Women's Clifton 10 Running Shoe

Saucony Saucony Women's Endorphin Speed 5 Sneaker

The best Men's back-to-school running shoe deals

New Balance New Balance Men's Fresh Foam Arishi V4 Running Shoe

adidas Adidas Men's Swift Run Shoe

New Balance New Balance Men's 515 V3 Sneaker, Reflection/white/aluminum Grey, 11

New Balance New Balance 574 Unisex Shoes

Nike Nike Men's Air Max Alpha Trainer 6 Workout Shoes, White/white-Black-Gum Medium Brown, 10

New Balance New Balance Men's 408 V1 Sneakers

adidas Adidas Men's Adizero Pacer Running Shoe

Skechers Skechers Men's Go Walk Glide Step 2.0 Zalor Hands Free Slip-Ins Sneaker, White/black, 10.5

Brooks Brooks Men’s Ghost 17 Neutral Running Shoe

Researchers have identified a speed demon at the heart of the Milky Way. This fast-moving star may yield insights into the black hole parked at the center of our galaxy.

(Image credit: Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics)

The ChatGPT maker is also beefing up its security systems.

Oregon was the first state to establish a legalized and regulated psilocybin industry. Since then, thousands have tried magic mushrooms. Here is the latest data from the state's real-life experiment.

The Normandy beach town of Trouville-sur-Mer is a two-hour train ride from Paris, but feels a world away, with English Channel breezes and the sound of seagulls screeching through the cobbled streets.

• The Fairphone Gen 6 Plus has landed, and it's available in the US too
• However, at $649.99 / £569, some tech fans are questioning its price
• The specs aren't special, but it's modular and sustainably produced

The Fairphone Gen 6 Plus has just launched, and the big news with this model is that, for the first time, a Fairphone is available in the US with Android fully intact (previously, Fairphones sold outside of Europe were only available in de-Googled configurations). But with this wider availability comes some increased scrutiny about the phone's price.

You see, Fairphones cost a lot for what you’re getting on paper, with the Fairphone Gen 6 Plus retailing for $649.99 / £569 (that's around AU$920, though it's not currently available in Australia). For that price, you get a 6.31-inch 120Hz OLED display, a mid-range Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a microSD card slot, and a 4,415mAh battery with 30W wired charging, and no wireless charging.

The phone also has a 50MP main camera, a 13MP ultra-wide, and a 32MP selfie camera on the front. All of these specs are... fine, but mid-range at best, and rather worse than what you'll find on most other comparably priced phones.

But this isn’t most phones. The Fairphone Gen 6 Plus stands out in two main ways. First, it’s built to last, with a modular design that lets you swap out 12 parts yourself; it’s easy to repair or replace a worn-out battery, for instance. That, coupled with software updates until 2033, means, in theory, you won’t need to buy another phone for a long time.

The other notable element of Fairphone’s products is that they’re designed to be fair to the environment and the people making them, meaning things like higher wages, safer factories, and net-zero emissions targets.

Of course, these sustainable practices come at a cost.

A fairer world isn't cheap

(Image credit: Future)

As for whether this cost is worth it, smartphone fans are divided on the matter.

On our recent TikTok about the Fairphone 6 Gen Plus, one user argued that “comparing this phone to others by price is like comparing a $5 Walmart steak to a steak from a local ranch,” clarifying that, in this analogy, the other phones are the Walmart steak, as they’re “only this cheap because of the blood and the exploitation of the workers.”

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This individual, then, is clearly in favor of paying what they see as a price that’s fair for the workers. But another commenter argued that “a similarly priced phone with way better specs will last you longer if you just take care of it,” so in their view, the longevity of this phone is a questionable selling point.

Other comments are similarly mixed, but more seem opposed to the price than in favor of it, with one going so far as to call it “dead on arrival,” adding that “this must be a joke at this price.”

But Fairphone has never been a mainstream brand — its products are not and never will be for everybody. If you believe the world should be fairer, and that workers should make a fair wage, then it’s a company worth supporting.

That’s my view, anyway — but then again, I say this while using an iPhone as my main device, so maybe I’m a hypocrite.

Personally, as a fan of the latest tech, I’d be more inclined to pay a premium for a Fairphone if it could offer specs to match the very best phones, but for a small brand with limited resources, I can understand why Fairphone is limiting itself to the mid-range market for now.

We're currently putting the Fairphone 6 Gen Plus through its paces, so stay tuned for our full review verdict in the coming weeks.

• Claude can now draft and send messages on your behalf in Gmail
• However it can do so without asking for permission, potentially leading to awkward responses
• Claude also gets stronger Google Drive access, but says it won't train its AI on your files

Anthropic has revealed that Claude's integration with Gmail has taken a major step forward - with the AI now able to draft and send emails on a user's behalf.

"Ask Claude to reply to a thread, and it drafts and sends the response. You control when it needs your approval," the company wrote in an update on X.

However the news immediately prompted a flood of replies and comments from users worried about the potential implications of having an AI send emails unseen by them.

Ask for forgiveness, not permission?

Although a Claude connector has been available in Google Workspace for a while, actually sending an email on the user's behalf is a significant step forward, and a potentially troubling one at that.

Ultimately, the user will still have to ask Claude to perform the action first, but how it drafts the message, and the content within, has the potential to lead to some serious embarrassment for some users.

(Image credit: Anthropic)

The tool, which is live now, will only be available to users on paid Claude plans, , and Anthropic later clarified the process in a support page, noting that asking for approval is the default setting, and on Team and Enterprise plans, admins will be able to decide "whether members can allow these actions to run without asking each time".

The update will also mean Claude can forward emails, and manage files in Google Drive, helping users track down the information they need with a single command, as well as uploading files, creating folders and add Google Docs directly to chats and projects.

"Claude mirrors your existing permissions—you cannot access information you don't already have access to in Google Workspace," the support page noted, adding that Anthropic would not, "train our models on your Gmail, Drive, or Calendar connector data, ensuring your private information remains private."

Users appeared divided on the new tool, with some supporting the launch, and others seemingly very opposed.

"sending the email was never the hard part, the hard part is the apology email it sends next," one X user wrote.

"I would rather use my own head than to let Claude reply especially responding to my clients," another said, "Don't want Claude hallucinating me into exposing my cost or another client's IP. Claude can apologize but not get your client back. Need to keep our brains working and not letting it totally rot."

sending the email was never the hard part, the hard part is the apology email it sends nextAugust 18, 2026

We rated the GMKtec G10 our top mini PC for those on a budget and Amazon has slashed the price from $379.99 to just $275.49, making it an even better deal.

That's a saving of $104.50, or around 28%, on a complete mini PC with 16GB of dual-channel DDR4 memory and a 256GB SSD, meaning it's ready to use rather than being a barebones system that requires you to populate it with your own memory and storage.

The G10 can drive three displays via HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C, and 2.5GbE Ethernet gives you much faster wired networking than the Gigabit connection commonly found on inexpensive PCs.

G10 Mini PC: was $379.99 now $275.49
The GMKtec G10 combines a 4-core, 8-thread Ryzen 5 3500U with Radeon Vega 8 graphics, 16GB dual-channel DDR4 and a 256GB SSD. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.5GbE Ethernet.View Deal

Why we recommend it

The G10 gets the basics right without stripping away useful features to hit a low price. There's also considerable scope for upgrading it later. It has two M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 slots with support for up to 16TB of SSD storage, so its relatively small 256GB drive doesn't have to remain a limitation. The memory can also be expanded to 64GB.

We said "You can find a lot of cheap Windows 11 mini PCs these days, but the GMKtec G10 was a stand-out in our tests. In our review, we said, "at the asking price, this is a terrific little system that can easily be upgraded to handle larger tasks with more memory and storage."

We also added, "Sure, it's not going to win any awards for speed. And it's hardly a work-horse — you'd struggle to edit 4K videos, play games, or run complex software. But if your goal is to find a budget mini PC that can tackle light duties, like browsing, streaming, and office work without breaking the bank, the G10 proved to be a superb machine."

For more top-tested machines, see our guide to the best mini PCs.

Price context & historical value

The GMKtec G10 usually sells for $379.99 in this configuration, but Amazon has reduced it to $275.49. That knocks $104.50 off the price, equivalent to a discount of around 28%.

That isn't the cheapest we've seen it, though. The price dropped to $252 at the very start of July this year for a very short — blink-and-you'll-miss-it — period.

At under $280, you're still getting the complete system with 16GB RAM and an SSD included, so it's still worth buying if you're looking for an inexpensive ready-to-use mini PC rather than a barebones machine.

Looking to save? We've selected the best mini PC deals this week.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the GMKtec G10 if...

You want an inexpensive, compact PC for office work, studying, web browsing, streaming and general home computing and we picked the G10 as our best budget mini PC for good reason.

Support for three 4K displays gives you plenty of desktop space for spreadsheets, browser windows, video calls and other productivity tasks.

❌ Skip the GMKtec G10 if...

You need a machine for heavy creative workloads. Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics can handle casual and lighter tasks, but this isn't a substitute for a PC with a discrete graphics card.

The Ryzen 5 3500U is also an older processor, and the 256GB SSD isn't particularly generous. Neither is necessarily a problem at this price, but there are considerably faster mini PCs available if you're willing to spend a little more.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

The biggest compromise is age rather than basic functionality. AMD's Ryzen 5 3500U is a 4-core, 8-thread processor that dates from an earlier Ryzen generation, so don't mistake its Ryzen 5 branding for the performance you'd get from a more recent Ryzen 5 chip.

Wi-Fi 5 is similarly behind the latest wireless standards, and 256GB can disappear quickly once you've installed your applications and personal files. Thankfully, the latter is much easier to address thanks to the G10's storage expansion options.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is one of our top-rated cameras for creators, and the number one camcorder on Amazon. A popular choice for vloggers, travelers and content creators who want good video without a bag full of gear, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo has been slashed to $499 (was $629) at Amazon.

As well as the Pocket 3, the Creator Combo adds a DJI Mic 2 transmitter, battery handle, wide-angle lens, mini tripod and carrying bag, making it a much more complete setup for recording away from home. In the UK, DJI's Creator Combo is now £399 (was £499) at Amazon.

Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo: was $629 now $499
The Osmo Pocket 3 records 4K video, offers 4K/120fps slow motion, three-axis mechanical stabilization and 10-bit D-Log M recording. Footage is stored on a microSD card, which you'll need to provide separately.

In the UK: now £399 (was £499)View Deal

Why we recommend it

The key attraction here is just how much filmmaking hardware DJI has squeezed into something genuinely pocketable. Mechanical stabilization gives walking and handheld footage a smoothness that's difficult to reproduce with a smartphone alone.

The camera itself uses a 1-inch CMOS sensor and three-axis mechanical stabilization, and its rotating 2-inch touchscreen makes switching between horizontal and vertical shooting straightforward. ActiveTrack 6.0 can keep you framed while moving, which will be useful when filming yourself.

In his glowing 4.5-star review, our expert Paul said: "Overall, this is an impressive camera that delivers amazing video quality and beautiful slow-mo scenes. The timelapse and motion-lapse features further expand the functionality of this camera, and you won’t be disappointed by what it enables you to produce."

For solo creators, the combination of subject tracking, a rotating screen and wireless audio will be particularly useful. You can put the camera on its mini tripod, step in front of it and record without needing someone else operating the camera.

Price context & historical value

Amazon has slashed the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo from $629 to $499, taking $130 off the regular price. That's a discount of around 21%, and the cheapest we've seen it at Amazon.

The bundle is particularly interesting because you're getting considerably more than the camera itself. The Mic 2 transmitter, battery handle, wide-angle lens, mini tripod and carrying bag are all included, so there's less additional equipment to buy before you can start creating.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo if...

You regularly vlog, travel or shoot social media content and want something far smaller and easier to carry than a conventional camera and gimbal. Its stabilization is particularly useful for walking footage, while ActiveTrack can follow and frame you when you're filming alone.

I'd definitely choose the Creator Combo over the standard package if audio matters as the included DJI Mic 2 transmitter gives you a wireless microphone straight out of the box.

❌ Skip the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo if...

You primarily shoot still photos or already have a capable camera setup you're happy carrying. The Pocket 3 is designed first and foremost around portable video creation, so photographers won't get much from its strongest features.

It's worth skipping the Creator Combo if you don't need its accessories like the wireless microphone, battery handle or tripod. Check the price of the standard Pocket 3 before paying extra for equipment that may stay in the bag.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

You'll need a compatible microSD card because the Pocket 3 saves footage directly to removable storage, and also a charger isn't included. You'll need a USB-C one for fast charging.

The 4K/120fps mode is specifically for slow-motion recording rather than regular 4K shooting, and Android owners can't currently download DJI Mimo through Google Play, so the app has to be got directly from DJI.

Ted Lasso season 4 episode 3 is out now on Apple TV — and, after its two predecessors eased us back into the cosy soccer comedy-drama's world, this week's chapter sees the show firing on all cylinders once more.

It's no coincidence that this season's third episode, titled 'Richmond's Got Talent', is its strongest entry so far, too. Not only do we get to see some actual soccer in this week's installment, we're also introduced to more new characters whose energy, quirks, and individual circumstances are sure to add humor and melodrama aplenty as season 4 progresses.

Ahead of Ted Lasso season 4's debut in early August, I spoke to three members of this season's primary supporting cast — Faye Marsay (Lizzie), Abbie Hern (Gemma), and Jude Mack (Katy 'Boots' Quinn) — about joining the prestigious Apple TV Original, off-screen team bonding, and the systemic obstacles that continue to impede women's soccer.

TechRadar: In terms of joining this award-winning, legacy-defining show, did you feel any pressure walking onto set for the first time? And how did you find a balance between honoring what came before with that freshness you bring to the show?

Jude Mack: When you're stepping into a universe that has resonated with so many people, there's obviously a pressure there to deliver. But, very early on, I think it was made clear to us that they wanted us to do our own thing, bring our own energy, and explore those different dynamics, so we were given free rein on that, which was a gift.

Faye Marsay: You walk onto most shows with a sense of pressure, so that's not exclusive to this show. But, everyone [the main cast and crew] made it easy for us to join them on this journey, which is the Ted Lasso way.

Gemma Hern: It was intimidating because we were new, but then we were all new, so we weren't alone in experiencing this for the first time. But, as Faye said, everyone was so welcoming and great to us, so we felt at ease from day one.

Faye Marsay's Lizzie will have to juggle motherhood with her newfound soccer career (Image credit: Apple TV)

TR: There are a lot of new faces in this show, so it would have taken time for that so-called team spirit to really click, both on- and off-camera. Did you do any off-screen team bonding boot camps, or any classic soccer rituals to build that chemistry?

FM: Yeah, we started with a boot camp, which was when all of us met for the first time, and then there were various things we did together, like karaoke. We're all newcomers, so we had to look after each other because it was quite an intense shoot, because the hours are long. But, what you end up seeing on the screen is what we're like off-screen. We're a silly bunch, but we have respect for each other, which translates into the show.

How will Gemma (pictured) and Alice's tetchy dynamic play out in season 4? (Image credit: Apple TV)

TR: As a series, Ted Lasso is as famous for having emotional character journeys as much, if not more so, than the sport itself. Heading into the rest of the season, what can you tease about your individual and collective character arcs?

AH: Gemma is definitely trying to figure out her passion. She's got a couple, and she's trying to figure out how to juggle them and what's most important to her. I actually think it's the perfect time for her to enter the world of Ted Lasso, because she's in a place where she needs guidance, so there's no better place for her to figure that out than at AFC Richmond under Ted's tutelage.

FM: For Lizzie, it's a case of needing to be selfish again, because she's had to be selfless and rightfully put her child first. As we go on, you'll see how the dynamic of her romantic relationship impacts her ability to go to training, and how difficult it's been for her to follow her passion for soccer and making the decision to go 'I'm going to have to now pursue this because otherwise it's going to be too late.'

JM: 'Boots' is on a journey towards community. She's always been a lone ranger, which goalkeepers tend to be, so you'll watch her become more of a team player as this season unfolds.

Katy 'Boots' Quinn has already shown how brilliantly odd she is (Image credit: Apple TV)

TR: Women's soccer has grown exponentially across the world in recent years, but still faces huge systemic hurdles. How do you think a show like Ted Lasso, with this classic underdog spirit, can help to amplify real-world conversations and drive the necessary change?

FM: It's the perfect platform. The exposure that this show has, and how many people love it, means you can be hopeful, and hope for change. You put the women's soccer question in that framework with the show's brilliant cast, crew, and creators, and it's going to be very difficult for people not to listen.

JM: Yeah, it does a sort-of 'macro, micro' thing where the underdog is women's sport, and then being underdogs in terms of how this season's story has been set up. So, I suspect it'll drive the conversation quicker than if it was done in other ways.

The first three episodes of Ted Lasso season 4 are out now on Apple TV. New chapters air weekly.