Makers

Tucker Carlson, one of the most influential voices in American right-wing media, is being examined for turning against the very populist politics he helped create, according to an NPR Newsmakers segment. Commentators are debating whether his shift represents a genuine break with the movement he shaped or a repositioning of his brand, with the story drawing heavy attention online.

Leaked training material from Magnet Forensics, maker of the GrayKey phone unlocking tool, indicates law enforcement can bypass the iPhone's automatic reboot feature. The feature, introduced by Apple, was locking investigators out of devices by severing data connections after inactivity. The claim suggests police retain access to locked iPhones, raising fresh concerns about device security and surveillance capabilities.

The makers of a documentary about Elon Musk say major social media platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, have rejected the film's trailer as paid advertising, complicating its promotional campaign. The rejections, reported by The Hollywood Reporter, have raised concerns among the filmmakers and observers about how platform ad policies affect distribution of films about prominent political and business figures.

OpenAI has scrapped the planned release of its Astra 6.1 model, citing unresolved safety issues. The decision by the ChatGPT maker was reported by The Washington Post and is drawing wide attention, with commenters debating what the safety problems might involve and what the cancellation says about how AI labs handle risky releases.

The film-makers behind NAZA say they spoke to more than 100 sources about Israeli actions in Gaza. The figure highlights the breadth of their research and the scale of testimony gathered from people affected by the conflict. The project is drawing attention as international scrutiny of the war and coverage of conditions in Gaza continue to intensify.

Micron has reported that its DRAM revenue jumped 343% compared to the same period last year, a gain attributed to the ongoing shortage of RAM. The memory crunch has pushed prices up sharply, boosting revenues for major DRAM makers. Commenters are discussing what the shortage means for consumer RAM prices and PC builders.

Apple says its first foldable iPhone, reportedly called the iPhone Duo, features a replaceable outer display layer designed to reduce the visibility of the crease common to foldable phones. The claim has drawn attention from tech commentators weighing whether Apple's approach can outdo Samsung and other foldable makers on durability and screen flatness. It is one of the clearest hardware details to emerge ahead of launch.

First Solar has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Chinese module maker JA Solar and US-based American Panel Solutions. The legal action escalates a long-running battle over solar technology intellectual property as competition from low-cost Chinese manufacturers intensifies. The move signals First Solar is stepping up efforts to defend its thin-film technology patents.

Developer and blogger Jim Nielsen has published an open letter addressed to software makers, urging the industry to reflect on how it builds and ships products. The piece is drawing attention among developers, who are debating its message about the responsibilities and priorities of those who create the software people rely on every day.

First Solar stock declined in trading even as the wider market improved, according to a Yahoo Finance note aimed at investors. The item offers information for shareholders assessing the solar panel maker's dip. Investors are watching whether the weakness is company-specific or part of broader pressure on solar stocks.

Water treatment chemicals maker Usalco has acquired SENTRY, a company whose technology provides real-time biological data on wastewater treatment processes. The deal brings live biological monitoring into Usalco's wastewater platform, allowing plant operators to track microbial activity as it happens rather than relying on periodic lab testing, and strengthens Usalco's position in data-driven water treatment.

New programmable gallium nitride chips have been introduced that can adjust their behaviour to changing network demands. GaN technology is prized in RF power amplifiers for its efficiency and power density, and making it programmable suggests more flexible infrastructure for telecoms networks. Details on the maker, specifications and availability have not yet been reported, so the scope of the announcement remains unclear.

Police may have found a method to circumvent one of Apple's toughest iPhone security protections, according to a report by Gizmodo. The development raises fresh concerns about the privacy of data stored on seized devices and the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and smartphone makers. Details of the technique and which tools or vulnerabilities are involved remain limited, but the report has reignited debate over encryption and police access to phones.

Agility Robotics, the Oregon-based maker of the humanoid Digit robot, has appointed three new members to its board of directors as it prepares to go public. The additions signal the company is strengthening governance and experience ahead of what would be a closely watched listing for the humanoid robotics sector.

The United States may soon develop new extreme ultraviolet lithography materials that would allow semiconductor makers to fabricate higher-density chips. Advances in EUV materials are considered critical to pushing transistor density further, a field currently dominated by tools from Dutch firm ASML. The report has drawn attention amid ongoing US efforts to strengthen its domestic chip manufacturing capabilities.

GrayKey, the iPhone forensics tool made by Magnet Forensics, can reportedly get around Apple's 'Inactivity Reboot' security feature, which locks devices after a period of inactivity to hinder data extraction. The report raises fresh concerns about law enforcement access to encrypted iPhones and the durability of Apple's protections against phone-hacking tools.

Payment companies are increasingly adopting agentic artificial intelligence from frontier model makers to sharpen their pitches to business clients. American Express, however, is taking a different route, leaning on internal development to build its AI capabilities and compete with rivals that are buying in outside technology. The report highlights a strategic split in the payments industry over whether to partner with AI labs or build proprietary systems in-house.

A humanoid robot equipped with armor plating and artificial intelligence has attracted the attention of the US Army, according to defense reporting. The development highlights growing military interest in ground robotics and AI-driven systems for future combat and support roles. Details about the robot's maker, capabilities, and whether any procurement or testing will follow remain limited.

Technology outlets are highlighting a selection of five affordable cases for the iPhone 18 Pro, pitched as cheaper alternatives to Apple's own first-party accessories. The coverage suggests third-party makers are already preparing cases ahead of the phone's expected release, giving buyers lower-priced options that promise similar protection and fit without Apple's premium pricing.

Lawmakers have proposed organizing a trip to a worldwide medical technology center next year. The proposal, reported by regional outlet WAJR, would send the legislators to visit the international facility, though details on who would go, the destination and the purpose of the visit have not yet been made clear.

Federal Reserve policymakers are signaling reluctance to raise interest rates at the Federal Open Market Committee's October meeting. According to Reuters reporting, officials currently lean against another hike, suggesting the central bank may hold borrowing costs steady as it weighs inflation trends and the health of the US economy. The stance will be watched closely by markets betting on the path of monetary policy.

A new tool called Kasora lets people simulate their personal finances month by month directly in the browser, with no account creation required. The maker shared the launch with the Hacker News community, inviting feedback on the free planning tool. Early engagement is small, but privacy-minded tools that avoid sign-up friction tend to draw attention among developers and personal finance enthusiasts.

Finnish elevator maker Kone is planning to sell TK Elevator's European operations in an effort to address antitrust concerns, according to sources cited by Reuters. The move would be aimed at clearing the way for regulatory approval of the deal. Details on buyers or the size of the business being divested were not given in the initial report.