Apple code discovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris reveals unreleased hardware, including the iPad mini 8 powered by the A20 Pro chip, a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini in five subdued colors. The upcoming devices point to an anticipated autumn product cycle following multi-year gaps for select lineup entries. iPad Mini … Read more
Google LLC released two new text-to-speech models, Gemini 3.8 Flash TTS and Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS, on its cloud platform, according to company announcements. The algorithms feature highly similar application programming interfaces, designed to make side-by-side deployment simpler for developers building audio products. Comparing Gemini 3.8 Flash TTS and Flash-Lite TTS Features The two models … Read more
Apple Inc.’s new always-listening artificial intelligence features for Apple Watches could put eavesdropping laws to the test, according to legal experts. The technology giant introduced Siri Recap, which generates summaries of conversations users had throughout the day, alongside Live Rewind, a tool that displays a text transcription of what was said during the previous 15 … Read more
Endorfy has released the Solum 2 series, a new lineup of four USB condenser microphones designed for streaming, recording, and voice communication. The series includes the Solum 2 Core, Solum 2, Solum 2 Boom Arm, and Solum 2 Pro, with prices ranging from €59.90 to €81.88. All models feature USB-C connectivity and compatibility with Windows, … Read more
Devendra Banhart has formed a new musical trio titled Hug, featuring guitarist Gyan Riley and producer Noah Georgeson. The group will release their self-titled debut album on September 11 via David Byrne’s label, Luaka Bop. The project follows a series of collaborative efforts between the members, with the band set to embark on a tour … Read more
Lizzo’s fifth studio album, B**ch, sold 2,649 copies in its debut week, marking a sharp decline from the 39,000 copies sold by her 2022 album Special. During an interview on the Proto Pop podcast, the singer, real name Melissa Jefferson, described the commercial downturn as “soul-crushing” and noted a shifting connection between artists and the … Read more
Unprecedented El Niño Could Trigger Extreme Weather in New Zealand Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ) warns that an “unprecedented” El Niño event may develop this year, with conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean resembling one of the strongest on record, according to chief weather scientist Chris Brandolino. What’s Driving the Concern? Ocean temperatures in the … Read more
Henry Nicholls has been recalled to the New Zealand Test side to bat at number three for the second match against England at the Oval. This selection follows the immediate international retirement of Kane Williamson, who concluded his career with over 19,000 international runs. New Zealand captain Tom Latham confirmed the change on Tuesday, citing … Read more
The violent death of Captain James Cook at Kealakekua Bay on February 14, 1779, remains a touchstone for modern debates over colonial history and indigenous sovereignty. While traditional narratives historically framed Cook as an enlightened explorer, contemporary perspectives from Kānaka Maoli scholars and historians highlight his role as an agent of empire whose actions—including the … Read more
Nearly one-quarter of young people in New Zealand reported high levels of psychological distress in the month preceding a recent survey by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. Data from Te Hiringa Mahara indicates that 14 percent of the total population aged 15 and over—roughly 609,000 people—experienced high or very high psychological distress, a rate … Read more