
Roundup of recent tech news: recommended password managers, disabling Spotify music videos and Gmail/Google Docs AI features, WhatsApp's new @all feature, free meeting transcription tool, tech deals, and smartphone reading optimization tips.
AI-generated summary
Recent tech updates and product releases across various platforms.
The Password Managers You Should Use Instead of Your Browser Keep your logins locked down with our favorite password management apps for PC, Mac, Android, iPhone, and web browsers.
How to Disable Music Videos in Spotify A recent update made video playback the default for songs and podcasts with a visual component. If you just want to listen to musicāand save your data and batteryāfollow these tips.
How to Disable the AI Features in Gmail and Google Docs New AI toolbars and prompts are showing up in Google Docs and Gmail. If you donāt want Geminiās help in writing documents and emails, hereās how to turn that stuff off.
WhatsApp Gets a Handy @all Feature for Group Chats A new software update builds on WhatsAppās group chat chops by adding anonymous polls and introducing an easier way to start a smaller private chat away from the larger group.
Meetily Lets You Transcribe and Summarize Meetings Without a SubscriptionāHereās How There are endless ways to record and transcribe your virtual meetings with AI. Hereās an option thatās free and open source.
Top Surfshark Promo Codes for August 2026 Save up to 87% with a Surfshark coupon code, 3 months of VPN free today, and more from WIRED.
The Best Ethernet Switches for Adding Ports to Your Router If your router is short on ports, you can add more with one of the best Ethernet switches. These are my top picks from what Iāve tested.
HostGator Coupon Codes: Save Up to 76% on Hosting in August 2026 Unlock massive savings on HostGator web hosting, WordPress, VPS, and business email plans with our exclusive HostGator promo codes and deals.
Cricut Explore 5 vs. Siser Romeo: How Serious Is Your Crafting Habit? Friendly hobby machine or serious production tool? Hereās how to know which one is for you.
All the Ways You Can Make Reading on Your Phone Easier Tired of eye strain? These tips will help optimize your smartphone for marathon reading sessions.
Google Turns a Selfie Video Into Your Accountās Spare Key The next time youāre locked out of your Google account, you can use your face as part of the account recovery process.
AI outlook ā possibilities, not facts
Increased adoption of password managers due to security concerns.
Likely Ā· Within months

A roundup of tech and science developments including NASA's cancellation of the Swift telescope rescue, Tesla's massive recall in China, Meta's ongoing legal challenges regarding child safety, and the rise of Inner Mongolia as an AI data center hub.

A humanoid robot named Lightning, developed by Honor, completed a 100-metre sprint in 9.32 seconds, beating Usain Bolt's 9.58-second human world record. The feat occurred during preparations for the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.

WIRED reports on Flock Safety's AI tools, OpenAI's safety overhaul, and vulnerabilities allowing 'zombified' expired Visa cards to be used for fraud. Additionally, Apple issued record spyware warnings, and Ukraine targeted Russian retailer Wildberries with cyber and drone attacks.

Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, is rapidly becoming a major AI data center hub due to low energy costs and cold climate. While companies like DeepSeek and ByteDance invest heavily, the region faces significant water scarcity and ongoing reliance on coal power.

Award-winning Hollywood writers and directors are taking gig jobs paying $12 to $200 an hour to train AI models, seeking income amid a severe industry job slump despite concerns they are helping automate their own professions.

Experts in Silicon Valley warn of an imminent AI takeoff and existential risks, citing recursive self-improvement, autonomous agent breakouts, and a lack of global regulatory coordination amid US-China rivalry.