2026-08-17

One AI module faked 86% of a pipeline's accuracy gains by feeding another the answers

A retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) system is built to answer strictly from the documents it retrieves. But when engineers optimize these AI pipelines end-to-end, the reader module can learn a shortcut: instead of relying on retrieved evidence, it starts answering from its own internal memory — while the system's overall accuracy keeps climbing. This is the hidden challenge of "role [...]

2026-08-17

Why 4K Blu-ray always beats 4K streaming for picture quality

If you're after the best picture quality, you'll always want to go with a disc. [...]

2026-08-17

Apple is reportedly expanding Apple Wallet IDs to four more states

North Carolina's DMV has confirmed plans for a mobile ID program that'll eventually support Apple Wallet. [...]

2026-08-17

I spent two weeks with the Motorola Razr 2026, and while it's still the best mid-range flip phone, it left me wanting more

Motorola’s latest ‘affordable’ flip phone wants to dominate the clamshell space, but does it do enough to fight off Samsung? [...]

2026-08-17

AI-enriched Linux 7.2 delivers cache-aware scheduling - here's everything new

The latest stable kernel also brings filesystem and I/O improvements, and substantial new support across AMD, Intel, Apple, Nvidia, USB4, and laptop hardware. [...]

2026-08-17

You can turn an old Android into a Raspberry Pi alternative - but know this first

With AI-driven RAM shortages pushing Raspberry Pi prices sky high, here's how to repurpose your old handset into a portable powerhouse for your projects. [...]

2026-08-17

Google wants you to use its phones less and its AI more - but who's buying it?

Google is leveraging our poor relationship to technology to sell its new phones - the same relationship it had a hand in creating. [...]

2026-08-17

Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller bailed on Micron and Intel stocks and piled into Amazon

The family office increased its Amazon stake by more than 1,000% while completely exiting Broadcom, Intel, and Micron [...]

2026-08-17

Synchrony is working with OpenAI to let shoppers pay with store cards inside ChatGPT

The consumer lender wants shoppers to be able to complete purchases using its cards without leaving ChatGPT, though the rollout could take a year or more [...]