Big oil is betting big on Toyota to win the solid-state battery race
Big oil is betting big on Toyota to win the solid-state battery race

Toyota has been working on a solid-state pilot program with Japanese refining oil giant Idemitsu Kosan since 2023 — but we’re way past that now. The companies have decided to move ahead with a new factory to produce solid electrolyte for all-solid-stat…

Kia’s electric hot hatch caught in action for the first time [Images]
Kia’s electric hot hatch caught in action for the first time [Images]

After opening orders for the EV4 GT earlier this month, we are getting our first look at Kia’s electric hot hatch (and fastback) driving in public.

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MrBeast just bought a banking app
MrBeast just bought a banking app

Beast Industries, owned by YouTuber Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, announced on Monday that it has acquired Step, a banking app designed for teens and young adults. The move comes a couple of months after Donaldson announced plans to start a new YouTube channel centered on personal finance and investing. His main channel has 466 million subscribers […]

ChatGPT’s cheapest options now show you ads
ChatGPT’s cheapest options now show you ads

ChatGPT users may soon start seeing ads in their chats, as OpenAI announced on Monday that it’s officially beginning to test ads on its AI platform. They’ll appear as labeled “sponsored” links at the bottom of ChatGPT answers, but OpenAI says the ads “do not influence the answers ChatGPT gives you.” Currently, ads will only […]

FCC accused of withholding DOGE information ‘in bad faith’
FCC accused of withholding DOGE information ‘in bad faith’

One year and nearly 2,000 pages of documents later, a group suing to uncover what the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was doing at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says the agency has withheld relevant documents “in bad faith” and is asking a court to allow discovery and depositions to draw out the information. “Thus […]

Riot is already cutting staff on its new fighting game
Riot is already cutting staff on its new fighting game

Riot Games is already “reducing the size” of the team working on its recently-released free-to-play fighting game 2XKO, according to a post from executive producer Tom Cannon. The game, set in the League of Legends universe, launched in early access on PC in October and hit consoles just a few weeks ago. 2XKO has been […]

Sony leak hypes improved noise cancellation in the upcoming WF-1000XM6 earbuds

A leak reveals Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds with a faster QN3e chip, improved ANC, new drivers, spatial audio, and LE Audio, ahead of their February 2026 launch.
The post Sony leak hypes improved noise cancellation in the upcoming WF-1000XM6 earbuds appeare…

Toyota made a game engine
Toyota made a game engine

Using a game engine in a “digital cockpit” is useful for things like step-by-step 3D tutorials about a car, mapping the environment around your car, and offering more natural controls, explained Jamie Kerber, an employee of Very Good Ventures, at the FOSDEM 2026 conference. She’s a lead engineer on Fluorite, a game engine for use […]

BYD hits a milestone with solid-state EV batteries due out as soon as 2027
BYD hits a milestone with solid-state EV batteries due out as soon as 2027

The world’s leading EV maker is preparing to introduce new battery chemistries to stay a step ahead of the competition. After a series of breakthroughs, BYD is expected to begin producing solid-state EV batteries as soon as next year.

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Rivian R2 enters final validation testing, spotted uncamouflaged on streets
Rivian R2 enters final validation testing, spotted uncamouflaged on streets

Rivian’s upcoming R2 SUV is undergoing final validation testing, ahead of its planned release in the first half of this year – with at least one vehicle spotted without camouflage (but with a wrap) on public roads in recent days.

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