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Oura is going public, but these smart ring companies are coming for its crown | TechCrunch
Wearables

Oura is going public, but these smart ring companies are coming for its crown | TechCrunch

Smart ring manufacturer Oura has officially filed for an initial public offering, capitalizing on strong sales and nearly doubled revenues over the past year. This strategic move coincides with a highly competitive shift in the wearable technology market, as several rival companies seek to challenge Oura's long-standing leadership. To differentiate themselves, these competitors are actively introducing unique hardware upgrades that go beyond conventional fitness and sleep monitoring. These emerging products are integrating features like contactless payment capabilities, haptic notification systems, and touch-sensitive controls. Brands such as Ultrahuman, Circular, and RingConn are rolling out advanced iterations, while tech giant Samsung leverages its existing product ecosystem. This trend toward high-tech features risks transforming smart rings from non-intrusive health trackers into miniaturized finger-worn smartphones.

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Wearables

Oura is going public, but these smart ring companies are coming for its crown | TechCrunch

Smart ring manufacturer Oura has officially filed for an initial public offering, capitalizing on strong sales and nearly doubled revenues over the past year. This strategic move coincides with a highly competitive shift in the wearable technology market, as several rival companies seek to challenge Oura's long-standing leadership. To differentiate themselves, these competitors are actively introducing unique hardware upgrades that go beyond conventional fitness and sleep monitoring. These emerging products are integrating features like contactless payment capabilities, haptic notification systems, and touch-sensitive controls. Brands such as Ultrahuman, Circular, and RingConn are rolling out advanced iterations, while tech giant Samsung leverages its existing product ecosystem. This trend toward high-tech features risks transforming smart rings from non-intrusive health trackers into miniaturized finger-worn smartphones.

TechCrunch·Sep 5, 2026
Computing Hardware

After 8 years, Europe's BepiColombo mission is on final approach to Mercury

The joint European and Japanese BepiColombo space mission has successfully completed a critical operational milestone on its final approach to Mercury by decoupling its primary propulsion component, the Mercury Transfer Module. This highly complex maneuver, executed under intense solar radiation and extreme thermal conditions less than half the distance of Earth to the Sun, officially marks the end of the spacecraft's eight-year cruise phase through the inner Solar System. The jettisoned propulsion module had provided electricity and ion-thrust capabilities since the mission's initial launch in late 2018, but its removal was a strict prerequisite to allow the remaining scientific orbiters to safely decelerate and prepare for gravitational capture by the planet later this autumn. Following the successful mechanical separation, telemetry reports received by ground control indicate that the remaining spacecraft stack is performing optimally, with its primary solar arrays successfully deployed and actively generating power. The two individual scientific probes, one engineered by Europe and the other by Japan, are scheduled to split from one another shortly after entering orbit to begin their independent research tracks. They will deploy specialized suites of scientific instruments to study Mercury's surface composition, magnetic environment, and interactions with intense solar winds. Despite experiencing hardware anomalies and thruster power degradation earlier in the voyage that delayed arrival, the mission remains on course to begin comprehensive scientific observations in early 2025, offering humanity an unprecedented dual-perspective look at the Solar System's innermost planet.

Ars Technica·Sep 4, 2026
Computing Hardware

Lenovo’s new MacBook Neo competitor comes in two sizes and seven colors

Lenovo has introduced its new IdeaPad Vibe notebook lineup, designed as a direct competitor to Apple's MacBook Neo. Priced starting at $700, the laptops will be offered in both 14-inch and 15-inch form factors. Lenovo plans to release versions powered by AMD and Qualcomm processors in the autumn, with Intel-based configurations slated to debut at a later, unspecified date. A key selling point of the new line is its extensive customization, which includes seven distinct color options, interchangeable keycaps for personalized aesthetics, and a backlit keyboard. In terms of physical design, the IdeaPad Vibe builds upon the legacy of the IdeaPad Slim by transitioning to an all-metal chassis for certain configurations and adopting USB-C charging instead of legacy barrel plugs. The system features a wide array of connectivity options, including multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and a microSD card slot, though data transfer speeds are limited to 5Gbps. While the default display is an IPS LCD panel, users opting for specific colorways can upgrade to a touchscreen OLED display. Furthermore, the laptop supports up to 1TB of storage via dual-slot SSDs and offers user-upgradeable memory options on select processor models.

The Verge·Sep 3, 2026

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AI & Machine Learning
AI & Machine Learning

Hikers rescued after using Google Gemini for planning | TechCrunch

A search and rescue operation was successfully conducted on California's Mount Shasta after three hikers became stranded, having relied on Google's Gemini chatbot to plan their mountain excursion. The group of three young men initiated their climb in the early hours of the morning but neglected standard mountaineering protocols, which advise turning back if the summit is not reached by midday. Consequently, they did not reach the peak until late in the evening, forcing them to attempt a hazardous descent in complete darkness. After losing their way, they contacted local authorities for assistance and were forced to spend the night in a canyon before being rescued the following morning by Forest Service rangers and volunteers. Following the rescue, the Siskiyou County sheriff's office revealed that the artificial intelligence application had advised the group to carry far fewer provisions, including food and water, than were actually required for such a challenging trek. This lack of supplies became a critical hazard when their expected eight-hour hike turned into an overnight survival situation. Emergency officials used the incident to remind the public that digital assistants are not a substitute for professional wilderness guidance, urging future hikers to consult local ranger stations for accurate safety information rather than relying on automated software.

TechCrunch·Sep 5, 2026
Big Tech
Big Tech

Microsoft’s Project Zenith is a “distraction-free Windows experience” for developers

Microsoft has officially announced "Project Zenith," a newly branded initiative designed to deliver a streamlined, distraction-free Windows operating environment tailored specifically for software engineers. Aimed at high-performance workstations featuring a minimum of 64 gigabytes of unified memory, these preconfigured systems are built to run large-scale machine learning models locally. This on-device capability is intended to significantly accelerate experimental development pipelines while helping teams avoid the recurring costs of cloud-based computational tokens. The first hardware to support this project is a compact desktop computer powered by advanced AMD processors, with further partner devices anticipated in the near future. Beyond hardware specifications, the operating system in Project Zenith undergoes significant structural and cosmetic adjustments to improve productivity. The platform disables standard promotional pop-ups, tips, and recent file tracking while enabling advanced system settings such as full-path visibility and extended file name path support. Essential developer tools and utilities like Visual Studio Code, GitHub Copilot, and PowerToys come pre-installed. Through these targeted enhancements, the software giant hopes to refine Windows into a more robust and appealing workstation environment for the technical community.

The Verge·Sep 4, 2026
Startups & Funding
Startups & Funding

XDOF, just three months out of stealth, is in talks for a Series B at a $1.2B valuation | TechCrunch

Robotics data startup XDOF is reportedly in advanced negotiations to secure a Series B funding round that would value the young company at approximately $1.2 billion. Led by venture capital firm 8VC, this potential investment comes only three months after the business emerged from stealth mode following a $70 million Series A round in June. The rapid push for new capital was unexpected so soon after its previous fundraising, but it was reportedly prompted by external venture capital interest fueled by the company's massive growth, with its annualized revenue already approaching $50 million. Although representatives for both XDOF and 8VC have declined to comment on the negotiations, the final terms of the transaction remain fluid and could change. Founded by researchers from UC Berkeley, XDOF addresses a critical bottleneck in artificial intelligence by gathering and annotating high-quality training data specifically for physical robots. While virtual large language models can train on massive volumes of text scraped from the internet, physical machinery lacks an equivalent pre-existing corpus of real-world physical interactions. To solve this, XDOF utilizes low-cost remote control systems and human collectors equipped with body sensors to record everyday activities like folding laundry or packing boxes. The startup, which already serves twenty customers including several leading AI research labs, intends to scale its operations globally by employing teams of data collectors and remote teleoperators to establish a robust data supply chain for the robotics industry.

TechCrunch·Sep 4, 2026
Software & Apps
Software & Apps

Explore the globe in field recordings

Earth Garden is an interactive web-based map application designed to let users explore the globe through the medium of environmental audio and field recordings. Taking inspiration from the well-known Radio Garden platform—which connects users to live radio broadcasts worldwide—this application instead focuses entirely on regional soundscapes. Navigating the virtual globe allows individuals to immerse themselves in diverse auditory environments, ranging from waves crashing against the shores of distant Atlantic islands to a chorus of crickets in Tanzania or rain showers on the streets of Manhattan. The platform is designed to accommodate various listening preferences, offering a rich experience for those interested in active, analytical listening of nature and urban environments, as well as those seeking soothing background audio to assist with daily work or sleep. All of the audio featured on the platform is retrieved from Freesound, an open database of user-submitted audio content. Because Earth Garden relies on this public repository, users may experience variations in recording quality and inconsistent volume levels when switching between tracks. Furthermore, the availability of these recordings reflects the demographics of the sourcing database, resulting in a heavier concentration of soundscapes from the United States and Europe, particularly the United Kingdom. To make the experience more seamless and relaxing, Earth Garden includes an automated rotation feature that slowly spins the virtual planet and crossfades between audio clips as different coordinates pass under the central reticle. Additionally, users have the option to layer generic, low-intensity ambient synth drones beneath the environmental recordings to create a more cohesive soundscape.

The Verge·Sep 5, 2026
Cybersecurity & Privacy
Cybersecurity & Privacy

Trump admin fights ABC lawsuit as watchdogs worry Disney will settle with FCC

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has formally requested a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit initiated by Disney, which alleges that the regulatory agency is conducting an unconstitutional censorship campaign against its ABC broadcast stations. Disney argues that the FCC's decision to launch an early review of its broadcast licenses is a retaliatory move driven by political motives and designed to chill free speech. In its defense, the FCC maintains that the license review is legitimate, arguing it is specifically focused on investigating allegations of unlawful discrimination in Disney’s corporate diversity programs rather than punishing editorial choices. The commission also asserts that the court should dismiss the suit because the review process is not yet finalized, meaning Disney's operations remain unimpacted during the ongoing administrative proceedings. In tandem with the main legal fight, multiple public interest groups and local television viewers have petitioned to intervene in the case, expressing concern that Disney may ultimately settle with the agency in a manner that harms public interest. These watchdogs fear that the entertainment conglomerate might compromise its news programming standards to secure its operating licenses, pointing to a previous high-profile legal settlement as evidence of corporate risk-aversion. Disney has filed a motion opposing this intervention, arguing that the public interest groups do not have standing to join the lawsuit and that Disney's legal team is fully capable of defending its own constitutional rights. Meanwhile, representatives for the watchdog organizations insist that a corporate entity's financial responsibilities to shareholders do not always align with the public's right to independent journalism.

Ars Technica·Sep 4, 2026
Gadgets & Hardware
Gadgets & Hardware

Oura is going public, but these smart ring companies are coming for its crown | TechCrunch

Smart ring manufacturer Oura has officially filed for an initial public offering, capitalizing on strong sales and nearly doubled revenues over the past year. This strategic move coincides with a highly competitive shift in the wearable technology market, as several rival companies seek to challenge Oura's long-standing leadership. To differentiate themselves, these competitors are actively introducing unique hardware upgrades that go beyond conventional fitness and sleep monitoring. These emerging products are integrating features like contactless payment capabilities, haptic notification systems, and touch-sensitive controls. Brands such as Ultrahuman, Circular, and RingConn are rolling out advanced iterations, while tech giant Samsung leverages its existing product ecosystem. This trend toward high-tech features risks transforming smart rings from non-intrusive health trackers into miniaturized finger-worn smartphones.

TechCrunch·Sep 5, 2026

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