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Microsoft’s blobby AI companion has begun his ascent to the heavens to join Clippy and Cortana. Okay, he’s being booted to another platform
Microsoft has removed Mico, the animated blob character used in Copilot’s voice mode, and moved it to the Learn Live educational experience. The change reduces Mico’s prominence as a general-purpose AI companion, despite Microsoft having presented it as a more personable face for Copilot. Mico was introduced in 2025 as an optional visual character that…
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Rocket Report: Rocket Lab shows off its flexibility; Blue Origin’s two-pad plan
This week’s Rocket Report highlights moves by Rocket Lab, MaiaSpace and Firefly Aerospace as they expand launch capacity and pursue new vehicles. The developments matter because demand for launch services is tightening, while companies face pressure to prove that ambitious rocket programmes can be delivered reliably and financed sustainably. – Rocket Lab unveiled GHOST, a…
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra review: The ultra foldable with an ultra price
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is presented as a refined rather than revolutionary foldable, with most of the traditional compromises of the form factor now largely removed. It is thinner, flatter and more practical when folded than earlier models, while retaining a tablet-sized internal display; however, its £2,100-equivalent starting price remains its biggest drawback…
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The MSI Claw EX is the most important handheld since Steam Deck — I still wouldn’t buy one
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus is presented as a significant advance for Windows gaming handhelds, combining strong performance, unusually long battery life and reliable sleep-and-wake behaviour. Its Intel Panther Lake-based hardware and improved design make it the reviewer’s preferred portable PC, but its exceptionally high price and remaining technical shortcomings mean it is…
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DeepSeek’s AI models are about to cost four times more
DeepSeek is set to raise the API prices of its new V4 Pro and V4 Flash AI models by roughly four times during peak hours from 16 August. The change matters because DeepSeek built its reputation on being substantially cheaper than Western rivals, although its services will generally remain competitively priced. V4 Pro will cost…
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These ‘Masturbation Consultants’ Were Hired to Pleasure Themselves With AI
Joi AI paid 10 participants to record the effects of daily masturbation over 28 days, including sessions involving its AI companion characters. The company says the project supports its effort to frame AI-guided sexual stimulation as a wellness practice and a possible response to male loneliness, but the findings are preliminary and come from its…
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Halo: Campaign Evolved studio outlines five key updates that’ll drop with next week’s big patch
Halo: Campaign Evolved will receive a major patch between 17 and 21 August, addressing several player-reported issues since launch. The update is significant because it aims to prevent mission progression being blocked, improve combat behaviour and add requested visual settings, while also improving stability across platforms. The five headline changes improve Sgt. Johnson’s AI, make…
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John Summit Coliseum Date as The Amateur Finds Streaming Success
John Summit has added a Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum date to his CTRL ESCAPE tour, with the electronic music DJ scheduled to headline the venue on 12 December 2026. The concert is listed for 7pm and is being promoted as the tour’s closing large-scale date. Ticketing information published with the announcement said presales would precede…
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Best Pixel 10 Cases and Accessories (2026): Mous, dbrand, Bellroy
WIRED recommends cases and accessories to protect Google’s Pixel 10 range, highlighting options with magnetic Qi2 support for charging and attachments. – Mous Limitless Case: best overall, priced at $80. – dbrand Ghost Case 2.0: best clear case, listed at $50. – Bellroy Leather Case: best leather option, priced at $55. – Spigen Rugged Armor…
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Crypto wallet maker Trezor confirms 13,000 customers’ details exposed in logistics breach
Trezor has confirmed that a breach at logistics partner ShipMonk exposed personal information belonging to more than 13,000 customers who bought its cryptocurrency hardware wallets. The incident matters because the data could enable targeted phishing and potentially expose crypto holders to physical-security risks, despite Trezor saying its own systems and devices were not compromised. The…