Fewer EVs need fewer batteries: Ford and SK On end their joint venture
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/12/fewer-evs-need-fewer-batteries-ford-and-sk-on-end-their-joint-venture/Ford will keep the plant in Kentucky, SK gets the one in Tennessee.
Latest Headlines
No sterile neutrinos after all, say MicroBooNE physicists
https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/12/microboone-results-rule-out-sterile-neutrinos/There's a less than 5 percent chance that earlier anomalies can be explained by fourth neutrino "flavor."
Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI, licenses 200 characters for AI video app Sora
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/12/disney-invests-1-billion-in-openai-licenses-200-characters-for-ai-video-app-sora/Three-year deal lets users create AI videos of Mickey Mouse, Darth Vader, and more.
Oracle shares slide on $15B increase in data center spending
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/12/oracle-shares-slide-on-15b-increase-in-data-center-spending/Company raises its capital expenditure forecast as it doubles down on AI infrastructure bet.
NASA just lost contact with a Mars orbiter, and will soon lose another one
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/12/nasa-just-lost-contact-with-a-mars-orbiter-and-will-soon-lose-another-one/If NASA is serious about exploring Mars, it's past time to send new missions.
After years of resisting it, SpaceX now plans to go public. Why?
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/12/after-years-of-resisting-it-spacex-now-plans-to-go-public-why/"Much of the AI race comes down to amassing and deploying assets."
After NPR and PBS defunding, FCC receives call to take away station licenses
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/conservative-attacks-on-npr-and-pbs-continue-with-call-to-take-fcc-licenses/NPR and PBS stations targeted by group involved in Carr's news-distortion probes.
A new open-weights AI coding model is closing in on proprietary options
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/12/mistral-bets-big-on-vibe-coding-with-new-autonomous-software-engineering-agent/Devstral 2 model scores 72% on industry benchmark, nearing proprietary rivals.
Cable channel subscribers grew for the first time in 8 years last quarter
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/12/cable-channel-subscribers-grew-for-the-first-time-in-years-last-quarter/Sports and YouTube TV played big roles, MoffettNathanson report says.
Kindle Scribe Colorsoft brings color e-ink to Amazon's 11-inch e-reader
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/12/kindle-scribe-colorsoft-brings-color-e-ink-to-amazons-11-inch-e-reader/Amazon has added color e-ink to its devices more slowly than its competitors.
US taking 25% cut of Nvidia chip sales "makes no sense," experts say
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/us-taking-25-cut-of-nvidia-chip-sales-makes-no-sense-experts-say/Trump's odd Nvidia reversal may open the door for China to demand Blackwell access.
After key Russian launch site is damaged, NASA accelerates Dragon supply missions
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/12/after-key-russian-launch-site-is-damaged-nasa-accelerates-dragon-supply-missions/It is by no means certain that Russia will be able to fix Site 31 soon.
Ugly infotainment mars the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid experience
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/12/ugly-infotainment-mars-the-2025-subaru-forester-hybrid-experience/It drives fine, but the first hybrid Forester is not without its flaws.
This is the oldest evidence of people starting fires
https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/12/this-is-the-oldest-evidence-of-people-starting-fires/We didn't start the fire. (Neanderthals did, at least 400,000 years ago.)
Sperm donor with rare cancer mutation fathered nearly 200 children in Europe
https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/12/sperm-donor-with-rare-cancer-mutation-fathered-nearly-200-children-in-europe/Children with the mutation have up to a 90% chance of developing cancer by age 60.
Impeachment articles filed against RFK Jr., claiming abuse of power
https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/12/impeachment-articles-filed-against-rfk-jr-claiming-abuse-of-power/He's the "biggest self-created threat to our health and safety," Stevens said.
Dr. Oz tells his federal employees to eat less during the holidays
https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/12/dr-oz-tells-his-federal-employees-to-eat-less-during-the-holidays/"You don't have to try every cookie on the holiday table," wrote Mehmet Oz in an email to staff.
AMD's next-gen "FSR Redstone" brings big gains, as long as you're using a new GPU
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/12/amds-fsr-redstone-upscaling-claims-to-close-the-gap-with-nvidias-dlss/"Redstone" is a promising mix of old and new ideas, but Nvidia is years ahead.
Operation Bluebird wants to relaunch "Twitter," says Musk abandoned the name and logo
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/12/can-twitter-fly-again-startup-wants-to-pry-iconic-trademark-from-musks-x/"Abandonment" offers rare chance to reclaim one of tech's most recognized brands.
Win hardware, collectibles, and more in the 2025 Ars Technica Charity Drive
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/12/win-hardware-collectibles-and-more-in-the-2025-ars-technica-charity-drive/Help yourself to prizes by helping us raise money for good causes.
Disney hits Google with cease-and-desist claiming ‘massive' copyright infringement
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/disney-hits-google-with-cease-and-desist-claiming-massive-copyright-infringement/Disney is accusing the tech giant of unauthorized distribution of its copyrighted characters without permission via Gemini AI.
Google's AI try-on feature for clothes now works with just a selfie
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/googles-ai-try-on-feature-for-clothes-now-works-with-just-a-selfie/In the past, users had to upload a full-body picture of themselves to virtually try on a piece of clothing. Now, they can use a selfie and Nano Banana will generate a full body digital version of them.
OpenAI fires back at Google with GPT-5.2 after ‘code red' memo
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/openai-fires-back-at-google-with-gpt-5-2-after-code-red-memo/OpenAI just launched GPT-5.2, a frontier model aimed at developers and professionals, pushing reasoning and coding benchmarks as it races Google's Gemini 3 while grappling with compute costs and no generator.
Google debuts ‘Disco,' a Gemini-powered tool for making web apps from browser tabs
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/google-debuts-disco-a-gemini-powered-tool-for-making-web-apps-from-browser-tabs/Google Labs is testing a product that will work with your browser tabs to make web apps for you.
Rivian's AI assistant is coming to its EVs in early 2026
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/rivians-ai-assistant-is-coming-to-its-evs-in-early-2026/And when it does, the AI assistant will roll out to every existing EV in its lineup, not just the next-generation versions of its R1T truck and R1S SUV.
Rivian goes big on autonomy, with custom silicon, lidar, and a hint at robotaxis
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/rivian-goes-big-on-autonomy-with-custom-silicon-lidar-and-a-hint-at-robotaxis/CEO RJ Scaringe laid out his plan for how Rivian's vehicles will increasingly drive themselves, in a bid to match or exceed the capabilities of rival automakers and AV companies.
Runway releases its first world model, adds native audio to latest video model
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/runway-releases-its-first-world-model-adds-native-audio-to-latest-video-model/Runway debuts a physics-aware world model that simulates reality to train agents and power video, robotics, and avatar applications.
Ford and SK On are ending their US battery joint venture
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/ford-and-sk-on-are-ending-their-u-s-battery-joint-venture/The factories live on; the joint venture will not. The two companies will divide the assets: Ford will take ownership and operation of the twin battery plants in Kentucky, while SK On will operate the factory at the massive BlueOval SK campus in Tennessee.
Disney signs deal with OpenAI to allow Sora to generate AI videos featuring its characters
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/disney-signs-deal-with-openai-to-allow-sora-to-generate-ai-videos-featuring-its-characters/Disney says that alongside the agreement, it will "become a major customer of OpenAI," as it will use its APIs to build new products, tools, and experiences, including for Disney+.
On Me raises $6M to shake up the gift card industry
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/on-me-raises-6m-to-shake-up-the-gift-card-industry/On Me raises $6 million for its digital gift card platform that lets users purchase cards categorized by interests rather than being restricted to specific retailers.
TIME names ‘Architects of AI' its Person of the Year
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/time-names-architects-of-ai-its-person-of-the-year/TIME Magazine has named the 'Architects of AI' its Person of the Year, who include Jensen Huang, Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Lisa Su, Dario Amodei, Demis Hassabis, and Fei-Fei Li
Security flaws in Freedom Chat app exposed users' phone numbers and PINs
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/security-flaws-in-freedom-chat-app-exposed-users-phone-numbers-and-pins/The founder of Freedom Chat said the company has reset user PINs and released a new version to app stores.
Interest in Spoor's bird-monitoring AI software is soaring
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/interest-in-spoors-bird-monitoring-ai-software-is-soaring/Spoor's computer vision software can help wind farms, and other industries, track bird populations and migration patterns.
Eclipse Energy's microbes can turn idle oil wells into hydrogen factories
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/eclipse-energys-microbes-can-turn-idle-oil-wells-into-hydrogen-factories/The biotech startup is betting that owners of abandoned oil wells will use the tech to squeeze energy out of their wells.
Opera wants you to pay $20 a month to use its AI-powered browser Neon
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/opera-wants-you-to-pay-20-a-month-to-use-its-ai-powered-browser-neon/Following a couple of months' testing, Opera has finally made its AI-powered browser, Neon, available to the public — though you'll have to shell out for a $19.90-per-month subscription to use it.
Port raises $100M at $800M valuation to take on Spotify's Backstage
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/port-raises-100m-at-800m-valuation-to-take-on-spotifys-backstage/Port offers a proprietary alternative to Spotify's popular devtool catalog Backstage, but with a valuable addition — it can be used to manage AI agents, too.
Runware raises $50M Series A to help make image, video generation easier for developers
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/runware-raises-50m-series-a-from-dawn-capital-comcast-ventures-to-become-the-api-for-all-ai/Runware lets developers integrate real-time image generation in their apps, with an affordable pricing model.
Harness hits $5.5B valuation with $240M raise to automate AI's ‘after-code' gap
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/harness-hits-5-5b-valuation-with-240m-to-automate-ais-after-code-gap/Goldman Sachs has led Harness's Series E round, with participation from IVP, Menlo Ventures, and Unusual Ventures.
Baby delivered in Waymo continues proud tradition of not making it to the hospital
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/10/baby-delivered-in-waymo-continues-proud-tradition-of-not-making-it-to-the-hospital/A pregnant woman in San Francisco gave birth inside a Waymo robotaxi Monday night en route to UCSF Medical Center, marking the latest milestone in the driverless car saga that no one saw coming -- except everyone with more than six months of experience behind the wheel of a ride-share vehicle.
Google's answer to the AI arms race — promote the guy behind its data center tech
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/10/googles-answer-to-the-ai-arms-race-promote-the-guy-behind-its-data-center-tech/Amin Vahdat has been promoted to chief technologist for AI infrastructure, a newly created position reporting directly to CEO Sundar Pichai.
Test Article
https://example.comThis is a test article summary.
I tested a bunch of Switch 2 screen protectors, and these are the best
https://www.theverge.com/reviews/694948/best-switch-2-glass-screen-protector-glossy-matteA glass screen protector is one of a few essential accessories that every Switch 2 owner should buy, along with a select few others. In fact, it should be a priority to stick one onto the console's screen as soon as possible to avoid accidental scratches. To test the candidates below, I installed a
Hoto's new PixelDrive electric screwdriver is on sale for the first time
https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/842687/hoto-pixeldrive-electric-screwdriver-deal-saleHoto's PixelDrive electric screwdriver is designed to make everyday fixes a lot easier, and now it's seeing its first discount. You can currently buy the sleek electric screwdriver for just $59.99 ($20 off) at Amazon. Despite its small size, the cordless PixelDrive delivers an adjustable 0.5–6Nm of
Google is building an experimental new browser and a new kind of web app
https://www.theverge.com/tech/842000/google-disco-browser-ai-experimentThe Chrome team at Google recently built a new browser. It takes a query or prompt, opens a bunch of related tabs for you, and then builds you a custom app for whatever you're trying to do. Ask it for travel tips and it'll build you a planner app; ask it for study help and […]
ChatGPT's ‘adult mode' is expected to debut in Q1 2026
https://www.theverge.com/news/842657/openai-chatgpt-adult-mode-debut-q1-2026We've seen NSFW offerings from Grok and other chatbots, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been teasing adult content within ChatGPT for a while. Now, we have a timeline. Fidji Simo, OpenAI's CEO of Applications, told reporters during a Thursday briefing about GPT-5.2 that she expects "adult mode" to deb
Comcast cable boxes are getting Amazon Luna cloud gaming
https://www.theverge.com/news/842201/amazon-luna-comcast-xfinity-rogers-cable-boxesAmazon's Luna cloud gaming service is coming to cable boxes from Comcast and Rogers. The Luna app is already available via web browsers, Fire TV devices, Fire tablets, and many smart TVs from Samsung and LG, and this new expansion will bring the service to "millions" more devices, according to Amazo
GPT-5.2 is OpenAI's latest move in the agentic AI battle
https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/842529/openai-gpt-5-2-new-model-chatgptGPT-5.2 is here, and with it, OpenAI wants "to unlock even more economic value for people," Fidji Simo, the company's CEO of Applications, told reporters in a Thursday briefing. She said it's been in the works for "many, many months." The company calls GPT-5.2 its "best model yet for everyday profes
Mamoru Hosoda explains why Hamlet is everywhere this year
https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/842346/mamoru-hosoda-interview-scarletHamlet is having something of a renaissance in 2025. This year's edition of the Toronto International Film Festival featured three different takes on the idea, including Chloé Zhao's adaptation of the play's inspiration and Aneil Karia's rendition set in modern-day London. But the most out-ther
Rivian is building its own powerful AI chips for autonomous driving
https://www.theverge.com/news/842213/rivian-ai-autonomous-chip-specsRivian announced that it was designing its own AI chips for fully autonomous driving, in a bold - if belated - move to catch up with Tesla and other automakers that have working on the technology for far longer. At an "AI and Autonomy" event at the company's office in Silicon Valley on Thursday, Riv
The AirPods Pro 3 just dropped below $200 for the first time
https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/842551/apple-airpods-pro-3-wireless-earbuds-deal-sale-2025Apple's latest gadgets have gotten some notable discounts lately — including the recently released Apple Watch Series 11, which is still on sale for $100 off at Amazon. Now, we're seeing the AirPods Pro 3 drop down to their lowest price to date, with the noise-canceling earbuds going for just $199 (
Supergirl's first trailer introduces the Woman of Tomorrow
https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/842392/supergirl-trailer-warner-bros-dc-studios-james-gunn-release-dateThe first trailer for DC Studios' Supergirl feature is finally here to give us a look at what the Woman of Tomorrow is made of. Though Superman's (technically) older cousin Kara Zor-El (Millie Alcock) was kind of a mess when we first met her, she's trying to pull it together in Supergirl's new trail