Tech

Source: The Verge For the first time, a shuttered nuclear power plant in the US could reopen thanks to federal support. The Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $1.52 billion loan to help restore a nuclear generating station in Covert Township, Michigan. Although it’s still a controversial option among environmental advocates, nuclear energy could be…

Source: The Verge Whirlpool has announced a new feature for its front loading washing machines. Called the FreshFlow Vent System, it will dry the appliance’s drum, door, and rubber seals after a wash cycle. The system will reduce the risk of mold and bacteria growth, and will save you from having to remember to leave…

Source: The Verge Microsoft has ended production of its HoloLens 2 headsets, with no sign of a replacement ahead. UploadVR reports that HoloLens 2 will still get “updates to address critical security issues and software regressions” until the end of 2027, but production of the headsets has now ended. Software support for the original HoloLens…

Source: The Verge Following its State of Unreal show at the Game Developers Conference earlier this year, Epic Games is hosting another big event for 2024 with its Unreal Fest conference in Seattle. At the GDC show, Epic announced that Fortnite players can create their own Lego games and that its hyperrealistic MetaHumans would be…

Source: The Verge Pebblebee has announced new Universal versions of its Bluetooth trackers that support both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find My Device networks. At $34.99 each, they’re more expensive than Apple’s popular $29 AirTags, but they include additional features like rechargeable batteries and a light that can make them easier to locate in…

Source: The Verge Noctua has released a new 140mm version of its quiet, efficient, and powerful fans called the Noctua NF-A14x25 G2. The fan comes in three configurations, including a two-fan set with an RPM offset and a quieter version that spins a little more slowly than the standard model. All three are available now,…

Source: The Verge Microsoft is launching a redesigned version of Copilot today, intent on becoming an AI assistant or companion. To celebrate this, Microsoft’s new AI CEO, Mustafa Suleyman, has penned a 700-plus-word memo on what he describes as a “technological paradigm shift” toward AI models that can understand what humans see and hear. Suleyman…