Energy & Climate

Ok, can we actually cool data centers with our pee?

Former NFL star Jason Kelce made a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that urine could replace clean drinking water for cooling data centers — and surprisingly, engineers and scientists say the idea isn't entirely without merit. As AI infrastructure strains freshwater supplies globally, unconventional cooling solutions are gaining serious attention.

Source: TechCrunch 8/20/2026
Gaming

Riot is ending development on its League of Legends fighting game

Riot Games is pulling the plug on 2XKO, its League of Legends-inspired fighting game, shutting down active development by end of 2026 due to low player retention. The studio is compensating remaining players by unlocking all characters and issuing refunds for any money spent.

Source: The Verge 8/20/2026
Business & Startups

Mark buys a castle

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly purchased a castle in Ireland, not far from where the social media giant maintains its international headquarters. The acquisition adds a European residence to Zuckerberg's already impressive real estate portfolio, raising eyebrows about the billionaire's growing property empire.

Source: TechCrunch 8/20/2026
AI

Google gives publishers a new way to fight AI-driven traffic losses

Google is rolling out a feature that lets readers designate specific publishers as preferred sources, giving those outlets prioritized placement in Search, Discover, and Google News. The move comes as AI-powered search summaries increasingly answer queries without sending users to external websites, cutting into publisher traffic and ad revenue.

Source: TechCrunch 8/20/2026
Business & Startups

Mark Zuckerberg bought an Irish castle

Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg has added European real estate royalty to his portfolio, purchasing a centuries-old Irish castle and nearly 450 surrounding acres for an estimated €20–30 million. The acquisition near Meta's international headquarters in Ireland is intended as a family retreat during visits to the region.

Source: The Verge 8/20/2026
Policy & Regulation

Australia says Roblox hasn’t fixed its child predator problem

Australia's online safety watchdog says Roblox has still not done enough to protect children from adult predators on its platform, despite previous commitments. New testing revealed adults can still initiate contact with minors, prompting Roblox to pledge further safety improvements to comply with Australian law.

Source: The Verge 8/20/2026
AI

Ramp launches its own AI model router, called Router

Corporate finance platform Ramp has unveiled a proprietary AI model routing tool called Router, enabling businesses and developers to access and seamlessly switch between multiple large language models through a single API — simplifying AI integration and reducing vendor lock-in for enterprise users.

Source: TechCrunch 8/20/2026
AI

It’s Greg Brockman’s OpenAI now

Amid executive departures, legal battles, and IPO preparations, OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman has steadily consolidated influence within the company. Once known primarily as a technical builder, Brockman is emerging as the central power figure at one of the world's most consequential AI organizations.

Source: The Verge 8/20/2026
Mobile

This app makes the Pixel 11’s HiLight feature actually useful

A third-party developer has stepped in to fix one of the Pixel 11 Pro's most underwhelming features. The HiLight LED notification light, which Google restricted to just two use cases and five colors at launch, can now be fully customized through a new app called HiLight Studio.

Source: The Verge 8/20/2026
Gadgets

LG’s 65-inch B6 OLED is $300 lower than its previous best price

Best Buy is offering LG's 65-inch B6 OLED TV for $1,399.99 — a record-low price that undercuts Amazon by $300 and shaves $600 off the original retail tag. The deal is valid for one day only and delivers solid 4K OLED performance at an entry-level price point.

Source: The Verge 8/20/2026
Transportation

Genesis joins the giant electric SUV club with new GV90

Hyundai's luxury brand Genesis has unveiled the GV90, a large all-electric SUV targeting premium buyers with standout cabin features including a retractable display, an expansive heads-up display system, and a lavish four-seat VIP configuration reminiscent of high-end executive vehicles.

Source: Ars Technica 8/20/2026
Gaming

FromSoftware can do anything

A rare behind-the-scenes look at FromSoftware's Tokyo studio reveals a developer eager to push beyond its signature dark action-RPG formula. Best known for the 'Soulslike' genre it essentially defined, the studio hints at broader creative ambitions that extend well past its established comfort zone.

Source: The Verge 8/20/2026