Solid-state batteries still aren’t ready, but gels are
This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on e-bikes, power stations, and how to work ...
A warrantless wiretap law is about to expire — but surveillance networks aren’t actually ‘going dark’
Congress has failed to pass a three-week extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), with the House voting 218-198 a...
Cynthia Erivo Responds to Rumor She and Ariana Grande Aren’t Friends
Cynthia Erivo isn't letting rumors about her friendship with Ariana Grande bring her down.
The Tony award winner—who was incredibly close with the "th...
This big university system is embracing AI. Students and faculty aren't all on board
The California State University system offers an early look at what happens when an administration commits to a technology that its own community isn'...
Even if the Iran war ended today, US fuel prices aren’t likely to normalize this year
Prewar US gas prices averaged about $3 a gallon nationally – kiss that number goodbye for 2026Sorry, US drivers, but don’t expect pump prices to retur...
Even as anxieties grow under Trump, these swing voters aren't ready to back Democrats
Swing voters in North Carolina say they are frustrated with President Trump and the state of the economy, but aren't ready to abandon him or his party...
Microsoft’s carbon removal plans aren’t dead after all
Microsoft is responsible for over 90% of the carbon removal market, and reports suggested the company was pausing purchases entirely. This new deal sh...
Meta is rapidly reorganizing its workers’ jobs around AI: ‘Transfers aren’t optional’
Exclusive: Some employees will be moved to new teams focused on AI agents and cloud infrastructureAs Meta races to recenter itself around artificial i...
Americans aren't sleeping enough. Here's what could help
Nearly a third of Americans get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep a night. A lot of us struggle to get to bed as we power through tasks o...
Iceland’s Pools and Hot Tubs Are Now UNESCO-Recognized. Some Locals Aren’t Thrilled.
Iceland’s swimming pools and hot tubs serve as hubs of social life, a cultural distinction recently honored by UNESCO. Some Icelanders aren’t so thril...
