How the UK government spends £100 of its budget

Lego’s new sets will make Star Wars sound effects for you. | Image: Lego It may have been one of the smallest devices announced at CES 2026, but Lego's new Smart Brick was also one of the most talked about debuts of the show. We've recognized it as the "Best in show" in our CES 2026 awards, and following the Smart Play system's launch earlier this week, the first three sets featuring the new Smart Brick are now available for preorder. Lego is introducing its Smart Brick to the world as part of three new sets in its popular Star Wars line that demonstrate many of the brick's unique capabilities. The cheapest set is the $69.99, 473-piece Smart Play: Darth Vader's TIE Fighter that includes one Smart Brick, one Smar … Read the full story at The Verge.

Shadowheart contemplates a powerful artifact in Baldur’s Gate 3 Following some controversy, the developers at Baldur's Gate 3 creator Larian Studios have further clarified their use of generative AI. CEO Swen Vincke and other Larian developers held an AMA on Reddit where they answered users' questions about the team's next title, Divinity. They also fielded questions related to reports that the studio was using generative AI in its development process. "So first off - there is not going to be any GenAI art in Divinity," Vincke wrote in response to a question on Reddit. Last month, in an interview with Bloomberg, Vincke stated that while they weren't using AI-generated assets in Divinity, the team was e … Read the full story at The Verge.

Apple and Google are being dragged into the uproar around X's AI chatbot that has continued to virtually undress women in images without their consent this week. In a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), and Ed Markey (D-MA) wrote that "X's generation of these harmful and likely illegal depictions of women and children has shown complete disregard for your stores' distribution terms." X users have identified several cases where Grok undressed or sexualized apparent minors in the AI-created images. The senators point to the app stores' own policies for why the app should … Read the full story at The Verge.

We saw a ton of cool new products at CES 2026, but not all of them made the cut when it came to deciding what was best of show. One of those products that we nevertheless think holds promise is Anker’s AeroFit Pro 2, which are wireless earbuds that can double as open-ear headphones. You pick the mode you want: wedge them into your ears for better sound enhanced by active noise cancellation, or let them pump out sound near your ears so that you can keep stay tuned into your surroundings. By using the code WSTDA3875US at Anker’s site, you can knock $30 off their $179.99 price. Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro 2 Where to Buy: $179.99 $149.99 at Anker The AeroFit Pro 2 have an ear hook design, which could make them a great fit for working out. They contain sensors that can determine how you’re wearing them and adjust features accordingly. They can recalibrate the EQ, and in earbud mode, turn on active noise cancellation by way of their six built-in microphones. However, as our announcement post mentioned, I wouldn’t expect ANC that can rival the category’s flagship products from Bose, Sony, or Apple. Other Verge-approved deals for your consideration Donkey Kong Bananza is one of 2025’s best video games and one of the Switch 2’s best titles. Discounts on the game are rare, so if you’ve been considering it, consider hopping over to Walmart or Amazon where you can buy the physical cartridge version for $62.99 instead of $70. Bananza was made by the same development team within Nintendo responsible for Super Mario Odyssey, which should be all the convincing you need to play this fun, surprisingly lengthy 3D platformer. Read our review. Most of the time, the only light that I have going in my office is the Elgato Key Light. It’s bright, its color temperature can be easily dialed in through the mobile or desktop app, and it attaches conveniently to my desk. I use it as bias lighting, aimed diagonally up toward my ceiling to diffuse the lighting evenly in the corner that I work in. If you need a powerful light to illuminate you during video calls, streams, or for any other reason, you can save 23 percent on the Key Light at Amazon, where it costs $138.99 (originally $199.99, but usually around $180 outside of a deal). B&H Photo has it for a dollar more. I see so many disposable hand warmers littered on the streets and sidewalks in NYC during the winter. More people should consider rechargeable hand warmers, like this twin-pack that costs $15.99 (originally $29.99) at Amazon and recharges via USB-C. Once fully charged, each warmer can provide warmth for four to eight hours, depending on the heat setting you choose. The two warmers snap together magnetically when you aren’t using them, and they each have a silicone wrist strap, so they won’t easily go flying out of your pocket.

👋 I’m Saaniya Chugh, and in this interview, I share my journey as a Senior Technical Consultant, tech author, and HackerNoon contributor, what sparked my love for writing, and how I blend ITSM, AI, and storytelling in my work. I talk about defining moments in both consulting and writing, the evolving role of content in the digital age, and why I chose to support the HackerNoon Writing Course as a guest speaker. At the heart of it all, my message is simple: AI can be a collaborator, but authentic human storytelling will always be irreplaceable.

SpaceX opened its 2026 launch campaign with a mission for the Italian government.