The day in tech.

OpenAI Group PBC paused its unreleased Astra large language model after disclosing it may possess critical hacking capabilities. The model, detailed last week, solved 10 long-running math problems, with proofs published in a Sunday blog post.

Google released a Pixel Watch 5 teaser video ahead of its August 12 Made by Google event, touting the watch's circular design. The narrator says the smartwatch "still has the decency to look like a watch," a jab at bulky rivals like the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, available August 7 from $1,900, features a wider passport-shaped design, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, 7.6-inch open and 5.5-inch closed displays, a 4,800mAh battery, and a 201-gram weight. Its hinge and Flex Titanium screen nearly eliminate the crease.

SpaceX and Tesla plan their own natural gas power plants for a massive $16.8 billion Texas chip factory. Riley Trettel, who oversees energy and data center development for SpaceX, said the companies will handle much of the project's power needs themselves.

Silicon Valley's technological ambitions increasingly mirror Philip K Dick's speculative fiction, exploring themes of reality, identity, and artificial intelligence. The author's dystopian narratives foreshadow contemporary debates around simulated experiences and human-machine boundaries.

Apple increased US trade-in values for most iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Watches, plus select Samsung, Google, and OnePlus Android phones. The Mac Pro tops out at $2,195, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPad Pro reach $720. Values vary by condition, year, and configuration.

Apple captured 65% of the global premium smartphone market in the first half of 2026, with premium segment revenue up 9% year-over-year on strong iPhone 17 sales. Samsung held 19%, while OPPO grew 69% and vivo 20%.

Sony's WH-1000XM4C headphones will launch in early September at €249.99 or £219.99, offering similar features to the original WH-1000XM4 with reduced battery life. The new model includes ANC, spatial audio, hi-res support, and touch controls in black, silver, and lavender.

Apple added nearly 45 hearing devices to its Made for iPhone compatibility list. The expansion covers new hearing aids and cochlear implants from multiple manufacturers. Users can pair these devices directly with iPhones for audio streaming and control.

Nvidia agreed to invest $2 billion in Lancium, the power infrastructure developer for the Stargate campus in Texas, with an additional $1 billion possible if certain thresholds are met.