The day in tech.

OpenAI announced ChatGPT can now turn photos into custom stickers with transparent backgrounds, exportable directly to iMessage or WhatsApp. Users upload images, remix them, add or remove elements, and transfer styles. WhatsApp requires exporting three or more stickers, a Meta-set limit.

Apple is gearing up to launch a new Mac mini in the coming days, ahead of next month's expected iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra event. Apple tested versions with both M5 and M6 processors, and will begin manufacturing the Mac mini in Houston later this year.

The SEC subpoenaed Wall Street banks over AI hedge fund Situational Awareness, founded by former OpenAI researcher Leopold Aschenbrenner. The fund managed over $30 billion, relied on heavy leverage, and sold most of its stock portfolio to Citadel at a discount after AI stock declines.

Nvidia-backed neocloud Lambda is in talks to raise up to $3 billion at a valuation above $12 billion. Its revenue this year is estimated to reach over $1.5 billion.

Australia's ARIA has banned largely or wholly AI-created songs from its charts, requiring releases to be "substantially human made." The rule follows Josh Fawaz's AI-assisted Madonna cover, which topped the dance chart and drew 48 million Spotify streams.

JPMorgan is easing its approach on lending against shares to court new wealth from AI. The bank is adjusting its policies to attract clients whose fortunes are tied to artificial intelligence companies.

Unitree shares fell 45% after surging more than 5x in their August 19 Shanghai debut, cutting its valuation from $66B to $36B and raising robotics bubble concerns. The sharp reversal erased most of the initial gains.

Optical interconnect startup Quintessent Inc. raised $40 million in Series A funding led by Cycle Capital, with Goldman Sachs, Susquehanna International Group, and Osage University Partners participating. The company's quantum dot comb laser uses 40% less power and generates eight wavelengths for AI data center links.

Apple is preparing to raise iPhone prices, likely matching Samsung and Google's $100 increases, which would put the iPhone 18 Pro at $1,199. The iPhone 18 event is expected September 9, with John Ternus becoming CEO on September 1. A leaked macOS build also revealed smart home devices, including a hub and security camera.

The Wall Street Journal calls Full Self-Driving the best feature of the new Tesla Model Y. The review highlights the system's performance as a standout aspect of the updated electric SUV.