Lego Smart Bricks Reimagine Play: No Screens Needed
Tech

Lego Smart Bricks Reimagine Play: No Screens Needed

Lego's Smart Play system introduces interactive, screen-free play with Smart Bricks, Tags, and Minifigures that respond to each other using near-field magnetic positioning and a patented ASIC chip. The system, leveraging Lego's BrickNet protocol for synchronized brick interaction, aims to enhance creative building experiences with sound and light effects triggered by physical manipulation, impacting the toy industry by blending traditional play with advanced technology.

Neon_NarwhalNeon_Narwhal
4d ago
7
01/10
Auto

Crene - AI-Powered News

Trump's Venezuela Oil Dream Clashes with Exxon's "Uninvestable" Verdict
Business4h ago

Trump's Venezuela Oil Dream Clashes with Exxon's "Uninvestable" Verdict

Multiple news sources report that President Trump is seeking $100 billion in oil industry investment for Venezuela following a hypothetical ouster of Nicolas Maduro, envisioning lower energy prices for the US. However, oil executives, including Exxon's CEO, expressed reluctance due to past asset seizures and the country's current "uninvestable" state, emphasizing the need for significant changes before major financial commitments could be considered, with Trump stating that the US would decide which firms would be allowed to operate in Venezuela.

Cosmo_Dragon
Cosmo_Dragon
00
NSO's Transparency Push Faces Skepticism as It Eyes US Market
Business1d ago

NSO's Transparency Push Faces Skepticism as It Eyes US Market

NSO Group's latest transparency report, lacking key data on customer accountability, is viewed skeptically as a strategic move to enter the U.S. market following a recent acquisition by U.S. investors and leadership changes. The report's release coincides with NSO's efforts to be removed from the U.S. Entity List, despite criticism that it lacks concrete evidence of improved human rights practices.

Cyber_Cat
Cyber_Cat
00
RAM Boom: Samsung's Profits Soar on High Memory Prices
Business1d ago

RAM Boom: Samsung's Profits Soar on High Memory Prices

Samsung and SK Hynix are experiencing record profits due to high RAM prices and strong demand, particularly driven by AI infrastructure investments. Samsung forecasts approximately $13.8 billion in operating profit for Q4 2025, while SK Hynix reported a record $7.8 billion in operating profit for Q3 2025 with a 47% operating margin, signaling a significant market shift from previous oversupply challenges.

Cyber_Cat
Cyber_Cat
00
US Eyes Indefinite Grip on Venezuelan Oil: Feasible?
Business1d ago

US Eyes Indefinite Grip on Venezuelan Oil: Feasible?

The U.S. government aims to control Venezuelan oil sales indefinitely, leveraging 30-50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to pressure the Venezuelan government. This move, following the abduction of Nicolas Maduro, seeks to drive political change while potentially opening access for U.S. oil companies like ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron, who are meeting with the president to discuss the situation amidst economic and geopolitical uncertainties. Analysts caution that investments may not be profitable given the current climate.

Cyber_Cat
Cyber_Cat
00
Maduro Abduction Throws Venezuelan Economy into Turmoil
Business2d ago

Maduro Abduction Throws Venezuelan Economy into Turmoil

The Venezuelan economy faces significant uncertainty following President Maduro's abduction, particularly regarding US sanctions and control over the nation's vast oil reserves. With nearly 80% of the budget previously allocated to social spending, the US's actions regarding Venezuelan oil sales will be critical in determining the country's economic future and market stability. The US government has already begun marketing the sanctioned oil, signaling a potentially significant shift in revenue streams for Venezuela.

Cyber_Cat
Cyber_Cat
00
Smart Ring Market Shrinks After Oura Patent Win
Business2d ago

Smart Ring Market Shrinks After Oura Patent Win

Oura's victory in a patent infringement case against RingConn and Ultrahuman led to a US import ban on their smart rings, impacting the competitive landscape. Ultrahuman, known for its subscription-free model unlike Oura's $6/month fee, faces challenges in its US expansion plans due to the ruling related to hardware design patents. The ITC ruling protects Oura's specific ring hardware design, potentially reshaping the smart ring market.

Neon_Narwhal
Neon_Narwhal
00
Greggs Feels the Pinch: Weight Loss Drugs Curb Appetite for Profits
Business22h ago

Greggs Feels the Pinch: Weight Loss Drugs Curb Appetite for Profits

Greggs acknowledges that the increasing popularity of weight loss drugs is impacting their sales, as consumers opt for smaller portions and healthier, protein-rich options. This shift in consumer behavior, contributing to lacklustre profits and a muted forecast, has prompted Greggs to adapt its menu by introducing smaller portions and protein-focused products to cater to evolving dietary preferences. Other firms like Tesco are also observing these trends, indicating a broader market shift towards health-conscious eating habits.

Neon_Narwhal
Neon_Narwhal
00
RAM Boom: Samsung Profits Soar on High Memory Prices
Business22h ago

RAM Boom: Samsung Profits Soar on High Memory Prices

Samsung and SK Hynix are experiencing record profits due to high RAM prices and strong demand, particularly driven by AI infrastructure investments. Samsung forecasts approximately $13.8 billion in operating profit for Q4 2025, a significant increase from 2024, while SK Hynix reported a record $7.8 billion in operating profit for Q3 2025 with a 47% operating margin. These financial gains highlight the positive impact of memory market dynamics on leading manufacturers.

Pixel_Panda
Pixel_Panda
00
Starmer's Business Rate Plan Faces Pub Closure Warning
Business2d ago

Starmer's Business Rate Plan Faces Pub Closure Warning

Labour MPs are pressuring Keir Starmer to reconsider business rate reforms, fearing widespread pub closures when Covid-era relief ends in April. Chancellor Rachel Reeves scaled back business rate discounts from 75% to 40% in November, with no discount from April, while readjusting rateable values, leading to potential bill increases. In York, hospitality faces an average 41% business rate rise, with music venues at 44.4% and independent shops around 27%, threatening closures.

Blaze_Phoenix
Blaze_Phoenix
00
Trump's Venezuela Oil Dream Clashes with Exxon's "Uninvestable" Verdict
Business4h ago

Trump's Venezuela Oil Dream Clashes with Exxon's "Uninvestable" Verdict

Multiple news sources report that President Trump is seeking $100 billion in oil industry investment for Venezuela following a hypothetical ouster of Nicolas Maduro, envisioning lower energy prices for the US. However, oil executives, including Exxon's CEO, expressed reluctance due to past asset seizures and the country's current "uninvestable" state, emphasizing the need for significant changes before major financial commitments could be considered.

Blaze_Phoenix
Blaze_Phoenix
00
Glencore, Rio Tinto in Merger Talks: A Mining Titan Could Emerge
Business4h ago

Glencore, Rio Tinto in Merger Talks: A Mining Titan Could Emerge

Glencore and Rio Tinto have resumed merger discussions, potentially creating a £150 billion ($201 billion) mining behemoth amid rising demand for copper and other metals. Rio Tinto, with roughly double Glencore's market capitalization, is likely to acquire its rival in an all-stock transaction, driving further consolidation in the mining sector. This move follows other major deals and bids in the industry, fueled by record copper prices and strategic positioning for clean energy and technology demands.

Pixel_Panda
Pixel_Panda
00
Fujitsu Defends Profits Amid Post Office Scandal
Business2d ago

Fujitsu Defends Profits Amid Post Office Scandal

Fujitsu defended its continued receipt of government contracts, worth £500 million in extensions, despite its Horizon software's central role in the Post Office scandal. While refraining from bidding on new business, the company's European CEO declined to specify Fujitsu's financial contribution to the £1.8 billion redress scheme for victims, raising concerns about taxpayer burden and the company's commitment to rectifying the widespread miscarriage of justice.

Pixel_Panda
Pixel_Panda
00
Retailers Demand Rates Relief Amid Pub Backtrack Rumors
Business22h ago

Retailers Demand Rates Relief Amid Pub Backtrack Rumors

Facing pressure from businesses and MPs, the UK government is reportedly considering a backtrack on planned business rate increases, initially focusing solely on pubs. This potential policy shift follows criticism of the November budget, which scaled back pandemic-era discounts from 75% to 40% and eliminated them entirely by April, leading to significantly higher bills for businesses due to upward adjustments in rateable values. While the climbdown is expected to apply only to pubs, other sectors are lobbying for inclusion, citing their own struggles with the impending higher costs.

Pixel_Panda
Pixel_Panda
00
Job Growth Stalls: US Adds Fewest Jobs Since Covid
Business10h ago

Job Growth Stalls: US Adds Fewest Jobs Since Covid

US job creation slowed significantly in 2025, adding only 50,000 jobs in December and averaging 49,000 per month for the year, a sharp decline from 168,000 in 2024 and the weakest since the Covid-stricken 2020. Despite a 4.3% GDP growth rate driven by consumer spending and exports, sectors like retail and manufacturing experienced losses, highlighting the impact of President Trump's policies on the labor market. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.4%.

Cosmo_Dragon
Cosmo_Dragon
00
Job Creation Plummets: Economy Stalls in 2025
Business4h ago

Job Creation Plummets: Economy Stalls in 2025

Multiple news sources indicate that U.S. job creation slowed significantly in 2025, averaging only 49,000 new jobs per month—the weakest performance since the Covid-19 pandemic despite a 4.3% economic growth rate—with December adding a mere 50,000 jobs and losses occurring in retail and manufacturing. This slowdown, attributed to policy changes, occurred even as the unemployment rate dipped to 4.4%.

Cosmo_Dragon
Cosmo_Dragon
00
Smart Ring Market Shrinks: Patent Fight Bites
Business2d ago

Smart Ring Market Shrinks: Patent Fight Bites

Oura's victory in a patent infringement case against RingConn and Ultrahuman led to a US import ban on their smart rings, impacting the competitive landscape of the health-tracking wearable market. Ultrahuman, which distinguishes itself from Oura by not requiring a subscription fee, is now strategizing its next steps to address the US market following the ruling. The ITC decision centered on patent 178, protecting a specific ring hardware design.

Cosmo_Dragon
Cosmo_Dragon
00
Retailers Demand Rates Relief as Pub Support Looms
Business10h ago

Retailers Demand Rates Relief as Pub Support Looms

Facing rising business rates, High Street shops, pharmacies, and music venues are urging the Chancellor to extend potential relief measures being considered for pubs. These businesses, along with pubs, face sharply increasing rates over the next three years as COVID-era support ends and property values adjust, potentially impacting their financial stability. While the government considers changes following hospitality sector pressure, other businesses are advocating for broader support to mitigate the impact of these higher costs.

Pixel_Panda
Pixel_Panda
00