Science and technology

Billionaire Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab rejected a $60 million settlement proposal in a lawsuit over the 2019 fatal crash of an Autopilot-equipped Model S before a jury this month awarded a $243 million verdict in the case. Lawyers for the plaintiffs disclosed the settlement proposal in a filing, opens new tab on Monday in the federal court in Miami, Florida, as part of a request for legal fees from Tesla. They said Florida law entitles them to the legal fees the plaintiffs accrued since May 30, when the settlement was proposed. Tesla and a lawyer representing the company in the case did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Attorneys for the plaintiffs had no immediate comment. The trial focused on an April 2019 crash involving a 2019 Model S featuring Autopilot driver-assistance software. The driver’s Tesla struck the victims’ parked Chevrolet Tahoe as they were standing beside it on a shoulder. Read more: Tesla to sell Model Y ...

Google has silently introduced a visual renovation to its default Phone app for Android devices, introducing the Material 3 Expressive design language. The update aims to deliver a cleaner, more modern user interface, and it has started mixed reactions among users, as they were stunned by sudden change in their dialer layout. Several changes have been made in the Google Material 3 Expressive, including the merger of “Favourites” and “Recents” sections into a single “Home” tab to streamline access to frequently contacted numbers and recent calls, the replacement of the floating keypad button with a fixed tab at the bottom center of the screen, removal of the dedicated “Contacts” tab, while addition of three dots menu at the top to search contacts, and last but not least, choice between horizontal swipe or single tap to a call reply or rejection. The feature can be configured under “Incoming call gesture”, and can be found in App setting. The update is part of Google’s broader Mater...

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI sued Apple and ChatGPT maker OpenAI in U.S. federal court in Texas on Monday, accusing them of illegally conspiring to thwart competition for artificial intelligence. Apple and OpenAI have “locked up markets to maintain their monopolies and prevent innovators like X and xAI from competing,” the lawsuit, opens new tab said. Apple’s partnership with OpenAI has integrated its AI platform ChatGPT into iPhones, iPads, and Macs. “If not for its exclusive deal with OpenAI, Apple would have no reason to refrain from more prominently featuring the X app and the Grok app in its App Store,” the lawsuit said. In the lawsuit, xAI said it is seeking billions of dollars in alleged damages. “This latest filing is consistent with Mr. Musk’s ongoing pattern of harassment,” an OpenAI spokesperson said in a statement. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Musk had threatened to sue Cupertino, California-...

Epic Games announced on Monday that virtual band Gorillaz will headline Fortnite Festival season 10, set to begin Tuesday, August 26. “Band members Noodle, 2D, Russel Hobbs, and Murdoc Niccals are the Icons of Fortnite Festival Season 10,” the developer confirmed on its website. Epic Games confirmed that the Main Stage- where players and their bandmates perform – has been transformed for the upcoming Festival. “From Plastic Beach to the concrete jungle. Hit the new Main Stage complete with towering buildings, a street train, and enough graffiti to make this band feel right at home,” it wrote. Gorillaz joins a lost list of ‘Fortnite Festival’ icons, including Bruno Mars (Season 9) Sabrina Carpenter (Season 8), Hatsune Miku (Season 7), Snoop Dogg (Season 6), Karol G (Season 5), Metallica (Season 4), Billie Eilish (Season 3), Lady Gaga (Season 2), and The Weeknd (Season 1). Reacting to the announcement as Fortnite Festival Season 10 icons, Murdoc Niccals said, “It’s an honour for al...

Developer Rockstar Games ended support for the automatic save migration feature in Grand Theft Auto 4 on Monday. The developer introduced an automatic scanner to the Rockstar Games Launcher when it re-released Grand Theft Auto 4 on Steam in 2020. The scanner was aimed at removing the components of Games for Windows – Live from the PC version of the game. Rockstar’s background scanner in the Rockstar Games Launcher would automatically scan and import legacy save files. Gamers could also carry out the action manually any time from the launcher’s settings. However, Rockstar Games announced it was ending support for the background automatic scanner and related features, beginning Monday, August 25, 2025. The developer has begun removing the option to scan for GTA 4 GFWL save files from the Rockstar Games Launcher settings. However, fans have until September 16 before the developer completes the process of removing the feature. Following the final update, the automatic scanner will...

KARACHI: Showcasing remarkable innovation, a talented young Pakistani has converted a manual 1000cc car into a smartphone-controlled vehicle, with future plans to upgrade it into an AI-powered self-driving car designed to assist specially-abled individuals. Muhammad Subhan, a resident of Taxila in Punjab, shared details of his project during ARY News program Bakhabar Savera. He explained that the car can be operated through a mobile application already available on Google Play Store. “I developed a kit in just three months and installed it in the car,” he said. “The kit connects to a smartphone app, allowing control of the steering, brakes, accelerator, and clutch—all the primary functions needed to operate a vehicle.” Highlighting its current limitations, Subhan noted that the car is still in its initial phase and does not yet include sensors. At present, it is most useful for parking and basic maneuvering. “My main aim is to help disabled persons so they can drive a car using onl...

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has shared some insights into the difficulty level for players in the upcoming Borderlands 4. The upcoming title is scheduled to launch on September 12 for PlayStation 5, Xbox consoles and PC, while the game will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 3. Ahead of the launch, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford admitted that he was ‘nervous’ about players’ potential reaction to the challenging difficulty in Borderlands 4. Speaking at Gamescom 2025, Pitchford shared what level of challenges players should expect from the game once its releases. “We have lots of players that actually aren’t interested in deep, hard challenges; lots of people that love just exploring the Borderlands or spending time with the characters,” he said. Read more: Gearbox CEO confirms exciting feature in Borderlands 4 Pitchford continued, “I’m a little nervous because there are points of Borderlands 4 that are more challenging.” However, players will have an alternate way around it as ...

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, announced that the installation of three new submarine internet cables will improve internet speed in Pakistan. Speaking to the media, Minister Khawaja emphasized that no country can progress in today’s world without robust digital infrastructure. “This is not just about faster internet — it’s about opening new frontiers for innovation, investment, and inclusion,” she said. The new cables, set to dramatically improve Pakistan’s bandwidth and international connectivity, come at a time of record-breaking digital growth. Pakistan has added 10 million new mobile users in the past year alone, with total mobile subscribers now exceeding 200 million as of 2025. Internet usage has surged by 25% over the past two years, reflecting a population increasingly engaged with the digital economy. Perhaps the most significant milestone: 8 million women came online for the first time — a major step forward in closing the country...

President Donald Trump said on Friday the US would take a 10% stake in Intel under a deal with the struggling chipmaker that converts government grants into an equity share, the latest extraordinary intervention by the White House in corporate America. The deal puts Trump on better terms with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, after the president recently said the CEO should step down due to conflicts of interest. It will ensure that the chipmaker will receive about $10 billion in funds for building or expanding factories in the US. Under the agreement, the US will purchase a 9.9% stake in Intel for $8.9 billion, or $20.47 per share, which represents a discount of about $4 from Intel’s closing share price of $24.80 on Friday. The purchase of the 433.3 million Intel shares will be made with funding from the $5.7 billion in unpaid grants from the Biden-era CHIPS Act and $3.2 billion awarded to Intel for the Secure Enclave program, also awarded under Trump’s predecessor, Democratic President Joe B...

WASHINGTON: Medical monitoring technology company Masimo sued US Customs and Border Protection on Wednesday over a decision by the agency that allowed Apple to import Apple Watches with blood-oxygen reading technology during a patent dispute between the companies. Masimo said in the lawsuit in Washington, D.C., federal court that Customs improperly determined that Apple can import watches with pulse oximetry technology, reversing its own decision from last year without notifying Masimo. Masimo told the court that it learned of the agency’s August 1 decision only after Apple announced it would reintroduce blood-oxygen reading to its watches last week. Spokespeople for Apple and Customs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Masimo spokesperson declined to comment. Irvine, California-based Masimo has accused Apple of hiring away its employees and stealing its pulse oximetry technology to use in its Apple Watches. Masimo has separately sued Apple for patent infringeme...

Meta’s messaging platform WhatsApp is working on a new voicemail-style feature that lets users send voice messages if a call is not answered, adding a voicemail shortcut to the interface. The voicemail-style feature is currently available to select Android beta users (version 2.25.23.21), aiming to streamline communication by offering a quick follow-up option directly from the call screen. Feature Overview When a WhatsApp voice call goes unanswered, users will have three options on screen, including call again, cancel, and a new record voice message shortcut. This shortcut will also be available in the chat window with the recipient, enabling users to send a voice message without swiping screens. The recorded message is quickly sent within the conversation thread, alongside the missed call notification. The feature replicates the traditional voicemail but integrates flawlessly with WhatsApp’s chat interface, enhancing convenience and immediacy. The feature is in the testing phase ...

Battlefield 6 developers are set to bring several changes to the game based on players’ input obtained during the Open Beta tests. The game had two such tests to give players the opportunity to get a hold of the game’s features before its official launch on October 10. The first Battlefield 6 Open beta ran from August 9 to 10, while the second began on August 14 and ran through August 17. Following the two tests, EA and DICE have confirmed making several changes to the game’s gunplay, maps and characters’ movement. The changes include making gunplay more rewarding and consistent for players in the Battlefield 6. EA announced its plans to add general pass on recoil and tap-fire characteristics for all weapons. Read more: Battlefield 2042 adds new map, weapons in latest update According to the developer, the M87A1 shotgun will require more pellets than before to secure a kill. Additionally, players’ movement has seen several changes, including a reduction in the momentum when tr...

Developer NetEase introduced a new map, gameplay mode and free rewards in the latest Marvel Rivals patch notes on Thursday. Since its launch in December last year, the game has been receiving positive reviews as gamers get to play as 40 characters from the Marvel comics. NetEase has been rolling out new updates and patch notes to improve the game, while giving players new content as they progress in the game. The new Marvel Rivals patch notes, which were deployed on Thursday, August 21, added Klyntar: Throne of Knull, a map which comes with a new gameplay mode Resource Rumble. As per the August 21 update, fans can get free rewards, including the Doctor Strange – Old Man Strange Costume. Read more: Here’s everything to know about Marvel Rivals season 3.5 update Players can also get their hands on Iron First – Phoenix First and Venom – Reborn King in Black costumes by upgrading to the Premium Addition of Marvel Rivals. Marvel Rivals patch notes include; New In Store Iron Man – ...

Google has launched its latest lineup of phones: Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, packed with impressive specifications. Powered by the Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano model, Google has termed the new devices its most personalised, proactive and helpful Pixels ever. The company has refined the camera bar in all three of Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL. The new phones have several magnetic accessories and wireless charging. Notable features include; Display The Pixel 10 Pro comes with a 6.3-inch, 1,280 × 2,856px panel, while Pro XL boasts a 6.8-inch, 1,344 × 2,992px display. Read more: Google Wallet Launches in Pakistan, Expanding Digital Payment Options Google offers both phones in a colours such as Moonstone, Obsidian, Porcelain, and Jade. Cameras The Pixel 10 Pro has 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto setup. Performance The biggest improvement in terms of performance is the high-end Tensor G5 chipset, which offers 34 percent faster ...

Developer TT Games has announced development of a new action-adventure game, titled LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The developer, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Games, made the announcement during the Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025. TT Games Head of Development Jonathan Smith said that the upcoming game would be “the definitive essential Batman story”. Smith maintained that LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will follow Bruce Wayne as he fights crime in Gotham City after undergoing intense training with the League of Shadows. The game is expected to take inspiration from the iconic scenes from the ‘Dark Knight’ along with storylines from other ‘Batman’ films, shows, comics, and video games. As per TT Games, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will allow gamers to play solo or in two-player co-op mode. The game will feature the titular character’s friends from films such as Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, Catwoman, Talia al Guhl, and Commissioner Gordon. Read more: Ja...

Microsoft has announced the release date for Asus ROG Xbox Ally gaming consoles, but fell short of announcing the pricing. The tech giant confirmed development on the handheld consoles during the Xbox Games Showcase in the Summer Game Fest in June this year. Per the description, “The Xbox Ally offers great value for anyone looking to take their favourite games wherever they want to play, whether it’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Gears of War: Reloaded, Lies of P, South of Midnight, or many more. It’s powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor—balancing performance and power consumption to maximise battery life without sacrificing gameplay quality—16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.” Microsoft has now confirmed that both Asus ROG Xbox Ally and X will be launched on October 16, as per a report by The Verge . However, the company refused to announce the price for the two handheld gaming consoles. In a statement, Microsoft and Asus said that they needed time to figure out the pricing...

Activision unveiled the gameplay footage for the hotly anticipated Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 at the Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025. The 22nd entry in the popular shooter franchise is a direct sequel to 2012’s Black Ops 2. Activision teased Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 in a trailer earlier this year during the Xbox Games Showcase. However, the teaser did not provide any details about the characters or the setting of the game. The fresh Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 gameplay footage has now confirmed that David Mason is returning as the main protagonist, while fan-favourite Raul Menendez will be the main antagonist. The gameplay footage also confirmed the return of The Guild, a crime syndicate, which has gone global with its army and robots. The game, scheduled for a release on November 14, will allow co-op with up to four players. The upcoming entry in the popular franchise is returning to the futuristic setting, with twisting hallways, floating islands and giant knives landing on ear...

Black Myth: Wukong developer has announced a sequel game, Zhong Kui, to the smash soulslike game, based on Chinese mythology. Game Science made the announcement at the Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 and also released a trailer for the upcoming title. “This single-player action role-playing game draws its primary creative inspiration from the famed Chinese folk figure ‘Zhong Kui’. As the project is still in early development, no in-game footage is available at this time,” the description for the game on YouTube read. The reveal trailer for Black Myth: Zhong Kui opens with two people getting into a disagreement over their plans to escape a life of struggle. They are frightened by the approaching footsteps as a caravan of mythical creatures passes by. The footage then shows two large creatures carrying a large sheathed sword, followed by a massive tiger ridden by the titular Zhong Kui. The Chinese mythology portrays Zhong Kui as a god who wanders between hell and Earth to capture...

The White House launched an official TikTok account on Tuesday, taking advantage of the short video app’s more than 170 million U.S. users to spread the messages of President Donald Trump. Trump has a soft spot for the popular app, crediting it with helping him gain support among young voters when he defeated Democrat Kamala Harris in the November 2024 presidential election. Lawmakers in Washington worry, however, that its U.S. user data could fall into the hands of China’s government. Trump has been working on a deal for U.S. investors to buy the app from TikTok’s Chinese parent, ByteDance. Past intelligence assessments have said the app’s owners are beholden to the Chinese government and that it could be used to influence Americans. The new account, @whitehouse, went live on Tuesday evening with an initial video showing footage of Trump as he declares: “I am your voice.” “America we are BACK! What’s up TikTok?” the caption read. The TikTok account Trump used for his presidenti...

ISLAMABAD: Internet services have been restored across Pakistan which were disrupted after heavy rain, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) said. According to PTCL spokesperson, internet services have been fully restored nationwide. PTCL services had faced disruption since yesterday evening, but the issue has now been resolved and operations are back to normal, the PTCL spokesperson said. On Tuesday evening, users across Pakistan, including Karachi, faced extensive connectivity issues, with Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) services facing major disruptions. The internet disruption in Pakistan affected both online and call services, causing problems to individuals and businesses relying on digital platforms. Read more: Internet outage causes extensive internet disruption in Pakistan According to the reports from major cities of Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar, slow or no browsing speed, connection disruptions and outage in...

Intel is getting a $2 billion capital injection from SoftBank Group in a major vote of confidence for the troubled U.S. chipmaker that is in the middle of a turnaround effort. The equity investment, announced by the two companies on Monday, is a lifeline for the once-iconic U.S. chipmaker which has struggled to compete after years of management blunders that left it with virtually no foothold in the booming artificial intelligence chip industry. It will make SoftBank a top-10 shareholder of Intel and add to the Japanese tech investor’s ambitious bet on artificial intelligence that includes the $500 billion Stargate U.S. data center project. The deal follows media reports last week that the U.S. government may buy a stake in Intel, after a meeting between new CEO Lip-Bu Tan and President Donald Trump that was sparked by the President’s demand for Tan’s resignation over his ties to Chinese firms. SoftBank’s decision to invest in Intel is not connected to Trump, a person familiar wit...

Microsoft is finally addressing the discrepancies in dark mode of Windows, almost after a decade of its initial rollout in Windows 10. The leading tech company has launched a preview build of upcoming Windows 11 dark mode containing expanded theme support, suggesting at a broader visual overhaul predictable in the upcoming 25H2 update. The recent Insider builds of Windows 11 now include dark-themed file operation dialogs, like prompts for copy, delete, and move, bringing reliability to the user interface (UI). These changes were initially identified by Windows enthusiast Phantomofearth, who shared the updated UI elements’ screenshots on social media. Despite the upgrades, several old components, including the ‘Control Panel, Run dialog, and file properties windows’, will be displayed in light mode. Experts predict that Microsoft is likely to continue improving Windows 11 dark mode areas ahead of the 25H2 release, though no official announcement has been made. This step is signif...

Electronic Arts (EA) rolled out a new update for Battlefield 2042 to add a new map, weapons and rewards on Monday. While gamers gave mostly negative reviews to the game after its release in 2021, EA and developer DICE have been rolling out new updates to rectify these mistakes over the years. As fans await the release of Battlefield 6, EA and DICE dropped a surprising update for the 2021 entry in the shooter franchise. Battlefield 2042 Update 9.2.0 includes a new map, weapons, fighter jets, and a free Battle Pass with 60 tiers worth of cosmetic items. EA and DICE confirmed that the update was available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Battlefield 2042 Update 9.2.0 adds the Iwo Jima map, KFS2000 Assault Rifle, Lynx Sniper Rifle, and two new jets, including the A10 Warthog and SU-25TM Frogfoot. Read more: Battlefield 6 breaks Call of Duty’s record before launch The map was seen in the previous entries such as Battlefield 1942, 1943, and Battlefi...

The global games industry gathers for the vast Gamescom trade fair in Cologne this week, with hopes that upcoming heavy-hitters like “GTA VI” can help the industry escape its doldrums. Tuesday’s opening night event will show off major releases slated for the months ahead, with the starring role going to “Black Ops 7” — the new instalment in the sprawling “Call of Duty” saga. Trade visitors will have Wednesday to peruse the stands and make connections, before tens of thousands of enthusiastic gamers are unleashed on the vast salon from Thursday to Sunday. Last year’s Gamescom drew almost 335,000 people to the Cologne exhibition centre, where studios lay on vast stands with consoles or PCs offering hands-on play with the latest releases. Nintendo is back in 2025 after staying away last year, surfing on record launch sales for its Switch 2 console. And Microsoft’s Xbox gaming division will show off new portable hardware expected to be released towards the end of the year. Sony, the...

KARACHI: The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) confirmed that Pakistan’s newly launched remote sensing satellite has successfully reached orbit and is performing optimally. The satellite was launched on July 31, 2025, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) in China. Following deployment, it established stable communication with ground stations and has begun transmitting high-resolution images for national use. According to SUPARCO, the satellite’s advanced imaging capabilities will support urban planning, infrastructure development, and regional monitoring, while also helping track urban sprawl and development trends. Officials said the system will significantly strengthen natural disaster management, providing timely data to support rapid response during floods, landslides, earthquakes, and other hazards. It will also aid environmental protection efforts, including monitoring glacier melt, deforestation, and climate change indicators, and is expecte...

YouTube has started using artificial intelligence (AI) to figure out when users are children pretending to be adults on the popular video-sharing platform amid pressure to protect minors from sensitive content. The new safeguard is being rolled out in the United States as Google-owned YouTube and social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are under scrutiny to shield children from content geared for grown-ups. A version of AI referred to as machine learning will be used to estimate the age of users based on a variety of factors, including the kinds of videos watched and account longevity, according to YouTube Youth director of product management James Beser. “This technology will allow us to infer a user’s age and then use that signal, regardless of the birthday in the account, to deliver our age-appropriate product experiences and protections,” Beser said. “We’ve used this approach in other markets for some time, where it is working well.” The age-estimation model enhan...

Fans of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6 have pulled off an exact remake of Jason’s house in Fortnite. In May this year, Rockstar Games left fans dismayed after announcing that the highly anticipated game will be delayed to May 26, 2026, from the Fall 2025 release date. Soon after, the developer dropped the second trailer for GTA 6, sharing more insights into the relationship of lead characters, Jason and Lucia. The trailer also introduced additional side characters, while providing brief details about the upcoming missions in the Vice City. However, Jason’s house at beachside in the second trailer became the talking point. The second trailer for the game featured a number of clips, including what appears to be gameplay of him walking inside. As fans await the release of the sixth entry in the Grand Theft Auto franchise, they have been remaking characters, places and scenes in other games. While GTA 6 fans have remade Jason’s house in Far Cry 5, the latest remake in Fort...

Capcom has released the Monster Hunter Wilds August hotfix, delivering several bug fixes and gameplay balance changes. The update arrives just after the major v1.021 patch, which introduced nine new monster variants, multiple weapon buffs, and other improvements. Monster Hunter Wilds players must install the August hotfix to continue accessing online features. The patch resolves a crash issue that could occur when returning to camp after fainting or fast travelling. It also fixes the Wide Range skill effect on Appraised Talismans not working correctly in online play. Furthermore, Monster Hunter Wilds’ hotfix addresses a problem where the gunlance’s Focus Strike would not properly chain into its finishing attack. This Monster Hunter Wilds hotfix follows Capcom’s decision to move expanded endgame content forward from September’s planned TU3 update into the August 13 release. TU3, now due in September, will still bring a new monster, a seasonal event, and additional gameplay adjus...

China kicked off the three-day long World Humanoid Robot Games on Friday, looking to showcase its advances in artificial intelligence and robotics with 280 teams from 16 countries. Robots competed in sports such as track and field, and table tennis, as well as tackled robot-specific challenges from sorting medicines and handling materials to cleaning services. Teams came from countries including the United States, Germany and Brazil, with 192 representing universities and 88 from private enterprises such as China’s Unitree and Fourier Intelligence. Competing teams used robots from Chinese manufacturers such as Booster Robotics. “We come here to play and to win. But we are also interested in research,” said Max Polter, a member of HTWK Robots football team from Germany, affiliated with Leipzig University of Applied Sciences. “You can test a lot of interesting new and exciting approaches in this contest. If we try something and it doesn’t work, we lose the game. That’s sad but it i...