WSJ Tech News Briefing

A battery that lasts 50% longer, charges faster, and has a near-zero risk of fire…say it ain’t so! WSJ columnist and co-host of the Bold Names podcast, Christopher Mims, says it might actually come to market sooner rather than later thanks to one company’s advancements. Plus: Hackers are targeting the tech-support workers we’ve come to rely on. WSJ reporter Robert McMillan tells us about a newer strategy criminals are deploying to get access to our sensitive information. And how you can protect yourself. Victoria Craig hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: A plan to let you bet on SpaceX. And the Genius Act could spell trouble for Tether in the U.S. Victoria Craig hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The CEO of Meta has taken the recruitment reins as he tries to address an AI crisis at his company. WSJ technology reporter Meghan Bobrowsky explains that the chief executive is armed with $100-million pay packages to lure top talent. Plus, after years of work, robots are finally able to load and unload a truck. It might seem a basic task, but WSJ reporter Esther Fung tells us why it’s the holy grail of tech innovation. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: AI startup Abridge valued at $5.3-billion. And, the UK’s competition regulator sets out proposals to reign in Google search. Victoria Craig hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk’s Tesla has officially launched its self-driving taxi service in Texas. It’s taking on industry leader Waymo, but there are plenty of hurdles on the road to expansion for both companies. WSJ reporters Becky Peterson and Katherine Blunt give us a state-of-the-industry assessment. Victoria Craig hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: German auto-parts company Continental pushes into semiconductors. And the world’s biggest digital camera releases its first photos of deep space. Victoria Craig hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes the past offers a glimpse of the future. At least that’s what a pair of business partners are hoping when it comes to launching their next-generation Internet forum, a reboot of early internet aggregator Digg. Kevin Rose, co-founder of Digg, and Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, discuss their plans on stage with WSJ deputy tech and media editor Wilson Rothman at the WSJ’s Future of Everything event. Victoria Craig hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: U.S. considers ending some export waivers for U.S. technology in China. And, the European Commission scrutinizes Elon Musk’s X after xAI’s acquisition. Victoria Craig hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tech revolution drove Pope Leo XIV’s decision to select his papal name, and gave the world a glimpse of his priorities leading the Catholic Church. WSJ reporter Margherita Stancati discusses the long-running dialogue between Silicon Valley and the Vatican. Plus, Oracle is lending a hand to small tech companies that want to do business with the U.S. government. WSJ CIO reporter Belle Lin brings us the exclusive details of a new program, and what’s in it for the multinational tech giant. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: More than $90 million is drained from Iran’s biggest crypto exchange. And, Texas Instruments to invest $60 billion in made-in-America production. Victoria Craig hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senators gave the go ahead to legislation called the Genius Act, which seeks to regulate the stablecoin industry. But some say the new rules don’t go far enough. WSJ Heard on the Street columnist Telis Demos explains what it all means. Plus, the conflict between Israel and Iran could spread beyond the physical battlefield. We hear from WSJ reporter James Rundle about growing cybersecurity concerns. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Robinhood unveils new features to woo traders. And Oracle unveils initiative to help small tech companies sell to the Pentagon. Victoria Craig hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump Organization took the wraps off a golden smartphone it says will be made in the U.S. and sell for just under $500. WSJ deputy tech and media editor Wilson Rothman walks us through the promised specs and why it isn’t possible to make it in America by August. Plus, Gulf states are spending billions of dollars to develop their own artificial-intelligence industries. WSJ Heard on the Street columnist Asa Fitch explains why U.S. companies benefitting from the windfall should be wary. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Southwest Airlines adds pilot alerts to increase runway safety. And, crypto tycoon Justin Sun takes Tron Group public via reverse merger. Victoria Craig hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since 2021, more than $2-billion of venture capital funds have been plowed into next-gen nuclear technology. WSJ tech and national security reporter Heather Somerville explains how AI growth, competition with China, and President Trump’s desire to dominate the field are ushering in a new era of American nuclear power. Plus, we all need a shoulder to cry on or an empathetic ear once in a while. What if that reassurance came from a digital companion? WSJ family and tech columnist Julie Jargon talks to NYC seniors about whether such conversations are helpful. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Congress weighs crackdown on mortgage lenders’ spam calls. And, Brookfield strikes deal to buy internet-service provider Hotwire. Victoria Craig hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

X launched a strong-arm campaign against advertisers to revive its ad-sales business. WSJ advertising editor Suzanne Vranica tells us about the unusual tactic. Plus, the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of marketing emails may be an easy way to opt out. But writer Heidi Mitchell will tell you why you shouldn’t be so quick to click. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: BioNTech to buy CureVac to develop cancer treatments. And JetZero says it will start building its futuristic planes for commercial use. Victoria Craig hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two-year old French startup Mistral wants to show that European AI can compete with American and Chinese companies that dominate the industry. WSJ tech reporter Sam Schechner reports from the Viva Technology conference in Paris. Plus, the United Nations estimates half of all people on Earth experience severe water scarcity at least one month of the year. WSJ tech columnist Christopher Mims tells us about a 1960s-era technology that might hold a key to easing that problem. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: China puts limits on rare-earths export licenses. And Switch 2 becomes Nintendo’s fastest-selling console. Victoria Craig hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices