109 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Richard Lawler

Richard Lawler

Senior News Editor

Senior News Editor

    More From Richard Lawler

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    More rumored specs for the PS5 Pro.

    Tom Henderson at Insider Gaming reported GPU specifications and performance targets for a “PlayStation 5 Pro” on Friday, and now he says that just like the recently revised PS5, the Pro will also have a detachable disc drive.

    Other new details include rumors of faster memory running at 576 GB/s (a 28 percent boost over the PS5), better audio performance, and a new “High CPU Frequency Mode” that boosts performance by 10 percent over the standard PS5.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    The M1 MacBook Air price war between Best Buy and Walmart is on.

    Now that Apple’s done selling the M1 MacBook Air, Walmart is offering the 8GB RAM, 256GB storage model for $699, which Best Buy quickly responded to by dropping its price to $649.99.

    Other laptops have more capacity, and newer models probably have more software updates to look forward to, but at these prices, it’s harder to complain. So let us know, are any of you picking up one more wedge-shaped laptop while you still can?

    Note: If you buy something from these links, we might get affiliate revenue.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Starbucks is giving up on its NFT odyssey.

    Two years ago, Starbucks announced a web3 NFT project that was supposed to expand its Rewards loyalty program by using the blockchain... somehow.

    One year ago, Starbucks delivered the first paid Odyssey NFTs, selling 2,000 in twenty minutes during the same week Facebook and Instagram quit NFTs.

    Now, Starbucks says the Odyssey Beta will shut down on March 31st, and I’m wondering which big brand’s NFT project will last through March 2025.

    Starbucks Odyssey Beta will be coming to a close on March 31st, 2024.
    It’s over.
    Image: Starbucks
    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Prosecutors recommend a 40- to 50-year sentence for Sam Bankman-Fried.

    The former crypto billionaire was found guilty on all seven charges he faced in November, and the judge is scheduled to deliver a sentence on March 28th. Bankman-Fried’s lawyers suggested a five- to six-year prison sentence, but a filing submitted by the prosecution on Friday disagrees:

    While a Guidelines sentence – which would exceed 100 years, effectively a life sentence – is not necessary, the Government urges the Court to impose a sentence that underscores the remarkably serious nature of the harm to thousands of victims; prevents the defendant from ever again committing fraud; and sends a powerful signal to others who might be tempted to engage in financial misconduct that the consequences will be severe.

    A sentence of 40 to 50 years is necessary to serve such purposes.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    McDonald’s is back online after an international outage.

    The Wall Street Journal, BBC, 9 News, and other outlets report that McDonald’s “technology outage” temporarily closed restaurants in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, and the UK. There’s no word on any impact in the US, where the McGriddles must flow.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    All of the angles on the launch of SpaceX’s third Starship flight test.

    The Starship was reported “lost” before it could splash down after reentry as planned. but for a better look at the takeoff, the folks at NASASpaceflight put together a few different camera angles from this morning’s events.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Finally, a good use of AI.

    Shaquille O’Neal and Stephen Curry’s production companies are behind a documentary film for Prime Video about the only AI you can trust to be The Answer, Allen Iverson.

    Now, through unprecedented access and personal stories, along with intimate interviews with family, friends, and fellow NBA players and coaches, Iverson shares a more reflective side of his present-day self, as he takes us on a journey through his storied history into the present day where he realizes his cultural impact long after his playing days have come to an end.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    The FCC’s new US Cyber Trust Mark program is moving forward.

    Described as an “Energy Star label for the IoT,” this will put the logo revealed last year on participating products that meet certain standards for security, along with a QR code customers can scan to find the latest info about how updates work, or how long the support window will be.

    After voting in favor of rules and a framework to move forward, the FCC is now asking for some input:

    The Commission is also seeking public comment on additional potential disclosure requirements, including whether software or firmware for a product is developed or deployed by a company located in a country that presents national security concerns and whether customer data collected by the product will be sent to servers located in such a country.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Google’s annual I/O puzzle is back.

    As usual, Google has chosen to reveal the date of its I/O developer conference through a collaborative puzzle. For I/O ’24, it’s a Pipe Dream-style game, guiding a marble from point A to point B.

    Completing your levels helps the overall progress (and probably trains generative AI models somehow), which you can monitor on the main event page. Or just wait for others to finish it while you dig through the I/O 23 announcements to see what has or has not shipped yet.

    Update (5:03PM ET): The puzzle’s done, and we have a date (May 14th).

    Screenshot of the I/O 24 date reveal progress page, showing the progress of a ball through a maze to gauge how close players are to finishing.
    Google I/O 24 date reveal puzzle
    Image: Google