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Richard Lawler

Richard Lawler

Senior News Editor

Senior News Editor

    More From Richard Lawler

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    The stock market briefly dipped after this seemingly AI-generated image fueled a hoax.

    Twitter accounts followed by day traders and crypto fans passed around an image claiming there was an “explosion near the Pentagon” Monday morning, and as Insider notes, during the confusion, the markets briefly dipped.

    However, the Arlington Fire Department and the Pentagon confirmed no such incident occurred. Just like the “Balenciaga Pope” pictures, the image shows several signs it was generated using AI.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Axiom Mission 2 crew checks in on their way to the International Space Station.

    Axiom Space launched Ax-2 today, the second of four planned private missions to the space station. Of the four people on this trip (a seat reportedly costs about $55 million), mission commander Peggy Whitson is the most experienced, with three previous trips to the ISS under her belt and 665 days in space, more than any other American astronaut.

    The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the ISS on Monday morning at around 9:16AM ET.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    The official Bluesky FAQ means well, but it’s not telling the truth.

    Whether you’ve snagged an invite code or not, the User FAQ for Bluesky is here to explain what you need to know about the Twitter-like service, the AT protocol, and even how to find your friends from other networks once you’re in.

    But we will have to fact-check a section that is incorrect:

    What is a post on Bluesky called?

    The official term is “post.”

    Liz Lopatto already told you, they’re skeets now. They even have a song.

    Bluesky User FAQ

    [blueskyweb.xyz]

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Hyundai’s latest launch isn’t a restomod or an EV.

    And instead of showing off the rumored production version of the much-loved N Vision 74 concept and its hydrogen fuel cell hybrid powerplant, Hyundai chose to restore that car’s inspiration — the “retro-futuristic classic” Pony Concept Coupe from 1974.

    Gas-powered via an 82-horsepower 1.2-liter 4-cylinder engine, I think the Pony concept pulls off the angular styling better than the Cybertruck, and the slide controls in the dash are still better than any in-car touchscreen display. Bring those back too.

    Foru images combined, showing clockwise from top left, the Hyundai N Vision 74 concept car, an external shot of the restored 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe concept, an internal shot of the gauges in the Pony Coupe concept, and the Hyundai N Vision 74 EV again.
    (Clockwise from top left) The Hyundai N Vision 74 concept car, external shot of the restored 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe concept, internal shot of the gauges in the Pony Coupe concept, Hyundai N Vision 74 EV again. Click here for a bigger version.
    Image: Hyundai / William Joel
    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    This is why I don’t usually write reviews.

    Because Chris Welch can break down everything you actually need to know about the Beats Studio Buds Plus and how good they are or are not.

    I’d give them a 10/10 rating based on translucency alone, which is allegedly “not a valid way to score a review according to our scale.” All I know is that I’ve never bought an iPhone, but if Apple made a clear one I’d have blue bubbles the next day.

    Clear plastic Beats Studio Buds Plus case and earbuds
    Beats Studio Buds Plus
    Image: Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    ESPN is preparing for its “flagship” streaming future.

    When Bob Chapek was still Disney’s CEO, he called the idea of a streaming ESPN channel (in full, not just ESPN Plus) “the ultimate fan offering that will appeal to the superfan who loves sports.” Chapek is gone, but the process of shifting ESPN from a cable channel that pockets nearly $10 from every subscriber is still underway, according to the Wall Street Journal:

    Now, as consumers increasingly cut the cable-TV cord, the company is actively preparing for that shift under a project with the internal code name “Flagship,” the people said.

    ESPN would continue to offer the TV channel after launching a streaming option

    ESPN has begun securing flexibility in its deals with cable providers to offer the channel directly to consumers, the people said...The company is having similar discussions with pro sports leagues as those rights deals come up and has secured the same flexibility from at least two major leagues, the people said.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Can you even watch this video in Montana?

    Well, maybe not in 2024 if a new law banning TikTok within the state takes effect. Makena Kelly can explain more.