Tech and science news today is led by a major AI milestone: Google says its Gemini app has surpassed 1 billion monthly users, making it the fastest-growing product in the company’s history, alongside today’s total solar eclipse sweeping over the Arctic and into Europe.
Table of Contents
This roundup also covers Tech & Apps stories on Google TV Freeplay’s new on-demand library, a writer’s dispute with Saber Interactive over AI-generated dialogue, a lettuce recall tied to Taco Bell, and rumored Sonos headphones; an AI Tools update on OpenAI’s new Linux app; and Science & Space stories on dolphin tool use, AI’s gender bias in kids’ stories, and the UK’s near-record summer heat — a full sweep of today’s tech and science news.
The TLDR
- Gemini hits 1 billion users: Google’s chatbot became its fastest product ever to reach the milestone.
- Google TV Freeplay: Google’s free streamer now offers 10,000+ on-demand movies and shows, not just live channels.
- Saber AI writer dispute: A former lead writer says ChatGPT replaced her; Saber’s CEO denies any writer was replaced.
- Taylor Farms lettuce recall: FDA data shows under 2.5% of recalled lettuce reached Taco Bell, raising new questions.
- Sonos Ace Ultra: A reported AI-focused headphone upgrade could launch as soon as September.
- ChatGPT for Linux: OpenAI’s desktop app now runs on Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora.
- Total solar eclipse: Totality sweeps Greenland, Iceland, and Spain today, lasting up to 2 minutes 18 seconds.
- Dolphin tool use: Dolphins in Australia filmed hunting with shells — and maybe teaching calves the trick.
- AI gender bias in stories: Female characters appear in just 2% of AI-written kids’ animal stories.
- UK heat record: Britain is on pace for its second straight warmest summer on record.
Tech & Apps
Google TV Freeplay adds 10,000+ on-demand movies and shows
Google’s free, ad-supported streaming service now lets viewers pick from more than 10,000 on-demand movies and shows instead of just tuning into preset channels, according to The Verge. New additions include titles like Lady Bird and Hell’s Kitchen. The move puts Freeplay in more direct competition with free streamers like Tubi and Pluto TV.
Saber denies replacing a game writer with ChatGPT
Former lead writer Stella Sacco says she was pulled off Saber Interactive’s upcoming driving game, Rideshare “Stimulator,” and that ChatGPT took over her writing duties. Saber CEO Matthew Karch disputes this, stating “neither Saber nor Unigine have replaced any writers with AI,” according to The Verge. The game’s Steam page currently doesn’t disclose AI-generated content, and the two sides’ accounts still conflict.
Less than 2.5% of recalled Taylor Farms lettuce went to Taco Bell
New FDA data shows that under 2.5% of the iceberg lettuce Taylor Farms recalled during a cyclospora outbreak actually reached Taco Bell restaurants, according to Ars Technica. The finding complicates the outbreak’s public narrative and raises fresh questions about how the recalled lettuce was actually distributed.
Sonos reportedly planning AI-focused Ace Ultra headphones
Sonos is said to be developing a higher-end follow-up to its 2024 Ace headphones, called the Ace Ultra, with a bigger push into AI and smart-home features, according to 9to5Mac, citing a Bloomberg report. An FCC filing points to voice command support, more color options than the original, and a possible September launch — none of it confirmed by Sonos yet.
AI Tools
Gemini becomes Google’s fastest product ever to hit 1 billion users
Google says its Gemini app has crossed 1 billion monthly users, making it the fastest-growing product in company history, according to TechCrunch. Google reports 63% of Gemini users talk to the assistant using voice, and the app now generates more than 150 million images daily — for context on how AI image tools stack up, see our Canva vs. Midjourney comparison. The milestone puts Gemini in the same league as ChatGPT, which also passed 1 billion users this year, per Ars Technica. It’s easily today’s biggest piece of tech and science news.
OpenAI launches ChatGPT desktop app for Linux
OpenAI has released a dedicated ChatGPT desktop app for Linux, supporting Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora distributions, according to TechCrunch. The app brings ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and OpenAI’s Codex tool to Linux, closing a gap after Mac and Windows versions launched earlier. It arrives about a month after Anthropic released its own Claude desktop app for Linux.
Science & Space
Total solar eclipse crosses Greenland, Iceland, and Spain today
A total solar eclipse sweeps over the Arctic and into Europe today, with the path of totality crossing eastern Greenland, western Iceland, and parts of northern Spain and Portugal, according to Space.com. Totality lasts up to about two minutes and 18 seconds at its longest point. Anyone outside the narrow path can watch online livestreams; if you want gear for tracking eclipses and night-sky events yourself, check our Seestar S50 vs. Dwarf 3 smart telescope comparison.
Dolphins filmed hunting with shells, possibly teaching calves the trick
Researchers filmed Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Australia’s Hervey Bay using empty sea-snail shells to trap and eat small fish, a foraging technique called “shelling,” according to ScienceAlert. It’s the first time the behavior has been documented on Australia’s east coast, having previously only been confirmed in Western Australia’s Shark Bay. New footage also shows a calf attempting the same technique shortly after watching its mother do it.
AI models almost never give female characters lead roles in kids’ stories
A University of Washington study found that leading AI models rarely give female characters starring roles in children’s stories about talking animals, according to ScienceAlert. Across nearly 24,000 AI-written stories from six models, female characters appeared in just 2% versus 41% for male characters, with the rest left ungendered. Claude produced the most female characters of any model tested — still only 4% of its stories.
UK on track for second straight warmest summer on record
The UK’s Met Office says Britain is on course to record its warmest summer ever for the second year running, according to Phys.org. The season’s average temperature is already running above 2025’s record pace, and the country is bracing for its fifth heat wave of the summer. England and Wales also just recorded their driest July on record — more tech and science news to watch as the pattern continues.
Explore more: Seestar S50 vs. Dwarf 3 smart telescope comparison, Canva vs. Midjourney comparison.
Tech & Science News FAQs
Is Google TV Freeplay actually free to use?
Yes, Google TV Freeplay is a free, ad-supported streaming service built into Google TV. It now includes over 10,000 on-demand movies and shows in addition to its live channel lineup.
Where can I watch the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse?
The path of totality crosses eastern Greenland, western Iceland, and northern Spain and Portugal, with totality lasting up to about two minutes and 18 seconds. Viewers outside that path can watch online livestreams, and anyone viewing in person needs certified eclipse glasses.
Did Saber Interactive really replace a writer with ChatGPT?
Former lead writer Stella Sacco says she was taken off Rideshare “Stimulator” and replaced with AI-generated writing. Saber CEO Matthew Karch denies that any writer was replaced with AI, and the dispute remains unresolved.
How many users does Google Gemini have now?
Google says its Gemini app has surpassed 1 billion monthly users, its fastest product ever to hit that mark. The company also reports more than 150 million AI images generated daily across the app.
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Photo: Google / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.