Wearables are getting a taste of much-needed minimalism
In this Optimizer, we explore why screenless wearable trackers are having a moment. Hint: data fatigue, signifying status, and freedom from notifications.
Science & space
237 stories
AI nuclear power firm Fermi finally has a new CEO | TechCrunch
Lee McIntire, an independent member of Fermi's board, has been hired as CEO, more than three months since the company fired co-founder Toby Neugebauer from the top post.
Tesla’s planning to build a $10 billion solar panel factory in Texas.
TechCrunch reports that the new factory would be located 45 minutes outside of Houston: > The new factory, called Project Crystal Sun, could cost as much as $10.1 billion. Tesla has applied for tax incentives to partially offset the cost, saying that it is exploring other sites “across multiple U.S. states.” The factory would create about 9,700 full-time jobs, Tesla said. Correction, August 21: fixed the “million” typo in the headline to correctly say “billion.”
The eclipse broadcast will be upon us at 1:15PM ET.
Today there will be a total solar eclipse viewable from “parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal,” as well as a partial eclipse across some of the US and most of Canada, Europe, and northwestern Africa. NASA has a livestream covering the event, and if you’re tempted to look for yourself, make sure you’re properly equipped. [Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSvCuSQhC3w]
Tesla wants to build a $10B solar factory in Texas | TechCrunch
Tesla wants to build a massive solar factory in Texas, but first it wants the state to chip in to defray the costs.
Form Energy raises $750M to build more 100-hour batteries for the grid | TechCrunch
Form Energy has landed Google and Crusoe as customers. Now, it has raised $750 million to expand manufacturing to deliver its massive, 100-hour batteries.
Total solar eclipse crosses parts of Europe as U.S. witnesses partial eclipse: Highlights
A total solar eclipse was visible Wednesday from Spain and other parts of Europe for the first time since 1999 Parts of the northern U.S. saw a partial solar eclipse.
Google’s Pixel Watch 5 dives deeper into AI and health
The $399 Google Pixel Watch 5 doesn’t change much in terms of hardware, but it features a ton of new AI and health updates.
Reservoir raises $8M to make water heaters that people — and the grid — will actually want | TechCrunch
Reservoir has built an ultra-efficient water heater that can predict hot water demand, store energy, and detect plumbing leaks throughout a home.
JCB Hydromax sets a new land speed record for hydrogen combustion vehicles.
The FIA has recognized the Hydromax’s Speed Week runs at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats, measuring 400.623 mph and 412.135 mph for an average of 406.320 mph, as the new record for a hydrogen internal combustion-powered vehicle. JCB makes heavy equipment and shoved two “production-based” hydrogen digger engines into a slim frame to set the record, with British driver and outright land speed record holder Andy Green behind the wheel. [Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxgSa7V62FU]
Perseid meteor shower peaks on same day as solar eclipse — here’s how to watch
The Perseids’ peak coincides with another highly anticipated celestial event: a total solar eclipse that will be visible in parts of Europe.
Voyager 2 gets to do science for another year after “Big Bang” update.
The probe’s remaining science instruments will keep working for an extra year or more after NASA powered off certain devices in favor of lower-powered ones. NASA also plans to send the “Big Bang” update to the probe’s twin, Voyager 1, in the coming months. [Link: NASA Engineers Help Prolong Voyager 2’s Science Mission - NASA Science | https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/voyager/2026/08/04/nasa-engineers-help-prolong-voyager-2s-science-mission/ | NASA Science]
Don’t do a Trump.
Do not look directly at the sun during tomorrow’s total solar eclipse, the first in mainland Europe in nearly 30 years. Also, do not eat bleach, no matter the day. Do, however, follow our advice on how to buy a pair of certified glasses, make a pinhole projector, and steps and gear needed to photograph the celestial event. [Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCqwJ7E45W8]
The first Tesla Cybercab with integrated Starlink.
No specs or timeframe accompanied the photos, or even a justification for why you’d want satellite internet in a taxi that targets dense urban environments where cellphone signal is strong. The car certainly doesn’t need it to drive, but, as Electrek notes, it’s a nice recurring revenue stream for SpaceX, and further justification for the two companies to merge and make Richie Rich another $1 trillion richer. [Image: https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/HPYKSe9bEAAqNd7.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all] [Image: https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/HPYKSe7aUAAZEh2.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all]
Trump signs executive order aimed at decreasing vaccine requirements for kids.
The executive order backs a new childhood vaccine schedule with 11 immunizations instead of 17. As reported by The NYT, “it is unclear whether the order has any legal power,” as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sets immunization schedules based on recommendations from a committee of medical experts. [Link: Trump Signs Executive Order Calling for Fewer Childhood Vaccines | https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/well/trump-vaccines-executive-order.html | The New York Times]
The U.S. just had its hottest month on record
NOAA’s report said last month was not only the warmest July but also the warmest month in the agency’s 132 years of record-keeping.
Sila lands $1.4B Pentagon loan as militaries demand more batteries | TechCrunch
Battery materials startup Sila will use a $1.4 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Defense to scale production at its factory in Washington state.
Taylor Farms is recalling guacamole, salsa, taco dip, and more.
After health officials linked its lettuce to the nationwide Cyclospora outbreak, Taylor Farms is now recalling over a dozen products containing jalapeños across Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Kroger. These products contain fresh peppers from Coast Citrus Distributors, which recently recalled its jalapeños over Salmonella contamination. Taylor Farms says it’s not “aware of any reported illnesses linked to its products containing jalapeños.” [Link: Taylor Farms pulls jalapeño products sold at grocery stores | https://abcnews.com/US/taylor-farms-pulls-jalapeo-products-sold-grocery-stores/story?id=135507281 | ABC News]