Proxy News Today — August 15, 2026
Read-it-later app Pocket shut down — here are the best alternatives and more — today's proxy signal.
As we dive into another day in the AI and agent economy, it's clear that technology is transforming the way we interact with information and each other. On one hand, we're seeing the lifecycle of tech products and services play out, with news that the popular read-it-later app Pocket has shut down, leaving users to seek out alternative solutions. Meanwhile, as students head back to school, choosing the right laptop can be a daunting task, especially with the rapid advancements in hardware and AI - a good guide can make all the difference.
In other developments, AI is continuing to push boundaries in creative and technical realms. From the world of entertainment, we hear that Chris Carter, creator of The X-Files, had ambitions to craft an even more horrific film, highlighting the enduring influence of AI-assisted storytelling tools. On the tech side, Google Gemini's visible watermarks can now be disabled, raising questions about transparency and accountability. Additionally, advancements in GPU utilization, such as Kog's efforts to optimize inference, are driving innovation in AI deployment. Lastly, in a move towards greater transparency, US courts will begin publishing data on government spyware usage, underscoring the growing scrutiny of surveillance technologies.
Today's signal:
• Read-it-later app Pocket shut down — here are the best alternatives (techcrunch.com)
• A RAMageddon guide to back-to-school laptop shopping (theverge.com)
• The X-Files creator Chris Carter wanted to make a more horrific movie (theverge.com)
• You can now turn off Google Gemini’s visible watermarks (theverge.com)
• Kog is going deeper to squeeze more inference out of GPUs (techcrunch.com)
• US courts will start publishing how often the government uses spyware (techcrunch.com)