🔌 Smarter Endings for Smart Things

👋 Welcome! That old gadget you forgot still has potential. Today’s issue explores smart, creative, and sustainable ways to repurpose or retire tech—because tossing it isn’t always the best move!

Used EVs Hold Their Charge – A Swedish study of over 1,300 used electric cars found most retain 90% or more of their original battery capacity, easing concerns over EV longevity. Kia models led the rankings, while researchers stressed driving habits and climate matter more than brand. The findings could boost consumer confidence and strengthen EV resale markets.

America’s AI Supercomputers Arrive – The U.S. unveiled Discovery and Lux, two next-generation AI supercomputers designed to accelerate breakthroughs in energy, medicine, and national security. Built by HPE and AMD, the systems blend exascale computing with AI and quantum capabilities—cementing America’s push to lead the global race in scientific innovation.

Adobe’s AI Tools Get Smarter – Adobe unveiled new AI assistants for Photoshop and Express, letting users generate and edit images through natural prompts. Express introduces a dedicated “assistant mode,” while Photoshop’s sidebar bot automates selections and color changes. The company also teased potential ChatGPT integration for direct design creation.

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AI Could Trim the Workweek – Zoom CEO Eric Yuan predicts AI will make the five-day workweek obsolete within five years. Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt, he showcased Zoom’s “digital twin” feature, an AI avatar that can attend meetings or negotiate deals for you. Yuan says automation across tasks like email and collaboration could enable three-or four-day weeks.

Amazon Cuts 14,000 Corporate Jobs – Amazon will lay off 14k corporate employees to “operate more leanly” and reallocate resources toward AI-driven growth. The cuts, impacting HR, AWS, and device teams, mark its largest downsizing to date. CEO said AI will replace some roles but create new ones, urging employees to adapt as automation accelerates across the company.

401(k) Startups in Espionage Clash – Lawsuit accuses Guideline executives of orchestrating a data theft scheme against rival Human Interest, involving insider employees. The alleged leaks included client leads and growth metrics—now fueling a billion-dollar courtroom showdown that’s shaking the HR tech sector and unsettling investors across the startup ecosystem.

Nokia Reawakens with Nvidia Backing – Nokia shares surged 21% to a decade high after Nvidia bought a $1 billion stake, marking a powerful comeback for the Finnish icon once left behind in the smartphone era. The deal ties Nokia’s 6G and data-center tech to Nvidia’s AI empire—reviving investor confidence and signaling Europe’s reentry into the global tech race.

OpenAI Finalizes $135B For-Profit Shift – OpenAI has completed its long-awaited recapitalization, creating a for-profit entity under a nonprofit foundation. Microsoft now holds a 27% stake worth roughly $135 billion, while SoftBank’s $30 billion investment cements its role as a key backer. The restructure frees OpenAI to raise capital and pursue acquisitions.

Vesence Raises $9M to Perfect Legal AI – Swedish startup Vesence has secured $9M in seed funding led by Emergence Capital with backing from Creandum, 20VC, YCombinator, and angels including Paul Graham. Vesence embeds AI agents into Microsoft Word to detect legal errors and compliance risks—targeting expansion into finance and consulting workflows.

When your phone gets slow or your laptop starts glitching, it’s easy to toss the device aside and call it “done.” But before you hit the trash bin or the “delete” button, consider: does old tech deserve a second act? In 2025, with e‑waste mounting, the healthiest answer is often to repurpose or recycle—and we’re seeing some seriously creative ways to do it.

Repurposing isn’t just a buzzword anymore. People frequently have turned outdated electronics into everyday or art‑worthy items: keyboards become coasters, monitors become fish‑tanks, circuit‑boards turn into lamps. It’s more than decoration: it’s smarter living and clearer conscious. An exploration of e‑waste art reveals that tech discarded as “junk” is being woven into public installations and sculptures—reminding us that our waste has story, design, and meaning.

Yet recycling or donating old devices is just as important. Older devices still hold value—components that can be revived, metals that can be extracted, jobs that can be supported through repair markets. A recent report highlighted “Frankenstein” laptop workshops in Delhi, where technicians piece together usable computers from e‑waste and make them available to students at a fraction of new‑device cost. On a community level, city programs now run collection days, certified e‑waste take‑back systems, and incentives to divert electronics from landfills.

Here’s the mindset: your device might feel obsolete, but its materials, parts, and potential often aren’t. Before you toss, ask: Can someone reuse this? Can I donate or share it? Can it be up‑cycled into something new? If the answer is no, then recycle it right—wipe your data, choose a certified recycler, and consider the impact. Because when we treat old tech as trash rather than resource, we lose more than metal—we lose momentum toward smarter, cleaner living.

Actionable Insights

82 million

tons is the amount of e-waste the world is expected to generate each year by 2030 as devices become faster, cheaper, and more disposable than ever.