Code News Today — August 12, 2026
Reservoir raises $8M to make water heaters that people — and the grid — will actually want and more — today's code signal.
The world of technology is rapidly evolving, and today's news highlights the innovative solutions emerging to tackle real-world problems. Reservoir, a startup focused on smart water heaters, has secured $8 million in funding to develop appliances that not only benefit consumers but also support the grid. This intersection of consumer needs and grid efficiency is a prime example of how technology can drive positive change. Meanwhile, tech giants are also making strides in enhancing user experiences, with Google expanding its free streaming service to offer more personalized content options.
As AI-generated content becomes increasingly prevalent, concerns around authenticity and trust are growing. Apple is exploring ways to verify the legitimacy of iPhone photos, aiming to help users prove that their images aren't deepfakes. On a related note, Anthropic is taking steps to address AI-generated text authenticity by introducing watermarking for its AI models. However, not all tech interactions are seamless – issues with Amazon's order confirmation emails have left users wanting more helpful information. These developments underscore the importance of balancing innovation with usability and trust, as the tech landscape continues to shape our daily lives.
Today's signal:
• Reservoir raises $8M to make water heaters that people — and the grid — will actually want (techcrunch.com)
• Google’s free streaming service now lets you pick shows and movies to watch (theverge.com)
• Apple could help you prove your iPhone photos aren’t deepfakes (theverge.com)
• Why your Amazon order confirmation emails have become so unhelpful (theverge.com)
• Anthropic says it will watermark text generated by its AI models (techcrunch.com)