Samsung's upcoming XR headset will be similar to the Apple Vision Pro in some respects, and will apparently not be made in huge numbers to begin with.

In a nutshell: Intel's decision to maintain a multi-foundry approach reflects the practical necessities of collaborating with external suppliers. While the company remains committed to achieving fabrication self-sufficiency one day, this goal is now balanced against product competitiveness and time-to-market considerations. Intel's semiconductor manufacturing strategy has undergone drastic changes over the past few years, reflecting both historical trends in the industry and the company's shifting priorities. Once committed to eliminating its reliance on external foundries a goal rooted in its long-standing identity as an integrated device manufacturer (IDM) Intel has now embraced a permanent multi-foundry approach, outsourcing approximately 30 percent of its wafer production to TSMC.According to Intel's VP of Investor Relations, John Pitzer, the company now views TSMC as a valuable supplier that fosters healthy competition with Intel's own foundry operations. During a recent investor dialogue with Morgan Stanley analyst Joe Moore, Pitzer said that this partnership is seen as beneficial for maintaining product competitiveness and ensuring strategic flexibility."... to the extent that I think a year ago, we were talking about trying to get that to zero as quickly as possible. That's no longer the strategy. We think it's always good to have at least some of our wafers with TSMC. They're a great supplier. It creates a good competition between them and Intel Foundry.Not quite sure what the right sort of level set is. Is it 20? Is it 15? We're working through that. But we will use, I think, external foundry suppliers longer kind of under this new strategy." - John Pitzer, Intel's VP for Investor Relations.This shift in strategy coincides with leadership changes at Intel, where interim CEOs Dave Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus have been granted more decision-making authority. Holthaus likely has more authority to extend Intel's reliance on TSMC and use it for a broader range of products than she might have six or nine months ago, Pitzer said.Now, the company is evaluating an optimal outsourcing ratio, targeting between 15 percent and 20 percent of total wafer production a level that would allow it to leverage external expertise without undermining its IDM model.By relying on TSMC's mature 3nm and 2nm nodes for critical products such as Arrow Lake processors, Intel ensures high-quality production while advancing innovations like Foveros 3D packaging technology. // Related StoriesThe executive team is focusing on enhancing Intel's product competitiveness before fully optimizing its foundry operations. Holthaus has also been given more agency to make decisions regarding the product roadmap and strategies for increasing market share.For Intel, partnering with TSMC ensures access to advanced technologies and positions it competitively against rivals like AMD and Nvidia, which rely heavily on external foundries, all while working on potentially becoming a foundry provider for those same competitors in the longer term.

In context: AMD's Radeon RX 9000 series cards went on sale Thursday, starting at $549 for the RX 9070 and $599 for the RX 9070 XT. Following the launch, some retailers suggested that these new cards would only be available at MSRP for a limited time. However, AMD has denied these reports, stating that certain RX 9000 models will continue to be sold at the recommended prices even after initial stock runs out. AMD's Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions Frank Azor categorically denied that the $549 / $599 MSRPs are launch-only pricing, in a statement to The Verge. According to him, the company has collaborated with its AIB partners to ensure that "multiple vendors" will continue selling at least some variants of the cards at those prices.Azor added that, alongside the base models, manufacturers will also offer overclocked versions with premium configurations at higher prices to cater to different user needs. He further claimed that AMD is working with its partners to maintain a steady supply of RX 9000 cards in the coming weeks.Reports of a possible price increase for the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT began circulating almost immediately after launch. Swedish retailer Inet.se told VideoCardz that the recommended prices would only apply "to a limited number of cards."Similarly, UK retailer Overclockers stated that only "a few hundred" units would be sold at MSRP, after which prices would increase.Best Buy added further fuel to the speculation by listing the cards in a way that implied AMD's recommended prices were temporary. The retailer advertised its $549 RX 9070 SKUs with a "Save $80" banner and the $599 RX 9070 XT models with a "Save $130" sign, suggesting that prices would soon rise to $629 and $729, respectively. // Related StoriesThe Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT have received mostly positive reviews upon release. The RX 9070 XT, in particular, was widely praised as a strong competitor to Nvidia's mid-range GPUs and a good value offering. The RX 9070 was also recognized as a better value proposition than the RTX 5070, with the potential to be a hit among gamers provided AMD maintains a steady supply at the promised $549 price point.

Dynabook (formerly Toshiba PC Company) has announced a new premium Copilot+ PC with a very interesting sales hook. The ultra-lightweight laptop is designed for business use and comes with a self-replaceable battery to extend its lifespan and reduce IT costs.Japan is famous for its sturdy business laptops and the new Dynabook Portg Z40L-N is a perfect example. Its thin and light, weighing less than 1kg, but its magnesium alloy chassis is resilient against drops and extreme conditions. It also has all of the business-practical ports that most consumer laptops leave out these days, including HDMI and USB-A.Recommended VideosAt the same time, however, the Z40L-N is definitely a modern Copilot+ PC. It has USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports and its powered by Intels Series 2 Core Ultra processor meaning it has an NPU ready to handle AI workloads. It supports Copilot features like Live Captions and Windows Studio Effects, and it looks a lot more stylish than the average business laptop. Consumers are also on the lookout for repairable laptops these days, making the replaceable battery an intriguing feature. People with a love for practical products, an interest in repairable devices, and a preference for sturdiness over stylishness could definitely consider the Dynabook Portg over mainstream laptops like MacBooks.The Portg comes with a 14-inch 16:10 display and Wi-Fi 7, along with enterprise-grade security with chip-to-cloud protection. It even has some nifty AI features that lock the screen when you step away, and alert you when someone is looking over your shoulder.Both individuals and businesses can purchase the Portg Z40L-N, which is available starting today.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsSony WH-1000XM51More SonoFlowSonos AceBowers & Wilkins Pi8 Wireless EarbudsBose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsApple AirPods 4 with ANCSennheiser RS 175 RFFrequently Asked QuestionsTrying to watch TV without disturbing anyone else in your household can be tricky. Whether you're trying to avoid waking a sleeping partner or little one or just looking to grab a quiet moment to yourself, you end up worrying more about the volume than enjoying whatever you're watching. We've all been there, and thankfully, theres a simple solution that music lovers have long embraced: headphones. They are your secret weapon for immersive audio without disturbing the world around you.Using headphones with your TV is now easier than ever. Most modern smart TVs and gaming consoles are equipped with Bluetooth, allowing for a seamless wireless connection. In addition, most streaming devices support Bluetooth headphone connections as well.If your device doesnt support Bluetooth, RF headphones are a reliable alternative. While audiophiles may still prefer the nuanced sound that wired headphones provide, todays wireless optionswhich now include awesome earbudsdeliver exceptional quality without the hassle of tangled cords and offer the added benefit of doing household chores or other tasks while still hearing your TV.Be it catching up on your favorite show, watching the game, or catching a movie, these are some of the best headphones for watching TV in your own audio bubble.Sony WH-1000XM5The best wireless headphones for watching TVJump to details1More SonoFlowBest budget wireless headphones for watching TVJump to detailsSonos AceThe best headphones for watching TV through SonosJump to detailsBowers & Wilkins Pi8 Wireless EarbudsBest Hi-Fi wireless earbuds for watching TVJump to detailsBose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsBest value wireless earbuds for watching TVJump to detailsApple AirPods 4 with ANCThe best Apple wireless earbuds for watching TVJump to detailsSennheiser RS 175 RFThe best RF wireless headphones for watching TVJump to detailsRecommended VideosSonyThe best wireless headphones for watching TVSony WH-1000XM5Sony WH-1000XM5 ReviewProsExcellent soundVery good comfortUltra-clear call qualityBest-in-class noise cancelingVery good battery lifeHi-res compatible (wired/wireless)Hands-free voice assistant accessClassy, modern designConsFold-flat, but dont fold upSpecification:Weight250 grams (8.8 ounces)TypeClosed-backAmbient Sound ModesANC, Transparency, voice enhancement, spatial audio with head-trackingBattery lifeUp to 30 hoursHi-res Audio SupportYesSonys WH-1000XM5 are among the best headphones on the market, so it follows that they are an excellent choice for watching TV. Their superior sound quality out of the box and active noise canceling make them the ideal pair to watch your TV in a louder environment, as the headphones help cancel out ambient noise in the room. As mentioned in our Sony WH-1000XM5 review, the transparency mode is also quite fantastic, with a special mode that enhances voices specifically. This is really useful if you're trying to watch TV on wireless headphones so as not to wake a baby but still need to be able to hear the baby crying. As our reviewer opined, "The WH-1000XM5 are the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy right now."The responsive controls on the body of the WH-1000XM5, which utilize just two buttons, offer convenient control over the headset. Users can tap the power button to get a readout of the current battery percentage, though this shouldn't come up too often as this headset offers substantial battery life. The controls can also be used to cycle through ANC and transparency modes.It's important to point out that while the WH-1000XM5s support the LDAC codec for Hi-Res audio over Bluetooth, almost no mainstream television supports LDAC. Furthermore, Bluetooth transmitters for Hi-Res codecs are more likely to support aptX and others, as LDAC is a fairly locked-down codec, usable almost exclusively through Android devices. The lag you experience using these should be mostly imperceptible, though it depends which version of Bluetooth your TV supports.Sony WH-1000XM5The best wireless headphones for watching TVTed Kritsonis / Digital Trends / .Best budget wireless headphones for watching TV1More SonoFlow1More SonoFlow ReviewProsGreat sound qualityVery comfortable for long periodsRidiculous battery lifeSolid ANC performanceGreat app supportAffordable priceConsNo wear sensorsWired mode disables extra featuresSpecification:Weight250 grams (approximately 8.8 ounces)TypeClosed-backAmbient Sound ModesANC, Transparency, Wind Noise ReductionBattery lifeUp to 70 hoursHi-res Audio SupportYesFor those looking to watch TV with headphones for long stretches but not looking to break the bank, 1More's SonoFlow fits the bill. These headphones offer a ridiculous 70 hours of battery life, USB-C charging, and active noise cancellation. They seem tailor-made for silently binging a television show or watching the Lord of the Rings: Extended Edition trilogy all the way through. In our hands-on review, we also noted that they are pretty comfortable over long stretches, which is perfect when using them for an hour or more at a time.We also noted that while it may not be as advanced as its rivals at over double the cost, the "ANC performs admirably at flushing out much of the low-frequency noises you come across." For a budget pair of headphones, our reviewer was also impressed with the sound quality, noting the sound is "consistently good, providing a nice balance that could easily rival headphones costing more." It also supports wired playback for a wider set of use cases.The SonoFlow is by far the best performing budget headphone for watching TV wirelessly. It offers impressive ANC and transparency modes for its price point, and supports LDAC, though again that isn't very relevant for watching TV.1More SonoFlowBest budget wireless headphones for watching TVRelatedThe Sonos Arc is no longer the only soundbar that works with the Sonos Ace headphones.Phil Nickinson / Digital TrendsThe best headphones for watching TV through SonosSonos AceSonos Ace ReviewProsExcellent design and comfortIntuitive tactile controlsVery good sound qualityTop-notch ANC and transparencyFun Sonos soundbar integrationConsLacks full Sonos system integrationNo Wi-Fi streamingTV Audio Swap needs improvementSpecification:Weight312 grams (11.4 ounces)TypeClosed-backAmbient Sound ModesANC, Transparency, spatial audio with head-trackingBattery lifeUp to 30 hoursHi-res Audio SupportYes, with limitationsThe Sonos Ace headphones represent a remarkable achievement for a company that has never produced a wearable product in its 22-year history. Introduced with an innovative design and backed by Sonos renowned expertise in audio technology, these headphones have generated significant excitement in the market.While the Ace headphones may not completely redefine sound quality many discerning listeners might still prefer the rich audio signature of Sonys WH-1000XM5, the exceptional noise-canceling features of Boses QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, or the high-fidelity performance of Sennheisers Momentum 4 Wireless they deliver impressive audio performance that is sure to satisfy most users. The Ace headphones are equipped with adaptive sound technologies that optimize the listening experience based on the environment, ensuring clarity whether youre in a bustling caf or a quiet home office.They feature a sleek and comfortable design that makes them ideal for extended wear during your TV or movie watching sessions, with soft ear cushions and an adjustable headband. Battery life is another standout attribute; the Ace headphones offer up to 30 hours on a single charge, making them perfect for long listening sessions or travel.With their blend of stylish aesthetics, commendable audio quality, and thoughtful features tailored for everyday users, Sonos has positioned the Ace as a strong contender in the competitive world of wireless audio, making for an excellent set of headphones to pair with your TV.Sonos AceThe best headphones for watching TV through SonosBryan M. Wolfe / Digital TrendsBest Hi-Fi wireless earbuds for watching TVBowers & Wilkins Pi8 Wireless EarbudsBowers & Wilkins Pi8 ReviewProsFull-body soundRelaxing fitGood touch controlsBluetooth MultipointRetransmission featureConsPriceyLower than average battery lifeSome sound crackling during callsSpecification:WeightEarbuds: 7g (each)Charging case: 46gTypeIn-Ear Noise-Cancelling True Wireless EarbudsAmbient Sound ModesANC and Transparency modesBattery lifeUp to 6.5 hours for earbuds (with ANC on)Additional 13.5 hours from charging caseHi-res Audio SupportYesIf you're something of an audiophile and are looking for a Hi-Fi yet wireless solution for watching TV, then the Pi8 just might be the perfect earbuds for you. Bowers & Wilkins needs little introduction, as they have been well established as one of the highest-performing speaker manufacturers in the space since 1966. Their foray into headphones has proved fruitful, and the Pi8 earbuds are an outstanding follow-up to the previous generation.As our reviewer noted after hands-on testing, the sound quality in these things is incredible: "Thanks to the innovative Carbon Cone drivers and high-quality Bluetooth codec support, they deliver a truly immersive listening experience..." The Pi8 offers a few really neat features that enable higher-fidelity listening.The coolest of these is the retransmission feature, powered by the case itself. If you hardwire your audio sourcein this case, your TV, game console, or receiverby connecting it directly to the case, the case can then retransmit the audio to the wireless earbuds using AptX Hi-Res codecs. This unlocks higher fidelity than connecting directly to the source via Bluetooth, which would be limited to AAC bitrates. The case itself can also charge wirelessly, something which the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds lack. The Pi8 boasts just about every bell and whistle possible, with the exception of spatial audio.Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Wireless EarbudsBest Hi-Fi wireless earbuds for watching TVSimon Cohen / Digital TrendsBest value wireless earbuds for watching TVBose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsBose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds ReviewProsVery comfortableExcellent sound qualityTop-notch noise cancelingHi-res and lossless audioExcellent spatial audioConsNo wireless chargingOutdoor call quality could be betterSpecification:Weight10 grams (0.35 ounces) each budTypeIn-ear earbudsAmbient Sound ModesANC, Transparency mode, spatial audio with head-trackingBattery lifeUp to six hours; additional 18 hours with caseHi-res Audio SupportYesIf you dont want a clunky over-the-head pair of headphones keeping you immobile, consider getting a pair of the best wireless earbuds. It may sound a bit ridiculous, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are truly like a shrunk down version of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. At least in a lot of ways that make them great for TV watching. Theyve got that same Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound package for hi-res, low latency audio with aptX and the cool spatial audio features that make the headphones tick. Its just now all in earbud form.Overall, the concept translates quite well, with our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review stating that they are quite comfortable to wear, even for extended periods, and stayed in better for the long haul than other popular earbuds like the AirPods Pro. This means less immersion breaking from jamming loose, ear-canal-stretching buds and more time enjoying your programming.Bose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsBest value wireless earbuds for watching TVAirPods 4Simon Cohen / Digital TrendsThe best Apple wireless earbuds for watching TVApple AirPods 4 with ANCApple AirPods 4 with ANC ReviewProsSurprisingly effective ANCImproved fit/comfortSolid sound qualityExcellent voice/call qualityConsBest for Apple device usersSpecification:Weight4.3 grams (0.15 ounces) each earbudTypeOpen-ear eearbudsAmbient Sound ModesANC, Transparency, spatial audio with head-trackingBattery lifeUp to 30 hours with charging caseHi-res Audio SupportYesWe are including the AirPods 4 with ANC in this list because many users enjoy watching Apple TV. While the AirPods Pro 2 are superior in terms of performance, they are also older and more expensive. This may lead you to reconsider your choice if your primary purpose is to enjoy movies or TV shows.But what if you're not an Apple user? Can you use these earbuds with an Android device? The answer is yes, you certainly can.However, the AirPods 4 with ANC, like all AirPods products, lose many of their features when not paired with Apple devices. Most of the advantages, beyond the basic Bluetooth earbud functions, are unavailable. For most Android users, there are likely better options available.That said, one thing remains clear: there is no better ANC in an open-ear earbud. Therefore, if you are unable to use eartips but still want ANC whether on an iPhone or an Android device the AirPods 4 with ANC may be the best choice for you.Honorable mention: Apple AirPods MaxThe Apple AirPods Max is worth a mention thanks to the same advantages when paired with an Apple TV streaming device. Our reviewer said they were "darn-near perfect, with best-in-class noise canceling, the most remarkable transparency mode Ive ever heard, balanced and detailed sound with plenty of deep and musical bass, and a very premium feel." The spatial audio lends itself to movies and TV, making them a convenient companion to your Apple TV device.Apple AirPods 4 with ANCThe best Apple wireless earbuds for watching TVRTINGS.comThe best RF wireless headphones for watching TVSennheiser RS 175 RFProsCustom hearing profilesComfortable fitVarious presets availableConsPriceLimited portabilityNo active noise cancellation or ambient sound modesSpecification:Weight308 grams (10.8 ounces)TypeClosed-backAmbient Sound ModesNoneBattery lifeUp to 18 hoursRadio frequency (RF) headphones are the preferred type of wireless headphones for TV and movies for the more AV inclined due to their ultra low latency. Developed by Sennheiser, a brand known for premium audio equipment in the home theater space, the RS 175 RF provide for very quick, low latency transmissions from a receiver to your headphones. Depending on what youre watching, you may want to utilize the Bass Boost mode, and youll naturally want to utilize the built-in surround sound features.When worn, the RS 175 RF should feel comfortable, with soft earpads, though we do find them to be a bit on the large side. On the outside, your fingers will find buttons with memorable textures to tap. These toggle the Surround Sound and Bass Boost modes as well as the volume. Ultimately, these headphones provide a super low latency wireless headphone experience for those that really care about minimizing latency as much as possible.Sennheiser RS 175 RFThe best RF wireless headphones for watching TVMy headphones support Hi-Res codecs like LDAC, AptX, or ALAC. Can I get Hi-Res audio from my TV through my headphones?Native support for Hi-Res Bluetooth codecs in mainstream TVs is exceedingly uncommon, with very few models on the market today supporting it. So don't be surprised when your LDAC-compatible headphones don't sound as good as you expected when connected to your TV or streaming device, as formats like LDAC and ALAC are almost exclusively intended for mobile devices within certain ecosystems like Android and Apple.If your headphones support AptX, then you can buy a third-party Bluetooth transmitter which, when connected directly to your TV or sound system, can transmit AptX HD or AptX Adaptive to compatible headphones. This has the potential to not only increase audio fidelity but lower latency as well. Editors Recommendations

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Dj vu for IM-2 After less than a day, the Athena lander is dead on the Moon "The mission has concluded and teams are continuing to assess the data collected." Eric Berger Mar 7, 2025 11:01 am | 18 A view of Athena on the surface of the Moon. Credit: Intuitive Machines A view of Athena on the surface of the Moon. Credit: Intuitive Machines Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreIntuitive Machines announced on Friday morning that its Athena mission to the surface of the Moon, which landed on its side, has ended."With the direction of the Sun, the orientation of the solar panels, and extreme cold temperatures in the crater, Intuitive Machines does not expect Athena to recharge," the company said in a statement. "The mission has concluded and teams are continuing to assess the data collected throughout the mission."Athena, a commercially developed lander, touched down on the lunar surface on Thursday at 11:28 am local time in Houston (17:28 UTC).The probe landed within 250 meters of its targeted landing site in the Mons Mouton region of the Moon. This is the southernmost location that any probe has landed on the Moon, within a few degrees of the lunar south pole.Dj vu for IM-2This marked the Houston-based company's second lunar mission. The first one, a little more than a year ago, suffered a problem with its laser rangefinders prior to landing. Although it touched down softly, this first lander reached the Moon going slightly faster than intendedand in a location with a steeper slope. It broke a landing leg and toppled over. However, even in this configuration, the Odysseus mission was able to generate power and complete a significant portion of its scientific objectives over the course of a week of activity on the Moon.Intuitive Machines has not yet said precisely what happened in Athena's final moments before it reached the Moon on Thursday. However, in a news conference on Thursday afternoon, company officials confirmed that they had experienced another problem with the laser rangefinders. This caused the spacecraft to, again, not know precisely where it was relative to the surface of the Moon, or how high.The Athena mission was funded in significant part by NASA. The space agency has begun to hire commercial companies like Intuitive Machines to deliver scientific experiments to the lunar surface as it gears up for a human exploration program near the South Pole of the Moon.NASA expected Athena to have a reasonable chance of success. Although it landed on its side, Odysseus was generally counted as a win because it accomplished most of its tasks. Accordingly, NASA loaded a number of instruments onto the lander. Most notable among these was the PRIME-1 experiment, an ice drill to sample and analyze any ice that lies below the surface.A dark day, but not the end"After landing, mission controllers were able to accelerate several program and payload milestones, including NASAs PRIME-1 suite, before the landers batteries depleted," the company's statement said. However, this likely means that the company was able to contact the instrument but not perform any meaningful scientific activities.NASA has accepted that these commercial lunar missions are high-risk, high-reward. (Firefly's successful landing last weekend offers an example of high rewards). It is paying the companies, on average, $100 million or less per flight. This is a fraction of what NASA would pay through a traditional procurement program. The hope is that, after surviving initial failures, companies like Intuitive Machines will learn from their mistakes and open a low-cost, reliable pathway to the lunar surface.Even so, this failure has to be painful for NASA and Intuitive Machines. The space agency lost out on some valuable science, and Intuitive Machines has taken a step backward with this mission rather than moving forward as it had hoped to do.Fortunately, this is unlikely to be the end for the company. NASA has committed to a third and fourth mission on Intuitive Machines' lander, the next of which could come during the first quarter of 2026. NASA has also contracted with the company to build a small network of satellites around the Moon for communications and positioning services. So although the company's fortunes look dark today, they are not permanently shadowed like the craters on the Moon that NASA hopes to soon explore.Eric BergerSenior Space EditorEric BergerSenior Space Editor Eric Berger is the senior space editor at Ars Technica, covering everything from astronomy to private space to NASA policy, and author of two books: Liftoff, about the rise of SpaceX; and Reentry, on the development of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon. A certified meteorologist, Eric lives in Houston. 18 Comments

There's "gold" on the Hill? Trump says bitcoin reserve will change everything. Crypto fans arent so sure. Trump orders federal agencies to pool seized bitcoins in reserve. Ashley Belanger Mar 7, 2025 10:48 am | 45 Credit: 24K-Production | iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreAhead of the first-ever White House Crypto Summit Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a strategic bitcoin reserve that a factsheet claimed delivers on his promise to make America the "crypto capital of the world."Trump's order requires all federal agencies currently holding bitcoins seized as part of a criminal or civil asset forfeiture proceeding to transfer those bitcoins to the Treasury Department, which itself already has a store of bitcoins. Additionally, any other digital assets forfeited will be collected in a separate Digital Assets Stockpile.But while Trump likely anticipates that bitcoin fans will be over the moon about this newshis announcement of the reserve and looser crypto regulations helped send bitcoin's price to its all-time high of $109,000 in January, Reuters notedsome cryptocurrency enthusiasts were clearly disappointed that Trump's order confirmed that the US currently has no plans to buy any more bitcoins at this time.Bitcoin's price briefly dropped by about 5 percent to $85,000 on the news, Reuters reported. Charles Edwards, the founder of a bitcoin-focused hedge fund called Capriole Investments, took to X (formerly Twitter) to declare that Trump's order is "a pig in lipstick." Currently, bitcoin's price is around $90,500."This is the most underwhelming and disappointing outcome we could have expected for this week," Edwards wrote. "No active buying means this is just a fancy title for Bitcoin holdings that already existed" with the government.A digital assets managing director at S&P Global Ratings, Andrew O'Neill, agreed, telling Reuters that the "significance" of Trump's order was "mainly symbolic" and provides no timeline for when more bitcoin might be acquired by the US.In the factsheet, the White House insisted that the strategic reserve and digital assets stockpile would harness "the power of digital assets for national prosperity rather than letting them languish in limbo."Dubbing bitcoins "digital gold" due to its "scarcity and security"because bitcoins are capped at 21 million and have no history of being hackedthe White House said that implementing "a policy to maximize" Bitcoin's "strategic position as a unique store of value in the global financial system" would "promote United States leadership in digital assets such as cryptocurrency.""Premature sales of bitcoin have already cost US taxpayers over $17 billion," the factsheet said.Previously, the Department of Justice has argued that selling off cryptocurrency was more appropriate than storing bitcoins due to its price volatility. At the end of last year, a court authorized the DOJ to sell 69,370 bitcoins from "the largest cryptocurrency seizure in history." That seizure came from the DOJ's Silk Road investigation, and the DOJ signaled its intent to go through with the sale as recently as January.At that time, analysts warned it might mess with Trump's crypto reserve plans. Trump's order this week likely serves to ensure those bitcoins don't leave the government.Once the strategic reserve is created, the US will never sell the bitcoins, Trump explained. But he apparently doesnt feel comfortable rushing to buy bitcoins just yet, instead ordering the Treasury Department to "develop strategies for acquiring additional Government" bitcoins "provided that such strategies are budget neutral and do not impose incremental costs on United States taxpayers."Reportedly, Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategywhich holds more than 500,000 bitcoinsis advising the Trump administration on next steps to acquire more bitcoins. He suggested that the financing details are still murky, but the US might acquire 1 million bitcoins in the strategic reserve over the next four years by leveraging the government's current 200,000 bitcoin holdings and slowly adding to it "day by day."Over the next two months, it will become clear if the US intends to start buying bitcoins this year and if legislation is needed to operationalize Trump's order.Ashley BelangerSenior Policy ReporterAshley BelangerSenior Policy Reporter Ashley is a senior policy reporter for Ars Technica, dedicated to tracking social impacts of emerging policies and new technologies. She is a Chicago-based journalist with 20 years of experience. 45 Comments