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  • Noise-canceling headphones may be rewiring young brains, experts warn
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    Why it matters: We're living in an increasingly noisy world, and many people are turning to noise-canceling headphones to escape the cacophony. However, some audiologists are raising concerns that frequently blocking out ambient sounds could negatively impact the brain's ability to process audio effectively. The issue revolves around a condition called auditory processing disorder (APD), in which the brain struggles to interpret sounds and speech, even when a person's hearing is technically normal. Those with APD often have difficulty determining the direction of sounds or focusing on specific voices in noisy environments.APD is typically linked to brain injuries, ear infections, and neurodiversity. However, audiologists in England who spoke to the BBC report an increasing number of cases in young people that appear unrelated to these common risk factors. Their theory is that excessive use of noise-canceling headphones may be delaying proper auditory development.One such case is 25-year-old Sophie, an administrative assistant who was diagnosed with APD last year after struggling to comprehend speech. Her audiologist believes that her habit of using noise-canceling headphones for up to five hours a day may have been a contributing factor. Without subtitles, she found that speeches and lectures often turned into "gibberish."Claire Benton, VP of the British Academy of Audiology, told the publication that isolating yourself in a noise-free environment during crucial years of brain development may hinder the maturation of complex listening abilities. In short, if all you hear is your music or podcasts, your brain might start forgetting how to tune out unimportant background noises."More complex, high-level listening skills in your brain only really finish developing towards your late teens," she suggested. // Related StoriesAccording to the BBC, several NHS audiology departments have reported an increase in young people referred for hearing issues, only to find that their ears are functioning normally. The real problem? Their brains are struggling to process noise effectively.Unfortunately, APD assessment and treatment resources are extremely limited within England's public healthcare system. Currently, only one NHS provider offers full diagnostic workups, with a waiting list of nine months. Part of the bottleneck stems from the fact that evaluating APD is incredibly time-intensive, sometimes requiring over two hours of testing, plus additional cognitive assessments.Should you ditch your AirPods Max? Probably not. Noise cancellation still plays a vital role in preventing noise-induced hearing loss from prolonged exposure to loud volumes. The report specifically highlights the risks of excessive noise cancellation use among young people, particularly teenagers, whose high-level listening skills are still developing.For them, audiologists emphasize balance as allowing their ears to regularly experience natural, unmuffled environments is essential to maintaining effective sound-filtering abilities.
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  • AI notetakers are changing meetings, but not everyone is on board
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    Facepalm: In the ever-evolving landscape of workplace technology, a new player has entered the scene: AI-powered notetaking tools. Tech giants like Microsoft and Google, along with numerous startups, have been rolling out these digital assistants that listen in on meetings, transcribe conversations, and summarize key points much to the chagrin of many. While touted as a leap forward in efficiency, these AI notetakers are raising eyebrows and sparking debates about etiquette, privacy, and the very nature of workplace communication.There are also legitimate concerns. Gokul Rajaram, co-founder of Marathon Management Partners in San Francisco, told Bloomberg that AI notetakers are now present in 80 percent of his meetings, sometimes with multiple bots simultaneously transcribing and summarizing."For people who have not attended the meeting, it's a great way to understand what went on," he said. "Even for those who are in the meeting, it now saves you from taking notes."But Rajaram worries about potential AI hallucinations instances where the AI might generate inaccurate quotes or extrapolate beyond what was actually said. Moreover, he points out a crucial consideration: 'It's not just taking notes. It's recording your voice."This observation strikes at the heart of the ethical dilemma posed by AI notetakers. The technology blurs the line between note-taking and recording, raising questions about consent and data privacy. Margaret Mitchell, chief ethics scientist at AI company Hugging Face, emphasizes this point: "Some of the etiquette around recording applies."She advises that anyone using an AI notetaker should inform other meeting participants and allow them to opt out if desired.Mitchell also highlights the broader implications of this technology: "As we seek to have more automation in traditionally human tasks, we cede our control, power and privacy to AI systems and the companies that own them," she explains. // Related StoriesAdditionally, she points out a critical limitation of AI notetakers their inability to interpret non-verbal cues, such as sarcasm or jokes. Unlike human note-takers, these AI systems lack the nuanced understanding of human interaction, which could lead to a minefield of misinterpretations and misunderstandings.Moreover, most AI notetakers focus primarily on audio input, meaning they cannot detect visual cues such as facial expressions, gestures, or body posture. They also struggle with accents, colloquialisms, and other speech nuances that humans easily interpret. However, this may change as advanced systems begin to provide sentiment analysis based on speech patterns and word choice.AI note-taking is still new enough that it hasn't been widely accepted in business circles. Andrew Brodsky, assistant professor of management at the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business, notes that the introduction of AI notetakers to meetings can be perceived differently by colleagues. Some might view it as a tool for better focus and record-keeping, while others could interpret it as laziness or an inability to remember important details.For the companies developing these AI tools, there are many benefits beyond market share and revenue. They capitalize on our tendency to quickly adopt and become reliant on new technologies. Moreover, these tools provide a valuable source of training data for AI systems, which is becoming increasingly scarce due to legal challenges and content restrictions.Finally, there's a risk that AI notetakers could undermine the human elements of meetings the small talk and spontaneous interactions that often spark creativity and build relationships. Additionally, if employees become overly cautious about their words being recorded and analyzed by AI, it could stifle open communication and idea generation functions that note-taking is supposed to facilitate.
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  • Uber sues DoorDash, alleging anti-competitive practices in food delivery war
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    What just happened? Uber has filed a lawsuit against rival DoorDash, accusing the company of anti-competitive tactics. The complaint, submitted to the Superior Court of California, claims DoorDash's business practices unfairly disadvantage competitors and harm restaurant partners by limiting their ability to work with multiple delivery platforms. At the heart of the lawsuit, Uber accuses DoorDash the leading US food delivery service of pressuring restaurants into exclusive or near-exclusive agreements for first-party delivery services. These services involve fulfilling orders placed directly through the restaurants' websites and apps.Uber claims DoorDash's alleged tactics include threatening restaurants with substantial financial penalties or reducing their visibility on the platform if they choose to partner with competing services. According to Uber, several customers have likened the pressure to having a "gun to their head" and referred to DoorDash as a "monopolist."The lawsuit highlights an example involving an unnamed "significant restaurant company" that reportedly withdrew from a planned Uber Direct rollout across several brands. Uber asserts that the restaurant made this decision after DoorDash allegedly threatened to raise rates for its third-party delivery services if Uber Direct continued to be used.Sarfraz Maredia, Uber's head of delivery for the Americas, added that the company has increasingly received complaints from restaurants. According to Maredia, these restaurants claim that DoorDash's tactics are restricting their freedom and punishing them for seeking better alternatives.DoorDash, however, has strongly refuted these allegations. A company spokesperson dismissed Uber's claims as "unfounded" and attributed them to Uber's "inability to offer merchants, consumers, or couriers a quality alternative."This legal battle underscores the intense competition in the food delivery market, particularly within the white-label delivery services sector. Both Uber and DoorDash launched such services in 2020. Both allow restaurants to manage orders through their own platforms, while the delivery companies handle the logistics behind the scenes. // Related StoriesUber claims that DoorDash currently manages first-party deliveries for over 90 percent of the largest enterprise restaurants in the US, and alleges that this dominant position was achieved through anti-competitive practices.If Uber's lawsuit is successful, DoorDash could face several significant consequences. It may be required to pay substantial damages to Uber. While the exact amount is not specified in the lawsuit, Uber asserts that it has lost millions of dollars in revenue due to DoorDash's alleged practices.The court could also order DoorDash to adjust its business model, particularly in how it negotiates contracts with restaurants. This could potentially involve prohibiting exclusive or near-exclusive agreements for first-party delivery services.Additionally, a favorable ruling for Uber might allow smaller competitors to gain traction, potentially creating a more diverse and competitive market landscape.Furthermore, a victory could trigger increased antitrust scrutiny from regulators in this space an outcome Uber might ultimately regret.
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  • Third-party mod delivers the Start Menu Windows 11 deserves
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    The big picture: Many people continue to complain about the Start menu in Windows 11. While Microsoft has rolled out several updates, they arguably still don't match the beloved Windows 10 version at least, in terms of flexibility. However, thanks to third-party tweaks, there's now a working solution that could offer the best of both worlds. The hero here is Windhawk, a veritable treasure trove of Windows 11 mods created by an active community of tinkerers. One standout tweak allows you to enjoy a new, significantly more usable Start menu layout. It combines pinned apps front and center with the full apps list alongside, eliminating extra clicks needed to find a program buried in the list.Getting this upgraded Start menu up and running is easy. Once downloaded and installed, navigate to the 'Windows 11 Start Menu Styler' mod, install it, and simply paste in the code for whichever custom layout you prefer from the included presets. Within seconds, your new Start experience will be ready to rock.However, the customization potential doesn't stop there. This mod allows tinkerers to adjust practically every aspect of the Start menu through various settings and parameters. For example, the entire menu can be made much more transparent. Additionally, you can even remove the Recommended section entirely, leaving only your pinned apps visible.Now, a quick disclaimer: this is a third-party mod we're talking about, so the usual security caveats apply. However, Windhawk has a strong community presence and open-source code, so it should be relatively safe.Windhawk is also able to tweak app behaviors and overhaul entire elements, such as the taskbar and desktop. // Related StoriesIt's worth noting that installing Windhawk provides a hub to browse and add the mods you want. Each mod displays screenshots and the actual code for preview. The transparency extends further, allowing you to fork existing mods and distribute your own custom versions if you have the know-how.
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  • Scientists use crystals to cram terabytes of data into millimeter-sized memory
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    Forward-looking: Researchers at the University of Chicago have achieved a groundbreaking milestone, storing terabytes of digital data within a crystal cube just one millimeter in size. They accomplished this by leveraging single-atom defects within the crystal to represent the binary 1s and 0s of data storage. Data storage has always depended on systems that toggle between "on" and "off" states. However, the physical size of the components storing these binary states has traditionally limited how much information can be packed into a device.Now, researchers at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have developed a way to overcome this constraint. They've successfully demonstrated how missing atoms within a crystal structure can be used to store terabytes of data in a space no larger than a millimeter."We found a way to integrate solid-state physics applied to radiation dosimetry with a research group that works strongly in quantum, although our work is not exactly quantum," said first author Leonardo Frana, a postdoctoral researcher in Zhong's lab.Their study, published in Nanophotonics, explores how atomic-scale crystal defects can function as individual memory cells, merging quantum methodologies with classical computing principles.Led by assistant professor Tian Zhong, the research team developed this novel storage method by introducing rare-earth ions into a crystal. Specifically, they incorporated praseodymium ions into a yttrium oxide crystal, though they suggest the approach could extend to other materials due to rare-earth elements' versatile optical properties.The memory system is activated by a simple ultraviolet laser, which energizes the rare-earth ions, causing them to release electrons. These electrons then become trapped in the crystal's natural defects. By controlling the charge state of these gaps, the researchers effectively created a binary system, where a charged defect represents a "one" and an uncharged defect represents a "zero."Crystal defects have previously been explored in relation to quantum computing as potential qubits. However, the UChicago PME team went a step further, discovering how to leverage them for classical memory applications.Related reading: Indestructible quartz crystal can store 360TB of data for billions of years"There is a demand for people who are doing research on quantum systems, but at the same time, there is a demand for improving the storage capacity of classical non-volatile memories. And it's on this interface between quantum and optical data storage where our work is grounded," says Frana.The researchers believe this breakthrough could redefine data storage limits, paving the way for ultra-compact, high-capacity storage solutions in classical computing.
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  • Deal alert: AMD Ryzen 5 5600T now just $99 on Amazon
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    If you're looking for a solid budget processor, this Ryzen 5 5600T deal is worth checking out. Packing 6 cores and 12 threads, just like the 5600, but with a higher base clock of 3.7 GHz. It also keeps the same 65W TDP and 32MB L3 cache, making it an excellent value pick for gaming and productivity at this price point.Read Entire Article
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  • Intel wants to take on AMD in the handheld gaming PC market, preps Panther Lake chips
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    In context: AMD has firmly established itself as the leading CPU maker in the handheld gaming PC market, powering popular devices like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go. At CES 2025, AMD further strengthened its position by unveiling new chips specifically designed for next-gen handheld gaming PCs, including the Z2, Z2 Go, and Z2 Extreme chipsets. Now, Intel is making strategic moves to challenge this dominance. Robert Hallock, Intel VP and GM of client AI and technical marketing, recently revealed the company's renewed focus on the handheld gaming PC market in an exclusive interview with Laptop Magazine. "Intel is beefing up its staff to support gaming ISVs who want to do handhelds," the executive said.This support extends beyond just providing hardware; Intel is implementing internal programs to help manufacturers optimize performance for handheld devices. The company has also assembled a team of handheld specialists to provide additional support for engineers and software developers.A key aspect of Intel's strategy involves giving game developers early access to handheld gaming hardware. Since many developers typically focus on desktop environments, Intel aims to broaden their perspective.A lot of game devs tend just to target what they have on their desks or in their QA labs, Hallock noted. To address this, Intel plans to supply developers with prototype devices and development kits leading into the launch of Panther Lake.Also see: The History of Handheld Gaming PCsAt CES, Intel showcased a range of upcoming products featuring its chipsets, including the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Tencent Sunday Dragon 3D handhelds. However, Hallock noted that some unidentified devices on display were powered by Intel's latest Arrow Lake-H SoC.Hallock pointed out that Arrow Lake-H offers graphics performance comparable to Lunar Lake and that some of these handhelds now operate at up to 30 watts. He also emphasized that Arrow Lake is well-suited to the gaming handheld form factor. // Related StoriesIntel's roadmap extends beyond Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake, as the company is already preparing for its next-generation mobile chips, codenamed Panther Lake. Unlike Lunar Lake, which features on-package memory, Panther Lake will allow for greater customization.That feature is welcomed by handheld vendors as they are able to customize the memory they put in the platform, Hallock said. At the same time, he added, Intel offers other technologies that can compensate for the removal of the memory on package, which saves power.As part of Intel's push into the handheld gaming market, it is actively seeking partnerships with game developers to optimize software for handheld devices. Hallock extended an open invitation: "If there's a game developer out there who happens upon this article eventually and you've been thinking about handhelds, give us an e-mail. We would love to work with you and help you optimize your software for handheld devices."
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  • SanDisk's new Gen5 SSD offers blistering 14,000 MB/s speeds at just 7W
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    Forward-looking: The faster a drive is, the more power it typically consumes. However, SanDisk appears to have cracked the code with a new PCIe 5.0 SSD that pushes the current interface to its speed limits while maintaining power consumption on par with modern Gen4 drives. SanDisk, the flash storage division of Western Digital, unveiled a pair of new SSD platforms at an investor event last week. These are designed to strike a balance between performance and value.Leading the premium tier is a new flagship drive poised to push the PCIe 5.0 interface to its limits. According to Tom's Hardware, this SSD is expected to deliver blistering sequential read and write speeds of 14,500 MB/s and 14,000 MB/s, respectively, in its 2TB configuration. But here's the real kicker it achieves those speeds while consuming just 7 watts of power.To put that efficiency into perspective, most current Gen4 drives hover around the 7W mark, while the fastest Gen5 offerings on the market often draw closer to 10W under peak loads. Sources suggest this new drive could be powered by Silicon Motion's highly efficient SM2508 controller.The as-yet-unnamed drive will share SanDisk's performance-oriented TLC NAND platform with the existing WD Black gaming SSD family. Capacities will range from 512GB to a spacious 4TB when it launches in Q2 2025.SanDisk is also introducing a new value-focused QLC-based SSD platform that retains PCIe 4.0 connectivity, with storage capacities topping out at 2TB. One drive based on this platform is the Western Digital PC SN5100S, which delivers a 53 percent boost in random read speeds and a 44 percent improvement in random write performance compared to its predecessor, the SN5000S. // Related StoriesWhen it comes to QLC NAND, SanDisk has ambitious plans to ramp up adoption of this higher-density (but shorter-lived) flash. The company aims to have QLC technology power 75 percent of its storage lineup by 2028 to maximize capacity. At the same time, it is preparing for a full transition from PCIe Gen4 to the Gen5 standard within the same time frame.Both of these new SSD families will leverage Western Digital's latest 3D BiCS8 NAND flash to push performance boundaries even further.All in all, while SanDisk may have a fresh coat of paint, its commitment to flash storage innovation shows no signs of slowing down.
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  • The iconic Nokia N97 gets resurrected as a retro-inspired gaming handheld
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    In context: Few phones generated as much buzz as 2009's Nokia N97. After all, it was the company's first true attempt at taking a bite out of the emerging smartphone market. The quirky slider packed a touchscreen, a full QWERTY keyboard, and "cutting-edge" features like 32GB storage and a 5MP camera. While it never quite achieved a smash hit status, it continues to hold a cult following. Fast forward to today, and a gaming company is trying to rekindle that Nokia nostalgia with a new handheld console. Sugar Cubes has just released the N97 Elite, and yeah, it shares plenty of vibes with the original N97 only this time, it's designed for portable gaming.The sliding mechanism is the star of the show here. Just like the original N97, the Elite's 4.7-inch display can slide upwards, tilting the screen for a better viewing angle. But instead of revealing a physical keyboard underneath, you get a controller layout with a D-pad and buttons. No analog sticks though, which is a bit of a bummer.While Sugar Cubes clearly chose the N97 namesake as a nod to the sliding mechanism, we'd argue that the display up top actually resembles the Nokia Lumia 920 more.The specs also have a bit of a retro vibe, thanks to the Snapdragon 855+ chip from 2019 under the hood. Obviously, it's no longer a powerhouse, but considering it was a flagship processor with a highly capable GPU in its heyday, it should still have enough muscle to run classic emulators and even some relatively demanding modern games.Impressively, the chip is paired with a hefty 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. // Related StoriesSugar Cubes has been teasing prototypes of the N97 Elite on Chinese social media for months. And if you're in China, you can actually buy it right now for CNY 1,499 (around $205 USD). It even comes in some slick special edition Gundam and Dragon Ball designs for anime fans.That said, there's a catch early reviews have not been kind. So unless you're absolutely in love with that N97 styling, this might be one to avoid based on the negative feedback so far.In a way, it's almost poetic, considering the N97 Elite is a microcosm of what happened with the original Nokia N97 over a decade ago. That phone generated massive hype as one of Nokia's first serious touchscreen smartphone efforts. But sadly, its resistive touchscreen, sluggish Symbian OS, and overall performance left a lot to be desired.As slicker iPhones and Android devices emerged, the N97's flaws became too glaring to overlook. It marked the beginning of Nokia's downward spiral in mobile, as the company struggled to keep up with the competition.Image credit: NITTRX
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  • Western Digital targets 100TB disk drives with HAMR and HDMR advancements
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    Forward-looking: The data storage landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by the proliferation of artificial intelligence and the growing demand for massive data lakes. Western Digital projects that HDD exabyte shipments will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 23% from 2024 to 2028. To meet these increasing demands, the company is focusing on two key innovations that will drive capacity expansion and enhance storage efficiency. Western Digital unveiled an ambitious roadmap for advanced storage technologies at a recent investor day meeting. It plans to leverage two advanced storage technologies in the coming years: heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) and heat dot magnetic recording (HDMR), which are expected to improve data storage efficiency and density in hard disk drives.This announcement comes as Western Digital prepares to separate its Flash business, with the spin-off scheduled for February 21, 2025.HAMR technology uses a small laser diode attached to each recording head to heat a tiny spot on the disk. This localized heating temporarily reduces the coercivity of the recording material, enabling the write head to alter the magnetic polarity of a single bit at a time.By allowing data to be written in much smaller regions, HAMR significantly increases storage density. This technique requires precise temperature control to ensure that only the intended area is heated, with nanosecond-level heating and cooling of individual bits.Western Digital plans to introduce its first HAMR-based HDDs in 2026, with initial capacities of 36TB for conventional magnetic recording (CMR) and 44TB for shingled UltraSMR recording. The company is already testing HAMR drives with two major hyperscale customers. By 2030, Western Digital aims to develop HDDs with capacities ranging from 80TB to 100TB using HAMR technology. // Related StoriesIn parallel, Western Digital is also developing HDMR technology, which combines heat-assisted writing with bit-patterned media (BPM). HDMR has the potential to achieve even higher areal densities, possibly exceeding 8 Tb/inch. This could enable 10-platter HDDs with capacities of 120TB or more.HDMR technology involves physically patterning disks using lithography or etching equipment in cleanroom environments. This process ensures uniform grain size and precise bit placement, resulting in more predictable magnetic properties. The combination of physical isolation of bits with energy-assisted writing enables unprecedented storage densities.However, HDMR is expected to be quite expensive due to its complex manufacturing requirements. The transition to these technologies will necessitate substantial investments, including the development of new types of lasers for highly precise localized heating.Western Digital is focusing on several key areas to support these. This includes refining servo-mechanics for precise head positioning, conducting magnetics research into advanced materials such as iron-platinum alloys, and developing new thermal management and control systems to accommodate the next generation of HDD technology.
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  • The world's largest OLED 'monitor' measures a whopping 767 inches
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    WTF?! Size definitely matters when it comes to displays, but how much? Mobile LED solutions provider Photonoics seems to believe the answer is no less than 762 inches. The company has unveiled the JUMBO162, a colossal 17 x 9.5-meter, 4K mobile LED screen, which is being billed as the largest of its kind in the world. This absolute unit of a display dwarfs Photonics' previous record holder, the 100-square-meter JUMBO100 from way back in 2014. The new screen boasts an area of 161.5 square meters and stands an imposing 13 meters tall. The company says this makes it perfect for festivals, concerts, sporting events, and other large outdoor gatherings.In its press photos, the JUMBO162 almost looks like an oversized desktop monitor. To put its scale into perspective, 162 square meters is nearly half the size of a giant IMAX screen. Yet, despite its massive proportions, the display is designed to be mobile. It can be transported via a specialized truck, delivering larger-than-life visuals to major events and exhibitions.The screen is also engineered to be wind-resistant, capable of withstanding gusts of up to 61 km/h. So it won't topple over like an ungainly giant at the first hint of a breeze.The creation of the JUMBO162 was a collaborative effort as well. Photonics owner Pieter Lambert credited INFiLED for its role in developing the lightweight yet ultra-bright AR Series panels for the display. Specifically, 374 of INFiLED's AR3.9 LED panels come together to form the massive screen.The display features a pixel pitch of 3.9mm and a brilliant peak brightness of 5,000 nits. According to Photonics, this makes it well-suited for events held in bright daylight. // Related StoriesAll those pixels are processed by the Megapixel VR Helios LED Processing Platform. Meanwhile, visuals get an extra boost from INFiLED's Infinite Colours technology, which expands the color spectrum for enhanced vibrancy.Impressively, the JUMBO162 can also be reconfigured into a more modest yet still massive 97.5-square-meter JUMBO100HD screen with an HD+ resolution. Many other sizes and shapes are available as well and can be found on the Photonics website.
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  • Stephen Curry's new shooting partner is a robot that never gets tired
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    WTF?! When the NBA's best take the hardwood in Salt Lake City for this year's All-Star festivities, they'll have some AI-powered reinforcements on the sidelines. Commissioner Adam Silver has unveiled three new robots set to be integrated into team operations one of which can catch shots and pass them back to the player, no matter their position on the court. Silver introduced these innovations in a sneak peek at the 2025 NBA All-Star Technology Summit. The three bots are already being used by the Golden State Warriors for practices and training sessions, with Silver even calling them the "latest NBA All-Stars."The first robot, dubbed A.B.E. (Automated Basketball Engine), has been Stephen Curry's new shooting partner. This machine can chase down baskets and zip passes back to the player, allowing him to get up hundreds of reps. It tracks the position of the player, too, so that he can focus on nothing but scoring hoops.Curry described the experience as "weird" at first, but admitted that because the robots don't need breaks or water, they just push you to "go harder."For head coach Steve Kerr, a squad of towering M.I.M.I.C. (Motion & Intercept Modular-Interface Coordination) robots has been running dummy offense and defense in practice. Kerr treats the robots just like human players so much so that he's even been heard yelling at them to "get the f**k out" when he wants to rerun a play from a different angle.According to the NBA, these robots can track micro-movements, simulate game-like pressure, and provide real-time feedback faster than any coach or trainer. The league worked closely with players and coaches to ensure the technology meets their needs."This is about bridging engineering and human performance," an NBA representative quipped in a clip shared on X. // Related StoriesThe third robot, K.I.T. (Kinematic Interface Tool), has been tasked with an even more important job keeping Draymond Green's spirits up. These robots are designed to roll around in the locker room and are therefore smaller than the M.I.M.I.C., despite looking similar. They're already entertaining players with movies and delivering motivational pep talks during grueling workouts.It's a fascinating glimpse into the future of practical AI in professional sports. Just 25 years ago, the focus was on expanding internet access for training. Now, Curry and the Warriors have robot sidekicks they say are already proving invaluable.
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  • Arm said to be poaching executives from clients to build its own chips
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    Big if true: The rumors about Arm's ambitions to enter the chip manufacturing business appear to be true after all. Industry sources now claim the UK-based designer is in need of a highly skilled workforce and has begun poaching top talent from clients. Arm Holdings is currently on a recruiting spree, with the ultimate goal of entering the chip production industry independently. Reuters has quoted several sources familiar with the matter, all of whom confirm Arm's "sudden" interest in the manufacturing side of the microchip industry.Arm's core business revolves around licensing its namesake instruction set architecture to other silicon designers and chip foundries around the world. The company has been around since the 1980s, initially selling home computers with RISC processors under the Acorn Computers brand. Virtually all modern smartphones feature processors based on the Arm ISA, but Arm earns money through licensing deals, rather than from actual device sales.The UK-based designer is clearly trying to change the status quo. Two Reuters sources revealed that Arm has been reaching out to its licensing partners, attempting to recruit executives and potential employees from other positions to help build its new chipmaking business. The news agency was able to examine a copy of a "note" sent by an Arm recruiter to an executive at one of its customers.The note states that Arm wants to transform its licensing-only business model into a company that sells its own silicon products. The new chips would focus on "AI enablement in the data center" and other computing devices, according to the note. Arm has also reached out to other chip designers in Silicon Valley, seeking to hire new talent and experts in the area.Over the past few years, Arm has adopted a much more proactive approach to the chipmaking business. In 2022, the company sued Qualcomm to terminate their licensing agreement, but was later forced to abandon the effort. During the legal dispute over Qualcomm's licensing rates, Arm CEO Rene Haas stated that the company had never been involved in building chips. // Related StoriesSources say Arm began attempting to hire new managers from its customers as early as November. Haas' testimony occurred just a few weeks later. Regardless, Arm's attempt to start designing and selling its own chips could send a shockwave through the entire mobile industry.Historically, Arm Holdings has been considered a neutral player in the market, while silicon providers like Broadcom and Qualcomm have raked in billions by developing Arm-based custom CPUs. If Arm were to abandon its neutral stance, the chipmaking industry might react in unpredictable ways.
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  • www.techspot.com
    Recap: It's been 20 years to the day since the debut of YouTube. The video-sharing site, now the most popular of its kind and the second most popular overall website on the Internet behind Google search, was founded by three former PayPal employees Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim on February 14, 2005. The original idea for YouTube varies depending on who you ask but what we do know for certain is that the very first clip ever uploaded a video of co-founder Jawed Karim standing in front of elephants at the San Diego Zoo arrived a couple months later on April 23.In the 19-second clip, Karim mentions how cool the elephants' trunks are due to their length. It has been viewed nearly 349 million times since.It didn't take long for YouTube to pick up momentum. By the end of the year, the site was receiving more than eight million views daily. An ad from Nike featuring soccer player Ronaldinho became the first video on the platform to eclipse the one million views mark. By mid-2006, more than 65,000 new videos were finding their way to YouTube each day. Later that year, Google purchased the platform for $1.65 billion in stock and the rest, as they say, is history.Google's acquisition of YouTube has proven to be one of its best investments to date. Despite some hiccups along the way, the video-sharing site has continued to flourish under Mountain View's watchful eye and has played a role in reshaping how we consume media. These days, over a billion hours of content are consumed on a daily basis.Just days ago, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan revealed that TV screens have surpassed mobile devices as the primary way that US viewers consume content on the platform. Between streaming services like Netflix, video-sharing platforms such as YouTube, and digital delivery in general, watching television today is nothing like it was just a few short decades ago. // Related StoriesImage credit: chiplanay
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  • Intel's 18A found to be faster but TSMC's N2 is denser in process node showdown
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    Bottom line: Intel and TSMC are both gearing up to launch their respective 18A and N2 process nodes, each offering significant advancements. On one side, Intel claims 18A will deliver much higher generational performance gains. On the other, TSMC is emphasizing N2's impressive transistor density. But which one is truly superior? As it turns out, the answer isn't so straightforward. A new report from TechInsights breaks things down, suggesting we could be in for a closely matched competition.When it comes to transistor density, TSMC's N2 appears to take the lead. The publication's data estimates N2's high-density standard cell transistor density at an impressive 313 million transistors per square millimeter, outpacing Intel's 18A at 238 million and Samsung's SF3 at 231 million. Of course, density isn't everything; chip designers use a mix of high-, standard-, and low-power cells. However, TSMC's advantage in density could provide an edge for certain workloads.The comparison becomes less clear when it comes to performance projections. Intel's 18A may have an advantage over TSMC's N2 and Samsung's SF3, but these are still just estimates based on extrapolating from previous node improvements.What we do know is that Intel is equipping 18A with its new PowerVia backside power delivery technology to enhance speed and efficiency. While TSMC has plans for a similar approach in the future, N2 won't include it. However, it's worth noting that not every 18A chip will feature this technology.When it comes to efficiency, analysts expect N2 chips to outperform 18A and Samsung's offerings. TSMC has consistently led in power efficiency, so this projection aligns with recent trends. // Related StoriesAnother key differentiator is production timelines. Intel remains ahead, with 18A set to enter high-volume manufacturing for next-gen Core Ultra processors by mid-2025. These chips are expected to hit shelves before the end of the year. Meanwhile, TSMC's N2 volume production won't begin until late 2025, meaning the first N2-based products likely won't arrive until mid-2026 at the earliest, following standard industry timelines.In summary, TSMC holds the transistor density lead with N2, but Intel's 18A could take the performance crown thanks to architectural advancements and innovations like PowerVia. Additionally, Intel's head start in production means 18A silicon will be available in real-world products much sooner.
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  • DARPA begins testing phase for in-orbit space construction
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    The big picture: The NOM4D program is part of a broader trend in space technology development that anticipates significant advancements by 2030. These include frequent orbital launches, regular lunar missions, on-orbit refueling for robotic spacecraft, and autonomous robots capable of constructing structures in space. The latest breakthroughs from NOM4D will further expand the possibilities for this envisioned future. DARPA has announced a major shift in the final phase of its NOM4D program, transitioning from laboratory testing to small-scale orbital demonstrations. This move aims to evaluate novel materials and assembly techniques in space, marking a critical step toward the development of large-scale orbital structures.Launched in 2022, the NOM4D program seeks to overcome a fundamental challenge in space construction: the size and weight constraints of rocket cargo fairings. Instead of relying on pre-folded or compacted structures, DARPA's innovative approach involves stowing lightweight raw materials in a rocket fairing for in-orbit assembly. This could enable the construction of far larger and more mass-efficient structures than currently feasible.Encouraged by significant progress from research teams during the program's first two phases, DARPA has now greenlit in-space testing a key milestone toward making orbital manufacturing a reality.Caltech has partnered with Momentus to demonstrate its autonomous robotic assembly technology aboard the Momentus Vigoride Orbital Services Vehicle. Scheduled for launch in February 2026 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, this free-flying experiment will construct a 1.4-meter-diameter circular truss in space. Made of lightweight composite fiber longerons, the structure will simulate the architecture of an antenna aperture a critical step toward building large-scale space infrastructure.Meanwhile, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has developed a high-precision in-space composite-forming process. In partnership with Voyager Space, UIUC will demonstrate this technology on the International Space Station in April 2026. The experiment will utilize a unique "frontal polymerization" method, which hardens carbon fiber structures without requiring large autoclaves a breakthrough that could enable the manufacturing of massive space structures. // Related StoriesAlthough not involved in the orbital demonstrations, the University of Florida is contributing to the program through research on laser sheet metal bending techniques. In collaboration with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, this work could provide critical manufacturing capabilities for future space-based construction.The success of these demonstrations could have far-reaching implications for both commercial space ventures and national security interests. According to Andrew Detor, DARPA NOM4D program manager, these advancements could scale up to enable the construction of 100-meter-diameter RF antennas, enhancing situational awareness in cislunar space.Beyond defense applications, the NOM4D program could help establish an in-space manufacturing ecosystem, paving the way for orbital refueling stations, space-based solar farms, and other commercial and national security infrastructures.
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  • SanDisk's new HBF memory combines 3D NAND capacity with HBM-like bandwidth
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    What just happened? At its first big investor event since breaking off from Western Digital, SanDisk unveiled something it's been cooking up to take a bite out of the hot AI market. The company has a new memory architecture called high-bandwidth flash that fuses the massive storage capacity of 3D NAND with the kind of bandwidth offered by HBM. This hybrid creation stacks up a whopping 16 layers of SanDisk's latest 3D NAND dies using tiny data pipelines called through-silicon vias. There's also a special logic layer that can zip data in and out of the individual NAND sub-arrays in parallel. This results in HBF packing 8 to 16 times more capacity per stack than today's HBM implementations.In one of SanDisk's examples, a system rocking eight HBF stacks could provide a monstrous 4 terabytes of capacity for storing bulky AI models like GPT-4 directly on GPU hardware.The key innovation seems to be that HBF's architecture breaks with traditional NAND designs by splitting each die into many tiny sub-arrays that can be randomly accessed in parallel, rather than treated as larger block-based planes and pages. This enables the high bandwidth while maintaining NAND's cost and capacity advantages.Of course, NAND's Achilles heel has always been higher latency compared to DRAM technologies such as HBM. As pointed out by Tom's Hardware, HBF is no different and obviously doesn't match DRAM's blazing speeds. The new architecture is being targeted at read-intensive AI inference workloads that need high bandwidth and capacity but can tolerate higher latency. Tasks like gaming are off the table.There are still some hurdles for the technology to clear. SanDisk was quiet on how it will get around the write endurance limits of NAND, as well as the challenging block-based addressing that could hamper randomized access. We also don't know what kind of bandwidth numbers HBF can hit.Despite the remaining questions, it seems SanDisk sees big potential. The company wants HBF to be an open standard complementing HBM in hardware like GPUs. To achieve this, it's already lining up partners and plans three full generations of HBF development, suggesting a serious long-term investment.Eventually, SanDisk even sees the tech filtering down from high-end AI systems to consumer devices like smartphones. // Related Stories
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    What just happened? The 28th annual DICE awards have just taken place, and it was another memorable awards ceremony for Astro Bot. It took home the highest number of wins on the night, five, including the coveted Game of the Year, which it also won at December's Game Awards. Developed by Team Asobi, the platformer has been a revelation for publisher Sony. It has received numerous nominations across numerous gaming awards shows and won many, including several Game of the Year categories.At the Aria Resort & Casino, where Sony revealed its game had sold 1.5 million units, Astro Bot beat Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Helldivers 2, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle to take home Game of the Year. Apart from the winner, I've played all the games in this category and have to say that Wukong would have been my pick. Black Myth's only win at the show came in the Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction category.Astro Bot won more categories than any other game at the awards. In addition to GOTY, it won Outstanding Achievement in Animation, Outstanding Technical Achievement, Family Game of the Year, and Outstanding Achievement in Game Design.In terms of total number of wins, Helldivers 2 was a close second with four: Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition, Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design, Action Game of the Year, and Online Game of the Year.Elsewhere, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle won the Outstanding Achievement in Character award for Dr. Jones himself. Bethesda Softworks' game also won the Outstanding Achievement in Story category and Adventure Game of the Year. // Related StoriesCard game Balatro also won three categories. The roguelike deck-builder won Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year, where it beat Satisfactory, as well as Mobile Game of the Year and Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game.If you're a gaming fan, check out our Most Anticipated PC Games of 2025 feature.Nominees and finalists for the DICE awards are determined by the 30,000+ members of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), which is composed of industry professionals.Full list of nominees and winners:Outstanding Achievement in AnimationAstro Bot - WINNERCall of Duty: Black Ops 6FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTHNevaWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2Outstanding Achievement in Art DirectionBlack Myth: Wukong - WINNERIndiana Jones and the Great CircleLEGO Horizon AdventuresThe Plucky SquireSenua's Saga: Hellblade IIOutstanding Achievement in Character1000xRESIST - WatcherFINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - Yuffie KisaragiIndiana Jones and the Great Circle - Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones - WINNERINDIKA - IndikaSenua's Saga: Hellblade II - SenuaOutstanding Achievement in Original Music CompositionAstro BotHelldivers 2 - WINNERMonument Valley 3Senua's Saga: Hellblade IIStar Wars OutlawsOutstanding Achievement in Audio DesignFrostpunk 2Helldivers 2 - WINNERMonument Valley 3Senua's Saga: Hellblade IIStill Wakes the DeepOutstanding Achievement in Story1000xRESISTIndiana Jones and the Great Circle - WINNERMetaphor: ReFantazioStill Wakes the DeepThank Goodness You're Here!Outstanding Technical AchievementAstro Bot - WINNERBatman: Arkham ShadowIndiana Jones and the Great CircleSenua's Saga: Hellblade IIWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2Action Game of the YearBatman: Arkham ShadowBlack Myth: WukongCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Helldivers 2 - WINNERStellar BladeAdventure Game of the Year1000xRESISTANIMAL WELLIndiana Jones and the Great Circle - WINNERThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of WisdomPrince of Persia: The Lost CrownFamily Game of the YearAstro Bot - WINNERCat Quest IIILittle Kitty, Big CityThe Plucky SquireSuper Mario Party JamboreeFighting Game of the YearBlazing StrikeDRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZEROMortal Kombat 1: Khaos ReignsTEKKEN 8 - WINNERUNDERDOGSRacing Game of the YearF1 24 - WINNERMotoGP24NIGHT-RUNNERS PROLOGUERole-Playing Game of the YearFINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTHDragon Age: The VeilguardELDEN RING: Shadow of the ErdtreeLike a Dragon: Infinite WealthMetaphor: ReFantazio - WINNERSports Game of the YearEA SPORTS College Football 25EA SPORTS FC 25MLB The Show 24 - WINNERNBA 2K25Strategy/Simulation Game of the YearBalatro - WINNERCaves of QudFrostpunk 2Tactical Breach WizardsSatisfactoryImmersive Reality Technical AchievementAlien: Rogue IncursionBatman: Arkham ShadowSkydance's BEHEMOTHStarship Home - WINNERUNDERDOGSImmersive Reality Game of the YearAlien: Rogue IncursionBatman: Arkham Shadow - WINNEREscaping WonderlandSkydance's BEHEMOTHUNDERDOGSOutstanding Achievement for an Independent GameANIMAL WELLBalatro - WINNERGrunnINDIKAMouthwashingMobile Game of the YearBalatro - WINNERHalls of TormentMonument Valley 3Paper TrailWuthering WavesOnline Game of the YearCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Diablo IV: Vessel of HatredHelldivers 2 - WINNERMarvel RivalsWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2Outstanding Achievement in Game DesignANIMAL WELLAstro Bot - WINNERBalatroHelldivers 2UFO 50Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction1000xRESISTANIMAL WELL - WINNERLorelei and the Laser EyesRivenThank Goodness You're Here!Game of the YearAstro Bot - WINNERBalatroBlack Myth: WukongHelldivers 2Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
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    Editor's take: A potential Intel-TSMC partnership could end up reshaping global supply chains in the semiconductor sector. However, the actual effects will depend on the specific terms of any agreement and how successfully the collaboration is implemented. A potential partnership between Intel and TSMC is being discussed that, if realized, could reshape the global chip manufacturing landscape and address ongoing concerns about the concentration of advanced chip production in Asia.According to an analyst note from Baird, discussions are underway regarding a possible arrangement in which TSMC would send engineers to one of Intel's advanced chip factories. The purpose of this collaboration would be to apply TSMC's expertise and ensure the viability of Intel's manufacturing processes.The proposed partnership could take an even more substantial form, with the possibility of spinning off the factory into a new entity jointly owned by Intel and TSMC. This new venture would be operated by TSMC and could potentially receive funding from the US CHIPS Act.However, it's important to note that these discussions are still in the preliminary stages. The analyst report emphasizes that there is no confirmation of the deal, and if it were to move forward, the process could be lengthy. // Related StoriesStill, it is easy to imagine how a potential partnership between Intel and TSMC could significantly reshape the global chip market. By combining Intel's infrastructure with TSMC's expertise, Intel's position in advanced chip manufacturing would strengthen, narrowing the technological gap with TSMC. This would provide major tech companies with a viable alternative for leading-edge semiconductor production, diversifying the supply chain. This collaboration could also intensify competition in the chip manufacturing space, potentially leading to more competitive pricing and increased innovation.However, these outcomes are only speculative and based on rumored discussions. The actual impact on the global chip market will depend on the specific terms of any agreement and the successful implementation of the partnership.The potential Intel-TSMC partnership comes against the backdrop of increasing US government focus on domestic chip production. President Trump has been vocal about his desire to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States.While on his campaign trail, Trump has accused Taiwan of "stealing" the US chip business, referring to TSMC's dominant position in producing leading-edge chips for major tech companies like Apple and Nvidia. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, where a significant portion of advanced chip manufacturing occurs in Taiwan.To incentivize the relocation of chip manufacturing to the US, the Trump administration has proposed imposing tariffs as high as 100 percent on foreign-made processors. This move has raised concerns about potential price increases for consumers, though Trump argues that any short-term disruptions would be outweighed by long-term benefits to the US economy.In response to these developments, TSMC has already taken steps to increase its US presence. The company has approved an additional $17 billion in funding to boost its chip production, with a portion of this investment directed towards its operations in the United States.
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  • Samsung set to unveil tri-fold phone that transforms into 10-inch tablet
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    Forward-looking: Samsung looks set to take phones to another level with a radical tri-fold design that unfurls into a massive 10-inch tablet display. Leaked details suggest the device will rock not one, but two screens. When folded, you'll see a relatively normal 6.49-inch outer display designed for standard smartphone duties. Unfold the phone, and the inner screen stretches out to a whopping 9.96 inches, according to an Android Headlines report that cited insider Ross Young. That's bigger than many tablets.The tri-fold approach lets Samsung sidestep some of the issues that plagued earlier foldables. Instead of the exposed outer screen getting scratched in your pocket, the main display tucks safely inwards in a G-shape when folded. This is a different approach from the likes of the Huawei Mate XT, which folds in a Z-shape and leaves part of its main screen exposed at all times.Foldable smartphones typically use flexible, plastic OLED displays instead of glass, as glass is particularly susceptible to scratches. So a G-shape implementation makes sense to protect expensive panels from harm.However, this implementation calls for two separate displays, which could make the device thicker and pricier than Huawei's Z-folding rival. Whether that added bulk would prove to be a worthy trade-off for the enhanced durability and flexibility remains to be seen.The internal name being discussed is the "Galaxy G Fold," which makes sense, following Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldables. But details regarding specifics like the processor, cameras, and pricing are still a bit hazy. // Related StoriesWhat we do know is that Samsung isn't betting the farm on this one leaked production targets suggest they'll make fewer than 300,000 units initially. This means getting your hands on one could be tricky when it eventually launches. The release date is reportedly around Q3, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7.Still, Samsung is set to lead the charge when it comes to tri-fold devices for the worldwide market. Huawei's got a bit of a head start in the arena, but its devices are currently limited to the Chinese market. That means if Samsung's tri-folder does make it to regions like North America, it'll enjoy the distinction of being the first of its kind.
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    What just happened? Apple and Google have brought TikTok back to their respective US stores almost a month after it was removed. It comes after President Trump signed an order stopping the app's ban from being enforced and assured the companies they would not be fined for hosting or distributing it. A letter from US Attorney General Pam Bondi assured Apple and Google that the ban on TikTok would not be immediately enforced, allowing the pair to bring the app back to their stores without consequences.TikTok briefly blocked access for US users last month, hours before it was due to be banned under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which requires its US operations to be sold to a US owner or one of its allies to avoid a ban. It returned after around 14 hours with a thanks for Trump for promising to reinstate the app when he took office.Trump signed an executive order on January 20 directing the Department of Justice not to enforce the ban for 75 days. Trump also said that companies would not face penalties for hosting the app.But Apple and Google, which had removed TikTok from their mobile app stores on January 18 to comply with the act, wanted more assurance before bringing it back; the companies could be fined billions of dollars for doing so under the Act.TikTok posted a message on X stating that the latest version of the app is now available to download in the US.TikTok might have returned to the US stores, but its future remains uncertain. Trump has reportedly handed responsibility for saving the company's US operations to Vice President JD Vance and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz. The president also said he could extend the 75-day deadline. // Related StoriesElon Musk had been one of the favorites to buy TikTok Trump had put the DOGE leader forward as a potential candidate but he ruled himself out earlier this week, claiming he prefers to build companies from scratch rather than acquire them; Twitter was an exception made for free speech reasons, apparently.Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has also expressed interest in buying TikTok, as has a consortium that includes YouTube star MrBeast.Masthead: Collabstr
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  • US cyber defense agency urges developers to eliminate buffer overflow vulnerabilities
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    Bottom line: The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is once again reminding IT manufacturers and developers that buffer overflow vulnerabilities must be eradicated from software. In short, companies need to adopt a "secure by design" policy and fast. CISA has issued a new alert about buffer overflow vulnerabilities, urging the software industry to adopt proper programming practices to eliminate an entire class of dangerous security flaws. Buffer overflow exploits frequently lead to system compromise, CISA warns, posing significant threats to system reliability, data integrity, and overall cybersecurity.A buffer overflow occurs when a threat actor can access or write data outside a program's allocated memory space, CISA explained. If hackers manipulate memory beyond a buffer's allocated limits, it can lead to data corruption, exposure of sensitive information, system crashes, or even remote execution of malicious code.CISA previously warned about buffer overflow vulnerabilities and is now reiterating its message. The agency highlights real-world examples of these flaws, including vulnerabilities in Windows operating systems (CVE-2025-21333), the Linux kernel (CVE-2022-0185), VPN products (CVE-2023-6549), and various other software environments where executable code is present.Software companies can combat the buffer overflow threat by adopting a proper "secure by design" approach when writing their code. In software engineering, "secure by design" means that products and features are built with security as a foundational principle rather than added as an afterthought. However, CISA noted that only a few companies have implemented this approach so far.The agency outlined several "secure by design" practices that technical leads should adopt within their organizations. These include using memory-safe programming languages such as Rust or Go, configuring compilers to detect buffer overflow bugs before deployment, and conducting regular product testing. // Related StoriesCISA, along with other government agencies including the FBI and the NSA, are offering additional resources and reports to help companies mitigate buffer overflow vulnerabilities and other critical security threats.The agency also highlighted three broad "secure by design" principles developed in collaboration with 17 global cybersecurity organizations. These principles emphasize full accountability in the software development process, a "radical" commitment to transparency, and organizational structures designed to prioritize security.
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  • Breakthrough 3D NAND flash etching technique could turbocharge SSD production
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    Freezing edge technology: A new plasma-based etching process could lead to denser data storage in phones, cameras, and computers. Researchers have developed a hydrogen fluoride plasma technique that doubles the etching rate in the manufacturing process of 3D NAND flash memory chips. Standard NAND flash storage is used in microSD cards, USB drives, and solid-state drives in computers and phones. To fit more gigabytes into smaller spaces, manufacturers have begun stacking memory cells vertically in a process called 3D NAND.Advancements in 3D NAND have pushed chip designs beyond 200 layers, with companies like Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung already eyeing 400-layer technology to increase storage density. However, higher layer counts also bring greater manufacturing complexity. One particularly demanding process is etching, which requires meticulously carving precise holes, layer by layer, through alternating silicon oxide and silicon nitride layers.Researchers from Lam Research, the University of Colorado Boulder, and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have developed a new technique to streamline the process. It uses cryogenic (low-temperature) hydrogen fluoride plasma to etch the holes. In experiments, the etch rate more than doubled, increasing from 310 nanometers per minute with the old method to 640 nm/min with their approach. They also found that the etched holes were cleaner.Seeing benefits, the researchers experimented with adding a few other ingredients to the hydrogen fluoride plasma recipe. Phosphorus trifluoride acted as a nitrous boost for silicon dioxide etching, quadrupling the rate. They also tested ammonium fluorosilicate. The team detailed its findings in a study published in the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology.Seeing benefits, the researchers explored adding a few other ingredients to this hydrogen fluoride plasma recipe. Phosphorus trifluoride acted as a nitrous boost for the silicon dioxide etching, quadrupling that rate. They also tested out ammonium fluorosilicate. The full findings can be found in the study published in the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. // Related StoriesWhile some challenges remain, the new technique could overcome a significant manufacturing hurdle. Igor Kaganovich, a principal research physicist at PPPL, pointed out that increasing memory density will be crucial as data demands grow with AI adoption.It's too early to say if this will result in cheaper or denser NAND chips for consumers. The technique still needs to be proven commercially viable and scaled for mass production. Even if manufacturers adopt the process, there's no guarantee that any cost savings will trickle down to consumers.
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  • ESA to assess Asteroid 2024 YR4's threat level using James Webb Telescope
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    In brief: The James Webb Space Telescope has been "recruited" to take a closer look at asteroid 2024 YR4. The giant space object, composed of rock, dust, and possibly other materials, now has a 1-in-48 chance of impacting Earth by December 2032, but we still have time to get ready and brace for impact. Discovered on December 27, 2024, asteroid 2024 YR4 is currently rated as a three on the Torino scale. Space agencies around the world are closely monitoring the situation, with the European Space Agency set to use the James Webb Space Telescope to provide a more precise risk assessment.Researchers at the ESA are updating the most relevant data about asteroid 2024 YR4 on a daily basis. Today's assessment confirms that the asteroid has a diameter between 40 and 90 meters, and a two percent probability of impacting Earth on December 22, 2032. Currently, astronomers studying asteroid 2024 YR4 are limited to using instruments that detect visible light reflected from the Sun.As a general rule, the brighter the asteroid, the larger it is. However, things can get complicated if the asteroid has a highly reflective surface. It could either be 40 meters across and very reflective, or 90 meters across and much less reflective.A precise estimation of the asteroid's size will be crucial for properly assessing the threat, as a 90-meter, high-speed body could cause significantly more damage than a 40-meter one.Webb will be particularly useful for studying asteroid 2024 YR4. The orbiting observatory operates in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, which allows for more accurate estimates of the asteroid's size based on the heat it emits. // Related StoriesESA scientists recently published a paper highlighting the telescope's ability to detect very small bodies (less than 10 meters across) within the asteroid belt, which lies between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars.Astronomers will rely on two specific JWST instruments: the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) and the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam). By combining data from MIRI and NIRCam, ESA scientists hope to obtain more precise measurements of the asteroid's size and position. The NIRCam will be particularly useful for tracking the asteroid's position when it is out of reach of Earth-based telescopes.The European Space Agency plans to conduct three separate observation campaigns using the JWST. The first will take place in March, when asteroid 2024 YR4 will be at its brightest and within the telescope's range. The second round is scheduled for May, to track changes in the asteroid's temperature. The final round of observations will occur in 2028, aimed at studying the asteroid's orbit around the Sun.
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  • PlayStation 5 sales top 75 million, keeping pace with PS4 and leaving Xbox in the dust
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    Editor's take: Sony tightened its grip on this generation's console war, with PlayStation 5 sales soaring to over 75 million. Meanwhile, Xbox Series X|S sales remain somewhat stagnant at 28.3 million units. Substantial gaming revenue helped prop up weaker performances in Sony's film and financial services divisions, keeping the company solid. Sony's third-quarter earnings for fiscal year 2024 look great, largely thanks to the PlayStation 5's continued success. The PS5 had its best-ever holiday period in 2024, shipping 9.5 million units only a hair behind PlayStation 4's best quarter in FY2017. With total shipments topping 75 million, the PS5 is closing in on the PS4's 76.5 million units set at the same stage of its lifecycle. Sony has shipped 15.7 million PS5 consoles so far this fiscal year and aims to hit 18 million by the end of March. This surge in hardware sales has driven the company's growth across the board.In fact, Sony posted a solid 18-percent jump in revenue, hitting 4.41 trillion ($28.97 billion US), with operating income creeping up by a percentage point, totaling 469.3 billion ($3.08 billion). As expected, the gaming division is leading the charge, with PlayStation 5 sales continuing to push the momentum, along with boosts from software and PlayStation Network subscriptions. The positive results caused an early morning boost to company shares, rising from $21.97 to $23.91 an 8.8-percent spike.Even though the hardware market has been sluggish, the PlayStation 5 is still going strong. Demand is steady, and Sony has blown past expectations with third-party software sales. The PlayStation Network also beat expectations, hitting 129 million monthly active users up 10 percent from last year. PlayStation Plus growth helped to keep recurring revenue from services solid. The shift to live services and digital games is also helping Sony maintain the lead in the gaming sector.However, it's not all about gaming. Sony Music is doing well, with streaming revenues climbing and some major albums making waves. Conversely, Sony Pictures took a hit. The Hollywood strikes in 2023 caused production delays and fewer big releases in FY2024, so revenue dropped. Thankfully, streaming and licensing deals helped ease the pain.Sony's Imaging & Sensing Solutions segment is holding steady. With smartphone cameras getting more advanced and AI-powered sensors becoming the norm, Sony is still a major player in smartphone supply chains. Unfortunately, its Financial Services division didn't do as well, with a dip in operating income thanks to some of the market turbulence we've seen lately. // Related StoriesLooking ahead, Sony is optimistic. It has raised its forecast for operating profits to 1.34 trillion ($8.7 billion) for the fiscal year ending in March 2025. Sony is driving momentum forward with the PlayStation ecosystem in full swing and a lineup of games set to drop soon. Furthermore, the company appears ready to keep pushing into live-service games, cloud gaming, and acquisitions to stay ahead of the curve. If everything goes according to plan, PlayStation will keep running the show through at least this generation.
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  • Europe enters the AI race with $207 billion InvestAI initiative
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    Editor's take: The new US administration recently announced an unprecedented investment to build the world's largest AI infrastructure project. Meanwhile, China shocked Wall Street and Fortune 500 companies by unveiling the controversial DeepSeek chatbot. Now, Europe is joining the race to burst the AI bubble with its aptly named InvestAI plan. Europe has its own "Stargate" program aimed at developing significantly more powerful AI capabilities in the coming years. At the AI Action Summit in Paris, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen officially unveiled the InvestAI initiative. European authorities plan to allocate or rather "mobilize" up to 200 billion ($207 billion) in an unprecedented funding effort to develop EU-focused AI technologies and machine learning models.Like many global leaders today, von der Leyen expressed enthusiasm for AI and its potential to revolutionize nearly every sector. She emphasized that AI-driven services will enhance healthcare, accelerate scientific research and innovation, and strengthen Europe's global competitiveness. According to von der Leyen, Europe will contribute to this technological frontier with an approach centered on openness, collaboration, and a deep pool of research talent.Von der Leyen also highlighted that InvestAI will leverage the same public-private partnership model that created CERN, the birthplace of the World Wide Web. She shares her optimism with European Investment Bank President Nadia Calvio, who stated that AI will play a crucial role in driving innovation and productivity across Europe.The European Commission plans to build several new "AI gigafactories" across Europe massive data centers dedicated to AI training and inference. Each facility will house approximately 100,000 "latest-generation" AI accelerators, nearly four times the number of AI chips used in current AI factories under construction.Previously, European authorities announced a $10 billion plan to build seven AI factories, with five additional plants set to be unveiled soon. InvestAI will employ a multi-layered funding model, with contributions from institutional partners, member states, and existing EU funding programs. Additionally, Brussels is supporting AI-driven innovation across sectors such as robotics, healthcare, biotech, and climate technology through the GenAI4EU initiative. // Related StoriesEurope's InvestAI plan follows Donald Trump's announcement of the $500 billion "Stargate" initiative, aimed at building a next-generation AI infrastructure in the US. Meanwhile, China is advancing its own AI ambitions with the DeepSeek model, which some speculate could drastically reduce AI development costs or perhaps not.Von der Leyen emphasized that the race to develop bigger and more powerful AI systems is "far from over," and the EU is determined to accelerate its progress to remain competitive on the global stage.
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  • Honda and Nissan scrap merger plans as talks break down
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    In a nutshell: Honda and Nissan have agreed to end talks of a potential merger that would have led to the creation of the world's third-largest automotive group behind Volkswagen and Toyota, in that order. Unsurprisingly, the two sides couldn't come to terms on the structure of the combined company. Honda and Nissan took seats at the negotiating table in December 2024 to try and hammer out the details of what would have been a roughly $60 billion deal. Nissan's fortunes started taking a turn in early 2018 and many believed a merger between the two Japanese auto giants would have greatly improved their chances at mounting an offensive in the budding EV market.Several strategies were floated during negotiations. At one point, Honda proposed changing the structure of the deal going from a joint holding company where it would appoint the majority of directors and executives, to a plan in which Nissan would be a subsidiary of parent company Honda.Reuters noted several additional factors that could have also factored into the inability to get a deal done, including Nissan's pride and being in denial of its true position in the market. Nissan also has ties with Mitsubishi and Renault, which could have further complicated matters. Honda's subsidiary plan also reportedly rubbed some Nissan executives the wrong way, sources said.Ultimately, both sides agreed that in order to prioritize speedy decision making in the era of electrification, it would be best to cease discussions and terminate the memorandum of understanding signed back in December.Shares in Nissan are up just over four percent on the day as of writing while Honda stock is up close to two percent.Nissan, meanwhile, announced immediate measures to try and turn things around through a restructuring aimed at reducing costs by roughly 400 billion yen in fiscal year 2026. Honda recently opened pre-orders for its Afeela EV in collaboration with Sony, and announced plans to bring back the beloved Prelude as a hybrid.Image credit: TopSphere Media, John Cameron
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    In a nutshell: A recent blog post by software engineer Paul Butler has shed light on a novel technique for concealing data within Unicode characters, specifically emojis. The post explains the concept and its potential for misuse and provides a tool to experiment with this method. The concept revolves around Unicode's system of representing text as a sequence of codepoints, with each codepoint being a number assigned meaning by the Unicode Consortium. While most users are familiar with the one-to-one mapping between codepoints and visible characters in Latin-based scripts, the situation becomes more intricate with other writing systems where multiple codepoints may represent a single on-screen character.The key to this data-encoding method lies in Unicode's "variation selectors." These 256 special codepoints labeled VS-1 through VS-256 have no visible representation but can modify the presentation of the preceding character. Most Unicode characters don't have associated variations, but the Unicode standard mandates that these selectors be preserved during text transformations, even if their meaning is unknown to the processing software.This preservation characteristic opens the door to a clever encoding scheme. Since 256 variations can represent a single byte of data, it becomes possible to "hide" one byte within any Unicode codepoint. Taking this concept further, by concatenating multiple variation selectors, one can represent any arbitrary byte string, effectively encoding unlimited data within a single character.While this discovery presents fascinating possibilities, it raises serious concerns about misuse. Hackers could exploit this method to bypass human content filters. Since the encoded data becomes invisible once rendered, moderators wouldn't detect its presence, allowing malicious actors to slip harmful or prohibited content past moderation systems. // Related StoriesThe technique also has the potential to watermark information. Encoding data in variation selectors allows the originator to mark identical messages for different recipients. If leaked, the sender could trace the text back to a specific recipient, raising serious privacy and whistleblower protection concerns.Butler also explored the impact of this encoding method on language models (LLMs). Initial findings suggest that while tokenizers generally preserve variation selectors as tokens, most models seem reluctant to decode them internally. However, when paired with a code interpreter, some advanced models have demonstrated the capability to solve these hidden data puzzles.Butler also created an encoder/decoder that allows users to hide arbitrary data within Unicode characters, particularly emojis. Users can input text, which the tool encodes into any Unicode character, including emojis. The resulting character appears normal to the eye but contains hidden data that anyone can extract with Butler's tool. He posted the encoder online if you'd like to experiment with it.
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  • AI adoption is increasing, with 3 in 5 Americans saying it improves their lives
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    In a nutshell: Artificial intelligence, and not just the generative kind, has never been more prevalent than it is today. But many people's views of the technology range from skepticism to outright hostility. However, a recent survey shows that 3 in 5 US participants believe AI has improved their lives. It also revealed the states that rely most and least on AI. The Listening App, which specializes in using AI to turn text into speech, surveyed Americans in various large cities across the country to learn more about their usage of AI.Questions covered the frequencies of respondents' AI use, which tools they used, the purposes they have for these tools, and more. The answers were then used to create a reliance score from 0 to 100, with 100 representing populations most reliant on AI tools.Some of the main takeaways include 60% of participants using AI tools or apps at least once a week. One in two have used AI to support their work, and nearly two thirds say their use of AI tools has increased in the past year.Probably the two biggest findings are that 1 in 6 people said they have become dependent on AI in some way, while 3 in 5 said it has improved the quality of their daily life.With a reliance score of 99.4, Oregon is the state with the highest reliance score, followed by Florida (98.6) and Arizona (94.6). The state least reliant on AI was Missouri (70.8), followed by Mississippi (73.5), and Rhode Island (75.1).While the survey covers all types of AI, it was ChatGPT that proved the most widely used tool, with 77.9% saying they had used it. Google Translate was second with 44.8%, followed by Gemini (33.2%), Canva (28.5%), Grammarly (25.3%), and Copilot (22.2%). // Related StoriesAs for their purposes, most people (62.7%) use AI for writing and editing. Online searching was a close second at 61.4%, followed by summarizing text (42.7%), brainstorming (39%), and generative art (32%).There are some important caveats to remember here: the survey was carried out by an AI company, and it doesn't reveal how many people took part in the study. Still, the technology's role in society, for better and for worse, cannot be overstated.
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  • Breakthrough brings fiber optics to quantum computing, improving efficiency and reducing heat generation
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    In context: Quantum computers are all about qubits, the basic units that operate according to the principles of quantum mechanics instead of the zeros and ones of today's computers. They promise incredible calculation speeds for certain problems, but they're extremely finicky. The slightest bit of heat or electromagnetic disturbance can disrupt their delicate quantum states. Quantum computers run at temperatures just a hair above absolute zero. And keeping them humming along at these temps requires massive, multi-million dollar cooling systems known as dilution refrigerators.Researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) have made a breakthrough that could significantly reduce the cost of these computers by removing one of the main sources of heat.Electrical signals in these computers travel through wires, which generate heat due to resistance. With millions of signals constantly pinging the qubits, that heat builds up fast, forcing bigger and pricier cooling rigs.The researchers replaced these electrical connections with fiber optic cables, which can transmit signals using light instead of electricity. Fiber optics are effectively heat-free and have other advantages, such as higher bandwidth and less electromagnetic interference.However, there's a catch: qubits can't directly process optical signals. So the ISTA team used a clever electro-optical transducer to convert the optical signals into microwaves that the qubits can understand, and vice versa. // Related StoriesGeorg Arnold, co-lead author of the study published in Nature Physics, said that the new approach might allow them to increase the number of usable qubits so they become useful for real computation. He also stated that it sets the stage for networking multiple quantum computers over fiber optic links at room temperature. The technology removes a lot of performance-limiting electronics, too.That said, this new method is still just a prototype with lots of room for improvement. But it represents a critical first step toward quantum systems that don't require super-cooling every component. That could make them vastly more practical and affordable to build and operate at serious scales.Of course, a truly useful large-scale quantum computer is probably still a few decades away, but breakthroughs like these bring us a little closer.Masthead credit: ISTA
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