From Tom's Hardware · 40 stories
Anthropic Discovers Internal 'J-Space' in Claude AI Model Resembling Conscious Thought
Anthropic's research identifies a 'J-space' in its Claude AI, mirroring certain aspects of human conscious processing. This discovery reveals internal reasoning capabilities similar to human cognition, raising discussions on AI interpretability and safety monitoring.
Fi Ultra Pet Tracker Introduces Starlink Satellite Connectivity for Wider Coverage
Fi has launched the Fi Ultra pet tracker featuring T-Mobile's Starlink satellite service for expanded coverage beyond cellular towers, providing continuous GPS tracking across the US. Despite its enhanced connectivity, the device has a reduced battery life of two days and costs $199 plus an annual fee. This advancement is significant for pet owners needing reliable location tracking in remote or cellular-dead zones.
Xbox Tests Disc-to-Digital Feature for Physical Game Collections
Microsoft has started testing a disc-to-digital feature for Xbox, enabling owners to convert Xbox One and Series X/S physical games to digital formats. This comes amid a rise in digital gaming, aligning with industry trends after Sony's decision to halt physical game disc production by 2028.
Lumentum CEO warns of critical indium phosphide shortage for AI data centers
Lumentum CEO Michael Hurlston stated that indium phosphide, a material essential for lasers in AI data centers, faces a severe supply shortage, with current production 30% below customer demand. This bottleneck is driven by the skyrocketing demand for co-packaged optics from companies like Nvidia, which has invested in Lumentum and Coherent to secure future capacity.
Adata chairman predicts 10-year DRAM shortage, dismisses imminent AI bubble fears
Adata chairman Simon Chen forecasts that the global DRAM shortage will persist for another decade, citing strong future demand driven by AI applications across various sectors. He also suggested that concerns about an AI bubble are premature and investors should reconsider these issues only after 2030.
Nvidia launches Synthetic Video Detector to combat AI-generated misinformation
Nvidia has introduced the Synthetic Video Detector (SVD), an AI microservice that identifies AI-generated videos with up to 92% accuracy. This tool is crucial for media outlets in verifying content authenticity and combating misinformation amid the rise of deepfake technology.
Taiwan indicts ex-TSMC manager over alleged leakage of chip secrets to China
Taiwanese prosecutors indicted a former TSMC deputy manager for allegedly stealing 21 confidential chip technology documents to share with a Chinese firm. This case, the first under Taiwan's National Security Act related to core semiconductor technologies, highlights continuing concerns about industrial espionage amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
Dutch semiconductor industry faces high risk of Chinese interference, study finds
The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies warns that the Dutch semiconductor sector is at very high risk of Chinese interference, exceeding vulnerabilities in maritime and aerospace. The report calls for stricter vetting processes and a public-private fund aimed at replacing high-risk foreign hardware.
Nvidia RTX 50 Super GPUs delayed due to high GDDR7 memory prices
Nvidia's RTX 50 Super GPUs are reportedly on hold due to the exorbitant cost of 3GB GDDR7 memory, which is three times pricier than its 2GB alternative. This situation may force Nvidia to either raise retail prices above target MSRP or limit production, impacting their competitive positioning.
Tower Semiconductor to invest $3B in Japan photonics with METI support
Tower Semiconductor announced a $3 billion expansion for its photonics operations in Japan, including reviving a former Panasonic fab. This initiative aims for $3.6 billion in revenue by 2028, benefiting the semiconductor supply chain significantly amid rising global demand.
105,000 nano-oscillators synchronized in 45 nanoseconds, advancing computing methods
Researchers have synchronized 105,000 nano-oscillators in 45 nanoseconds using minimal energy, significantly scaling oscillator-based computation. This development may lead to faster, energy-efficient alternatives to transistors for various applications, including real-time data analytics and AI.
Intel ships high-volume logic chips using ASML's High NA EUV technology
Intel has begun high-volume manufacturing of logic chips using ASML's High NA EUV lithography for its Panther Lake processors. This milestone marks the first commercial application of High NA EUV, promising advancements in semiconductor scaling and performance for future processors.
Ukraine conducts record 2,500km drone strike on Russia's Gazprom Neft refinery
Ukrainian FP-1 drones struck the Gazprom Neft refinery in Omsk after a 2,500 km flight, marking the longest-range drone strike of the war. The operation halted production at Russia's largest gasoline producer and showcased tactical advancements in Ukrainian drone capabilities.
Musk’s Colossus 2 data center allegedly installed unpermitted gas turbines impacting local communities
Elon Musk's Colossus 2 data center reportedly installed 59 unpermitted natural gas turbines, impacting nearby Mississippi communities with pollution. The NAACP has filed a lawsuit citing a significant rise in nitrogen oxide emissions linked to these operations.
Researchers develop programmable thermal device for advanced heat management
Osaka Metropolitan University researchers created a programmable thermal device that can direct heat without power, potentially enhancing thermal management in high-performance chips and silicon photonics. This innovation overcomes traditional limitations on heat absorption and emission, leading to advancements in radiative cooling and thermal communication.
Ireland's data centers used 23% of electricity in 2025, nearing total home consumption
Data centers in Ireland consumed 23% of the country's electricity in 2025, a significant rise from previous years. This growth raises concerns over electricity demand and its impact on residents, competing closely with residential electricity use.
Steam revenue reaches $11.1 billion in H1 2026, driven by Chinese market growth
Valve's Steam platform generated an estimated $11.1 billion in revenue in the first half of 2026, marking a 14.5% increase from H1 2025. Key factors include a rise in Chinese players, higher game prices, and increased emphasis on legacy game catalogues, highlighting a significant shift towards digital sales in the gaming industry.
Tencent seeks to acquire AI startup Manus from Meta after Beijing intervention
Tencent is reportedly negotiating to acquire Manus from Meta for $2 billion following a government order to unwind the deal. This move reflects China's aim to maintain control over its AI assets amid rising competition with the U.S.
Nanya Technology to Quadruple 2027 Capital Spending to $6.2 Billion Amid Dramatic Revenue Surge
Nanya Technology plans to increase its capital spending to $6.2 billion in 2027, up from $1.55 billion in 2023, as second-quarter revenue skyrockets by 684% to T$82.55 billion. The surge is primarily driven by a more than 70% increase in average selling prices for DRAM, pushing gross margins to 79.5%.
Denuvo DRM bypassed ahead of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced release
Denuvo's DRM has been fully bypassed, allowing a cracked version of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced to circulate before its July 9, 2026 release. This leak raises questions about the effectiveness of Denuvo in protecting game titles and the overall user experience.
Space Force receives first mobile electromagnetic beam weapon for satellite disruption
The U.S. Space Force has received its first operational Meadowlands Counter Communications System, enabling enhanced electromagnetic warfare capabilities. This system will be used to detect and disrupt adversary satellite functions globally, marking a significant upgrade to the existing technology.
Longsys forecasts profit surge to $1.5B driven by AI demand for memory chips
Shenzhen Longsys Electronics expects a profit of $1.36 to $1.62 billion for 1H26, a dramatic rise from $2.2 million last year. This surge is attributed to heightened demand for memory chips due to global AI infrastructure expansion and limited wafer capacity.
Quantum Systems breaks electric drone speed record at 434 mph
Quantum Systems Group has reportedly set a new world record for electric drones, achieving a top speed of 434 mph with its Apex Recordhunter during internal tests. This significantly surpasses the previous record of 409 mph and underscores advancements in drone technology for potential military applications.
DARPA develops 30-year nuclear waste batteries for military drones
DARPA's SYMPHONEE project plans to create batteries powered by Strontium-90, potentially lasting 30 years. This initiative aims to enhance power systems for next-gen drones operating in extreme environments.
QTS terminates plans for world's largest data center due to legal challenges
QTS has abandoned its plans to develop the 2,100-acre Digital Gateway data center campus in Virginia following years of legal disputes. The project, which faced vehement opposition due to its proximity to a historic battlefield, will remain under rural zoning restrictions.
SK hynix announces $712.5 billion investment in South Korean semiconductor operations
SK hynix revealed plans to invest KRW 1.1 trillion ($712.5 billion) in its South Korean operations, primarily for semiconductor production. This includes KRW 100 trillion ($64 billion) for its Cheongju campus for NAND and HBM production, and KRW 400 trillion ($259.5 billion) for a new Southwestern semiconductor cluster.
Cerebras Stock Falls 14% After Q2 Revenue Miss, Despite Raised Full-Year Outlook
Cerebras Systems' stock dropped 14% in extended trading following its second earnings report post-IPO, as the company reported Q2 revenue of $180 million, missing analyst expectations of $194 million. Despite this, Cerebras raised its full-year core revenue outlook to $880-$890 million and saw a 281% increase in AI cloud services revenue, indicating a shift towards services over hardware sales.
US Recruits Over 2,000 Video Gamers for Air Traffic Control Roles
The U.S. Department of Transport (USDOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have successfully recruited over 2,000 video gamers for Air Traffic Control (ATC) positions, meeting 94% of their hiring goal. This initiative, launched in April, leveraged transferable skills from gaming such as spatial awareness and rapid problem-solving to address staffing needs in aviation.
HoverAir Unveils Versa, a Hybrid Gimbal Camera and Self-Flying Drone
HoverAir introduced Versa, a new device that combines a three-axis gimbal camera with a drone. The Versa functions as a stabilized pocket camera and can magnetically attach to a foldable drone body for autonomous aerial footage, aiming to simplify content creation for vloggers and filmmakers.
AMD Launches Radeon RX 9050 GPU, Including 4GB VRAM Variant
AMD has launched the Radeon RX 9050 graphics card, featuring both 8GB and 4GB VRAM configurations. The 4GB variant marks the return of lower VRAM options to new GPUs, while early benchmarks indicate the 8GB RX 9050 is approximately 30% slower than Nvidia's RTX 5050 in gaming.
Europe Finalizes IRIS² Satellite Constellation Plan, Expanding to 348 Satellites
The European Commission has finalized the implementation plan for its IRIS² satellite broadband service, signing an agreement with European manufacturers and partners. The project will now include 348 satellites, an increase of 66 from original plans, to enhance secure governmental capacity for defense, security, and emergency services. First launches are targeted for 2029.
FCC Proposes Retroactive Ban on Foreign Drones with LiDAR and Thermal Imaging
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed banning the import and sale of foreign-made drones equipped with LiDAR sensors, thermal imaging, and other capabilities, classifying these technologies as "military-grade." This proposal, outlined in public notice DA 26-758, expands on an existing ban from December 2025 by retroactively targeting previously approved models, potentially affecting popular consumer drones like some DJI models.
Windscribe Releases deGDID Script to Block Microsoft's Global Device Identifier
Windscribe, a VPN provider, has developed an open-source PowerShell script called "deGDID" that removes existing Microsoft Global Device Identifiers (GDIDs) from Windows PCs and prevents new ones from being created. This tool addresses privacy concerns related to persistent device tracking, but using it may disrupt some Microsoft cloud services that rely on device authentication.
Tesla and SpaceX to Build $16.8 Billion Terafab Chip Factory in Texas
Tesla and SpaceX announced an initial $16.8 billion investment to build "Terafab," an advanced chip factory in Grimes County, Texas. The facility, planned for over 100 million square feet, aims to produce AI inference processors and high-power processors to meet the future computing demands of both companies, including Tesla's Optimus robots and SpaceX's space-based data centers. The factory will be powered by natural gas plants and large battery arrays.
US Navy 3D Prints Drones and 1,000+ Parts Aboard USS Essex During RIMPAC Transit
The US Navy successfully 3D printed a dozen combat-ready drones and over 1,000 spare parts, including critical Apache helicopter components, aboard the USS Essex during a two-week transit to RIMPAC 2026. This demonstration, using Firestorm Labs' xCell expeditionary manufacturing platform, proves the viability of on-demand additive manufacturing at sea, even in rough conditions. The ability to produce parts and drones on-site reduces reliance on traditional supply chains, potentially cutting resupply times and operational costs for naval operations.
SK hynix offers original purchase price refunds for SSD warranties due to no stock, shortchanging customers
SK hynix is reportedly offering refunds at the original purchase price for malfunctioning SSDs under warranty, rather than replacements, due to a lack of available stock. This policy disadvantages customers because SSD prices have significantly increased due to a global storage shortage, making it impossible to purchase a comparable drive with the refunded amount.
Engineer indicted for attempting to steal DRAM process tech using hidden camera, detected by Wi-Fi signals
A senior engineer at Nanya Technology was indicted in Taiwan for allegedly attempting to steal 32 files related to the company's DRAM manufacturing process. The engineer used a hidden 360-degree camera, but its wireless signals were detected by Nanya's IT security team, leading to the indictment under Taiwan's Trade Secrets Act.
Northrop Grumman Unveils Raid Hunter Anti-Drone System with 50mm Chain Gun
Northrop Grumman introduced Raid Hunter, a short-range air defense system designed to counter drone swarms and cruise missiles using its Chain Gun technology and precision-guided 50mm ammunition. This system addresses the challenge of high-volume, low-cost aerial threats that overwhelm traditional air defense systems, offering a more cost-effective and scalable solution.
Emporia, Kansas Approves Data Center Amid Arrest and Virtual Meeting Shift
Emporia, Kansas, approved zoning changes for the Flint Hills Digital Campus, a hyperscale data center, despite community opposition. The approval followed the arrest of Lux Claridge, a high school physics teacher, for clapping at a city commission meeting, and the city subsequently moved future meetings online, citing public safety concerns due to threats.
iPhone 18 Pro Production Faces Delays Due to DRAM Shortage, Impacting Availability
Production of Apple's iPhone 18 Pro is reportedly experiencing delays due to a DRAM shortage, affecting the packaging of the A20 Pro processors. This situation could lead to limited availability and longer wait times for the new device, with approximately $1 billion worth of processors awaiting DRAM delivery.