TECH
Fortinet firewalls compromised globally, exposing credentials of major enterprises
Ars Technica reported that a massive breach of roughly 74,000 Fortinet devices gave Russian‑speaking attackers near‑unrestricted access to networks of firms such as Oracle, Lenovo and a NATO contractor, using custom binaries and a 45‑GPU cluster to crack passwords and steal data. TechCrunch highlighted that the campaign, dubbed FortiBleed, hinges on weak or reused passwords rather than exploiting a software flaw, with automated scans feeding harvested credentials back into the attack loop. Both outlets note the global scope, the involvement of Russian‑speaking actors, and the inclusion of numerous high‑profile companies and government agencies.
White House forces Anthropic to block AI models over export concerns
The Verge reports that the Trump administration ordered Anthropic to halt access to its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models for all users, citing national‑security and jailbreak risks. The directive invoked export‑control rules normally applied to tangible goods, a move experts call unprecedented and indicative of an unstable AI governance framework. Analysts warned that such ad‑hoc interventions could undermine U.S. leadership in frontier AI.
Google unveils $100 Gemini-powered Home Speaker after six-month delay
Google's first new smart home speaker in six years, the Google Home Speaker, is now available for preorder at $100 and will ship on June 25. The round, fabric‑covered device includes a quad‑core processor with an NPU for local AI, 360-degree sound, and a glowing light ring, and it supports Gemini Live when paired with six months of Home Premium. Audio performance is positioned between the older Nest Audio and the smaller Nest Mini, and up to two speakers can pair with a Google TV Streamer for immersive audio.
Android 17 and Wear OS 7 debut with AI and multitasking
The Verge reports that Android 17 is rolling out to Pixel phones with floating “Bubble” windows, a 50/50 split‑gaming mode for foldables, and plans for Gemini Intelligence later in the year. Wear OS 7 also launches on Pixel Watch models, adding Live Updates, up to 10% longer battery life, and new Wear Widgets alongside early AI features. The outlet also highlighted the parallel pre‑order launch of Xreal’s Aura XR glasses, underscoring Google’s broader push into extended reality.
Snap unveils $2,200 AR glasses amid price and design concerns
Snap released its new Specs AR glasses priced at $2,195 and promoted them as a high‑fashion, human‑centric device. The Verge points out that the glasses are heavy, bulky and visually conspicuous, making them uncomfortable for extended wear. Combined with the steep price, the article suggests the product is aimed at early adopters and style‑focused consumers rather than the mass market.
Tesco sues Broadcom, begins migration away from VMware
Tesco filed a UK High Court lawsuit accusing Broadcom of abusive conduct and a 175% price hike on VMware licenses, prompting the retailer to pay third‑party support and plan migration of 40,000 workloads off VMware by the end of 2027. Ars Technica emphasizes the legal claims, damages sought and the operational risks of the migration, while citing The Register for details on the original license terms and Broadcom's refusal to honor them. Broadcom denies the price increase was unfair and argues it should not be liable for Tesco's migration costs.
AI models with dual‑use hacking capabilities face new US export controls
Anthropic pulled its Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models offline after a White House export‑control directive barred foreign access, citing concerns that the models could be used to develop software exploits. Ars Technica emphasizes that such dangerous capabilities are inevitable and that the regulatory clash merely delays an industry‑wide shift, while the Wired report highlights expert warnings that other companies and open‑source projects will soon match Anthropic’s power. cybersecurity leaders and scholars argue that policymakers need broader, transparent strategies rather than isolated restrictions.
SanDisk’s 8TB PS5 SSD costs nearly $3,000, outpricing three consoles
The Verge reports SanDisk’s officially licensed Optimus GX PRO 850P NVMe SSD for the PS5 is offered in capacities from 1TB to 8TB, with the top‑end 8TB model priced at $2,959.99, roughly the cost of three PS5 Pro consoles. Even the 4TB and 2TB versions are $1,500 and $760, respectively, making them more expensive than the console itself. The article notes that a comparable Western Digital SSD sold for about $1,470 recently and as low as $640 last year, highlighting the premium pricing driven by a global memory shortage.
Amazon and QuEra aim for error-corrected quantum computers by 2028
Ars Technica reports that Amazon and QuEra plan to deliver the Libra device, capable of executing one million operations over hundreds of logical qubits, by 2028. The outlet also highlights Quantinuum’s Helios trapped‑ion system, which achieves single‑qubit error rates of 0.00003 and two‑qubit rates of 0.0008 across 98 qubits. Additionally, the coverage notes that classical algorithm refinements have reduced claimed quantum advantage factors, emphasizing the ongoing evaluation of practical quantum benefits.
Coherent to quadruple InP wafer output to satisfy rising AI interconnect demand
Nvidia‑backed photonics vendor Coherent plans to invest $650 million in its Sherman, Texas fab to increase indium‑phosphide wafer production fourfold, aiming to meet the surge in optical interconnects for large‑scale AI systems. The expansion, funded by Nvidia, the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund and up to $50 million from the CHIPS Act, would double the plant’s footprint and create about 1,000 jobs. The Register notes that Nvidia is also backing other optics suppliers such as Lumentum and Marvell to secure the supply chain.