TECH
IBM unveils sub‑nanometer chip concept as OpenAI and Broadcom launch Jalapeño accelerator
Ars Technica reports IBM’s new nanostack architecture, which it says achieves “world’s first sub‑1 nm” performance gains that could boost AI data‑center chips by up to 50 % in compute or 70 % in energy efficiency. Engadget highlights OpenAI and Broadcom’s Jalapeño, their first jointly‑designed AI accelerator, touted for superior performance‑per‑watt and rapid nine‑month development. Together the stories illustrate parallel efforts to push AI hardware forward, with IBM focusing on future research nodes and OpenAI/Broadcom moving toward near‑term commercial deployment.
Grand theft auto vi price set at $80, physical box contains code
Ars Technica reports Grand Theft Auto VI will launch at $80, above the usual $70 price for AAA titles. The retail version will be a box that includes only a download code, while an Ultimate Edition priced at $99 adds exclusive vehicles, weapons and apparel. The game is scheduled for release on November 19 for current‑generation PlayStation and Xbox consoles, with preloading beginning on November 12.
Disney settles streaming pricing lawsuit for $50 million
Disney agreed to pay $50 million to subscribers of YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, DirecTV Now and AT&T TV Now to resolve a class‑action alleging the company forced higher prices by requiring ESPN and other Disney channels in base packages. The settlement, preliminarily approved in March, will be finalized in January, and Disney will consider offering distributors slimmer bundles of its channels for three years, though it admits no wrongdoing.
FCC proposal to require ID for prepaid phones draws privacy backlash
According to Ars Technica, the FCC aims to curb illegal robocalls by obligating carriers to collect a customer’s name, address, government‑issued ID and other details for new or renewing prepaid lines. Privacy groups, domestic‑violence advocates and civil‑rights organizations warn the rule could strip survivors, journalists and others of needed anonymity, while the Consumer Access & Choice Coalition argues it won’t meaningfully deter sophisticated robocallers and may raise legal issues. The commission is accepting comments through June 25 with reply comments due July 27.
Operation Endgame disrupts major cybercrime assembly line
International law‑enforcement agencies and private tech firms, led by Microsoft, seized more than 200 command‑and‑control servers and took down the malware‑as‑a‑service platforms Amadey and StealC in a coordinated effort called Operation Endgame. Europol reported the recovery of up to 27 million stolen credentials and $47 million in cryptocurrency linked to the operation, while also disrupting the SocGholish malware loader. The action involved authorities from Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the US.
Nation‑state hackers breached Australian critical infrastructure, ASIO says
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said nation‑state actors gained access to the network of a key Australian critical‑infrastructure provider and obtained active user credentials. The agency identified, tracked and attributed the intrusion, is working with the company and partners to remediate the breach, and warned the actors could sabotage the system at a chosen time. Burgess also cited broader state‑backed cyber activity across the region, including a foiled espionage attempt targeting the AUKUS pact.
Micron profits soar as AI-driven memory chip shortage drives prices up
TechCrunch reports that the AI‑driven memory‑chip shortage has pushed prices higher, benefitting U.S. chipmaker Micron. The company’s shares rose more than 13% after reporting Q3 revenue of $41.45 billion and profit of $28.2 billion, and it forecast Q4 revenue of $49, $51 billion. Micron also secured a supply agreement and participated in Anthropic’s Series H funding round.
Microsoft launches cheaper Surface Pro and Laptop with 8 GB RAM
The Verge reports that Microsoft has added lower‑priced versions of its 12‑inch Surface Pro ($849) and 13‑inch Surface Laptop ($949), both equipped with 8 GB of RAM instead of the previous 16 GB. The devices retain the same Snapdragon X Plus processor and 256 GB of storage but no longer support Copilot Plus AI features. Despite the price drop, the new models remain costlier than Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo.
Hackers breach Madison Square Garden data using social‑engineering vishing attack
404 Media reports that hackers stole more than 45 GB of Madison Square Garden data after tricking a low‑level employee through a phone call, a technique known as vishing. The breach exposed talent and Knicks information, underscoring security concerns at the venue.
NASA cancels costly universal stage adapter after $500 million overruns
According to Ars Technica, a NASA Inspector General report shows the Universal Stage Adapter contract swelled from $131 million to $353 million, with projected costs near $500 million and a delivery delay to 2030 after a 13‑year build. The agency cancelled the adapter along with other Artemis components, citing escalating costs, schedule slips and a shift toward a lunar‑surface focus. The 33‑foot composite adapter, though relatively simple, became emblematic of the program’s budgetary challenges.