TECH
Apple hikes Mac and iPad prices, blames soaring memory costs
Ars Technica reports that Apple raised prices on most Mac models, iPads and other hardware, citing the sharp rise in memory prices as the cause. Register echoes the same trend, calling the situation a “RAMpocalypse” and highlighting specific price jumps such as the MacBook Neo rising from $599 to $699. Both articles note that iPhone prices were left unchanged for now and reference Tim Cook’s comments to the Wall Street Journal that the hikes are unavoidable.
Xbox prices rise as Microsoft follows Apple’s price hike trend
Microsoft announced worldwide price increases for its Xbox Series S and Series X consoles, citing memory and storage costs that have more than doubled. The hikes, effective August 1, mirror Apple’s recent price hikes across its hardware lineup and come as the AI boom drives up component prices. TechCrunch notes that Sony is also raising PS5 digital prices while Nintendo’s Switch 2 increase remains modest, underscoring industry‑wide pressure.
Notion shuts down Notion Mail as users move to AI agents
Notion announced it will retire its Notion Mail client on September 22, ending the service that traced back to its 2024 acquisition of Skiff. The company said more than half of its users now manage email through Notion’s AI agents, so inbox data will remain in Gmail while users export drafts and settings. Ars Technica noted that regulated users, such as those needing HIPAA coverage, must transition off Notion Mail by June 30, 2026.
US blocks Polestar from selling new cars after 2026 model year
Ars Technica reports that the U.S. Commerce Department denied Polestar authorization to import vehicles for model year 2027 and beyond under a rule targeting connected cars from firms with Chinese ties. The decision means the brand can only sell its existing inventory of Polestar 3 and 4 SUVs and will continue servicing customers, while future models such as the Polestar 5 and 6 will be unavailable in the United States. Polestar, owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding, said it will shift focus to Europe and other growth markets.
OpenAI and Broadcom unveil Jalapeño chip for LLM inference
Ars Technica reports that OpenAI and Broadcom have announced a new ASIC, named Jalapeño, purpose‑built for large language model inference in data centers. Early testing indicates the chip delivers substantially better performance per watt than existing solutions, though detailed benchmarks are pending. Both firms expect to begin deploying the chips in data centers by the end of the year, seeking tighter vertical integration and reduced reliance on external GPU suppliers.
Anthropic alleges Alibaba launched largest Claude cloning attack
Anthropic says Alibaba used about 25,000 fraudulent accounts to extract 28.8 million exchanges from its Claude model, violating terms of service. The allegation was detailed in a letter to Senators Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren ahead of a Senate hearing on AI policy. Anthropic urges Congress to strengthen antitrust rules, export controls on chips, and penalties to deter such distillation attacks. Alibaba has denied the accusations and is suing the Trump administration over a blacklist designation, according to the report by Ars Technica.
Trump administration asks OpenAI to delay GPT‑5.6 release
The Verge reports that the Trump administration has requested OpenAI stagger the rollout of its upcoming GPT‑5.6 model, limiting access to a small group of enterprise customers. OpenAI plans to offer a limited preview while the government reviews each customer case by case. The move follows a similar directive to Anthropic, which faced an export‑control ultimatum restricting foreign‑national access.
Google launches finance app for Android, iOS coming in 2026
Google has released the first standalone Google Finance app, currently available only on Android, and says an iOS version will arrive in 2026. The Android app mirrors the revamped web experience, offering watchlists, real‑time market data and AI‑generated insights such as "key moments" and a conversational "Ask" bot. The updated website also includes broader portfolio management tools and AI‑driven research notifications that are not yet in the app.
IBM unveils sub‑1 nm nanostack chip promising major performance boost
Ars Technica reported that IBM unveiled a nanostack architecture built at a 0.7‑nanometer (7‑angstrom) node, which it says could deliver up to 50 % higher compute performance or 70 % greater energy efficiency for AI workloads. The design vertically stacks nanosheet transistors, boosting SRAM density by 40 % and aiming to double transistor density on a fingernail‑sized die. IBM, which does not fabricate chips itself, expects commercial production of the sub‑1 nm node within the next five to ten years through partners such as Rapidus or Samsung.
Grand Theft Auto VI physical edition priced at $80, code‑only box
Ars Technica reports that the standard physical edition of Grand Theft Auto VI will sell for $80, higher than the typical $70 AAA launch price. The box will contain only a download code, while the $99 Ultimate Edition adds exclusive vehicles, weapons and apparel. The game launches on November 19 for PlayStation and Xbox, with pre‑loading and retail sales beginning November 12.