The recent explosion in SSD prices is not a surprise to anyone who follows the tech industry, but the magnitude of this surge is unprecedented. In just a few short months, the cost of solid-state drives (SSDs) has nearly quadrupled, with some models seeing increases of over 300%. This dramatic price hike is not limited to consumer-facing products; even hard disk drive (HDD) prices are on the rise.

The primary driver behind this unprecedented price surge is the AI industry’s insatiable appetite for storage. The same few manufacturers that control the global NAND market – Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron – also dominate the RAM landscape. This concentration of supply in the hands of a select few has led to a drastic reduction in inventory available to consumers, causing prices to skyrocket.

In a world where smartphones have become an essential part of our daily lives, it’s not uncommon to see people carrying multiple devices to cater to their various needs. However, Apple’s iPhone Air, with its slim profile and light weight, seems like an anomaly in this regard. Initially dismissed as a niche product with limited appeal, the iPhone Air has been quietly gaining traction among some enthusiasts.

A New Perspective

The recent development involving VeraCrypt, an open-source encryption software, has raised concerns about the power dynamics between tech companies and third-party developers. The situation highlights how Microsoft’s decision to lock out the developer of VeraCrypt, Mounir Idrassi, from his account can have far-reaching consequences for users who rely on the software for their digital security.

Idrassi’s account was terminated without explanation or appeal, leaving him unable to update Windows users with new software. This move has put many devices running VeraCrypt at risk of being unable to boot up if the issue is not resolved soon. The implications are significant, especially since VeraCrypt is a widely used encryption software that allows users to scramble files and encrypt their entire operating system.

As the world grapples with the complexities of artificial intelligence (AI), a pressing concern has emerged regarding its potential to facilitate child sexual exploitation. In response, OpenAI has released a comprehensive blueprint aimed at bolstering U.S. child protection efforts and curbing the alarming rise in AI-enabled child exploitation.

The Child Safety Blueprint represents a critical step forward in addressing the insidious threats posed by AI-generated content. According to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), more than 8,000 reports of AI-generated child sexual abuse material were detected in the first half of 2025 alone – a staggering 14% increase from the previous year. This disturbing trend has been fueled by criminals exploiting AI tools to generate fake explicit images of children for financial sextortion and to craft convincing messages for grooming purposes.

The recent revelation of a massive data breach involving the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has sent shockwaves throughout the law enforcement community. Cybercriminals allegedly stole and leaked sensitive internal documents, including police officer personnel files, internal affairs investigations, and discovery documents. This breach is not only a significant security incident but also raises concerns about the potential consequences for individual officers, victims of crime, and the LAPD as an organization.

The pet tracking industry has seen significant advancements in recent years, with innovations focused primarily on canine companions. However, with the introduction of the Cat 6 Mini and Dog 6 XL, Tractive is poised to revolutionize the way cat owners monitor their pets’ health and well-being. The company’s acquisition of Whistle from Mars Petcare last year has enabled it to expand its product line and cater to a broader range of pet owners.

In the world of science fiction, visual trickery is a crucial aspect in creating an immersive experience for audiences. The latest series adaptation of Manuel Gonzales’ short story, “The Miniature Wife,” on Peacock is no exception. With its unique premise of a woman shrinking down to the size of a coffee mug, the show’s visual effects (VFX) supervisor, Ashley Bernes, had to think big to make the heroine feel small.

The pursuit of fusion power has long been touted as the holy grail of energy production. However, despite significant advancements in recent years, harnessing the energy released by fusion reactions remains an elusive goal. The primary challenge lies not in achieving the initial reaction itself, but rather in efficiently converting that energy into a usable form. Enter radiovoltaics, a nascent technology with the potential to revolutionize the field.

Radiovoltaics are essentially solar panels for nuclear radiation, utilizing semiconductors to transform the energy released by radioactive decay into electricity. While they have been around for some time, existing implementations have been plagued by issues of durability and efficiency. That is why the recent award of a $5.2 million contract from DARPA to Avalanche Energy, a leading fusion startup, is so significant.

Microsoft’s ambitious plan to rid itself of the antiquated Control Panel has been an ongoing saga since 2012, with the launch of Windows 8. Over a decade later, the company is still working tirelessly to migrate all its legacy features into the modern Settings app in Windows 11. While whispers of the Control Panel’s impending demise have circulated, the reality is that Microsoft faces significant challenges in its endeavor.

The primary obstacle hindering progress lies in the realm of printer and network drivers. The complexity of these devices and their accompanying software has proven to be a formidable hurdle for Microsoft’s designers. According to March Rogers, partner director of design at Microsoft, the company is proceeding with caution to ensure that the migration process does not inadvertently break any of these critical components. This meticulous approach has contributed to the prolonged timeline for eliminating the Control Panel.

In a world where technology is increasingly intertwined with our daily lives, the concept of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has become a hot topic in the health and wellness space. As someone who has had hands-on experience with these wearables, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact they can have on one’s life - for better or for worse.

For me, it all started when I decided to test the waters of CGM technology, opting for an over-the-counter device from Dexcom and another from Abbott. The process was straightforward: clean the skin, apply the sensor, and voila! I was monitoring my glucose levels in real-time. But what began as a simple experiment quickly turned into an obsession.