From Tom's Hardware · 22 stories
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.
Singapore Police Seize $42M Mansion in Nvidia AI GPU Smuggling Case
Two individuals have been charged in Singapore for allegedly smuggling AI GPUs to China, leading to significant seizures. The authorities confiscated a mansion valued at $42 million and froze over $772,000 in a bank account, highlighting serious enforcement actions against export violations.
Meta Develops Cloud Service to Monetize AI Compute Capacity
Meta is reportedly developing a cloud infrastructure service called 'Meta Compute' to monetize its AI compute capacity, putting it in direct competition with cloud giants like AWS and Google Cloud. This strategic move aims to utilize Meta's significant investments in AI infrastructure and offset costs while potentially disrupting the cloud computing industry. It matters because it reflects a broader trend of tech companies leveraging their data center assets to generate additional revenue.
Apple's 'Hide My Email' Feature Reportedly Exposes Real Email Addresses
A critical vulnerability in Apple's 'Hide My Email' feature reportedly exposes real email addresses, compromising user anonymity. The bug was identified by EasyOptOuts' Tyler Murphy and remains unresolved despite being reported to Apple over a year ago. This issue affects iCloud+ users who rely on the feature for privacy.
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.
NVIDIA Introduces Revenue-Sharing Model for AI Infrastructure Access
NVIDIA launched a new business model where AI cloud services revenue share NVIDIA-powered infrastructure. This allows cash-limited startups to access advanced computing while providing NVIDIA with recurring revenue. Sharon AI and Firmus Technologies are the first adopters.
Palantir CEO Accuses Frontier AI Companies of Stealing Customer Data
Palantir's CEO, Alex Karp, criticized frontier AI companies for allegedly exploiting customer data while providing little value. His comments have sparked controversy within the AI industry, leading to a drop in shares of rival firms like OpenAI and Anthropic.
U.S. PC Shipments Fall 7% in Q1 2026 Amid Price Hikes and Component Shortages
U.S. shipments of PCs fell 7% year-on-year in Q1 2026, totaling 15.8 million units, due to pricing pressures and component shortages. Average prices are projected to exceed $1,000 this year, impacting consumer purchasing behavior and contributing to a significant decline in lower-end PC sales.
Supermicro denies Taipei office raid in Nvidia GPU smuggling investigation
Supermicro refutes claims that its Taipei office was raided by Taiwanese authorities amid an Nvidia GPU smuggling investigation. The company asserts that it is cooperating with the investigation and voluntarily provided access to workstations and devices of suspected employees.
Sony to Shut Down PS3 Store in 2027, RPCS3 Urges Data Preservation
Sony announced the closure of the PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita in July 2027, prompting digital archivists to preserve game data. The RPCS3 emulator is leading efforts to document and safeguard PS3 digital content before it's lost permanently.
Montech NX600 Air Cooler Review Highlights Budget Efficiency and Performance
Montech launched the NX600 air cooler, priced under $30, featuring dual towers and six heatpipes. It provides good thermal performance but is noted for being loud and having compatibility issues with taller RAM DIMMs.
Asus B850-Creator Wifi Neo Motherboard Lacks Key Features for Creators
The Asus B850-Creator Wifi Neo motherboard targets creators with dual 5 GbE ports and PCIe 5.0 sockets but falls short in USB connectivity. It lacks 40 Gbps ports and has only six USB Type-A ports, which may hinder users needing high-speed external storage.
Intel raises prices of Core Ultra 200S Plus desktop processors by up to $50
Intel has increased the recommended prices of its Core Ultra 270K Plus and 250K Plus desktop processors. The price hike, which ranges from $30 to $50, may affect the perceived value of these processors despite their performance improvements.
Valar Atomics activates nuclear microreactor for Nvidia-powered AI factory
Valar Atomics initiated its Ward 250 nuclear microreactor during a live event to power an Nvidia RTX PC. This marks a collaboration with Nvidia for a closed-loop AI factory designed to minimize local water use, amidst growing public concerns about data center energy consumption.
Prototype AMD RX 7900 XTX engineering sample with custom VBIOS surfaces
An engineering sample of the AMD RX 7900 XTX has surfaced that reveals significant hardware differences from retail models. Purchased secondhand, this prototype features a custom VBIOS and unique connectors for testing, indicating its status as a pre-production unit rather than a commercial product.
Intel expands photomask production in California to support advanced chips
Intel has begun expanding its Bowers Campus in California to produce more photomasks, essential for its advanced chips. The new facility will manufacture photomasks for cutting-edge technologies, solidifying Intel's capabilities in in-house production as market demands for EUV and High-NA EUV processes grow.
Google tests webcam-based reCAPTCHA that can be bypassed with stock photos
Google is trialing a webcam-based reCAPTCHA that requires users to show hand gestures. However, testers quickly circumvented it using stock photos, highlighting potential weaknesses in its implementation.
Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM price drops to $314, lowest in months during Woot sale
Corsair Vengeance DDR5 32GB RAM is available for $314 after discounts, marking a significant price drop. This offers consumers a competitive option in a currently high-priced market for RAM, making it attractive for gaming builds.
Tesla hires Intel veteran Gary Jiang for semiconductor project
Tesla has hired Gary Jiang, a 17-year Intel veteran, to lead efforts at its semiconductor project, Terafab. Jiang's experience includes managing advanced fabrication processes and equipment at Intel, which may bolster Tesla's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
OpenAI in Discussions with US Government for 5% Equity Stake
OpenAI is in early talks to give a 5% equity stake to the US government to improve relations and share AI-generated wealth amidst regulatory scrutiny. CEO Sam Altman proposed this to create a public AI fund, inspired by the Alaska Permanent Fund concept. The plan is part of discussions on how leading AI companies can contribute to public ownership, although the specifics and necessity for congressional approval remain unclear.
Elon Musk Denies Reports of SpaceX Handheld AI Device Prototype
Elon Musk has denied reports that SpaceX is developing a handheld AI device, calling the claims "utterly false." Despite this, several outlets reported a prototype, allegedly shown to investors, that was thinner than an iPhone and featured technology from xAI. The reports have raised questions about SpaceX's potential in AI hardware and mobile services, but Musk's denial leaves the company's plans uncertain.
July 4th Deals Offer Discounts on 3D Printers and Materials
Several 3D printer manufacturers are offering significant discounts during the July 4th weekend. Sales include price drops on models from brands like Bambu Lab and Creality, making 3D printing more accessible for both beginners and experienced users.