2025 was a year of semiconductor extremes. Breakthroughs like diamond-integrated cooling and 6,000-device 2D chips emerged, while political turmoil killed key R&D hubs. The path from lab to fab has never been more dramatic.
ASUS is gearing up for a major CES 2026 reveal. The company will show off refined dual-screen Zenbooks, a rugged new creator laptop with GoPro, and a broader push into AI-powered computers.
Meta has acquired Singapore-based AI agent developer Manus, continuing its massive AI spending spree. The startup claims an astonishing revenue run rate, but its rapid pivot from China adds complexity to the deal.
Framework has announced another significant price increase for its DDR5 RAM modules, citing the ongoing global memory shortage fueled by AI demand. The company warns that prices will likely continue to rise into early 2026, with the industry impact lasting until 2027.
OpenAI is trying to hire a new Head of Preparedness, a role CEO Sam Altman admits will be “stressful.” The job pays $555,000 a year plus equity, but experts argue it’s “close to an impossible job” that requires telling Altman to slow down.
Microsoft is testing a major fix for Windows 11 File Explorer’s resource-hogging search. The update, in Insider Build 26220.7523, consolidates duplicate indexing to cut RAM and CPU use. It could make searches twice as fast when it rolls out to everyone by late January or February 2026.
A home lab enthusiast is solving the problem of forgotten fixes and network drift by automating their entire Ubiquiti setup with Ansible. They’re building a repository of playbooks to handle everything from VLANs to firewall rules, ensuring disaster recovery is just a script away. The approach treat
A new study reveals microplastics can burrow into arteries and dramatically accelerate heart disease, but only in males. The findings suggest these ubiquitous particles are active drivers of damage, not just passive passengers.
Two significant open-source projects have dropped major updates. The HarfBuzz text shaping engine is now faster, and the OpenShot video editor has received a massive feature overhaul in version 3.4.
The rise of live-service games has made it hard to know when to stop playing. Episodic games, like the new hit Dispatch, provide a perfect, contained experience. It’s a refreshing alternative to the infinite grind.
