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Microsoft withdraws from UK data center project delayed to 2030s by grid constraints

A planned UK data center has been pushed back into the 2030s due to delays connecting to the power grid, and Microsoft has withdrawn from the project as a result. The delay reflects broader infrastructure bottlenecks facing large-scale computing buildouts in the UK.

Apple plans robotic-arm HomeView Pro for 2027-2028, says Gurman

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple is developing a higher-end version of its newly launched $299 HomeView smart display, code-named J595, for release in 2027 or 2028. The device would feature a roughly 9-inch screen, up from 7 inches, and a motorized arm allowing it to swivel 360 degrees using voice recognition to face whoever is speaking.

Rep. Torres introduces federal bill requiring true ownership of purchased video games

Representative Ritchie Torres of New York has introduced the Power To The Players Act, which would direct the FTC to create rules ensuring buyers actually own games they pay for rather than merely licensing them. The bill also would require developers to add offline modes before shutting down servers that games depend on. Torres cited NBA 2K25, which 2K is delisting and cutting server support for by December 31st, as an example of the problem.

Reddit modder builds quad 8-pin adapter to replace RTX 5090's 16-pin connector

Reddit user DallasGrave created a custom power-conversion kit that bypasses Nvidia's 16-pin (12VHPWR/12V-2x6) connector on the RTX 5090, soldering a harness directly to the card's PCB power rails and routing power through four standard 8-pin PCIe connectors instead. The four 8-pin connectors together match the 16-pin connector's 600W capacity while spreading current across more, larger, and more widely spaced pins.

WNISR 2026: Solar generation overtook nuclear worldwide in April 2025

The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2026, led by Mycle Schneider, finds wind surpassed nuclear in monthly global electricity generation in March 2025, with solar following in April 2025 for the first time. From March 2025 through June 2026, solar or wind individually outproduced nuclear every month, with both doing so simultaneously in several 2026 months. Global solar capacity grew 27% in 2025 to 2,383 GW and wind grew 14% to 1,291 GW, while operating nuclear capacity actually fell slightly to 368.6 GW.

Explainer clarifies confusion over Bluetooth speaker wattage ratings

A new consumer guide explains that Bluetooth speakers often list two different power figures: peak power, which measures short-burst maximum output, and RMS power, which reflects sustained continuous output. Manufacturers frequently advertise only the higher peak figure, and retailers like Target often omit wattage details entirely, as seen with the JBL Go 4.

Underused motor devices could unlock gigawatts of spare U.S. grid capacity

Roughly 50 million electric motors powering fans, pumps and compressors across U.S. factories and buildings consume nearly a third of the country's electricity, often far more than necessary. Variable frequency drives (VFDs) can cut that waste, but a 2021 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report found only 16 percent of industrial motor systems and 4 percent of commercial ones use them, largely due to installation hassle and lack of mandates.

HTC's Vive Eagle smart glasses emphasize local storage and tamper-proof recording light

HTC has launched Vive Eagle smart glasses offering 4.5 hours of continuous music playback and 36 hours standby, with an optional $49 clip-on Power Boost battery. The glasses include an AI assistant built on ChatGPT or Gemini that requires no login, keeping users de-identified, and video is encrypted and stored on-device rather than automatically uploaded to a phone or cloud. A bright indicator light disables recording if covered, and the device stops recording when told verbally to stop.

Rep. Ritchie Torres introduces Power to Players Act on game ownership

Democratic Representative Ritchie Torres has introduced the Power to Players Act, a bill that would direct the FTC to ensure consumers who buy video games actually own them rather than receive a revocable license. The bill cites NBA 2K25, which launches September 6, 2025 but is set to become unplayable after server shutdowns on December 31, as an example of the problem it targets.

Rep. Ritchie Torres introduces Power To The Players Act to protect game ownership

New York Representative Ritchie Torres announced plans to introduce the Power To The Players Act, which would direct the Federal Trade Commission to require that video game purchases grant actual ownership rather than revocable licenses. The bill would also mandate that games with online features include an offline mode before their servers are shut down. Torres cited NBA 2K25, which will be delisted and have its servers closed just two years after release, as an example of the problem the legislation targets.

Rep. Ritchie Torres introduces federal Power To The Players Act on game ownership

Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York has introduced the Power To The Players Act, federal legislation directing the FTC to set rules ensuring consumers who buy video games actually own them rather than merely holding a revocable license. The bill would also require games with online functionality to offer an offline mode before their servers are shut down.

Microsoft Launches Surface Laptop Ultra, Positioned as Premium PC Alternative

Microsoft has released the Surface Laptop Ultra, a high-end Windows laptop reviewed as a serious rival to Apple's MacBook Pro. The device emphasizes strong local processing power rather than relying primarily on cloud-based AI services.