Business Articles

20 years ago, IBM sold the ThinkPad: How Lenovo used the it to become the PC juggernaut (image source: Benjamin Herzig)

20 years ago, IBM sold the ThinkPad: How Lenovo used it to become the PC juggernaut

CheckMag December 2004: IBM, one of the founding fathers of the personal computing world, announces that its ThinkPad business is being sold to a then little known entity called Lenovo. 20 years later, the combined company is the largest P...

Benjamin Herzig, 10 Dec 2024 18:02

PNY CS2150 SSD debuts with up to 10GB/s read speed thanks to PCIe Gen5 upgrade

PNY touts its latest solid-state drive (SSD) as capable of "Next-Gen Speeds" thanks to its new NVMe PCIe Gen5 x4 interface. The OEM asserts that it is the ideal new PC upgrade for professionals with its TCG Opal 2.0 spec. The CS21...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 10 Dec 2024 17:39

China orders antitrust probe into Nvidia for anti-monopoly violations

China has ordered an antitrust probe into Nvidia, accusing the company of potentially violating the anti-monopoly laws. The main focus is the $6.9 billion acquisition of Israeli networking products company Mellanox Technologies in...

Rohith Bhaskar, 10 Dec 2024 13:07

Amazon opens a new AI-agent R&D lab in San Francisco

Amazon has established a new AI-agent-focused R&D lab in San Francisco. The lab, led by David Luan, co-founder of AI startup Adept, will build "foundational" capabilities for AI agents.

Rohith Bhaskar, 10 Dec 2024 11:52

Hyundai Motor and Kia preview the X-ble Shoulder wearable robot to aid industrial workers during overhead work. (Image source: Hyundai)

Hyundai Motor and Kia unveil X-ble Shoulder industrial wearable robot

The companies' Robotics LAB has developed a passive wearable to reduce shoulder strain for industrial personnel who frequently work on overhead items. The lightweight robot can be worn all day long without the need for recharging.

David Chien, 10 Dec 2024 08:59

Oregon approves largest US solar project (Image source: American Public Power Association, Unsplash)

Oregon greenlights 1,200 MW Sunstone Solar project, America's largest solar farm

The Sunstone Solar project will generate 1,200 megawatts—enough to power 800,000 homes—while investing millions in local agriculture to ensure sustainable development.

Nathan Ali, 09 Dec 2024 17:15

Google Docs now uses AI to create formatted documents

Google Docs will now use Gemini to create formatted documents based on your Workspace files. The feature is currently limited to desktop users and is rolling out gradually.

Rohith Bhaskar, 09 Dec 2024 11:47

Soon a Qualcomm-free zone: Apple plans to slowly replace all Qualcomm modems in iPhones and iPads starting with the iPhone SE 4. (Image source: Wekihome)

From the iPhone SE 4 to the iPhone 19: How Apple plans to banish Qualcomm from iPhones and iPads altogether

Apple and Qualcomm have been partners for a long time, but the former appears intent on gradually moving away from Qualcomm as a chip supplier for Apple's iPhones and iPads over the next few years, as Bloomberg reveals in detail. ...

Alexander Fagot, 08 Dec 2024 16:09

New Starlink Mini bundle discounts the roaming plan (Image source: Ryan Birge/FB)

Starlink Mini deal keeps 25% dish discount and offers the Roam plan price at 40% off

SpaceX is introducing a new Starlink Mini bundle deal that will allow satellite Internet subscribers to acquire the compact dish at a discount after the December 8 promo deadline.

Daniel Zlatev, 07 Dec 2024 19:45

openSUSE Leap Micro 6.1 now available (Source: openSUSE News)

openSUSE Leap Micro 6.1 launches with a new migration tool, soft-reboot support, and more

Since openSUSE Leap Micro 6.1 has arrived, Leap Micro 5.5 has also reached EOL (End of Life). The update comes with a new opensuse-migration-tool, soft-reboot support, 2FA for PAM logins, vhostmd for SAP virtualization, and more. ...

Codrut Nistor, 07 Dec 2024 17:54

Secret Santa game jam 2024 (Image Source: itch.io)

Secret Santa 2024 game jam launches on itch.io

Game developers looking to showcase their skills and spread some cheer can participate in this year's Secret Santa game jam. For this jam, devs will create custom games for a random giftee and receive a game in return.

Stephen Pereyra, 07 Dec 2024 15:48

Robots automate solar systems Skilled labor shortage Cost reduction

Robots build solar power systems for Amazon and others to tackle skills shortages and cut costs

The first robots are making their way into the solar industry - Amazon, for example, is using the new technology to develop a solar park for its data centres. Robots are helping to assemble solar panels, for example, saving on lab...

Nicole Dominikowski, 07 Dec 2024 11:31

China bans exports of key minerals for microchip production to the U.S.

China's Ministry of Commerce has announced a ban on the export of key minerals used in microchip production to the U.S. The move follows U.S. restrictions on the trade of semiconductor technologies with China.

Daniela Morales Soler, 06 Dec 2024 20:54

TSMC is on track to deliver 2nm. (Image source: TSMC)

TSMC 2 nanometer trial run yields exceed estimations at over 60%

Devices such as next-gen iPhones, Macs and iPad Pros are believed to be powered by processors supplied by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) as it has mastered the production of the bleeding-edge 2 nanometer pro...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 06 Dec 2024 19:35

Uber drivers providing rides to teens will now need fingerprint identification in California

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) now requires fingerprint verifications of Uber drivers who provide a ride to teens. Uber has 30 days to comply.

Rohith Bhaskar, 06 Dec 2024 12:26

OpenAI announces new $200 per month ChatGPT Pro plan

OpenAI has introduced a new $200 monthly Pro subscription plan for ChatGPT aimed at researchers, engineers, and individuals who want to use research-grade AI.

Rohith Bhaskar, 06 Dec 2024 08:59

Billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman to lead NASA

Now waiting for the Senate's vote, Jared Isaacman is Donald Trump's choice as NASA's next administrator. Isaacman has been to space twice on SpaceX capsules in private missions and is a business associate of Elon Musk. If confirme...

Codrut Nistor, 06 Dec 2024 01:10

iPad Pro M5 production plans finalized with rough 2025 start date

The next iPad Pro seems on track for a late 2025 release thanks to the latest report from a widely-regarded securities analyst. It seems the next-gen flagship tablet with its supposed next-gen silicon will be manufactured in China...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 05 Dec 2024 17:59

The Sharp XP-A201U-B projector is available in the US. (Image source: Sharp)

Sharp reveals new XP-A201U-B projector with up to 20,000 lumens brightness

The Sharp XP-A201U-B projector for business use has arrived in the US. The WUXGA model has a laser light source that is said to deliver up to 20,000 lumens brightness. Plus, the projector offers a range of ports, including two HDM...

Polly Allcock, 05 Dec 2024 16:52

Citigroup announces new AI tools for employees in eight countries

Citigroup has begun rolling out new AI tools to employees in eight countries. Around 140,000 employees will be given access to the tools, and the company says it will monitor how they use them to improve and develop new ones.

Rohith Bhaskar, 05 Dec 2024 15:22

Tim Cook opens up about the future of AI and Apple in a recent interview with WIRED. (Image source: Apple)

The Apple Way: CEO Tim Cook on Apple Intelligence, AGI, and future of innovation

Apple's Tim Cook, in a recent interview with WIRED, shares his thoughts on the the ever-eveolving AI landscape, and how Apple plans on navigating these uncharted waters. With an emphasis on privacy and cautious optimism, Cook reve...

Sambit Saha, 05 Dec 2024 15:17

TSMC could end up producing Nvidia's AI chips in Arizona

TSMC is talking with Nvidia to bolster their clientele for the manufacturer's plant in Arizona. According to a new report, TSMC could move manufacturing of Blackwell AI chips in the US state.

Rohith Bhaskar, 05 Dec 2024 14:39

Bitcoin reaches a new all-time high (Image Source: Jaydeep Joshi / Pixabay

Bitcoin crosses the $100,000 mark for the first time

Bitcoin has finally crossed the long-awaited six figures mark. The cryptocurrency is up 140% in 2024 and is expected to continue its upward trajectory under the upcoming Trump administration.

Kristen Spradlin, 05 Dec 2024 12:29

Render of Meta's Louisiana data center. (Image soure: Meta)

Meta announces the construction of its largest data center to date

The facility is expected to require an investment of approximately $10 billion and will become Meta's 27th data center globally. The company has not yet disclosed the anticipated completion or operational date for the center.

Daniela Morales Soler, 05 Dec 2024 12:19

Google unveils a new video generation model for Vertex AI

Google has announced a new video generation model, Veo, for Vertex AI. It also announced Imagen 3, the next-generation update for the company's image generation model.

Rohith Bhaskar, 05 Dec 2024 11:25

The Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 makes its review-debut in the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 AMD (image source: Benjamin Herzig)

AMD Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 makes its review-debut in the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 AMD

Strix Point is finally arriving in more devices and flavors. For example, the new Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 with the AMD Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360. This slender business laptop is ideally suited for the 8 core version of Zen 5.

Benjamin Herzig, 05 Dec 2024 03:16

Honda to start solid state EV battery production for electric motorcycles and cars as early as January 2025

Honda has officially completed its first solid-state battery production facility. It looks like the motorcycle maker will get into full-swing with solid-state electric motorcycle batteries as early as January, with the hopes of sh...

Julian van der Merwe, 04 Dec 2024 19:04

Nvidia may have moved up the launch of its Rubin architecture to ride the AI boom. (Image source: Notebookcheck - edited)

New Nvidia Rubin GPUs to launch much earlier than expected

Based on new reports, Nvidia is working towards releasing its Rubin architecture up to six months earlier than previous rumours suggested. As a result, the first Rubin-based GPUs could arrive as soon as Q3 2025 sporting HBM4 memor...

Alex Alderson, 04 Dec 2024 17:30

EU sends questionnaires to Nvidia customers as it probes Run:ai deal

EU's antitrust watchdogs have begun probing Nvidia's proposed bid for Run:ai by asking the company's customers if they saw a GPU software and hardware bundle as a competitive advantage.

Rohith Bhaskar, 04 Dec 2024 15:00

A new report says Intel's 18A node isn't doing to well (image source: Intel)

Updated | Intel 18A node yields reportedly at a dismal 10%

A South Korean media outlet reports Intel's 18A yields are worse than that of Samsung Foundry's second-gen 3 nm node. Apparently, they're at 10%, effectively rendering the node not viable for mass production.

Anil Ganti, 04 Dec 2024 13:24

Ubisoft's XDefiant servers will be shut down for good on June 3, 2025. (Image source: Ubisoft)

XDefiant is discontinued and Ubisoft lays off several hundred employees

The free-to-play shooter XDefiant is coming to an end: Ubisoft is shutting down the servers on June 3, 2025, and the game is no longer available for download. Nearly 300 Ubisoft employees will lose their jobs as a result of XDefia...

Alexander Pensler, 04 Dec 2024 12:24

Amazon introduces new foundational Nova models for enterprise

Amazon has introduced a new family of Nova AI models for businesses. These models will be available as part of Amazon Bedrock. The company claims they are 75% more cost-effective than the competition and are the fastest models in ...

Rohith Bhaskar, 04 Dec 2024 10:49

Meta to marry AI and nuclear power (Image source: AI-generated)

Meta seeking nuclear partner for AI ambitions

Meta, the company behind Facebook, has announced that it's about to put out a request for proposals on a nuclear energy system for its AI data centers. The company says it's seeking a US-based solution that can generate between 1 ...

Daniel Fuller, 04 Dec 2024 04:21

The Ioniq 5's explosive growth powered Hyundai to record sales in the US in November (Image source: Hyundai)

Hyundai charges to record US sales in November with Ioniq 5 boom

Hyundai has reported its best-ever monthly sales in the US in November after Ioniq 5 EV sales doubled.

David Odejide, 03 Dec 2024 18:20

Jaguar switches to electric cars and presents its first concept car, the Type 00. (Image source: Pixabay / BJB_Photos)

Jaguar goes all-electric: Futuristic concept car revealed

Jaguar aims to establish itself as the leading brand for luxury electric cars and has unveiled its first concept vehicle to support this vision. The Type 00 features a futuristic design with a strikingly long hood and the absence ...

Marius Müller, 03 Dec 2024 13:59

Pat Gelsinger has announced his retirement three years after he was appointed as Intel CEO (image source: Intel)

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger announces abrupt retirement

Pat Gelsinger, who got Intel out of the Rocket Lake rut, has announced his resignation as the company's CEO. He hasn't announced an immediate successor, and the company will be led in the interim by David Zinsner and Michelle (MJ)...

Anil Ganti, 02 Dec 2024 16:00

TSMC's 2nm chip production in US scheduled for 2028, officials confirm (Image source: Thufeil M, Unsplash)

TSMC plans 2nm chip production in Arizona for 2028

TSMC unveils ambitious plans to bring 2nm chip production to Arizona by 2028, following the company's established timeline for domestic manufacturing in Taiwan.

Nathan Ali, 01 Dec 2024 14:12

Meta set to face Spanish mass media in an October 2025 trial (Image Source: Timothy Hales Bennett on Unsplash)

Meta to face Spanish media in a trial set for October 2025

More than 80 Spanish media companies sued Meta in December 2023 for unfair competition in advertising. The lawsuit said Meta's access to user data on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp gave them an unfair competitive edge in offeri...

Rohith Bhaskar, 30 Nov 2024 13:06

Proxmox 3 Backup Server dashboard (Image source: Proxmox)

Open source enterprise backup solution Proxmox 3.3 Backup Server arrives with a new default kernel

Using the Linux kernel 6.8.12-4 as a stable default with 6.11 as an option, Proxmox Backup Server 3.3 sports ZFS 2.2.6 support and is based on the Debian 12.8 "Bookworm" release. The list of changes also includes removable datasto...

Codrut Nistor, 29 Nov 2024 23:36

Revolut is making long-term plans. (Image source: Revolut)

Neobank Revolut plans to install its own ATMs with facial recognition and card issuance

Revolut is significantly expanding its business as Neobank. Although there will still be no Neobank branches, the bank is planning its own unusual ATMs. Revolut is also taking a stand against the questionable and very expensive dy...

Andreas Sebayang, 29 Nov 2024 16:20

Nintendo brings out the big guns in the fight against Switch piracy and demands the release of Reddit user data. (Image source: DallE 3)

Nintendo escalates anti-piracy measures and pressures Reddit for user data

Nintendo appears to be continuing its anti-piracy strategy and is now targeting the subreddit r/SwitchPirates. In order to track down an alleged string-puller who has not appeared in court, the company is now demanding the release...

Marius Müller, 29 Nov 2024 15:11

The high-performance sodium-ion blade batteries (Image source: BYD)

BYD details first 2.3 MWh sodium-ion battery pack for grid-level energy storage with high energy density

Shortly after CATL detailed its second Na-ion cell generation that delivers normal discharge at extremely low temperatures, BYD is out in force with the 'world's first high-performance' sodium-ion storage battery.

Daniel Zlatev, 29 Nov 2024 11:24

Canada sues Google over anti-competitive practices in online advertising

The Competition Bureau argues that the tech company is abusing its dominant position, and called for Google to sell off two of its key ad tech tools in order to restore competition in the market.

Daniela Morales Soler, 29 Nov 2024 10:39

Render of SK Hynix's Yongin Semiconductor Cluster (Image source: SK Hynix)

South Korea announces $10 billion in low-interest loans to semiconductor manufacturers

The shift in U.S. administration and growing competition from countries like China present challenges to South Korea's semiconductor industry. The government is also considering additional support measures for various sectors.

Daniela Morales Soler, 28 Nov 2024 21:41

The new workstation series. (Image source: Maingear)

Maingear x Fractal Design: New Pro WS workstation is based on stylish North XL case

Maingear has announced that it has used on-trend Fractal Design cases to make its latest series of custom workstations. They include the Pro WS, based on the popular North XL with its wooden finish. The new line has AMD Ryzen 9000...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 28 Nov 2024 18:10

Intel headquarters in Santa Clara, California. (Image source: Intel)

Intel gets a $7.9 billion grant from Biden administration

The U.S. Department of Commerce and the American company Intel announced an agreement on $7.9 billion in direct funding for semiconductor manufacturing projects. This is the largest direct funding ever granted by the U.S. federal ...

Daniela Morales Soler, 27 Nov 2024 00:03

The popular Dell XPS 13 is also optionally available with Snapdragon X Elite. (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite yields less than 0.8% market share

60% market share by 2027. This was Qualcomm's ambitious goal for the Snapdragon X series on the laptop market. However, in the third quarter of 2024, in which numerous laptops with Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus were ava...

Hannes Brecher, 26 Nov 2024 19:06

Brain affected by Alzheimer's (Image source: Generated using DALL·E 3)

Alzheimer's drug Simufilam fails to meet trial expectations, Cassava Sciences stock takes major hit

Expected with high hopes by all those affected by Alzheimer's and investors alike, the Phase 3 trial of Cassava Sciences' proprietary small molecule Simufilam failed to deliver the anticipated results. As a direct consequence, the...

Codrut Nistor, 26 Nov 2024 16:44