Slay the Spire II launched in early access last week, and it’s already an excellent sequel to one of the best roguelikes of all time. In many ways, it’s very similar to its predecessor. Like Hades II and Hollow Knight: Silksong, Slay the Spire II mostly iterates on an already superb foundation. But it does […]
A federal judge has issued an order blocking Perplexity’s web browser-based AI agents from placing Amazon orders on a user’s behalf, as reported earlier by Bloomberg. In a ruling on Monday, US District Judge Maxine Chesney writes that Amazon has “provided strong evidence” that Perplexity’s Comet browser accesses user accounts “without authorization” from the retail […]
The Live Nation trial is not over yet. Several states look to be headed to trial on their own as soon as Monday unless they hash out a settlement in the next few days. On Tuesday, a day after the Justice Department revealed in court it had reached a settlement with Live Nation that a […]
Google found a series of hacking tools they said were used by a Russian espionage group and a cybercriminal group in China. Sources from a U.S. government defense contractor said some of those hacking tools were theirs.
On Tuesday, OpenAI introduced dynamic visual explanations, a new ChatGPT feature that allows users to see how formulas, variables, and mathematical relationships change in real time. Instead of just reading an explanation or looking at a static diagram, users can now interact directly with interactive visuals. For example, when exploring the Pythagorean theorem, you can […]
Stenko Vlad/Shutterstock
We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.
The artificial intelligence sector is thriving, with leading tech firms pouring substantial amounts of money into AI to maintain their competitive edge. Concerns about AI technology are widely recognized, as individuals fret over the job market, the rampant dissemination of false information, and — importantly — the escalating RAM shortage. AI data centers, which are heavily dependent on RAM to fulfill their substantial computing needs, have led to an unprecedented scarcity in the market. The fact that RAM prices surged by 90% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the last quarter of 2025 serves as clear evidence of this trend. OpenAI, arguably the foremost player in the AI field, has secured an astonishing 40% of the global DRAM supply for the years to come, compounding this issue.
Compounding the problem, everyday consumers who infrequently use AI tools are adversely affected by this RAM scarcity. Every smart gadget and processor-heavy system necessitates RAM for optimal functionality. Smartphones, gaming consoles, IoT devices, and computers are merely a few of the numerous entities suffering from this dilemma, compelling manufacturers to either suspend production or impose a significant markup to account for rising RAM prices. In any case, the overall impact is detrimental for consumers. If you’re considering a tech upgrade, be aware that these products will increasingly strain your finances, a situation likely to worsen as the AI sector continues to expand.
thoroughly clean your phone from time to time and regularly wipe the screen, and it’s certainly beneficial to know techniques for clearing out your dusty charging port. However, even with routine phone maintenance and keeping it snug in one of the top cases available, the tiny speaker openings on your device will remain susceptible to dust and dampness.
If you’ve been experiencing muffled phone calls and similarly compromised audio from your device’s speakers, it’s quite likely that the grilles require a comprehensive cleaning. No need to fret, though: with a little perseverance and the correct tools (and don’t worry, they’re not too many), you’ll restore those speaker ports to their like-new condition.
First things first, let’s collect our materials: You’ll need a soft-bristled brush (like a toothbrush or a smaller paintbrush), a couple of non-scratch dental picks, a handful of cotton swabs, and isopropyl alcohol. The latter is optional, but it’s one of the most effective means to disinfect the surrounding areas after extracting a bunch of debris from your speaker grilles.
Oleksiichik/Shutterstock
There are likely many items you store away in drawers for occasional use that you aren’t aware actually have an expiration date. One such item is AA batteries. Although they don’t “expire” like food does, they do have a limited shelf life. It’s alluring to purchase a large pack in bulk to retrieve a few as needed for remote controls, toys, and other electronic devices that require batteries. This could even be years after you originally purchased them for a device that doesn’t need battery replacements often, such as a TV remote, wall clock, or smoke detector. However, it’s crucial to recognize that they do have a shelf life that requires attention.
That said, most alkaline AA batteries can last quite a while, potentially up to 10 years or more. Nevertheless, you might discover a pack you had forgotten about or a supply your older parent or grandparent has stored for years, assuming they “never go bad.” It’s vital to grasp the average lifespan of AA batteries. Utilizing them past their intended duration could be hazardous if there are indications of leakage, swelling, or corrosion, in the worst cases, or they might simply fail to operate, or not perform at optimal efficiency, in the best scenarios.
José Adorno/BGR
Typically, European iPhones differ from those in the U.S. because of local laws, as Apple must adhere to various Digital Markets Act (DMA) adjustments in the area. However, additional factors contribute to the distinctions between European and American iPhones. For instance, iPhones in the U.S. and some other areas are exclusively eSIM. Therefore, if you are considering purchasing the iPhone 17 series in the U.S., you will receive a device that does not support a physical SIM, which leads to approximately 5% increased battery life.
A further advantage for iPhones in the U.S. is the support for mmWave. Yet, this lightning-fast 5G connection is only available if you are using a compatible carrier in the nation. Notably, Apple has also introduced hardware variations across different regions. iPhones sold in China come with dual physical SIMs, while Japanese iPhones continuously emit a shutter sound whenever a photo is taken.
In Europe, an iPhone purchase will closely resemble most iPhones available internationally. This indicates that it will include a SIM tray compatible with one physical SIM and will offer standard 5G functionality, but excluding mmWave. Conversely, the iPhone Air will adopt a similar approach to the U.S. with an exclusive eSIM version. Nevertheless, as previously noted, software differences in European iPhones can be quite significant, but only if you possess a European Apple Account.
charge your mobile device on a daily basis, while your automobile requires refueling or a battery maintenance every few days. Yet, you don’t need to disassemble the gadget or vehicle when you attach it to a power source or replenish the fuel tank. Conversely, supplying fuel to a nuclear submarine is a complex undertaking that spans years, akin to the refueling of a nuclear aircraft carrier. However, unlike carriers that may undergo the Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) process for up to six years, a nuclear submarine typically completes its Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO) process in a shorter duration. This task can be accomplished in two to three years, provided that unforeseen events do not introduce additional delays. In addition to the safe extraction of the nuclear core from the submarine and the installation of a new core that will power the vessel for another couple of decades, the engineers also conduct the overhaul process aimed at updating the equipment to modern standards.
Taking a submarine offline for several years might appear to be a security concern, but the U.S. Navy operates 71 submarines across various classes. Every one of them is powered by nuclear reactors capable of functioning for decades. Additionally, new submarines are continually being constructed. Lastly, not every submarine class currently in service necessitates refueling. Virginia-class and Columbia-class designs are equipped with nuclear cores designed to last for the full lifespan of the vessel, approximately 33 years and 43 years, respectively. It is the Ohio and Los Angeles class models that will require mid-life ERO processes.
