Geek to Geek
Generation Z is scouring eBay and Marketplace for vintage iPods. They seek music free from notifications, algorithms, or interruptions. The click wheel serves as their escape from the digital noise.
The article Gen Z is driving a revival of the iPod was originally published on Digital Trends.
Recent OpenAI findings indicate that individuals utilize ChatGPT for personal expression and venting nearly as much as for professional tasks, with younger users spearheading the trend of regarding AI as a sounding board.
The article Your ChatGPT chats are more personal than you think was originally published on Digital Trends.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have identified VillainNet, a hidden AI backdoor that enables hackers to take control of self-driving vehicles with a 99% success rate, all while evading detection by existing security measures.
The article The next major automobile danger is an undetectable AI backdoor first appeared on Digital Trends.
Contemporary smart televisions possess a critical drawback: the software deteriorates much more rapidly than the hardware. An impressive 4K display can effortlessly endure for ten years, but the integrated operating system is likely to turn into a slow, advertisement-riddled, cumbersome nightmare in just three years. Add to that the worries regarding privacy with data collection from viewing habits and unskippable interface advertisements, and it is […]
The post The “dumb” TV shift: why your upcoming screen shouldn’t be smart appeared first on Digital Trends.
An new leak indicates that the Galaxy S26 Ultra may debut in a total of six colors, featuring two exclusive online options from Samsung.com in silver and pink gold that seem quite recognizable.
The article The Galaxy S26 Ultra might arrive in two exclusive color variations online, and they appear very familiar first appeared on Digital Trends.
Nothing has officially hinted at the Phone 4a prior to its March 5 release, revealing a revamped back panel featuring a new Glyph Bar.
The article Nothing reveals the Phone 4a’s updated back panel and new Glyph Bar before its launch first appeared on Digital Trends.
In 2025, the United States saw a historic rise in energy storage, as detailed in a freshly released solar industry report on Monday. This boom in battery storage signifies a considerable milestone for clean energy amid the renewable-unfriendly second term of the Trump administration and suggests that utilities may be modifying electric grids to meet increasing demand across the country.
The report, issued by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), corresponds with recent findings from Bloomberg New Energy Finance, showcasing a comparable surge in battery development. As per SEIA, the United States added 57 gigawatt hours of new energy storage in 2025, representing nearly a 30 percent rise from the prior year. This capacity is enough to supply power to over five million homes each year.
The report predicts a 21 percent market growth by the conclusion of this year, with an additional 70 gigawatt hours anticipated in 2026. These statistics sharply contrast with less than a decade ago when storage on the grid amounted to only around half a gigawatt.
Batteries have demonstrated considerable political endurance. Tax incentives for wind and solar were cut last summer amid legislative challenges to renewables, yet faced opposition from Republican lawmakers in regions with clean energy initiatives. Nonetheless, battery tax credits largely remained unharmed.
In spite of the federal administration’s position on renewables, batteries and solar experienced considerable advancement in certain conservative states last year. Texas stands out, where solar energy constituted over 15 percent of summer demand, exceeding coal for the first time. SEIA projects that Texas will outpace California this year in terms of gigawatt hours of storage deployed.
Jigar Shah, from the advisory firm Multiplier and a former director of the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, points out that Texas’s independent and deregulated power grid favors solar and batteries over alternative solutions, notwithstanding White House opposition. Recent surveys reveal that MAGA voters back solar power, and prominent individuals like Katie Miller have voiced support for solar energy.
“Texas fundamentally ignores cultural prejudices,” Shah states. “‘Heed the market signals. Construct whatever you wish, whether it’s coal plants or batteries.’ Batteries received the most financial backing.”
While solar and batteries thrive in Texas, the majority of battery installations last year were standalone, not linked to particular solar projects, which is a positive trend for grids coping with heightened demand.
Generally, US energy grids utilize only about 50 percent of their available energy on a daily basis. This intentional underutilization guarantees capacity for peak demand days. Deploying batteries at all levels of the grid aids in harnessing surplus energy during off-peak hours to mitigate waste.
Finnish unicorn IQM has today revealed its intention to become publicly traded through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), assessing the company’s worth at around $1.8 billion. This initiative will permit IQM to join the expanding group of quantum computing firms on U.S. financial markets.
Established in 2018 as a spinoff from Aalto University and VTT Technical Research in Finland, IQM specializes in both onsite full-stack quantum computers and a cloud solution for accessing its systems, catering to clients from academic and corporate laboratories globally.
Publicly listed quantum firms have experienced a significant increase in their share prices in recent months, driven by indications from governments and major tech companies that the “quantum advantage” over traditional supercomputers might soon be attainable. This has encouraged proponents to reaffirm their belief that the sector will soon yield profitable real-world applications in life sciences, new materials, and beyond.
Becoming public will afford IQM a longer timeframe to advance its commercial strategies. The company reported $35 million in revenue for 2025 and over $100 million in contractual agreements. Following this transaction, its cash reserves will surpass $450 million. However, the company’s market cap may fluctuate based on the evolving interest of investors in quantum equities when trading commences.
With practical industrial uses still several years away, uncertainties linger regarding the sustainability of the current excitement in the quantum sector. These concerns are amplified as the majority of these enterprises have opted for public offerings via SPACs — a quicker method compared to standard IPOs that peaked in 2021, leaving many investors with losses.
Notwithstanding this unpleasant residue, quantum SPACs have regained appeal. Earlier this month, neutral-atom quantum company Infleqtion made a splash on its debut on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) through a SPAC, while Canadian firm Xanadu Quantum Technologies is set to go public via a SPAC on the Nasdaq by the end of March.
Now, IQM is set to follow their lead but is contemplating entering the public markets on both a U.S. and Nordic exchange. In the United States, it may become public on either the Nasdaq or the NYSE — the blank check company involved is Nasdaq-listed Real Asset Acquisition Corp., but as a foreign entity, it will issue American Depositary Shares, with the listing awaiting approval.
Techcrunch event
Boston, MA
|
June 9, 2026
As per Crunchbase, IQM has secured approximately $569.1 million to date. Its most recent funding phase was a $320 million Series B led by U.S. investment group Ten Eleven Ventures, with contributions from Finnish investment company Tesi, Schwarz Group, Winbond Electronics Corporation, EIC, Bayern Kapital, and World Fund.
In February 2021, the software behemoth Ivanti uncovered that hackers from China had infiltrated the network of Pulse Secure, one of its subsidiaries providing VPN devices to numerous businesses and government entities globally, as per new insights from Bloomberg.
The attackers took advantage of a covert backdoor embedded in Pulse Secure’s VPN software, Bloomberg stated, referencing Ivanti’s chief security officer at the time along with other sources. This backdoor facilitated the hackers’ access to 119 other unnamed entities that utilized the same VPN offering from the company.
Mandiant was reportedly cognizant of the breaches as well, notifying Ivanti that hackers had exploited the vulnerability to breach defense contractors in Europe and the United States.
The previously unreported intrusion highlights how acquisitions, workforce reductions, and cost-cutting measures initiated by private equity firms compromised the integrity and security of Ivanti’s essential technologies. After the private equity firm Clearlake Capital Group purchased Ivanti in 2017, Bloomberg reported subsequent rounds of layoffs — particularly in 2022 — impacting employees with extensive knowledge of the company’s products and their security.
Ivanti and Mandiant did not reply to a request for comment.
The findings from Bloomberg resonate with prior reports regarding competing provider of remote access solutions, Citrix, which faced significant layoffs after a 2022 acquisition by Elliott Investment Management and Vista Equity Partners. Similar to Ivanti, Citrix has encountered various cybersecurity issues and critical vulnerabilities in recent times.
Since then, Ivanti’s VPN solutions have been implicated in at least two other notable attacks.
Techcrunch event
Boston, MA
|
June 9, 2026
In early 2024, the U.S. cybersecurity agency CISA mandated all federal institutions to disconnect their Ivanti VPN devices within two days because hackers were actively exploiting vulnerabilities that Ivanti was unaware of at the time. Ivanti also cautioned customers last year that hackers were leveraging another significant flaw in its Connect Secure product to breach corporate clients.
We’re down to the last 5 days to save as much as $680 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 ticket. These best prices of the year will vanish on February 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
If you’ve been planning your 2026 tech event calendar, this isn’t the time to hesitate. Sign up now to secure your savings before rates rise.
Each year, Disrupt gathers over 10,000 founders, tech leaders, and VCs at San Francisco’s Moscone West. From October 13–15, you’ll acquire significant insights and tailored networking opportunities aimed at advancing your startup journey, boosting your career, or enhancing your portfolio.
Last year, Disrupt hosted over 200 on-stage discussions featuring more than 250 prominent figures in the tech scene. Look for the same caliber of open and impactful discussions this year. 2025 highlights included:
Monitor the event page as we unveil the 2026 agenda.
Last year, over 20,000 targeted meetings occurred during the three-day event. This year, we’re introducing enhanced networking technology to ensure those connections are even more focused and effective.
Encounter the one individual who can alter the path of your startup. It only takes one.
Techcrunch event
Boston, MA
|
June 9, 2026
Startup Battlefield is where 200 pre-Series A startups selected by TechCrunch vie for $100,000 in equity-free funding, global recognition, and direct access to top-tier investors.
This renowned pitch competition has been pivotal in launching standout companies like Discord, Cloudflare, and Trello.
More than 300 startup exhibitors will display their innovations throughout the venue, especially in the Expo Hall, where foot traffic gathers. Discover the breakthroughs of tomorrow and the solutions of today — all in one spot.
During Disrupt Week, from October 11–17, TechCrunch Disrupt Side Events will be hosted throughout the Bay Area, beyond the main venue. Join a post-event cocktail gathering, enjoy breakfast before the day kicks off, or even lead your own off-site discussion. The chances to forge impactful connections surrounding Disrupt are limitless.
Just five days left to secure the best rate of the year. Prices go up after February 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Sign up now to grab your savings of up to $680 before they disappear. Enjoy up to 30% off on group tickets.