Thursday, June 25, 2026

Today’s biggest tech news centers on OpenAI’s unveiling of Jalapeño, its first custom AI inference chip built with Broadcom, promising improved efficiency and potentially lowering AI operating costs. Meanwhile, IBM revealed breakthrough sub-1 nanometer chip technology using “nanostack” vertical transistor stacking, which could extend Moore’s Law for another decade and significantly boost data center performance. Apple announced substantial price hikes across its MacBooks and iPads amid soaring memory chip costs due to global shortages. In gaming, Rockstar Games kicked off preorders for Grand Theft Auto VI, marking the game with an $80 price tag and a discless physical release. Lastly, on the security front, LastPass alerted users to a new data breach implicating a third-party partner, continuing a troubling pattern of incidents.

AI and Chips

• OpenAI unveils its first custom chip, built by Broadcom
  OpenAI launched Jalapeño, an inference processor made to accelerate AI model responses with better power efficiency than existing GPUs, aiming to reduce inference costs for real-time applications like coding.

• OpenAI and Broadcom announce chip designed for LLM inference at scale
  This is the first generation of a long-term chip collaboration tailored to large language model inference workloads, designed in nine months, promising improved performance per watt.

• IBM claims world’s first sub-1 nanometer chip technology / IBM has unveiled chip technology that could help extend Moore’s Law another decade
  IBM introduced a prototype chip with roughly 100 billion transistors stacked vertically, dubbed the 7-angstrom node, potentially doubling transistor density and powering the future of AI data centers with better energy efficiency.

Security and Privacy

• LastPass notifies users of yet another data breach
  LastPass confirmed a breach through its market research partner Klue, exposing customer DB info but not password vaults. The firm is warning users to watch out for phishing leveraging stolen data.

• One-two punch delivered in global operation disrupts cybercrime "assembly line"
  Authorities and tech companies coordinated to disrupt two malware-as-a-service platforms, Amadey and StealC, that jointly facilitate ransomware and credential theft scams.

• FCC plans ID mandate that could block anonymous use of prepaid burner phones
  A proposed FCC rule would require extensive ID collection for prepaid phone users, potentially harming privacy for domestic violence survivors who depend on anonymous devices for safety.

• Cellebrite said it cut off Russia, but Russia used its tools anyway
  Despite Cellebrite’s announced cutoff of sales to Russia, researchers found evidence of Russian government use of its phone-hacking tools to target dissidents in 2021, highlighting challenges of controlling surveillance tech proliferation.

Business and Market Moves

• Apple announces significant price increases for MacBooks, iPads, more / Apple raises prices on Macs, iPads, and more by hundreds of dollars
  Apple raised MacBook and iPad starting prices amid soaring memory and storage costs linked to AI data center demand, with some Macs seeing hikes of $200-$500.

• Amazon ups India bet with fresh $13B AI infrastructure investment
  Amazon committed $13 billion to expand AWS AI and cloud infrastructure in India through 2030, adding to a $48 billion total investment to capture a growing tech ecosystem.

• Adobe acquires image and video enhancement tool maker Topaz Labs
  Adobe acquired Topaz Labs to integrate their AI-driven video and image enhancement tools—like Astra and Wonder—into its Creative Cloud and Firefly suite.

• Former Infosys chief has a new startup that wants to challenge the IT services world
  Ex-Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka launched Hang Ten Systems, backed by $32M seed funding, aiming to use AI-driven automation to revolutionize enterprise software customization and maintenance.

• Google starts lowering Play Store fees, making good on Epic Games settlement
  Google is reducing Play Store commissions for developers, offering a flat 10% rate on the first $1 million earned annually and allowing external payment methods, fulfilling its Epic Games settlement.

• Cerebras stock plunges after earnings as CEO says margin outlook was misunderstood
  AI chip maker Cerebras’ shares dropped after its first earnings report as customers rent back its hardware, resulting in lower near-term margins.

Gaming

• Grand Theft Auto VI will cost $80 with no physical disc / GTA 6 Preorders Are Live
  Rockstar Games opened preorders for GTA6 at $79.99 with an Ultimate Edition at $99.99. The physical release will come as a box with a download code, signaling a shift away from discs.

• Half-Life 2 in a Browser
  An impressive browser playable port of the classic Half-Life 2 game appeared online, showcasing web technology progress.

Consumer Tech and Deals

• Slate Auto's truck builder goes live for its $25k electric pickup / Underpromise, overdeliver? Hands-on with the $24,950 Slate auto. / Here’s why Slate changed the battery in its cheap EV truck
  Slate’s affordable electric pickup launches with a surprising 205-mile range using lithium iron phosphate batteries, starting at $24,950, with options designed for DIY builders.

• Samsung’s new budget phone costs $50 more despite downgrades
  Samsung released the Galaxy A27 with price and spec changes that include lower-resolution cameras but a new Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip at $349.99.

• Leica’s $6,690 SL3-P pairs 44-megapixel stills with 8K video
  Leica introduced the SL3-P digital camera combining a high-res 44MP sensor with advanced autofocus and 8K video, priced at $6,690.

• Multiple sources cover extensive Amazon Prime Day deals on everything from iPads and TVs to headphones, speakers, and SSDs, with significant discounts offered across product categories including Kindle, GoPro cameras, gaming gear, and more.

Social and Labor

• Wikipedia Workers in Britain set global first by seeking union recognition
  Wikimedia Foundation staff in the UK are pursuing formal union recognition, marking a first for the global nonprofit, amid concerns over transparency and organizational changes.

Policy and Regulation

• Trump admin proposes axing brake pedal requirement for AVs in a boost for Tesla
  The Department of Transportation proposed rules to allow fully automated vehicles without brake pedals, removing a barrier for companies like Tesla and Zoox to deploy driverless cars more easily.

• FCC plans ID mandate that could block anonymous use of prepaid burner phones
  Critics say the FCC’s ID requirements could endanger privacy protections for vulnerable people relying on prepaid anonymous phones.

Sports and AI

• World Cup Teams Are in a Race for AI Dominance
  At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, teams are using AI and advanced data analytics to gain tactical edges, analyzing millions of data points per match and employing AI agents for decision support.

• Multiple guides and streaming options to watch ongoing World Cup matches including USA vs. Türkiye, Tunisia vs. Netherlands, and Japan vs. Sweden can be found among coverage on games today.

This digest covers the key technological and market developments of Thursday, June 25, 2026, across AI hardware, cybersecurity, big tech business, gaming, consumer electronics, labor movements, regulatory changes, and sports tech innovation.