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• OpenAI is launching the o3 mini AI model on ChatGPT and as an API
• The o3 mini is more powerful than the o1 mini but smaller than the o3 model
• The o3 mini boasts superior problem-solving abilities in science and math

OpenAI followed up on its December release of the OpenAI o1 model with the official rollout of its smaller sibling, the OpenAI o3 mini model. CEO Sam Altman broke the news on X, revealing that o3 mini will be available on ChatGPT and as an API for developers. The o3 mini model is an upgrade to the o1 mini model just as the o3 model is to the o1 model released last year. The o3 series is supposed to be smarter, faster, and better in all ways from its predecessors.

The o1 models were designed to spend more time processing queries, taking a longer, harder look at problems most models would give up on. The o3 models take those abilities and further enhance them while also running more quickly and efficiently. That's going to be useful when you use ChatGPT's new Tasks feature, which gives the AI chatbot a more proactive role in reminding you of tasks and events.

The launch of the o3 mini isn’t just about improving reasoning capabilities; it’s about staying ahead in the highly competitive AI landscape. Google, Meta, and others are all working to advance their models and try to dominate the market. ChatGPT and OpenAI can't afford to rest on their laurels, and the company seems to understand that. OpenAI clearly believes users want tools that don’t just follow the rules but also think critically and are flexible in how they assist you. That's where Altman and his team hope the o3 and o3 mini models will shine.

thank you to the external safety researchers who tested o3-mini.we have now finalized a version and are beginning the release process; planning to ship in ~a couple of weeks.also, we heard the feedback: will launch api and chatgpt at the same time!(it's very good.)January 17, 2025

Power in miniature

A bigger question may be, will models like o3 mini actually change how AI is used, or if it's just going to improve the results in small ways. OpenAI obviously hopes these upgrades lead to more people engaging with its AI models. By making its models better at reasoning, the company looks to be targeting those users who need something more sophisticated than the current level of conversational AI.

The o3 mini model looks like it might hit the sweet spot between power and accessibility for ChatGPT users. By offering smarter reasoning in a more compact package, OpenAI could attract users who want cutting-edge AI but don’t need the full heavyweight version just yet.

With burgeoning competition, OpenAI might be thrilled with any improvements it can point to in its latest models, considering the rumors of stalled progress on recent AI models at OpenAI and elsewhere. Even if its sense of humor may still be a work in progress.

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Digitizing physical records is more than just scanning files. It’s a complex task that demands precision and robust security measures. Businesses face challenges like handling vast amounts of paper documents, categorizing unstructured data, and ensuring that the digital versions are accessible yet protected.

AI offers practical solutions to these challenges. By employing advanced algorithms that analyze unstructured information, identify patterns and categorize efficiently, businesses can achieve far greater efficiency with document scanning. Unlike manual processes, AI systems can process information at scale, reducing bottlenecks and ensuring accuracy. These tools can also integrate data from multiple sources, streamlining workflows and making the digitization process more efficient and reliable.

Optimizing digital information management with AI

AI is doing more than making digital records accessible, it’s also turning them into business assets. One of the biggest breakthroughs is AI’s ability to intelligently parse unstructured data, which is crucial for organizations transitioning to digital systems. Instead of wading through a sea of documents, AI can automatically classify records, apply metadata, and create searchable databases.

More importantly, AI can extract insights that paper documents simply can’t reveal. By analysing patterns across records, AI helps organizations identify trends, predict behaviors, and make more informed, data-driven decisions.

For instance, an AI-powered system could highlight inefficiencies in supply chains or uncover customer preferences buried in years of archived correspondence. This level of analysis not only improves the efficiency of business operations but also enables strategic foresight, identifying potential risks or opportunities ahead of time.

How AI can strengthen cybersecurity

Digital information can still fall victim to cybersecurity threats, from ransomware attacks to phishing scams, posing significant risks to these valuable repositories. This is where AI can play a pivotal role, offering robust protection against threats.

AI-driven systems can detect anomalies in real time, flagging suspicious activities before they become breaches. If an employee logs in from an unusual location or a database query seems out of place, AI can demand additional authentication or block the action altogether, helping to prevent unauthorized access.

AI-powered Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM) systems also provide a comprehensive shield. By continuously monitoring network traffic, user behavior, and application events, these systems identify patterns that signal potential threats. They also incorporate threat intelligence from external sources, predicting vulnerabilities before they’re exploited. Automated responses ensure that incidents are contained swiftly, minimizing potential damage.

The versatility of AI in cybersecurity is also evident in its ability to combat phishing attempts. AI tools analyze email content for suspicious elements, reducing the risk of employees falling victim to cleverly crafted scams. As phishing scams grow increasingly sophisticated, AI’s ability to adapt and evolve is critical to staying ahead of attackers. With cybercriminals increasingly using AI to outsmart traditional defenses, deploying AI on the frontlines of cybersecurity is quickly becoming an essential tool.

How can businesses utilize AI within digital information management?

For businesses looking at AI as a part of digital strategy, the path forward requires careful planning and execution. Start small with manageable AI projects that demonstrate clear benefits, such as automating repetitive tasks or improving data accessibility. These initiatives can build confidence and showcase the tangible advantages of AI integration.

For AI to deliver maximum value, businesses must identify specific pain points within their existing digital records ecosystem. Does the challenge lie in managing large volumes of unstructured data? Or is cybersecurity a more pressing concern? A targeted approach ensures AI solutions align best with the goals of the organization, whether that’s creating searchable databases, uncovering actionable trends in data, or safeguarding sensitive information from cyber threats.

When it comes to security measures, implementing AI-driven cybersecurity tools, like SIEM systems or advanced anomaly detection, should be a foundational step. Regular assessments of IT infrastructure, combined with employee training on recognizing threats, can further fortify defenses.

Collaboration with AI experts is also essential. AI technology evolves rapidly, and remaining informed about the latest advancements helps businesses stay ahead. Partnering with trusted vendors can provide access to cutting-edge tools while ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. Finally, investing in continuous education for all teams across the company will ensure they are equipped to make use of AI’s full potential while mitigating its risks responsibly. Encouraging a culture of vigilance within the workforce also supports AI’s technological defenses, making cybersecurity efforts more comprehensive.

A future-ready approach to information management

Whether it’s converting unstructured data into valuable insights or shielding databases from cyber threats, AI is proving to be an indispensable ally in information management. Its ability to categorize, analyze, and secure information has redefined how organizations manage their most critical assets.

With a clear roadmap for implementation, businesses can maximize AI’s potential, reaping benefits that extend well beyond efficiency gains. The challenge now is for businesses to embrace this technology with this clear strategy, ensuring their digital records are both valuable and protected.

We've listed the best document scanning app.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Specs

Type: Color inkjet AIO printer

Functions: Print, copy, scan, mobile fax

Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi

Data storage slots: none 

Max print speed: 10ppm (mono)

Max paper size: Letter/A4

Max print quality: 4,800 x 1,200 dpi

Memory: 256MB

Apple AirPrint: yes

Consumables included: 2x cartridges, 120 black pages, 75 color

Dimensions (WxDxH): 17.05 x 14.21 x 6.73 in (433 x 361 x 171 mm)

Weight: 13.5lb (6.1kg)

The HP Envy 6500 series, sold as the 6555e in the US and 6530e elsewhere, is a compact all-in-one inkjet aimed at both family use and the home office.

As with many of the best home printers I've tested, it comes in a sleek desktop format with a raft of features designed to make it convenient and user-friendly. There’s a 2.4-inch color touchscreen, auto duplex print and simplex scan using its 35-sheet ADF (automatic document scanner). It can even duplex print photos so that you can label the backs.

With its small cartridges, it’s not cut out for volume printing, but it has sufficient security features for business use and the ability to fax, scan and print via your smartphone with ease. Take into account HP’s credible sustainability claims for this smart-looking printer and I’m already tempted by the US$150 (£110) price tag. If you don’t need the ADF, the otherwise identical HP Envy 6100 series is even cheaper. So, let’s find out if there’s a catch.

HP Envy 6555e: Design and build

(Image credit: HP)

HP has never been afraid of trying something new and this form factor is a departure from the norm that you’ll either love or hate. With the paper tray sticking out at the front, the HP Envy 6500 series takes up more room on your desktop than the average small-in-one. The advantage is that it’s a little lower and there’s now a lip on which to catch your printouts as they emerge. It also provides an obvious place for the up-facing touchscreen. Personally, I’d rather have the desk space and I found that the lip also tended to catch dust and crumbs, which it channels inside the printer.

This unit feels light and flimsy and it’s depressing how many inexpensive cartridge-based inkjets like this are discarded as soon as their printheads clog. The fact that HP has used 60% recycled plastic makes me feel a little better about this one. Also, the packaging is a big improvement with cardboard replacing the usual polystyrene. It’s a pity HP has specified its wasteful tri-color cartridge here though. It’ll need replacing the moment any of the C/M/Y inks run low, regardless how much remains of the other two. And looking at the size of these half-empty cartridges, that won’t be long.

HP Envy 6555e: Features & specifications

(Image credit: HP)

For the money, the HP Envy 6500 series has lots of features to shout about and two of them are exclusive to HP. It’s the first printer to auto-duplex coated photo paper, allowing you label each photo as you print. This only works with matt 4x6 photo paper by the way, and only by using the HP Smart print app. HP is also the only brand offering support for native printing using Display P3 color, which prints a closer version of the colors you are seeing on your screen.

In addition to printing on any kind and size of media up to letter/A4, it can scan, copy and fax, although you will need a smartphone for the latter because there’s no fax modem on board. With the 35-sheet ADF you can copy a stack of single-sided documents automatically. Sadly, it doesn’t have single-pass dual scanning, though you can automatically copy a single sided document onto both sides of your duplicate page. HP’s Wolf Essentials provides security to prevent malware attacks and you have self-healing dual-band wi-fi built in.

In terms of specifications, the print rate is rather slow at 10ppm (pages per minute) in black and white or 7ppm for color. There’s a good amount of memory built in but the paper capacity is quite limited at 100 sheets. The ink capacity is even more limiting with only enough inbox ink to print 120 black and white pages, or 70 color. It was barely enough to complete the testing procedure.

HP Envy 6555e: Setup and operation

(Image credit: HP)

This printer is especially easy to set up, so you probably won’t need the printed quick start guide. Simply load your paper, power up and follow the printer’s onscreen prompts. If you use the HP Smart app, you can even watch short animated clips of how to install the two ink cartridges. The app will use your smartphone to get the printer onto your wi-fi network without you having to type in the password. AirPrint is there to make sure Mac users are catered for. During set-up you can print out a test page to ensure the printheads are aligned.

HP Envy 6555e: Performance

(Image credit: HP)

I had no problems printing and scanning with the HP Envy 6500 series. It connected readily with my devices and printed all my test material without a hitch. It’s frustratingly slow at printing large text documents, but if you’re in no hurry, the crisp, dark black text looks precise and professional. With the black ink being pigment based, it’s also smudge resistant and long lasting.

Color documents take even longer, but also look good thanks to HP’s bold dye-based C/M/Y inks. These colors bond well with coated photo paper so you get photos that really pop on glossy paper. The impressive brightness comes at a slight cost, because there’s also less fine detail resolution than a good photo printer can achieve. Suffice it to say that that the HP Envy 6500 series is good at photos. I especially enjoyed the novelty of having the printer turn over my photos and print information the reverse. It’s a fun feature, but somewhat limited as it only works with 4x6-inch matte photo paper.

Scanning is also slow, but accurate enough thanks to its high scan resolution and the 35-sheet ADF worked without incident. Before the testing was over, however, the printer started asking for new ink cartridges.

HP Envy 6555e: Consumables

(Image credit: HP)

This already looks like a great printer for the price, but the catch, as ever, is the cost of the consumables. There’s very little ink in the black and tri-color setup cartridges and replacements retail for around US$30 each for the 67 XL carts which yield only 240 and 200 pages respectively. That’s a high CPP (cost per page). And don’t forget that the tri-color cartridge could run out quickly if you tend to print more of any particular color.

Signing up for HP’s Instant Ink subscription with its discounted ink in the mail will bring down the CPP and you even get three months of ink free when you purchase the printer. However, from personal experience, I’d council against this commitment, unless you’re sure you will print regularly with this printer for some time.

HP Envy 6555e: Maintenance

(Image credit: HP)

As with even the best inkjet printers, there’s a likelihood that the ink will dry out and clog the nozzles in the two printheads if left unused for a length of time. You’ll notice tramlines appearing on your printouts, or absent colors if this happens. In which case you can usually run a maintenance cycle or two to flush the nozzles clean. It’s a regrettable waste of ink, but it usually does the trick.

HP Envy 6555e: Final verdict

(Image credit: HP)

The HP Envy 6500 series looks smart and is so easy to set up and operate, that my first impressions are all good. It has a wide range of useful features, including self-healing wi-fi, duplex printing and scanning and a 35-sheet ADF. I especially enjoyed printing photos, which look refreshingly vivid, while using the auto duplex photo feature to label the other sides. It’s a neat way of producing your own postcards.

I found that the step-shaped form factor takes up more desk space and tends to funnel dust/debris inside the printer, and I’d have appreciated a little more room for paper than the 100-sheet tray allows. It prints very slowly, but very well, so the overall performance is above average. What stops me awarding another star is the high running cost and meagre amount of inbox ink in its tiny cartridges. I’d recommend trying the refillable HP Smart Tank 7001, before committing to a cartridge inkjet printer.

For more devices, we reviewed the best all in one printers around.

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• Launch of 36TB Exos M happens a month after a new 32TB model emerged
• Seagate is now comfortably ahead of arch-rival Western Digital
• For the first time, 10TB-per-platter technology has also been mentioned

Seagate added a 36TB Exos M model to its growing family of datacenter hard disk drives, making it the largest hard disk drive currently available. The yet-to-be-named device is based on the company's mature Mozaic 3+ platform and has been shipped to select customers, most likely hyperscalers like Microsoft or AWS.

The US storage company added a 32TB Exos M last month, almost one year after it added its previous largest drive, a 30TB model. Rival Western Digital has a 32TB HDD in its line up but unlike Seagate, uses 11 platters (rather than 10) to reach this capacity. The same goes for Toshiba; the Japanese firm tested 31TB and 32TB models with 10 and 11 platters.

Platter capacity is something Seagate has been keen to tout as a unique selling point; its press release mentions that it is the only data storage company that can achieve areal densities of 3.6TB per platter with a pathway to 10TB in the future. That's a whopping 100TB hard drive in the pipeline.

60TB HDDs coming soon

Seagate's CEO, Dave Mosley, also disclosed that the company has successfully demonstrated platter capacities of over 6TB per platter in lab environments. That means that 60TB hard drives are within reach and should arrive before the end of the decade (or as in marketing lingo, depending on market conditions).

With this 36TB model, Seagate moves away from CMR and SMR to embrace HAMR technology exclusively; Heat-assisted magnetic recording, Seagate says, enables a 25% cost reduction per TB and a 60% decrease in power consumption per TB. That relentless drive towards cheaper storage is what will keep HDD relevant despite SSDs supremacy on performance, storage density and power consumption.

122TB SSDs are expected to go on sale later this year, targeting the same lucrative datacenter market but different tiers. At an estimated cost of $80 per TB, they would still be 4x or 5X more expensive than one 36TB HDD but will appeal to certain specific customers.

In a statement, a Dell spokesperson also explained that large capacity, affordable HDDs will play in AI workloads, supporting use cases like retrieval augmented generation (RAG), inferencing and agentic workflows.

The 36TB HDD is unlikely to ever go on sale in retail for the foreseeable future due to enterprise demand; the largest internal hard disk drive you can buy is a 26TB Western Digital Gold Enterprise HDD with larger capacities usually available only via partners or system integrators.

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