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Duck.ai and the Assist tool allow you to use AI without giving over your personal data.

Members of Congress and civil rights groups are condemning past comments from Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson, including some which critics called antisemitic.

(Image credit: @DepPressSecDOD)

Plans to redevelop a Northern Virginia warehouse site have long been complicated by the area’s worst-kept secret—the presence of a CIA facility. The GSA put the site up for sale anyway.

The heists occurred in several California counties, where the alleged thief would load his shopping cart with the expensive building toys and disappear into the parking lot in a matter of minutes.

(Image credit: Dan Kitwood)

Dr. Marty Makary, President Trump's pick to run the Food and Drug Administration, faced questions from the Senate HELP Committee on the abortion pill, vaccines, FDA firings and chemicals in food.

(Image credit: SAUL LOEB)

• Micron PCIe 6.x SSD prototype shatters speed records with 27GB/s reads
• DesignCon 2025 showcases PCIe 6.x, but real-world use is years away
• GPUDirect Storage accelerates PCIe 6.x SSDs for next-gen computing demands

Micron has unveiled a new PCIe 6.x SSD prototype with a sequential read speed of 27GB/s.

Per AsteraLabs, that makes it the fastest SSD using PCIe 6.x in the world, surpassing Micron’s previous PCIe 6.x SSD, which was introduced last year and achieved speeds exceeding 26GB/s.

Showcased at DesignCon 2025, the Micron PCIe 6.x SSD was paired with Astera Labs’ Scorpio P-Series Fabric Switch, reaching a data transfer rate nearly twice as fast as the fastest PCIe 5.0 SSDs available today.

Breaking speed records with PCIe 6.x

The Scorpio P-Series switch, introduced in late 2024, played a key role in enabling this record-breaking performance. With 64 PCIe 6.x lanes and a four-port architecture, it provided the high-speed interconnectivity needed for seamless data flow between storage, processors, and GPUs.

The demonstration used NVIDIA’s Magnum IO GPUDirect Storage to establish a direct data path between the Micron SSDs and an NVIDIA H100 GPU, bypassing the CPU for faster and more efficient processing.

This setup showcased the potential of PCIe 6.x technology in accelerating AI tool and cloud storage workloads, where speed is critical.

With double the bandwidth of PCIe 5.0, PCIe 6.x delivers up to 256GB/s of bidirectional throughput on an x16 lane configuration, significantly reducing bottlenecks in AI training and inference tasks.

Hyperscale data centers will benefit from this leap in performance, but widespread adoption will depend on broader ecosystem support, including CPUs, GPUs, and network interfaces capable of fully utilizing PCIe 6.x capabilities.

Despite the excitement surrounding this breakthrough, the prototype SSD is just that, and it's unlikely that consumers or enterprise buyers will see PCIe 6.x storage solutions on the market anytime soon.

The ecosystem is still in its early stages, with manufacturers refining hardware and software to ensure compatibility and efficiency.

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Butterflies of all kinds of species, in all parts of the country, have declined by one to two percent since 2000.

(Image credit: twomeows/Getty Images)

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle No. 369 for March 7.

Hints and answers for Connections for March 7, #635.

Hints and answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 165, for March 7.

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle No. 1,357 for March 7.

Following yesterday’s announcement that ChatGPT-4.5 would be rolling out from today, and over the next few days, I was pretty pleased to find it had appeared in my model selector in ChatGPT Plus, however the model selector now looks like a complete mess.

Take a look:

There are now eight different LLMs for ChatGPT Plus users to choose between. (Image credit: OpenAI/APple)

Yes, there are a staggering eight different options to choose from. I appreciate that OpenAI has added handy explainers under each one, like "Great for most questions", or, "Uses advanced reasoning", but that's a hell of a list to wade through and understand.

OpenAI gets it

Annoyingly, OpenAI already knows this isn't a great solution. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman tweeted back in February that the company was going to simplify its model selection into something more suitable for consumers, but ChatGPT-4.5 has just arrived and here we are, it's worse than ever.

On X in February, in a post entitled, "OPENAI ROADMAP UPDATE FOR GPT-4.5 and GPT-5", Altman wrote, "We want AI to 'just work' for you; we realize how complicated our model and product offerings have gotten. We hate the model picker as much as you do and want to return to magic unified intelligence."

To be fair, Altman's post did say that after releasing ChatGPT-4.5, "a top goal for us is to unify o-series models and GPT-series models by creating systems that can use all our tools, know when to think for a long time or not, and generally be useful for a very wide range of tasks."

Unfortunately, there is no timescale on how long that will take, and the current LLM (Large Language Model) picker screen is beyond ridiculous. For ChatGPT users on the free plan, things are much simpler – there is only one option called "ChatGPT", and the option to upgrade to Plus.

ChatGPT-4.5 works fine

The good news is that from my initial testing, ChatGPT-4.5 works flawlessly. It feels like it is somewhere between OpenAI's deeper reasoning models like o1 and o3 with a bit of the casual chat of ChatGPT-4o thrown in. It’s fast too, which is good news considering that it has all of ChatGPT Plus’ subscribers that have access to it testing what they can do with the new LLM right now.

OpenAI describes ChatGPT-4.5 as feeling more natural than its predecessor. "It's broader knowledge base, improved ability to follow user intent, and greater 'EQ' make it useful for tasks like improving writing, programming, and solving practical problems. We also expect it to hallucinate less."

Hallucinating, or "making stuff up" as the rest of the world calls it, has been a particular problem for most chatbots so far, so if OpenAI can make significant improvements in that area we'll all be thankful. We'll bring you a more considered appraisal of what ChatGPT-4.5 can do over the next few days.

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On Uncanny Valley this week, our hosts talk about the pronatalism movement, and how the push to increase birth rates is trending among some of Silicon Valley's biggest and wealthiest names.

Announced at MWC in Barcelona this week, the phone is an example of what a more affordable device with advanced AI capabilities could look like.

When it comes to high-speed internet in Alpena, you may be pressed to find what you want. Our CNET experts found the fastest and most affordable internet service options to fit your needs.

President Ronald Reagan laid the rhetorical foundations for the National Endowment for Democracy in a 1982 speech to the British Parliament. Support for its creation in Congress was bipartisan.

(Image credit: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive)

• The Model 3 was once the most popular EV in China
• Xiaomi’s SU7 surpassed Model 3 sales, despite only being on sale for a year
• The Chinese company built 70,000 SU7 EVs in the first six months

According to the most recent sales figures, which cover April 2024 to the end of January 2025, Xiaomi sold more SU7 models in China than Tesla sold Model 3s, beating the US automaker by around 10,000 cars.

Amazingly, this is the first vehicle the electronics manufacturer has ever produced and it has only taken around year to cement its reputation as one of the hottest EVs on sale in its domestic market.

Where the Model 3 was one of the most desirable electric vehicles in China, recent numbers reveal that its sales are slipping, with the brand selling just 8,009 cars in January of this year, compared to Xiaomi, which sold 22,897 SU7 models, according to figures collated by Tesla delivery estimates expert Troy Teslike on X.

Tesla was the first foreign automotive manufacturer to wholly own a factory in China, with its rivals having to share profits and technology with domestic companies under various joint ventures and partnerships.

But now, it seems that the view of Tesla as a luxury foreign EV maker is waning and demand for Tesla’s cars in general is cooling. Despite a revamped Model Y going on sale in China recently, its overall sales in the country dipped by 51.47% in January, according to Teslarati.

While the Model 3 is rapidly slipping down the Chinese sales charts, the Model Y was the second best-selling car at the end of last year, only marginally beaten by the much smaller BYD Seagull, according to Car News China.

To compound Musk's woes further, Xiaomi is gearing up for full-scale production of its second EV – the YU7 SUV that will directly challenge Tesla’s Model Y, as well as more premium offerings from Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Porsche.

With such a compelling offering and plans to expand into global markets, Xiaomi might not just have a "Tesla-killing" line-up, but one that could have the wider automotive industry worried.

Xiaomi 'going global' will hit premium EV makers

(Image credit: Xiaomi )

Speaking at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week, Xiaomi’s President William Lu told CNBC the company will be releasing EVs for the global markets “within the next few years”.

The announcement was timed with the launch and unveil of the SU7 Ultra, a high-performance, 1,517hp version of its best-selling EV that requires a special test to drive in China and has been breaking lap records at the Nurburgring.

Slated to cost 529,000 Chinese yuan (or around $72,627), it undercuts the most potent electric model from Porsche – the Taycan Turbo GT – by over $200,000, as well as offering levels of race-focussed Performance that Tesla’s Plaid badge could only dream of.

The debut SUV from Xiaomi is due to go into production this summer and, as with the SU7, customer demand is already at fever pitch. The company’s share price hit an all-time high in February when it released more specific details of its second model.

It’s easy to see why, with a driving range of 510 miles (123 more than the 2025 Tesla Model Y), a staggering 691hp on tap, smartphone-derived in-car technology and the latest Lidar-based autonomous driving tech, it represents excellent value for money... and it's not bad looking, either.

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Apple's flagship noise-canceling earbuds are due for an upgrade. Rumors suggest they'll arrive later this year. Here's everything I know about them.

In his Tuesday address to Congress, President Trump listed U.S.-funded programs that he considers an "appalling waste" — including "$10 million for male circumcision in Mozambique."

(Image credit: Gianluigi Guercia/AFP via Getty Images)

• Macrodock M1 offers versatile and high-speed connectivity
• Three rotary knobs enable precise control for editing and adjustments
• 100W Power Delivery ensures fast charging for laptops, tablets, and phones

There are many laptop docking stations available, but finding one that meets all connectivity needs can be challenging.

The MacroDock M1 is a compact device designed for connectivity and macro functionality, offering ten ports and six programmable LCD macro keys with up to 36 commands, allowing users to automate executing tasks, applications, and directly controlling software.

As a 10-in-1 docking station, it includes USB-A, USB-C, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, SD and TF card slots, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The HDMI port supports 8K output at 30Hz or 4K at 120Hz, allowing compatibility with high-resolution displays.

A versatile hub for professionals and gamers

By integrating macro functions into the docking station, it removes the need for separate macro pads like the Elgato Stream Deck. It also supports over 200 plugins, making it adaptable for different workflows, including video editing in DaVinci Resolve and live streaming with OBS Studio.

The MacroDock M1 supports 100W Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 charging, providing power for business laptops. It also includes high-speed data transfer options, with USB ports supporting speeds up to 10Gbps and an SD/TF card reader capable of 5Gbps.

A notable feature of the device is the inclusion of three rotary knobs for precise control over volume, video editing timelines, and adjustments in creative software.

The MacroDock M1 is available on Kickstarter with an early-bird price of $109, and global shipping is expected to begin in May 2025.

Via Geeky Gadgets and Yanko Design

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