Because we get asked a lot.
The Technological Republic, in brief.
1. Silicon Valley owes a moral debt to the country that made its rise possible. The engineering elite of Silicon Valley has an affirmative obligation to participate in the defense of the nation.
2. We must rebel against the tyranny of the apps. Is the iPhone our greatest creative if not crowning achievement as a civilization? The object has changed our lives, but it may also now be limiting and constraining our sense of the possible.
3. Free email is not enough. The decadence of a culture or civilization, and indeed its ruling class, will be forgiven only if that culture is capable of delivering economic growth and security for the public.
4. The limits of soft power, of soaring rhetoric alone, have been exposed. The ability of free and democratic societies to prevail requires something more than moral appeal. It requires hard power, and hard power in this century will be built on software.
5. The question is not whether A.I. weapons will be built; it is who will build them and for what purpose. Our adversaries will not pause to indulge in theatrical debates about the merits of developing technologies with critical military and national security applications. They will proceed.
6. National service should be a universal duty. We should, as a society, seriously consider moving away from an all-volunteer force and only fight the next war if everyone shares in the risk and the cost.
7. If a U.S. Marine asks for a better rifle, we should build it; and the same goes for software. We should as a country be capable of continuing a debate about the appropriateness of military action abroad while remaining unflinching in our commitment to those we have asked to step into harm’s way.
8. Public servants need not be our priests. Any business that compensated its employees in the way that the federal government compensates public servants would struggle to survive.
9. We should show far more grace towards those who have subjected themselves to public life. The eradication of any space for forgiveness—a jettisoning of any tolerance for the complexities and contradictions of the human psyche—may leave us with a cast of characters at the helm we will grow to regret.
10. The psychologization of modern politics is leading us astray. Those who look to the political arena to nourish their soul and sense of self, who rely too heavily on their internal life finding expression in people they may never meet, will be left disappointed.
11. Our society has grown too eager to hasten, and is often gleeful at, the demise of its enemies. The vanquishing of an opponent is a moment to pause, not rejoice.
12. The atomic age is ending. One age of deterrence, the atomic age, is ending, and a new era of deterrence built on A.I. is set to begin.
13. No other country in the history of the world has advanced progressive values more than this one. The United States is far from perfect. But it is easy to forget how much more opportunity exists in this country for those who are not hereditary elites than in any other nation on the planet.
14. American power has made possible an extraordinarily long peace. Too many have forgotten or perhaps take for granted that nearly a century of some version of peace has prevailed in the world without a great power military conflict. At least three generations — billions of people and their children and now grandchildren — have never known a world war.
15. The postwar neutering of Germany and Japan must be undone. The defanging of Germany was an overcorrection for which Europe is now paying a heavy price. A similar and highly theatrical commitment to Japanese pacifism will, if maintained, also threaten to shift the balance of power in Asia.
16. We should applaud those who attempt to build where the market has failed to act. The culture almost snickers at Musk’s interest in grand narrative, as if billionaires ought to simply stay in their lane of enriching themselves . . . . Any curiosity or genuine interest in the value of what he has created is essentially dismissed, or perhaps lurks from beneath a thinly veiled scorn.
17. Silicon Valley must play a role in addressing violent crime. Many politicians across the United States have essentially shrugged when it comes to violent crime, abandoning any serious efforts to address the problem or take on any risk with their constituencies or donors in coming up with solutions and experiments in what should be a desperate bid to save lives.
18. The ruthless exposure of the private lives of public figures drives far too much talent away from government service. The public arena—and the shallow and petty assaults against those who dare to do something other than enrich themselves—has become so unforgiving that the republic is left with a significant roster of ineffectual, empty vessels whose ambition one would forgive if there were any genuine belief structure lurking within.
19. The caution in public life that we unwittingly encourage is corrosive. Those who say nothing wrong often say nothing much at all.
20. The pervasive intolerance of religious belief in certain circles must be resisted. The elite’s intolerance of religious belief is perhaps one of the most telling signs that its political project constitutes a less open intellectual movement than many within it would claim.
21. Some cultures have produced vital advances; others remain dysfunctional and regressive. All cultures are now equal. Criticism and value judgments are forbidden. Yet this new dogma glosses over the fact that certain cultures and indeed subcultures . . . have produced wonders. Others have proven middling, and worse, regressive and harmful.
22. We must resist the shallow temptation of a vacant and hollow pluralism. We, in America and more broadly the West, have for the past half century resisted defining national cultures in the name of inclusivity. But inclusion into what?
Excerpts from the #1 New York Times Bestseller The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West, by Alexander C. Karp & Nicholas W. Zamiska
Tohme Accounting believes AI is becoming essential in cross-border accounting as firms manage growing regulatory complexity, faster reporting demands, and larger volumes of financial data. The firm uses a customized in-house AI system to support workflow management, data analysis, and advisory services while maintaining human oversight for strategic decision-making.
TL;DR
Tohme Accounting, a cross-border tax and advisory firm serving clients throughout Canada and the United States, sees artificial intelligence becoming increasingly influential in modern accounting. It observes that as financial activity expands across jurisdictions and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, firms are adapting to larger volumes of data, faster reporting expectations, and more complex compliance requirements.
“You can see the shift in cross‑border accounting today. Companies are juggling multiple tax systems at once, and the firms supporting them are trying to keep up with rules that change constantly. Clients want answers fast, and they expect those answers to be backed by real‑time information,” founder Samer Tohme says. He adds that as these demands continue to increase, conversations around AI have moved beyond experimentation and into broader operational use.
Recent industry research reflects that momentum. According to a survey, 59% of finance leaders reported using AI within their finance functions, while organizations with more advanced implementations expressed growing confidence in the technology’s long-term value. Additionally, many finance leaders continue facing obstacles related to technical expertise, operational integration, and data management, illustrating how AI adoption involves much more than introducing a new platform into an existing workflow.
“The implementation challenges continue to appear across the accounting field, where longstanding processes and structured workflows are common. Because of that foundation, transitions to new technologies naturally take time,” Tohme says. He notes that many firms are still assessing how AI fits within their operational models, especially when dealing with compliance-sensitive work that requires precision and review. Tohme adds that in some cases, uncertainty surrounding customization, oversight, and practical application has slowed adoption, even as demand for faster and more integrated financial guidance continues rising.
He believes much of the conversation surrounding AI becomes more meaningful when viewed through the lens of integration instead of replacement. “Accounting involves understanding context, identifying patterns, and interpreting how financial decisions connect to larger business objectives,” Tohme says. “AI expands the ability to organize information quickly, but professional judgment remains essential in translating that information into advice that fits the client’s situation.”
That perspective has influenced how the firm developed its technology infrastructure. Instead of depending entirely on widely available third-party software, Tohme Accounting built a customized in-house AI system tailored to its internal workflows and client needs. The platform supports operational functions including organization, workflow management, data analysis, and client communication, while remaining under the firm’s direct oversight.
This level of control, Tohme explains, has become especially important in cross-border accounting, where businesses often navigate Canadian provincial regulations alongside U.S. federal and state tax requirements. He notes that legislative updates, filing obligations, and reporting standards can vary significantly between jurisdictions, creating an environment where information changes quickly and precision becomes increasingly important.
Within Tohme Accounting’s workflow, AI assists with organizing financial information, identifying regulatory developments, and interpreting quantitative data in real time. This allows the firm to evaluate how changes in tax legislation or reporting requirements may influence specific clients across multiple jurisdictions. As a result, advisors can dedicate more time to strategic analysis and personalized planning instead of manual data organization.
“To work across borders effectively, you need visibility into how multiple systems connect at the same time,” Tohme states. “AI can help organize those moving parts efficiently, which creates more opportunity for meaningful discussions around planning, operations, and long-term financial decisions.”
The growing volume of financial data has also changed how firms think about personalization, according to Tohme. Business owners seem to be increasingly expecting accounting relationships to reflect their operational priorities, timelines, and growth objectives. Maintaining that level of customization across hundreds of clients can become difficult without integrated systems supporting the process behind the scenes.
Tohme Accounting uses AI to organize client-specific information, operational details, reporting timelines, and strategic objectives so advisory recommendations remain connected to each client’s broader financial goals. That integration, as Tohme notes, also contributes to faster documentation processes, more efficient reporting preparation, and improved coordination across ongoing tax and accounting work.
At the same time, the firm maintains active oversight throughout the process. Tohme emphasizes that AI functions most effectively when paired with technical expertise and continuous review. “Technology can process information quickly, but accounting still depends on interpretation, experience, and accuracy,” he says. “Professional oversight remains an important part of ensuring the information supports the right financial decisions.”
As firms continue integrating AI into their workflows, Tohme notes that the profession itself is also evolving. He observes that more accounting professionals are spending time on advisory, analysis, and strategic planning while automated systems assist with repetitive administrative tasks.
Industry research suggests this transformation is becoming more widespread. According to an industry report, AI adoption among accounting firms increased from 9% in 2024 to 41% in 2025, with many firms integrating AI into workflows designed to improve operational efficiency, financial insight generation, and client service. The report also notes that firms are increasing investment in integrated technologies and advisory-focused services as client expectations continue evolving across international markets.
Tohme believes the future of accounting will continue combining technological capability with human expertise. “Clients value insight that connects financial information to practical business decisions,” he says. “AI contributes analytical speed and organizational support, while accountants provide interpretation, strategy, and perspective informed by experience.” Through its customized AI infrastructure and advisory-focused model, Tohme Accounting continues refining how technology can support precision, responsiveness, and personalized financial guidance within an increasingly international accounting landscape.
Samsung Galaxy S25 users in the United States are finally getting the One UI 8.5 update. After rolling out to newer devices, the update is now making its way to last year’s Galaxy S25 series, bringing a solid list of improvements worth knowing about.
Users on X have reported receiving this update on their Samsung Galaxy S25 devices, so if you own one, now might be the time to go into the software update settings and get the latest update.
One UI 8.5 is bringing several new features and a bunch of UI improvements. The biggest visual change is to the quick settings panel. You can now grab, resize, and drag individual controls wherever you want. The volume and brightness sliders can go vertical, and the media control can expand to a larger size.
The lock screen also got some love. There are new clock fonts with animations, and a thickness slider lets you fine-tune your clock’s look. A weather toggle now shows live weather animations on your wallpaper, which is a small but genuinely fun touch.
One UI 8.5 also brings a bunch of AI-powered photo editing tools, including erase, move, create, and style. Erase removes objects cleanly, move lets you reposition elements in a shot, create adds sketched objects using AI, and style transforms selfies into cartoon versions of yourself.
While last year’s Galaxy S25 models are finally getting the One UI 8.5 update, it’s not all good news. It seems that there are several missing features in One UI 8.5 that the older models are not getting.
Users at Korean Samsung forums have discovered as many as nine missing features, with the two biggest being the Now Nudge and 24MP camera mode. Other glaring omissions include Notification Highlights, Finder shortcut on the Home Screen, Samsung Browser’s Ask AI, and more.
It doesn’t feel like any of these features depend on the new hardware of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series. They are just feature gatekeeping on Samsung’s part to force users to upgrade to new devices.
I criticize Apple every year for gatekeeping new camera features on the latest iPhone models. It seems that Samsung is not only following in Apple’s footsteps but also pushing things much further.
For those of us who keep hundreds of Safari tabs open, Apple is reportedly testing out a new feature that can organize all of it automatically. According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a Safari feature called “Organize Tabs” that will debut with iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27. As the name suggests, the new feature will automatically organize your Safari tabs, but Gurman added that it won’t carry the Apple Intelligence label, even though it’s likely using some form of artificial intelligence. Once the feature is live, Safari users will be able to choose if they want the grouping to be automatic or not, according to Gurman.
This Organize Tabs feature adds onto the Tab Groups option that was introduced to Safari 15 back in 2021. Of course, Google already debuted a similar capability on Chrome in January 2024, called Organize Similar Tabs, marketing it as one of its new generative AI features. However, Apple has been known to lag behind its competitors when it comes to AI-powered features. According to Gurman, we could get our first look at the Organize Tabs feature at WWDC26, which is scheduled to kick off on June 8.
Modders have been experimenting with cardboard enclosures for years, but few can pull off something as elegant as computer enthusiast mryeester’s latest creation. His finished system appears to have been put together as a purposeful design choice rather than an emergency repair job. It has the works, as in clean cutouts, lots of layers to keep it rigid, and just enough room inside to fit conventional components without difficulty.
The real magic happened when mryeester collaborated with a friend who is familiar with cardboard, in this case a retail display designer. They worked together to rough out the overall design in CAD software before sending the drawings to a professional CNC cutter capable of handling thick, corrugated cardboard. They ended up stacking numerous layers on top of each other to form walls that are relatively solid. What could have been a flimsy substance that flexed and bent if looked at incorrectly? Those panels can actually withstand a significant amount of weight without failing.
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They added some ventilation slots to the latest revisions, which are hacked right into the sides to allow air to flow freely around the GPU and CPU. To be honest, putting the thing together was a bit of a challenge at first, but everything eventually fell into place. The motherboard mounting points matched up perfectly, and once everything was screwed down, the entire assembly was rock solid. Adding the graphics card was a little more complicated; an extra cut was required to clear the input-output bracket, but even without screws, it just rested there nicely, due to the stacked cardboard and bolts holding it down.
The power supply location was not a problem because the initial design called for a compact SFX unit, which they simply replaced with a full-size ATX. This required a bit of fiddling with scissors to clip the material back a little more. Overall, it was really simple; once they had the alignment correct, the side panels clicked into place with ease, and the whole thing snapped shut like a charm.
However, it’s the small details that really make the build stand out, such as the nine unique power buttons on one panel, each of which is wired such that only the correct combination will turn on the system. It’s a funny security feature that adds individuality to the system when turned on. They’ve also done an excellent job with CNC cutting, as every edge and corner appears clean and polished, rather than rough-around-the-edges DIY.
Of course, as with any build like this, there were a few hurdles to overcome along the road, as nothing ever goes perfectly smoothly. They had to double-check some measurements for certain brackets on the fly, and fitting in some of the larger parts required some patience with a trusty old utility knife, but each adjustment only reinforced how strong the layered cardboard was in real-world use. They didn’t bother with moisture-proofing this time, but they have ideas for future iterations that may include it.
[Source]
Pop star Dua Lipa has taken legal action against Samsung, accusing the electronics giant of using her face to sell TVs without compensation or permission. As first reported by Variety, the lawsuit also claimed Samsung is responsible for copyright and trademark infringement, along with “unauthorized commercial exploitation.”
The complaint stems from Samsung using an image of Lipa’s face on cardboard packaging for its TVs last year. The English musician found out around June 2025 and repeatedly demanded Samsung stop using her likeness on the packaging. However, the suit claimed that Samsung’s response was “dismissive and callous,” while the products in question are still being sold to this day. In the complaint, Lipa’s lawyers said that Samsung has profited from using her image, giving the impression that Lipa has endorsed the product when she hasn’t. The lawsuit also quoted posts on X that suggested some customers would buy the TV after seeing Lipa on the box.
“Samsung’s infringing conduct makes a mockery of [Lipa’s] hard work in establishing a successful brand and has deprived her of the ability to control and monetize her assets,” the lawsuit read. On top of the alleged ill-gotten monetary gains, the lawsuit added that Lipa owns the copyright to the photograph used on Samsung TV boxes, since it was taken backstage at the Austin City Limits Festival in 2024. It’s not the first time that Samsung TVs have been hit with legal trouble either, since Samsung was one of five TV manufacturers to be sued by Texas’ attorney general, Ken Paxton, in December for using ad-targeting spyware on their TVs. We reached out to Samsung for comment on the Lipa lawsuit and will update the story when we hear back.
Many a DIYer might be quick to tell you that their local Harbor Freight has aided in several of the projects they’ve undertaken in their home, yard, or garage. They’d likely also tell you the retailer has helped them accomplish those tasks while coming in under budget, as the family-owned hardware store chain has made its name by offering customers high-quality tools at prices that shouldn’t break the bank.
If you are familiar with the chain, you may already know that Harbor Freight Tools actually owns many of the notable brands whose tools appear in its stores, and that list includes those bearing the brand name of Quinn Tools. That brand is largely focused on the manufacture of non-powered hand tools, with Harbor Freight currently listing some 100 different offerings in the Quinn Tools lineup both online and through its various brick-and-mortar outlets.
If you’ve perused Quinn Tools products before, you’ve likely noted that they are particularly budget-friendly, even by Harbor Freight standards. Even within Quinn’s budget-minded parameters, there are items bearing its brand that are considerably cheaper than others. Budget basement pricing aside, some of those tools are still very much worth checking out if you are looking to save a few bucks on essential tools. Here’s a few handy Quinn Tools you can currently pick up from Harbor Freight for less than $25.
Scissors may not be something many people consider a tool in the proper sense, but a good set can be invaluable for folks working on smaller DIY jobs and virtually any level of crafting project. To that end, high-quality scissors can also be surprisingly pricey, depending on your needs and, of course, the retail environment you’re shopping in.
If you are shopping for quality scissors at Harbor Freight, you might be happy to learn you can currently purchase not one, but three such items from its Quinn Tools brand for a mere $5.99. For that low price, you get one large 9-inch scissor, one medium 8-inch scissor with a detachable serrated blade, and one small 5¼-inch pair. Each of those scissors is made of titanium-coated stainless steel and equipped with molded ergonomic grips for comfort.
As for their quality, Harbor Freight shoppers who’ve purchased the three-scissor set are almost universally happy with them, rating the tools at 4.8-stars out of 5. Those who rated the scissors at four or five stars claim that they are sharp, durable, and comfortable to use. Price is also a common point of praise, with some users noting that many other brands charge the same or even more for a single pair of scissors. Some users did note potential quality control issues, however, claiming that the 8-inch scissor in particular was prone to breaking. Others noted their scissors struggled to cut heavier items like cardboard.
As with any budget-minded brand, you’d be correct in assuming that there are a few products in the Quinn Tools lineup you’d be wise to avoid. The brand’s pry bars are clearly not among them, though, with its two-piece Set currently boasting a user rating of 4.9-stars. That set should be all the more enticing to Harbor Freight shoppers as it is currently selling for just $11.99.
That modest investment will net you one 8-inch pry bar for smaller jobs, and one 18-inch bar built for more heavy duty work. Per Quinn, the tools are ideal for demolition projects, aligning mechanical equipment, and any number of other jobs that might require a certain degree of leverage from users. To that end, the pry bars are made from heat-treated chrome-vanadium steel and boast a black oxide finish to protect against corrosion. The steel shafts also run all the way through the molded handle and are equipped with a beveled edge to provide maximum torque and leverage.
As noted, the pry bars’ esteem among customers is very high, with 99 of the 100 reviews posted on their Harbor Freight page being four or five stars, and the lone outlier being three stars. Users praise the set for its quality, durability, and variety, with many noting the small pry bar is an ideal alternative to using a screwdriver. Moreover, many note the 18-inch bar is great for engine work, while one and all agree it’s hard to beat the quality for the cost.
Sometimes, a delicate hand is preferable for mechanical work, particularly when it comes to jobs where smaller screws and fixtures are part of the equation. If delicate is the order of the day in your work, then a precision screwdriver set is an absolute necessity, and that means this Quinn 12-Piece package is well worth a look.
That set is priced at $14.99, and includes 12 precision screwdrivers, each of which is made with three holding zones to make it easy for users to pivot between power, precision, and fast spin driving. The versatility is heightened by the set including precision slotted heads for hex, Phillips, and star head screws. They are also manufactured using S2 Steel for increased strength and durability. The screwdrivers are also color coded to make it easy to distinguish one driver style from another, with Quinn even including a handy carrying case for the lot.
Harbor Freight customers generally agree the set is worth the modest investment, rating it at 4.7-stars, while noting that the set provides excellent value and is ideal for repairing eye glasses and electronics, as well as other small precision jobs. Some YouTube reviews even compare it favorably to similar sets from Icon. However, one unsatisfied Harbor Freight customer noted they felt the tips on the drivers were too soft and not well-enough defined.
For many, a socket and ratchet set is the very definition of a must-have tool. There are, of course, several different versions of socket and ratchet sets, all of which are handy in any number of situations. While Quinn Tools makes sockets and ratchets to fit most of those needs, one of the more common size sets you’ll find is ¼-inch, with the brand selling such a kit through Harbor Freight for $19.99.
That set comes with 21 individual pieces, including 10 SAE styled socket heads — sized 3/16-inch, 7/32-inch, ¼-inch, 9/32-inch, 5/16-inch, 11/32-inch, ⅜-inch, 7/16-inch, ½-inch, 9/16-inch – as well as 10 in Metric style — sized 5 millimeters, 6 millimeters, 7 millimeters, 8 millimeters, 9 millimeters, 10 millimeters, 11 millimeters, 12 millimeters, 13 millimeters, and 14 millimeters. It also includes a 72-tooth quick-release polished chrome-vanadium steel ratchet.
If you’re familiar with Quinn’s sockets, you may already know that they are fairly well-regarded by customers as a solid investment. So, it may not come as much of a shock that this socket and ratchet set is also well rated, with Harbor Freight shoppers rating it at 4.8-stars. That rating is based on more than 1,300 reviews, by the way, so it’s about as legit as you’ll find. Those users claim they use the set for everything from oil changes and light engine work to other small repairs, and generally agree it’s incredibly durable and versatile for the price, even as some claimed their ratchet malfunctioned with little usage.
In the arena of must-have tools, pliers are pretty high on the list of devices any DIYer would need to add when assembling a home tool kit. Like any tool, buying a full set of pliers can add up with a quickness. If you’re not looking to splurge on a set of pliers, you’ll no doubt be interested to know that Quinn is selling a four-piece plier Set through Harbor Freight right now for $24.99.
Like the other items on this list, Quinn’s four-piece plier set has an impressive user rating, with customers awarding it a 4.7-star rating. And yes, like the other items on this list, price point is a major point of praise, with users happy enough to pay under $25 to add groove joint pliers, long nose pliers, diagonal pliers, and linesman’s pliers to their tool box. For the record, the quality of the tools themselves is another common point of praise, with some claiming they were surprised by the durability at the price point.
Some users did, however, note the exact opposite experience, claiming that their pliers broke or rusted soon after purchase. As for their makeup, the set is manufactured using forged and hardened steel, boast jaws with milled teeth, and are fit with hardened cutting edges. They are also designed with riveted joints to reduce wobbling during usage. Perhaps best of all, the set comes backed by a lifetime warranty from Quinn Tools, which should cover any potential issues.
Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
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Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for May 11, 2026.
1A clue: Itty-bitty insect
Answer: GNAT
5A clue: “Excellent job!”
Answer: BRAVO
6A clue: Bird that “croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan,” in “Macbeth”
Answer: RAVEN
7A clue: Each and ___
Answer: EVERY
8A clue: Swollen mark
Answer: WELT
1D clue: Deathly serious
Answer: GRAVE
2D clue: Belly button
Answer: NAVEL
3D clue: Prevent, as a crisis
Answer: AVERT
4D clue: ___ the Tiger, mascot of Frosted Flakes
Answer: TONY
5D clue: Beer, informally
Answer: BREW
President Trump wants to show off the executives he has behind him on a trip to China, where he will discuss trade with President Xi Jinping. Still-CEO Tim Cook is rumored to be among the invitees.
If there’s one well-understood policy held by the Trump administration, it’s to show up when requested. One of the few times that Apple CEO Tim Cook didn’t show up resulted in a special tariff just for iPhones in May 2025.
It’s time for Cook to pick up the phone again, as President Trump is headed to China to speak to President Xi Jinping about trade. The discussions will likely be of little relevance to Apple, according to a report from Semafor, but Trump likes to have powerful individuals surround him on such trips.
These kinds of in-person events may increase for Cook as he steps down from his role as CEO on September 1. He’ll be the Executive Chairman where he will also act as a kind of political liaison.
It’s a role that Cook has likely chosen for himself, as he has borne the brunt of most of the political scandal that has occurred since Trump took office in both instances. It’s Cook’s name on the $1 million donation to the inauguration, the gold plaque in Trump’s office, and the reservation to each event after all.
And seemingly, Trump has taken the bait. Apple hasn’t changed anything about how the company operates in spite of immense pressure from the administration to do so.
For example, Apple just announced its latest Pride Band for Apple Watch even as other companies distanced themselves from progressive initiatives.
These interactions also meant Apple didn’t have to pay nearly as much as it could have when dealing with the illegal and seemingly random tariffs. It has also insulated Apple from being required to do the impossible and bring all iPhone production back to the United States.
Cook is also known for his diplomatic trips to China, so the latest invite will likely be just another day on the job. Time will tell if incoming CEO John Ternus will have to act similarly, or if Cook will be able to shield him from the responsibility.
One computer enthusiast finally hit the wall with a crowded closet full of loose gear and realized something had to change. He set out to create a small data center that would run its own servers, manage networking, and keep everything neat enough to fit inside a regular room. He ended up with a 12U rack on wheels, complete with corporate hardware, unique cables, and smart mounts that kept everything accessible while remaining relatively compact.
The first step was to install the rack, as the adjustable rails and robust wheels made it simple to roll it into the closet to a reasonable depth without requiring any permanent adjustments to the area. It all came in at around $200, which is a fairly good value given that it gave him a lot of vertical space while also leaving flexibility to grow later if necessary. At the top of the rack, he installed a mountable power surge strip, which provided many outlets with built-in protection as well as ample distance to prevent the plugs from becoming jammed.
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The servers, the core brains of the operation, are essentially an HP Z4 G4 enterprise desktop put into a dedicated rack tray, providing him with considerable processing power for activities such as storage or virtual machines. He also has another tower-style machine with numerous drive bays that stacks alongside it, providing him with additional data storage capacity without the need for a full room. Both computers just bolt in using conventional hardware, and what was formerly a collection of distributed PCs became a single system ready to function 24/7.
Networking equipment is all about getting data flowing smoothly, so he installed a 5-port Gigabit switch and a tiny router in some custom 3D-printed brackets that just clip onto the rack rail. The best part is that the library allowed him to 3D print them for nearly nothing, so he now has off-the-shelf gadgets converted into rack-friendly components. A patch panel at the front of the rack keeps all the wires neat and tidy, directing each connection through designated ports rather than dangling all over the place.
Cabling truly makes the difference between order and chaos, as he used 250 feet of Cat6e solid copper cable as the base material, then simply measured and crimped each segment before terminating on shielded jacks. He has varied lengths for different requirements, so he has a short one that goes to the modem and a longer one that connects the switch and router. He created a diagram of the entire system so that anyone could see how everything fits together at a glance. I learned a few lessons along the road, such as how to properly sequence the wires and which tools to use, but in the end, everything simply lays there looking flush and trustworthy.
So the power and accessories completed the package, as the surge strip provides electricity for the entire stack, and he included a mountable shelf to store tools or spare parts. The rack’s wheels allow the entire unit to slide in and out for repair before rolling back in without needing to be disassembled. The entire setup still fits within the closet footprint, demonstrating that real capabilities does not require a big warehouse.
Following its settlement with the FTC earlier this year over its sale of drivers’ data to brokers, General Motors has now also reached a settlement in California. The company agreed to pay $12.75 million in civil penalties to settle the lawsuit led by Attorney General Rob Bonta on behalf of the people of California, and is banned from selling driving data to consumer reporting agencies for five years. The lawsuits came after a 2024 New York Times report revealed that GM collected consumers’ driving data through its OnStar program and sold this information to data brokers Verisk Analytics and LexisNexis Risk Solutions, which in turn could market the data to auto insurers.
In some cases, that driving data could be used by insurers to increase customers’ rates. However, in California, customers were likely spared this consequence, as laws in the state prohibit insurers from using driving data in this way. Nevertheless, the complaint alleges that GM violated consumers’ privacy by nonconsensually selling data that included people’s names, contact information, geolocation data and driving behavior data.
The settlement agreement stipulates that GM must delete any driving data it’s retained within 180 days “except for certain limited internal uses,” unless it has the customer’s express consent. It also requires GM to develop a privacy program to assess the risks of collecting data through OnStar, and report its findings to the DOJ and other agencies. In a statement on Friday, Bonta said, “Today’s settlement requires General Motors to abandon these illegal practices and underscores the importance of the data minimization in California’s privacy law — companies can’t just hold on to data and use it later for another purpose.”
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I tested the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s camera and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to an iPhone
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