UK unis to cough up to £10M on Java to keep Oracle off their backs

Apple has announced a free repair program for certain Mac minis equipped with M2 chips, addressing a hardware issue that could affect performance. If your device is eligible, Apple or an authorized service provider will fix it at no cost—just check your serial number on Apple’s support site.

Editor’s Note: If you own an M2 Mac mini, this is a no-brainer. Apple’s acknowledging a problem and covering the fix, which saves users time and money. It’s also a reminder that even top-tier tech isn’t flawless—but good customer service can soften the blow. For anyone affected, it’s a hassle-free solution. For the rest of us, it’s a sign Apple’s standing behind its products.

If you're in the market for a solid iPad without breaking the bank, Apple's latest budget-friendly model—the 11th-gen iPad—is currently on sale at Amazon for just $299. It’s a great pick for everyday use, and this price makes it even more appealing.

Editor’s Note: Apple products rarely get this affordable, so a discount on a relatively new model is a big deal. Whether you're buying for work, school, or just casual browsing, this deal makes high-quality tech more accessible. If you’ve been waiting for a good moment to grab an iPad, now’s the time.

Ever wondered how Apollo astronauts knew which way was up in space? This deep dive into the Apollo "8-Ball" FDAI—a critical but often overlooked instrument—reveals how this spinning globe helped crews navigate the void. It’s a fascinating look at analog ingenuity in an era before digital displays dominated spacecraft.

Editor’s Note: While modern spaceflight relies on sleek digital interfaces, the Apollo missions depended on clever, tactile solutions like the 8-Ball. This story isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a reminder of how human creativity solved problems in extreme environments, something that still resonates in today’s tech-driven space race. Plus, it’s just cool to imagine astronauts eyeballing a spinning sphere to stay oriented.

NASA might give the green light for a Thursday launch of Axiom Space's fourth crewed mission to the ISS after a delay caused by last-minute repairs. The agency is reviewing the fixes before committing to the new date.

Editor’s Note: Delays in space missions are pretty common—safety always comes first—but this one’s worth watching because private missions like Axiom’s are key to NASA’s long-term plans for the ISS. If it goes ahead, it’ll be another step toward making space more accessible (and routine) for non-government astronauts.

Kioxia just announced its latest 332-layer NAND flash chip, which packs 2Tb of storage—not the highest density out there, but the company hints that future SSDs could still offer massive capacities without resorting to Penta-Level Cell (PLC) tech, which can sometimes trade reliability for space.

Editor’s Note: If you’ve been eyeing bigger, faster SSDs but worried about PLC’s potential downsides (like slower speeds or shorter lifespans), Kioxia’s roadmap suggests there might be another way. This isn’t a breakthrough, but it’s a sign that storage tech isn’t just about cramming more bits at any cost—there’s still room for smarter engineering.