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The most detailed plan to reshape the Army began taking shape long before Pete Hegseth's arrival as secretary of defense.

(Image credit: Jen Golbeck)

India has launched strikes in several parts of Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled territory, in a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals.

(Image credit: Punit Paranjpe)

This week 133 cardinals will meet in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to select a new pope who will lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. This will be the first papal conclave in which fewer than half the voting cardinals are European. During his time, Pope Frances selected many cardinals from the global south and our correspondent in Rome tells us how this could influence who the next pope will be.

(Image credit: Antonio Masiello)

• Buffalo Skeleton Hard Disk turns file storage into living, moving art
• Want to see your data being read in real-time? This drive delivers it visually
• Not just storage, it’s a show - only 50 units available

To mark its 50th anniversary, Buffalo has introduced a special edition external HDD dubbed the Skeleton Hard Disk (HD-SKL). This drive reimagines the company’s 1998 skeleton model and offers a rare peek into a hard drive in action - something even the best SSD options can’t provide.

Through its transparent window, users can watch the magnetic head move as it reads and writes data, enhanced by a companion Windows app called "SeekWizard."

The software allows the drive to perform demonstration seek patterns - such as sequential and random seeks - transforming the HDD into a visual showcase of mechanical data retrieval.

A special edition to bring back memories

Founded in 1975 by Makoto Maki, Buffalo is celebrating its evolution from an audio-focused firm to a major player in PC peripherals. Its original Skeleton Hard Disk, released in 1998, had a 4.3GB capacity and featured a transparent cover.

The 2025 special edition is limited to just 50 units, and while the design nods to nostalgia, the HD-SKL features a high-end aluminum chassis, precisely milled and anodized in matte black, echoing the style of the 3533 yarn drive player Buffalo launched in the late 1970s.

Inside, the HD-SKL offers 4TB of storage and connects via USB 3.2 Gen 1, with backward compatibility down to USB 2.0. It also supports the Micro-B port.

The drive comes preformatted in exFAT for broad operating system support, though USB-C users will need to supply their own adapter.

Weighing around 1.5kg and measuring 126 × 185 × 115 mm, it’s bulkier than today’s sleek portable SSDs - but its appeal is clearly different.

The product is scheduled to ship in June 2025 for at 100,000 yen (about $688) following a lottery-based sale ending May 25.

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Subscribers can play these games on Apple Arcade with their whole family next month.

Subscribers can also fight as Goku in a Dragon Ball fighting game.

• QNX report claims robotics market will more than triple by 2030
• Automation and production are the most common applications
• Despite safety improvements, many report having experienced safety issues

New research from QNX claims over three-quarters (77%) of global tech leaders trust robotics for essential workplace functions, and the future of the workplace could soon be more automated.

The report predicts one-fifth of the workforce could be automated via robotics within the next decade, with 71% of organizations already using or planning to adopt robotics soon.

As a result, the global robotics market is projected to grow to $163.9 billion by the end of this decade, up from $51 billion in 2024.

Your job might soon involve more robotics

The report added managers note safety and risk mitigation and reliability and performance as key drivers of trust in robotics, with automation emerging as the most common use case (50%), next to production (46%), support (36%) and high-risk tasks (28%).

However, QNX highlighted varying levels of comfort for executives working alongside robots.

Assembly (77%), material handling (73%) and logistics/delivery (70%) are areas where managers are happy to introduce automation, however fewer are comfortable with robotics in medical procedures (51%), customer service (55%) and maintenance (63%).

Additionally, one in three (32%) say that workplaces are not prepared for robotics, with 29% having already experienced a robotics-related safety incident. Three in five (58%) also expressed security concerns.

"Trust is fragile and can easily be broken if robotics are built and deployed without the necessary foundational software to make them performant, safe, secure and reliable," explained QNX VP of General Embedded Markets Jim Hirsch.

However, despite the hesitation, it's clear there's a hunger for more robotics adoption, with 90% noting advancements in technology and 86% adding that improved safety are driving them forward.

Looking ahead, and with artificial intelligence already teaching us lessons about mixing new technologies with humans, 92% feel that employees need to be involved in discussions surrounding robotics integration.

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A federal judge Tuesday wrote that President Trump's executive order dismantling the IMLS "disregards the fundamental constitutional role of each of the branches of our federal government."

(Image credit: Jacquelyn Martin)

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle No. 1,418 for May 7.

Hints and answers for Connections for May 7, #696.

• Off-road giant Jeep wants to continue growing in Europe
• Gas-guzzling SUVs have been replaced by hybrid and electric
• New Compass is set to be the most capable car in its class

Despite Jeep being about as American as peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches, the Stellantis-owned manufacturer is making waves in Europe with its line-up of electrified SUVs.

The smaller Avenger model, which is available in fully electric, hybrid and petrol versions, has already proven a success story, blending the brand’s renowned off-road prowess with a compact and practical everyday crossover vehicle.

Now the new Compass hopes to build on these successes with all-new looks and a highly electrified selection of powertrains. It will compete in the growing C-SUV segment in Europe, which Autocar claims is expected to be 90% electrified by the end of 2026.

Turning its back on the gas-guzzling image that chunky models like the Wrangler and Gladiator bring to mind, the new Compass is built on the same Stellantis STLA Medium architecture as Peugeot, Vauxhall and Citroen mid-sized SUVs – many of which sport highly electrified powertrains.

The combustion-powered Compass will have the option of "mild hybrid" and plug-in variants, which predominantly use the engine to power the car but either increases overall efficiency (mild hybrid) or adds all-electric driving options for a short distance (plug-in).

But Jeep says the pure electric version comes with either a 211bhp or 229bhp motor mounted to the front axle, offering 311 miles of range from a smaller 73kWh battery or up to 404 miles from a range-topping 96kWh pack.

(Image credit: Jeep)

The most expensive all-electric models, badged 4xe, arrive with an additional motor on the rear axle, delivering Jeep’s famous Selec-Terrain all-wheel-drive and offering up to 370bhp and a staggering 3100Nm available at the rear wheels thanks to a 14:1 rear reducer.

This allows the Compass to climb a 20% slope, Jeep says, even with zero traction on the front wheels, as the sheer grunt from the rear wheels can handle the heavy lifting.

Charging rates are up to 160kW, allowing for a 10-to-80% recharge in 30 minutes, and the battery electric range is touted to be in excess of 400 miles.

The 4xe model also receives improved ground clearance thanks to a 100mm increase in suspension height and a number of off-road-specific touches, such as knobbly tires and a more aggressive, scuff-resistant body kit.

First Edition versions of the Compass, which feature all of the previously mentioned range-topping kit, are available to order now, with first deliveries expected at the end of the year in Europe. Further markets are expected to follow suit thereafter.

Tough cars are the toughest sell

(Image credit: Jeep)

Most automakers are having a rough time getting onboard with the electric revolution, not only persuading customers that it is a good idea, but also making the entire expensive endeavor profitable.

However, there are a number of brands that will naturally find it harder than most, with Jeep mentioned in the same breath as Ferrari, Lamborghini and a handful of performance car-makers struggling to convince customers that electrification is the answer.

After all, Jeep has forged a reputation over the past 80 years for producing highly capable, combustion-powered off-roaders that can go anywhere.

By its very nature, the electric vehicle can’t exactly “go anywhere”. Well, not until someone invents a Jerry Can-sized portable battery that’s capable of adding at least 300 miles of range and can be topped up in a matter of minutes from any, easily accessible charging station.

But Jeep knows that the only way to make money is to chase the most popular sectors, with the Avenger already proving a sales success in the compact SUV sector, shifting more than 2.5 million units worldwide.

The company hopes it will achieve similar results with Compass in Europe and further afield.

Although reassuring the North American market that battery electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains are a good alternative to the 3.6-liter V6 currently found in Gladiator models will be a much tougher task.

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MrDeepFakes said that a critical service provider terminated service, resulting in massive data loss. The site, which featured nonconsensual, sexually explicit content, said it would not relaunch.

(Image credit: Mr. Deepfakes)

Leonida is a big state, with lots of places to visit.

New leeway around the May 7 deadline ensures you can still board a domestic flight, but you'll be subject to additional security measures.

Tech CEO Frank Bisignano will be leading the federal agency that runs programs providing retirement, survivor and disability benefits, as well as supplemental income for the very poor.

(Image credit: Kevin Dietsch)

• Puget System reveals 5-node 6U Rackstation for creative and testing workflows
• Each chassis packs five systems with up to 192GB RAM capacity
• Supports Ryzen 9000 and unreleased Zen 5-based EPYC 4005 processors

Puget Systems has announced a new 5-Node 6U Rackstation built with game developers in mind. The new 5-Node 6U Rackstation reportedly offers an efficient, space-saving solution for studios needing flexible and powerful systems.

Each chassis fits five individual workstations in the footprint of a large desktop, with up to 35 systems in a standard 42U rack.

What’s interesting is that if you click here you’ll see the Ryzen 5-Node R550-6U entry in the middle of the page. Underneath this, it lists the AMD options - Ryzen 9000 and EPYC 4005.

EPYC 4005

Puget notes, “It can also be a great solution for multi-screen installations, saving space compared to five desktop towers or even 2U / 3U size systems.”

Designed for tasks like 3D modeling or automated testing, each node supports the latest Ryzen CPUs (more on that in a minute) and top-tier GPUs. Nodes are individually serviceable, allowing for minimal downtime.

Puget says artists can access systems remotely through tools like Parsec, while QA teams benefit from a versatile testbed. This setup gives teams more performance per rack without sacrificing flexibility or ease of management.

The Zen 5-based EPYC 4005, codenamed Grado, is the follow-up to last year’s Raphael-based EPYC 4004 processors (AM5).

We’ve seen leaks mentioning it before, as Tom’s Hardware notes, “Manufacturers are already preparing their motherboards for support,” and other leakers have uncovered references to it elsewhere, but it’s interesting to see it officially making an appearance in Puget’s new 5-Node 6U Rackstation.

The entry notes that the Ryzen 5-Node R550-6U has five individual nodes, one GPU, and supports up to 192GB of RAM, but there are no other details regarding the EPYC 4005.

AMD is expected to showcase it at Computex 2025 however, and with that being held from May 20 to May 23, 2025, we don’t have too long to wait.

(Image credit: Puget Systems) You may also like

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• Kingdel PHX18/K3 mini PC design sounds smart, but it's more of a gimmick
• Ryzen chip brings power, but not enough ports to justify its price
• Offers USB4, 8K video and three simultaneously connected displays

Modular computing devices are meant to offer flexibility, but the new Kingdel PHX18/K3 mini PC seems to prioritize form over function.

The device offers respectable performance and some versatility, thanks to its two-piece magnetic design and AMD Ryzen processors. The base model includes an AMD Ryzen 5 6600U, a 6-core chip with integrated Radeon graphics. A more powerful configuration features the Ryzen 7 7840U with RDNA3 graphics.

It comes with up to 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and storage starts with a 512GB NVMe SSD, expandable via a second M.2 slot in the modular base - up to 8TB in total.

Novel modular design, but needs more work

The PHX18/K3 separates the main computing unit from its base, allowing users to run the PC standalone via USB-C or attach the lower section for more ports and additional storage.

While the modular design is novel, it raises questions. Why separate access to key connectors? Even with the base attached, it doesn’t offer much more than most integrated systems. Since the split doesn’t result in major savings or expanded functionality, the design feels like a solution in search of a problem.

Connectivity includes USB4, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, dual 2.5G LAN ports, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. The system supports 8K video output at 60Hz with HDR and can drive up to three displays at once.

That sounds impressive and suggests potential as a compact media or content workstation. But the PHX18/K3 struggles to justify its price. Starting at $329 for a barebones model, it's more expensive than alternatives that offer similar performance with integrated ports.

The device ships with Windows 11 Pro but also supports Linux. It targets business users with niche needs for portability, modularity, and storage expansion.

Outside of those edge cases, though, it's hard to see a compelling reason to choose it over more conventional, better-connected systems at lower prices.

Via Androidpctv

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