Latest Tech News

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• Audio-Technica’s SQ1TW2 earphones have a battery overheating issue
• The problem is with the charging case which can produce smoke
• The manufacturer assures us that no one has been harmed by the issue

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Audio-Technica has issued a warning for its new SQ1TW2 wireless earphones, with some versions suffering from a fault with the battery which can overheat with alarming consequences.

In an email, Audio-Technica advised TechRadar that one batch of stock of these earphones are affected by a problem which means a “few of the charging cases are faulty due to an overheating battery that can produce smoke.”

If you want to check, the potentially affected models have serial numbers between 2322 and 2426 – you can see the number on the inside of the charging case, as shown in the image below. Also, if your case has no serial number, then it could be hit by the issue, too.

If you have one of the affected models of SQ1TW2 earphones, you should contact Audio-Technica, and the company will arrange a replacement, and for the safe disposal of the faulty product.

As you might guess, you should also not use the charging case with the earphones while you’re waiting for your faulty model to be swapped out.

(Image credit: Audio-Technica)

A precautionary recall

Clearly, this is an unfortunate affair, so be sure to check the serial number if you have bought the SQ1TW2 earphones.

They’re likely to have been a popular budget model, given that they’re the sequel to the original SQ1TW, earphones that we heaped tons of praise on in our five-star review (sporting a sound with a far higher quality than others in its price bracket). The SQ1TW2 was launched in August 2024, at an even cheaper price point than the original earphones, with a more compact nature.

So, this is a rather unsightly blot on an otherwise exciting budget pair of earphones, but of course, the impact is limited to a (hopefully) small number of models, going by the communication from the company. Audio-Technica makes it clear that no one has been harmed by this issue to date, and the recall is a precautionary measure.

Still, it isn't the first issue it's had of this nature – a couple of years ago, it issued a product safety notice for its ATH-CK3TW earbuds, due to a similar overheating problem with its charging case. We've asked Audio-Technica if it's going to publish a similar notice for its SQ1TW2 earphones and will update this story if we hear back.

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Latest Tech News

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• COFO JSF Table serves as adjustable desk, dining table, or low table
• Height adjusts smoothly from 62.5cm to 99.4cm with LED display
• Includes magnetic storage, USB ports, and solid wood options

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The best standing desks undoubtedly offer numerous health and productivity benefits, promoting better posture, reducing sedentary time, and boosting energy levels throughout the day.

Built by Japanese design firm COFO, the JSF Table provides a versatile four-legged height-adjustable desk that seamlessly transitions between standing and sitting modes while also serving as a dining table and low table.

Created in collaboration with Journal Standard Furniture and funded through Makuake, a popular Japanese crowdfunding platform similar to Kickstarter or Indiegogo, this multifunctional desk brings both style and adaptability to modern spaces.

Choice of sizes and colors

The COFO JSF Table’s height adjustment ranges from 62.5cm to 99.4cm, and once a comfortable position is found, it can be easily returned to using the built-in LED display, which shows the desk's current height. Equipped with a quad motor, the table provides smooth and stable height changes at a quiet 32mm per second, ensuring that drinks and other items remain undisturbed during adjustments.

In addition to its ergonomic design, the desk includes COFO’s magnetic storage system, allowing users to arrange items according to their needs.

Alongside magnetic hooks, a new slim drawer offers storage for small items like stationery, smartphones, tablets or thin laptops. This drawer can also be used to store placemats and cutlery when the desk is used for dining.

The design features three built-in USB ports - two Type-C (10W) and one Type-A (18W) - located close to the desktop for easy charging of devices.

Crafted from solid wood and offered in two colors, “Medium Brown” and “Natural,” with Matte White or Matte Black legs, the COFO JSF Table is available in 120cm and 140cm widths, allowing it to fit comfortably and aesthetically into most home or work offices.

The COFO JSF Table is priced from 159,999 yen (approximately $1,045) for the 120cm model and from 169,999 yen (approximately $1,110) for the 140cm version. COFO sells the desk globally, with shipping to the United States costing 60,000 yen (approximately $390).

(Image credit: COFO)

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Latest Tech News

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• Vaio SX14-R is a new lightweight 14-inch laptop with advanced connectivity options
• Powered by Intel Core Ultra H-series, up to 64GB memory
• Elegant color options: Deep Emerald, Urban Bronze, Fine Black, Bright Silver

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Vaio has launched the SX14-R, an upgraded, higher-end model of its popular 14-inch business notebook.

Aimed at professionals, the new device weighs just under 1kg (2.2 pounds), 100g heavier than the smaller SX12 laptop.

The SX14-R is powered by Intel’s Core Ultra H-series processors (Ultra 5 125H or Ultra 7 155H). While the newer Series 2 Lunar Lake architecture would have been preferable to the previous generation Meteor Lake, the SX14-R - paired with up to 64GB of LPDDR5X memory and up to 2TB of PCIe 4.0 NVMe storage - is still highly capable.

Striking color options

The laptop includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data transfer, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and an HDMI port. Additionally, a Gigabit Ethernet port provides a reliable wired internet connection, ideal for stable networking in office environments.

On the wireless side, the SX14-R supports both 5G and Wi-Fi 7. Like the recent SX12 model, it can take a SIM and an eSIM simultaneously, allowing users to seamlessly switch between networks - a welcome feature for frequent travelers and remote workers alike.

It comes with stereo front-facing speakers, an optional 9.2MP webcam with HDR video support, and a sensing feature which can automatically turn off the display when you step away from the screen. There's a choice of two battery options: a high-capacity model that provides up to 16 hours of video playback or 38 hours of standby, and a standard battery that lasts up to 11/27 hours. The actual capacity of both isn't known.

Probably the most striking aspect of the Vaio SX14-R is the choice of colors it comes in. The laptop is available in attractive Deep Emerald and Urban Bronze hues, as well as the classic Fine Black and Bright Silver.

For now, the SX14-R is available exclusively in Japan, with pricing starting at 259,800 yen (approximately $1,730), although we wouldn't be surprised to see it become available globally in 2025.

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Latest Tech News

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• Apple reportedly seeking Foxconn support for AI servers in Taiwan
• Foxconn is already the primary manufacturer of Nvidia AI servers
• Limited Foxconn capacity prompts partnerships with other suppliers

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Apple has reporterdly approached long-term Foxconn about building artificial intelligence servers in Taiwan as part of its efforts to boost its AI computing capabilities.

A report from Nikkei Asia claims Apple is reportedly keen on using its in-house Apple M-series silicon chips for these servers, which will power Apple Intelligence features on its latest generation of devices, including iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks.

Although Foxconn has been a long-time supplier for Apple’s iPhones, sources familiar with the matter told Nikkei Asia that Foxconn’s capacity to accommodate Apple’s request may be limited due to existing commitments. Foxconn is a primary manufacturer of Nvidia’s AI servers.

Engaging other partners

"One of the reasons Apple wants Foxconn to make servers in Taiwan is in the hope to tap the engineering talent and R&D resources that work for the Nvidia projects," a source told the news site. Because Apple intends to produce these servers for its own needs, the volume required would be relatively low compared to the large-scale demand for Nvidia’s powerful GB200 AI servers.

Apple’s limited experience in server design, particularly for data centers, means it would likely require additional engineering and design support from its suppliers. In light of this, the firm is reportedly talking to other partners, including Lenovo’s subsidiary LCFC, to assist with certain server designs.

Nikkei Asia reports that these negotiations include exploring new production capacities outside China, specifically in Southeast Asia, and collaborating with smaller suppliers like Universal Scientific Industrial for production services.

While companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are ramping up investments in AI data centers, Apple is working to catch up as its Apple Intelligence features roll out to new devices. This push to boost its AI capabilities underscores the company’s increasing need for expanded data center infrastructure.

Nikkei Asia notes that Foxconn and Universal Scientific Industrial declined to comment on the story, while Apple and Lenovo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Latest Tech News

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• Active 10 Pro from Blackview is a durable tablet for extreme environments
• Equipped with a 30,000mAh battery and 55W fast charging
• Features include 108MP camera, glove mode, and camping light

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You may not be too familiar with Blackview, but this Hong Kong-based technology brand has been producing rugged smartphones and tablets for over 11 years. The company’s BV9900 Pro is one of our favorite rugged smartphones, notable for its FLIR thermal imaging camera, among other features.

Now, Blackview’s new Active 10 Pro rugged tablet is (on paper at least) an equally impressive piece of tech, designed specifically for demanding environments.

The Active 10 Pro is available in black and orange and weighs 1214g. With dimensions of 267.6 x 179 x 19.5 mm, it’s a solidly built device rated IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H, ensuring it can withstand harsh conditions.

30,000mAh battery

Running on DokeOS_P 4.0 based on Android 14, the tablet features a 10.95-inch FHD+ IPS display with a 1920x1200 resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 , along with a 90Hz dynamic refresh rate for smooth visuals.

The Active 10 Pro is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, reaching speeds up to 2.5GHz. It offers 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage, expandable up to 2TB via TF card.

The Active 10 Pro boasts a substantial 30,000mAh battery with 55W fast charging, far surpassing most tablets, including Apple’s iPad lineup. For example, the iPad Pro 13-inch model, Apple’s most advanced tablet, has a 10,340mAh battery - significantly smaller than the Active 10 Pro's.

The tablet’s camera setup includes a 50MP Samsung JN1 front camera and a 108MP Samsung HM6 rear camera, plus an additional 20MP Sony night vision camera, promising high-quality imaging in various lighting conditions.

Audio is provided by dual Harman Kardon stereo speakers, and for connectivity it supports dual SIM cards and covers a wide range of network bands, from 2G to 5G. The device also offers NFC, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and compatibility with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou navigation systems.

The tablet includes an upgraded glove mode with 30% higher sensitivity, making it easier to use in harsh environments (the tablet can operate in temperatures from -40°C to +60°C). Additionally, it’s equipped with a 400lx super-bright camping light, providing illumination in low-light or outdoor situations.

There's no word on cost or availability for the Active 10 Pro yet, but Blackview's rugged products do tend to be competitively priced, offering good value for those seeking durability, functionality, and a really big battery.

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Latest Tech News

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• Concrete production, heavily cement-dependent, drives carbon emissions
• Essential building material contributes 6% of emissions globally
• Tech giants prioritizing sustainable construction with "green concrete"

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Tech giants are increasingly exploring ways to make data centers not only more energy-efficient but also more environmentally responsible in their construction.

For example, Microsoft is building data centers with cross-laminated timber (CLT) and, along with AWS, Google, and Meta, participates in the Open Compute Project Foundation (OCP), an organization dedicated to promoting and testing low-embodied carbon concrete - also known as "green concrete" - for data center construction.

Concrete production remains a significant source of carbon emissions, primarily due to cement, which is responsible for roughly 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite ambitious carbon-neutral goals, IEEE Spectrum reports Microsoft's emissions surged by over 30% in 2023, while Google’s emissions have risen nearly 50% over the past five years.

Concrete plays a critical role

Nearly a thousand companies are reportedly developing low-carbon concrete mixes and piloting carbon capture technologies to store CO₂ emissions generated during cement production.

This includes efforts by firms like Holcim and Heidelberg Materials, which are adapting technologies traditionally used in the oil and gas industry to capture and store CO₂ from cement plants.

The demand for data centers - and consequently for concrete - is rising, driven in part by the growth of AI. While the OCP has recently launched an initiative to deploy low-carbon concrete in data centers, the availability of sustainable concrete still falls short of global demand.

The versatile building material plays a critical role in the tech industry’s infrastructure, supporting everything from telecommunications to manufacturing. As tech-driven growth continues to increase demand for concrete, advancements in sustainable concrete production are essential. With a concerted shift toward low-carbon concrete, both hyperscale tech companies and governments have the power to drive the construction industry toward greater sustainability.

As IEE Spectrum sums up, “With a pivot to sustainability, concrete’s unique scale makes it one of the few materials that could do most to protect the world’s natural systems. We can’t live without concrete - but with some ambitious reinvention, we can thrive with it.”

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