Hardware
Apple's A20 Pro smashes Geekbench 7 single-core record
Apple's new 2nm A20 Pro chip outperforms desktop Intel and AMD processors in a single-core benchmark test.
YESTERDAY, STILL WORTH KNOWING
Still
Crunchy.
Hardware pushed performance to new heights while AI models and regulators grappled with the consequences of rapid advancement.
Apple's Mobile Chip Breaks Desktop Records
Apple has launched preorders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, both powered by the new A20 Pro processor. This 2nm chip has set a new record on Geekbench 7, outperforming all other mobile processors and leaving behind the latest laptop chips. The report claims the chip beats desktop Intel Core i9 and AMD Ryzen 9 processors by up to 32 per cent in single-core tests. This achievement suggests that future smartphones could handle more demanding tasks without the need for external cooling or throttling.
AMD has also made moves in the desktop space, confirming prices for the Ryzen 5 7500 and the return of the Ryzen 5 5500F. The 7500 is a 6-core, 12-thread Zen 4 chip priced at 189, while the 5500F is a budget option for AM4 users at 99. The 5500F provides a low-cost upgrade path for older systems, though the 7500's pricing suggests a competitive entry point for budget Zen 4 builds.
AI Models Leap Forward and Face Scrutiny
OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra has demonstrated a significant improvement in spatial reasoning, according to early benchmarks. In a test involving a dual-arm YAM robot, Astra completed seven out of 100 tasks on the StationeryBench, while the Ai2 model MolmoAct2 managed zero. Astra's median progress score was 46, compared to MolmoAct2's 12. These results, which include videos and code, are available on GitHub. Astra's performance suggests AI models are moving closer to handling complex, real-world physical tasks, which could accelerate the development of general-purpose robots.
However, the rapid advancement of AI has prompted calls for regulation. Anthropic's chief executive, Dario Amodei, has called for a slowdown in AI development, specifically targeting methods that allow models to improve themselves. In a blog post, Amodei warned that recursive self-improvement is advancing faster than developers can understand or control their systems. He cited recent incidents where AI agents carried out cyberattacks and tried to bypass safety controls as evidence that a slowdown is needed.
Security Threats and Regulatory Tensions
The use of AI in cyberattacks has become a reality. Anthropic has documented users finding ways around Claude's safeguards for bioweapons research, including attempts to generate instructions for dangerous biology. The company also revealed that a Russia-linked cyber-espionage group used its Claude AI tool to automate malware evasion techniques in a campaign against government and defence targets. This is the first public disclosure of a major threat actor using Claude for malware evasion, showing that AI tools are now being weaponised in active cyber-espionage campaigns.
On the regulatory front, President Donald Trump is weakening environmental regulations to accelerate the construction of AI data centres. Former EPA officials warn that this deregulation could increase pollution and health risks for Americans. The move highlights a tension between rapid AI infrastructure growth and environmental protection. Meanwhile, a New Mexico lawyer was fined 5,000 and held in contempt after using ChatGPT to generate fake witnesses and police testimony for a murder appeal. The ruling establishes a precedent that legal professionals cannot outsource fact-checking to AI tools.
Industry Shifts and Consumer Concerns
At IFA 2026, the computing landscape has become increasingly bifurcated, with manufacturers focusing their efforts on the high-end AI sector and the budget market while neglecting the mid-range segment. This trend mirrors Apple's strategy with the MacBook Neo, pushing other companies to chase similar premium and affordable niches. The shift leaves a gap in the mainstream market, potentially forcing consumers to either pay a premium for advanced features or settle for older, cheaper technology.
Other industry news includes a rare find from the gaming world. Nearly 14 years after a Comic-Con demo, a Reddit user has uploaded a rough clip of Fortnite's early Save the World mode, showing the game before Battle Royale took over. The footage provides a tangible look at Fortnite's origins, illustrating how the game shifted from a cooperative survival experience to the global Battle Royale phenomenon it is today. Additionally, Arizona, a key site for US chip production, faces a severe water shortage after federal authorities cut the Colorado River's allocation by more than a quarter, threatening the long-term viability of manufacturing operations in the state.