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AI infrastructure spending has broken the global memory supply chainDDR2 prices are set to surge 60% in Q2 2026 aloneSome manufacturers are redesigning DDR3 systems around DDR2 to secure componentsThe AI boom is creating unexpected consequences across the memory industry, including renewed demand for technologies introduced more than two decades ago.As manufacturers prioritize advanced products serving AI infrastructure, older memory generations are becoming increasingly difficult to source in meaningful quantities.That shift is now pushing DDR2 prices sharply higher despite the technology first appearing around 25 years ago.Legacy memory demand rises as newer DRAM becomes scarceDRAM shortages have pushed memory prices sharply higher, with DDR4 contract pricing reportedly surging by as much as 2200% at some point.Industry executives such as Nothing CEO Carl Pei and Framework have warned that supply constraints and elevated pricing are unlikely to ease in the near term.According to TrendForce, these structural changes in the DRAM market are forcing buyers to move backward through successive memory generations, and limited mature-node supply is pushing some brands to switch from newer memory to older ones that are available in larger volumes.TrendForce estimates that DDR2 contract prices will increase by roughly 55% to 60% during the second quarter of 2026.Prices are then expected to climb another 35% to 40% in Q3, creating one of the strongest pricing surges seen in the legacy memory segment for years.The situation stems partly from decisions made by the world's largest DRAM suppliers, which continue directing manufacturing resources toward advanced memory technologies.Growing demand for HBM and server DRAM, both closely linked to expanding AI infrastructure investments, has reduced wafer allocations available for older consumer-focused products.As availability tightens, companies purchasing DDR4 memory have increasingly turned to Taiwanese suppliers for additional capacity.Demand has therefore spread across several generations of products, creating pressure that now extends into DDR3 and DDR2 markets.Some manufacturers have reportedly replaced DDR4 designs with DDR3 solutions, while certain DDR3-based systems are being redesigned around DDR2 memory to improve component availability.Suppliers gain leverage as production shifts toward higher-margin productsThe imbalance between demand and available output has strengthened the negotiating position of some memory manufacturers.With supply unable to keep pace, vendors have gained greater flexibility to raise contract prices while concentrating on products that generate stronger returns.Winbond, one of the key suppliers of DDR2, is reducing the production of older standards and redirecting the capacity toward DDR3, DDR4, and LPDDR4 products.Such a transition is expected to place additional strain on DDR2 availability during the coming quarters.As production contracts, buyers dependent on legacy platforms could face increasing competition for a shrinking pool of components.Manufacturers like Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology (ESMT), however, are increasing their focus on DDR2 production within their existing wafer allocation.The company hopes to capture the surging demand in an effort to improve profitability while helping address part of the supply shortfall from Winbond's withdrawal.Whether these supply conditions represent a temporary market distortion or the beginning of a prolonged shortage remains uncertain.What is becoming clear is that AI-driven demand for advanced memory is now affecting even very old product generations, creating ripple effects that few expected to reach DDR2.

Ninja is one of the biggest names in kitchen appliances, and for good reason. Its products are thoughtfully designed, packed with genuinely useful features, and usually very reasonably priced as well. Devices like the Ninja Creami ice cream maker, Crispi glass air fryer, and Slushi ice cream maker are often copied, but so far we've not seen anything that works as well as the original.If you're planning to upgrade your kitchen this summer, I've put together a list of five of the best Ninja appliances we've tested over the last couple of years, so you can pick something that will really work for you. All of these devices have been put through an extensive battery of hands-on tests in our reviewers' own kitchens, so you can be confident that they'll deliver great results in yours as well.You'll also find today's best deals on every appliance right here, so you don't need to spend time hunting around for a good deal if you spot something you like. Ninja appliances often get some great price cuts for Amazon Prime Day, so this is an excellent time to pick one up.1. Ninja Prestige DualBrew SystemFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureI test over a dozen coffee makers a year, and this is one of my all-time favorites. The Ninja Prestige DualBrew System (known as the Ninja Espresso and Coffee Maker Barista System in the US) is a one-stop shop for all your coffee-making needs. On the right you have an espresso machine with an adjustable-height drip tray, which uses Nespresso Original style capsules to brew drinks in the size of your choice. I tested it with pods from a local coffee roaster, and they tasted amazing.On the left, you have a fully-featured drip coffee maker, complete with a very effective drip-stop mechanism, smart hotplate to keep your brew warm without scalding it, a timer, and even a fold-out drip tray so you can place a travel cup underneath instead of the carafe (perfect for taking to work).There's even a milk-frothing arm on the back, which you can fold out to make lattes and cappuccinos, though you'll need to heat the milk in the microwave first because it's not a steam wand. That's a minor quibble considering how much this machine has to offer. Read our full Ninja Prestige DualBrew System review2. Ninja Crispi ProKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureThe original Ninja Crispi was great — a portable air fryer that cooks your food inside re-sealable glass containers — but the Crispi Pro is even better. This model is designed to use in your kitchen, with dishwasher-safe glass dishes that slide inside, six cooking modes, and the ability to prepare up to 10 servings at once.You can adjust the height of the base unit to suit the dish you're using, and the handles of the dishes stay cool so there's no need to fuss around with potholders or trivets. Whether you want to quickly cook some fries or roast an entire chicken, the Crispi Pro can handle it. It produced consistently great results during our tests, handling Mexican corn, tofu, homemade bagels, brussels sprouts, and dried apple with ease.For us, the only downside is the size of the base unit, which is on the larger side, but that's not unreasonable considering how many hungry people this fryer can feed.Read our full Ninja Crispi Pro review3. Ninja SlushiDanielle AbrahamDanielle AbrahamDanielle AbrahamDanielle AbrahamPeter HoffmannPeter HoffmannPeter HoffmannDanielle Abraham4. Ninja Woodfire Outdoor GrillFuture / Helen McCueFuture / Helen McCueFuture / Helen MCueVic HoodVic HoodFuture / Helen McCueFuture / Helen McCueFutureWant an authentic BBQ taste, without the mess and hassle? The Ninja Woodfire is an electric grill that uses chips of real wood to infuse your food with delicious smoky flavors as it cooks. Different woods produce different results, and the Woodfire comes with a pack of various types so you can experiment and find your favorite.Our reviewer Helen McCue gave the Ninja Woodfire a full five stars, saying "This electric outdoor grill offers the convenience and control of cooking on gas, combined with the smoky flavors of charcoal or wood barbecues."It produces excellent results with traditional BBQ foods, including burgers, veggie skewers, corn and chicken, but offers a few surprises too. Like Ninja's air fryers, it has a bake mode that you can use to make tasty flatbreads, a loaf, or even brownies. It's not big enough to cater for a big party, but it's a great option if you don't have the space or the inclination to use a gas or charcoal grill.Read our full Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill review5. Ninja Swirl by CreamiKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureNo roundup of the best Ninja kitchen appliances would be complete without the Ninja Swirl by Creami. This clever machine produces delicious scoopable ice cream, just like the regular Creami, but as the name suggests it will also dispense creamy soft-serve right into the cone, tub, or bowl of your choice. There are 15 different settings to help you get exactly the right consistency, and you can have fun experimenting with different recipes (the r/ninjacreami subreddit is a great source of inspiration). Frozen yogurt and custard, sorbet, gelato, and even milkshakes are all on the menu.As our reviewer Karen Freeman noted, you need to freeze your ingredients for 24 hours before you can begin processing them, so it's a good idea to keep some tubs prepared in the freezer so they're ready to go when you get an ice cream craving. When you get started, it only takes about 4-6 minutes to produce a tub of tasty dessert (to which you can add candy, cookies, or fruit if you like). Alternatively, you can process it again to turn it into soft serve. It's incredibly quick and easy.Read our full Ninja Swirl by Creami reviewMore Prime Day deals in the US Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair toolsCheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & SamsungLaptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothingVacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34More Prime Day deals in the UK Amazon Prime: sign up for a 30-day free trialAmazon Devices: Fire TV, Ring & Blink from £24.99Amazon Haul: up to 30% offApple: AirPods Pro 3 for a record-low priceAppliances: up to 45% off Ninja, Tefal & SageBeauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-BEssentials: household goods from under £10Fashion: up to 50% offFather's Day: up to 50% off gifts & drinksHeadphones: up to 50% offLaptops: from £149.99Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £125Toys: up to 25% off Lego and ToniesTVs: from £129.99Vacuums: up to 40% off Eufy & RoborockWearables: Garmin & Huawei from £36.99

Three months ago, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the space agency was making a major pivot from building a space station in lunar orbit to a base on the surface. This "Ignition" event followed an earlier announcement in which NASA also said it was ending development of a new upper stage for its Space Launch System rocket. In the aftermath of these decisions, there was some grumbling—mostly from contractors involved with the programs—that NASA was foolishly walking away from nearly complete hardware that the space agency needed for its Artemis Program. Isaacman said these programs were not essential for landing humans on the Moon, and added that they had cost far more than originally budgeted and had been subjected to years of delays. Moreover, they were still not ready.Read full article Comments

The US response to the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak has concluded with no cases among American passengers but plenty of questions on the responses from Trump administration officials. The US's response to the outbreak ended on Sunday, June 21, with the final 42-day monitoring period wrapping up for passengers of the virus-stricken cruise ship, MV Hondius. But without explanation, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the end of the response today, June 24, with a press release dated June 23. Anti-vaccine Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. touted how HHS acted "swiftly" to respond to the outbreak and credited federal efforts for preventing "sustained transmission of hantavirus occurred in the United States," despite no Americans bringing the virus into the country for sustained transmission to be possible.Read full article Comments