Crucial was the gateway to the world of the PC for millions of users. AI has just put an end to its story

Many users remember the moment when they decided to build or improve their first computer: the search for a fast SSDa RAM kit and the feeling that the PC world was within anyone’s reach. That vision, extended for almost thirty years, is now going through a turning point. The explosion of artificial intelligence has altered the balance of the memory business and has pushed suppliers like Micron to make decisions that would have seemed unthinkable a short time ago. Micron just announced that it will stop selling consumer products under the Crucial brand. The company announced that it will continue to ship memory modules and storage units until the end of its second fiscal quarter, in February 2026, and that it will maintain warranty service for devices already in the hands of users. In parallel, it will continue to operate its business catalog with Micron products for commercial customers. The announcement came accompanied by a precise explanation: the company wants to prioritize attention to segments where demand is growing more quickly. The message of Sumit Sadana, executive vice president of Micron Technology. “AI-driven growth in data centers has driven a surge in demand for memory and storage. Micron has made the difficult decision to exit Crucial’s consumer business to improve supply and support to our largest strategic customers in higher growth segments.” The brand that grew with the home PC. Since its launch in 1996, Crucial was presented as Micron’s branch dedicated to memory and storage upgrades for the home user. Over the years, the brand entered more categories, such as memory cards and external drives. Its constant presence in physical stores and online distributors helped establish it as a household name in the components market. That 29-year trajectory is what is now behind us with Micron’s decision. The pressure of AI on memory. The rise of AI computing has generated unprecedented demand for memory, especially from HBM, used in accelerators from NVIDIA, AMD and other companies. This type of components requires complex manufacturing processes and absorbs a large part of the manufacturers’ capacity, that concentrate resources on meeting business contracts. Fewer options for mounting and expanding PCs. After years of presence in the consumer channel, Crucial leaves a gap that mainly affects the variety of the available catalog. Although there are still alternatives, the departure of a supplier with such a constant presence means fewer options when choosing memory modules or storage units. The price of RAM memory, increasing. Crucical’s farewell occurs at a time when the price of RAM has skyrocketed 300% since September. And, at least according to data from the consultancy TrendForce, everything seems to indicate that the increase in the cost of computer modules is far from over. Images | Micron | Nathan Anderson In Xataka | The war to dethrone NVIDIA has just begun: Amazon and Google are already armed

Amazon is beginning to be the gateway for your used cars in the US

Imagine buying a car on Amazon It still sounds strange: choosing model, color, configuration and even financing from the same page where you buy books or a mobile charger. In Spain it is not possible to do so and there was only a specific experiment years agowhen Opel offered a limited series of the Grandland That attempt was not continued and today the platform is focused on accessories and maintenance products for the car. However, in the United States the idea is beginning to take shape. In the North American country, Amazon has shaped its own space for the automotive industry with Amazon Carsa section that brings together inventory from multiple dealerships and brands. The current screenshot shows a wide catalog in which vehicles from different manufacturers coexist, offered by different dealers and specialized sellers. This structure fits with Amazon’s strategy to reinforce its presence in the sector, a line that it already opened with the agreement signed with Hyundai in 2023 to facilitate the online purchase of new cars. A window to understand where the automotive industry is moving The way the agreement works is simple: Amazon becomes the point where the search begins and the dealer remains the place where the operation ends. The user can review inventory, compare certifications and move forward with financing. And if the question arises as to what happens next, nothing essentially changes. The signing of the contract, delivery and subsequent service remain in the hands of the dealer. Amazon only orders the previous steps and allows you to solve them from home, with the intention of making the process easier for the buyer. Here the buyer gains access to a broader showcase than is usually available to them. Instead of limiting yourself to the usual dealership, you have access to a much broader offer without having to travel. This promises to make the search a more agile process, with more organized information and the possibility of advancing procedures that previously required in-person visits. Amazon acts as that point where everything is organized before closing the operation. But there is another component: the support of Ford certifications. Each car, they say, has gone through a defined inspection and has specific guarantees and roadside assistance, which introduces a higher level of security. compared to a conventional used. The financing is part of the same flow and is linked to selected entities such as Ford Credit. For the buyer, the sum is simple: more inventory, less friction in the procedures and a framework of guarantees that reduces common doubts in the used market. What happens at Amazon Autos cannot be separated from the internal transformation that Ford is experiencing. In its latest strategic moves, Ford starts from the idea thatengines no longer define carsa position that marks its attempt to compete with Chinese manufacturers that are advancing rapidly in price and technology. Added to this challenge is the lack of qualified mechanics, which has forced Ford to propose salaries of up to $120,000 in a context in which Western industry has a deficit of specialized labor. With this panorama, opening a digital channel that organizes acquisition and expands presence where buyers already are seems a coherent decision. From Spain, where Amazon has not sold cars since that specific attempt by Opel, it is striking to see how in other markets the process is advancing rapidly. Ford’s initiative does not guarantee that this model will arrive in Europe in the same way, but it does reflect a progressive change: manufacturers They seek to be where the buyers are and simplify the less visible part of the purchase. Over time, these types of experiences can influence how we understand the role of the dealer and how we begin searching for our next car. Images | Caleb White | Robin Mathlener In Xataka | Temu and AliExpress are selling the cheapest V-16 beacons on the market. And it’s very easy to know if it’s a scam.

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