rises

First the PS5 rises in price by 100 euros and now the lack of chips forces Sony to stop selling SD and CFexpress cards in Japan

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Buying a computer, a mobile phone or a console is much more expensive today than it was a couple of years ago and the voracious appetite of data centers is to blame for this component crisis: RAM has become more expensivemore of the same for NAND storage (and therefore, of SSDs) and already threatens even to the batteries. And consumer electronics manufacturers are making moves to avoid swallowing the price rise resulting from this imbalance between supply and demand. If we talk about gaming, a couple of days ago Sony threw a bucket of cold water on those who expected its latest console to drop in price over time because it has been the opposite: The PS5 will go up 100 euros in April. But it is not Sony’s only drastic measure: in Japan have announced that stop selling storage cards. When you see your neighbor’s beard cut… NAND memory chip shortage is wreaking havoc If you have tried to buy a memory card in recent months, you will have already realized that prices have gone up a lot for that common little device that we use for photography, gaming or the Raspberry Pi (which also its price has skyrocketed due to the component crisis). Well, Sony has gone one step further and has indefinitely suspended the acceptance of orders for almost all of its line of CFexpress Type A, Type B and SD cardswhether for authorized distributors or those who buy from the Sony Store. The brief Sony Japan statement is blunt: “Due to the global shortage of semiconductors (memory) and other factors, it is expected that supply will not be meet the demand for CFexpress and SD memory cards in the near future. Therefore, we have decided to temporarily suspend the receipt of orders from our authorized dealers and customers in the Sony store from March 27, 2026. As for the resumption of accepting orders, we will study it based on the supply situation and will announce it separately on the product information page.” It is no longer just the temporary suspension, it is that there is no return date and the reality is that the medium-term future looks bleak: it does not seem that this shortage of components will be resolved in the coming months. In fact, the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran It is bringing other consequences beyond the rise in fuel prices: helium shortageessential in cooling operations in chip manufacturing It is true that this statement is restricted only to Japanbut the shortage is not exclusive to the Asian country: a quick search for SD in the Sony Store in Spain It returns just four models, one moderately affordable 64GB and then three others of 128GB, 256GB and 512GB that cost around 300 euros. One of the most affected models are the TOUGH cards used in professional photography and the entry-level SD cards. What you can buy today on the Sony website About a month ago the CEO of Phison, one of the major suppliers of controllers for SSDs and memory cards, he already warned: If the situation does not improve, this shortage may end the closure of consumer electronics companies completely in 2026. In Xataka | Not content with bursting demand and prices for RAM, AI is already targeting another victim: batteries In Xataka | The current generation of consoles was supposed to be “weak” and the games were expensive. Well: nothing has stopped the PS5 Cover | Xataka

Lava rises hundreds of meters in Hawaii. Under it, a much bigger plan: reactivate geothermal energy

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The heat from the depths of the Earth is in the news again. And not only because of the almost unreal images of Kilauea launching jets of lava hundreds of meters high on the Big Island of Hawaii. Also because, while the volcano chains increasingly spectacular eruptive episodes, the United States is rediscovering the energy that those same volcanoes hide beneath the surface. Geothermal energy had been in the background for years. Suddenly, it matters again. Quite a spectacle. First of all, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that Kilauea is preparing for another high-energy eruptive episode. However, these are not isolated episodes. According to ABC Newsthe volcano has already had 36 and 37 eruptive episodes since December of last year. In some phases, the fountains have reached 300 meters and in others they reached 457 meters, a height comparable to a 100-story skyscraper. Even so, the entire phenomenon remains contained. All activity remains within the crater, away from homes or structures. That does not detract from the power of the figures: according to the USGSepisode 37 expelled 6.3 million cubic meters of lava in just nine hours, at a rate of around 190 m³ per second. But behind the show, another debate is beginning to make its way. Hawaii’s untold potential. In fact, as the Hawaii Tribune-Herald recallsSince 1993, the state has had a commercial geothermal plant, Puna Geothermal Venture, located precisely in the East Rift Zone of Kilauea. The University of Hawaii estimates that this facility produces five times more electricity than one of the state’s leading solar parks using 80% less land. The problem is that Hawaii has never tapped into that potential. The reasons combine real volcanic risksexploration costs and cultural resistance of communities for which drilling is a form of desecration of Pele, the volcano goddess. However, the context has changed. Kilauea’s continued activity brings back to the table a question that seemed shelved: should Hawaii use the heat that fuels its volcanoes to power its electrical grid? A door that begins to open. The University of Hawaii has been insisting on it for years. According to their analysis, all major islands could have usable geothermal resources, although knowledge outside Kilauea remains limited. Your Play Fairway project, funded by the Department of Energyhas already drawn the first deep heat maps beyond Puna. The pressure is now political. According to the Hawaiian mediathere are three state agencies competing for funding to re-explore the island in search of new deposits. 80 million public dollars are requested to map resources, drill test wells and reopen the way to a geothermal expansion that has been stalled for decades. The plan includes drilling outside of Puna, on the Big Island, but also in Maui and Oahu, where the resources would be deeper. As the volcano flares up and spills lava in nine-hour episodes, Hawaii looks under its feet: not at the magma, but at the heat that drives it. America’s geothermal renaissance. This local turn coincides with a national renaissance. According to a report by WoodMackenziegeothermal investment in North America soared 85% by 2025 in the first quarter alone, with $1.7 billion in public funds. The reason is not in the volcanoes, but in technology. The analysis points out three innovations that are transforming the sector: According to that analysisthe United States could have 500 gigawatts of geothermal capacity, a figure capable of reconfiguring the country’s energy matrix. However, there is still more. The hidden engine: data centers and AI. As TechCrunch detailedthis underground energy could cover two-thirds of the electrical consumption of the new data centers that will be built in the United States between now and 2030. And the technology giants are already taking positions. In fact, the cases are beginning to multiply as is Meta has signed an agreement with Californian startup XGS Energy to generate 150 MW of geothermal electricity by 2030 using a closed-loop system that prevents water leaks. Also Google has done the same partnering with Fervo Energy. Geothermal energy is no longer a marginal experiment: it is an energy outlet for the infrastructure that supports artificial intelligence. The question left by the volcano. As Kilauea continues its choreography—inflating, roaring, and shooting lava to heights not seen since the 1980s—Hawaii and the rest of the country look downward toward the primeval heat pulsing beneath the crust. Where nature shows its wildest power, technology sees promise: a forgotten energy resurfacing as the United States the more you need electricity continuous, abundant and clean. Image | Pexels and Rjglewis Xataka | Tenerife seeks to turn on its lights with the heat from the subsoil: this is its great commitment to geothermal energy

Microsoft rises strongly the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in Spain. The increase comes next to a renewal of plans

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If you are an Xbox Game Pass user or you are thinking of subscribing to the Microsoft service, prepare for important changes. Adjustments have just come into force that do not go unnoticed, including a strong increase in the price of its most complete modality. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs now 26.99 euros per month. It is a 50% increase compared to the 17.99 euros paid so far. It is not the first time that this plan increases its price: in July 2024 it had already gone from 14.99 to 17.99 euros per month. The justification. According to the company, Ultimate will give access to more than 400 titles worldwide, “including most of our partners who wish to continue bringing their future games to Xbox Game Pass.” In addition, the service will offer support for 1440p resolution and improvements in the bits rate on certain devices. How far the changes arrive. Microsoft has also reorganized the offer and says goodbye to the previous nomenclature. Xbox Game Pass Core is called Xbox Game Pass Essential, while the standard plan is transformed into Xbox Game Pass Premium. Game Pass Essential Game Pass Premium Game Pass Ultimate Game Pass for PC available games More than 50 More than 200 More than 400 “Hundreds of games” for PC Cloud streaming Yeah Includes own games Yeah Shorter waiting times Includes own games Yeah “With the best quality” With shorter waiting times Includes own games No available games day one No No, they join up to 12 months Yeah Yeah Online multiplayer Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Rewards points Up to 25,000 a year Up to 50,000 a year Up to 100,000 a year Up to 50,000 a year Advantages in games Yes, in ‘League of Legends’ and ‘Cod: Warzone’ Yes, in ‘League of Legends’ and ‘Cod: Warzone’ Yes, in ‘League of Legends’ and ‘Cod: Warzone’ Yes, in ‘League of Legends’ and ‘Cod: Warzone’ others – – EA play and ubisoft+ included EA play included price 8.99 euros 12.99 euros Free 14 -day test 26.99 euros 14.99 euros With Ultimate already on the table, it is time to see how they are premium and essential, what they include and how migration will apply to current subscribers. Premium, the intermediate option. With this plan you access more than 200 games both in console and PC, in addition to the possibility of playing in the cloud without limit, even with titles you already have in your library. • More than 200 games in console, PC and cloud • Access to classics such as Minecraft, Forza Horizon 5 or Grand Theft Auto V • New games published by Xbox available within a maximum period of 12 months (excluded Call of Duty) • Game in the unlimited cloud, also with own titles • Advantages In-Game in League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone or Rainbow Six Siege • Rewards of up to 50,000 points a year The ancient standard plan subscribers will automatically pass to Premium. It remains in the strip of 12.99 euros per month, that is, there is no price increase with respect to what we paid with the plan with the previous denomination. Essential, the new entrance door. With a more tight price, it offers the basics for those who want to try the service without great pretensions: a reduced catalog, cloud game and online multiplayer. • More than 50 games in console and PC • Access to prominent titles such as Hades, Stardew Valley or Cities: Skylines Remastered • Game in the unlimited cloud, including some games that you already have • Online multiplayer in console • Benefits in games like League of Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone • Rewards of up to 25,000 points a year We could say that they are designed for those who seek to start in Game Pass or just want access to a more limited set of games with basic advantages. Its price is encrypted at 8.99 euros per month. What about active plans. Restructuring does not force users to do anything: Microsoft will apply migration automatically. As we say, the old Core will pass to Essential, those of the standard plan will move to Premium and those who already pay Ultimate will continue in that modality. In development. Images | Xataka with Gemini 2.5 In Xataka | Saudi Arabia is not buying EA for video games. He is buying cultural influence in hundreds of millions of homes

A study rises to 90% the probability that we see a black hole exploit. Physicists have become nervous

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At some point in the next 10 years we are probably witnessing the explosion of a black hole, according to a new model published in Physical Review Letters. In the light of the telescopes, this very powerful event has the potential to confirm the most famous theory of Stephen Hawking and give us a catalog of unknown particles of the universe. Short. A team of theoretical physicists of the University of Massachusetts Amherst It has recalculated the probability of seeing live the violent explosion of a black hole under the assumption that there are primary black holes in hibernation. Its conclusion is that the most potentially transformative event of modern cosmology could be just around the corner: they calculate more than 90% possibilities that we witness the explosion of a primary black hole during the next decade, under the assumptions posed by the model. The Fat Prize for Physics. Seeing a black hole would be transformer in at least three fronts. It would be the first direct observation of the Hawking radiationthe famous theory of 1970 with which Stephen Hawking postulated that black holes losing mass slowly emitting particles, so they are not completely black. In addition, it is believed that A black hole in evaporation emits all fundamental particles whose mass is lower than its temperature. Therefore, the explosion of a black hole should reveal from the electrons and quarks that we know, to hypothetical particles of dark matter and others completely unknown to science. Finally, the event would confirm the primary black holes. Unlike the black holes that are formed by the collapse of mass stars, it is believed that the primordials were formed in the extreme conditions of the universe less than a second after the Big Bang. “I would completely revolutionize physics and help us rewrite the history of the universe,” says Joaquim Iguaz Juan, co -author of the study. How a black hole explodes. The idea that black holes can explode directly derives from Hawking radiation. The theory says that the lighter a black hole, the higher its temperature and faster emits particles. This creates an uncontrolled process: as it radiates, loses mass and heats up even more. Consequently, it radiates at an increasing rate until, in its final moments, it fades into an explosion of high energy radiation (mainly gamma rays). The problem is that, until now, physicists believed that the chances of seeing such an event were infinitesimal. These calculations, based on black holes without electric charge (black schwarzschild holes), suggested that explosions occur, at most, once every 100,000 years. With those chances, we would have to be very lucky to see one. Where that 90% probability comes from. The researchers decided to question the departure assumption: what if the primary black holes are not electrically neutral? The new hypothesis proposes the existence of a force similar to electromagnetism, But in the dark sector: With a “dark photon” and a very heavy “dark electron”. If a primary black hole was formed with a small dark electric charge, its destination would change completely. This mechanism works as a brake. As the black hole loses mass due to hawking radiation, its load/mass ratio increases, causing its temperature to drastically, which submits it to a state of hibernation for billions of years. After that time, the dark electric field near the horizon becomes so intense that he discharges the black hole, causing the final explosion that we have been waiting for. Why does this increase the chances of observation? Because this long stability period allows much lighter black holes (and, therefore, much more numerous) survive to this day. A greater number of nearby candidates drastically increases the local explosions rate, passing from one every 100,000 years to one every 10 years. We have the technology to see it. The best part is that we do not need to build new technology. Gamma ray observatories as Hawc in Mexico And Lhaaso in China are already scanning the sky and are perfectly able to detect the outbreak of a nearby primary black hole, at a distance of up to 0.3 light years. “We already have the technology to observe these explosions, so we should be prepared,” says Michael Baker, lead author of the study. If it happened, it would be a historical moment. We would be seeing, for the first time, the final echo of the creation of the universe, a first look at the most fundamental secrets of the cosmos in a single and spectacular outbreak of light. In Xataka | Stephen Hawking made a prediction on black holes in 1971. A new signal has been overwhelmed

In return, the salary rises up to 42,000 euros a year

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Last May, Denmark agreed extend retirement age ordinary up to a minimum of 70 years due to the increase in the life expectancy of the population. At the same time, the politicians who approved that measure enjoyed a life pension for the simple fact of having occupied a seat in folketing (Danish Parliament) for at least one year. The difference in criteria was so overwhelming, that Danish politicians have had no more alternative to cut their own privileges and eliminate that regulation. Golden Retirement for politicians. To date, the Danish legislation established that, with a single year of public work as a parliamentarian, the politician acquired the right to collect a life pension of some 35,000 monthly crowns. That is equivalent to about 4,692 euros per month until the end of their days. Unlike the rest of the population that before the reform could be withdrawn at age 67, the Danish parliamentarians were allowed retire at 60 years. Taking into account that According to dataFrom the OECD, the life expectancy of Denmark is 82 years on average, leads Danish politicians to charge a generous pension for about 22 years. Everything, for a single year of public service. Reforms for the one who comes behind. After the reform applied in the law that regulates the Viability of the pension systemeight parliamentary groups have agreed to sign a great pact with which these life pensions are revoked with 81 votes in favor and 21 against. The measure carried above the table Since 2016. However, politicians have decided that the measure will apply for the first time to the politicians who are chosen from the next elections, so future parliamentarians will adopt the “Almindelig Arbejdsmarkedspension” (normal labor market pension). Those who have already acquired that right providing their service in this legislature maintain their life pension, so the absolute purpose of the measure will not be achieved until 2090. “Our agreement makes the whole system much more understandable to citizens and, therefore, also guarantees greater acceptance,” He affirmed the leader of the parliamentary group Leif Lahn. More cuts … In addition to the cuts planned in the life retirement of the parliamentarians, the agreement also contemplates reduce the “compensation for dismissal“That those politicians who are not re -elected receive. Currently, deputies receive their full salary for two years after the end of their parliamentary work, while ministers and senior government charges receive three years of salary at the end of their legislature. With the new measure, this compensation is trimmed at one year of salary for all. According to They published Danish media, it is estimated that, with this agreement, the Danish coffers will save 20% in the expenses allocated to the members of folketing and the government team. Which is about 4.02 million euros. … and more increases. The change puts an end to the “golden” pension system and the Danish parliamentarians will be governed by the same labor regulations as the rest of the country’s workers, and will contribute 18.07% of their salary to the state pension fund, and will receive that same percentage of their salary for pension. However, such and As they point out from Dr. The cut in parliamentary pensions brings a large asterisk: politicians will receive a salary increase in return. Thus, future deputies will receive 948,000 crowns per year (about 127,090 euros) to 1,080,000 crowns (about 144,780 euros to change). A general increase of almost 18,000 a year. Salary increase for the Government. The salary increase will also affect the highest levels of the government. For the ministers, the rise will go from the 1,702,000 crowns per year (228,150 euros per year) currently charged by the Prime Minister, to 2,016,000 crowns (270,241 euros) that will charge in the following legislature. That is, an annual increase of 42,000 euros. For the positions of greater responsibility in the government, the salary will go from 1,920,000 crowns (257,386 euros) to 2,481,000 crowns (332,591 euros per year). In Xataka | If your dream is to retire at age 52 with 100% of the pension, Spain offers you a road: a high -risk job In Xataka | There is a man who has been working for the same company for 86 years. And you have no plans to retire Image | Unspash (Hannah Thiel), Flickr (News Oresund)

that the closure of the centrals rises the light of the light

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The Government of Spain agreed a stepped blackout of nuclear centrals between 2027 and 2035. However, the debate that seemed settled in 2019 has reopened with many actors involved. Battle The epicenter of the problem It started with the Almaraz Centralsince it is the first to close within two years according to the agreed calendar. However, electricity, government, opposition and population have opened the debate about whether to continue with the closing plan or extend the useful life of nuclear plants. A renegotiation. Electric companies (Iberdrola, Endesa, Naturgy and EDP) are confronted with both each other and with the central government about the closure of nuclear plants. On the one hand, Iberdrola and Endesa are looking for how to obtain more favorable conditions that allow them to keep the nuclear power plants operational without incurring economic losses, According to eldiario.es. In addition, they add that there is an increase in demand for data centers and must ensure the stability of the supply, because otherwise the light could be increased by up to 25%. On the other hand, the rest of the electricity, such as Naturgy and EDP, have shown less interest in prolonging the useful life of nuclear, since they have adjusted down the accounting value of their assets in this sector, how have explained expanding. The main problem is multiprophity, since any extension requires unanimity among the partners of each plant. To unlock the situation, companies explore solutions such as a 2-3-year mini-programs or the exchange of assets, where companies would reorganize the ownership of the centrals so that there are fewer partners in each plant, which would facilitate decision making. While the government … It continues with the same position that the closure must follow the agreed calendar of 2019, but has shown some flexibility. According to expansionthe Ministry of Ecological Transition has indicated that any renegotiation of the closure of Almaraz or other plants is only possible if electricity agrees first between them. The voices in favor. As we report in Xatakathe Congress of Deputies approved a non -law proposition to open the possibility of extending nuclear centrals. The initiative, presented by the Popular Party came forward with the support of Vox and a deputy of UPN, in addition to the abstention of Junts and ERC. Of course, since it is a non -binding figure, its approval does not entail any change in the formalized closing calendar six years ago, but it does reflect the position of the camera. The commitment to renewable. The National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC 2023-2030) has established that in five years 81% of electricity with renewable sources and renewable sources must be generated is close to getting it. In the last two months, according to the data provided by Electric Red of Spain (REE)nuclear energy has represented 20% of the total electricity generation. This percentage has increased due to the fall in solar energy production. This change in the energy panorama reopens the debate on the need for a continuous energy source, especially given the growing energy consumption of data centers driven by artificial intelligencethat require constant and stable supply. On the other hand, another question opens, in terms of the use of energy storage that could be one of the alternatives, but in the country all that surplus of renewable energy It is taking place in the swamps. The future. While the debate on the future of nuclear energy in Spain is still open, investigations have begun to take steps towards nuclear fusion. The Rodas project, which seeks to advance in this emerging technology, is presented as a new window within the energy sector, with the aim of developing a clean and practically inexhaustible energy source, As we have highlighted in Xataka. However, there is still a way to go and much to try before the nuclear fusion becomes A large -scale viable alternative. Image | FROBLES Xataka | Ascó and Almaraz nuclear power plants will close in six years. Its US twins just renewed up to 2060

There is no reason why the price of light rises. There is a storm of reasons and are related to gas

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Europe does not leave one to get into another. Why has the price of light uploaded this time? Beyond that we have returned to the VAT of 21% in the light invoice, if you have noticed an increase in the price of electricity and gas lately it is for the delicate moment that the natural gas industry lives again in Europe. The perfect storm of gas. This is how They call analysts To a confluence of factors in the gas industry that has the unfortunate European consumers suffering the consequences on the electricity bill. Regulatory measures that come to an end, a sudden reconfiguration of supply routes and the increase in demand for wind shortage have generated a scenario in which electricity prices have firing again, affecting both homes and To industries. Goodbye to the top in the price. More than two years ago that the European Union established a stop at the price of gas as an emergency measure to counteract speculation and relieve the crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. That mechanism expired on January 31so now the reality is different. Much of Europe has started the month of February heating with gas, but without a “firewall” that slows the expense, a situation that has raised criticism of several Eurodiputados. Italy in particular asked to reconsider or adjust the threshold so that consumers do not pay excessive prices. Total interruption of Russian gas. At the same time, the energy relationship between Europe and Russia has not gone to better. The Total gas traffic interruption Through Ukraine, an agreement that since 1991 allowed Moscow to supply the continent, has left several countries in a vulnerability situation. One of the most affected countries It is Moldovawhich is not yet part of the EU block. Although the dependence on Russian gas is getting smaller, the supply maintained relative stability throughout the region. The new gas routes. Given the disappearance of the traditional route, Europe has had to resort to alternatives such as Liquefied natural gas that comes to us by ship from the United StatesCatar and Australia, or the limited use of gas pipelines such as Turkstream. These sources allow to maintain the flow of energy in exchange for a much higher cost than the gas transported by land, which translates into rates of up to 50 euros per megavatio hour and, therefore, a direct rise in the prices of the prices of the prices of the light. A WINDER WITHOUT WIND. The impact is aggravated in the electricity sector, where the demand for gas for generation has reached historical levels. The most flagrant case It happened in Germany because of the famous Dunkelflautebut the analyst Pedro Cantuel He points out that Spain registered in December 2024 the highest demand in ten years. And reservations going down. The last edge of this scenario are gas deposits. Point out Bloomberg that storage levels in key countries such as France and the Netherlands are below the objectives set by the European Commission, adding a layer of uncertainty for next winter. The Difficulty replenishing these storesaggravated by summer contracts with high prices, it is a real risk for the security of the supply that has ended up affecting, like everything else, on the electricity bill. Image | Endesa In Xataka | Forget the industrial revolution: the fastest energy change in human history is happening now In Xataka | 2025 is the beginning of the end for gas boilers in Spain. European regulations have started its long withdrawal

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