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7 stories · Edition of 2026-06-28 · Curated by AI at Invalid Date

BUSINESS

Apple Increases Laptop and Tablet Prices by Nearly 20% as Xbox Raises Console Prices

118d ago · Source: bbc

Apple Inc. announced price increases of roughly 20% on select laptops and tablets, while Microsoft’s Xbox unit raised the price of its baseline gaming console by $100 to $499 and the higher‑memory model by $150 to $749, effective August.

The increases occur amid a worldwide shortage of semiconductor components driven by heightened demand for chips used in artificial‑intelligence data centers.

Analysts say the imbalance has pushed memory and storage costs more than double, with expectations of another doubling by 2027. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) noted that rising inflation is adding to manufacturing expenses.

Apple’s price changes affect the MacBook Pro with 1 TB storage, which rose from $1,699 to $1,999 in the United States, and the entry‑level MacBook Air, now priced at £699 in the United Kingdom after a rise from £599.

Xbox said the console price adjustments reflect higher costs for storage and memory components and that further hikes could occur.

Valve announced a new pricing strategy for its Steam Machine gaming PC, listing it at £879 in the United Kingdom and $1,049 in the United States.

Analyst Paolo Pescatore said Apple’s actions illustrate how the AI boom is influencing consumer‑electronics pricing across the industry.

Market‑research firms Counterpoint and Forrester indicated that other device manufacturers may adjust prices, reduce discounts, or shift product lines toward premium models.

Apple said it has shielded customers from earlier price changes but now considers broader increases necessary, and it expects component pricing to stabilize only when supply meets demand, a condition it does not anticipate before 2027.

BUSINESS

Power bank fire risk prompts airline warning as summer travel starts

118d ago · Source: bbc

Passengers are being warned not to place power banks or vapes in hold luggage as the summer holiday travel period begins. The Civil Aviation Authority says lithium‑battery fires now represent the highest safety risk to aircraft. The number of devices found in hold bags rose from 316 in 2024 to 643 in 2025, and reports of overheating or malfunction nearly doubled from 123 to 206. Most incidents occur in the cabin, where crew can respond, but a fire in the hold may go unnoticed until it is too late. The CAA reports about two lithium‑battery incidents per week. A recent EasyJet flight diverted to Rome after a power bank was discovered in the hold, and video of flames in an Air China overhead compartment was widely shared. Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade said the growing number of devices creates a challenge, and the best outcome is prevention through proper packing. Electrical Safety First product safety engineer Giuseppe Capanna noted that substandard, third‑party batteries are the main cause of problems and emphasized the importance of using safe, tested products. The CAA advises passengers to keep mobile phones, vapes and power banks in the cabin, limit to two power banks per person, and not charge devices onboard. Laptops should be turned off if placed in checked baggage.

TOP STORY

Apple, Microsoft and Xbox Raise Prices for Laptops, Tablets and Consoles Amid Memory Chip Cost Increases

Apple and Microsoft’s Xbox have raised prices for laptops, tablets and video game consoles, citing higher memory chip costs driven by demand from artificial intelligence data ce...

118d ago · Source: bbc · 2 min read

Apple and Microsoft’s Xbox have raised prices for laptops, tablets and video game consoles, citing higher memory chip costs driven by demand from artificial intelligence data centers. The price changes, effective August for Apple and September for Nintendo’s Switch 2, mark the latest increase for products that had previously become cheaper over time. For years, the price of older technology devices generally declined, but recent trends show a reversal. Companies attribute the rise to insufficient supply of dynamic random access memory and other components needed for AI‑heavy workloads, which has outstripped manufacturing capacity. Apple announced a roughly 20 % increase in the prices of its tablet and laptop models on Thursday. Industry analysts reported that the new console pricing is 30 % to 40 % higher than the previous year. Xbox users posted comments on social media expressing frustration over the higher cost of a console that is several years old. A Reddit user suggested the upcoming Helix console might be unaffordable. Apple’s share price fell after the announcement. Counterpoint Research analyst Yang Wang described the memory shortage as the most disruptive supply‑side event the smartphone industry has faced. He noted that premium phone makers such as Apple and Samsung are better positioned to absorb the shock. Nintendo said it will raise the price of the Switch 2 globally starting in September. Valve introduced its Steam Machine gaming PC at a higher price than anticipated, citing spiking component costs. Sony increased the price of the PS5 in the UK and other regions, attributing the change to continued pressures in the global economic landscape. Analysts linked the price hikes to rising DRAM costs, which Counterpoint Research estimated rose from $94 for a 32 GB DDR5 kit in the third quarter of 2025 to $127 in the next quarter, a 122 % increase to $282 in the first quarter of 2026. Memory manufacturers such as TSMC have raised prices as multiple customers compete for production capacity. The competition between consumer electronics and AI data‑center orders has intensified, according to Danni Hewson of AJ Bell. James Bull of RSM UK noted that the four largest U.S. technology firms are projected to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on data centers and AI equipment in 2026, creating a memory demand that the supply chain cannot meet. Some analysts said inflation and geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in Iran and a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, have compounded the cost pressures. While some observers labeled the price rise corporate greed, others expect the constrained supply to last for up to two years. Micron reported a fourfold increase in quarterly revenue, attributing the growth to strong demand for memory chips. The memory shortage is expected to persist for several years, suggesting that high device prices may continue for consumers.

BUSINESS

Consumer Prices Rose 4.1% in May, Largest Annual Increase Since 2023

118d ago · Source: guardian

Consumer prices rose 4.1% year‑over‑year in May, the largest annual increase since April 2023, the U.S. Commerce Department reported on Thursday. On a monthly basis, prices increased 0.4%, matching April’s rise and down from 0.7% in March. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, also climbed to a three‑year high in May. Gas prices peaked during the month, contributing to the overall increase. The report noted that rising costs could pose political challenges for Donald Trump and his party as the midterm elections approach. The Commerce Department said the year‑over‑year rise marks the biggest increase since April 2023. The monthly increase of 0.4% was lower than the 0.7% rise recorded in March. The Fed has not yet announced a change in its policy stance. The Fed’s next policy meeting will review the inflation data, and the outcome of the midterm elections may shape future economic policy.

BUSINESS

Extreme Heat Threatens European Productivity and Economic Growth

118d ago · Source: guardian

Record‑breaking heat in June has disrupted workplaces across the United Kingdom and western Europe, raising health risks and threatening productivity.

The heatwave follows a series of high‑temperature events in recent years that have strained energy supplies and increased cooling costs. Temperatures in the high 30s Celsius were recorded in many indoor and outdoor work settings.

Monique Mosley, a worker at a food factory in Yorkshire, said temperatures regularly exceed 30 °C during production of hot filled foods. Her union negotiated additional breaks for employees, but not all employers have adopted similar policies. Construction sites reported increased risks of dehydration and heatstroke, prompting safety inspections. Offices in major cities experienced reduced comfort, and commuters faced delays on public transport. Schools in several regions closed temporarily due to heat concerns.

Economists warned that sustained heat exposure could dampen economic growth by lowering worker output and increasing absenteeism. Industry groups have recommended measures such as adjusted shift times and improved ventilation, while some experts note that the economic impact may be modest if adaptation efforts are effective.

The long‑term effect on European productivity will depend on how quickly employers implement cooling strategies and on future climate patterns.

BUSINESS

Oil Prices Fall to Pre-Iran War Levels as More Tankers Exit Strait of Hormuz

118d ago · Source: guardian

Brent crude dropped to $72.24 a barrel on Thursday, the lowest point since before the United States and Israel launched missile strikes on Tehran on February 28, and the price has fallen more than 20% this month. The decline follows increased traffic of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as regional tensions eased after the strikes. Stock markets across the Atlantic rose amid easing fears of an inflationary shock. Analysts attributed the price drop to greater supply availability after additional vessels cleared the waterway and to reduced freight costs, while OPEC+ has not announced any production cuts. The market outlook remains uncertain as the situation in the region continues to evolve.

BUSINESS

Rome Airports Plan to Suspend EU Digital Border System for Summer

118d ago · Source: guardian

Rome airports intend to pause the EU digital border entry‑exit system for non‑EU travelers during the peak summer tourism period to mitigate potential travel disruptions. The system, known as the Entry‑Exit System (EES), uses biometric data to record arrivals and departures and was introduced to streamline border checks across EU member states. Airport operators anticipate higher passenger volumes in July and August, which could strain existing processing capacity. Marco Troncone, chief executive of the airport managing company, said that allowing passengers to bypass the EES would be necessary to avoid excessive delays. He made the remarks after other European airport executives raised concerns about the system’s capacity during the summer months. The airports plan to implement the suspension on a temporary basis, pending further assessment, and it would apply to arrivals from non‑EU countries for the duration of the summer season, with a review scheduled before the autumn travel period.