Daily Tech News 26 August 2026

Top Story

Apple has announced new Mac Mini models based on the M5 Pro and M6 CPUs. (MacRumors)

The M6 is a marked upgrade over the M4 - the M5 never showed up on the Mac Mini - but there is no M6 Pro, so the higher-end models of the Mac Mini, anything with more than 32GB of RAM, steps back to the M5 Pro.

But if you don't need that the M6 should run a lot faster. Apple says up to 40%, and that's actually believable, because it not only increases the core count from 10 to 12, it adds two high-end "super" cores, not just two low-end efficiency cores.

Oh, and 2.5 Gbit Ethernet is standard, not the ancient 1 Gbit.

Not cheap - the 64GB model costs five times as much as I paid for a 64GB mini-PC last December, but the same mini-PC at the same price now only has 32GB, so it has gotten closer.
If you need more than that, Apple also announced M5 Max and M5 Ultra Mac Studios with up to 512G of RAM. (Mac Rumors)

That's a big jump as well, because the high-end Studio model was limited to the old M3 Ultra, and even then maxed out at... I think 96GB of RAM, with anything faster sold out. Now you can get those high-end models again, and they come with 1.2TB of bandwidth, suitable for pretty serious tasks.

Yes, they're wildly expensive, but right now so is everything, so Apple looks, if not more affordable, less unaffordable.

Tech News

Perplexity has partnered with Nvidia to launch a local AI platform with no token costs. (Venturebeat)

All you need is a Pro or Pro Max Perplexity subscription and a $4700 DGX Spark or a $4700 RTX 5090.

Uh.
Commodore has unveiled a Cyberpunk 2077 themed Commodore 64 that runs at 77MHz. (Tom's Hardware)

$377.
Intel has announced the announcement of its 256 core Xeon 7 server CPUs. (The Register)

The actual announcement will follow in 2027.
SpaceX is building a new spaceport in Louisiana. (Tech Crunch)

Price tag $100 billion.

Learn a trade.
New Zealand just announced legislation that bans children under 16 from social media and from using AI companions. (Jurist)

They kicked their communists to the curb and replaced them with communists.

Musical Interlude

Disclaimer: Long skirt, short jacket.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:40 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 w00t

Posted by: m at August 26, 2026 04:42 AM (odBC9)

2 G'morning everyone.

Pixy: You got meeting'ed again, didn't you?

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 26, 2026 04:42 AM (O7YUW)

3 And for those that don't know, X sent Nitter and XCancel "Cease and Desist" letters, so they've suspended their services until they can seek legal advice.

X really wants people to sign up just to read posts.

Some of us just want to lurk. *shrugs* I can do without if that's what they really want.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 26, 2026 04:44 AM (O7YUW)

4 oh, no

Nitter
Cease and desist

On 24 August 2026 cease and desist letters have been sent by X Corp. demanding a permanent takedown of Nitter instances and the project's repository.

nitter.net is offline and development has stopped for the time being. I'm seeking legal advice and won't be commenting further on the specifics for now.

Thank you to everyone who used, hosted, packaged, donated and contributed to Nitter over the past seven years.

— zedeus, 25 August 2026Nitter

Posted by: m at August 26, 2026 04:45 AM (odBC9)

5 an extra Nitter creeped in there at the end

Posted by: m at August 26, 2026 04:47 AM (odBC9)

6 G'day everyone

Posted by: Skip at August 26, 2026 04:47 AM (Ia/+0)

7
Nitter
Cease and desist

On 24 August 2026 cease and desist letters have been sent by X Corp. demanding a permanent takedown of Nitter instances and the project's repository.

nitter.net is offline and development has stopped for the time being. I'm seeking legal advice and won't be commenting further on the specifics for now.

Thank you to everyone who used, hosted, packaged, donated and contributed to Nitter over the past seven years.

— zedeus, 25 August 2026

Posted by: m at August 26, 2026 04:47 AM (odBC9)

8 Cake - The Distance

I dunno, was that absurd enough?

Posted by: m at August 26, 2026 04:55 AM (odBC9)

9 They have one song I really like, and this is the second best. It's a long way behind.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at August 26, 2026 04:56 AM (BLOW1)

10 X really wants people to sign up just to read posts.

And it's never gonna happen. If I wanted an X account, I'd have one. I don't. And there's nothing so essential there that I need one.

Posted by: it puts the lotion in the basket at August 26, 2026 04:57 AM (nTRVw)

11 It's a fun song. Expanding our horizons.

Posted by: m at August 26, 2026 05:00 AM (odBC9)

12 I like Cake. Also, cake.

Posted by: it puts the lotion in the basket at August 26, 2026 05:02 AM (nTRVw)

13 I like the group Cake

Posted by: Skip at August 26, 2026 05:02 AM (Ia/+0)

14 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 26, 2026 05:04 AM (sAmhv)

15 I saw Cake live within the last year or so.

They give away a tree at every concert. Yeah, I don't know what's going on there either.

They put on a good show though.

Posted by: it puts the lotion in the basket at August 26, 2026 05:06 AM (nTRVw)

16 "Commodore has unveiled a Cyberpunk 2077 themed Commodore 64 that runs at 77MHz."

I wonder if it has 256K of memory, and an advanced processor that can allow one to hack time?

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 26, 2026 05:07 AM (O7YUW)

17 SpaceX is building a new spaceport in Louisiana.

Buh bye California, hello space gators.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 26, 2026 05:09 AM (O7YUW)

18 This song from Cake strongly reminds me of "the city sleeps" by MC 900 Ft. Jesus.

Posted by: Blistered Paint at August 26, 2026 05:10 AM (79m0J)

19
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at August 26, 2026 05:10 AM (AMvSw)

20 10 X really wants people to sign up just to read posts.

And it's never gonna happen. If I wanted an X account, I'd have one. I don't. And there's nothing so essential there that I need one.
Posted by: it puts the lotion in the basket at August 26, 2026 04:57 AM (nTRVw)

Gonna see how my withdrawal goes over the next few days.

Posted by: m at August 26, 2026 05:11 AM (odBC9)

21 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at August 26, 2026 05:13 AM (Hbeqj)

22 Good Moooornnninnnggg pixel friends.

Off to see the 'Pro's from Dover' about my medical issue. I'm hopeful for some slight return to a normal life.

Posted by: Gmac-WTF did you think was going to happen at August 26, 2026 05:14 AM (Q/FnY)

23 daily 𝕏 reads

@bonchieredstate but he's on hiatus
@redsteeze
@aelfred_d
@magills_
@jarvis_best
@damintoell
@beyondreasdoubt

Couple of hours a day, prob'ly.

Posted by: m at August 26, 2026 05:14 AM (odBC9)

24 There are said to be a lot of small to medium sized rocket makers affiliated with the Navy roaming around the Wallops area.

Posted by: Accomack at August 26, 2026 05:18 AM (/Chlc)

25 Resisted X so far myself

Posted by: Skip at August 26, 2026 05:22 AM (Ia/+0)

26 CAKE - Short Skirt / Long Jacket (Official HD Video)

on youtube

is also fun

Posted by: m at August 26, 2026 05:24 AM (odBC9)

27 Cake has a lot of good stuff

Posted by: Skip at August 26, 2026 05:27 AM (Ia/+0)

28 Belated BOING!

Back from newborn baby shopping with Mrs. BD for our new grand pupette.

Kept myself busy office supplies shopping and reading.

Maybe l8r.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 26, 2026 05:27 AM (rkiXj)

29 You can buy newborn babies in Israel?

Posted by: Dark Lix at August 26, 2026 05:29 AM (Fv808)

30 The U.S. Secret Service confirmed on Aug. 25 it is aware of a video aired by Iranian state-run media that appears to threaten President Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron, and places a $10 million bounty on him.

That sounds like a good story thread. A group of assassins attempt to kill the son of the President only to discover that he's a far more brutal killer than they are.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 26, 2026 05:33 AM (BpO1e)

31 26 CAKE - Short Skirt / Long Jacket (Official HD Video)

on youtube

is also fun
Posted by: m

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idtYckLIZnI

Posted by: Pixy Misa at August 26, 2026 05:33 AM (BLOW1)

32 Awful what happened to bill ackman's daughter.

Posted by: Dark Lix at August 26, 2026 05:38 AM (Fv808)

33 G'mornin' everyone!

quite right, G&R!
I wonder if Elon knows that his legal department is trying to chase people away ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 26, 2026 05:38 AM (VyBeY)

34 31 26 CAKE - Short Skirt / Long Jacket (Official HD Video)

on youtube

is also fun
Posted by: m

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idtYckLIZnI
Posted by: Pixy Misa at August 26, 2026 05:33 AM (BLOW1)

; )

Posted by: m at August 26, 2026 05:39 AM (odBC9)

35 I have never heard of a group called "Cake" . Are they Australian?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 26, 2026 05:39 AM (W90Ou)

36 You can buy newborn babies in Israel?
Posted by: Dark Lix

I suggest leasing. Babies turn into teenagers.

Posted by: mikeski at August 26, 2026 05:40 AM (VHUov)

37 Ms Peal was very nice

Posted by: Skip at August 26, 2026 05:40 AM (Ia/+0)

38 " I suggest leasing. Babies turn into teenagers."

LOL, Mikeski

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 26, 2026 05:43 AM (JrHfD)

39 Not positive but sure Cake is from US, been around long time

Posted by: Skip at August 26, 2026 05:46 AM (Ia/+0)

40 Fen, Cake is out from Sacramento.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 26, 2026 05:47 AM (BpO1e)

41 They kicked their communists to the curb and replaced them with communists.

You ice cream flavors are Lenin or Trotsky. Chose.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2026 05:47 AM (l3cgK)

42 From Sacramento

Posted by: Skip at August 26, 2026 05:47 AM (Ia/+0)

43 Evening and morning, satellites and satraps of the vast AoSHQ Empire! "Tis Woden's Day yet again.

In checking out one of Ace's Cafe Links using the extension Xcancel, I hit a wall saying that XCancel has been dropped because X sent them a cease-and-desist letter. While I didn't remove the extension, I turned it off. Anybody have the full story of what happened? And is there another, similar extension I can use to read X posts until X tracks *them* down?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 26, 2026 05:47 AM (wzUl9)

44 35 I have never heard of a group called "Cake" . Are they Australian?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 26, 2026 05:39 AM (W90Ou)

They should play in McArthur Park in the rain...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2026 05:48 AM (l3cgK)

45 X refuses to learn that shutting one site down doesn't stop others from cropping up.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 26, 2026 05:48 AM (BpO1e)

46 When I was at the 4H fair on Sunday there were a couple of churches with booths. I didn't get to speak to all of the people because I was at working at the fair , but when I took a break to get something to eat there was a man handing out literature. I got a little elastic bracelet which says " The Lord is my strength and my shield." From Psalm 28:7. I like it. I have it on now. That man was a very tall guy. He was apparently across from the Muslims who also had a booth.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 26, 2026 05:50 AM (JrHfD)

47 I see the XCancel issue has already come up, and Nitter was also threatened. Oh, well. I'm still not gonna sign up for more social media sites than I have, which is approximately none (if you don't count AoS and a pipe smokers' forum).

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 26, 2026 05:51 AM (wzUl9)

48 the only time I try to view X content is when folks here link to it...I've been using twitterviewer...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2026 05:53 AM (l3cgK)

49 Can stop at donut shop today, been driving past it daily a lot, its not open at 5am

Posted by: Skip at August 26, 2026 05:53 AM (Ia/+0)

50 Mornin' Wolfus. Nitter has one instance that is up and running, but it's massively overloaded and about as slow as a sloth on Valium in a February ice storm. Effectively useless.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 26, 2026 05:54 AM (O7YUW)

51 On our lovely walk on the boardwalk yesterday we saw a number of plants including this pretty thing- "jewel weed":

https://tinyurl.com/ydbejpfp

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 26, 2026 05:54 AM (JrHfD)

52 @49/Skip: "Can stop at donut shop today, been driving past it daily a lot, its not open at 5am"

Slackers. Don't they know that 2am is "time to make the doughnuts"?

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 26, 2026 05:54 AM (O7YUW)

53 Today is (SS) payday. After working out and having some chow I'll wash the car, hit Walmart for a few things, and then drive out to the pipe shop for some supplies.

Humidity is down a bit, and so are the temp and heat index. Maybe I can crank out a little more track time.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 26, 2026 05:55 AM (wzUl9)

54 Should head out
Have a great day horde

Posted by: Skip at August 26, 2026 05:56 AM (Ia/+0)

55 You too, Skip.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 26, 2026 06:00 AM (O7YUW)

56 So I'm going through the house yesterday looking for something and come across the small Bible that one of the Gideons put in my hand when I was going into MEPS. It's one of the few things that won't get taken from you when you are turning in your property in Boot Camp and it's been with me since 98.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 26, 2026 06:01 AM (BpO1e)

57 Big black Stirling has not decided to chew on me in response to his diet. From a forkful of canned plus most of a small scoop of dry food 2x a day, I've got him on a forkful and a half of the canned and half the scoop 2x a day. Dagny gets about the same. The difference: I'm being more vigilant about keeping him from eating what she leaves. If she doesn't finish her meal, I pick it up and hide it for a while, so he can't gobble it. Eventually she comes back into the kitchen and gives me The Look, and I put the remainder down for her.

Stirling is galloping around here; he certainly is not wasting away. Weighing him at home will involve picking him up and weighing both of us, then weighing me alone, then subtracting. The scale is not that accurate;, it'll be approximate at best.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 26, 2026 06:01 AM (wzUl9)

58 And here is a bit more on Dolly Parton's life and Christian faith:

https://tinyurl.com/3jef8c7s

I am annoyed that Zohran Mamdani had to open his big mouth and say., "She was a friend to the working class." Yes, Zo. She was an extremely charitable person and among other things gave books to millions of kids. She was NOT a communist and NOT a Muslim. It was a stupid thing for his speechwriters to give to him to say.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 26, 2026 06:02 AM (JrHfD)

Processing 0.01, elapsed 0.0144 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0056 seconds, 67 records returned.
Page size 45 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.