Tech news digest for Sunday, June 28, 2026

Mark Cuban reveals what people really hate about AI data centers

Mark Cuban recently addressed the AI industry's public relations challenges in a post that has attracted 1.9 million views. He argues that the backlash against AI data centers is not about the centers themselves but rather a manifestation of public discontent towards AI's implications for jobs and wealth distribution. Citing a Gallup survey where 71% of Americans oppose AI data centers, Cuban asserts that companies must prioritize community engagement to rebuild trust. He criticized the industry's reliance on political influence and celebrity endorsements, suggesting instead that companies should directly consult affected communities to understand their needs and concerns.

• In Q1 2026, 75 data center projects worth approximately $130 billion were blocked or delayed.
• Cuban emphasized that AI companies must invest in community support to avoid backlash and permitting delays.

America can't get enough of protein. The dairy industry can't keep up

The U.S. dairy industry is facing significant challenges due to a dramatic surge in protein demand, particularly for whey protein, which has seen inventories plummet by 50% since 2023. This increase is driven by a growing consumer trend towards higher protein intake, with about 70% of Americans now trying to consume more protein. The rise in popularity of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, which necessitate higher protein consumption to prevent muscle loss, is compounding this demand. Consequently, prices for whey protein isolate have skyrocketed to $14 per pound, leaving suppliers struggling to keep up with the unprecedented market pressure.

• Dairy producers announced $11 billion in new manufacturing capacity last October.
• The expansion of GLP-1 drug coverage is expected to further increase protein demand.

TechCrunch Mobility: All eyes on Tesla FSD

Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is under increasing scrutiny following a fatal crash in Texas that killed a 76-year-old woman. The driver reported that Autopilot was engaged during the incident, but Tesla's AI software VP, Ashok Elluswamy, contended that the driver had overridden the system by pressing the accelerator fully. This has led to investigations by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. Additionally, Tesla recently settled a lawsuit related to another fatal crash involving FSD, which is currently being examined for its ability to handle reduced visibility conditions.

• Waymo is on track to import 3,156 vehicles into the U.S. this year for its Ojai robotaxi program.
• Lucid Motors is laying off 18% of its workforce, cutting about 1,500 jobs.

Why Wall Street thinks US memory maker Micron is the next Nvidia

Micron Technology, based in Boise, Idaho, has seen its stock surge over 236% in the past month, closing at $1,132 per share, as Wall Street responds to the AI-driven demand for memory chips. The company briefly surpassed the market valuations of Meta and Tesla, reaching a market cap of nearly $1.27 trillion. This surge is attributed to a significant shortage of memory chips, particularly High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM), driven by AI data center expansions. Micron's recent earnings report showed revenue quadrupling year-over-year to $41.45 billion, with profits skyrocketing from $1.88 billion to $28.2 billion, and it forecasts fourth-quarter revenue between $49 billion and $51 billion.

• The memory chip shortage, dubbed RAMageddon, is expected to last until 2027.
• Micron has signed 16 strategic customer agreements to secure long-term demand.

Apple working on M7 Ultra Mac Studio for 2028 with potential major upgrade: report

Apple is preparing to launch an updated Mac Studio featuring M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips later this year, addressing the model's previous lag behind competitors. This refresh comes after the original Mac Studio, released in early 2025, which utilized M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips. Looking ahead to 2028, Apple is reportedly working on the M7 Ultra Mac Studio, which will include a redesigned heat sink aimed at enhancing thermal performance for demanding AI workloads, although no major redesign is anticipated for the M5 Ultra model.

Google Home Speaker uses 99% less adhesive than Nest Audio [Gallery]

The Google Home Speaker has been designed to use 99% less adhesive than its predecessor, the Nest Audio, as part of Google's commitment to sustainability. The device features a tensioned 3D-knit enclosure fabric that wraps around a plastic housing, allowing for a more flexible assembly process. This new construction method not only reduces material waste by approximately 63% but also enables manufacturing rework if defects are found during assembly. Overall, the Home Speaker is composed of at least 37% recycled materials, including metals and plastics, and comes with a 30W USB-C adapter that meets the highest efficiency rating under the DOE Level VI standards.

• The device features a quad-core A55 processor, 1 GB of RAM, and 4 GB of storage.