Tech news digest for Saturday, July 11, 2026

Advanced Energy (AEIS) Introduces 800 V DC Converters for AI Data Centers

Advanced Energy Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: AEIS) has introduced the ADH series of DC-DC converters specifically designed for next-generation 800 V DC AI data center power architectures. These converters convert 800 V DC input into 50 V DC output, achieving a peak power efficiency of 98.2% at multi-MHz switching frequencies. The series is housed in a standard half-brick package, capable of delivering up to 8 kW of peak power and 6 kW of full-load power while maintaining a peak power density exceeding 2,700 W/In3. Designed for optimal thermal management, the converters utilize liquid-cooled baseplates and enable modular parallel connections for scalable power solutions.

• The power density exceeds 2,700 W/In3, supporting high-density AI environments.
• Advanced Energy has over 40 years of engineering expertise in precision power solutions.

FTAI Aviation (FTAI) Partners with AEI for Boeing 737-800 Freighter Solutions

FTAI Aviation Ltd. has partnered with Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI) to offer a cost-effective solution for Boeing 737-800 freighters, announced on July 7. This collaboration aims to deliver customized aircraft at scale while optimizing operating expenses. FTAI will utilize its specialized CFM56 engine platform to provide engines tailored for cargo operations, extending their lifecycle. The partnership combines FTAI's engine maintenance capabilities with AEI's expertise in cargo conversion, ensuring airlines access reliable freighter capacity backed by AEI's extensive history of Supplemental Type Certificates.

OpenAI bets on families as ChatGPT goes deeper into households

OpenAI is shifting its strategy by hiring a product manager in San Francisco to create family-oriented experiences for its ChatGPT product. This move comes as the user demographic is changing, with 31% of global users now aged 35 and older, up from 26% a year prior. The hiring reflects a broader recognition of the need for AI products tailored for families, especially as nearly one in four U.S. smartphone users who are parents reported using ChatGPT in Q2 2026. This transition also raises new safety challenges, prompting OpenAI to introduce various protective measures for younger users.

• OpenAI has implemented safety measures including parental controls and a 'Trusted Contact' feature.

Apple @ Work: The M1 MacBook Air has the longest usable lifespan of any Apple laptop in history

The M1 MacBook Air, released in November 2020, has set a new standard for longevity among Apple laptops, remaining highly functional well into 2026. IT admin Bradley Chambers reports that he currently manages 30-40 of these devices, using them as loaners and spares. Unlike older models, the M1's fanless design prevents dust accumulation, and its robust keyboard ensures reliability. As Apple continues to provide macOS updates for these devices, they are still suitable for everyday tasks, challenging the traditional 3-4 year laptop lifecycle.

Burnout, frustration and heartbreak: Amazon layoffs take their toll in saturated job market

Amazon's mass layoffs, which began in January 2026 with around 16,000 employees, have left many former workers grappling with an increasingly saturated job market. The tech sector has experienced about 140,000 layoffs this year, with Amazon contributing significantly to this figure. Former employees, like Jake Linsley, have found themselves competing against thousands of others for fewer available positions, as companies like Meta and Cisco also reduce their workforces. The shift towards artificial intelligence has further complicated job prospects, as many roles have become obsolete amid ongoing restructuring efforts in the tech industry.

• The tech sector has seen approximately 140,000 layoffs in the U.S. in 2026, with Amazon accounting for 13% of these cuts.
• AI has been cited in about 23% of job cut announcements in 2026, reshaping the job landscape.

OpenAI admits it "didn't get everything quite right" with ChatGPT Work launch and scrambles to fix UX and costs

OpenAI has admitted to shortcomings in the launch of ChatGPT Work and GPT-5.6 Sol, responding to user complaints about quickly exhausted usage limits and a confusing desktop app redesign. Thibault Sottiaux stated, "We didn't get everything quite right," and outlined plans for a significant update next week to restore familiar sidebar features and improve usage metrics visibility. Users reported that the new model, despite claims of being 54% more token-efficient, consumed budgets more rapidly than its predecessor, GPT-5.5, prompting immediate adjustments to usage limits and settings.

• Usage limits for Codex and ChatGPT Work were reset twice in one day.
• GPT-5.6 Sol reportedly deleted user data due to configuration issues.

Apple sues OpenAI for allegedly running a "coordinated campaign" to steal trade secrets through poached employees

Apple has initiated a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging a systematic effort to steal trade secrets related to unreleased products by poaching its employees. The complaint claims that more than 400 former Apple employees are now at OpenAI, with the company allegedly encouraging them to take confidential files and specifications during their notice periods. Central to the lawsuit is Tang Tan, OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer, who is accused of promoting the sharing of sensitive information. Apple is seeking a jury trial, an end to these practices, and the destruction of all proprietary materials obtained unlawfully.

Meta's Muse Spark 1.1 outperforms GLM-5.2 in coding and costs slightly less

Meta's Muse Spark 1.1 has surpassed GLM 5.2 in coding performance, achieving a score of 71.3 on the Coding Index, just shy of GPT-5.6 Luna's 71.4. The model also ties with GLM 5.2 on the Intelligence Index at 51, reflecting significant advancements in coding and agent-based tasks over the past three months. Priced at approximately $0.26 per task, Muse Spark 1.1 is more cost-effective than GLM-5.2, which costs $0.37. Additionally, the hallucination rate has significantly dropped from 73% to 38%, indicating improved accuracy in responses. Currently, the model is available exclusively through Meta's API.

• Muse Spark 1.1 features a context window of one million tokens, quadrupling its predecessor.