Tech News Roundup — June 25, 2026 (PM)

Linux dominates the technical headlines this afternoon: cache-aware scheduling merged into Linux 7.2 last week already shows a follow-up patch series hitting up to 360% gains on MySQL, KSMBD picks up SMB2 compression for the same release, and FFmpeg gets an AMD-contributed ONNX Runtime backend that expands its AI filter to GPUs and NPUs. On the consumer side, Apple is raising Mac and iPad prices by hundreds of dollars to absorb memory and storage shortages, while a former Disney CEO reveals Apple and Disney were once close to merging. Meta relaunches Creator Studio as an AI companion app, Ford admits it had to rehire engineers to fix mistakes from its automated systems, and the South of Midnight studio begins layoffs.

Linux & Open Source

• Cache-aware scheduling extended: up to 360% on MySQL. The cache-aware scheduler merged into Linux 7.2 last week is already being extended with a new patch series. Early numbers show up to a 360% throughput improvement on MySQL workloads, with broad wins on other memory-bound workloads. Phoronix
• Linux 7.2 lands SMB2 compression in KSMBD. KSMBD, the in-kernel SMB3 server merged back in Linux 5.15, finally picks up SMB2 compression support for the 7.2 release. Phoronix
• Linux 7.2 staging still chasing the Realtek RTL8723BS WiFi driver. First landed in Linux 4.12 staging in 2017, the RTL8723BS driver continues to dominate the 7.2 staging pull request as cleanups continue toward moving it out of staging into the formal networking subsystem. Phoronix
• AMD contributes an ONNX Runtime backend to FFmpeg’s DNN filter. The new backend expands the GPU and NPU capabilities available to FFmpeg’s deep-neural-network filter, which is used for AI upscaling, object detection, and background segmentation in the video pipeline. Phoronix

Apple

• Apple raises Mac, iPad, and accessory prices by hundreds of dollars. Apple is hiking prices across the MacBook and iPad lines in response to ongoing memory and storage shortages. The MacBook Neo now starts at $699 (up from $599), and the M3 Ultra Mac Studio sees a $1,300 bump to $5,299. The 14-inch MacBook Pro climbs to $1,999, the 16-inch to $2,999, and the MacBook Air to $1,299. [The Verge]
• Apple’s second foldable, the iPhone Ultra 2, has reportedly been greenlit. Apple is said to have given internal approval to the iPhone Ultra 2, its second foldable phone. Details are thin — sources say the device is targeting a launch that follows the original foldable cycle. Pplware
• Former Disney CEO Bob Iger says Apple–Disney merger was “the deal of the century” that almost happened. Iger revealed Apple and Disney were once deep in talks on a historic merger that would have reshaped both companies. The deal did not close, but the disclosure is the first time either side has publicly acknowledged how far the conversations went. Pplware

Hardware

• Leica’s new SL3-P pairs 44-megapixel stills with 8K video at $6,690. Following the SL3 and last year’s SL3-S, Leica has announced the SL3-P with a 44-megapixel sensor and 8K video, combining highlights of both predecessors. As with previous “P” variants, the iconic red dot badge is missing from the front. [The Verge]
• Ford rehired former engineers to fix mistakes made by its own automated systems. Celebrating its new JD Power initial-quality ranking win, Ford acknowledged that automated production and design systems were not as robust as expected, forcing the company to bring back experienced technicians — sometimes former employees — to correct errors caused by its robots. [The Verge]
• Solar e-bike or “sophisticated e-waste”? The Phosgo Go5’s red flags. The Phosgo Go5, marketed as the “world’s first AI solar e-bike,” is a Chinese direct-to-consumer crowdfunding campaign promising to eliminate range anxiety. Multiple red flags — a gmail.com media contact, an unfamiliar joint venture, and aggressive crowdfunding tactics — make the reviewer urge caution before buying. [The Verge]

AI / ML

• Meta relaunches Facebook Creator Studio as an AI companion app. Three years after sunsetting the original Creator Studio page manager, Meta is bringing it back as a standalone AI companion app aimed at helping creators grow on Facebook. The new app centers on Meta’s AI Creator Assistant for performance tracking and tailored engagement recommendations. [The Verge]

Gaming

• Compulsion Games begins layoffs at the studio behind South of Midnight and We Happy Few. The Microsoft-owned developer of South of Midnight, We Happy Few, and Contrast has begun an unknown number of layoffs as the broader gaming-industry contraction continues. The news was first reported by gaming reporter Rebs Gaming on X. Windows Central
• GTA 6 launch day: at least one company has already warned employees not to expect productivity. American motorsports parts maker Burger Motorsports has reportedly circulated an internal notice warning that the November 19, 2026 GTA 6 launch will cause a significant productivity hit, with the entire team expected to be off-task that day. Pplware

Telecom & Streaming

• Disney to pay $50 million to settle with YouTube TV and DirecTV subscribers. YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream customers who subscribed between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2026 may be eligible for a cash payout under a proposed settlement with Disney over claims it forced the services to raise subscription prices. Claims must be submitted to the online settlement portal by September 8, 2026; the final hearing is set for January 14, 2027. [The Verge]

Smartphones

• OnePlus may fold into OPPO entirely, according to a leak from India. OnePlus has been showing signs of a slow fade, and the latest leak from India suggests the brand will eventually become nothing more than a sub-label under OPPO. Pplware

In Brief

• Shell’s “Triple 10” concept aims for 80% EV charge in under 10 minutes through thermal management. Rather than chasing larger batteries, Shell is exploring more efficient thermal management of the pack to dramatically cut charging time. Pplware
• Tesla launches a global contest awarding nine drivers free Supercharging for life. Tesla is rewarding its most loyal Supercharger customers of 2026 with permanent free charging for nine winners. Pplware
• The digital euro may become mandatory from 2029, with caveats. A circulating claim that all entities will be forced to accept digital-euro payments from 2029 is closer to reality than rumor, but with significant nuances still in play. Pplware
• Australia’s under-16 social media ban: four in five minors still online. Months after Australia’s ban on under-16 social media access took effect, a new study finds roughly 80% of minors are still active on the platforms. Pplware
• Prime Day deal roundup, day three. The Verge rounds up 124 of the best tech deals still live on day three of Amazon’s four-day sale, across TVs, smart-home gear, chargers, headphones, and more. [The Verge]
• Turtle Beach VelocityOne racing wheels drop to $399 for Prime Day. The VelocityOne Race Wheel & Pedal System, originally $650, is on sale for $399 — well below the typical price of plug-and-play rivals like the Logitech G923. Windows Central
• The one Prime Day deal that actually delivers: Logitech MX Vertical at $67.67 (44% off). Windows Central’s pick of Prime Day’s most genuine discount. Windows Central
• Can you get a ticket for parking on the wrong side of the street? A short Portuguese-language explainer on the rules around contraflow parking in Portugal and the fines that can apply. Pplware

Roundup compiled from the TTRSS Tech feed (9to5Linux, Phoronix, Pplware, The Verge, Windows Central, Jeff Geerling, Marius Hosting). 23 articles from 4 sources summarized across 8 sections.