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• GDP MicroPC 2 packs performance upgrades into one of the lightest laptops with full Windows
• Full-size ports and PCIe 3.0 storage make this mini-PC surprisingly versatile for fieldwork
• 7-inch screen is sharp, bright, and folds flat for flexible use, but not for long sessions or multitasking

While most modern ultraportables chase thin bezels and all-day battery life, GPD’s new MicroPC 2, the follow up to the original MicroPC (first launched in 2018 and refreshed in 2021), takes a different route.

It brings back the netbook format with updated internals and rugged, field-ready durability, aimed at specific use cases like IT maintenance, networking, and mobile diagnostics.

Weighing around 490 grams and measuring 171.2 x 110.8 x 23.5 mm, it is one of the lightest laptops with full x86 compatibility.

At its core, the MicroPC 2 runs Intel’s N250 processor, built on the newer Intel 7 process.

While still a low-power chip, it offers clear improvements in base and boost clock speeds, cache size, and integrated graphics performance.

Paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 512GB M.2 SSD with PCIe 3.0 x4 bandwidth, the system delivers surprisingly capable performance for light workloads.

Benchmark scores show large gains in both CPU and GPU performance compared to the original MicroPC.

Even with those upgrades, it is hard to see this compact device - now available for backing on Indiegogo - gaining broad appeal, especially with an early-backer price close to $500.

Its 7-inch 1080p display offers 500 nits of brightness, making it readable and usable despite the compact form factor.

The screen folds flat for added flexibility in tight environments. Still, the size and layout make it uncomfortable for extended typing or multitasking.

For engineers or mobile professionals who need command-line access, it may serve as a compact problem-solver. But it is best viewed as a backup terminal, not a primary machine.

The MicroPC 2 does make smart use of its rear I/O layout. With dual USB-C and USB-A Gen 2 ports, HDMI 2.1, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, and microSD support, it offers more connectivity than most tablets.

However, the removal of legacy ports like RS-232, available on the original MicroPC, could be a drawback for technicians working with older systems.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have been upgraded, but their value depends on whether users see the benefit of these features in a 7-inch form factor.

For IT administrators, field testers, or mobile teams who need a physical keyboard on the go, it could function as an efficient, task-specific business PC.

But most users will find the cramped keyboard, limited performance, and narrow software support too restrictive for general use.

The 512GB version of the MicroPC 2 is currently priced at $495 for backers, with retail pricing set at $607.

At the time of writing, it has raised HKD 754,620 (about $96,131.80) in crowdfunding and is scheduled to begin shipping in September 2025.

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• Freepik launches unlimited AI video and image generation for Premium+ and Pro plans
• Model rollout will be gradual, but more are expected to be supported soon
• It could cost Freepik in the short term, but it'll result in long-term customers

Freepik is rolling out unlimited AI generation across the platform for paying users, meaning they won't be limited to caps or credits as is the case with many other rival platforms.

Premium+ and Pro account holders now get unlimited AI video and image generation as Freepik becomes one of the first major platforms to remove restrictions entirely.

Despite lifted limits, users will still be limited in other aspects - for example, video will be rendered in 768p resolution, using the MiniMax model from launch.

The company has promised to add further models as time goes on, with weekly launches planned for July 2025. Most will become unlimited, just like MiniMax, but some of the more powerful models like Veo 3 will be restricted.

"We decided to eliminate credits and offer unlimited generation because we understood that what holds users back is not the technology, but the frictions in the usage model," Freepik CEO Joaquin Cuenca explained.

Cuenca emphasized accessibility, creativity and mass adoption were the company's key drivers, rather than monetizing limitations, with the company expecting to absorb technological costs to promote long-term platform loyalty, ultimately leading to more sustainable revenue from long-term customers.

To get access to unlimited video and image generation, users will need to be on one of the two paying plans, starting at $24.50 per month.

"That's the real revolution of AI: not just in what it can do, but in how it is put at the service of people," the Cuenca added.

No details have been shared about upcoming models, but we do know that Premium+ and Pro plans get priority speed when using ChatGPT, Imagen 4 and Veo 3 compared with the cheaper and free plans. They also get early access to upcoming AI features, with top-tier Pro customers getting advanced AI models soonest.

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• Claude can now connect to apps like Notion, Canva, and Stripe
• The AI can understand and assist with tasks using your actual work data
• Claude's secure access reduces the need to constantly explain context to the AI

Anthropic has upgraded Claude with a major new set of tools that let the AI assistant integrate directly with several popular software tools, including Notion, Canva, Stripe, Figma, Socket, and Prisma. The new Claude tool directory means you don't need to explain what you want to Claude every time you want to employ those tools; Claude can now look at the same information as you to help.

Until now, most AI interactions have required copying and pasting every detail from your project management tool, explaining what’s important, clarifying what each task means, and double-checking that the AI understood it. Now you can just ask it to do the task, and Claude will pull the information directly from the relevant tool to handle things.

That might not seem groundbreaking at first glance, but that context gap is where things usually fall apart when asking AI chatbots to help you. For instance, if you're working on a product launch in Notion and have a list of things to do, you'd normally have to retype or upload all the information to Claude. Now, once you connect Notion to Claude, the AI can read your project documents directly and start putting together timelines and presentation materials that fit the product because it sees what you see.

Or imagine a small business owner using Stripe to manage payments who wants a summary of which customers paid last week and which still owe you for your services. Claude can now pull that data directly from Stripe with your permission. And with Canva, a blank social media post template can now be filled in with a design and copy from Claude based on your brief. You describe what you need in plain language, and Claude will make something usable.

These integrations are powered by something called the Model Context Protocol, or MCP. That basically means Claude can understand and act on the tools you use without needing a whole tutorial. You just connect an app once, and Claude gets secure, limited access to the relevant information inside it. It doesn’t read your entire inbox or download your bank history, just what’s necessary to help you with the task at hand.

You can go to Claude’s tool directory and connect whatever apps you already use. If you’re on a paid Claude plan, you’ll get access to remote app connections like Stripe and Notion. Desktop integrations, like Figma and Socket, are available through the Claude desktop app.

Other AI tools are trying something similar. Google’s Gemini shows up in Docs and Gmail. Microsoft’s Copilot is baked into Word and Excel. But Anthropic’s take is more about linking what you already do with the AI, as opposed to baking the AI into those apps directly.

Of course, this doesn't make Claude autonomous. It can’t pay your bills or fully run your job. And while Anthropic says it’s designed everything with privacy and security in mind, some are likely to be wary, even if you can choose what Claude can access. But for most regular users, this update represents something potentially very useful in staying on top of things. If, as Anthropic claims, it will save time and mean you don't have to redo a lot of tedious paperwork, it will likely be a very popular feature.

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Europe has begun to actively test the waters of cloud sovereignty, with 72% of European businesses prioritizing data control when selecting technology vendors. However, despite the growing desire to protect data integrity and security within European borders, over 70% of European businesses use US hyperscalers from their cloud computing provider.

While Google is doubling down on its commitment to data sovereignty, there is a growing concern over hyperscalers' dominance over the European market, as it leaves critical infrastructure in the hands of dominant foreign providers.

As sweeping tariffs continue to escalate tensions between Europe and the US's big tech, many are questioning whether Google's commitment is enough to protect Europe’s data from the Big Three.

US Policies, like the 2018 Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act, give US hyperscalers massive influence in Europe. The act grants US authorities and federal agencies access to data stored by US cloud service providers, even when hosted in Europe. This raises concerns about whether European data stored with US-based providers can ever truly be sovereign, even if housed within European borders.

Another concern in Europe: being cut off from US services. If Europe were to suddenly lose access to US cloud services or face rising costs, businesses would experience immediate setbacks, from service disruptions to escalating operational expenses. These concerns, along with a push for more leadership, independence, and economic competitiveness, have led to Europe steadily building its own cloud ecosystem – fostering a network of regional providers and implementing policies that reinforce data independence.

The question has now become, do these changes signal a true tipping point for Europe? Or are they merely the first steps in a much longer transformation?

Both the public and private sectors play pivotal roles in advancing cloud sovereignty across Europe. Governments have established regulatory frameworks to enhance standards and avoid fragmentation. However, policymaking is often slow and subject to political negotiation, making private sector initiatives crucial in accelerating the shift toward true sovereignty.

The private sector has emerged as a driving force behind the practical implementation of sovereignty ideals. According to Dominique Tessier, Head of Cybersecurity Focus Group at the European Champions Alliance (ECA), “the move to make sure the EU Cloud Certification Scheme will finally include an “upper security layer” is mainly driven by private European companies, as AIRBUS, EDF, Telecom Italia and others, whose efforts are gaining momentum”.

While companies like Microsoft have invested heavily in EU infrastructure to comply with local regulations, concerns remain about whether this represents true sovereignty or just a regulatory workaround. In contrast, European companies and partnerships, such as the joint venture between OVHcloud and Capgemini, are working to offer services independent of US control, aiming to create fully sovereign cloud solutions.

These initiatives reflect a growing acknowledgement of the strategic importance of cloud sovereignty. This is supported by Rahiel Nasir, Research Director, IDC Europe, who states that “interest in sovereignty has moved from governments and regulated sectors to all industry sectors, especially in Europe, and everywhere else where cloud is just beginning to pick up”. These efforts are becoming more widespread, indicating a collaborative push towards achieving European digital independence, but more needs to be done to make this achievable.

Achieving true cloud sovereignty requires more than just localized data storage, it demands complete independence from hyperscalers. To achieve this, Europe must go beyond compliance and foster a robust ecosystem of local providers that can match and work alongside hyperscalers.

While hyperscalers play a role in the broader cloud landscape, they should not be relied upon for sovereign data. According to Tessier, “the new US Administration has shown that it won’t hesitate to resort either to sudden price increases or even to stiffening delivery policy. It’s time to reduce our dependencies, not to consider that there is no alternative”.

For Nasir, the key is striking a balance. “In an ideal scenario, local providers and global providers should partner for sovereignty to work at scale”. Leveraging their capabilities where appropriate while ensuring critical data and workloads remain within truly sovereign infrastructure.

By shifting away from hyperscaler dependency and building a diverse, sovereign infrastructure, organizations can move beyond regulatory compliance and achieve operational independence within their own jurisdictions.

While Europe is leading the way in advocating for cloud and digital sovereignty, achieving true independence requires a strategic balance. Reducing reliance on US hyperscalers while developing competitive local alternatives is crucial. This balance involves leveraging public and private sector initiatives to create an environment where local providers can thrive and compete on a global scale.

Ultimately, sovereignty is not just about regulatory compliance; it's about a strategic vision for independence. Empowering local providers and creating interconnected networks will allow Europe to set its own digital agenda and drive long-term economic and technological growth, helping to achieve “true” sovereignty.

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