May 18, 2025
Tech News
Spotify recently faced backlash from creators after announcing public play counts for podcasts to help attract new listeners. In response to concerns that the feature may favor popular shows, the company adjusted its plan. Play counts will now be visible only for podcasts with at least 50,000 plays, updating at milestones such as 100,000 and 1 million plays.
Meanwhile, podcast creators criticized the inconsistency of how platforms define a “play” or “stream.” Spotify clarified that its play counts will only consider instances where “people actively tried” the content, contrasting with definitions by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB). This discrepancy complicates dealmaking between podcasters and advertisers, leading to ongoing frustrations.
In the realm of data centers, Equinix has celebrated the grand opening of its first International Business Exchange (IBX) data center, named JK1, in Jakarta, Indonesia. This eight-story facility offers 550 cabinets initially, expanding to 1,600 at full capacity. Equipped with cutting-edge cooling technology and offering interconnection services, JK1 will boost enterprise demands in the region.
Shifting gears to gaming hardware, Wooting has announced its upgraded 60HE v2 gaming keyboard, renowned for its innovative design. The new model, set to launch later this year, features true 8K polling and a closed-bottom Hall effect switch, enhancing speed and sound quality. Fans of the original 60HE can look forward to even greater customization options in this next iteration.
The new Lekker Tikken switch is designed to improve the acoustic profile of Hall effect switches, which have historically lagged behind traditional options. Additionally, users will have choices such as silicone or EPDM foam blocks to personalize sound and feel, reaffirming Wooting’s commitment to community-driven innovation as they prepare for a Q4 2025 release.
Tech Explained
Podcast – A podcast is a digital audio file made available on the Internet for downloading to a computer or mobile device, typically available as a series. They have grown in popularity due to their accessibility and diversity of topics, allowing creators to connect with niche audiences.
Hall Effect Switch – Hall effect switches are electronic devices that use magnetic fields to detect the presence of an object. In keyboards, they register key presses by sensing the distance traveled by a key, providing a faster response time compared to traditional mechanical switches.
Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) – PUE is a metric used to determine the energy efficiency of a data center. It is calculated by dividing the total amount of power used by the data center by the power used by the computing equipment alone, aiding in the evaluation of energy management.
