GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1996
Ownership
heise online is the technology news portal of Heise Medien, the Hanover-based publishing house founded in 1949 by Heinz Heise (the heise.de news site itself launched in 1996). The company is still privately owned and run by the founding Heise family, with third-generation owner Ansgar Heise leading it since 1999. Its stable of titles includes the computing magazines c't and iX as well as Technology Review.
Funding
Financed as a private, family-owned publisher through advertising, magazine and digital sales and a heise+ subscription offering, with no external venture funding, party or state subsidy.
Affiliation & stance
heise online is a specialist tech/IT outlet with a broadly centrist editorial stance (strong on digital rights and privacy), and it is owned outright by the Heise family with no party, state or corporate-group control. That private family ownership makes it INDEPENDENT, consistent with the site's center lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 238
88/100
Factual
85/100
Objective
749
Articles
749
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Earthquake in Venezuela: Android devices have warned more than 11 million people
Why SpaceX's IPO Is Risky for Investors
Anthropic: Fear of Chinese espionage to be the trigger for AI lockdown
Searching for Kenya's Missing Children
Broadcasting contribution before the Federal Constitutional Court
AI in journalism: Döpfner speaks like a chattering AI
Siri AI: Apple promises a full AI reboot for Apple Intelligence
Sickness and maternity allowances
Fuel prices rise sharply before the end of the fuel rebate
Recent coverage
Sick note: What kind of sick note is this?
The article discusses two main topics. First, it covers the German federal government’s plan to abolish telephonic sick leave reporting and introduce mandatory medical certificates from day one of illness. The current system requires employees to report sickness after three days, but the new proposal would require immediate documentation. Doctors criticize this change, warning of increased workload and bureaucracy. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil have proposed a pragmatic solution, though details remain unclear. Second, the article mentions the resignation of Germany’s national football team coach Julian Nagelsmann following their early exit from the World Cup. Nagelsmann has requested to terminate his contract and plans to meet former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who is considered a potential successor.
Due to radio interference, train service resumes after a complete shutdown.
On Tuesday evening, June 24, 2026, a nationwide disruption caused by a malfunction in Germany's digital railway communication system (GSM-R) brought all train traffic across the country to a complete halt. The outage lasted approximately two hours, stranding numerous passengers and creating long queues at train stations. By around 0:30 AM, the first trains resumed operation, but delays and service disruptions were expected to continue into Wednesday morning. Deutsche Bahn (DB) attributed the stoppage to a technical failure in the GSM-R network, which is critical for modern rail operations. While some passengers received taxi vouchers and hotel coupons, others reported difficulties finding accommodations, particularly in cities like Frankfurt. Despite efforts by IT specialists to resolve the issue quickly, DB did not provide detailed information about the cause of the malfunction. The incident affected not only passenger trains but also regional services, private railways, and freight traffic.
Project Aion: video leak shows concept of how Microsoft is trimming Windows on AI
Das Artikel berichtet über ein internes Microsoft-Konzept namens Projekt Aion, das in einem Video geleakt wurde. Das Video zeigt ein neues Betriebssystem, das vollständig umgestaltet ist und auf KI basiert, insbesondere auf Copilot und agilen AI-Agenten. Der Artikel erwähnt, dass das Video möglicherweise aus dem Jahr 2024 stammt und Microsoft damals intensiv an der Integration von KI in Windows arbeitete. Aion hat eine minimale Oberfläche mit einer einzigen Taskbar-Option, die auf einen webbasierten Copilot-Agenten zugreift. Der Artikel vergleicht Aion mit früheren Projekten wie Surface Neo und Windows 10X, die nicht zur Veröffentlichung kamen. Es wird darauf hingewiesen, dass Aion nicht offiziell als Produkt angekündigt wurde, aber KI-Agenten in Zukunft in Windows 11 integriert werden könnten. Zudem wird erwähnt, dass andere Unternehmen wie Humain und Google ebenfalls KI-integrierte Geräte entwickeln.
Chat control: EU Council tricks Parliament before the break
The article discusses a political conflict within the European Union regarding digital privacy laws, specifically the 'digital postal secrecy' issue. The dispute centers around the proposed 'Chatkontrolle 2.0,' which would require technology companies to scan encrypted communications for child sexual abuse material. Talks have stalled due to resistance from the EU Parliament. Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers has moved to reactivate an expired interim regulation, known as 'Chatkontrolle 1.0,' through a legal maneuver. This allows tech firms to voluntarily scan messages using AI and hash matching to detect harmful content. Critics argue this bypasses democratic oversight and pressures lawmakers during the summer recess. The new proposal aims to avoid fragmentation by creating a unified framework, but opponents see it as a tactic to circumvent parliamentary control.
SAP wants to finance AI expansion with austerity measures
SAP, der Softwarekonzernt, plant Sparmaßnahmen wie reduzierte Neueinstellungen und eingeschränkte Dienstreisen, um Mittel für den Ausbau seiner KI-Technologien zu sichern. Ein SAP-Sprecher bestätigte einen Bericht von Bloomberg, wonach das Management künftig nur spezifische KI-Profilen Priorität gibt und interne Veranstaltungen ohne KI-Bezug aussetzt. Die Maßnahmen sind Teil einer breiteren Strategie, Ressourcen in KI-kompetentes Personal und Technologie zu investieren. SAP-Chef Christian Klein betont seit längerem die KI-Integration, doch die Vertrauenswerte unter Mitarbeitern sanken, und die Aktie verlor seit Jahresbeginn 30 Prozent an Wert.
Comment: CVSS scores rendered worthless by CISA overreach
The article discusses concerns about the reliability of CVSS scores assigned by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to two vulnerabilities in Apache software: CVE-2026-53434 and CVE-2026-55276. Originally flagged as critical by CISA, these vulnerabilities were later assessed as low severity by Apache developers based on specific conditions. The article highlights how CISA’s practice of updating CVSS scores without consulting the original CVE Numbering Authorities (CNAs) has led to discrepancies in risk assessment, potentially misleading system administrators and users who rely on these scores to prioritize security patches.
Intel is raising the price of its most popular desktop processor
Intel has increased the recommended prices for three of its current desktop processors: the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, and Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. The price increases range from 10.1% to 16.7%, reflecting rising supply chain costs and strong demand for these processors. Intel stated that the changes align with recent price adjustments across other product lines due to similar factors. In Germany, the actual retail prices are typically lower than U.S. recommendations but are expected to rise accordingly. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus remains the most sought-after desktop processor at under 300 euros, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and 250KF Plus are priced around 215 euros and 200 euros respectively.
This is what evaporative coolers do.
The article discusses residential evaporative coolers, also known as 'verdunstungskühler,' which are marketed as portable alternatives to traditional air conditioners. It explains their basic function, noting that they work by using evaporation to cool the air, which is then distributed via a fan. The piece highlights the affordability of these devices, with small models starting at around 20 euros and larger ones costing up to 100 euros—significantly less than conventional air conditioners. While the article acknowledges the potential cooling effect, it also points out possible drawbacks, such as the need for water and the limited effectiveness compared to true air conditioning units.
Microsoft's new AI unit to embed 6,000 experts directly into customers
Microsoft investiert 2,5 Milliarden US-Dollar in eine neue operative Geschäftseinheit namens Microsoft Frontier Company, die Unternehmen dabei unterstützen soll, maßgeschneiderte KI-Systeme mit messbarem geschäftlichem Nutzen zu entwickeln. Die Initiative basiert auf dem Modell von Palantir, bei dem KI-Ingenieure direkt bei Kunden eingesetzt werden, um Systeme gemeinsam zu integrieren. Microsoft kooperiert mit Partnern wie Accenture, Capgemini, EY, KPMG und PwC und hat bereits Projekte mit der London Stock Exchange Group, Unilever und Novo Nordisk angestoßen. Das Unternehmen betont Datenschutz und Flexibilität, indem es Kunden ermöglicht, verschiedene Modelle einzusetzen, ohne dass Daten in Trainingsdaten fließen. Gleichzeitig will Microsoft durch tiefere Integration in bestehende IT-Systeme und laufende Betriebsleistungen die Abhängigkeit von seinen Diensten erhöhen.
Compressor cooling unit Mobicool MCF32 in test: Cooling stationary and mobile up to -10 °C
The article reviews the Mobicool MCF32 compressor cooler box, highlighting its capacity of 31 liters, ability to cool down to -10°C, and versatility in operating on 12V, 24V, and 230V power sources. It targets users such as campers, van drivers, boaters, and frequent travelers. The review discusses the design, materials, and usability, noting the classic blue-white plastic casing, removable lid for easier cleaning, and compact size suitable for tight spaces. It also mentions the lack of a water drain and the absence of wheels or telescopic handle compared to larger models. The article evaluates the practicality and performance of the cooler box at a price starting from €160.
New registrations in June: electric cars boom, combustion engines continue to lose
In June 2026, Germany saw a 15.7% increase in new car registrations compared to the previous year, totaling 296,378 units. The share of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) rose significantly to 28.4%, up from 18.4% in June 2025, with 84,057 new electric cars registered—a 78.2% increase year-on-year. Hybrid vehicles also grew by 16.8%, reaching 39% of total registrations. In contrast, internal combustion engines continued their decline, with gasoline-powered cars dropping to 20.5% market share and diesel vehicles falling to 11.4%. The average theoretical CO₂ emissions of new cars decreased by 13.6% to 92.6 g/km. Tesla and BYD experienced triple-digit growth in registrations, while German brands like Smart and Mini saw strong increases. SUVs maintained their dominance with 37.5% market share, while compact cars declined slightly.
AI data centres: tech lobby urges EU to ease up on climate rules
The European Union is considering significantly relaxing sustainability rules for AI data centers, according to reports by the Financial Times. Initially, the proposed regulations required data centers to use green energy certificates only if the electricity was generated at the same time and in the same price zone as their consumption, coming from facilities no older than ten years. This aimed to better align emissions offsetting with actual power supply and encourage new renewable energy projects. However, a revised draft, influenced by industry lobbying, would remove these requirements and potentially allow nuclear energy certificates, which would benefit countries like France. The changes could make it easier and cheaper for data centers to offset emissions using certificates, even with fossil fuel usage. The revised proposal is set for discussion among EU Commission representatives and energy experts but remains non-final. Meanwhile, companies like Amazon and Google report rising emissions due to expanding AI infrastructure, highlighting the tension between climate goals and technological growth.
Cloud becomes the Achilles' heel of the German economy
The article discusses the growing reliance of German companies on cloud computing and the associated risks of outages. According to the Bitkom Cloud Report 2026, 46 percent of companies believe a prolonged cloud outage would halt their operations, while 9 percent would have to stop work immediately. On average, businesses could operate without cloud services for about three days. The report highlights the critical role of cloud infrastructure, comparing it to essential utilities like electricity and internet access. It also notes that 86 percent of surveyed companies already use cloud services, with many moving applications there and increasing use of AI tools. While companies are taking steps to prepare for outages—such as having contingency plans and local backup systems—only 8 percent use a second cloud provider for redundancy. The study was based on a representative survey of 603 German companies with at least 20 employees.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
