Today's Hardware Pulse
Nvidia driver adds DLSS 5 profile options, hinting at next‑gen AI rendering
Nvidia's GeForce Game Ready driver 610.47 introduces three new profile settings—Enable DLSS NR override, Enable DLSS NR SL override, and Override DLSS NR presets—suggesting continued development of its upcoming DLSS 5 neural‑rendering technology. The earlier DLSS 5 reveal sparked debate over AI‑driven image alteration, after which Nvidia fell silent on the feature.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Cyient Semiconductors raises $30M Series A
Researchers Encode Full Hepatitis D Genome on IBM Quantum System One
Scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Oxford, Cambridge, Melbourne and Kyiv Academic University have loaded a complete Hepatitis D virus genome onto IBM Quantum System One’s 156‑qubit Heron processor. The milestone, achieved under the Wellcome Leap‑funded Q4Bio Challenge, demonstrates that quantum computers can now encode real‑world genomic data, opening new pathways for quantum‑enhanced bioinformatics.
Gigantic Robotic Hand L
I visited RealHand office today in Palo Alto - this hand was *gigantic* and showed nice dexterity during teleop. Hands can lift 50kg and range from $1.5k - $20k depending on complexity and sensors. https://realhand.com
The Best Jackery Portable Power Stations for Your Needs
Popular Mechanics evaluated Jackery’s latest portable power stations, naming the Explorer 1000 V2 as the best overall after it powered a 25‑cubic‑foot refrigerator for more than 18 hours. The review also highlighted the Explorer 300 V2 as the top budget pick, the Explorer 2000 V2 for camping,...
Meta Raises Prices on Quest 3 and Quest 3S Due to RAM Shortage
Meta announced price increases for its Quest 3 and Quest 3S VR headsets, attributing the hikes to a global RAM shortage. The 512 GB Quest 3 rises from $500 to $600, while the 128 GB and 256 GB Quest 3S models each add $50 to their original...
Why Data Centers Need Battery Storage
Data center operators are grappling with how much battery storage to install as AI-driven workloads create sharp, unpredictable power spikes. Without a reliable load profile, they cannot accurately size battery‑energy‑storage systems (BESS), leading to uncertainty in procurement and grid‑connection planning....
Oracle and AWS Collaborate to Expand Multicloud Networking
Oracle announced a new multicloud networking link that directly connects its Oracle Interconnect with AWS Interconnect‑multicloud, delivering a private, high‑performance bridge between Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and Amazon Web Services. The service will launch later this year in the AWS...
Fuji GA645Zi Review: My Favorite Medium Format Camera (That's Perfect for Instagram)
The Fujifilm GA645Zi is a 1998 medium‑format film camera that packs 120/220‑film capability into a sub‑kilogram body, delivering negatives 2.7 times larger than 35 mm. Its Super‑EBC Fujinon zoom lens offers sharp, high‑contrast images, and the camera’s portrait‑oriented viewfinder and aperture‑priority mode...
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Proves “Leica Phone” Concept Viable
Until recently, I'd have called it a cynical cash grab – but after two weeks with this special-edition Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the idea of a "Leica Phone" finally makes sense to me. Join me in the live chat for my first...
Ozlo’s Comfy Sleepbuds Are Nearly 30 Percent Off in the Run-Up to Mother’s Day
Ozlo’s Sleepbuds, engineered by former Bose staff, are on sale for $249—a $100 discount that brings the price down about 30% from the regular $349 list price. The earbuds function as a white‑noise machine while also allowing users to play...
AI Is Bringing Added Complexity for HPC Sites. How Are They Handling It?
AI workloads have transformed CINECA’s supercomputing environment, adding layers of software, storage and orchestration beyond traditional HPC. Since 2023 the Italian consortium expanded from a single Slurm‑based stack on Lustre to include Kubernetes, OpenStack, S3 object stores and AI‑focused frameworks...
Picogrid Awarded Contract to Streamline XVIII Airborne Corps Battlefield Integration
Picogrid secured a contract to help the XVIII Airborne Corps integrate emerging battlefield systems, with a focus on counter‑unmanned aerial threats. The firm will field its Legion and Expeditionary Command‑and‑Control Nodes to fuse sensors, response tools, and mission software even...
Chinese Chip Tool Makers Hit Record 2025 Revenues
Chinese domestic semiconductor equipment suppliers posted record revenues for the first three quarters of 2025, with Naura reporting roughly 27.1 billion yuan (about $3.8 billion), while AMEC and Piotech saw revenues rise more than five‑fold and 13‑fold respectively since 2020. The surge...
Our First Ryzen AI 5 430 Benchmarks Are in and They're a Mixed Bag
AMD’s new Ryzen AI 5 430, the latest mid‑range Zen 5 mobile processor, replaces the 2025 Ryzen AI 5 330 in budget‑to‑mid‑range laptops such as the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2‑in‑1 15. Benchmarks show the 430 delivers up to 30% faster single‑threaded performance and a 1.5‑2× jump in integrated graphics speed...
Why This MagSafe Battery Pack Is Our Readers' Favorite Model Right Now - Especially at Its Price
The Torras MiniMag Power Bank has emerged as ZDNET’s top‑rated MagSafe battery, offering 5,000 mAh in a remarkably thin 0.3‑inch, 4‑ounce package. Priced around $55 (often discounted to $36), it delivers 7.5 W charging via MagSafe and up to 18 W through USB‑C,...
T-Mobile Will Give You a Google Pixel 10a for Free - Plus an Extra Gift
T‑Mobile is offering new and existing customers up to four free Google Pixel 10a smartphones plus a complimentary pair of Pixel Buds 2a. The cost is spread over 24 monthly bill credits, and the devices must remain on an active plan for the...
Yale Lift Truck Launches Counterbalanced Stacker at MODEX
Yale Lift Truck Technologies unveiled a new counterbalanced stacker at MODEX 2026, expanding its Yale Relay automated lift‑truck platform. The stacker can lift up to 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) and reach roughly 4 m (13 ft), targeting put‑away and retrieval in stage lanes, conveyors,...
Genesem Wins 6 Billion-Won HBM Backend Equipment Order From SK Hynix
Genesem announced a 6 billion‑won ($4.4 million) contract with SK Hynix to supply high‑bandwidth memory (HBM) backend equipment, roughly 10.6% of its prior‑year revenue. The order, running through Sept. 15, is expected to center on vacuum mounters that protect ultra‑thin DRAM wafers. Payment terms...
ASML Targets More Than Doubling EUV Output Capacity by 2027
ASML announced plans to more than double its low‑numerical‑aperture (Low‑NA) EUV lithography output, targeting at least 80 systems by 2027 versus 44 shipped in 2023. The company says improvements in component supply, faster assembly, and higher wafer‑throughput (260 wafers per...
Duncan-Parnell Joins GeoCue Global Distribution Network to Expand Access to TrueView LiDAR and LP360 Software Across the Southeast
GeoCue has added Duncan‑Parnell to its global distribution network, giving Southeast U.S. geospatial professionals access to TrueView LiDAR sensors and LP360 processing software. Duncan‑Parnell, a long‑standing Trimble distributor with 23 offices and a 15‑person UAS team, recently acquired former Navigation...
2nd-Gen Onn 4K Pro Does Not Support Lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS:X Audio Passthrough Like the Onn 4K Stick
The second‑generation Onn 4K Pro streaming stick cannot pass lossless Dolby TrueHD or DTS:X audio, unlike the earlier Onn 4K Stick which uses a Realtek processor and supports lossless formats in Kodi. Benchmark tests with Kodi and Plex showed the...
New Media Drivers Merged For Linux 7.1
The Linux 7.1 merge window has incorporated a substantial media subsystem update, adding new hardware support and driver enhancements. The uvcvideo driver now supports Intel RealSense D436 and D555 3D depth cameras and introduces the P010 pixel format. Upstream drivers for...
NAB 2026: DPA Microphones N-Series Firmware Update Adds Duplex Gap and Guard Band Access for North American Users
DPA Microphones has issued a firmware update for its N‑Series digital wireless system, unlocking the 2 MHz Guard Band (614‑616 MHz) and the 6 MHz unlicensed portion of the Duplex Gap (657‑663 MHz) for U.S. and Canadian users. The added spectrum lets licensed operators...
Canada Opens Applications to Build a Public AI Supercomputer
The Canadian government has launched the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program (SCIP), allocating roughly $890 million CAD (about $660 million USD) to build a publicly owned, large‑scale AI supercomputer. Applications are open to Canadian non‑profits, post‑secondary institutions, or consortia, with a deadline...
Netgear, EVS Team Up for Certified AV–Over–IP Live Production Workflows
Netgear announced a global partnership with EVS Broadcast Equipment to deliver certified, interoperable AV‑over‑IP solutions for live production. The collaboration validates EVS’s Cerebrum, Neuron and Strada systems on Netgear’s M4350 and M4250 switches, providing pre‑tested configurations that support SMPTE ST 2110, NDI...
WEBINAR: Beyond Moore’s Law and The Future of Semiconductor Manufacturing Intelligence
The SemiWiki webinar on April 23 2026 gathered leading AI, EDA and fab executives to discuss how semiconductor manufacturing is moving beyond Moore’s Law. Speakers highlighted AI‑driven digital twins, predictive metrology, agentic AI and generative design as tools to tame the complexity...
TDK Introduces High-Efficiency 1500 W AC-DC Modules
TDK has launched the third‑generation PFE1500FB series, a 1500 W AC‑DC power module that operates from 85 V to 305 V input. The units achieve up to 92% efficiency at 230 V and feature a metal baseplate for sealed or liquid‑cooled environments. A full‑read/write...
Amazon Releases Second Fire TV Stick with Vega OS, Plans to Bring It to All Future Models
Amazon announced the Fire TV Stick HD, its slimmest streaming stick yet, slated for release at month‑end. The device adds Wi‑Fi 6 and is claimed to be 30% faster than its predecessor. Unlike earlier models, the new stick runs Vega, Amazon’s...
XAI Renting GPUs to Cursor – Further GPU Rents Enables Breakeven
Elon Musk’s xAI is set to lease tens of thousands of GPUs to AI‑coding startup Cursor, with hourly rates between $2.5 and $18. Renting 10,000 GPUs would cost $15‑$40 million per month, while 50,000 GPUs would run $75‑$200 million. If xAI rents...
The MacBook Neo Guide
Apple has introduced the MacBook Neo, a sub‑$600 laptop that aims to prove a premium‑grade device can be affordable. Powered by Apple Silicon, the Neo features a 13.6‑inch Liquid Retina display, two USB‑C ports (one with 20× faster throughput), and...
Deal Sourcing Wins: Shaq’s Ring Investment Story
Shaq story investing in Ring before Amazon bought it for $1B is very entertaining. He wanted a security camera. One firm tried milking him for $80k (“no…beat it”). So, he went to Best Buy, saw Ring camera and bought it. Loved the...
Intel Rumored to Extend LGA1700 Platform with Raptor Lake Refresh Until 2027
Intel plans to extend the LGA1700 desktop platform through early 2027 by launching a Raptor Lake Refresh family. The new CPUs will fit existing motherboards and support both DDR4 and DDR5, letting users boost performance without a full system overhaul....
First Look: Also's Upcoming E-Bike Disconnects the Pedals and Wheels
Also, an electric‑bike startup backed by Rivian, is gearing up to launch the TM‑B, a bike that disconnects the rider’s pedals from the wheels. Pedaling drives a generator, whose electricity—augmented by a battery—powers a separate motor, while software controls crank...
Interview: Jabil on Scaling Humanoid Robots From Prototype to Production
Jabil, a global manufacturing and supply‑chain leader, is helping Apptronik move its Apollo humanoid robot from prototype to volume production. The company emphasizes design‑for‑manufacturability, repeatable testing, and supply‑chain maturity as the core levers for scaling. Unlike mature AMR and AGV...
AMD Reportedly Plans Ryzen 7 5800X3D Anniversary Edition Comeback for AM4
AMD is reportedly preparing an anniversary‑edition of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D for the AM4 socket, reviving the 2022 chip without hardware changes. The processor retains its 8‑core/16‑thread design, 3.4 GHz base clock, 4.5 GHz boost and a massive 96 MB 3D V‑Cache. By re‑launching on the...
Black Forest Power Monsters for the DIN Rail
CAMTEC Power Supplies launched the CPS‑EC2000 series, a 2,000 W DIN‑rail AC/DC power supply built on SiC‑MOSFET technology. The unit delivers laboratory‑grade precision, 94% efficiency, and rapid load response without a programming interface, targeting cost‑sensitive test‑bench and charger applications. Available alongside...
Google Shows Axion ARM CPUs Cutting Energy Use and Boosting Performance on GKE
Google Cloud executives Jago Macleod and Abdel Sghiouar told KubeCon Europe that a year of production with the company’s custom Arm‑based Axion processors has made moving container workloads to Arm a routine scheduling decision. The firm claims 50% higher performance,...
Span and Nvidia Launch XFRA: Distributed AI Nodes for Homes Target 1 GW by 2027
Smart panel maker Span and chip giant Nvidia announced a partnership to roll out XFRA, a network of backyard AI compute nodes. A proof‑of‑concept of 100 nodes will be installed in new‑construction homes in the Southwest in Q3 2026, with a...
Moocci Launches Patent‑Backed Kinetic Display That Stabilizes Magnetic Levitation for Retail
Moocci introduced a kinetic display system that leverages three U.S. patents to deliver rock‑solid magnetic levitation for objects up to 5 kg. The technology neutralizes micro‑vibrations, supports varied shapes, and includes a fail‑safe mode for power loss, aiming to move levitation...
Communication On The Production Floor
Cisco Devices’ VP Espen Løberg warned that most factories rely on fragmented communication tools that aren’t interoperable, creating safety and productivity gaps. He highlighted Cisco’s new Wireless Phone 9821, which leverages Wi‑Fi 6E/7 and AI‑driven noise cancellation to deliver zero‑latency, secure voice...
Bambu Lab X2D Signals Potential Shift Toward Consumer-Focused 3D Printing Market
Bambu Lab unveiled the X2D, a desktop 3D printer that upgrades the X1 line with a dual‑nozzle head and consumer‑oriented features. The company markets the machine as quiet, filtered, and plug‑and‑play, targeting home users rather than traditional professional buyers. By...
ParityQC and IBM Set Record with 52‑Qubit Quantum Fourier Transform on Heron
ParityQC and IBM announced that they have executed a 52‑qubit quantum Fourier transform (QFT) on IBM's Heron r3 processor, surpassing the prior 27‑qubit record. The breakthrough leverages ParityQC’s Parity Twine architecture to eliminate SWAP‑gate overhead, delivering higher fidelity across a...
Chip Packaging: The Glue Powering Modern Electronics
Inside every laptop or desktop is a circuit board filled with tiny electronic components, many of which are silicon chips. These chips may look like simple rectangular blocks, but on their own, they cannot do much without being connected to...
Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo: Recycled, Affordable, Not Junk
The MacBook Neo Guide — first edition. In 2008, Jobs said Apple couldn't make a $500 computer that wasn't junk. In 2026, they made a $599 one out of iPhone parts, binned chips, and recycled aluminum. It's not cheap....
First Look at My New AI Smart Glasses
I finally got my AI Smart glasses by @Vader_AI_ Check out the unboxing 👀 https://t.co/ldUq81Qk9r
Bambu Adds Multi‑filament Color Printing, Credits OrcaSlicer‑FullSpectrum
Bambu updates its 3D printers to print unique hues or gradients using two or three filaments — company acknowledges OrcaSlicer-FullSpectrum fork as the basis for the color prediction part of the new feature https://t.co/ZxRNv9TNgQ
China Doubles AI‑Science Compute Without US Chips
China doubles ‘AI for science’ computing scale in 2 months using no US chips | South China Morning Post https://t.co/3H0S5aW1UM
DJI Plans Two New Entry‑Level Drones Amid Existing Lineup
DJI seems poised to launch two new entry-level camera drones — a move that seems a little strange given it already offers several cheap, affordable and highly capable models. https://t.co/GNdYIuBAOp
Microsoft to Launch OLED Surface Laptop with Chip Choices
Microsoft is planning Surface Laptop with an OLED display this year. It's part of a refresh of the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop line, which will also reportedly include upgraded haptics and the option of Intel or Qualcomm chips. Details...
Amazon Cuts Top Gadget Prices to as Low as $14.99
Amazon is slashing prices on its best-selling tech gadgets, including Fire tablets, Ring Doorbells, Blink cameras, Fire Sticks, and more, starting at just $14.99. https://t.co/CcxY57oXOI
Intel Nears ATH; Terafab Deal May Redefine Foundry Landscape
Intel ~9 % away from ATH. I also think the terafab deal may be more consequential in many respects than is realized today. Wait until you see my foundry model :)