Today's Hardware Pulse
Nvidia driver hints at next‑gen DLSS 5 work
Nvidia’s GeForce Game Ready driver 610.47 adds three new profile options—Enable DLSS NR override, Enable DLSS NR SL override, and Override DLSS NR presets—suggesting continued development of DLSS 5 neural‑rendering technology. The earlier DLSS 5 reveal had sparked debate over AI‑driven image alteration, and the new driver hints at a quiet but ongoing effort.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Cyient Semiconductors raises $30M Series A
Save over 40% Off Fire TV Devices in April
Amazon is offering deep April discounts on its entire Fire TV lineup, with savings of up to 43% off regular prices. The Fire TV Stick HD is now $20 (down from $35), the 4K Select model $25 (from $40), and the 4K Plus version $30 (from $50). Higher‑end options like the 4K Max and Fire TV Cube 4K are also reduced, costing $40 and $110 respectively. These promotions make Amazon’s streaming hardware more affordable for budget‑conscious households.
Despite the Government’s Ban, Netgear Just Got an Exemption to Keep Selling New WiFi Routers in the U.S.
The Federal Communications Commission granted Netgear an exemption that lets the company sell new foreign‑made Wi‑Fi routers in the United States through October 1, 2027, despite a recent ban on all new overseas router models. The exemption still requires each new Netgear...
First Look: Norco Sight VLT Bosch A
Norco has unveiled the Sight VLT Bosch A, a full‑powered all‑mountain e‑bike priced between CAD 6,000 and 8,000 (approximately $4,400‑$5,800 USD). The bike pairs Bosch’s Performance Line PX motor—offering 90 Nm of torque, 700 W peak power, and a 600 Wh battery—with a mixed “mullet” wheel...
Pragmata’s, Resident Evil Requiem’s RE Engine Path Tracing Integration Explained in Hour-Long Video
Capcom and Nvidia unveiled an hour‑long GDC presentation detailing how they integrated real‑time path tracing into the RE Engine for Resident Evil Requiem and the upcoming Pragmata. The feature, built over 18 months by Capcom engineers Kenta Nakamoto and Kosuke...
Below the Surface: From Substrate to System—Why Integration Is the Real RF Breakthrough
Chandra Gupta argues that the true breakthrough in RF engineering lies not in the ceramic substrate alone but in the seamless integration of substrate, package, and module. Modern RF packages are treated as electrical elements, with engineered transitions that preserve...
Used Industrial FFF Printers May Be Hitting a Brutal New Reality: Near-Zero Resale Value
A recent auction‑style listing shows two Stratasys Fortus industrial FFF printers—once priced in the tens of thousands—now attracting bids around $100, essentially zero resale value. The rapid depreciation reflects a broader market shift where newer, lower‑cost 3‑D printers outpace older...
The System Architect’s Sketchbook: The Coherency Wall
Deepak Shankar, founder of Mirabilis Design, released a cartoon titled “The system architect’s sketchbook: The coherency wall” to illustrate the growing challenges of memory‑coherency in modern multi‑core chip designs. The illustration, shared on EDN, visualizes how increasing core counts create...
Fiber Optic Rails Detect Faulty Wheels and Intrusions Instantly
What if optical fiber buried next to rail lines quietly flagged bad wheels, broken barriers, and intrusions in real time? https://spectrum.ieee.org/distributed-acoustic-sensing-trains-railways?share_id=9372974
Optical Fiber Networks Can Keep Rail Networks Safe
Chinese researchers demonstrated that distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) on existing underground fiber‑optic cables can continuously monitor railway safety. AI models achieved 98.75% accuracy detecting faulty train wheels, 99.6% for broken sound barriers, and 97% for intrusions or debris. The approach...
SNK Is Releasing a Modern NeoGeo AES Console with ‘Unrivaled Authenticity’ and £70 Game Cartridges
SNK and Plaion are reviving the 1990 NeoGeo AES with a modern NeoGeo AES+ console slated for a November 12 launch. The standard and 35th Anniversary editions will retail for $249.99 (≈£179.99/€199.99) and include HDMI, 1080p output, and on‑screen BIOS...
SMT DIP Switches Fit Space-Constrained PCBs
Littelfuse introduced the TDB series, a line of miniature surface‑mount DIP switches that use a 1.27 mm half‑pitch layout to dramatically shrink PCB footprints. The family offers 2‑ to 10‑position SPST configurations with body lengths from 3.67 mm to 13.83 mm, supporting up...
Researchers Induce Smells With Ultrasound, No Chemical Cartridges Required
A team of four researchers has built a head‑mounted device that uses focused ultrasound to stimulate the brain's olfactory bulb, creating the perception of smell without any chemical cartridges. By placing the transducer on the forehead and directing the waves...
Goods Delivery Innovator Boosts Productivity for Cycle Couriers
British tech firm SLANT unveiled an electric cargo trailer that raises a cycle courier’s payload from roughly 80 kg to 250 kg, slashing required trips by up to 60%. Backed by a £109,000 (≈$138,000) grant from the Department for Transport’s Freight Innovation...
Japan: Nintendo Switch 2 Reigns Supreme and Pokemon Pokopia Remains No.1
Nintendo’s Switch 2 dominated Japan’s weekly hardware market, moving 52,058 units from April 6‑12, 2026. The broader Switch family sold 21,134 units, outpacing the PlayStation 5’s 8,673 and Xbox’s 685. On the software side, Pokemon Pokopia topped sales with 23,738 copies, adding to its...
Wilkinson Divider/Combiner Reduces Insertion Loss
Vishay introduced the WLKN-000, a two‑way Wilkinson power divider/combiner that covers 15 GHz‑20 GHz with a center frequency of 18 GHz. The surface‑mount device delivers insertion loss below 0.5 dB under 19 GHz and return loss between 10 dB and 15 dB, while maintaining output‑to‑output isolation better...
Digital Isolators Strengthen Industrial Systems
Diodes introduced the API782x series, a dual‑channel digital isolator that delivers 5.7 kVRMS isolation for one minute per UL 1577. The devices meet VDE, UL and CQC standards, offering 8 kV peak isolation and 12.8 kV surge capability, with a predicted 40‑year operational life....
MAV Launches BayiQ ANPR Camera for EV Charging-Bay Management
MAV Systems has introduced BayiQ, an ANPR camera that can monitor several electric‑vehicle charging bays from a single unit. The solution tackles chronic EV‑infrastructure issues such as overstaying, ICEing (non‑EVs occupying EV bays) and low turnover. By processing vehicle data...
Brazil Prepares for 6G with CPQD's ERA 6G Project
Brazil’s research institute CPQD, backed by Funttel and the Ministry of Communications, has launched the "Evolution in Open Networks towards 6G" (ERA 6G) project. The 36‑month initiative will develop a 6G mobile infrastructure based on open, disaggregated technologies. It targets advanced use...
OQ Technology Awarded ESA Contract to Adapt 5G Beamforming for Space
OQ Technology has been awarded a €1 million (≈$1.08 million) contract by the European Space Agency to adapt 5G beamforming for satellite‑to‑phone connectivity under the BEAMSAT‑5G project, which began on February 3, 2026. The initiative will develop phased‑array hardware, optimize link budgets for LEO‑to‑smartphone...
SecuGen’s MOSIP-Certified Fingerprint Devices Ready for Commercial Deployments
SecuGen announced that its Unity 20 fingerprint scanner has achieved MOSIP certification and is now commercially available for large‑scale digital identity projects. The device complies with MOSIP SBI 2.0 L1 specifications, delivering interoperable authentication in humid or dusty conditions. SecuGen highlights the scanner’s...
Limited Chip Exports Preserve US Edge, Fuel China’s Future AI
Jensen's arguments against chip export controls didn't make a ton of sense to me, but here's a steelman: selling a limited quantity of n-1 generation chips to China could undercut their domestic industry, while retaining a 10x American compute advantage. Totally...
HT18M-5A, SMA RF Load Termination
HASCO introduced the HT18M-5A, an SMA RF load termination that operates up to 18 GHz and handles 5 W of power. The device targets dense connector environments, 5G infrastructure, and high‑speed semiconductor testing. By terminating signals, it prevents reflections that can degrade...
ETA Green Power Launches ETA-MODEL 20, a 13.5 Kg Integrated Motor, Controller and Charger for Light EVs
ETA Green Power unveiled the ETA‑MODEL 20, a 3‑in‑1 electric powertrain that merges motor, controller and onboard charger into a single 13.5 kg unit. The integrated system is 32.5% lighter and 20% smaller than conventional setups, delivering 92% peak efficiency, 10,000 rpm motor...
Vexlum and Menlo Collaborate to Streamline Optical Clock Development
Finland’s Vexlum and Germany’s Menlo Systems have teamed up under the EU‑funded VEQTOR project to create a modular, turn‑key photonics source for optical atomic clocks. By merging Vexlum’s high‑power VECSEL lasers with Menlo’s precision metrology hardware, the partnership aims to...
Superior Health Linens to Install New LAVATEC Press
Superior Health Linens, a division of Healthcare Linen Services Group, signed a purchase agreement to replace its 20‑year‑old LAVATEC LP582 extraction press with a newer model slated for installation later this summer. The original press, bought in 2026, helped the...
Intercede Now Supports Idemia PS Devices for Unified FIDO, PKI Credential Management
Intercede has integrated Idemia Public Security’s newest authentication hardware into its MyID CMS 12.18 platform, enabling unified management of both FIDO and PKI credentials. The Idemia devices, built on the COSMO X platform, meet the FIPS 201 PIV standard required for...
Walmart Is Rolling Out Its In-House DC Fast Charging Network at a Rapid Pace
Walmart has accelerated its own DC fast‑charging rollout, now operating 31 stations with 112 dispensers across the United States. The network uses 400‑kilowatt chargers from Alpitronic and ABB, each equipped with NACS and CCS1 connectors. Texas leads with 15 locations,...
Create Eye-Catching Social Media Stories via OPPO Reno15 5G
OPPO launched the Reno15 5G in Turkey alongside the Reno15 Pro 5G and Reno15 F 5G, positioning it as a visual‑storytelling smartphone. The device combines hardware like a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, a 6500 mAh battery and IP69 protection with software tools...
Orange Poland Deploys 42 Base Stations in Q1, Expands 5G Coverage
Orange Poland added 42 new base stations in the first quarter, raising its nationwide count to 12,713. The carrier also upgraded 113 sites to C‑band 5G, expanding the technology to 4,600 locations by the end of March. Orange aims to...
Fujifilm Introduces the Next Generation in Photo Printing Experiences
Fujifilm North America unveiled the instax SPOT, a next‑generation instant‑photo hub designed for high‑traffic venues such as retail stores, museums and amusement parks. The freestanding solution offers two engagement modes—a tabletop AR photobooth and a QR‑code‑driven wireless print hub—printing on...
Foldable Smartphone Sales up 32% in Q1 - M.Video
M.Video reported that Russian foldable smartphone sales reached 29,000 units in Q1, a 32% year‑on‑year increase. Revenue rose 8% to roughly $29 million, driven by an average price of about $1,000, down from $1,200 a year earlier. Samsung and Huawei dominated both unit...
4R Battery Alliance Calls for EV Battery Testing to Be Part of the UK’s MOT Testing Regime
The 4R Battery Alliance, backed by recell.store, is urging the UK government to add EV battery testing to the mandatory MOT inspection. While recent MOT updates introduced visual checks of high‑voltage components, they still omit performance diagnostics. The alliance argues...
Shrimp‑Inspired Camera Enables Real‑Time Cancer Mapping
A new shrimp-inspired camera captures ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared images on a single chip, enabling real-time identification of lymph nodes and potential cancer spread during surgery for more precise and less invasive procedures. medtech
Rebellions Supplies 'Rebel100' AI Chip to KT for LLM Inference
South Korean AI chip startup Rebellions has delivered its second‑generation Rebel100 NPU to telecom giant KT, aiming to boost cost efficiency for large language model (LLM) inference. The 4‑nanometer, HBM3E‑equipped chip can perform up to one quadrillion operations per second...
Meta Raises Quest 3 and Quest 3S Prices Due to RAM Shortage
Meta announced a price increase for its Quest 3 VR headsets, citing a global surge in memory‑chip costs. Effective April 19, the Quest 3 will rise $100 to $599.99, the Quest 3S 128 GB model adds $50 to reach $349.99, and the 256 GB version...
MacBook Pro M5 Limits External Displays: Windows User Struggles
I've been a Windows girl my whole career. Four monitors, zero complaints. Now I'm looking at switching to a MacBook Pro M5 — and just found out Macs don't natively support 4 external displays. This is already going sideways 😭 Mac people,...
AMD's Massive Growth Won’t Require Nvidia Share
$AMD doesn’t have to take share from $NVDA to achieve massive DC growth. This was always going to happen. 👏🏻
Intel Formally Announces Core Series 3 "Wildcat Lake"
Intel officially launched its Core Series 3 “Wildcat Lake” low‑end mobile processors, the first 18A chips positioned below the Core Ultra Series 3 “Panther Lake” SoCs. The lineup targets value‑oriented laptops, commercial devices and edge hardware, promising 47% higher single‑thread, up to...
Laser Distance Meters Deliver Precise Long‑Range Measurements
A laser distance measurer can help you take more accurate measurements at longer distances. https://t.co/RNQpdLonKW https://t.co/h4ibiTipR2
Vulcan AI Controller Keeps Robot Stable After Actuator Loss
Introducing Vulcan - a new Al robot controller This is an important safety feature that allows F.03 to lose up to 3 actuators in the lower body and still hobble around without falling Check it out https://t.co/g8YpYfWajw
What Legacy Control Infrastructure Actually Costs Multi-Site Operators
Legacy industrial control systems impose hidden, escalating costs on multi‑site operators. Maintenance premiums rise as OEM support ends, forcing expensive extended contracts, spare‑part stockpiling, and reliance on a dwindling pool of specialist technicians. Unplanned downtime grows due to longer repair...
AI Edge Computing Hype Peaks: Now in Your Backyard
How do you know that the noise around AI inferencing and #EdgeComputing has peaked? When you can put it in your backyard: https://t.co/1TypyTDPmk Hat tip @Tech_Journalism
Self‑assembling Brain‑grown Electrodes Enable Light‑controlled Neural Interfaces
Scientists Grow Electronics Inside the Brains of Living Mice 🐁 💬 The technology harnesses the brain's own blood chemistry to assemble soft, light-controlled electrodes around neurons. 👉 https://t.co/OmbEwgnh3y https://t.co/Zi4qiX1efr
Connectbase CEO Predicts Edge Technology Is What’s Next for AI Inference
Connectbase CEO Ben Edmond said edge technology will drive the next wave of AI inference, shifting focus from hyperscale data centers to localized processing. In a webinar with INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering, Edmond highlighted use cases such as autonomous drones,...
TSMC's Historic Quarter: What Happened and What’s Next
Join the Culpium substack chat in 4mins. TSMC's historic quarter. What just happened, and what's to come. Subscribers only (but it's free) https://t.co/vqv9GQYyVZ
TSMC Signals New LPU Bid, Samsung's Groq Order Uncertain
TSMC hints at next-gen LPU bid, stokes speculation that Samsung's Groq order may not last https://t.co/hGNZ3E1yBn
EnGenius Announces Availability of ECW515 Wi-Fi 7 Wall-Plate Access Point
EnGenius Technologies has launched the ECW515, a Wi‑Fi 7 wall‑plate access point tailored for multi‑dwelling unit (MDU) deployments. The device delivers ultra‑fast, low‑latency connectivity directly inside individual apartments, moving away from traditional hallway‑mounted solutions. It also integrates WPA3 security combined with...
Eos Energy's 2 GWh Turbine‑X Deal and Production Ramp Trigger 15% Stock Surge
Eos Energy Enterprises saw its stock rise about 15% after announcing a joint development agreement with Turbine‑X Energy to deliver up to 2 GWh of zinc‑based storage for AI data centers. The company also reported record first‑quarter shipments, a 22% boost...
A 3D Printer Mod That Changes Simplifies Prime Lines
A Reddit user called TheDarkHood introduced a gantry‑mounted nozzle primer for open‑gantry FFF 3D printers. The device redirects extruded filament onto a rotating wheel attached to the gantry, eliminating the need for a prime line on the build plate. The...
Molex to Acquire Israel’s Teramount, Boosting Co‑Packaged Optics Portfolio
Molex has signed an agreement to acquire Israeli photonics firm Teramount Ltd., aiming to integrate its detachable fiber‑to‑chip TeraVERSE platform into Molex’s optical interconnect suite. The deal, expected to close in the first half of 2026, positions Molex to meet...