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
Driving Data Center Resiliency, Speed and Reliability with the Right Instrumentation
A new whitepaper released on April 14, 2026 details how industrial‑grade instrumentation underpins liquid‑cooled data‑center resiliency as AI and high‑performance computing workloads surge. It explains how precise flow and temperature sensors, low‑maintenance devices, and non‑invasive diagnostics can boost cooling efficiency while conserving energy and water. The paper also outlines security‑focused instrumentation options that meet hyperscale data‑center requirements and enable predictive maintenance without service interruptions. Operators are urged to adopt these tools to accelerate deployments, tighten margins, and manage complex process‑control demands.
IQM Advances AI-Driven Agentic Calibration, Opening Quantum Computing to the Enterprise With NVIDIA Ising
On World Quantum Day, IQM Quantum Computers unveiled an AI‑driven agentic calibration system built on NVIDIA Ising models. The technology automates qubit tuning by inspecting calibration results across all qubits in parallel, eliminating the traditional sequential bottleneck. By shifting calibration...
Bambu Lab X2D Review: Improving a Fan Favorite
Bambu Lab’s new X2D 3D printer arrives at a $899 combo price, positioning it between the budget‑friendly P2S and the premium H2 series. The machine adds a dual‑nozzle toolhead, active chamber heating, and an upgraded AMS 2 Pro filament system, while retaining...
Credo + DustPhotonics: Rewiring the Optical Layer of AI Infrastructure
Credo announced a $750 million acquisition of DustPhotonics, a fabless silicon‑photonic chip maker, to broaden its optical interconnect portfolio. The deal reflects a broader industry pivot from raw compute power to interconnect bandwidth as AI models scale to trillions of parameters....
FMD’s Vestdavit Unveils New AutoHook LARS Interface
Fairbanks Morse Defense’s Vestdavit division unveiled AutoHook, a fully autonomous launch and recovery system (LARS) for unmanned surface vehicles. The compact, clamp‑on davit operates without human intervention and has demonstrated operational acceptance through Sea State 4, surpassing the typical Sea...
Uniper Breaks Ground for 50MW Battery Energy Storage in Wilhelmshaven
Uniper and Slovenia’s NGEN have broken ground on a 50‑MW battery energy storage system at the former coal‑plant site in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The project, part of Uniper’s Energy Transformation Hub Nordwest, aims to smooth short‑term grid fluctuations from wind and...
Blackmagic to Launch Camera For Live Production on Apple Immersive Video at 2026 NAB Show
Blackmagic Design will debut the URSA Cine Immersive 100G, the first live‑production cinema camera built for Apple Vision Pro, at the NAB 2026 show. The camera uses dual 8K×8K RGBW sensors, 16 stops of dynamic range and 100G Ethernet to stream immersive video...
How GlobalFoundries Is Manufacturing Quantum at Scale
GlobalFoundries (GF) is positioning its specialty‑foundry capabilities to become the manufacturing backbone for quantum computers across all qubit modalities. By extending proven semiconductor platforms—such as 22FDX® FD‑SOI, high‑voltage/RF, and 300 mm silicon photonics—GF offers a repeatable, high‑yield path from prototype to...
Musician G. Love Loses $424,000 to Fake Ledger App, Spotlighting Crypto Wallet Fraud
Musician G. Love saw his retirement savings of roughly $424,000 vanish after a counterfeit Ledger Live app on Apple’s Mac App Store stole 5.92 bitcoin. Blockchain investigator ZachXBT traced the funds to KuCoin, highlighting gaps in app‑store vetting and the high...
Hesai Powers Safety-Certified AI Autonomy for Smart Logistics with 3D Lidar at MODEX 2026
Hesai Technology showcased its JT128 mini 3D lidar at MODEX 2026, announcing a partnership with Pittsburgh‑based Thoro.ai to power the latter’s safety‑certified AI autonomy platform for industrial robots. The JT128’s compact 30 mm height and ultra‑hemispherical 360°×187° field of view will...
Arizona Deploys Ultrasonic Devices to Combat Golden Algae in Canyon Lake
The Arizona Game and Fish Department installed three ultrasonic “boxes” in Canyon Lake in February, launching the first U.S. field test of acoustic algae control. The devices aim to create a toxin‑free refuge for fish during golden‑algae spikes, a problem...
Chinese Electronics Giants Target Brazil’s 200 Million‑Consumer Market with New Stores and Wearables
Chinese electronics makers, led by Huawei and backed by new investments such as Mixue’s R$3 billion ($590 million) rollout, are opening flagship stores and planning hundreds of new outlets in Brazil. The shift from infrastructure to consumer tech reflects a $4.2 billion surge...
AI‑Generated CEO Voice Hack on Pedestrian Buttons Sparks CIO Security Alarm
A hack that injected AI‑generated CEO voices into pedestrian crosswalk buttons across Menlo Park, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Seattle and Denver highlighted a tangible AI‑misinformation threat. CIOs are now urged to embed stronger cybersecurity clauses in vendor contracts and address default passwords that...
Uber and Nuro Start Premium Robotaxi Trials in San Francisco with Lucid Gravity SUVs
Uber has begun a limited‑access robotaxi trial in San Francisco using Lucid Gravity SUVs fitted with Nuro's autonomous driving system. The pilot follows a $300 million Uber investment in Lucid and a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar stake in Nuro, and it paves the way...
D‑Wave CEO Alan Baratz Puts Commercial Quantum Computing on World Economy Stage
D‑Wave’s chief executive, Dr. Alan Baratz, will address the Semafor World Economy conference on April 14 and the QED‑C Quantum Summit on April 15, positioning commercial quantum computing at the heart of global economic policy discussions. The appearances signal a...
10 Gadgets That Are Actually Good for the Planet
The article spotlights ten eco‑friendly gadgets released around Earth Day, ranging from recycled‑material bags and phone cases to solar‑powered lights and a rechargeable electric air duster. Each product replaces a conventional, waste‑intensive alternative with a greener design, such as Targus’s...
IQT The Quantum Dragon Podcast Episode 83 – This Podcast Has an Open Architecture.
In this episode, host Brian Siegelwax talks with Matt Rylarsdom, CEO and co‑founder of Quantware, about the company’s mission to become the "Intel of quantum" by delivering standardized, mass‑produced quantum processors. Rylarsdom explains Quantware’s Vertical I/O (VIO) architecture, which routes...
Apple Glasses 2026: Everything We Know About the Late-Year Launch and Siri 2.0
Apple is preparing to launch its first augmented‑reality glasses in 2026, bundled with the upcoming Apple Intelligence AI assistant. The company plans two versions—a basic model priced under $500 and an advanced HUD‑enabled model between $500 and $700. Development resources...
Taara Expands Into Video Distribution, Sizes up Data Center Opportunity
Taara, the free‑space‑optics spin‑out of Google X, is entering remote video distribution through a partnership with production‑tech firm Cintegral. The collaboration will showcase 4K and 8K wireless feeds powered by Taara’s Lightbridge platform at the NAB Show, leveraging up to...
ADT’s Iconic Sign Is Now a ‘Live Light’ Outdoor Alert for Your Nest-Integrated Security System
ADT has launched the Live Light, a battery‑powered, illuminated yard sign that pairs with its Nest‑integrated security system for ADT+ customers. Priced at $49.99, the device flashes when the home alarm sounds, helping first responders and neighbors locate a distressed...
I’ve Seen GoPro’s Next Cameras, and They Don’t Feel Like GoPros Anymore
GoPro unveiled its Mission 1 Series, a trio of cameras built around a 50 MP 1‑inch sensor and the new GP3 processor. The lineup offers 8K video at up to 60 fps, dramatically improved low‑light performance with 14 stops of dynamic range, and...
Gorbel Showcases Advanced Trailer Unloading System at MODEX 2026
Gorbel celebrated 15 years in warehousing by unveiling Destuff‑it 2.0, a portable ergonomic conveyor, at MODEX 2026. The upgraded system adds joystick‑driven controls, a modern HMI, and a redesigned three‑belt mechanism that can handle 165 lb loads and achieve over 1,200 cases per...
Rapidus Opens Analysis Center and Chiplet Solutions Hub
Rapidus opened an Analysis Center adjacent to its IIM‑1 foundry in Chitose, Hokkaido, and launched full‑scale operations of the Rapidus Chiplet Solutions (RCS) hub. The RCS, initially a limited‑capacity R&D site at the Seiko Epson plant, has begun continuous production...
After Using These JBL Headphones, I'm Wondering if We're All Too Distracted by Sony and Bose
JBL’s new Live 780NC headphones aim at the $250 mid‑range segment, offering hi‑res wired audio, LDAC and LC3 wireless codecs, and a suite of software features like adaptive noise cancellation and Auracast. Sound quality is bass‑forward with a wider soundstage than...
Fast 2D Piezo Scanning Stage for Image Stabilization and Resolution Enhancement
Physik Instrumente (PI) introduced the P‑733 XY piezo scanning stage, delivering 100 µm × 100 µm travel and 0.1 nm resolution for ultrafast image stabilization and resolution enhancement. The stage features a zero‑play flexure guidance system, capacitive sensors for direct feedback, and a 50 mm × 50 mm clear...
NAB Show: LiveU to Showcase LU900Q's 'Quantum Leap' In Intelligent Connectivity, Workflows
LiveU unveiled its LU900Q encoding platform at the 2026 NAB Show, positioning it as the company’s first AI‑powered, intelligent production unit. The compact device combines native LiveU IQ, eSIM, 5G modems and a MIMO antenna to deliver 4:2:2 encoding, dual‑camera...
PacTech Launches Scalable Modular Wet-Bench System for Advanced Semiconductor Packaging
PacTech announced a new Modular Wet‑Bench System that offers a compact, scalable solution for semiconductor wet processing. The base module occupies a 1850 × 1500 mm footprint and houses two 8‑inch tanks, with optional robotic arms for semi‑automated handling. Designed for both R&D...
Sapient Perception Raises €2M to Give Drones a Wider View
Sapient Perception, a Danish AI sensor startup, secured €2 million (about $2.2 million) in pre‑seed funding led by Balnord and FORWARD.one. The company’s 10K sensor platform captures up to 100 times more ground area than conventional drone cameras while preserving detail, processing data...
Microsoft's Crazy Surface Price Hikes Are Pushing Me to Apple: I Can No Longer Recommend Surface over a MacBook or...
Microsoft announced a across‑the‑board price increase for its Surface lineup, pushing entry‑level models above $1,000 and flagship devices past $1,500. The new pricing makes Surface laptops and tablets more expensive than comparable Apple MacBooks, iPads, and many Windows OEM offerings....
Corporate Memory Loss: How the Global Memory Shortage Is Reshaping Device Planning
The surge in AI workloads is driving unprecedented demand for high‑bandwidth memory (HBM), tightening global DRAM and NAND supplies. Manufacturers are prioritizing HBM over standard DDR5, leaving fewer chips for laptops, desktops, and enterprise devices. This scarcity inflates prices, extends...
Your House Could Loan Power to AI Data Centers with New Span Product
Span unveiled XFRA, a distributed data‑center solution that places AI‑grade compute nodes in homes and small‑commercial spaces. The system leverages Span's smart electrical panel to tap underused residential grid capacity and ships with NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs. Initial...
The IT Leader’s AI PC Planning Guide: Key Considerations and HP Device Recommendations
MCPC’s new guide outlines a structured approach for rolling out AI‑enabled PCs, emphasizing that successful adoption hinges on clear business objectives, infrastructure readiness, and stakeholder alignment. It recommends matching device performance to employee roles, citing HP’s ZBook line for technical...
Earbuds Soon Recognize Objects and Translate Using Tiny Visual Data
Your earbuds may soon read signs, identify objects, and translate on demand; the key is how little visual data the AI actually needs. https://spectrum.ieee.org/smart-earbuds-smart-glasses-privacy?share_id=9372713
Deploy GPU Kernels as Easily as Models
Introducing Kernels on the Hugging Face Hub ✨ What if shipping a GPU kernel was as easy as pushing a model? - Pre-compiled for your exact GPU, PyTorch & OS - Multiple kernel versions coexist in one process - torch.compile compatible - 1.7x–2.5x speedups over...
Raidon Technology Introduces SR4‑B32A 4‑Bay Hardware RAID Desktop Storage System for USB‑A Systems
Raidon Technology unveiled the SR4‑B32A, a 4‑bay hardware RAID enclosure that connects via standard USB‑A ports and delivers up to 10 Gb/s on USB 3.2 Gen 2 hosts. The unit supports RAID‑5, RAID‑0, BIG and JBOD, offering single‑drive fault tolerance and flexible performance or...
Ideematec to Provide 1.2 GW Trackers for Texas Solar
Ideematec to supply 1.2 GW of trackers for Texas solar portfolio #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/ZZpXXpp5SX
2026 Hypers
“Crude capex math: $600-700B in 2026 hyperscaler capex at roughly $40-50B per GW of fully-built capacity also implies mid-teens GW.”
Parliament Energy Signs 1.2-GW Tracker Supply Agreement with Ideematec
Parliament Energy, an independent power producer, has signed supply agreements with tracker maker Ideamatec for its Horizon L:TEC 1P trackers across three Texas solar projects totaling 1.2 GW AC. The projects, ranging from 285 MW to 505 MW, expand the company’s 2.1‑GW portfolio and follow...
Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme Delivers Impressive PCMag Performance
Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme is racking up some big performance numbers at PCMag. Can’t wait to see more performance benchmarks and battery as well. https://t.co/w4JkIH4qdo
YMTC Expands Production Amid Escalating US‑China Trade Tensions
Exclusive: Chinese chipmaker YMTC plans new factories amid heightened US-Sino trade tensions, sources say - https://t.co/RoWfDZ6BEq
SNIA Launches MRAM Alliance SIG to Support Expanding Use of MRAM
SNIA announced the formation of a Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) Alliance Special Interest Group, inviting foundries, chip makers, memory manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and system companies to collaborate. The SIG will focus on aligning the semiconductor ecosystem, developing standards, and...
China's High‑tech Export Surge Reshapes Global Markets
China Shock 2.0: The Flood of High-Tech Goods That Will Change the World amazing deep dive into the data, from @rwmcmorrow, @Sam1Fleming, @pmdfoster & @leahyjoseph @FT 👉 https://t.co/6LLsSBXlUn https://t.co/o80ETCu1Ki
10 iPhone Features You Didn’t Know Existed (2026)
Apple’s 2026 iPhone update includes a suite of lesser‑known tricks that go beyond surface‑level functionality. Users can now record custom voicemail greetings, extract text in real time with the camera, and add animated effects to iMessage emojis. The operating system...
The Pennsylvania State University: Borrowing From Biology to Power Next-Gen Data Storage
Penn State researchers have engineered a bio‑hybrid memristor that couples synthetic DNA doped with silver nanoparticles to quasi‑2D perovskite semiconductors. The device operates at ultra‑low voltage (<0.1 V) and a record‑low power density of 0.01 W cm⁻², while maintaining an ON/OFF ratio above...
Photon Bridge and PHIX Partner on DWDM External Laser Sources for Hyperscale AI Data Centers
Photon Bridge of Eindhoven and PHIX of Enschede have teamed up to commercialize a high‑performance DWDM external laser source transmit optical sub‑assembly (TOSA) aimed at co‑packaged optics in hyperscale AI data centers. Photon Bridge will supply end‑to‑end photonic chip design,...
Pay $1349.99 for Gigabyte's Aero X16 Laptop and Save $300 on This 32GB Beast with RTX 5070 Graphics — Outstanding...
Gigabyte’s Aero X16 laptop is now priced at $1,349.99 at Best Buy, a $300 discount from its $1,649.99 launch price. The 16‑inch model packs an Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU, 32 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD, delivering strong gaming performance while remaining...
14 Tons of Steam Controllers Appear to Have Just Arrived in the US, Hinting at Imminent Release Date
A massive shipment of 12,970 kg of "wireless PC controllers" has arrived in the United States, likely destined for Valve. Based on an average controller weight of 300 g, the cargo could contain more than 40,000 units, suggesting a near‑term launch of...
Beyond the Ultra: How the iPhone 20 Pro Max Reinvents the Smartphone for 2027
Apple is rumored to launch the iPhone 20 Pro Max in 2027, skipping the iPhone 19 to mark the 20th anniversary of the original device. The flagship is expected to feature a fully bezel‑less "waterfall" OLED display, under‑screen Face ID...
YC Corp Wins 42 Billion Won Samsung Memory Tester Upgrade Contract
YC Corp announced it has secured a contract worth 42.16 billion won (about $31 million) to upgrade Samsung Electronics' MT6133 LPE‑B memory testers. The agreement covers board replacements in the systems across Samsung’s domestic fabs and will be completed by Dec. 31, with...
New ZEISS Crossbeam 750 FIB-SEM Designed for High-Accuracy Sample Preparation Workflows
ZEISS unveiled the Crossbeam 750 FIB‑SEM, featuring Gemini 4 electron optics and a high‑dynamic‑range Mill + SEM that provides a live, high‑resolution view during milling. The system delivers sub‑nanometer precision and real‑time endpointing for TEM lamellae, enabling uniform first‑pass cuts in advanced semiconductor nodes....