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
Hello Universe: NASA’s Next-Gen Space Processor Undergoes Testing
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has begun rigorous testing of its Next‑Gen Space Processor (NGSP), a radiation‑hardened computer designed for deep‑space missions. The prototype demonstrated a 30% reduction in power consumption and twice the processing speed of the agency’s legacy hardware. In simulated space radiation, the NGSP withstood up to 10 krad (silicon) without functional loss. The system is sized to fit a 6‑U CubeSat slot, opening possibilities for smaller, more autonomous spacecraft.
Cerebras Targets $33B IPO as It Challenges Nvidia in AI Chips
Cerebras Systems announced an upsized IPO targeting $4.8 billion in proceeds at a roughly $33 billion valuation, with shares priced between $150 and $160. The chip maker, known for its wafer‑scale processor the size of a dinner plate, has secured a multi‑year...
Peraso's Q1 Revenue Plummets to $1M as Asian Supplier Delays Hit Shipments
Peraso Inc. reported first‑quarter 2026 net revenue of $1 million, a 66% decline from the prior quarter, after an Asia‑based supplier disrupted shipments of its millimeter‑wave and legacy memory chips. The company said it has now secured alternative sources and expects...
Leaked Renders Show Sony's $600 'The Collexion' Headphones Near Production
TechRadar published newly leaked renders of Sony's upcoming The Collexion headphones, indicating a near‑production status. The images show white and black models that echo the WH‑1000XM6 design, add vegan‑leather components, a new hinge, and a USB‑C port, with a rumored...
Cerebras IPO and the Four Bottlenecks in Its Custom-Everything Architecture
Cerebras Systems went public this week with an IPO that was oversubscribed by roughly 20‑times, underscoring strong investor enthusiasm for its wafer‑scale AI chips. The company’s flagship Wafer Scale Engine 3 (WSE‑3) integrates 900,000 cores, 44 GB of SRAM and 21 PB/s of...
Apple Holds Back on AI Capex While Rivals Sprint Toward $700B Spend
Apple announced a restrained AI‑infrastructure budget at its latest earnings call, contrasting sharply with rivals Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta, which Bloomberg projects will spend more than $700 billion on AI‑related capital expenditures this year. Tim Cook emphasized hardware demand over...
Yarbo Makes Remote Backdoor Opt‑In After Safety Concerns
Yarbo announced it will eliminate the always‑on remote backdoor in its robot lawn mower, shifting to an opt‑in model after researchers exposed a vulnerability that allowed internet‑based reprogramming. The change aims to restore consumer confidence in connected home robots.
Sanjay Mehrotra: From NAND Inventor To
Sanjay Mehrotra legendary LinkedIn work experience: > co-invents tech for NAND flash memory > co-founds SanDisk and runs for 28 years > sells SanDisk to Western Digital for $19B in 2016 > becomes Micron Technology in CEO in 2017 and market cap since grown...
I Overlooked This Sony Headphone Feature for Years - Apple and Bose Have Nothing Like It
Sony’s Adaptive Sound Control, featured in the WF‑1000XM6 earbuds and WH‑1000XM6 headphones, automatically switches between noise‑cancellation, transparency, EQ and Speak‑to‑Chat modes based on the user’s activity and location. The feature learns from repeated use, syncing preferences across devices through the...
AI Stocks Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom Nab Price-Target Hikes
Wall Street analysts lifted price targets on several AI‑chip leaders, underscoring soaring data‑center demand. Susquehanna raised Nvidia’s target to $275, while Citi kept it at $300, citing stronger-than‑expected quarterly outlook. Broadcom’s target climbed to $500 as analysts project AI‑related revenue...
Scaling Quantum Computers Requires Modular Cryogenic Architecture
Really liking Matthias Troyer's (Microsoft) posts on new engineering challenges in quantum computing architectures. The qubit isn't the only problem (we all know that). Why are we going to modular systems? Lecture 5 walks through why utility-scale quantum hits a...
AI Will Go Decentralized, Running on Cheap Edge Devices
I believe that over the next 10-20 years, AI will become ubiquitous at about the pace smart phones did. But I don't think the giant AI businesses will survive. Instead, I expect we'll see AI running standalone on inexpensive, low-energy...
Marshall Unveil Cosmic Jimi Hendrix 60th Anniversary Collection: New Velvet-Covered Bluetooth Speaker and Amp Bundle Now Available
Marshall Amplification has launched a limited‑edition collection to mark the 60th anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s first plug‑in to a Marshall amp. The range includes a velvet‑covered Acton III Bluetooth speaker priced at $299.99 and a JMH Half Stack amp paired with...
Stretch 4 Shows Home Robots Need No Legs
Do home robots really need legs? Hello Robot's Stretch 4 skips the humanoid hype for a safe and practical minimalist design. https://spectrum.ieee.org/stretch-4-home-robot?share_id=9478042
Top Companies Across Each Photonics Value Chain Layer
A breakdown of the photonics value chain and best positioned business: Layer 1: Materials & wafers • $GLW • $AXTI • $IQE • $AIXA • $AMS Layer 2: Core photonic devices • $IPGP • $COHR • $LITE • $LASR • $SIVE • Layer 3: Components & modules • $AAOI • $MTSI • $FN • $VIAV • $LPTH Layer 4:...
HYFIX Announces Availability of H1P Positioning, Navigation, and Open-Compute Module for Small Unmanned Systems
HYFIX Spatial Intelligence announced the H1P Positioning, Navigation, and Open‑Compute Module, now available as samples and evaluation kits at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2026. The 17 × 22 mm module integrates the U.S.-designed H1 autonomous systems chip, dual‑antenna GNSS, LEO signal support, IMU sensor fusion, and dual‑CPU...
$1bn+ Pekin Data Center Proposal in Illinois Rescinded by Developer West Hospitality Partners
West Hospitality Partners withdrew its more‑than‑$1 billion hyperscale data‑center proposal for Pekin, Illinois, and asked the city to return its $85,000 earnest‑money deposit. The decision follows sustained opposition from local residents and a petition group that now exceeds 5,000 members. City...
NATO to Cultivate Vetted Counter-Drone Vendor Pool for Nations to Pick and Choose
NATO is launching a pilot marketplace that will offer 18 vetted counter‑drone (C‑UAS) systems for member nations to procure quickly. The alliance will invite vendors to pitch by mid‑May, select the solutions within two months, and aim to have contracts...
Ouster: Ride Robotics Wave
Ouster, Inc. reported a 49% year‑over‑year revenue surge in Q1 2026, powered by record LiDAR sensor shipments and the integration of Stereolabs technology. The company also unveiled the Rev8 native color LiDAR sensor, yet its stock remained flat, valuing the firm...
Ivanhoe Buys $64.7M Robbins TBM for Arizona Mine
Ivanhoe Electric announced the purchase of a Robbins Crossover XRE tunnel boring machine for $64.7 million to develop a 4‑kilometre decline at its Santa Cruz copper project in Arizona. The 9.3‑meter‑diameter TBM will create a large‑diameter underground access tunnel, accelerating the...
5 Reasons Why Storage Modernization Is a Smart Business Priority
Dell Technologies warns that staying on legacy storage drives up hidden costs as data volumes and AI workloads surge. Operational complexity, regulatory exposure, energy waste, and engineering bottlenecks intensify when modernization is delayed. The article outlines five specific risk areas...
Paper Battery Uses Cellulose, Eliminates Toxic Metals
A cellulose-based “paper battery” aims to cut harmful metals and fire risk in everyday devices. https://spectrum.ieee.org/flint-sustainable-paper-battery?share_id=9471744
Core Scientific's AI Pipeline Drives Funding, Margin Expansion Expected
AI compute demand drives Core Scientific's 3GW pipeline funded by $3.3B notes; execution and margins lag and CoreWeave concentration raise risk. Trade: buy CORZ on confirmed margin expansion — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
This Mac App Will Demystify Your Tangle of Cables
WhatCable is a free macOS utility that scans any USB‑C, Thunderbolt or HDMI cable attached to a Mac and translates raw specifications into plain‑language insights. The app displays charging wattage, data‑transfer rates and protocol support, flagging mismatches between a charger,...
SanDisk’s 2025 Spin‑Off Fuels $200 B Market Cap as AI Storage Boom Accelerates
SanDisk completed its spin‑off from Western Digital in February 2025 and has since surged more than 550% this year, lifting its market value above $200 billion. The rally is powered by exploding AI‑driven demand for NAND flash, while the company locks in...
Nintendo Announces Limited Switch 2 Console & Game Bundle, Ahead of Planned Price Rise
Nintendo announced a limited-time "Choose Your Game" bundle for the Switch 2, pairing the new console with a digital copy of Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia for $500. The bundles will be sold at select retailers starting...
Sony Launches Reon Pocket Pro Plus Wearable Air Conditioner with 20% Cooler Performance
Sony has introduced the Reon Pocket Pro Plus, a wearable air‑conditioner that delivers a 20% boost in cooling performance and up to 10 hours of operation on its second‑highest setting. Priced at £199 (≈$253) in the UK and €220 (≈$240)...
Wearables Aim to Predict Disease Risk as AI Models Gain Traction
Oura Health announced an AI model that will use ring data to flag heart attacks and strokes years before they occur, while competitors Whoop and Google’s Fitbit Air are rolling out similar predictive features. The moves come as the wearable...
This SSD's Massive 4TB of Storage Could Jumpstart My Gaming PC, as SanDisk's Absurd Price Is Finally Chipped Away
SanDisk’s WD_Black 4TB SN850X PCIe 4.0 SSD has slashed its price from $1,701.99 to $653 on Amazon, a 62% discount. The drive offers 7,300 MB/s sequential reads and 6,600 MB/s writes, making it one of the fastest consumer SSDs available. Its large capacity...
Forsite and Flyscan Team Up on Integrated Leak Detection for Pipelines
Forsite announced a strategic partnership and minority‑investment deal with Flyscan Systems to deliver a unified liquid‑leak and threat‑detection service for pipeline operators. The combined offering merges Flyscan’s onboard sensing hardware with Forsite’s aerial patrol and data‑management platform, promising faster leak...
AST SpaceMobile Posts $14.7 Million Q1 Revenue, Reaffirms $150‑200 Million 2026 Guidance
AST SpaceMobile announced $14.7 million in first‑quarter revenue, driven largely by U.S. government milestones and gateway hardware sales. The company reaffirmed its 2026 revenue target of $150‑200 million, citing a $1.2 billion commercial pipeline and a $3.5 billion cash position.
Rare Earths Become Hidden Bottleneck for AI Hardware
Rare earths are the quiet bottleneck behind the next hardware cycle. AI data centers. EV motors. Wind turbines. Humanoid robots. Drones. Night vision. Radar. Sensors. Software scales fast. Physical supply chains do not. Rare earths turn the AI boom into a mining, refining,...
China Launches Hanyuan‑2, First Dual‑Core Neutral‑Atom Quantum Processor
CAS Cold Atom Technology in Wuhan announced Hanyuan‑2, the world’s first dual‑core neutral‑atom quantum computer. The cabinet‑sized system packs 200 qubits—100 rubidium‑85 and 100 rubidium‑87 atoms—and consumes under 7 kW. The launch signals China’s push to commercial‑grade quantum hardware using a...
AGIBOT Launches Sharebot Rental Platform in 14 Countries, Driving Deployment Era
AGIBOT announced its Sharebot robotics‑as‑a‑service platform across 14 countries, marking a shift toward deployment‑focused business models. The move coincides with Chinese firms such as Unitree unveiling premium transformable robots, underscoring China’s expanding influence in global robotics markets.
The MacBook Neo 2 Leak That Has Windows Laptop Makers Worried
Apple’s upcoming MacBook Neo 2 is set to retain its compact aluminum chassis and $599 entry price while introducing a new A19 Pro processor, a possible RAM bump to 12 GB, and up to 15 hours of battery life. The device will likely...
HPE Expands Hybrid Cloud Stack with Unified Private Cloud and AI-Ready Storage Updates
Hewlett Packard Enterprise unveiled a fourth‑generation Private Cloud that merges virtual machines and Kubernetes under a single Morpheus interface, while expanding its Alletra MP X10000 storage platform to support both file and object workloads up to 23 petabytes. The company also upgraded...
AI Delivers Faster, Actionable DRC Closure for Complex SoC Designs
As semiconductor designs push below 2 nm, full‑chip design rule checking (DRC) can generate billions of violations, threatening tape‑out schedules. Siemens EDA’s Calibre Vision AI applies machine‑learning to group these violations into a few hundred actionable clusters and supports incremental OASIS loading,...
BlockchAIn Appoints Christopher Iannacone to Lead Execution of AI Data Center Conversion
BlockchAIn Digital Infrastructure announced the appointment of Christopher Iannacone as Director of Construction Execution to oversee the conversion of its utility‑backed mining sites into purpose‑built AI and high‑performance computing data centers. Iannacone brings more than 25 years of mission‑critical engineering...
Forget AirPods, JBL's Latest Earbuds Have a Unique Feature Like No Other
JBL introduced the Live 4 TWS true‑wireless earbuds, highlighted by a Smart Charging Case that sports a larger touchscreen display for on‑the‑go control. The earbuds also bring upgraded active noise‑cancelling, Hi‑Res audio support, and a six‑mic AI‑enhanced voice system. Available in multiple...
How to Turn Your Old Tablet Into a Portable Monitor for Your Windows PC
Spacedesk, a free Windows driver and viewer app, lets users convert an old Android tablet or iPad into a wireless, touch‑enabled second monitor. The setup takes under two minutes and works over a shared Wi‑Fi network, offering full‑screen extended mode...
DJI Osmo Pocket 4P Global Launch Is Finally Here
DJI announced the global launch of its Osmo Pocket 4P at the Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2026, positioning the device as a compact cinema camera for professionals. The Pocket 4P features a dual‑camera system with a 1‑inch sensor, a 3× telephoto lens,...
Industry 5.0: Why Human-First AI and Smarter Automation Are Reshaping the Future of Industrial IoT
Industry 5.0 reframes industrial IoT by placing human judgment at the core of AI‑driven automation. The model introduces design principles such as human‑first copilots, bounded AI autonomy, clean data pipelines, and stepwise scaling. A three‑layer reference architecture—cognitive, digital, physical—integrates governance, security,...
AI Workloads Migrate to Spare
What happens when AI queries follow spare megawatts instead of users, hopping between micro data centers at substations? https://spectrum.ieee.org/distributed-inference-data-centers?share_id=9447651
Rising AI Inference Fuels Demand for Edge Infrastructure
How is #AI being applied to the #edge? The need for efficient AI inference is growing, driving demand for edge infrastructure. #techprimer sponsored by @ZededaEdge https://t.co/MhK9OKLxUM
Everything We Know About the DJI Pocket 4 Pro Sensor Upgrade
DJI unveiled the Pocket 4 Pro, a compact gimbal camera that pairs a 1‑inch wide‑angle sensor with a 3× optical telephoto lens, delivering up to 6× lossless zoom. The device supports 6K video, 4K slow‑motion, ActiveTrack 7.0 and 10‑bit color, and includes 128 GB...
Googlebook Leaks Reveal Gemini AI, Magic Pointer, New Devices
Here are more leaks for Googlebook • Designed for Gemini Intelligence • Magic pointer • Cast my Apps • AI powered Create my widget feature • Glowbar • Devices coming from HP, Acer, Asus, Dell and Lenovo this fall https://t.co/bXgG31qtXI
GPU Rollout Aims For
The next target for GPU deployment is 10,000 units, followed by 100,000, and then one million.
AI Chip Stocks Outperform S&P 500 by Tenfold
Invest in the Singularity. Over the past year, these six AI chip companies gained an average of roughly 320%, about 10× the S&P 500’s roughly 31% return. And, its just getting started...
Majestic Labs Tackles Memory Wall with New Inference Infrastructure
@Majestic_Labs founding team predicted this 2 years ago and set out to build infrastructure inference compute to break through the memory wall:
Record CASCI Index Driven by Strong Chip Performance
The only way to track the manufacture and shipping of AI Compute is through the CASCI Composite index, by @Culpium April's CASCI Composite hit a record. BUT: Chip strength made up for faltering momentum elsewhere in the supply chain. Head to...