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
Iranian-Affiliated Cyber Actors Exploit Programmable Logic Controllers Across US Critical Infrastructure
Iran‑affiliated advanced persistent threat actors are exploiting internet‑facing programmable logic controllers (PLCs) from Rockwell Automation/Allen‑Bradley across multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors. The attacks manipulate project files and alter data on HMI and SCADA displays, causing operational disruptions and financial losses. CISA urges organizations to review the disclosed tactics, techniques, and procedures, search for the provided indicators of compromise, and implement recommended mitigations such as isolating PLCs behind secure gateways. Immediate action is advised to prevent further compromise of operational technology environments.
Moto Returns to the Tablet Space with the Mid-Range Moto Pad (2026)
Motorola re‑enters the U.S. tablet market with the mid‑range Moto Pad (2026), an 11‑inch Android device priced at $250 and sold through T‑Mobile and Metro. The tablet features a 2500 × 1600 LCD panel at 90 Hz, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB...
The Case for Open Access Hyperscale Data Center Networks
A recent op‑ed by Michael Still of Myriad360 argues that hyperscale data centers in rural America should adopt open‑access colocation models. While current facilities are single‑tenant and isolated, they sit on extensive fiber and network infrastructure that remains unused by...
Space Force Resets Modernization Plan for Its Aging Satellite Control Network
The U.S. Space Force has scrapped the $1.4 billion Satellite Communications Augmentation Resource (SCAR) contract that would have delivered 12 phased‑array antennas, and issued a new request for information to tap existing commercial antenna assets. The legacy Satellite Control Network, a...
MHI Receives Contract for Renewal of APM System ATL SkyTrain at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' U.S. subsidiary Crystal Mover Services, Inc. (CMSI) won a ten‑year contract to renew and upgrade the Automated People Mover (APM) system at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The agreement, spanning March 2026 to March 2036, includes replacement of...
How to Choose a Printer with Low Running Costs
Choosing a printer solely on its purchase price can be misleading, as ongoing ink, toner and maintenance costs dominate total expense. The guide emphasizes cost‑per‑page, cartridge yield and printer type as decisive factors for long‑term savings. Ink‑tank and laser models,...
Nutanix Brings Its K8s to Bare Metal because Hardware Matters Again
Nutanix announced an expanded hardware compatibility list and the launch of NKP Metal, a bare‑metal version of its Kubernetes Platform. The move addresses current memory shortages and server supply‑chain constraints while courting organizations moving away from VMware. By supporting a wider...
Amazon Is Selling Active Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Earbuds for Just $28 that Have over 21,000 5-Star Ratings
Amazon is offering the Soundcore Anker Noise‑Canceling Bluetooth earbuds for $28, a 30% discount from the original $40 price. The earbuds have amassed more than 21,000 five‑star ratings on Amazon, underscoring strong consumer approval. They deliver up to 45 hours...
The 2026 MacBook Air Is on Sale for the First Time
Apple’s 2026 MacBook Air has dropped to $949 on Amazon, marking a 14% discount and the first price cut on the newest model. The laptop features Apple’s latest M5 chip, which delivers faster processing and AI‑enhanced capabilities, and starts with...
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra Is $200 Off for the First Time
Samsung has slashed the price of its flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra by $200, bringing the unlocked 256GB model to $1,099 across major retailers. The device remains the only S26 series phone with a Privacy Display that obscures the screen from...
The Galaxy S26 Ultra Has Everything — but the Regular S26 Is the Smarter Buy
Samsung's new Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra are flagship phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. While the Ultra adds a 200 MP camera, S Pen, and faster 60 W charging, it costs roughly $400 more than the regular S26. The reviewer finds the...
Magnetic Coil Setup Guides Microrobots without Seeing Them
SMU researchers have built a triaxial Helmholtz coil system that creates a uniform magnetic field gradient, enabling microrobots to be guided without continuous visual tracking. The six‑coil arrangement, calibrated with a triaxial magnetometer and refined by Tikhonov regularization, delivers consistent...
APEC 2026: Menlo Micro Brings MEMS-Based Power Switching on the Strength of Navy Program Milestone
Menlo Micro showcased its Ideal Switch MEMS power‑switching technology at APEC 2026, highlighting a Navy‑backed milestone that completed Task 4 of the U.S. Navy’s 10 MW Advanced Circuit Breaker Development Program. The demonstration featured a 1,000 V, 500 A panel delivering 0.5 MW, built...
Intel Joins Elon Musk’s Fab Project
Intel announced on April 7 that it will serve as the manufacturing and packaging partner for Elon Musk’s Terafab project, a $20‑$25 billion semiconductor fab planned for Austin, Texas. The partnership positions Intel to help deliver 1 terawatt of compute power annually...
Construction of $20bn Terafab Project in Austin, Texas Advances as Intel Comes on Board
Intel announced its participation in Elon Musk’s $20 billion Terafab semiconductor plant in Austin, Texas. The joint venture, involving Tesla, SpaceX and now Intel, targets a 1 TW/year compute output to supply AI, robotics and space data‑center chips. Musk envisions a nine‑month...
Self‑Optimizing AI Loop Cuts Cost, Boosts Speed
Awesome. 680% speed improvement. 97% cost reduction. As the hardware/software loop condenses, intelligence is folding back on the physical substrate of its own existence, optimizing the lithography that prints the transistors that run the models that optimize the lithography. We're seeing...
The Evolving Role of Silicon in Power Electronics
Silicon power devices are not on the brink of extinction; iDEAL Semiconductor’s SuperQ RESURF MOSFET architecture demonstrates renewed vigor. By expanding the conduction area and trimming on‑resistance, the new silicon MOSFET rivals wide‑bandgap rivals while preserving silicon’s manufacturing and supply‑chain...
The Agentic Computer: New S-Curve or Another iPad?
The article argues that a new class of desktop‑sized AI machines—dubbed the "agentic computer"—could launch the next S‑curve in client computing. Nvidia’s DGX Spark, AMD’s Agent Computer, and Perplexity’s Mac‑Mini‑style AI workstations illustrate vendors’ push to house always‑on AI agents on...
Chindata and HEC Break Ground on 7.5MW Data Center in Hubei Province, China
Chindata and HEC Group have broken ground on a new 7.5 MW data center in Yidu, Hubei Province, covering 6.3 hectares. The campus will also host an AI showcase and academic exchange center, signaling a focus on emerging AI workloads. The project...
IQM Lands World-First Private Enterprise Quantum Sale with 54-Qubit System
IQM Quantum Computers announced the sale of its 54‑qubit Radiance system to Poland’s Galaxy Systemy Informatyczne, marking the world’s first quantum computer purchased by a private enterprise. The on‑site installation, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, will become Poland’s...
Apple's Foldable iPhone Set for September Launch
NEW: Apple’s foldable iPhone is - as of now - on track for a September debut with the iPhone 18 Pro. While supply could be limited initially, it’s also on track to go on sale at the same time -...
NAB Show: Marshall Electronics Bringing CV376 NDI|HX3 HDMI POV Camera
Marshall Electronics unveiled the CV376 Compact NDI|HX3 HDMI POV camera at the NAB Show, featuring an 8.46‑megapixel 1/2.8‑inch sensor capable of 4K 3840 × 2160 p60 output over HDMI and simultaneous IP streaming. The device supports NDI|HX3, NDI|HX2, RTSP and RTMP, with H.264/HEVC encoding...
The Rugged Bose Soundlink Flex Is 25 Percent Off Right Now
Bose has slashed the price of its second‑generation Soundlink Flex portable speaker to $119, a $40 discount from the regular $159 list price. The new Flex retains the original’s rugged IP67‑rated, silicone‑wrapped design and 12‑hour battery life while adding a...
KTC Introduces Master 25M3 24.5-Inch 1440p 320Hz Gaming Monitor
KTC has launched the Master 25M3, a 24.5‑inch gaming monitor that pairs a 2560 × 1440 Fast IPS panel with up to 320 Hz refresh, while its native frequency sits at 300 Hz. Priced around $207, it offers a rare combination of high resolution...
Another Chip Shortage Is on the Horizon
AI’s explosive growth is creating a surge in demand for high‑bandwidth memory (HBM), outpacing the supply of both HBM and traditional DRAM. Industry leaders such as SK Hynix and Micron warn that memory shortages could last until 2030, with current...
LG UltraGear EVO GX9 and GM9 Pricing, Specs, and Pre-Order Details
LG has launched two new UltraGear EVO gaming monitors: the 39‑inch OLED GX9 priced at $1,799.99 and the 27‑inch Mini‑LED GM9 at $1,199, both available for pre‑order. Each panel offers a dual‑mode refresh scheme—165 Hz at native 5K resolution and 330 Hz at...
ASUS Expands ProArt Ecosystem with High-Speed Router and Multi-Gig Switch
ASUS has expanded its ProArt line with the PRT‑BE5000 router and PQG‑U1080 switch, targeting creators who need high‑bandwidth, low‑latency networking. The router delivers dual‑band Wi‑Fi 7 with up to 5 Gbps throughput and dual 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN ports, while the switch provides eight...
Trim ASML Position Amid Stretched Valuation Despite Strong Demand
Macro: robust EUV demand supports ASML. Key: €100m buyback, Q4 rev beat, large SK hynix order. Risk: stretched valuation despite 113% YTD gain. Insight: trim position to lock gains. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
Android XR Gets Tweaks, Still Trails visionOS Reality
Some nice quality-of-life Android XR updates here, though they exemplify how Google and Samsung are still playing catchup with visionOS. https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/platforms/android/android-xr-immersive-features-update-april-2026/ But I must say, the idea of anyone using a Galaxy XR in a coffee shop (as shown below) is...
Uber Is the Latest to Be Won over by Amazon’s AI Chips
Uber is expanding its Amazon Web Services contract, adding more Graviton ARM‑based servers and launching a trial of AWS's Trainium3 AI chip. The shift moves additional ride‑sharing workloads from Uber's own data centers and from earlier Oracle and Google agreements...
Uber Taps AWS New Chips to Optimize Rides Matching With Millisecond Precision
Uber is expanding its partnership with Amazon Web Services, testing the new Trainium 3 accelerator and Graviton 4 processors to power its AI‑driven Trip Serving Zones. The chips will train predictive models and run real‑time matching workloads with millisecond precision, aiming to...
Aria Networks Secures $125M to Launch AI-Native Infrastructure for Data Centers
Aria Networks announced a $125 million Series A round to fund its AI‑native networking infrastructure for data centers. Backed by Sutter Hill Ventures, Atreides Management, Valor Equity Partners and Eclipse Ventures, the startup aims to deliver hardware‑agnostic networking that works...
Nintendo Is Taking $20 Off Switch 2 in the US if It’s Bought with Super Mario Galaxy 1+2
Nintendo is offering a $20 discount on the Switch 2 when purchased with Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 from April 12 to May 9. The promotion applies at major U.S. retailers—including Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Walmart—and covers both physical and digital versions of the game. Galaxy 1+2,...
Electronically Tunable Quantum Detector Boosts Dark Photon Search
Scientists at Fermilab, the University of Chicago, Stanford and NYU have built an electronically tunable quantum detector that can scan a 22‑megahertz band in just three days, dramatically accelerating the hunt for dark‑photon dark‑matter candidates. The device replaces mechanical tuning...
T-Mobile US Boosts Motorola Emergency Radio Service
T‑Mobile US and Motorola Solutions have integrated T‑Priority 5G and T‑Satellite Starlink connectivity into Motorola’s smart radios, extending mission‑critical communications beyond terrestrial networks. The hybrid solution links land mobile radio, 5G and low‑earth‑orbit satellites, delivering higher capacity, speed and resilience...
Apple's Foldable iPhone Delayed by Engineering Snags, Mass Production at Risk
Apple has hit unexpected engineering problems during early test production of its first foldable iPhone, putting the planned July mass‑production start in jeopardy and potentially delaying shipments by months. The setbacks could push the debut into 2027, affecting Foxconn, component...
Intel Accelerates Fab Expansion with $500 Million CHIPS Act Funding
Intel has revived its dormant Fab 9 and neighboring Fab 11X, injecting $500 million in CHIPS Act funding to accelerate advanced chip‑packaging capacity. The move is aimed at securing high‑margin AI‑related contracts with hyperscalers and positioning the United States as a more resilient...
Fiber’s AI Densification
The fiber industry is accelerating densification to meet AI‑driven data‑center demand, using smaller‑diameter glass, multicore fibers and new standards such as XPO and Hyper‑Rail. These advances can boost a single‑strand’s capacity up to eight times and shrink optical switching racks...
Samsung Projects $38B Q1 Profit, Eightfold Surge on AI Chip Boom
Samsung Electronics said its first‑quarter operating profit will hit roughly 57.2 trillion won ($37.9 billion), an eight‑fold rise from a year earlier, as AI‑driven demand lifts memory‑chip prices. The forecast far exceeds consensus and propels the South Korean giant’s shares toward a...
Anthropic Ups Compute Deal with Google and Broadcom Amid Skyrocketing Demand
Anthropic announced an expanded compute agreement with Google Cloud and Broadcom, adding roughly 3.5 GW of AI processing power that will become operational in 2027. The partnership deepens Anthropic's use of Google’s Tensor Processing Units and aligns with its $50 billion commitment...
Anthropic’s Claude Hits $30 B Revenue Run Rate, Secures Broadcom Deal
Anthropic PBC said its Claude platform now generates a revenue run rate above $30 billion, up from $9 billion at the end of 2025, and announced strategic collaborations with Broadcom and Google. The surge is driven by more than 1,000 enterprise customers...
Maine Is Close to Passing a Moratorium on New Datacenters
Maine’s Senate approved LD 307, imposing a moratorium on new data centers larger than 20 megawatts until November 1, 2027. The bill also creates a Data Center Coordination Council to oversee environmental and electricity impacts. The move follows secretive deals in Lewiston...
Memory and Storage Converge Into a Single Layer
New report on @DiligenceStack. Companion to the memory deep dive as co-optomization is a memory and storage story. Storage Wars: When Memory and Storage Collapse Into One Layer https://t.co/ozDZpHYNi3
Apple Undecided on Expanding MacBook Neo Production
Exclusive: Apple is pondering whether to ramp up production of MacBook Neo, or let it run its course. Quanta and Foxconn aren't yet sure whether they'll be asked to make a new batch of this year's model. Or just wait until next...
XGIMI Aims for Home Theater Dominance with Titan Noir Series Projectors
XGIMI has launched the Titan Noir series, a premium line of tri‑laser 4K projectors that feature a dual‑iris contrast system promising up to 10,000:1 native contrast. The lineup—Titan Noir, Noir Pro, and Noir Max—covers brightness levels from 4,800 to 7,000 ISO lumens...
Electrovaya Secures $5m of Funding From US DOE to Test Use of Energy Storage Systems in a Data Center Environment
Canadian lithium‑ion battery maker Electrovaya received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Critical Facility Energy Resilience program to test a 1.2 MWh battery energy storage system at Binghamton University’s data‑center testbed. The Infinity BESS, housed in a 20‑foot...
Intel Partners with Musk on Terafab AI Chips
Intel joins Musk's Terafab AI chip project to power humanoid, data center goals “One facility would power cars and humanoid robots, while the other would be designed for AI data centers in space, Musk had said.” https://t.co/tCGZgjWZ72 @intel https://t.co/M5L1Q6Njr6
Intel Joins Elon Musk's Terafab Chip Factory Project
Intel announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s companies—SpaceX, Tesla and xAI—to co‑develop the Terafab semiconductor factory. The joint effort targets a 1 terawatt‑year compute output to feed AI, robotics and autonomous‑vehicle workloads. Intel’s stock jumped 4.2% to $52.91, approaching a $54.60...
‘Ultra’
Apple is reportedly preparing its first foldable iPhone under the “iPhone Ultra” moniker, according to Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station. The book‑style device is projected to retail between $2,000 and $2,500, positioning it at the top of the premium smartphone...
Raptor Lake Still Big Part of Intel’s Plan in 2026 – DDR4 Options Available
Intel’s Raptor Lake CPUs will stay in production through at least 2026, with the company emphasizing their continued relevance despite newer hardware releases. The firm also announced motherboard options that can accommodate both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving builders a...