Today's Hardware Pulse
Nvidia driver hints at progress on next‑gen DLSS 5
Nvidia’s latest GeForce Game Ready driver (610.47) adds three new DLSS profile options, indicating continued work on DLSS 5 neural‑rendering technology. The earlier DLSS 5 reveal sparked debate over AI‑driven image alteration, and this driver update provides the first concrete sign of advancement.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Cyient Semiconductors raises $30M Series funding
Snowflake, AWS & NVIDIA Blackwell Power Enterprise AI
Snowflake has teamed with Amazon Web Services and NVIDIA to embed Blackwell‑class RTX PRO GPUs into its AI Data Cloud via EC2 G7e instances. The integration delivers a single platform for the entire AI lifecycle—training, data loading, and both real‑time and batch inference—while keeping data within Snowflake’s governed perimeter. New container runtimes and Snowflake Notebooks provide zero‑code GPU acceleration for pandas, scikit‑learn, and distributed PyTorch jobs. Early use cases in insurance claims processing and quantitative finance claim up to 80× speed improvements.
JBL’s Best Wireless Headphones Are $170 Off at Walmart
JBL’s Tour One M3 headphones are now selling for $280 at Walmart, a 38% discount off the $450 MSRP. The Mocha‑color model bundles flagship‑level active noise cancellation, high‑fidelity sound, and a unique Smart Tx transmitter that can stream audio from wired...
My Best iPhone Hack: Turn Off Your Camera Control Button for Good. Here's How
The iPhone 16 introduced a dedicated camera‑control button, intended as a shortcut for Apple’s new Visual Intelligence AI features. Many users, including CNET’s Katelyn Chedraoui, find the button overly sensitive, leading to accidental camera launches and battery drain. Apple provides an...
TSMC Technology Symposium 2026: Advancing the Future of Semiconductor Innovation
TSMC’s 32nd Technology Symposium in Santa Clara showcased its roadmap toward 2 nm‑class and angstrom‑era processes, highlighted by the upcoming A16 node slated for production in the second half of 2026. The event emphasized AI and high‑performance computing workloads, demonstrating how...
NAB 2026: Marshall Electronics Launches First 4K All-IP Weatherproof NDI Camera
Marshall Electronics unveiled its first all‑IP 4K POV camera, the CV574‑WP, at NAB 2026. The unit combines an IP67 weather‑proof rating with NDI|HX support, allowing ultra‑high‑definition video over standard Ethernet. Featuring an 8.46‑megapixel sensor, interchangeable M12 lens mount, and PoE power,...
LG OLED 32GS95UV Best Settings: Dial in the Perfect Picture for Gaming and Movies
The LG UltraGear OLED 32GS250UV delivers a rare dual‑refresh capability—240 Hz at 4K and 480 Hz at 1080p—making it a top choice for high‑performance gaming and cinematic content. Out‑of‑the‑box settings, however, tend to be overly bright and lack optimal contrast, which can...
Nagoya University and NU-Rei Report First Gallium Oxide Thin-Film Epi Growth on Silicon
Researchers at Nagoya University and spin‑out NU‑Rei announced the world’s first heteroepitaxial growth of gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) thin films on silicon wafers. The breakthrough relies on a High‑Density Oxygen Radical Source that doubles atomic‑oxygen density, enabling high‑speed homoepitaxial growth at...
Biesterfeld Is Going to Distribute Lynxter’s Industrial IDEX 3D Printing Platform
Biesterfeld has begun distributing Lynxter’s S300X IDEX 3D‑printing platform across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, extending a partnership that launched in Norway last year. The industrial system combines dual‑extruder IDEX technology with the ability to process real RTV2, LSR silicone and...
(PR) RIG and Ora Graphene Audio Launches RIG R5 Spear MAX HD Gaming Headset with GrapheneQ Drivers
RIG and Ora Graphene Audio unveiled the RIG R5 SPEAR MAX HD gaming headset, featuring Ora’s patented GrapheneQ drivers that promise studio‑grade sound and ultra‑low distortion. The headset includes a USB‑C DAC capable of 32‑bit/384 kHz playback and Dolby Atmos 3D...
EPC91202 Evaluation Board Added for Three-Phase BLDC Motor Drive Inverter
Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) launched the EPC91202 evaluation board, a three‑phase brushless DC motor‑drive inverter built around its EPC2361 100 V eGaN FET. The board can deliver up to 70 A peak (50 A RMS) current and switch PWM signals as fast as...
Amazon Deals of the Day: Turn Up the Tunes With $100 Off the Sonos Move 2 Speaker
Amazon is offering a $100 discount on the Sonos Move 2, cutting the price from $499 to $399 for a limited time. The Move 2 is a portable, drop‑ and water‑resistant Bluetooth speaker that delivers up to 24 hours of playback and...
Fedora Workstation 44 Beta Benchmarks On The AMD Ryzen AI Max Framework Desktop
Fedora Workstation 44 Beta was benchmarked on a Framework Desktop equipped with the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, alongside Fedora 43 stock and Fedora 43 with recent updates. All tests used clean installations on identical hardware, allowing a direct performance comparison. The beta runs...
Ikegami To Spotlight Latest UNICAM 4K-UHD Cameras At 2026 NAB Show
Ikegami will showcase its latest UNICAM XE 3‑CMOS 4K‑UHD camera lineup at the 2026 NAB Show, including the ultra‑compact UHL‑X40 for robotic use and the versatile UHK‑X700/750 models. The company will also demonstrate the IPX‑100 IP base station, which powers...
Nvidia’s $20B Groq Deal Set to Redefine AI Hardware
Jensen Huang is on stage right now at GTC 2026. But the real story isn't the keynote — it's the $20 billion move Nvidia made on Christmas Eve that's about to reshape the entire AI hardware industry. Here's why the...
Helium and Sulfur: Unexpected Essentials for Advanced Chip Production
Iran conflict and chip supply chain. Advanced chips rely on some surprising ingredients. Helium helps cool wafers and move gases through chip-making machines so the process stays stable and ultra-precise. Sulfur is used in gases that “etch” microscopic patterns into silicon —...
Insulated Wire Publishes New Standard and Custom High Performance Wire Catalogue
Insulated Wire Inc released a new catalogue showcasing its LOG SPEC PTFE‑insulated wire and custom high‑performance cable offerings. LOG SPEC employs a concentric multi‑ply laminated PTFE construction that cuts bulk while preserving PTFE’s mechanical, thermal, chemical and electrical properties. The...
Shimano’s Budget Flat Pedals Might Surprise You
Shimano’s GR400 flat pedal combines a resin‑composite body, nine removable metal pins, and a chromoly steel axle for just $65. Weighing 392 g, it offers a low‑profile, 101 mm × 96 mm platform that balances grip, durability, and lightness. Field tests show the pins hold...
Applied Materials and SK Hynix Forge R&D Partnership in Silicon Valley
Applied Materials announced a long‑term R&D partnership with SK Hynix at its upcoming $5 billion EPIC Center in Silicon Valley. The collaboration will focus on memory‑chip performance, new materials, process integration and advanced packaging to meet AI‑driven demand. EPIC, already hosting Samsung...
Meta, Nebius Sign $27B Deal to Power Nvidia Vera Rubin Deployments
Meta and Nebius Group have inked a five‑year infrastructure supply agreement valued at up to $27 billion. Nebius will deliver roughly $12 billion of dedicated AI compute built on Nvidia’s upcoming Vera Rubin platform, with new clusters slated for early 2027. Meta...
Mini Roomba Robovac Cleans and Mops Where Others Can't
iRobot introduced the Roomba Mini Robot Vacuum and Mop in Europe shortly after a restructuring and new ownership deal with China’s Picea. The compact unit, 9.64 inches in diameter, offers 70‑times the suction of the legacy 600 series and features...
Imagination's Open-Source PowerVR Vulkan Driver Now Plays Nicely With Zink OpenGL
Imagination Technologies announced that its PowerVR Vulkan driver now runs on top of Zink in Mesa 26.1, delivering open‑source OpenGL support for PowerVR GPUs. The integration required completing Vulkan compliance gaps and adding Kernel Mode Setting Render Only (KMSRO) support, which...
BANF and Silicon Labs Develop Real-Time Tire Monitoring System for Autonomous and Connected Fleet Vehicles
BANF and Silicon Labs unveiled a real‑time tire‑monitoring system that embeds Silicon Labs’ ultra‑low‑power BG22 Bluetooth LE SoC inside a battery‑free in‑tire sensor. The platform captures acceleration, pressure, temperature and tread‑depth at thousands of samples per second, processing key signals on...
Intel Graphics Driver Preps For UHBR DP Tunnels With Linux 7.1
Intel has submitted a new graphics driver pull request to DRM‑Next ahead of the Linux 7.1 merge window. The update, led by engineer Jani Nikula, adds PHY PLL verification, Panel Self‑Refresh tweaks for Lunar Lake, DSC improvements, and numerous bug fixes. Crucially,...
What Does Resilient IoT Connectivity Really Look Like?
Thales, in an interview with Juniper Research, outlines its approach to resilient IoT connectivity. The company’s IoT Suite merges agile connectivity management with end‑to‑end security, leveraging the GSMA SGP.32 eSIM standard to scale millions of devices. It promotes a single‑pane‑of‑glass...
Mintion’s Inexpensive V1 Filtration System Reduces FFF 3D Printer Emissions
Mintion has launched the V1 filtration system, a low‑cost add‑on for desktop FFF 3D printers that captures both nanoparticles and volatile organic compounds. The unit uses a three‑stage filter stack—coarse screen, HEPA H13, and activated carbon—driven by a centrifugal fan...
(PR) Cyber Acoustics Releases WC-1000 Webcam, Built to Work Seamlessly with Headsets or Speakerphones
Cyber Acoustics launched the WC‑1000 webcam, a video‑only device that omits a built‑in microphone to avoid audio‑device conflicts in platforms like Teams and Zoom. The 1080p camera features autofocus, auto‑light correction, and multiple resolution options, targeting BPOs, enterprises, and remote...
Nokia Lifts Lid on Tech Suite to Meet AI Demands
Nokia announced a new optical networking suite designed to handle the massive data traffic generated by AI workloads. The portfolio combines coherent optics, a compact multi‑line in‑life amplifier and full‑band transponders, promising up to 40‑times more services per footprint while...
I Replaced My Whoop with a Rival Fitness Band that Has No Monthly Fees - and It's Nearly as Good
Polar introduced the Loop, a $199.99 fitness band that eliminates the recurring fees common to competitors like Whoop. The device offers precise optical heart‑rate monitoring, solid sleep tracking, and a lightweight 29‑gram design that lasts about a week per charge....
Apple’s New USB‑C AirPods Tempt Reluctant Upgrade
Just when I thought I'd managed to escape Apple's big March releases unscathed, they go and drop this bad boi. I've been narrowly avoiding upgrading just to switch from Lightning to USB-C but now with better ANC and H2 chip? I...
Android 16 Now Has a Desktop Mode for Your Pixel 8 or Newer
Google’s Android 16 QPR3 update introduces a native desktop mode for Pixel 8 and newer devices, letting users plug a USB‑C DisplayPort cable into an external monitor. The interface adds a taskbar, windowed apps and mouse‑keyboard support, mimicking a PC environment. Early...
Still Using Your Laptop Camera? Improve Your Video Calls and Streams with This Logitech Webcam, Now 38% Off
Logitech’s Brio 101 Full HD webcam is now priced at $24.99, a 38% discount from its regular $39.99 list price. The device delivers 1080p video at 30 fps, built‑in microphone, RightLight auto‑brightness, and a physical privacy shutter. It works plug‑and‑play with...
Apple Introduces MacBook Neo Alongside iPhone 17e and iPhone 17
Apple unveiled three new products—MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, and iPhone 17—aimed at expanding its ecosystem with more affordable yet high‑performance devices. The MacBook Neo starts at R11,999, features the A18 Pro chip, a 13‑inch Liquid Retina display, and up to 16 hours...
Apple Debuts $549 AirPods Max 2 Headphones With Live Translation, Better Noise Canceling
Apple unveiled the AirPods Max 2, a $549 over‑ear headset that builds on the original 2020 model with 1.5× stronger active noise cancellation and a suite of features previously limited to the AirPods Pro line. The new headphones add live translation, a...
Arctech Presents Dry Cleaning Robot Weighing Just 38 Kg
Chinese firm Arctech Solar has launched the Star Shine I, a 38 kg autonomous dry‑cleaning robot for utility‑scale photovoltaic plants. The robot can travel 10‑18 m per minute, covering up to 3 km round‑trip (9 km one‑way) and achieves more than 99.5 % cleaning efficiency....
Data Centers Overtake Offices in US Construction-Spending Shift
Spending on U.S. data‑center construction surpassed office projects for the first time at the end of 2025, reflecting a rapid shift toward digital infrastructure. Meta’s Ohio hub, launched in 2017, attracted Amazon, Google and Microsoft, creating a regional tech cluster....
Kingston Debuts XTS-AES 256-Bit Secure Hardware USB Drive
Kingston Digital has launched the IronKey Locker+ 50 G2, a next‑generation hardware‑encrypted USB flash drive. The device features FIPS 197‑certified XTS‑AES‑256‑bit encryption, digitally signed firmware to block BadUSB attacks, and brute‑force password protection that locks out users after ten failed attempts. It supports both...
Schneider Electric Introduces Variable Speed HVAC Drives to Support Energy Savings
Schneider Electric launched two variable‑speed HVAC drives, the ATH200 and ATH600, promising more than 30% energy savings and robust operation in temperatures from –10 °F to 60 °F. The drives are built for OEMs serving commercial and mission‑critical buildings, featuring native Modbus...
Apple Announces AirPods Max 2 Update with H2 Chip, Same Price
Apple unveiled the AirPods Max 2, integrating the H2 chip found in its latest AirPods Pro and AirPods 4 lineup. The upgrade delivers 1.5× more effective active noise cancellation, a high‑dynamic‑range amplifier, and new features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation...
Rabbit-Labs Flipper Zero ESP32-C5 Multi-Board Features CC1101, GPS, and Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6
Rabbit Labs EU unveiled the Flipper Zero ESP32‑C5 multi‑board, a compact expansion that adds dual‑band Wi‑Fi 6, BLE 5, 802.15.4, a TI CC1101 sub‑GHz transceiver, GPS and a microSD slot to the popular Flipper Zero. Powered by the ESP32‑C5‑WROOM‑1U RISC‑V SoC, the...
3D Print Your Own Lil Finder
A maker spent a week refining design files and printing a Lil Finder figurine, completing the 20‑hour job on a Bambu P2S printer. The project, done in collaboration with Basic Apple Guy, offers the .3mf file for free, encouraging the...
In a Surprise Move, Apple Announces AirPods Max 2
Apple surprised the market by unveiling the AirPods Max 2, its first over‑the‑ear headphones powered by the H2 chip. The new model delivers up to 1.5× stronger active noise cancellation, refined Transparency Mode, and enhanced Spatial Audio. Additional intelligent features include...
L3Harris Unveils P25 Device with 5G, Satellite D2D Functionality
L3Harris introduced the XL‑300P, a redesigned P25 handheld that adds a built‑in LTE‑5G modem and satellite direct‑to‑device (NTN) capability. The device can switch among P25, Wi‑Fi, commercial LTE bands—including Band 106—and T‑Mobile’s Starlink‑backed satellite service, with an AI‑driven selector that chooses...
AirPods Max: Pricey, yet Surprisingly Common on Streets
It’s easy to laugh at $550 AirPods Max but it is really shocking to me at how many people I see in the real world wearing these. A true gen 2 has been way overdue…
Inference's Future Lies in Compute‑Memory Bandwidth Integration
Inference will dominate tomorrow’s compute Inference isn’t just about FLOPs.. it’s about compute tightly coupled to memory bandwidth That’s why it’s encouraging to see Nvidia making this a central theme at GTC this year: h/t @WSJ https://t.co/Aeq9EnOdPR
Edge AI Needs HW/SW/Model Co-Development, Not Simple MCU Extensions
Architecting solutions for edge AI is not about minimizing cloud solutions or making small extensions of existing MCUs/MPUs. It’s a HW/SW/model co-development problem. https://t.co/l0tM94PKEl #EdgeAI #lowpower #semiconductor
NVIDIA's Expanding Stack Inflates Total Infrastructure TCO
One of the more interesting things I'm curious about is how, as NVIDIA expands its infrastructure offerings, all new infrastructure competes for GW. The story has to be about the compounding TCO of the full solution, beyond GPU racks.
GTC Shifts Focus From GPUs to Broader AI
GTC stands for “GPU Technology Conference” Yet today, the unofficial title of Jensen Huang’s speech might as well be “Beyond GPUs” https://t.co/RKZuN87GrL $NVDA https://t.co/q2Kpsvlltm
Kids' Over‑Ear Trend Signals AirPods Max Refresh
Not surprised to see a refresh of the AirPods Max considering how the kids all walk around with over the ear headphones nowadays
Apple’s $499 Laptop Shines, $549 Headphones Overpriced Yet Viable
Apple deserves considerable credit for delivering a laptop that represents remarkable value at a $499 student price, while also offering headphones priced at $549 that are difficult to justify. And yet, both products are likely to be very successful.
Converging Tech Tsunami Will Redefine Life in Six Months
We’re watching the Supersonic Tsunami hit. Neuromorphic chips (1000x efficiency). Fusion plants coming online. Humanoid robots entering our homes. $1 trillion infrastructure deployment. These aren't separate trends—they're one converging system. The next 6 months will be wild.