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
(PR) MSI Bundles Crimson Desert Game Key with Select Motherboards
MSI announced a limited‑time promotion pairing its X870E and B850 motherboards with a complimentary Steam key for the upcoming action‑RPG Crimson Desert. The offer runs from March 6 to April 6, 2026, and targets gamers seeking high‑performance hardware. MSI highlights the boards’ next‑generation USB4, Wi‑Fi 7, multi‑gigabit LAN, and advanced thermal solutions, while the MAX series adds a 64 MB BIOS ROM and dedicated OC Engine for overclocking. The partnership aims to boost motherboard sales by leveraging the game’s launch hype.

Marathon PS5 Controller Is Pretty Cool for a Limited-Edition DualSense
Marathon’s limited‑edition DualSense controller launched on March 5, 2026 for PS5, PC and Xbox Series X. The controller mirrors the standard DualSense in feel and functionality, featuring Marathon‑themed lime‑green and black decals baked into the plastic. Reviewers note the design is tasteful, though...
Micron: What Exploding Memory Prices Mean for Investors
Micron Technology is benefiting from an unprecedented surge in memory prices, driven by a tight supply of high‑bandwidth memory (HBM) and soaring demand from hyperscale cloud providers. The price rally has pushed Micron's gross margins to historic levels and set...

Sensing Your Way to a Smoother Supply Chain
Supply chain management is being transformed by rapid advances in sensor technology, with the logistics sensor market projected to grow from $10.5 billion in 2024 to $25.8 billion by 2033. Ambient IoT, exemplified by Wiliot’s battery‑free Pixel tags, is giving Walmart item‑level...

Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra: Everything We Know About the 2027 Flagship
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra, slated for early 2027, pairs the Qualcomm X105 modem with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 processor, delivering up to 14.8 Gbps download speeds and 30 % better energy efficiency. The phone adds low‑Earth‑orbit satellite communication and NB‑IoT support, enabling voice,...
TI Accelerates the Next Generation of Physical AI with NVIDIA
Texas Instruments announced a partnership with NVIDIA to accelerate safe humanoid robot deployment. The collaboration merges TI’s real‑time motor control, sensing, radar and power technologies with NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor compute and Holoscan ecosystem. A sensor‑fusion solution using TI’s IWR6243 mmWave radar...

Reelables Launches BLE-Based Smart Label Indoor Tracking Solution
Reelables unveiled a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Smart Label indoor tracking solution that delivers location accuracy up to 10 centimeters, matching ultra‑wideband performance at a fraction of the cost. The system combines Reelables’ flexible smart labels with IOSEA’s SEAgnal AoA RTLS...
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The Battery Decision in the New Age of Commercial UAV Operations
The commercial UAV sector is approaching a post‑Part 108 era where fleet‑based operations will dominate, shifting focus from single‑aircraft flight time to rapid aircraft turnaround. Operators must choose between battery‑swapping docks that deliver minute‑level exchanges and fast‑charging stations that minimize inventory...

The Pro Killer? M4 iPad Air (2026) Full Breakdown
Apple unveiled the M4 iPad Air, slotting the new M4 processor into the familiar Air chassis. The device offers a 30% CPU/GPU uplift, 12 GB of RAM and 120 GB/s memory bandwidth, while adding Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread support. Pricing stays at...

Trimble Roadworks Adds GPR Sensor for Asphalt Compaction Data
Trimble announced that its Roadworks paving control platform will integrate GSSI’s PaveScan RS ground‑penetrating radar sensor. The integration delivers real‑time asphalt compaction metrics, mapping dielectric profiles and air‑void percentages on each pass. Trimble and its SITECH dealer network will also...

Cyberpunk DIY Watch Uses Flexible PCB and Wraparound Displays
Sahko unveiled a cyber‑punk‑styled DIY smartwatch at the Open Sauce event, featuring a flexible printed circuit board and wrap‑around high‑brightness displays. The watch uses salvaged disposable vape batteries and an STM32 microcontroller to deliver custom animations and menus while keeping...
Circuits Integrated Hellas and Reach Power Sign Multi-Year Strategic MOU
Circuits Integrated Hellas (CIH) and Reach Power have signed a multi‑year memorandum of understanding to co‑develop integrated RF/mmWave and wireless power‑at‑a‑distance (WPDT) solutions. CIH will supply custom semiconductor designs, beamforming architectures and heterogeneous integration, while Reach contributes its proven power‑beaming...

3 Ways the Windows Task Manager Is Lying to You
Windows Task Manager is a convenient, built‑in diagnostic tool, but its percentages simplify complex system behavior. CPU usage is shown as an averaged figure across all cores, masking single‑core spikes. Memory usage includes cached and standby data that can be...

Loop Capital Thinks This Chip Manufacturer Could More than Double on an AI ‘Super Cycle’
Loop Capital has initiated Astera Labs (ALAB) with a buy rating and a $250 price target, implying roughly 120% upside from its recent close. The analyst positions Astera as the most diversified AI‑silicon pure‑play outside Nvidia, poised to benefit from...

M4 MacBook Air with 24GB of RAM Plunges to Lowest-Ever Price Following M5 Announcement — $300 Off Is a Steal...
Apple’s 15‑inch M4 MacBook Air with 24 GB RAM has hit a historic low of $1,299 on Amazon, the cheapest price recorded by price‑tracking tools. The deal arrives just after Apple unveiled the newer M5‑based Air, which offers modest performance gains...

The Sequence Opinion #819: How AI Chips Are Made?
The post explains that AI performance in 2026 hinges more on hardware than algorithms, with GPUs—originally built for graphics—serving as the foundation for neural‑network training. It outlines the engineering journey from high‑level RTL and Verilog code through physical design to...

Nintendo Switch 2 Users Buying Fewer Games because of AI Storage Crisis, Report Claims — Game Demand Under Threat as...
Nintendo’s Switch 2 is confronting an AI‑driven NAND shortage that has driven storage prices sharply higher. The handheld’s 256 GB internal capacity is quickly consumed by modern titles—Final Fantasy VII Rebirth alone occupies roughly 102.5 GB—forcing gamers to consider costly microSD Express cards. As...

Philips Hue Festavia Globe Outdoor String Lights Review: High-End Smart Lights Designed for Outdoor Ambience
Philips introduced the Hue Festavia Globe Outdoor String Lights at IFA 2025, offering 7‑metre and 14‑metre base kits plus 21‑metre extensions. Priced at £139.99/£249.99 in the UK, the lights feature full‑colour, IP65‑rated globes that integrate with the Hue Bridge for app‑based...

Next Generation, Permanent DNA-Based Data Storage for the AI Age
imec and Atlas Data Storage have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate synthetic DNA‑based data storage, combining Atlas’s ASIC design and DNA synthesis expertise with imec’s advanced chip fabrication capabilities. The collaboration produced a monolithic nano‑scale electrochemical array built on...

Samsung Is Trying Really Hard to Prove that Its Foldable Displays Are More Durable than You Think
Samsung Display showcased a golf‑ball impact simulator at MWC 2026 to prove the durability of its latest foldable OLED panels. The new screens feature a thicker ultra‑thin glass layer and a titanium backplate, boosting shock resistance. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 now boasts a...
Ultion Nuki 2025 Review – Smart Lock Pro 5th Gen with Ultion Door Handle and 3-Star PLUS Ultion Lock
The Ultion Nuki 2025 bundles the Nuki Smart Lock Pro 5th Gen with an integrated Ultion handle and a BSI‑certified 3‑star PLUS cylinder, delivering a polished, high‑security solution for UK UPVC doors. Priced at £339, the package adds roughly £100 over a...
Ultion Nuki 2025 Review – Smart Lock Pro 5th Gen with Ultion Door Handle and 3-Star PLUS Ultion Lock
Ultion’s new Nuki 2025 bundles the Nuki Smart Lock Pro 5th Gen with a purpose‑built Ultion handle and a BSI‑certified 3‑star PLUS cylinder for £339. The lock features brushless motor speeds, built‑in Wi‑Fi, Thread (Matter‑compatible) and a rechargeable magnetic battery lasting up to 12 months...

Galaxy S26 Seems to Have an Extra NFC Antenna That'll Make Me Fly in and Out of Stores
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series now includes a second NFC antenna positioned higher on the device, enabling users to complete contactless payments by tapping the top edge as well as the traditional rear center. Independent testing confirmed the top‑edge tap works on...

Google Is Still Fixing the Pixel 10's Graphics Issues in Its March Security Update
Google rolled out its March 2026 security update, version vCP1A.260305.016, aimed at the Pixel 6 through Pixel 10a devices, with a focus on lingering graphics problems in the Pixel 10 series. The patch addresses screen freezes, fuzzy displays, background blur,...
Philips Launches Rembra CT System for Acute Imaging
Philips has introduced Rembra, a next‑generation CT system built for acute and high‑throughput imaging environments. The scanner delivers ultra‑fast reconstruction speeds of up to 106 images per second and can support as many as 270 examinations per day. It features...
Semtech Expands Data-Center Portfolio by Acquiring HieFo for $34m
Semtech Corp announced it has acquired HieFo Corp for approximately $34 million in cash. HieFo supplies indium phosphide (InP) optoelectronic devices, including lasers and gain chips, used in data‑center interconnects. The deal, cleared by CFIUS, expands Semtech’s domestic semiconductor portfolio and...

Industrial IoT in Manufacturing: Driving Smart Factory Efficiency and Sustainability
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is turning smart factories from concept to reality, linking sensors, edge devices, AI analytics and cloud platforms across production lines. Real‑time data enables predictive maintenance, automated workflows and energy optimization, driving higher productivity while trimming...
Iran Crisis Could Disrupt Supply of Key Chipmaking Materials, South Korea Warns
A South Korean ruling‑party lawmaker warned that the escalating US‑Israel war with Iran could jeopardize the supply of essential semiconductor materials, particularly helium, which is critical for heat management in chip fabrication. The Korean chip sector, responsible for roughly two‑thirds...

I've Researched and Tested the Best Smart Hubs to Simplify Your Home Automation – These Are My Top 6 Recommendations
The article evaluates six leading smart‑home hubs, ranking the Homey Pro as the overall winner and highlighting the Apple HomePod for Apple ecosystems, IKEA Dirigera for app design, Philips Hue Bridge Pro for mid‑range lighting, Samsung SmartThings for budget‑conscious users,...
Improving Device Efficiency with Tunable Lasers
OPOTEK’s new diode‑pumped solid‑state (DPSS) tunable lasers combine an air‑cooled pump with an integrated optical parametric oscillator, delivering up to 100 mJ at 1064 nm and single‑digit millijoule output across 210 nm‑4 µm. The compact, shoebox‑sized modules eliminate water‑cooling, high‑voltage supplies and extensive cabling,...

YellowScan Unveils NDAA-Compliant Venturer LiDAR
YellowScan introduced the Venturer LiDAR at Geo Week 2026, positioning it as an NDAA‑compliant solution for high‑precision, security‑focused surveying. The system processes all data locally via YellowScan CloudStation, eliminating cloud dependencies and ensuring full data sovereignty. It features 360‑degree adaptive...
Nvidia Refocuses TSMC Capacity as Export Controls Stall China Sales
Nvidia is redirecting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) production capacity away from chips destined for the Chinese market after U.S. export controls limited its sales. The chipmaker is prioritising higher‑margin data‑center and automotive GPUs for customers outside China, while TSMC...

Microsoft Is Fundamentally Redesigning NVMe Drivers for Windows; Initial Tests Show Significant Performance Shifts
Microsoft is introducing a brand‑new NVMe storage driver for Windows 11 25H2 and Windows Server 2025 built on the IoRing framework, replacing the legacy storNVMe.sys stack. The IoRing‑based design aims to cut latency, improve CPU utilization, and push IOPS higher, especially for random‑read heavy...
X-99 MB Suggestion
A forum member is planning a low‑cost lab server and is evaluating a Chinese‑market X99 motherboard, possibly dual‑socket, to pair with an Intel Xeon E5‑2699 V4. The post highlights that X99 boards typically use consumer chipsets, offering limited BIOS features but...
NLM Photonics Initiates Sampling of 1.6T and 3.2T Silicon Organic Hybrid PICs
NLM Photonics announced that its 1.6‑terabit (1.6T) and 3.2‑terabit (3.2T) silicon‑organic hybrid (SOH) photonic integrated circuits are now in sampling for select customers, with live demos at OFC 2026. The 1.6T DR8 PIC, built on the company’s patented Selerion‑HTX organic...

Die and Package Roadmaps Must Converge for Scaling
#Technology #Thread #Semiconductor #Manufacturing #Roadmap The Semiconductor Die And Package Roadmap: 1/ - When I Wrote About Integrating The Semiconductor Die And Package Roadmap. - The Observation Was That The Industry Was Treating Silicon And Packaging As Separate Planning Tracks - But Future Semiconductor...
FEX 2603 Released With A Partial Fix For The Steam GUI Crashing On AArch64
FEX 2603, Valve’s open‑source emulator for running x86/x86_64 Linux binaries on AArch64, has been released with a partial fix for the Steam GUI crash. The update addresses the steamwebhelper process instability caused by a Chromium CEF change, reducing crash frequency when...
About 81,000 Baby Monitors Recalled over Possible Fire Risk
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall of roughly 81,000 Babysense Max View baby monitors (model VBM55RX) after 11 reports of the handheld display overheating and creating a fire risk. No injuries have been reported, but the...

Benchmark Exceeds Expectations, Eager to Test Further
Honestly I was not expecting the benchmark to be THIS good. I’m excited to test this thing. #macbook #apple

8GB MacBook Air Handles Creative Work Daily
fun fact: up untill a few months ago I daily drove an 8gb ram MacBook Air as a creative professional. Never had a single issue
Ciena Corp (CIEN) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Ciena reported record fiscal 2025 revenue of $4.77 billion, up 20% year‑over‑year, and EPS of $2.64, a 45% increase. The company posted a $7.8 billion order backlog of roughly $5 billion and raised its fiscal 2026 revenue outlook to $5.7‑$6.1 billion, reflecting strong demand...
OEMs Accelerate Design, Strengthen Security for New Vehicle Architectures
OEMs are driving faster design cycles and enhanced security amid evolving vehicle architectures and compliance requirements. https://t.co/h9d6HBTGMr #automotive #automotivesecurity
ByteDance, Tencent Buying Chinese DRAM May Squeeze Western Memory Rivals
negative call going aroundo on $MU- Bytedance and Tencent are in talks to Buy more DRAM and NAND flash form two China firms. ChangXin and Yangtze Memory Technologie could pressure WDC MU SNDK https://t.co/ZXWt84acxg
Labubu Sues Bambu Lab Over User-Created
Labubu sues 3D printer maker Bambu Lab for items made by its users — MakerWorld design repository in hot water over IP theft by its users https://t.co/j5PlQ5wuG6 @stlDenise3D
China Plans Coordinated Push for Lithography by 2030
Reuters: Top Chinese semiconductor executives have called for a coordinated national effort to develop operational lithography systems during the 2026-2030 period, underlining Beijing's push for greater technological self-reliance. @lauriechenwords https://t.co/uab1DaTkwQ
Nvidia Halts China Chip Production Amid Ongoing Trade Restrictions
FT, citing sources: Nvidia has stopped production of chips intended for the Chinese market, betting that regulatory barriers in Washington and Beijing will continue to limit sales to China. @zijing_wu https://t.co/WzcEVP1osx

Apple Wins Best Smartphone; Honor Recognized for Silicon‑Carbon Battery
Always fun to present the Glomo award for best smartphone and disruptive mobile tech. Apple took the best smartphone for its iPhone Pro family and Honor took the disruptive tech for the commercialization of silicon carbon battery technology https://t.co/MdkDSxPOzR
Chinese Legacy Firms Bet on Chips to Survive AI Boom
China’s Traditional Businesses Try to Buy Into AI Boom—For many Chinese companies, investing in chip makers is a survival strategy @QinSherry https://t.co/4pke6IQIur https://t.co/4pke6IQIur
AI-Driven Oven Turns Toast Into Morning Magic
Matt made my June oven that automatically makes my toast in the morning. Has one of the first NVIDIA Jetson cards inside. My wife considers it magic. And he is at it again.

Korea’s Chip Output Drops, Shifts to High‑Bandwidth Memory
Didn’t realize how much Korean chip production has fallen in the past few months, as it’s shifting towards high bandwith memory. Source: Robeco https://t.co/I5YOwPS4OL