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
Your Phone Has a Powerful Weather Instrument Hidden Inside
Smartphones now house digital barometric sensors that measure atmospheric pressure. While the primary purpose is to refine GPS altitude calculations, the data can be repurposed for offline weather monitoring. Apps such as Barometer & Altimeter let users view real‑time pressure readings and track changes without an internet connection. Understanding pressure trends can help predict short‑term weather shifts and even signal health effects like migraines.
Intel Publishes "Granite Rapids-WS" Xeon 600 Turbo Frequencies, AVX-512 and AMX Slash Boost Speeds
Intel has released the Granite Rapids‑WS Xeon 600 Series for workstations, publishing detailed turbo frequency tables that show core boost behavior across instruction sets. The flagship Xeon 698X packs 86 cores and 172 threads, with a 2.0 GHz base and up to...
MWC 2026: AI, Foldables, Satellite Connectivity, and Memory Crisis
Mobile World Congress 2026 marks a turning point as generative AI moves from a novelty to the core architecture of Android smartphones, with IDC forecasting GenAI‑enabled devices to represent over 37% of shipments and generate $433 billion in revenue. Foldable phones,...
Did You Know Gaming Unpacks Nintendo's History with the WonderSwan
Did You Know Gaming released a video detailing the WonderSwan, Bandai’s 1999 handheld that never left Japan. The console was co‑designed by Nintendo legend Gunpei Yokoi, creator of the Game Boy. The documentary reveals Nintendo’s internal response and why the device struggled...
433MHz Is the Smart Home Technology You Forgot About
433 MHz radio frequency, long‑standing in consumer RF controls, is resurfacing as a low‑cost smart‑home bridge option. It delivers up to 300 ft range and penetrates walls better than 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi, but lacks mesh networking, encryption, and high bandwidth. Devices like garage‑door...
Minisforum Launches MS-A2 Mini Desktop Server with AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX
Minisforum unveiled the MS‑A2, a 1.78‑liter mini desktop server powered by AMD’s Ryzen 9 9955HX mobile processor. The compact workstation starts at $799 for the base model and tops out at $1,919 fully configured with 96 GB RAM and 2 TB SSD. It offers...
10Gtek Intel I350 Quad Port 1GbE NIC Review
The 10Gtek Intel i350 Quad‑Port 1 GbE NIC adds four Gigabit Ethernet interfaces via a PCIe Gen 2.1 ×4 slot, targeting low‑profile servers that need extra connectivity without high throughput. Priced around $55‑60, the card uses the long‑standing i350‑am4 chipset, drawing roughly 4 W and...
I Stopped Buying Random USB‑C Cables After Learning What 'USB4' Actually Means
The author realized that not all USB‑C cables are created equal after a slow external SSD transfer revealed the hidden performance gap. USB‑C refers only to the connector shape, while the USB4 standard—especially USB4 v2—delivers 40 Gbps to 80 Gbps data rates and...
Grab a Mobile Workstation with a Jaw-Dropping $1,200 Discount and 96GB of DDR5 Memory — Lenovo's Robust & Powerful ThinkPad...
Lenovo is offering its ThinkPad P14s Gen 6 AMD workstation laptop for $1,539, roughly a 50 % discount off the standard price. The machine packs a high‑end AMD processor, 96 GB of DDR5‑5600 RAM and a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, targeting power users who...
Kick Off Your Spring Setup Upgrade With the Roku Streambar SE Sale — Now 30% Off
Roku has slashed the price of its Streambar SE to $70.15, a 30% discount from the original $99.99. The device merges a 4K HDR Roku streaming platform with a compact two‑speaker soundbar and bass port, delivering clearer dialogue and richer...
Verisilicon DC8200 & Coreboot Framebuffer Drivers Sent To DRM-Next For Linux 7.1
The DRM‑Next tree received its first pull request this week, introducing two new graphics drivers slated for the upcoming Linux 7.1 kernel. A Verisilicon DC8200 display driver lands to enable HDMI output on the T‑Head TH1520 RISC‑V SoC, with StarFive JH7110 support pending. SUSE’s...
Motorola Moto G Power (2026)
Motorola unveiled the Moto G Power 2026, a budget Android 16 handset featuring a 6.8‑inch 1080p IPS panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a 5,200 mAh battery, and the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor paired with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage. Priced around $300,...
The Joys of 3D Printing
The article explores why hobbyists gravitate toward 3D printing, ranging from machine‑tuning experiments to creating functional daily‑use objects and decorative items. It highlights a niche of “hobbyist industrial designers” who craft custom solutions—like a dog‑poop‑bag holder—purely for the joy of...
MM8108 Wi-Fi Chip Hits up to 43 Mbps While Stretching Links for Miles
Morse Micro’s MM8108 Wi‑Fi chip delivers up to 43 Mbps while extending coverage to several miles, far beyond conventional routers. The chip’s low‑power design enables solar‑ or battery‑powered installations, making it ideal for off‑grid and disaster‑relief scenarios. Global regulatory compliance and...
Lovart AI Speeds up Fun Content Creation Amid Chaos
While I'm monitoring the situation (the war in Iran) I'm playing around with @lovart_ai. Seems like years ago that Nano Banana 2 shipped, doesn't it? Because the news is so distracting, Lovart's new speed and quality, and ease of use due...
Xiaomi 17 Review
The Xiaomi 17 is Xiaomi’s latest compact flagship, featuring a class‑leading 7,000 mAh silicon‑carbon battery and the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. It retains the 6.3‑inch LTPO AMOLED display and premium build while offering up to 16 GB RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. Camera hardware remains...
Move over Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra – Leica Just Launched Its First Android Phone to Kill Off the Camera Phone...
Leica has entered the Android market with its first smartphone, the Leitzphone, developed in partnership with Xiaomi. The device features a mechanical camera ring that offers DSLR‑style controls and a triple‑camera system, including two 200 MP sensors and a 1‑inch main...
Samsung’s Excuse for Skipping Qi2 Magnets in Galaxy S26 Ignores the Big Picture
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series skips built‑in Qi2 magnets, citing a push for thinner, lighter devices. The phones still support Qi2‑compatible cases, meaning 25 W wireless‑charging speeds depend on magnetic alignment provided by a case. Currently, no 25 W Qi2 charger operates without magnets,...
Apple @ Work: Meeting Owl 5 Pro Brings 360-Degree Video and Single-Cable Connectivity to the Boardroom
Owl Labs unveiled the Meeting Owl 5 Pro, a 360‑degree conference camera that consolidates video, audio, and display connectivity into a single USB‑C cable for Mac users. The device adds a 4K Ultra HD sensor, AI‑driven speaker tracking, and an integrated docking...
RaspyJack : Tiny Raspberry Pi Zero 2W Network Toolkit for Security Testing & More
The RaspyJack is an open‑source, handheld network toolkit built around the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W. It combines a Waveshare 1.44‑inch LCD, a TP‑Link AC1300 dual‑band USB adapter, and a Pi Sugar power module for portable, field‑ready security testing. The device runs Linux utilities for...
How a Young Bike Racer Helped Shape America’s Best-Selling Low-Cost E-Bike
Lectric eBikes’ best‑selling budget XP line owes its success to former mountain‑bike racer Luis Cerna, now product manager. Cerna leverages racing‑derived insights on handling, acceleration, and braking to refine the folding commuter e‑bike despite its low price under $1,000. The...
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core I9-14900K Faceoff — Intel’s Raptor Lake Platform Continues to Be Relevant in 2026
AMD’s new Ryzen 7 9850X3D, built on Zen 5 X3D, outperforms Intel’s Core i9‑14900K in gaming, delivering up to 24% higher frame rates and superior power efficiency. Intel’s 14900K, with its 24‑core hybrid design, retains a clear advantage in multi‑threaded productivity workloads, beating the...
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Packs 200MP Leica Variable Zoom
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica has a 200-megapixel variable zoom lens that offers optical zoom between 75mm and 100mm
One Year of Hyperscaler Capex Stuns With Massive Scale
The sheer volume of just one year of hyperscaler capex spending is mind boggling https://t.co/MtseOemoPC
IKEA Dirigera Matter Devices Hit Pairing Failures Across Major Hubs
IKEA’s new Matter‑over‑Thread devices, including bulbs, remotes and sensors, have been plagued by pairing failures, unstable connections, and firmware update problems. The Dirigera Hub, which coordinates these devices, also experiences frequent sync issues across major ecosystems such as HomeKit, Alexa...
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Priced Unchanged at €1499
FWIW, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has the same 1499 euro price as last year's model.
Xiaomi 17 Launches at €999, Matching Xiaomi 15 Price
Xiaomi 17 pricing is out now. Y'all reckon €999 is worth it? In line with Xiaomi 15.
This Cool ESP32 Project Combines Four Screens Into a 32x32 LED Matrix
Maker Akira2007 built a 32×32 LED matrix using an ESP32 and four MAX7219 driver boards. The matrix runs multiple display modes, including a playable Pong game controlled by KY040 rotary encoders. A custom 3D‑printed case houses the hardware, delivering a...
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide May Finally Solve the Foldable’s Biggest Flaw
Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide in summer 2026, featuring a wider, shorter 16:10 display that promises more ergonomic multimedia, gaming, and productivity experiences. The device retains the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset but trims RAM and storage to curb...
Telecom News: StratEdge, Proximus, TRAI, Vodafone Idea
StratEdge announced new molded ceramic packages and gold‑plated die‑on‑tab solutions that operate up to 18 GHz, targeting high‑power GaN applications in aerospace and defense. Proximus revealed a restructuring plan to cut roughly 1,200 jobs—about 15% of its workforce—by 2030, aiming to...
Bambu Lab Data Highlights Sustained 3D Printing Activity and Creator Growth on MakerWorld
Bambu Lab released 2025 usage data from its MakerWorld and MakerLab platforms, showing sustained growth in Chinese 3D‑printing activity. Benchy remained the most printed model for the fifth consecutive year, while 83% of owners continued printing one year after purchase,...
ESP32-C5 Bug Advisory Identifies and Fixes PSRAM and Sleep Coexistence Issues
Espressif Systems released a bug advisory for ESP32‑C5 chips, detailing three stability issues affecting PSRAM and sleep‑mode coexistence when running ESP‑IDF v5.5.1. The defects include a PSRAM reset hang, data corruption during unaligned AES/SHA accesses, and watchdog timeouts in Wi‑Fi/BLE/IEEE 802.15.4...
WLMouse Announces Ying Magnesium Gaming Mouse Weighing in at 47 G
WLMouse unveiled the Ying Magnesium gaming mouse, tipping the scales at an ultra‑light 47 g (±2). The mouse combines a PixArt PAW3950 sensor, Nordic 52840 MCU, and 8 kHz polling with optional Omron optical or TTC Nihil transparent switches. Its magnesium alloy...
Samsung Teases ‘More Advanced’ S Pen, No TriFold or Edge Sequels Yet
Samsung’s chief operating officer confirmed that the S Pen remains a core component of its flagship Galaxy line and is slated for a major upgrade. The next‑generation stylus will feature a new display‑integrated structure that reduces the physical penalty of the...
Most Lab Testing Quietly Inflates 2D Transistor Performance, Research Reveals
Researchers at Duke University have shown that the common back‑gated test structure used for 2D transistors artificially inflates performance because the gate also modulates the contacts—a phenomenon called contact gating. By fabricating a symmetric dual‑gate device that isolates this effect,...
Orange Pi Neo Delayed Due to RAM Crisis: "We Are Now Waiting For a Good Time To Launch"
The Orange Pi Neo-01 handheld, slated for a 2026 launch, has been put on hold as DDR5 RAM and SSD prices soar amid a global memory shortage. The device, which would have featured an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U or 8840U,...
Samsung Galaxy Update Removes Android Recovery Menu Tools, Including Sideloading
Samsung’s February 2026 One UI 8.5 update strips several core utilities from the Android recovery menu on Galaxy devices, including ADB and SD‑card update options, cache wipes, and log viewing. The remaining menu items are limited to reboot, factory reset, and...
Corsair Closes Drop Store; Products Will Live On in "New Homes"
Corsair announced it will fully absorb Drop, closing the Drop.com storefront by March 31, 2026, with the final order deadline on March 25. The move follows Corsair’s 2023 acquisition of Drop, aimed at expanding its peripheral portfolio beyond core gaming keyboards and...
Pixelated 090: Hey Gemini, Order Me a Pizza
Episode 90 of 9to5Google’s Pixelated podcast dives into Samsung’s Galaxy S26 launch, highlighting its modest hardware tweaks and the rollout of Pixel‑inspired AI tools on the device. The hosts also unpack Google’s new agentic Android features, powered by Gemini, that let users...
Lifehacker Deals Live Blog: The Best Tech Sales, All in One Place
Lifehacker has launched a live‑blog that aggregates the best daily tech deals in a single, continuously updated page. The platform uses price‑tracking tools to differentiate genuine discounts from hype, ensuring readers see real savings. All affiliate links are disclosed, maintaining...
(PR) Razer Launches Kraken Kitty V2 - Hello Kitty Rose Gold Edition Headset
Razer announced the Kraken Kitty V2 – Hello Kitty Rose Gold Edition, a limited‑edition gaming headset created with Sanrio. The headset features metallic pink earcups, rose‑gold shimmer, Razer Chroma RGB lighting, 40 mm TriForce drivers, and a HyperClear cardioid microphone. It...
Apple to Purchase 100M Chips From Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) Arizona Facility
Apple announced it will purchase more than 100 million advanced chips from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) at the company’s Arizona fab, marking a sizable increase over its 2025 orders. The iPhone maker also disclosed sourcing over 20 billion U.S.-made chips from...
Telos, College Foundation Will Give Away an Omnia.11
Telos Alliance and the College Radio Foundation are offering a flagship Omnia.11 FM+HD audio processor—valued at roughly $10,000—to a U.S. college radio station. The contest, open to students, faculty and staff, runs through April 10 and requires a brief paragraph explaining...
ASUS Launches ROG Strix OLED XG27AQWMG, TUF VG27AQE5A and ZenScreen MB16NCG/MB16FC Gaming & Portable Monitors
ASUS Korea unveiled four new monitors aimed at gamers and hybrid‑work users: the ROG Strix OLED XG27AQWMG, TUF Gaming VG27AQE5A, and two ZenScreen portable models, MB16NCG and MB16FC. The OLED flagship delivers a 27‑inch QHD panel with a 280 Hz refresh...
Privacy Display and Creative Camera Redefine Phone Use
I asked Blake Gaiser, Head of Product management for Smartphone at @SamsungMobile, what he thinks is the real reason to upgrade to the S26. Privacy Display is five years in the making. Hardware-level, pixel-level privacy you can actually see, feel,...
Export Controls Force TSMC to Set Performance Limits
This is an example of a key player in the semiconductor industry being put in a difficult position by ill-conceived export controls that put the burden on TSMC to determine performance parameters. A thread. 🧵
Grab Razer’s Officially Licensed Pokémon-Themed Gaming Peripherals — Keyboards, Mice, and Headsets Celebrate 30 Years of the Franchise
Razer has unveiled an officially licensed Pokémon‑themed line of gaming peripherals to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary. The collection includes the BlackWidow V4 X keyboard, Cobra mouse and Kraken V4 X headset in a yellow‑black starter‑Pokémon scheme, priced between $59.99...
Nothing Confirms Headphone (a) Launch with Bold Yellow Design and Lower Price
Nothing will unveil its Headphone (a) on March 5, debuting a bold yellow colourway alongside the upcoming Phone (4a). Priced at €159, the over‑ear model is positioned as a more affordable alternative to the premium Headphone (1). The company touts the longest battery life...
Walmart Onn 4K Plus, the Best Deal in Google TV at $30, Is Finally Back in Stock
Walmart’s Onn 4K Plus streaming device, priced at $30, is back in stock after weeks of unavailability. The Google TV‑powered dongle offers 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage and Wi‑Fi 6, delivering solid performance as a Chromecast alternative. Both online and in‑store inventories are limited, with...
No, the Galaxy S26 Series Doesn’t Support AirDrop (Yet)
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series does not yet support Apple’s AirDrop through Quick Share, despite circulating rumors and a leaked One UI 8.5 screenshot. Google’s Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 already offer seamless AirDrop integration, setting a benchmark for cross‑platform sharing. Samsung confirmed the feature...