Today's Hardware Pulse
Apollo and Blackstone fund $35B credit line for Anthropic’s TPU acquisition
Apollo Global Management and Blackstone closed a $35 billion private‑credit facility to finance Anthropic’s purchase of Broadcom‑built Google‑designed TPU chips. The financing is expected to add about 1 GW of compute capacity, with deployment slated for Fluidstack data‑center sites by mid‑2024.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Factorial Energy goes public via $1.3B SPAC merger
Pasqal Delivers Italy’s First Neutral Atom Quantum Computer
Pasqal has delivered a 140‑qubit neutral‑atom quantum computer to Italy’s CINECA supercomputing centre, marking the nation’s first on‑site neutral‑atom system. The QPU is tightly coupled with Leonardo, one of the world’s most powerful pre‑exascale supercomputers, creating a hybrid HPC‑quantum architecture. Funding from Italy’s Ministry of University and Research and the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking aligns the project with the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and Europe’s drive for technological sovereignty. Pasqal now operates three of the eight quantum machines in the EU’s federated infrastructure, extending its footprint across France and Germany as well.
Accelerating Static ESD Simulation for Full-Chip and Multi-Die Designs with Synopsys PathFinder-SC
Synopsys unveiled PathFinder‑SC, a static ESD verification platform that enables early, layout‑driven analysis for full‑chip and multi‑die designs. Leveraging cell‑based modeling from GDS/DEF data and the Seascape distributed‑computing engine, the tool can simulate billions of nodes and complete complex resistance...
Microsoft Brings Two Data Halls Online in São Paulo, Brazil
Microsoft has brought two new data halls online in São Paulo, marking the first operational facilities under its $2.7 bn AI and cloud commitment to Brazil through 2027. The launch was announced at the Microsoft AI Tour by country president Priscyla Laham,...
Wolfspeed Adds VP of Sales for EMEA
Wolfspeed announced the appointment of Stefan Steyerl as Vice President of Sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, effective March 1. Steyerl brings more than 25 years of semiconductor sales leadership, most recently from Allegro MicroSystems and earlier roles...
Samsung Reportedly Can’t Even Buy Its Own Exynos Chips for Less, Adding to Galaxy S26 Price Hike
Samsung is reportedly forced to raise the Galaxy S26’s launch price as soaring RAM and memory costs strain its margins. Even its in‑house Exynos processors can no longer be sourced cheaper than competing chips, limiting Samsung’s ability to absorb expenses. The...
Thermaltake Launches 49-Inch Dual QHD 32:9 Monitor With USB-C 90 W
Thermaltake unveiled the TGM‑V49CDQ, a 49‑inch super‑ultrawide 32:9 gaming monitor featuring a Dual QHD 5120×1440 VA panel. The display delivers a 240 Hz refresh rate, 1 ms GTG response, and supports both G‑Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium for tear‑free gameplay. Connectivity is...
Phison Warns 2026 DRAM and NAND Crunch Could Wipe Out Budget Brands
Phison CEO Khein‑Seng Pua warned that the ongoing DRAM and NAND flash shortage will disproportionately affect low‑cost consumer devices, where razor‑thin margins leave little room for price spikes. He highlighted an 8 GB eMMC component whose price surged from roughly $1.32...
CAN Networks Can Meet EU CRA Requirements, but Security Levels Matter
The CAN in Automation (CiA) group warns that all CAN‑based products sold in the EU now fall under the European Union Cyber Resilience Act (EU CRA) unless covered by sector‑specific rules. Compliance hinges on achieving the appropriate IEC 62443 security level (SL),...
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide Just Leaked: Goodbye Narrow Screen, Hello 16:10
Leaked One UI 9 animations suggest Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 will abandon the narrow tall screens of earlier models. The outer display is expected to switch to a 16:10 aspect ratio while the inner screen moves to 9:7, delivering a wider,...
New Amplifier Design Promises Less Noise, More Gain for Quantum Computers
RIKEN researchers have unveiled a new Josephson traveling‑wave parametric amplifier (JTWPA) that cuts added noise to 0.68 quanta, just 0.18 above the quantum limit, while delivering high gain. The device replaces lossy dielectric with a spiraled, fish‑bone‑like tapered waveguide, simplifying...
This BIOS Setting Is Limiting Your AMD CPU's Performance
AMD’s Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) is a BIOS toggle that lifts the power‑delivery limits of Ryzen CPUs, allowing them to sustain higher boost clocks for longer periods. Enabling PBO on a Ryzen 7 7700 delivered consistent 7‑10% multi‑core gains on rendering, compiling...
NZXT Launches Small Desktop Case and Power Supply for Prebuilt PC Gaming Rigs
NZXT unveiled two new compact components—the H2 Flow Mini‑ITX case and the C850 SFX 850‑watt power supply—aimed at its pre‑built gaming rigs. Both products promise high‑performance builds in a smaller footprint, matching the capabilities of larger tower systems. The case...
The Ray-Ban Meta Killer? Samsung Smart Galaxy Glasses Launching in 2026
Samsung announced its first‑generation Smart Galaxy Glasses, slated for a 2026 release, with two variants—SMO2000P and SMO200J—targeting both enthusiasts and casual users. The glasses run on Android XR, feature a Qualcomm AR1 chipset, a 12‑megapixel camera, and a 155 mAh battery,...
We’re Measuring Data Center Sustainability Wrong
Google claims its data centers are 1.5× more energy‑efficient than the industry average and Microsoft is investing billions in nuclear power for AI workloads, yet these metrics capture only about 30% of IT‑sector emissions. The bulk of carbon comes from...
Infineon to Supply Semiconductors for BMW Neue Klasse Platform
Infineon Technologies will equip BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse platform with a suite of core semiconductors, including AURIX and TRAVEO microcontrollers, BRIGHTLANE Ethernet, OPTIREG power‑management ICs, and PROFET smart‑power switches and eFuses. The platform adopts a centralized, zonal E/E architecture featuring...
This Corsair RAM and Gigabyte AM5 Motherboard Bundle Is Just $67 More than Buying the RAM Alone – 32GB of...
Newegg is offering a bundle that pairs the Gigabyte B850 Aorus Elite Wi‑Fi 7 motherboard with 32 GB of Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5‑6400 RAM for just under $505, a 20% or $133 discount versus buying the components separately. The motherboard features 12...
Olimex ESP32-P4-PC Board Offers HDMI Video Output, Ethernet, Four USB 2.0 Ports, and More
Olimex has launched the ESP32‑P4‑PC, an open‑source development board built around Espressif’s ESP32‑P4NRW32 SoC. The board packs a dual‑core 400 MHz RISC‑V CPU, 768 KB L2 RAM, 32 MB PSRAM, 16 MB flash and offers HDMI, MIPI‑DSI, MIPI‑CSI, four USB‑A ports, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet and...
The Razer Viper V3 Pro's Price Just Dropped $45, Hinting at Impending Viper V4 Pro
Razer has slashed the Viper V3 Pro’s price by $45, with Amazon listing it at $114.99 and Razer’s own store offering it for $129.99 after a $30 discount. The mouse, launched at $159.99 in May 2024, is praised for its lightweight...
Wago Enters Smart Homes with Eight Matter Devices
Wago, a leader in industrial electrical engineering, has entered the smart‑home market with eight Matter‑certified devices that offer both Wi‑Fi and Thread connectivity. The dual‑protocol lineup includes Home Relay 6A/16A, a dimmer and a blind controller, all built to industrial‑grade UL...
New Keenadu Backdoor Found in Android Firmware, Google Play Apps
Kaspersky has uncovered a sophisticated Android backdoor named Keenadu, embedded in firmware of multiple device brands and distributed through compromised OTA updates, system apps, and even Google Play applications. The malware can infiltrate every installed app, grant attackers unrestricted control,...
IQT The Quantum Dragon Podcast Episode 80 – Certified Unpredictability
In this 16‑minute episode, host Brian Siegelwax and Dr. Stephen Walborn discuss quantum random number generators (QRNGs), focusing on their use cases, self‑testing, and certification processes. They explain the physical mechanisms that guarantee true randomness and compare API‑based services with...
Don’t Buy an iPad Pro: The M4 iPad Air Is Coming Sooner Than You Think
Apple confirmed a 2026 iPad Air refresh powered by the new M4 chip, slated for a spring launch in February or March. The device will keep the familiar 11‑inch and 13‑inch aluminum chassis, preserving compatibility with the Magic Keyboard and...
A Century of Miracles: From the FET’s Inception to the Horizons Ahead
2025 marks the centennial of the field‑effect transistor, first patented by Julius Lilienfeld in 1925. After decades of material and physics challenges, MOSFET stability was achieved in 1969, launching the era of large‑scale integration and the scaling roadmap defined by...
This Startup Developed a First-of-Its-Kind Brain Function Assessment Device
QuantalX secured FDA de novo clearance for Delphi‑MD, a first‑of‑its‑kind device that fuses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with electroencephalography (EEG) to deliver real‑time brain network function assessments. The system leverages proprietary algorithms and an age‑correlated normative database to generate actionable...
How to Integrate Decades-Old Modbus Devices Without Regret
Modbus remains the dominant industrial communication protocol, with the market expected to grow from $1.2 billion to $2.5 billion by 2033. Integrating legacy devices is cost‑effective using gateways, historians, or edge gateways, avoiding expensive rip‑and‑replace projects. Security must be addressed at the...
Building a Quantum Ecosystem From Scratch with Martin Laforest
In this episode, Sebastian talks with Martin Laforest, a physicist‑turned‑VC at Quantacet, about the practical challenges of building a quantum ecosystem from the ground up. Laforest explains how Quebec turned a 1970s academic gamble into a $400 M quantum hub, emphasizing...
NVIDIA RTX Steam Machine Build : AMD GPUs Run SteamOS More Smoothly
Iceberg Tech’s guide walks through building a compact Linux‑gaming PC using the ASRock DeskMeet X600 case paired with an NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU. While the RTX 5060 brings DLSS performance, the article highlights persistent driver instability on Linux, making AMD GPUs a...
AGVs You Can Trust at MODEX 2026
MasterMover will exhibit its heavy‑duty automated guided vehicles and electric tuggers at MODEX 2026 in Atlanta, highlighting the TOW300 AGV capable of moving up to 44,000 lb across indoor and outdoor environments. The TOW300 combines BlueBotics ANT navigation and SICK safety scanners to...
PS6 Report Suggests Next-Gen Consoles Could Still Be a Long Way Off
AI‑driven demand for memory is inflating chip prices, tightening supply for console makers. Sony is reportedly considering pushing the PS6 launch to 2028 or 2029, while Microsoft’s best‑case target for its next‑gen Xbox is 2027 but may also slip. Both...
Galaxy Buds 4 Leak Leaves Little to the Imagination — and I’m Okay with the Safe Upgrades
Samsung’s leaked Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro show a return to a brushed‑metal aesthetic, abandoning the sharp blade design of the Buds 3. Both models keep the stem for improved microphones and pinch controls, but the standard Buds 4 adopt an open‑fit design...
Tower and Scintil Announce Availability of First Heterogeneously Integrated DWDM Lasers for AI Infrastructure
Tower Semiconductor and Scintil Photonics announced the world’s first heterogeneously integrated dense‑wavelength‑division‑multiplexing (DWDM) laser sources for AI infrastructure, leveraging Scintil’s SHIP technology on Tower’s high‑volume silicon photonics platform. The LEAD Light module combines monolithic laser sources with silicon photonics to...
AirPods Pro 4: The Secret “Vision” Feature Apple Didn’t Want You to Know
Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch AirPods Pro 4 with built‑in cameras, a move that could fuse spatial audio with real‑time augmented reality. The camera‑enabled earbuds aim to deliver immersive navigation, interactive AR apps, and new ways to engage with...
Nanoengineers Realize an On-Chip Excitonic Hyperlens
Nanoengineers have demonstrated the first on‑chip excitonic hyperlens, a compact device that uses exciton‑polariton resonances to achieve negative refraction and sub‑diffraction imaging. The hyperlens is fabricated on a silicon photonic platform and operates at visible wavelengths, delivering resolution up to...
Ugreen’s New Power Bank Listens and Charges
Ugreen unveiled the MagFlow AI Voice Recording Magnetic Power Bank at CES 2026, combining a 10,000 mAh magnetic wireless charger with an AI‑powered voice recorder that can translate and summarize audio. The device retains familiar features such as a digital display...
Hitachi Rail Commissions Digital Interlocking on Norway’s Dovre Line
Hitachi Rail and Bane NOR have commissioned a Hitachi L90‑5 electronic interlocking at the Hove stabling facility on Norway’s Dovre Line near Lillehammer. The system digitises points, signals and level crossings, replacing legacy hardware to improve operational reliability and increase passenger‑service...
Ideastream Goes With Nautel For New Transmitter Needs
Ideastream Public Media has placed an order for four new Nautel transmitters to replace or augment equipment at its three full‑power FM stations and an FM translator in Northeast Ohio. The package includes two GV2‑30ND high‑power units, a GV2‑3.5 medium‑power...
Pure Storage Wants to Demolish Your Storage Silos
Pure Storage’s Cloud service extends its Purity operating environment to AWS and Azure, delivering a single‑pane‑of‑glass storage layer that feels identical to on‑prem FlashArray. By abstracting the underlying cloud hardware, the platform offers native APIs, replication, and security while adding...
Ams OSRAM and Meizhi Settle Patent Disputes over LEDs Used in Spider Farmer Luminaires
ams OSRAM and Shenzhen Meizhi Optoelectronics have reached a settlement ending pending LED‑related patent disputes in the United States and Germany. The agreement resolves litigation concerning ams OSRAM's patents used in Spider Farmer horticultural lighting systems. Under the deal, Meizhi...
Vivo X Fold 5 Ranks Second Best Foldable Camera
Randomly jumped back on the Vivo X Fold 5 and this is still the second best foldable camera around behind only the X Fold 3 Pro.
Micro-Magic Debuts High-Precision M3G-2XX Series Gyroscopes
Micro-Magic Inc. has launched the M3G-210 and M3G-220, high‑precision triaxial MEMS gyroscopes. The devices achieve a bias instability of 0.1 °/h and an angle random walk of 0.1 °/√h, with up to 2000 Hz sampling and 200 Hz bandwidth. Housed in rugged aluminum alloy,...
All-in-One SLAM LiDAR, RTK and 360° Imagery Scanner Launched
Emesent has launched the GX1, an all‑in‑one SLAM LiDAR, RTK and 360° imaging scanner that delivers 5‑10 mm global accuracy. The system can cut survey time by up to 95 %, turning weeks of work into a single day. It integrates LiDAR,...
Quantum Breakthrough Makes Once‑impossible Problems Solvable
I’ve been waiting for a moment like this. Google’s new quantum chip solved a 150-year-old problem in 2 hours. 13,000× faster than one of the world’s best supercomputers. That’s not incremental. That’s a different category. Their Willow chip ran an algorithm that models how atoms...
Ex-Altera CEO Leads Vsora to Challenge Nvidia, AMD
Former Altera CEO Sandra Rivera has joined French AI chip startup @vsora_dsp as chair of the board. I had a chat with her about raising Vsora's profile, raising funding, and competing with Nvidia, AMD and the entire landscape of startups...
MSI RTX 5090 Lightning Z: 2500W XOC BIOS Leaked – Pushing the Limits with Advance Warning
MSI’s RTX 5090 Lightning Z has a 2500 W XOC BIOS leak, far exceeding the card’s typical 600 W TDP and even the model’s advertised 1000 W extreme profile. The BIOS is designed for liquid‑nitrogen record attempts and disables safety mechanisms, making it unsuitable for...
Massive Compute Unlocks New Data Manipulation for AI Centers
Massive compute capabilities enable a whole new way of manipulating and using data, and a potential bonanza for AI data centers. https://t.co/c1vSecTfww #AIdatacenters #abstractions #virtualtwins #digitaltwins #AgenticAI #semiEDA
DShanPi-A1 AI Education Rockchip RK3576 SBC Features HDMI Input and Output Ports, Dual GbE
The DShanPi‑A1 AI Education SBC is built around Rockchip’s RK3576 octa‑core Cortex‑A72/A53 SoC and can be configured with up to 8 GB RAM and 64 GB eMMC storage. It offers HDMI 2.1 video output, a mini‑HDMI input, dual Gigabit Ethernet, MIPI DSI/CSI interfaces,...
More Rode Mics Can Now Connect Directly to iPhones and iPads
Rode is rolling out a firmware update that adds Direct Connect to its Wireless Pro and third‑generation Wireless Go microphones, enabling Bluetooth pairing with iPhones and iPads via the Rode Capture app. The update eliminates the need for a separate...
TESSAN Launches Universal Travel Adapter 21W for Seamless Worldwide Charging
The episode introduces TESSAN's new Universal Travel Adapter 21W, a compact 5‑in‑1 device that combines a universal AC outlet with two USB‑C and two USB‑A ports, delivering up to 21 W of fast charging for up to five devices simultaneously. It...
Two Open RISC-V Projects Chart Divergent Paths to High Performance
Two open‑source RISC‑V projects—ETH Zürich’s Ara vector processor and China’s XiangShan scalar core—demonstrate opposite strategies for scaling performance. Ara implements the RISC‑V Vector Extension with explicit parallelism and no speculation, relying on software‑managed locality and a shallow memory hierarchy. XiangShan...
Gaming Phone Hides a Controller Under Its Sliding Screen
Ayaneo unveiled the Pocket Play, a smartphone that slides its 6.8‑inch OLED screen upward to reveal an integrated d‑pad, face buttons and touch‑pad zones, reviving the sliding‑phone form factor. Powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 and featuring UFS 4.0 storage, a 5,000 mAh battery...