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
Amazon Leo Routers Exempt From FCC Ban
The FCC granted a conditional exemption to Amazon subsidiary Eero, allowing its routers for the Amazon Leo satellite broadband service to bypass the agency’s ban on foreign‑made Wi‑Fi routers. The exemption, the third of its kind after Adtran and Netgear, requires a detailed, time‑bound plan to shift manufacturing to the United States. Amazon Leo, still behind schedule, holds over $300 million in federal broadband funding, and the router waiver lasts 18 months. TP‑Link, which controls about 20% of the U.S. router market, is also pursuing a similar exemption.
This Little Device Might Be the Pocket E-Reader of My Dreams
Chinese maker Xteink is gearing up to launch the S4, a pocket‑sized Android e‑reader that builds on its X3 and X4 models. The S4 is rumored to ship with Android 11, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, a 6.98 mm thin body, 95 g...
Baker Hughes Sees Continued Growth in Power, LNG
During its first‑quarter earnings call, Baker Hughes reported a record $4.9 billion in orders for its Industrial and Energy Technology (IET) business. The surge was primarily fueled by demand for power systems, liquefied natural gas (LNG) equipment, and gas‑infrastructure projects. Executives...
CSIST to Partner with Saronic Tech on USVs
The Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S.-based Saronic Technologies, alongside Maritime Tactical Systems, to co‑develop modular uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs). The partnership aims to slash manufacturing overhead, accelerate development and diversify Taiwan’s...
These 4 Smart Home Devices Promised to Save Me Time — They Did the Opposite
Tech writer Chris Hachey tested four smart‑home gadgets—a thermostat, an outdoor motion sensor, a universal controller, and a touchless paper‑towel dispenser—and found each added more hassle than convenience. The thermostat depended on Wi‑Fi, leaving the home vulnerable during outages, while...
AI Data Centers Driving Photonics Stock Surge Amid Copper Limits
Photonics stocks are rising because AI data centers are hitting copper’s physical bandwidth limits. Optical interconnects carry more data, faster, over longer distances. Hyperscalers are now mandating the transition at scale, creating a structural supply shortage across transceivers, lasers, and...
Bosch Launches 3rd Generation SiC MOSFETs
Bosch unveiled its third‑generation silicon‑carbide (SiC) MOSFETs, featuring a dual‑channel trench architecture that cuts specific on‑resistance by 20%, thins the die by 40%, and raises short‑circuit withstand capability by roughly 10%. The redesign also supports 200 mm wafer production, boosting chips...
Some Brands Are Safe From The US' Foreign Router Ban, But No One Seems To Know Why
On March 23 2026 the FCC added foreign‑made consumer routers to its Covered List, effectively banning any new router not manufactured in the United States. Approximately 60 % of U.S. routers are sourced from China, so the rule sent shockwaves through the market....
Pixelated 097: Lights and Laptops
The Pixelated podcast’s 97th episode reveals two emerging Google hardware concepts: a potential Pixel Laptop hinted at in Android 17 Beta 4, and a new notification‑light system dubbed Pixel Glow slated for the upcoming Pixel 11. Hosts discuss the competitive laptop market and...
Casio Unveils Eco‑Friendly G‑Shock GW‑BX5600CBG‑2 with 22‑Month Battery Life
Casio introduced the GW‑BX5600CBG‑2 G‑Shock watch on Earth Day, selling it in the United States for $250. The model combines recycled fishing‑net straps, biopolymer housing and a Tough Solar system that can last up to 22 months in power‑saving mode,...
Kinglight Unveils Expanded LED Display Portfolio for Indoor, Outdoor and XR Applications
Shenzhen‑based Kinglight announced a new range of display LEDs covering Mini‑LED, cinema, rental and XR solutions. The expansion aims to serve indoor, outdoor and immersive visual applications, reinforcing the company's 16‑year push in high‑performance optoelectronics.
Datadog Launches GPU Monitoring to Tame AI Compute Costs
Datadog announced the global rollout of GPU Monitoring, a feature that links GPU fleet telemetry to AI workloads, helping firms control the 14% of compute spend tied to GPUs. The tool promises unified visibility, faster troubleshooting and board‑level cost awareness.
Apple's Foldable iPhone Ultra Aims for Near‑Invisible Crease, Leaks Suggest
Apple is reportedly preparing a foldable iPhone Ultra that could make the hinge line virtually invisible, thanks to ultra‑thin glass and new adhesive technology. The device, slated for a September 2026 launch, would join the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and...
Sony Cuts PS5 Slim Digital Price by $200 After April Price Hike
Sony has reduced the price of its PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition to $399, a $200 cut from the post‑hike $599 price. The limited‑time bundle, sold through PlayStation Direct, aims to clear inventory after the April 2 price increase that...
Data Center World 2026: Innovation Spotlight
Data Center World 2026 highlighted a wave of innovations aimed at powering AI‑driven workloads. XL Batteries unveiled a non‑flammable organic flow battery that can store energy for up to 250 hours, positioning storage as a core data‑center component. STL shifted...
The Hidden Cost of Waiting: 5 Stats On What Gets Lost By Delaying Mobile Refresh
Home health agencies spend an average of $288 per caregiver on mobile devices, yet many postpone refresh cycles to save costs. Delaying upgrades drives higher replacement frequency, unplanned purchases, excess data usage, and forfeits residual device value. The practice also...
Tohoku University AI System Automates Quantum‑Dot Voltage Tuning, Boosting Qubit Scaling
A team from Tohoku University has demonstrated an AI‑driven workflow that automatically extracts charge transition lines from quantum‑dot measurements, removing the need for labor‑intensive manual tuning. The breakthrough, detailed in Scientific Reports, could accelerate the path to large‑scale semiconductor qubit...
UK and Global Agencies Warn China-Linked Hackers Exploit Everyday IoT Devices to Target Firms
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, together with agencies in nine other nations, warned that China‑backed hackers are turning ordinary IoT gear into covert botnets, with a single Chinese firm compromising roughly 200,000 devices worldwide. The advisory marks a shift...
The Best EcoFlow Portable Power Stations, From Camping to Whole-Home Backup
Popular Mechanics tested EcoFlow’s latest portable power stations and identified the Delta 3 Plus as the best overall, the River 2 Max as the best budget option, and the Delta Pro 3 as the top whole‑home backup unit. The review highlights EcoFlow’s shift to lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LiFePO₄)...
Smiths Interconnect to Display Ceramic RF Filters, Temperature Variable Attenuators and Spring-Loaded SMP Connectors at IMS2026
Smiths Interconnect, a Molex company, will showcase its latest microwave and RF solutions at IMS2026 booth #17070. Attendees can see ceramic RF filters that operate up to 6 GHz, K2TVA Thermopad temperature‑variable attenuators, and the EZiCoax spring‑loaded SMP connector rated for...
Namibia, Angola Telcos Boost Connectivity Deal
Telecom Namibia and Angola Telecom signed an MOU and commercial terms agreement in Swakopmund, enabling Angola Telecom to tap international capacity through Namibia’s Equiano subsea cable. The partnership also sets the stage for future interconnection with Angola’s planned SARSSy cable...
Big Ferries Are Becoming Battery-First Systems
Large vehicle‑carrying ferries over 100 m are beginning to run on batteries, with an operating fleet of just 20 vessels—about 2‑3% of the estimated 700‑900 global large‑ferry stock. The current fleet is hybrid‑heavy; only three ships (15% of the battery‑propulsion group)...
Pressure and Ultrasonic Flow Sensing for Smarter Fluid Systems
Analog Devices and Arrow Electronics hosted a webinar on May 27, 2026 highlighting two core components for modern fluid‑sensing systems: the MAX40109 pressure sensor and the MAX35103 ultrasonic flow meter. The session explained how the MAX40109’s integrated calibration and signal‑conditioning streamline board...
Give Mom Warm Coffee All Year Long With This Ember Smart Mug Deal
Ember’s Smart Mug 2 is back at its lowest price, just under $100, marking a roughly 35% discount across Amazon, Best Buy, and Ember’s own site. The 10‑oz and 14‑oz models retain the brand’s signature temperature‑control app and a default heat setting...
Linux Enthusiasts Swear by These Old Business Laptops (and You Should Too)
ThinkPads remain a top choice for Linux enthusiasts and business users because of their unrivaled serviceability, rugged build quality, and long‑term value. Spare parts flood secondary markets, making repairs and upgrades inexpensive and quick. The laptops meet military‑grade durability standards,...
HANNOVER MESSE 2026: RealSense Demonstrates Comprehensive GMSL Depth Camera Portfolio
RealSense unveiled an expanded Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link (GMSL) portfolio at Hannover Messe 2026, adding GMSL support to its D401, D415 and D430 depth cameras. The new lineup offers sub‑millimeter precision, mid‑range accuracy and rugged integration for robotic arms, humanoids,...
Xbox’s Next Dual Console Should Match Series X Specs
I think if Xbox goes ahead with another dual console release, the cheapest model should match the Series X Performancein the lineup starting at the equivalent of an RX 6700 and going up to an RX 9070 XT
AI Hardware War: Nvidia, Google, Amazon, Huawei Dominate
The fighters in the battle for the future of AI: - NVIDIA (heavyweight champion) - Google (TPUs) - Amazon (Graviton) - Huawei (Ascend) And then a bunch of startups with neuromorphic or mega-chip strategies that will, if they look promising, get bought up. Anything else?...
FCC's Router Ban Expands to Portable Hotspots - 4 Things This Means for You
The FCC has broadened its ban on foreign‑made networking gear to cover portable or mobile MiFi hotspots intended for residential use. The move follows a recent prohibition on new routers from brands such as TP‑Link, Linksys and Asus, and it...
Essential Printer Features Every Small Business Needs
If your small business needs to keep printing, make sure your printer has all of these features. https://t.co/VwA5k8LbvS
HP DeskJet 2855e: Affordable Home Office Inkjet
The HP DeskJet 2855e is an entry-level inkjet printer for home and small office use. Here's what people are saying about it. https://t.co/lEPV814GQr
New Submarine Cable Planned Between Iceland and Scotland
Farice announced plans for a new submarine fiber‑optic cable, AUÐUR, linking southern Iceland to a landing point in either Glasgow or Edinburgh, with a target completion date of 2030. The cable will replace the aging FARICE‑1 system and provide direct...
Exploring AI-Driven Diagnostics for Vintage Hardware
Has anyone experimented with using Claude Code or Codex for device diagnostics? Like if you, say, plugged in an old laptop or Nintendo or Commodore 64 into your computer, could the AI take control of that device and retrieve data...
ABB Unveils M-Series High-Performance EV Charging Infrastructure
ABB unveiled its M-Series EV charging platform, a modular split‑system that separates a central power cabinet from up to 24 ChargePost dispensers. The architecture delivers 200 kW to 1.2 MW with dynamic load sharing, allowing real‑time power allocation across multiple vehicles. With...
Galaxy Book 6 Edge with Snapdragon X2 Leaks, Demands You Use a Bigger Laptop
Samsung’s leaked Galaxy Book 6 Edge will be the first laptop to ship with Qualcomm’s high‑end Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E‑88‑100 processor, delivering 18 cores and up to 4.7 GHz. The device is limited to a 16‑inch AMOLED screen, dropping the 14‑inch option that existed...
AMD Poised for Datacenter Dominance Ahead of Helios
AMD’s in such a great position. Exceptional datacenter CPUs, the IP and SOC architectures to do about any derivative a customer wants. And this is before Helios has kicked in. $AMD
The Router on the Shelf Is Now a National Security Problem
A twelve‑agency joint advisory released on April 23 warns that China‑linked groups are weaponizing compromised home and small‑office routers, IoT gear, and smart devices at industrial scale. The advisory, co‑authored by CISA, the FBI, the DoD Cyber Crime Center and...
The Raspberry Pi Can Now Run Local AI Models that Actually Work
Local AI inference has moved from data‑center GPUs to the $100 Raspberry Pi 5, thanks to quantized LLMs that fit within its limited memory. Tiny models ranging from 1 billion to 3 billion parameters run comfortably, and even 7 billion‑parameter versions are usable with careful...
DDN and Google Cloud Are Redefining AI Storage Infrastructure for the Agentic Era
Enterprises moving from AI pilots to production are hitting storage bottlenecks that limit GPU and TPU utilization. DataDirect Networks (DDN) and Google Cloud unveiled a co‑designed Managed Lustre service built on DDN’s EXAScaler, delivering up to 10 TB/s throughput. The offering...
Google’s Handsome Pixel Watch 4 Is on Sale for $40 Off in Both Size Configurations
Google is running a spring promotion through April 26, slashing $40 off the Pixel Watch 4. The 41 mm Wi‑Fi model now costs $309.99 and the 45 mm version $359.99 across Amazon, Best Buy and the Google Store. The watch boasts a 3,000‑nit...
Samsung Electronics Produces First Working Die on Sub-10nm DRAM Node
Samsung Electronics announced the first working die on its sub‑10 nm DRAM process, dubbed the 10a node. The die uses a 4F² cell layout and a vertical channel transistor (VCT) structure, shrinking the cell footprint to roughly 9.5‑9.7 nm. Samsung aims to...
5 IT Funding Deals to Watch
The week’s biggest IT funding rounds underscore a shift toward AI‑centric infrastructure. VAST Data secured a $1 billion Series F, valuing it at $30 billion and highlighting the premium placed on data‑storage platforms that feed GPU pipelines. Smaller but strategic deals included Wasabi’s...
Caihong Secures Decisive Victory at ITC
Cooley secured a decisive win for Chinese LCD glass maker Caihong at the US International Trade Commission. An administrative law judge found Caihong’s 616 glass does not infringe Corning’s patents, allowing continued imports of televisions using the glass. Corning chose...
FIRESTARTER Backdoor Hit Federal Cisco Firepower Device, Survives Security Patches
U.S. CISA disclosed that a federal agency’s Cisco Firepower appliance was compromised in September 2025 by a new backdoor malware dubbed FIRESTARTER. The implant leverages two recently patched CVEs (2025‑20333, 2025‑20362) to gain root access and persists through firmware updates...
DXN to Deliver Cable Landing Station Module to South America
Australian modular data center specialist DXN has won a AU$5.3 million (≈US$3.8 million) contract to supply a prefabricated cable landing station for a global internet company in South America. The CLS will be manufactured at DXN’s Perth facility, with construction starting immediately...
Report: Samsung Execs Worried Company Could Lose Money on Smartphones for the First Time
Samsung's mobile division warned it could post its first net loss on smartphones in 2026 despite strong Galaxy S26 sales. The loss is driven by soaring DRAM and NAND prices, which now account for a larger share of component costs,...
First Look: Google’s Sunfish and Zebrafish TPUs
Our first pass deep dive on Google new Sunfish TPU 8t and Zebrafish TPU 8i. $GOOG https://t.co/7LELhFu6Oi
Intel's CPU Foundry Must Match TSMC to Meet Demand
I still maintain my CPU foundry of choice thesis here for $INTC. They don't have to be better than TSMC, just parity, and increasingly aid to fill CPU demand. https://t.co/dKqm16myKH
The Google TV Brand that Tried to Revive Chromecast Is on Ice
Google TV device maker Thomson revived a Chromecast‑style streamer last year, but its European operations have stalled after its sole licensed partner, StreamView GMBH, filed for bankruptcy. The German distributor owes roughly €36.6 million (about $40 million) and is ceasing activity, leaving Thomson...
Why the Party for Intel and Other Chip Stocks Could Last a Long Time
Intel’s stock has surged 81% year‑to‑date and jumped another 25% after a surprise first‑quarter earnings beat that lifted gross‑margin and server‑chip revenue. The results pushed Intel’s forward price‑to‑sales ratio down to 7.1, making it cheaper than peers like Nvidia, Broadcom...