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
Smart Glasses Propel Growth of XR Market in 2025
Global XR device shipments surged 44.4% year‑over‑year in 2025, propelled primarily by rapid adoption of lightweight, AI‑enabled smart glasses. Meta retained a commanding 72.2% market share thanks to its partnership with EssilorLuxottica and new Oakley‑branded models, even as Quest headset shipments fell 42.3%. Xiaomi and XREAL captured modest shares, while Viture’s shipments exploded 94.9% YoY amid U.S. retail expansion. IDC projects 2026 as a transition year, with display‑enabled glasses expected to overtake traditional VR and MR headsets by 2027.
New Open-Access Testbed in Colorado to Validate Quantum Precision Timing
The Colorado Quantum Incubator (COQI) is opening the United States’ first open‑access quantum timing testbed in Boulder’s Flatiron Park. The facility will host Xairos Systems’ Quantum Time Transfer (QTT) platform, which uses entangled photons to synchronize clocks over fiber‑optic and...
AMD and Intel Consumer CPU Prices Surge 10% as AI‑Driven Shortages Grip Market
AMD and Intel have raised consumer CPU prices by about 10% in the past month, reflecting tight supply and soaring AI‑driven demand. The surge, mirrored in server chips, signals a multi‑year pricing cycle that could reshape PC and data‑center cost...
Google Cloud Signs Multi‑Billion Nvidia GB300 Deal with Thinking Machines
Google Cloud announced a multi‑billion‑dollar agreement with Mira Murati’s 14‑month‑old Thinking Machines Lab to power its AI workloads on Nvidia’s GB300 chips. The deal, valued in the single‑digit billions, locks in A4X Max VMs that promise double the speed of...
Meta Secures Up to 1 GW/100 GWh Ultra‑Long‑Duration Storage From Noon Energy for AI Data Centers
Meta Platforms has agreed to reserve up to 1 GW of ultra‑long‑duration energy storage – equivalent to 100 GWh – from Noon Energy. The partnership starts with a 25 MW/2.5 GWh pilot slated for completion by 2028 and is aimed at delivering multi‑day renewable...
Sony AI’s Robot Ace Beats Elite Humans in Table Tennis, Marking First Real‑World AI Victory
Sony AI announced that its robot Ace defeated elite human opponents in table tennis, winning three of five matches under official ITTF rules. The achievement demonstrates a new level of real‑world AI performance, extending the company’s prior virtual‑domain successes into...
Nasdaq Hits Record 24,596 as AI and Big‑Tech Earnings Drive Rally
The Nasdaq Composite closed at a fresh all‑time high of 24,596.22, propelled by AI‑centric chip makers and big‑tech earnings. The rally was amplified by President Trump’s extension of the Iran ceasefire, which eased geopolitical tension and revived investor confidence.
Intel-Google Alliance Signals CPU Resurgence in AI Infrastructure Era
Intel has teamed with Google to pair Xeon CPUs with custom infrastructure processing units (IPUs) for AI workloads, emphasizing a balanced, heterogeneous architecture. The collaboration targets latency‑sensitive inference, data pre‑processing, and system management, offloading networking, storage, and security to IPUs....
RoboSense Releases Image-Grade SPAD-SoC Platform as LiDAR Competition Heats Up
Chinese LiDAR leader RoboSense unveiled its Eocene digital architecture and two flagship chips, Phoenix and Peacock, at a Tech Day event ahead of the Beijing Auto Show. The Phoenix chip is the world’s first automotive‑grade monolithic SPAD‑SoC, delivering a 2,160‑beam...
Ultrahuman Launched the First Smart Ring Integration for Expert-Led Workouts
Ultrahuman has partnered with Les Mills to embed the PowerPlug feature into its smart‑ring ecosystem. The integration draws on data from the Ultrahuman Ring Air and Ring Pro—sleep, recovery score, HRV, temperature and menstrual cycle—to recommend two to three on‑demand workout...
Manufacturing Partnership Targets Next-Generation Oil-Free Motor Systems
WEG S.A. and Finnish firm SpinDrive announced a partnership at Hannover Messe 2026 to integrate SpinDrive’s active magnetic bearing (AMB) technology and IoT condition monitoring into WEG’s electric motor portfolio. The joint effort will produce oil‑free, maintenance‑free motor systems that...
ASMPT Limited Q1 Profit Jumps 203% as Semiconductor Equipment Demand Surges
ASMPT Limited reported a first‑quarter profit of HK$253.8 million ($32 million), up 203% from a year earlier, while revenue rose 32% to HK$3.97 billion ($508 million). The Tokyo‑based supplier said the surge reflects accelerating demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, especially from its SEMI division,...
First-in-World Spine Surgery Performed with Medtronic’s AI‑Powered Robot
Dr. Jeffrey L. Gum of Norton Leatherman Spine completed the world’s first spine operation using Medtronic’s Stealth AXiS robotic platform, a system that blends AI‑based alignment tracking with cloud‑enabled planning. The FDA‑cleared robot promises faster procedures, reduced radiation exposure and...
TSMC's Kevin: GAA Scaling Eliminates Need for Alternative
That's not what Kevin from TSMC said. He said the GAA technology they're developing is showing scaling and robustness to not need it.
Huawei Unveils AI Glasses with 12MP Camera, Real‑Time Translation and IP54 Rating
Huawei launched its AI Glasses, a lightweight 35.5‑gram wearable equipped with a 12MP camera, on‑device AI assistant, real‑time translation and an IP54 dust‑and‑sweat rating. Priced between $366 and $425, the device is positioned to compete directly with Meta’s Ray‑Ban and...
Tesla Confirmed HW3 Can’t Do Unsupervised FSD but There’s More to the Story
Tesla confirmed that its early Autopilot Hardware 3 (HW3) cannot support unsupervised Full Self‑Driving (FSD). The company announced a V14‑lite software update for HW3 vehicles slated for late June 2026, bringing features from newer AI4 hardware. A discounted trade‑in program...
Networking Highlights at TSMC Tech Symposium – Ask Me Anything
Some super fun times at @TSMC Tech Symposium today. Lots of great conversations with old friends and new friends. Will write something up / video. But happy to answer questions. https://t.co/8ggwvCyBG5
GMEX Robotics Unveils Ergonomic Autonomous Hospital Logistics Robot
GMEX Robotics announced an upgraded autonomous hospital logistics robot designed to improve workflow efficiency and reduce staff strain. The battery‑powered system adds higher durability, ergonomic delivery height and multi‑layered security, aiming to streamline material handling in busy clinical settings.
SwitchedOn Podcast: Why Are some Home Batteries so Cheap?
The SwitchedOn Australia podcast released an episode examining why some residential energy storage systems are priced unusually low. Installations have surged thanks to a federal rebate program, yet the Clean Energy Regulator reports over 60% of installations are substandard. Hosts...
Intel Corp (INTC) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Intel reported Q1 2026 revenue of $13.3 billion, a 4% sequential increase, but posted a non‑GAAP loss of $0.46 per share after a $3 billion impairment hit gross margin. The company accelerated cost‑cutting, trimming more than 15% of its workforce and slashing...
Unlocking Large-Scale Structural Synthesis: High-Performance GPU Topology Optimization For Architectural And Civil Engineering Applications
In this CDFAM symposium talk, PhD candidate Raul Llamas presents his GPU‑accelerated, large‑scale structural topology optimization framework, built in Julia and capable of handling tens of millions of finite‑element cells in just a few hours on a consumer‑grade GPU. He...
T-Mobile Begins DoorDashing 5G Internet to Customers for Same-Day Deliveries
Starting in April, T‑Mobile now delivers its 5G home‑internet gateway through DoorDash, allowing customers to receive the equipment within hours and track the shipment like a food order. The service is free of charge, but users must install the gateway...
Elon Musk Admits Millions of Tesla Owners Need Upgrades for True ‘Full Self-Driving’
Elon Musk announced that Tesla’s current Hardware 3 vehicles will require a new computer and upgraded cameras to run future Full Self‑Driving (FSD) software that operates without driver supervision. The upgrade could be costly and logistically complex, prompting Tesla to consider...
Seeds | EVAS Intelligence Secures 1.5 Billion Yuan Series B Funding
EVAS Intelligence secured a Series B financing of 1.5 billion yuan (about $210 million) led by several Beijing development funds and backed by existing investors. The money will fund mass production of the Epoch RISC‑V AI chips, development of the next flagship processor,...
This Domestic Chip Aims to Be the "Safety Cornerstone" Of the 800V Era
Novosense Microelectronics unveiled the NSI6911F series of isolated gate driver chips on April 21, marking the first fully domestic Chinese product that meets ISO 26262 ASIL D safety certification. Designed for 800 V high‑voltage platforms in new‑energy vehicles, the chip delivers 19 A peak...
Apple Watch Glucose Monitoring Gets Major Breakthrough
Apple Watch now serves as a real‑time display for continuous glucose monitors, highlighted by Dexcom G7’s direct, phone‑free connection. The G7 can stream data to the watch, a phone, and a partner’s device simultaneously, eliminating the 33‑foot Bluetooth limit. Apple...
Revenue Up 44.45%, Net Profit Up 10.47%; ThunderSoft Posts Strong 2025 Performance
ThunderSoft announced a 44.45% jump in 2025 revenue to 7.78 billion yuan (~$1.09 billion) and a 10.47% rise in net profit to 450 million yuan (~$63 million). The company’s AIOS‑driven full‑stack architecture powered strong growth across its three core segments, with smart IoT revenue...
Tiny Satellites Face Big Data Limits: How Foldable Antennas Could Change CubeSat Missions
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo have unveiled a 5.8 GHz origami‑inspired reflectarray antenna that folds to fit inside a 3U CubeSat and expands to a high‑gain configuration in orbit. Weighing only 64 g and achieving a 265 % storage ratio, the antenna...
5 USB-C Tricks that Feel Wrong Until You Try Them
USB‑C’s versatile standards—Power Delivery, Alt Mode, and USB4—enable a suite of hidden tricks beyond simple charging. Users can reverse‑charge devices, attach gigabit Ethernet adapters, power‑draw monitors with a single cable, charge laptops from high‑wattage power banks, and record 4K ProRes...
Old NAS Worries
An aging 13‑year‑old Zyxel 2‑bay NAS with two 2 TB WD Red drives is still functional, but experts advise replacing the drives immediately and inspecting internal components such as capacitors, fans, and the power supply. The user plans to upgrade to...
Former Samsung Engineer Gets 7 Years in Prison After Selling Core DRAM Secrets to China’s CXMT for $2 Million
A former Samsung memory engineer received a seven‑year prison term after pleading guilty to selling Samsung's next‑generation DDR5 DRAM design secrets to China’s CXMT for roughly $2 million. The U.S. Department of Justice highlighted the transfer of proprietary schematics and process...
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The High Cost of Waiting: How GPU Idle Time Destroys AI Infrastructure ROI
GPU idle time is eroding AI infrastructure returns as NVIDIA H100 units, priced around $30,000, lose 60‑70% of value within two years after the Blackwell launch. A six‑month platform‑build delay can bleed more than $9 million for a 512‑GPU cluster, combining...
Ezee Fiber Hooks up First Customers on Their New Mexico Network
Ezee Fiber has connected its first residential customers in Santa Fe, New Mexico, launching its symmetrical multi‑gigabit fiber‑to‑the‑home service. The rollout is part of a broader expansion that began in early 2024 and includes ongoing construction in Albuquerque and surrounding...
Tandem Recalls Mobi Insulin Pumps over Software Malfunction
Tandem Diabetes Care issued a Class I recall for its Mobi insulin pump after a software defect was found to falsely detect motor failure, stopping insulin delivery and cutting communication with continuous glucose monitors and the mobile app. The FDA’s enforcement...
AI Data Center Power: How MPS Is Advancing System-Level Power Delivery
Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) says AI‑driven data centers are nearing 1 MW per rack, forcing a shift from component‑level tweaks to system‑level power delivery. The company highlights high‑voltage DC (HVDC) distribution and Z‑axis power modules placed directly under processors as ways...
Hisense UR9 RGB Mini‑LED TV Hits 93% BT.2020 Coverage, Sets New Color Benchmark
Hisense unveiled its UR9 RGB Mini‑LED TV, which Tom's Guide measured at 93% BT.2020 color coverage, surpassing leading QD‑OLED and SQD Mini‑LED models. The launch coincides with Hisense's World Cup 2026 campaign, positioning the set as the most colorful consumer...
How AI Is Reshaping Copper, Fiber Networking
AI-driven data centers demand massive bandwidth, forcing a reevaluation of cabling strategies. Copper remains the low‑power, cost‑effective choice for short‑range connections, while fiber optics deliver the long‑distance, high‑capacity links essential for scaling AI workloads. At Nvidia’s GTC, executives highlighted that...
Samsung Rolls Out Galaxy A57 5G and A37 5G Mid‑Range Phones with 50MP AI Camera
Samsung Electronics announced the Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G, its latest mid‑range smartphones. Both devices pack a 50‑megapixel triple‑camera system, One UI 8.5 with enriched Awesome Intelligence, and up to six generations of OS and security updates, signaling...
Bell Partners with Celestica on Sovereign AI Infrastructure
Bell Canada and electronics manufacturer Celestica announced a partnership to build a sovereign AI infrastructure stack. The collaboration merges Bell’s AI Fabric cloud services with Celestica’s end‑to‑end hardware supply chain, covering switching, storage, rack integration, thermal management and power. The...
Why Did Most Major Brands Stop Making Curved TVs?
Curved televisions launched in 2013 with promises of immersive, IMAX‑like viewing, but consumer adoption stalled, reaching only a 4% share of the global TV market in Q4 2016. By 2017 major manufacturers such as Samsung, LG and Sony discontinued flat‑panel models,...
Only Google Knows TPU Performance; Need Independent Benchmarks
I’m getting a lot of questions on Google TPU performance versus NVIDIA. The reality is that only Google knows for sure. I am looking forward to 3rd party assessments across a wide variety of workloads that touch entire stacks and...
Musk Announces Intel 14A Chip, Raises Major Questions
Musk saying they will use Intel’s 14A process is big news but so many questions…
Architectural Blueprints for Fault-Tolerant Trapped-Ion and Neutral-Atom Systems
Recent papers present two fault‑tolerant quantum computing blueprints that exploit hardware‑specific strengths. IonQ’s “Walking Cat” architecture uses ion mobility in a QCCD chip to run dense QLDPC codes, achieving a [[102,22,9]] memory that packs 22 logical qubits into 102 physical...
TSMC Schedules A13 Shrink, A12 for 2029, Launches Photonic
Just in: TSMC revealed the next nodes in its technology roadmap A13 is a 6% shrink of A14 A12 will follow A13 Both scheduled for 2029 Also, Compact Universal Photonic Engine with Co-Packages Optics commencing production this year
AI-Powered Cameras Will Make Hybrid Meetings Standard
Conference rooms are finally getting smart. Multi-camera AI that tracks speakers and keeps remote attendees engaged will be table stakes for hybrid meetings. #FutureOfWork #AI https://t.co/rNDUA2uhNx
AI Demand Is Forcing a Rethink of Data Center Power, Cooling
AI’s rapid expansion is straining data‑center power and cooling infrastructure, prompting operators to redesign projects mid‑construction. At the Data Center World conference, Aligned Data Centers reported a 50% power increase request on an ongoing build, while Omdia warned of supply‑chain...
Japan's Naphtha Shortage Threatens Global Semiconductor Production
Semi Market, show me you care. "Japan is short on naphtha → Japan can't produce semiconductor materials → This could bring the world's semiconductor fabs to a halt."
Samsung Updates Cause 48‑hour Battery Drain
Incredibly annoying how Samsung Galaxy updates basically brick your phone with extremely rapid battery drain for 48 hours after an update. https://t.co/Kw6H7hW6Al
Leak Shows ICE Planning to Use Facial Recognition Glasses to Identify Targets in Real Time
A leaked ICE budget document reveals the agency is developing smart glasses equipped with real‑time facial recognition, allowing agents to query federal biometric databases on anyone they encounter. The prototype mirrors commercial AI glasses such as Meta’s, but is intended...
SMCI Nears Resolution of Nvidia Chip Smuggling Allegations
$SMCI is getting close to filling the “allegations of smuggling Nvidia AI chips into China” gap https://t.co/wRUyCxU5ij