Hardware Tech News

The RepRapMicron project is developing a new 3D printer specifically designed to operate at the microscopic micron scale. Documented on its official wiki, this initiative aims to bring ultra-high-resolution additive manufacturing capabilities to the RepRap community.

The open-source Open MicroManipulator project provides a sub-micrometer 3D motion control platform for high-precision applications. Developers can contribute to the ongoing development of the MicroManipulatorStepper software through its GitHub repository.

A DIY enthusiast has transformed a standard manual push scooter into an electric vehicle by ingeniously attaching a power drill to its drivetrain. Detailed on a blog focused on project cars and custom contraptions, this unconventional modification highlights a creative approach to upcycling everyday tools for personal transportation.

A new open-source repository on GitHub is bringing the classic puzzle game Lemmings to PalmOS devices. Developers and retro computing enthusiasts can contribute to the project to help port the nostalgic title to the legacy operating system.

Introduced in 1980, the Intel 8087 math coprocessor significantly accelerated floating-point operations for the IBM PC and other early computer systems. By offloading complex addition and subtraction tasks from the main CPU, the chip greatly improved computational performance and paved the way for advanced personal computing.

Researchers have uncovered a critical vulnerability in Broadcom's proprietary WPS implementation that allows unauthenticated attackers within WiFi range to achieve remote code execution on millions of routers. Discovered via agentic vulnerability research, the flaw impacts both eCos and Linux platforms and was accompanied by a notably unusual disclosure process.

The LT6502b is a custom-built laptop that brings vintage 8-bit computing into a modern portable form factor using a 10MHz 65C02 processor and 46KB of RAM. Despite its retro specifications, the battery-powered machine incorporates modern amenities like a 10.1-inch display, USB-PD charging, and WiFi connectivity. The project also highlights the dramatic contrast between classic low-memory architectures and modern high-capacity Compact Flash storage.

A maker has built a fully functional 16-bit DIY magnetic core memory using vintage 1970s East German magnetic cores. The compact device can read and write two bytes of data, making it small enough to be used as a novelty keychain. The creator shared a detailed video of the intricate weaving process and has also released a DIY kit for others to build their own.

A new tool called Llmspeed allows users to simulate the performance of local large language models on various hardware setups before making a purchase. The platform uses verified benchmarks to estimate key metrics like tokens per second and time-to-first-token for a wide range of GPUs and Macs. This enables consumers to make informed hardware investments tailored to their specific AI workloads.

An open-source hardware simulator for the classic Commodore 64 has been released on GitHub by developer antirez. The project allows users to interact with the system at a low component level, enabling them to virtually break chips and pins to observe the resulting physical effects. This provides retro computing enthusiasts with a unique, hands-on way to explore the iconic machine's inner workings.

A new open-source emulator called esp32sim allows developers to run real ESP32 firmware locally or directly within a web browser. The tool eliminates the need for physical hardware, cloud services, and paid subscriptions to streamline IoT development and testing.

A recent article explores the enduring design aesthetic and cultural impact of vintage audio cassettes from 1963 to 2010. Readers in the discussion share their personal tape collections and express deep nostalgia for the tactile experience of physical media. The community also highlights modern software projects and retro-inspired designs that pay homage to the classic cassette format.

A researcher successfully bypassed the Secure Boot feature of Raspberry Pi's RP2350 microcontroller using a custom, budget-friendly laser fault injection platform. After winning the RP2350 Hacking Challenge at DEFCON 2024, the creator published the technical details and manufacturing files for the hardware to help others replicate the exploit.

The Vacuula project has introduced a custom server solution designed to bring discontinued Neato robot vacuums back to life. By replacing the defunct official cloud infrastructure, this open-source tool allows users to restore full functionality to their previously bricked devices.

Tesla's newly revealed Roadster features cold gas thrusters capable of brief flight and rapid acceleration, but critics are dismissing the technology as an impractical marketing stunt that is not street-legal. The flying rocket version requires massive nitrogen tanks that sacrifice passenger space and offer only a few seconds of thrust after a lengthy refueling process. Ultimately, enthusiasts view the vehicle as an economically infeasible toy for influencers that falls far short of its original performance promises.

Waymo is expanding its fully autonomous ride-hailing service to Toronto, marking its official entry into the Canadian market. The company is investing in local facilities and jobs to prepare for the launch. The service is expected to welcome its first riders in 2028.

Apple's machine learning research introduces Muse Spark Open, leveraging the MLX framework on Mac Studio. This setup allows AI researchers and developers to privately experiment with the latest models and methods locally using Apple silicon.

A new project called PS5LM allows users to run the llama cpp framework and various GGUF models natively on jailbroken PlayStation 5 consoles. Starting with the Qwen model, this port demonstrates the console's surprising capability for local artificial intelligence inference.

eBay is implementing new restrictions on the sale of various radio equipment across its marketplace, but has carved out a specific exemption for amateur radio gear. This policy change allows hobbyists to continue trading dedicated ham-band equipment while complying with the platform's new broader guidelines.

Charles C. Mann investigates the mysterious material Dekton after encountering it on an expensive kitchen stove. The article explores the science and manufacturing behind this pricey surface to uncover its true nature.

This article explores the history of Token Ring, an early networking technology that served as a primary competitor to Ethernet. It also provides a visual guide to help readers identify and differentiate vintage Token Ring network cards from standard Ethernet models.

Researchers have developed wireless magnetic millirobots guided by an external electromagnetic coil system to navigate inside a beating heart and deliver targeted medicine. The tiny robots were successfully tested on phantom models and real porcine heart tissue, demonstrating the ability to move smoothly against simulated blood flow within an MRI-like environment.

Tesla's upcoming Roadster will feature built-in rocket thrusters allowing the high-performance vehicle to jump and maneuver in the air, marking a wild engineering achievement. Offered in standard cold gas and invite-only combustion variants, the extreme car is expected to be an economically infeasible halo model purchased primarily by wealthy enthusiasts for private use.

Libreboot 26.10 "Ominous Olive" has been released with major hardware compatibility improvements, including new UEFI integration and Chromebook support. Alongside these technical advancements, the project has implemented a strict anti-AI policy, with developers actively working to identify and remove AI-generated code from upstream dependencies.

Withings has introduced a new policy requiring new users to pay a $99 annual fee to sync their health data with Apple Health. Customers are criticizing the silent update as an anti-consumer move that restricts access to basic device functionality.

E Ink has unveiled the Kaleido 4, an upgraded color ePaper display featuring a wider color gamut, brighter whites, higher contrast, and video playback up to 18 FPS. Hanvon's M10C II is the first device to debut this advanced screen technology.

A developer utilized artificial intelligence to reverse engineer the hardware of a Plustek 8200i negative photo scanner. The project began as a personal effort to digitize a large collection of inherited family film negatives. By leveraging AI tools, the author was able to overcome software limitations and successfully extract the images directly from the device.

Articulated buses transport countless commuters daily, but their signature bending motion relies on a complex system of hidden engineering. This article explores the intricate mechanical designs in plain sight that allow these massive vehicles to navigate city streets safely and efficiently.

In an exclusive interview with PCMag, Apple's engineering teams detailed how they routed a graphite pipe through the iPhone Duo's hinge to effectively dissipate heat. This specialized thermal design prevents the device from overheating during intensive tasks. As a result, the new A20 Pro chip can operate at significantly higher speeds and temperatures.

A new open-source project called sill enables users to stream any Mac window live to their iPhone or iPad. The free tool supports touch, Apple Pencil, trackpad, and keyboard inputs while operating entirely without a central server.