Hardware Tech News

A maker has successfully engineered a fully functional drone that operates using only a single motor and propeller. The open-source code and CAD files for the innovative project are now available on GitHub. A companion video breaks down the complex mechanics of how the single-propeller design achieves steering and details the technical fixes applied to its motor controller.

A new project named Mac.apk enables users to run Android applications natively on Apple Silicon Macs. This tool allows macOS users to seamlessly execute mobile apps directly on their desktop environment.

To bypass Windows 11's mandatory Microsoft account requirement, a developer installed Arch Linux ARM on an ASUS ProArt P16 laptop. The project includes a custom bootable installer, detailed performance comparisons with Windows, and demonstrations of local Qwen AI inference.

Ukraine claims to have successfully executed the first-ever drone evacuation of a wounded soldier, marking a significant technological milestone in the ongoing conflict. This historic mission unfolds against a backdrop of strained relations between Kyiv and Washington regarding the potential withdrawal of US military support.

OpenBSD 8.0 introduces major hardware and toolchain improvements, notably updating graphics drivers to Linux 6.18 for better Intel Arc support and transitioning entirely to the Clang/LLVM 22 compiler. The release significantly boosts virtualization by supporting up to 64 VCPUs per guest and adds new hardware drivers for Qualcomm WiFi and Samsung battery monitoring. Additionally, the update brings accelerated swap encryption and enhanced filtering capabilities to the built-in httpd web server.

Android TV is notorious for its persistent advertisements, even when restricted to apps-only mode. However, a new guide reveals how users can achieve a completely ad-free experience by replacing the default launcher, modifying the YouTube app, and remapping remote control buttons. This customization workaround provides a much cleaner viewing environment without requiring users to abandon the standard apps-only mode.

Inspired by a forgotten 1980s console, a modder is using VHS tapes to create interactive versions of classic games like Doom and Super Mario. This innovative project repurposes obsolete magnetic media to deliver wonderfully strange gaming experiences. It highlights a fascinating blend of nostalgia and modern hardware modification.

OpenBSD 8.0 was released on October 20, 2026, delivering the latest security enhancements and system updates to the Unix-like operating system. Notably, this release drops support for the Loongson architecture, prompting the community to bid farewell to the legacy hardware platform.

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.