Hardware Tech News

A 15-year-old aspiring engineer has successfully designed and built a custom 3D printed cycloidal gearbox. The teenager recently showcased the mechanical project on Hacker News to share the build with the community. The open-source design files are now available on GitHub for others to download, modify, and contribute to.

The Floodgap lab details a retro-computing project focused on rebuilding a flaky vintage Apple Workgroup Server 9150 into a pimped-out machine running MkLinux. This writeup explores the unique challenges and capabilities of running the Linux distribution on legacy PowerPC architecture.

The ASRock BC-250 is being explored as a budget Steam Machine, with readers discussing its impressive power efficiency. According to software reports, the system draws only 10 to 20 watts at idle or when playing lower-end titles. Under maximum load, the power consumption increases to between 30 and 45 watts.

Following the upcoming rollout of plug-in solar, energy group Regen is urging the government to prioritize the introduction of plug-in batteries. This expansion of home energy storage technology could allow millions of additional households to significantly reduce their electricity bills.

Tech enthusiasts reflect on the legacy of HP graphing calculators, praising their physical buttons and specialized math capabilities while noting that smartphones and laptops have largely replaced them. Although the prospect of running Linux on a calculator is an amusing novelty, users agree that modern alternatives have rendered these dedicated devices mostly obsolete for everyday use.

A recent bug in the COLDCARD hardware wallet was traced to a flaw where the random.bytes() function executed without throwing errors but failed to produce secure randomness. The specifics of this silent failure were detailed in a revealing commit message, highlighting the hidden dangers of unverified execution in cryptographic code.

The article explores the rigorous discipline of 64-bit assembly programming, emphasizing the need for a deep, foundational understanding of hardware. It highlights that working at this low level leaves developers with no high-level abstractions, shortcuts, or runtime environments to hide behind when debugging.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has issued a new alert regarding threat actors targeting Programmable Logic Controllers in the water and wastewater sectors. This advisory highlights the ongoing cyber threats faced by critical infrastructure systems. The accompanying report also includes current internet exposure data for each affected vendor, as observed by Censys.

Accelerated by Western technology export restrictions, China has begun manufacturing its own advanced deep-ultraviolet lithography machines to secure its domestic semiconductor supply chain. While the nation still trails behind in extreme ultraviolet technology, observers note that massive state funding and long-term strategic planning are rapidly closing the existing technological gaps. Ultimately, commentators suggest these sanctions have only hastened Beijing's inevitable push toward complete technological independence.

Alex Davies highlights the critical but often overlooked world of test engineering in his new book, Kobuk the Destroyer. The book offers an engaging exploration of the unsung professionals who rigorously test and ensure the reliability of the technology we use every day.

A recent deep dive into elevator technology explores the complex engineering and user experience design hidden behind simple button panels. The article explains how these interfaces are strategically programmed to optimize passenger flow, including the use of placebo buttons to manage human psychology during transit. It highlights the surprising technological sophistication required to make modern vertical transportation feel effortless.

A Mac Studio user details how to upgrade their workstation's network connectivity from the built-in 10 Gigabit Ethernet to 25 Gbps using a Thunderbolt adapter. This modification allows the machine to seamlessly match the high-speed capabilities of their recently upgraded 25 GbE NAS and network rack.

A newly published paper investigates the underlying mechanisms of DRAM read disturbance phenomena, specifically focusing on the RowHammer and RowPress vulnerabilities. By bridging the gap between experimental characterization and device-level modeling, the study provides a deeper understanding of how these critical memory errors occur. These insights are essential for developing more robust hardware designs and improved security mitigations against memory-based attacks.

A recent experiment tested the maximum range of Wi-Fi signals using only commercially available networking components. Conducted in an ideal environment, the test reveals the absolute distance limits of off-the-shelf wireless connectivity.

Security experts warn against purchasing cheap, generic TV streaming sticks that promise unlimited content for a single upfront fee. These unauthorized devices secretly hijack and rent out the user's internet connection to strangers, creating significant privacy and bandwidth risks.

Gemini Robotics 2 introduces advanced whole-body intelligence to machines, enabling precise physical control from feet to fingertips. By combining fine dexterity with collaborative teamwork, the system allows robots to successfully execute a wide variety of complex tasks.

The Memo-1 is an open-source computer built from scratch around the classic 6502 microprocessor, uniquely utilizing a retro Minitel as its terminal. Hardware enthusiasts can explore the system's design and contribute to the project's ongoing development through its GitHub repository.

Solid-state batteries are rapidly gaining attention as a promising next-generation power source for modern technology. This innovative approach upgrades traditional lithium-ion batteries by replacing the liquid electrolyte with a solid material.

A design and build firm is leveraging virtual reality to stream 3D architectural models directly to headsets, allowing clients to virtually walk through and experience their future homes. This immersive approach helps clients easily grasp spatial proportions that traditional 2D drawings fail to convey, serving as a powerful sales tool that has allowed the firm to become highly selective with its projects.

A new open-source inference engine named turbo-fieldfare enables users to run the Gemma 4 26B-A4B language model locally on any Apple M-series Mac. Remarkably, the highly optimized tool requires only about 2 GB of RAM, significantly lowering the hardware barrier for running large AI models on everyday laptops.

Peripheral manufacturer Keychron has announced ZGM, its first open-source firmware designed specifically for gaming mice. This new project aims to bring the same level of deep customization and community-driven development to mice that popular open-source projects like QMK and ZMK have provided for mechanical keyboards.

A renter successfully automated their analog air conditioning unit by building a DIY smart controller with an ESP32 microcontroller and a stepper motor for just $15. The physically janky contraption attaches to the existing knobs with binder clips, turning them via a Home Assistant integration without permanently altering the appliance. This budget-friendly hardware hack allows for fully automated temperature control based on room sensors without risking a security deposit.

Researchers using a Software Defined Radio successfully intercepted, demodulated, and decrypted the 915 MHz water usage messages transmitted by the Flume Water Monitor. Despite the encryption ultimately being broken, the device's overall security is still considered fairly robust.

A recent discussion examines John G. Kemeny's 1972 book Man and the Computer, noting that its vision of personal devices acting as terminals for centralized resources feels highly prescient in today's cloud computing era. The conversation also highlights Kemeny's pioneering efforts at Dartmouth College, where the Dartmouth Time-Sharing System successfully democratized early computer access decades before it became standard at other universities.

A new comprehensive guide titled The Rust on ESP Book has been published for developers using Espressif microcontrollers. The resource provides detailed instructions and best practices for integrating the Rust programming language with various Espressif System on Chips and modules. This release aims to streamline embedded software development for engineers working with ESP hardware.

The classic video game Half-Life has been ported to Mac OS 9, allowing players to experience the title on legacy Apple hardware. This achievement is highlighted by a community dedicated to keeping early Mac computers usable today through software downloads, guides, and preservation hacks.

Investor anxiety over artificial intelligence has triggered a widespread slump in chip stocks across the US and Asia. The downturn was particularly severe in South Korea, where trading on the Kospi index was temporarily halted following an 8% plunge.

ReFrame is an experimental camera featuring a color ePaper display that captures and displays only one photo at a time. This minimalist design encourages mindful photography by ensuring every single captured frame remains memorable.

Apple is rebranding the iPhone Upgrade Program to Apple Upgrade, maintaining the core benefit of allowing customers to get a new iPhone every year with AppleCare+ protection. The new program is available immediately for purchase online or in Apple Stores.

The Una GPS smart watch is a sustainable new wearable that prioritizes longevity through a fully repairable and upgradable design. Despite its eco-friendly focus, the developer-friendly device delivers uncompromising performance and convenient USB-C charging.