Hardware Tech News

Broadcom has removed public access to VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit downloads, significantly complicating efforts for users looking to migrate away from the platform. This restriction creates new hurdles for organizations attempting to transition their workloads to alternative environments like Azure, Nutanix, OpenShift, and KVM.

A recent investigation reveals that LG Smart TVs utilize first-party automatic content recognition technology to track and collect viewing data across all inputs. This continuous data harvesting raises significant privacy concerns, potentially compromising the viewing habits of up to 216 million users worldwide.

Chris Lasocki explores the Colorlight 5A-75B, a highly affordable ECP5 FPGA development board that has gained traction among hardware enthusiasts. This in-depth article examines the board's technical capabilities and highlights its potential for budget-friendly electronics projects.

Building on the 2020 breakthrough that enabled highly accurate 8088 CPU emulation, developers have successfully decoded the microcode of the compatible NEC V20 processor. This achievement will allow for even more precise software emulation and better preservation of classic retro computing hardware.

GrapheneOS is releasing a major update today that overhauls its default Messaging app with a modern user interface built in Android Compose. The update also refreshes the secure clipboard and includes numerous other improvements and bug fixes across the operating system.

The Asahi Linux project is actively working to port the open-source operating system to Apple's latest M3 silicon. This ongoing development brings native Linux compatibility closer to reality for users of the newest Mac devices.

This article details how to securely sign TLS handshakes by keeping a client certificate's private key inside a Trusted Platform Module. It explains the specific requirements of Go's crypto/tls package and provides the necessary implementation for both client and server endpoints. Additionally, the piece evaluates the performance overhead and computational costs associated with each handshake.

A recent research initiative by Microsoft highlights the use of NetBSD to support a new processor, underscoring the operating system's extensive hardware portability and permissive licensing. In the accompanying community discussion, developers praise NetBSD's versatility while debating the practicality of using various BSD distributions as secure daily desktop drivers. Participants also explore how AI agents might assist in maintaining and updating these systems in the future.

A Hacker News user is asking if they can publicly release reverse-engineered code used to hack a Fable smart piano. Commenters warn that publishing the software could violate the company's Terms of Service and invite DMCA takedowns or lawsuits. To mitigate these legal risks, the community suggests sharing technical details in a blog post rather than releasing the actual code.

A team of scientists at Washington State University has developed an electronic skin for prosthetics capable of sensing temperature and pressure. This innovation lays a crucial foundation for creating full bionic skin that accurately replicates the human sense of touch.

OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra significantly outperformed Claude Fable 5.1 in robotic manipulation tests using a pair of YAM arms. Astra achieved a much higher success rate in a block-sorting task while generating 80% fewer output tokens. Both models ultimately tied when tested on a more complex puzzle challenge.

Isar Aerospace made history on September 5 when its Spectrum rocket successfully reached orbit. This milestone marks the first time a private vehicle has launched into space directly from European soil.

The AMD BC-250 motherboard was initially touted as the foundation for a $60 gaming PC, but builders report the actual cost has surged to around $300 when factoring in the board's current price and necessary components. Despite requiring a hacky DIY approach, BIOS flashing, and custom power management to mitigate high idle power draw, the Linux-based system delivers impressive PS5-level gaming performance. Ultimately, while enthusiasts praise the project as a highly entertaining build, the inflated component costs make it a financially impractical alternative to traditional budget consoles.

The latest OpenBSD Stories article explores unusual medieval devices and draws surprising parallels between historical mechanisms and modern computing hardware. This unique piece offers open-source enthusiasts a fascinating glimpse into the quirks of legacy technology and historical engineering.

Linus Tech Tips utilized a CT scanner to examine the internal components of a delidded Intel Core i9-14900KS processor. This non-destructive scan provides hardware enthusiasts with a rare, detailed look at the physical architecture and silicon die of Intel's flagship desktop CPU.

The Terpstra Keyboard is a unique, built-to-order musical controller featuring an alternative layout designed to simplify improvisation and transposing. Its $5,000 price tag has sparked debate among users who compare it to traditional digital pianos and standard computer keyboards. However, supporters argue the high cost is justified by the niche market, low production volume, and the need for durable mechanical actions capable of withstanding heavy playing.

ISAR Aerospace is preparing for its upcoming orbital mission scheduled for September 5 to provide reliable commercial access to space. The company emphasizes that its launch services are designed to drive sustainable technological and economic progress for humanity.

The CHC5 open camera platform features a modular design that allows users to easily interchange various sensor PCBs. A recent overview compares the technical specifications of the multiple image sensors available for the system, highlighting the hardware flexibility developers have to customize their imaging setups.

The article explores the complex engineering behind emergency train stopping mechanisms, specifically highlighting the physics and application of dashpot snubbers and eddy current brakes. Reader discussions delve into the nuances of these energy-dissipating devices, comparing them to other methods like sand piles and crush zones. Participants also advocate for the integration of modern autonomous emergency braking systems to prevent catastrophic accidents caused by human error.

OpenAI recently demonstrated its GPT-6 Astra model routing a printed circuit board. To determine if this technology is practically viable, researchers developed a new benchmark called EEBench. This framework will rigorously test whether AI-designed circuits actually function in real-world applications.

Mimic Systems spent two years promoting a bizarre Commodore 64 peripheral through a strange marketing campaign featuring a mime and poorly received advertisements. Consumers had to endure this prolonged period of nightmarish makeup and smiles before finally getting their hands on the actual product.

OpenAI recently showcased its GPT-6 Astra model routing a PCB. This demonstration raised questions about the practical viability of AI-generated hardware designs. To find out if these AI-designed circuits actually work, researchers developed EEBench, a new benchmark to test their real-world functionality.

Programming author Charles Petzold explores the intersection of mathematics and music by demonstrating how the physical layout of guitar frets can be used to perform multiplication. The article uses the instrument's fretboard as an intuitive physical model to explain complex computational concepts.

OpenTrailPaper is a new open-source firmware designed for the LilyGO T5S3 4.7-inch e-ink bike computer. It provides cyclists with essential navigation and tracking features, including offline maps, GPX routing, FIT recording, and Bluetooth sensor integration.

In a recent Hacker News thread on learning to solder, community members shared comprehensive equipment recommendations ranging from essential beginner tools like USB-C irons and flux to advanced setups with hot air stations and oscilloscopes. Participants emphasized that mastering proper techniques, such as tip tinning and thorough cleaning, is just as critical as having the right gear. The discussion also highlighted important health and safety practices, particularly the necessity of using effective fume extractors to avoid inhaling harmful flux vapors.

Heart Aerospace has successfully flown the largest electric airplane ever built, featuring a 100-foot wingspan and a 25,000-pound takeoff weight. The Y Combinator-backed startup completed the historic flight using just five dollars of electricity.

The traditional mechanical hookswitch is being retired as the telecommunications industry fully transitions to digital, wireless, and software-based communication platforms. This shift marks the end of an era for physical telephony hardware, paving the way for modern electronic alternatives and unified communication systems.

A developer used a large language model to translate the 68000 assembly code of their 1993 Amiga game, Babylonian Twins, and port it to the Godot engine. The creator recently shared their findings after reviewing the AI-assisted porting process. Additionally, the original game disks have been released for free on itch.io.

In November 2025, massive solar eruptions struck Earth's magnetosphere and triggered widespread GPS glitches across the United States. The resulting geomagnetic interference disrupted navigation systems, causing location errors of up to 33 feet.

A maker has created a unique PCB business card that features a batteryless LED. When tapped by a smartphone, the card harvests energy from the phone to power the light. This same tapping interaction simultaneously opens the creator's website on the device.