Hardware Tech News

A new web simulator recreates COMETLINK, a 1996 online service that featured chat rooms, email, and news. The project integrates with Windows 95 and System 7 desktop environments to provide an authentic retro computing experience. Remarkably, the simulated chat rooms remain active today with regular users still conversing.

Developers have successfully deployed a 0.4 billion parameter language model on a seven-node ESP32-S3 microcontroller cluster. The system utilizes 1.58-bit BitNet ternary quantization and an SPI daisy-chain architecture to efficiently run the AI model across distributed, low-power edge devices.

A newly discovered workaround allows users to capture PlayStation 5 gameplay by intercepting the console's RTMP stream. This complex, indirect method effectively bypasses the system's native limitations to provide a functional screen sharing solution.

World Labs is joining AMD in a strategic move aimed at accelerating the future of artificial intelligence research and computing. This collaboration will combine innovative AI research with advanced compute capabilities to drive significant technological advancements.

Nvidia is developing a dedicated watchdog chip and software to monitor and secure AI agents in real time. The company claims this new technology could have prevented the recent security incident involving OpenAI and Hugging Face.

A former employee recently discovered a vesting discrepancy in a 1993 Nvidia stock option grant that theoretically entitled them to a billion dollars. Despite the astronomical figure, the decades-old dispute was ultimately resolved in the company's favor due to the statute of limitations. This first-person account offers a fascinating glimpse into early tech equity and the complex legal hurdles of claiming forgotten stock.

A 2021 technical demonstration showcases a vehicle successfully trained to self-park using a genetic algorithm. By leveraging evolutionary computing instead of traditional programming, the car autonomously learns to navigate and park, highlighting innovative machine learning applications in autonomous driving.

Nissan has introduced its third-generation e-POWER powertrain alongside a comprehensive showcase of its broader automotive technologies. The announcement highlights the automaker's ongoing advancements in electrification, autonomous driving, connected and mobility services, and energy management.

A new open-source guitar amp and effects pedal project named Coyopedal utilizes the Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-AMOLED-2.06 hardware to create a compact NAM pedalboard. Developed by dashersw, the project features direct SD-card model loading and a custom Gea-compiled native frontend for seamless digital tone shaping.

Alan Kay addressed a historical computing question by stating the ENIAC did not have a BIOS or any analogous system. He further argued that the historic machine does not qualify as a true stored-program computer.

A recent tech guide highlights the process of replacing old batteries in rechargeable bike lights to extend the lifespan of everyday cycling accessories. This simple DIY maintenance approach allows users to sustainably revive their gear, saving money and reducing electronic waste without purchasing entirely new units.

A new video interview explores the oral history of Dr. John Chowning, the pioneering composer and inventor of FM synthesis. During the conversation, Chowning reflects on his career and details the key moments of inspiration that led to the development of this foundational audio technology.

Microsoft is removing the Copilot+ branding from its new laptops, stepping back from a heavily promoted label. The decision reflects the general lack of consumer enthusiasm for the moniker, which few users will likely notice or miss.

Researchers at Duke University's General Robotics Lab have developed the Cartesian Hand, a novel robotic device featuring all-linear fingers designed to enhance in-hand manipulation capabilities. This innovation supports the lab's broader research initiatives in embodied intelligence, artificial intelligence, and advanced robotics.

Researchers have reverse-engineered the historic Intel 8087 floating-point coprocessor to uncover the underlying hardware mechanics of its tangent calculation. The analysis reveals that the 1980 chip employs a more complex method than the standard CORDIC algorithm to compute trigonometric functions.

This article explores the unconventional origin story of the Apple Card, reflecting on its development fifteen years after the initial concept. It highlights the extreme and seemingly crazy design choices made during the project's history, specifically noting the unique use of 100% cotton paper.

ASML reported that it sold absolutely nothing in Europe in 2026, signaling a major setback for the region's semiconductor manufacturing ambitions. This stark revelation indicates that substantial government subsidies aimed at building new fabrication plants have failed to stimulate local demand for chipmaking equipment.

A new technical article details a developer's troubleshooting process for a missing atomic update bug on the Loongson CPU. The piece provides practical insights into low-level programming and board-level debugging required to resolve this critical hardware synchronization issue.

HomeBody is a new humanoid robot that integrates advanced vision-language models to autonomously explore, remember, and interact with its physical environment. By leveraging persistent spatial memory and composable skills, the system can perform tasks and adapt to new spaces without requiring environment-specific training or additional policy learning.

A former Fly.io team member is departing to build a new smartphone that reimagines the operating system. The device targets a highly personalized computing future where applications are designed for an audience of just one or two people.

Go 1.27 introduces an experimental, platform-agnostic API to bring SIMD capabilities directly into the language. This addition allows developers to write high-performance, vectorized code that runs consistently across diverse hardware architectures without relying on platform-specific implementations.

Researchers are developing a smart contact lens that functions as a microscopic lab to monitor stress by measuring serotonin concentrations in tears. This non-invasive wearable technology could provide continuous, real-time insights into a user's mental health and emotional well-being.

Toyota is preparing to introduce an electric version of the Corolla, bringing its best-selling vehicle of all time into the EV era. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in the automaker's ongoing push to expand its electric vehicle lineup.

Google's Project Suncatcher aims to deploy machine learning infrastructure directly in space. To achieve this, the company is currently testing hardware survival in harsh orbital environments and engineering specialized cooling systems for AI chips.

WaveDigger is a new open-source tool that discovers the physical locations of wireless signals by leveraging Apple's public Wi-Fi Positioning System. Available on GitHub, the project utilizes BSSID searches to help users accurately map and track specific network locations.

Discussions surrounding the Nokia Design Archive highlight that Nokia's pivot toward treating mobile phones as fashion accessories was a logical market evolution rather than a fatal misstep. Ultimately, the company's decline was driven not by poor industrial design, but by Apple and Android's successful shift toward lucrative, walled-garden app store ecosystems.

This 2016 engineering project details the process of characterizing and selecting optimal motors to power small-scale running robots. By evaluating torque, efficiency, and power output, the research provides crucial insights for building agile and efficient miniature robotic contraptions.

At Snapdragon Summit 2026, Qualcomm announced that the upcoming Snapdragon X2 Series will officially feature Linux support. The event also showcased a broader lineup of new hardware, including agentic AI PCs, Googlebook laptops, and various partner devices powered by Snapdragon processors.

Meta has unveiled its latest lineup of VR glasses, headsets, and AR glasses designed for both entertainment and productivity. The new devices allow users to stream films, shows, and live sports, or work on a virtual infinite screen. The new hardware is now available for purchase.

Nestrilabs has released an experimental virtio device called virtio-nvgpu to provide near-native NVIDIA GPU access inside KVM virtual machines. This new tool aims to significantly improve hardware acceleration and graphics performance for virtualized workloads. By bridging the gap between host and guest environments, it offers a promising solution for developers requiring high-end GPU capabilities in VMs.