Hardware Tech News

A new open-source exploit chain named Relapse has been released for the PlayStation 5, targeting firmware versions 7.00 through 13.60. The project is hosted on GitHub by developer ntfargo and is open for community contributions.

Backblaze has published its Q2 2026 drive statistics, analyzing failure rates across a fleet of over 354,000 units to identify the most reliable models. The comprehensive report also provides insights into the real-world performance of emerging storage technologies, including CMR, SMR, and HAMR.

A new audio-reactive LED display called Phyllotaxis translates sound into mesmerizing visual patterns inspired by the mathematical spirals of plant growth. The project captures the beauty of nature by turning music into a dynamic show of dancing lights. This innovative installation offers a unique way to experience audio through natural geometry.

NAND-16 is an interactive browser-based project that simulates a fully functional 16-bit computer constructed entirely from 277,248 NAND gates. It successfully runs a complete CPU, memory, operating system, and even Tetris directly in your web browser. Additionally, users can zoom in on the simulation to visually track the flow of data signals through the virtual hardware.

A new interactive 3D model of the historic Enigma machine allows users to explore its intricate rotor mechanisms and electrical circuits. This educational project provides a hands-on way to understand the inner workings of the famous cryptographic device.

A newly discovered 41-year-old bug in the classic Commodore 64 game Mercenary allows players to teleport to the Colony Craft by interacting with an invisible patch of grass. The discussion highlights the groundbreaking title's lasting legacy of open-world exploration and destructible environments. Fans also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the game's late creator, Paul Woakes.

After finding a working Atari 2600 and a stack of classic games at a garage sale, the author shares a 2008 collection of bizarre parodies featuring the console's iconic box cover art. These humorous reimaginings playfully twist the nostalgic packaging of early video games into strange and entertaining visual jokes.

Vermont has created a virtual power plant by connecting thousands of residential home batteries, making it the state's largest energy source. This decentralized network effectively replaces the need for traditional power plants. It also provides residents with cheaper, cleaner electricity while protecting them from unexpected power outages.

This brief recap summarizes the 2021 Suez Canal blockage caused by the stranded container ship Ever Given. The six-day incident severely disrupted global shipping routes and brought international supply chains to a sudden halt. It highlights the widespread economic impact of the crisis, including the delayed transit of critical technology components and consumer electronics.

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.