Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Build Your Own Unsettling Vetinari Clock: A DIY Hack

2025-09-05

Inspired by Lord Vetinari's unsettlingly erratic clock from the Discworld series, a maker built a DIY clock with an irregularly ticking second hand. The project uses an ATtiny25 or PIC12F683 microcontroller and features open-source hardware and software designs. Clever firmware controls the clock, creating a seemingly random movement pattern over 32 seconds while maintaining accurate timekeeping. This fun project showcases embedded systems programming and provides complete hardware and software resources for replication and modification.

(www.waitingforfriday.com)

Hardware

Logitech's Solar-Powered Wireless Keyboard: Signature Slim Solar+

2025-09-05

Logitech is gearing up to launch the Signature Slim Solar+, a wireless keyboard boasting a solar panel promising up to 10 years of battery life. Resembling the MX Keys S but with an added solar panel above the keys, this keyboard charges using ambient light. Made with 70% recycled plastic, it's lightweight and connects to up to three devices. Customization options via the Logi Options+ app and an AI Launch key (Copilot) are also included. Pricing and availability remain unannounced.

(www.tomshardware.com)

Hardware Wireless Keyboard

Peel-and-Replace Walls: A New Hook-and-Loop System for Concrete

2025-09-05

Researchers at Austria's Graz University of Technology have developed a novel hook-and-loop system for concrete walls. Instead of traditional hooks and loops, they cast protrusions into the concrete and 3D print a flexible sheet with corresponding protrusions. This allows for the easy removal and replacement of wall coverings, flooring, and other elements, promising a cleaner, faster, and more efficient approach to construction and renovation.

(www.core77.com)

Hardware

Philips Hue Bulbs Get Built-in Motion Sensing with Hue MotionAware

2025-09-05

Philips Hue announced a significant upgrade to its smart bulbs: built-in motion sensing. Hue MotionAware uses radio-frequency (RF) sensing to detect movement without extra sensors, leveraging the Zigbee signal between bulbs. This requires the new Hue Bridge Pro ($99) and works with most mains-powered bulbs from 2014 onward. MotionAware creates zones for motion detection, covering larger areas than traditional PIR sensors and integrating with Hue Secure for security features like flashing lights and alerts. While lighting automation is free, security notifications require a subscription.

(www.theverge.com)

Hardware Motion Sensing

Hot Chips 2025: Liquid Cooling Innovations for the AI Boom

2025-09-05

Hot Chips 2025 showcased advanced liquid cooling technologies tailored for AI chips. Vendors displayed various microjet-based cold plates capable of precisely cooling chip hotspots, even directly injecting water onto the die. While currently focused on server applications, the precise temperature control offers potential benefits for consumer hardware in the future. The exhibition also featured cold plates in different materials, such as lightweight aluminum and highly efficient copper, catering to varying server weight and cooling needs. Facing the ever-increasing power draw and heat dissipation of AI chips, these liquid cooling innovations are becoming crucial solutions for datacenter cooling.

(chipsandcheese.com)

Hardware

Disk I/O Beats Memory Caching? A Surprising Benchmark

2025-09-05

Conventional wisdom dictates that memory access is far faster than disk I/O, making memory caching essential. This post challenges that assumption with a clever benchmark: counting the number of tens in a large dataset. Using an older server and optimizing code (loop unrolling and vectorization), along with a custom io_uring engine, the author demonstrates that direct disk reads can outperform memory caching under specific conditions. The key isn't that the disk is faster than memory, but rather that traditional memory access methods (mmap) introduce significant latency. The custom io_uring engine leverages the disk's high bandwidth and pipelining to mask latency. The article emphasizes adapting algorithms and data access to hardware characteristics for maximum performance in modern architectures, and looks ahead to future hardware trends.

(www.bitflux.ai)

Hardware memory caching

Garmin's Fenix 8 Pro: A Satellite-Connected Smartwatch Beats Apple to the Punch

2025-09-04

Just days before Apple's anticipated unveiling of the satellite-capable Apple Watch Ultra, Garmin launched its own satellite-connected smartwatch, the Fenix 8 Pro. Featuring Garmin's inReach technology, the Fenix 8 Pro enables satellite-based location check-ins and text messaging, and also boasts cellular connectivity for calls, voice messages, LiveTrack, and weather forecasts. An SOS emergency feature, a high-brightness microLED display, durable construction, and comprehensive health tracking round out the features. Available in 47mm and 51mm sizes with AMOLED and microLED display options, the Fenix 8 Pro, priced from $1200 and $2000 respectively, launches September 8th, directly challenging Apple's upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3. Note that Garmin's satellite services come with a subscription fee, unlike Apple's rumored offering.

(www.macrumors.com)

Hardware

Reverse Engineering Solos Smart Glasses: Displaying Arbitrary Images on a Retro Gadget

2025-09-04

A hacker successfully reverse-engineered the Solos smart glasses released in 2018 and managed to display arbitrary images on their screen. By analyzing Bluetooth packet captures, they discovered the communication protocol between the glasses and the smartphone app. Using a Python script, they RLE-encoded image data and sent it to the glasses, successfully displaying custom images. While some protocol details remain a mystery, this work demonstrates the customizability of the glasses and opens up possibilities for future development, such as displaying email subjects, weather forecasts, and more.

(jfloren.net)

Hardware

Dell's AI Server Business Explodes: Riding the Generative AI Wave

2025-09-03

Dell's strategic positioning in the AI server market yielded spectacular results in Q2 of fiscal 2026. Fueled by massive deals with clients like xAI and CoreWeave, and a preference for American-made hardware, Dell's AI server sales reached $8.1 billion, a 2.6x year-over-year increase. While overall server business profitability saw some compression, the robust growth in AI pushed Dell's Infrastructure Solutions Group revenue past its PC business for the first time in history. Dell forecasts at least $20 billion in AI system sales for fiscal 2026, demonstrating its ability to capitalize on the generative AI boom.

(www.nextplatform.com)

Hardware AI servers

Dissecting the Apple Silicon Mac Boot Process: From Boot ROM to Userspace

2025-09-03

This article delves into the boot process of an Apple Silicon Mac. Starting from the Boot ROM, it traces the sequence through the Low-Level Bootloader (LLB) and iBoot, kernel startup, system clock adjustments, and finally, the unlocking of the data volume to enter userspace. Using a Mac mini M4 Pro log as an example, the article details each phase, highlighting the lower log frequency and kernel-centric entries before data volume unlock, contrasting with the significantly higher frequency and reduced kernel contribution afterwards. This process reveals insights into Apple Silicon Mac's security mechanisms and boot efficiency.

(eclecticlight.co)

Hardware Mac boot process

50 Keyboards: A Retro Tech Extravaganza

2025-09-02

Marcin Wichary showcases his collection of 50 keyboards, ranging from antique typewriters to modern gaming keyboards, illustrating the evolution of keyboard design and technology. These keyboards are not merely input devices but snapshots of technological history, each with a unique story to tell. The accompanying images are stunning, highlighting the distinctive features of each keyboard.

(aresluna.org)

Hardware keyboard collection

Intel Patents 'Software Defined Supercore': A Single-Threaded Performance Boost?

2025-09-01

Intel has patented a technology called 'Software Defined Supercore' (SDC) designed to significantly improve single-threaded performance. SDC fuses multiple physical cores into a virtual 'supercore' by dividing a single thread's instructions and executing them in parallel. Specialized instructions maintain program order, maximizing instructions per clock (IPC) without increasing clock speed or core width. While currently just a patent, if successful, SDC could dramatically enhance single-thread performance in select applications on future Intel CPUs. The technology tackles the limitations of building extremely wide cores by using software and a small hardware module to manage synchronization and data transfer.

(www.tomshardware.com)

Hardware Single-Threaded Performance

USB-C Power Delivery: A Negotiation of Power Modes

2025-09-01

USB-C power delivery isn't a simple pass-through; it's a sophisticated negotiation. The source first broadcasts its supported voltages, current limits, and features (including optional PPS mode, allowing the sink to fine-tune voltage and current). The sink selects a mode and sends a request. The source assesses and decides to accept or reject. Upon acceptance, the source prepares the power and sends a ready signal. The sink also sends acknowledgements. Furthermore, Vendor Defined Messages (VDMs) negotiate data direction and other information; their openness determines whether they're good or bad.

(www.lttlabs.com)

Hardware Power Delivery

Escaping the microSD Card Hell: Rock 5 ITX+ and EDK2-RK3588 UEFI Firmware

2025-09-01

Tired of constantly removing the side panel of his Rock 5 ITX+ to swap OSes via microSD, the author explored using EDK2-RK3588 UEFI firmware. This allowed booting and installing generic ARM Linux images from USB. The journey involved overcoming the quirks of the Rock 5 ITX+, like its inability to boot from microSD. Successful installations of Fedora Rawhide and Ubuntu 25.10 were achieved, though minor issues like sound remained. While an SD card extender offers a simpler solution, this article delves into the potential of EDK2-RK3588, paving the way for greater RK3588 platform versatility.

(interfacinglinux.com)

Hardware

Qweremin: A C64-Based Qwerty Theremin Blends Old and New

2025-09-01

Following a 2022 C64-based theremin project, the author created the Qweremin, a novel instrument merging the classic theremin with a qwerty keyboard. The Qweremin addresses the theremin's notorious difficulty, improving volume control precision and responsiveness using external DACs. The article also recounts a chance encounter with legendary game composer Rob Hubbard, resulting in an autographed clamp for the instrument.

(www.linusakesson.net)

Hardware electronic instrument

Adafruit's Credit Card-Sized Retro Computer: Fruit Jam

2025-08-30

Adafruit has launched the Fruit Jam, a credit card-sized mini computer powered by the RP2350 chip, capable of running classic Macintosh systems via the uMac emulator. This $39.95 development board supports System 2.0 up to System 7.5.5, boasts 720p video output (DVI), audio, and USB keyboard/mouse connectivity. Featuring an ESP32-C6 wireless module and extensive GPIO and expansion options, the Fruit Jam is perfect for retro emulation, educational projects, and lightweight standalone computing. But hurry, stock is limited!

(www.cnx-software.com)

Hardware Retro Computer

Condor's Cuzco: A High-Performance RISC-V Core with a Twist

2025-08-30

Condor Computing, an Andes Technology subsidiary, unveiled its high-performance RISC-V core, Cuzco, at Hot Chips 2025. Cuzco boasts an 8-wide out-of-order execution engine, a modern branch predictor, and a novel time-based scheduling scheme, putting it in the same league as SiFive's P870 and Veyron's V1. Its unique approach uses mostly static scheduling in the backend for power efficiency and reduced complexity, requiring no ISA changes or compiler adjustments for optimal performance. Cuzco is highly configurable, allowing for customization to meet diverse customer needs, and supports multi-core clusters.

(chipsandcheese.com)

Hardware

Intel Xeon 7: Can 18A and 3D Packaging Turn the Tide?

2025-08-29

With AMD holding over 40% revenue and 27% shipment share of the x86 server CPU market in the first half of 2025, Intel is betting on its Xeon 7 processors (Clearwater Rapids and Clearwater Forest), launching in 2026, to regain ground. These CPUs leverage the 18A process, 2.5D EMIB interconnect, and Foveros 3D stacking—technologies first deployed (with delays) in the datacenter with the ill-fated Ponte Vecchio. The success of Xeon 7 hinges on stemming AMD's momentum and countering the rise of hyperscaler's custom Arm server CPUs. While the energy-efficient E-core variants have a niche market, they aid Intel in refining its 18A process and 3D packaging. This article details the architecture of the Clearwater Forest E-core processor, including its improved RibbonFET transistors, PowerVia backside power delivery, and 3D packaging, and analyzes its performance potential.

(www.nextplatform.com)

Hardware

Synology's Hostile Policies Drive Longtime User Away

2025-08-29

Longtime Synology user Raindog308 announces he's switching brands due to Synology's increasingly restrictive policies. These include artificial limits on concurrent Samba connections and a new requirement to purchase Synology-branded hard drives, even though those drives offer shorter warranties than alternatives like WD Black. He's considering building a TrueNAS server or exploring options from UGREEN, Buffalo, or other vendors.

(lowendbox.com)

Hardware

TrueNAS on a Raspberry Pi 5: A Hacky but Educational Journey

2025-08-28

The author attempts to run TrueNAS, a network storage system typically used on more powerful hardware, on a Raspberry Pi 5. Due to the Raspberry Pi's lack of official UEFI support, a community project, rpi5-uefi, is used. While successfully installing TrueNAS, limitations in UEFI mode—including missing fan, GPIO, and built-in Ethernet support, plus restrictions on multiple PCIe devices—prevent some hardware from being recognized. The author concludes that while a challenging learning experience, higher-end Arm hardware is still recommended for high-performance needs.

(www.jeffgeerling.com)

Hardware

Mysterious Zen 5 CPU Failures: GMP Tests and Hardware Woes

2025-08-28

The author reports two instances of Ryzen 9950X CPUs failing after running GMP tests. Both incidents occurred in different environments but resulted in discolored areas on the CPU's pin side. Despite using Noctua coolers, the author suspects improper thermal paste application (due to Noctua's recommended offset mounting), leading to poor heat transfer, and that GMP tests might draw power beyond the CPU's specifications. While CPUs have temperature protection, sustained high loads could lead to gradual damage. The cause remains unknown but highlights the importance of high-performance CPU cooling and potential hardware flaws.

(gmplib.org)

Hardware CPU failure GMP tests

Reverse Engineered: Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 Schematic Released

2025-08-27

A hacker has reverse-engineered the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, releasing its schematic and layout. The process involved meticulously sanding down the board layer by layer, scanning each with a high-resolution scanner to create the design. While not intended for fabrication, this detailed schematic offers educational value and opens doors for advanced hacking, such as exploring the I2C register map of the PMIC. The project reveals insights into the CM5's power management, WiFi/Bluetooth control, and SD card compatibility.

(github.com)

Hardware

AMD CPU Stability Issues: The Importance of BIOS Updates

2025-08-26

Both AMD and Intel have faced issues with CPU performance degrading over time, often linked to motherboard manufacturers deviating from default settings. To address similar problems, AMD recommends users promptly update their motherboard BIOS to obtain the latest default settings, improve compatibility, and enhance security. AMD's longer lifespan chipsets and CPU sockets, along with various power and overclocking tools, create a much wider range of system configurations, increasing testing difficulty. This is particularly true for AM4 motherboards, which can theoretically pair with much later CPUs, unlike Intel's ecosystem.

(arstechnica.com)

Hardware BIOS updates CPU stability

Turning an Old iPhone into a UniFi Protect Camera with Docker

2025-08-26

The author successfully integrated an old iPhone's camera into their UniFi Protect system using a Docker container. Lacking an iOS app with native ONVIF support, they cleverly used an RTSP app (IP Camera Lite) and an ONVIF proxy Docker container. ffmpeg was used to verify the RTSP stream, and after some configuration adjustments (including specifying the correct width/height), the DIY camera was successfully added to UniFi Protect, replacing their previous Surveillance Station and Scrypted setups.

(www.caseyliss.com)

Hardware Third-party Camera

Reverse-Engineered: High-Res Raspberry Pi Internal Scans Released

2025-08-26

Following Jonathan Clark's and TubeTime's reverse engineering efforts on the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W and Compute Module 5 respectively, and their subsequent release of schematics and processes, the author discovered they possessed high-resolution Lumafield scans of most modern Raspberry Pi models (excluding the larger keyboard form factor Pis). These scans, offering detailed internal views, are now publicly available for community exploration and analysis.

(www.jeffgeerling.com)

Hardware 3D Scans

The MiniPC Revolution: Modular Computing for the Homelab

2025-08-26

MiniPCs are revolutionizing personal computing with their affordability, compact size, energy efficiency, and versatility. The author details how MiniPCs excel in homelab setups, network storage, and personal cloud solutions, highlighting their modular design's advantages in avoiding single points of failure and simplifying maintenance. Instead of a single powerful machine, MiniPCs offer a scalable and flexible approach to building a customized computing environment.

(jadarma.github.io)

Hardware Modular Computing

Hacking My Logitech MX Ergo: USB-C, Silent Clicks, and Better Software

2025-08-25

The author loves their Logitech MX Ergo mouse, but it has flaws: a micro-USB charging port, loud clicks, and bloated software. After eight years of waiting for an update, they decided to take matters into their own hands. This involved a challenging but rewarding USB-C port replacement, detailed soldering instructions, swapping out noisy switches for silent Huano alternatives, and finally ditching Logitech's software for the leaner SteerMouse. It's a compelling story of DIY customization and a deep dive into the process.

(samwilkinson.io)

Hardware Mouse Mod

Linux SD Card Formatter: Optimized for Performance

2025-08-25

The SD Memory Card Formatter, developed by Tuxera, is a Linux-based utility designed to format SD, SDHC, SDXC, and SDUC cards according to SD Association specifications. It's recommended over OS-provided tools for optimal performance. Note that it doesn't support BitLocker To Go encrypted cards and leaves the protected area untouched. Supports various Linux distributions and SD interfaces. Download and manual available on the official website.

(www.sdcard.org)

Hardware SD card formatting tool

ESP32-S3 Serial Speed: Much Faster Than Expected!

2025-08-24

This post unravels the mystery behind the surprisingly high serial communication speed of the ESP32-S3. The author found that despite setting the baud rate to 115200 in the code, the actual data transfer speed was much higher. This is because the ESP32-S3 uses native USB support, and serial communication happens over USB, not the traditional UART. Tests showed data transfer speeds exceeding 5MB/s on the ESP32-S3, and even over 7MB/s with an Arduino version. This is far beyond the limitations of a traditional UART.

(atomic14.substack.com)

Hardware Serial Communication

Google Pixel 10's Mandatory Battery Health Assistance: A Controversial Move

2025-08-24

Google has confirmed that the Battery Health Assistance feature on the Pixel 10 series is mandatory and cannot be disabled. This feature gradually reduces charging speed and battery voltage to prolong battery life, a decision met with user criticism, especially following battery issues with previous Pixel A series phones. While Google argues this stabilizes battery performance and aging, the lack of user choice contrasts with competitors like Samsung and OnePlus offering longer battery lifespans. The move raises questions about whether this is a proactive measure or a reaction to potential issues within the Pixel 10's battery.

(www.androidauthority.com)

Hardware Battery Health Mandatory Feature

Category: Hardware