Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Ubiquiti Releases UniFi OS Server: Self-Host Your Entire UniFi Network

2025-08-01

Ubiquiti has released UniFi OS Server in early access, enabling users to self-host the complete UniFi network stack on their own hardware. Initially supporting UniFi Network and InnerSpace, with potential future support for UniFi Protect, the installation is straightforward on Windows and Linux (though with specific requirements). Users can manage the server remotely via their Ubiquiti account or locally, though local management forfeits remote access, MFA, notifications, and cloud backups.

(lazyadmin.nl)

Hardware

Nothing Phone 3: Stylish, but Too Pricey?

2025-07-31

Nothing's Phone 3 boasts a distinctive design, but its high price tag is causing a stir. While it incorporates AI features like Gemini integration and an AI hardware button, these additions don't offer a significant advantage and fail to compete with rivals' AI capabilities. The hardware specs also fall short of flagship standards, with camera performance lagging behind Google's Pixel 9, and overall, it struggles to compete with Samsung's S25 or the iPhone. Despite Nothing's stance against price cuts, a $500-$600 price point might make it more competitive.

(www.ndtvprofit.com)

Hardware

Standalone GUI Module for Monitoring Self-Hosted Services and Raspberry Pis

2025-07-31

This project details a standalone GUI module, spun off from the open-source Ubo Pod project, designed for monitoring self-hosted services and Raspberry Pis. This module mounts in mini or full-size server racks, providing headless control of the Raspberry Pi, system resource monitoring, and application status monitoring. The author is currently redesigning the PCB and enclosure, and exploring a tilted display design for improved viewing. The GUI software is mature enough for testing in a web browser without any additional hardware.

(www.getubo.com)

Hardware

Swiss-Made USB-C Upgrade Case Sells Out!

2025-07-30

A Swiss-made iPhone case lets you upgrade your older iPhone to USB-C in seconds, without buying a new device! The first three batches are already sold out, but you can sign up for email alerts to get priority when it's back in stock. Supports wireless charging, MagSafe, and fast charging, and is compatible with CarPlay. Note: Accessories requiring power from the phone (like wired headphones) will still require the Lightning port.

(obsoless.com)

Hardware iPhone Case Swiss Made

Anker Appears to Be Abandoning Its 3D Printer Business

2025-07-29

Anker's EufyMake brand has quietly stopped selling its AnkerMake M5 and M5C 3D printers and key accessories, leading to speculation that Anker is abandoning the 3D printing business. While Anker claims sales are paused and future models are possible, the printers are currently unavailable on the website, and critical components like the M5C hotend are also out of stock, leaving users frustrated. This follows Anker's rocky start in 3D printing, with its products plagued by quality issues. In contrast, companies like Creality and Bambu have gained market share through rapid iteration and improvement.

(www.theverge.com)

Hardware

Revitalizing a Relic: Modernizing the KIM-1 Microcomputer

2025-07-28

The author connects a 1976 KIM-1 microcomputer to a modern terminal. The KIM-1 uses an obsolete current loop interface, requiring a simple circuit modification. By modifying a readily available USB-to-RS-232 adapter, the author successfully enables communication between the KIM-1 and a modern computer, allowing program uploads using minicom and even emulating punched tape loading. The process vividly demonstrates the charm of combining hardware restoration with innovation.

(blog.jgc.org)

Hardware hardware modification serial communication

IBM Keyboard Patents: A Gallery of 150 Designs

2025-07-28

A collection showcasing 150 patents related to IBM and its family of keyboards, typewriters, and keypunches. The patents cover a range of technologies, from keyswitch and actuator designs to the overall aesthetic design and integrated pointing devices like the TrackPoint. Host systems, including PCs, laptops, terminals, consoles, and electronic typewriters, are also featured. All illustrations are sourced directly from the patents, which are believed to be in the public domain.

(sharktastica.co.uk)

Hardware Keyboard Design

Three High-Performance RISC-V Processors on the Horizon

2025-07-27

Several high-performance RISC-V processors are slated for release in the latter half of 2025: the UltraRISC UR-DP1000, Zhihe A210, and SpacemIT K3. While details are still emerging, the UR-DP1000, an octa-core 64-bit RISC-V SoC, will power Shenzhen Milk-V Technology's Titan mini-ITX motherboard. The Zhihe A210 boasts impressive AI inference capabilities, reaching up to 12 TOPS (INT8). The SpacemIT K3, based on the X100 core, offers strong vector computing performance. While full specifications are yet to be released, these processors represent significant advancements in the RISC-V ecosystem and are expected to become available in 2026.

(www.cnx-software.com)

Hardware Processors

DIY 1U Server Cluster on a Budget: Raspberry Pi Power

2025-07-27

A maker cleverly built a low-power, cost-effective 1U server cluster using inexpensive Raspberry Pis and ingenious circuitry. Overcoming power limitations common in budget server solutions, this project leverages multiple Raspberry Pis working in tandem, maximizing computing power within the constraints of limited power and space. The article details the hardware list, assembly steps, and software configuration, offering a valuable reference for DIY enthusiasts interested in low-power computing and server solutions.

(github.com)

Hardware low-power server

Bosch Unveils World's Smallest PM2.5 Sensor: BMV080 for Improved Indoor Air Quality

2025-07-27

Bosch Sensortec launched the world's smallest PM2.5 air quality sensor, the BMV080, at CES. This innovative, fanless sensor provides accurate, real-time data on indoor PM2.5 levels, crucial for addressing the often-overlooked issue of indoor air pollution, which is frequently three to five times more polluted than outdoors. The BMV080 allows users to identify and react to poor air quality, particularly from sources like cooking, which can dramatically increase PM2.5 levels in poorly ventilated spaces.

(www.bosch-sensortec.com)

Hardware PM2.5 sensor indoor air quality

AMD Zen 5: Instruction Fetch Rate Doubles, Unleashing Unprecedented CPU Performance

2025-07-26

Testing of the AMD Zen 5 architecture has yielded impressive results! The instruction fetch rate has been doubled from 16 to 32 bytes per clock cycle, breaking a long-standing bottleneck for both Intel and AMD processors. Zen 5 can execute up to six instructions per clock (rarely eight), boasting six integer ALUs, four address generation units, and more powerful execution units. Memory operations see significant speed improvements. While cache improvements are minor, Zen 5's massive gains in instruction fetch, decode, execution units, memory read/write, and branch throughput deliver a significant performance boost to compute-intensive programs, though programs limited by memory and disk access will see less benefit.

(www.agner.org)

Hardware

The Elegant Inside of a Ten-Year-Old MacBook Pro: A Tribute to Craftsmanship

2025-07-26

The author disassembled a 2013 MacBook Pro that lasted ten years before its first failure (a buzzing speaker). The elegant internal design impressed him; almost every part required only one screw for removal, showcasing efficiency. This reminded him of Steve Jobs' quote about craftsmanship: even the back panel should use high-quality wood because it reflects the craftsman's values and responsibility towards their work. The author contrasts this with today's society's overemphasis on superficial value. True quality must be consistent throughout, even in unseen parts, forming the foundation of longevity.

(perfectdays23.substack.com)

Hardware

It's DE9, Not DB9: A Tale of Misnamed Connectors

2025-07-26

For years, we've incorrectly called the 9-pin serial connector a DB9, but its correct name is DE9. This article explains the naming discrepancy. D-SUB connector naming follows a pattern: the first letter 'D' represents the D-shaped metal shield, the second letter specifies the shell size, and the following number indicates the pin count. DB denotes a 25-pin shell, while DE denotes a 9-pin shell. While DB9 has become the de facto name, it's technically wrong. SparkFun's new product uses the correct name, DE9, to correct this longstanding error and educate users on the proper technical terminology.

(news.sparkfun.com)

Hardware electronic components connectors

Revolutionizing Embedded CPUs: Efficient Computer's Electron E1

2025-07-25

Efficient Computer is challenging decades of conventional CPU design with its Electron E1 chip, a 'clean sheet' processor for the embedded market. This chip employs static scheduling and data flow control, eliminating caches and out-of-order execution, resulting in claimed energy efficiency improvements of up to 100x over leading ARM cores. Its unique spatial data flow architecture, coupled with a smart compiler supporting C++ and Rust, aims for general-purpose capabilities while also targeting machine learning frameworks like PyTorch. While challenges remain regarding compiler maturity and market adoption, the Electron E1 represents a potentially groundbreaking advancement for power-constrained embedded systems in areas such as aerospace, defense, and wearables.

(morethanmoore.substack.com)

Hardware embedded chip static scheduling

AMD Confirms Higher Costs for US-Made Chips

2025-07-24

AMD CEO Lisa Su confirmed that chips sourced from TSMC's Arizona facility will cost more than those manufactured in Taiwan. The price increase will be between 5% and 20%. AMD expects its first chips from TSMC's Arizona plant by the end of the year. This highlights the cost challenges of manufacturing chips in the US.

(www.bloomberg.com)

Hardware chip costs

CARA Hexapod Robot: Control Algorithms and Gait

2025-07-24

This article details the control system of the CARA hexapod robot. It begins with a homing sequence for each joint, using current draw to detect physical limits. Trajectory planning leverages inverse, forward, and rotational kinematics equations for smooth movement. A trotting gait, combining swing and stance phases, is implemented, allowing for forward movement and turning by adjusting leg angles and phasing.

(www.aaedmusa.com)

Hardware gait planning

Tiny Code Reader (TCR): A $7 Surprise

2025-07-23

The Tiny Code Reader (TCR) is a miniature QR code reader module costing just $7. Utilizing an RP2040 microcontroller and an Arducam image sensor, it connects easily via I²C. Testing revealed fast decoding, but a narrow field of view (approx. 10mm) limits its application. Despite this, its low cost and ease of use make it a compelling development platform, especially for desktop manufacturing and similar applications.

(excamera.substack.com)

Hardware QR code reader

My Keyboard Odyssey: Maltron vs. MoErgo Glove80

2025-07-23

After years of hand pain from using traditional keyboards, the author tried both Maltron and MoErgo Glove80 ergonomic keyboards. While the Maltron, despite its dated looks, offered a superior thumbpad design for ergonomic comfort, the Glove80, though customizable, suffered from less-than-ideal thumbpad placement and key latency issues. Ultimately, the author returned to the Maltron, highlighting the often-overlooked importance of thumbpad design in ergonomic keyboards.

(tratt.net)

Hardware keyboard design

Anker Recalls 1 Million Power Banks: CT Scan Reveals Battery Defects

2025-07-22

Anker recalled over one million PowerCore 10000 power banks due to lithium-ion battery overheating risks. Lumafield used industrial CT scanning to analyze recalled and non-recalled units, revealing variations in battery cell suppliers, connection methods, and gap sizes between positive and negative terminals. These variations could lead to short circuits and overheating. The newer model uses a single pouch cell, simplifying assembly and improving safety. This case highlights the complexity of battery supply chains and the importance of quality control, showcasing industrial CT scanning's role in ensuring product safety and improving quality.

(www.lumafield.com)

Hardware product recall industrial CT scan

MYND Bluetooth Speaker: Sustainable, Open-Source, and Customizable

2025-07-21

The MYND Bluetooth speaker prioritizes sustainability with a long lifespan design featuring easy repairability and replaceable batteries. Industrial designer Erik and electrical engineer Jonathan detail its development, highlighting sustainable material choices, simplified internal construction, and open-source software and hardware. Users can easily replace the battery and even build or modify the speaker themselves using publicly available data, offering high customizability and sustainability.

(blog.teufelaudio.com)

Hardware Bluetooth speaker

Optimizing WMMA Kernels on AMD RDNA 4 Architecture

2025-07-21

AMD RDNA 4 architecture GPUs, featuring 3rd-generation Matrix Cores, significantly improve Generalized Matrix Multiplication (GEMM) performance. This article delves into optimizing matrix operations using WMMA (Wave Matrix Multiply Accumulate) intrinsics within HIP kernels on RDNA 4 GPUs. It explains WMMA's functionality, the use of new intrinsics like `__builtin_amdgcn_wmma_f32_16x16x16_f16_w32_gfx12`, and key differences from RDNA 3. A simplified Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) implementation example showcases efficient matrix computation on RDNA 4.

(gpuopen.com)

Hardware

Open Source Local Control for Daikin Air Conditioners

2025-07-21

Tired of Daikin's slow, cloud-dependent Wi-Fi control? This open-source project offers a solution! It provides a local control module with web interface, MQTT, and Home Assistant integration, eliminating the need for cloud connectivity. PCB designs are available, and pre-built modules are sold on Tindie and Amazon UK. The project uses a GPL license, allowing forking and contributions, but prohibits commercial sales using the project's name and trademarks. The module is compatible with various Daikin models, offering features like automatic protocol detection, remote monitoring, and logging.

(github.com)

Hardware Daikin Air Conditioner

Samsung's Breakthrough: Next-Gen Peltier Cooling Tech for Refrigerant-Free Future

2025-07-21

Samsung Electronics, collaborating with Johns Hopkins APL, unveiled a revolutionary thin-film semiconductor Peltier device in Nature Communications. This nano-engineered technology achieves refrigerant-free cooling, boasting a 75% efficiency boost over conventional methods. Already integrated into Samsung's Bespoke AI Hybrid Refrigerator, the technology intelligently switches between Peltier and compressor cooling for optimal performance and energy savings. The long-term vision? A completely refrigerant-free refrigerator.

(news.samsung.com)

Hardware Peltier cooling

The Curious Case of the Converging UNIX Workstation

2025-07-20

The author, having amassed a collection of 1990s RISC/UNIX workstations from SGI, HP, and DEC, noticed a peculiar trend in their internal layouts after watching a video on PC case history. Early models adhered to traditional VME bus designs. However, later models surprisingly adopted a layout reminiscent of the LPX standard – a flat motherboard with rear I/O and a left-side expansion slot. This bears a striking resemblance to contemporary PC designs. The author speculates on whether this was independent convergence or a collaborative effort, leaving the question of coincidence versus design trend unanswered, but prompting intriguing questions about the evolution of hardware design.

(thejpster.org.uk)

Hardware UNIX workstations

Ultra-Low Power Arduino System: 2-Year Battery Life?

2025-07-20

This article details an ultra-low-power Arduino system based on the ATmega328. By minimizing hardware and utilizing the sleep functionality of the JeeLib library, the author reduces the system power consumption from 6.7mA to 43μA, significantly extending battery life. The article thoroughly explains the hardware connections, software programming, and power consumption test results, and uses a temperature sensor as an example to calculate the system's battery life in a real-world application, estimating it at up to two years.

(makecademy.com)

Hardware low power

No-Soldering Upgrade for Your Casio F-91W: Sensor Watch Pro

2025-07-19

Oddly Specific Objects is back with a solderless upgrade for the classic Casio F-91W: the Sensor Watch Pro. This upgrade features an accelerometer and a custom LCD, allowing for more complex display options. A browser-based emulator simplifies firmware flashing. The upgrade process is straightforward, involving disassembly and component replacement. The author customized the firmware, removing imperial units and the 12-hour clock, and adding a counter, accelerometer, and light sensor displays.

(blog.jgc.org)

Hardware

IBM's Power11 Processor: A Balanced Act of Memory and I/O

2025-07-18

IBM launched the Power11 processor, an upgrade to the Power10, primarily improving core utilization and supporting DDR5 memory. Power11 maintains a strong balance between memory and I/O, even under massive memory and peripheral demands, making it competitive for large transactional database management systems. Despite manufacturing process challenges and delays, Power11 overcame hurdles through a partnership with Samsung, improving instruction sets and architecture. The article also explores future Power11 upgrades, such as expanding DCM modules to boost scalability to meet growing computational demands.

(www.nextplatform.com)

Hardware server processor

Sony RX1R III: Small Size, Big Compromise?

2025-07-18

Sony's highly anticipated RX1R III full-frame compact camera arrives with a hefty $5,100 price tag. While boasting features like the A7R V's high-resolution sensor, Sony's latest autofocus system, a longer-lasting battery, and an electronic viewfinder, it surprisingly omits the tilting screen of its predecessor. This is a significant drawback for street photographers and those who rely on flexible shooting angles. Sony's dedication to maintaining a small form factor resulted in compromises, including the lack of in-body image stabilization. This decision contrasts with Leica's addition of a tilting screen to the Q3, demonstrating a willingness to prioritize user needs over unwavering adherence to a specific design. Although Sony has improved ergonomics in its A9 III and A1 II, the RX1R III's small size might still lead to discomfort during extended shooting sessions. Ultimately, the RX1R III offers powerful features, but with regrettable compromises.

(www.theverge.com)

Hardware Sony RX1R III full-frame camera camera design

The Great USB-C Hub Scam: A Teardown Tale

2025-07-18

The author bought three USB-C hubs from different brands, only to discover they all used nearly identical hardware, including the problematic Realtek RTL8153 network chip, leading to macOS compatibility issues. Despite huge price differences, the actual cost was low, highlighting massive brand markups. One hub even overheated dangerously. Teardowns revealed these brands rebranded low-cost products, prompting a call for consumer awareness and rejection of marketing hype.

(overengineer.dev)

Hardware USB-C Hubs Hardware Review Tech Consumerism

AmazingHand: A Low-Cost, Open-Source 8-DOF Humanoid Hand

2025-07-17

AmazingHand is an impressive open-source project delivering a low-cost, high-performance 8-DOF humanoid hand. This 3D-printable hand features all actuators integrated within, eliminating external cables. Weighing only 400g and costing under €200, it leverages parallel mechanisms and miniature servo motors. Control is available via Python or Arduino, with detailed assembly guides, CAD files, and software provided. Future development includes enhanced grasping capabilities and exploration of additional features like fingertip sensors and more powerful motors. Join the community and build your own!

(github.com)

Hardware

Category: Hardware