Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

The A20 Flaw in the Original Xbox: A 20-Year Retrospective

2025-07-17

2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the original Xbox. This post revisits a significant security vulnerability: the A20 issue. This vulnerability stemmed from the "wraparound" behavior of the Intel 8088 processor when handling memory addresses, a problem addressed in the IBM PC/AT via an A20 gate on the motherboard for compatibility. However, the Xbox used a Pentium III processor with an A20 gate. Attackers could ground the A20 line, bypassing the secure boot process and booting directly from flash memory with custom code to read the Xbox's secret ROM. This vulnerability highlights the security risks of neglecting legacy issues when designing early systems.

(connortumbleson.com)

Hardware

Demand for a Mini Android Flagship: A Movement to Resurrect Small Phones

2025-07-17

Eric Migicovsky, founder of Pebble, is leading a charge for Android manufacturers to create a flagship phone the size of the iPhone 13 mini. He argues that the market lacks premium small Android phones, a significant gap for users who prefer compact devices. He outlines his ideal specs for such a phone, hoping to pressure manufacturers by gathering a large enough community of interested buyers. The goal is a sub-6-inch phone with great cameras and stock Android. If unsuccessful, he even hints at building it himself.

(smallandroidphone.com)

Hardware small phone android phone

Seagate's 3TB/platter HAMR Drives: A Game Changer for AI Data Storage

2025-07-16

Seagate has unveiled new hard drives based on its Mosaic 3+ platform, utilizing its unique HAMR technology to achieve areal densities of 3TB per platter and beyond. The press release heavily emphasizes the drives' suitability for AI data storage, though their massive capacity makes them ideal for any application requiring immense storage in a small footprint. While consumer PCs have largely shifted to SSDs, HDDs remain cost-effective for massive data centers where ultra-high speeds aren't paramount. Competitor Western Digital anticipates HAMR drives in 2027, while Toshiba plans 2025 sample testing.

(arstechnica.com)

Hardware AI Data Storage

Atopile: Revolutionizing Hardware Design with Code

2025-07-16

Atopile brings the power of software development workflows to hardware design. By describing electronics with code, you can leverage modularity, version control, and deep validation. Capture design intelligence and constraints directly in your code, enabling auto-selection of components, embedded calculations checked on every build, and reliable, configurable modules. This allows for rapid iteration, easier collaboration, and robust designs validated through continuous integration. Key features include faster project creation, automated component selection, and constant validation.

(atopile.io)

Hardware

DIY Lightning Detector: Simple Circuit, Accurate Detection

2025-07-14

This article details a simple DIY lightning detector circuit using a single inductor tuned circuit to receive static pulses from lightning. The circuit boasts low power consumption and high sensitivity, with detailed schematics, component selection guides, and building instructions suitable for beginners. Several circuit variations are presented, including magnetic antenna and op-amp versions, catering to diverse needs.

(techlib.com)

Hardware lightning detector circuit design

AI-Powered Vibe Coding: Designing an ESP32-S3 Dev Board

2025-07-13

The author experimented with Atopile and Claude, AI tools, to code the design of an ESP32-S3 development board PCB. The process was challenging, with the AI making mistakes in wiring and component selection, but ultimately a functional board was generated. This demonstrates the potential of AI-assisted hardware design, though human intervention and correction remain necessary.

(atomic14.substack.com)

Hardware

Apple Declares 2013 'Trash Can' Mac Pro Vintage

2025-07-12

Apple updated its list of vintage and obsolete products, adding several Macs, iPads, and accessories. The infamous 2013 'Trash Can' Mac Pro, after a 12-year run, finally joins the vintage list. Its unconventional cylindrical design and limited upgradability ultimately failed to meet professional user needs, serving as a notable example of Apple's design missteps. Several other products were also added to the vintage or obsolete lists, signaling the end of repair services for these devices.

(www.macrumors.com)

Hardware

Nostalgic HDD Clicks for Modern Storage: HDD Clicker

2025-07-12

HDD Clicker brings back the nostalgic sound of clicking hard drives to your modern SSD, CF, or SD card setup. This device simulates the familiar HDD sounds. Customization options include a 3D-printed enclosure (additional cost), volume levels (silent or loud), and extra LED cables and power splitters (all at extra cost). Users must select their preferred configuration.

(www.serdashop.com)

Hardware simulator

Google's Pixel Battery Troubles: Two Incidents, One Poor Solution

2025-07-12

Google's Pixel 4a and Pixel 6a phones have both experienced battery issues. The Pixel 4a, using batteries from Lishen, suffered from degradation in some units, prompting Google to reduce battery capacity and charging speed via a software update. The Pixel 6a saw more serious incidents of phones catching fire, leading Google to again limit battery performance through software. While Google's actions prioritized user safety, the solutions negatively impacted user experience, highlighting the challenges of non-removable batteries in an era of longer phone lifespans.

(arstechnica.com)

Hardware Pixel phones battery issues

Switch 2 Pro Controller Teardown Reveals a Repair Nightmare

2025-07-12

iFixit's teardown of the Switch 2 Pro controller reveals a frustratingly difficult repair process. Accessing the battery requires removing numerous components and destroying adhesive tape. The controller also uses older, drift-prone joysticks, though they are modular and replaceable. However, the extensive disassembly and need for new adhesive make repairs impractical. iFixit concludes that the Pro controller is overpriced for its poor design and difficult repairability, with better, more easily maintained alternatives available.

(www.theverge.com)

Hardware controller teardown repair difficulty

My M1 Pro MacBook Pro Fan Replacement: Cooler Temps, But No More Touch ID

2025-07-12

After four years, the author's M1 Pro MacBook Pro started making excessive fan noise. Attempting a thermal paste replacement, they accidentally damaged the fan and Touch ID sensor cable. While the fan was successfully replaced, resulting in lower CPU temperatures and fan speeds, plus a slight performance boost, the Touch ID functionality is permanently lost. The author cautions against attempting this repair unless experienced with delicate electronics.

(christianselig.com)

Hardware

M4 Pro Mac mini 4TB SSD Upgrade: Speed vs. Cost

2025-07-12

The author upgraded their studio's M4 Pro Mac mini from a 512GB SSD to a 4TB SSD. The upgrade process was relatively straightforward, but removing the bottom cover required care to avoid damaging the power button connector. A DFU restore was necessary, achievable with Macs containing a T2 chip. Performance tests showed the upgraded 4TB SSD had significantly faster write speeds and comparable read speeds to an external Thunderbolt 5 NVMe drive, but with greater consistency. While expensive ($699), it's significantly cheaper than Apple's $1200 option.

(www.jeffgeerling.com)

Hardware Mac mini upgrade SSD upgrade

Raspberry Pi Pico 2 Pinout: An Interactive Guide

2025-07-11

Gadgetoid has created an interactive, accessible, and beautiful GPIO pinout and pin function guide for the Raspberry Pi Pico 2. This guide details the function of each pin on the Pico 2, including interfaces like SPI, I2C, UART, and PWM, with clear diagrams and explanations. Users can easily see the purpose of each pin and understand its connection to various interfaces. The guide also includes information on Pico 2 power management, ADC, and other special pins. This is a highly useful tool and a valuable resource for anyone looking to develop with the Raspberry Pi Pico 2.

(pico2.pinout.xyz)

Hardware Raspberry Pi Pico 2 GPIO Pinout Interactive Guide

ChompSaw: A Safe Power Tool for Kids

2025-07-11

Designed by Kausi Raman and Max Liechty, the ChompSaw is a safe power tool for kids, specifically designed to cut cardboard. Unlike dangerous jigsaws, the ChompSaw uses an oscillating cutter hidden beneath a protective cover, preventing finger contact. Waste cardboard is collected in a built-in bin, promoting recycling. While priced at $250, it offers a safe and fun way for children to explore power tools, transforming Amazon boxes into creative projects.

(www.core77.com)

Hardware power tools cardboard cutting

Flopper Ziro: A Cheap, Open-Source Flipper Zero Clone

2025-07-10

Flopper Ziro is a cheap, DIY, and fully open-source Flipper Zero clone built using the Arduino IDE. While not a professional device, it aims to replicate core Flipper Zero functionalities like RubberDucky, RFID/NFC (work in progress), IR, and RF. Programmable via Arduino IDE, it allows saving/loading data from an SD card. The project is under development, with plans to improve SD card functionality, finish RF scanning and sending, and add more RFID/NFC capabilities.

(github.com)

Hardware Flipper Zero clone

Open Source Ethernet Switch Project: Unlocking Hidden Features of the Microchip VSC8512

2025-07-08

While building the open-source 1U managed Ethernet switch LATENTRED, the author encountered a challenge with missing documentation for the Microchip VSC8512 PHY chip. The official documentation lacked information on SERDES TX equalizer settings, requiring an NDA for complete details. By analyzing publicly available documents, the IBIS-AMI model, and the Microchip Ethernet Switch API (MESA), along with reverse engineering techniques, the author successfully found a way to modify the equalizer settings. He discovered an undocumented MCU interface within the VSC8512, and through a series of register manipulations, successfully adjusted the SERDES TX equalizer, improving signal integrity. This project showcases the power of open-source principles and reverse engineering, offering valuable experience for other developers.

(serd.es)

Hardware

ISEVIC: Breathing New Life into Your C64

2025-07-07

ISEVIC is an FPGA core that lets your vintage Commodore 64 output digital video via HDMI! It works by reading the bus signals on the cartridge port and translating them into a displayable image. It supports multiple FPGA platforms, including the Tang Nano 20K. The project includes Gerber files and bitstreams for a C64 cartridge slot carrier board, with automatic PAL/NTSC detection. While most cartridges work, some (like the EasyFlash 3) may have compatibility issues. Experimental SID emulation for sound is also included. Ready to relive the classics?

(github.com)

Hardware

Boosting Prusa Core One Accuracy: A Comprehensive Guide

2025-07-07

This article provides a user-centric guide to enhancing the accuracy and utility of the Prusa Core One 3D printer. It covers print bed alignment, Core XY axis alignment, belt tensioning, and a custom camera setup with detailed instructions and illustrations. The author also shares various 3D printing projects, including magnetically assembled geometric shapes and practical tools, along with recommendations for open-source software and resources.

(arachnoid.com)

Hardware accuracy improvement

Intel's Lion Cove: A Deep Dive into Gaming Performance

2025-07-07

Intel's latest high-performance CPU architecture, Lion Cove, excels in SPEC CPU2017 benchmarks and even rivals AMD's Zen 5. However, gaming workloads differ significantly from productivity tasks. This article provides a deep dive into Lion Cove's gaming performance, analyzing detailed data on cache hierarchy, instruction execution latency, branch prediction, and more. It reveals Lion Cove's strengths and weaknesses in gaming scenarios and compares it to Zen 4. Results show a strong frontend but bottleneck in backend memory latency, leaving room for improvement in gaming performance.

(chipsandcheese.com)

Hardware

Simulated SPI RAM on RP2040: A High-Performance Implementation

2025-07-06

This project simulates an SPI RAM, similar to a 23LC512, on the RP2040 microcontroller. It supports READ, WRITE, and FAST READ commands, leveraging PIO and DMA for efficient data transfer. To meet stringent timing requirements, the simulated RAM utilizes Core1 and optimized PIO programs to minimize latency. While currently not supporting aborting operations before data transfer begins, this project offers an effective way to achieve high-performance SPI RAM on the RP2040.

(github.com)

Hardware

Retrocomputing: Building a Transputer ISA Card from Scratch

2025-07-06

Driven by nostalgia for 90s transputers, the author painstakingly built a functional Inmos B004-compatible ISA card. The journey involved sourcing vintage transputer boards from eBay, designing schematics, PCB fabrication using KiCAD and PCBWay, and debugging numerous issues, including a reversed board installation, mis-placed components, and noisy wiring. The author successfully ran their 1993 Pascal compiler and ray tracing software, showcasing impressive hardware skills and the power of open-source tools and online manufacturing. The project is a testament to the enduring appeal of retrocomputing and the accessibility of modern hardware development.

(nanochess.org)

Hardware

NVIDIA's RTX 50 Series: A Disaster Fueled by Monopoly?

2025-07-05

Since the disastrous launch of the RTX 50 series, NVIDIA has faced a barrage of criticism: scalpers control stock, prices far exceed MSRP, power connectors continue to melt, marketing is deceptive, GPUs arrive with missing components, drivers are unstable, and NVIDIA is accused of manipulating media narratives. This reflects a growing indifference to consumer needs, prioritizing data center GPU profits. The RTX 50 series not only perpetuates the 12VHPWR connector melting issues but introduces Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) in drivers, sacrificing image quality for higher frame rates, resulting in blurry visuals. Accusations of intimidating reviewers to influence reviews further damage their reputation. The RTX 50 series launch showcases the negative consequences of NVIDIA's monopoly, harming consumers.

(blog.sebin-nyshkim.net)

Hardware

Mini NAS Showdown: GMKtec G9, Aiffro K100, and Beelink ME mini Compared

2025-07-05

The author downsized their homelab from a 24U rack to a mini-rack, necessitating a smaller NAS. Three mini-NAS options were tested: GMKtec G9, Aiffro K100, and Beelink ME mini. All use Intel N100/N150 chips and support multiple M.2 NVMe SSDs. The G9 offers great value but had initial cooling issues. The K100 is small, cool-running, but pricey and lacks built-in eMMC. The Beelink ME mini is highly expandable and quiet, but some slots have lower bandwidth. The best choice depends on individual needs; the author leans towards the K100, but SSD costs are a factor.

(www.jeffgeerling.com)

Hardware mini NAS hardware review

Intel N150 Mini PC vs. Raspberry Pi 5: A Year Later, the Verdict is In

2025-07-04

A year-long comparison of the Intel N150 mini PC (GMKtec NucBox G3 Plus) and the Raspberry Pi 5 16GB reveals a nuanced picture. While the N150 boasts superior raw performance thanks to its faster processor and (in some configurations) DDR5 RAM, it lags behind the Pi 5 in power efficiency. The performance of N100/N150 systems varies greatly depending on the accompanying RAM, IO, and cooling solutions. Used mini PCs offer a significant cost advantage, but new machines require a careful comparison of specs. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual needs; it's like comparing a bicycle to a car – each has its strengths and weaknesses.

(www.jeffgeerling.com)

Hardware

Massive MicroSD Card Survey Exposes Fakes and Performance Discrepancies

2025-07-02

Tech enthusiast Matt Cole launched a massive MicroSD card survey, testing over 200 cards and writing over 18PB of data. The results revealed counterfeit cards, inflated capacities, and huge performance discrepancies. Cole used 8 machines and 70 card readers, writing 101TB of data daily to assess authenticity, performance, and endurance. The report features comprehensive charts allowing users to quickly understand the pros and cons of different brands and models, recommending top performers like the Kingston Canvas Go! Plus. The survey also found significant performance differences between cards of the same brand purchased from different platforms, for example, Amazon vs. AliExpress.

(www.tomshardware.com)

Hardware MicroSD card data reliability

Effortless Weather Station Data Acquisition with a Raspberry Pi

2025-07-01

The author effortlessly acquired data from an Acurite weather station using a Raspberry Pi and Software Defined Radio (SDR). By installing rtl_433, the Raspberry Pi automatically identified and decoded the weather station's 433MHz wireless signal, displaying temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, and lightning information. For better data visualization, the author also installed WeeWX software and configured the weewx-sdr plugin, ultimately creating a local weather data web dashboard. The process involved configuring sensor mapping and adding udev rules to grant the WeeWX user access to the SDR device.

(www.jeffgeerling.com)

Hardware Weather Station Data Acquisition

Resurrecting a ZX Spectrum 128K+ "Toastrack": A Retro Computing Restoration

2025-07-01

The author reminisces about his childhood with the Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K and details the restoration of a rare ZX Spectrum 128K+ "Toastrack". This vintage machine suffered from various issues, including unreliable power, poor video quality, and a failing keyboard. The author meticulously addressed these problems by replacing the 7805 voltage regulator with a more efficient DC-DC Buck converter, cleaning the edge connector, adding video filters, and replacing the worn-out keyboard membrane. Audio improvements were also made. Finally, using an RGB2HDMI converter, the author achieved crisp HDMI output, breathing new life into the old machine and allowing him to play classic games once more.

(celso.io)

Hardware

Gridfinity: The Free, Open-Source, 3D-Printable Modular Workshop System

2025-06-30

Gridfinity is a free, open-source, and almost entirely 3D-printable modular workshop storage system designed for productivity, organization, and safety. Inspired by Alexander Chappell's Assortment System and Zack Freedman's initial designs, it's now a thriving community project constantly adapting to users' needs. Join the community and contribute to this powerful, customizable system!

(gridfinity.xyz)

Hardware modular storage

Best microSD Cards Under $15 in 2024/2025: A Deep Dive

2025-06-29

This blog post presents a comprehensive review of microSD cards priced under $15 in 2024/2025. The author purchased various brands and capacities, including both name brands and lesser-known options, and rigorously tested them for actual capacity, read/write performance, and endurance. The results reveal a significant presence of counterfeit cards with drastically reduced storage than advertised. Even genuine cards showed variations in capacity and performance across brands and models. A custom testing tool was developed, with the methodology and results meticulously documented and analyzed. The post concludes with recommendations for high-value microSD cards based on the findings.

(www.bahjeez.com)

Hardware microSD card review

Nvidia's Blackwell: A Colossus of Compute, but at What Cost?

2025-06-29

Nvidia's latest Blackwell architecture, exemplified by the RTX PRO 6000, boasts a gargantuan GB202 die (750mm², 92.2 billion transistors) and a staggering 188 SM units, delivering unmatched compute performance. A deep dive into its microarchitecture reveals details on instruction caching, execution units, and memory subsystems, comparing it to AMD's RDNA4. While Blackwell exhibits some imperfections, like L2 cache performance and per-unit efficiency, its sheer scale dwarfs the competition, making it the largest consumer GPU available. This ambition, however, comes at a cost, including power consumption (600W) and L2 latency. The article concludes with a perspective on the future GPU landscape.

(chipsandcheese.com)

Hardware

Category: Hardware