Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Hacker News: Lazy Man's Delight! Binary Modding a Water Dispenser for Hands-Free Operation

2025-01-11

Robbe Derks, tired of pressing buttons to get water, reverse-engineered and modified his ION 900 series water dispenser. Using an Arduino and PICkit, he dumped the firmware from the PIC18F6527 and PIC16F630 microcontrollers. With Ghidra, he reverse-engineered the firmware, identifying functions controlling buttons and valves. He then wrote C code to patch the firmware, adding a feature that dispenses 1 liter of cold water when both the 'room temperature' and 'cold water' buttons are pressed simultaneously. This involved overcoming challenges in reverse engineering and embedded programming, ultimately creating a hands-free water dispensing solution.

(practicapp.com)

Hardware

De-smarting a Marshall Uxbridge: A Hacker's Audiophile Journey

2025-01-11

The author found two discarded Marshall Uxbridge smart speakers and, tired of their 'smart' features, decided to transform them into a high-fidelity stereo system. He disassembled the speakers, removed the original smart modules, and designed and built a new analog circuit featuring active filters and linear power amplifiers. The result is a stunning audio system with precise stereo imaging and a wide frequency range. This project is a testament to the author's skills and passion for high-quality audio.

(tomscii.sig7.se)

Hardware DIY audio analog circuit

Reverse Engineering a BIOS Update Fix for an Old Dell XPS 15

2025-01-11

Driven by nostalgia, the author attempted to update the BIOS of their old 2011 Dell XPS 15 L502X. Hardware issues and a dead battery resulted in a failed BIOS update. Using Ghidra, the author reverse-engineered the update program, pinpointing the faulty code. By modifying the code to bypass battery checks, the BIOS update was finally successful. This is a captivating tale of hardware repair and reverse engineering, showcasing the author's persistence and technical skills.

(www.r9c.net)

Hardware BIOS update hardware repair

Kimchi Fridge: A Korean Culinary Innovation

2025-01-10

The Korean love for kimchi has led to the creation of a unique appliance: the kimchi refrigerator. More than simple storage, it's specifically designed to optimize kimchi fermentation and preservation. Starting with GoldStar's (LG's predecessor) first model in 1984, years of development have resulted in a diverse market with various brands and designs, from top-loading models to multi-drawer units. These fridges maintain precise temperatures and humidity levels while minimizing air circulation, creating ideal fermentation conditions. Some even include UV sterilization. A 2004 survey of South Korean homemakers ranked the kimchi refrigerator as the most desired household appliance, highlighting its cultural significance.

(en.wikipedia.org)

Hardware kimchi refrigerator Korean appliance food preservation

Thunderbolt 5: A Quantum Leap in Speed and Capability

2025-01-10

Thunderbolt 5 has arrived in 2024, bringing a significant performance boost to laptops and monitors. Compared to Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 5 boasts double the bandwidth (up to 120 Gbps), supports up to 8K displays, and offers up to 240W of charging power. This translates to faster file transfers, support for more powerful external GPUs and AI accelerators, and superior display capabilities. While Thunderbolt 5 ports and cables look similar to Thunderbolt 4, the performance gains are substantial. If you demand top-tier performance, Thunderbolt 5 is worth considering, but its current adoption is still limited, and prices are relatively high.

(www.tomsguide.com)

Hardware interface performance upgrade

Samsung to Mass Produce World's First Rollable OLED Laptop Screen

2025-01-10

Samsung Display will begin mass production of the world's first rollable OLED screen for laptops in April 2025. This screen will be featured in Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus G6 Rollable laptop, launching globally in June. The screen expands from a 14-inch 5:4 aspect ratio to a 16.7-inch 8:9 aspect ratio, offering a unique mobile computing experience. Samsung also incorporates its unpolarized Eco² OLED™ technology for the first time in a laptop, reducing panel thickness and power consumption by 30%.

(global.samsungdisplay.com)

Hardware rollable OLED Samsung Display

Retro Tech: Tektronix's Vintage Soldering Training Videos

2025-01-09

This article highlights two vintage soldering training videos produced by Tektronix in the 1970s and 80s. The first video, aimed at assembly line workers, focuses on practical PCB soldering techniques. The second, geared towards repair technicians, delves into more advanced skills like desoldering and PCB repair. Both videos blend practical demonstrations with theoretical knowledge of soldering chemistry and tool usage, showcasing Tektronix's dedication to high-quality soldering.

(hackaday.com)

Hardware retro tech soldering techniques electronics repair

Who Needs a $120 Raspberry Pi 5?

2025-01-09

The Raspberry Pi 5 with 16GB of RAM, priced at $120, raises the question: who would buy it? While a compelling option for some, the author argues that the 2GB or 4GB versions offer better value for most users. However, the 16GB model shines for demanding applications like large language models and running multiple VMs or containers. Performance gains are also noted thanks to the new chip revision and SDRAM tuning. Ultimately, the 16GB Pi 5 targets users needing high memory and performance for specific tasks.

(www.jeffgeerling.com)

Hardware 16GB RAM

Belshazzar's Clock: A DIY Luminous Timepiece

2025-01-08

The author details the creation of 'Belshazzar's Clock', a luminous night clock built using luminous paint, UV LEDs, and a stepper motor. The project utilizes a 100mm diameter duct, 3D-printed parts, and an ESP32C3 microcontroller. Challenges encountered included inconsistent ESP32C3 clone quality and WiFi power consumption issues. Future improvements include aesthetic enhancements and a daylight version using photochromic ink. The project's code is open-source.

(blog.karliner.net)

Hardware

The Unexpected Birth of the First Microcontroller: It Wasn't Rocket Science, It Was Calculators

2025-01-08

This article tells the story of the first microcontroller's creation. It wasn't born from a high-tech project, but rather from Texas Instruments engineer Gary Boone's burnout and family issues. To address the need for customized calculator chips, Boone and his colleagues designed the TMS1802NC, a single-chip calculator containing a processor, memory (RAM and ROM), and I/O—essentially the first microcontroller. Released in 1971, it predated the Intel 4004 microprocessor by two months. This unexpected development not only solved Boone's personal problems but also ushered in a new era for microcontrollers.

(www.eejournal.com)

Hardware microcontroller Texas Instruments

Mecha Comet: A Modular, Open-Source Linux Handheld

2025-01-08

The Mecha Comet is a highly extensible handheld Linux computer, boasting modular hardware and software adaptable to diverse needs. Its open-source design empowers users to create custom extensions, leveraging interfaces like Raspberry Pi HATs and Mikrobus Click boards. Running Mechanix OS (based on Debian), the Comet packs a 1.8GHz quad-core ARM processor, 4GB RAM, and 32GB storage. Designed for ambitious projects ranging from DIY phones and AI assistants to even nanosatellite deployment, the Comet launches on Kickstarter in early Q1 2025.

(mecha.so)

Hardware Handheld Computer Open Source Hardware

Browser-Based VGA 1D Cellular Automata Simulation

2025-01-08

Alexander Mordvintsev's TinyTapeout '09 project runs a 60fps 640x480 VGA signal directly in your browser. This single 160x100 μm chip simulates a scrolling animation of several elementary 1D cellular automata rules. The WebAssembly-based simulator, visualized with SwissGL, displays gate-level activations. This demonstrates impressive computational density, showcasing the ability to fit complex calculations onto a tiny chip. Links to the design repository and demo page are provided.

(znah.net)

Hardware Cellular Automata

Debouncing Switches: It's More Complex Than You Think

2025-01-08

This article delves into the complexities of mechanical switch bouncing. The author conducted experiments on 18 different switch types, revealing bounce times ranging from nanoseconds to hundreds of milliseconds, significantly impacted by switch type and actuation method. The findings highlight the inadequacy of simple software debouncing techniques for all scenarios, emphasizing the need for context-specific hardware or software solutions. Analysis reveals that besides physical contact bounce, analog signal transitions within TTL logic levels contribute to logical bouncing. The results challenge assumptions about switch behavior and call for more robust debouncing strategies.

(www.ganssle.com)

Hardware switch debouncing

Lenovo's CES 2025 Stunners: Rollable Laptop & SteamOS Handheld

2025-01-07

Lenovo made a splash at CES 2025 with several impressive new devices. The standout is the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6, a rollable AI PC with a 14-inch OLED screen that expands to 16.7 inches, dramatically increasing screen real estate. Also unveiled was the Legion Go S, a dual-version handheld gaming console offering both Windows and SteamOS (the first officially licensed SteamOS handheld). Finally, the ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 6 all-in-one features Lenovo Focus Sound, a directional audio technology for enhanced privacy. While innovative, these devices come with a hefty price tag.

(www.wired.com)

Hardware rollable screen

Nvidia Unveils RTX 50 Blackwell GPUs: A $2000 Flagship and DLSS 4's Ambitious Claims

2025-01-07

Nvidia launched its highly anticipated GeForce RTX 50 series at CES 2025, featuring the new Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4. The lineup includes the $2000 RTX 5090, $1000 RTX 5080, $749 RTX 5070 Ti, and $549 RTX 5070. While Nvidia boasts impressive performance claims – notably the RTX 5070 allegedly matching the RTX 4090 with DLSS 4 – real-world benchmarks are needed. The cards feature increased CUDA cores, memory bandwidth, and VRAM, but also significantly higher power consumption. DLSS 4's multi-frame generation raises questions about latency and image quality. Overall, the RTX 50 series shows decent performance improvements and value, although the gap between the top-tier and others is vast, and the RTX 5070's 12GB VRAM might prove limiting.

(www.techspot.com)

Hardware

Lenovo Unveils Legion Go S Handheld with SteamOS

2025-01-07

At CES 2025, Lenovo officially launched its new handheld gaming console, the Legion Go S, officially licensed by Valve and featuring SteamOS. This announcement sparked discussions about its competition with the Steam Deck and Valve's quality control measures for third-party SteamOS devices. Some commentators suggest the Legion Go S may outperform the Steam Deck, but concerns remain regarding driver support and compatibility issues with third-party hardware.

(www.phoronix.com)

Hardware handheld Lenovo

The Evolution of USB On-The-Go: From Chaos to Elegance

2025-01-07

This article traces the evolution of USB On-The-Go (OTG) technology. Starting with the limitations of the host-device architecture in USB 1.1, mobile devices struggled to act as both host and device. The Nokia 770 exemplifies this, requiring special adapters for host functionality. The USB OTG specification addressed this, but inconsistent implementations, such as misuse of AB connectors, arose. USB-C ultimately largely solved many OTG issues with its symmetrical interface and more elegant dual-role mechanism, yet edge cases and compatibility problems persist.

(computer.rip)

Hardware mobile devices

Nvidia Unveils Project Digits: A Personal AI Supercomputer

2025-01-07

At CES 2025, Nvidia launched Project Digits, a compact 'personal AI supercomputer' providing access to its Grace Blackwell hardware platform. Powered by the new GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, it boasts up to a petaflop of computing power, capable of running AI models with up to 200 billion parameters. Targeted at AI researchers, data scientists, and students, Project Digits costs $3,000 and will be available from select partners starting in May.

(techcrunch.com)

Hardware Supercomputer

NVIDIA Blackwell: AI-Powered RTX 50 Series GPUs Revolutionize Graphics

2025-01-07

NVIDIA unveiled the GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, powered by the groundbreaking Blackwell architecture. Leveraging fifth-generation Tensor Cores and fourth-generation RT Cores, these GPUs deliver up to 2x performance improvements through AI-driven rendering. Key features include neural shaders, DLSS 4 (boosting performance up to 8x), and Reflex 2. The RTX 50 series also introduces AI-powered game characters and creator tools, such as RTX Neural Faces and NIM microservices, transforming gaming and content creation.

(nvidianews.nvidia.com)

Hardware RTX 50 Series

Nvidia Unveils Next-Gen RTX 50 Series GPUs: Double the Performance!

2025-01-07

Nvidia officially launched its highly anticipated RTX 50 series GPUs at CES 2025, including the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070. The top-of-the-line RTX 5090, priced at $1999, boasts double the performance of the RTX 4090, featuring 32GB of GDDR7 memory and 21,760 CUDA cores. The RTX 5080, priced at $999, promises double the performance of the RTX 4080. The entire series utilizes the new Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4, resulting in significant performance gains and improved image quality. Laptop versions of the RTX 50 series are also coming, with availability starting in March.

(www.theverge.com)

Hardware

AMD Unveils Next-Gen Handheld Gaming CPUs at CES 2025

2025-01-07

At CES 2025, AMD revealed its next-generation handheld gaming PC chipset: the AMD Zen 2 Extreme, along with the lower-specced Z2 and Z2 Go. The Zen 2 Extreme boasts an RDNA 3.5 GPU, while the Z2 and Z2 Go utilize RDNA 3 and RDNA 2 respectively. This family of APUs aims to lower handheld prices while boosting battery life and performance, targeting devices like the Lenovo Legion Go. AMD also launched its Zen 5-based "Fire Range" HX3D processors for gaming laptops, featuring 3D V-cache technology for enhanced performance and lower temperatures.

(www.ign.com)

Hardware Handheld Gaming

AMD's Beastly Ryzen AI Max+ Debuts: Radical Memory Tech Fuels RDNA 3.5 & Zen 5

2025-01-06

AMD unveiled its 'Strix Halo' Ryzen AI Max series at CES 2025, boasting groundbreaking integrated memory architecture. These APUs pack a 40-core RDNA 3.5 iGPU, delivering monstrous performance for thin-and-light gaming and AI workstations. AMD claims up to 1.4X faster gaming than Intel's Lunar Lake Core Ultra 9 288V, 84% faster rendering than the Apple MacBook M4 Pro, and a staggering 2.2X AI performance advantage over the desktop Nvidia RTX 4090, all while consuming 87% less power. The flagship Ryzen AI Max+ 395 features 16 cores/32 threads, 40 RDNA 3.5 CUs, and supports up to 128GB of shared memory, dynamically allocated between CPU, GPU, and XDNA 2 NPU. Desktop versions are expected in the future.

(www.tomshardware.com)

Hardware

Intel's New Laptop Chips Promise Extended Battery Life

2025-01-06

Intel unveiled its new Core Ultra processors at CES, claiming they will significantly extend laptop battery life. Targeted at business PCs and high-end consumer devices, the new chips aim to boost both battery life and AI performance. Tests showed an HP laptop with the new processor running Microsoft Teams for 10.5 hours and Microsoft 365 for 20.3 hours on a single charge, exceeding the battery life of a comparable Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Dell device. Intel also boasted superior performance in generative AI applications. Processors based on Intel's Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake designs will debut in 2025, initially for business machines before expanding to thin and light laptops, high-performance notebooks, and desktop PCs.

(uk.finance.yahoo.com)

Hardware Processor Battery Life

HDMI 2.2 Arrives: 96Gbps Bandwidth, Ultra96 Cable Required

2025-01-06

At CES 2025, the HDMI Forum announced HDMI 2.2 and its accompanying Ultra96 cable, boasting a groundbreaking 96Gbps bandwidth—double that of HDMI 2.1. This allows for higher resolutions, faster refresh rates, and improved audio-video synchronization. While the connector remains the same, a new Ultra96 cable is necessary to harness the full potential. Targeting demanding applications like AR/VR/MR, large-scale digital signage, and medical imaging, widespread adoption of HDMI 2.2 and Ultra96 cables will take time despite the specification's release.

(www.pcworld.com)

Hardware

Guten: A Revolutionary Pocket-Sized Newspaper Printer

2025-01-05

Guten is a tiny newspaper printer that's changing how we consume news. Imagine printing your favorite news articles on demand, anywhere, anytime, without needing a screen or internet connection. Using thermal printing technology, Guten offers fast, inexpensive, and clear printing. It's not just for news; print recipes, novels, or anything text-based. Guten provides a fresh approach to news consumption and is environmentally friendly by reducing paper waste.

(amanvir.com)

Hardware portable printer news consumption thermal printing

Low-Cost Live Image Description for the Visually Impaired: ESP32-CAM + Phone + Server

2025-01-05

This project details a low-cost, live image description solution for the visually impaired, using an ESP32-CAM, a phone, and a server. The ESP32-CAM captures images at set intervals, which are then sent to an OpenAI API for description. The description is relayed to the user via a webpage on their phone, read aloud via text-to-speech. While the current prototype has limitations—requiring manual camera handling and lacking robust security—it demonstrates the feasibility of the approach and lays groundwork for future development of more sophisticated assistive tools.

(github.com)

Hardware assistive technology

Running a Neural Network on a Calculator: A 56-Hour Train Journey

2025-01-04

A computer science PhD challenged himself to port a convolutional neural network (CNN) to a TI-84 Plus CE graphing calculator during a 56-hour train ride. Overcoming significant hardware limitations, including scarce memory and the lack of native floating-point operations, he successfully trained and ran the network to identify handwritten digits. While slow, the accomplishment demonstrates the feasibility of running AI on severely resource-constrained devices, showcasing ingenious memory management and algorithmic optimizations.

(z80.me)

Hardware neural network

Self-Driving a 1993 Volvo 940 (Part 1: Actuators)

2025-01-04

The author and friends are participating in the 2025 Carbage Run winter edition, a 6-day winter journey across Sweden to the Arctic Circle and back to Helsinki. Their car: a 1993 Volvo 940, almost devoid of electronics. To make it self-driving, they're retrofitting actuators: steering motor, brake booster, and accelerator servo. This post details the process of adapting an electric power steering system from a 2020 Toyota Corolla, replacing the vacuum-assisted braking system with a Bosch iBooster, and using an off-the-shelf RC servo for the accelerator. A Tesla radar sensor was also added. It's a challenging project, with future posts covering wiring and a custom ECU.

(practicapp.com)

Hardware self-driving car modification retrofitting

System76's Thelio Astra: A 128-Core Arm Beast

2025-01-03

System76 unleashed its first workstation-class Arm PC, the Thelio Astra, featuring a monstrous 128-core Ampere Altra Max CPU. Jeff Geerling's extensive review covers benchmarks on both Ubuntu and Windows 11, revealing the Astra's dominance in multi-core performance, even achieving an unofficial world record in Cinebench 2024. While Windows 11 GPU support lags, Linux gaming shines. The high price tag is offset by impressive performance and System76's renowned support, making it a compelling option for professionals, particularly in automotive development.

(www.jeffgeerling.com)

Hardware

Open-Source Ergonomic Keyboard: Ergo S-1 - Build Your Own Comfort

2025-01-03

The Ergo S-1 is an open-source, wireless, split ergonomic keyboard compatible with Cherry/Gateron switches and Cherry/OEM/DCS keycaps, powered by the ZMK firmware. Designed during a period of unemployment, this keyboard prioritizes ease of DIY assembly, making it accessible to a wider audience. The project provides comprehensive assembly instructions, a bill of materials, and Fusion 360 design files, along with support for custom keymaps. While complete kits aren't yet available, pre-built keyboards are sold on Etsy, and the creator is actively working towards easier-to-assemble kits.

(github.com)

Hardware ergonomic keyboard

Category: Hardware