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Pebble Smartwatch Source Code Now Open Source

2025-01-27

Pebble Smartwatch Source Code Now Open Source

Google has open-sourced the source code for the once-popular Pebble smartwatch. Pebble achieved massive success through Kickstarter, selling over two million units. Acquired by Fitbit in 2016, Fitbit was later acquired by Google. Despite hardware and software support ceasing eight years ago, Pebble maintains a dedicated fanbase. This release includes most of the Pebble OS source code, encompassing features like notifications, media controls, fitness tracking, and a framework for developing apps in C and JavaScript. While some proprietary code was removed, it provides a significant boost for volunteers in the Rebble project to continue supporting Pebble watches.

(opensource.googleblog.com)

Tech Smartwatch

The Legend of Mel: A Real Programmer's Hexadecimal Blackjack

2025-07-16

This article recounts the story of Mel, a legendary programmer from the 1980s. A master of machine code, Mel wrote a blackjack game for the LGP-30 computer at Royal McBee, later optimizing it for the RPC-4000. He eschewed compilers and optimizing assemblers, manually optimizing code to exploit the drum memory architecture for maximum speed. Even simple loops were ingeniously crafted, using instruction address overflow to terminate, avoiding explicit tests. While forced to add a win/loss switch, he subtly reversed the logic, making the program always win when activated, showcasing his unique style and ethical stance. The article highlights Mel's profound skill and dedication to his craft.

(users.cs.utah.edu)

Development programming legend

Starlink Sells Out in Zimbabwe Amidst High Demand

2024-12-17

Starlink Sells Out in Zimbabwe Amidst High Demand

Starlink's high-speed satellite internet service quickly sold out in Zimbabwe within weeks of its launch, driven by the country's slow, unreliable, and expensive traditional internet infrastructure. High demand led to sell-outs in major cities like Harare, and even spread to other African countries. Despite higher initial costs, Starlink's unlimited data and superior speeds are proving attractive to many, forcing local providers to lower their prices. While currently facing capacity issues in urban areas, Starlink's potential in rural and underserved regions is significant, boosting related industries such as installation services and accessory sales.

(restofworld.org)

Tech satellite internet Zimbabwe

NASA Mass Exodus: Nearly 4,000 Employees Depart Under Trump Admin Cuts

2025-07-27

NASA Mass Exodus: Nearly 4,000 Employees Depart Under Trump Admin Cuts

Nearly 4,000 NASA employees have left the agency through a deferred resignation program implemented under the Trump administration, representing roughly 20% of its workforce. This reduction, coupled with normal attrition, shrinks NASA's staff from 18,000 to 14,000. While NASA received additional funding for Mars missions and lunar return plans, proposed budget cuts and organizational changes have drawn criticism from scientists and space advocacy groups. Over 300 current and former employees signed the "Voyager Declaration," condemning the "rapid and wasteful changes" and urging a halt to further cuts.

(www.kcrw.com)

Tech

Benzene: From Mysterious Molecule to Materials Revolution

2025-06-16

Benzene: From Mysterious Molecule to Materials Revolution

In 1825, Faraday's discovery of benzene marked the beginning of aromatic chemistry. This seemingly simple molecule, with its unique stability and reactivity, became a cornerstone of organic chemistry. From its initial mystery to its widespread use in fields like medicine, energy, and materials science, benzene and its derivatives (such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, fullerenes, graphene, and carbon nanotubes) continue to drive technological advancements. This article reviews the discovery of benzene and its profound impact on scientific development, celebrating its 200th anniversary.

(www.chemistryworld.com)

Tech benzene aromatic hydrocarbons

Otto-m8: A No-Code Visual Platform for AI Workflows

2024-12-23

Otto-m8: A No-Code Visual Platform for AI Workflows

Otto-m8 is a flowchart-based automation platform that allows users to interconnect LLMs and Hugging Face models via a simple visual interface and deploy them as REST APIs. It abstracts the complex process of running AI models into an Input, Process, Output paradigm, enabling users to build various AI workflows, such as chatbots or custom APIs, with minimal to no code. Currently in its MVP stage, Otto-m8's source code is publicly available.

(github.com)

AI No-code Workflow Automation

Insane Compression: Shrinking 10GB of RATP Transit Data to 530KB with Rust

2025-03-03

This weekend project started by browsing the open-data repository of Paris’ public transport network. The author noticed a section on data reuse, featuring external projects using this open data, particularly the RATP status website which visualizes historical disruptions. The GitHub repository contains JSON files queried every 2 minutes for almost a year, totaling over 10GB. The author wondered if this could be compressed better. This post details how they used Rust's interning design pattern to achieve a 2000x compression! Techniques explored include optimizing the interner structure, tuning the data schema, and leveraging interning in serialization. The result? A staggering reduction from 1.1GB of JSON files to a mere 530KB.

(gendignoux.com)

Development Data Compression Interning

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

CenterClick NTP200 Series: Offline GPS Time Servers for Precise Synchronization

2024-12-15

CenterClick introduces the NTP200 series of GPS-based NTP servers, offering precise time synchronization without internet connectivity. The series includes models like NTP200, NTP250, NTP220, and NTP270, each with varying RAM and features such as PoE and alarm outputs. These appliances feature built-in GPS antennas, supporting multiple GNSS constellations, and offer various interfaces and protocols including HTTP, HTTPS, SNMP, and SSH. Management and configuration are handled via a web interface, CLI, or USB, with NTP client tracking capabilities. Suitable for a wide range of applications, from ISPs to hobbyists, the series offers optional accessories such as different antenna lengths and power supplies.

(centerclick.com)

Hardware GPS time server NTP server time synchronization

Norwegian Frigate Sinks After Collision: A Case Study in Human Error

2025-09-11

Norwegian Frigate Sinks After Collision: A Case Study in Human Error

The 2018 sinking of the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Helge Ingstad following a collision with an oil tanker highlights critical flaws in training, communication, and damage control. The investigation revealed human error as the primary cause, stemming from an inexperienced watch officer's misjudgment of a tanker's position and inadequate use of navigational aids. The accident underscores the vulnerability of even modern warships to catastrophic failure due to human factors, despite sophisticated technology. The incident led to numerous recommendations for improved training, enhanced damage control procedures, and better integration of navigational systems, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and preparedness in naval operations.

(www.navylookout.com)

Tech Naval Accident Human Error Damage Control

3D Reconstruction Reveals the Face of St. Thomas Aquinas

2025-02-10

3D Reconstruction Reveals the Face of St. Thomas Aquinas

A new study has used 3D technology to reconstruct the face of St. Thomas Aquinas, based on his skull. Brazilian 3D designer Cicero Moraes and his team combined photographic and structural data with existing iconography to create the image. A separate study, examining the same skull, suggests Aquinas died from a chronic subdural hematoma, possibly caused by a head injury consistent with historical accounts. The reconstruction offers a fascinating glimpse into the appearance of this influential theologian and philosopher, sparking renewed interest in his life and work.

(www.ncregister.com)

Misc 3D reconstruction St. Thomas Aquinas

GitHub Project: Daily Dutch Vocabulary Email Automation

2024-12-27

GitHub Project: Daily Dutch Vocabulary Email Automation

This GitHub project automates the daily delivery of an email containing three C1-level Dutch words, their English translations, and example sentences. The author created this project due to a lack of suitable learning tools, leveraging ChatGPT for word suggestions and AWS services (including Lambda, DynamoDB, and SES) for automation. The project architecture is straightforward but offers room for improvement, such as refactoring the Python code for better performance.

(github.com)

Development automation dutch learning

OmniHuman-1: Rethinking the Scaling-Up of One-Stage Conditioned Human Animation Models

2025-02-04

OmniHuman-1 is an AI model capable of generating realistic human videos. It supports various visual and audio styles, generating videos at any aspect ratio and body proportion (portrait, half-body, full-body). Realism stems from comprehensive motion, lighting, and texture detail. The model handles diverse inputs, including singing, talking, and various poses, even from cartoons or challenging viewpoints. It leverages audio and video driving signals for precise control. Ethical considerations are addressed, with images and audio sourced from public domains or generated models.

(omnihuman-lab.github.io)

AI video generation human animation

Bodyoids: The Ethical and Technological Tightrope of Future Medicine

2025-03-28

Bodyoids: The Ethical and Technological Tightrope of Future Medicine

Scientists propose 'bodyoids,' human-like constructs grown from cells, for medical research and organ transplantation. While offering potential solutions to ethical dilemmas like animal testing, this technology raises profound ethical questions. Do bodyoids deserve human rights? How do we define their life status? How do we secure informed consent for cell donation? These issues demand careful consideration for responsible development and application.

(www.technologyreview.com)

Tech bioethics

FreeBSD 14.3 Officially Adds Dedicated Kernel Module Package Repositories

2025-06-22

FreeBSD 14.3 Officially Adds Dedicated Kernel Module Package Repositories

For a long time, FreeBSD point releases have caused kernel module packages to be incompatible with the kernel version, leading to system crashes. To solve this problem, FreeBSD 14.3 officially introduces separate kernel module package repositories containing modules compatible with the latest kernel version. This addresses a long-standing user issue, improving system stability, particularly fixing system crashes caused by incompatible graphics drivers on desktop/laptop systems. The upgrade involves modifying the `/etc/pkg/FreeBSD.conf` file to include the new kernel module repositories.

(vermaden.wordpress.com)

Development kernel modules

Dark Mode's Energy-Saving Myth Busted: BBC Research Reveals Unexpected Findings

2025-02-20

Dark Mode's Energy-Saving Myth Busted: BBC Research Reveals Unexpected Findings

Contrary to popular belief, using dark mode on apps and websites may not save energy. A BBC Research & Development study found that users often increase screen brightness when using dark mode, negating its potential energy savings and potentially increasing consumption. In their experiment, 80% of participants boosted brightness in dark mode. Furthermore, website responsiveness and data transfer showed little correlation with energy usage. The researchers conclude that relying solely on dark mode or website optimization for energy efficiency is misguided; lowering screen brightness is a more effective approach.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech

Meta's Metaverse Gamble: $60B in Losses and Counting

2025-05-02

Meta's Metaverse Gamble: $60B in Losses and Counting

Meta's Reality Labs reported a $4.2 billion operating loss in Q1 2025, bringing cumulative losses since 2020 to over $60 billion. Reality Labs, responsible for Meta's Quest VR headsets and Ray-Ban smart glasses, is central to Mark Zuckerberg's metaverse vision. Wall Street's skepticism regarding Meta's massive metaverse investment is compounded by new tariffs, potentially driving up device prices. Recent layoffs at Oculus Studios, the unit creating VR/AR content for Quest, further highlight the challenges facing Zuckerberg's ambitious project.

(meta.slashdot.org)

Tech Metaverse Losses

RenderFormer: Global Illumination Neural Rendering without Per-Scene Training

2025-06-01

RenderFormer is a neural rendering pipeline that directly renders an image from a triangle-based scene representation with full global illumination effects, requiring no per-scene training or fine-tuning. Instead of a physics-based approach, it formulates rendering as a sequence-to-sequence transformation: a sequence of tokens representing triangles with reflectance properties is converted into a sequence of output tokens representing small pixel patches. It uses a two-stage transformer-based pipeline: a view-independent stage modeling triangle-to-triangle light transport, and a view-dependent stage transforming ray bundles into pixel values guided by the view-independent stage. No rasterization or ray tracing is needed.

(microsoft.github.io)

AI global illumination

60 Years of Space Mission Patches: A Visual History

2025-01-05

60 Years of Space Mission Patches: A Visual History

This article explores the evolution of space mission patches over six decades, showcasing iconic designs from the Soviet Union, NASA, and SpaceX. It highlights the Gemini 5 mission patch as an example of how astronauts infused personal meaning into their designs. The article contrasts the styles of different agencies: NASA patches often include crew names, while NRO patches are enigmatic and humorous, and ESA patches blend European culture and scientific spirit. These patches are not just memorabilia; they encapsulate the history, technology, and human element of space exploration.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech space mission patches space history

Human Cells Beat in a Pig Embryo Heart for the First Time

2025-06-13

Human Cells Beat in a Pig Embryo Heart for the First Time

A groundbreaking achievement in scientific research! Chinese scientists have successfully grown pig embryos containing human heart cells that survived for 21 days, with the tiny hearts beginning to beat. This research offers a potential solution to the global organ shortage. The team used gene editing to knock out two genes crucial for heart development in pig embryos and then injected human stem cells. Human cells successfully participated in heart formation, growing to the size of a human heart at a similar developmental stage. While the embryos eventually did not survive beyond 21 days, this study provides invaluable experience for future organ growth in animals for transplantation.

(www.nature.com)

Tech organ transplantation

The Zen of Side Projects: A Programmer's Journey Back to Creation

2025-04-04

The Zen of Side Projects: A Programmer's Journey Back to Creation

A programmer, burnt out from excessive gaming, rediscovers the joy of coding through a neglected side project. Choosing SvelteKit, the author emphasizes the process of exploration and experimentation, finding a sense of freedom and creative fulfillment long forgotten. The article argues that the act of creation, rather than the outcome, is paramount; even failure becomes part of a successful journey of discovery. It encourages readers to embrace their own creative outlets, to value the process over perfection, and to find joy in the act of making.

(joshcollinsworth.com)

Development

macOS 15.2 Update Breaks System Replication: Users Face Data Backup Nightmare

2024-12-14

A critical bug in macOS 15.2 has broken the system replication feature, causing data backups to fail with a 'Resource Busy' error, specifically when attempting to copy Preboot or Recovery partitions. Developer Dave Nanian explains that the problem stems from Apple's own code and currently has no easy fix. Users are forced to rely on third-party backup solutions, utilizing a 'Backup - all files' method with a Smart Update to restore their data after a clean system install. This issue is causing significant user frustration, particularly as the holiday season approaches.

(www.shirtpocket.com)

Development system failure data backup

A Flawed Falsification: Re-examining the Real-Number Quantum Theory Experiment

2025-09-17

Renou et al.'s 2021 Nature paper claimed that quantum theory based on real numbers can be experimentally falsified. This post argues otherwise. The paper proposed a test to distinguish between a full quantum gateset using complex numbers and a real-only subset. However, the author demonstrates that a real-only quantum computer, leveraging entanglement, can pass the test. The crucial, hidden assumption is that participating quantum computers begin without entanglement—a detail buried in the supplementary materials, severely undermining the experiment's validity.

(algassert.com)

Tech experimental verification

Tesla Sales Plummet Globally: Germany, Australia, and China Hit Hard

2025-03-09

Tesla Sales Plummet Globally: Germany, Australia, and China Hit Hard

Tesla's sales have plummeted in major markets during Q1 2025. Germany saw a 76.3% year-over-year drop in February sales, Australia a 71.9% decline, and China a 49.16% decrease. Despite the launch of the updated Model Y, sales remain sluggish, with the Model 3 experiencing a dramatic fall. This indicates challenges to Tesla's leading position in several key markets, signaling a significant impediment to its global growth trajectory. Possible factors include product fatigue, CEO controversies, market saturation, and the transition surrounding its best-selling Model Y.

(www.carscoops.com)

Tech sales decline

AI Speeds Up DNA Data Reading, Bringing Practical Use Closer

2025-03-04

AI Speeds Up DNA Data Reading, Bringing Practical Use Closer

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed an AI system called DNAformer that can decode data stored in DNA nearly 90 times faster than previous methods. The system uses a deep learning model to reconstruct DNA sequences, incorporating error correction and data conversion algorithms. It successfully read 100MB of data, including images, audio, and text. This breakthrough promises to accelerate the practical use of DNA data storage, offering new solutions for long-term data preservation.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech DNA storage data reading

Blizzard's Story and Franchise Development Team Unionizes

2025-08-17

Blizzard's Story and Franchise Development Team Unionizes

160 workers on Blizzard's Story and Franchise Development team, including animators, cinematic producers, narrative team members, and archivists, have unionized, marking the first in-house cinematic, animation, and narrative studio union in North American game industry. The union aims to protect workers from issues like misguided policies and instability resulting from layoffs, and improve workplace conditions. Microsoft, Blizzard's parent company, has recognized the union, in line with a labor neutrality policy agreed to in 2022. This follows recent mass layoffs at Microsoft, highlighting concerns about labor rights in the gaming industry.

(aftermath.site)

Game Union

146,000-Year-Old Harbin Skull Identified as Denisovan

2025-06-22

146,000-Year-Old Harbin Skull Identified as Denisovan

A 146,000-year-old skull unearthed in Harbin, China, has been confirmed as belonging to a Denisovan through protein analysis. Initially classified as a new species, *Homo longi*, the remarkably well-preserved skull yielded enough ancient proteins to match those of known Denisovans. This discovery not only reveals what Denisovans looked like but also unveils a fascinating story of the skull's secret preservation for nearly a century following its discovery during the Japanese occupation.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech Denisovan

Princeton University Unveils Infinigen: An Engine for Generating Infinite Photorealistic Worlds

2024-12-23

Princeton University Unveils Infinigen: An Engine for Generating Infinite Photorealistic Worlds

Princeton University's Visual Learning Lab has released Infinigen, an engine that uses procedural generation to create infinitely varied photorealistic worlds. It can generate both indoor and outdoor scenes and offers features like camera configuration, export to various file formats, and the addition of external assets. Built on Blender and incorporating several open-source projects, Infinigen's code is publicly available with comprehensive documentation and tutorials. The research team published papers on the technology at CVPR 2023 and 2024 and encourages community contributions of code, generators, and data.

(github.com)

AI procedural generation virtual worlds

Agora Protocol: Secure, Anonymous National Deliberation

2025-07-20

This paper proposes the Agora Protocol, a technological solution to the problem of societal division created by authoritarian regimes. Leveraging Telegram, the protocol establishes a secure, anonymous, multi-stage deliberation process allowing citizens to discuss and vote on national issues. A meritocratic filtering system ensures the most resonant ideas rise, culminating in a transparent national consensus visible to all participants. Remarkably efficient, it can distill the views of 100 million people into a core group of 100 within six weeks.

(simurgh-beau.github.io)

Tech Agora Protocol Anonymous Deliberation National Consensus

Open-Source AI Video Starter Kit for Browser-Based Production

2025-01-23

Open-Source AI Video Starter Kit for Browser-Based Production

The open-source project video-starter-kit offers a browser-based toolkit for AI-powered video creation. Built with Next.js, Remotion, and fal.ai, it integrates AI models like Minimax, Hunyuan, and LTX, enabling browser-native video processing, multi-clip composition, audio track integration, voiceover support, and extended video duration handling. Developers can leverage ready-to-use UI components and TypeScript support for rapid AI video application development.

(github.com)

Development AI video

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