Huawei Launches First HarmonyOS Laptop, Breaking Free from Windows

2025-05-10
Huawei Launches First HarmonyOS Laptop, Breaking Free from Windows

Huawei unveiled its first laptop powered by its homegrown HarmonyOS in 2025, marking a significant step in its operating system journey. US sanctions forced Huawei to develop its own OS, breaking free from reliance on Windows and Android. Years in the making, HarmonyOS now boasts its own kernel and user interface, supporting multitasking and AI features like Celia, Huawei's AI assistant. While app support is smaller than Windows initially, over 2,000 applications, primarily Chinese ones, are available at launch. Existing Huawei laptops running Windows remain unaffected.

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Tech

Dasung Paperlike 13K: A 13.3-Inch Color E Ink Monitor Arrives

2025-05-09
Dasung Paperlike 13K: A 13.3-Inch Color E Ink Monitor Arrives

Dasung's Paperlike 13K is a 13.3-inch, 3200 x 2400 pixel color e-ink monitor boasting a 300 ppi grayscale resolution and up to 37Hz refresh rate (grayscale). It features USB-C and HDMI inputs, a touchscreen with reverse touch control for Android mirroring, and a sleek aluminum alloy body. Priced at $749 (with a $679 monochrome version), pre-orders ship mid-to-late May 2025. Accessories include a portable stand and magnetic protective cover. While color mode reduces pixel density and offers muted colors compared to LCD, its low power consumption and eye-friendly nature make it ideal for reading and work. Apple device support is currently lacking.

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PineTab-V Updated: A Budget RISC-V Dev Tablet Gets a Refresh

2025-03-17
PineTab-V Updated: A Budget RISC-V Dev Tablet Gets a Refresh

Pine64 has released an updated version of its PineTab-V tablet. This 10.1-inch tablet features a StarFive JH7110 RISC-V processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a detachable backlit keyboard. Improvements include an accelerometer, LED indicator light, and an improved EEPROM ID, along with a fix for slow charging when powered off. It now ships with a Debian-based StarFive GNU/Linux distro. While not a performance powerhouse, the $225 PineTab-V remains attractive to developers and enthusiasts as a RISC-V development platform.

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Hardware

Orange Pi RV2: An Octa-Core RISC-V SBC for $30

2025-03-09
Orange Pi RV2: An Octa-Core RISC-V SBC for $30

Orange Pi has launched its second RISC-V single-board computer, the RV2, featuring an octa-core Ky X1 processor with a 2 TOPS AI accelerator, starting at just $30. This upgrade from their quad-core model boasts enhanced performance, dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, and dual PCIe 2.0 x2 connectors. It also supports WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and a variety of interfaces, with 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB LPDDR4X memory options. While the Ky X1's single-core performance boost isn't groundbreaking, it offers excellent value for a RISC-V board in this price range.

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Framework Launches RISC-V Mainboard for Laptop 13: Open-Source Hardware Takes a Leap

2025-02-04
Framework Launches RISC-V Mainboard for Laptop 13: Open-Source Hardware Takes a Leap

Framework has released its highly anticipated RISC-V mainboard for $199. This drop-in replacement for the Framework Laptop 13's Intel or AMD motherboard features the StarFive JH7110 processor, 8GB of RAM, and supports Ubuntu and Fedora. While performance is comparable to a quad-core ARM Cortex-A55, its significance lies in its open-source nature, aiming to accelerate the RISC-V ecosystem. Kits with a case, storage, and accessories are also available, along with pre-built laptops featuring the RISC-V mainboard.

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Hardware

Google Pixel 4a Update Halves Battery Life for Some Users

2025-01-31
Google Pixel 4a Update Halves Battery Life for Some Users

A recent Google software update for the Pixel 4a, intended to improve battery stability, has unexpectedly halved battery life for some users. Investigations revealed that the Pixel 4a uses two different battery types. The Lishen battery, after the update, experiences a reduced maximum charge voltage and a 50% capacity decrease. Google offers free battery replacements, $100 Google Store credit, or $50 cash compensation, but a rollback isn't possible. This highlights the potential unforeseen consequences of software updates and the importance of manufacturer response.

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