Hardware · Top stories
Sony Japan Discontinues Last Standalone 4K Blu-ray Player
Sony Japan has marked its UBP-X700/K 4K Blu-ray player as "Discontinued," ending the sale of standalone Blu-ray players from the company in Japan. This move reflects a broader industry shift away from physical media towards streaming, following similar decisions by LG and other Japanese electronics companies.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 3 now available for purchase online
Samsung has made its Galaxy SmartTag 3 item tracker available for online purchase, priced at $29 for a single unit or $99 for a four-pack. The new tracker features a compact design, 550-day battery life, IP67 water and dust resistance, and works with the Galaxy Find network.
Google Releases New Metal Mesh Band for Fitbit Air
Google has released a new Metal Mesh band for the Fitbit Air, offering an alternative to existing strap options. This new band provides a different aesthetic and improved comfort for the screenless wearable.
Elegoo Enters 3D Scanner Market with M1 Ultra, Featuring Five Scanning Modes
Elegoo has released the M1 Ultra, its first 3D scanner, which includes five scanning modes, a 3-inch color touchscreen, and a long battery life. The device requires a high-end PC or Mac for processing and can connect via USB-C or Wi-Fi. It is priced at $1,599 and offers features comparable to other scanners in its price range.
Twelve South Releases Cablesnap 65W Travel Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable
Twelve South launched the Cablesnap 65W travel charger, featuring a built-in retractable USB-C cable, an additional USB-C port, and a USB-A port. This new charger provides up to 65W of shared power and includes international plug adapters for travel convenience.
Oppo Confirms Next Foldable Will Launch in Europe
Oppo has confirmed that its upcoming foldable smartphone, likely the Find N7, will be released in Europe. This marks the first time an Oppo-branded foldable will be available in the region, as previous models were primarily limited to China.
Apple iPod Debuted 25 Years Ago, Offering 1,000 Songs in a Pocket-Sized Device
The original Apple iPod was unveiled 25 years ago today by Steve Jobs, introducing a portable digital music player capable of holding 1,000 songs. This device became a significant product for Apple, contributing to its revival and establishing a new category in personal electronics before the rise of smartphones.
CMF launches Speaker Series, its first portable Bluetooth speakers with customizable designs
CMF, a brand from Nothing, released its first portable Bluetooth speakers, the CMF Speaker Series, available in two sizes. The speakers offer customizable panels and knobs via 3D printing, IP68 water resistance, and up to 18 hours of battery life.
Motorola briefly teases 'Signature 27' phone, potentially for US market
Motorola's website briefly displayed a banner for a new phone called 'Signature 27', a successor to the 'Signature' model. The banner appeared on the US site, suggesting a potential US release for the device, which the previous 'Signature' model did not receive.
Xiaomi 18 Pro to feature enhanced Privacy Display functionality compared to Galaxy S26 Ultra
Xiaomi confirmed its upcoming 18 Pro smartphone will include a "smart privacy screen" feature, similar to the Galaxy S26 Ultra's Privacy Display. Xiaomi's implementation offers greater versatility, supporting floating app windows, split-screen mode, and lockscreen notifications, which expands the utility of privacy-focused display technology.
Leaked diagrams suggest iPhone 18 Pro chip may feature 7 GPU cores and faster RAM
Leaked circuit diagrams for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro suggest the A20 Pro chip could include seven GPU cores and a faster memory interface. These inferences, based on solder diagrams, also indicate an increased L2 cache for the efficiency cores.
Huawei Launches Mate XT 2 Trifold Phone with Inward-Folding Design and Privacy Display
Huawei has released its Mate XT 2 trifold smartphone in China, featuring an inward-folding design and an optional privacy OLED display, similar to Samsung's recent innovations. This launch marks Huawei's adoption of design elements previously seen in Samsung's foldable and flagship devices, indicating a convergence in foldable phone technology and privacy features.
Acer Unveils Project DualPlay Mini Concept: A Gaming Handheld with a Flip-Out Keyboard
Acer introduced Project DualPlay Mini, a concept gaming handheld that converts into a mini-laptop, at IFA 2026. This device features an 8-inch swiveling screen and a flip-out keyboard, aiming to combine portable gaming with productivity. Acer also debuted the Predator Atlas 7 handheld, which has a 7-inch screen and an Intel Arc G3 Extreme SoC.
RugOne Xsnap 7 Pro Rugged Phone Features Detachable Action Camera
RugOne, a Ulefon brand, launched the Xsnap 7 Pro, a rugged smartphone with an IP68 and IP69K rating. The device features a detachable rear camera that functions as a standalone action camera, recording up to 2.7K resolution at 30fps and offering up to 40 minutes of video recording on a single charge. It debuted at MWC 2026 and will be available globally in October for $999.
Ugreen Launches Local AI Smart Home Ecosystem with HomeAgent and MasterAgent Hubs
Ugreen has introduced a new smart home ecosystem centered around local AI hubs, HomeAgent and MasterAgent, designed to process data on-device rather than in the cloud. The lineup includes security cameras, a smart picture frame, and a smart speaker, aiming to provide privacy-focused smart features. The MasterAgent MA100, powered by Nvidia's Jetson Thor, offers up to 2,070 TOPS of AI performance and costs $20,000.
Sony expands ULT Tower speaker line with three new models, starting at $450
Sony introduced three new ULT Tower party speakers: ULT Tower 5, ULT Tower 7, and ULT Tower Max. This expansion offers more affordable options and a new high-end model, broadening the product range for consumers seeking large-scale audio solutions.
Google TV Streamer price increases by $50 to $149.99
Google has raised the price of its 2024 Google TV Streamer by $50, bringing its cost to $149.99 on the Google Store and Best Buy. This price adjustment is attributed to increasing RAM component costs, which have also affected other Google Pixel and Nest products.
Samsung schedules August 27 event for new Galaxy S26 family addition, likely S26 FE
Samsung announced a virtual event on August 27 to introduce a new device in the Galaxy S26 series, which is anticipated to be the Galaxy S26 FE. This event will likely showcase a budget-oriented smartphone with an updated design but similar internal specifications to its predecessor, potentially alongside new tablets and earbuds.
Samsung Odyssey G80HS 6K Gaming Monitor Offers High Pixel Density and Dual Refresh Rates
Samsung has released the Odyssey G80HS, a 32-inch 6K gaming monitor featuring a 6144x3456 resolution at 165 Hz and a dual refresh mode for 3072x1728 at 330 Hz. This monitor pushes pixel density in gaming displays, but requires high-end hardware for optimal performance.
Xbox Releases 25th Anniversary Accessories, Featuring Translucent Green Designs
Microsoft has launched a collection of hardware peripherals to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Xbox console. These accessories, primarily in translucent green, include reskins of existing products from manufacturers like Razer, 8BitDo, GameSir, and Backbone.
Apple Reduces Price of Polishing Cloth to $9
Apple has released an updated version of its Polishing Cloth, now priced at $9, a reduction from its previous $19 cost. The cloth maintains its description as a soft, nonabrasive material suitable for cleaning all Apple displays, including those with nano-texture coating.
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 with OLED screen available October 15, pre-orders open
Asus has opened pre-orders for the ROG Xbox Ally X20, an updated handheld gaming PC featuring an OLED screen and a transforming D-Pad, with availability starting October 15. This release offers a standalone device for $1,299.99 or a bundle with AR glasses and accessories for $2,499.99, providing an upgraded display option for users interested in handheld gaming.
Twelve South Releases Smaller Valet Charging Tray with Increased Wireless Power
Twelve South has introduced a new, more compact version of its Valet charging tray, reducing its depth from 7.5 inches to 4.25-4.5 inches. This updated model increases wireless charging power to 25W, up from 15W in the original, and is priced at $129.99.
Meta pauses subscription plan for Conversation Focus feature on smart glasses after user feedback
Meta has paused its plan to charge a monthly subscription fee for the Conversation Focus feature on its smart glasses, which enhances audio clarity. This decision follows user backlash regarding the proposed fee and rate limits for a feature that operates locally on the device.
Xteink Launches Ultra-Portable X4 Pro E-Reader with Touchscreen and Light
Xteink has released the X4 Pro, an ultra-portable e-reader featuring a touchscreen and built-in front light. Priced at $99, it aims to improve usability over previous models, although it supports only DRM-free ebooks and includes limited software options. This update matters for fans of minimalistic, pocket-sized e-readers seeking enhanced features.
Nothing Launches Phone 4A Pro with Aluminium Body and LED Screen Matrix
Nothing has released the Phone 4A Pro, a £499 aluminium-bodied smartphone with a large camera island featuring an LED matrix. The device is distinguished by its notable design among mid-range offerings and is positioned above the regular Phone 4A. Meanwhile, the Phone 4B, a budget model, introduces the 'B-series' as a more affordable option but will not be available in the US.
Nothing Launches Ear 3A Buds with Audio Recording at $99 Price Point
Nothing introduced its new Ear 3A wireless earbuds for $99, featuring an Audio Snapshot feature for recording audio and calls. The earbuds also come with improved ANC and built-in storage. They connect recordings with the Nothing X app for further functionality.
Unitree's Robot Factory Relies Heavily on Manual Labor, Not Automation
A factory tour of Unitree, a major robot manufacturer, revealed that much of its production, particularly actuator assembly, is performed manually rather than by robots. Despite viral videos suggesting automation, Unitree's IPO prospectus confirms assembly is mainly manual, indicating that human labor remains cost-effective for the company.
US medium-lift rocket market faces uncertainty as Falcon 9 exits commercial launches
The US medium-lift rocket market is experiencing a shift as the Falcon 9 prepares to exit commercial launches by 2028, creating a vacuum for new vehicles. This situation presents an opportunity for new US-built medium-lift rockets to fill the demand, as satellite operators face uncertainty regarding future launch options.
Laptop RAM prices are high, but 8GB is insufficient for modern use
Laptop RAM prices have increased significantly, with an extra 8GB costing $200 on some models. Despite this, 8GB of RAM is no longer adequate for a smooth user experience on current operating systems and applications, making 16GB the practical minimum for new laptops.
New AI Wearables Raise Privacy Concerns with Continuous Recording Capabilities
New AI-powered wearable devices from companies like Amazon and Apple offer continuous recording and transcription features, raising significant privacy concerns. These devices, designed to assist with organization and memory, are pushing legal boundaries regarding consent and data collection.
Intel's EMIB and Foveros Advanced Packaging Roadmaps Evolve for Future CPUs and AI Accelerators
Intel's EMIB and Foveros advanced packaging technologies are becoming more sophisticated and integrated, moving towards system-in-packages (SiPs) the size of 12 reticles. This evolution supports Intel's multi-chiplet strategy for delivering performance and feature enhancements in CPUs and AI accelerators.
Amazon Employs Over 1 Million Robots, Raising Questions for Human Workers
Amazon operates over 1 million robots in its warehouses and plans to expand this fleet, while also employing 1.5 million human workers. This growth in automation is intended to reduce strenuous tasks for humans, but experts note potential issues with collaborative robots dictating work pace and proximity.
Exoskeleton Technology Sees Increased Adoption in Industrial, Military, and Rescue Operations
Exoskeleton devices are being increasingly adopted across various sectors, including industrial, military, and rescue operations, to augment human physical capabilities. This trend is driven by advancements in robotic motors, sensors, and control systems, making the technology more accessible and affordable.
Former EVGA Employee Details Deteriorating Relationship with Nvidia Before 2022 Exit
A former EVGA product manager shared an account of the company's challenges with Nvidia, leading up to EVGA's 2022 exit from the GPU market. Nvidia's direct sales of Founders Edition cards and requirements for partners to sell loss-leading models strained the relationship. This analysis provides insight into the factors that contributed to EVGA discontinuing its GPU business.
Nvidia's RTX 20 Series Launched in 2018, Introducing Real-Time Ray Tracing to PC Gaming
Nvidia released its GeForce RTX 2080 and 2080 Ti graphics cards in 2018, pioneering real-time ray tracing in PC gaming. This launch marked a significant technological shift for GPUs, though initial adoption was slow due to high prices and limited game support.
ABF Substrate Supply Faces Strain from AI Accelerator Demand
The rapid growth in AI accelerators is creating a supply crunch for ABF substrates, essential components for high-end CPUs, GPUs, and AI chips. This issue is compounded by the fact that Ajinomoto, a single company, supplies over 95% of the critical build-up film used in these substrates.
Marvell CEO attributes 241% stock surge to decade-long trust with hyperscale customers
Marvell Technology's CEO, Matt Murphy, stated that the company's 241% stock increase over the past year is due to established trust with major technology companies, particularly in the AI ecosystem. This trust allows Marvell to deliver complex chips on time and at scale, securing partnerships with companies like Nvidia and Google.
AI Data Center Boom Drives Significant Price Increases for SSDs and HDDs
The demand from AI data centers has led to substantial price increases for both Solid-State Drives (SSDs) and Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). This trend impacts consumers and businesses, making storage upgrades more expensive and altering purchasing decisions for data storage.
Soaring Memory Costs Expected to Drive Up iPhone Prices and Impact Tech Industry
The next generation of iPhones is anticipated to have a higher price due to increasing memory costs, a trend affecting the broader tech industry. This price increase reflects a fundamental shift in memory manufacturing, where technological advancements alone can no longer meet demand, necessitating new wafer capacity.