Hardware · Top stories
Boox Launches Three New E-Ink Devices, Including Palma 3, Running Android 16
Boox announced three new e-ink devices, the Note Air6 C, Note Mini C, and Palma 3, all shipping with Android 16. The Note Air6 C is available now, featuring a new processor, improved refresh rate, and AI capabilities, while the Note Mini C and Palma 3 will be released later. This update brings a recent Android version to e-ink hardware, enhancing app compatibility and performance for these specialized devices.
Valve Releases Steam Frame VR Headset Starting at £889, Raising Cost Concerns
Valve has released its new Steam Frame virtual reality headset, priced at £889 for the 256GB model and £1,089 for the 1TB model. The high price point of the Steam Frame contributes to ongoing discussions about increasing VR headset costs potentially making the technology less accessible to consumers.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Reportedly Facing Price Hikes in Korea Starting October 1
A new report indicates that Samsung plans to increase the prices of its Galaxy S26 series smartphones in Korea by approximately $100, effective October 1. This potential price adjustment is attributed to rising component costs and recent price hikes by competitors like Apple.
Xiaomi 18 Fold, Tecno's Bezelless concept, and Motorola Razr Swarovski Edition unveiled at IFA 2026
IFA 2026 featured new smartphone introductions, including Xiaomi's 18 Fold with an in-house XRing O3 chip, Tecno's bezel-less concept phone, and a Swarovski Edition of the Motorola Razr 2026. These devices showcase advancements in foldable design, display technology, and premium customization in the mobile sector.
Thermal Grizzly WireView adapter's 8-pin PCIe connector melts on Radeon RX 7900 XTX
An 8-pin PCIe connector on a Thermal Grizzly WireView monitoring device melted while connected to a Radeon RX 7900 XTX graphics card, causing system instability. This incident suggests that even established 8-pin connectors can experience failure, especially when additional adapters introduce more connection points.
D-Matrix to Present Raptor 3D-DRAM Accelerator for Generative Inference at Hot Chips 2026
D-Matrix will present its Raptor 3D-DRAM accelerator for generative inference at Hot Chips 2026. This technology addresses the growing capacity and bandwidth demands of large language models by stacking compute directly on DRAM dies, offering a potential solution for efficient AI inference.
Modders Halve FSR 4 Render Times on AMD BC-250 Mining APU
Modders reduced FSR 4 processing time on AMD's RDNA 2-based BC-250 APU by nearly half, from 11.51 ms to 5.92 ms at 1440p. This optimization, now in a portable FidelityFX DLL, makes FSR 4 more efficient on older hardware by improving how it handles machine-learning workloads.
ESP32 Bit Pirate Project Enables Browser-Based Hardware Debugging for ESP32-S3
The ESP32 Bit Pirate project introduces a browser-driven platform that converts ESP32-S3 microcontrollers into interactive hardware workbenches. It uses HTML5 APIs like Web Serial and WebUSB to provide firmware flashing, command-line interaction, and protocol analysis directly from a web browser, eliminating the need for local toolchains. This simplifies access to multi-protocol debugging and analysis for various wired and wireless interfaces.
Tomb Raider Runs on 1-Watt ESP32-P4 Microcontroller at 1024x600 Resolution
A developer demonstrated OpenLara, a Tomb Raider port, running on an ESP32-P4 microcontroller development board, achieving a playable 1024x600 pixel experience while consuming approximately 1 watt. This showcases the increasing capabilities of affordable, low-power microcontrollers, which now possess sufficient processing power for tasks previously requiring more robust hardware.
Syitren RM1 Transparent Wall-Mounted CD Player Exceeds Kickstarter Goal
The Syitren RM1, a transparent wall-mounted CD player, has raised over $540,000 on Kickstarter, significantly surpassing its $3,000 goal. This device features visible internal components, Bluetooth audio, and a rechargeable battery, appealing to users seeking physical media and nostalgic design.
JetKVM Releases JetKVM Mini, a Compact and Affordable KVM Device
JetKVM has launched the JetKVM Mini, a smaller and more affordable version of its KVM device, available in wired and wireless models starting at $39. The new device offers native 1080p video capture and USB keyboard/mouse control, utilizing a simplified architecture for cost reduction. This release makes KVM functionality more accessible for individual machines due to its lower price point and compact design.
iPhone 18 Pro Features Faster Wired Charging with Specific Apple Adapter
The new iPhone 18 Pro supports faster wired charging, achieving 0-50% in 15 minutes with Apple's 40W dynamic power adapter. This charging speed is 33% faster than previous Pro iPhones and requires a specific 60-watt USB PD 3.1-compatible adapter with Adjustable Voltage Supply.
iPhone Duo Adds 'Shift Left Edge' Setting to Accommodate Cases
The iPhone Duo includes a new 'Shift Left Edge' display setting that adds a black border to the left side of the outer screen, moving content away from the folding edge. This feature is designed to improve compatibility with cases that might partially cover the display's left edge.
Dbrand Launches MNML Brand for Thin Smartphone Cases and Accessories
Dbrand introduced a new brand called MNML, offering thin, 2mm smartphone cases with a sandstone finish for Google Pixel, Apple iPhone, and Samsung Galaxy models. The new line also includes magnetic wallets and AirPods cases, available online and at Best Buy.
Reddit User Discovers 12 RTX 3070 GPUs from Crypto Mining Rigs in Basement Storage
A Reddit user found two old cryptocurrency mining rigs containing 12 Zotac Nvidia RTX 3070 graphics cards that had been stored in a basement since the end of Ethereum mining. The GPUs show minor wear but are likely salvageable, offering a significant amount of graphics memory in the current market.
Shelly Releases Flood S Gen4, a Low-Cost Matter-Certified Leak Sensor for Apple Home
Shelly launched the Flood S Gen4, a new Matter-certified leak sensor priced under $30, designed for smart home integration. This device features large stainless steel pads for improved water detection and offers compatibility with Apple Home and other smart home platforms.
LTTStore Launches "TrueSpec" USB-C Cables with Printed Specifications
LTTStore has introduced "TrueSpec" USB-C cables that feature printed specifications directly on the cable itself and on the packaging. This initiative addresses the long-standing problem of identifying the capabilities of different USB-C cables, which can vary widely in power delivery and data transfer speeds.
Ikea Releases Badkruka Bluetooth Speaker with Optical Input for $59.99
Ikea has released the Badkruka wireless Bluetooth speaker in the US for $59.99. This larger speaker includes an optical input for home theater connectivity, distinguishing it from Ikea's earlier portable speaker models.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd gen) Released with Design Tweaks and Ultra Features
Bose has released the second-generation QuietComfort Headphones, incorporating design changes and features previously exclusive to the QuietComfort Ultra line. These updates include Immersive Audio, CustomTune calibration, and USB-C lossless audio support, enhancing both sound quality and active noise cancellation.
IFA 2026 Showcases New Laptops, AI Hardware, and Monitors
IFA 2026 featured new computing hardware, including mid-range laptops from Dell, Acer, and Lenovo, and AI computing hardware from Nvidia and AMD. Lenovo introduced the IdeaPad Vibe with customizable colors and AMD Ryzen AI 4000 series or Snapdragon X processors, starting at $699.
Sharge Releases Disk Pro 2 SSD Dock with DIY M.2 Support, Active Cooling, and HDMI
Sharge launched the Disk Pro 2, a compact, magnetic DIY SSD dock that supports M.2 drives up to 8TB, featuring active cooling and an integrated USB/HDMI hub. This new version offers two models, Lite and Ultra, with varying HDMI and card reader speeds, building on the original Disk Pro's functionality.
Mexican Student Develops Acoustic Fire Extinguisher 'Vortex Tech'
A 16-year-old Mexican student, Ángela Karime Venegas Hernández, created an acoustic fire extinguisher named "Vortex Tech." The device uses sound waves to extinguish fires by displacing oxygen, offering a non-polluting alternative to traditional methods.
LeydenJar develops silicon anode technology for improved battery performance
Dutch tech firm LeydenJar developed a pure silicon anode using plasma deposition that resists cracking, increasing battery life, charging speed, and energy density by up to 50%. This innovation addresses a bottleneck in battery technology, with commercial production expected to start in late 2026.
Apple reportedly expanding trade-in program to accept devices with minor cosmetic defects
Apple is reportedly updating its trade-in program to offer full trade-in values for devices with minor cosmetic damage, such as small screen cracks. This change aims to encourage upgrades, particularly for new iPhone models expected to have increased prices.
Yoto Releases Fourth-Generation Yoto Player and Updated Yoto Mini Audio Devices
Yoto has announced the fourth-generation Yoto Player and an updated Yoto Mini, both featuring a new green button for direct content access without Yoto Cards. The new devices include hardware and software upgrades, but also come with increased price points.
Tinkerer builds working room-sized 8-bit computer using 460 recycled 1950s Soviet vacuum tubes
An electronics tinkerer named Mike has constructed a functional 8-bit computer using 460 recycled 1950s Soviet vacuum tubes. This project demonstrates a retro-computing approach, eschewing modern components for historical technology.
Hitachi Launches CO2 Heat Pump Water Heaters with Solar-Friendly Tariff Controls
Hitachi Global Life Solutions introduced a new series of residential EcoCute heat pump water heaters for the Japanese market, with sales starting in November 2026. These models use CO2 refrigerant and feature expanded compatibility with Japanese electricity tariffs that encourage daytime energy consumption, particularly for solar-equipped homes.
Apple Watch Series 12 Reintroduces Ceramic Case Option Starting at $899
Apple has brought back a ceramic case option for its new Apple Watch Series 12, marking the first time since the Series 5 in 2019 that this material is available. This reintroduction provides a more durable and premium-priced alternative to the standard aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium models.
Hypertune Releases Auto-Overclocking Tool for Intel Systems, Claims Up to 60% FPS Boost
Hypertune launched its Gaming Performance Engineering platform, an auto-overclocking tool developed with Intel, after an early access period. The tool optimizes individual Intel-based systems for CPU and GPU performance, network, and Windows features, with internal benchmarks showing frame rate improvements up to 28.2% in specific titles.
Framework Reduces Laptop 13 Pro Memory Prices, Issues Retroactive Refunds
Framework has lowered prices for 32GB and 64GB LPCAMM2 memory in its Laptop 13 Pro, offering retroactive refunds for past orders and applying the new pricing to pending pre-orders through Batch 10. This change is due to securing a limited quantity of Micron LPCAMM2 modules at a reduced cost, partially reversing a previous price increase.
Xiaomi Launches Pad 9 Pro Max Tablet with 13.3-inch Display and Android 17 in China
Xiaomi has introduced the Pad 9 Pro Max, a new Android tablet featuring a 13.3-inch display, Android 17, and a 12,000 mAh battery, initially available in China. This release expands Xiaomi's tablet offerings with a high-end model, providing consumers with more choices in the large-screen tablet market.
Modder Creates Working Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti 16GB by Swapping VRAM and GPU
A Brazilian YouTuber successfully created a functional Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics card with 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM, a configuration that Nvidia had previously considered but did not release. This modification involved combining an RTX 3070 PCB with a 3070 Ti GPU and custom GDDR6 memory chips, demonstrating the feasibility of such a card.
Audio-Technica Releases ATH-AL5NC Open-Back Wireless Headphones for $279
Audio-Technica launched the ATH-AL5NC, its first open-back wireless headphones, priced at $279. These headphones offer a natural sound profile and wireless convenience, but lack active noise cancellation due to their open design.
Apple adds 37 new hardware identifiers ahead of "Surprise and Shine" event
Apple has added 37 new hardware identifiers for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other devices to its backend systems. This action suggests potential product announcements at its upcoming "Surprise and Shine" event, indicating preparations for new device releases.
Apple's iPhone Production Increased 14% in Q2 2026 Amidst Global Smartphone Market Decline
Apple produced 52 million iPhone units in Q2 2026, a 14% year-over-year increase, securing 19% of global production. This occurred while the overall smartphone market declined by 8% year-over-year, leading TrendForce to revise its 2026 global production forecast upwards due to earlier consumer purchases and reversed production cuts.
Apple Watch Shipments Rise 14% in Q2 2026 Amidst Overall Market Decline
Counterpoint Research reported that global smartwatch shipments declined by 4% year-over-year in Q2 2026, but Apple's shipments increased by 14%, securing 20.1% of the market. Huawei led the market with 21.8% share, while Garmin also saw an 11% increase in shipments. This data indicates a shift in market share among major smartwatch manufacturers despite a contracting overall market.
Chinese Scientists Develop Eggshell-Inspired Aluminum for Spacecraft Protection
Chinese scientists have developed a new aluminum material, inspired by the mechanical properties of eggshells, to protect spacecraft from increasing space debris. This material aims to offer enhanced protection against debris fragments, addressing a growing problem as more satellites and spacecraft are launched into orbit.
Pebblebee Releases New "Neon Pulse" Colorways for Clip 5 Android Find Hub Trackers
Pebblebee has introduced new "Hotline Pink" and "Techno Lime" color options for its Clip 5 Android Find Hub trackers, available immediately. These new colors provide cosmetic variations to the existing tracker model, which retains its original functionality and integration with both Android Find Hub and Apple Find My networks.
Orbitkey Integrates Google Find Hub and Apple Find My Tracking into New Key Organizer
Orbitkey has released a new Key Organizer Tracker that combines its key organizer design with built-in Google Find Hub and Apple Find My tracking capabilities. This integration allows users to locate their keys using either network, adding a tracking feature to a common everyday carry item.
SteelSeries Launches $259.99 Aeon Pro Wireless Controller for Xbox and PC
SteelSeries released the Aeon Pro wireless controller for Xbox and PC at a price of $259.99. The controller features an OLED screen, Hall effect joysticks, mechanical switches, and a swappable battery system with two 12-hour batteries and a charging base station. This marks SteelSeries' entry into the high-end controller market.