From Tom's Hardware · 40 stories
Indian startup Othisis test-fires 3D-printed fully cryogenic reusable rocket engine
Indian startup Othisis successfully test-fired a 3D-printed, 5 kN fully cryogenic rocket engine prototype. This development demonstrates the potential of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) 3D printing for manufacturing advanced rocket propulsion systems, which could impact the cost and efficiency of space launches.
Best Buy 'repairs' customer's 64GB laptop by removing half its RAM, claiming 32GB maximum
A Best Buy Geek Squad technician 'repaired' a customer's 64GB Lenovo gaming laptop by removing one 32GB RAM stick, stating the unit only accepts a maximum of 32GB RAM, despite the laptop being sold by Best Buy in a 64GB configuration. This action left the customer with half the original memory and raises concerns about warranty repair practices.
Hong Kong PC Retailer Accuses Senior Staff of Running Rival Shop with Stolen Inventory
Future Technology, a PC retailer in Hong Kong, has accused two senior employees of stealing company stock for approximately a year and reselling it through a secret online store called Point Connect. The retailer has referred the case to Hong Kong police and the ICAC, with Point Connect denying the allegations and threatening legal action.
Open Sauce 2026 Maker Festival Showcases New 3D Printing Technologies
The Open Sauce 2026 maker festival featured new 3D printing technologies, including a foldable 3D printer, a non-planar 5-axis 3D printer, and new models from Prusa Research. These innovations demonstrate ongoing development in compact, advanced, and professional 3D printing solutions within the maker community.
German Consumer Group Warns Against Epicooler 'Air Conditioners' as Scam
Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer organization, has labeled Epicooler's "air conditioners" as a scam, reporting that the devices are essentially PC fans with heating elements and do not cool rooms. This warning is significant because it exposes a deceptive marketing practice targeting consumers seeking affordable cooling solutions during hot weather.
Maker compresses 2.9MB song to 21KB using AI codec, prints it on paper as QR codes
A maker named Makestreme used Meta's EnCodec neural audio codec to compress a 2.9MB MP3 song to 21KB, then printed it across eight QR codes on paper. This project demonstrates extreme audio compression using AI and explores novel data storage and transfer methods, though playback relies on the specific neural network decoder.
EPFL Researchers Develop 3D-Printed Sound-Powered Engines for Silent Micro-Drones
Researchers at EPFL's MICROBS lab have developed 3D-printed sound-powered engines that use resonant frequencies to generate thrust, enabling silent micro-drones and a boat. This technology demonstrates a novel method for propulsion using acoustic resonators, potentially leading to new types of robotic matter and silent flying devices.
Modern OLED TVs show similar burn-in to 2017 models after 10,000 hours, but are brighter and more efficient
A longevity test by Rtings.com found that OLED TVs from 2020-2023 exhibit similar burn-in to a 2017 model after 10,000 hours of simulated news channel usage. While burn-in susceptibility remains, newer OLEDs offer significantly higher brightness and improved power efficiency, which can extend their effective lifespan by mitigating burn-in effects in typical use.
xTool M2 Color Craft Laser and Engraver Released with Improved Features and Lower Entry Price
xTool released the M2 color craft laser and engraver, featuring an improved print head, twin positioning cameras, and integrated air assist at a lower starting price of $599. This new model removes the cutting blade and pen options from its predecessor, the M1 Ultra, focusing instead on enhanced laser and printing capabilities.
Thieves swap RTX 5080 GPUs for RTX 3060s in Chinese gaming hotels, stealing $12,000
Two individuals in China swapped high-end RTX 5080 and 5070 GPUs with lower-end RTX 3060s in gaming hotel PCs, going undetected until a power outage led to the discovery of tampering. The thieves were apprehended, having stolen approximately $12,000 worth of GPUs over multiple incidents.
Kentucky Family Rejects $26 Million Offer for Farmland to Become AI Data Center
A Kentucky family declined a $26 million offer from an anonymous AI company to purchase half of their 1,200-acre farmland for a data center. The family, who has owned the land for generations, cited concerns about food production, land preservation, water depletion, and environmental impact. This highlights growing tensions between agricultural land use and the expanding infrastructure needs of the AI industry.
iOS app "Carrier Pidge" simulates message delivery via carrier pigeon at 110 mph
Developer Noah Larrobino released "Carrier Pidge," an iOS app that sends messages at a simulated speed of 110 mph, mimicking carrier pigeon delivery. Messages can take up to 22 hours for cross-continental travel, and virtual pigeons can experience delays, get lost, or "die" en route, impacting message delivery reliability.
Photon Matrix Laser Mosquito Air Defense System Enters Mass Production and Sales
The Photon Matrix Infrared and Blue Laser Mosquito Air Defense system has begun mass production and is now available for purchase, with initial shipments expected this month. This device uses lasers, LiDAR, mmWave radar, and AI vision to detect and eliminate mosquitoes within a six-meter radius, offering a chemical-free alternative for mosquito control.
VLC Media Player Experiences 33-Second MP3 Playback Delay on Windows 11 Due to Microsoft Defender
VLC Media Player users on Windows 11 are reporting delays of up to 33 seconds when playing MP3 files, which VLC developers attribute to Microsoft Defender quarantining the player's plugin cache. This issue causes VLC to spend significant time processing its plugin system before playback begins.
Optical disc shattering linked to cleaning chemicals and foam storage
Optical disc collectors report compact discs (CDs) shattering due to chemical degradation of their polycarbonate substrates. This degradation is attributed to cleaning substances or off-gassing from foam padding in storage cases, adding new concerns to existing issues like bit rot and laser rot for data preservation.
G.Skill Launches Trident Z5 NeoX RGB DDR5-6000 C30 Memory Kit with AMD EXPO ULL
G.Skill released the Trident Z5 NeoX RGB DDR5-6000 C30 memory kit, featuring AMD's EXPO Ultra Low Latency (ULL) technology. This memory kit is designed to optimize performance for AMD Ryzen processors by fine-tuning memory sub-timings.
Modder attaches desktop CPU coolers to ZTE phone for sustained performance, runs games at 1080p
A hardware enthusiast modified a ZTE Nubia Z70 Ultra smartphone by attaching two desktop CPU air coolers to its internal components, creating a miniature desktop PC. This modification allowed the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC to sustain peak performance, achieving high stability scores in benchmarks and running demanding games like The Witcher 3 at 1080p ultra settings. The project demonstrates the potential for mobile chip performance when thermal throttling is eliminated.
Exploit Grants Hardware-Level Control on AMD 2011-2015 CPUs via Single Instruction
A new exploit named Skitter Creek Bath Salts (Skitter) allows access to protected memory areas on AMD CPUs from the 15h and 16h families (2011-2015) using a single instruction. This exploit grants full hardware-level control, including access to the Platform Security Processor and System Management Mode, but requires kernel-level access to the affected machine.
PS5 Emulation Progresses with Playable 3D Games and Steam Deck Boot
PlayStation 5 emulation has advanced significantly, with the KytyPS5 emulator now running two 3D games, XIII (2020) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Wrath of the Mutants, at up to 30 frames per second. Separately, the SharpEmu emulator successfully booted Astro's Playroom on a Steam Deck, demonstrating early cross-platform capability despite low performance.
Keychron Releases C100 8K Macro Pad with 100 Customizable Keys and Apex Switches
Keychron has launched the C100 8K macro pad, a device featuring 100 customizable keys, exclusive Keychron Apex tactile switches, and an 8K polling rate. This product offers extensive customization for users needing dedicated macro controls in gaming, productivity, and specialized applications.
Halcyon Video adds 3D video rental storefront to Jellyfin HTPC for nostalgic browsing
A new open-source, self-hosted application called Halcyon Video provides a 3D video rental store interface for Jellyfin HTPCs, allowing users to browse their media collections in a virtual environment. This project aims to recreate the experience of visiting a physical video rental store, offering a unique way to interact with digital media libraries.
Commodore re-releases TAC-2 joystick with enhanced durability and new color options
Commodore has re-released the TAC-2 joystick, originally from 1983, after 40 years of being out of production. The new version features a strengthened internal assembly, five color options, and LEDs in some models, retailing for $49.99.
Modder creates 'SteamBoy' by fitting Steam Deck components into a Game Boy-sized shell
A modder named PhyFawkes has integrated Steam Deck components into a custom 3D-printed Game Boy-sized shell, creating a device called 'SteamBoy.' This project demonstrates the feasibility of miniaturizing the Steam Deck's core hardware, with plans to incorporate a high-resolution AMOLED display.
Razer Releases Naga V3 Pro Gaming Mouse with Upgraded Sensor and More Buttons
Razer has released the Naga V3 Pro, an updated version of its multi-button gaming mouse, featuring up to 23 programmable buttons and Razer's Focus Pro 50K gen-3 optical sensor. This update provides gamers with a new option for a versatile, high-performance mouse, particularly for MMOs and other games benefiting from extensive button customization.
Undersea Cable Rerouted to Avoid Harry Potter Filming Location After Fan Complaints
The Greenlink Connector, a $580 million undersea power cable between Ireland and Wales, was rerouted after Harry Potter fans protested its planned path through the Freshwater West filming location of Dobby's grave. The project manager was unaware of the site's significance to fans, leading to hundreds of complaints that ultimately changed the cable's route. This incident highlights the unexpected influence of cultural landmarks on infrastructure projects.
Modder connects Radeon RX 9070 XT eGPU to Steam Machine, achieves over 100 FPS in Crimson Desert
A Redditor successfully connected an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT eGPU to a Steam Machine using an M.2 to OCuLink adapter and an external dock, relocating the boot drive to a USB-C port. This modification allowed the Steam Machine to run Crimson Desert at over 100 frames per second on high settings, demonstrating a method to significantly upgrade the graphical performance of the compact gaming PC.
DIY Modder Creates Stirling Engine-Powered Computer Running Tetris on 150mW
A Reddit user developed a microcomputer powered by a miniature Stirling engine, capable of running simple games like Tetris, Snake, and Pong. This project demonstrates an off-grid computing device operating on a minimal power budget of 150 milliwatts.
Noctua finds over half of tested PC cases misstate CPU cooler clearances
Noctua conducted its own measurements of over 100 PC cases and found that 56 of them had significant deviations from officially listed CPU cooler clearance specifications. These inaccuracies can lead to either missed opportunities for larger coolers or compatibility issues where components do not fit as expected.
Yusuke Endoh Creates Piet Quine: A Self-Replicating GIF Image Program
Yusuke Endoh developed a "Piet Quine," a GIF image that functions as both a program and its own visual output, meaning the GIF code prints an exact copy of itself. This technical achievement combines esoteric programming language Piet with the concept of a Quine, a program that reproduces its own source code.
Micron initially offered low reimbursement for Crucial RAM warranty claim, later improved offer
Micron initially offered a customer a refund based on the original purchase price for a faulty Crucial RAM module, which amounted to only 37% of the current market value. After further communication, Micron provided an improved offer, addressing the customer's concerns about the low payout.
Owner of Intel 8080 Rubylith mask seeks restorer for historical artifact
The owner of an original Intel 8080 Rubylith mask, a pre-production layout of the 2 MHz CPU, is seeking a restorer for the artifact. This hand-crafted item represents a significant piece of computing history, showcasing the manual design process before CAD tools.
Return to Castle Wolfenstein now available uncensored in Germany after 24 years
Bethesda Deutschland announced that Return to Castle Wolfenstein is now available in its original, uncut form in Germany. This release ends a 24-year censorship period due to strict German laws regarding Nazi symbolism in video games, which previously required modifications to the game's content.
Pulsar Releases Feinmann F01 Noctua Edition Gaming Mouse with Integrated Hand Cooler
Pulsar has released the Feinmann F01 Noctua Edition, a gaming mouse featuring a built-in 40mm Noctua fan designed to cool the user's hand. This collaboration with Noctua integrates a unique cooling feature into an eSports-oriented mouse, offering a distinct design and functionality at the same price point as the original F01.
Atari ST Public Floppy Database, originally for SidecarTridge, is now publicly accessible
The Atari ST Public Floppy Database, initially designed for the SidecarTridge hardware add-on, is now openly available online for browsing, searching, and downloading .ST disk images. This provides a resource for Atari ST enthusiasts using emulators, other hardware, or original machines to access classic and homebrew software.
NASA Modified ISS Laptops with Standardized Power Connectors to Reduce Weight and Failure Points
NASA modified laptops for the International Space Station (ISS) by replacing modem ports with a standardized 'cannon plug' power connector. This standardization eliminated the need for multiple chargers, reducing weight and potential failure points on the ISS.
Modder converts Steam Controller haptic motors into stereo speakers using custom HID tool
A modder named Pixel1011 developed "Steam Haptics Player," a tool that repurposes the haptic motors in a Steam Controller to function as stereo speakers. This project demonstrates an unconventional use of existing hardware components, offering a novel way to produce audio from a device not designed for it.
Protesters Confront Verrus Representatives Over Proposed Salem Data Center
Protesters brought a guillotine to a Salem City Council meeting to oppose Verrus's proposed $5.1 billion Oakline at Mill Creek data center, leading to Verrus representatives being escorted out by police. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek subsequently terminated a deal to sell 32 acres of land for the project, forcing Verrus to revise its plans despite filing its application before a city-wide data center moratorium.
Apple Mac Pro Celebrates 20th Anniversary, Marking Transition to Intel Processors
Apple's first Mac Pro desktop computer was unveiled 20 years ago, completing the company's transition from PowerPC to Intel x86 processors for its workstation line. This event established a new Mac product line and introduced Intel Xeon-powered performance to Apple's high-end desktops.
User develops tool to shut down PC if GPU power connector pin exceeds 9.5A for 15 seconds
A Reddit user developed a free tool called "12VHPWR Guard" that monitors per-pin power draw on specific NVIDIA GPUs and shuts down the system if any pin exceeds 9.5A for more than 15 seconds. This tool addresses concerns about the reliability of high-density 12+4-pin power connectors on high-end graphics cards, which have been prone to melting issues.
Modder Converts ZimaCube 2 NAS into Gaming PC with External RTX 5060, Achieves Significant Performance Boost
A PC enthusiast modified a ZimaCube 2 NAS into a gaming PC by adding an external RTX 5060 graphics card and a dedicated power supply. This modification resulted in an 828% frame rate improvement in some tests and set a Time Spy world record for the integrated Intel Core i5-1235U CPU, demonstrating unconventional hardware repurposing.