Hardware · Top stories
Conflicting Reports Emerge on Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone Design
Reports conflict regarding Apple's plans for a "single slab of glass" iPhone design, rumored for the 20th anniversary in 2027. While an analyst claimed the project was canceled due to low yield, a Bloomberg report and a leaker's claim suggest the design is still on track, potentially featuring a 7-inch display and under-display Face ID and camera technology.
Marvell Introduces Three-Tier AI Memory Infrastructure, Promotes DDR4 Recycling for CXL
Marvell announced a three-tier "AI memory infrastructure" portfolio at FMS 2026, advocating for the reuse of DDR4 memory with CXL to address rising memory costs and shortages. This initiative includes a new PCIe 6.0 SSD controller and integrates existing CXL expansion controllers, switches, and optical memory technology.
Kyoto University develops 600°C silicon carbide transistor using standard ion implantation
Kyoto University researchers developed a silicon carbide (SiC) transistor capable of operating at 600°C, utilizing standard ion implantation and a bottom-gate design. This advancement addresses leakage and voltage drift issues in high-temperature SiC devices, making it compatible with existing chip manufacturing processes.
Several Smartwatch Models, Including Pixel Watch 2 and Apple Watch Series 6-8, End Software Support in 2026
Multiple popular smartwatch models, including the Pixel Watch 2, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 series, and several Apple Watch models, will cease receiving software updates and new features in 2026. This change means these devices will no longer get security patches, which is significant for users handling sensitive data or making contactless payments.
US Army Tests Autonomous Ford F-250 with Drone-Killing Shotgun Turret
The U.S. Army tested self-driving Ford F-250 trucks equipped with Edda counter-UAS shotgun turrets during a live-fire exercise at Fort Bragg. This development provides autonomous breaching vehicles with the ability to neutralize fast-moving drones, addressing threats posed by FPV drone technology in military operations.
Nvidia GB300-powered DGX Station desktop listed for nearly $100,000
Exxact listed Nvidia's GB300-powered DGX Station desktop, the Valence VWS-158270643, for $94,930, confirming previous price estimates. This makes the enterprise-grade AI workstation available for purchase, offering local AI model fine-tuning and deployment capabilities for businesses.
LG-PRI enters chip packaging market with maskless Laser Direct Imaging machine
LG Electronics Production Technology Institute (LG-PRI) has signed a contract to supply an OSAT with its maskless Laser Direct Imaging (LDI) lithography tool for semiconductor packaging. This move positions LG in the advanced packaging equipment market, offering a tool that can pattern fine interconnects with potential for higher yields.
Supermicro terminates employees after investigation into alleged $2.5 billion AI chip smuggling
Supermicro has fired several employees following an independent investigation into the alleged smuggling of Nvidia AI hardware to China. The investigation concluded that neither the company nor its current senior management had knowledge of the illicit transactions, which reportedly total $2.5 billion since 2024.
Nvidia denies report of China-specific LPU shipments by year-end
Nvidia has refuted a report claiming it would begin shipping a China-tailored Language Processing Unit (LPU) by the end of 2026. The company stated it has no LPU sales in China and no China-specific LPU product on its roadmap. This denial clarifies Nvidia's position on its LPU strategy for the Chinese market amidst ongoing export restrictions.
Sandisk Launches NAS 600 SATA and NAS 800 NVMe SSDs with High Endurance Ratings
Sandisk has released two new series of SSDs, the NAS 600 SATA and NAS 800 NVMe, specifically designed for Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. The NAS 800 series, particularly the 7.68TB model, features an endurance rating of 14 petabytes written (PBW), allowing for daily full drive rewrites over five years, which is significantly higher than typical consumer and some NAS SSDs.
Enterprise SSDs 18.6x more expensive than HDDs; HDD supply sold out through 2027
The price of 30TB TLC enterprise SSDs has risen to $22,600, making them 18.6 times more expensive per terabyte than equivalent hard drives, according to VDURA's Flash Volatility Index. This price disparity, coupled with Seagate and Western Digital reporting nearline HDD output sold out through 2027, significantly impacts the cost and availability of storage for large-scale deployments, particularly for AI infrastructure.
DDR5 Scalper Bots Outnumber Shoppers 10:1, Driving Price Increases
A DataDome researcher reported that bots account for 91% of traffic on one retailer's DDR5 memory product pages, with automated requests hitting listings every 6.5 seconds. This bot activity, combined with supply constraints, has contributed to a significant increase in DDR5 prices, with a 32GB kit rising from $72 to $392 in one year.
Synopsys Validates PCIe 6.0 PHY in 3D Stack at 64 GT/s
Synopsys has published silicon results for a 3D PCIe 6.0 test chip, demonstrating a 5nm PHY operating at 64 GT/s per lane in a face-to-face stacked package. This validation addresses the challenges of integrating high-speed I/O like PCIe into 3D chip stacks, which is crucial for future high-performance computing architectures.
China's LineShine Supercomputer Tops TOP500 List, Highlighting Evolving Benchmarking
China's LineShine supercomputer debuted as the world's fastest on the June 2026 TOP500 list with 2.2 exaflops, marking China's return to the top ranking after 2017. This achievement underscores the increasing complexity of defining "fastest" in supercomputing, as different benchmarks yield varied results and private clusters remain unranked.
SMIC Reports Record $3 Billion Quarter and Hikes Wafer Prices Amid Strong Chinese AI Demand
SMIC achieved its first $3 billion revenue quarter, with a 36.1% year-on-year increase and nearly tripled net profit, and will raise wafer prices for Q3. This growth is driven by Chinese AI data center buildouts, which are cut off from leading-edge foundries like TSMC and Samsung due to US export controls, creating a captive market for SMIC.
Pine64 halts production of Linux devices until at least mid-2027 due to memory shortages
Pine64 has stopped manufacturing all Linux-based devices, including single-board computers, phones, and tablets, citing ongoing DRAM and eMMC shortages. This decision impacts its full lineup of Arm and RISC-V Linux hardware, with production not expected to resume until at least mid-2027. The company, which sells hardware near cost, stated it cannot absorb increased component prices, making it the first vendor to halt an entire product category due to the memory crunch.
Samsung raises foundry prices by up to 15% on 4nm, 5nm, and 8nm processes
Samsung increased prices for new orders on its 4nm, 5nm, and 8nm foundry processes by up to 15% in July, with Chinese customers accepting the largest hikes due to U.S. export controls. This move comes as Samsung's 4nm lines are reportedly at full capacity, driven by AI demand, and could help its foundry business become profitable.
Ajinomoto reportedly cuts ABF supply to China by 30% amid global demand increase
Japanese chemical maker Ajinomoto has reportedly informed Chinese customers of a 30% reduction in the supply of ABF, a critical material for high-end processor packaging. This potential cut, alongside a confirmed 30% price hike, could impact Chinese chip manufacturers who rely heavily on Ajinomoto's dominant market share, and comes as global demand for ABF in servers and networking silicon grows.
IBM develops new modular cryogenic refrigerator for future quantum computers
IBM announced the development and initial cooling of two modules for a new cryogenic dilution refrigerator designed for its future fault-tolerant quantum computers. This advancement is crucial for scaling quantum systems, as it addresses the infrastructure challenges of housing and connecting multiple quantum processors in an ultra-cold environment.
SpaceX recovers Starship from Indian Ocean after 24 days at sea
SpaceX successfully towed its Starship spacecraft to Christmas Island after it remained intact following a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This recovery allows engineers to conduct direct hardware analysis, providing valuable data beyond telemetry for future Starship development.
AMD Details Zen 6 Epyc "Venice" and "Venice-X" CPUs, Featuring Up to 256 Cores and 1.15GB V-Cache
AMD has released initial details for its Zen 6 Epyc "Venice" server processors, including a 256-core variant, and the Venice-X CPU, scheduled for release in the second half of 2027. The Venice-X will feature 1152 MB of 3D V-Cache, 96 cores, and a 5.15 GHz boost clock, targeting high-performance computing workloads. The broader Venice lineup will include a 256-core Epyc 9996, offering up to 1.6 TB/s memory bandwidth and 128 PCIe 6 lanes.
Software Mod Unlocks Up to 64GB VRAM on Nvidia CMP 170HX Mining GPUs
A software-based solution called CMP Unlocker has been developed to restore previously disabled VRAM on Nvidia's CMP 170HX cryptocurrency mining GPUs, increasing their memory capacity from 8GB to 64GB or 10GB to 40GB. This development allows users to access the full physical memory present on the GA100 silicon, which was previously limited by firmware, potentially offering a way to address memory shortages for AI and other demanding applications.
Intel Arc Pro B70 Workstation GPU Price Increases Up To 48% Globally
The price of Intel's Arc Pro B70 workstation GPU has increased by up to 48% in various regions, with the card now costing significantly more than its initial MSRP. This price hike affects the 32GB Battlemage card, which is used for AI workloads, and reflects ongoing component crisis issues.
RTX 2080 Ti VRAM Upgrades to 22GB Offered by Services and Resellers
Services are now offering VRAM upgrades for Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti graphics cards, increasing memory from 11GB to 22GB. This modification involves replacing VRAM modules and adjusting PCB resistors to support a new BIOS, making older GPUs more suitable for current AI workloads. Pre-modified cards are also available for purchase, with one Hong Kong-based seller offering them for $499.
Ukraine reverse-engineers Chinese drone to create MICH 2000, used in Tu-95 bomber attack
Ukraine developed the MICH 2000 long-range drone by reverse-engineering a Chinese ZTK-150 after covertly photographing its production line. This drone, which costs $48,000 and has a 2,000 km range, was reportedly used to destroy a Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber. The development highlights Ukraine's efforts to localize drone production and overcome export restrictions on critical components.
Google Reportedly Collaborates with AMD on 10th-Gen TPU with Integrated CPU Cores
Google is reportedly partnering with AMD to develop its 10th-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), potentially integrating AMD's CPU cores directly into the AI accelerator package. This collaboration suggests Google is exploring hybrid AI ASICs to handle CPU-heavy workloads, particularly for reinforcement learning and agentic models, which require more general-purpose compute alongside accelerator operations.
US Navy 3D Prints Drones and 1,000+ Parts Aboard USS Essex During RIMPAC Transit
The US Navy successfully 3D printed a dozen combat-ready drones and over 1,000 spare parts, including critical Apache helicopter components, aboard the USS Essex during a two-week transit to RIMPAC 2026. This demonstration, using Firestorm Labs' xCell expeditionary manufacturing platform, proves the viability of on-demand additive manufacturing at sea, even in rough conditions. The ability to produce parts and drones on-site reduces reliance on traditional supply chains, potentially cutting resupply times and operational costs for naval operations.
SK hynix offers original purchase price refunds for SSD warranties due to no stock, shortchanging customers
SK hynix is reportedly offering refunds at the original purchase price for malfunctioning SSDs under warranty, rather than replacements, due to a lack of available stock. This policy disadvantages customers because SSD prices have significantly increased due to a global storage shortage, making it impossible to purchase a comparable drive with the refunded amount.
Northrop Grumman Unveils Raid Hunter Anti-Drone System with 50mm Chain Gun
Northrop Grumman introduced Raid Hunter, a short-range air defense system designed to counter drone swarms and cruise missiles using its Chain Gun technology and precision-guided 50mm ammunition. This system addresses the challenge of high-volume, low-cost aerial threats that overwhelm traditional air defense systems, offering a more cost-effective and scalable solution.
Intel Confirms Raptor Lake CPUs Will Remain Core Offerings Due to DDR5 Prices
Intel stated that its Raptor Lake CPUs, which use the LGA 1700 socket, will remain a core part of its portfolio for years due to a "sudden inrush of demand" driven by high DDR5 memory prices. This decision impacts PC builders and the availability of DDR4-compatible motherboards, as Intel works to stabilize supply and pricing for these older generation chips.
Ukraine claims Russian S-71 cruise missile uses Nvidia Jetson Orin AI chip
Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence claims Russia's S-71 'Monochrome' cruise missile incorporates Nvidia Jetson Orin modules for AI capabilities. This suggests the use of commercial AI hardware in advanced military systems, raising questions about supply chains and export controls.
AMD borrows $4.75 billion through senior unsecured debt offering for general corporate purposes
AMD announced a new senior unsecured debt offering to borrow $4.75 billion for general corporate purposes, including potential debt repayment. This move provides AMD with additional capital at attractive rates to finance its increasingly capital-intensive business operations.
Prusa Research Upgrades XL, Core One, and Core One L 3D Printers to Second Generation
Prusa Research announced second-generation upgrades for its XL, Core One, and Core One L 3D printers, designated with a "+" suffix. Existing orders and new purchases will receive the updated models at no additional cost, and upgrade kits will be available for current owners by September. This update provides significant improvements to key models without forcing users to replace their current machines.
StemRad's AstroRad Vest Successfully Tested on Artemis I for Radiation Protection
StemRad's AstroRad radiation-shielding vest was flown to the Moon and back on NASA's uncrewed Artemis I mission, demonstrating its effectiveness in protecting against solar storm radiation. The vest performed comparably to the Orion spacecraft's heavily shielded shelter, offering a solution for astronaut protection in deep space where traditional spacecraft shielding is insufficient.
Google Pixel 11 Series Introduces Extreme Charging Mode and Universal 25W Qi2 Wireless Charging
Google's new Pixel 11 series features an "Extreme Charging Mode" that prioritizes charging speed by reducing background tasks and allowing higher temperatures. All Pixel 11 models now support 25W Qi2 wireless charging, a capability previously limited to the Pixel 10 Pro XL, making Google's Pixelsnap charger fully compatible across the lineup.
Intel CEO invests $12 million in company's $19.7 billion stock offering, signaling foundry confidence
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan invested $12 million of his own money in Intel's recent $19.7 billion stock offering, which Bank of America analysts interpret as a sign of increasing confidence in Intel's foundry business. This capital raise, coupled with expanded capital expenditures, suggests Intel is preparing for both internal and external customer demand for its chip manufacturing services.
PCIe 6.0 SSDs and controllers are nearing commercial availability after delays
PCIe 6.0 SSDs and controllers are approaching commercial release, with Micron and Samsung introducing drives, and Marvell, Phison, and Silicon Motion preparing controllers. The transition to PAM4 signaling in PCIe 6.0 doubled transfer rates but introduced significant development challenges for controllers and interoperability testing, causing delays in its implementation.
Northrop Grumman's MEV Detaches from Optus Satellite, MRV to Provide Future Servicing
Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) has detached from an Optus communications satellite after over a year of service, making way for a new generation of robotic servicing spacecraft. This transition marks an evolution in satellite life extension, moving from direct docking to robotic attachment of propulsion modules, which could extend the operational life of satellites and create a more sustainable space infrastructure.
Google Pixel 11 Pro Series Features Enhanced Scratch and Drop Resistance
Google announced that its Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL models include a new anti-scratch display coating, making them more than twice as scratch-resistant as previous Pixel devices. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold uses a new ceramic glass material and a glass fiber composite back cover, which Google states is three times more durable than the 10 Pro Fold. These durability improvements aim to address common concerns about smartphone longevity.
Tesla plans $10.1 billion solar panel factory in Texas, seeking tax incentives
Tesla has filed documents to build a $10.1 billion solar panel factory, named Project Crystal Sun, southwest of Houston, Texas. The company is seeking tax incentives for the project, which is expected to create 9,700 jobs and begin production in 2029, contributing to Tesla's goal of 100 gigawatts of U.S. manufacturing capacity by 2028.