Hardware · Top stories
Razer Unveils Limited Edition Raiju V3 Pro Signature PS5 Controller
Razer announced the Raiju V3 Pro Signature Edition, a new PS5 controller featuring an open-shell design, magnesium alloy construction, and contactless TMR thumbsticks. This limited-edition controller, with only 1,337 units produced, offers a 2,000Hz HyperPolling wireless rate for PC use and includes six mappable buttons.
Stringman: An $800 Open-Source Room-Scale Gripper Robot
Stringman is an open-source, OSHWA-certified room-scale gripper robot that uses four motors and ceiling-anchored lines to cover an entire room. This design allows it to operate in cluttered environments and offers a large work area volume for its cost, with a 2 kg payload capacity.
Some Pixel Watch Users Report Sudden Battery Drain Issues
Some Pixel Watch users are reporting a significant decrease in battery life, with devices draining up to 20% every few hours. This issue, primarily noted on Reddit, suggests a potential link to recent software updates like the September 2026 update or Google Health updates, though Google has not yet acknowledged the problem.
DockCase Launches Mount Ling 2 Pro, a Hybrid Dock, SSD Enclosure, and Capture Device
DockCase introduced the Mount Ling 2 Pro, a new device combining a USB-C dock, an NVMe SSD enclosure, and a game capture device. It is designed for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Switch 2, offering port expansion and up to 4TB of storage. The Pro version includes an internal capture card, with pricing starting at $109 for the base model during its Kickstarter campaign.
Mercedes-Benz Develops Holographic Heads-Up Display for Future Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz is developing a new holographic display technology that projects images directly into the driver's line of sight, differing from traditional heads-up displays. This system uses a projector and a specialized transparent film with holographic optical elements embedded in the glass to maintain image visibility in various lighting conditions.
Engineer develops FPGA-based Game Boy console with native cartridge ripping and 1080p output
Electronics engineer Thomas Sanfourche created the SGBC, an FPGA-based console that plays original Game Boy cartridges and can rip ROMs to a microSD card. The device outputs video at 1080p with integer scaling and includes SNES controller and Game Boy Link ports.
Single Crystal Turbine Blade Manufacturing Remains Highly Specialized
The production of single crystal turbine blades, critical components in aircraft engines, remains a highly specialized manufacturing process perfected by only a few companies globally. This method, which involves carefully cooling molten metal alloy to form a single crystal, allows blades to withstand extreme temperatures and mechanical stresses. Companies like Rolls-Royce, GE, and Safran are among the few that have mastered this technique, leading to significant investments and acquisitions to secure supply chains.
Apple releases new 70W and 140W power adapters, extension cable, and travel kit
Apple introduced new 70W and 140W power adapters, a power extension cable, and a World Travel Adapter Kit. The power adapters are updated for compatibility with AC Connector 2 accessories and replace previous models, while the travel kit returns after being discontinued.
Subvocal Develops Smart Glasses for Silent Speech-to-Text Input Using RF Sensing
The Subvocal Company, founded by Aarush and Arnav, is developing smart glasses that convert silent mouth movements into text using radio frequency (RF) sensing. This technology allows users to interact with computers discreetly without speaking aloud, addressing limitations of voice input in public or quiet environments.
Creality K3 3D Printer Features KliTek Tool Changer, Lacks Enclosure and TPU Kit at Launch
Creality has released the K3 3D printer, which incorporates a KliTek four-nozzle tool changer system for multi-color and multi-material printing with reduced filament waste. The printer is capable of high-speed printing and supports different nozzle sizes, but it ships without a necessary lid for high-temperature filaments and a TPU printing kit, limiting its initial functionality.
Asus TUF Monitor Blocks Bullet After Passing Through Wall During Gaming Session
An Asus TUF VG258QM gaming monitor stopped a bullet that had penetrated a home's exterior wall, preventing it from striking a user playing Call of Duty. Asus has acknowledged the incident and stated they will investigate, though no replacement has been confirmed.
Apple Watch Always-On Display Shows Incorrect Time After Daylight Saving Change
Some Apple Watch users are reporting that their always-on display is showing the incorrect time following recent daylight saving time changes, despite the primary display updating correctly. This issue has occurred in previous years, and Apple has provided three methods to resolve it. The problem appears to be related to the always-on display not syncing with the time adjustment.
Seeed Studio and TRMNL release a $48 DIY e-paper display kit
Seeed Studio, in collaboration with TRMNL, released a $48 DIY e-paper display kit. This kit allows users to display custom information using their preferred software ecosystem, providing an always-on, passive information display.
MacBook Neo Education Price Increases to $649, Now $150 More Than Launch
Apple has raised the education price of the MacBook Neo to $649, marking a $150 increase from its original student launch price of $499. This new price offers students only a $50 saving compared to the standard retail price. The initial price hike occurred in June, affecting both retail and education pricing.
Jackery Releases Explorer 100D, a Smaller Portable Power Station with LFP Batteries
Jackery introduced the Explorer 100D, a new portable power station that is its smallest to date, measuring 4.6 by 3.4 by 3.4 inches and weighing 1.87 pounds. This device uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, offering a 96Wh capacity and a 3,000 charge cycle lifespan for extended use.
Only Samsung S Pen Pro is locatable using SmartThings Find
Only the Samsung S Pen Pro is officially compatible with SmartThings Find for location tracking. Other S Pens, including those built into Galaxy S Ultra phones and many tablet S Pens, do not support this feature, despite some having Bluetooth capabilities.
Apple's New HomeView Smart Display Priced at $299; Apple TV 4K Price Increases to $299
Apple has introduced HomeView, a new smart display, at a $299 price point, which is seen as an entry-level price for a new product category. Concurrently, the Apple TV 4K (128GB model) has increased in price to $299, continuing a trend of price hikes for the streaming device. This pricing strategy positions HomeView as an accessible new product while making the Apple TV 4K a more specialized, higher-cost offering.
TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper Tablet Reviewed for Note-Taking and General Use
The TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper tablet, featuring a low-glare matte display and stylus, aims to provide a paper-like writing experience while retaining full tablet functionality. However, the device is described as not fully excelling as either a dedicated note-taker or a general-purpose tablet. This matters as it highlights the challenges in combining specialized e-paper alternatives with standard tablet features.
Apple Vision Pro Receives Praise for Immersive Baseball Broadcasts
Apple's Vision Pro is being lauded by tech pundits as the best way to watch baseball, following its "Friday Night Baseball" immersive experience. The 8K, 180-degree 3D video broadcast of a live MLB game provided a highly realistic viewing experience, with a consensus that fewer camera angles improved immersion.
Report suggests AI demand influenced early Mac mini and Mac Studio updates
Apple released updated Mac mini and Mac Studio models ahead of its September event, which a report from The Information attributes to unexpected demand for these devices in AI applications. This early release aimed to address supply issues where some configurations were unavailable for months.
Asus ROG Swift PG32UCWM 32-inch OLED Gaming Monitor Review
The Asus ROG Swift PG32UCWM, a 32-inch Tandem RGB Stripe OLED monitor, offers 4K resolution at 240 Hz and FHD at 480 Hz, with features like Adaptive-Sync, HDR10, and Dolby Vision. This monitor utilizes Tandem RGB Stripe OLED technology for improved image clarity, lower power consumption, and enhanced color volume, positioning it as a premium option in the OLED gaming monitor market.
Asus ROG Gjallar Soundbar Reviewed: Good Audio, Clunky Design
Asus has launched its first gaming soundbar, the ROG Gjallar, a 2.1.2 system with a wireless subwoofer and an audio control hub. While it offers good sound quality for a soundbar, its design is considered clunky and unattractive, with limited customization options for its control hub.
AMD BC-250 Repurposed as Budget Linux Gaming Board, Unlocking PS5 APU Capabilities
The AMD BC-250, a repurposed PlayStation 5 APU, is being used as a budget Linux gaming board, offering performance comparable to the Steam Machine at a lower cost. Community-developed tools allow users to unlock all 40 Compute Units and two additional Zen 2 cores, enhancing its gaming capabilities.
Bolt Graphics Powers On First Zeus GPU Test Chip, Aims for 2028 Volume Production
Bolt Graphics has powered on its first 12nm Zeus GPU test chip, manufactured by TSMC, which ran without issues. This marks an early step for the startup, which plans for volume production of its full Zeus GPU by 2028 and is reportedly seeking $100 million in funding.
Open-Source USB-C LTE Modem Provides Data, SMS, and Voice Calls to Computers
A new open-source USB-C LTE modem board has been developed, allowing computers to access LTE data, send SMS, and make voice calls via a single USB-C connection. This device integrates a nano-SIM slot and presents itself as three standard USB devices, enabling computers to handle calls through a headset or automate interactions with scripts or AI agents.
Gigabyte X870 Aorus Infinity Motherboard Released for Extreme Overclocking
Gigabyte released the X870 Aorus Infinity motherboard, a limited-edition product designed for extreme overclocking with dedicated buttons and an external BCLK generator. The board features fast USB4 connectivity, two PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots, and Wi-Fi 7, but comes at a high price point of $799.99.
Former Microsoft Engineer Builds Custom RAM Board for Vintage PDP-11 Using AI Tools
Dave Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer, designed and built a custom 4MB RAM board for his vintage PDP-11 computer. He utilized ChatGPT and EasyEDA for the design process, creating a Q-Bus compatible card with an FPGA controller and ISSI memory chips. The project encountered a challenge with the PDP-11's word-addressable memory bus, which required an adjustment to the FPGA's memory controller logic.
Modder Adapts 4-kW Air Conditioner Radiator for PC Cooling Benchmarks
A hardware modder repurposed a 4-kW outdoor air conditioner radiator unit into a PC water-cooling system to test its performance with an RTX 5060, RTX 3080, and Intel Core i9 14900K. The custom setup significantly reduced GPU temperatures, but overclocking yielded minimal FPS gains, demonstrating current GPU power/performance curves.
Google to Open 12th Retail Store in Houston on November 6
Google is opening its 12th global retail store, and 11th in the US, in Houston, Texas, on November 6. The new Google Store Houston Galleria will offer Pixel devices, smart home products, on-site repairs, and order pickups.
SwitchBot K11+ Pro Robot Vacuum Features Compact Design, 12,000Pa Suction, and Matter Support
SwitchBot released the K11+ Pro robot vacuum, which features a compact design, a small self-emptying dock, and Matter support for integration with Apple Home. The device offers up to 12,000Pa suction and LiDAR navigation, making it suitable for navigating tight spaces and cleaning various floor types.
Viture Releases Phantom Beast XR Glasses in Partnership with S-GAME for Phantom Blade Zero
Viture launched the Phantom Beast XR Glasses, a special edition of its Beast XR Glasses, in collaboration with S-GAME for the game Phantom Blade Zero. These glasses feature a new design, a metal-and-leather carrying case, and include exclusive game collectibles, while retaining the core display and tracking technology of the standard model.
Intel Moon Lake Chip Details Leaked, Expected to Replace N-Series SoCs by 2028
Leaked specifications for Intel's upcoming Moon Lake chip suggest it will feature four low-power-efficiency (LP-E) cores and no performance cores, with TDPs ranging from 6W to 15W. This configuration indicates Moon Lake is likely intended as a successor to Intel's N-series chips, targeting ultra-budget laptops and mini-PCs by its expected 2028 release.
Former Esports Commentator Develops Custom 3D-Printable Mouse Shell Generator
Bastian Recha, known as "Unskilledcast," demonstrated "Mausstudio," a software that generates customizable 3D-printable mouse shells based on an imported mouse PCB model. The tool detects key component locations on the PCB and creates a shell with adjustable dimensions and features, running locally without AI.
IQOO Neo 12 Mid-Range Phone Launches in China with Premium Specifications
IQOO has launched the Neo 12 in China, a mid-range smartphone featuring high-end specifications such as a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a 185Hz AMOLED display, and a 9,000mAh battery. The device includes advanced cooling, an IP69 rating, and a 50MP main camera, with pricing starting at CNY 4,199 ($630).
Samsung's 2027 Foldable Lineup May Include Galaxy Z Slide and TriFold 2
A leak suggests Samsung's 2027 foldable device lineup could include a new "Galaxy Z Slide" model and a Galaxy Z TriFold 2. This indicates Samsung's continued expansion and diversification of its foldable and slideable phone offerings.
ThermoWorks Releases RFX Meat Mini Wireless Probe for Smaller Cuts
ThermoWorks introduced the RFX Meat Mini, a shorter version of its RFX Meat wireless temperature probe. This new probe is designed for smaller food items like filet mignon or salmon, addressing the length limitations of the original 4.7-inch model.
HyperX Omen 35L Gaming PC Review Highlights Performance and Design
The HyperX Omen 35L gaming PC, in its high-end configuration, delivers 4K gaming performance and features a black-and-white case with extensive RGB lighting. The system includes a Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Nvidia RTX 5080 in the reviewed configuration, but entry-level models are expensive for their hardware.
EasySMX S10 Lite Controller Features Hall Effect Sticks, Detachable Faceplate
The EasySMX S10 Lite, a $40 controller for the Switch 2, includes Hall effect analog sticks, motion controls, and strong haptics. However, its magnetically attached, semi-transparent faceplate is described as cheap-feeling and detracts from the controller's positive attributes, overshadowing its otherwise good features.
Vessev Introduces Electric Hydrofoil Ferries in the US, Targeting Efficient Water Transport
Vessev is deploying electric hydrofoil boats in the US, with the first service planned for Lake Tahoe. These vessels use underwater wings to lift the hull, reducing drag by approximately 66% and making electric propulsion more viable by allowing for smaller, lighter battery packs. The company aims to integrate these electric ferries into public transportation networks.
Dyson launches CameraJet, a £420 electric toothbrush and water flosser combination
Dyson has released the CameraJet, a new electric toothbrush that also functions as a water flosser, priced at £419.99. This product combines two oral hygiene functions into a single device, aiming to justify its high cost by performing both tasks effectively.