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October 5
- Nintendo Switch 2 supports two different types of Nvidia DLSS — A second, 'light' version for upscaling beyond 1080p, along with the standard, PC-like CNN model
➀ Nintendo Switch 2 integrates two Nvidia DLSS versions: a standard CNN-based model for 1080p upscaling with superior image quality, and a 'DLSS Light' for higher resolutions up to 4K at reduced computational cost.
➁ 'DLSS Light' prioritizes docked-mode performance, sacrificing temporal stability for faster rendering but introducing visual artifacts during motion, while the full DLSS model offers smoother motion handling.
➂ The unique hardware collaboration between Nintendo and Nvidia highlights the console's focus on balancing handheld efficiency and docked-mode power, though first-party games have yet to adopt DLSS explicitly.
October 4
- Classic Snake game now playable in your browser URL address bar — JavaScript remake uses Unicode Braille characters to render the game
➀ A developer created a JavaScript-based remake of the classic Snake game playable in a browser's URL address bar using Unicode Braille characters for minimalist rendering;
➁ The game, despite its 40x4 pixel grid and clunky controls, preserves the original's fast-paced gameplay and has an open-source GitHub repository;
➂ Browser history inflates rapidly during gameplay, but cleaning tools mitigate this quirk.
- Crazy Google Japan keyboard design switches keys for dials — the Gboard Dial Edition shows why the software team isn't allowed to design hardware
➀ Google Japan's Gboard team unveiled a dial-based keyboard with open-source designs, replacing traditional keys with concentric rotary dials inspired by vintage telephones;
➁ The Gboard Dial Edition claims ergonomic benefits like reduced RSI risk and nostalgic auditory feedback, while enabling parallel inputs through multiple dial clusters;
➂ The project extends to DIY accessories like a rotary mouse stand for video conferencing controls, with future concepts targeting DJs and performers.
- Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025 — the best cards on the market, benchmarked and ranked
➀ The Nintendo Switch 2 adopts microSD Express cards as expandable storage, offering 9.5x faster speeds than UHS-I cards but requiring early adopter investment;
➀ Through rigorous benchmarks, Lexar Play Pro 1TB and SanDisk 256GB emerge as top-tier choices, balancing speed, capacity, and warranty coverage;
⚠ Nintendo intentionally blocks gameplay from standard microSD cards, positioning microSD Express as mandatory for storage expansion with 128GB-1TB options analyzed.
October 3
- High-performance mice can be used as a microphone to spy on users thanks to AI — Mic-E-Mouse technique harnesses mouse sensors, converts acoustic vibrations into speech
➀ Researchers developed the Mic-E-Mouse technique, utilizing high-DPI mouse sensors (20,000+ DPI) to capture acoustic vibrations and convert them into speech via AI processing;
➀ The attack exploits compromised software (e.g., games or creative apps) to collect raw mouse data, which is then filtered and enhanced through neural networks for 42-61% speech recognition accuracy;
➂ While alarming, this method highlights evolving AI-driven privacy risks and echoes historic surveillance tactics like the KGB's Great Seal bug.
- Taiwan proposes strategic tech alliance with the White House — "Taiwan Model" would help companies invest easily in the U.S. to satisfy demands
➀ Taiwan proposes a 'Taiwan Model' strategic alliance to balance domestic chip production with U.S. investments, offering export guarantees and sharing science park expertise;
➁ The U.S. would provide land, visas, and regulatory support, while Taiwan resists relocating 50% of chip manufacturing to America and seeks expanded tariff exemptions;
➂ TSMC's Arizona expansion highlights both cooperation and U.S. concerns over Taiwan's proximity to China amid geopolitical tensions.
- GameStop promises to keep selling Game Pass Ultimate for $19.99 — company defies Microsoft's 50% price increase
➀ GameStop defies Microsoft's 50% price hike for Game Pass Ultimate, continuing to offer subscriptions at $19.99;
➁ Microsoft's revamped Game Pass tiers now include 400+ games and Ubisoft+ Classics, but face gamer backlash;
➂ Sustainability of GameStop's pricing strategy remains uncertain as it may exhaust existing membership codes.
- How Nvidia's deal with Intel has been decades in the making — Years of rivalry culminated in an unexpected alliance
➀ NVIDIA and Intel announced a multi-billion-dollar partnership to co-develop x86 chips integrating RTX GPU tiles using Intel's Foveros/EMIB packaging technologies, targeting premium laptops and AI PCs;
➁ The partnership leverages Intel's advanced packaging to bypass TSMC's CoWoS bottleneck, while NVIDIA gains x86 ecosystem access without developing CPUs;
➂ The move challenges AMD's APU dominance, offering coherent CPU-GPU memory sharing through NVLink (900GB/s bandwidth) and redefining multi-foundry chip integration strategies.
- SiPearl unveils Europe's first dual-use sovereign processor with 80 cores — expected in 2027 for government, aerospace, and defense applications
➀ SiPearl's Athena1, Europe's first sovereign dual-use 80-core CPU, combines military-grade security and civilian applications;
➀ Based on Arm Neoverse V1 with TSMC 6nm process, supports encrypted communications and defense systems;
➁ Strategic manufacturing shift planned to reduce reliance on Asian supply chains by 2027.
October 2
- Lenovo Legion Go 2 review: AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme makes gains at 800p
➀ The Lenovo Legion Go 2 features AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme for improved gaming performance at 1280x800p;
➁ Upgrades include an OLED display, Hall-effect joysticks, and refined ergonomics, but bulkiness and weight remain issues;
➂ Priced at $1,349.99, it faces stiff competition from lighter, cheaper alternatives like the Steam Deck OLED and Asus ROG Ally X.
- U.S. Commerce Sec. Lutnick says American AI dominates DeepSeek, thanks Trump for AI Action Plan — OpenAI and Anthropic beat Chinese models across 19 different benchmarks
➀ The U.S. NIST report shows OpenAI and Anthropic AI models outperformed China's DeepSeek in 19 benchmarks, especially in software engineering and cybersecurity;
➁ U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick credits Trump's AI Action Plan for accelerating American dominance and warns against reliance on foreign AI;
➂ DeepSeek's newer V3.2 model release may challenge current test results, as the U.S. emphasizes ongoing AI security risks and global leadership.
- Wi-Fi signals can now create accurate images of a room with the help of pre-trained AI — 'LatentCSI' leverages Stable Diffusion 3 to turn Wi-Fi data into a digital paintbrush
➀ Researchers developed 'LatentCSI,' a method combining Wi-Fi CSI data with Stable Diffusion 3 AI to generate high-resolution room images by translating radio signals into latent space;
➁ The system uses pre-trained diffusion models and environmental data to 'fill in gaps' for photorealism, enabling real-time tracking of room layouts and human presence;
➂ While promising for applications like smart homes, privacy concerns arise due to potential surveillance misuse despite current lab-stage limitations.
- Undersea cable attacks drive sea drone development — Stark's Vanta unmanned vessels could be an affordable solution to protecting vital infrastructure
➀ Stark unveiled Vanta-4/Vanta-6 USVs with 900nm range and multi-sensor payloads during NATO drills, targeting undersea cable protection;
➁ The modular drones swarm-operate with naval assets, conducting night patrols and anti-submarine surveillance in response to Baltic sabotage incidents;
➂ Backed by Sequoia and NATO Innovation Fund, the startup valued at $500M positions itself as an affordable mass-deployment maritime security solution.
- AI-generated security camera feed shows Sam Altman getting busted stealing GPUs from Target — ironic video shows OpenAI CEO saying he needs it for Sora inferencing
➀ An AI-generated video shows OpenAI CEO Sam Altman "stealing" a GPU from a Target-like store, humorously claiming it's for Sora 2 inference;
➁ Created using OpenAI's new Sora 2 model, the viral clip highlights the tool's realism and the company's pivot to a TikTok-like social platform for AI content;
➂ The video underscores growing concerns about AI's potential to blur reality and the urgent need for content authenticity verification in the AI era.
October 1
- DJI fervently rejects Chinese Military Company designation following court ruling — drone maker says it 'is not controlled by the government and has no ties to the military'
➀ DJI vehemently denies its designation as a 'Chinese Military Company' by a U.S. court, asserting it operates independently without government or military ties;
➁ The court rejected most U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) allegations but upheld two, which DJI argues are unrelated to military affiliation, citing its civilian-focused policies;
➂ The ruling could impact DJI's U.S. market prospects, though no immediate ban is imposed, and the company plans to explore further legal options.
September 30
- Data center boom sends some wholesale electricity prices soaring up to 267% in five years, says report — as global rollout of AI factories continues apace
➀ Skyrocketing electricity prices near AI data centers have surged up to 267% in five years, straining household budgets in affected regions;
➁ The AI boom drives massive power consumption, with U.S. data centers projected to account for 10% of national electricity demand by 2035;
➂ Solutions like on-site gas turbines face environmental concerns, while tech firms prioritize rapid AI development over sustainability challenges.
- Nvidia's new CPX GPU aims to change the game in AI inference — how the debut of cheaper and cooler GDDR7 memory could redefine AI inference infrastructure
➀ NVIDIA introduces the Rubin CPX GPU, a specialized accelerator for AI inference's context phase using cost-effective GDDR7 memory;
➁ GDDR7 reduces power and cost by 50% compared to HBM3E/HBM4, avoiding CoWoS packaging and enabling distributed AI processing;
➂ The Vera Rubin NVL144 CPX system integrates CPX GPUs with 8 ExaFLOPS performance and Dynamo orchestration for automatic workload optimization.
- China's 96-core x86 CPU taps chiplet design to rival AMD EPYC and Intel Xeon — 13 chiplets per processor provide up to 384 cores on a single motherboard, but no word on power consumption
➀ Zhaoxin unveils KH-50000 server CPUs with 96 cores using chiplet design, matching AMD's 96-core EPYC architecture;
➁ Supports up to 384 cores in 4S configurations, 12-channel DDR5-5200 memory, and PCIe 5.0 lanes, marking China’s progress in chiplet-based solutions;
➂ Designed for China’s domestic market with enhanced security protocols but lacks power efficiency details amid geopolitical challenges.
- Logitech launches MX Master 4 flagship productivity mouse – the best mouse we've tested adds haptic feedback, circular Action Ring shortcuts
➀ Logitech's MX Master 4 elevates productivity with haptic feedback and an "Action Ring" for custom shortcuts, building on the success of the MX Master 3S.
➁ The mouse integrates AI-powered shortcuts (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot) and customizable plugins, alongside improved connectivity and 70-day battery life.
➂ Despite its 150g weight being a drawback for gaming, it remains a top-tier productivity device with macOS/Windows/Linux compatibility.
September 29
- Qualcomm’s 18-core Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme dominates in first benchmarks – 18 cores and 48GB of on-package memory on a 192-bit bus look tough to beat
➀ Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chip, with 18 cores and 48GB LPDDR5X-9523 RAM, claims up to 50% multi-core and 80% GPU performance gains over its predecessor;
➁ Early benchmarks show it outperforms AMD Ryzen 9 HX 370, Intel Core Ultra 9, and Apple M4 in CPU, GPU, and NPU tests, though results are from controlled demo systems;
➂ Set to launch in H1 2025 at premium prices, its market success faces challenges from future Apple/AMD/Intel chips and real-world thermal/pricing factors.
- 'Moscow military spy ship' tracked mapping and surveilling NATO undersea cables — 'She’s following cable lines and pipelines, making stops. We are monitoring her very closely
➀ A Russian military spy ship, Yantar, has been mapped surveilling NATO's critical undersea cables in the Atlantic, raising concerns over potential data interception or sabotage;
➁ The ship, operated by Russia's secretive GUGI unit, deployed submersibles near strategic locations like the Irish Sea and Arctic, threatening internet, energy, and military communications;
➂ NATO nations are ramping up defenses, including underwater drones and sensors, amid fears of disruptions to financial markets and infrastructure.
- EU pushes for Chips Act 2.0 investment as it looks set to miss global silicon production targets by a wide margin — seeks quadrupling of semiconductor investment as $50 billion initiative flounders
➀ EU member states push for quadrupling semiconductor investment to address lagging global production targets;
➀ Europe's 2022 Chips Act aimed for 20% global market share by 2030 but may only reach 11.7%;
➂ Dutch-led coalition proposes streamlined approvals, enhanced funding access, and dedicated budgets to boost EU chip sovereignty.
- Legendary Sound Blaster 2.0 ISA card revived by hardware enthusiast — 1994 relic restored to former glory
➀ A retrocomputing enthusiast successfully repaired a 1994 Sound Blaster 2.0 ISA card by replacing a missing Atmel MCU chip and restoring damaged circuits, reviving its iconic 8-bit audio capabilities;
➁ The Sound Blaster 2.0 revolutionized PC gaming in the 1990s with FM synthesis and Direct Memory Access (DMA), enabling realistic sound effects without taxing CPU performance;
➂ Adrian's restoration process, documented in a YouTube tutorial, highlights the card's historical significance as a bridge between AdLib compatibility and modern digital audio standards.
- Famed gamer creates working 5 million parameter ChatGPT AI model in Minecraft, made with 439 million blocks — AI trained to hold conversations, working model runs inference in the game
➀ A Minecraft developer named Sammyuri built a functional 5-million-parameter ChatGPT-like AI model (CraftGPT) entirely within the game using 439 million Redstone blocks, capable of basic conversations.
➁ Despite its complexity, CraftGPT faces limitations: responses take hours to generate, outputs are often grammatically flawed or nonsensical, and its context window is limited to 64 tokens.
➂ The project demonstrates Minecraft’s engineering potential, with prior feats including 1Hz CPUs and DOOM-running setups, but remains a technical curiosity rather than a practical AI tool.
September 28
- Judge rules that drone maker DJI is affiliated with China’s defense industry — company to stay on Pentagon’s list of Chinese military companies
➀ A U.S. court upheld DJI's designation as a Chinese military company, citing sufficient evidence from the Department of Defense；
➁ DJI will continue operating in the U.S. and pursue legal remedies despite lost business and reputational damage；
➂ Concerns persist over potential Chinese government-mandated backdoors in DJI drones, raising U.S. national security fears
- World's first AirPods-controlled game uses reverse-engineered spatial audio hardware for motion control — undocumented Apple sensor enables 'RidePods - Race with Head' motorbike racing game
➀ The first motion-controlled game using Apple AirPods' spatial audio sensors, 'RidePods - Race with Head,' enables steering via head tilts;
➁ Developer Ali Tanis reverse-engineered Apple's undocumented APIs to create the game, compatible with AirPods Pro and 3rd/4th Gen models;
➂ The game highlights Apple's hidden hardware potential, with future apps possibly leveraging similar sensor innovations.
- Acer Predator XB273K V5 27-inch 4K gaming monitor review: Vivid color and dual refresh rate capable
➀ The Acer Predator XB273K V5 is a highly cost-effective 4K gaming monitor under $400, featuring 160Hz/320Hz dual refresh rates, HDR support, and DCI-P3 color gamut.
➁ With exceptional color accuracy (92% DCI-P3 coverage) and pro-level calibration tools, it delivers sharp 168ppi pixel density and innovative features like Smart Dial remote control.
➂ Despite requiring manual HDR switching and minor out-of-box grayscale issues, its 5300:1 contrast ratio and gaming-focused design make it a top budget 4K choice for gamers and professionals.
September 27
- Samsung takes a scalpel to its 2nm wafer price tag, bringing it down to $20,000 — Korean chipmaker now undercuts rival TSMC by 33%
❶ Samsung slashed its 2nm wafer price to $20,000, undercutting TSMC's $30,000 by 33% to attract clients amid fierce foundry competition.
❷ Despite cutting investments and delaying Texas fab projects, Samsung secured a $16.5B deal with Tesla for AI chip production, boosting its advanced fab capabilities.
❸ TSMC maintains market dominance with 15 major clients for 2nm nodes, including Intel and NVIDIA, leveraging its full-capacity production and premium pricing strategy.
September 26
- The state of Intel: What the company's $5 billion deal with Nvidia could mean for the floundering chipmaker — Investments, capex, and the beating heart of x86
➀ Nvidia invests $5 billion in Intel to co-develop x86 server CPUs and client SoCs, marking a strategic shift for both companies;
➀ The deal provides Intel with immediate financial relief but faces skepticism about its ability to revive the struggling chipmaker amid persistent cash burn and delayed 18A node development;
➂ Geopolitical factors, including U.S. government equity stakes and SoftBank's involvement, underscore the deal's alignment with America-First industrial policies and semiconductor supply chain security.
- OpenAI's significant investments raise more questions than answers — CEO Sam Altman remains tight-lipped about how the company will deliver
➀ OpenAI faces significant financial challenges despite announcing $500 billion Stargate infrastructure plans and $10B chip deals, with $5B losses in 2024 and only $13B projected 2025 revenue;
➁ Potential reliance on a future trillion-dollar IPO and uncertain government investments highlights cash flow risks, while its nonprofit-to-profit transition complicates funding timelines;
➂ The AI industry’s 'bubble' comparisons intensify as companies like NVIDIA and Oracle fuel OpenAI’s growth amid unproven profitability models.