Printers start randomly speaking in tongues after Windows 11 update

Has your printer suddenly started spouting gibberish? A faulty Windows 11 23H2 update from Microsoft – rather than a ghost in the machine – could be the cause. The update in question is KB5050092, a preview released at the end of January. There were several known issues with this update, including problems with some Citrix Read more about Printers start randomly speaking in tongues after Windows 11 update[…]

Firmware update bricks HP printers, makes them unable to use HP cartridges

HP, along with other printer brands, is infamous for issuing firmware updates that brick already-purchased printers that have tried to use third-party ink. In a new form of frustration, HP is now being accused of issuing a firmware update that broke customers’ laser printers—even though the devices are loaded with HP-brand toner. The firmware update Read more about Firmware update bricks HP printers, makes them unable to use HP cartridges[…]

World’s first “Synthetic Biological Intelligence” computer runs on living human cells

The world’s first “biological computer” that fuses human brain cells with silicon hardware to form fluid neural networks has been commercially launched, ushering in a new age of AI technology. The CL1, from Australian company Cortical Labs, offers a whole new kind of computing intelligence – one that’s more dynamic, sustainable and energy efficient than any Read more about World’s first “Synthetic Biological Intelligence” computer runs on living human cells[…]

Lenovo has a convertable T series laptop – with mouse dot

[…] The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 is by far the most interesting of the bunch, with a new convertible body that’s similar to Lenovo’s Yoga laptops, and supports the magnetic Yoga Pen stylus. The laptop comes with up to a 14-inch, 400-nit WUXGA touch display, and inside, you can get up to a Intel Core Ultra Read more about Lenovo has a convertable T series laptop – with mouse dot[…]

The Lenovo Solar PC Concept feels like a device whose time has come

You might be surprised to learn that the first laptop with built-in solar panels is nearly 15 years old. But to me, the bigger shock is that with all the recent advancements in photovoltaic cells, manufacturers haven’t revisited this idea more often. But at MWC 2025, Lenovo is changing that with its Yoga Solar PC Read more about The Lenovo Solar PC Concept feels like a device whose time has come[…]

This Gesture Sensor Is Precise, Cheap, Well-Hidden

In today’s “futuristic tech you can get for $5”, [RealCorebb] shows us a gesture sensor, one of the sci-fi kind. He was doing a desktop clock build, and wanted to add gesture control to it – without any holes that a typical optical sensor needs. After some searching, he’s found Microchip’s MGC3130, a gesture sensing Read more about This Gesture Sensor Is Precise, Cheap, Well-Hidden[…]

HP buys Humane’s AI pins, will brick them in 10 days. Like with their VR hardware, HP likes turning hardware into sustainable junk.

AI hardware startup Humane has given its users just ten (10!) days notice that their Pins will be disconnected. In a note to its customers, the company said AI Pins will “continue to function normally” until 12PM PT on February 28. On that date, users will lose access to essentially all of their device’s features, Read more about HP buys Humane’s AI pins, will brick them in 10 days. Like with their VR hardware, HP likes turning hardware into sustainable junk.[…]

Microcomb chips help pave the way for thousand times more accurate GPS systems

Today, our mobile phones, computers, and GPS systems can give us very accurate time indications and positioning thanks to the over 400 atomic clocks worldwide. All sorts of clocks — be it mechanical, atomic or a smartwatch — are made of two parts: an oscillator and a counter. The oscillator provides a periodic variation of Read more about Microcomb chips help pave the way for thousand times more accurate GPS systems[…]

Nvidia Drops Support for PhysX on Its RTX 50-Series Cards

Earlier this week, Nvidia confirmed in its official forums that “32-bit CUDA applications are deprecated on GeForce RTX 50 series GPUS.” The company’s support page for its “Support plan for 32-bit CUDA” notes that some 32-bit capabilities were removed from CUDA 12.0 but does not mention PhysX. Effectively, the 50 series cards cannot run any Read more about Nvidia Drops Support for PhysX on Its RTX 50-Series Cards[…]

Pebble Founder Is Bringing the Smartwatch Back as Google Open-Sources Its Software

There’s some good news to share for Pebble fans: The no-frills smartwatch is making a comeback. The Verge spoke to Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky today, who says he was able to convince Google to open-source the smartwatch’s operating system. Migicovsky is in the early stages of prototyping a new watch and spinning up a company Read more about Pebble Founder Is Bringing the Smartwatch Back as Google Open-Sources Its Software[…]

A new optical memory platform for super fast calculations

[…] photonics, which offers lower energy consumption and reduced latency than electronics. One of the most promising approaches is in-memory computing, which requires the use of photonic memories. Passing light signals through these memories makes it possible to perform operations nearly instantaneously. But solutions proposed for creating such memories have faced challenges such as low Read more about A new optical memory platform for super fast calculations[…]

Robot arm developed that allows sense of touch

You can probably complete an amazing number of tasks with your hands without looking at them. But if you put on gloves that muffle your sense of touch, many of those simple tasks become frustrating. Take away proprioception — your ability to sense your body’s relative position and movement — and you might even end Read more about Robot arm developed that allows sense of touch[…]

Finally USB decides to use sane terminology to label cables

In 2019, the names used by the USB Implementor Forum’s engineering teams to describe the various speeds of USB got leaked, and the backlash (including our own) was harsh. Names like “USB 3.2 Gen 2” mean nothing to consumers — but neither do marketing-style terms, such as “SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps.” It’s the latter speed-only designation Read more about Finally USB decides to use sane terminology to label cables[…]

FPV Flying In Mixed Reality Is Easier Than You’d Think | Hackaday

Flying a first-person view (FPV) remote controlled aircraft with goggles is an immersive experience that makes you feel as if you’re really sitting in the cockpit of the plane or quadcopter. Unfortunately, while your wearing the goggles, you’re also completely blind to the world around you. That’s why you’re supposed to have a spotter nearby Read more about FPV Flying In Mixed Reality Is Easier Than You’d Think | Hackaday[…]

Xiaomi changes bootloader unlock policy to wait and one device per year. Who owns the device you bought?

[…]A year after introducing waiting periods and a cumbersome community participation and request system, it’s slashed bootloader unlock allowances to just one device per user, per year[…] Historically, manufacturers have let buyers unlock that access and customize what software their phones run. Notable exceptions in the US have, for the most part, only included carrier-specific Read more about Xiaomi changes bootloader unlock policy to wait and one device per year. Who owns the device you bought?[…]

IBM develops fast Chips with light signals

An optical fibre technology can help chips communicate with each other at the speed of light, enabling them to transmit 80 times as much information as they could using traditional electrical connections. That could significantly speed up the training times required for large artificial intelligence models – from months to weeks – while also reducing Read more about IBM develops fast Chips with light signals[…]

Goodbye, annoying car touchscreens. Welcome back, buttons?

For years, car safety experts and everyday drivers have bemoaned the loss of the humble button. Modern cars have almost unilaterally replaced dashboards full of tactile knobs with sleek, iPad-like digital displays, despite concerns these alluring devices might be making distracted driving worse. But there are signs the tide might be shifting. After going all Read more about Goodbye, annoying car touchscreens. Welcome back, buttons?[…]

Spotify’s Car Thing, Due For Bricking, Is Getting an Open Source Second Life

If you have Spotify’s soon-to-be-bricked Car Thing, there are a few ways you can give it a new lease on life. YouTuber Dammit Jeff has showcased modifications to Car Thing that makes the device useful as a desktop music controller, customizable shortcut tool, or a simple digital clock. Ars Technica’s Kevin Purdy reports: Spotify had Read more about Spotify’s Car Thing, Due For Bricking, Is Getting an Open Source Second Life[…]

Recycled wind turbines may one day become tiny homes and floating solar farms

Wind turbines are necessary for ensuring society’s sustainable future, but they still have a recycling problem. Decommissioned installations are destined for landfills in many cases, while the steel parts that actually make it to recycling facilities are only broken down after generating large amounts of (often dirty) greenhouse gas emissions. Two Dutch companies, however, recently Read more about Recycled wind turbines may one day become tiny homes and floating solar farms[…]

Microsoft bricks Windows MR / VR In Windows 11 24H2

Microsoft has removed Windows Mixed Reality from Windows 11. With Windows 11 24H2, the latest major version of Microsoft’s PC operating system, you can no longer use a Windows MR headset in any way – not even on Steam. This includes all the Windows MR headsets from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung, including Read more about Microsoft bricks Windows MR / VR In Windows 11 24H2[…]

Finaly people urge FTC to ban hardware tethering – downgrades, transferral costs, sudden bricking, unexpected subscriptions

Consumer and digital rights activists are calling on the US Federal Trade Commission to stop device-makers using software to reduce product functionality, bricking unloved kit, or adding surprise fees post-purchase. In an eight-page letter [PDF] to the Commission (FTC), the activists mentioned the Google/Levis collaboration on a denim jacket that contained sensors enabling it to Read more about Finaly people urge FTC to ban hardware tethering – downgrades, transferral costs, sudden bricking, unexpected subscriptions[…]

These robots move through the magic of mushrooms

Researchers at Cornell University tapped into fungal mycelia to power a pair of proof-of-concept robots. Mycelia, the underground fungal network that can sprout mushrooms as its above-ground fruit, can sense light and chemical reactions and communicate through electrical signals. This makes it a novel component in hybrid robotics that could someday detect crop conditions otherwise Read more about These robots move through the magic of mushrooms[…]

Revolutionary Quantum Compass Could Soon Make GPS-Free Navigation a Reality

[…] researchers from Sandia National Laboratories have used silicon photonic microchip components to perform a quantum sensing technique called atom interferometry, an ultra-precise way of measuring acceleration. It is the latest milestone toward developing a kind of quantum compass for navigation when GPS signals are unavailable. Sandia National Laboratories scientist Jongmin Lee, left, prepares a Read more about Revolutionary Quantum Compass Could Soon Make GPS-Free Navigation a Reality[…]

For first time, DNA tech offers both data storage and computing functions

Researchers from North Carolina State University and Johns Hopkins University have demonstrated a technology capable of a suite of data storage and computing functions—repeatedly storing, retrieving, computing, erasing or rewriting data—that uses DNA rather than conventional electronics. Previous DNA data storage and computing technologies could complete some but not all of these tasks. The paper, Read more about For first time, DNA tech offers both data storage and computing functions[…]

Intel has finally figured out its long-standing desktop CPU instability issues, hopefully patches in August

The first reports of instability issues with the 13th-gen Intel desktop CPUs started popping up in late 2022, mere months after the models came out. Those issues persisted, and over time, users reported dealing with unexpected and sudden crashes on PCs equipped with the company’s 14th-gen CPUs, as well. Now, Intel has announced that it Read more about Intel has finally figured out its long-standing desktop CPU instability issues, hopefully patches in August[…]