The Mac Mini M6 successfully emulates a 600MHz Pentium II using 86Box, demonstrating high stability and accuracy. Emulation performance benefits from Apple Silicon's fast cores and recent software improvements, though perfect timing remains challenging. (nyaa.sh)
A project integrated a Fluid Implicit Particle fluid simulation into a flipdot display for an installation at EMF2026. The creator faced challenges due to the high cost and manufacturing complexity of flipdot panels, ultimately building a custom solution. (mitxela.com)
The daily digest
Today's best Hacker News stories, summarized and screenshotted, one email a day.
Phyllotaxis uses code to generate natural patterns like sunflower spirals and translates them into physical LED displays. The creator designed a cellular LED matrix based on Voronoi tessellations, combining digital pattern generation with 3D printing techniques. (jagi.studio)
The daily digest
Today's best Hacker News stories, summarized and screenshotted, one email a day.
The ESP32-S31 can now run Linux, bringing it closer to the capabilities of a Raspberry Pi. It features advanced networking, USB, SD card interfaces, and a more powerful CPU, making it a versatile single-board computer. (xda-developers.com)
The daily digest
Today's best Hacker News stories, summarized and screenshotted, one email a day.
Julia Evans replaced the battery in her old rechargeable bike lights by carefully opening the silicone casing, removing screws, and desoldering the old battery with guidance from online resources. The process involved identifying the battery and using community space tools to successfully perform the repair. (jvns.ca)
A fault-tolerant Stratus server from 1993 is still operational after 24 years, with most of its original components replaced. It has never experienced an unplanned shutdown, demonstrating its durability and reliability. (computerworld.com)
Memory manufacturers like Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix have shifted to long-term agreements, reducing supply and driving up prices for consumers. As a result, RAM and SSD costs have surged by over 200%, making high-capacity memory increasingly inaccessible for typical users. (gamersnexus.net)
PaperMono is an e-ink fridge magnet that displays a shopping list and connects to a mobile web page for easy updates. It combines low-power e-ink display technology with web integration for convenient household organization. (github.com)
Amiga screens are display areas used to show graphics, with varying resolutions and color depths depending on hardware upgrades. The original hardware, OCS, allowed users to control screen resolution and colors within hardware limitations, making it popular for graphics and demos. (datagubbe.se)
Casio's CZP-1 synthesizer can now load custom patches via JSON files and share sounds through URLs, enabling easier sound customization and sharing. This process involves downloading patch data, loading it into the device, and using web links to exchange sounds seamlessly. (ambionix.com)
JBR-001 is an open-source desktop robot built with Arduino Uno Q, designed for robotics, computer vision, and AI exploration. It features movable head and arms, a display, and sensors, with source code available on GitHub. (projecthub.arduino.cc)
The Intel 8087's tangent algorithm combines the CORDIC method with polynomial approximations for high accuracy and speed. Reverse-engineering the chip's circuitry revealed how it efficiently performs floating-point calculations using specialized functional blocks. (righto.com)
The CHOMPI portable sampler instrument has been released as open-source, with hardware and software files available on GitHub for developers to customize. The project is discontinued and no further updates will be provided, but the community can discuss and share creations on the CHASE BLISS Discord. (chompiclub.com)
Toyota developed a prototype chair with light-up, independently moving legs, showcasing innovative wheelchair design. However, some designs are overly elaborate or impractical, highlighting the gap between technological potential and user needs. (newmobility.com)
NAND-16 is a computer constructed from 277,248 NAND gates, demonstrating a large-scale digital circuit. It showcases the technical achievement of building a functional computer from basic logic gates. (somethingbig.ai)
The Cartesian Hand is a robotic gripper designed for in-hand manipulation using all-linear fingers. It aims to improve precision and dexterity in robotic object handling tasks. (generalroboticslab.com)
A reverse-engineering project analyzes a $35 AMT630A backup camera display to understand its hardware and software components. The detailed investigation provides insights into the device's inner workings and potential modifications. (github.com)
Tim White revisited woodworking by building a dog gate after a long hiatus, using a simple tutorial and basic tools. Despite some imperfections, he is pleased with the functional design and improved its mounting over time. (notoriousbfg.com)
The Floppy Emu disk emulator experienced hardware failures, prompting an analysis to identify the causes. The results aim to improve the device's reliability for vintage Apple computer enthusiasts. (bigmessowires.com)
Panda is the world's first personal AI computer that runs entirely in a home device, eliminating reliance on data centers and subscriptions. It enables users to chat, code, research, and create media with all processing done locally, ensuring privacy and control. (pandax1.com)
A parent built a custom smart alarm clock for their daughter using a $12 chip, Spotify, Philips Hue, and local school calendar to improve mornings. The device features gentle wake-up routines, no screens at night, and school schedule awareness. (reclaimtheday.substack.com)
Hitachi Energy will invest $528 million to build a new manufacturing plant in Gallman, Mississippi, more than doubling its U.S. production capacity for small and medium-sized power transformers. The facility will produce transformers ranging from 10 MVA to 160 MVA, designed for voltages up to 230 kV. (utilitydive.com)
High-quality digital audio on the ZX Spectrum's 1-bit beeper is achieved through precise assembly programming and hardware techniques, producing results similar to modern systems. Despite its technical complexity and limited practicality, this demonstrates innovative use of the Spectrum's capabilities. (bumbershootsoft.wordpress.com)
OpenClaw remains a topic of interest among users who continue to experiment with or develop their setups. The project's ongoing use varies among individuals since its initial popularity. (news.ycombinator.com)
Galaxy Game, the first coin-operated video game, is undergoing restoration at the Interim Computer Museum, including rebuilding its PDP-11 power supply and refurbishing the electrostatic display tubes. The museum invites visitors to see the restored machine and supports donations to aid its preservation. (icm.museum)
Groundrun automates Wi-Fi setup testing on the ESP32, ensuring reliable connection methods like Bluetooth, Soft AP, and WPS are consistently functional. A simple custom app sends credentials via different protocols to test each setup process. (groundrun.io)
A wall-mounted vegetable garden successfully grows peppers over 2 meters tall. The setup demonstrates innovative vertical gardening techniques. (youtube.com)
A DIRECTV HR54-700 was transformed into a standalone Jellyfin media box, running Linux and playing media via its built-in hardware. The project involved exploiting the device's plugin loader to gain root access and repurposing its existing media capabilities without modifying the firmware. (voidnullvalue.github.io)
PlayBook is a programmable paper notebook that combines traditional writing with digital features. It allows users to customize and interact with paper through embedded electronics and software. (youtube.com)
China's 2.2MW EV chargers are already in service across five cities, enabling charging in under five minutes. The US is considering 750kW chargers, expected to arrive next year after delays from 2026. (electrek.co)
Framework has opened pre-orders for its 192GB Desktop DIY Edition featuring AMD Ryzen AI Max 400 Series, starting at $11,239. Customers can choose between DIY or pre-built options, with the ability to order multiple units and customize configurations. (frame.work)
Volvo Autonomous Solutions has hauled three million tonnes of earth autonomously at mines, surpassing its initial milestone of one million tonnes. The company offers a complete autonomous hauling solution that includes trucks, software, infrastructure, and support for mining operations. (electrek.co)