Jane Street's hardware puzzle involved reverse-engineering a chip that checks solutions for an 11x11 Star Battle puzzle. About 400 submissions from over 30 countries used various programming tools and AI techniques to determine that the chip verifies the placement of two stars per row, column, and region without touching diagonally. (blog.janestreet.com)
Ceiling fans are experiencing increased popularity and innovative designs to improve energy efficiency and airflow. Some models now incorporate smart technology for remote control and automation. (mcmansionhell.com)
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Ultra-wideband radios are used to track household bins with custom firmware and wireless updates, over-engineering a simple reminder system. The setup includes six radio-equipped bins monitored by Home Assistant to determine if they have been moved or put out for collection. (sjg.io)
Google Japan has developed a conveyor-belt keyboard where keys move to the user's fingers to facilitate one-handed typing. The device features four belts with 29 keys each, designed to improve typing efficiency. (tomshardware.com)
Amazon has launched a redesigned Kindle lineup featuring thinner, lighter devices with seamless edge-to-edge color displays and new stylish colors. The new Kindle models include a pocket-sized version, Paperwhite, and Colorsoft, all with improved displays, faster performance, and eco-friendly materials. (aboutamazon.com)
Muse Gadgets offers open source hardware devices that users can build and program using SDKs for platforms like ESP32 and Raspberry Pi. These gadgets can connect to displays, sensors, and actuators to create custom projects such as home automation and media control. (gadgets.muse.ai)
TDK has developed the world's first smart glasses retinal projection display that uses a meta-optic mirror. This technology enables projecting images directly onto the retina for augmented reality applications. (tdk.com)
Linux is being booted on an M4 Mac mini, encountering obstacles from new security features such as SPTM and locked registers. Progress is achieved through custom boot modifications and debugging, allowing basic Linux operation on the device. (yuka.dev)
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)
Transforming an iPhone into a second GPU boosted a MacBook's performance by 29-44%. The Reddit post highlights this innovative approach to using mobile hardware for increased computing power. (reddit.com)
OKI Circuit Technology has developed a 124-layer PCB for wafer inspection equipment used in high-bandwidth memory like HBM on AI semiconductors. The company aims to start mass production by October 2025 at its Joetsu Plant, increasing layer count by 15% over previous designs. (oki.com)
![What if we stopped using GPUs? [video]](https://hntoday.pixelshot.io/screenshots/20261002/e0230e59a6f54530_tn.jpeg)
The video explores the implications of discontinuing GPU use in computing, highlighting potential impacts on performance and technology development. It considers alternative methods for processing tasks traditionally handled by GPUs. (youtube.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)
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)
Sudo is a dedicated music player with offline and streaming capabilities, featuring a tactile control wheel and 64 GB storage, expandable to 1 TB. It is expected to ship in Q4 2027 with a retail price of $249, initially available in select countries. (sudo.music)
A software developer with 25 years of experience explores robotics by building a simple robot arm using a preassembled kit and a Raspberry Pi. He leverages AI tools like Codex to develop control software and safety features, aiming to make robotics more tangible and accessible. (thisismypersonalblog.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)
Boston Dynamics offers advanced robot hands and integrated arms designed for modern AI and industrial work. These robotic solutions are used for inspection, safety, warehouse automation, and various industry applications. (bostondynamics.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)
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)
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)
![PlayBook: A Programmable Paper Notebook [video]](https://hntoday.pixelshot.io/screenshots/20261001/97887f97158e4296_tn.jpeg)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Enki is a GPU compute platform built in pure Rust that uses JIT compilation with Vulkan 1.3. It aims to provide efficient GPU programming capabilities. The project is open source and available on GitHub. (github.com)
Apple's upcoming smart home camera will not record video but will use AI to analyze surroundings and report activity, emphasizing privacy. The device aims to enhance home automation rather than serve as a traditional security camera. (theapplepost.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)
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