The Commodore 1600 VICmodem was an inexpensive early modem that let owners of Commodore home computers connect to other computers over telephone lines. It plugged into the computer’s user port and operated at 300 bits per second, using the Bell 103 standard. With terminal software, users could dial into bulletin-board systems and commercial online services to exchange messages, download files, or access remote information. The device helped make telecommunications practical for home computer users who previously faced the cost and complexity of connecting a computer to a phone network.
The 1600’s appeal lay in its straightforward setup and relatively low price, rather than speed or advanced features. At 300 baud, transfers were slow by later standards, and the modem required software to manage the connection and display text. Its significance is tied to the period when personal computers were beginning to function as communication tools, not just machines for games and programming. The VICmodem offered Commodore owners an accessible route into that emerging online world, while representing the limitations of the first generation of consumer modems.
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More than 300 Boston Dynamics employees urged executives to stop a deal supplying ICE with modified robot dogs, citing risks to the company and its workers. Executives stood by the sale, saying the robots would not be weaponized. (arstechnica.com)
Micron Taiwan’s new labor agreement raises pay for more than 80% of employees, with production workers’ annual salaries increasing from NT$630,000 to over NT$2 million. It also boosts employer pension contributions to 10% and triples day-shift allowances for production workers. (ec.ltn.com.tw)
Boston Dynamics employees petitioned the company to cancel a $1.3 million ICE contract for four Spot robot dogs and related technology. ICE says the robots will help assess dangerous scenes before agents enter, while workers argue the sale damages the company’s reputation. (wbur.org)
Linux 7.4 adds initial support for Apple’s M4 and A18 Pro chips, enough to boot and display a console, while most hardware features remain unsupported. The kernel also adds support for Google Tensor G5, Qualcomm chips and boards, and Valve’s Steam Frame headset. (phoronix.com)
AI coding tools are making it easier for hobbyists to modify smart TVs and revive abandoned gadgets, including removing ads and replacing outdated interfaces. These changes can improve old devices but also introduce security and reliability risks. (zdnet.com)
Intel agreed to acquire quantum software company Classiq, combining its synthesis platform with Intel’s spin-qubit hardware and software. The deal aims to create an accessible, full-stack quantum computing platform that can scale toward mainstream use. (intc.com)
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