Author page description
May 16
- Pliops expands AI's context windows with 3D NAND-based accelerator – can accelerate certain inference workflows by up to eight times
➀ Pliops introduces XDP LightningAI accelerator and FusIOnX software to address GPU HBM bottlenecks by storing precomputed context on SSDs;
➁ The PCIe 5.0 card enables near-HBM speeds, reduces redundant GPU calculations, and boosts inference throughput by up to 8x;
➂ Supports multi-GPU setups and persistent context sharing, lowering AI infrastructure costs while maintaining stable latency.
- Silicon Motion's new SM2324 enables USB4 SSD control with up to 32TB supported
➀ Silicon Motion launches SM2324, a single-chip USB4 SSD controller supporting up to 32TB storage and 4,000 MB/s read speeds;
➁ The controller integrates advanced security features like AES encryption and Apple MFi certification for professional media workflows;
➂ Built on TSMC 12nm process, it targets compact, high-performance external storage for consumer and enterprise markets.
- Reducing Greenhouse Gases in Industry: Consortium Develops Carbon Footprint Tracking System
➀ The Climate bOWL project developed an intelligent carbon footprint tracking system to assist industries in identifying and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across production chains;
➁ The €3.16 million initiative involved universities and companies like NTT Data and Miele, focusing on automated data analysis to enhance transparency and energy efficiency;
➂ The system provides actionable insights for emission reduction, prioritizing real mitigation over compensation to achieve climate neutrality.
- NY CREATES and Fraunhofer IPMS Agree to Joint Development of Data Storage on 300mm Wafers
➀ NY CREATES and Fraunhofer IPMS signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to advance research on 300mm wafer-based data storage technologies, focusing on ferroelectric memory devices;
➁ The collaboration aims to combine expertise in materials evaluation and process development for energy-efficient, CMOS-compatible memory solutions applicable to neuromorphic computing;
➂ This builds on a prior 2023 Memorandum of Understanding, reinforcing transatlantic cooperation to drive semiconductor innovation and economic growth.
- NY CREATES and Fraunhofer IPMS Announce Joint Development Agreement to Advance Memory Devices at 300mm Wafer Scale
➀ NY CREATES and Fraunhofer IPMS formalized a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to co-develop advanced 300mm wafer-scale memory devices, focusing on ferroelectric memory technology using hafnium oxide (HfO₂);
➀ The collaboration aims to enhance energy-efficient, scalable memory solutions for neuromorphic computing applications, leveraging Fraunhofer IPMS's expertise in HfO₂-based memory and NY CREATES' Albany NanoTech Complex facilities;
➂ The partnership builds on prior agreements and aligns with U.S. initiatives like the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator to strengthen semiconductor R&D leadership and economic growth.
May 15
- Apple Vision Pro A Year Later: Hits, Misses & What The Future Holds
➀ The Apple Vision Pro has had an interesting trajectory since its launch, with some impressive moments but ultimately falling short of its promise of spatial computing.
➁ The device's comfort, use case, and app support were criticized, with many users experiencing fatigue and red marks on their faces after just an hour of use.
➂ Despite improvements over time, the high price point and lack of a strong ecosystem have hindered its adoption.
- Did A Steam Data Breach Compromise 89 Million Accounts? Valve Responds
➀ Valve has responded to reports of a major data breach involving 89 million Steam user records;
➁ Underdark.ai highlighted a dark web forum post by a hacker claiming to possess the data;
➂ Valve asserts that there was no breach of Steam systems and no sensitive data was compromised.
- Lenovo unveils compact AI workstation equipped with Nvidia GB10 and 128 GB of system memory
➀ Lenovo launches ThinkStation PGX AI workstation with Nvidia GB10 chip and 128GB memory, delivering 1 PetaFLOP performance for AI models up to 200B parameters;
➁ Dual-unit configuration boosts capacity to 405B parameters, competing with Nvidia's Project Digits and Asus/MSI alternatives;
➂ Despite claims of 1 PFLOP at FP4 precision, real-world FP8 performance lags behind Tiny Corp's RTX 5090-based solution at 6x higher cost.
- New Bachelor's degree program: Rescue Engineering
➀ Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg (THA) launches a Bachelor's program in Rescue Engineering for the 2025/2026 winter semester, focusing on practical training in fire protection, disaster control, and civil safety technologies.
➁ The interdisciplinary program, developed with regional fire departments and aid organizations, equips graduates for roles in emergency services, safety technology development, and industrial security, emphasizing technical expertise and crisis management skills.
➂ Admission qualifications include vocational experience, with flexible pathways for applicants without traditional academic credentials, and applications open for full-time or part-time study starting July 15, 2025.
- Qualcomm confirms it is re-entering the data center CPU market, starting with Saudi Arabia's AI cloud project
➀ Qualcomm partners with Saudi Arabia's HUMAIN AI to develop AI data centers using its CPU and edge computing solutions;
➁ The move marks Qualcomm's return to the data center CPU market after its failed Centriq project in 2019, leveraging Nuvia's Arm-based technology;
➂ The collaboration includes building a semiconductor design center in Saudi Arabia and follows Nvidia's recent AI GPU deployment in the region.
- Alphacool launches first Core GPU Cooler blocks for the AMD RX 9070 family
➀ Alphacool expands its Core GPU Cooler series with 21 new water blocks for AMD's RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT GPUs, covering models from ASRock, Asus, Gigabyte, and others;
➀ The cooling blocks feature chrome-plated copper plates, brass connectors, and include backplates and pre-applied thermal paste for optimized heat dissipation;
➂ Priced at around €200, these blocks highlight the RX 9070 series' popularity, with non-XT models gaining traction for their efficiency and value.
- New Bachelor's Program: Rescue Engineering
➀ The Technical University of Augsburg (THA) will launch a Bachelor’s program in Rescue Engineering (B. Eng.) starting in Winter 2025/26, focusing on interdisciplinary training in safety technologies and civil protection;
➁ Developed in collaboration with regional emergency services like the Augsburg Fire Department, the program emphasizes practical skills in risk assessment, crisis management, and team coordination, blending technical expertise with psychological and communication training;
➂ Open to applicants with vocational experience or traditional academic qualifications, the program offers full-time and part-time options, preparing graduates for roles in emergency response, safety technology development, and disaster prevention.
- U.S. issues worldwide crackdown on using Huawei Ascend chips, says it violates export controls
➀ The U.S. Commerce Department prohibits global use of Huawei's Ascend AI chips, citing violations of export controls due to alleged use of U.S. technology;
➁ Nvidia views Huawei as a formidable competitor but highlights challenges in replacing its dominance, as Huawei faces sanctions limiting access to advanced chipmaking tools;
➂ The crackdown underscores U.S. efforts to maintain AI leadership, even as Chinese firms like Biren and Moore Threads emerge as potential long-term challengers.
- Pre-order the official Nintendo 256GB microSD Express memory card for the Nintendo Switch 2 for £49
➀ The officially licensed 256GB microSD Express card for Nintendo Switch 2 is available for pre-order on Amazon UK at £49 with a price guarantee;
➁ The card launches on June 5, 2025, alongside the Switch 2, supporting up to 2TB capacity for extensive game storage;
➂ 256GB offers the best value per GB, as higher capacities may be prohibitively expensive for most users.
- UKP Workshop 2025: Process Technology for Scaling Processes and Productivity
➀ The 8th UKP Workshop in Aachen focused on ultrashort pulse laser technology advancements, addressing beam sources, system innovations, and scaling strategies to enhance precision and productivity in industrial applications;
➀ Key developments included high-power UV/DUV lasers, MEMS/LCoS modulators for beam shaping, GHz burst systems, and multi-scanner setups to optimize throughput and process control;
➂ Applications spanned medical device manufacturing (e.g., adhesive-free glass welding), semiconductor chip separation, and consumer electronics, with live demos showcasing laser-induced etching and neural network-guided beam shaping.
- Position Paper 'Industry 4.0: Research and Development Perspectives' by the Research Council Industry 4.0
➀ The Research Council Industry 4.0 released a position paper outlining priorities for research funding to strengthen Germany's industrial competitiveness through sustainable value creation, ecosystems, advanced engineering methods, workforce collaboration, and practical implementation;
➁ It emphasizes the need for innovative business models, holistic digital transformation, and support for SMEs to ensure technological sovereignty and counter emerging digital competitors;
➂ The paper originated from discussions at a BMBF research retreat and calls for targeted funding to align research with economic, technological, and labor-oriented goals.
May 14
- Nintendo Boss Details Switch 2 Forecast, Best Buy To Host Late-Night Launch
➀ The retail launch for Nintendo's Switch 2 is approaching fast, with just under 3 weeks to go. Best Buy has confirmed a midnight launch event.
➁ Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa provided insights into the company's sales forecast of 15 million units in the console's first year.
➂ Furukawa dismissed the notion that production capacity and tariffs played a role in the forecast.
- Doom: The Dark Ages Dev Details Workaround To Game Crashes On NVIDIA GPUs
➀ NVIDIA released a new 'Game Ready' driver package for Doom: The Dark Ages, but some users are experiencing crashes with the latest driver release.
➁ id Software has identified a workaround for the issue, including rebooting the system, reinstalling the driver, and disabling integrated GPUs.
➂ The post on Steam also includes details about the game's system requirements and known issues.
- MSI MAG Pano 100R PZ Case Review: spacious, with extra PCIe slots and back-connect support
➀ MSI MAG Pano 100R PZ supports back-connect motherboards and vertical GPU installation with eight PCIe slots, offering flexible build configurations;
➁ The case delivers strong thermal performance with four pre-installed ARGB fans and supports up to ten fans/360mm radiators, though noise-normalized CPU cooling has room for improvement;
➂ Despite lacking an included GPU riser cable, it features thoughtful cable management, magnetic dust filters, and dual storage panels for SSDs/HDDs at a $159 MSRP.
- RTX 5090 laptop review claims GPU is a performance dud, but outshines the 4090 in power efficiency
➀ The RTX 5090 laptop GPU shows only marginal performance gains over the RTX 4090, with an average improvement of 1.23% at 4K and 0.02% at 1440p;
➁ Notable power efficiency improvements allow the RTX 5090 to run cooler and extend battery life during gaming sessions;
➂ With minimal performance uplift and high pricing, upgrading to the RTX 5090 is generally not recommended except for specific use cases like on-battery gaming or requiring 24GB VRAM.
- Space Forge to pioneer semiconductor manufacturing in space with first satellite launch in 2025
➀ UK startup Space Forge secures $30M Series A funding to develop manufacturing satellites for semiconductors and quantum computing materials in space;
➁ Their reusable ForgeStar-1 satellite launching in 2025 will utilize microgravity to create advanced materials, potentially cutting data center emissions by 75%;
➂ The U.S. subsidiary aligns with CHIPS Act to rebuild semiconductor supply chains amid geopolitical risks of Taiwan's chip dominance.
- Zotac is readying AMD Strix Halo powered mini-PCs for Computex
➀ Zotac announces new mini-PCs powered by AMD's Strix Halo APUs and Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti/5070 GPUs, set to debut at Computex;
➁ Models include the Magnus-E lineup with Intel Core Ultra 7 and desktop GPUs, plus an AMD-focused Magnus EA variant with Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and up to 128GB unified memory;
➂ AMD's Strix Halo APUs offer 16-core Zen 5 CPUs and 40 RDNA 3.5 CUs, rivaling RTX 4060/4070 laptop GPUs.
- No Evidence of Cell Damage from 5G Frequencies: Constructor University Study Publishes New Findings
➀ A study by Constructor University found no evidence that 5G frequencies harm human skin cells under conditions exceeding real-world exposure;
➁ Experiments exposed fibroblasts and keratinocytes to electromagnetic fields up to tenfold legal limits, revealing no significant differences in gene expression or DNA methylation;
➂ The findings support 5G safety and emphasize scientific rigor in addressing public concerns about electromagnetic radiation.
- World's first CPU-level ransomware can "bypass every freaking traditional technology we have out there" — new firmware-based attacks could usher in new era of unavoidable ransomware
➀ A cybersecurity expert developed proof-of-concept CPU ransomware exploiting AMD Zen vulnerabilities, allowing attackers to manipulate microcode and bypass traditional defenses;
➀ The ransomware could encrypt data at the firmware level, surviving OS reinstallation and evading antivirus detection;
➂ The researcher warns of an imminent wave of advanced attacks and calls for systemic improvements in hardware security to address weak passwords and unpatched vulnerabilities.
- Stay Calm & Keep Scrolling: New Constructor University Study Finds No Evidence of Cell Damage from 5G
➀ A study by Constructor University found no evidence of cellular damage from 5G frequencies, even at exposure levels ten times higher than legal limits;
➀ Experiments on human skin cells (fibroblasts and keratinocytes) showed no significant changes in gene expression or DNA methylation;
➂ Researchers emphasized rigorous methodology and addressed public concerns, reinforcing 5G's safety under tested conditions.
May 13
- ETH Zurich Researchers Discover New Security Flaw in Intel Processors
➀ ETH Zurich researchers identified a new class of vulnerabilities (BPRC) in Intel processors, exploiting speculative execution to breach privilege barriers between CPU users and access cached/RAM data;
➁ The flaw affects all Intel processors since 2018, particularly threatening cloud environments where hardware resources are shared, enabling attackers to read up to 5,000 bytes per second of others' memory;
➂ Intel has implemented mitigations via microcode updates, but the discovery highlights fundamental architectural risks in speculative technologies requiring ongoing security patches.
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 9000WX Zen 5 CPUs Confirmed? Check Out This Official Listing
➀ AMD is preparing to introduce a new round of Ryzen Threadripper processors, with the upcoming 9000WX series of high-end desktop (HEDT) chips based on Zen 5 possibly being revealed at Computex;
➁ The SATA-IO database listing confirms an imminent launch;
➂ The chips are expected to have up to 96 cores and 192 threads, with various SKUs available.
- UKP Workshop 2025: Process Technology for Scaling
➀ The 8th UKP Workshop in Aachen gathered 120 experts to discuss advancements in ultrafast laser technology, focusing on scaling processes for higher productivity and precision in material processing;
➁ Innovations included high-power UV/DUV lasers, beam shaping with LCoS/MEMS modulators, and multi-scanner systems to manage large data volumes, alongside applications in semiconductor manufacturing and medical technology;
➂ Key demonstrations highlighted selective laser-induced etching (SLE) and inline process control, emphasizing improved accuracy (±1 µm) and the transition of ultrafast lasers from research to industrial adoption.
- A 48GB dual-GPU Intel Arc B580 is reportedly in the works — Computex reveal rumored
➀ Intel's dual-GPU Arc B580 with 48GB VRAM is rumored to debut at Computex 2025 as a cost-effective AI/ML solution;
➁ The card combines two 24GB B580 GPUs via PCIe bridge, lacking shared memory pooling but offering 48GB VRAM at ~$800;
➂ Targets developers needing affordable high VRAM, though performance trails NVIDIA's Blackwell GPUs and requires manual optimization.
- Samsung's superfast 2TB 9100 Pro M.2 SSD is up for grabs at its lowest UK price
➀ Samsung's 2TB 9100 Pro Gen 5.0 SSD hits £219 at UK retailer SCAN, its lowest price to date;
➀ The SSD offers sequential speeds of 14,700/13,400 MB/s (read/write) and 1,200 TBW endurance, ideal for high-performance workloads;
③ Despite strong competition from brands like Crucial, Samsung's power efficiency and TLC flash make it a top pick for laptops and compact systems.