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July 9
- Double-Sided Precision Coating Led to Victory
➀ The Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST won first place in the Optical Interference Coatings Conference (OIC2025) Manufacturing Challenge by creating a spectroscopically precise optical filter that visualized a roadrunner image through dual-sided coatings;
➁ Using their proprietary high-precision EOSS® coating technology, the team achieved complex spectral requirements by controlling layer thicknesses, optical constants, and oxidation behavior on both sides of the substrate;
➂ The competition highlighted interdisciplinary collaboration in simulation, production, and measurement, reinforcing Fraunhofer IST's leadership in optical coatings for applications like lasers, sensors, and space technology.
- Victory with Double-Sided Precision Coating
➀ Fraunhofer IST won the Manufacturing Challenge at the OIC2025 conference by developing a spectroscopic optical filter with double-sided precision coating using their EOSS® system;
➁ The challenge required creating a roadrunner bird image through three spectral characteristics (front/back reflection and transmission) by precisely controlling layer thicknesses and optical properties;
➂ The achievement underscores the institute’s expertise in optical coatings, integrating simulation, manufacturing, and metrology to solve complex interdisciplinary challenges.
- More Intel layoffs are hitting, this time in Israel — company is even considering dramatic decision to shut down Fab 28
➀ Intel initiates global layoffs, targeting 200+ positions in Israel's Fab 28 facility, part of its "leaner operations" strategy;
➁ Fab 28, an Intel 7 node plant producing AI/5G chips, faces potential shutdown due to outdated infrastructure and automation shifts;
➂ Israeli government's $3.25B Fab 38 expansion grant remains frozen as Intel prioritizes cost-cutting over facility upgrades.
July 8
- Samsung's 32-Inch M9 QD-OLED 165Hz Monitor Is Up For Preorder With A $300 Bonus
➀ Samsung's 32-inch M9 QD-OLED monitor is now available for preorder with a $300 bonus;
➁ The monitor features a 32-inch Pantone Validated QD-OLED panel with 4K resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate;
➂ It supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-SYNC, and includes Samsung's Gaming Hub for game streaming.
- CyberPowerPC's gaming PC is one of the cheapest ways to get an RTX 5070 — Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming Rig on sale for 15% off, savings of $300
➀ CyberPowerPC's Gamer Xtreme VR gaming PC with RTX 5070 sees a 15% price cut ($1,680), featuring Intel i9-14900KF, 32GB RAM, and 2TB SSD.
➁ The budget-friendly Gamer Master PC drops to $1,099.99 with AMD Ryzen 8700F and RTX 5060 Ti for 1080p gaming.
➂ Pre-built systems offer comparable costs to DIY builds while saving assembly effort and including Windows 11/os support.
- This is the ultimate SSD deal to beat on Prime Day — grab a 4TB Crucial P310 for $199, the most affordable 4TB SSD on the market
➀ Crucial P310 4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD hits all-time low of $199 (40% off) in Prime Day deals;
➁ Utilizes Phison E27T controller with 7,100 MB/s speeds and energy-efficient QLC flash, maintaining low 52°C temperatures without throttling;
➂ Recommended for gamers and content creators needing massive storage, currently dubbed the most value-for-money 4TB SSD on market.
- These must-have soldering tools will upgrade your soldering station, and they're all on sale for Amazon Prime Day
➀ Key soldering tools on sale include the portable Fnirsi HS-01 and multifunctional Yihua 995D+ hot air station, offering portability and professional-grade performance.
➁ Essential accessories like magnetic helping hands, lead-free/leaded solder, and silicone mats enhance workspace safety and efficiency.
➂ Health-focused gear such as the Kotto fume extractor addresses ventilation concerns during soldering sessions.
- One of SteelSeries' best gaming headsets is 50% off right now — save big on the quick-swap battery tech I use every day
➀ SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless gaming headset is currently 50% off at Best Buy, dropping from $279 to $139;
➁ Features include hot-swappable batteries with a charging dock, 2.0 surround sound, and Bluetooth connectivity, praised for seamless gaming sessions;
➂ The headset received a 4.5-star review for its audio quality, comfort, and innovative battery system.
- These 12 gadgets under $50 have upgraded my tech life, and they're all on sale for Amazon Prime Day
➀ 12 budget-friendly tech gadgets under $50, including SSD cloners, wireless screwdrivers, and USB hubs, are reviewed for their practicality.
➀ Key highlights include the Rosewill M.2 SSD Cloner for seamless drive upgrades and the HOTO NEX O1 Pro Screwdriver for tech and home use.
➁ Amazon Prime Day deals make these tools even more accessible for enhancing daily tech efficiency.
- Open Call for Applications for the 'Innovation Award Laser Technology 2026' – Closing Date December 1, 2025
➀ The Innovation Award Laser Technology 2026, offering €10,000 in prize money, is open for applications until December 1, 2025, recognizing groundbreaking innovations in laser technology for industrial applications.
➁ Eligible applicants include individuals or groups from European industries, universities, or research centers working on laser beam sources, systems, or manufacturing processes with demonstrated commercial value.
➂ Past winners (2010-2024) include projects like laser-based recycling systems, automotive laser welding, and ultrafast laser ablation, highlighting the award’s focus on practical industrial advancements.
- Announcement of the »Innovation Award Laser Technology 2026« – Application Deadline: December 1, 2025
➀ The Innovation Award Laser Technology 2026, offering a €10,000 prize, invites applications by December 1, 2025, to recognize innovations in laser-based material processing;
➁ Open to European individuals and teams, the award focuses on advancements from applied research to industrial implementation with proven economic benefits;
➂ Winners will be selected by an international jury and honored at the AKL'26 Congress in Aachen on April 22, 2026.
- Chipmaking giant TSMC hit with class-action lawsuit in the U.S. for bias, racism, and unsafe conditions — over 30 plaintiffs have accused the company of illegal practices at Arizona fab
➀ TSMC faces a U.S. class-action lawsuit with over 30 plaintiffs alleging systemic bias against non-Asian employees, unsafe working conditions, and harassment at its Arizona fab;
➁ Accusations include racial slurs, Mandarin-language exclusion, preferential hiring of Taiwanese workers, and purchasing safety gear from Temu;
➂ TSMC denies allegations, emphasizing diversity, while employees describe toxic work culture with high turnover and extreme pressure.
- LG Innotek to slim down smartphones by replacing solder balls with copper posts
➀ LG Innotek introduces Copper Post technology to replace solder balls in smartphone packaging, reducing spacing by 20% while maintaining performance;
➁ Copper's superior thermal conductivity improves heat dissipation and enables denser integration, benefiting high-performance components;
➂ The innovation, developed since 2021 with 40 patents, targets RF-SiP and AP substrates for slimmer devices and extended battery space.
- From 0 to 100 in 12 Minutes – Roadmap for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
➀ International research highlights lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) as next-gen energy storage with 10x higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries and ultra-fast charging potential (as low as 12 minutes);
➁ Technical challenges include sulfur insulation, cathode expansion, and lithium dendrite growth, addressed through optimized materials (3D carbon structures, catalytic additives) and AI-driven design;
➂ Multi-national collaboration demonstrates prototypes achieving 2 mAh/cm² at practical charging speeds, supported by EU and Asian research funds for future e-mobility applications.
- This is not a drill, our number one graphics card pick is finally below MSRP in the Amazon Prime Day UK sale — and there's a 5070 Ti with £160 off
① NVIDIA RTX 50系列显卡在亚马逊英国Prime Day期间大幅降价，RTX 5070首次跌破官方建议价；
② 微星RTX 5070 Ti降价160英镑，性能较基础款提升显著；
③ 耕升推出性价比更高的RTX 5070 Ti，售价再降60英镑。
- Apple's entire AirPods family drops to their lowest prices ever for Prime Day — AirPods Pro 2 just $149
➀ Apple's AirPods lineup hits record-low prices during Amazon Prime Day, with AirPods Pro 2 dropping to $149;
➁ Four models available: AirPods 4 ($89), AirPods 4 with ANC ($119), AirPods Pro 2 ($149), and AirPods Max ($399);
➂ AirPods 4 with ANC recommended as the best value, offering noise cancellation and wireless charging at 34% off.
July 7
- When The Switch 2 Stock Shortage Is Expected To Ease Up
➀ The Nintendo Switch 2 is experiencing stock shortages, with analysts predicting sales of 18-20 million units.
➁ Despite initial skepticism, the Switch 2 is performing well, with positive reviews and strong sales.
➂ Nintendo is working to maintain high production to meet demand and prevent scalping.
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X & Intel Core Ultra 7 265K Deals Hit Record Low For Prime Day
➀ AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is currently available at Amazon for $434, a 33% discount.
➁ The Ryzen 9 9950X is based on AMD's Zen 5 architecture and requires an AM5 socket motherboard and DDR5 memory.
➂ Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is available for $259 at Amazon, a 36% discount, and includes a gaming bonus.
- Windows 11 Finally Dethrones Windows 10 On The Desktop, What Now?
➀ Windows 11 has now become the most popular operating system on the desktop, according to the latest market share figures from Statcounter. It took just over four years for Windows 11 to achieve this, following its release to manufacturing in 2021.
➁ The shift in market share from Windows 10 to Windows 11 has been significant, with Windows 11 now accounting for 52% of all Windows installations on the desktop, compared to 44.59% for Windows 10.
➂ Microsoft's Copilot+ initiative has been a significant factor in the rise of Windows 11, and support for Windows 10 is set to end on October 14, 2025.
- Testing Innovative Technology for Reliable Flood Warnings
➀ The district of Mayen-Koblenz and Hochschule Koblenz collaborate on the RIOT project, enhancing flood warning systems using IoT and dual network technology for resilient data transmission;
➀ The project integrates LoRaWAN gateways and redundant connectivity to ensure real-time water level monitoring during crises, supported by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI);
➂ Solutions developed under the "Public Money, Public Code" principle will be open-source, enabling broader regional adoption as part of the Smart Region MYK10 initiative.
- The Future of Open-Source Silicon Was Widely Debated at IHP – Summary of the FSiC 2025 Conference
➀ The 5th Free Silicon Conference (FSiC 2025) was held at IHP in Frankfurt, focusing on open-source EDA tools and open ecosystems for integrated circuit design;
➁ Key topics included development of open-source digital/analog design tools, hardware security, EU-funded projects, and interoperability with industrial workflows;
➂ The event highlighted Europe's push for technological sovereignty through open standards and transparent innovation in semiconductor design.
- The Future of Open-Source Silicon Was the Focus of the FSiC 2025 Conference at IHP
➀ The 5th Free Silicon Conference (FSiC 2025) took place at IHP in Frankfurt (Oder), focusing on open-source EDA tools and integrated circuit design to advance Europe's technological sovereignty;
➁ Over 30 technical sessions covered digital/analog circuit design, simulation, PDKs, hardware security, and EU funding initiatives, highlighting interoperability between open-source tools and industrial workflows;
➂ IHP and the Free Silicon Foundation emphasized open standards and collaboration as critical for innovation, with lab tours and EU co-funded projects reinforcing the event's impact.
July 6
- Apple 4th Of July Deals Are Still Hot On iPads And More Near New Low Prices
➀ The 7th generation iPad mini is available for $399 on Amazon, saving 20%;
➁ The 14.2-inch Apple MacBook Pro is on sale for $1,429 on Amazon, saving 11%;
➂ Additional deals include the 11-inch iPad (A16, 128GB) for $299, 11-inch iPad Pro (M4, 256GB) for $899, AirTag 4-Pack for $74.99, Mac mini (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) for $545.92, and iMac All-In-One Desktop (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) for $1,184.65.
- US DoJ Probes Ex-Ransomware Negotiator Over Alleged Extortion Kickbacks
➀ DigitalMint, a financial cybersecurity firm, is investigating one of its former employees for alleged collaboration with ransomware gangs to receive illegal payments.
➁ Negotiators are often called upon to handle discussions with hackers on behalf of victims, and DigitalMint specializes in managing ransomware incidents and facilitating secure payments.
➂ The incident has raised concerns about the operations of data recovery and financial cybersecurity firms, following previous reports of deception by firms claiming to recover data through specialized methods while simply paying the ransom and charging clients extra.
- Activision takes Call of Duty: WWII offline after hackers apparently disrupted the game with RCE exploits — malicious code wreaks havoc on PC gamers as bad actors take complete control of your computer
➀ Activision suspended Call of Duty: WWII servers after hackers exploited unpatched RCE vulnerabilities, gaining unauthorized PC control;
➁ The 2017 game's P2P matchmaking system and outdated anti-cheat tech (pre-Ricochet) amplified security risks;
➂ Hackers triggered Notepad pop-ups, forced shutdowns, and illicit content injections, prompting Microsoft Store removal despite Steam/Game Pass availability.
- FolderDrive USB-C flash storage drags computer folder icon into the physical world – Skeuomorphism in reverse
➀ The FolderDrive is a whimsical USB-C flash storage device shaped like a physical MacOS folder icon, offering 128GB capacity at $40;
➁ Designed as a 'conversation starter,' it emphasizes minimalistic aesthetics with 3D-printed construction, though performance specs remain undisclosed;
➂ Part of a broader trend of reverse skeuomorphism, it follows nostalgic designs like floppy disk-shaped USB drives and WinRAR-themed merchandise.
- Nvidia's first desktop PC chip lands this month — Asus leads with Ascend GX10 Grace Blackwell desktop platform
➀ Asus will launch its Ascend GX10 mini-PC powered by Nvidia's GB10 Grace Blackwell SiP on July 22, targeting AI development with data center-level performance.
➁ The GB10 integrates an Arm-based Grace CPU and Blackwell GPU, delivering 1 PetaFLOPS FP4 AI performance and 128GB unified memory, comparable to Apple's M4 Pro.
➂ Priced around $3,000, the system positions itself as a compact AI workstation, though general-purpose benchmarks show performance similar to mid-tier mobile chips like Snapdragon X Elite.
- Nintendo Switch 2 prices might climb due to tariff changes — US hikes Vietnam tariffs to 20%, up from 10% when the console launched
➀ U.S. raises Vietnam tariffs from 10% to 20%, impacting Nintendo's Switch 2 pricing strategy;
➁ Switch 2 sold 3.5 million units on launch but faces shortages and geopolitical challenges;
➂ Potential price hike from $450 to $500 if tariffs are implemented.
- Kingston’s Fury Renegade PCIe 5 SSDs Are Crazy Fast And Up For Deals
➀ Kingston's Fury Renegade PCIe 5.0 SSDs are on sale, offering high-speed storage performance up to 14.8 GB/second.
➁ The Kingston Fury Renegade G5, a high-end PCIe 5.0 x4 SSD, achieves nearly 15GB/second on reads and 14GB/second on writes.
➂ The drives use 232-layer Micron TLC flash memory for durability.
July 5
- Bitcoin investor moves $8 billion worth of crypto after 14 years, originally bought for less than $210,000 — 80,000 BTC transferred from dormant Satoshi-era wallet
➀ A dormant Bitcoin whale transferred 80,000 BTC (worth $8.6B) after 14 years, purchased for under $210k in 2011.
➁ The transaction involved 8 Satoshi-era wallets and set a record, with speculation pointing to investor Roger Ver.
➂ Motives range from legal deals to inheritance, causing significant market impact.