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May 7
- Ampere sneaks out a 192-core CPU with 12-channel DDR5 memory
➀ Ampere Computing quietly released new AmpereOne M processors with 12-channel DDR5 support, offering up to 192 cores and 3TB memory capacity for AI/cloud workloads.
➁ The CPUs use TSMC N5 process, consume up to 348W, and feature 96 PCIe 5.0 lanes for AI accelerator integration.
➂ While trailing AMD's 384-thread EPYC 9965 in multi-threading, Ampere positions these chips as a precursor to 256-core MX models on TSMC N3 nodes.
- AMD posts highest Q1 result ever — Strong CPU sales, but GPUs and gaming trail behind
➀ AMD achieved record Q1 2025 revenue of $7.438B (+36% YoY) driven by server CPU and AI accelerator sales;
➁ Gaming segment revenue fell 30% due to declining console chip demand, while AI GPU deployments expanded with Oracle and Siemens;
➂ Upcoming $800M tariff-related charges may reduce 2025 sales by $1.5B, impacting Q2 margins.
- AI taught to analyze Windows crash dumps, released to open source — 'like going from hunting with a stone spear to using a guided missile'
➀ Software engineer Svnscha developed an open-source tool (mcp-windbg) that integrates GitHub Copilot with Microsoft's WinDBG to automate crash dump analysis using natural language.
➁ The tool leverages AI to execute complex debugger commands, interpret assembly code, and suggest fixes, drastically reducing the manual effort required for debugging.
➂ Despite its advanced capabilities, users still need basic debugging knowledge to maximize the tool's potential as it acts as a 'Python wrapper' around conventional debuggers.
- IndiNaPoly Aims to Strengthen Semiconductor Industry with New Polymer Solutions – Fraunhofer Project Launched
➀ Fraunhofer researchers launched the IndiNaPoly project to develop a nanotechnological polymer platform for future semiconductor generations, focusing on electron beam lithography resists to enhance manufacturing scalability and performance;
➁ The project aims to improve resist sensitivity and resolution, addressing challenges in AI, quantum computing, 5G, and IoT, while reducing energy consumption and CO2 footprint;
➂ Collaboration between Fraunhofer LBF (material development) and ENAS (process integration) will create an industry-ready technology platform for advanced semiconductor applications.
May 6
- First GeForce RTX 5060 Listed At Best Buy Hits A Key Price Point
➀ The GeForce RTX 5060 family launch brought the price of Blackwell below $500 on paper;
➁ The GPU situation is currently frustrating, but there is optimism with more models listed at MSRP;
➂ The first GeForce RTX 5060 listing on Best Buy shows a price below $300, with one model from NVIDIA's partners adhering to the baseline MSRP.
- Roku Responds To Streaming Update Ruining HDR With Washed-Out Colors
➀ Roku users are experiencing color issues with HDR and 4K streaming content after the latest update.
➁ The problem is reported on multiple apps, including Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.
➂ Roku is investigating the issue and asking for user reports with specific details.
- Nvidia GPU tracking tech proposed by US lawmakers in smuggling crackdown
➀ U.S. lawmakers propose mandating AI chips (e.g., NVIDIA) to embed location tracking to curb smuggling to China.
➁ Export bans since 2022 have faced criticism for inefficacy, with Chinese firms reportedly using smuggled chips for AI development.
➂ The bill also explores geo-blocking to disable chips without proper licenses, raising technical and privacy concerns.
- Radeon RX 9060 XT listed by retailer in Brazil — 16GB triple fan model from Gigabyte detailed without pricing
➀ A Brazilian retailer listed Gigabyte's Radeon RX 9060 XT with 16GB GDDR6 and triple-fan cooling, fueling speculation ahead of AMD's Computex 2025 launch;
➁ The leak shows Navi 44 XT GPU core, sub-200W TGP, but leaves uncertainty around an 8GB variant previously rumored;
➂ Industry insiders predict retail availability by early June, with performance positioning to be clarified through Tom's Hardware's GPU hierarchy analysis.
- SilverStone Hela 850R Platinum power supply review
➀ The SilverStone Hela 850R Platinum delivers impressive 80Plus Platinum efficiency, compact 140mm design, and ATX 3.1 compliance suitable for high-performance systems;
➁ While excelling in cold testing with 91% efficiency, it shows a 1.4% performance drop in high-temperature conditions and noticeable fan noise under heavy loads;
➂ Priced at $200, it faces stiff competition despite strong electrical performance and PCIe 5.1 compatibility.
- The best budget cooler for your PC build just got cheaper — Thermalright's Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB cooler is an unbelievable £17 right now
➀ Thermalright's Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB CPU cooler drops to £17, offering unmatched value for budget PC builds;
➁ The dual-tower air cooler features six copper heat pipes, ARGB lighting, and compatibility with both Intel and AMD platforms;
➂ Praised for outperforming AIO liquid coolers in price-performance ratio, it received Tom's Hardware's Editor's Choice award.
- Nvidia warns U.S. AI hardware export rules could backfire, empowering Huawei to define global standards
➀ NVIDIA opposes the AI Diffusion Rule, warning it undermines U.S. AI leadership by pushing China to build rival ecosystems;
➁ Huawei’s CANN platform emerges as a potential CUDA competitor, despite current challenges like documentation and reliability;
➂ U.S. export restrictions risk accelerating China’s AI hardware independence, fragmenting global standards and weakening Western influence.
- Renewable Energy: Achieving 100% Autonomy with RESAT
➀ The Universität der Bundeswehr München developed RESAT, an interactive tool for analyzing and optimizing renewable energy systems to achieve cost-effective 100% energy autonomy;
➁ RESAT enables users to visualize configurations, compare technologies (e.g., photovoltaics vs. wind power), and assess impacts of storage systems and cost changes;
➂ The tool serves citizens, municipalities, businesses, and educators, with plans to expand to heat and other consumption areas in the future.
May 5
- Windows 11 24H2 update is now automatically downloading on some PCs
➀ Microsoft has entered the final phase of rolling out Windows 11 24H2, automatically pushing the update to unmanaged Home and Pro edition devices;
➁ Users can manually check for updates, but many will face automatic downloads with limited control over installation timing, potentially causing issues for storage-constrained devices;
➂ Despite Windows 10 still holding a 52.94% market share, Microsoft is aggressively promoting Windows 11 through ads and update prompts ahead of Windows 10's end-of-support in October 2025.
- Samsung Galaxy S26 May Usher In Another Silicon Chip Strategy Change
➀ Samsung may reintroduce its Exynos silicon into the Galaxy S26 flagship phones for 2026;
➁ The move is driven by significant financial losses from using only Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processors in the Galaxy S25 phones;
➂ The Exynos 2600 rollout may be limited to Europe due to low production yield of the 2-nanometer GAA process.
- Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 Battle Pass LTM Paywall Rumor Sparks Gamer Outrage
➀ The trend in gaming in 2025 is that everything is getting more expensive, including the popular Call of Duty franchise.
➁ There are rumors that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will have more expensive changes to its Battle Pass system.
➂ Some items, such as higher value rewards and loot, will be available only to Battle Pass owners, and Limited-Time Modes will be locked behind an additional fee.
- ASUS TUF Gaming T500 PC Goes Hybrid With A Laptop CPU And Desktop RTX GPU
➀ ASUS has introduced a new hybrid gaming PC, the TUF Gaming T500, which combines a mobile Intel Core i7 or Core i5 processor with a desktop NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti GPU.
➁ The system features a compact design suitable for small spaces like bedrooms and dorm rooms.
➂ It includes dual-channel DDR5 memory, PCIe 4.0 SSD storage, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and a 500W power supply.
- Microsoft finally retires Skype after 22 years of service
➀ Microsoft retires Skype after 22 years, urging users to migrate to Microsoft Teams by January 2026;
➀ Skype's journey from 2003's revolutionary PC-to-PC calls to its $8.5B acquisition by Microsoft in 2011, peaking at 40% global call market share;
➂ Teams' dominance post-pandemic (300M users) eclipsed Skype's decline (36M users), leading to Microsoft's strategic consolidation.
- US Bill Aims To Crack Down NVIDIA AI Chip Smuggling To China With Boot Locks
➀ Chip smugglers have found creative ways to sneak semiconductors into China, such as hiding them with live lobsters, inside fake baby bumps, and other means designed to evade customs and import/export restrictions.
➁ A U.S. lawmaker is pushing for a bill to require NVIDIA and other chip companies to equip their semiconductors with tracking technology.
➂ The bill aims to track chips more generally, allowing NVIDIA and the U.S. government to determine if advanced AI semiconductors are finding their way to China, and also introduces a kill switch to prevent chips from booting if they evade export controls.
- Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell appears online with an eye-watering price tag of over $11,000
➀ NVIDIA's RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell workstation GPU, priced over $11,000, targets professionals in AI, HPC, and 3D rendering with 24,064 CUDA cores and 96GB GDDR7 memory;
➁ Despite higher specs than the consumer-grade RTX 5090, early benchmarks show it slightly trailing in performance, likely due to unfinished drivers and power limitations;
➂ The GPU's niche appeal lies in enterprise applications, with its cost justified by specialized workloads rather than consumer gaming.
- Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition review: a blue-chip convertible
➀ The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 features a premium build, a vibrant 14-inch OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, and impressive 12.5-hour battery life for a Windows ultrabook.
➁ While it excels in productivity and multimedia performance, it struggles with excessive bloatware, difficult repairability, and a divisive keyboard layout.
➂ Competitively priced at $1,499 with 32GB RAM, it offers strong value against the HP OmniBook Flip 14 and Apple's non-convertible MacBook Pro.
- Expanding access to advanced chip design capabilities: Launch of the EU Chips Design Platform
➀ A consortium of 12 European partners, coordinated by imec, launches the EU Chips Design Platform under the EU Chips Act to support fabless semiconductor startups and SMEs with cloud-based design resources, training, and funding;
➁ The platform offers access to EDA tools, IP libraries, fabrication pilot lines, and mentorship programs, aiming to reduce costs and accelerate time-to-market for chip innovations;
➂ Integrated with Europe’s broader semiconductor strategy, the initiative complements national competence centers and pilot lines like APECS and WBG, strengthening the continent’s industrial competitiveness through 2028.
- 10% surge in Taiwanese currency vs US dollar could hurt PC and components pricing
➀ The Taiwan Dollar (TWD) has surged 10% against the USD, marking its strongest appreciation in over 30 years, raising concerns about rising costs for electronics exports;
➁ Major Taiwanese tech firms like Acer, Asus, and TSMC face margin pressures, with semiconductor companies potentially absorbing 1.5% gross margin impacts per TWD appreciation;
➂ Taiwan's Central Bank intervened to stabilize the currency, attributing the surge to speculative trading and denying U.S. influence over exchange rates.
- Sensor-Based Waste Sorting Reduces Number of Battery Fires in Recycling Plants
➀ Fraunhofer IIS developed a sensor-based sorting system using X-ray and AI to detect and remove hazardous lithium-ion batteries from waste streams, addressing the root cause of 80% of fires in German recycling plants;
➁ The system employs high-speed X-ray imaging and AI algorithms adapted from autonomous driving to identify concealed batteries, followed by compressed air nozzles to isolate them;
➂ A prototype is undergoing testing and will be deployed at waste company LOBBE in June 2025, supported by German federal funding to advance AI-driven circular economy solutions.
- Fewer Battery Fires in Recycling Plants Thanks to Sensor-Based Waste Sorting
➀ Researchers at Fraunhofer IIS developed a sensor-based sorting system using X-ray and AI to detect and remove lithium-ion batteries from waste streams, reducing fire risks in recycling plants;
➁ The system combines high-speed conveyor belts, real-time X-ray imaging, and AI adapted from autonomous driving technology to identify batteries, followed by air nozzles for precise separation;
➂ Funded by the German government, the project is part of a broader initiative to advance AI applications in resource-efficient circular economies for plastic packaging.
- Buzzkill Nintendo Files Suit Against Genki For Switch 2 Mockups
➀ Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against Genki for displaying unauthorized mockups of the Switch 2 at CES;
➁ The lawsuit claims Genki violated Nintendo's trademarks and trade dress;
➂ Genki's early release of the Switch 2 mockups was seen as a questionable strategy.
- Google Is Developing Android Desktop Mode To Compete With DeX
➀ Companies often adopt or iterate on popular features from rivals to bring their products up to feature parity or to keep users in their ecosystem.
➁ Google's development of the 'inactivity robot' mirrors a feature already found on Apple's iOS 18.01.
➂ Now, Google is developing Android Desktop Mode to rival Samsung's DeX.
May 4
- Amazon lists the unannounced WD Black SN8100 with 14.9 GB/s reads for $225 (1TB)
➀ The WD Black SN8100 PCIe 5.0 SSD, with unannounced 14.9 GB/s read speeds, appears on Amazon Germany for $225 (1TB);
➁ Likely equipped with Silicon Motion's SM2508 controller and 218-layer TLC NAND, it outperforms competitors in sequential speeds but lags in random writes;
➂ Priced at 22.5 cents per GB, it targets enthusiasts despite higher costs compared to PCIe 4.0 alternatives.
- MSI Roamii BE Lite Wi-Fi 7 mesh router review: Affordable dual-band with class-leading long-range performance
➀ The MSI Roamii BE Lite is a budget-friendly dual-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh router offering wide coverage up to 5,800 sq. ft. but excludes the 6 GHz band, limiting full Wi-Fi 7 compliance;
➁ Despite using dual-band, it delivered stable long-range 5 GHz performance and outperformed competitors like TP-Link Deco BE5000 and Amazon Eero 7 in congested 25-foot tests;
➂ Priced at $225, it lacks 2.5 GbE LAN ports (only 1 GbE) and prioritizes affordability over cutting-edge specs, making it suitable for budget-conscious users.
- Brain interface used to edit YouTube video — paralyzed Neuralink patient also uses AI to narrate with his own voice
➀ Bradford Smith, a paralyzed ALS patient, used a Neuralink brain-computer interface (BCI) to edit and narrate a YouTube video solely with his thoughts, marking a groundbreaking advancement in assistive technology.
➀ The Neuralink BCI, implanted in his motor cortex, connects to a MacBook Pro via Bluetooth and uses tongue gestures to control a cursor, enabling seamless computer interaction without physical movement.
➁ AI voice synthesis reconstructed Smith’s natural speech using pre-diagnosis recordings, allowing him to narrate the video independently. Meanwhile, global BCI competitors like China’s Neucyber highlight the rapid pace of innovation in the field.
- Apple iPads Are Selling For Wonderfully Low Prices On These Deals
➀ Amazon recently announced its next Prime Day sales event, scheduled for July;
➁ Several Apple iPad models are on sale at Amazon, starting at $299 for the latest models;
➂ The latest 11-inch Apple iPad (128GB, Wi-Fi) is available for $299, featuring an A16 chip, USB-C connectivity, and 12-megapixel cameras;
➃ The 13-inch iPad Pro (512GB) is on sale for $1,299, with a more powerful M4 processor and advanced features like Thunderbolt and USB4 support.