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September 30
- ESA CubeSat Demonstrates World's First 75 GHz Signal from Space and Ends Mission with Safe Deorbit
➀ The W-Cube mission, initiated by ESA, successfully tested W-Band (75 GHz) and Q-Band (37.5 GHz) frequencies as feeder links for next-gen LEO satellite broadband systems, maintaining compatibility with existing Ka/Ku-band user devices;
➁ The CubeSat, developed by a European consortium, conducted four years of atmospheric impact studies and published key results, advancing the design of high-frequency satellite systems;
➂ The satellite will safely deorbit in October 2025, paving the way for future GEO-based W-band missions to enable high-capacity, continuous satellite broadband.
- Logitech launches MX Master 4 flagship productivity mouse – the best mouse we've tested adds haptic feedback, circular Action Ring shortcuts
➀ Logitech's MX Master 4 elevates productivity with haptic feedback and an "Action Ring" for custom shortcuts, building on the success of the MX Master 3S.
➁ The mouse integrates AI-powered shortcuts (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot) and customizable plugins, alongside improved connectivity and 70-day battery life.
➂ Despite its 150g weight being a drawback for gaming, it remains a top-tier productivity device with macOS/Windows/Linux compatibility.
- German-French Lighthouse Project GreenBotAI: Trustworthy AI 'Made in Europe'
➀ The GreenBotAI project, part of the German-French AI cooperation under the Aachen Treaty, focuses on enhancing robotics' energy efficiency by over 25% through AI-driven path planning and real-time control;
➁ It developed modular machine-learning models and 2D/3D tracking systems using reduced-data AI algorithms, compatible with various robotic platforms;
➂ Led by Fraunhofer IWU, the consortium includes Hochschule München, INBOLT SAS, and ENSAM LISPEN, highlighting cross-border collaboration for industrial automation and crisis resilience.
- FBH showcases latest R&D results at Photonics Days
➀ Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) presented advancements in UVC LEDs for medical disinfection and gas sensing, achieving higher efficiency and performance in far-UVC range applications;
➁ Showcased photonic integration using gallium arsenide (GaAs) and silicon nitride platforms for quantum physics and biosensing, enabling chiplet-based laser solutions;
➂ Highlighted UV-COLA project’s miniaturized UVC diode laser module for combating multidrug-resistant pathogens and participated in quantum technology symposia linking research to industrial use.
- FBH Presents Latest R&D Results at Photonics Days
➀ The Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) showcases advancements in UV-C LEDs for medical disinfection and gas sensing, emphasizing efficiency and safety;
➁ Introduces miniaturized UV-C diode laser modules (UV-COLA project) for targeted disinfection in healthcare, developed with TU Chemnitz;
➂ Presents gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based photonic integrated circuits for quantum technologies, spectroscopy, and biosensing, enabled by silicon nitride PIC integration.
September 29
- GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs Spotted In Online Tool As New Launch Rumor Emerges
➀ GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Super and GeForce RTX 5070 Super models listed in Seasonic's PSU calculator;
➁ Power supply recommendations based on TDP of components;
➂ GeForce RTX 5080 Super rumored to be missing;
➃ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Super series GPUs rumored to launch in Q1 or Q2 2026.
- Qualcomm’s 18-core Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme dominates in first benchmarks – 18 cores and 48GB of on-package memory on a 192-bit bus look tough to beat
➀ Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chip, with 18 cores and 48GB LPDDR5X-9523 RAM, claims up to 50% multi-core and 80% GPU performance gains over its predecessor;
➁ Early benchmarks show it outperforms AMD Ryzen 9 HX 370, Intel Core Ultra 9, and Apple M4 in CPU, GPU, and NPU tests, though results are from controlled demo systems;
➂ Set to launch in H1 2025 at premium prices, its market success faces challenges from future Apple/AMD/Intel chips and real-world thermal/pricing factors.
- 'Moscow military spy ship' tracked mapping and surveilling NATO undersea cables — 'She’s following cable lines and pipelines, making stops. We are monitoring her very closely
➀ A Russian military spy ship, Yantar, has been mapped surveilling NATO's critical undersea cables in the Atlantic, raising concerns over potential data interception or sabotage;
➁ The ship, operated by Russia's secretive GUGI unit, deployed submersibles near strategic locations like the Irish Sea and Arctic, threatening internet, energy, and military communications;
➂ NATO nations are ramping up defenses, including underwater drones and sensors, amid fears of disruptions to financial markets and infrastructure.
- EU pushes for Chips Act 2.0 investment as it looks set to miss global silicon production targets by a wide margin — seeks quadrupling of semiconductor investment as $50 billion initiative flounders
➀ EU member states push for quadrupling semiconductor investment to address lagging global production targets;
➀ Europe's 2022 Chips Act aimed for 20% global market share by 2030 but may only reach 11.7%;
➂ Dutch-led coalition proposes streamlined approvals, enhanced funding access, and dedicated budgets to boost EU chip sovereignty.
- Legendary Sound Blaster 2.0 ISA card revived by hardware enthusiast — 1994 relic restored to former glory
➀ A retrocomputing enthusiast successfully repaired a 1994 Sound Blaster 2.0 ISA card by replacing a missing Atmel MCU chip and restoring damaged circuits, reviving its iconic 8-bit audio capabilities;
➁ The Sound Blaster 2.0 revolutionized PC gaming in the 1990s with FM synthesis and Direct Memory Access (DMA), enabling realistic sound effects without taxing CPU performance;
➂ Adrian's restoration process, documented in a YouTube tutorial, highlights the card's historical significance as a bridge between AdLib compatibility and modern digital audio standards.
- Famed gamer creates working 5 million parameter ChatGPT AI model in Minecraft, made with 439 million blocks — AI trained to hold conversations, working model runs inference in the game
➀ A Minecraft developer named Sammyuri built a functional 5-million-parameter ChatGPT-like AI model (CraftGPT) entirely within the game using 439 million Redstone blocks, capable of basic conversations.
➁ Despite its complexity, CraftGPT faces limitations: responses take hours to generate, outputs are often grammatically flawed or nonsensical, and its context window is limited to 64 tokens.
➂ The project demonstrates Minecraft’s engineering potential, with prior feats including 1Hz CPUs and DOOM-running setups, but remains a technical curiosity rather than a practical AI tool.
September 28
- Best Buy’s Weekend Flash Sale Brings Great Deals On Tech But It Ends Today
➀ Best Buy is hosting a 48-hour flash sale with great deals on tech products;
➁ TCL's 75-inch QM5K Series QD-Mini LED TV is on sale for $599.99;
➂ Google's Pixel Watch 3 (41mm) is on sale for $199.99.
- Judge rules that drone maker DJI is affiliated with China’s defense industry — company to stay on Pentagon’s list of Chinese military companies
➀ A U.S. court upheld DJI's designation as a Chinese military company, citing sufficient evidence from the Department of Defense；
➁ DJI will continue operating in the U.S. and pursue legal remedies despite lost business and reputational damage；
➂ Concerns persist over potential Chinese government-mandated backdoors in DJI drones, raising U.S. national security fears
- World's first AirPods-controlled game uses reverse-engineered spatial audio hardware for motion control — undocumented Apple sensor enables 'RidePods - Race with Head' motorbike racing game
➀ The first motion-controlled game using Apple AirPods' spatial audio sensors, 'RidePods - Race with Head,' enables steering via head tilts;
➁ Developer Ali Tanis reverse-engineered Apple's undocumented APIs to create the game, compatible with AirPods Pro and 3rd/4th Gen models;
➂ The game highlights Apple's hidden hardware potential, with future apps possibly leveraging similar sensor innovations.
- Acer Predator XB273K V5 27-inch 4K gaming monitor review: Vivid color and dual refresh rate capable
➀ The Acer Predator XB273K V5 is a highly cost-effective 4K gaming monitor under $400, featuring 160Hz/320Hz dual refresh rates, HDR support, and DCI-P3 color gamut.
➁ With exceptional color accuracy (92% DCI-P3 coverage) and pro-level calibration tools, it delivers sharp 168ppi pixel density and innovative features like Smart Dial remote control.
➂ Despite requiring manual HDR switching and minor out-of-box grayscale issues, its 5300:1 contrast ratio and gaming-focused design make it a top budget 4K choice for gamers and professionals.
- Microsoft Warns Of XCSSET MacOS Malware That Is Now More Dangerous Than Ever
➀ Microsoft warns that the MacOS malware XCSSET has evolved significantly since earlier this year, with key changes in its browser targeting, clipboard hijacking, and persistence mechanisms.
➁ The latest variant targets Xcode software developers on MacOS, monitoring the clipboard for cryptocurrency wallet addresses and replacing them with its own.
➂ Microsoft has collaborated with Apple and GitHub to mitigate the threat, and provides tips for users to protect themselves.
September 27
- Walmart Gaming PC Weekend Blowout: Deals On RTX 50 Rigs As Low As $749
➀ Walmart's GeForce Week sales event offers deals on gaming PCs and laptops.
➁ MSI Aegis R2 gaming PC priced at $749 with an Intel Core i5-14400F processor and GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card.
➂ Skytech Gaming Legacy 4 PC priced at $2,399 with an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor and GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card.
- Samsung takes a scalpel to its 2nm wafer price tag, bringing it down to $20,000 — Korean chipmaker now undercuts rival TSMC by 33%
❶ Samsung slashed its 2nm wafer price to $20,000, undercutting TSMC's $30,000 by 33% to attract clients amid fierce foundry competition.
❷ Despite cutting investments and delaying Texas fab projects, Samsung secured a $16.5B deal with Tesla for AI chip production, boosting its advanced fab capabilities.
❸ TSMC maintains market dominance with 15 major clients for 2nm nodes, including Intel and NVIDIA, leveraging its full-capacity production and premium pricing strategy.
September 26
- The state of Intel: What the company's $5 billion deal with Nvidia could mean for the floundering chipmaker — Investments, capex, and the beating heart of x86
➀ Nvidia invests $5 billion in Intel to co-develop x86 server CPUs and client SoCs, marking a strategic shift for both companies;
➀ The deal provides Intel with immediate financial relief but faces skepticism about its ability to revive the struggling chipmaker amid persistent cash burn and delayed 18A node development;
➂ Geopolitical factors, including U.S. government equity stakes and SoftBank's involvement, underscore the deal's alignment with America-First industrial policies and semiconductor supply chain security.
- OpenAI's significant investments raise more questions than answers — CEO Sam Altman remains tight-lipped about how the company will deliver
➀ OpenAI faces significant financial challenges despite announcing $500 billion Stargate infrastructure plans and $10B chip deals, with $5B losses in 2024 and only $13B projected 2025 revenue;
➁ Potential reliance on a future trillion-dollar IPO and uncertain government investments highlights cash flow risks, while its nonprofit-to-profit transition complicates funding timelines;
➂ The AI industry’s 'bubble' comparisons intensify as companies like NVIDIA and Oracle fuel OpenAI’s growth amid unproven profitability models.
- ASUS ROG Xbox Ally & Ally X Pricing Confirmed As Preorders Go Live
➀ ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and Ally are now available for preorder with confirmed prices;
➁ ROG Xbox Ally X priced at $999.99, ROG Xbox Ally at $599.99;
➂ Preorder prices slightly higher than initial leaks, with some backlash from users;
➃ Strong demand expected despite criticism, with positive comments from users;
➄ Preorders available in 38 countries, expanding to 46 on October 16, 2025.
- Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X available for pre-order worldwide – U.S. pricing starts at $599 and $999 respectively
➀ Asus and Microsoft launch ROG Xbox Ally ($599) and Ally X ($999) with pre-orders available globally, featuring AMD Ryzen Z2 series chips;
➁ Ally X boasts Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme CPU, 24GB memory, 1TB SSD, and 80Wh battery, while the standard Ally includes Ryzen Z2 A chip and 512GB SSD;
➂ Pre-order bonuses include accessories sweepstakes, with international pricing from €599 to $1,799 AUD and regional exclusivity on Best Buy for Ally X.
- YouTuber's homebrew aim-assist exoskeleton grabs them second place in global Aimlabs leader board — 63% aim boost from AI-powered project
➀ YouTuber Nick Zetta built a wearable AI-powered exoskeleton using an NVIDIA Jetson system, servos, and cameras to physically adjust arm movement for improved aim in FPS games.
➁ After optimizing latency (17ms) and motor strength, his Aimlabs score increased by 63%, securing second place globally. The device bypasses software-based anti-cheat detection by manipulating real-world inputs.
➂ While ethically controversial, the project highlights hybrid human-AI control challenges and potential real-world applications beyond gaming.
- Intel officially becomes a contract custom chip designer, Nvidia among lead customers — company veteran Srini Iyengar to spearhead new Central Engineering Group
➀ Intel appoints Srini Iyengar to lead its Central Engineering Group, marking a strategic shift toward becoming a contract custom chip designer;
➁ The company secures a multi-year deal to develop custom Xeon CPUs for NVIDIA's AI platforms, a critical milestone in its foundry ambitions;
➂ The semiconductor industry faces rising demand for bespoke chips across AI, automotive, and hyperscaler markets, with Intel positioning itself through IP integration and advanced packaging tech.
- Bringing Automated Driving to the Road Faster - Launch of the TranSphere Project at the IFM of Kempten University of Applied Sciences
➀ The TranSphere project at Kempten University's IFM aims to create a mixed-reality platform that integrates real-world and virtual testing environments to revolutionize automated vehicle development.
➀ Focused on four key scenarios (Track Testing, Test Bed, Driving Simulator, and Scenario Networking), the initiative seeks to accelerate development cycles, enhance safety, and reduce resource consumption.
➂ Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) until 2028, the project involves collaboration with industrial partners in simulation, robotics, and homologation to strengthen Europe’s automotive industry and address skilled labor shortages.
- Bots targeting the r/GamingLaptop's subreddit with blatant MSI advertising in posts — mods allege marketing bots are flooding the forums with MSI-promoting posts
➀ The r/GamingLaptops subreddit has faced months of spam from bots and paid actors promoting MSI products with repetitive, generic comments.
➀ Moderators suspect coordinated campaigns originating from accounts in lower-income countries, posting multiple times hourly.
➂ The community urges users to report suspicious activity and enforce transparency on brand affiliations, threatening bans for undisclosed promotions.
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 review: a necessary update, not an exciting one
➀ The RTX 5050 offers a 44% performance boost over the RTX 3050 but is criticized for its $249 price tag and 8GB VRAM limitations;
➁ Despite Blackwell architecture upgrades, 8GB VRAM restricts the use of advanced features like Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) in demanding games even at 1080p;
➂ The card retains GDDR6 memory and 130W power consumption, lacking efficiency improvements seen in higher-end Blackwell GPUs.
- Research into novel microelectrodes: Dr. Maximilian Becker receives NanoMatFutur funding
➀ Hahn-Schickard's FeMEA project received €1.95 million funding from Germany's BMFTR to develop CMOS-based microelectrode arrays using ferroelectric materials for improved bioelectronic interfaces;
➁ The innovation enhances stimulation efficiency and long-term stability while minimizing harmful electrochemical currents, addressing key challenges in bioelectronics;
➂ The technology, protected by patents, targets biomedical applications and aims for industrial transfer, supported by a newly established research group led by Dr. Becker.
- Research on Novel Microelectrodes: Dr. Maximilian Becker Receives NanoMatFutur Funding
➀ Hahn-Schickard's FeMEA project develops ferroelectic microelectrode arrays using CMOS chips with ferroelectric materials, aiming to enhance bioelectronic interfaces;
➁ The project received €1.95 million over five years from the German Federal Ministry and addresses challenges in stimulation efficiency and long-term stability for biomedical applications;
➂ Achievements include a patented CMOS-based prototype with over 5,000 electrodes per mm², enabling precise cell stimulation and recording while suppressing harmful electrochemical effects.
September 25
- Qualcomm CEO Says He's Seen Google's Android-Powered PC And Can't Wait To Buy One
➀ Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon discussed with Google's Rick Osterloh about the merging of Android and ChromeOS for PC push.
➁ Google is building a common technical foundation for its products on PCs and desktop computing systems.
➂ Amon expressed excitement about Google's PC project, calling it 'incredible' and looking forward to owning one.