Hardware News

Gigabyte has released the Micro-ATX B760M Aorus Ari WiFi6E motherboard with an anime-inspired design, PCIe 5.0 graphics support, and DDR4 Gigabyte has released the B760M Aorus Ari WiFi6E DDR4 motherboard in a compact Micro-ATX format for the Intel LGA 1700 platform, adding support for the PCIe 5.0 interface and the Aorus brand’s anime-style design. This model uses DDR4 memory instead of DDR5. This choice is possible thanks to the B760 chipset, which supports both standards. Given the record-high prices and limited availability of DDR5 memory, opting for significantly cheaper DDR4 seems quite logical under current conditions. The board’s layout is virtually identical to that of last year’s B760M Aorus Elite WIFI6E GEN5, except for the replacement of DDR5 with DDR4 and the addition of Ari anime styling. The new product supports 12th-, 13th-, and 14th-generation Intel Core processors and is equipped with a hybrid power subsystem (VRM) featuring a 12+1+1-phase design. As part of Gigabyte’s proprietary VRM Thermal Armor concept, the board features heatsinks for cooling the VRM components, chipset, and drives installed in the M.2 slots. The four DIMM slots support up to 128 GB of DDR4-5333 RAM through XMP profiles or manual overclocking. The primary PCIe 5.0 x16 slot features a quick-release mechanism for removing the graphics card, while the additional PCIe 4.0 x4 slot operates through the chipset. Storage connectivity is provided by two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots with tool-free mounting and four SATA III ports (6 Gbit/s). The motherboard is equipped with a 2.5-Gigabit network controller and an Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210 module with Wi-Fi Compass, a feature that automatically determines the optimal antenna position. The rear I/O panel includes USB-C ports with speeds of up to 20 Gbit/s, as well as DisplayPort and HDMI 2.1 video outputs supporting 4K image output. The front-panel USB-C connector provides speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s, while audio is handled by the Realtek ALC1220 codec. Other features include Q-Flash Plus for updating the BIOS without installing a processor and the Smart Fan 6 system for controlling fans. The B760M Aorus Elite WiFi6E DDR4 motherboard is currently available in Japan for 26,800 yen ($170). If you value what we do, you can support our projects on Boosty. With love, NSWTL.

iFixit Identifies the First Real Improvement in the Repairability of Apple AirPods 5 The iFixit team has published a teardown report on Apple’s new AirPods 5 wireless earbuds, noting an important, albeit minor, improvement in their repairability. Since the release of the first AirPods in 2016, iFixit has consistently given them a repairability score of 0 out of 10. Due to the abundance of adhesive securing the batteries, soldered connections, and housings that are nearly impossible to open and reassemble without damage, AirPods have always been considered extremely difficult to repair. However, in the case of the new AirPods 5, Apple has taken a small step in the right direction, according to iFixit—provided the repair is carried out by a qualified specialist or an especially brave enthusiast who prefers to fix their own devices. In a new teardown video, iFixit demonstrates that the batteries inside each earbud can be removed and replaced without destroying the AirPods themselves. As a result, the earbuds have received a repairability score above zero for the first time. Although the new AirPods 5 scored only 2 out of 10, that is still two points higher than all previous generations combined. iFixit notes that the batteries for the left and right earbuds are not interchangeable because they have different polarities and slightly different contact layouts. In practice, battery replacement is where the repair options for the AirPods 5 end. As iFixit shows in the video, it is still impossible to access the earbuds’ other internal components without destroying them. The same applies to the charging case. Material on YouTube The iFixit teardown also includes computed tomography (CT) scans, which provide a detailed view of how tightly Apple has arranged the batteries, MEMS microphones, H2 chip, and other miniature components inside each earbud. If you value what we do, you can support our projects on Boosty. With love, NSWTL.

No Changes Again: Leak Reveals the Design of the Google Pixel 11a Only about a month has passed since the release of the Pixel 11 smartphone series, but details about the next addition to this lineup—the Pixel 11a—are already emerging online. A new leak has revealed not only the device’s design, but also its color options and some technical specifications. Android Headlines has published renders of the Pixel 11a. Judging by these images, Google has decided to stick with a proven approach and has not radically changed the design of last year’s model. The camera module has undergone minor changes. It has a shorter oval shape compared with the module on the Pixel 10a. The device’s design will not be the only thing that remains similar; its dimensions will also be largely unchanged. However, there are still some differences, and they may be enough to make a Pixel 10a case incompatible with the Pixel 11a. The Pixel 11a is reportedly shorter than both the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 9a. According to the leak, the new device will measure 153.46 × 72.35 × 9 mm. By comparison, the Pixel 10a measures 153.9 × 73 × 9 mm, while the Pixel 9a measures 154.7 × 73.3 × 8.9 mm. Although the design will remain virtually unchanged, the device’s internal hardware will be different. It appears that this time Google will equip its next A-series smartphone with a Tensor G6 chip and a MediaTek modem. This would be a significant step forward compared with the Tensor G4 processor and Samsung modem used in the Pixel 10a. As for other improvements, the display is apparently expected to be brighter. The screen’s peak brightness is reportedly set to reach 3350 cd/m², compared with 3000 cd/m² on the previous model. The leak also mentions an upgraded front-facing camera, although there is currently no specific information about which sensor Google will use. The main camera specifications are expected to remain the same—a 43-megapixel primary sensor and a 13-megapixel secondary sensor—as last year. The display size will likely remain unchanged at 6.3 inches. It is expected to support a refresh rate ranging from 60 to 120 Hz. Finally, the leak indicates the possible color options for the device: black, silver, green, and purple. The price may also change, as the current situation in the RAM market could lead to an increase. If you value what we do, you can support our projects on Boosty. With love, NSWTL.

Chinese People Embrace Generative AI — It Is Used by One in Every Two Chinese Residents According to data from a report by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), by the end of June 2026, the number of generative artificial intelligence (AI) users in China had exceeded 700 million. The news outlet reported this. The document prepared by CNNIC notes that the penetration rate of generative AI exceeded 50%. The technology has found applications in a wide range of areas, but communication (dialogue-based interaction) remains the primary use case for generative AI, the report says. It was found that 76% of users employed the technology to obtain answers to questions. The study also points to accelerated growth in the consumption of smart technologies, particularly the purchase of “smart” devices. Over the past six months, 38.7% of internet users purchased such devices online. The report also states that China commissioned its first domestically developed AI supercluster, equipped with 100,000 graphics processing units. This event became an important foundation for the development of independent innovation in the country’s AI sector. Generative AI is contributing to the profound transformation and modernization of industry, making various sectors “smarter,” the document emphasizes. It also notes that embodied AI has become one of the fastest-growing areas in artificial intelligence. Thanks to their expanding ability to perform complex tasks, robots powered by embodied AI are being used in many fields, including industrial manufacturing, surgery, and household services. The report was presented at the 2026 China Internet Infrastructure Resources Conference, held in Beijing. If you value what we do, you can support our projects on Boosty. With love, NSWTL.

Honor introduced a tiny e-reader with a 3.68-inch E-Ink display — it attaches magnetically to the back of a smartphone Yesterday, alongside the presentation of the Magic 9 smartphone series (Magic 9, Magic 9 Super Edition, Magic 9 Pro Max), Honor introduced the compact Honor Life S3 e-reader with an electronic ink (E-Ink) display. This small device features a 3.68-inch screen and attaches magnetically to the back panel of a smartphone. It costs 399 yuan ($60). Honor calls the S3 a “mini-book” that easily fits in a pocket. The device weighs just 61 g and is 5.6 mm thick. Thanks to its compact dimensions, it is comfortable to hold in one hand even during extended reading sessions without straining the wrist. The gadget is equipped with a 3.68-inch E-Ink display with soft backlighting and a pixel density of 259 PPI. The screen is protected by a matte glass panel with a high level of transparency, creating the impression of reading from a sheet of paper. The device also features an eye-protection mode with a soft glow that reduces eye strain during prolonged reading. There are no physical buttons on the e-reader; it is controlled via the touchscreen. Pages can be turned with a simple tap. One of the S3’s unusual features is its magnetic mounting system. Thanks to the built-in magnets, the e-reader can be easily secured to the back panel of a smartphone with compatible dimensions. The device is thin enough to sit almost flush against the phone, making them convenient to carry together without creating unnecessary bulk. The e-reader can operate for up to 30 hours of continuous reading, while under normal use, a single charge lasts an entire week. The S3’s software is based on the RTOS operating system, providing access to a library of more than 700,000 books. The device supports wireless book transfers through the Honor Smart Space app and works with popular e-book formats. For data storage, it supports TF (microSD) memory cards with capacities of up to 1 TB. The Honor S3, priced at 399 yuan, is an excellent choice for those who enjoy reading during short breaks or while traveling but do not want to carry a full-size e-reader. Thanks to its compact dimensions, light weight, and magnetic attachment, it is convenient to carry with a phone, while the electronic-ink display provides an alternative to reading on a smartphone screen. If you value what we do, you can support our projects on Boosty. With love, NSWTL.

Chinese Swarm of 116 Underwater Drones Enters the Guinness World Records Chinese engineers set a world record for the largest number of autonomous underwater vehicles operating simultaneously as a swarm. A team from Northwestern Polytechnical University, together with Xian Tianhe Maritime Technologies, deployed 116 half-meter-long unmanned vehicles into the water. The test took place on August 29 in a 50 × 20 m pool under the supervision of Guinness World Records representatives, who officially registered the record. The key feature of the test was the vehicles’ autonomy: they were launched into the water one after another, then independently performed maneuvers and navigated without human intervention. Over the course of 34 minutes, the swarm covered a total distance of 500 m, following a predetermined route and using data received in real time. Such teamwork requires each vehicle not only to determine its own position, but also to adjust its movement in response to changes in the surroundings and the positions of the other group members. The TH-618 underwater drone is a relatively small vehicle measuring 61.5 cm in length and 20 cm in width, with a mass of 5.14 kg. According to the university, the vehicle can travel up to 30 km from its launch point, while its battery provides more than eight hours of operation. Navigation is handled by a platform equipped with machine-vision cameras, allowing the vehicle to monitor its surroundings and adjust its planned route when affected by external forces such as waves, currents, and other factors. Scaling up the swarm behavior of underwater drones is a significantly more complex task than controlling several underwater robots simultaneously: underwater, satellite navigation—standard for land-based and aerial drones—is unavailable, while radio communication is severely limited. Therefore, a swarm of hundreds of autonomous underwater drones must coordinate its movements based on local and real-time data while maintaining a stable formation without direct control of each individual vehicle. The Chinese team describes the test as a step toward large-scale coordination of autonomous underwater systems, which could potentially be used for monitoring bodies of water, locating objects, mapping, and other tasks requiring the simultaneous operation of a large number of small vehicles. If you value what we do, you can support our projects on Boosty. With love, NSWTL.

More Products and Fewer Middle Managers: Ternus Plans to Restructure Apple with an “Engineering Focus” According to Bloomberg, Apple’s new CEO John Ternus plans to “restructure” the company so it can “operate faster and more efficiently.” This restructuring involves improving efficiency with an “engineering focus,” releasing more products, and cutting “middle-management positions.” Ternus has also demanded that Apple employees become “more experimental.” Apple’s new CEO wants to release more products and do so faster than before, while making the company “more experimental.” One of his ideas is to change Apple’s release schedule and rely less on the typical spring-to-fall cycle, instead introducing new products throughout the year. Ternus wants to “create a more efficient organization with a greater focus on engineering.” This includes a range of cost-cutting measures and a restructuring. For example, one change involves the “elimination of some middle-management positions to reduce the number of levels separating engineers from senior management.” Ternus is also demanding increased revenue from Apple’s services divisions. Over the past two weeks, Apple has reportedly dismissed “a number of engineering program managers” in its hardware development division. Bloomberg describes these positions as “central to Apple’s product development process for decades,” responsible for “managing schedules and coordinating work between teams.” “For years, 51-year-old Ternus has advocated for a more efficient organization. As head of hardware development, he told employees at an all-hands meeting that Apple should hire fewer people, demand more from its existing engineers, and reduce its bloated workforce. During the presentation, he showed a slide with a graph depicting annual headcount growth and argued that the company should accomplish more with fewer employees”, Bloomberg reports. According to Bloomberg, Apple’s cuts have affected program managers, including several directors and one of the company’s highest-ranking employees. They were given just a few weeks to find other jobs in different divisions of the company. Those who do not find new positions will be dismissed later this year. According to insiders, the atmosphere at Apple is currently “chaotic” and “tense.” It should be noted that this summer Apple was working on a plan to lay off around 5,000 AppleCare support employees, with the intention of replacing them with AI agents. However, the company ultimately suspended these plans and is not currently considering taking similar measures. If you value what we do, you can support our projects on Boosty. With love, NSWTL.

Polaroid introduces an instant retro camera with unique analog effects Polaroid has announced a new instant camera that allows photographers to be more creative and experiment with their shots. In addition to an exposure adjustment dial, the new Polaroid Mod features a dial around the lens for switching between four creative shooting modes with unique analog effects that are captured directly when the shutter button is pressed. Two of the creative modes are based on combining two exposures into a single image. The “Double Exposure” feature overlays two images to blend subjects or scenes, while the “Split Frame” feature divides the image into two halves using a rotating accessory that blocks half of the lens at a time. The “Light Painting” feature uses a slow shutter speed to capture light trails from a moving bright light source. The camera must be mounted on a tripod to prevent static elements in the frame from becoming blurred. “Motion Freeze” is the name Polaroid uses for its rear-curtain flash sync feature. A longer shutter speed is used to capture the subject’s motion trails, which are then combined with a sharp image captured using the flash at the end of the exposure. The Polaroid Mod works with Polaroid i-Type and 600 film in color or black and white. A fully charged 750 mAh battery can shoot up to 15 packs of instant film, or up to 120 frames. The camera uses a fixed-focus system with two lenses: a standard lens with a focal length of 103 mm and a portrait lens with a focal length of 95 mm. They can be switched as needed depending on the subject being photographed. The Polaroid Mod is already available worldwide through the Polaroid online store for $169.99. The new camera will arrive at retail stores in the United States on October 6. If you value what we do, you can support our projects on Boosty. With love, NSWTL.

Scientists create tiny IR-powered jumping robots—but have yet to figure out what they are for American scientists have developed ring-shaped jumping robots powered by infrared radiation. The project’s authors have not yet proposed any practical applications for these mechanisms, but they have already learned how to control the nature of their movement. In the public imagination, robots are depicted as complex mechanical creations, but the field of soft robotics offers a wide variety of limbs, sensors, and designs, broadening our understanding of the forms and tasks of autonomous mechanisms. Scientists at the University of North Carolina built a non-electronic robot in the shape of a curved ring. Powered by infrared radiation, it is capable of jumping indefinitely. The main part of the robot consists of a cord made of liquid-crystal elastomer, whose ends are held by a V-shaped aluminum clamp. When exposed to infrared radiation, the cord contracts, twisting around its own longitudinal axis and becoming taut. The clamp prevents it from rolling or unwinding, and when the cord accumulates its maximum amount of stored energy, the aluminum clamp suddenly flips downward, strikes the surface, and propels the entire structure forward or upward. During the movement, the cord returns to its original shape and, under continued exposure to infrared radiation, can jump an unlimited number of times. By modifying its design, the robot’s movement can be controlled: if the V-shaped cutout is given an angle of 120°, the robot crawls forward; reducing the angle to 90° makes the mechanism jump forward; and reducing the angle to 50° makes the robot leap vertically upward. It can jump forward a distance equal to three times its body length or upward to a height 80 times its own height. To increase the jumping distance, a weight can be attached to the side opposite the V-shaped stop. This shifts the robot’s center of mass, making its forward movement more powerful and stable—similarly to how a swimmer leans forward before diving from a starting block. The project’s uniqueness lies in the fact that after jumping, the robot does not need to be manually returned to its original position. The scientists have not yet proposed a specific field of application for the design, but they have no doubt that one will eventually be found. The robots could be equipped with lightweight, compact sensors with minimal energy consumption and sent to hard-to-reach places, even over long distances. These machines can easily adapt to different types of surfaces, operate in liquid environments, and overcome obstacles. If you value what we do, you can support our projects on Boosty. With love, NSWTL.

To buy a PlayStation 5 Pro, Japanese consumers will have to win a lottery — this is how Sony is fighting scalpers and tourists Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro game console has been on the market for almost two years and, seemingly, should no longer be in short supply. However, Sony has also been affected by the global memory chip shortage that has emerged due to the AI boom, while the imminent release of GTX VI has additionally triggered a sharp increase in demand for consoles. Against the backdrop of the console shortage, Sony has decided to filter PlayStation 5 Pro buyers in Japan using a lottery system. This approach helps combat scalpers and is not new. According to the source, customers purchasing the console from Sony’s official stores in its home market will need not only the desire to buy the device but also a local PSN account. In addition, lottery participants must have at least 60 hours of recorded playtime on a PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 over the past two years. Only those who meet all of the aforementioned criteria will be eligible to participate in the lottery to purchase a PlayStation 5 Pro. Applications to participate in the lottery will open on October 7, while console sales will begin on October 26. If the number of applications to purchase the device at the recommended retail price exceeds the available supply, buyers will be selected at random, as in a lottery. Selected candidates will have to complete the purchase of the device by November 2 at the latest. Since the PlayStation 5 Pro has been on the market for almost two years, it could have been assumed that demand for the device was declining. In reality, however, there is currently growing interest from buyers, partly due to the upcoming release of GTA 6. Japanese gamers have previously complained that foreign tourists were buying up Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards. Against this backdrop, launching a lottery that requires participants to have a Japanese PSN account seems entirely logical. If you value what we do, you can support our projects on Boosty. With love, NSWTL.