[HARDWARE]

Nothing's latest midrange offering delivers competitive performance and features, though Google's Pixel 10a remains the category leader in the US market.

TCL is expanding its premium TV lineup with its first RGB-Mini LED models, the RM9L series, available for pre-order starting at $8,000. The company is also rolling out additional SQD-Mini LED options across multiple price points.

Chef Robotics, which deploys AI-guided robot arms for food production, is scaling operations and broadening its customer base after the sector saw numerous high-profile failures.

China's smartphone shipments fell 4% year-over-year in Q1 due to memory shortages, though Huawei maintained its leading position with 20% market share. Apple's iPhone surged 20% to claim 19% of the market.

India's smartphone shipments declined 3% year-over-year in Q1 2026, reaching their weakest quarterly performance in six years. Price hikes averaging 15% across 80+ models have dampened consumer demand.

DJI has updated its ubiquitous Osmo Pocket line with the Pocket 4, maintaining the ease-of-use and stabilization that made its predecessor a favorite among creators and journalists.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is set to launch its massive New Glenn rocket Sunday, marking a critical test of reusable booster technology that could challenge SpaceX's dominance in orbital launches.

A developer has constructed an AI-driven robotic arm using salvaged components including duct tape, an old camera, and a CNC machine. The project, documented on GitHub, demonstrates practical hardware hacking with machine learning integration.

Casely and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission have reannounced a recall of over 429,000 Power Pods wireless power banks following a fatality linked to battery fires. The company initially recalled the devices in April 2025 after reports of overheating and minor burn injuries.

ASML Holding NV's valuation premium over US-listed chip equipment competitors has shrunk to its lowest level in a decade, indicating potential upside for the Dutch semiconductor equipment maker.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has reannounced a recall of Casely's Power Pods 5,000mAh MagSafe charger (model E33A) after one death and dozens of injuries linked to defective units.

California-based Sabi is building a wearable beanie designed to read brain activity and convert thoughts directly into written text. The technology could represent a major step toward brain-computer interfaces becoming mainstream consumer devices.

Intel is updating its non-Ultra Core processors with new silicon for the first time in an extended period. The refresh brings advanced technology to Intel's mainstream CPU lineup.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company reported first-quarter net income of ~$18B, up 58.3% year-over-year and above analyst estimates. Revenue reached ~$35B, a 35.1% increase, driven by strong demand for advanced chip manufacturing.

Microsoft is preparing refreshed Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models featuring OLED displays. New variants with Intel and Qualcomm processors will roll out in the coming months.

California startup Sabi has launched from stealth with funding from Khosla Ventures and others to develop a brain-computer interface beanie that translates internal speech into written words.

Meta has increased the price of its Quest 3 VR headset by $100, citing RAM supply chain constraints as the primary reason for the adjustment.

Intel has hired Shawn Han, a Samsung Electronics executive, to strengthen its push into contract chip manufacturing. The move signals Intel's effort to compete in the outsourced semiconductor foundry market.

Intel has announced the Core Series 3 line, a family of cheaper Panther Lake processors designed for budget-friendly laptops. Built on the same 18A process as premium models, the new chips offer reduced specifications at lower price points.

The FCC has granted Netgear conditional approval to import consumer routers, cable modems, and cable gateways into the US until October 1, 2027, providing temporary relief from the agency's foreign router restrictions.

Elon Musk's team is reaching out to major semiconductor equipment makers to support Terafab, an ambitious effort to enter cutting-edge chip production. The initiative represents Musk's latest attempt to build domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity.

Walmart is preparing an updated version of its budget Onn 4K Pro streaming box with Google Gemini AI and Matter smart home support. The device listing appeared on Walmart's website before an official announcement.

Vivo has unveiled the X300 Ultra, a camera-focused smartphone that marks the Chinese phonemaker's first global flagship launch. The device aims to capture the videography market with advanced imaging capabilities.

A decade of development hasn't shifted public opinion on autonomous vehicles. Polls consistently show people distrust self-driving technology and prefer human drivers, despite evidence suggesting robotaxis could be safer.

Microsoft launched a college-focused offer pairing discounted laptops with Microsoft 365 Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a custom controller—a direct response to Apple's $500 student MacBook Neo.

Amazon's budget-friendly answer to Samsung's Frame TV will begin shipping on April 22 in the US and Canada. Pre-orders open today.

ASML lifted its full-year sales forecast to match analyst expectations, easing concerns about equipment supply constraints for AI chip production. Attention now shifts to the chipmaking equipment supplier's 2027 outlook.

South Korea surpassed China as ASML's biggest market in Q1 2026, accounting for 45% of net system sales worth €2.84 billion, up sharply from 22% in the previous quarter.

Amazon launched its slimmest Fire TV Stick HD yet, priced at $35 with built-in Alexa and no external power adapter required.

Semiconductor equipment maker ASML has lifted its 2026 sales guidance, citing robust demand driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout.

Apple's latest MacBook Air M5 delivers pro-level performance with doubled base storage and extended battery life. The 13-inch model starts at £1,099, though new competition from the MacBook Neo complicates the value proposition.

The global smartphone market posted its first decline since 2023 in the first quarter, according to IDC. Memory chip shortages and escalating tensions in Iran threaten to further raise costs and slow growth.

Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics launched its most affordable humanoid robot on AliExpress this week, marking a significant move into international markets. The expansion intensifies competition with Tesla and other major players in the booming humanoid robotics sector.

Ukraine's military is expanding its use of robots on the battlefield to minimize human exposure to drone strikes and combat risks. The shift reflects growing reliance on autonomous systems in modern warfare.

Samsung launched its 2026 Micro RGB TV lineup, with 55-inch 4K models priced at $1,600. The series scales up to 85 inches and features proprietary display technology designed for enhanced color accuracy.

Global smartphone shipments declined 4.1% year-over-year in Q1, marking the first downturn since 2023. A memory chip shortage and elevated prices forced manufacturers to reduce output and raise device costs.

Chip equipment maker ASML reported first-quarter net sales of €8.8 billion and net profit of €2.8 billion, both exceeding analyst estimates. The company raised its 2026 revenue guidance to €36–40 billion from €34–39 billion.

The FCC has approved Netgear's conditional import of routers, cable modems, and gateways through October 2027, despite the company manufacturing devices in Asia with no stated plans to relocate production to the US.

Ecovacs unveiled the Deebot X12 OmniCyclone, a robovac that uses AI and cameras to detect dried stains, then sprays cleaning solution before mopping. The feature aims to tackle stubborn marks in a single pass.

The Alienware 27 (AW2726DM) QD-OLED monitor offers premium display technology at an accessible price point as gaming hardware costs continue to climb across the industry.

Reliable leaker Igor Bogdanov has shared images suggesting DJI is developing a pro version of its upcoming Osmo Pocket 4 with dual cameras. The standard model is expected to launch on April 16th.

Microsoft has increased prices on two-year-old Surface PC models by up to $300 while discontinuing sub-$1,000 configurations. The changes eliminate affordable entry points in the Surface lineup.

Samsung is increasing prices on several Galaxy models, with higher-storage variants now costing significantly more. Base models remain unchanged, but premium configurations face steep hikes.

Credo, a US data center connectivity specialist, has agreed to acquire Israeli chipmaker DustPhotonics in a cash-and-stock deal valued at up to $1.3 billion. The acquisition combines Credo's connectivity expertise with DustPhotonics' photonic chip technology.

Max Hodak's Science Corp. is preparing to implant its first neural sensor in a human brain. The device aims to treat neurological conditions through targeted electrical stimulation.

Waymo has started testing its autonomous vehicle service in London, marking a significant step toward launching the UK's first commercial robotaxi service. The trials will pave the way for a full commercial rollout pending government approval.

The OEM-backed charging network IONNA is deploying fast chargers at over 350 Circle K locations. The stations will feature 400 kW DC fast chargers supporting both NACS and CCS standards.

GoPro unveiled its Mission 1 camera line featuring 50-megapixel sensors and interchangeable Micro Four Thirds lens support. The new models launch in two waves starting May 28th.

Alienware has launched the AW2726DM, a 27-inch QD-OLED gaming monitor with 240Hz refresh rate priced at $349.99. The display marks a significant price drop for high-refresh OLED technology.

Taiwanese equities reached new peaks as investors resumed buying AI-related shares amid persistent Middle East tensions. The surge reflects renewed confidence in semiconductor demand across the region.

GoPro unveiled its Mission 1 flagship camera line, featuring 8K 60fps video and interchangeable lenses to compete with rivals Insta360 and DJI. The new system includes a 50-megapixel one-inch sensor and fresh accessories.

Samsung has increased prices across multiple Galaxy product lines in the US, with some devices seeing substantial hikes. The 1TB Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra jumped $280, signaling broader price increases for 2025 Galaxy releases.

Alibaba Group is preparing to launch its first robot, a four-legged device marking the company's entry into China's competitive robotics market.

Chinese chipmaker Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) is expanding production capacity with two additional factories beyond one completing in 2026, more than doubling its output.

SwitchBot has launched a rechargeable version of its button-pressing robot, a decade after the original model helped establish the company. The new Bot Rechargeable maintains identical functionality while swapping disposable batteries for a USB-C rechargeable alternative.

Inertia has signed three agreements with Lawrence Livermore National Lab to advance its fusion reactor technology toward commercial deployment. The partnership marks a significant step in translating decades of fusion research into viable power generation.

Blackmagic Design has integrated a photo editor into DaVinci Resolve, expanding the professional editing suite beyond video. The new tool consolidates photo and video workflows in a single application.

Chinese robotics company Unitree is expanding the R1 humanoid robot to international markets via AliExpress. The machine features aerobatic capabilities at an entry-level price point.

Mercedes-Benz has relaunched its EQS electric sedan in the US market after a year-long pause, bringing improved range and faster charging capabilities to compete in the luxury EV segment.

Microsoft has increased prices across its Surface device lineup in response to a severe global memory chip shortage. The company joins other PC makers in passing higher costs to consumers.

Google has integrated Rust programming language into the Pixel 10's cellular modem to address security vulnerabilities in legacy code. The move targets one of mobile's most complex and opaque components.

Amazon Leo announced its Aviation Antenna for commercial aircraft, capable of delivering up to 1 Gbps download and 400 Mbps upload speeds. The move puts Amazon's satellite internet service in direct competition with Starlink's in-flight connectivity offering.

BYD's premium Denza Z9 GT achieves a world record by fully charging its battery in just 9 minutes, demonstrating breakthrough charging technology. However, the vehicle's premium pricing strategy raises questions about market viability.

Microsoft is testing a new Gamepad Cursor feature that converts a handheld's left stick into a virtual mouse. The tool integrates directly into Xbox mode on Windows 11 handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally X.

Elon Musk's Neuralink promised to merge human minds with AI and deliver superhuman abilities. Instead, the brain-computer interface startup faces mounting questions about whether its ambitions outpace scientific feasibility.

Elon Musk is building a team for Terafab, his planned chip manufacturing operation, with Intel as a key partner. The collaboration marks a significant step toward Musk's ambition to establish domestic semiconductor production capacity.

Kepler Communications has deployed 40 GPUs in Earth orbit, creating the largest orbital compute cluster. Sophia Space is its first customer.

Huawei has revealed the Pura X Max, a wide-aspect foldable phone launching in China next week. The design mirrors long-rumored specifications for Apple and Samsung's own foldable projects.

AMD is incrementally advancing its ROCm GPU computing platform as an alternative to Nvidia's entrenched CUDA ecosystem. The effort reflects the growing demand for competitive options in AI and high-performance computing.

Hisense has launched the UR9, the first RGB LED television to reach consumers in 2026. The set uses individual red, green, and blue LEDs for its backlight, marking a significant step forward from traditional mini-LED technology.

Analysts and researchers say Google's TurboQuant compression algorithm—designed to make large language models more efficient—will likely increase memory chip demand rather than reduce it.

Japan approved an additional $4 billion in subsidies to Rapidus, bringing total state investment to $16.3 billion. The funding supports the chipmaker's advanced semiconductor production for Fujitsu.

Apple is developing AI-powered glasses that will compete directly with Meta's offering, featuring multiple style options and distinctive oval camera modules. The device marks Apple's entry into the spatial computing eyewear market.

China's Long March 9 competitor experienced a launch failure this week, highlighting the critical demand for reliable heavy-lift capacity as NASA accelerates its Artemis lunar program.

Third-party USB-C docks for Nintendo's Switch 2 are hitting the market at affordable prices. You don't need to spend premium amounts for solid dock performance.

Amazon is offering a limited-time discount on Motorola's Razr Ultra foldable phone, slashing the price by $600. The deal brings the premium device to a significantly lower price point.

After extensive testing, the MacBook Neo and MacBook Air serve different needs. Your choice depends on budget, performance requirements, and portability priorities.