Devices & Hardware.
// phones · laptops · chips · peripherals
Phones, laptops, accelerators, robotics, and the silicon roadmap. We cover hardware when the spec sheet matters to a team shipping software.
Blue Origin rebuilds launch pad as Relativity targets Mars
Blue Origin has started rebuilding Launch Complex 36 after a 2024 incident, while Relativity Space aims to send its Terran 3 to Mars by 2029
Ubiquiti launches enterprise NAS built on ZFS
Ubiquiti unveiled an enterprise NAS that runs on the ZFS file system, delivering data deduplication, compression, encryption, snapshots and replication for business storage.
FDA clears Calliphora vicina for maggot wound therapy
The FDA granted 510(k) clearance for Calliphora vicina, a blue-bottle fly, for use in maggot debridement therapy, with an 84% wound-closure rate in clinical trials [Ars Technica][FDA]
Starlink adds $10 monthly hardware fee
Starlink replaces its one-time equipment purchase with a $10 per month rental and raises service fees by $5-$10, shifting the business model toward recurring revenue [Ars Technica].
Apple unveils foldable device with 7.6‑inch OLED at WWDC 2026
At WWDC 2026 Apple introduced its first foldable device, featuring a 7.6‑inch OLED screen and a patented hinge designed for durability and seamless user experience.
Valve sets summer launch for Steam Machine and Steam Frame
Valve's Steam Machine PC and Steam Frame VR headset will ship this summer, after a delay caused by memory and storage shortages [The Verge].
Meta adds on-device facial recognition to smart glasses
Meta's June 4, 2026 software update adds on-device facial recognition to its smart glasses, enabling real‑time identification for AR apps while keeping data on the device [hn-front].
Espressif unveils ESP32‑S31 SoC for low‑power IoT
Espressif’s new ESP32‑S31 adds a 240 MHz LX7 core, Wi‑Fi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0, and a suite of peripherals aimed at extending battery life in IoT devices.
Lumafield publishes ct scans of byd car parts
Lumafield has released CT scans of BYD car parts, providing a detailed look at the internal components. The scans are available on Lumafield's website, published on June 2, 2026 [Lumafield].
emkwan teases microsoft-nvidia laptop
emkwan's instagram post hints at a microsoft-nvidia laptop that may rival apple's macbook [ @emkwan ]
Cars collect up to 25 GB of data per hour
BBC Future reports modern cars can record up to 25 GB per hour, covering location, acceleration, braking and voice commands, and often transmit it to manufacturers, sparking privacy concerns.
Motorola injects affiliate codes into Amazon app on its phones
Motorola is modifying the Amazon app on its devices to insert its own affiliate codes without user consent, according to 9to5google [9to5google]. The move bypasses Amazon's intended functionality and raises concerns about OEM overreach.
Memory shortage pushes smartphone prices up 15% in 2026
AI-driven memory demand has tightened supply, pushing average smartphone prices up 15% in 2026 and threatening the era of budget devices [davidoks.blog].
Starship V3 launch scrubbed over ground system issue
SpaceX scrubbed the first Starship V3 launch due to a ground support equipment failure, with a retry possible Friday evening [ars-technica].
Sony Xperia 1 VIII vs iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: Camera shootout
A 15-image comparison from @flashingdroid pits the Sony Xperia 1 VIII, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and Galaxy S26 Ultra in a no-editing, side-by-side camera test.
Apple rolls out Apple Intelligence-powered voice control and assistive tools
Apple launches new accessibility features using Apple Intelligence, including enhanced voice control and personalized assistive tools for users with disabilities [Apple Newsroom].
PlayStation halts PC releases for major single-player games
Sony is ending PC ports for major single-player PlayStation exclusives, Bloomberg's Jason Schreier reports, citing a shift by Hermen Hulst's studio group to keep flagship titles console-only [the-verge].
LG's 1000Hz UltraGear 25G590B monitor
LG's UltraGear 25G590B monitor features a native 1000Hz refresh rate at 1080p resolution, a first for the industry, targeting esports competitors [The Verge].
Fisker Ocean owners launch open source car company after bankruptcy
After Fisker's bankruptcy, Ocean EV owners formed an open source car company to maintain and develop the vehicle's software and hardware, challenging traditional automotive ownership [Electrek].
Apple's $599 MacBook Neo runs an iPhone chip
The MacBook Neo lands at $599 with an A18 Pro — the first Apple laptop on iPhone silicon. New segment, new compromises, and a clear shot at the Chromebook market.
Tesla starts Optimus production at Fremont. 1M-unit annual capacity.
Optimus production begins late July or August at Fremont, replacing the Model S/X line. First-gen capacity is 1M robots per year. Musk declined to commit to any 2026 unit target.
Apple Vision Pro 2 pushed to 2027. Air variant gets priority.
Multiple sources now point to Vision Pro 2 slipping to 2027. Apple shipped an M5 update in October 2025 to keep the line current. The lighter Vision Air variant is now the priority track.
Nvidia: $1T in Blackwell + Rubin orders through 2027. Groq LPU pushes 35x tokens-per-watt.
Jensen Huang's GTC keynote raised projected Blackwell + Rubin orders from $500B to $1T through 2027. Nvidia also unveiled the Groq 3 LPU — a 35x tokens-per-watt boost when paired with Rubin GPUs.
Nvidia's Vera Rubin platform: 336B transistors, 5x Blackwell inference
Nvidia's Vera Rubin platform centres on the Rubin R100 GPU — 336B transistors, 288GB HBM4, 22 TB/s memory bandwidth. Claimed 5x Blackwell inference at 10x lower cost per token.
Samsung Galaxy S26 ships with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Samsung released the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra on March 11. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy across all three tiers worldwide for the Ultra. Pricing starts at $899.
Meta Ray-Ban Display ships at $799 with Neural Band
Meta Ray-Ban Display, the first consumer AI glasses with a full-color in-lens display, shipped September 30 at $799 including the Neural Band. International rollout to Canada, France, Italy, UK in early 2026.