pine64-launch-$50-smart-speaker-for-home-assistant-tinkerers

Open-hardware manufacturer Pine64 has launched a $50 smart speaker that runs open-source software on a RISC-V chip. PineVoice (previously known as PineVox) is built around a Bouffalo Lab BL606P RISC-V SoC with integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 and Zigbee radio interfaces. It’s equipped with dual microphone array and speaker with supportContinue Reading

chargebyte-launches-open-source-high-power-charging-controller

German charging communication specialist chargebyte is launching the Charge Control V (CCV), which it says is the world’s first ready-to-deploy high-power charging controller built on the EVerest open-source firmware stack. The CCV is currently in pre-series status with samples available for pre-order. The CCV is a 2-port charging controller forContinue Reading

Scientists Finally Uncover Why Solid-State Batteries Short-Circuit

Researchers have uncovered a critical mechanism behind battery failure in solid-state batteries, offering new insights that could help unlock safer, longer-lasting energy storage technologies. Every time a smartphone is charged or an electric vehicle is plugged in, billions of lithium ions move through a battery to store energy…Continue Reading

cosmic-desktop-update-adds-new-system-monitor-app

A new update to System76’s COSMIC desktop is now rolling out with a new system monitoring tool and a fresh set of fixes and fine-tuning. COSMIC Epoch 1.1.0 also sees the developers behind the Rust-based desktop opting to “[increment] the minor version regularly in order to allow for mid-release patchContinue Reading

SpaceX Starfall and Future Human-rated Versions

Starfall is SpaceX’s new uncrewed disk-shaped cargo return capsule (launched on its first demo flight today, June 23, 2026, aboard a Falcon 9). It is a flat, low-profile vehicle (~3.1 m diameter × 0.75 m tall) designed for rapid, high-volume return of up to ~1,000 kg of payload from orbit — especially for in-space manufacturingContinue Reading