Tag: Firmware

HardwareSoftwareTechnology

Intel Chromebooks Get Linux Performance Fix After Regression

The Linux community has landed a critical fix addressing what sources describe as a “serious performance regression” impacting Intel Chromebook users. Meanwhile, reports indicate an unusual collaboration between AMD and Intel is progressing on firmware unification efforts that could benefit the broader Linux ecosystem.

Linux users on Intel-based Chromebooks can finally breathe easier following the integration of a kernel fix that reportedly resolves significant performance degradation issues. According to coverage from industry watchdog Phoronix Test Suite creator Michael Larabel, the problem had been affecting systems for several weeks before the solution reached the mainline kernel.

Sources following the development suggest the regression stemmed from power management interactions between the Linux kernel and Intel’s P-state driver. The issue manifested as noticeably sluggish performance on Chromebook devices powered by various Intel processors, creating frustration for users who depend on these lightweight systems for daily computing tasks.

by Michael Turner
HardwareInnovationTechnology

Samsung Galaxy XR Breaks Industry Trend with Official Bootloader Unlocking Support

In a surprising industry shift, Samsung is reportedly allowing bootloader unlocking on its Galaxy XR headset. This move contrasts with the company’s recent restrictions on smartphones and creates unprecedented customization opportunities in the AR/XR space.

Samsung Reverses Course on XR Device

In what analysts suggest is a strategic departure from industry norms, Samsung has reportedly enabled bootloader unlocking on its upcoming Galaxy XR headset. This development comes despite the company’s recent moves to restrict similar capabilities on its smartphone lineup, according to industry reports.

by Michael Turner
ComputingHardwareTechnology

ASUS Rolls Out Early BIOS Support for Upcoming AMD Ryzen 9000G APUs on AM5 Platform

ASUS has begun deploying beta BIOS updates featuring AMD’s latest AGESA 1.2.7.0 firmware for its AM5 800-series motherboards. The new firmware reportedly includes optimized support for upcoming Ryzen APUs expected to feature Zen 5 CPU cores and enhanced RDNA graphics.

Early Support for Next-Generation APUs

ASUS is preparing its AM5 800-series motherboards for AMD’s upcoming Ryzen APU lineup through new beta BIOS releases, according to recent reports. The motherboard manufacturer has begun distributing BIOS updates featuring AMD’s latest AGESA 1.2.7.0 firmware, which sources indicate contains optimized support for next-generation APUs expected to launch later this year.

by Jessica Moore P.E.
Arts and EntertainmentAssistive Technology

Google Nest Speakers Display Gemini Color Palette Signaling AI Evolution

Google’s Nest speakers are undergoing a visual transformation, with devices now displaying Gemini’s signature color spectrum when activated. The change comes as users report behavioral shifts in voice responses and device interactions, suggesting broader AI integration is underway ahead of Gemini’s anticipated Home rollout.

Visual Transformation Signals AI Shift

Google’s Nest smart speakers are displaying a new color palette when activated, cycling through blue, red, yellow, and green before returning to white, according to reports from the Preview Program update. The visual change matches Gemini’s branding and represents what analysts suggest is the beginning of a broader transition toward Google’s advanced AI ecosystem.

by Jessica Moore P.E.
Gaming HardwareSoftware Guides

Librephone Aims to Fix Open-Source Custom ROM Privacy Issues

While custom ROMs promise enhanced privacy, they often rely on hidden proprietary components. Librephone emerges with a fresh approach, targeting handsets with minimal closed-source code to deliver true open-source smartphone freedom.

In the evolving landscape of smartphone privacy, users increasingly seek alternatives to mainstream operating systems that reduce dependency on major corporations. While platforms like Android offer extensive customization, they ultimately tie users to Google‘s ecosystem, raising concerns about data control. Projects such as GrapheneOS have made strides in hardening security and minimizing data exposure, yet a pervasive issue lingers in the open-source community: the reliance on hidden proprietary software components. Enter Librephone, a new initiative determined to address this dirty secret by starting with handsets that have minimal proprietary code, aiming for a purer open-source experience.

The Hidden Problem with Open-Source Custom ROMs

by Michael Turner