GoKawiil
Tech News
A security research team documented their process of dumping and analyzing firmware (version 3.4.2.2h) from the Eufy HomeBase 2 device, following up on earlier work examining a Eufy doorbell. Because the HomeBase's flash chip was soldered directly to the board with no exposed test pins, the researchers used spring clips and a Raspberry Pi to physically read the Winbond flash memory chip.
IDC reports smartphone shipments dropped 22% in the September quarter, the steepest decline the research firm has tracked, as manufacturers raised prices and cut cheaper models. IDC attributes the surge to memory chip prices rising roughly 350% over the past year amid heavy demand from AI companies.
SK Hynix, Samsung and Micron shares fell sharply this week, with SK Hynix down 26%, Samsung 22% and Micron 11% over five days. The drop followed China's CXMT unveiling a new server memory architecture, plus a South Korean newspaper opinion piece urging Seoul to prepare for a potential slowdown in AI-driven memory demand and a possible oversupply by 2029.
A Reddit user posted photos showing Japanese retail prices for Nvidia RTX 50-series graphics cards running 5.66% to 41.1% higher than equivalent Amazon US listings, with the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB showing the steepest markup. The comparison, converted at current exchange rates, found RTX 5080 cards averaging a 12.71% premium over US pre-tax prices, with the gap narrowing to under 4% when an 8.5% US sales tax is factored in. Notably, the RTX 5090 was absent from the Japanese listings entirely.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, and TrendForce report that legacy memory types like NOR flash and SLC NAND are facing severe supply shortages as manufacturers redirect production capacity toward more profitable HBM and DRAM chips driven by AI demand. Contract prices for both chip types have already more than doubled in the first half of 2026, with SLC NAND expected to rise another 120-170% in the second half.
SK hynix is reportedly discussing options with Intel for U.S.-based chip production, including leasing space at Intel's under-construction Ohio One facility or forming a joint venture involving Intel and AI hyperscalers seeking HBM supply. The talks come as SK hynix expands its Indiana HBM packaging plant following its $26.5 billion Nasdaq listing, though neither company has confirmed the discussions.
Apple has refreshed its Mac Mini and Mac Studio lineups, but industry-wide memory chip shortages combined with surging demand for AI computing hardware are expected to limit availability. Buyers hoping for quick access to these updated compact desktops may face delays or stock shortages in the near term.