Normal view

Today — 9 February 2026Main stream

MIT researchers utilize waste heat to perform mathematical calculations

8 February 2026 at 21:46

Researchers at MIT have found an unexpected way to make use of something electronics usually try hard to get rid of: heat. Instead of treating excess heat as a problem, the team showed that it can be used to carry out certain mathematical operations on its own, without any additional electrical power.

The work focuses on silicon structures that are only about the size of a dust particle. These structures don’t contain transistors or moving parts. Instead, they rely entirely on how heat naturally flows through solid material. According to the researchers, that flow can be shaped carefully enough to perform matrix-vector multiplication, a core operation used in many machine-learning models.

The study was led by MIT undergraduate Caio Silva, working with research scientist Giuseppe Romano. In simulations, the heat-based structures were able to carry out the calculations with accuracy above 99 percent

Here’s how it works

The key idea is that temperature differences act as inputs, and the resulting heat diffusion produces the output automatically.

To make this work, the researchers used a design approach known as inverse design. Rather than sketching the structures manually, they defined the mathematical operation they wanted and let software generate complex silicon geometries that would guide heat in just the right way. Many of these designs end up looking irregular and porous, but every feature plays a role in controlling how heat spreads. Because heat can only flow from hot regions to cooler ones, the team also had to split calculations into positive and negative parts and process them separately.

This isn’t meant to replace conventional processors. Heat moves much more slowly than electrical signals, and the structures can only perform fixed operations. But the idea could be useful in very specific situations, such as passive thermal sensing, on-chip temperature mapping, or simple signal processing that doesn’t justify extra power consumption.

As Silva noted, most electronic systems see heat as wasted energy. This work takes the opposite view and asks whether that heat can be made to do something useful before it disappears.

It’s still early research, but it offers a different way of thinking about computation, one where heat isn’t just a side effect, but part of the process itself.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

(Sources: 1, 2 | Image)

The post MIT researchers utilize waste heat to perform mathematical calculations appeared first on Gizmochina.

World’s first sodium-ion passenger EV holds 90% charge at -40°C, delivers over 400 km range

8 February 2026 at 12:45

The EV industry has reached a quiet but important milestone. For the first time, a mass-produced passenger EV is set to use a sodium-ion battery, a technology long discussed but never deployed at this scale. The car in question is the Changan Nevo A06, developed by Changan Automobile and powered by batteries from CATL.

The announcement follows extensive winter testing in Inner Mongolia, where temperatures regularly drop well below what most EVs are designed to handle. According to the companies involved, the Nevo A06 was able to charge normally at around -30°C and continued operating at temperatures as low as -50°C. At -40°C, the battery reportedly retained more than 90% of its original capacity, a level of performance that is difficult to achieve with conventional lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

The vehicle uses CATL’s Naxtra sodium-ion battery pack, which the company says is the first of its kind certified for use in passenger cars. The initial version has a capacity of 45 kWh and delivers a claimed range of just over 400 km on China’s CLTC test cycle.

On paper, that puts it close to entry-level LFP-based EVs, but with far better cold-weather behavior. CATL says the pack can deliver several times more power than comparable LFP batteries at sub-zero temperatures, helping maintain acceleration and cabin heating without heavy range loss.

Sodium-ion batteries have drawn attention partly because they avoid lithium altogether. Sodium is cheaper, more abundant, and less vulnerable to supply-chain disruptions. Safety is another factor: CATL says the Naxtra cells are far more resistant to thermal runaway and have passed extreme abuse tests without catching fire.

CATL describes this as the beginning of a “dual-chemistry” phase for EVs, where sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries coexist depending on climate, cost, and use case. The Nevo A06 is expected to launch in China around mid-2026, with sodium-ion packs eventually spreading across Changan’s wider lineup.

For now, this remains a China-focused rollout. Still, it’s a clear signal that sodium-ion batteries are no longer just a lab experiment. In cold regions especially, they may soon offer a practical alternative to lithium-based EVs, without the usual compromises.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

(Source)

The post World’s first sodium-ion passenger EV holds 90% charge at -40°C, delivers over 400 km range appeared first on Gizmochina.

Moto Buds 2 Plus renders reveal case redesign and two color options

8 February 2026 at 07:54

Motorola looks set to update its TWS lineup, with a new leak pointing to what appears to be the Moto Buds 2 Plus. The earbuds haven’t been announced yet, but fresh renders suggest the company is sticking close to a formula that already worked.

The images published by Android Headlines show the Moto Buds 2 Plus in blue and white finishes. At a glance, the earbuds themselves don’t look drastically different from the previous Moto Buds Plus, which hints that Motorola is aiming for refinement rather than a full redesign.

One detail that stands out is the continued “Sound by Bose” branding. The partnership with Bose was one of the stronger points of the original model, particularly for tuning and noise cancellation, and it appears Motorola isn’t moving away from that strategy. While there’s no confirmation yet on specific audio features, it’s reasonable to expect similar sound characteristics, possibly with some quiet improvements under the hood.

The earbuds keep a stem-style design, which remains popular for both comfort and call quality. The bigger visual change shows up in the charging case. Instead of the flat, horizontal layout used earlier, the Moto Buds 2 Plus appear to store vertically. It also suggests Motorola may be trying to slim down the case profile a bit.

Pricing details haven’t been confirmed, but current expectations put the Moto Buds 2 Plus around the $199.99 mark, roughly where the previous generation launched. If that holds, it would keep the earbuds positioned as a relatively accessible premium option, especially compared to higher-priced models from Sony, Apple, or Bose itself.

Motorola hasn’t commented on the leak, which isn’t unusual at this stage. Still, the fact that these renders are coming from established sources, including Evan Blass, suggests the product is well along in development. Launch timing remains unclear, but this doesn’t look like something that’s far off.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

(Sources: 1, 2)

The post Moto Buds 2 Plus renders reveal case redesign and two color options appeared first on Gizmochina.

Yesterday — 8 February 2026Main stream

DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro FCC listing confirms global launch plans, reveals battery size

7 February 2026 at 11:14

DJI may be getting closer to launching a new Pro-level version of its pocket gimbal camera. A recent regulatory filing suggests that the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro is moving through the approval process, a step that usually comes well before a public release.

The device has appeared in filings with the FCC. This follows an earlier certification for the standard Osmo Pocket 4, which surfaced months ago. With both models now cleared, it looks increasingly likely that DJI is preparing a broader, possibly global rollout that includes the US market.

FCC approval is required for devices with wireless features in the US, and companies usually don’t go through the process unless a product is meant to ship.

One of the few concrete details confirmed by the filing is battery capacity. The Osmo Pocket 4 Pro is listed with a 1,545mAh battery at 7.7V. That’s a noticeable increase over the Osmo Pocket 3’s 1,300mAh battery and lines up with earlier leaks suggesting improved endurance across the new Pocket lineup.

Beyond that, information is limited. The FCC has granted DJI a confidentiality request, meaning internal photos and schematics won’t be made public until around June 20, 2026. DJI certified the standard Pocket 4 well before announcing anything, but it does remove a key barrier to US sales.

Rumors suggest the Pocket 4 Pro could arrive after the standard model, possibly later this spring or in early summer. As a “Pro” variant, it’s expected to offer something extra, whether that’s camera hardware changes, enhanced stabilization, or other refinements.

What is clear is that DJI is actively moving forward behind the scenes. With regulatory approval now in place, the Osmo Pocket 4 Pro appears to be one step closer to release, even if DJI isn’t ready to talk about it yet.


Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

(Source: FCC | Via)

The post DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro FCC listing confirms global launch plans, reveals battery size appeared first on Gizmochina.

Before yesterdayMain stream

Sony confirms WF-1000XM6 launch date, teases new design

6 February 2026 at 13:01

Sony has begun teasing its next flagship true wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM6, finally offering a first official hint after months of leaks and speculation.

WF-1000XM teaser

Sony refers to the earbuds as the “next generation,” and flashes part of the design for just a moment. Still, it’s the clearest signal so far that the successor to the WF-1000XM5 is close.

Sony has confirmed that the full announcement will take place on February 12, 2026, at 16:00 UTC (9:30 PM IST). The company hasn’t said whether this will be a livestream or a simple press release, but full specifications are expected either way.

It has been almost three years since the WF-1000XM5 launched in July 2023, which is a longer gap than usual for Sony’s 1000X lineup. In that time, competition from Apple, Bose, and Sennheiser has only intensified, raising expectations around what the XM6 needs to deliver.

WF-1000XM5 design

The design shown in the teaser appears to match recent leaks. The earbuds look more compact than before, moving away from the rounded shape of the XM5. The new form factor appears flatter and more pill-shaped, which could help with comfort and fit. The charging case also seems to have changed. It looks slimmer and more angular.

Leaks have also pointed to a few smaller but practical changes. A matte finish is expected to return, after some users complained about the glossy surface on the XM5. There also appears to be an extra microphone opening, which could be linked to improvements in active noise cancellation or call quality, though Sony hasn’t confirmed anything yet.

Colour options may expand slightly as well. Black and platinum silver have appeared in leaked images, and there are reports of a third colour, possibly Sand Pink.

With the announcement now just days away, Sony hasn’t left much room for surprises. Whether the WF-1000XM6 represents a major step forward or a more cautious update will become clear soon enough.


Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

(Source: Sony)

The post Sony confirms WF-1000XM6 launch date, teases new design appeared first on Gizmochina.

Smartwatches fake blood sugar readings as 58% of inspected device models fail German checks

6 February 2026 at 07:26

Smartwatches that claim to measure blood sugar without needles are once again under scrutiny, this time from Germany’s Federal Network Agency. In its latest market surveillance report, the regulator confirmed that several devices sold in 2025 advertised blood glucose tracking despite having no technical ability to measure it, which is a practice officials say poses real risks to consumers.

According to the agency, inspections carried out over the year uncovered problems across roughly 7.7 million electronic products. Many of the violations were procedural, such as missing CE markings or incomplete German-language documentation. Others, however, went far beyond paperwork. Among the most concerning findings were smartwatches that simulate blood sugar readings using unrelated sensors or estimated values, while presenting the results as genuine health data.

Why blood sugar tracking on smartwatches is misleading

Industry experts have been clear for years: accurate blood glucose monitoring requires either invasive testing or an external continuous glucose monitor (CGM). No standalone smartwatch can currently deliver reliable readings on its own. Despite this, low-cost models sold mainly through online marketplaces continue to market the feature aggressively, often targeting people with diabetes.

In at least some cases, the consequences could be serious. A previously published review of the Kospet iHeal 6 showed that its so-called glucose readings varied sharply from real measurements, sometimes enough to influence medication decisions. Regulators warn that relying on such data could lead users to delay insulin, overcorrect their dosage, or ignore warning signs altogether.

The scope of the issue remains significant. The agency flagged 1,266 online listings suspected of non-compliance. While this figure represents an 11.2% decline compared to the previous year, the products involved still accounted for an estimated five million units sold. Smartwatches were the most common offenders, not only for false health claims but also for violations of Germany’s Radio Equipment Act.

Offline inspections revealed similar problems. Of 2,400 device models checked at retail, 58% failed to meet regulatory standards, affecting around 1.9 million units. Most issues were administrative, though some products were found to emit excessive electromagnetic interference.

Customs authorities also stepped up enforcement, blocking 359,000 non-compliant devices at the border after examining more than 8,200 shipments.

For regulators, the message is straightforward: health claims must be backed by real technology. For consumers, Germany’s warning is a reminder that if a smartwatch promises needle-free blood sugar tracking, skepticism is not just reasonable, it’s necessary.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

(Source | Image)

The post Smartwatches fake blood sugar readings as 58% of inspected device models fail German checks appeared first on Gizmochina.

❌
❌