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July 27, 2026July 27, 2026 by Sponsored Post - 2 Comments

Redragon K688 Pro – An affordable tri-mode gasket mechanical keyboard with full numpad and media knob (Sponsored)

Redragon K688 Pro is a 96% layout tri-mode mechanical keyboard that aims to deliver enthusiast-level typing comfort and full productivity features in a compact, affordable package suitable for both work and gaming. The keyboard features a 98-key ANSI layout that retains a full numpad, function row, and arrow keys while claiming roughly 10% less desk footprint than a traditional full-size keyboard. It uses a gasket-mounted structure with five layers of silencer foam and PCB single-key slotting. Redragon states this design cuts hollow/cavity sound by about 90% and improves noise reduction by 20%, producing the soft, bouncy “creamy” acoustics and elastic feel highlighted in product materials. A dedicated multi-function rotary knob provides tactile control: turn for volume, press for mute, and combine with FN for backlight brightness or mode switching. This offers faster access than FN-layer shortcuts found on many competitors. Key specifications include: Layout / Keys – 96% (98 keys […]

July 22, 2026July 22, 2026 by Debashis Das - 2 Comments

Arduino UNO Q Arcade bundle lets you build a custom retro gaming console for about $90

Arduino UNO Q Arcade bundle is a kit designed to build a custom retro gaming console. The bundle combines the Arduino UNO Q 4GB SBC with a set of daisy-chainable Modulino I2C modules, allowing users to create a custom game controller without requiring complex wiring or breadboards. The kit relies on Qwiic connectors to daisy-chain the input modules, whose data is then processed by the UNO Q to emulate standard HIDs for gaming or development. The plastic parts can be 3D printed by the user. Arduino UNO Q Arcade bundle contents: Arduino UNO Q 4GB – A Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210 SBC with an onboard eMMC, running Debian Linux Modulino Joystick – An I2C node configurable for simulating D-pad inputs or mouse cursor movements Modulino Buttons – An I2C node for mapping single keystrokes, multi-key shortcuts, or mouse clicks Modulino Movement – A 6-axis IMU node for motion-based mouse control Note: […]

July 20, 2026 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Globalscale Case8 – A MediaTek Genio 520/720 cyberdeck for gaming, home automation, and education (Crowdfunding)

Case8 Platfrom with gaming, home automation, and education variants

Globalscale Technologies has launched the Case8 series of open-source cyberdeck-style computing platforms based on MediaTek Genio 520 and Genio 720 processors. The platform is offered in hacker (PCBA only), gaming, home automation, and education variants. The Case8 is built around an OSM-L compute module with a MediaTek Genio 520 or Genio 720 SoC with up to eight cores, a Mali-G67 GPU, and a 10 TOPS NPU. Depending on the configuration, it comes with 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB LPDDR5 memory and 64GB or 128GB UFS storage, along with Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, stereo speakers, microphones, and optional 4G/5G connectivity. Display options include a 5-inch panel for the gaming model and 7-inch touch or non-touch displays for the home automation and education variants, with camera configurations varying by model. Case8 cyberdeck platform specifications: OSM-L compute module (one or the other) MediaTek Genio 520 CPU – 2x Cortex-A78 up to 2.2GHz, 6x […]

June 19, 2026June 19, 2026 by Debashis Das - 2 Comments

Rotary Mouse puts a rotary wheel into a standard desktop mouse (Crowdfunding)

While mouse sensors have improved a lot over time, the scroll wheel has mostly stayed the same. Normal scrolling requires you to keep flicking your finger up and down, which can get uncomfortable during long sessions like coding or video editing. To change this, Airra Labs has introduced the Rotary Mouse, which uses a rotary wheel in place of the scroll wheel to let you scroll with a simple circular motion. It comes in two variants: a standard and a vertical version. The standard variant features a larger circular, jog-wheel-like dial on top that lets you scroll by rotating your finger. The vertical variant also comes with the same wheel but is designed so you can scroll like a regular mouse by flicking your finger up and down, while still using the same circular motion. This provides a wider range of movement and can make scrolling faster and easier than with […]

June 11, 2026June 11, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

Bare-metal MSX2+ Emulator for ESP32-S3 offers custom LCD_CAM VGA implementation & Z80 optimizations

Ivan Svarkovsky’s S3-MSX-PC open-source project implements a bare-metal MSX2+ emulator running on an ESP32-S3 microcontroller and outputting 64-color VGA via a simple R-2R resistor ladder. It’s a fork of the Retro-Go emulator for ODROID-GO and other ESP32 devices, but with various optimizations. It was tested on an off-the-shelf ESP32-S3 board with one core handling the game logic and the other video and audio output. VGA is implemented through a clever resistor network that converts digital data into an analog signal that any old monitor understands, while audio relies on Sigma-Delta modulation with a multi-stage PDM filter. The USB host port on the board allows for the connection of a keyboard. S3-MSX-PC firmware highlights: Emulation Core – fMSX 6.0 — Full MSX1 / MSX2 / MSX2+ support Video Output VGA 640×480@60Hz, 16-bit parallel RGB via LCD_CAM Color Depth – 64 colors (2 bits per channel: R, G, B) Audio – PDM Stereo […]

June 3, 2026June 5, 2026 by Debashis Das - 4 Comments

ModRetro M64 – An AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGA based open-source Nintendo 64-compatible console with original cartridge support

ModRetro has announced the M64, an open-source Nintendo 64-compatible console powered by an AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGA, designed to play original cartridges using hardware-level emulation instead of software. The M64’s reliance on an AMD Artix FPGA enables accurate and responsive gameplay, and the console supports original game cartridges and controllers, while also adding modern connectivity features such as HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB-C. ModRetro M64 specifications: FPGA – AMD Artix UltraScale+ (16nm architecture) Memory – PSRAM Storage – MicroSD card slot (for firmware updates and potential homebrew applications) Media Interfaces – Dedicated Nintendo 64 physical cartridge slot for original retro media preservation and play. Display – HDMI port (upscaling for modern TVs, supporting custom video filters like Scan Line and CRT profiles) Audio – Digital audio output via HDMI Connectivity Bluetooth with advanced “SCI” wireless mode (ModRetro’s own low-latency protocol) Wi-Fi support for firmware upgrade USB – 3x USB-C ports […]

May 25, 2026June 11, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

CardputerZero – A Raspberry Pi CM0 pocket computer for makers (Crowdfunding)

CardputerZero is a pocket-sized computer based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module Zero (CM0) and designed for makers with a 46-key matrix keyboard, a 1.9-inch LCD, HDMI video output, Fast Ethernet, three USB ports, a microphone and a speaker for voice interaction, a 14-pin GPIO header, a Grove interface, and an IR transceiver (Rx/Tx). The credit card-sized device comes in two models: CardputerZero Lite and CardputerZero. The latter also adds an 8MP camera, a 6-axis IMU, and a 32GB microSD card preloaded with the software. Both models are powered by a rechargeable 1,500 mAh LiPo battery or directly via a USB-C port. Cardputer Zero specifications: SoM – Raspberry Pi CM0 Lite SoC – Broadcom BCM2710A1 CPU – Quad-core Cortex-A53 processor @ 1.0 GHz GPU – VideoCore IV GPU supporting OpenGL ES 1.1, 2.0 graphics VPU – H.264/MPEG-4 1080p30 video decoding, H.264 1080p30 video encoding System Memory – 512MB LPDDR2 RAM Storage […]

April 14, 2026April 15, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 15 Comments

PocketTerm35 – A Raspberry Pi 4/5-based handheld Linux terminal with 3.5-inch touch display and built-in keyboard

Waveshare PocketTerm35 is a portable handheld terminal for the Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 single board computers featuring a 3.5-inch touchscreen display and a built-in QWERTY keyboard. The device also features Gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.0/2.0 ports from the Raspberry Pi SBC, gaming buttons, a built-in stereo speaker, a 3.5mm audio jack, a USB Type-C port for power, and an optional 5,000 mAh battery. PocketTerm35 specifications: Compatible SBC – Raspberry Pi 4 Model B and Raspberry Pi 5 MCU – Raspberry Pi RP2040 MCU for keyboard, brightness, and volume Storage – Optional 64GB microSD card with OS Display – 3.5-inch 640 × 480 IPS display with 5-point capacitive touch; toughened glass panel, 6H hardness Audio Built-in 8Ω 2W stereo speaker 3.5mm audio jack Networking – Gigabit Ethernet ports (on Pi 4/5) USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports (on Pi 4/5) User Input 67 keys QWERTY silicone keyboard […]