80 LEVEL·16wEngineer Plays DOOM on Labubu
Engineer Hairo Satoh created a custom gaming device by embedding PlayStation hardware into a Labubu doll, complete with a screen for a face and hand-squeeze controllers. The creation successfully runs DOOM, controlled by squeezing the doll's hands to navigate and shoot. This joins a growing list of unconventional devices capable of running the classic game, from Blender icons to PDF files.
TechCentral·15wTaiwan seeks arrest of OnePlus CEO
Taiwanese prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for OnePlus CEO Pete Lau, alleging illegal business operations and recruitment of over 70 employees in Taiwan for smartphone software development. The case falls under Taiwanese law governing relations with China. Taiwan has been cracking down on Chinese companies allegedly poaching tech talent through shell companies and hiring agencies, with 16 Chinese firms under investigation as of August 2025 for similar activities.
Atlassian·13w8 Best Software Documentation Tools for 2025
Software documentation tools help developers and teams share knowledge effectively across code, APIs, projects, and end-users. The article categorizes documentation into four types (developer, project, marketing/sales, and end-user) and reviews eight tools across different categories: code documentation (GitHub, Confluence, Jira), API documentation (Swagger UI, Document360), help authoring (Adobe RoboHelp, MadCap Flare), and video collaboration (Loom). Key evaluation criteria include rich-text editing, version control, organization features, collaboration capabilities, templates, integrations, and security. Each tool is assessed with features, pros, cons, and pricing information.
omg! ubuntu!·16wNew Dell XPS 14 and 16 Announced, Ubuntu Version Coming This Year
Dell has revived its XPS laptop brand at CES 2026 with redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch models. The XPS 14 will be available with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS later this year. Both models are thinner (14.6mm) and lighter than predecessors, featuring Intel Core Ultra Series CPUs with Arc iGPUs, improved thermal systems, physical function keys, and modular components for easier repairs. Display options include tandem OLED or 2K LCD with variable refresh rates. The XPS 14 starts at $2050 and XPS 16 at $2200, with limited configurations available from January 6th and broader options from February.
GamesIndustry.biz·14wUbisoft’s restructure plan spooks the markets, and it's not hard to see why | Opinion
Ubisoft's new restructuring plan divides the company into five business units, with flagship titles like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry isolated in one unit backed by Tencent. Markets reacted negatively with a 40% share drop, as the reorganization appears to separate crown jewels from other properties while maintaining top-down management control. The structure raises concerns about future divestments rather than genuine recovery, especially given continued layoffs, mandatory office returns, and leadership unchanged despite years of underperformance.
Hacker News·13wPlaystation 2 Recompilation Project Is Absolutely Incredible – RedGamingTech
PS2Recomp is a static recompiler tool that converts PlayStation 2 games to run natively on modern platforms like Windows and Linux, bypassing emulation. Unlike emulators like PCSX2, recompilation translates PS2's unique Emotion Engine architecture (MIPS R5900 CPU) into native code for target platforms. This approach enables better performance on lower-end hardware, unlocked frame rates without physics issues, and greater modding flexibility. Similar N64 recompilation projects for Mario 64 and Zelda demonstrate the potential, including ray tracing support. The project is still in development but represents a significant advancement for game preservation.
TechLinked·16wLaptops Are So Back...
Dell admits AI PCs failed to resonate with consumers and revives the XPS brand after a failed rebrand. Wi-Fi 8 products are already appearing despite the standard not releasing until 2028. Storage manufacturers showcase innovative designs including upgradeable external SSDs and hybrid devices. Nvidia may restart RTX 3060 production due to memory shortages, while AMD considers reintroducing AM4 products. The upcoming James Bond game lists non-existent hardware in its system requirements. XAI faces global investigations over deepfake generation, and Samsung receives a restraining order over alleged TV screenshot capture without consent.
TechLinked·17wGrok is Out of Control
Grok's AI chatbot experienced a major safety failure allowing generation of inappropriate content involving minors. Instagram's CEO suggests labeling real content instead of AI-generated material due to overwhelming AI slop. PlayStation 5 security was compromised through leaked ROM keys, potentially enabling hardware-level jailbreaks. Asus pauses phone releases for 2026 due to weak sales. California launches a unified platform for residents to request data deletion from 500+ brokers. Various other tech news includes Samsung maintaining Galaxy S26 pricing, Pebble's smartwatch revival, and concerns about workplace nicotine distribution at tech startups.
Hacker News·14wTech is Fun Again: The Tech Monoculture is Finally Breaking
The tech industry is experiencing a shift away from device consolidation and platform monopolies toward diverse, single-purpose hardware and niche products. After decades of convergence where smartphones absorbed most gadget functionality, consumers are now gravitating toward specialized devices like e-paper displays, film cameras, retro gaming hardware, and wearables. This trend is driven by nostalgia, burnout from algorithmic curation, antitrust pressure on big tech, lower barriers to entry for hardware startups, and growing dissatisfaction with bloated platforms and subscription models. The result is a healthier market with more personality, choice, and design-forward alternatives reminiscent of the 90s and early 2000s tech landscape.
