There is a new player in the operating systems arena from KORA Systems Inc. Called KORA, this operating system is the first bottom-up OS designed specifically for AI PCs, enabling agentic workflows. It is one of the first concepts where a system is so heavily customized that AI workflows are native to it. The company developed this customized operating system on top of NixOS, using it as a foundational layer.

The customization includes the development of what are called neural workspaces and file systems, which replace traditional folders and desktop apps. While these traditional elements are still present, the workflow on KORA OS is organized around intent, context, and memory. Each workspace is divided based on user intent, and the OS manages the files accordingly. Security is robust, as KORA implements each workspace within a secured sandbox for applications and agents, with separate permissions. The memory and context of the workflow remain on the user's desktop, never leaving the machine. Features like semantic search and email are natively integrated, allowing you to search across your entire OS or email to find what you need.

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced results for its fiscal fourth quarter and year ended September 27, 2026.

Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated"We are pleased to deliver fourth quarter non-GAAP revenues at the high end of our guidance, along with 36% year-over-year growth in combined QCT Automotive and IoT revenues," "Fiscal 2027 marks the start of our non-handset revenue inflection, including the ramp of our Data Center business. Non-handset revenues are projected to grow by more than 60% year-over-year, and we are reiterating our fiscal 2027 Data Center revenue target of $5B."

Qualcomm has officially validated its High Bandwidth Compute (HBC) concept, which the company showcased this summer. Instead of using traditional HBM and compute dies, Qualcomm has developed a technology that stacks multiple LPDDR layers and embeds a base die that serves as a compute engine for AI inference. In Qualcomm's San Diego lab, the first-generation HBC has achieved silicon validation with full read-write and near-memory computation capabilities. HBC utilizes LPDDR memory, stacking it across multiple layers in a 3D vertical space and interconnecting them with through-silicon vias (TSVs). This approach provides better energy efficiency than traditional HBM, which stacks regular DDR in vertical layers, as the low-power DDR (LPDDR) chips consume less power while delivering similar bandwidth and capacity.

Qualcomm has successfully stacked multiple LPDDR layers on top of each other, with the base of the HBC being a compute die that performs near-memory computation and offloads processing to near-memory dies. This technique is similar to what HBM4 memory currently does, with the base die being a logic die to better integrate compute solutions for packet tracing and data preparation for entering and exiting HBM. However, Qualcomm aims to achieve higher efficiency and more optimized data movement, with a 6x increase in bandwidth per watt compared to the current HBM specification. The goal is to have compute directly under these memory stacks so that data travels only a few microns instead of a few centimeters.

Fedora Linux 45 has been under development for some time, with the distribution having been delayed twice, the latest delay due to blocker bugs resulting in a no-go decision by the development team as recently as last week. Now, following a recent developer meeting, Fedora 45 has officially been given the stamp of approval for a November 3 release date, according to the public meeting minutes.

Fedora 45 is a fairly tame update, coming from Fedora 44, although there are a number of notable updates to the included software and configuration, including an update to Gnome 51, support for new Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series laptops, and the implementation of the new DRM Panic front-end. The KDE versions of Fedora will now also fully adopt the KDE Plasma Login Manager, and they will feature a unified KDE out-of-the-box experience. For a full run-down of new features and changes in Fedora 45, check the Fedora 45 beta changelogs. Following the launch of Fedora 45, we will likely see Fedora spins and Fedora-based distros, like Bazzite and Nobara Linux also release a major version update to match.

Microsoft has released one of the most significant updates to its DirectX Raytracing (DXR) since its debut in 2018. This update officially introduces clustered geometry and partitioned top-level acceleration structure (PTLAS). With clustered geometry, Microsoft envisions scenes where all animated and generated geometry is broken down into simple, reusable clusters of triangles. Typically, scenes repeatedly build large bottom-level acceleration structures, which incur additional compute costs. By using clustered geometry, ray tracing can utilize full detailed geometry used for standard rasterization instead of proxies, ensuring that ray-traced shadows and reflections match the currently visible scene.

In open-world games, using a top-level acceleration structure (TLAS) can lead to massive VRAM and compute demands. To address this, DXR now introduces partitioned TLAS (PTLAS), allowing ray tracing to focus on changes in a specific region while retaining acceleration-structure data elsewhere. Clustered geometry and PTLAS can be used together or separately, with no limitations. Below image is NVIDIA's sample of clustered geometry in action, visualized in three stages: default, clusters, and triangles applied.Benchmarks follow.

Microsoft is bringing some of its Xbox console technology to Windows PCs with the introduction of DirectX Dump Files. When a GPU crashes on your PC, you can investigate what happened in the same way Xbox developers do with their GPU crashes, gaining insight into the underlying issues. With the latest Agility SDK 1.620 and PIX 2610.28, DirectX Dump Files provide data from Windows, Direct3D, and GPU drivers to help investigate a crash, understand its cause, and improve the graphics rendering pipeline to prevent future crashes. Joining Microsoft in this effort are AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm.

The process begins with a GPU crash. Once the GPU stops its graphics processing, DirectX creates a new dump file containing traces of what occurred before Windows resets the GPU. This includes the last Direct3D runtime state, hardware and driver data, and up to 2 MB of data from the game developer that might be traced. These files can be saved on developers' machines, but on players' PCs in production, they aren't saved by default. However, game developers can set up a crash pipeline to send crash data back to them for analysis. Once the data is available, Microsoft's PIX tool, used for performance-tuning and debugging DirectX 12 games, helps analyze the situation. PIX decodes data, analyzes dump files, identifies hang points, and traces shaders and resources that caused the crash. This allows developers to quickly isolate and fix the problem.

XREAL, the global leader in lightweight XR hardware development, today officially launched XREAL AURA, the world's first wired XR glasses powered by Android XR, and the world's first wired XR glasses to launch with the Snapdragon Reality Elite Platform. Announced on stage at Google's Android Developer Summit, XREAL AURA brings the full spatial power of Android XR into a lightweight optical see-through glasses form factor designed for work, entertainment, gaming, AI-powered assistance, and everyday spatial computing.

Starting today, customers in the United States, Canada, Japan, and South Korea can order XREAL AURA. The company is offering a surprise limited time offer, making the 12 GB + 256 GB configuration $1,099; and the 16 GB + 512 GB configuration $1,299. Devices are expected to begin shipping in mid-November.

Anduril Industries and Qualcomm have announced the "BlueChip" laptops that will be manufactured in the United States. That's the stated goal of Anduril, the company founded by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR. He says that around 90% of the first laptop's components will come from the United States or allied countries. The first "BlueChip" laptops will use the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series chips that are manufactured at TSMC's newest Arizona facility. The processor is the same you can find in other Snapdragon-powered laptops like the Microsoft Surface. Moving further, Anduril intends to assemble circuit boards at its Arsenal-1 facility in Ohio. The company, however, has plans to extend beyond just the final assembly. In the meantime, it will develop US production capabilities for enclosures, battery components, and other hardware components.

Functional prototypes are ready, with preorders planned for 2027, but exact specifications and pricing remain undisclosed. Palmer Luckey, however, estimates that it will cost roughly 20% more than typical high-end consumer PCs. Keep in mind that the "BlueChip" laptops are mainly designed for security, government, and military use scenarios. That means you will not find them on your usual PC retail store shelves. At least not the first generations. According to TechCrunch, Luckey stated his intention that, in the future, Anduril will produce U.S.-made consumer-oriented laptops.

Microsoft might be working on a cheaper 12-inch Surface, and Apple's MacBook Neo looks like the reason. DigiTimes reports, citing supply chain sources, that Microsoft is reviewing the specifications of its entry-level 12-inch Surface to bring costs down, and is also rethinking which processor goes inside. The report's headline, spotted by harukaze5719 on X, goes as far as saying Apple is forcing Microsoft to downgrade the device, and hints at a comeback for AMD with an Arm chip. Reportedly, the processor, memory, camera, battery, and chassis are all being looked at, though nothing seems to be finalized yet.

The pricing gap between the two laptops is quite large. Microsoft only just refreshed the 12-inch Surface Pro with Snapdragon X2 Plus, and it now starts at $1,149, up from $799 last year, partly because the 8 GB base configuration was dropped. Apple launched the MacBook Neo at $599, and even after a $100 increase in June that Apple blamed on memory costs, it still sits at $699. As for the chip, AMD's "Sound Wave" Arm APU was previously linked to Microsoft's 2026 Surface lineup and has even shown up in shipping manifests, so it looks like a candidate. Leaks put it at 2 performance and 4 efficiency Arm cores, RDNA 3.5 graphics with 4 CUs, and a 5 W to 10 W power target. Then again, Microsoft could just as well stick with Qualcomm, and neither Microsoft nor AMD has confirmed anything.

ASUS today announced the debut of Zenbook 14 (UX3480), the newest evolution of its premium Zenbook portfolio. The new laptop, the latest expression of the Zenbook philosophy, combines premium craftsmanship, innovative materials, AI-powered experiences, and a renewed focus on sensory design. As part of its debut, ASUS has chosen Europe as the first stage for a collection of limited-time brand experiences inspired by the product's design language, transforming the launch from a traditional technology announcement into a celebration of design, materiality, and lifestyle.

At the heart of the new ASUS Zenbook 14 is our signature Ceraluminum material, combining the durability of ceramic with the lightweight characteristics of aluminium. The new generation introduces two nature-inspired finishes, Arctic Blue and Komodo Coral, bringing a softer and more emotional design expression to personal technology.

A Delaware jury has found that Arm breached its Architecture License Agreement (ALA) with Qualcomm, but the award is about as small as it gets. Reuters reports that Qualcomm gets just $2 in nominal damages, $1 for each of the two claims it won. The jury agreed that Arm withheld software patches and verification tools Qualcomm needed to validate its custom Oryon CPU cores, and that Arm intentionally interfered with Qualcomm's business with Meta. That second claim ties back to October 2024, when Arm's 60-day notice to cancel Qualcomm's license ended up with Bloomberg, a leak Qualcomm pinned on Arm. Arm won the rest of the claims, most of which were about pricing under its separate Technology License Agreement (TLA).

The bigger question, however, is still open. Judge Maryellen Noreika has yet to decide whether Arm's breach lets Qualcomm stop paying royalties under the ALA for five years, which, by some estimates, could be worth billions of dollars. Arm argues that provision is an unenforceable penalty. Unsurprisingly, both sides are spinning the result in their favor, with Qualcomm saying it was "gratified" by the verdict and Arm pointing out that it won most of the claims. This is the second round between the two companies. In December 2024, a jury found that Qualcomm didn't breach its license by acquiring Nuvia, and the court entered a final judgment in Qualcomm's favor in September 2025. Arm has since appealed that ruling, and it's reasonable to expect an appeal here too, depending on how the royalty question goes.

Gemtek Technology Co., Ltd. announced it is highlighting an AI-native Wi-Fi 8 broadband gateway at Network X 2026, developed in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and gFiber, Inc. to bring Edge AI and next-generation connectivity into the home. Built on the Qualcomm Dragonwing NPro A8 Elite Platform, the gateway is engineered by Gemtek and powered by intelligent software from Genix Networks, a Gemtek subsidiary, with gFiber as the launch service provider. It combines Wi-Fi 8 Quad-Band connectivity, Edge AI computing, and intelligent software for a more responsive broadband experience.

Bringing Intelligence into the Home Gateway
Designed as a home internet hub and a local platform for agentic AI, the gateway supports network optimization, device awareness, security, and proactive management.

Nex Computer is the company behind the NexPhone, an upcoming smartphone that doubles as a pocketable computer running Android, Linux, and Windows 11. While the project was first announced a whole 14 years ago, Nex Computer recently published a development blog update revealing a Q1 2027 launch, indicating that the NexPhone will launch around March 2027.

Our estimated shipping window is now the end of Q1 2027 (March 2027). New preorders are priced at $599, and the device price remains protected for customers who reserved at either $549 or $599. NexPhone is now running Android 17 on development devices, with continued Linux and Windows development.

Intel is reportedly preparing for a significant price increase across its silicon designs, according to supply chain sources cited by Commercial Times Taiwan. The first to experience this price hike is the latest "Panther Lake" processor generation, built on the Intel 18A node, with an increase ranging from 15% to 20% depending on the SKU. Intel reportedly made these adjustments on September 1, but consumer price increases have not yet been observed, or it may take a few more weeks for the old supply to clear. This supply-side price hike doesn't mean that Intel is directly changing its consumer pricing, but rather adjusting the pricing for major laptop OEMs such as Acer, ASUS, Lenovo, Dell, and HP. With a potential 20% price hike, this could translate to a few dozen US dollars more for the OEMs. Laptop manufacturers are likely to pass these increased costs onto consumers, especially given the current challenges with memory and storage pricing, which are already squeezing margins.

The reported price hikes don't stop there. The "Meteor Lake" and "Arrow Lake" processor families are also expected to see price increases, with reports indicating a 5% to 10% hike for these two generations, depending on the SKU. Intel sources silicon from both TSMC and its internal foundry, but the demand for silicon in the form of CPUs is skyrocketing in the age of AI, making price increases likely. Consumer demand remains, but much of the available CPU manufacturing capacity, both internally and externally, is being absorbed by agentic AI workloads, which are pushing server configurations to a 50:50 ratio of CPUs to GPUs.

Today, Logitech unveiled the largest enterprise product launch in company history, engineered to equip companies for the AI revolution. Headlined by Logitech Rally Bar 2, Rally System 2 Pro, and Sound Shape technology, the new portfolio brings advanced compute, intelligence, and sensing into more workspaces to support the next decade of intelligent collaboration.

Henry Levak, general manager of Team Workspace Solutions at Logitech"This second generation of smart video collaboration devices is Logitech's answer to a new, dual mandate for IT: Deliver exceptional meeting experiences today while preparing for an AI-powered tomorrow."

Valve has confirmed that its Steam Client for Linux-based operating systems on Arm chips is not officially supported. This follows a user's report on GitHub claiming issues with Steam for Linux on ARM64 systems. Despite detailing the problem, a Valve developer responded that "Steam for Linux is not currently supported on Arm-based hardware," a stance that has been consistent for years. While Steam has expanded on Linux-based machines, official support is currently limited to systems running x86-64 processors from AMD and Intel. On Arm-based devices, Valve would likely need to make significant optimizations to get Steam for Linux working properly, but the potential user base is so small that the effort may not be justified.

This is surprising given that Valve's VR headset, the Steam Frame, runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform. Valve specifically optimized its SteamOS for this chipset and ported its compatibility layer, Proton 11.0, to Arm. This version of Proton allows a full range of games designed for x86 to run on Arm hardware, but the Steam Client itself, which is crucial for game delivery, is not officially supported.

Qualcomm announced today that it is officially licensing technology from Chinese technology giant Huawei. In a deal estimated to be worth $6.9 billion upon completion, Qualcomm will license various technologies from Huawei to integrate across its product portfolio. According to official releases, these technologies include computing, AI, networking, and more. Bloomberg reports that the deal also covers Huawei's latest LogicFolding silicon design. This is a significant win for Huawei, whose R&D teams have spent years designing a way to bypass sanctions and overcome manufacturing technology limits. By stacking silicon vertically across two sheets, LogicFolding dramatically reduces the distance between compute elements, increases efficiency, and significantly improves transistor density. The result is a 55% increase in transistor density and a 41% boost in power efficiency.

Update, 06:30 UTC, October 6: Qualcomm issued a statement that dismantles rumors that the company is licensing LogicFolding technology.

QualcommQualcomm and Huawei entered into a multi-year, broad patent license agreement that includes cross-licenses across a range of technology fields. The terms are confidential, but reports characterizing Qualcomm as a net payor on the license agreement are incorrect. In addition, assertions that the agreement is related to LogicFold are not accurate. Separately, Qualcomm has agreed to purchase certain Huawei non-cellular U.S. patents across multiple technology areas.

Microsoft's Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD), which provides pre-compiled shaders with the game itself, is finally becoming available on a range of platforms. The company confirmed that this feature will expand to NVIDIA's GeForce RTX graphics cards and the RTX Spark platform later this month. This means that game developers will be able to ship pre-compiled shaders to speed up game loading times and reduce any shader-induced stuttering during gameplay. When Microsoft unveiled a public preview of ASD, it reportedly supported various AMD RDNA generations, but now more platforms are receiving support.

Currently, ASD is claimed to work on AMD RDNA 1, RDNA 2, RDNA 3, RDNA 3.5, and RDNA 4 GPU generations, as well as on Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Series with Adreno integrated graphics. Later this month, Microsoft plans to extend ASD to Intel Arc B-Series, which includes B570, B580, Intel Core Ultra Series 2, and Intel Core Ultra Series 3. This update will coincide with support for all NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs and the RTX Spark platform, ensuring that every RTX-based GeForce system benefits from the speedup.

Google has announced that actor Henry Cavill will build a video game on a Googlebook this November, as part of a marketing partnership for its new Android-based laptops. In its blog post, Google describes Cavill as an actor, producer, and tech enthusiast with his own production company and a passion for gaming and fantasy lore, and says he is already using the laptop for personal passion projects. Google hasn't shared the genre, the game engine, who else is involved, or what form the end result will take. Updates are apparently coming through a landing page and an Instagram account. Here's what Cavill had to say about the project.

"When Google reached out to me and explained what they are doing with Googlebook, and all of its new, integrated tools, it had me intrigued. So, I asked for the opportunity to have a play with it ahead of release. After being hands on and spending some time with their team, I believe this has the potential to be the start of something rather special. Time and technology are marching forward at a breakneck pace, this, and all that Google are trying to do with it, has the whispers of the next generation."

AMD's processors are notoriously missing from Microsoft's latest Surface device line-up, despite there being more CPU options in Microsoft Surface PCs than ever before, including an upcoming NVIDIA SKU. In a recent statement to Windows Central, Microsoft's Surface Corporate Vice President, Brett Ostrum, explained that this absence is deliberate, although not malicious, stating that Microsoft has a limited portfolio and needs to make smart choices about its offerings.

We love working with AMD. We have a limited portfolio, and so we have to make our choices pretty wisely in terms of what we're doing and where we're doing.

Microsoft's recent Snapdragon-powered Surface Laptop and Surface Pro launch was surprisingly absent the usual Copilot+ branding, aside from as a callout to the inclusion of the actual AI assistant on the devices. Apparently, this was an intentional branding change, according to Surface Corporate Vice President, Brett Ostrum, in a new interview with Windows Central.

The purpose for Copilot+ PCs was to be able to deliver experiences. So it was to define a certain category of devices with a certain bar and metric, like for example, a 45 TOPS NPU... So from that perspective, it's more offering the same experiences, probably without just using [Copilot+] terminology now."

Qualcomm announced today that it is continuing its licensing agreement with Apple, as the previous agreement has ended. In a brief press statement, John Han, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL), stated that the company is "pleased to extend the Apple license agreement," which will take effect starting April 1, 2027. The end date of this new licensing agreement is still unknown, as the company did not disclose the exact terms, monetary value, or end date.

As readers may recall, in September 2023, Apple renewed its licensing deal with Qualcomm to obtain 5G modems for its products. This license was valid for three years and is now expiring, requiring a renewal. In its iPhones, Apple has started using a combination of in-house modems, known as C-series SoCs, along with Qualcomm-provided 5G modems. In 2019, Apple purchased Intel's modem business for $1 billion, acquiring the engineers and patents needed to jumpstart its own modem design and production. Early last year, with the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple unveiled the C1 modem, its first-generation in-house 5G modem, which has since evolved into the upgraded C2 5G cellular modem design, now shipping with the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

After launching the Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Plus series of processors for Windows-on-Arm, Qualcomm is now bringing first-class support for these SoCs to Linux as well. According to the company, the internal developer team has been working to integrate full SoC support into the Linux kernel for the Snapdragon X2 series of hardware. Currently, the developer team is focusing on supporting the X2 SoC in traditional laptop configurations rather than desktop mini PCs. Initial enablement includes support for Hexagon NPU, Adreno GPU, and, of course, the CPU cluster that underpins the entire SoC. Modern browser acceleration, graphics, I/O peripherals, display output, and AI acceleration for local inferencing have been added. The support now also includes proper power and thermal control, as well as the reliability and endurance of the SoC under load.

Qualcomm is pushing all of this hardware enablement upstream to the Linux kernel and has also collaborated with the Debian operating system to get the latest image working. Basic workloads will now run out of the box, while the company continues testing for any gaps and other areas that need focus for enablement. More peripherals are being added to work with these SoCs, and edge cases like power spikes during workloads will be addressed in the long-term enablement, as Qualcomm continues to push these changes upstream. This work in progress is expected to finish in November this year, after which Qualcomm plans to continue adding more OEMs to the Snapdragon X2 bandwagon and potentially bring these PCs with a Linux-based OS pre-installed.

Today at Snapdragon Summit, we introduced the next Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch, built on the Snapdragon X2 Plus processor, alongside the new Surface Mouse with integrated haptic feedback. Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch are two of our most versatile Surface devices, designed to deliver the performance and battery life people need in PCs they can comfortably carry all day. This generation brings up to 18% more efficient battery performance, over 60% faster graphics, and 95% faster on-device AI—all in the same lightweight design.

What defines Surface laptops?
Surface is hardware built to bring the best of Microsoft to life—Windows, Copilot, and Microsoft 365 experiences that make a PC feel more useful, more personal and more responsive.

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. unveiled today its newest premium mobile lineup - the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 Mobile Platform and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Mobile Platform. Designed to meet the evolving needs of consumers and OEM partners, both platforms power a new generation of mobile experiences.

Chris Patrick, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Mobile Handsets, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc"Today marks a milestone as we introduce not one, but two new flagship mobile platforms, delivering agentic AI experiences that are immediate, personal, and adaptive," "As the agentic AI age evolves, our multi-flagship strategy allows us to push the boundaries of what's possible for mobile while bringing our latest AI innovations to a broader range of premium devices. By designing two innovative platforms, we're giving OEMs greater choice as we collectively shape the capabilities of the next generation of intelligent, personalized, mobile experiences."