Identifying the components reveals clues as to how a graphics card works, assuming you can read the identifying marks and find documentation. Wandering through an electronics swapfest, I found someone selling a graphics card and wondered what was inside. I bought it for $20, opened the case, and looked up the architecture and components. Released […]
Teardowns
Teardown: Amazon 4th generation Echo Dot
One of the latest incarnations of the Echo Dot boasts premium sound and an ability to pair up with Fire TV devices for a home theater audio experience. Construction-wise, there are usually a few changes from one generation of Echo devices to the next, and sometimes between early and later models of the same generation. […]
Teardown: Why the Kinect V2 doesn’t show “ghosts” that aren’t there
Do you believe in ghosts? And do you believe video gaming equipment can find ghosts lurking in your house? That’s the premise of some YouTube videos that use the Xbox Kinect gaming system to display what they have claimed are ghostly apparitions. That premise has been thoroughly debunked by several YouTubers, perhaps most notably Ken […]
Teardown: Inside a video greeting card
For around $60, you can send a greeting card that incorporates a video. When the recipient opens the card, it can automatically play a video loop that you can upload. The card charges via a USB connection which also allows you to upload the video. Specs for cards we’ve seen typically mention a 2G memory, […]
Teardown: Playstation 5 DualSense controller
The DualSense wireless controller for the PS5 has several features that come in handy for gaming. Perhaps most interesting is its immersive haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Dual actuators replace the rumble motors used on previous versions and are designed to simulate the feeling of weapon recoils and numerous other game actions. Also included are […]
Teardown: The new Roku Ultra
Roku bills its new Ultra device as its fastest and most powerful player ever. Its features include 50% more range for its wireless capabilities, support for Dolby Vision (an HDR standard), Dolby Atmos (a surround-sound format), and Bluetooth, a fast channel launch, a lost remote finder capability, voice-remote controls and personal shortcut buttons, and the […]
Teardown: Cisco Explorer 8642HDC high-definition DVR with multi-stream cableCARD interface
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many people to spend more time in front of a TV set. Here’s a look at what’s inside the cable box responsible for a large portion of home entertainment. Examine the hook-up for many cable TV customers and you’ll likely find something like the Cisco Explorer 8642HDC DVR. This set-top […]
Teardown — An oldie but still useful: The iPhone 6
Approaching the launch of the iPhone 12, we look at the internals of an old iPhone widely repurposed today as webcams, security cameras, and iPods. As we write this, the new lineup of iPhone releases expected this fall is said to include models able to work at 5G speeds as well as a new case […]
Teardown: A simple pulse oximeter for home healthcare
If you’re recovering from a respiratory problem, chances are you may have had your oxygen levels checked with a pulse oximeter. Pulse oximetry is the non-invasive measurement of the oxygen saturation (SpO2). Oxygen saturation is defined as the amount of oxygen dissolved in blood, based on the detection of Hemoglobin, Hb, and Deoxyhemoglobin, HbO2. The […]
Teardown: Induction crystal ball gyrocopter toy
A little toy made in China called the Induction crystal ball uses a pair of coaxial rotors to rise in the air, helicopter-like. It powers the rotors enough to rise for a few seconds, then cuts the power back to gently float down until a proximity sensor in the base of the plastic body comes […]
