Tech & AI
Is My Webcam Hacked? How to Check for Unauthorized Use
If your webcam turns on when you did not expect it, investigate the activity before assuming someone has hacked your computer. A Windows camera light or notification, or the green camera indicator on a Mac, can confirm that the camera is active, but you still need to identify what is using it and whether that use is legitimate.
Start with ordinary causes such as a video-call app, browser tab, or facial sign-in feature. If those do not explain the activity, check camera permissions and then move to malware checks only when the evidence justifies it.
What an Unexpected Webcam Indicator Can Tell You
A camera-use indicator answers one important question: is the camera active? It does not automatically tell you who started it or why.
On Windows 11, a hardware camera light turns on when the camera is active if the device has one. On computers without a camera light, Windows shows a notification when the camera turns on or off. That activity may come from software you intentionally opened, a website, a Windows feature, or something you do not recognize.
Windows Hello is one legitimate example that can cause confusion. If you use facial recognition to sign in, Windows Hello can use the camera even when ordinary app camera access is turned off. Camera activity during a normal facial sign-in therefore does not, by itself, point to unauthorized access.
On a Mac, a green privacy indicator means a camera is being used. Opening Control Center may also show which app is currently using the camera. For the built-in Mac camera specifically, Apple says the hardware is engineered so that the camera cannot activate without its green indicator light also turning on. Do not assume the same hardware behavior applies to every external USB webcam.
General symptoms such as a slow computer, crashes, redirects, or unfamiliar browser additions can occur with malware, but they are weak evidence of webcam misuse by themselves. The FTC lists these kinds of behaviors as possible signs of a broader malware infection, not proof of camera compromise. A camera-specific indicator or identifiable camera-using process is more useful when answering the narrower question of what used your webcam.
Understanding camera and microphone permissions also helps you interpret what your operating system can actually block, record, or show.
Check Your Webcam for Unauthorized Use Step by Step
Use the least disruptive checks first. The aim is to find a normal explanation where one exists, then narrow the investigation only if the camera activity remains unexplained.
What Windows 11 Can and Cannot Show About Camera Access
Windows can provide useful clues, but its Camera privacy page is not a complete history of every program that could ever reach the camera.
Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera. Microsoft Store apps that use the Windows permission system can appear with individual camera controls. Desktop apps work differently: browsers, traditional Windows programs, and many video-call applications are controlled through the broader Let desktop apps access your camera setting.
Windows can also show desktop applications it has detected interacting with the camera. For a listed desktop app, Microsoft says you can select it to see details about the specific file that accessed the camera or microphone. That can help when the displayed app name is unfamiliar.
There is an important limit. Some desktop apps can interact with camera hardware in ways Windows privacy controls do not fully govern. An application may install a driver, for example, and communicate more directly with the hardware. Microsoft also warns that desktop apps may not always appear in the Camera settings list.
For that reason, an empty or familiar-looking app list is useful evidence, but it is not absolute proof that no desktop program touched the camera. If unexplained activity continues, combine the permission check with the timing of the camera indicator and the security checks later in this article.
Also account for Windows Hello before treating sign-in activity as suspicious. Facial sign-in can use the camera even when ordinary app camera access is disabled.
What macOS Can Show About Camera Access
A Mac gives you two different clues: a live privacy indicator and a list of installed third-party apps that have requested permission to use the camera.
A green privacy indicator beside Control Center means a camera is in use. If you open Control Center while the indicator is present, the top of the panel may identify which app is using the camera. Check this before closing everything if you are trying to find the source of unexpected activity.
You can then open Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. The list contains installed apps that have asked to use the camera. Turn access off for software that does not need it.
Built-in Apple apps are an important exception to how that list should be interpreted. FaceTime, Photo Booth, and other apps included with macOS automatically have camera access and do not need to appear as third-party permission requests. Their absence from the list therefore does not mean they cannot use the camera.
Safari website access is separate as well. Open Safari > Settings > Websites > Camera to review site-level camera permissions. This matters when the camera activity began while a browser tab was open.
For the Mac’s built-in camera, the green hardware indicator has unusually strong diagnostic value because Apple states that the built-in camera is engineered not to activate without the indicator. Keep that claim within its proper scope: it does not establish how every third-party external camera behaves.
When Unexplained Camera Activity Becomes a Security Problem
One unexplained camera light deserves investigation. It becomes more concerning when the camera keeps activating after ordinary causes have been ruled out or when other evidence points to unwanted software.
For example, repeated activation deserves more attention if you also find an unfamiliar program, a security alert, or software you did not intend to install. By contrast, slow performance, crashes, browser redirects, or other general symptoms can occur for many reasons and should not be presented as proof that someone is watching through the webcam.
Malware is harmful software that can run on a device without the user’s knowledge and may steal information or perform other unwanted actions. Once credible malware evidence appears, the investigation should shift from one camera permission to the security of the entire computer.
On Windows 11, open Windows Security and select Virus & threat protection. You can start with a Quick scan, choose a Full scan to check every file and program, or open Scan options for other choices. If you are particularly concerned about persistent malware, Microsoft Defender Offline restarts the PC and scans without loading normal Windows, making persistent malware more difficult to hide or defend itself. Save open work before choosing the offline scan because the computer restarts.
macOS takes a different approach. It includes built-in protections such as Gatekeeper, Notarization, and XProtect. XProtect automatically detects and blocks known malware and can remediate infections. Apple describes these protections as automatic; it does not provide a universal user-facing “run XProtect scan” control comparable to Windows Security’s on-demand scan choices.
If you clicked a suspicious link or opened an attachment and think malware may have been downloaded, the FTC advises you to stop sensitive account logins, update security software, run a security scan, then change passwords and enable two-factor authentication. Use a device you trust for sensitive account recovery if you believe the affected computer may still be compromised.
Broader habits that reduce malware risk while browsing can lower the chance of another infection, but they do not replace investigating the camera activity that brought you here.
The camera stays active after I close my video-call app
Check whether the app is still running in the background and close browser tabs that may have camera permission. Then use the Windows Camera privacy page or macOS Control Center to look for another camera user. If the indicator remains active after every known legitimate user is closed, continue with the malware and unfamiliar-software checks instead of assuming the first app was responsible.
The camera activates when I sign in to Windows
If Windows Hello facial recognition is enabled, camera activity during sign-in can be normal. Microsoft allows Windows Hello to use the camera even when regular app camera access is disabled. Investigate further only when the camera activates at times that facial sign-in does not explain.
My Mac’s green camera indicator appears unexpectedly
Open Control Center before closing apps and check whether macOS identifies the program currently using the camera. Then review System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. If no legitimate app or feature explains the activity and it keeps returning, move to the broader device-security checks above.
I revoked camera access, but the webcam still activates
First confirm that another app, browser site, or operating-system feature is not using the camera. On Windows, remember that desktop-app controls have limitations and some programs may not appear individually. If the activity remains unexplained after those checks, treat the permission change as inconclusive and continue with the security investigation.
How to Secure the Webcam After the Check
Once you have identified the cause or completed the security investigation, remove access that no longer has a clear purpose. Do not uninstall or delete unfamiliar software solely because its name looks strange; identify what it is first and use credible security findings to guide removal.
- Turn off camera permission for apps that no longer need video access.
- Remove persistent browser-site permissions that you do not recognize or use.
- Uninstall software only after you have identified it as unwanted or a trusted security tool has detected it as harmful.
- Keep the operating system, browser, conferencing apps, and security tools updated.
- Use a built-in hardware shutter when your computer provides one, or unplug an external USB webcam when you want a clear physical barrier.
For the broader preventive setup, including physical camera controls and platform-specific permission hardening, you can secure your webcam on Mac and Windows PCs without turning every future camera event into a security investigation.
A webcam cover and camera permissions solve different problems: one physically blocks the lens, while the other controls software access. Neither should be treated as a complete substitute for the other.
Verify That the Camera Is Back Under Your Control
The investigation is complete when normal camera use still works, unnecessary access has been removed, and the unexplained activity that triggered the check no longer appears during ordinary use.
Verify the result
- Your normal video-call or camera app can still use the webcam when you intentionally open it.
- Apps that do not need camera access no longer have unnecessary permission where your operating system exposes that control.
- Browser sites do not retain camera permission unless you intentionally want them to.
- The Windows camera light or notification, or the Mac privacy indicator, appears during intentional camera use and stops after the legitimate camera-using app or site closes.
- The unexplained camera activity that started the investigation does not immediately recur during normal use.
- If malware was suspected, you have run the appropriate security scan or remediation steps and handled any detections before resuming sensitive account activity on the device.
If the webcam begins activating unexpectedly again and you still cannot connect the activity to a legitimate app, website, or operating-system feature, do not treat the earlier quiet period as proof that the problem is fixed. Return to the diagnostic steps and escalate the security investigation when the evidence calls for it.
Tech & AI
Windows PCs with outdated certificates will stop receiving security updates, here's what to do
According to Microsoft, the certificates used by Windows Update services have a preset expiration date and must be replaced periodically for devices to keep receiving monthly updates. The company noted that devices running Windows 11 25H2 and later already have the latest certificates, but those in older versions of Windows…
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White House vs. Microsoft, AI fighter jets, and a visit to a startup founder’s Seattle recording studio
This week, we take the GeekWire Podcast to Front Burner Studios in Seattle, where we’re hosted by studio co-owner Seth Paul, who’s co-founder and CEO of security startup Qinsay.
We discuss the White House crackdown on Microsoft’s green-card sponsorships, which Vice President JD Vance announced just hours before President Trump awarded Satya Nadella the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. We talk about the contrast, and about how Nadella himself traveled that same path from H-1B visa to U.S. citizenship.
We also look at how Seattle-area startups raised a record $3.5 billion, driven largely by companies building physical things like rockets and satellites.
That leads us to Shield AI’s plans to build AI-piloted fighter jets in Des Moines, Wash., where a city FAQ assures residents the facility is not a data center.
After we catch up on the news, Seth joins us to tells us about the studio, including the vintage console he drove from Detroit, and how he brings a musician’s approach to the startup world.
And in the final segment, it’s the return of the GeekWire Trivia Challenge.
Related links:
- Microsoft responds to White House immigration crackdown as Trump honors Nadella
- From H-1B to CEO: How Satya Nadella traveled the path the U.S. just cut off for Microsoft workers
- Seattle-area startups raise a record $3.5B as national VC funding cools
- Shield AI selects Seattle area to build X-BAT autonomous fighter jet
- Shield AI lands $150M Navy contract for AI-piloted fighter jet
Subscribe to GeekWire in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Modders have spent years trimming Nintendo Wii motherboards down to the absolute minimum so they fit inside handheld shells that resemble the original Game Boy. Xenii refined that approach across earlier Xii-Boy versions until the latest Ultra revision arrived as a fully modular kit. Tito from Macho Nacho Productions assembled one, and the result sits at roughly 145 by 86 by 27 millimeters while still containing a genuine Wii board that has undergone the standard OMGWTF trim.
Assembly is based on Super Friction Fit connectors and custom boards that simply click together, with no messy internal wiring. Seven specialty PCBs handle power management, audio quality, visual output, and controller inputs. The RVL-DD board is essential for driving a high-quality 3.5-inch, 480p screen that looks far better than Composite Video ever did. With two 18650 cells producing 7000 milliamp-hours, you can play for two to three hours, depending on the game. The USB-C port not only charges but also transfers files, and a microSD card keeps the games once the optical drive is removed, which is a significant plus for space and power savings.
Face buttons and membranes are obtained from a donor DSi or DS Lite, or from aftermarket sets that the modder acquires separately, as the kit excludes these. With analog triggers employing the same Joy-Con mechanisms as the Switch, original GameCube titles retain full pressure sensitivity. Want to bring back online multiplayer? Simply plug in the extra WiFi and Bluetooth modules, and you can connect original Wii remotes for motion controllers as well as the infrared pointer. It also has an adjustable fan to keep the temperature down, volume and brightness can be controlled directly from the keys, and an RGB led indicates how the battery is doing. If you ever need to repair a part, the entire device can be disassembled with a screwdriver, and the design allows the key components to be pulled out with no issues.
Want to run Wii, GameCube, Virtual Console, or homebrew games at full speed? No problem, as long as you softmod the board and load it with the right software. The same board can also be inserted into a second Wii for larger screen viewing and shared saves. The alternative portable Wii builds required hours of soldering and permanent cabling, making repairs a headache.
This mod takes a step back and ensures that there is a clear separation between the main motherboard, power system, screen, as well as controls, so that the entire system remains functional and parts can be readily swapped out if necessary. Tito’s build demonstrates how all of the components fit together after they’re all plugged in, combining years of community changes into a single great-looking handheld that plays the whole library of original hardware titles without the need for software emulation.
The downgrade Google announced last week is now starting to show up on free Gemini accounts. The old model picker is disappearing, leaving a single Auto option in its place. Instead of deciding whether to use Flash, Pro, or another available model, free users now hand that choice over to Google.
Auto will handle most everyday prompts with Flash-Lite. If Gemini decides a request needs more reasoning, it can move the task to Flash or Pro on its own. There is one important catch, though. Turning off smart model selection means every response falls back to Flash-Lite, so the only way free users can reach stronger models is by letting Google make the call (via 9to5Google). Google is giving people another kind of control at the same time, but it works very differently from choosing a model yourself.
Google is giving users effort controls instead
Low, Medium, and High effort levels are rolling out across Gemini, replacing the previous Extended option. Low prioritizes speed, High gives the system more room to work through difficult prompts, and Medium sits between the two. The result is a slightly odd split in how much control free users actually have. They can choose how much reasoning they want Gemini to apply, but the model doing that work is now largely out of their hands.
Gemini is becoming harder to use without paying
Google has been pushing Gemini deeper into its hardware and software ecosystem. The new Pixel phones already have a boatload of AI features, and now the new Googlebook laptops, which put Gemini at the center of the experience, have also arrived. The company is also bundling paid AI plans with some of that hardware, and of course, once you get used to these more capable models, you will feel the difference when you switch back to the free tier. Google has not said the change is meant to push free users toward a subscription. Still, taking direct model choice away gives paying customers another clear advantage.
Road signs should be very distinct from one another, but some signs out there look somewhat similar. One such example of this is the added-lane sign and the merge sign. Both of these are yellow, diamond-shaped signs to signal a warning to drivers, and they feature an arrow pointing up with another line curving to point up as well. With a merge sign, the curve line folds right into the main arrow, but with the added-lane sign, it’s its own separate arrow that runs parallel to the main arrow. Plus, there will be a dotted vertical line between the two arrows.
The merge sign is signaling to drivers that two lanes of traffic are about to combine into a singular lane. The added-lane sign, on the other hand, is signaling that a separate lane of road will be joining the flow of traffic. This may seem self-explanatory, but there may be instances where drivers are confused by road signs or misjudge what’s expected of them when they see these signs. This falls on drivers on both the road going straight and the road joining it, whether merging or not.
In the case of added-lane signs, there are some drivers who see this as a merge sign. Roadway joining drivers immediately try to move into the main road lane, while the other drivers have the right to maintain exactly how they’ve been driving. The opposite is true, too. Some main road drivers may try to move into the adjoining lane too soon and dangerously pull in front of those drivers. When you see this sign, expect to stay in your own lane for a little bit before trying to switch lanes.
The many mistakes of merging
Drivers who are merging onto the main road don’t have the right of way. You must adjust to the rhythm of the flow of traffic, not the other way around. This is why there will often be yield signs at the merge point as well. Mergers also need to be aware of how much roadway there is to merge. Sometimes there are signs that read “No Merge Area,” meaning there’s no buffer; if you’re merging, you must do it immediately. It’s also important for merging drivers to speed up to meet the speed limit as they enter the main road, so as to not disrupt the flow of traffic. Mergers must always use their turn signals, arguably the most important action of all.
There are things drivers on the main road need to keep in mind here, too, as just continuing forward without a care because you have the right of way is dangerous. If possible, give room to those who are merging. You can do this by switching lanes to open up space on the road, but if that’s not possible, it’s good to adjust your speed a bit to best find a way for the merging driver to get in behind or in front of you.
Another important thing to remember is if traffic is backed up and moving slowly, don’t use the merge lane to try and get around that standstill traffic. This is both incredibly dangerous and could result in fines and/or citations, depending on where you live. Merging is one of the trickiest parts of driving, so minimizing its risk is always a good thing.
Phoronix reports on a presentation this week by Meta engineer Gregory Price at the Linux Plumbers Conference in Prague:
With today’s memory shortages, high prices, and ever increasing memory capacity needs, Meta engineers have been working on Compressed RAM (“CRAM”) for Linux.
This hardware-offloaded compression still allows cacheline/byte access to compressed memory and in turn a better implementation than the likes of ZRAM and Zswap. Very promising is that there is near-native performance to raw DRAM speeds with CRAM… For end-users that may already be relying on the likes of Zswap or ZRAM, CRAM is offering near-native DRAM speeds. Read-only data is shown to be as fast as the raw DRAM performance. And for memory writes, CRAM is much faster than ZRAM or Zswap or plain swap.
“Most of the individual pieces needed to support CRAM are already mainline,” the article points out.
Tom’s Hardware writes that “It uses a private NUMA node (essentially, a ghost CPU) instead of pretending to be a block device, and this lets Linux continue using all of its memory semantics, including migration and ballooning, to manage CRAM.”
Because CRAM is stored in RAM and treated as RAM, with full cacheline/byte access, it can be accessed in a read-only fashion with little delay; just the cost of hardware-offloaded compression…
Even when you enable writes, CRAM is still much faster than ZRAM; 5.4x in the worst tested case of 20% writes. That’s a huge drop from the 452x read-only case, but keep your context; a 5.4x speedup is still titanic. The massive performance cliff when writes are involved comes down to the need to page fault and migrate folios back to the original NUMA domain, as you can’t write directly to compressed data; you’d corrupt everything…
While the obvious target of the work here (given its origin at Meta Platforms) is big Linux servers, ZRAM and Zswap are used all over the Linux ecosystem, even on machines as constrained as the Steam Deck. Many distributions enable one or the other by default. CRAM seems like it could offer a considerable speed-up for some of these machines, so hopefully it finds its way into the kernel once the remaining implementation questions are answered.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Tech & AI
A Grief-Stricken Road Trip, The Traitors On The Go And Other New Indie Games Worth Checking Out
Forever Ago
Developer: Third Shift
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Platforms: Steam (Windows; Steam Deck Verified), Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox for PC
Price: Usually $20, with a 10 percent launch discount (PS Plus required for the PS5 discount). Also available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
There are several aspects of Forever Ago that didn’t totally work for me. The storytelling is occasionally clumsy and it’s sometimes functionally clunky. For instance, prompts to interact with items tended to disappear and it often took a few moments of adjustment for them to pop back up. But despite these issues, I feel like I was supposed to play this game right now.
Forever Ago is a road trip adventure that tells the story of Alfred, an older man who’s on a scavenger hunt of sorts. It factors in several of the places and memories that shaped his relationship with his late wife, Audrey, who set up this quest for him. As you might imagine, things don’t really go according to plan. It’s a tale about dealing with grief, discovering one’s self after losing a defining part of their life and the incessant march of time. You’ll explore, take photos, do some light puzzle solving and meet other characters.
The story is affecting (if not particularly novel) while the writing and Piotr Michael’s portrayal of Arthur make it easy to sympathize with this abrasive, struggling character. Clark Aboud’s lovely score even helped me get that one Bon Iver song the title references out of my head.
What strikes me the most about Forever Ago is its slow, deliberate pace, even if it’s not particularly long. My mind is often racing at 100 miles an hour and distractions snatch away my attention more often than I’d like. Forever Ago was absorbing enough to capture my full focus. Most importantly, it feels honest and sincere. I found it soothing and had to sit with my thoughts for a while after finishing it, which means it achieved what the developers intended.
The Traitors: Interactive Game
Developer: Fusebox Games
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Despite my best intentions, I am hooked on the latest season of The Celebrity Traitors. I am generally terrible at social deception games since I’m a rotten liar so, as with the aforementioned Among Us spinoff, a single-player spin on the format could be fun.
The action plays out in similar fashion to the show. The aim is to survive until the end of the game, either as a Faithful or Traitor. After picking a character trait, you’ll choose daily outfits, tackle missions to increase the prize pot, forge alliances with other characters and either try to vote out Traitors or eliminate Faithfuls. I don’t love that there are microtransactions here, but I’ll still give it a go.
Shil
Developers: OSM Games, Nuostabūs Žaidimai
Publisher: OSM Games
Platform: Meta Quest. Coming to Steam later
Price: $15
The last time I heard about this trippy-looking puzzle platformer, back in May, it was supposed to be hitting Steam and VR next year, but it’s already out on Meta Quest. The developers used silhouettes and a two-tone art style to create some striking visuals that mask secrets and threats.
The latest trailer for this horror-inflected game is almost enough to make me want to snap up a Quest headset so I can play it now. Maybe the Steam version (a release date for which is said to be coming “very soon”) will prompt me to finally hook up the PS VR2 adaptor that’s been next to my PC for over a year.
Echo Weaver
Developer: Moonlight Kids
Publisher: Akupara Games
Platforms: Steam (Windows, Mac; Steam Deck Verified; demo available), Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Xbox for PC, PS5 (with a one-hour trial for PS Plus Premium members), Switch 2
Price: Usually $20, with a 10 percent discount on Steam until October 22. Also available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
In similar fashion to my favorite game from last year, a “Metroidbrainia” called Öoo, you’ll need to have your thinking cap on while playing Echo Weaver. Unlike in many Metroidvanias, your progress here is gated by your knowledge rather than unlockable powers. You’ll start with all of the abilities you need to beat the game, but it might take you a while to figure out what they are and how to use them.
You’ll also need to conquer a time loop. Here, time is a resource you can consume to heal, trade and even open up new routes. I’m into the art direction of this game, and I always enjoy having a glaive as a weapon. This particular one has reality-bending powers, which makes it even more appealing. While I may sometimes struggle with puzzles, there’s little I like more in games than that “a-ha!” moment when you hit upon a solution. Echo Weaver seems like it could have quite a few of those.
Today’s engineers face an unprecedented acceleration in AI hardware complexity, as explained in the recent research article “Revisiting Edge AI: Opportunities and Challenges.” The article examines the rapid growth of edge AI and the challenges it creates, including resource constraints, model architecture limitations, and network demands across edge-AI deployments.
The acceleration is driven by a fundamental shift in how modern AI models are built and scaled. As the models have become much larger and more complex, they are computationally more demanding because they contain more parameters and require more calculations.
To meet the demands of scaling deep neural networks, the industry is increasingly developing AI chips that are designed for specific tasks.
One major reason is that moving data between memory and the processor has become a major limitation on AI performance.
The movement to confront the hardware bottleneck—the AI memory wall—has altered the trajectory of semiconductor innovation, shifting architectural priorities toward domain-specific accelerator platforms.
No longer can engineers evaluate systems statically; they must master joint hardware design and network-algorithm co-optimization to navigate the critical trade‑offs between throughput, latency, and operational efficiency.
The challenges are addressed in the new AI Processor Architecture, Design Principles, and Performance program, developed by IEEE Educational Activities with support from the IEEE Computer Society.
Topics covered
The five-course program provides a structured exploration of AI processor technologies, from fundamental design principles to advanced architectures and real-world deployment.
The topics are:
- Fundamental principles of design and functionality.
- Practical insights into advanced architectures.
- Understanding neural processing units for industry deployment.
- Emerging trends and evolving architectures.
- Designing for edge, cloud, quantum, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The program addresses the needs of professionals across the AI hardware ecosystem, including hardware architects, chip designers, embedded systems developers, data‑center hardware engineers, and innovators exploring next‑generation processor ecosystems.
It is also valuable for those transitioning into AI chip design or seeking to understand the architectural forces shaping modern machine learning acceleration. For many, it provides the bridge between theoretical knowledge and the collaborative, cross‑disciplinary reasoning required in engineering environments.
The program is designed to explore how modern AI processors are conceived, structured, and optimized. The architectural layers that define contemporary AI hardware will be covered, including compute units, memory hierarchies, dataflows, and the performance characteristics that emerge from design decisions. The curriculum bridges theory and application, enabling participants to interpret architectural foundations, analyze trade‑offs, and understand how hardware structures shape computational efficiency across diverse environments.
By the end of the courses, learners will be able to evaluate processor behavior with the analytical precision expected of professionals working at the frontier of AI hardware design.
AI-generated avatars explain concepts
The program also uses a dialogue‑driven learning approach. Learners view conversations between AI-generated avatars that engage in scenario‑based dialogues. The avatars represent engineers tackling the same problems from various perspectives based on their different roles. The simulated storytelling and dialogues make advanced engineering concepts approachable without sacrificing depth or interactivity, because the user is occasionally challenged to decide the correct answer that leads to the best course of action.
A hardware engineer might push back against a systems engineer’s demands, for example, revealing the friction between physical constraints and algorithmic ambition. A computational validation specialist might interrogate a chip performance engineer’s optimism, exposing the gap between theoretical throughput and real‑world behavior. A heterogeneous systems architect could debate a multiprocessor coordination specialist about synchronization overheads, while a standards development engineer discusses regulatory implications with a technology strategy and compliance architect.
In the final course, an IoT systems architect and an embedded AI optimization engineer dissect the realities of deploying AI in constrained environments.
By the end of the course, learners will be able to evaluate processor behavior with the analytical precision expected of professionals working at the frontier of AI hardware design.
The avatar-driven learning environment creates a psychologically safer environment for learners, who might feel intimidated by traditional expert‑led videos. Research published in 2024 in IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies showed that avatar‑based instruction can increase a learner’s confidence by up to 25 percent and improve retention of complex technical material.
Each course concludes with a module in which the two experts from different disciplines debate, question, and challenge each other’s assumptions.
Modeling expert reasoning through dialogue
The cross‑disciplinary conversations can do more than explain concepts; they can model how experts think. They can reveal the negotiations behind architectural choices, the competing priorities that shape system design, and the analytical rigor required to balance performance, efficiency, scalability, and compliance.
Learners observe engineering discourse, gaining insight into the reasoning patterns that drive innovation in AI processor development.
The program goes further by interrupting the dialogue at key moments and inviting the learner to step in. Instead of passively absorbing information, the learner decides how to resolve a trade‑off, predict the outcome of a design choice, or select the most defensible engineering path. The experience can feel less like a course and more like an apprenticeship inside an engineering team.
By merging rigorous technical content with an innovative, dialogue‑driven delivery model, the program sets a standard for teaching advanced engineering. It captures the complexity of real‑world problem‑solving, humanizes the learning experience, and challenges participants to think like the engineers who are defining the future of AI hardware. It is not simply a new course; it is a new way of learning.
For individual access, visit the IEEE Learning Network.
For customized organizational options, contact a content specialist to discuss volume pricing.
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The INIU Outdoor Rugged Series Steps Off the Grid With a Power Bank That Is Fast, Tough, and Built for the Wild
When you think about a simple weekend getaway or a hike, everything eventually comes down to power. And it is tough when, by day two of a backcountry route, your phone battery is down to a single bar and the trail ahead is longer than planned.
It is a familiar moment for anyone who likes to spend real time outdoors, and it is exactly the scenario INIU Outdoor built its new Rugged Series around.
Answering the call of the wild, INIU introduces INIU Outdoor, a new product line built to survive real-world field use. The debut Rugged Series includes the Rugged 10000 and 20000 power banks, plus a Solar Panel 28W. INIU Outdoor claims this is the first professional-grade power ecosystem to successfully marry extreme durability, like IP67 dust and water protection, with fast charging, built-in lighting, and a genuinely compact, lightweight design ready for any gear loadout.
Bridging the Gap Between Rugged and Portable
Anyone who has shopped for a rugged power bank knows the trade-offs that usually come with the category. Most competitors lean heavily into one strength, such as rugged modularity, ultralight portability, or pure durability, while cutting corners on charging speed, weight, capacity, or protection elsewhere. INIU Outdoor is positioning the Rugged Series to close that gap with a more carry-friendly, outdoor fast-charging solution.
Backing up that claim, the Rugged Series combines IP67 protection and 1.2-meter drop-tested durability with up to 65W fast charging. Rather than using bulky hard plastic, INIU Outdoor opted for rounded, silicone-armored bodies that are comfortable to carry and prevent scratches to the rest of your gear. They are also genuinely lightweight, with the Rugged 10000 weighing just 195.7 grams and the larger 20000 coming in at 353.2 grams. While the 65W output handles power-hungry devices like lightweight laptops and drones, an Automatic Low-Current Mode safely adjusts the charge for smaller essentials like earbuds without risking battery damage.
Designed with the Outdoors in Mind
Off the grid, the Rugged Series functions as a cohesive outdoor ecosystem rather than just a battery. Each unit features a built-in light with three distinct settings: a steady white light for setting up camp, a steady red light to preserve night vision, and a flashing red light for emergencies or group visibility. Moreover, a convenient D-ring attachment lets you clip the power bank directly to your pack, and a standard 1/4-inch, 20-thread makes it compatible with tripods, camera mounts, and other gear you already carry. INIU Outdoor describes the overall design as refined and practical without compromise.
For longer stints in the wild, the Solar Panel 28W pairs directly with the power banks to harness sunlight when outlets are not an option. Rounding out the ecosystem, INIU Outdoor backs the lineup with 18-layer safety protection and a 5-year warranty, positioning these units as long-term investments compared to more disposable charging gear.
Does the Rugged Series Belong in Your Kit?
INIU Outdoor is already establishing its outdoor credibility as the official power partner of the American Hiking Society and through a new partnership with Strava. But after all the attention we have drawn to its heavy-duty specs, this new lineup is not aimed solely at seasoned professionals. While the core audience includes guides, photographers, long-distance cyclists, and frequent backpackers, the brand is also positioning it for casual campers, remote workers, and anyone who wants dependable backup power for travel or home emergencies.
As for the rollout, the Rugged 10000 launches on October 9, 2026, with the Rugged 20000 following on November 1, 2026.
Ultimately, at the trailhead with a gear checklist in hand, INIU Outdoor bets on its Rugged Series as the one item no longer in question, ensuring you stay powered up from the very first step to the final mile.
Digital Trends partners with external contributors. All contributor content is reviewed by the Digital Trends editorial staff.
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