Redditor tomsek68 is working on a project that would breathe new life into an old handheld computer by replacing a broken motherboard with an old, sluggish processor with a newer board sporting a modern processor and updated features. This could be a DIY thing that only results in a few boards for a few units, but it could also head to crowdfunding if there’s enough community interest.

In other recent tech news from around the web, Microsoft is preparing to roll out a Windows update that brings new default Calendar and email apps, Zotac’s latest fanless mini PC features an Intel Twin Lake processor, another handheld gaming PC with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Strix Point processor is coming soon, Imagination Technologies is giving up on designing RISC-V CPUs, and Android16 could bring support for viewing three apps at once on tablets.

Sony VGN-UX drop-in replacement board upgrade project [/r/umpc]

The Sony VGN-UX was an early handheld computer released in 2006 as a system with a 4.5 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display that slides up to reveal a thumb keyboard and a 5.5 watt single-core Intel processor.

This project is still in the very, very early stages, but the idea is to design a replacement for the original motherboard that can serve not only as a replacement for broken models, but could also drag this classic handheld into the modern era with support for current GNU/Linux distros. The developer is looking at using using an Orange Pi CM5 or similar compute module with support for up to 16GB of RAM and has a Rockchip RK3588S octa-core chip with four ARM Cortex-A76 CPU cores, four Cortex-A55 cores, and Mali-G610 graphics.

If there’s enough interest, there could eventually be a crowdfunding campaign for a drop-in replacement for the VGN-UX mainboard. 

Zotac ZBOX CI338 is a fanless mini PC with Intel N150 [FanlessTech]

As FanlessTech points out, Zotac’s CIxxx series fanless mini PCs don’t have a great track record when it comes to offering adequate passive cooling, but that hasn’t stopped the company from releasing a new ZBOX CI338 nano with an Intel N150 Twin lake chip rather than a slightly slower Intel N100 Alder Lake-N processor.

Windows 10 Build 19045.5435 Release Preview [Windows Blogs]

This update is rolling out to Windows Insiders running Release Preview channel builds, and it includes a new Calendar app with weather forecasts, a new free Outlook for Windows app as the default mail app, and several bug fixes.

AOKZOE A1 X handheld gaming PC with Strix Point coming soon [@Aokzoe_official]

The AOKZOE A1 X handheld gaming PC will have an 8 inch, 120 Hz display with VRR support, a 7.27 Wh battery, and an AMD Ryzen 9 HX 370 Strix Point processor with 16-core RDNA 3.5 graphics.

Android 16 could borrow one of the best OxygenOS multitasking features for tablets [ Android Authority]

Android 16 could bring an updated split-screen mode with support for running up to 3 apps in side-by-side windows.

Imagination Exits the RISC-V CPU market [CNX Software]

After giving up on MIPS-based CPUs, Imagination Technologies turned to RISC-V a few years ago. Now the company is pulling the plug on that effort as well. Moving forward Imagination will shift its focus from CPU to GPU designs.

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