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Conclusive Engineering’s KSTR-SAMA5D27: Ultra-Compact, Low-Power SBC using Microchip SAMA5D27 SiP – CNX Software

KSTR-SAMA5D27 SBC

Conclusive Engineering KSTR-SAMA5D27  is an ultra-compact (70x50mm) single board computer (SBC) powered by a Microchip SAMA5D27 Arm Cortex-A5 processor microprocessor clocked at 500 MHz paired with 256MB LPDDR2 (system-in-package). The board also features a microSD card slot and EEPROM for storage/configuration, Fast Ethernet, WiFi 4, and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity, a USB-C port, two GPIO headers, and supports USB and battery power. It’s designed for IoT devices, smart systems, and edge computing applications. Conclusive Engineering KSTR-SAMA5D27 specifications: SiP –  Microchip SAMA5D27 CPU – Arm Cortex-A5 microprocessor @ 500 MHz System Memory – 256 MB LPDDR2 Storage MicroSD card slot 4KB EEPROM Networking 10/100Mbps Ethernet RJ45 jack 2.4 GHz WLAN IEEE 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.1 USB 1x USB 2.0 OTG Type-C connector 1x USB 2.0 Host on expansion header Expansion 34-pin and 30-pin connectors 2x Flexcom (configurable: I2C, SPI, UART) I2C 6-channel ADC with Vref 10-bit ISC (Image Sensor Controller), 10-bit […]

The post Conclusive Engineering KSTR-SAMA5D27 is an ultra-compact, low-power SBC based on Microchip SAMA5D27 SiP appeared first on CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

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Conclusive Engineering's KSTR-SAMA5D27: Ultra-Compact, Low-Power SBC using Microchip SAMA5D27 SiP - CNX Software
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Netgear Obtains FCC Exemption from Router Prohibition

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prohibited routers manufactured in other nations due to claims that they “represent an unacceptable threat to the national security of the United States.” We may have jumped the gun, as the FCC is not entirely banning them, particularly if they are crucial for military functions.

Recently, the FCC released an updated public announcement concerning the foreign-made router prohibition. The notice indicates that Netgear (an American-based company that produces its products in locations such as Vietnam and Thailand) has received a “Conditional Approval” to keep selling in the United States. While the notice does not specify the exact rationale, it mentions that Conditional Approval may be granted to any firm that requests it as long as it manufactures uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS “critical components.” Naturally, the company must also demonstrate that its routers do not pose substantial threats to national security. We can reasonably deduce that Netgear accomplished this not only due to a convincing argument but also because its routers are integral to UAS functionality.

Given that Netgear may have attained this advantage partly because its routers facilitate UAV control, one might speculate that a stipulation of the Conditional Approval is that Netgear is limited to selling routers exclusively to U.S. government agencies. However, this is not accurate. As per the public notice, Netgear is also permitted to market consumer-level mesh, mobile, and standalone routers in the Orbi and Nighthawk series (which are among the best budget routers available on Amazon), along with cable gateways and modems.

Netgear isn’t the sole exception

When the FCC endeavored to limit foreign-made routers, the organization assessed devices to determine whether they posed undue risks to the U.S. government and if they constituted “UAS critical components.” Netgear routers were not the initial devices to receive a pass, and they may not be the final ones.

As of this moment, Adtran Inc’s Service Delivery Gateway routers

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Netgear Obtains FCC Exemption from Router Prohibition
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Apple Wins in Masimo Controversy as ITC Wraps Up Investigation into Apple Watch Import Ban

Apple has recently secured a major win in its protracted legal battle with Masimo, a company specializing in health technology, over patents related to the blood oxygen monitoring feature of the Apple Watch. This article outlines the circumstances surrounding the dispute.

### Background of the Dispute

The clash between Apple and Masimo has persisted for several years, focusing on the blood oxygen sensor technology embedded in the Apple Watch. Following a series of legal rulings and appeals, Apple was forced to disable this feature on Apple Watches marketed in the United States to circumvent a ban. In response, Apple engineered a revamped version of the feature that transferred most processing to the iPhone, using data gathered from the Apple Watch.

The International Trade Commission (ITC) concluded that this redesign permitted Apple to recommence sales of the Apple Watch models featuring blood oxygen monitoring in the U.S., determining that it did not infringe Masimo’s patents. Nevertheless, Masimo disputed this finding, claiming that Apple’s redesign still contravened the existing exclusion order and contested U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s endorsement of the updated watches.

### Recent Developments

Two significant decisions emerged from this protracted legal confrontation:

1. An ITC Administrative Law Judge, Monica Bhattacharyya, ruled that Apple’s revamped blood oxygen feature does not violate Masimo’s patents.
2. The Federal Circuit upheld the ITC’s initial exclusion order, affirming that the original version of the blood oxygen feature remains prohibited in the United States.

The concluding step in this process was for the entire ITC Commission to decide whether to review the Administrative Law Judge’s no-infringement ruling.

### ITC’s Decision

On March 30, 2026, the ITC opted not to revisit the prior ruling, effectively concluding the case and dismissing Masimo’s plea to reinstate the Apple Watch import ban. The ruling validated that the redesigned products do not infringe the asserted patents, enabling Apple to persist in providing the blood oxygen feature to its consumers.

In a statement, Apple expressed appreciation for the ITC’s ruling, underscoring its dedication to safeguarding its innovations. The company highlighted its commitment to delivering premium products and services, including health features such as the ECG app and notifications for hypertension and irregular rhythms.

### Conclusion

While Apple revels in this legal triumph, Masimo still retains the ability to appeal the decision. This case illustrates the intricacies of patent legislation in the technology sector and the ongoing rivalry between companies in the health technology domain. As Apple progresses in innovating and broadening its health-related features, the ramifications of this legal dispute will have enduring impacts for both corporations and their clientele.

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Apple Wins in Masimo Controversy as ITC Wraps Up Investigation into Apple Watch Import Ban
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“Director Paul Verhoeven Deceived by Lifelike Prop on Total Recall Set”

The essence of Paul Verhoeven’s iconic blockbuster, “Total Recall,” undoubtedly lies in its practical effects. Remarkably, one of the prosthetics appeared so strikingly realistic (at least in the footage) that Verhoeven mistakenly believed it was one of his actors who had taken the initiative and filmed the scene without his knowledge or approval. In reality, prosthetic and makeup artist Rob Bottin had crafted a full robot that mimicked Marshall Bell (who portrayed mutant human George/Kuato) solely to demonstrate to the director that the vision he had conceived for the scene could be executed as imagined without appearing artificial.

In a retrospective interview with Syfy, actor Mel Johnson Jr., who portrayed the cunning mutant spy Benny, recounted how Bottin deceptively impressed Verhoeven. This involved one of the most unforgettable scenes, in which Kuato, a psychic mutant, is unveiled as a conjoined twin of George and the leader of Mars’ Resistance. As Johnson noted, “Even by today’s standards, one would assume it was CGI, but Kuato was tangible. Kuato was a physical entity. All those movements were real. For Kuato to function, it had to be a robot [not Marshall Bell] to achieve the mechanics necessary for Kuato. And Paul was really against that.”

At first, Verhoeven rejected the idea, believing it would not appear correct. Consequently, Bottin recorded some footage in secret to present to the director. Johnson explained, “Paul exclaimed, ‘How did Marshall accomplish this? Who permitted Marshall to film this scene without my involvement?’ Rob replied, ‘No, that’s not Marshall; that’s my robot. I did it purely for you to see, based on your reaction, that you were unaware that isn’t Marshall.'”

Rob Bottin was a visionary during that era.

As a special makeup designer and creator, Bottin contributed to numerous legendary ’80s and ’90s films whose practical effects remain impressively effective today. Besides “Total Recall,” he left his mark on classics such as the original “The Thing,” “Mission: Impossible,” “Seven,” and “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” among many others.

Mel Johnson Jr. had the honor of collaborating with him on several occasions and highlighted the moment when Benny reveals his identity with his mutated “long-arm” appendage as an example of Bottin’s inventive and inspiring work. “For him to create my arm, I had to be in a complete half-body cast from my waist to my neck, and I had never fractured a limb or anything, so I had never been in a cast before. I had to master body acting with my arm since there were about seven individuals behind me operating that electrically when it was removed. And I truly enjoyed it. I thought it was fantastic.”

Bottin’s impact was substantial in nearly everything he participated in over the past four decades. This is why it’s regrettable that he retired around 2002 after VFX took control of the film and television industry. His likely last (though uncredited) contribution occurred in Season 4 of “Game of Thrones,” where he assisted in executing King Joffrey’s (Jack Gleeson) gruesome death scene.

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"Director Paul Verhoeven Deceived by Lifelike Prop on Total Recall Set"
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Last Chance to Participate in the Giveaway for a MacBook Pro and BenQ 4K Nano Gloss Monitor

### BenQ 27″ 4K Nano Gloss Monitor for MacBook: An Ideal Match for Apple Users

In a thrilling giveaway, BenQ is offering Apple’s newest MacBook Pro in conjunction with their innovative 27″ 4K Nano Gloss Monitor, crafted specifically for MacBook enthusiasts. This promotion honors the introduction of BenQ’s MA monitor series, which are skillfully designed to integrate with the Apple ecosystem effortlessly.

#### Attributes of the BenQ 27″ 4K Nano Gloss Monitor

The BenQ 27″ 4K Nano Gloss Monitor is customized to align with the design and efficiency of MacBook displays. One of its key characteristics is the **Mac Color-Tuning Technology**, which guarantees that the colors shown on the monitor closely match those on a MacBook display. This feature is especially useful for creative professionals demanding precise color representation in their projects.

Furthermore, BenQ offers macOS software that facilitates synchronized brightness changes across several displays. This means that if you alter the brightness on one screen, all linked monitors will automatically update to ensure a uniform viewing experience.

#### Connectivity and Usability

The MA series monitors act as a robust hub for MacBook users. With a single-cable connection, users can relish both a premium monitor feed and a 90W charging capacity for their MacBook. The monitor includes two HDMI ports and an extra USB-C port, making it easy to connect additional Apple devices and accessories.

#### How to Participate in the Giveaway

To take part in the giveaway for a chance to win the MacBook Pro and the BenQ 27″ 4K Nano Gloss Monitor, those interested can enter by providing their name and email address. Each entry requires subscribing to newsletters from BenQ and 9to5Mac, with a maximum of one submission per email address. Participants are encouraged to share the giveaway on social media platforms such as Facebook and X (previously Twitter) and follow BenQ on Instagram for the latest updates.

Entries are accepted until April 17, 2026, and the giveaway is restricted to residents of the United States and Canada. It is important to highlight that no purchase is necessary to enter, and participants must be at least 18 years of age.

#### Final Thoughts

The BenQ 27″ 4K Nano Gloss Monitor stands out as an outstanding option for MacBook users, delivering features that boost productivity and enhance the visual experience. With the added appeal of a chance to win a MacBook Pro, this promotion presents a fantastic opportunity for Apple fans to elevate their setup. For further information regarding the monitor and the giveaway, visit BenQ’s official website.

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Last Chance to Participate in the Giveaway for a MacBook Pro and BenQ 4K Nano Gloss Monitor
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BNP Paribas Increases Apple Stock Price Target Amid Memory Shortage Opportunities

**Apple’s Stock Target Increased Amid Memory Shortage Opportunities**

Today, BNP Paribas elevated Apple Inc.’s stock price target to $300, up from the prior target of $260. This revision reflects the bank’s trust in Apple’s capability to maneuver through the current memory shortages affecting the smartphone sector.

### Apple Could Transform Memory Shortage into an Advantage

Recent findings from various research agencies have underscored the implications of memory shortages on the smartphone industry. While Apple continues to thrive with the successful iPhone 17 series, lower-tier smartphone producers are facing difficulties due to tighter profit margins, constraining their ability to absorb escalating component expenses.

In its latest note to investors, BNP Paribas highlighted that Apple’s strong supply chain and scalability position it favorably to endure these issues and potentially capture market share. As a result, the bank upgraded Apple’s stock rating from ‘neutral’ to ‘outperform’ and established a new price target of $300, indicating a 15.3% increase.

Analyst David O’Connor stated, “With a memory crunch impacting the smaller players in the low/mid tier more significantly, we believe Apple can utilize its scale and exceptional supply chain to enhance iPhone market share, alongside a continued shift towards premium devices.” He observed that while Apple is also impacted by memory issues, it possesses greater options to manage revenue and costs compared to its rivals.

In the most recent earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Kevan Parekh shared that the company concluded the December quarter with low iPhone inventory due to unexpected high demand, resulting in a “supply chase” to restock. They noted that the constraints were mainly linked to chip production rather than memory, which had a minimal impact during that quarter but was expected to influence margins in the approaching March quarter.

Cook remarked that Apple has “a range of options” to tackle rising memory costs, although he did not disclose specific information.

As of today, Apple’s stock closed at $270.23, reflecting a 2.59% rise. The stock has increased nearly 5% since the last quarterly results, even amid recent market volatility induced by geopolitical tensions.

### Conclusion

With the memory shortage posing challenges for many in the smartphone sector, Apple seems ready to exploit this scenario, leveraging its scale and supply chain strengths. The upgraded stock target from BNP Paribas emphasizes the market’s positivity regarding Apple’s future prospects in light of these industry-wide challenges.

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BNP Paribas Increases Apple Stock Price Target Amid Memory Shortage Opportunities
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