Technology

Commodore fans split over C64 Ultimate FPGA firmware lockdown — firm says it wants to protect its hardware and reduce support fallout

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

Apr 17, 2026

TL;DR

AI Generated

Commodore has implemented a firmware lockdown on its C64 Ultimate computer to prevent non-official firmware from being loaded, citing the need to protect hardware and reduce support issues. The latest firmware update, version 1.1.0, includes new features and fixes but also introduces safeguards against incompatible firmware. The company emphasizes that the C64 Ultimate is an evolving product with future revisions and capabilities, necessitating control over firmware to avoid hardware damage. While some users express concerns about restrictions, Commodore clarifies that the policy is not aimed at community patches like SPIFFY but rather at unauthorized firmware that could lead to support challenges.

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SNK is launching the NeoGeo AES+ - a modern version of its 90s console starting at $250

SNK is releasing the NeoGeo AES+, a modern version of its 90s console, available for pre-order starting at $250. The console retains the original design but includes modern features like HDMI output, language selection, and high-score saves. It uses re-engineered ASIC chips for emulation, supporting both new and original NeoGeo AES cartridges. The standard version is priced at $249.99, with premium editions available for $349.99 and $999. The console comes with an Arcade Stick and initial game titles like Metal Slug and The King of Fighters 2002.

TweakTown•

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Techie buys fake Ledger Nano S+ hardware crypto wallet and almost falls for phishing — a convincing clone would have caught newbies unaware

Brazilian cybersecurity professional Joje Mendes nearly fell victim to a sophisticated hardware-and-software phishing attack involving a fake Ledger Nano S+ cryptocurrency wallet purchased from a Chinese marketplace. Despite the device being priced similarly to a legitimate one, Mendes discovered it was a counterfeit upon arrival, thanks to Ledger's software verification. Upon dissecting the device, Mendes found it contained an ESP32-S3 SoC and was designed to harvest data through a fake Ledger app, leading unsuspecting users to a malicious website for downloading harmful apps. Mendes reported the incident to Ledger and plans to investigate further, emphasizing the importance of purchasing security devices directly from manufacturers or authorized sellers.

Tom's Hardware•

21 hours ago

Emulation-based SoC Security Verification (U. of Florida)

Researchers at the University of Florida have published a technical paper titled "Emulation-based System-on-Chip Security Verification: Challenges and Opportunities," focusing on the importance of security validation in semiconductor design due to increasing system-on-chip (SoC) complexity. The paper highlights hardware emulation as a crucial pre-silicon verification technology that allows for high-throughput execution of designs under realistic conditions for security analysis. It covers various aspects of emulation-based security verification workflows, including instrumentation, stimulus generation, and runtime monitoring. The paper also discusses emerging trends like AI-assisted emulation and automated vulnerability assessment, positioning emulation as a key element in ensuring hardware security.

SemiEngineering•

1 day ago

IEEE Entrepreneurship Connects Hardware Startups With Investors

IEEE Entrepreneurship is facilitating connections between hardware startups and investors through events that offer networking opportunities and pitch contests. At the 2025 event in San Francisco, startups engaged with Hard Tech investors and service providers during networking sessions. This initiative aims to support entrepreneurs in the hardware industry by providing them with valuable connections and resources to help their businesses thrive.

IEEE Spectrum•

2 days ago