Week 41 Tech Digest – Synology Rollback, Qualcomm Buys Arduino, Solidigm’s 23PB AI Lab, ZimaOS 1.5, Kioxia RocksDB Plugin & More

Solidigm’s AI Central Lab Packs 23.6PB into 16U with 192 SSDs

Solidigm has unveiled its AI Central Lab, a dense reference design integrating 192 SSDs totaling 23.6PB of flash storage into just 16U of rack space. Built with high-endurance NVMe SSDs and Gen4 infrastructure, the lab demonstrates scalable flash deployment for real-time AI and data-intensive workloads. Key applications include large-scale LLM training, media analytics, and inferencing. The setup reflects Solidigm’s push toward enterprise flash consolidation, enabling AI infrastructure teams to optimize performance-per-watt and reduce data center sprawl. With NVMe over Fabrics support and fine-tuned firmware, the lab offers a look into high-throughput, AI-ready flash architecture.

Source: Solidigm

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Raspberry Pi Showcases Sustainable Manufacturing and Metal Recovery

Raspberry Pi has shared details of its sustainable production practices, including zero-waste manufacturing, closed-loop recycling, and precious metal recovery from its compute boards. Partnering with UK-based Circular Computing and material recovery facilities, Raspberry Pi aims to minimize environmental impact across its Pi 4 and Pi 5 supply chain. These practices include harvesting gold, silver, and palladium from defective boards, reusing substrates, and reengineering supply-side logistics to cut waste. The initiative not only lowers environmental cost but also stabilizes component sourcing for mass production. Raspberry Pi continues to lead as a sustainability role model in the embedded and maker space.

Source: Raspberry Pi

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ZimaOS v1.5 Launches with Improved NAS App Store and ARM Support

IceWhale Technology has officially launched ZimaOS v1.5, enhancing its lightweight open NAS operating system for ZimaBoard and x86/ARM DIY systems. The release introduces a refined App Store UI, support for ARM64 boards, and better Docker container orchestration. Users gain granular control over storage pools, RAID volumes, and app permissions, while remote access and system rollback features have been strengthened. The update also improves thermal telemetry, adds support for S.M.A.R.T. alerts, and enables more robust cloud backup syncing. With growing adoption in self-hosted environments, ZimaOS is positioning itself as a viable alternative to Unraid and TrueNAS for prosumers.

Source: IceWhale

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Flexxon Launches X-Mask Pro: Secure microSD with Built-in Encryption

Flexxon has introduced the X-Mask Pro, a microSD card designed for security-first deployments with hardware-level AES encryption, data masking, and auto-destruction on tampering. The card includes dual-mode protection: a public partition for routine storage and a hidden partition for secure assets. Its “Stealth Mode” obfuscates sensitive data patterns, while tamper detection erases encryption keys if physical compromise is detected. Aimed at defense, surveillance, and medical industries, the X-Mask Pro redefines how secure data is handled on removable media, without the need for external software tools. It’s a major leap in edge device data protection.

Source: Flexxon

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RAIDON uBOX Micro Adapter Converts M.2 to High-Performance U.2 NVMe

RAIDON Technology has launched the uBOX Micro, a compact adapter that converts M.2 NVMe SSDs to 2.5-inch U.2 NVMe format, enabling high-speed integration into enterprise servers and hot-swap bays. The design features metal shielding, thermal pads, and low-latency PCB routing to preserve Gen3/Gen4 speeds. It’s ideal for data centers, testing labs, or media environments needing flexible NVMe interchange. This adapter helps bridge the gap between M.2-based consumer drives and enterprise-grade U.2/U.3 backplanes, especially for IT admins migrating data or using test benches.

Source: RAIDON

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Solidigm Shares 2025+ SSD Roadmap: QLC Scaling, AI Focus, and Beyond

Solidigm has detailed its SSD roadmap through 2026, highlighting plans for denser QLC NAND, advanced controller designs, and firmware optimizations aimed at AI and analytics workloads. The company aims to improve QLC write durability and consistency through new caching layers and dynamic wear leveling. Solidigm emphasized its shift toward data-centric architectures, where read performance, queue depth efficiency, and sustained throughput take priority over synthetic benchmarks. Upcoming drives will target cloud storage providers, content delivery networks, and AI/ML inference farms, with features like predictive wear tracking and optimized mixed workload handling.

Source: Solidigm

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Kioxia’s RocksDB Plugin Extends SSD Lifespan with Smarter Writes

Kioxia has unveiled a new open-source plugin for RocksDB, aimed at reducing write amplification and improving SSD endurance, especially on QLC NAND. Integrated at the software layer, the plugin aligns RocksDB’s write behavior with SSD wear characteristics by batching and sorting data in a flash-friendly format. Early tests show a 30–40% increase in drive lifespan on enterprise QLC SSDs. This innovation addresses one of the major barriers to QLC adoption in high-write environments and could allow hyperscale datacenters to extend deployment cycles.

Source: Kioxia

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Kioxia to Showcase AI-Centric Flash Tech at OCP Global Summit

At the upcoming OCP Global Summit 2025, Kioxia will showcase new flash storage technologies optimized for AI and edge inference workloads. These include low-latency XL-FLASH, enterprise U.3 drives with AI-optimized firmware, and upcoming PCIe 5.0 NVMe models with intelligent I/O scheduling. The focus is on latency determinism, endurance under mixed loads, and maximizing IOPS per watt. Kioxia is also pushing its Software-Enabled Flash (SEF) interface for more granular host-device cooperation in AI pipelines. These innovations target hyperscalers and OEMs integrating AI inference into storage-tier processing.

Source: Kioxia

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FADU, Trusta & Giga Computing Form Next-Gen Enterprise SSD Alliance

FADU, Trusta, and Giga Computing have announced a strategic partnership to develop a next-generation enterprise SSD ecosystem, combining FADU’s low-power SSD controllers, Trusta’s firmware stack, and Giga Computing’s server platforms. The alliance focuses on PCIe 5.0 and 6.0-ready NVMe drives, with optimized throughput for AI inference, CDN, and fintech environments. Initial prototypes include 7.5GB/s-class SSDs and multi-tenant RAID configs tuned for latency-sensitive workloads. The goal is to offer a vertically integrated flash platform from silicon to firmware to rack deployment, aiming to disrupt traditional OEM supply chains.

Source: TechPowerUp

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Unifi Launches 2U and Tower UPS Units for Network Continuity

Ubiquiti has launched a new line of Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) under the Unifi Power brand, including 2U rackmount and desktop tower models. Both units integrate tightly with the Unifi Controller, offering real-time battery health, runtime estimations, and remote shutdown orchestration for connected Unifi gear. With pure sinewave output, LiFePO4 battery chemistry, and SNMP support, these UPS models target prosumers and SMBs seeking power resilience for their networks. The 2U variant supports higher VA ratings for PoE switches, while the tower suits gateways and access points.

Source: Ubiquiti

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Synology’s Drive Compatibility Rollback: Seagate & WD Supported Again

In a surprising policy reversal, Synology has re-added Seagate and Western Digital drives to its official compatibility list for some newer NAS systems. This includes select IronWolf, Red Plus, and enterprise-class HDDs and SSDs. While the move does not fully revert the 2022–2024 era of locked configurations, it eases restrictions for users running DSM 7.2+ on 2025+ DiskStations. Many view this as a response to user backlash, online petitions, and competitive pressure from QNAP, TrueNAS, and UGREEN. However, M.2 NVMe restrictions remain in place, and only validated models gain full SMART and health support in DSM.

Source: NASCompares

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Phison CEO Warns of NAND Flash Shortages Through 2035

Phison’s CEO has issued a stark forecast that NAND flash memory may remain in tight supply for up to a decade, due to soaring demand from AI, autonomous vehicles, and high-density storage. With manufacturing yields stagnating and demand from AI servers and data centers outpacing projections, the industry may face continued cost volatility and constrained availability. This echoes concerns from Micron and SK hynix, and places further pressure on cloud vendors and hyperscalers. If true, this could drive further investment in alternative storage tiers like DNA-based archiving and optical storage research.

Source: ComputerBase

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JEDEC Finalizes UFS 5.0 Standard with Up to 10.8 GB/s Performance

JEDEC has announced the official release of UFS 5.0, pushing mobile and embedded flash storage into new performance territory. The new standard supports up to 10.8GB/s data transfer rates with dual-lane operation, significantly improving throughput for next-gen smartphones, tablets, AR/VR gear, and automotive compute modules. UFS 5.0 also introduces improved power efficiency, advanced thermal throttling protocols, and support for dynamic voltage scaling to balance performance and battery life. Early adoption is expected by late 2026 in premium-tier mobile SoCs.

Source: ComputerBase

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QNAP Unveils AIH1688ATX: AI-Accelerated ZFS NAS with 100GbE

QNAP has introduced the TVS-AIH1688ATX, a high-performance AI-ready NAS that combines ZFS storage with GPU acceleration for real-time inference, video analytics, and smart monitoring. It features dual AMD EPYC CPUs, PCIe Gen 5 slots, U.2 SSD bays, and up to 100GbE networking, positioning it as a competitor to traditional AI workstations and edge servers. The system is expected to support frameworks like TensorFlow, YOLO, and ONNX, with native app support for QNAP’s own QVR Pro and QuAI environments.

Source: QNAP

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Synology BeeStation 1.4 Beta Introduces Backup Sync and Mobile Enhancements

Synology has released the BeeStation 1.4 Beta, bringing a host of new features to its entry-level personal cloud platform. Highlights include multi-device sync, scheduled backup automation, mobile photo organization, and better remote streaming performance. The update enhances BeeStation’s usability for home and family users looking for an alternative to Google Photos or iCloud, while also tightening security with 2FA and encrypted share links. Available via the Synology Bee portal, the beta paves the way for a more competitive personal NAS ecosystem that bridges mobile and desktop workflows.

Source: Synology

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Qualcomm Acquires Arduino: Expands Edge AI and Embedded Ambitions

Qualcomm has announced the acquisition of Arduino, the world-renowned open hardware platform, in a move that signals its intent to dominate edge AI, IoT, and developer ecosystems. The merger allows Qualcomm to leverage Arduino’s vast community and libraries across its Snapdragon SoCs, targeting robotics, smart homes, and industrial automation. The acquisition aligns with Qualcomm’s broader push to expand AI inference to microcontroller-class devices, using Arduino’s platform as a gateway to prototyping, education, and commercial deployments. Developers can expect tighter integration between Arduino IDEs and Qualcomm’s AI model deployment tools in future releases.

Source: TechPowerUp

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Solidigm Opens AI Lab with 23.6PB SSD Cluster for Research and Benchmarking

In addition to its roadmap updates, Solidigm has launched a dedicated AI Central Lab, designed to demonstrate SSD-centric performance in large-scale AI and ML workloads. With 192 NVMe SSDs totaling 23.6PB in a 16U configuration, the lab offers researchers and enterprise clients a real-world testing ground for AI pipeline optimization. It will serve as a public reference site to benchmark throughput, power efficiency, and model inference time across storage-bound architectures. This positions Solidigm as a performance leader in the flash tier for AI workloads.

Source: TechPowerUp

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TSMC Begins 2nm Silicon Production at Fab 22 Ahead of Volume Ramp

TSMC has confirmed that it has begun etching 2nm wafers at its newly operational Fab 22, with full-volume production scheduled for late 2026. The process uses GAAFET transistors and backside power delivery to dramatically reduce leakage and improve density. This milestone solidifies TSMC’s leadership in advanced nodes and sets the stage for next-gen chips powering AI, mobile, and HPC systems. Industry analysts expect Apple, AMD, and Nvidia to be early adopters, with performance and efficiency leaps anticipated over current 3nm offerings.

Source: TechPowerUp

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Synology Clarifies Drive Compatibility Rules in Updated DSM Policy Docs

Synology has published a detailed FAQ outlining drive compatibility rules for 2025+ NAS systems running DSM 7.3 or later, clarifying the conditions under which non-Synology drives can be used. Users of Plus, J, and Value series DiskStations can now use non-validated SATA HDDs and SSDs, provided they are not blacklisted, while M.2 NVMe drives still require Synology validation for creating new caches or pools. Migration of previously configured drives is permitted. The document also emphasizes that enterprise and XS/SA series models still require official drives for all operations.

Source: Synology

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