lightbulb Archives

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Google’s ‘Pixel Glow’ might have several lights as laptop animation surfaces [Video]

“Pixel Glow” is a forthcoming feature for future Pixel phones that will use subtle light and color on the back of the device to notify users of significant notifications while the phone is face down. It will be compatible with Gemini and will notify users of calls from favorite contacts. The Pixel Diagnostics app includes a “Color LED Check” to test the functionality of the LEDs, which will illuminate in red, green, and blue hues. Google is incorporating eight LEDs for the “Pixel Glow” feature, with a system designed to detect hardware failures. An animation has been discovered that shows an LED strip along the inner edge of an upcoming Pixel laptop, potentially illuminating in colors similar to the Gemini interface.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

More ‘Pixel Glow’ clues surface, and they point straight at Gemini

The Pixel smartphones may soon feature a notification system called "Pixel Glow," which could involve a color LED that cycles through red, green, and blue colors when users receive notifications or interact with the Gemini assistant. Code snippets from the Pixel Diagnostics app suggest users might be able to test the LED's functionality, with terms like “Pass,” “Fail,” and “Rerun” indicating a diagnostic process. Additional references in the code include “PixelLights,” “Gemini Glow,” and “Aurora,” hinting at advanced lighting effects. Speculation suggests the LEDs could be integrated into the rear of the device, possibly around the camera or beneath the "G" logo, but the exact design and timeline for release remain unclear.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

How to watch PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted Powered by Xbox Game Pass 2025 — Times, platforms, everything you need to know

On December 4, PC Gamer will host the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted by Xbox Game Pass 2025, showcasing the 25 most awaited PC games in development along with trailers and exclusive content for over 50 upcoming titles. The event starts at 12:00 PM PST and will be streamed on various platforms including YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook, featuring localized subtitles in multiple languages. Popular streamers will provide live reactions during the event. Highlights include trailers for Rogue Point, High On Life 2, Cairn, Killer Floor 3, and Witchspire, as well as a gameplay trailer for Remnant Protocol and announcements from developers like Dotemu and Lightbulb Crew.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Developer Runs Minecraft On Smart Lightbulb

Developer Vimpo has established a Minecraft server on a budget smart lightbulb using the BL602 microcontroller. The server, called Ucraft, is a lightweight system that lacks many traditional features but operates effectively. The binary size is approximately 46 KB without the authentication library and 90 KB with it. Memory consumption varies based on active players, peaking at around 70 KB with authentication for up to 10 players, or dropping to 20 KB without it.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

Game server hosting just found its most unlikely platform in a cheap bulb

A hardware enthusiast named Vimpo successfully hosted a Minecraft server on a budget-friendly smart LED bulb using a BL602 RISC-V microcontroller, which operates at 192 megahertz and has 276 kilobytes of RAM and 128 kilobytes of ROM. He implemented a lightweight server software called Ucraft, with a binary size of approximately 46 kilobytes without authentication and 90 kilobytes with authentication. While Ucraft meets basic hosting demands, it lacks most features of a standard Minecraft server. This project demonstrates the flexibility of embedded systems and highlights innovative uses of technology.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

This bright spark built a 90 KB Minecraft server and got it running on a Wi-Fi-equipped lightbulb

YouTuber Vimpo successfully ran a custom Minecraft server, named Ucraft, on a modified Wi-Fi smart lightbulb. The lightbulb was altered by removing its glass exterior to access the BL602 RISC-V chip, which was connected to a microcontroller with a USB port. The server binary is compact, measuring 46 KB without the authentication library and 90 KB with it, and uses a maximum of 70 KB of memory with ten players. The server supports basic minigames like TNT run, although it has limitations on blocks and map sizes.