For a time, if you wanted to geek out on hardware or build your own computer, Fry’s in Wilsonville, Oregon, would have been your first stop. But it appears that — like Wilsonville’s Hollywood Video before it — Fry’s is no more. (Also, it’s sadly ironic that the frys.com Website is throwing a 503 error.) For more, visit Ars Technica.
Read MoreTag: hardware
If you’re building a software, hardware, or consumer product startup, PIE would like you to apply. Like right now.
If surviving during this pandemic includes your working on something new — or keeping a new startup alive — then you might consider applying for the PIE (Portland Incubator Experiment) startup accelerator. They’re currently accepting applications for Software (SaaS, Web, Mobile), Hardware (Internet of Things, Connected devices, Electronics), and Consumer Product (Food, Beverage, Apparel, Beauty) startups. But you have to act fast. Applications close August 9, 2020.
Read MoreIs your startup working to bring hardware to market? NEDME may be just what you need
[Editor’s note: The following is a guest post from Duane Benson of Screaming Circuits.]
Oregon has a long history with electronics hardware design, going back to the early days of Tektronix and Intel. Those two technology pioneers begat hardware startup companies like Radisys, InFocus, Planar, and a host of others. But over the last two decades, the local tech startup scene has been much more about the Internet and software than it has been about chips and solder.
Interested in hardware hacking? You might need a little Teardown
It’s true that the Portland startup community is experiencing a bit of a hardware renaissance, but fact of the matter is, there’s been a strong and consistent undercurrent of that startup activity for years. A no one has been a more ardent champion of that activity than Portland startup Crowd Supply. So it only makes sense that they would be behind the effort to get that community together. Meet Teardown.
Open all the sources: Like open source software? Bet you'd love open source hardware
Even though there’s less focus on it than previous years, Portland is—and remains—the de facto hub of open source activity. It’s just something in our blood. So it only stands to reason that—as more things become open—Portland would be a great spot for those open pursuits to congregate. Take for example Open Hardware Summit. Read More
Silicon Forest silicon manufacturing: Still the world’s best
Among many interesting developments announced at the Intel Developer Forum (in San Francisco, where the technology discussion was largely about what Intel is doing in Oregon) was the announcement that Intel’s somewhat understated Custom Foundry business would be building processors for ARM and its customers, including LG, servicing the mobile and IoT markets. While this is not as big as a win as having the dominant branded design, it underscores Intel’s continuing leadership in manufacturing technology—led by Intel’s Hillsboro Ronler Acres site. Read More
Spring fever musings from the world of science startups
In my first post, I made a mild dig at my former hometown (Silicon Valley) for perhaps becoming a bit soft(ware) and distant from the science and tech base it started from. That’s not the whole story, of course, and in any event the home of Apple and Google (great software companies that ended up doing their own great hardware) doesn’t need my help to philosophize on this topic. Read More
Snowden recommended: Portland's Crowd Supply hosts successful campaign for "The Essential Guide to Electronics in Shenzhen"
It’s no secret that Portland loves its crowdfunding campaigns. We love it so much, we even build platforms for facilitating it. And those platforms wind up hosting any number of interesting projects. Like the campaign currently running on Portland based Crowd Supply, The Essential Guide to Electronics in Shenzhen. Read More
Interested in consumer facing tech? You're going to want to put Nike Tech Talks on your calendar
One of Portland’s biggest problems in terms of knowledge sharing is that whole “West Hills Tunnel Problem.” In a nutshell, that’s the issue where people from Portland don’t collaborate with folks in the suburbs as much as they could. And vice versa. That’s why I’m always happy to see new events that help bridge that divide. Like the new Nike Tech Talks series. Read More
With a week to go, Ultra's Violet approaches the halfway point on its Kickstarter goal
It’s no secret that Portland and the sun have an odd relationship. We love it and all. It just doesn’t show up that often. So when it does, it would be awesome to have a way of making the most of it—without overindulging. That’s the idea behind Ultra’s Violet, the first-ever wearable device that helps track your UV exposure and measure sun-generated vitamin D. Read More