Many Computers Do You Have?

=>gemini://warmedal.se/~bjorn/posts/2022-08-14-how-many-computers-do-you-have.gmi

@ew0k asks us to identify all the computers in the pile of products we own...

And is pretty conservative, as I see it. All modern remotes, fridges, ovens, wireless keyboards, etc. are very likely to contain a microprocessor.

My air conditioner has at least two - one in the remote and one in the main unit. I know because I could connect it to WiFi -- if I was insane!

Headphones that do bluetooth and USB, especially noise-cancelling kind, are very likely to have a CPU. Those with google or alexa, definitely.

A USB memory stick is very likely to have at least one ARM core on it. Decades ago manufacturers found it cheaper than running exhaustive memory tests on each device and locking out broken parts. The ARM chip manages the memory array, hiding defects and wear leveling and whatnot. Also, any memory devices - microSD, whatever is in your camera or tablet or phone...

Every disk drive controller - solid state or spinning...

A car.. Boy, it's a treasure trove! Ten years ago cars were likely to have 30 or more CPUs connected by an awfully insecure CANbus. Today, I would be surprised if it is not much more.

Every Intel CPU has a secret x86 computer for its 'System Management Mode', running a Minix operating system, with access to your memory, IO and networking devices! AMD chips have a similar computer inside.

A GPU in your computer or phone or laptop (or TV)... That's like thousands of computers right there.

That's my 5 minute's worth of blabbing for today.

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