Category Archives: TechNews

Business, Comes Next, Computer Chips, TechNews

AMD RDNA 4 GPUs

[Image credit: AMD]

AMD RDNA 4 GPUs: Launch Date and What to Expect

Recent leaks suggest AMD will push the launch of its RDNA 4 GPUs to early 2025 (pcgamesn.com). Originally rumored for a late 2024 release, these next-generation graphics cards seem to be slightly behind schedule. Let’s explore what this means for AMD’s lineup and what we can expect from the upcoming RDNA 4 series.

Delayed Launch: What Happened?

According to recent sources, AMD’s RDNA 4 GPUs will arrive in 2025. It will debut with the flagship Navi 48 at CES in January. Earlier rumors suggested a late 2024 release. AMD appears to be holding back the launch of its RDNA 4 GPUs. The company likely wants to clear out existing RDNA 3 inventory before introducing a new generation.

What to Expect from RDNA 4

The RDNA 4 line will include the Navi 44 and Navi 48 GPUs, focusing heavily on value for money, strong performance, and energy efficiency. This approach is different from Nvidia, which continues to prioritize high-performance hardware for its upcoming RTX 5000 series. AMD’s strategy places a greater emphasis on the mid-range market, aiming to offer powerful GPUs at more accessible price points.

With RDNA 4, AMD plans to introduce enhancements like improved raytracing, better clock speeds, GDDR6 memory, and the latest iteration of AMD’s Infinity Cache. These improvements promise a 10-30% performance boost over the current RDNA 3 GPUs. This focus on efficiency and mid-range value could make RDNA 4 an attractive option for many gamers who want performance without breaking the bank.

What Comes Next?

With the RDNA 4 launch now set for 2025, it seems that AMD is aligning itself to compete strongly in the mid-range GPU space. The flagship Navi 48 is expected to be showcased at CES 2025, with the Navi 44 following in Q2. This rollout strategy indicates that AMD wants to target the mid-range and gradually shift towards higher-end models.

Interestingly, while RDNA 4 GPUs promise solid improvements, some enthusiasts may still choose to wait. AMD’s RDNA 5 is already under development and is rumored to include significant architectural changes, possibly catering to the high-end market more than RDNA 4.

Conclusion for AMD RDNA 4 GPUs

AMD’s RDNA 4 GPUs will make their way to the market in early 2025, focusing on delivering value, efficiency, and mid-range power. This delay gives AMD more time to move remaining RDNA 3 stock, while also setting the stage for a strong mid-tier offering next year. With Nvidia pushing ahead with its high-performance RTX 5000 series, 2025 could be a pivotal year for AMD to establish itself as the leader in the mid-range graphics card space. If you’re looking for a balance of performance and cost, the AMD RDNA 4 GPUs might be worth the wait.

Comes Next, Financial, TechNews

ChatGPT Hardware

[Image by TeX9.net: Imaginary AI Smartphone]
Jony Ive Spearheads Design of OpenAI’s Groundbreaking ChatGPT Hardware Device

OpenAI is teaming up with designer Jony Ive to introduce a groundbreaking ChatGPT hardware device. This collaboration ushers in a new era of AI-driven computing. The project strives to offer a computing experience that disrupts social interactions less. It emphasizes a move towards blending AI more smoothly into everyday life.

OpenAI is joining forces with Jony Ive, the renowned former Apple designer, to create the first dedicated ChatGPT hardware device. Dubbed the “iPhone of artificial intelligence,” this initiative marks a significant pivot in AI technology.

A year after rumors first surfaced, Jony Ive has confirmed his involvement in designing (via bgr.com) what may become a direct competitor to the iPhone. Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom, along with Laurene Powell Jobs’s Emerson Collective, are leading the project’s funding efforts, aiming to secure $1 billion by year’s end.

Adding to the team’s prowess, Jony Ive recently enlisted Tang Tan, another ex-Apple iPhone designer, suggesting serious momentum behind the ChatGPT device. Despite no official product details yet, the design process is underway in a state-of-the-art San Francisco studio, according to reports.

The vision for the ChatGPT hardware extends beyond traditional smartphone functions. This device aims to offer a computing experience that minimizes social disruption, contrasting sharply with current smartphone interactions. This philosophy could reshape how we interact with technology, emphasizing AI-first features over conventional smartphone capabilities.

With a valuation potentially reaching $100 billion, OpenAI (via crn.com) is also drawing interest from major tech players like Apple. This presents an intriguing scenario where Apple could end up investing in a venture that challenges its core products.

The design team, which now includes former Apple talents like Evans Hankey, operates out of a sprawling office space purchased by Ive. This new venture promises not only to advance AI technology but also to potentially redefine the hardware landscape.

Entertainment, TechNews

Google Maps updates

[Image credit: Google (Google Maps Screenshot)]

Google Maps, Street View, and Google Earth Receive Major Updates

Google has rolled out significant updates to its mapping tools—Google Maps, Street View, and Google Earth. These new features offer an enhanced experience, including a unique time travel capability and clearer global imagery. Let’s dive into what these exciting Google Maps updates mean for users.

Historical Imagery on Google Earth

The most exciting feature of these updates is the addition of historical imagery in Google Earth. Users can now explore satellite images dating back as far as 80 years for some locations. Previously, these images were only available in the Pro version of Google Earth, but now they are accessible for everyone on both web and mobile platforms.

This means you can take a look at how your neighborhood appeared decades ago or analyze the impact of climate change on forests over time. Cities like London, Berlin, Warsaw, and Paris now have satellite data going all the way back to the 1930s. This feature provides a fascinating way to see how these cities have evolved, grown, and adapted over the decades.

Expanded Street View Coverage

Google Maps is also expanding its Street View coverage. Users will now see expanded Street View imagery across 80 countries, with some countries getting Street View for the very first time. Google has shared examples from locations like Iceland, New Zealand, Brazil, Mexico, Tasmania, Japan, Denmark, and France.

According to Google, this update marks one of the most significant expansions in Street View’s history since its launch in 2007. The total number of images now exceeds an impressive 280 billion. With this extensive coverage, users can virtually explore more of the world than ever before.

Enhanced Satellite Imagery

Another notable update comes to satellite imagery across Google Earth and Google Maps. Google has used AI to enhance the quality of its satellite views. New cloud removal tools have been applied to create a refreshed and clearer global mosaic. This allows users to see the Earth in more detail with sharper images, improving the overall accuracy and visual appeal of Google’s mapping tools.

Why These Google Maps Updates Matter

These updates make Google Maps, Street View, and Google Earth more informative and visually engaging. Historical imagery allows a unique glimpse into the past, while expanded Street View coverage makes virtual exploration possible in more locations. The enhanced satellite views provide a clearer and more realistic representation of our planet, perfect for travelers, researchers, and the curious at heart.

Overall, these Google Maps updates bring major improvements to how we explore and understand the world. Whether you want to travel back in time, visit a distant place virtually, or get a sharper view of our changing Earth, these features are sure to enrich your experience.

Comes Next, Computer Chips, Security, TechNews

Intel Microcode Update

[Image credit: Intel]
Intel’s Final Fix: Ending the CPU Crashing Saga with Microcode Update

Intel is rolling out a final microcode update aimed at resolving a persistent CPU crashing issue affecting its 13th and 14th generation Core processors. After identifying excessive voltage requests as a core issue (www.tomshardware.com), Intel, in collaboration with motherboard manufacturers, has developed a comprehensive fix to stabilize performance. This update is critical for preventing further damage and ensuring system stability. Intel encourages all users to install the updated BIOS promptly to benefit from these enhancements and extends warranties to support affected consumers. This move not only resolves the immediate issues but also reinforces Intel’s commitment to product reliability and customer satisfaction.

Intel aims to end the prolonged CPU crashing issue with a crucial microcode update. This saga, marked by several bugs affecting power and voltage, has troubled users of Intel’s high-end 13th and 14th generation Core processors.

Starting in April, Intel explored various potential causes and fixes. The company initially pointed to motherboard manufacturers for setting power levels above the recommended defaults. However, the root cause was identified by summer: CPUs were requesting higher voltages than needed, leading to performance degradation and potential hardware damage.

By August, Intel had released multiple updates to address these issues. These included BIOS updates from motherboard manufacturers to correct power settings and reduce voltage demands. Today, Intel releases a comprehensive 0x12B microcode update. It addresses four critical issues: excessive motherboard defaults, overheating CPUs failing to downshift, and excessive voltage supply during active and idle states.

Motherboard and PC manufacturers will incorporate this new update into their BIOS revisions. Users should install these updates promptly to prevent further damage.

Despite these bugs, only certain Intel CPU models are affected. Intel has extended warranties (arstechnica.com) for these models from three to five years, acknowledging the potential for pre-update damage. Additionally, Intel’s upcoming Arrow Lake desktop processors, manufactured by TSMC, promise freedom from these voltage and stability issues.

AI, Business, Science, TechNews

Google Gemini Live

[Image by TeX9.net: Moon Facility]
Google Unleashes Gemini Live: Revolutionizing Mobile AI Interactions for All Android Users

In a significant move towards enhancing mobile user experience, Google has announced the rollout of its voice-powered AI chatbot, Google Gemini Live. It is now available for free to all Android users. This groundbreaking feature, revealed during the launch event of the Pixel 9. It transforms how users interact with their devices, using voice commands to facilitate real-time conversations.

Initially exclusive to Gemini Advanced subscribers, Gemini Live has broadened its accessibility, promising an engaging interaction for any Android user via the Gemini app or its overlay. What sets this feature apart is the ability to ask questions aloud. Even interrupting the AI’s responses, brings a new level of dynamism to digital conversations. Users can personalize their experience by selecting from a variety of voice options for Gemini’s responses.

Despite the advanced capabilities of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which introduced a similar voice mode, Google has taken a definitive lead by offering this feature to a broader audience. OpenAI’s version has seen a slower rollout, likely constrained by computing power demands which are substantial for such voice-interactive features.

To engage with Gemini Live, users simply tap the new waveform icon on their device. The interface is user-friendly. It offers options to either hold the AI’s answer or end the conversation. This puts users in complete control of the interaction.

Currently available in English, Google plans to expand the language options and eventually extend this feature to iOS devices. Although no specific timeline has been provided for these updates, the anticipation continues to build.