Intel is set to retire its long-used Pentium and Celeron CPU brands and has instead opted for a new, unified naming structure for Intel processors.
Starting in 2023, Intel notebooks will be powered by an Intel processor that spans multiple processor technology families.
“Intel is committed to driving innovation for the benefit of users, and our entry-level processor families have been instrumental in raising the standard of PCs at all price points,” said Josh Newman, the company’s interim general manager of Mobile Client Platforms.
“The new Intel processor branding will simplify our offering so users can focus on selecting the right processor for their needs.”
An Intel Pentium chip was first used in a consumer PC in 1993, and many generations have come since then. The Celeron chips were introduced in 1998.
Intel is looking to simplify the entire naming structure, with “Intel Processor” set to join the flagship Intel Core, Intel Evo, and Intel vPro brands.
The idea behind this change is to make it easier for consumers to buy products. However, mostly only the branding will change, since the product lines that the chipmaker plans to serve remain largely the same.
The first update of USB 4 should support twice the data rate as before and bring improvements for USB 3.2.
Image: USB, Free Stock Picture, MorgueFile.com.
The USB Promoter Group has announced the forthcoming specification of USB 4 Version 2.0 . The biggest innovation is said to be support for data rates of up to 80 Gbit/s over existing USB-C cables and ports. The committee thus doubles the maximum possible transmission rate of the Universal Serial Bus compared to USB 4, which supports a maximum of 40 Gbit/s. The specification for USB-C and USB Power Delivery should be adjusted accordingly.
In addition to the existing passive USB-C cables, the new higher data rate should also be able to be achieved via newly specified active USB-C cables, as the announcement states. In practice, the higher transmission rate is achieved through changes to physical layer 1 in the OSI layer model, which means that changes to the controller will probably be necessary.
Higher transmission rate thanks to new modulation
A few weeks ago, an Intel manager accidentally disclosed the work on 80G Phy Technology, i.e. a new transmission standard with 80 GBit/s. It is now clear that this should be USB 4 version 2.0. It also follows from this how the higher data rate is to be achieved.
A pulse amplitude modulation with three states (-1,0,+1), PAM-3 for short, is probably used. Only two states (0,+1) are possible with the Non Return to Zero ( NRZ ) used so far. Two consecutive signals are combined to form a 3-bit data signal for data transmission. PAM-4, on the other hand, uses four symbols, i.e. two bits, which are transmitted per cycle.
If only PAM-3 is used for USB 4 Version 2.0, the clock rate of the transmission compared to USB 4 must also be increased in order to double the data rates. Among other things, PAM-3 is also used for 100 Mbit/s Ethernet (100BASE-T1).
Backwards compatible and protocol updates
The improved transfer rate should also come into play in the other USB specifications. Specifically, the announcement promises, for example, that the tunneling of data in USB 3.2 should be able to exceed the previously possible maximum of 20 Gbit/s. The new standard should also be backward compatible with USB 4 Version 1.0 , USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3.
In addition, the USB standard is to be adapted to the current display port and PCIe standards. This should be Displayport 2.0, which also transmits 80 GBit/s, which can already be possible with a USB-C cable . In addition, there is probably PCI Express 5.0 , which theoretically enables transfer rates of up to 128 GB per second when using 16 lanes. With USB 4 Version 2.0, of course, this cannot be achieved.
Tesla is one of the first addresses when customers go looking for a new electric car. A common point of criticism, however, is the small selection of models: If you don’t want a limousine shape, you don’t need to look around at Tesla. This is about to change soon.
Tesla isn’t the fast type when it comes to new models. The selection at the e-car pioneer is sparse. Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y, the manufacturer does not have any other wheels in its range. At least so far, because CEO Elon Musk has other plans in store , two of which are to be implemented soon.
Image: Red Tesla Model S, Free Stock Picture, MorgueFile.com.
Tesla truck coming in 2022, Cybertruck will be delivered in 2023
These are not previously unknown electric cars. Rather, Musk finally wants to keep his promises and expand Tesla’s product range with the Cybertruck, which has been planned for a long time. In a recent tweet, the Tesla boss announced that the Cybertruck could be delivered in 2023. We are excited to see what will come of it. After all, until recently it was still said that customers could look forward to the massive electric pick-up this year.
The slot in the schedule will probably not be wasted at Tesla, because Musk announces the launch of another newcomer. However, it should hardly be something for the valued private customer: the semi truck will be Tesla’s first electric truck. The e-car manufacturer advertises it on its website as the “safest, most comfortable truck ever” – quite a statement.
In such a huge electric vehicle there is a lot more space for batteries and so the Semi should also achieve the longest range of all Tesla vehicles to date: Depending on the selection, there should be just under 500 km or just over 800 km per battery charge. According to Musk’s Twitter message, the latter version should be delivered later this year :
The promises of Elon Musk: please use with caution
As far as prices are concerned, Musk is keeping a low profile as usual. There is also no fixed date for the Semi or the Cybertruck. The range “in 2023” for the electric pickup is wide – and Tesla customers are used to the fact that Elon Musk cannot keep some delivery promises.
Image: Radio Tower, Free Stock Picture, MorgueFile.com.
AT&T is actually a normal telecommunications company that takes care that the network in the USA is and remains stable. But the North Americans are also preparing for the really big catastrophe.
Ever heard of a Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) program? The US network operator AT&T has set up a so-called NDR site in a warehouse just outside of Atlanta. Here, a group of volunteers are testing how to quickly bring connectivity back up if a local site is destroyed.
Similar disaster protection initiatives are also being driven by providers such as T-Mobile and Verizon. AT&T’s big advantage over the competition is that it has been training for emergencies since 2008. As reported by Engadget , the company has already spent more than 650 million US dollars to set up the NDR program in the USA.
Versatile options
Part of the contingency plan is a four-wheel drive Club Cab pickup truck packed to the roof with cellular equipment to help restore portions of a collapsed network. For several years, the company has also been using Flying Cell-on-Wings – drones that fly around 90 meters above the ground and can provide 5G coverage of around 25 square kilometers.
Looking to the future, AT&T has also patented a long-distance flight system that can pilot drones thousands of miles away, and is researching solar-powered units that can fly autonomously for days.
As NDR employees stated, Robodogs are currently being tested, which could be used in a variety of scenarios. The ideas range from rescue operations in forest fires to bomb disposal.
AT&T is also represented on the water. What looks like a red mini tank is an in-house amphibious vehicle that can easily make its way through the water thanks to its rear propellers. The vehicle could be used to transport people and payloads in areas devastated by hurricanes.
Ready for all scenarios
Besides all these future scenario toys, the core of the NDR work is the Colt, short for Cell on Light Truck. These trucks can tap into the company’s existing fiber optic lines and provide cellular connectivity in a matter of hours. If the local infrastructure has been completely paralyzed, there are also Satcolts that can connect to satellites.
The company also stocks thousands of generators. While the primary goal is to restore connectivity for first responders and customers, AT&T’s commitment to Firstnet also ensures interoperability with competing carriers.
Logitech has announced it is working on a portable cloud gaming device in partnership with Tencent Games, making it the latest entrant to the portable gaming market.
The device won’t be a direct competitor for the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, as it’s aimed at cloud gaming rather than on-device processing.
Image: Fruit Pacman, Free Stock Picture, MorgueFile.com.
That means compatibility will be key. Logitech has confirmed that the device will at least work with Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce. Now when it launches later this year.
The launch date is a bit surprising as we are now in August and Logitech only just announced it without showing any pictures or any real details about the hardware.
However, the company has set up a website to sign up for updates about the device as they come out.
At the moment it seems to be called simply the Logitech G Gaming Handheld, but we can imagine that the name will change later on.
We expect to hear more about the device over the next few months if it does launch later this year, so keep your eyes peeled for more details.
Source: Logitech G and Tencent Games Announce Partnership To Advance
