Category: Computers

  • UCL Research Sets Wireless Speed Record at 938 Gb/s, 9,400x Faster

    UCL Research Sets Wireless Speed Record at 938 Gb/s, 9,400x Faster

    Researchers at UCL have made a significant breakthrough in wireless data transfer, achieving an impressive speed of 938 Gigabits per second (Gb/s) within a frequency range of 5–150 Gigahertz (GHz). This remarkable speed is almost 9,400 times quicker than the average 5G download speed in the UK, which stands at 100 Megabits per second (Mb/s). The findings are detailed in the Journal of Lightwave Technology, where they reveal that the team has surpassed previous records in wireless transmission by using a bandwidth nearly five times larger than what has been used before.

    Addressing Frequency Limitations

    Wireless networks usually work at lower frequencies, typically below 6GHz, which often causes network congestion and restricts data transmission speeds. The team at UCL tackled this issue by merging radio and optical technologies, resulting in a much more efficient method for sending data across a broader frequency range. This innovative approach opens up new possibilities for data transmission.

    Future Implications

    This technology is anticipated to be a major advancement in wireless communication by offering faster and more dependable connections for devices. It holds promise for enhancing Wi-Fi speeds in homes, improving mobile internet access in crowded areas, and aiding the development of future 5G and 6G networks. The implications of this research could transform how we connect and communicate in the future.

    Despite being in the experimental phase, researchers are already looking ahead to create a commercial prototype in the next few years, aiming to bring this technology to consumers and businesses alike.

    Conclusion

    With such significant advancements in wireless technology, the future of data transmission looks promising. By addressing current limitations and pushing the boundaries of speed and efficiency, UCL’s research paves the way for a new era in wireless communications.

    Published by IEEE Explore and highlighted in Interesting Engineering.

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  • Apple Gears Up for M4 MacBook Pro Launch with Increased Production

    Apple Gears Up for M4 MacBook Pro Launch with Increased Production

    Apple recently held the ‘It’s Glowtime’ event last month, during which they introduced the iPhone 16 series, new AirPods, and a new Watch. However, there were no new MacBooks or iPads shown at this event.

    Possible October Event

    There have been rumors online suggesting that Apple might host another event in October, where they could reveal the latest MacBooks and Mac Minis that come with the M4 chip.

    Even though Apple hasn’t confirmed this rumored event yet, it seems like the release of new MacBooks is on the horizon.

    New MacBook Pros on the Way

    A recent report from DigiTimes indicates that Apple is preparing to launch new MacBook Pro M4 models in October 2024, potentially providing a short-term uplift in the sluggish notebook market.

    The report pointed out that revenue reports from component makers like Jarllytec and Shin Zu Shing for September show an increase in shipments, thanks to Apple’s upcoming launch.

    Exciting New Releases

    Alongside the MacBook Pro M4, there are also claims about a redesigned Mac Mini M4. This mini PC is expected to be about the same size as an Apple TV and will feature USB-C ports.

    In case you haven’t heard, Apple announced the iPad Mini 7 yesterday. This device follows the iPad Mini 6 (currently priced at $379.99 on Amazon), which hit the market in 2021. Pre-orders for the iPad Mini 7 are now open.

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  • Infinix InBook Air Pro+: 3 Reasons It’s a Game Changer

    Infinix InBook Air Pro+: 3 Reasons It’s a Game Changer

    Just yesterday, Infinix revealed the Inbook Air Pro+ as its newest laptop along with the Zero Flip foldable phone. At first glance, it may appear to be just another lightweight laptop, but it’s a significant player in the market. Here’s why it could very well be the best notebook available for its cost.

    Stunning Display of the Infinix Inbook Air Pro+

    I got the chance to test the Inbook Air Pro+ during the launch event. One of the first things that stood out to me was its stunning display. The laptop features a 14-inch OLED screen that boasts a 2.8K resolution and a 100 percent sRGB color gamut, in addition to a DCI P3 color gamut. Positioned at the top of the display, the notch contains an infrared camera that enables Windows Hello facial recognition.

    This display guarantees sharp images and vivid colors. An OLED screen provides genuine blacks and a brighter viewing experience, making it perfect for enjoying your favorite films and videos. With a price of only 49,990 INR, it’s rare to find an OLED screen at this cost. But that’s not the end of the story; an OLED screen bundled with this laptop is another significant advantage. Let’s explore what else it has to offer.

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  • Exynos 2500 Geekbench: Unique CPU Setup, Weak GPU Performance

    Exynos 2500 Geekbench: Unique CPU Setup, Weak GPU Performance

    Even with increasing signs of the Exynos 2500’s delay, Samsung has yet to make a final decision about it and intends to do so shortly. We had a sneak peek at the SoC on PowerBoard, where its GPU displayed a solid improvement compared to previous generations. In contrast, its performance on Geekbench isn’t as striking.

    Performance Metrics

    The Exynos 2500 (s5e9955) achieved a score of 15,960 points in Geekbench’s OpenCL test. This score falls short when compared to the Exynos 2400’s Xclipse 940, which scored 16,946 points in the same benchmark. However, it’s worth considering that what we’re seeing might be a pre-production version, and the scores are likely to improve as development continues. The Xclipse 950 has a maximum clock speed of 1.3 GHz and features 8 WGPs (which equate to 16 CUs).

    CPU Architecture Insights

    We’ve also caught our first look at the Exynos 2500’s CPU configuration. Unlike its predecessor, which had a 1+2+3+4 layout, this new chip opts for a unique 2+5+3 arrangement. The two E-cores operate at 1.75 GHz, the five mid-tier cores run at 2.25 GHz, and the three P-cores clock in at 2.59 GHz. Naturally, these clock speeds are not set in stone and may be altered before the product’s official launch. When it comes to raw clock speed, the Exynos 2500 lags significantly behind competitors like the Dimensity 9400 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (also known as Snapdragon 8 Elite), making it interesting to see how it will compete in the market.

    Geekbench

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  • Microsoft Surface Laptop 8 Leak: Intel Lunar Lake Processors

    Microsoft Surface Laptop 8 Leak: Intel Lunar Lake Processors

    Microsoft made a big move earlier this year by choosing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X chipsets exclusively for its new consumer Surface Laptop and Surface Pro models. These releases of Snapdragon X Plus and Snapdragon X Elite also came with fresh designs for the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro line.

    Older Models Remain Unchanged

    In contrast, the older Surface Laptop 6 for Business and Surface Pro 10 for Business stuck with x86 processors, missing out on the redesigns of their ARM counterparts. However, a curious Reddit user has found hints that a refresh based on Intel’s Lunar Lake might be coming for at least the Surface Laptop. This information was reported by sources like Windows Central and VideoCardz and seems to come from a brief listing on the Chinese site Goofish, where the device was available for a short time.

    Potential for a New Release

    We can’t completely dismiss the possibility that this might be an elaborate hoax. Still, this leak does remind us of a similar one from a few years back that was related to what became the Surface Pro 7 Plus. Moreover, the engraving saying ‘PROTOTYPE – NOT FOR SALE’ on the bottom of the device adds some credibility to the images shown below.

    Details on the Surface Laptop 8

    Regardless, the rumored Surface Laptop 8 appears to have the same design introduced earlier this year with the Surface Laptop 7 (currently priced at $943.95 on Amazon). The Snapdragon X platform has been replaced with Intel’s Lunar Lake architecture, which includes 32 GB of RAM as seen below. Our latest analysis of Intel’s Lunar Lake showed that the Core Ultra 7 268V sacrifices some multi-core CPU performance for better power efficiency and a significantly faster integrated GPU.

    In fact, even demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 can run at 1080p, which is much better than what the Snapdragon X Elite can handle. The Lunar Lake-based Surface Laptop is anticipated to launch in 2025, but the exact timing is still uncertain. While CES 2025 in January seems like a likely time for the launch, Microsoft might choose to wait until spring, as it has done in the past.

    Sources: Goofish via u/Akaza_Dorian, Windows Central & VideoCardz.

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  • Infinix INBOOK AirPro Plus: Affordable 2.8K OLED Laptop with i5 CPU

    Infinix INBOOK AirPro Plus: Affordable 2.8K OLED Laptop with i5 CPU

    Infinix has recently introduced its first flip phone, the Infinix Zero Flip 5G, during a launch event in India. In addition to this foldable smartphone, the company also unveiled its newest laptop, the INBOOK AirPro Plus. The goal of Infinix is to provide a high-quality computing experience without breaking the bank with this new offering.

    Specifications of the INBOOK AirPro Plus

    The INBOOK AirPro Plus laptop is powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, which makes multitasking smooth and performance responsive for various tasks. It boasts a 14-inch 2.8K OLED display that covers 100% sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts, ensuring vivid colors and clear visuals.

    Weighing only 1kg and measuring just 4.5mm thick, this laptop is made for easy transport, making it a great choice for both professionals and students looking for a lightweight option. It also comes with solid connectivity features, including USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, a microSD card slot, plus support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

    Memory and Battery Life

    With 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, the INBOOK AirPro Plus offers plenty of storage for files and applications. Its 57Wh battery allows for 65W fast charging via USB-C, giving users a long-lasting battery life that’s perfect for everyday tasks.

    For added security, the laptop includes an FHD+ infrared camera that works with Windows Hello facial recognition, making logins quick and secure. The backlit keyboard is designed with a dedicated key for Microsoft Copilot, enhancing the typing experience overall.

    Pricing and Where to Buy

    The INBOOK AirPro Plus is priced at Rs 49,990, making it a compelling choice for those in search of a high-performance laptop at an affordable cost. It will be available for purchase on Flipkart starting from October 22.

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  • SpaceX Plans Starlink Upgrade for Gigabit Internet Speeds

    SpaceX Plans Starlink Upgrade for Gigabit Internet Speeds

    On October 11, 2024, SpaceX made a formal request to the FCC to modify several aspects of the Starlink Network. These modifications are part of SpaceX’s Gen2 NGSO satellite system, which the company says will introduce a range of enhancements. Specifically, the upgraded network aims to provide gigabit service to its customers. Additional improvements include reduced latency, widespread mobile connectivity, and adjustments to the network to accommodate the rising demand from users.

    Proposed Satellite Adjustments

    To boost the performance of the network, SpaceX is seeking to lower the altitude of three groups of satellites by approximately 8.5 percent from their current nominal height. SpaceX asserts that this adjustment will enhance space sustainability by decreasing the chances of collisions and shortening the time required for the post-mission disposal of Gen2 satellites. In simpler terms, this means that the satellites will have a lower risk of crashing into other objects and will disintegrate in the atmosphere more quickly once they reach the end of their operational life. The transition to a lower orbit will also facilitate the deployment of more satellites in the future, which is crucial given the growing demand for services, particularly in remote regions. Furthermore, SpaceX is looking to modify the number of satellites in each group to maximize coverage.

    Changes to Elevation Angles

    Along with lowering the nominal altitude, SpaceX is proposing a shift in the minimum elevation angle from 25 degrees to 20 degrees. This adjustment would extend the communication time between satellites and ground stations by allowing satellites to keep in touch even when they are closer to the horizon. Despite this potential benefit, there are worries that the lower altitude may interfere with other satellite systems, although SpaceX has provided evidence to counter these concerns.

    In conclusion, there are numerous reservations regarding these proposed modifications, and various stakeholders are opposed to them. Companies like Amazon, along with astronomers and regulatory bodies, have legitimate reasons for their opposition to SpaceX’s plans. For further information on the proposed changes, the full filing is available below.

    FCC filing via Ars Technica and Pixabay.

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  • Fujitsu Launches FMV Zero WU5/J3: Lightest 14-Inch Laptop

    Fujitsu Launches FMV Zero WU5/J3: Lightest 14-Inch Laptop

    Fujitsu has introduced the FMV Zero Lifebook WU5/J3, claiming it to be the lightest 14-inch laptop globally. This device features a durable carbon fiber build that meets MIL-STD-810H standards for drop, shock, and pressure resistance. Additionally, it is equipped with an AI NPU and various connectivity options.

    Weight and Battery Life

    The FMV Zero weighs just 634 grams (or 1.4 pounds) and offers a battery life ranging from 6.0 to 11.0 hours. For connectivity, it includes two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, a full-sized HDMI port, an Ethernet port, a laptop lock slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD card slot.

    Performance Specifications

    The Lifebook can be customized with either an Intel Core Ultra 5 125U or an Intel Core Ultra 7 155U processor. Both options come with integrated AI Boost NPUs, enabling hardware acceleration for AI services such as CoPilot in Windows 11 and Office 2024. Users can choose between 8GB and 64GB of RAM, as well as storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB of SSD.

    Advanced Features

    Users have the convenience of logging into Windows 11 via fingerprint or facial recognition. The laptop also includes AI-driven Noise Cancellation software that can learn to identify the user’s voice, effectively filtering out other speakers and background sounds during video calls. Moreover, Umore, a beauty-enhancing AI software, tracks users in 3D and applies skin corrections and virtual makeup, working alongside Windows Studio Effects to keep the user’s face framed perfectly.

    The Fujitsu FMV Zero Lifebook WU5/J3 starts at an MSRP of 197,900 yen (approximately $1,325). Customers can place preorders now through the FMV Web Shop, with deliveries expected to commence in mid-November. Sadly, for those outside Japan, options are limited to heavier laptops. For instance, the Surface Pro 10 tablet, available on Amazon, weighs 879 grams (1.9 pounds), making it 39% heavier than the FMV Zero.

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  • Intel and AMD Join Forces to Compete with ARM for x86 Dominance

    Intel and AMD Join Forces to Compete with ARM for x86 Dominance

    Think of it like Marvel heroes teaming up in real life. Intel and AMD have revealed that they and several other partners are joining forces to create an x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group (EAG). Intel’s CEO Pat Gelsinger and AMD’s Dr. Lisa Su shared the stage at the Lenovo Tech World 2024 event in Bellevue, Washington to announce this exciting news.

    The x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group

    The establishment of this EAG is significant for the "most widely used computing architecture" as it responds to the growing competition from ARM and architectures like RISC-V. The group also includes notable companies such as Broadcom, Dell, Google, HP Enterprise, HP Inc., Lenovo, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat, along with key figures like Tim Sweeney and Linus Torvalds.

    "We are proud to stand with AMD," Gelsinger stated, emphasizing the evolution of the x86 architecture over the years. Dr. Su remarked that the EAG aims to "ensure that x86 keeps evolving as the preferred computing platform for developers and customers" and to "guide" future innovations concerning x86. A joint press release outlined some goals for the EAG:

    A Timely Collaboration

    This partnership comes at a crucial moment. ARM IP can be licensed by any chip manufacturer, while RISC-V has no loyalty requirements. Since only Intel and AMD can utilize x86, it’s essential for these semiconductor leaders to collaborate in promoting this instruction set architecture (ISA).

    Intel has been exploring the concept of x86S, a streamlined version of x86 that is purely 64-bit and excludes any legacy 16-bit components. Shouldn’t it be named x64 instead? The terminology can be a bit misleading, much like the recent naming conventions for Intel and AMD CPUs, if you know what I mean.

    The term 64-bit is essentially an extension or a part of the x86 architecture, which AMD refers to as AMD64 or x86_64 in Linux. AMD64 is the dominant 64-bit code today, which is why you’ll see many drivers and operating system files labeled with "amd64." Intel has its own Intel 64 (distinct from Itanium or IA-64), while Microsoft clearly separates x86 code from x64.

    Standardizing the Nomenclature

    Maybe the EAG could kick off by standardizing this confusing naming system and the various implementations of x86_64. We might also witness AMD and its partners enhancing x86S in the future.

    While ARM-based chips like Apple’s M series and Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite series have demonstrated impressive performance-per-Watt efficiency and responsiveness similar to smartphones, x86 remains deeply embedded in global computing and is unlikely to fade away soon.

    Despite the efficiency of Apple’s M series chips, both Intel and AMD have shown that x86 can deliver solid performance at lower power levels with their Lunar Lake and Ryzen Strix Point products, respectively. Intel even mentioned in a recent interview that it’s not the ISA that controls power consumption, but rather the transistors that increase with core counts.

    From being each other’s second-source providers of x86 in the 1980s to engaging in legal battles and counterclaims for market dominance, to collaborating on the unsuccessful Kaby Lake-G CPUs in 2017, Intel and AMD’s competition has profoundly influenced the PC industry as we know it today.

    It has taken a third entity to bring these semiconductor giants to collaborate. Exciting times are surely ahead.

    Intel Press Release

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  • Western Digital Unveils 32TB Ultrastar HDD for Maximum Storage

    Western Digital Unveils 32TB Ultrastar HDD for Maximum Storage

    Western Digital has just introduced its newest high-capacity HDD: the Ultrastar DC HC690, a 32TB hard drive that sets a new record for the largest capacity utilizing shingled magnetic recording (SMR) technology. This latest model increases storage from the previous 28TB version, pushing the boundaries of data storage in a single drive.

    Enhanced Technology

    The HC690 incorporates Western Digital’s energy-assisted perpendicular magnetic recording (ePMR) technology, which has been in use since 2020 to enhance storage capabilities. Additionally, they have integrated their latest UltraSMR technology, allowing for the inclusion of 11 disks within the drive—this is a major factor contributing to the expanded storage capacity.

    Performance Considerations

    However, there is a minor trade-off regarding performance. Here are the stats:

    The speed has decreased by approximately three percent, which could result in a slight slowdown during intensive reading or writing operations.

    Other Offerings

    Alongside this, Western Digital has also released the 26TB Ultrastar DC HC590, which utilizes conventional magnetic recording (CMR). This model replaces the older 24TB HC580, but like its counterpart, it experiences a small decline in performance:

    For those interested in a more enterprise-oriented choice, Western Digital offers a WD Gold version of the 26TB drive.

    Competitive Landscape

    While Western Digital continues to dominate the storage capacity market, other companies are quickly closing the gap. Toshiba has already achieved 32TB using heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) and 31TB with microwave-assisted recording (MAMR). At the same time, Seagate is testing multi-level HAMR, with ambitious plans for a 120TB (or more) hard drive by 2030.

    TomsHardware (in English)

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