Category: Computers

  • Qualcomm Prevails in Arm Chip Licensing Legal Dispute

    Qualcomm Prevails in Arm Chip Licensing Legal Dispute

    Qualcomm has won an important court case against Arm Holdings, a British chip design company. The focus of the lawsuit was whether Qualcomm violated a licensing deal after purchasing the startup Nuvia in 2021. It was claimed that Nuvia’s chip designs were derived from Arm’s technology, and Arm contended that Qualcomm should pay a higher royalty after the acquisition.

    Jury Decision Favoring Qualcomm

    The jury ultimately decided in favor of Qualcomm on the key issue, determining that the company’s main processor chips were properly licensed under its agreement with Arm. This is a big win for Qualcomm, allowing it to keep selling its chips, including those that use Nuvia’s technology.

    Ongoing Uncertainties

    However, the decision wasn’t completely straightforward. The jury did not reach a unanimous conclusion on whether Nuvia violated its licensing terms with Arm prior to being acquired by Qualcomm. This leaves some unanswered questions about the case, and it’s possible that this part might be retried later on.

    Judge Maryellen Noreika, who oversaw the trial, suggested both sides attempt to mediate their disagreement to prevent another trial. “I don’t believe either party had a definitive win or would have had a clear win if this case is heard again,” Noreika commented.

    Stock Market Reactions

    Even with the mixed ruling, the result provides some relief for Qualcomm. The company’s stock went up by 1.8% in after-hours trading after the announcement. Conversely, Arm experienced a drop in its shares by 1.8% in extended trading.

    The legal conflict between Qualcomm and Arm has drawn significant attention from the tech sector, as it affects the wider chip market. Arm licenses its chip designs to many firms, including competitors of Qualcomm. The verdict from this case could influence future licensing agreements between Arm and its partners.

    Source: Link

  • Crypto Miner Purchases $240M Wind Farm for Low Energy Costs

    Crypto Miner Purchases $240M Wind Farm for Low Energy Costs

    Mara, a U.S. cryptocurrency mining company, has disclosed its purchase of a wind farm located in Hansford County, Texas. This step is a significant achievement in the firm’s commitment to sustainability. The wind farm boasts an interconnection capacity of 240 megawatts (MW) and a nameplate wind capacity of 114 MW, which will be crucial in the company’s efforts to enhance renewable energy usage in its data centers.

    A Strategic Move

    The acquisition, totaling $240 million, fits into Mara’s strategy of transforming underused renewable resources into economic benefits, aiming for nearly zero energy costs. This purchase is not just a financial move; it is a step towards a more sustainable future.

    Renewable Energy Goals

    The newly obtained wind farm is set to provide 100% renewable energy to a data center that Mara plans to establish at the same location. This data center will operate solely on the 114 MW capacity from the wind farm, allowing it to enjoy zero-marginal energy costs, which will greatly lower operational expenses.

    Fred Thiel, the Chairman and CEO of Mara, highlighted the strategic significance of this acquisition. He stated, “This acquisition serves as a blueprint for how the energy and data center sectors can collaborate to create long-term value while advancing sustainability initiatives.”

    Future Plans

    This wind farm purchase also fits well with the company’s intentions to merge renewable energy with its expanding data center framework. This merger aims to cut down carbon emissions and decrease bitcoin production costs through vertical integration. Much of the power that fuels the company’s data centers is sourced from the grid, wind farms, and flare gas.

    Source: Link

  • ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI: Copilot+, Intel Arc GPU, Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4

    ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI: Copilot+, Intel Arc GPU, Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4

    ASUS has revealed the ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI, a compact PC made for activities that need AI processing, gaming, and edge computing. This device runs on Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) and comes with Microsoft Copilot+, merging high performance with efficiency in a small form factor.

    Features of the ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI

    The ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI is powered by Intel Core Ultra 9 processors that integrate CPU, GPU, and NPU technologies. This setup can achieve up to 120 platform TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) and 48 NPU TOPS, which is three times more AI performance than previous versions. Its Intel Arc GPU uses Xe2 Architecture, offering up to 67 TOPS, and includes XeSS and XMX AI engines, which improve gaming experiences and content creation.

    Design and Connectivity

    Built for ongoing usage, the device includes advanced thermal management and security features like Secure Boot, TPM, and fingerprint recognition. With a 0.6-liter size and a height of 34mm, it’s perfect for Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing applications. The design allows for tool-free access, making upgrades quite simple.

    Connectivity is robust, featuring Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports that ensure fast data transfer and compatibility. Plus, the ASUS Control Center and Windows Autopilot make it easy to deploy and integrate into IT setups.

    Specifications and Storage Options

    The NUC 14 Pro AI offers various configurations with Intel Core Ultra 5multiple I/O ports

    Pricing and Availability

    Details on pricing and availability will be provided at a later date, and customers interested can reach out to ASUS representatives for additional information.

    Source: Link


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  • O.MG Cable Explained: Why It’s Hard to Detect with X-Ray

    O.MG Cable Explained: Why It’s Hard to Detect with X-Ray

    Lumafield, a firm that focuses on imaging electronics and components, has recently performed a CT scan on the well-known O.MG cable. The findings illustrate how advanced hackers can trick unsuspecting users. When examined more closely, the O.MG cable, which looks like a typical USB-C cable, is actually a multifunctional device for cyber criminals. They can utilize it to take control of smartphones and computers, steal private information, or introduce malware.

    Hidden Technology Unveiled

    The CT scans from Lumafield expose the concealed technology within the connector. A small microchip and antenna are ingeniously concealed in the standard-sized USB-C plug, which allows hackers to remotely access and manipulate the devices connected. Lumafield has shared these scans online for those who are curious.

    Today’s Thunderbolt and USB-C cables are intricate designs that contain electronics and chips to manage data transfer, power supply, and other features. Even an X-ray image may not clearly indicate if a cable has been altered. The extra electronics found in the O.MG cable are so tiny and well-integrated that they are nearly indistinguishable from the regular components.

    The Rising Threat

    A few months back, we shared (in German only) the hazards linked to the O.MG cable and similar devices. Hackers are increasingly adopting a long-term approach, dedicating time and resources to projects that may yield results years down the line. This emphasizes the necessity of staying alert and recognizing the risks involved.

    Counterfeit products that resemble the genuine article are continuously emerging on Amazon and other online storefronts. For the average person, it is nearly impossible to tell apart manipulated cables from safe ones. We can only cross our fingers and hope that no hacker is currently peddling cables with hidden backdoors on Amazon.

    Source: Link


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  • AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 Scores Well on PassMark for Single-Threaded Performance

    AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 Scores Well on PassMark for Single-Threaded Performance

    Yesterday, the Ryzen AI 7 350 from Krackan Point made quite an impact on Geekbench, showing a solid performance improvement compared to its Hawk Point variant. However, its performance on PassMark (thanks to @Olrak29_ on X for the info) isn’t as impressive, especially in multicore testing. This is somewhat expected since it has a combination of 4 Zen 5 cores and 4 Zen 5c cores.

    Performance Metrics

    The AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 achieved scores of 3,919 and 21,127 points in PassMark’s single-threaded and multithreaded tests, respectively. The single-thread score is similar to that of its Zen 5 sibling, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, which scored 3,977. This CPU has a thermal design power (TDP) of 45 Watts and includes a Radeon 860M integrated GPU.

    Comparing with Previous Generation

    In contrast, the previous generation, Ryzen 7 8845HS, had scores of 3,782 and 28,806 in the same benchmarks. This difference is anticipated, given that the Hawk Point version has eight full Zen 4 cores, which results in superior multithread performance. The single-thread performance of the Ryzen AI 7 350 is where it shines, but it loses ground on the multicore front.

    Rivalry with Other Processors

    Intel’s Lunar Lake-based Core Ultra 7 258V slightly outperforms in single-thread tests with a score of 4,109. Its multithread performance is surprisingly close at 20,018, even without hyperthreading. The unexpected competitor here is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100, which manages to surpass in multithreaded performance with a score of 23,400. However, in single-thread performance, the Krackan Point CPU takes the lead, as the Qualcomm processor scores 3,318.

    Naturally, these benchmarks don’t fully capture the true performance of the Ryzen AI 7 350. We’ll have a clearer picture when it officially launches at CES 2025, alongside Strix Halo and a potential refresh of Hawk Point.

    Source: Link

  • Asus ROG Flow Z13 Leaks: AMD Strix Halo APUs & Radeon 8060S

    Asus ROG Flow Z13 Leaks: AMD Strix Halo APUs & Radeon 8060S

    Asus has made the decision not to refresh the ROG Flow Z13 this year. Thus, the latest model is equipped with the Intel Raptor Lake-H powered Core i9-13900H, which Asus combines with Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs, such as the GeForce RTX 4050 (currently $1,649 on Amazon). This means that the CPU and GPU that support the current ROG Flow Z13 are nearing two years old.

    New AMD Options on the Horizon

    Earlier in the year, there were rumors that Asus was planning a refresh of the AMD Strix Halo, with a recent Geekbench leak backing this up. Now, initial retailer listings indicate that the ROG Flow Z13 might return with not just one but two Strix Halo APU options. Specifically, the Ryzen AI Max 390 and Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 APUs have been noted, each featuring a Radeon 8060S integrated GPU (iGPU) that boasts 40 Compute Units (CUs) based on AMD’s RDNA 3.5 architecture.

    Performance Expectations

    In theory, this iGPU should provide both APUs with better graphics performance than what the Radeon RX 7600M XT can offer. However, the Radeon 8060S falls short by 20 CUs when compared to the Radeon RX 7800M. To provide some context, it looks like the Ryzen AI Max 390 and Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 come with 12 and 16 CPU cores, respectively.

    Features and Future Plans

    So far, all ROG Flow Z13 variants that have been revealed come with 1 TB of storage and a 13.4-inch IPS display that supports a 180 Hz refresh rate, peaks at 500 nits brightness, and has a native resolution of 2.5K (2,560 x 1,600). Additionally, there may be RAM options of 24 GB and 32 GB available. It seems that Asus intends to unveil the new ROG Flow Z13 at CES 2025, as they have confirmed plans for a dedicated ROG event during the Las Vegas-based trade fair.

    Source: Link


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  • Acer Chromebook Spin 312: New Convertible with Intel CPU and ChromeOS

    Acer Chromebook Spin 312: New Convertible with Intel CPU and ChromeOS

    Acer has launched the Acer Chromebook Spin 312, a new convertible laptop that features hinges allowing for a wide opening angle, making it possible to use the Spin 312 in tent mode. Naturally, a device like this includes a touchscreen. The 12.2-inch screen supports a 60Hz refresh rate and offers a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 (WUXGA), which gives more vertical pixels than the standard Full HD in landscape orientation.

    Performance Specifications

    This convertible notebook is powered by an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, which has eight cores and a maximum turbo clock speed of 3.8 GHz. Alongside the processor, it comes with 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128 GB of flash storage. While these specifications may appear rather basic when compared with regular notebooks, the Spin 312 is designed primarily for web-based tasks and lighter activities such as text editing and educational use. ChromeOS enhances ease of use in this regard and is known for its security features.

    Battery Life and Connectivity

    Acer states that the Chromebook Spin 312 can achieve a maximum battery life of 13 hours and supports charging at up to 65 watts. Interestingly, there is no dedicated charging port; instead, it utilizes USB-C for charging. Additionally, the device is equipped with two USB-A ports, an HDMI 1.4 output, and an audio combo jack. Weighing around 1.3 kg (2.84 lbs), this 2-in-1 Chromebook is priced at US$450 in the United States.

    Source: Link


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  • Meta to Compensate Australians $50 Million Over Cambridge Analytica

    Meta to Compensate Australians $50 Million Over Cambridge Analytica

    Meta has struck a deal to settle for $50 million with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) regarding the Cambridge Analytica incident from 2018. This settlement is aimed at compensating Australians whose Facebook data was collected and used for targeted political advertising.

    Breach of Privacy Act

    The OAIC issued a statement, highlighting, "The personal information of some Australian Facebook users was disclosed to the This is Your Digital Life app in violation of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)." As part of the agreement, the OAIC will drop the civil penalty proceedings that have been in effect since February 2024.

    Payment Scheme Details

    Meta will implement a payment scheme that will be managed by an independent third-party administrator. The company plans to announce this mediator at the beginning of next year. The compensation will be available for individuals who meet these criteria:

    1) They had a Facebook account from November 2, 2013, to December 17, 2015.

    2) They were in Australia for more than 30 days during that timeframe.

    3) They either installed the This is Your Digital Life app or were friends on Facebook with someone who did.

    Two-Tier Payment System

    There will be two levels within this payment system. The first tier allows individuals to apply for a base payment "if they feel they experienced generalized concern or embarrassment because of the matter." The second tier is for those who can provide evidence of loss or damage due to the incident, making them eligible for a higher compensation amount.

    "Today’s settlement marks the largest payment ever made to address privacy concerns for individuals in Australia," stated Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd in a press release.

    "It signifies a major resolution to the privacy issues raised by the Cambridge Analytica situation, offers affected Australians a chance to seek compensation through Meta’s payment program, and puts an end to a prolonged court process," Tydd further explained.

  • Pico W5: Wireless Raspberry Pi Pico Alternative for Projects

    Pico W5: Wireless Raspberry Pi Pico Alternative for Projects

    At the end of November, we shared updates about the Raspberry Pi RP2350 and the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W. As expected, the first alternatives have started to emerge. The new Pico W5 is an alternative built on the Raspberry Pi RP2350. While this computing chip features two Cortex-M33 cores, boards utilizing the RP2350 chip are relatively weak overall and aren’t fit for everyday desktop tasks like the Raspberry Pi 5. In contrast, the Pico W5 is created for connecting sensors and actuators, making it more appropriate for projects that require close interaction with hardware and where, for example, sensor data usage or network data sharing is crucial.

    Specifications and Design

    The Pico W5 is compact, measuring 51 x 21 millimeters and weighing only 3 grams. It comes with a USB-C port, which serves for power supply. The device includes 520 KB of SRAM and has 8 MB of QSPI flash storage. For wireless communication, it supports WiFi in the 5 GHz frequency range, and it can also connect to other devices through Bluetooth 5.0 LE. Additionally, the 26-pin GPIO header supports various protocols, including UART, SPI, and I2C.

    Pricing and Availability

    You can purchase the Pico W5 from Elecrow for just under $7. Meanwhile, the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is available on Amazon for $10.89.

    Source: Link


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  • Iris²: European Starlink Alternative Secures €10.6 Billion Funding

    Iris²: European Starlink Alternative Secures €10.6 Billion Funding

    Iris² is a significant satellite initiative by the European Union, following in the footsteps of Galileo, which is a GPS alternative, and the Copernicus program for earth observation. This project aims to create a competitor to Starlink by 2030, ensuring that EU member states have their own reliable and secure internet access, free from the influence of wealthy individuals or the political agendas of other countries.

    Investment Details

    As reported by the Financial Times, the total funding for this initiative will reach 10.6 billion euros. Of this amount, 61% will originate from public resources, while the remaining 39% will come from SpaceRise, an industrial group that includes companies like Eutelsat, Hispasat, SES, Airbus, and Deutsche Telekom. SpaceRise has entered into a twelve-year agreement to develop and manage the network. The planned Iris² system will feature 290 satellites, with a mix of some in medium and others in low earth orbit.

    Service Offerings

    Similar to Starlink, most of the bandwidth from Iris² will be allocated for delivering broadband internet to individuals and businesses, particularly in regions with limited internet access. Nevertheless, a portion of this capacity will also be set aside for government use, which is crucial for maintaining essential infrastructure during crises and for conducting surveillance activities. Currently, there are no additional specifics available regarding the expected bandwidth or the satellite technology that will be utilized.

    Source: Link