NVIDIA's new B100 AI GPU rumor: 2 x dies, 192GB of HBM3E memory, while B200 has 288GB HBM3E
NVIDIA will unveil its next-generation Blackwell GPU architecture at GTC 2024... tomorrow, if you can believe it, detailing its new B100 AI GPU and giving us a tease at the beefed-up B200 AI GPU expected in 2025.
In a new post on X by "XpeaGPU," we hear that NVIDIA's new B100 is truly a monster: 2 x GPU dies on the latest TSMC CoWoS-L (Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate-L) 2.5D packaging technology, which allows companies to design and manufacture larger chips. NVIDIA's next-gen B100 will have up to 192GB of ultra-fast HBM3E memory on 8-Hi stacks, while the beefed-up B200 AI GPU will feature a huge 288GB of HBM3E memory.
NVIDIA's current H100 AI GPU ships with 80GB or 141GB of HBM3 memory, while its competitor, the AMD Instinct MI300X, ships with 192GB of HMB3 memory. The release of the B100 AI GPU will see NVIDIA match AMD for the amount of HBM memory, but NVIDIA's new B100 will have the new ultra-fast HBM3E memory and will be the first GPU with HBM3E to market.
Google's Pixel Launcher will let you switch your default search service in the EU
There's been a lot of talk about the European Union and its Digital Markets Act in recent days and weeks, mostly surrounding Apple and the way the DMA has forced the company to begin offering support for third-party app stores and more within the bloc. Now, the latest mention of the DMA comes over in the world of Android with the news that the Google Pixel Launcher is rolling out the option to choose a new search provider in the EU.
The move means that people will be able to choose a new search option other than the default Google Search for the first time, something that is being done in order to better comply with the new DMA requirements that came into effect this month.
The new roll-out was first reported by people on the X social network who saw Google, DukDuckGo, and Ecosia as search options with some receiving a notification that offered the option to change the default search engine. This of course all relates to the search bar on the Home Screen.
WhatsApp could soon finally fix an irritating pinned chat limitation
WhatsApp is already one of the world's most popular instant messaging apps and parent company Meta continues to make steady improvements to the list of features that the app has to offer across a wide range of platforms. Now we're hearing that one of the improvements still being developed is the ability to pin more than three different chats for the first time.
The news comes via the WhatsApp beta watchers over at WABetaInfo and sure enough, it's the latest Android beta version of the WhatsApp app that has given us our first look at the feature in action.
The feature is currently live in the WhatsApp 2.24.6.13 beta release that's available for download by beta testers via the Google Play Store and the ability to pin more than three chats is working currently. There's a screenshot showing the feature above and the screenshot does suggest that there is still a limit with five being the maximum number of chats that can be pinned in this version.
Continue reading: WhatsApp could soon finally fix an irritating pinned chat limitation (full post)
The M1 MacBook Air lives on for $699 at Walmart of all places
When Apple announced the new M3 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air laptops the company took the decision to keep the M2 13-inch model around as the new entry-level option, priced at $999. That meant that there was no space in the lineup for the older M1 MacBook Air with Apple choosing to discontinue it entirely. However, those who still want to pick up the older 2020 model still can, and it's at an incredible price from an unlikely source.
That source is Walmart, making this the first time that the MacBook Air has been available from the company as a first-party sale. There were third-party sellers offering the laptop via the Walmart website but this is a first for Walmart proper. But that isn't even the most interesting part here - that distinction goes to the price that buyers will pay. At just $699, the M1 13-inch MacBook Air is a bargain and one that might be enough to get more than a few people to switch.
Switching from Windows to macOS is of course easier to do when you can get your hands on a bargain laptop at this kind of price and that could be a real benefit to Apple here. But this special price could also prove to be just low enough to get any Intel stalwarts to upgrade from their older model to a new Apple silicon Mac for the first time.
Continue reading: The M1 MacBook Air lives on for $699 at Walmart of all places (full post)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 could come in three different versions, rumor claims
If you're in the market for a new smartwatch in 2024 you might have an unexpected option to consider if a new report is any indication. The report claims that while we already knew that there would likely be two new Samsung Galaxy Watch models to look forward to, there might actually be a secret third option in the mix.
That's according to a post on X by the known tipster @kro_roe that was spotted and then picked up by 9to5Google. Details are extremely hard to come by right now, but the report claims that there will be three models of Galaxy Watch 7 to choose from rather than the more familiar two.
As the 9to5Google report notes, there had already been reports of an additional square display-equipped version being launched to go with the normal Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch 7 Pro, but at this point, it's difficult to be sure what Samsung's plans really are.
Apple pays $490 million to settle investor lawsuit over Tim Cook's China iPhone demand comments
Apple has agreed to pay a whopping $490 million to bring an end to a class action lawsuit that was led by a UK local council over the way its CEO Tim Cook described the demand for iPhones in a key market. It was argued that Cook misled investors by suggesting that demand was stronger than it really was and as a result. the UK's Norfolk County Council lost money.
The council had invested money as part of a pension fund that it administered and in a statement reported by the BBC it said that it would, where warranted, take decisive action to recover losses when pension holders are harmed by what it deemed fraud.
That fraud came about after an investor call on November 1 2018 when it was noted that there was so-called "sales pressure" in some countries. However, Cook reportedly told investors that he "would not put China in that category," a comment that seems to have been enough to convince investors like Norfolk County Council to buy shares in Apple. However, things soon proved to not be quite the way Cook had suggested that they were.
The Apple Vision Pro's App Store just got a web version so anyone can browse it
The Apple Vision Pro has now been on sale for a few weeks and the headset is reportedly expected to debut in additional countries beyond the United States within the next few weeks. This being such a new product for Apple the headset continues to undergo a number of changes with the latest being a new way for people to browse its App Store.
Previously, the only way to browse Apple Vision Pro apps and the App Store's various stories and promotions was to buy an Apple Vision Pro, something that isn't always viable for a variety of reasons. Now that's changed after Apple released a web-based version of the visionOS App Store for people to peruse at their leisure and on any device of their choosing. 9to5Mac was the first to spot the addition of a web-based App Store.
Visiting the visionOS App Store via a web browser gives you quick access to everything that you would likely need including a rundown of all of the new apps as well as the ability to go through a collection of curated apps as well as categories. Each app page includes screenshots and all of the details that you would expect to find, too.
Lead Cybertruck engineer pleads with owners to stop the torturing
Since the release of Tesla's Cybertruck, we have seen many owners put Tesla's toughness claims to the test by firing bullets at its stainless steel exterior, burning it, breaking windows, and more.
Wes Morrill, the lead engineer for the Cybertruck has had enough of these durability tests and has taken to X to ask owners to stop breaking the new EV as it has already lived a "tortured life for entertainment". Morrill wrote that Cybertruck has already been jumped on, kicked, burned, and shot at multiple times, which the engineer says is enough to soundly say "we've confirmed its tough".
Morrill is right. There have been many toughness tests popping up on YouTube, with my personal favorite being YouTuber JerryRigEverything deciding to fire a .50 caliber bullet at the metal exterior. Notably, most people who are purchasing a $100,000 vehicle aren't going to be doing a durability test, which means that the vast majority of owners aren't trying to break their new Cybertruck for entertainment - it's just the few who want to benchmark the vehicle for reviewing/reporting purposes.
Continue reading: Lead Cybertruck engineer pleads with owners to stop the torturing (full post)
Ninja Theory drops new drool-worthy Senua's Saga: Hellblade II screenshots
In December, Ninja Theory, the developers behind the award-winning Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, released a trailer for the next installment in the series.
The trailer for Senua's Saga: Hellblade II was released at The Game Awards 2023 and showcased what I'm now considering to be the gold standard for video game trailers. The teaser showcased next-gen graphics, intense gameplay, phenomenal cinematic sequences, epic sound design, and incredible motion capture technology. Hellblade 2 will be set in "Viking Iceland," where Senua will journey to save those who have fallen victim to tyranny while attempting to overcome the darkness both within her and around her.
Notably, the in-game shots seen in the trailer were captured using the Xbox Series X, which is a testament to both the capabilities of Microsoft's flagship console and the work Ninja Theory has put into the title. Just like the in-game shots of the trailer, Ninja Theory's recently released screenshots were captured using "photo mode", which Ninja Theory says will be returning in Senua's Saga: Hellblade II.
SpaceX releases epic video of Starship blasting off in slow motion
SpaceX has recently conducted the third orbital test flight for Starship, launching the world's largest and most powerful rocket from Starbase, Texas, on March 14.
The launch was deemed an overall success as Starship, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk taking to his personal X account to announce "Starship reached orbital velocity". Notably, the launch of Starship occurred on 22nd anniversary for the founding of SpaceX. While the third orbital test flight was a success, both the Super Heavy booster and Ship didn't make it back down to Earth, where it was scheduled to splash down in the Indian Ocean.
SpaceX decided to execute its RUD protocol, or Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly, or boom, due to communications with the rocket being severed. The nearly 400-foot rocket fired all 33 first-stage Raptor engines in the early morning hours on March 14, creating a massive plume of smoke and then a speedy ascent into the clouds.
Continue reading: SpaceX releases epic video of Starship blasting off in slow motion (full post)