Over the past few years, the concept of "AI PCs" has gone from sounding like a desperate attempt to revive the computer industry, to something that could actually change the way we live with our PCs. To recap, an AI PC is any system running a CPU that's equipped with a neural processing unit (NPU), which is specially designed for AI workloads. NPUs have been around for years in mobile hardware, but AMD was the first company to bring them to x86 PCs with the Ryzen Pro 7040 chips.
Now with its Ryzen AI 300 chips, AMD is making its biggest push yet for AI PCs — something that could pay off in the future as we see more AI-driven features like Microsoft's Recall. (Which, it's worth noting, has also been dogged with privacy concerns and subsequently delayed.) To get a better sense of how AMD is approaching the AI PC era, I chatted with Ryzen AI lead Rakesh Anigundi, the Ryzen AI product lead and Jason Banta, CVP and GM of Client OEM. You can listen to the full interview on the Engadget Podcast.
My most pressing question: How does AMD plan to get developers onboard with building AI-powered features? NPUs aren't exactly a selling point if nobody is making apps that use them, after all. Anigundi said he was well aware that developers broadly "just want things to work," so the company built a strategy around three pillars: A robust software stack; performant hardware; and bringing in open-source solutions.
"We are of the philosophy that we don't want to invent standards, but follow the standards," Anigundi said. "That's why we are really double clicking on ONNX, which is a cross platform framework to extract the maximum performance out of our system. This is very closely aligned with how we are working with Microsoft, enabling their next generation of experiences and also OEMs. And on the other side, where there's a lot of innovation happening with the smaller ISVs [independent software vendors], this strategy works out very well as well."
He points to AMD's recently launched Amuse 2.0 beta as one way the company is showing off the AI capabilities of its hardware. It's a simple program for generating AI images, and runs entirely on your NPU-equipped device, with no need to reach out to OpenAI's DallE or Google's Gemini in the cloud.
AMD
AMD's Banta reiterated the need for a great tool set and software stack, but he pointed out that the company also works closely with partners like Microsoft on prototype hardware to ensure the quality of the customer experience. "[Consumers] can have all the hardware, they can have all the tools, they can have all the foundational models, but making that end customer experience great requires a lot of direct one to one time between us and those ISV partners."
In this case, Banta is also referring to AMD's relationship with Microsoft when it comes to building Copilot+ experiences for its systems. While we've seen a handful of AI features on the first batch of Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ machines, like the new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, they're not available yet on Copilot+ systems running x86 chips from AMD and Intel.
"We're making that experience perfect," Banta said. At this point, you can consider Ryzen AI 300 machines to be "Copilot+ ready," but not yet fully Copilot+ capable. (As I mentioned in my Surface Pro review, Microsoft's current AI features are fairly basic, and that likely won't change until Recall is officially released.)
As for those rumors around AMD developing an Arm-based CPU, the company's executives, naturally, didn't reveal much. "Arm is a close partner of AMD's," Banta said. "We work together on a number of solutions across our roadmaps... As far as [the] overall CPU roadmap, I can't really talk about what's coming around the corner." But given that the same rumor points to NVIDIA also developing its own Arm chip, and considering the astounding performance we've seen from Apple and Qualcomm's latest mobile chips, it wouldn't be too surprising to see AMD go down the same Arm-paved road.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/amd-explains-its-ai-pc-strategy-123004804.html?src=rss
Learn how you can manage Microsoft 365 environments using these two tools specifically created for the task : Microsoft 365 Lighthouse and the Cyber Drain Improved Partner Portal (CIPP). Both tools offer functionalities to streamline management, policy deployment, alerting, and configuration. The comparison covers various aspects such as onboarding, tenant administration, user management, group management, device […]
Many of us spend more time than we want to on our smartphones, tablets, and other devices, in this article we will show you how to reduce your screen time with a range of practical tips. Our lives are intertwined with screens. From smartphones to laptops and TVs, we spend countless hours staring at pixels, […]
Ever found yourself buried under a mountain of code, struggling to debug and deploy your application? You’re not alone. Many developers face this challenge daily. But what if there was a solution that could take this burden off your shoulders? Meet Devon, an open-source AI software engineer that autonomously creates and deploys applications. With its […]
I’m sure you have a beverage of choice that you need whether in the morning, the evening, or night – usually, it is coffee or tea. For me personally, it is coffee! I love coffee, I need it to start my day, or else I simply refuse to start my day! It’s the boost of energy, dose of motivation, and rush of serotonin that I need every morning. And, I’m pretty sure that’s the case for most of us. We all need our cup of tea or coffee. There is a different satisfaction and pleasure in sipping caffeine that you know is the result of your hard work, something precariously prepared with your personal touch to it. And, you need the perfect mug or cup to drink from it. Hence, we’ve curated a collection of well-designed, functional, and aesthetically pleasing cups and mugs that will make a great addition to your kitchen.
1. Hug Cup
Called Imre’s Hug Cup, this cute little mug was designed to embody the designer’s belief that, “we give special attention to things we use in our everyday life. We like to have a personal relation to the objects we touch closely, such as a cup.” The innovative design offers a unique take on the mug’s traditional side handle.
Why is it noteworthy?
The mug allows users to securely grip the Hug Cup while letting them feel the warmth of the liquid contents inside. Imre says “The whole cup creates an intimate tunnel through the cup itself for your finger, you may enjoy the heat of your beverage without burning your palm.”
What we like
Provides an innovative and contemporary twist on a typical mug design
What we dislike
It could take a while to adjust to the new form of the handle. Some users could find it uncomfortable to use
2. Ceramic Mug
Say hello to the Ceramic Mug – this lovely little mug is the perfect example of earth meets wood. It is a symphony of textures that is designed to be an excellent treat to your fingers and lips. When you slowly drink from the mug, you experience an enriching sensory stimulation, which creates a whole new drinking experience for you. Click Here to Buy Now: $60
Why is it noteworthy?
As you drink tea from the mug, you slowly come into contact with the surface, which forms a relaxing and soothing mood for the whole tea-drinking experience. The mug is an engaging product with interesting contrasts.
What we like
Built from quality Japanese ceramics
The mug is quite smooth and interesting to touch and drink from
What we dislike
You cannot put the mug in a microwave, which is quite inconvenient
3. Eterna Glass Mug
Say hello to the Eterna Glass Mug – a stunning mug that lets you enjoy your favorite beverage in style while ensuring you also look after the planet, owing to its glass design. The mug is made from recycled glass, and it is a 100% recyclable product. The drinkware is pretty stunning, merging expert craftsmanship with a love for the environment.
The delightful mug showcases a mesmerizing display of light in every drink. Each glass is made by hand and displays little bubbles, which gives each glass a unique and captivating character. The mugs also showcase a rather luxurious and elegant appearance.
What we like
Sustainable and recyclable product
Boasts an aura of elegance and style
What we dislike
Seems quite delicate, and must be handled and cleaned with care
4. Biomorphic Mugs
These fascinating mugs are inspired by the real and organic beauty of coral reefs, cellular structures, and the networks of mycelium. The diverse pieces seem to be alive with movement. The handles seem to sprawl and move around like living extensions of the cups, forming intriguing web-like patterns, which offer a new identity to the same-old mugs.
Why is it noteworthy?
The handles feature curves and twists, which allow you to playfully interact with the mugs, converting the everyday act of holding a mug into something engaging and sensory. The mugs are also visually quite attractive and unique, allowing them to add some personality to your kitchen or dining table.
What we like
Plays around with the concept of mugs
What we dislike
The handles have a unique form, and they may be tough to hold and drink from
5. Unfiltered Titanium Whisky Glass
Named the Unfiltered Titanium Whisky Glass, this lovely glass draws inspiration from metallic hues in turn building a captivating light and color interplay. This glass provides an exciting visual experience as it is amped with a 1/f fluctuating pattern which reminds you of a murmuring stream. The glass is made from pure titanium and elevates your drinking experience.
Built using cutting-edge technology which creates an interesting color play. The glass is biocompatible and safe, in fact, even more than platinum or glass. It is resistant to odors and stains and maintains long-term hygiene.
What we like
Makes use of advanced space development technology
What we dislike
You’re unable to see how much liquid you’re pouring into the glass
6. Earth-Friendly Tumbler
Called the Earth-Friendly Tumbler, this eco-friendly glass is made from PAPLUS – a new thermoplastic resin that uses biodegradable paper to add durability, moldability, and heat resistance. Normal PLA usually lacks these qualities, making the tumbler pretty amazing.
PAPLUS builds a rather unique and novel texture that is similar to ceramic or wooden cups. When you take a sip from the tumbler, you taste a lovely flavor, which also forms an engaging sensation on your lips.
What we like
Makes drinking water a whole new sensory experience
Equipped with a heat resistance of f 120°
What we dislike
The natural color does become uneven and fade from use, which may not be preferred by all users
7. Eatsy
The designer Jexter created Eatsy by asking himself the simple question, “How might we design an adaptive tableware to enhance the dining experience for the visually impaired?”. The collection includes a set of multi-functional tableware including a plate, bowl, cup, and other utensils integrated with a silicone flap.
Why is it noteworthy?
Eatsy includes a unique silicone flap that can be utilized to increase the ease of usage while eliminating the stigma by combining it with existing tableware. The collection is created for the visually impaired, and it enables them to feel the edge of the container, helping them get through their tasks, and letting them pour water correctly.
What we like
Subtly offer unique sensory cues for the visually impaired
What we dislike
Requires user to have a firm grip on the cup
8. Floating Mug
Called the Floating Mug, this unique little mug is designed with beauty in mind. It is an elegant drinking solution designed to be not only a mug but also a coaster. It serves as two handy products, packed in a minimal and compact form, which is pretty easy to use. The mug doesn’t need any coaster to prevent any stains, since it has an in-built coaster.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Floating Mug is truly a wonder for tea and coffee drinkers, as it functions as two products as one. You don’t need to add a coaster under the mug since it already has one attached to it. You can handle the mug as any other standard drinking glass, and it works just fine as that too.
What we like
Serves as two products in one
What we dislike
The handle is breakable, so it should be used with care, and like a regular mug
9. Mμ
Say hello to Mμ – a coffee cup designed to celebrate the everyday rituals. These stunning Porcelain coffee cups are designed to push the boundaries of ceramics manufacturing. They are designed to be frictionless, and they feature a ribbed design which ensures that your beverages stay hot, and ready for you to drink whenever you wish to.
Why is it noteworthy?
The coffee cup is designed for speed and convenience, and they are made with complete attention to detail, using premium materials and craftsmanship, elevating your everyday tea or coffee drinking ritual.
What we like
The unglazed porcelain exterior offers a tactile feel to the cup
What we dislike
They aren’t portable, so you can’t use them for on-the-go coffee
10. Ceramic Travel Cups
These stunning travel cups by Rebecca Heasman are truly unique and one-of-a-kind. These travel cups are made on a pottery wheel and the rim of each travel cup is thrown at a precise width which enables the silicone lids to fit properly after firings. The designer spent hours testing, measuring, and calculating to finally create the perfect travel cups.
Why is it noteworthy?
The travel cups are designed to be unique pieces of art, and you can admire them as you drink coffee or tea from them. They’re great for your daily commute, work, and when you’re simply chilling at home. Each cup is a beautiful blend of shape and design, and you can choose your preferred liquid amount and have it created.
What we like
Unique and colorful aesthetics that make the mugs stand out
Have you ever wondered if there’s a way to make your writing process more efficient without sacrificing quality? Many writers grapple with this question, especially in an age where AI tools are becoming increasingly prevalent. This guide by the Nerdy Novelist provides more insight into the delicate balance between hard work and smart work, using […]
GADOL, the world’s most compact full-range vibration speaker, designed to transform how you listen to music, watch movies, and even meditate. With its innovative Vibration Sound Transfer (VST) technology, GADOL promises to deliver an immersive audio experience like no other. Imagine having 360º omnidirectional sound, customizable bass and treble controls, and up to 18 hours […]
Ever wondered if there’s a way to automate those monotonous data entry tasks that eat up so much of your time? What if you could leverage AI to handle complex data extraction and management effortlessly? Meet Claude 3.5 Sonnet, an advanced AI model from Anthropic, and the Vector Shift platform, a no-code solution that promises […]
Apple has launched iOS 18 Beta 7 for developers, with the public beta expected to follow soon. This update primarily focuses on refinements and bug fixes, without introducing any new modem updates. The release is part of a broader update that includes tvOS 18, HomePod OS 18, and visionOS 2 Beta 7, all aimed at […]
Hyper Light Drifter fans, you'll have to wait a bit longer to start playing its follow-up title. Heart Machine has announced that it has pushed back Hyper Light Breaker's Steam Early Access launch to "very early next year." In its announcement, the developer said that after many conversations with its publisher Arc Games, it determined that it needed more time to polish the title's gameplay experience. It didn't reveal the issues it's still fixing, but it explained that it didn't want to ship a game that's not up to its standards. The studio also said that it didn't want to rush and burn its team out.
"...we REALLY need to make sure that the core foundational units of the game are as strong as they can be, so that we can build on them during the Early Access period," Heart Machine wrote. The company originally aimed for a spring 2023 launch when it introduced the game two years ago. Since then, though, it has pushed back the game's early access launch date a few times, until it was supposed to come out this summer by the time we were able to play a preview of it.
Hyper Light Breaker is an action rogue-lite with a full 3D environment, unlike its predecessor that has 2D visuals. It's an open-world game set in a fantasy-cyberpunk universe, where you can explore a landscape called the Overgrowth and play with friends through online co-op. Engadget Senior Editor Jessica Conditt called it a "hoverboard sim" in her hands-on, though, because you can just explore its world on a gliding slab, avoiding enemy encounters and enjoying the scenery if you want to.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/hyper-light-breakers-early-access-launch-delayed-to-2025-110019909.html?src=rss
