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AMD Announces New Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 Processor Much to the Delight of Gamers

AMD has taken the gaming world by storm by recently announcing a new line of next-gen processors for CPUs. The series, named Ryzen 5000 Series will work on a Zen 3 architecture framework.  This new series might just give rise to the world’s best gaming CPUs as per reports by experts. The processors offer a whopping 26% increase with regards to gaming performance. They also promise a 16% improvement in instruction cycles, when compared to AMD’s flagship Ryzen 3000XT. Here’s a quick look at everything you need to know about the new release, and why it will have an impact on the way we game.

AMD, The Future of Gaming!

AMD
Image Source: wccftech.com

AMD states that the new series will offer better single-core and multi-core performance. Furthermore, the Ryzen 5000 Series will provide drop-in compatibility with currently used 500-series motherboards once they undergo a BIOS update. As of now, the company has announced four new CPU models, which are as follows;

  • Ryzen 5 5600X
  • Ryzen 7 5800X
  • Ryzen 9 5900X
  • Ryzen 9 5950X

Top-End Model

Out of these, the Ryzen 9 5950X will be a top-end model that features 32 threads and 16 cores. This processor can handle base and boost speeds up to 3.4GHz and 4.9GHz while also having 72MB worth of cache memory. However, due to its immensely high-end specs, owning this model will set gamers back by a whopping $799 (Rs. 58,760 without taxes). AMD claims that this model features the best single-threaded performance of any gaming processor, making this chip every gamer’s dream come true. Since it also has more cores, it offers better multi-core performance as well, when compared to other desktop CPUs.

Other Models

  1. The Ryzen 9 5900X has 24-threads and 12-cores and runs at speeds between 3.7GHz and 4.8GHz. It too offers 70MB worth of cache memory and will cost owners $549 (Rs. 40,370). 
  • The Ryzen 7 5800X works on an 8-core, 16-thread system and offers cache storage worth 3MB. The processor boasts of base and boost speeds in the range of 3.8GHz and 4.7GHz respectively. This model will go on sale for $449 (Rs. 33,020). 
  • Lastly, the Ryzen 5 5600X features 12 threads and six cores, offering base and boost speeds of 3.7GHz and 4.6GHz. It houses a total cache memory worth 35MB and costs $299 (Rs. 21,990). 

Other Details

While all three of the Ryzen 9, and 7 models feature 105W TDPs, they will have a stock cooler. In contrast, the Ryzen 5 5600X offers a 65W rating and comes with the company’s signature Wraith Stealth cooler. AMD has always bundled their high-end models with their coolers. However, since a majority of gamers like fixing up higher-end heatsinks with their CPUs, this move might help the company. Most gamers rely on an expensive external heatsink or liquid-cooled thermal solution to prevent overheating while playing. 

Introduction of New Architecture

The new Zen 3 architecture allows the implementation of a unified 8-core CCX design. Not only does this reduce latency due to its direct access to L3 cache, but it also improves branch prediction. Furthermore, it allows for broader floating-point and integer engines and doubles the L3 cache per each core. The company also boasts of almost 2.8 times better battery efficiency when compared to Intel’s Core i9. However, in keeping with tradition, these new CPUs do not have interspersed graphics capacities.

While presenting the new models, Mark Papermaster, who serves as AMD’s CTO reinstated that the Zen 3 architecture is a revelation. He also claimed it was the most significant change or overhaul for CPU architecture since 2017’s Z architecture implementation. Furthermore, he stated that a new Zen 4 model was in development and will use a 5-nanometer processor.

Hitting the Market

AMD decided to forego few numbers and jumped directly from the 3000 series to the 5000. Doing this will help the company unify or standardize its naming scheme with regards to its desktop and mobile lines. As a result, their processor names across all markets will reflect its architectural generation. AMD announced that all four CPUs would hit the market on November 5th. Furthermore, people who purchase the following models between October 20th and December 31st will receive a copy of Far Cry 6 (Standard);

  1. Ryzen 7 model
  2. Ryzen 9 model 
  3. Ryzen 9 3950X
  4. Ryzen 9 3900XT 
  5. Ryzen 7 3800XT 

The presentation ended with Dr. Lisa Su, AMD’s CEO showcasing a preview of the RX 6000 GPU, which launches on October 28th. The GPU runs on a Ryzen 5900X CPU and could handle 61fps in Borderlands 3 on the Badass preset at 4K. The CPUs look to be top-end, and gamers will have a field day once it releases judging by the excitement the news of the release has caused. Intel, not wanting to be left behind teased information regarding its 11th Gen CPUs a day before AMD released its details. Intel’s next-gen CPUs will mostly hit the market early on in 2021, making this an excellent time to be a gamer!

Google Meet

Google Meet to Limit Meeting to 60 Minutes on Free Plans after September 30

With the global pandemic striking earlier this year, videoconferencing apps faced a larger crowd and growth in terms of new users. Due to the lockdown, from classes to business meetings, from chatting with friends to giving exams everything started taking place virtually. So, many videoconferencing platforms made their app free for everyone. One such company is Google that made Google Meet free for everyone which means video conferencing for an unlimited time.

When the pandemic started taking monstrous shape, people understood that this is not going to end anytime soon. So, Google Meet made the platform free for all users in April. The company also mentioned that this free plan would be until 30th September 2020. And, yesterday the company made it clear that it is sticking to its words.

Google Meet Free till 30th September of this year

In the last week of April, Google announced making Google Meet free for everyone. The company said the privilege of enjoying unlimited video conferencing time will not just be limited to enterprise and education customers. So, anybody with a Google account easily created a meeting in Google Meet with 100 participants maximum and no time limit. But, the company gave a hint at the beginning that the time slot will be reduced to 60 minutes after 30th September. But, the users might have thought with time the deadline might have extended.

Google used the free for all strategy to also outrun Zoom in terms of the user base. When the lockdown started, the first videoconferencing platform that escalated to unlimited height was Zoom. But, very soon due to the compromised security system of Zoom or callous safety measures, Zoombombing took place. Google Meet saw it as a golden opportunity to take control of the market by both free meetings and ensuring safety. When Google made the platform free it made clear that Google will focus more on the safety measures. Thus, whenever a person will try to join a meeting using a link, first he will wait in the green room until and unless the host lets him in. This made Meet better and safer than Zoom.

Google Meet
Image Source: arstechnica.com

Advanced features for G Suite

With the unlimited video conferencing time, Google also made the advanced free features free for everyone. At first, the features were made free till 1st July which was then extended to 30th September. But, along with the time limit reducing to 60 minutes, free users cannot enjoy the advanced features of G Suite anymore. When the G Suite features were also made available it allowed the G Suite for education customers to host meetings with up to 250 participants. The platform also allowed live-stream to up to 100,000 users within a single domain. And, these meetings recording could be saved in Google Drive as well. Unfortunately, all these privileges will go away after a couple of days with only the “Enterprise” tier of G Suite using it for $25 per user per month.

After the pandemic started, Javier Soltero, VP and General Manager of G Suite, said that in the time of needs the company wants to give everyone access to features that they enjoy. G Suite is one of the best products to win by choice and they are trying nothing but to help people around the globe. The company also noticed that the daily user base of Google Meet increased 25 folds as it was in January. So, free access even though for a limited time was immensely profitable for the company.

Other video conferencing platforms 

In April, Google Meet witnessed a daily participant count of 100 million or more. After Zoombombing, every video conferencing company including Google Meet wanted to take its position in the market, thus ruling it. Among all these apps, it was Zoom to achieve great success within a very small period. The other companies eventually started chasing the meteoric rise of Zoom. But, with the virtual mode becoming the new normal for every purpose, it is time for Google Meet to get back to its normal plans.

So, the decision of ending free plans for all is fixed. Free users can still enjoy videoconferencing but with a time constraint of 60 minutes.

Amazon

Amazon Announces Ring – A New Indoor Security Camera Drone That Flies

Amazon has been a significant player in the indoor home security space for a while now. The tech giant has also been growing within the smart devices space with several entries, such as smart cameras and speakers. However, it recently announced that its indoor home security camera drone named Ring would literally be taking flight soon enough. This new Always Home Cam will serve as an autonomous indoor drone that flies around your home, helping you keep an eye out while outside. Here’s a quick look at everything you need to know about the Ring and its expected launch date.

Always at Home with Amazon Ring

Amazon new indoor Home Cam will enable users to keep an eye on their homes at all times. Furthermore, once the drone is done flying and taking a look everywhere, it will return to its charging dock to power up again. The new drone will start shipping next year and will cost their buyers a whopping $249.99. Ring’s founder, Jamie Siminoff, said the inspiration for such a drone came as a way to receive multiple perspectives of your home without the need for several cameras. With such an autonomous drone, the owners can gain a look into all their rooms, without paying for several separate security cameras. According to Jamie, the company spent the last two years working on this device.

Taking to the Skies

The Always Home Cam is an “obvious” product, according to the parent company Ring, but one which took a lot of effort to develop. Jamie credits recent advancements in the field of drone technology, for helping his team build a product like this. The autonomous drone carries a camera on it to help provide users with live-footage of their houses. The owners also have the option of telling the drone where they want it to go, and which patch to take. After buying the product, the owners will help set up a map of the home, and also set viewpoints, such as a bedroom or kitchen. The drone starts flying either on command or when it detects a disturbance though its linked Ring Alarm system.

Amazon Ring
Image Source: cnbc.com

Other Features and Details

Since the charging dock blocks the drone’s camera, it will record only when in flight. Also, the device makes an audible noise while flying so that the people are aware that footage is being recorded. Ring states that the drone can help check anything from a stove being left open to whether a door is shut properly. The drone comes packed with obstacle detection and avoidance technology to help avoid collisions and other mishaps. Furthermore, it has shrouded propellers to help prevent damage to things in the room, pets, and other humans if there is a collision.

The project is Ring’s most ambitious yet and seems to be one from the future. It will be interesting to see whether the project kicks off and how effective it proves to be. Amazon, through such collaborations, is trying to bring the future to us, and it will be exciting to see how the drone performs next year. For years now, experts have debated whether such intrusive technology might hinder our privacy. The introduction of such a drone raises various questions, such as; 

  1. Where do the pictures regarding the mapping of the house go?
  2. Could someone at Ring fly the drone around?
  3. How safe is the system against hacking and other such threats?
  4. How long can it fly, what is the average flight speed, and what is the battery life?
  5. What happens when it runs out of charge?

While these questions remain unanswered, it looks like Amazon will have to clarify regarding the privacy issues related to the product. That being said, it will be exciting to see such cutting-edge drone technology being accessible to ordinary people. Also, since the new system collaborates with the Ring Alarm system, users are unsure regarding the systems that can be used individually. All the systems in place might also lead to the Ring H having a bird’s eye view of our homes. How safe will people feel in such an atmosphere? Only time will tell whether such autonomous drones help make us feel safer and in control, but it sure is an exciting time for techies and enthusiasts!

Airtel

Airtel launches Xstream new broadband plans with high-speed internet

With almost no physical interaction after the outburst of the novel coronavirus in March 2020, the demand for better network connectivity has increased. From attending virtual online classes to attending business meetings, from chatting with distant family members to binge-watching in Netflix, the data usage per person has escalated rapidly. The demand for online video gaming, online education websites, etc has also increased.

With stuck in our own houses, it’s time we unleash the power of a truly digital era. So, this is a golden opportunity for large network companies to keep the existing customers and attract new customers by providing some lucrative deals.

Airtel providing unlimited data

Amidst the pandemic, every working family and student needs better network connectivity with high-speed internet and unlimited data. So, yesterday Bharti Airtel announced a series of new Airtel Xstream Bundle that will provide speed up to 1Gbps. On top of that, every plan with come with unlimited data and Airtel Xstream Android 4K TV Box.

The new normal since the pandemic started has opened the huge business potential for network companies. So, it is their responsibility to provide us with pocket-friendly packages and a better experience. Airtel is offering these packages from 7th September and once you subscribe for one of these you get access to all the OTT content. You can also attend online classes/ meetings and stream content of your own. The new Airtel Xstream Bundle looks like a wholesome package at an affordable price.

All the new broadband plans

After the new plans have been launched, all the plans now will include the Airtel Xstream box worth Rs 3,999. This eliminates the idea of having multiple smart entertaining devices in one house and this covers all your needs. This Android 4K TV Box runs in Android 9.0 OS and includes a remote that supports Google Assistant voice search. You can also have access to the apps available in the Play Store and enjoy online gaming.

Airtel Xstream
Image Source: airtel.in

The plans of Rs 499 (40 Mbps) and Rs 799 (100 Mbps) provides the Android 4K TV Box, 550 TV Channels, more than 10,000 movies, and TV series from 7 OTT apps and 5 studios. And, the next three plans of Rs 999 (200 Mbps), Rs 1,499 (300 Mbps), and Rs 3,999 (1Gbps) are provided with an additional subscription to Disney+Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, and ZEE5.

Xstream Fiber vs. Jiofiber

Apart from Airtel Xstream Bundle, we also have Jiofiber service which is also very popular among us. It was only a few days ago that Reliance Jio announced the new pricing of the broadband services (JioFiber). So, after Airtel launching this exclusive new package with both high-speed connectivity and unlimited data, it is going to give a tough competition to Jio.

Jio announced the new pricing plans earlier this week with the same two goals that are, giving unlimited data to its customer with high speed. Keeping the pricing strategy at mind Jio announced about four packages, all of them with unlimited data. The package of Rs 399 and Rs 699 offers unlimited data usage with 30Mbps and 100 Mbps speed respectively. And, the other two packages of Rs 999 and Rs 1,499 includes the 4K Set Top Box and OTT apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Sony LIV, etc. The company also claimed that in these packages the download speed will be the same as the upload speed. On top of that, Jio has announced a no-condition 30 days trial that will provide 150Mbps unlimited data, 4K set-top box, top ten paid OTT apps, and free calls.

Now, it is for you to decide which the best plan is for you and your family. Both companies are providing unlimited data so that solves half our problem. Rest depends on your usage activity and the purpose.

What Airtel is saying? 

Director-Homes of Bharti Airtel, Sunil Taldar said that with every passing day people are investing more time on the internet. Educational, professional, and entertainment are the three most important reasons why data usage is increasing rapidly. And, entertainment is the sector with vast opportunity as people look for a source that can provide them with the best entertainment at an affordable rate. So, Airtel is trying to make more such plans that will drive the audience towards it.

Avira Antivirus

German company Avira famous for its antivirus software is acquired by Investcorp

Founded in 2006, Avira is a German software company mastering in the sector of the security system. The most famous product of Avira, Avira free antivirus application was developed during the 1980s by the predecessor company of Avira, H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH. Over time it has been modified several times for Android, iOS, and Windows. Avira has also expanded its product spectrum entering the world of IoT. Avira used to support the Linux OS as well but discontinued it in 2013.

Tjark Auerbach is the founder of the company. Tjark is born in 1957 and he is currently famous as the Former CEO of Avira.

Avira antivirus

Success of Avira

Under the name of H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH, Avira was introduced in the market in 1986. But, the software company Avira Operations GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 2006. It is a business in the field of security solutions providing software for phones, laptops, tablets, etc. It is a family business that has a market in various parts of the world.

Avira’s first and main headquarters are based on Tettnang, Germany. Apart from the country’s headquarters, the other offices are located in the USA, China, Romania, and the Netherlands. The free antivirus software of Avira became very famous and by 2012 it reached 100 million customers. Apart from software products, Avira also delivers cloud-based products. Well, every software company needs to update itself with time and it’s the motto of their sector.

In 2016, Avira become the sixth-largest antivirus in terms of market share and until today it maintains consistency. Some of the biggest partners of the company are IBM, Microsoft, Synergy Systems, Novell, etc. Avira is also famous for doing charitable work and promote art and culture apart from the growing technology.

Avira is the recipient of many prestigious awards for its brilliant and high-quality products. In 2008, it received a “gold” status from Anti-Malware Test Lab. In February 2010, Avira achieved a 99% score on a “malware on-demand” detection test conducted by AV-TEST. In 2016, it was named AV Product of the Year by AV-Comparatives.

To date, Avira experienced three major cyber attacks. In 2005, the company experienced a buffer overflow vulnerability followed by a compromise in 2010 in the Avira Management Console. And, in 2013, it suffered 0-day vulnerability that allowed attackers to get into the customer’s PC.

Main products of Avira

The main products that Avira provides for the Windows OS are Avira Free Antivirus, Avira Antivirus Pro, Avira System Speedup Free (Pro as well), Avira Internet Security Suite, Avira Ultimate Protection Suite, and Avira Rescue System. For OS X Avira provides Avira Free Mac Security that can be installed and run only in OS X 10.9 and above. Avira has free mobile security for iOS that can run on both iPhone and iPad. For Android, both free and pro versions of the software are available. The company also has Avira Phantom VPN for private networks.

Avira in the world of IoT

Entering into the world of IoT, Avira came up with a whole new approach to safeguard your house with Avira SafeThings. It is a software application that can be installed on routers and it will keep the connected devices safe in your home. With the Avira SafeThings customers don’t have to buy yet a new hardware and install it. With the use of AI and ML, Avira designed such a unique software to ensure safety at home.

Avira SafeThings performs four basic activities namely, Watches, Thinks, Acts, and Shares. First, it will tag all the connected devices at your home followed by learning their normal behavior using AI. Now, if they detect anything suspicious it will simply shut down that activity showing the user what is taking place in the network.

Acquisition of Avira by Investcorp

In April 2020, Bahrain based company Investcorp acquired Avira Holding for $180 million. By this time, Avira had over 500 million customers in various sectors including finances, online identity, malware detection, protecting private data, etc. Investcorp has a rich experience in working in the field of security and IoT and the company’s managing director said that it would help Avira expand and reach the targeted growth faster. Avira also has plans to expand in the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) segment.

BlueDot

BlueDot is the company to bring a revolutionary change in the healthcare world using AI and ML

In 2015, Bill Gates while giving a speech at Munich mentioned that nothing is worse for mankind than an outbreak. An infectious pathogen can harm the entire world that no nuclear weapon or natural disaster can do. Looking at the scenario of 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 has proofed every world of him is true. It’s been around five months that people around the globe have been traumatized by a virus turning our life upside down within a few days. The world will be highly benefited if the probability of such infectious diseases can be predicted with accuracy. BlueDot, a company based in Toronto, Canada has been striving to accomplish it using advanced AI and ML. We are living in a data-driven world where everything is based on the amount of data we receive and transfer every day.

BlueDot is famous for building technology exclusively based on data analysis to predict the risk of such outbreaks. With the help of data science, they create models to observe different areas and timing depending on various factors where a chance of any kind of infectious outbreak is high. They help the government and hospitals to take precautionary measures to minimize the risk of any damages.

Who founded BlueDot?

Kamran Khan is the founder of BlueDot Inc. He founded the company in 2009 and delved deeper into the unexplored world of data science to bring a massive change in the medical world. Kamran Khan has a very strong medical background and that is probably the reason he wanted to do something innovative to save the world from infectious diseases.

Kamran khan has a degree in Doctor of Medicine from the University of Toronto and graduated in 1996. He went to Columbia University in the City of New York and received a degree in Master of Public Health. He started practicing as a Clinician at St. Michaels Hospital from 2003 and still working there. In 2010, he joined the University of Toronto as an Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases. The same year, he also joined the World Health Organization as a Medical Advisor. After three years, he founded BlueDot comprising of a talented bunch of scientists, engineers, data analysts, and experts from other fields to improve global health conditions.

Journey of BlueDot

While working at St. Michaels Hospital, Kamran launched a scientific program called BioDiaspora. This program’s main objective was to study how the spread of infectious diseases is correlated with commercial air travel. Thus, he studied its impact on different populations worldwide. In 2009, the result of this program was implemented to predict the first influenza pandemic of this century. The model of BioDiaspora helped to predict the degree of impact on a global level. The company found out that the air travelers from Mexico were carrying novel influenza without their knowledge to various cities around the world.

In 2012, the company jointly worked with Public Health England to estimate and take precautions at a local level from foreign pathogens. This year, the main field of their research was the spreading of infectious diseases in mass gatherings and how to predict it via mathematical modeling. In 2013, the BioDiaspora received plenty of support from St. Michaels Hospital and MaRS Innovation and got incorporated as Certified B Corporation.

BioDiaspora started expanding slowly and with seed funding from Horizon Ventures, the company established itself rigidly and renamed it as BlueDot. With the help of data science and mathematical modeling, BlueDot in 2014 successfully predicted the migration of the Ebola virus out of West Africa. After a couple of years, the risk assessment models of BlueDot successfully predicted an outbreak of Zika in Florida months before it took place.

Launch of George

Over the years BlueDot received impressive funding. In Series, A funding round the company raised $7 million making its total funding to $9.5 million. Throughout the years, BlueDot has been helping government and healthcare professionals by predicting risks way ahead of time. But, in 2017, BlueDot launched the software George to help common people protect themselves from infectious diseases. This software was mainly launched for travelers who send personalized alerts based on location and how to take preventive measures.

Prediction of COVID-19 outbreak

The algorithms of BlueDot are so brilliantly designed that it was one of the first companies to predict the outbreak of novel coronavirus. In the New Year’s Eve of 2020, BlueDot spread out an alert that an infectious flu-disease has broken out in the city of Wuhan, China. They went through several medical reports, news bulletin, and livestock reports to confirm the prediction. BlueDot is truly doing a commendable job and maybe it would stop the world from witnessing such outbreaks in the future.