Image: Nintendo LifeThe second wave of savings has landed in the European eShop Holiday sale including little-known curios like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe so we have updated this list with the very best of 'em.The latest additions have a slightly different end date and will only be on sale until 6th January. Pay attention to all those flagged with the new date in the list below so you don't miss out!Nintendo has officially kicked off its Switch eShop Holiday Sale in Europe, bringing beefy discounts to thousands of games until 12th January 2024.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube789kWatch on YouTube And yes, we said "thousands". Indeed, there are so many games currently seeing a price cut on the eShop that it can be difficult to know where to start, but that's where we come in. Below, we've laid out every game in the Nintendo Holiday Sale that we've awarded 9/10 or higher, so you can filter through to the cream of the crop in no time.The list may seem a little shorter than usual for now, though Nintendo has announced that more games will be added to the sale on 24th and 30th December, so keep an eye out for more discounted delights in the coming weeks.Note. We've given sale prices in GBP followed by the percentage discount, but commensurate EUR savings can be found across European eShops.If you want to pick up some credit to assist in your eShop purchases, you can head over to the Nintendo Life store or see all available options in the links below.Buy Nintendo eShop CreditUSACANUKEURJPNSo, let's dive into some of the top discounted picks, presented below in alphabetical order...A Short Hike (Switch eShop)Publisher: Whippoorwill / Developer: Adam Robinson-YuRelease Date: 18th Aug 2020 (USA) / 18th Aug 2020 (UK/EU)3.77 (-40%)A Short Hike is a fat-free experience from top to bottom or should we say bottom to top? It's the kind of game that makes us sigh with happiness when we recall our time with it, and even having played it through to its ostensible conclusion multiple times, we know for a fact there are still things to see and do on that mountain.It's something of an apotheosis a milestone in indie games akin to Cave Story or Spelunky. The very best bits of multiple game genres, stripped of all padding and bloat, mixed perfectly into a delicious video game stew that only gets richer the more you play.An exploration in every sense of the word, A Short Hike is cute without being twee, challenging without being obnoxious, and emotional without being cloying. A landmark game for all ages. Don't miss this one.Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Deluxe Edition (Switch)Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: Project AcesRelease Date: 11th Jul 2024 (USA) / 11th Jul 2024 (UK/EU)32.99 (-34%)Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the absolute pinnacle of the series and despite coming to Switch over five years after other platforms, this 'impossible' Switch conversion does very little to degrade the experience. Long-time franchise players and military aviation enthusiasts will be overwhelmed by the fan service at every turn, from craters on the ground to airplanes, liveries, callsigns, and emblems shouting out to previous entries.We understand the genre is uniquely niche, but if this is your first foray into the franchise, this conversion is a perfect gateway into this rich, revered series. You get tons of content and an epic single-player campaign wrapped up in triple-A presentation that delivers the most comprehensive portable experience ever from Project Aces.Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.Alien: Isolation (Switch eShop)Publisher: SEGA / Developer: Creative AssemblyRelease Date: 5th Dec 2019 (USA) / 5th Dec 2019 (UK/EU)9.99 (-33%)Alien: Isolation is a survival horror masterpiece and straight-up one of the very best horror video games ever released. It's a nerve-wracking affair a slow, methodical game of cat and mouse against a brilliantly clever recreation of one of cinema's most infamous killers but if you're up to the task you'll find one of the most satisfying gameplay experiences in the genre; a brilliant and beautiful homage to one of the greatest Sci-Fi movies of all time. Feral Interactive has done a stellar job with this Switch port and the excellent motion controls and inclusion of all previously-released DLC only go to sweeten the deal. This is essential stuff for survival horror fans.Alisa Developer's Cut (Switch eShop)Publisher: Top Hat Studios / Developer: Casper CroesRelease Date: 6th Feb 2024 (USA) / 6th Feb 2024 (UK/EU)12.14 (-25%)Alisa Developer's Cut is an excellent homage to classic survival horror that can easily stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Resident Evil and Alone in the Dark. From the tank controls to the cheesy voiceover work, it nails almost every aspect, providing an experience that feels like it was ripped straight from the '90s. Its overall appeal will likely be limited to those who are intimately familiar with survival horror, but if that's you, then strap yourself in for one of the best examples of the genre to date.Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: NintendoRelease Date: 20th Mar 2020 (USA) / 20th Mar 2020 (UK/EU)33.29 (-33%)*Sale ends 6th JanuaryAnimal Crossing: New Horizons improved upon every single facet of the series imaginable. There's more to do, more to see, more to change, more to mould, and more to love; fans and first-time players can find themselves losing hours at a time gathering materials, creating new furniture, and making their island undeniably theirs.Every moment is unashamedly blissful, with excellently written characters that truly feel alive and an island paradise that gives back infinitely more than you put in. Back when Animal Crossing: New Leaf hit the shelves all those years ago and created a whole new generation of fans, many people were wondering how Nintendo could possibly top it, but here we got our answer.This is a masterpiece that's worth buying a Switch (or two) to play.Armello (Switch eShop)Publisher: League of Geeks / Developer: League of GeeksRelease Date: 27th Sep 2018 (USA) / 27th Sep 2018 (UK/EU)7.99 (-60%)While this turn-based affair might look, move, and feel just like a real board game, Armello is actually a completely original creation and one that does more than simply doff its cap at the world of tabletop gaming. From the deep tactics of its living board game gameplay to the sheer charm of its worldbuilding and animal character designs, it's a quest filled with back-stabbing, political power plays, and rampaging monsters thats different each and every time you play. Its at its absolute best when played in multiplayer, that human factor making for an even more unpredictable battle for the corrupted throne. The Switch version has had its ups and downs since launch, with some updates making things worse, but it's apparently back to being in a playable state on Nintendo's console. As such, youd be doing yourself a disservice not to add this anthropomorphic tale to your wishlist.Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (Switch)Publisher: Koei Tecmo / Developer: GustRelease Date: 24th Mar 2023 (USA) / 24th Mar 2023 (UK/EU)27.49 (-45%)Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key ends Ryza's three-game run on a high note, serving up a heady mix of exploration, crafting, and combat that benefits greatly from a narrative arc that's had time to develop and grow. The new key mechanics add more depth to combat, synthesis, and exploration, the world is more seamless and diverse than ever before and the whole thing comes together to form a satisfying end for this hugely popular protagonist. We did have some issues with small text, no English dub, and a little fussiness in how information is relayed, but overall this is Gust's finest adventure to date and a JRPG experience that long-term fans and newcomers alike will find plenty to delight in.Blazing Chrome (Switch eShop)Publisher: The Arcade Crew / Developer: JoyMasherRelease Date: 11th Jul 2019 (USA) / 11th Jul 2019 (UK/EU)4.58 (-70%)For those longing for a time when side-scrolling shooters ruled the roost, Blazing Chrome is exactly what you're looking for. Perfect for short sessions, its slick gameplay and old-school art direction make for an astonishingly fun game full of explosions, epic set pieces and spectacular boss battles. Its brutal difficulty may not be for everyone, but if you're up for the challenge, then get ready for one of the most accomplished 2D action titles in years.BLUE REFLECTION: Second Light (Switch)Publisher: Koei Tecmo / Developer: GustRelease Date: 9th Nov 2021 (USA) / 9th Nov 2021 (UK/EU)19.99 (-60%)Blue Reflection: Second Light improves on almost every aspect of the original, with a mystery that feels more personal as the characters become closer. The relationship between the girls as they seek to discover why they were brought to this strange world is the star of the show; though the combat is fun, it is always a vehicle to get you more story rather than the driving force of the game. Second Light is a fantastic-looking anime adventure that you'll love, so long as you can accept that combat isn't the focus.Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Switch eShop)Publisher: Finji / Developer: FinjiRelease Date: 15th Dec 2021 (USA) / 15th Dec 2021 (UK/EU)8.54 (-50%)As an adventure game, Chicory: A Colorful Tale is quite sincerely up there with the very best of the genre. Theres plenty to see and do and a full completion run will probably take you 25-30 hours. The characters and their travails are rich and likeable, the games sense of humour is generally inspired, and its all very sweet without being sugary-twee and talking down to the player. Its also an affecting little tearjerker that will definitely strike a chord if you make art, and almost certainly will even if you dont so long as youre capable of pretty basic empathy. Chicory is simple to play but impressively long and complex, with perfect controls, performance and visuals. Throw yourself into painting the world and youll be left with a game thats very much your own and speaks to you directly a beautiful marriage of mechanics, themes and visuals.Crawl (Switch eShop)Publisher: Powerhoof / Developer: PowerhoofRelease Date: 19th Dec 2017 (USA) / 19th Dec 2017 (UK/EU)2.59 (-80%)We really like Crawl, and wed bet our collected stash of gold and wrath you will, too. A dungeon-crawling hack-and-slash affair with roguelike elements, one player is the hero trying to get through a dungeon and the others play as monster-controlling ghosts attempting to kill said hero and take their place.It's an everyone-for-themselves free-for-all, yet there are opportunities for frantic 3v1 co-operative play a necessity when all the non-hero ghost characters must take joint control of bosses the hero faces. Its great fun in single-player thanks to some aggressive AI, but that consistent danger takes on a new dimension when you and three of your friends are jostling for XP and that all-important killing blow.Competitive couchplay doesnt get much better than this on Switch.Crypt of the NecroDancer (Switch eShop)Publisher: Brace Yourself Games / Developer: Brace Yourself GamesRelease Date: 1st Feb 2018 (USA) / 8th Feb 2018 (UK/EU)3.59 (-80%)A roguelike at heart with a rhythm-game soul, Crypt Of The NecroDancer is a sublime experience thats a must-play for fans of the genre(s). Its upbeat, uptempo take on dungeon crawling is infectious, and theres enough content here to last even the savviest of spelunkers for many, many dance-fuelled dives into the depths if youve never tangoed with the NecroDancer, this fully-featured Switch edition is the perfect way to jump in. For anybody who never played this but loved the Zelda spin-off Cadence of Hyrule (and was left wanting more), what are you waiting for?Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition (Switch eShop)Publisher: Capcom / Developer: CapcomRelease Date: 20th Feb 2020 (USA) / 20th Feb 2020 (UK/EU)7.99 (-50%)Even so many years after its 2005 debut, Devil May Cry 3 remains one of the very best action games ever made. It may have aged in places, but that turbo-charged, combo-heavy action feels as fresh today as it did back in the mid-noughties. The new Freestyle mode which lets players swap combat styles on the fly at any point during the action is a genuinely excellent addition to the package, and the ability to play Bloody Palace in local co-op is the cherry on top of a Switch port that should appeal to anyone interested in sampling the devilish delights of this all-time classic.Disney Illusion Island (Switch)Publisher: Disney Games / Developer: Dlala StudiosRelease Date: 28th Jul 2023 (USA) / 28th Jul 2023 (UK/EU)24.49 (-30%)*Sale ends 6th JanuaryWhile you could certainly argue that Disney Illusion Island is perhaps more of a Metroidvania than it is a straight-up 2D platformer, we reckon it strikes a wonderful balance between the two genres that it could honestly fall into either category. Its focus on combat-free exploration makes this a great gateway into the genre for younger audiences, and its ability to support up to four players via local co-op means that it's an excellent option for families who want to spend a bit of time with some of the most iconic Disney characters imaginable. You can also hug each other to regain health. What more could you ask for?Dragon Ball FighterZ (Switch)Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: Arc System WorksRelease Date: 28th Sep 2018 (USA) / 28th Sep 2018 (UK/EU)7.99 (-84%)Dragon Ball FighterZ on the Switch is, simply put, one of the best fighting games we've seen on the system. Arc System Works went the extra mile in capturing the essence of the source material and distilled it into an incredible brawler that has lost nothing in the transition to Nintendo's hybrid console. The stunning visuals, intense action, and easy-to-master controls make FighterZ a game all fans of the genre should have in their library. If you only play this kind of game casually, it remains a must-own.Dusk (Switch eShop)Publisher: New Blood Interactive / Developer: New Blood InteractiveRelease Date: 28th Oct 2021 (USA) / 28th Oct 2021 (UK/EU)7.44 (-50%)Dusk is one hell of an impressive piece of software and possibly the single best Unity port to Switch we've ever seen, sidestepping typical performance problems and delivering a brilliant experience of a brilliant game. It's not as good a game as Quake, but almost nothing is. There's a relatively limited arsenal of weapons they're all great, but there's no iconic gun here, just your usual pistol, shotty, assault rifle, explosives, et al. We're being churlish with our criticisms here, though ultimately, Dusk is another absolute cracker in Switch's FPS roster.

A year after Onyx Motorbikes owner James Khatiblou died suddenly, leaving customers with unfulfilled orders and millions in unpaid debts, the brand has been revived by its original founder.Im excited to announce I have resurrected my original brand Onyx with incredible backers! founder Tim Seward wrote in a LinkedIn post on Monday. Onyx is literally back to the future now!The company is selling only about 100 RCRs electric dirt bikes to start. Its not clear if those are newly produced units, or if these are part of the batch of e-bikes made earlier this year by Onyxs Chinese supplier that were being held in limbo after Khatiblous death.Seward did not respond in time to TechCrunch to provide information on the companys resurrection and which investors he secured to back the company.Seward, who has designed e-bikes for Bird and Ubco, built what would be the first Onyx e-bike, the RCR, in 2016. After launching the company with an Indiegogo campaign two years later, that design became a hit among a cult following of customers who loved the made-in-the-USA feel, the 1980s appeal of the design complete with a wooden body, and the powerful capabilities of the bike.In 2019, Seward offloaded his stake in Onyx to his friend and former co-worker, Khatiblou, who stumbled as a first-time owner as he tried to scale the company. Many of the decisions he made created a web of legal and financial troubles that still hasnt been untangled. Khatiblou died with no will and no succession plan, a complication that ground all operations, including customer deliveries and payments to suppliers and creditors, to a halt.Oxygen Funding, an Orange County-based creditor, has claimed it is owed $2.2 million in debt. In May, Oxygen attempted to petition the Los Angeles County probate court to become the administrator of Khatiblous estate, which would allow it to control Onyxs remaining assets and, ostensibly, sell those assets to repay itself.Oxygen CEO Adam Lomax told TechCrunch on Tuesday he had no knowledge of Onyxs revival under Seward. He also noted that Oxygens petition to control Khatiblous estate is still in limbo, pending an as-yet unassigned court date, and that his company still has not been paid back.Oxygen wasnt the only creditor fighting for a piece of Onyx. Per a 2019 operating agreement, Kenneth Ames, a former engineering and sourcing executive in the LED lighting business based in Simi Valley, and Troy Smith, a self-employed accountant based in Carlsbad, hold a 37.5% percentage interest in Onyx LLC. Onyx LLC is also the entity that owns Onyxs branding, according to a trademark assignment agreement.Its not clear whether Ames and Smith are involved in Onyxs revival. TechCrunch has reached out to Ames, Troy, and their counsel to learn more.TechCrunch will update the article if they respond.

In a series of videos, the London based production studios directing duo Jonny & Will stage a dinner party for brand ambassadors Kelvin Harrison Jr, Maya Hawke, KARINA, Louis Partridge and some special guests.

Adam Breeden/ZDNETSay you picked up a shiny new TV this holiday season. You unbox it like a kid at Christmas and prepare yourself to binge-watch Squid Game 2. You think to yourself, "This is 2024. TV technology is sizzling, and it's going to look amazing no matter what." So you plug it in and don't take one look at the default settings. Big mistake.I've been guilty of it. And I'm okay with that because it's widely accepted that the majority of consumers neglect to alter the most basic settings when setting up their TVs. Even if your TV is a few years old, you may have never modified its defaults. Also: I tested Samsung's 98-inch 4K QLED TV, and here's why it might be worth the $13,000For Samsung TVs, in particular, you can change a few settings to improve your viewing experience and make a dystopian survival thriller look that much more appealing. Following are six tips for doing just that.1. Turn off Eco Mode Maria Diaz/ZDNETPretty much all TVs now come with a form of "Eco Mode" turned on by default. Eco Mode is designed to limit power usage by attenuating the TV's brightness and reducing its contrast level. A recent study found that enabling Eco Mode saves as little as $7 a year on your electric bill. (That's literally less than two cents per day.) Whether "eco" is short foreconomyorecology, that's not a significant saving, and there are myriad ways to more effectively reduce your carbon footprint.Also: I changed these 5 TV settings to lower my electric bill. Here's why they workTo disable Eco Mode, click the gear button on your Samsung remote to access the settings. Then follow this path: All Settings > General and Privacy > Power and Energy Saving > Energy Saving Solution. Lastly, toggle Energy Saving Solution off.2. Turn off Brightness OptimizationWhile you've already navigated to Power and Energy Saving, go ahead and disable Brightness Optimization by toggling it off as well.Many TVs now come with optical sensors that can detect how bright your room is and how warm or cold that light may be. Then, the TV adjusts automatically, supposedly optimizing brightness and color temperature based on that data. This isn't always reliable, and the feature might end up giving you worse results, especially in a room where illumination may change, like on a sunny day with big clouds darkening the sky.3. Choose a Picture Mode designed for film Jason Hiner/ZDNETI find that Movie, Cinema, or Filmmaker modes are generally best because they aim to provide the most accurate and faithful representation of the content creator's vision. Also, by reducing unnecessary image processing, these modes minimize the risk of introducing artifacts and other image quality issues.Go to All Settings > Picture Mode. Then flip through these three options (Movie, Cinema, or Filmmaker) to find your favorite.The default Standard mode tends to yield a cooler or bluer color temperature. TVs often come with a Vivid mode, which Samsung calls Dynamic mode. I'd advise staying away from that, as both Dynamic and Sports modes can make colors look too intense, with the whole picture having a harsh radiance. These modes are more commonly used by retailers when setting up display TVs, as the colors will pop more vibrantly in storefronts.4. Adjust Brightness levels to suit your eyesFinding an ideal brightness level will depend on what kind of content you're watching. While HDR (high dynamic range) is steadily becoming more prevalent, decades of film are still limited to SDR (standard dynamic range). However, you can easily adjust your brightness levels for both scenarios. For SDR, open any app, such as Prime, and don't start playing a video yet. Now go to All Settings > Picture > Expert Settings > Brightness (Note that on certain Samsung models, this is found under Picture Setup.) Move the sliders to find the sweet spot (in your opinion) for SDR brightness.Also: The next big HDMI leap is coming next month - what the 2.2 standard means for youTo adjust HDR brightness, you'll first need to find a video displayed in high dynamic range. Going to YouTube TV is a quick way to ensure you are watching HDR content because many of its videos are labeled with short descriptions indicating their type. Alternatively, you can simply search for "HDR video."The brightness level you choose is a matter of personal preference, but you will see a distinction when viewing both technologies (SDR/HDR). HDR looks best to me with the brightness maxed out. You might find that SDR looks ideal when set at a lower level.5. Experiment with Local DimmingAnother setting that impacts brightness levels is Local Dimming, which is available on Samsung TVs in three options. Go to All Settings > Picture > Expert Settings > Local Dimming.Experiment with this by sampling Low, Standard, and High to see which one suits you best. Set to Low, Local Dimming provides less halo and blooming around bright objects on dark backgrounds. On Samsung TVs, my preference is High because it keeps flashpoints bright without surrounding images with a halo.Now that you've modified Local Dimming, you might want to go back and check your brightness levels on both SDR and HDR content to see if they're satisfactory.6. Turn off Motion Smoothing for cinematic viewing Jason Hiner/ZDNETMost movies are (and always have been) filmed at 24 frames per second. The purpose of Motion Smoothing is to interpolate images in footage shot at 24 FPS in order to reduce blur and juddering. This can be beneficial when watching sports because live television is shot at 30 FPS.Another common default feature, however, is Motion Smoothing, which has earned the reputation of giving TVs a "soap opera effect." By that description alone, you probably get the idea. I think of it as glossy vs. matte in photographic prints, withglossydescribing the soap opera effect, which resembles a live broadcast. While I'm always aiming for an immersive viewing experience, I don't need to feel like I'm on the set with the actors and crew shooting the scene.Also: The best Samsung TVs of 2024: Expert testedGo to All Settings > Picture > Expert Settings > Picture Clarity SettingsFrom here, you can entirely turn Picture Clarity (Motion Smoothing) off or choose Custom Settings. There, you can adjust the sliders for Blur Reduction and Judder Reduction, which you might opt to increase if watching a soccer match or playing a video game. For conventional (filmic) aesthetics, though, turning off Motion Smoothing is the way to go.If you get a new Samsung TV this Christmas, congratulations! Now, take a few minutes to maximize its potential. If you have an older model, you can still treat yourself to a better-looking picture with a few clicks of the remote.Featured reviews

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Automation data analytic with 3d rendering ai robot with digital visualization for big data ... [+] scientistgettyFor a while now weve been talking about transformers, frontier neural network logic models, as a transformative technology, no pun intended.But now these attention mechanisms have other competing methodology that might push AIs ability to function even further ahead, toward what people are already calling AGI or artificial general intelligence, where AI gets better than people at routine tasks.To illustrate one of these new alternatives. Ill take liberally from a presentation by Konstantin Rusch that happened recently at TEDxMIT, and also get some help from ChatGPT along the way, to put some of the more technical material into plain English.Using Oscillating State-Space ModelsNew models are all powered by either transformers or liquid foundation models, Rusch said, but what if I told you theres a completely radically new approach, a new AI system that is more efficient, more expressive, and more capable?Then Rusch explained oscillating state-space models, where you take a mass-spring system, plot its position in time, and review what he called beautiful harmonic oscillations.This type of thing, he said, is abundant in biological neuroscience.MORE FOR YOUIf we look at a single biological neuron, the firing of the action potential is in fact nothing else then some sort of relaxation oscillator, he noted. But even if you look at whole networks, we find that those oscillatory dynamics emerge.He cited the example of the EEG invented by Hans Berger in 1924.Can we somehow abstract the essence, the core idea of oscillators, and build an AI system based on that? he asked.After sitting through this, I still wasnt completely clear on the oscillating state-space models, so I asked ChatGPT to explain it in a simple way, in two paragraphs.Heres what I got:Imagine youre watching a spring bounce up and down or tracking temperatures that rise and fall with the seasons. An oscillatory state-space model is a math tool that helps us describe and predict these kinds of back-and-forth patterns. It breaks the motion or changes into stateshidden parts of a system that evolve step by stepand shows how they circle around in a regular, repetitive way. Instead of steadily going up or down, these states swing like a pendulum, capturing the idea that something is repeating over time. By using state-space models, we can build equations that keep track of whats happening inside a system (like how stretched a spring is or how high or low the temperature might be), as well as what we can see or measure from the outside. When these equations describe recurring ups and downs, we call them oscillatory. This approach helps us forecast future behaviorlike figuring out when a spring will be at its lowest point or a climate cycle will peakso that we can plan or control things effectively, whether thats in engineering, economics, or even brain research.So this methodology helps keep track of whats happening inside a system not just something like a spring, but maybe a neural networkEmerging Neurological PatternsRusch continued to talk about how these systems mimic the human brain.We would expect the system to be very, very expressive, but then it would also further bridge the connection (and bridge) the gap between artificial and biological intelligence, he said.Contrasting oscillating state-space models with recurrent neural networks, he pointed out how the relationship between weighted connections works, and how theres dense connectivity in the system. He also addresses the principle of sparse representation. But all of that adds up to one thing: faster and more powerful systems.If you have a standard recurrent model, the computational time is proportional to the sequence length, he explained. For our approach, we can show that the computational time is actually proportional to log 2 of N. This is a tremendous speed up.Using Associated Parallel ScansMidway through the explanation, Rusch mentioned a term thats useful in understanding how these models make things a lot faster.Again, if you go and ask ChatGPT, you find that an associated parallel scan is a method in computing that applies a certain change to each part of a series or matrix. The model tells us this, succinctly:Imagine you have a list of numbers, like the distances your car traveled each hour on a road trip. A parallel scan could quickly figure out the running total at every hourhour 1, hour 2, hour 3, and so onby splitting the list into chunks and having each chunk do its own cumulative work. Afterward, it stitches those chunks together into one final list that shows the total distance youve covered at each step along the way. Because this happens in parallel, it can be way faster than making a single processor do every step one at a time.That helps explain some of the math behind these concepts, but toward the end of his presentation, Rusch moves into very different territory.Universality and Task RobotsUniversality is essentially the idea that a Turing machine could complete the work of other Turing machines in a unified field theory of capability.Rusch mentions this idea in transitioning from the experimental stuff to actual lab experiments.We trained a humanoid robot in our lab to perform some kitchen chores, he explained. Oscillating dynamics emerge physically meaningful representations, representations which were extremely close to human trajectories.This in itself points to a solution for some of the biggest challenges that people note about modern robotics.The argument often runs like this yes, AI is supremely intelligent in processing information and creating things, but what about physical dexterity?Too many people have misconceptions about what it would take for AI placed into a robot to be able to mimic human motions. This starts to lay out how that would work in detail, and so you would have robots capably doing the physical human work that we all take for granted is our exclusive domain doing the dishes, taking out the garbage, or caring for a human, with hygiene and other personal care. All that, or cooking you your favorite meal with whatever you have in the refrigerator.In a way, its that last jump that we havent yet seen. Our computers are super-smart, but dont have physical bodies. I would submit to you that all of that is going to be changing soon.

Can you spot five different types of Christmas injury risks in this photo? (Photo: Getty)gettyYou better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I'm telling you why. Accident causes may be coming to town. Christmas 2024 may bring you joy, rest and presents. But like any other December 25, it can bring Christmas injury risks that are not, shall we say, present during the rest of the year.Here are 12 of them, one for each day of Christmas:1. Christmas DecorationsYes, that elaborate display of Snoopy and Rudolph fighting in the Peloponnesian War on your rooftop may be cool. But what happens if it falls on someone. And it may be great that you somehow managed to get 2,173,341 ornaments on your Christmas tree. But what if someone swallows some of them or injures a foot while stepping on them.Thats why you should make sure that all decorations are secure before leaving them up. Avoid decorations that have very sharp edges or can readily catch fire. Keep people who may swallow things without thinkinglike young children or your fraternity matesaway from small ornaments.Putting up the decorations can be hazardous as well. Dont try to reach for places where you may become off balance. Use appropriate equipment such as sturdy step-stools or ladders. Get someone strong enough to support you and, no, this isnt your one-year old baby or that grandparent who needs a walker to stand.MORE FOR YOU2. Candles, Fireplaces, Stoves, Ovens And Other Potential Fire SourcesChestnuts may not be the only things roasting on an open fire. Christmas combines a lot of potential fire sources with lots of flammable stuff such as Christmas trees, gift wrapping, stockings, alcohol and you. Keep these two sets of things as separate as possible, and make sure that any fireplace, candle and electric item you use is properly working, has been thoroughly inspected and doesnt have defects like frayed wires. Double-check that things are turned off when not in use.3. Packaging And Gift WrappingIts a wrap. Gift wrapping can be hazardous as well. Not only can it catch fire, it can also be a choking, suffocation and strangulation hazard as well. Once youve freed your gifts of their wrapping, pack or throw any potentially dangerous materials away safely as soon as possible.4. ToysJust because something is called a toy and marketed for kids use doesnt mean that it has been adequately tested and is completely safe for kids or for adults for that matter. Anything that can be swallowed can be choking hazard. Anything that has sharp edges can cut through body tissue. Anything that is heavy can fall on toes, legs, hands, arms, necks or heads. Before anyone uses any toy make sure that they know the potential hazards.5. BatteriesLots of things you may get and use during the Christmas holidays may run on batteries including items, childrens toys and ahem adult toys. Batteries typically contain dangerous, corrosive, poisonous chemicals inside them. So quickly discard any batteries that appear to be leaking. Keep small batteries such as lithium ones that can be readily swallowed away from young children and food.6. AlcoholSurprise, surprise, people drink alcohol during the Holidays. And drinking any type of alcohol in any type of immoderate way can bring more than a shot of risks. Risks can range from mood swings to alcohol poisoning to drunken accidents. Keep alcohol away from anyone who shouldnt even be drinking the stuff such as your little kids. Monitor everyones alcohol consumptions. Someone protesting and saying, Dont worry, I can handle my alcohol, is a reason enough to worry that things may get out of hand.7. Holiday FoodsSalmonella. Here you go again. My, my, how can people resist you? Over the years, Ive covered for Forbes many different foodborne outbreaks from Salmonella and other microbes. And oh, Mamma Mia, can food poisoning be a risk for Holiday meals, especially with things like turkey that people are not used to cooking the rest of the year. Food allergies can be a problem too.But remember that food can bring injury risks as well. Food can have nuts, bits of dried fruit, bones and other small or sharp items that can be choking or gastrointestinal tissue damage hazards. However, before you think it is fruitcake-less to prevent food injury risks with any substantial food and serve nothing but gruel to everyone, keep in mind that a little caution can go a long way. Make sure that cooking operations are organized and do not resemble a rugby scrum in the kitchen. If you are going to get help in the kitchen, make sure that everyone is well-informed and directed so that they dont end up inadvertently introducing something risky into the food. Inspect food before you serve and eat it.And when eating something, be mindful of what you are eating. Dont get distracted. Chew your food carefully rather than think, Darn it, why did Bill send me this fruitcake, with every gram of your attention and plotting a response.8. Kitchen ItemsThe kitchen can be a hazardous location. (Photo: Getty)gettySpeaking of keeping things organized in the kitchen, the kitchen can be like a ninja warrior obstacle course, full of things that can hurt people in different ways. Now, people may know not to do things like put their heads in the blender. You could say that their heads are too big for that. But youd be surprised as to what immature things people may do with various kitchen items, like using knives or spatulas to launch butter packets so that they stick on the ceiling. As a result, seemingly innocent items can quickly turn into dangerous weapons. Heck, even a baguette can do serious damage when you swing it like Shohei Ohtani would a bat.9. People And Other AnimalsNews flash. People can do stupid things. So can other animals like dogs and cats. The jury is still out on who can be stupider. But the injury can result in any case. As Ive written for Forbes before, the Winter Holidays can be a particularly stressful and challenging time for many. All of this can bring out even more careless behaviors than seen the rest of the year, which can in turn put everyone else at greater risk. Therefore, take heed of any warning signs such increased agitation or discussions that are likely to end up in arguments and alleviate them as soon as possible.10. TravelLots of people are traveling for the Holidays. The combination of navigating unfamiliar places and stuff like stress and alcohol in different peoples bodies can raise the risk of accidents happening. Therefore, be mindful of your surroundings. Dont drink and drive. Be cautious when around hazards such as stairs and train tracks. Put down your freaking smartphone. You dont have to know what is happening to the Kardashians at every moment.11. Snow And Cold WeatherBeware of ice, snow or slush covered surfaces and clear them off as soon as possible. Otherwise, you chances of avoiding injury may go slip sliding away. Also, the cold and dry weather can leave you skin drier and more susceptible to damage. Therefore, keep your skin well-moisturized.12. SexChristmas may make you want to put a partridge in a pear tree or whatever euphemism you use for the word sex. But beware of being a bit too overzealous when riding the sleigh ride for two. It can lead to injury and not the type of holiday break that you want. Speaking of break, take a look at what I wrote about penile fractures during the Ring-a-ling-a ding-dong-ding season. A German study published in the British Journal of Urology International (BJUI) found the rate of penile fractures to be 43% higher around Christmas Day than around any other day of the year. A penile fracture is actually a tearing of tissue in the penis rather than a real fracture since there are no bones in your penis, regardless of what you might call an erection. Its also not the only injury that can result when sex is too vigorous or a bit off target. Therefore, before rocking around the Christmas tree in any way, remember what the Pointer Sisters sang about a slow hand and an easy touch.If you want to make this the most wonderful time of the year, do what you can to avoid Christmas injury. Make a list. Check it twice. You gotta find out. What around you will be naughty or nice. Dont let accident causes be coming to town.

The big picture: As Nvidia begins rolling out its hotly anticipated Blackwell server GPUs, information regarding an upcoming lineup refresh is starting to emerge. Set for launch in late 2025, GB300 features numerous upgrades in memory, connectivity, cooling, and other areas compared to its predecessor. Supply chain sources have revealed detailed specifications of Nvidia's GB300 data center GPU to UDN (translated by TechPowerUp). Codenamed "Blackwell Ultra," the chip aims to provide substantial performance enhancements over the company's recently introduced GB200.One of the most notable improvements is a memory increase, with GB300 growing from its predecessor's 192 GB to 288 GB of HBM3e RAM. Furthermore, Nvidia shifted the architecture from eight layers to 12, and the computing board uses LPCAMM memory.Each B300 chip at the heart of the GB300 will require 1,400W. Moreover, networking has been upgraded from ConnectX 7 to ConnectX 8, and optical modules have expanded from 800G to 1.6T.Each card promises a 50 percent FP4 performance improvement over GB200. Nvidia's utilization of FP4, which is well-suited to inference workloads, is one of the primary reasons behind the heightened anticipation for GB300.However, the increased performance comes with an extra cost. Each cabinet requires over 300 supercapacitors, which carry a roughly $20 to $25 production cost per unit. Nvidia will also offer optional battery backup units costing approximately $1,500 for a complete unit. // Related StoriesPrior reports indicated that the company is considering a socket configuration for GB300, which could simplify production and maintenance requirements. Unfortunately, the decision would also increase power and cooling demands.Mass production and shipments of GB200 are expected to peak in mid-2025 following delays stemming from late-stage design flaws and overheating problems. Despite the setbacks, orders from Nvidia's clients, including Microsoft, are backlogged for a year. The AI boom has created intense demand for Nvidia's server GPUs, increasing its market cap to over $3 trillion and making it one of the world's three most valuable companies.Blackwell Ultra is expected to arrive in late 2025, but it remains unclear whether this schedule will collide with Nvidia's next generation, Rubin, which might emerge around the same time. Rubin will utilize TSMC's 3nm N3 process node and HBM4 memory.Nvidia is also preparing to release its next-generation consumer Blackwell GPUs next year with a likely reveal coming during CES in January.

D.A. Pennebakersclassic documentary, streaming for free on the Criterion Channel through New Years Day, is still as enigmatic as itssubject, following the musician on his 1965 U.K. tour just months before the controversial plugged-in set at the Newport Folk Festival.