The Oracle offices in Redwood City, California, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Photographer: David ... [+] Paul Morris/Bloomberg 2024 Bloomberg Finance LPOracle recently launched its Exadata X11M product to the market. Exadata is an integrated hardware and software platform designed from the ground up to optimize Oracle Database workloads. Exadata X11M zeroes in on a few areas performance across AI, OLTP and analytics, scale, operational efficiency, and cost. Further, Oracle simultaneously announced X11M innovations for public cloud, multicloud, hybrid cloud and on-premises deployments.While these are some big items, it is worth digging into what Oracle did and didnt deliver with this Database Machine.Oracle, Enterprise Data And The Database MachineOracle's huge footprint in the enterprise means that it possibly handles more enterprise data than any other technology vendor. This is data that runs organizations the very definition of mission- and business-critical. Because of these dynamics, Oracle introduced Exadata in 2008. Exadata was designed to deliver a tightly integrated platform tuned for performance, scale and reliability for in-database analytics. Over its thirteen generations of development, Exadata has been enhanced to deliver these capabilities across the spectrum of Oracle Database workloads: AI, analytics, transaction processing, document databases, graph databases, spatial, time series and more.Exadata is a tightly integrated hardware and software platform truly a database machine. It is designed from the ground up for performance, scale and reliability. For example, Exadata RDMA memory, also called XRMEM, is a shared read accelerator that uses remote direct memory access to provide incredibly fast access to data cached in storage servers. XRMEM is a prime example of how Oracle has created a bespoke architecture to drive differentiated performance.Oracle has built many such innovations into the Exadata platform since its launch. Further, while Oracle Database will run on virtually any server platform, its performance on Exadata is significantly better, and running workloads faster means that they can be run using fewer hardware and database licenses further increasing efficiency. Examples of Exadata optimizations that help run crucial workloads faster include Exadata Smart Scan, which offloads SQL queries to intelligent storage, and AI Smart Scan, which does the same for AI vector search.MORE FOR YOUExadata X11M Redesigned From The Ground UpWhile Exadata has evolved over the years, Exadata X11M may be the most significant update since Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems in 2010 and replaced HP as its server platform. As I mentioned earlier, X11M is about delivering better performance, operational efficiency and cost. It achieves this through a refreshed hardware platform anchored by dual-socket AMD EPYC servers (with up to 96 cores per CPU) and enhanced system software. Oracle uses these servers together with fast DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen5 flash storage to create high-performance database servers and intelligent storage servers that make Exadatas unique capabilities possible.By combining Oracle's XRMEM with these EPYC capabilities, the X11M storage servers realize a performance increase of up to 33% compared to the X10M and can scan data stored in flash storage 2.2x faster than before enabling more value to be delivered from data far faster. Oracle also claims that AI vector searches on database servers (in memory) can achieve results 43% faster than on the X10M. For vector searches executed on storage servers (in Flash), the performance increase is 55%.Further, when looking at how Exadata software leverages hardware, Oracle claims even more incredible results. For customers operationalizing generative AI on larger (private) datasets, more complex vector searches can be run considerably faster due to improvements in storage server data filtering (4.7x increase) and binary vector searches (up to 32x increase).This all adds up to Exadata X11M delivering real-world value for organizations operationalizing AI with their enterprise data. It is difficult to quantify exactly how much the X11M delivers in terms of realized (real-world) gains in performance and cost which will inevitably be a little different from the benchmark improvements cited above but it is clear that these gains are significant. And with no change in price from the prior generation, the inherent business value is only more compelling.Performance Matters And Not Just With AIWhile AI is the topic every IT pundit likes to discuss, there are other workloads that drive businesses today. One of those is online transaction processing, and this is another area where Oracle has delivered significant improvements with Exadata X11M. Handling OLTP effectively is all about low latency, high throughput and concurrency in other words, how many transactions can be committed per second. This requires a database with super-efficient indexing capabilities coupled with optimized queries and supported by an infrastructure that can handle extreme concurrency.However, when performing OLTP at scale, architectural designs of a database residing on servers go out the window due to that extreme concurrency. Because of this, Oracle has spent a lot of time working on software implementations that can fully exploit the underlying infrastructure.Extreme OLTP performance requires a tight coupling of hardware and software.OracleThe result of Oracles work in fully leveraging the X11M hardware means more transactions on fewer servers. For example, Exadata X11M can handle 25% more concurrent or serial transactions faster than its predecessor. While Oracle did not disclose configurations in its testing scenarios, I suspect this is happening on fewer servers due to the high core counts in AMDs EPYC processors.For customers with an older version of Exadata deployed, consider this: Exadata X11M delivers 4x faster concurrent transaction throughput and 62% faster serial transaction processing than Exadata X7.The company also claims significant performance gains in analytics, with up to 25% faster query processing than the X10M. This is again achieved not just by hardware or software but by the tight integration between the two. In this case, Exadata utilizes several unique capabilities to offload tasks (Smart Scan) and accelerate database I/O (Smart Flash Cache and Storage Indexes) for better results.As with OLTP, what is designed on paper to support analytics doesnt always translate into real-world performance as complexity and scale are introduced. This is where the value of an integrated data stack like X11M can deliver value where database platforms cobbled together using commodity hardware just cant.Autonomy Drives InnovationWhile performance numbers and claims typically (and rightfully) steal the show at any product launch, I tend to look more at any associated impacts on enterprise IT. Technology generative AI, for instance is amazing and can theoretically deliver great value to an organization. However, if an enterprise IT organization struggles to deploy, tune and manage that technology, the impact turns negative on many levels. Worse, failed POCs tied to a lack of IT skills can make business leaders skittish about operationalizing technology.Oracle seems to truly understand this and, as a company, has invested a lot in abstracting both complex and mundane tasks away from IT staffers through automation. With Exadata running Autonomous Database, database administrators and their teams spend far less time tuning and managing environments and more time delivering value to the business. Whether on-prem or in the cloud (or multiple clouds), Oracle has set a pace for self-running, self-tuning, self-managing and self-healing that the rest of the market is following. As an ex-IT executive who had to deal with the budget line items associated with doing all these tasks manually, I can tell you this is a breath of fresh air.It is hard to quantify how much of an impediment maintenance and management of complex systems is to innovation in an IT organization. It's not simply the hours spent on a weekly basis. It's the blinders that get put on staffers, along with the inability to see anything beyond the next trouble ticket. This is a compounding issue that bogs down far too many enterprise IT organizations. Because of this, I believe that what Oracle has been doing with Exadata, Exadata Cloud and Autonomous Database is worthy of far more recognition than it gets.Exadata In The Cloud And Multiple CloudsOracle has spent a lot of time and energy driving native multicloud support for Exadata. This means that Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (and the Exadata platform) physically resides not only in OCI data centers but also in the datacenters of every major cloud service provider. More importantly, it means that that customers applications and data can natively and securely integrate with their cloud instances.This is worth repeating: for Oracles customers that use other CSPs, OCI and the Exadata platform physically reside in AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud datacenters. They are consumed as a native service of each CSP and sit on that CSPs network, integrated with other cloud services.This is a wise strategy on Oracles part one that Ive written about a lot over the past two years (for example here, here and here). Im a big fan of what Oracle is doing with this for many reasons, but let me dig into a couple. First and foremost, Oracle meets customers where they are. The company is smart enough to realize that not all Oracle Database customers will run their workloads in OCI datacenters. Because of this, Oracle has put a premium on Oracle Database residing where the customers applications and services are deployed.Second, the company is forcing the cloud market to radically change from a bunch of stovepiped CSP environments to one in which apps and data can move quickly, securely and natively from CSP A to CSP B without fear of exploitation and without crazy egress fees. Were still early in this game, but I see Oracle making moves that are going to benefit every enterprise IT organization, whether they are Oracle customers or not.The Enterprise ImpactIt is sometimes difficult to quantify the value and impact of technology on an organization precisely. I've never been a fan of studies and tests that show such exact quantifications of value delivered. Value is too subjective, and each customer is too unique to take any claims as gospel.However, Oracle Exadata X11M is delivering huge improvements from an order-of-magnitude perspective. Further, it is doing so without a cost increase compared to previous-generation cloud and on-premises systems. Because of this, it seems to me that any existing Exadata customer would be wise to take a look at X11M and what it can deliver in terms of operationalizing AI and improving core business capabilities, and any Oracle Database customer thats not currently using Exadata should take a deep look into it as well.

Content creators protest the TikTok ban outside the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. in January 2025.Andrew Harnik--Getty ImagesBy Andrew R. ChowJanuary 15, 2025 5:23 PM ESTThe TikTok ban is swiftly approaching on Jan. 19. But theres plenty of uncertainty about what will actually happen to the app on that day. TIME talked to experts, who contend that regardless of what actually happens on Sunday, the TikTok user experience is likely to drastically degrade in the weeks to come.Will users be able to access TikTok?Theres a strong possibility that TikTok will shut down completely. During a Supreme Court hearing last week, a lawyer for TikTok said that the app will go dark if the court didnt pause the ban. On Wednesday, Reuters reported that TikTok is preparing to shut its app on Sunday: that anyone who tries to log onto the app will be directed to a message alerting them to the ban and prompting them to download their data if they wish to do so. Users in India, which banned TikTok in 2020, are met with a similar message. A full website block would go above and beyond what the law mandates, which prohibits app stores and third party service providers from hosting the app and its related data. Lets say ByteDance, the Chinese companies that owns TikTok, simply adhered to that set of rules. On Sunday, new users would be cut off from downloading the app. Those with TikTok already on their phone, however, would still have access to the app, and not risk any legal penalties for logging on. But TikTok would no longer be able to update the software, making it buggier and slower over time. The apps security would also weaken, making users more susceptible to hackers. In this scenario, TikTok would die a slow death, as its technology degrades and its social fabric weakens with users departing for other platforms.Is using a VPN an option?Many TikTok users may attempt to use a VPN (virtual private network) or order to access the app. VPNs encrypt location data, allowing users to make it look like theyre somewhere else in the world. After X (formerly Twitter) was banned in Brazil, demand for VPNs skyrocketed, despite the government threatening users with a $9,000-a-day fine for using such workarounds.Kate Ruane, director of the Free Expression Project at the Center for Democracy and Technology, says that VPNs would allow users to access TikTok legally. (The CDT joined an amicus brief supporting TikTok and its users.) But Ruane predicts that the experience will quickly worsen for those users, especially because TikTok files wont be allowed to be hosted within the U.S. There will be distance that data has to travel, which may degrade the service, since video in particular is highly dependent upon high fidelity broadband Internet access, she says.Bruce Randall Donald, a computer science and math professor at Duke University, adds that VPNs may not work very well on smartphones, the very medium that TikTok is designed for. Theyre not going to work very well on appliances like an iPhone, iPad or Android, which dont have the full strength of VPN security, he says. The experience is likely to be more glitch-free on a laptop or desktop. But if you've ever used TikTok on a laptop or desktop, it's not a very satisfying experience. Will the U.S. government intervene?Some members of the government have been trying to save TikTok from its imminent demise. On Wednesday, a group of legislators led by Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey introduced the Extend the TikTok Deadline Act, aiming to pause the ban for 270 days. But the original ban was passed with wide bipartisan support, and it is unlikely that this new bill will make it through both chambers in time. President-elect Donald Trump is also interested in pausing the ban, arguing that he should have time as president to pursue a "political resolution" of the issue. Once he becomes President, he could temporarily pause the law if ByteDance has started the process to sell TikTok. But ByteDance has repeatedly stated that the app is not for sale.Trump could also order his Justice Department to refrain from enforcing the law, essentially rendering it toothless and nullifying its power. In the Supreme Court oral arguments last week, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar acknowledged that the President has the discretion to do so. But she also said that if ByteDance or third-party providers continued to operate TikTok in the U.S., they would be violating the law, which would make them susceptible to future enforcement.Ruane voiced a similar sentiment. Even if President Trump and the incoming Attorney General say I will not be enforcing this law, there would still be significant legal risk for the companies to which the law applies that they may not be willing to take on, she says. Because should the decision ever change, they could be subject to significant penalties.Donald predicts that most companies who could feasibly provide TikTok services may instead choose to play it safe. If they're not in compliance for at least some period of time, there's a vulnerability there, with a market cap and shareholder situation, that would be actually somewhat dangerous, he says.So while there are several loopholes for users to remain on TikTok, strong disincentives will likely lead to a steep decline in terms of platform experience. Government intervention, meanwhile, seems increasingly distant. So unless something drastically unexpected occurs in the next week, creators would be wise to search for a replacement platform.More Must-Reads from TIMEL.A. Fires Show Reality of 1.5C of WarmingHow Canada Fell Out of Love With TrudeauTrump Is Treating the Globe Like a Monopoly BoardBad Bunny On Heartbreak and New Album10 Boundaries Therapists Want You to Set in the New YearThe Motivational Trick That Makes You Exercise HarderNicole Kidman Is a Pure Pleasure to Watch in BabygirlColumn: Jimmy Carters Global Legacy Was Moral ClarityContact us at letters@time.com

Something to look forward to: Asus has spent years working to eliminate GPU power cables, and its evolving BTF standard represents a major step forward. The BTF standard shifts power delivery to a new connector located next to the PCIe slot, requiring compatible motherboards and graphics cards. A recent update, however, introduces GPUs that are compatible with both BTF and traditional motherboards, addressing the biggest obstacle to adopting this new technology. Asus revealed more details about its planned cableless GPU power connector standard at CES last week. According to HardwareLuxx, the updated version of the Back to the Future (BTF) specification now supports non-compliant motherboards and increases the maximum supported wattage.Previously, Asus demonstrated BTF-compatible graphics cards that replaced conventional power connectors with a new GC-HPWR gold finger, positioned alongside the PCIe x16 gold finger. BTF-compliant motherboards include a corresponding HPCE connector, giving custom PC builders one less cable to worry about.The original BTF specification (click to enlarge)Interest in a cableless standard surged after some Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 users reported burning power cables. Asus aims to make PC builds simpler and safer by minimizing the number of required cables.However, the first generation of BTF GPUs required BTF-compatible motherboards, which posed challenges for upgrades unless the entire PC industry adopted the standard. The introduction of BTF 2.0 GPUs mitigates this issue by supporting both GC-HPWR connectors and the more common 12v-2x6 connectors. // Related StoriesBTF 2.0 (click to enlarge)The updated design reintroduces 12v-2x6 connectors on the outward-facing side of the graphics card, opposite the gold fingers. Meanwhile, the GC-HPWR connector is now recessed and no longer automatically aligns with the HPCE connector.Switching to BTF mode involves using a detachable GC-HPWR gold finger, which connects the GPU's gold finger to the motherboard's HPCE connector. Although Asus hasn't yet released any BTF 2.0 graphics cards, the new design would allow users to choose between traditional motherboards and BTF-compatible models.Detachable GC-HPWR connector (click to enlarge)Moreover, while earlier BTF-compatible graphics cards could draw up to 600W from the motherboard, BTF 2.0 raises the limit to an impressive 1,000W. Although no consumer GPUs currently require this much power, flagship cards are getting hungrier. For instance, Nvidia's recently announced RTX 5090 has a power requirement of 575W.The GC-HPWR and HPCE connectors are not the only innovations in the BTF lineup. Asus partner DIY-APE is already working on BTF 3.0, which aims to create a cableless connection between the power supply unit, motherboard, and GPU.This next-generation standard introduces a new connector on the backside of the motherboard, capable of delivering up to 1,500W to multiple system components. If widely adopted, BTF 3.0 would reduce the remaining cables in a PC build to those for SATA devices and chassis components.

Samsung may be giving its future phones a wireless charging upgrade that will help charge their phones a lot faster, and it comes in the form of a new chip.In a blog post that was published during last week, the company said the new wireless charging chip, called the S2MIW06, is a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) that will help improve wireless charging by giving Samsung phones access to up to 50W of power. The S2MIW06 chip will support both the Qi and Qi 2.2 wireless charging standards, the latter of which is set to debut later this year.Recommended VideosThe Qi standard includes the Baseline Power Profile, the Extended Power Profile, and the Magnetic Power Profile the last two of which bring respective wireless charging speeds of 15W and 25W.Please enable Javascript to view this contentMost smartphones on the market today currently dont draw 50W when charging thats the power level of some laptops so the extra power should help phones charge faster. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S24 receives wireless charging speeds of up to 15W and reverse wireless charging speeds of 4.5W. The iPhone 16 is not immune to slow charging speeds either, as it gets 25W of wireless charging from a MagSafe charger.Meanwhile, only a few Android-run smartphone brands have adopted 50W wireless charging speeds for their products, including OnePlus. The OnePlus 12 and the OnePlus 13 have access to 50W of wireless charging, especially if you use the 50W AirVOOC wireless charger on the latest model, which takes 15 minutes to give it a 50% charge but 70 minutes to fill up the battery.Unfortunately, the Samsung Galaxy S25 wont have the luxury of wireless charging speeds that fast, as its capped at 25W. However, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra may get 45W of wireless charging, which is the closest itll get to 50W.Editors Recommendations

Fossil fuels currently power the shipping industrySven Hansche/ShutterstockSwitching from burning fossil fuels to burning ammonia is a promising way for the shipping industry to cut its carbon dioxide emissions. But if it isnt careful, this swap could also boost harmful nitrogen pollution.Thats a major alarm bell thats ringing, says Xin Zhang at the University of Maryland.The tens of thousands of ships on the oceans are responsible for about 3 per cent of global CO2 emissions, burning more than 300

As Malaysia enters a period of political stability, its new dream is to become a regional tech hub.Investments and startups are flowing into the country, but it's still early days.Despite its last tech mega-project failing, insiders told BI they see a winning plan this time.Kean Wei Kong's hands snapped from the wheel as we hit the highway in the midday rain.His sedan, a Malaysian-made Proton S70, kept cruising on its own, flowing with the traffic snaking into Kuala Lumpur.The bespectacled 28-year-old, a former insurance salesman, was taking me for a spin of what he and two college friends were selling: a plug-and-play dashcam that uses AI to drive your family car.Their company is Kommu, one of the 4,000 Malaysian"The younger generations are stepping up," he said as he crossed his arms, letting the car do the work. "We're no longer thinking of survival. It's more like we're in an innovation phase."Born from years of tweaking open-source code, Kean's software controls limited steering and acceleration. It's nothing that EV makers like Tesla aren't already selling, but he and his buddies custom-engineered their product, made with Chinese phone parts, for Malaysia's national auto brands.Their pitch is that for $800, the owner of a $10,000 hatchback can plug in Kean's dashcam via two cables and get partial self-driving. Kean Wei Kong and his buddies are selling a dashcam they've custom-engineered to work in Malaysia's cheaper cars. Kommu Kean is unsure if their product is legal, though he said they haven't seen trouble from authorities and secured prize money from a government-affiliated competition."It's like a gray area. Malaysia isn't a very regulated country yet," he said. "That's why there are opportunities for startups like us."Off to a good startA political reckoning saw Malaysia cycle through five prime ministers in six years, until Anwar Ibrahim, the current prime minister, squeezed through the November 2022 national polls through a coalition.As the dust settles, more than a dozen local tech insiders told Business Insider that Malaysia feels like it's on the cusp of a new chapter. Anwar champions the idea of the next era in the nation's economy, rallying his government for an all-out push to develop Southeast Asia's version of Silicon Valley.The prime minister described Malaysia's new effort as "a clear break from the past," saying in May that the country had missed opportunities for tech investments in previous years.Malaysia is banking on more than just stability. It commands vast reserves of land and water, useful for facilities like data centers run by Intel, Nvidia, and ByteDance. US-China tensions and the Ukraine war brought a wave of investors looking to park funds in new havens. And Malaysia's popularbut spatially constrainedAnwar's government is touting Malaysia as an appealing alternative, announcing a plan in April to extend financial support, visa access, and job benefits to foreign startups moving in. State money, including the sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Berhad, is offering $27.6 billion for all local ventures over the next five years. Anwar has been announcing new data center deals and pushing out financial incentives for startups to settle down in Malaysia. MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images "It's different. Because this time, the government isn't doing too much," said Tan Eng Tong, a startup advisor who runs an education center for tech workers in Malaysia. He spent the 1990s building his career in Silicon Valley with Seagate and Hewlett-Packard.Tan believes Malaysia's last tech mega-project in the 1990s was the result of a government trying to force a revolution. Then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad cleared land for global companies to settle down, dreaming of transforming greater Kuala Lumpur into an IT powerhouse.But many of the prized multinationals eventually used their new Malaysian bases for low-cost labor in manufacturing and outsourcing. When a BI reporter visited Cyberjaya a development near the capital meant to house the world's hottest startups in 2022, the largely residential area was filled with abandoned business hubs and quiet malls. Cyberjaya had been at the heart of a project spearheaded by Mahathir Mohamad. Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung via Getty 5,000 startups by 2025Now, the country is trying a new approach. Its semiconductor industry, largely based in the state of Penang, already houses Intel and Texas Instruments. Officials have announced a plan to bring in $100 billion in additional investment for the sector, without specifying a deadline.Anwar is continuing the prior administration's goal of producing 5,000 local startups and five unicorns by 2025. Grab, a Malaysian ride-hailing startup that moved to Singapore, has become Southeast Asia's version of Uber and is now Kuala Lumpur's poster child for unicorns. Matthews Hunt/NurPhoto via Getty Images Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, the Belgian-Malay CEO of Cradle Fund, the government's agency supporting early-stage firms, said the country now has about 4,000 startups. The overwhelming majority are located in the capital and the state that surrounds it, Selangor.But Vanhaecke says Malaysia's true near-term goal is to get on the map and have Kuala Lumpur join Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore on global lists like Startup Genome's ecosystem ranking.Singapore and Indonesia have enjoyed the lion's share of venture capital activity in Southeast Asia. In 2023, they secured 651 and 165 deals, respectively, according to data from the investment database PitchBook.Malaysia recorded 71 deals that year, and the total annual value of its deals has never reached $1 billion, per PitchBook. The total value of deals in Singapore has eclipsed $9 billion annually in the last three years.The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, a government agency tasked with attracting tech investment, is trying to give foreign startups a "soft-landing zone" in Malaysia through coworking spaces.The agency told BI that since 2016, it has partnered with 23 locations that have serviced about 600 startups. These firms are promised low business costs and potential access to government and private sector financing.Malaysia opens its state funds to startupsNoor Amy Ismail, an analyst asked by the Malaysian government to assess the local VC scene in 2023, said she studied South Korea's 2014 tech drive for her recommendations. There, government funds set the stage, then petered off as private investors poured in.Amy advised Malaysian officials to do the same."That is what our venture capital road map is trying to address, to get more corporate investors on board to support," she said.State and national funds, which have long dominated investing in Malaysia, have been opening their coffers to startups.One founder, Jimmy How, said state executives were far more risk-averse 10 years ago when he started his affiliate marketing company."Back then, guys like Khazanah wouldn't even look at startups like us," How said. Khazanah, Malaysia's main sovereign wealth fund, earmarked $1.3 billion in 2023 for startups and venture capital over the next five years.How's company received an investment from Penjana Kapital, a national venture program, during a Series C funding round last year.Gokula Krishnan, the founder of Vircle, a financial literacy app for kids, said his firm received a seed investment from Khazanah in 2023. It helped convince him to stay in Malaysia instead of leaving for Singapore."Talent is relatively cheap. Available office space is cheap. Cost of living is supercheap, even compared to Vietnam or Indonesia," he said about Malaysia. "I don't see any other country in Southeast Asia that has this mix."No more 'shit-hole state of mind'Khailee Ng, an energetic Malaysian with a mane of black hair flowing down to his shoulders, is perhaps the biggest name in Kuala Lumpur's venture capital scene. He's a managing partner with the US venture firm 500 Global, which has seeded at least six unicorns in Southeast Asia since 2014.Malaysia, burdened by a history of infighting and policy reversals, has for too long wallowed in a self-defeating attitude a "shit-hole state of mind," he said. Ng said Malaysia has long endured a self-critical mindset that puts itself down. MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images But Ng said he's seen far less of that among entrepreneurs in the last two years. "They're getting funding, they're kinda seeing that things are working. I think a lot of tech startups are starting to be open to the idea that something good will happen," he said.His team analyzed 198 local startups from January 2023 to June 2024 and found that 33 were profitable, with at least 20% annual growth and $5 million in revenue.Of that group, 11 had over 60% growth and $10 million in annual revenue."I was shocked," Ng said, adding that 500 Global has since invested in five of those 11 firms.Stronger currency boosts purchasing powerIn Puchong, a town about 10 miles south of Kuala Lumpur, entrepreneurs Amirul Merican and Chor Chee Hoe were preparing just after dawn to meet their startup's new landlord. They're looking to move into a factory to expand production at their firm, Qarbotech, by 50 times.In a garage space on the outskirts of the capital, their workers hauled tubs of grounded carbon to be heated into a patented liquid via a dozen or so kitchen microwaves.That liquid is their product, a spray that Amirul and Chor say boosts crop yields Chor and Amirul, pictured here second and third from the left in the front row, hope to expand into Africa and Taiwan. Qarbotech Amirul said the last two years of political stability were a boon for their expansion plans.Malaysia's stronger currency has made purchasing American equipment cheaper like a giant industrial-level microwave they bought to replace their kitchen appliances.The ringgit has strengthened by over 3% against the dollar over the past year, peaking with a 13% gain against the dollar in September."That's crazy," Amirul said of the gains in September, when they bought the microwave. "We have a stronger currency, more international companies looking at Malaysia."Quelling the brain drainOne of Malaysia's long-term challenges is quelling a brain drain to Singapore, Australia, and the West.More than 1.1 million Malaysians lived in Singapore in 2022, about three-quarters of whom were skilled or semi-skilled workers.Jayant Menon, a senior fellow who studies Asian trade and investment at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said if Malaysia does not fix issues like its talent exodus, the tech push could become a collection of short-term investments spilling over from the US-China trade war.Amy, the analyst asked to assess Malaysia's tech scene, said the government should work on bringing middle-class female talent back into the workforce.About 53% of Malaysian STEM graduates in 2021 were women, far higher than the global average of 29%."But the moment they enter the workforce, that number drops to about 43 to 44%," Amy said of how many working STEM professionals are women. Middle-income Malaysians are often under pressure to care for both their children and retiring parents, and many women choose to take on that role since they earn 33% less than men in the country, she added."Naturally, the women will stay at home," she said. "But we have all those women who we put on scholarships stuck at home."Malaysia could also struggle with educational gaps for its future workforce.Nearly a quarter of Malaysia's 17-year-old students failed math in the 2023 national exams, while another 28.9% scored a D or E grade, according to the Education Ministry. Malaysian schools sporadically offer science and math classes in English. AP Photo/Vincent Thian The country has been grappling with inconsistent education policies, debating whether to offer science and math classes in English, Malay, or other mother tongues for the past two decades. Singapore's education and government are primarily in English, a decision that helped make the city-state a business hub.On the global front, Malaysia must also overcome a hit to its reputation from a major 2015 corruption scandal, in which officials funneled $4.5 billion from its sovereign wealth fund 1MDB into their own pockets.Kean, the founder who's building self-driving software, is aware of those potential pitfalls. But he said that for entrepreneurs like him, theSince April 2022, Kommu says it has sold 400 dashcams, mostly to car enthusiasts. The company's next phase of development is creating software that can navigate to destinations and know when to exit highways.His team is unsure where Kommu can take its dashcam or where their exits lie. But he hopes that a way up could come from"I think any entrepreneur will tell you that the best time to start is now," he said.

One of the boldest moves Rocksteady made when it unveiled its Suicide Squad game after years of rumors was its subtitle: this was going to be a game about you, as players, fighting and being forced to slaughter DCs finest heroes, before Braniac could puppet them into being his own deadly occupation force. ThenSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League actually came out, and pretty much no one was happy. Now, weeks before its first anniversary, the live-service game is going out with well, not really a bang, and barely even a whimper. The base version ofKill the Justice League climaxed with the death of Superman and Wonder Woman alike, as the titular team braced themselves for Brainiacs defeat and the realization that there were dozens upon dozens of alternate realities with their own Braniacs under threat for them to save, setting up the games live-service structure for months to come. But then Kill the Justice League faced a critical drubbing and dire sales, leaving Rocksteady scrambling to offer fixes alongside its planned rollout of future contentcontent that came to an end this week with the games eighth and final major update, just two weeks before the game would celebrate its first anniversary. That would already be not-great if Kill the Justice League stuck any kind of landing, but instead, its final story content revealed that the whole thing had been kind of a pointless hoodwink. The story content of this weeks eighth episode ends with the defeat of the final Braniac variant in the multiverse at Taskforce Xs hands with a little extra help from Superman and Batman, who it turned out hadnt been killed during the events of the main game. Instead, those deathswhich sparked a sea of controversy at the time, when it was believed that Kevin Conroys portrayal of Batman inKill the Justice League would be his final posthumously released performance as the Dark Knightwere that of clones. On the one hand, players who actually stuck around shouldnt be surprisedprevious updates had seen Harley, Captain Boomerang, King Shark, and Deadshot already liberate Green Lantern and Flash from Braniacs clutches after their own apparent deaths, traveling to alternate worlds and putting them in stasis, so the revelation that Batman and Superman were also clones is not that surprising. And yet, it means that players whove stood by Kill the Justice League at its lowest points have been rewarded with the realization that they never actually got to, well, kill the Justice League. The only casualty by the end of all this is actually Wonder Woman, who had avoided Braniacs mind control in the initial game, only to be killed by (the newly revealed as a clone) Superman.And so,Suicide Squad ends with Taskforce X and the Justice League going their separate ways: the League staying behind to atone for their crimes by monitoring the multiverse to finish off any lingering Braniac threats, and the Suicide Squad, freed from Amanda Wallers embedded explosives, finding their own tiny pocket of the multiverse to go celebrate and hang out in. But to end it all this wayan animated slideshow cutscene and a casual, flippant explanation from Harley Quinn via voice over that covers the clone reveal in half a linespeaks to just what a miserable conclusion this all turned out to be, for what was meant to be the long-awaited future of the Batman Arkhamuniverse. At least theres some heroes alive now that they can all carry on with, if that future ever arrives? Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Life reconstruction of the Portuguese snow leopard hunting an Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). Artwork by Jianhao Ye. (Credit: Jianhao Ye)NewsletterSign up for our email newsletter for the latest science newsContemporary snow leopards are rare and fossils of their ancient ancestors are even more scarce. Researchers have now identified and examined million-year-old bones of the big cat and have come to some surprising conclusions about how it adapted to the Ice Age and survived as a species since then. Their analysis has been published in the journal Science Advances.Learning About Snow Leopard SurvivalThe skull of the leopard of Algar da Manga Larga, deposited at the Geological Museum of Lisbon. (Credit: Daro Estraviz-Lpez, 2019)Common leopards appear engineered to hunt quick, nimble prey. Features like large teeth, domed skulls, and strong jaws and paws maximize their ability to take down strong, agile prey such as mountain goats.But leopards who lived in rocky, barren terrains including snow leopards needed even more specialized skills. Those include strong binocular vision, a skull shape that maximizes hearing, powerful limbs to absorb the impact of steep jumps, and a long tail for balance. Read More: Top 10 Snow Animals and How They Survive the ColdIce Age AdaptationsResearchers have long thought those adaptations started during the last period of the Ice Age. Until this study, the best example of ancient leopard evolution came from a partial leopard skeleton, discovered in Portugal by amateur cavers, dispersed westward to the Iberian Peninsula.The new study, which examines fossils of five snow leopards from China, France, and Portugal now connects the leopard of Algar da Manga Larga to the ancient snow leopard lineage in Western Europe. It also challenges the conventional wisdom of how and why the big cats adapted to a harsh environment.The study proposes that glaciation in Eurasia around 900,000 years ago created more open spaces. That literally gave the big cats more room to roam. This theory goes against the notion that ancient snow leopards adapted to high, rocky places.The analyses we have carried out lead us to conclude that surely the high altitude and snow would not have been the limiting factor for the distribution of the species, but rather the presence of open and steep spaces, Joan Madurell Malapeira, a researcher with Universitat Autnoma de Barcelona (UAB) and an author of the paper, said in a press release. In other words, the snow leopard has always been adapted to live in the mountains, but not necessarily at high altitudes and with snow.Read More: Are Snow Leopards Endangered?Hope for the Species' SurvivalIf those reasons for adaptation prove true, it may be a positive sign for the species' survival of which only about 4,000 remain despite a warming world. If they do, indeed depend more on flat rocky hunting grounds, rather than higher, steeper, snowy ones, they may have a better chance of surviving a warming world.This, in a context of climate change like the current one, is encouraging to ensure their survival, said Malapeira in the release.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Before joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. He began his career in newspapers, but switched to scientific magazines. His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.

ShareWe may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more Its easy to underestimate the convenience and freedom that comes with a reliable power lift recliner. These comfortable chairs use motorized systems to help people go from sitting to standing with minimal exertion. Thats crucial for people with limited mobility, injuries, surgeries from which they need to recover, and a variety of other situations. Weve chosen the MCombo Electric Power Lift Reclineras our best overall option for its mixture of features and price. Its also exceptionally well-reviewed, offers a robust return policy, and comes in a number of colors. Keep reading for more options that fit your specific needs, space, and budget.Best overall: MCombo Electric Power Lift ReclinerBest splurge: Irene House Large Lay Flat ReclinerBest design: Signature Design by Ashley YandelBest value: Best Choice Products Electric Power Lift ChairBest budget: CANMOV Large Power Lift ReclinerHow we chose the best power lift recliners Without the luxury of sitting in every possible chair, weve combined our experience with chairs for seniors, for back pain, and more with impressions from trusted critics and top-rated reviewers. We search for the chairs that stand out, surveying stats, stars, and positive reviews. Theres also a little price hunting in there as well. We try not to choose variations of the same chair for all categories, as variety offers better alternatives for all buyers. Each chair has something unique about it while still being recommended by satisfied customers and product reviewers.The best power lift recliners: Reviews & RecommendationsFinding the best power lift chair recliner for your life is more than just reading power lift recliner reviews. Since we all order everything online these days, its about putting your trust in our picks because what you order is what you get. Weve narrowed it down to recliners with features that are straightforward and not exaggerated so you can get closer to power-lifting yourself into a healthy future.Best overall: MCombo Electric Power Lift ReclinerProsComes in 7 colorsVibration and massageCup holdersConsRemote instead of embedded controlsOnly reclines to 140 degreesSpecsMaterial: Faux leatherWeight capacity: 320 poundsControl type: Wired remotePrice: $529The MCombo Electric Power Lift Recliner is one of the most well-reviewed and oft-chosen No. 1 power lift recliners, so theres no reason to swim against the current on this one. A classic recliner look with side pockets for your old Popular Science print magazines, it also has embedded cup holders, a USB port, full-body vibration and lumbar heating.Eight vibration points relax you into the chair, and a motor-powered lift will get you out of it. Did we mention it comes in seven different colors? One of them is red. Thats a nice upgrade to something we generally expect to be ugh brown. The color selection is the final piece that puts the MCombo Electric Power Lift Recliner solidly on the top of the list with its range of features and price point.Best splurge: Irene House Large Lay Flat ReclinerProsMultiple color optionsDual lift motorFull 180-degree reclineConsRequires assemblyNo USB portSpecsMaterial: Faux leather/ChenilleWeight capacity: 300 poundsControl type: Wired remotePrice: $1,199The Irene House Large Lay Flat Recliner comes in 10 colors and two materials, as well as offering smaller and larger versions of the chair. The point is, youve got some options here. But all sizes of this chair have a few things in common, including a dual motor that splits duty between the lift mechanism and the recline mechanism. This means less wear and tear on the motorized parts for a longer-lasting chair.It does have a higher price point than most chairs, but youre splurging for the dual motor and full recline (great for sleeping), as well as a vibrating massage with eight modes and three intensities. Theres also lumbar heating but no cup holders or USB port. If you are looking for a lift recliner with a classy, actual chair and not a couch look, the Irene House Large Lay Flat Recliner should be top of your list.Best design: Signature Design by Ashley YandelProsEasy to cleanModern, but classic lookFull reclineConsTakes time to break inFootrest is a bit shortNo massage optionsSpecsMaterial: Faux leatherWeight capacity: 300 poundsControl type: Wired remotePrice: $795The Signature Design by Ashley Yandel lift recliner doesnt have a built-in massager or heated lumbar. It doesnt have cup holders or a USB port. But what it lacks in features it makes up for in a classy, clean look with inlaid stitching and a leathered appearance (without actually being leather). This is a chair you buy to simply sit in.It is, of course, a lift chair, so aside from its aesthetic and full recline, it can set you up on your feet with ease. It does take a while before this recliner is truly comfy though, as the faux leather needs to be broken in by some butt action. If you arent concerned with all the odds and ends and just want a nice-looking recliner lift chair, the Signature Design by Ashley Yandel is that chair.Best value: Best Choice Products Electric Power Lift ChairProsLightweight chairThree Massage modesTwo heat settingsConsCheaper constructionNot a full reclineSpecsMaterial: Faux leatherWeight capacity: 330 lbsControl type: Wireless remotePrice: $429The Best Choice Products Electric Power Lift Chair has all the things packed into this chair for a reasonable price. That means a USB port, stuffed armrests, side pockets, a wireless remote that controls heat and massage, side buttons for recline and lift, and cup holders. Throw in six color options and an anti-tipping base, and youve got a heck of a deal here.And this isnt a massive recliner. Its fairly standard-sized and lightweight at only 94 lbs. But thats because the wood used in its construction is engineered wood. Lighter, but not the sturdiest over time. So, this probably isnt the best chair to choose if youre at or above the weight limit. Regardless, with all its features and colorways, the Best Choice Products Electric Power Lift Chair is the best choice for the best value.Best budget: CANMOV Large Power Lift ReclinerProsLumbar heatingFive massage modesUSB chargingConsCup holders can get stuckMuted color optionsSpecsMaterial: PolyvinylWeight capacity: 350 poundsControl type: Wireless remotePrice: $399For under $400, the CANMOV Large Power Lift Recliner is certainly a budget buy without sacrificing features. It has eight points of massaging relaxation, with five different modes and lumbar heatingperfect for nesting under a cozy blanket. And its all controlled with a wireless remote, a rarity with these types of chairs.One of the better features of this chair is the lift mechanism itself, which is controlled by a button on the side of the chair rather than through the remote. Pressing a button to lift or recline means that when you lose the remote, you can still stand up to find it. If you have mobility issues along with budget issues, the CANMOV Large Power Lift Recliner might be the right chair for you.What to consider before buying the best power lift reclinersBefore you run out (or click) and buy a new lift recliner, youll want to pay close attention to the description and how it matches your wants and needs. There are three things to check for, at least. Does it have your desired features like massage or heat? What kind of material is it made from? And does it have a single motor or dual motor?FeaturesSome chairs have no features, while others are packed with them. A lift recliner should at least have a lift option; otherwise, its not a lift recliner. Additionally, features such as built-in massage, lumbar heating, cup holders, USB ports, and side pockets are all available options in a variety of styles. And dont forget about color. Most chairs come in the basic brown and black, while other brands offer many different colorways.MaterialAnd those colors are often dependent on material. Some brighter colors can only be found in chenille or fabric chairs, while faux leather is generally reserved for the classic brown and black. Both materials are easy to clean, which is the most important bit.MotorAll lift recliners have at least one motor. This motor generally controls both the lift and recline functions. However, some lift chairs have dual motors. This enables the lift function and recline functions to operate independently. That helps prolong the life of each motor, reducing the need for replacement or maintenance.FAQsQ: Do power recliners use a lot of electricity? No more than any other home appliance, perhaps about as much as a toaster. These arent things that are going to tax your electric bill like the hot water heater. They use standard voltage and standard 110 outlets. Q: Do power lift recliners come with a lumbar support? Some have extra lumbar support, while others have lumbar heating. Naturally, lift recliners are built with a moderate amount of lumbar support, as the same people who need a lift often need back support. Q: Are power lift recliners heavy? Not usually. Most weigh around 100-200 pounds. This makes them easier to push around the room into that perfect spot. The lighter lift recliners are usually made with cheaper materials, which can affect their longevity. Final thoughts on the best power lift reclinersBest overall: MCombo Electric Power Lift ReclinerBest splurge: Irene House Large Lay Flat ReclinerBest design: Signature Design by Ashley YandelBest value: Best Choice Products Electric Power Lift ChairBest budget: CANMOV Large Power Lift ReclinerIf you are dealing with mobility issues or just need a bit of a kick to stand up without sliding off your chair, then a power lift recliner is just what you need. And with the market so saturated with brands making similar chairs, its easy to find one with the features and price point you want.

NewsArchaeologyAncient, engraved stones may have been buried to summon the sunIce cores hint at a volcanic eruption around the time of the burial in Stone Age Denmark More than 100 engraved stones unearthed in Denmark depict images of the sun. The stones, including the two shown here, may have been buried as part of a ritual to bring back the sun after a volcanic eruption, researchers say. John Lee/National Museum of Denmark, R. Iversen et al/Antiquity 2025By Richard Kemeny4 minutes agoAs a volcanic eruption darkened the sun roughly 4,900 years ago, a Stone Age culture sacrificed hundreds of decorated stone plaques to try to coax it back.A trove of engraved stones unearthed from ritual gathering sites on Bornholm, an island in Denmark, display motifs that most commonly represent the sun and croplike plants. Whats more, an analysis of ice cores points to a volcanic eruption around the time the stones were intentionally buried. Taken together, the evidence suggests the stones burial may have been linked to the potentially cataclysmic event, archaeologist Rune Iversen and colleagues report January 15 in Antiquity.