Yana Iskayeva/Getty Images*** Deep sigh ***This is the part of the article where I usually drop a witty line to spark your curiosity or offer a fresh perspective on something intriguing.But today, I'm literally at a loss for words. (If you know me, you know how hard it is to leave me speechless.)Let me explainThere I was, minding my own bidness and getting some work done, when I got a Slack notification from Jason (ZD's big boss). He sent me an article about Meta's plans to integrate AI-generated user profiles and content across its social media platforms.Also: Operator isn't worth its $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro subscription yet - here's whyHis caption: "What do you think about this?"That's corporate talk for, "I'm subtly telling you what to do, and you should write about this" Not gonna lie, I had to check the date because it had to be April 1st.Why would Meta want to generate AI users? It's a social platform.What they do is literally in the name SOCIAL! So why would you make it anti-social with AI?It's not hard to see why I was at a loss for words and momentarily paralyzed by disbelief.To be clear, this article isn't about bashing AI or Meta.Also: No, AI won't revolutionize shopping - but this willFor the most part, Meta is an incredible company. Even though they piss me off from time to time, their advertising platform has been essential to what I've built, and for that, I'm grateful. So this isn't an "I hate Meta" piece it's more of a "let's discuss a disturbing pattern in Big Tech" piece.Today, we will discuss:What Big Tech seems to be missing with every so-called innovationWhat you should really be paying attention to in this AI revolutionMy insights on how you can thrive in the current landscapeIf you're wondering what's next in AI and how you should adapt, I got you.Feel free to share this article with a friend who's keeping an eye on AI developments.Quick introBefore we get into it, I will share a little about myself.The name's Mapp, Lester Mapp, but my friends call me Les. I'm a founder with a successful exit and currently the Executive Chairman of a group of ecom brands but I'm an award-winning performance marketer at my core, and spotting trends is my thing.If I had to sum up my "marketing superpower," it's two-fold.Also:There's a new king of online shopping, and it's built an unstoppable monopolyFirst, I've gotten pretty good at spotting trends, so much so that we operate more like a data company than a traditional online business.Second, and more importantly, my real edge comes from connecting the dots between data and what it means for our customers.Our success has come from sitting at the intersection of data and human emotion. That's where we've found the magic of decoding both rather than relying on just one. (If you read until the end, I'll share my secret on how we do it)Needless to say, I've got some strong opinions on what I see from Big Tech and AI.If you enjoy marketing and business insights like this, consider joining my free No Fluff Just Facts newsletter.Big Tech's Disturbing PatternYou may be wondering what Big Tech is up to and what this so-called disturbing pattern is. As my little brother would say, "They're doing too much."Does this sound familiar:Blockchain is the next big thingThe Metaverse is the next big thingWeb3 is the next big thingNFTs are the next big thing (still laughable) And now AI is the next big thing.Each of these breakthroughs has its role in society and contributes to our progress as a species.Also: Could AI make you a billionaire in 2025?These are indeed massive advancements.But it seems like big tech is sidestepping the basics, and we, the people, are an afterthought. Why is the "next big thing" not focused onCaring for our users?Doing right by our users?How do we connect with our users?We've entered an era where AI is overhyped and overused in some cases. For example, the other day, I was browsing Amazon and stumbled upon an AI toaster, bruhSeriously?(Ten bucks says a subscription-based toaster is coming next.)Ever since AI became the hot topic, companies keep pushing solutions to non-existent problems. It's like pandering, but for tech. They over-complicate and overhype everything while ignoring the fundamentals.Also:3 lucrative side hustles you can start right now with OpenAI's Sora video generatorDon't get me wrong, I love tech. I'm all in on AI. I've gone on record more than once saying that nothing will come between my OpenAI subscription and me.But here's my question: Why isn't Big Tech focusing more on the people they're supposed to serve? It's giving out of touch.Spend just two seconds in any comment section, and it's clear more AI isn't what people want.What should you focus on?For the foreseeable future, I'm focused on building deeper connections with our customers, no matter what form that takes.Here's why: During the pandemic, we witnessed a wave of innovation aimed at keeping us connected while we were stuck at home. Companies thrived, fortunes were made, and "work-from-home" tech dominated the scene.But what happened as soon as we could step outside again?Experiences skyrocketed! Also: ChatGPT Search could destroy online businesses - how you can stay aheadAmerican consumer spending on experiences during the previous 12 months ending on August 31, 2024, has surpassed pre-pandemic levels by an impressive 32% compared to the same period ending January 1, 2019.This shift highlights that people crave real-life connections and experiences over mere transactions. As we move forward, it's clear that authentic engagement with our customers will be key to thriving in this evolving landscape.The team and I are doubling down on media channels that we own, which help us genuinely connect with our customers. Here's how we're doing it and how you can benefit from these strategies.1. More email marketing: Incredible but underestimatedEmail is an incredibly powerful tool that often goes underappreciated. Did you know that consumers who receive email offersspend 138% more than those who don't? Plus, 88% of email users check their inbox every day, with 39% checking multiple times a day. Pro Tip: If your emails aren't performing, it's not because email is dead. It might be because your content is boring! Make your emails engaging and fun, as if you're writing to a friend. Capture their attention first, then present your offer.2. SMS Marketing: A cost-effective game changer no one talks aboutWe recently turned $20,291.87 in spend into an impressive $556,314.10 through SMS campaigns. Compared to platforms like Google and Meta, SMS is more cost-effective, with 72% of consumers purchasing after receiving a brand's text.Pro Tip: Remember that SMS cadence differs from email. Sending 10 messages a day isn't just excessive; it's overwhelming! Keep your texts short and direct with a strong call to action.3. Human-centric customer serviceCall me old school if you want, but we're committed to enhancing our customer service experience by prioritizing human interaction.For me, any AI tool that tries to handle communication is absolutely out of the question. While I'm all for using automation for FAQs and basic inquiries, we want our customers to connect with real people whenever they want to.I've never subscribed to the idea that customer service should be a hassle. Customers are either trying to buy something or resolve an issue with a purchase.Why would I entrust such an important responsibility to AI?Customers give us their money; we should treat them with the respect they deserve by engaging with them personally. My two centsAs I step down from my soap box, I leave you with this. In an era where acquisition costs are rising and the competitive landscape is increasingly noisy, it makes little sense to distance ourselves from the people who keep our businesses afloat, our customers.Instead, we should lean into building genuine connections with them.I encourage you to rethink your AI strategy. Yes, AI can enhance efficiency and streamline processes, but let's not forget that people do business with people. Looking at 2025 and beyond, we should focus on getting closer to our customers rather than insulating ourselves behind technology. Also: What's really destroying your productivity - and 3 simple ways to focus better todayOh, and I almost forgot to share our secret: it's incredibly simple: we care about our customers. Hope this helps - - I'm rooting for you.P.S. If you enjoy marketing and business insights like this, consider joining my No Fluff Just Facts newsletter. I'm currently working on a fascinating case study that reveals how one of our brands uses these exact strategies to achieve impressive results. If you're interested in that kind of stuff, click here to sign up; it's completely free!DISCLOSURELes owns shares in Meta. This ownership does not influence his content, and he is committed to providing objective and unbiased coverage to the best of his ability.Featured

Experts say the journey to quantum-safe infrastructure will likely be slowed by multiple technical, operational and strategic hurdles.

Noah Wyle in The PittCredit: HBO / MaxI suspect that many people currently watching The Pitt on HBO and Max are longtime fans ER, an NBC medical drama that ran from September, 1994 to April, 2009, dropping over 300 episodes across its 15 seasons.I am not one of those people. The first time I watched ER was after watching the fourth episode of The Pitt. My curiosity was piqued. I wanted to know a bit about the spiritual predecessor of this great new drama.A few brief thoughts on the ER series premiere:My goodness, TV has changed since 1994. I genuinely liked the ER premiere and its funny to see George Clooney without grey hair. But TV was not the premium experience it is today. The ER premiere was well-shot and clearly made by people who knew what they were doing but it has that cheaper vibe about it that used to be pretty standard with TV, even great TV.The music might be the thing that jumped out at me the most. Theres a style of music used in the 80s and much of the 90s in TV shows, movies and trailers that dates them even more than the hair or costumes. Lots of very dramatic music. This is a stark contrast to The Pitt, which essentially has no music. This adds to the shows realism, as you will not find music playing in an ER (Im not a medical professional but Ive spent plenty of time in emergency rooms).In any case, as a newcomer to ER and someone only vaguely familiar with Noah Wyle, I have to say that Im genuinely surprised at how much Im enjoying The Pitt, which has aired just four episodes so far, with new episodes dropping each Thursday. I would say that Im only a casual fan of medical dramas in general (I also recently started watching House which is great so far, combining medical drama with Sherlock Holmes basically, and Hugh Laurie is one of my all-time favorites).The PittCredit: HBOThe shows title is a reference to the ER unit itself, referred to by the people who work there as The Pitt (a play on words, since it takes place in Pittsburgh and is down on the bottom floor of the hospital).MORE FOR YOUThe Pitts central gimmick is that its also a spiritual successor to 24. Each episode is one hour of real-time. The first season covers a single 15-hour emergency room shift. This means that events play out in real-time, beginning at 7am at the start of the shift and progressing throughout the day. If a patient showed up at the beginning of episode 1 and theyre still in the waiting room by episode 4, you know theyve been waiting out there for 3+ hours.Where the show really shines is in its ability to tell a whole bunch of different stories with a sprawling cast of characters in a way that is still incredibly easy to follow. Its remarkable, in fact. There are a bunch of doctors, student doctors, nurses, techs, medics and EMTs working the shift, and a rotating cast of patients and families filtering in and out of the ER throughout the day. Somehow The Pitt balances all of the chaos and interpersonal relationships perfectly, making it easy to follow along despite how much is happening and how quickly things can change. The pacing is just right, moving between slower character moments and intense emergencies deftly.A lot of the cases are mundane, too. Sure, theres a gunshot wound or a heart attack here and there, or something goes wrong or a patient dies. But a lot of the time, the cases we see are far less dramatic. A baby who wont stop crying isnt actually suffering from some mysterious illness. A strand of her mothers hair has just tightened around one of her toes, cutting off circulation, and nobody noticed. A repeat visitor with a blood alcohol level that would kill a normal person chats cheerfully with doctors and nurses who know him all too well.The PittCredit: HBOTheres lots of well-written banter interspersed throughout the more serious dialogue. Medical students ribbing one another. Techs placing bets on a stolen ambulances fate. Wyles character, Dr. Michael Robbie Robinavitch cracking wise at the busy-body hospital administrator. Its not a comedy, but the show balances its heavier moments out with some well-placed humor that always feels very human and natural.As noted above, I am not a medical professional but Ive heard from many in the field that despite some details not quite lining up, The Pitt is surprisingly accurate when it comes to both medical terms and procedures and the minute-to-minute workings of an ER. Sure, a really busy ER might have more background noises, but the show also has to make it easy to follow and listen along, so it makes sense to fine-tune a bit and make changes for TV. But a lot of the medical procedures and diagnoses that you see in the show are very accurate and not dramatized. This certainly makes it all feel more authentic and real.Ive also noticed myself getting genuinely emotional at times in places I wasnt expecting. There are really touching moments of human grief and struggle, but also of hope and warmth and kindness. The entire cast is doing a great job but Wyle in particular is a real gem. Hes so natural as the ERs head doctor, its hard not to think of him as a real physician. But hes also just a well-crafted character, with his own trauma and stress and the many ways he copes with it all and manages to juggle so many people and cases and problems without breaking.The PittCredit: HBOI have no idea where all of this is going. With 11 more hours in the season/shift, anything could happen. Theres a ticking clock element that I hope doesnt really lead to anything (I wont spoil it) but certainly adds to the overall sense of tension we feel as we watch. But mostly, you just feel like youre spending a long day in an ER, watching countless little stories play out, curious to see where each one will end up. The characters are mostly likeable (with a few exceptions, as in life) and while theres not really a plot in the traditional sense, just following each character and story as it unfolds is incredibly satisfying television.The Pitt is my first pleasant surprise of 2025. This wasnt on my radar at all, and now its one of the shows I look forward to most each week. Give it a watch.

Forward-looking: Indian business magnate Mukesh Ambani is gearing up to take on global tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. The billionaire has announced plans to build what could potentially become the world's largest AI data center, strategically located in his home state of Gujarat. The data center is being constructed in Jamnagar and is projected to have a staggering total capacity of three gigawatts upon completion. For perspective, the largest operational data centers today peak at under one gigawatt. This means Ambani's facility would dwarf anything currently in existence.Building such a massive data center is no small feat. Cost estimates place the project in the range of $20-30 billion, based on pricing for similar large-scale facilities. Bloomberg notes that Reliance Industries, Ambani's flagship company, has approximately $26 billion on its balance sheet. To finance this ambitious undertaking, Ambani may need to explore creative solutions, including potential government funding.Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani, pictured alongside their iconic 27-story residence, Antilia a symbol of architectural marvel and unparalleled luxury in Mumbai.Adding to the excitement, the report highlights that Ambani has already begun purchasing chips from Nvidia to power the data center's infrastructure.If Ambani can pull it off, he aims to dominate the AI market by offering low-cost inferencing services. This strategy involves renting out compute power to companies looking to run AI models without shouldering the expense of building and maintaining their own data centers. // Related StoriesAmbani is no stranger to aggressive, market-disrupting tactics. His infamous price war in the telecom sector drove several Indian carriers, including Aircel and Telenor, out of business. Now, it seems he's applying a similar playbook to the burgeoning AI compute market.What makes this project even more intriguing is Ambani's commitment to sustainability. The massive data center will be powered, as much as possible, by renewable energy sourced from an adjacent green energy complex featuring wind, solar, and hydrogen power.However, Ambani isn't alone in the race to expand AI compute capacity. This week, OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle announced a new venture called the Stargate Project, with plans to invest a staggering $500 billion in AI infrastructure across the United States.

Designed to provide you with a clean, modern and easy-to-use interface where you can quickly access the latest software features, game stats, performance reports, driver updates, and much more - all from one convenient location.Take advantage of the ALT+R hotkey to open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition directly in-game, making it even more convenient and easy to adjust your favorite features and get a fantastic gaming experience.What's New:Gaming HighlightsIntel Game On Driver support on Intel Arc B-series, A-series Graphics GPUs, and Intel Core Ultra with built-in Intel Arc GPUs for:Final Fantasy VII RebirthPerformance Improvements:Intel Arc B-series Graphics GPUs (vs. Intel 31.0.101.6257 driver):Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (DX12):Up to 12.8% average FPS uplift at 1080p with High settingsUp to 11.6% average FPS uplift at 1440p with High settingsIntel Core Ultra Series 2 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs (vs. Intel 31.0.101.6458 driver):Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (DX12):Up to 9.0% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Medium settingsKnown Issues Intel Arc B-Series Graphics ProductsF1 24 (DX12) with XeSS FG:Application crashes may occur when dynamically changing XeSS FG settings during gameplay. Recommended to toggle settings in the game menu before starting a race."Alt + Enter" shortcut may change the display mode to fullscreen exclusive, causing crashes.MLPerf: May show intermittent errors on multi-GPU systems. Disabling the integrated GPU is recommended.Topaz Labs Photo AI: Corruptions may occur with certain image enhancement operations.Magix Vegas Pro: Corruptions may occur when using the style transfer feature.Dassault Systmes CATIA: Application may crash when using the HQAO option.Cyberlink Power Director: May experience tearing and lag in the preview window and exported video.Adobe Lightroom Classic: Lower-than-expected performance. Workaround:Edit > Preferences > PerformanceSet Graphics Processor to "Custom"Enable "Use GPU for Display," "Use GPU for Image Processing," and "Use GPU for Export."Intel Arc A-Series Graphics ProductsCall of Duty: Black Ops 6 (DX12): Shadows may appear darker than expected in certain campaign scenarios.Topaz Gigapixel AI: Intermittent crashes may occur during image export.Adobe After Effects: Flickering may occur in the preview window during playback.Cyberlink Power Director: Tearing and lag in the preview window and exported video.Intel Core Ultra Series 1 with Built-in Intel Arc GPUsPugetBench for Davinci Resolve Studio V19: Intermittent errors with the Extended benchmark preset.Davinci Resolve Studio v19.0: Errors may occur during OpenVino test scenario rendering.Topaz Video AI: Corruptions may occur during video export after applying some enhancement models.Adobe After Effects: Flickering in the preview window during playback.Cyberlink Power Director: Tearing and lag in the preview window and exported video.Intel Core Ultra Series 2 with Built-in Intel Arc GPUsAdobe Premiere Pro: Output video may show corruption after performing 8K AV1 encode.PugetBench for Davinci Resolve Studio V19: Intermittent errors with the Extended benchmark preset.Davinci Resolve Studio v19.0:Errors while rendering OpenVino test scenarios.Errors may occur intermittently during AI/ML scenario rendering.Topaz Video AI: Corruption during video export after applying enhancement models.Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (DX12): Crash may occur during gameplay with frame generation enabled.Adobe After Effects: Flickering in the preview window during playback.Cyberlink Power Director: Tearing and lag in the preview window and exported video on certain Intel Core Ultra Series 2 Mobile Processors.Intel Graphics Software Known IssuesApplication crashes when navigating pages or dialogue boxes due to framework issues. A fix will be available in IGS with WinAppSDK 1.7.Intermittent crashes when resetting settings via "Reset All Settings" in Windows 10. Individual page resets are unaffected.Single application crash may occur on the first re-arrange of metrics in the select metrics window. Subsequent usage unaffected.FPS Limiter may not function with VSync ON and Low Latency Mode enabled.Profile controls may not always supersede global controls.Non-native panel resolution scaling may result in unintended behavior.Incorrect reporting of Xe Cores for some Intel Arc B-Series Graphics Products.Intel Graphics Software Performance Tuning (BETA)Performance and features may behave unexpectedly in multi-GPU scenarios:The performance tuning page may attempt to apply changes to multiple devices simultaneously instead of per GPU selector.Previous Release Notes:HighlightsSupport for:Atomic HeartCompany of Heroes 3Fixed IssuesCorruption may be briefly observed when moving Netflix video between displays or minimize-to-fullscreen on some AMD Products such as AMD Ryzen 7 6800U.Maximum encode bitrate is limited to 100Mbps for certain applications.AMD Bug Report Tool pop-up or system hang may be observed after driver upgrade on some hybrid graphics notebooks.Application crash may be observed while playing Hitman 3 with ray tracing settings enabled.Valve Index VR headset may show a blank screen with 144Hz refresh rate setting on Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs.Certain videos played with Movies and TV may briefly show corruption when moving the window between displays on some AMD Graphics Products such as AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT.Situational performance drop may be observed in DirectX 11 based games on Radeon RX 6000 series GPUs using Ryzen processors.Known IssuesHigh idle power has situationally been observed when using select high-resolution and high refresh rate displays on Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs.Video stuttering or performance drop may be observed during gameplay plus video playback with some extended display configurations on Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs.Application crash may be observed while opening Premium Gold Packs in EA SPORTS FIFA 23.Some virtual reality games or apps may experience lower-than-expected performance on Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs.Brief display corruption may occur when switching between video and game windows on some AMD Graphics Products such as the Radeon RX 6700 XT.Metrics overlay may intermittently re-size to 50% after gameplay.Corruption may be observed in Returnal in certain scenes with ray tracing enabled on Radeon RX 6000 series GPUs.Previous release notesSupportForspoken Up to 7% increase in performance for Forspoken @ 4k, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 on the Radeon RX 6950XT GPU, versus the previous software driver version 22.11.2 RS-524Dead SpaceIREE compiler using MLIR interface on Vulkan.Additional Vulkan extensions. Click here for more information.Radeon RX 6000 Series GPUs now have support for newly introduced streaming capabilities including pre-filter toggle, pre-analysis feature and CAML technology.A new version of AMD Link improves overall connectivity across all supported Radeon products, RX 400 series and newer, so you can game from anywhere on virtually any device.Boost your performance with AMD Software - read the latest blog HERE and learn how this newly unified driver delivers performance gains since Windows 11 first launched.Game OptimizationsUp to 4% increase in performance for Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered @ 4k, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 on the Radeon RX 6950XT GPU, versus the previous software driver version 22.11.2 RS-518Up to 3% increase in performance for Sniper Elite 5 @ 4k, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 on the Radeon RX 6950XT GPU, versus the previous software driver version 22.11.2 RS-519Up to 6% increase in performance for Shadow of the Tomb Raider @ 4k, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 on the Radeon RX 6950XT GPU, versus the previous software driver version 22.11.2 RS-520Up to 7% increase in performance for Quake II RTX @ 4k, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 on the Radeon RX 6950XT GPU, versus the previous software driver version 22.11.2 RS-521Up to 4% increase in performance for Hitman 3 @ 4k, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 on the Radeon RX 6950XT GPU, versus the previous software driver version 22.11.2 RS-522Up to 6% increase in performance for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy @ 4k, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 on the Radeon RX 6950XT GPU, versus the previous software driver version 22.11.2 RS-523Up to 19% increase in performance for F1 2022 @ 4k, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 on the Radeon RX 6950XT GPU, versus the previous software driver version 22.11.2 RS-525Up to 9% increase in performance for DOOM Eternal @ 4k, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 on the Radeon RX 6950XT GPU, versus the previous software driver version 22.11.2 RS-526Up to 4% increase in performance for Borderlands 3 @ 4k, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 on the Radeon RX 6950XT GPU, versus the previous software driver version 22.11.2 RS-527Up to 4% increase in performance for Hogwarts Legacy @ 4K using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 on the Radeon RX 6950 XT and Radeon 7900 XTX, versus the previous software driver version (22.11.2 for 6950 XT, 23.1.2 for 7900 XTX) RS-530Fixed IssuesAMD Software: Adrenalin Edition may fail to launch with the error message "Delayed Write Failed" on Microsoft Windows 11 version 22H2.Poor performance and load time may be observed while playing SpaceEngine.Corruption may be observed while scrolling the points shop in Steam on Radeon RX 6000 series GPUs.Performance drop may be observed during Fortnite and YouTube playback with Enhanced Sync enabled on some AMD Graphics Products such as AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT.Corruption or game crash may be observed while playing Door Kickers 2.Missing or flickering textures may be observed while playing Emergency 4.Application crash may be observed when launching Baldur's Gate 3 using Vulkan API on Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs.Stuttering may be observed while playing Sea of Thieves on Radeon RX 6000 and above series GPUs.Corruption may be observed while playing Battlefield 4 with Post Process Quality settings set to high or ultra on Radeon RX 6000 and above series GPUs.White foliage may be observed while playing Hogwarts Legacy on Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs.Intermittent system stuttering or UI flickering may occur when two videos are simultaneously playing using chromium-based browsers on some multi-display configurations.Known IssuesHigh idle power has situationally been observed when using select high-resolution and high refresh rate displays on Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs.Video stuttering or performance drop may be observed during gameplay plus video playback with some extended display configurations on Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs.Application crash may be observed while opening Premium Gold Packs in EA SPORTS FIFA 23.Some virtual reality games or apps may experience lower-than-expected performance on Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs.AMD Bug Report Tool pop-up or system hang may be observed after driver upgrade on some hybrid graphics notebooks. Users are recommended to use the factory reset install option as a workaround.Corruption may be briefly observed when moving Netflix video between displays or minimize-to-fullscreen on some AMD Products such as AMD Ryzen 7 6800U.Certain videos played with Movies and TV may briefly show corruption when moving the window between displays on some AMD Graphics Products such as AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT.Brief display corruption may occur when switching between video and game windows on some AMD Graphics Products such as the Radeon RX 6700 XT.Maximum encode bitrate is limited to 100Mbps for certain applications.AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 is compatible with the following AMD Radeon products.Radeon RX 7900 Series GraphicsRadeon RX 6900/6800/6700/6600/6500/6400 Series GraphicsRadeon RX 5700/5600/5500/5300 Series GraphicsRadeon VIIRadeon RX Vega Series GraphicsAMD Radeon Pro DuoRadeon RX 500 / Radeon 500X Series GraphicsRadeon RX 400 Series GraphicsImportant NotesAMD Link users running Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs will need to update to a newer version of AMD Link now available on various platforms.AMD is working with the game developers of Hogwarts Legacy to resolve performance issues when enabling ray tracing.Package ContentsAMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.2.1 Driver Version 22.40.01.45 for Windows 10 and Windows 11 (Windows Driver Store Version 31.0.14001.45012).Previous Release Notes:Support for:AMD Ryzen 7000 Series ProcessorsGroundedKnown IssuesRadeon Super Resolution may fail to trigger after changing resolution or HDR settings on games such as Nioh 2.Oculus dashboard menu and rendered controllers may appear bouncing/wobbly on Oculus Quest 2 with some AMD Graphics Products such as the Radeon RX 6800 XT Graphics.GPU utilization may be stuck at 100% in Radeon performance metrics after closing games on some AMD Graphics Products such as Radeon 570.While previewing the timeline in VEGAS Pro, some colors may appear inverted.Display may briefly show corruption when switching between video and game windows on some AMD Graphics Products such as the Radeon RX 6700 XT.When Vertical Refresh Sync is set globally to Always Off, system stuttering or driver timeout may occur during video playback using Radeon RX 6000 series GPUs.Users may encounter dropped frames during video playback using hardware acceleration in browsers on Radeon RX 6000 series GPUs.AMD Noise SuppressionOur newest feature: AMD Noise Suppression reduces background audio noise from your surrounding environment using a real-time deep learning algorithm, providing greater clarity and improved concentration whether you are focused on an important meeting or staying locked-in on a competitive game. To learn more, check out our blog post here!.OpenGL OptimizationsUp to 79% increase in performance in Minecraft @ 4k Fabulous settings, using Radeon Software Adrenalin 22.7.1 on the Radeon RX 6950XT, versus the previous software driver version 22.6.1 RS-491Up to 75% increase in performance in Minecraft @ 4k Fabulous settings, using Radeon Software Adrenalin 22.7.1 on the Radeon RX 6400, versus the previous software driver version 22.6.1 RS-495Radeon Super ResolutionExpanded support for discrete Radeon RX 5000 and 6000 series GPUs on AMD Ryzen processor notebooks with hybrid graphics.RSR has been improved to provide a more seamless experience in borderless fullscreen mode with a performance/quality slider to personalize your gaming experience.Important NotesAMD Software Capture and Stream features and Overlay support for Clone mode and Eyefinity display configurations will be introduced at a later date.OpenGL applications that are 10-bit aware are no longer supported with HDR display capabilities. Enabling 10-Bit Pixel Format in advanced graphics settings is only recommended for use of 10-bit aware OpenGL applications and not required for enabling 10-Bit Color Display Capabilities.AMD is working with the game developers of Call of Duty: Warzone to resolve an issue where users may be experiencing stuttering on the Caldera map.Package ContentsThe AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 22.9.1 installation package contains the following:AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 22.9.1 Driver Version 22.20.19.11 for Windows 10 and Windows 11 (Windows Driver Store Version 31.0.12019.11001).Radeon Product CompatibilityNote: AMD Radeon R9 Fury, Radeon Pro Duo, Radeon RX 400 Series, Radeon RX 500 Series and Radeon RX Vega Series graphics are only supported by Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition on Windows 7/10 64-bit.Radeon Desktop Product Family Compatibility AMD Radeon RX 6900 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon RX 6800 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon RX 5700 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R9 200 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon RX 5500 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon RX 500AMD Radeon 500X Series GraphicsAMD Radeon VIIAMD Radeon Pro DuoAMD Radeon RX Vega Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R7 200 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon RX 400 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R5 300 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R7 300 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R5 200 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R9 Fury Series GraphicsAMD Radeon HD 8500 - HD 8900 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R9 Nano Series GraphicsAMD Radeon HD 7700 - HD 7900 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R9 300 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon RX Vega Series GraphicsAMD Radeon RX 500 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon RX 400 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon Pro DuoAMD Radeon R7 300 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R7 200 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R9 Fury Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R5 300 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R9 Nano Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R5 200 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R9 300 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon HD 8500 - HD 8900 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R9 200 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon HD 7700 - HD 7900 Series GraphicsMobility Radeon Family CompatibilityAMD Radeon R9 M300 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R7 M200 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R7 M300 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R5 M200 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R5 M300 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon HD 8500M - HD 8900M Series GraphicsAMD Radeon R9 M200 Series GraphicsAMD Radeon HD 7700M - HD 7900M Series GraphicsAMD APU Product Family CompatibilityAMD APU products codenamed "Kaveri", "Godavari" and "Carrizo" are only supported by AMD Radeon Software Crimson Edition on Windows 7 (32 & 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (64-bit) and Windows 10 (64-bit). AMD's 7th Generation APU products Radeon Graphics are only supported by AMD Radeon Software Crimson Edition on Windows 7 (32 & 64-bit) and Windows 10 (64-bit).AMD APU Product Family CompatibilityAMD A-Series APUs with Radeon R4, R5, R6, or R7 GraphicsAMD A-Series APUs with Radeon R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, or R8 GraphicsAMD Pro A-Series APUs with Radeon R5 or R7 GraphicsAMD Pro A-Series APUs with Radeon R5, R6, or R7 GraphicsAMD Athlon Series APUs with Radeon R3 GraphicsAMD FX-Series APUs with Radeon R7 GraphicsAMD Sempron Series APUs with Radeon R3 GraphicsAMD E-Series APUs with Radeon R2 GraphicsAMD Radeon HD 8180 - HD 8400 Series GraphicsCompatible Operating Systems:Radeon Software Crimson ReLive Edition is designed to support the following Microsoft Windows platforms. Operating System support may vary depending on your specific AMD Radeon product.Windows 10 (32 & 64-bit version)Windows 8.1 (32 & 64-bit version)Windows 7 (32 & 64-bit version with SP1 or higher)Notes:This driver is not intended for use on AMD Radeon products running in Apple Boot Camp platforms. Users of these platforms should contact their system manufacturer for driver support. When installing Radeon Software Crimson ReLive Editionfor the Windows operating system, the user must be logged on as Administrator, or have Administrator rights to complete the installation of Radeon Software Crimson ReLive Edition. Radeon Software Crimson ReLive Edition requires Windows 7 Service Pack 1 to be installed.AMD terminated support for Windows 8 32-bit. We have links version 17.1.2, which was the last version for Windows 8 32-bit.Previous versions:

Intel has released a paper detailing potential plans to manufacture modular laptops and mini PCs. This approach would decrease e-waste and minimize carbon footprint, as well as make devices repairable and upgradable for users.Although desktop PCs are already completely modular with users often buying cases and parts separately and putting them together at home, laptops and mini PCs are pretty much the opposite. If you open up your laptop, youll see many of the parts are layered on top of each other and soldered in place.Recommended VideosThis means you cant remove them or reach whats beneath them. This is called an all-in-one motherboard design, and Intels paper proposes splitting it into three separate parts: the motherboard and two IO modules. The IO modules would be designed to work with fanless, single-fan, and dual-fan systems for both consumer and commercial markets. By using common parts across multiple models, Intel could significantly improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process.The modules could also be used across generations so laptops wouldnt need to be overhauled to accommodate new processors. Corporations may think repairability and upgradability will cause their profits to take a hit, but the simplicity and reusability they could bring would also cut costs for them. For consumers, modularity would mean you could keep the same laptop for much longer by swapping out memory and processors to keep performance up to date with current technology. As for mini PCs, their current all-in-one design would also be broken down into three a GPU module, a CPU module, and a Platform Controller Hub (PCH) module. This would work pretty much like a miniature desktop PC, letting you replace the modules and other parts as you want.At the moment, Framework is one of the only laptop manufacturers that offers this kind of modular device but delivering this modularity requires quite a few compromises. Current Framework laptops simply dont feel high-quality enough to satisfy the average consumer, so the products only really work for those who see repairability and upgradability as top priorities.If Intel were to get into modularity, however, it would essentially make the practice mainstream and many other manufacturers would follow suit. This would bring down prices, fuel new ideas, and make sure we get high-quality devices targeting all kinds of needs.Editors Recommendations

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar PlusMSRP$490.00 Score DetailsUnbox it, plug it in, and enjoy the sound. The Fire TV Soundbar Plus is as easy as it gets.ProsMultiple configurationsEasy set upPowerful soundVery clear dialogueVersatile surround speakersConsNon-upgradeableWeak midrangeNegligible Dolby Atmos effectsTable of ContentsTable of ContentsIs the Amazon Soundbar Plus a Fire TV device?Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus specsAmazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus: whats in the box?Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus: designAmazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus: Setup and connectionsAmazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus: settingsAmazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus: sound qualityConclusionAmazons new Fire TV Soundbar Plus isnt just one product its three. Depending on the version, youll spend $250 for just the soundbar, $375 if you add a wireless subwoofer or $490 for the version with the sub and two wireless surround speakers. However, the first two versions arent upgradeable. You cant add a sub or surrounds to the soundbar-only model and you cant add surrounds to the one that comes with a sub.Recommended VideosAll three have the same capabilities (Dolby Atmos/DTS:X compatibility and Bluetooth streaming), but each will deliver a different listening experience. For this review, Amazon sent us the full $490 version. Since most of my testing time was spent using that configuration, our official score and pros/cons list pertain to that model. However, I also tried the system in its two other flavors and Ill provide some thoughts on these options throughout the review so you can get a sense of the differences.RelatedIve said it before, but its worth repeating: Despite its name, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus is just a sound system. It connects to your TV via HDMI-ARC/eARC (or optical), but theres no built-in video streaming functionality. If your TV doesnt have smart TV features, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus wont make it any smarter.As near as I can figure, Amazon gave it this name because if you own a compatible Amazon Fire TV, your existing remote can control the soundbar, and you can access certain sound settings from your TVs menus.Price$490ColorBlackSpeakersSoundbar: 8, subwoofer: 1, surrounds: 1 eachConnection portsHDMI, optical, USBVideo passthroughNoneAudio formatsDolby 5.1, Dolby Atmos, DTS:XBluetooth codecsSBCWireless musicBluetoothSimon Cohen / Digital TrendsIn the box, you get the soundbar, the wireless surrounds and subwoofer, and everything you need to set up the system and connect it to your TV via HDMI. Power cables, an HDMI cable, a remote with batteries, and even wall-mounting hardware for the soundbar are all included.Youll also find an easy-to-follow quick-start guide. The only thing you may need to buy is an optical cable (or an optical to HDMI adapter) if your TV doesnt have an available HDMI-ARC port.Simon Cohen / Digital TrendsWhen I reviewed Amazons first Fire TV Soundbar, I noted that the company had managed to create a budget-friendly speaker that didnt look cheap. That approach has been maintained with the Soundbar Plus. It may not win any design awards, but its simple black chassis and tasteful charcoal fabric grille (also used on the surrounds) should look good in just about any room.The one change that Amazon made with the Plus model is the addition of a small but noticeable Fire TV logo under the top-mounted controls (it also appears on the sub and surrounds). Im averse to any visible branding on home theater products, but if it has to be there, at least its subtle youll only notice it when standing directly above the speakers.Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus in front of a 65-inch TV. Simon Cohen / Digital TrendsAt 37-inches wide, the soundbar should be narrow enough to sit in front of a 40-inch TV. Just keep in mind that at 2.5 inches tall, theres a chance it could block your TVs infrared (IR) receiver. Since theres no IR repeater on the back of the speaker, you may want to measure carefully before you buy. For instance, the legs on Amazons newest Fire TV Omni Mini-LED are 3.1 inches tall, which provides enough space for this soundbar. However, its 43-inch Fire TV Omni has 2.2-inch legs, which might not create enough height for the bottom-mounted IR receiver.I really like that Amazon installed standard threaded mounting holes on both the rear and the bottom of the surround speakers. This considerably increases placement flexibility, letting you use stands or wall-mount brackets if you dont have flat surfaces (or wall outlets) near your ideal locations.The remote is very compact. The buttons are clearly labeled and easy to use, though theyre not backlit (not that I expect them to be at this price). The top rubber membrane will eventually wear out, but until that happens it should provide good protection from accidental spills.Simon Cohen / Digital TrendsHonestly, it doesnt get much easier than this. Plug the soundbar into a power outlet, then plug it into your TVs HDMI-ARC port with the provided cable or one of your own. The soundbar will automatically power up and (if your TV is already on) switch to the HDMI input. And youre done.If you buy the model with a sub or sub+surrounds, youll also hear a voice prompt telling you these accessories arent connected. Thats quickly remedied by plugging them in. There are backup connection buttons on each unit, but mine connected to the soundbar automatically once they powered up.Theres no app to download, and no Wi-Fi connection to configure. Just start watching TV.The Soundbar Plus has three ports: HDMI ARC, optical, and USB. I doubt many folks will use the USB feature (for accessing music stored on a hard drive or thumb drive) when Bluetooth is going to be more convenient, but its a nice touch, especially since the remote is equipped with playback controls (you might be surprised at how many remotes donthave them anymore).Assuming your TV has HDMI-ARC, you can use the optical port for a second digital audio source. My vote would be to connect an affordable network music streamer like the Wiim Mini, but you could use a CD player or any other audio device instead.Switching the soundbar to Bluetooth for the first time automatically activates the pairing mode. Once paired with your phone, it will reconnect automatically the next time you use Bluetooth.Simon Cohen / Digital TrendsFor a soundbar with no companion app, on-screen settings (on non-Fire TVs), or even an alphanumeric front display, Amazon has managed to pack the Soundbar Plus with a lot of tweaks.Via the remote, you have access to bass, treble, EQ modes, dialogue enhancement, surround mode, and if you get the version with surround speakers, a set of dedicated buttons just for those units.The downside of the design is that most of these settings are step-based, meaning you repeatedly press the relevant button to cycle through the available levels. Bass, for instance, goes from 1 to 9. You need to press the button each time you want to go up a level. Go too far and youll have to around again.Simon Cohen / Digital TrendsAlthough whats more annoying is that the speaker announces each level change instead of just using the bars built-in row of LED indicators.Speaking of those LEDs, theyre the only way to get a confirmation of whether your audio signal is recognized as Dolby Atmos. If it is, the middle three LEDs flash green just once when you begin playback.You get used to all of this, but Amazon, if youre listening, I think this is an area for improvement.Simon Cohen / Digital TrendsEven if you opt for the soundbar-only version, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus has plenty of power and can deliver surprisingly good low-end bass. If youve been getting by on your TVs built-in speakers, youll notice a massive difference the moment you turn this speaker on.Dialogue clarity (a must-have for any soundbar) is especially good out of the box, and you get an additional five levels of optional dialogue enhancement. I ended up sticking with level 1 by the time I got to 5, I found the effect too intense.Adding the subwoofer, as you might expect, does wonders for the low end, taking it from something you can hear to something you can begin to really feel. In short, it does what a sub should do (at least in a home theater context) by making movies feel more dramatic and immersive. Just keep your expectations in check: its a good little subwoofer, but it doesnt pack the power or precision youll find in pricier systems.But in the end, its Amazons surrounds that surprised me the most. They dont look like much on the outside, but using the remotes discrete surround volume and balance buttons gives you a huge amount of control over these speakers. Placed at the ends of my couch (about 5 feet on either side of my listening position) I could make them almost as loud as the front right/left channels. This not only bodes well for getting the level of immersion youre personally comfortable with, but it will also help with placement Im pretty sure I could have put them three times as far from me and still heard them clearly.Simon Cohen / Digital TrendsThe one downside to the Soundbar Plus is that it shares the regular Fire TV Soundbars weak midrange. Despite having several EQ modes to choose from (movie, music, sports, and night) and separate controls for bass and treble (impressive when you consider that Sonys flagship soundbars dont have this), I still couldnt get the system to sound the way I wanted.The highs (even with dialogue enhancement off) felt too peaky. Pushing treble levels down helped with this, but the side effect was that things started to get muddy.Im probably overstating the issue. I tend to listen for these things, so I tend to hear them. You may not be bothered by it all.Music listening can be thrilling on this system, but to hear it, youll have to sacrifice the convenience of Bluetooth. Streaming over Bluetooth is fine. Want some background music for a get-together? Its perfect for that. On the other hand, listening to a music app from a streaming device (or your smart TV) over HDMI/optical, is way better.Simon Cohen / Digital TrendsOn the soundbar-only version, stereo separation is good in normal mode and using the surround mode expands the soundstage without overly diluting the focus. The surround-equipped system is a lot more fun. It somehow manages to take the sounds from the outer edges of the left/right channels and pushes them and just them to the rear speakers, something I noticed when listening to Fleetwood Macs Dreams. I wasnt expecting such a sophisticated effect from a sub-$500 set of speakers.What I can say definitively, is that you shouldnt buy this system if youre looking for a true Dolby Atmos experience.Yes, technically the Fire TV Soundbar Plus is a Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible speaker. However, the standalone soundbar model is limited to 3.1 channels (it processes the low-frequency effects channel using its own woofers) as is the subwoofer-equipped model. Only the model with the surrounds and sub can do more, but its still limited to 5.1 channels.All this to say, each of these systems relies on virtualization for the height-channel effects that we tend to associate with 3D formats like Atmos and DTS:X. And though some virtualized sound systems have convinced me that there are phantom ceiling speakers above me, the Soundbar Plus isnt one of them.Dont get me wrong, Atmos (I didnt try any DTS:X) doesnt sound bad. In fact, running through all of my usual test scenes from movies like Mad Max: Fury Road, No Time To Die, Unbroken, and Ford v Ferrari, proved plenty enjoyable. Its just that I didnt hear as many of the distinct spatial elements that Ive heard from more capable systems.Other than the small critiques Ive mentioned throughout the review, I really like the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus, in all of its flavors. The problem is that when you look at a competitor like Vizio, which sells a variety of 5.1 Dolby Atmos models some for as little as $200 its hard to come up with good reasons why you should spend more on Amazons version.We havent checked out Vizios latest 2024/5 models, but weve reviewed and been mightily impressed by their predecessors and we have no reason to think the new ones will perform any worse.I think youll enjoy the Fire TV Soundbar Plus, but you may find a better value elsewhere.Editors Recommendations

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