Image: Digital EclipseGo Go Nintendo Lifers! Digital Eclipse has today announced that a pair of mighty-looking updates will be heading to Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind in the coming months, adding in fresh gameplay features, new moves and an expanded scope for online co-op.The first of these updates is set to land on PC and console at some point this week, though Digital Eclipse warns that it's expected to come to Switch "shortly afterwards". This one is all about boosting the beat 'em up gameplay, with a new skill point system letting you upgrade your chosen Ranger, 'Morphers' to modify each run, and a handful of new moves so you can take it to Rita's minions in style.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube796kWatch on YouTube Here's the full rundown of the first update from Digital Eclipse:Upgradeable Rangers: Digital Eclipse is implementing a new skill point system that lets you adjust your preferred Rangers strength, defense, and speed. This gives each character variety while also allowing every fan to make their favorite Rangers play exactly how they want them to play.Morphers: These special modifiers change up things like gravity, speed, and more. Plus, if you want to play Ritas Rewind as it was at launch (with all Rangers being equally capable), that option is available, too. Mix and match for some seriously silly fun in your battles.Power Blast: Finding yourself swamped with Robo Ritas many minions? Use Power Blast to knock them back in exchange for a chunk of your health bar. No reward without risk, but itll certainly help turn the tide of chaotic battles.Ground Recovery: With a properly timed button press, a hero who has been knocked back by an enemy attack can recover quickly and start attacking again, as opposed to landing on the ground and then needing to get up. This should keep the pace of those brawls at maximum speed!Images: Digital EclipseAnd if that wasn't enough, the developer and publisher also announced that a Spring update will boost the game's online multiplayer options, letting a team of six Rangers play together across six separate consoles (compared to the original two-machine maximum).All of these new features are set to be included in the physical edition of Rita's Rewind, which is expected to launch on 30th May.We had a great time with Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind when it launched on Switch late last year, calling it "probably the best Power Rangers game weve ever played" in our review. With the added online options and these upcoming gameplay modifiers, perhaps things are set to get even more Mighty. Pre-orders now openWhat is it with you hero types? Always the same lineHave you checked out Rita's Rewind yet? Are you excited for these updates? Let us know in the comments.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:01 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Is Discontinuing Gold Points, One Of The Switch's Best IncentivesNoooo, don't do it!Toby Fox Shares Development Update On Deltarune Chapter 3 And 4"Still console testing"Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Adds Characters From "SEGA Universes"Update: IGN has an exclusive preview upHollow Knight: Silksong Briefly Vanishes From US Switch eShop, But It's Back NowUpdate: Restored after a few hoursFunko Fusion Is Deemed A "Complete Commercial And Critical Failure"Around 20 unconfirmed layoffs reported

Image: Nintendo LifeIt's been absolutely ages since we last set foot on Mira, the planet on which humanity seeks refuge from an alien threat in Xenoblade Chronicles X. It was perhaps only a year or two after the game first released on Wii U, in fact, that we last played it, and our overriding memory (besides the fact that it's incredible) is of an experience that needed to be unshackled, at a fundamental level, from hardware that was holding it back.Now, it's not like Xenoblade Chronicles X was a mess or anything like that. It ran at a locked 30fps, as far as we recall, and it looked amazing, but it was a slice of sci-fi that often felt muddy, hard to read, and unwieldy when it shouldn't. The sort of game that was crying out for a great big resolution bump so we could enjoy its gorgeous locations in full, at the very least.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube796kWatch on YouTube Images: Nintendo LifeAnd so here we are, 10 years down the line from the game's original 2015 release (what is time?), and Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is imminent. We weren't quite as surprised at the announcement of this remaster as we would have been a few years back it's felt like a sure thing given how popular the other franchise revamps turned out but, needless to say, we've been champing at the bit to finally get our hands on this new version of this particular writer's favourite entry in the series.For this preview we've been limited to talking about the first four chapters of the game and, well, all of the little changes that you'll already know about: the resolution bump to (what seems like) 1920x1080, the UI improvements, fancy new lighting and character models, all of which combines to make for an experience that feels renewed and reborn, right from the get-go.It wouldn't be a Xenoblade game if it didn't take its sweet time getting started, and the first four chapters you mostly spend getting au fait with traversing the world, whilst developing a feel for on-foot combat techniques that will, eventually, bleed into the skills you'll need to pilot a Skell, the game's absolutely awesome mechs.And immediately, the overhauled UI and menus make themselves felt, as choosing from abilities during early-game sorties is now a breeze that doesn't require any permanent eyestrain on your part.Images: Nintendo LifeIt may sound like a small point, granted, but if you've played the OG you'll know that the UI during combat was a mess at times, really barely legible once things started heating up, and this, combined with menus that oftentimes felt a little clunky to manage, especially when it came to navigation, made for a lot of drudgery where there shouldn't have been any.The switch (thanks) from the Wii U GamePad showing various menus is seamlessly done overall, too, everything is still easy to access, and you now have these clean, upscaled, swishy icons with enough space between them to keep things readable, nicely redesigned fonts, and even a Follow Ball mechanic that's been improved to guide you to missions and side quests with ease. The bottom right-hand corner of the screen also now has info panels you can bring up with a click of 'R3' to show you exactly where you want to go (via Follow Ball) and what you need to do at any given time.Images: Nintendo LifeMira is just a much, much easier place to navigate in general as a result of all of this, and that big resolution bump from 720p makes itself felt as soon as you reach your first jaw-dropping vista - which doesn't take long. Everything is so much clearer, so much more inviting, and we cannot wait to finally get into a Skell and start blasting around to put what's been a rock-solid 30fps to the test properly from Chapter 5 onwards. Oh, and the loading times are way, way down on what we recall from the Wii U, to the point they aren't noticeable.Going back to the game's combat, and beyond those redesigned UI elements, you've also got the addition of Quick Cast, which is actually turning out to be a game-changer in terms of the tempo of scraps. You can now hoover up charge as you battle enemies in order to fill the new green gauge you can see in combat screenshots. Once this is full, you can press 'Y' to essentially reload a chosen skill or power, giving you an instant re-use, or even a few re-uses depending on how much juice is required.Images: Nintendo LifeThis gives you the power to call in hits as your other party members request them with much more fluidity. Where in the original game, you may have missed a squad member's call to topple or confuse a foe and then had to wait, here even if you've just used the attack requested Quick Cast allows you to go again. So, what seems like a small tweak is actually turning out to be quite a big thing that can get combos going and keep the damage numbers up against larger foes. This, in turn, makes for fights that, already feeling much better for that improved UI, just have a better sense of momentum.And of course, all these little mechanical wins that we've discovered so far bask in the overall glow of a world, and cast of characters, that have never looked better. The revamp here falls in line with part one, keeping things as you remember them for the most part in terms of colour palettes, but giving every face and item of armour, every wall and tree, a glow-up that brings it in line with modern fare, whilst also fixing bothersome stuff like some of the awful pop-in from 2015's version.We should also mention, for returning BLADES, that you can no longer ghost through vehicles and Skells in downtown New Los Angeles. The Switch can handle it, no problemo.Images: Nintendo LifeWith regards to character styling, as you'll likely already know, the customisation suite now has more options in the way of hairstyles and so on, as well as allowing you to put big Monado sword tattoos on your face. The more massive sword tattoos on your faces, the merrier, we say.You can also select from hairstyles and other bits and pieces from classic characters from the series. Although, as you may be able to see from our screens, we've gone with 'very, very tired and disillusioned old man' as our protagonist's vibe circa 2025.And so, as we approach the game's fifth chapter, which is where the fun really begins in this one, we're enraptured all over again. Xenoblade Chronicles X is a very special game, a game we've been dying to see come to Switch, and so far it seems the overhaul and tweaks that have been made are giving us an experience that's beyond what we thought it could be.It now looks and feels every bit as good as the most recent entries in the franchise, the muddiness in the UI and graphics is gone, the new Quick Cast ability has big consequences for how fast and fluid everything feels, and there's lots more little wrinkles and additions such as optional onscreen combo prompts that we're sure we'll see the full benefit of as the game progresses.Images: Nintendo LifeThere's an immediacy, too, with the story in Xenoblade Chronicles X, that gets you interested in super short order - as slow as it may be in letting you off the leash. The quest to rescue great big vaults full of cryogenically frozen humans that kicks things off is just what you need to invest emotionally, and it's a fully independent story within the universe. So, for any newcomers who're currently thinking, 'Phwoar, I'll have a bit of that' like somebody's old man in the 1970s, there's nothing to stop you jumping in without having played all the others first. Phew!Now, how on Mira do you control this massive flipping robot?

Australian IVF giant Genea has disclosed a cybersecurity incident that disrupted patient services and led to the access of potentially sensitive information.Genea, one of Australias three largest IVF providers with 21 clinics across the country, confirmed the incident in a statement on its website on Wednesday.Australias national broadcaster ABC reports that Genea disclosed the incident after ABC reporters contacted the company about the cyberattack. ABC said after it inquired with Genea, the fertility giant engaged Porter Novelli, a public relations firm that specializes in helping companies respond to cyberattacks and data breaches.When reached by TechCrunch, Lauren Clancy, representing Genea via Porter Novelli, confirmed the incident to TechCrunch, saying in an emailed statement that the company is urgently investigating the cybersecurity incident.As soon as we detected the incident, we took immediate steps to contain the incident and secure our systems, said the spokesperson. We are working hard to ensure that there is minimal disruption to treatment being provided to our patients.In its public statement, Genea confirmed that the hacker behind the cyberattack accessed Genea data, but the spokesperson declined to say what types of data were accessed when asked by TechCrunch.Genea told customers on February 13 that it was experiencing outages with its phone lines prior to confirming the cyberattack, according to a post on Geneas Instagram page, which TechCrunch has seen.The companys MyGenea app, which enables patients to track their cycle and view fertility data, was also taken offline as a result of the incident, according to ABC.Genea says on its website that it collects patients highly sensitive health information; medical, nursing and scientific information; and procedures and tests carried out at Genea or elsewhere. It is not yet known whether patients sensitive medical data was accessed or taken.Our investigation is ongoing and we will communicate with any affected individuals if our investigation identifies any evidence that their personal information has been impacted, consistent with our legal and regulatory obligations, Geneas representative told TechCrunch.

Hydrogen electric trucking startup Nikola Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday after it failed to find a buyer or secure additional funds to maintain operations.Nikola was once a Silicon Valley darling, valued at $30 billion in June 2020 after it went public through a special purpose acquisition merger. But a series of scandals surrounding its founder and former CEO Trevor Milton put the company into free fall.Now, Nikola plans to go to auction with its assets, pending court approval, according to a regulatory filing.Like other companies in the electric vehicle industry, we have faced various market and macroeconomic factors that have impacted our ability to operate, Steve Girsky, president and CEO of Nikola, said in a statement. In recent months, we have taken numerous actions to raise capital, reduce our liabilities, clean up our balance sheet and preserve cash to sustain our operations. Unfortunately, our very best efforts have not been enough to overcome these significant challenges, and the Board has determined that Chapter 11 represents the best possible path forward under the circumstances for the Company and its stakeholders.The company has about $47 million in cash on hand to fund its bankruptcy process. Nikolas proposed bidding process would allow interested parties to submit binding offers to acquire Nikolas assets, independent of the companys debt or liabilities. Some of those assets would include Nikolas Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks and battery electric truck platforms. Nikola had also been in the process of developing a HYLA hydrogen refueling highway in California.The bankruptcy filing caps a yearslong unraveling. Nikola had been considered a golden example of a SPAC gone right, and had even closed a multi-billion dollar deal with General Motors. Until Milton was accused of fraud for making exaggerated claims about the companys electric truck technology.Prosecutors in the case against Milton claimed that he had deceived investors since 2019 by lying about Nikola having built a truck from the ground up and developing batteries that were actually bought elsewhere. Then there was the infamous Nikola marketing video that shows a truck appearing to drive on its own power. In reality, it was rolling down a hill.Following that video, a report from short-seller Hindenburg Research called the company a fraud, and Milton stepped down in September 2020. He was convicted of wire and securities fraud in 2022. He is currently out on bail while he appeals his four-year prison sentence.Nikola ultimately paid a $125 million penalty in a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The companys stock collapsed, resulting in serious losses for investors, as well as the company.Nikola had been trying to raise enough capital to continue operations ever since. Most recently, in December 2024, Nikola attempted to raise $100 million in a common stock sale to repay its debts and raise equity, after warning investors the month before during its third-quarter earnings call that the company only had enough cash to support its business into Q1 2025.Nikola reported $198 million in cash at the end of the third quarter.

Movie & Games TrailersLast BreathBy Vincent Frei - 19/02/2025 When the ocean roars, heroes emerge. Last Breath follows seasoned divers risking everything to save a crewmate trapped hundreds of feet below. Dont miss this pulse-pounding TV spot!The VFX are made by:RISE (VFX Supervisor: Stuart Bullen)TPO VFX (VFX Supervisor: Jack Hughes)The Production VFX Supervisor is Glenn Holbrook.The Production VFX Producer is Sarah Tulloch.Director: Alex ParkinsonRelease Date: February 28, 2025 (USA) Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

Software company nTop has acquired German firm cloudfluid, a specialist in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations.With this move, the software company aims to simplify how engineers analyze fluid behavior, addressing one of CFDs long-standing challenges, lengthy simulation times that slow down design iterations. As a result, the acquisition integrates cloudfluids GPU-native solver into nTops computational design platform, providing engineers with faster, more efficient CFD analysis.On another note, nTop has also announced plans to host its second annual Computational Design Summit in Los Angeles this June.We are hyper-focused on building software that helps engineers go from requirements to design as fast as the latest computing processors allowthats the power of computational design, said Brad Rothenberg, CEO of nTop.nTop software on display at RAPID + TCT 2024. Photo via nTop on LinkedIn.Enhancing CFD simulations with faster processingAnyone whos worked with CFD knows that running a simulation can be a slow, complicated process.Traditional CFD software relies on CPU-based solvers, which process simulations sequentially, often leading to long wait times, especially when dealing with complex aerodynamic or thermal analyses. Cloudfluids GPU-native solver runs calculations in parallel, significantly speeding up simulations and making fluid dynamics analysis more practical for rapid design workflows.Another key advantage is that cloudfluid removes the need for complex meshing. Standard CFD tools require engineers to manually create detailed conformal meshes, a process that is both time-consuming and difficult to refine.Cloudfluids solver eliminates that step while maintaining accuracy, allowing engineers to focus on testing and optimizing their designs rather than spending hours preparing simulations.By integrating cloudfluids fast CFD solver with nTops implicit geometry kernel, engineers working in aerospace, defense, and turbomachinery can now test and refine designs faster. The ability to analyze fluid dynamics in near real-time makes it easier to explore different configurations, fine-tune propulsion systems, and improve thermal management, all without slowing down development cycles.Beyond performance improvements, this integration also supports machine learning applications in engineering.High-quality simulation data is essential for predictive modeling in digital twins and design optimization, yet generating reliable datasets has traditionally been costly and time-intensive. Cloudfluids capabilities enable engineers to produce these datasets more efficiently, making AI-driven decision-making more accessible for manufacturers and designers.This acquisition follows previous collaborations in the high-performance computing space. Prior to this, nTop collaborated with GPU manufacturer Nvidia to integrate its computational design software with OptiX ray tracing and Omniverse, bringing faster visualization and simulation capabilities to engineering workflows.Backed by an investment from NVentures, Nvidias venture capital arm, this alliance is expected to help engineering teams iterate designs more efficiently and reduce product development timelines. Integrating Nvidias GPU-accelerated rendering technology allows nTop 5 users to generate highly detailed renderings and interact with live digital twins without the need for meshing.Engine part simulation in nTop 5. Image via nTop.Expanding engineering software capabilitiesSimilar advancements have emerged in the design software landscape, with various companies developing tools to enhance engineering workflows.Last year, Cognitive Design Systems (CDS) launched Cognitive Design, a software platform designed to help engineers optimize designs while ensuring manufacturability. According to the company, traditional CAD workflows often require switching between multiple tools, leading to time-consuming iterations and increased chances of errors.To tackle these challenges, Cognitive Design combines optimization and manufacturability into one platform, allowing engineers to refine complex geometries, reduce weight, and make real-time adjustments using simulation-driven parametric design and topological optimization. The software also includes manufacturing analysis tools to catch potential flaws early, ensuring designs can be efficiently produced.Elsewhere, engineering software developer Hyperganic launched Hyperganic Core 3, the latest version of its AI-driven algorithmic design software in 2022. Backed by a $7.8 million funding round, the platform allows engineers to design 3D printable parts using algorithmic models, offering an alternative to traditional component design.Additionally, the software enables streamlined workflows in industries like aerospace, enabling complex geometries to be generated in minutes while maintaining performance optimization.What3D printing trendsshould you watch out for in 2025?How is thefuture of 3D printingshaping up?To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Featured image shows nTop software on display at RAPID + TCT 2024. Photo via nTop on LinkedIn.

Casa Ananda | Courtesy of Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaLocated within the arid expanse of Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Casa Ananda by Yturbe Taller de Arquitectura emerges as a study in spatial introspection and environmental dialogue. The residence in Cabo del Sol engages in a nuanced architectural conversation with the desert landscape, privileging both refuge and openness. Designed by Diego Yturbe and his team, the project eschews grand gestures in favor of an elemental approach that prioritizes spatial continuity, climatic responsiveness, and material authenticity.Casa Ananda Technical InformationArchitects1-8: Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaLocation: Cabo del Sol, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, MexicoCompletion Year: 2023Photographs: Courtesy of Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaThe central courtyard, featuring a mountain plum tree, serves as the emotional heart of the home, fostering a sense of refuge and contemplation while maintaining a close relationship with the desert landscape. Yturbe Taller de Arquitectura ArchitectsCasa Ananda PhotographsExterior | Courtesy of Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaLiving Room | Courtesy of Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaLiving Room | Courtesy of Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaCourtyard | Courtesy of Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaCourtyard | Courtesy of Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaCourtyard | Courtesy of Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaCourtyard | Courtesy of Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaDining Room | Courtesy of Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaSpatial Strategy: The Courtyard as an Organizational CoreThe architectural challenge in such a context is twofold: to harness the harsh yet sublime qualities of the desert while mitigating its extremes through passive strategies. Casa Ananda embraces this challenge, crafting an environment that oscillates between enclosure and exposure, ultimately fostering a serene domestic experience deeply connected to its surroundings.At the heart of Casa Ananda is a central courtyard, a typological device deeply rooted in vernacular traditions yet reinterpreted with contemporary sensibilities. This void space operates not merely as a circulation hub but as the emotional nucleus of the home, facilitating both movement and pause. A mountain plum tree at its center introduces an organic counterpoint to the surrounding architecture, reinforcing a sense of stillness and permanence.The project employs staggered volumes to define a rhythmic spatial sequence, creating a dynamic interplay of light, shadow, and framed views. The transitions between interior and exterior spaces are deliberately modulated, allowing a gradual immersion into the landscape. The courtyard extends seamlessly into a sculptural pool, a gesture that underscores the homes fluid spatial composition while providing evaporative cooling in the arid climate.Beyond its formal and experiential qualities, the courtyard is critical to the homes environmental strategy. It acts as a climatic buffer, channeling natural ventilation and reducing heat gain. The strategic positioning of apertures ensures that air circulates efficiently, minimizing reliance on mechanical systems. In this way, Casa Ananda demonstrates that spatial hierarchy and environmental performance need not be mutually exclusive but can be deeply symbiotic.Materiality and Environmental PerformanceMaterial selection in Casa Ananda is driven by contextual and sensory considerations. The palettenatural stone, wood, and textured concreteestablishes a tactile dialogue with the desert, resisting ornamentation in favor of material honesty. These elements reinforce the projects integration into its environment and enhance its bioclimatic performance.Stone provides thermal mass, absorbing heat during the day and gradually releasing it at night, stabilizing indoor temperatures. Wood, deployed in key areas such as interior finishes and shading devices, introduces warmth while allowing for a softer material transition between spaces. With its raw, monolithic presence, textured concrete anchors the project within its rugged landscape. Together, these materials contribute to a sense of permanence, resisting the transient nature often associated with luxury residences in resort destinations.A fundamental principle in the projects environmental approach is passive cooling. Large openings frame strategic views and enable cross ventilation, drawing in cool breezes from the ocean while expelling warm air. Overhangs and recessed spaces provide necessary shading, reducing direct solar gain and lessening the dependence on artificial cooling systems. Though seemingly simple, these strategies reflect a deliberate commitment to sustainable designone that prioritizes thermal comfort through architectural intelligence rather than technological reliance.The landscape design by Daniel Dixon ofLos Cabos Landscaping complements these material and spatial considerations. Using native vegetation serves multiple purposes: it reinforces the continuity between built and natural environments, reduces water consumption, and contributes to the overall microclimate of the residence. The desert flora, resilient and sculptural in its own right, becomes an integral element in the visual and ecological composition of the project.Casa Ananda in the Broader Architectural DiscourseCasa Ananda situates itself within a broader lineage of contemporary Mexican architecture that seeks a deeper connection to placeone that moves beyond aesthetic formalism toward a more profound engagement with climate, topography, and materiality. In this regard, Yturbe Taller de Arquitectura aligns with a generation of architects who, rather than imposing upon the landscape, craft interventions that emerge from it.The projects emphasis on spatial fluidity and environmental responsiveness challenges the often insular nature of high-end residential design, which can sometimes privilege spectacle over substance. Instead, Casa Ananda advocates for an architecture that is both poetic and performativeone that acknowledges the experiential dimension of space while grounding itself in environmental pragmatism.Casa Ananda PlansFloor Plan | Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaRoof Plan | Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaSection | Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaDiagram | Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaCasa Ananda Image GalleryAbout Yturbe Taller de ArquitecturaYturbe Taller de Arquitectura is a Mexico-based architectural studio led by Diego Yturbe, known for its thoughtful integration of contemporary design with environmental and contextual sensitivity. The firm emphasizes spatial fluidity, material authenticity, and climate-responsive strategies, crafting projects that engage deeply with their surroundings. Through a refined balance of introspection and openness, Yturbe Taller de Arquitectura creates architecture that is both timeless and rooted in place.Credits and Additional NotesProject Lead Architect: Diego Yturbe (Yturbe Taller de Arquitectura)Design Team: Gilberto Aldana, Alejandro MoralesInterior Design: Alejandro LosaigaStructural Engineering: Alonso y AsociadosMEP Engineering: Ghay & AsociadosLandscape Design: The Los Cabos Landscaping, led by Daniel DixonLighting Design: G-Tec, Enrique SordoConstruction: Kreation Studio (Sergio Peralta, Fernando Girault)

News that ARM is embarking on developing its own datacentre processors for Meta, as reported in the Financial Times, is indicative of the chip designers move to capitalise on the tech industrys appetite for affordable, energy-efficient artificial intelligence (AI).Hyperscalers and social media giants such as Meta use vast arrays of expensive graphics processing units (GPUs) to run workloads that require AI acceleration. But along with the cost, GPUs tend to use a lot of energy and require investment in liquid cooling infrastructure.Meta sees AI as a strategic technology initiative that spans its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatApp. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is positioning Meta AI as the artificial intelligence everyone will use. In the companys latest earnings call, he said: In AI, I expect this is going to be the year when a highly intelligent and personalised AI assistant reaches more than one billion people, and I expect Meta AI to be that leading AI assistant.To reach this volume of people, the company has been working to scale its AI infrastructure and plans to migrate from GPU-based AI acceleration to custom silicon chips, optimised for its workloads and datacentres.During the earnings call, Meta chief financial officer Susan Li said the company was very invested in developing our own custom silicon for unique workloads, where off-the-shelf silicon isnt necessarily optimal.In 2023, the company began a long-term venture called Meta Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA) to provide the most efficient architecture for its unique workloads.Li said Meta began adopting MTIA in the first half of 2024 for core ranking and recommendations inference. Well continue ramping adoption for those workloads over the course of 2025 as we use it for both incremental capacity and to replace some GPU-based servers when they reach the end of their useful lives, she added. Next year, were hoping to expand MTIA to support some of our core AI training workloads, and over time some of our GenAI [generative AI] use cases.Meta has previously said efficiency is one of the most important factors for deploying MTIA in its datacentres. This is measured in performance-per-watt metric (TFLOPS/W), which it said is a key component of the total cost of ownership. The MTIA chip is fitted to an Open Compute Platform (OCP) plug-in module, which consumes about 35W. But the MTIA architecture requires a central processing unit (CPU) together with memory and chips for connectivity.The reported work it is doing with ARM could help the company move from the highly customised application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) it developed for its first generation chip, MTIA 1, to a next-generation architecture based on general-purpose ARM processor cores.Looking at ARMs latest earnings, the company is positioning itself to offer AI that can scale power efficiently. ARM has previously partnered with Nvidia to deliver power-efficient AI in the Nvidia Blackwell Grace architecture.At the Consumer Electronics Show in January, Nvidia unveiled the ARM-based GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, which it claimed offers a petaflop of AI computing performance for prototyping, fine-tuning and running large AI models. The chip uses an ARM processor with Nvidias Blackwell accelerator to improve the performance of AI workloads.The semiconductor industry offers system on a chip (SoC) devices, where various computer building blocks are integrated into a single chip. Grace Blackwell is an example of an SoC. Given the work Meta has been doing to develop its MTIA chip, the company may well be exploring how it can work with ARM to integrate its own technology with the ARM CPU on a single device.Read more GPUs and AI accelerationDeepSeek-R1 budgeting challenges for on-premise deployments: The availability of the DeepSeek-R1 large language model shows its possible to deploy AI on modest hardware. But thats only half the story.GenAI demand fuels record sales of datacentre hardware and software in 2024: Figures from Synergy Research Group highlight how demand for generative AI and GPU technology has generated record amounts of spending in the datacentre hardware and software space during 2024Although an SoC is more complex from a chip fabrication perspective, the economies of scale when production is ramped up, and the fact that the device can integrate several external components into one package, make it considerably more cost-effective for system builders.Lis remarks on replacing GPU servers and the goal of MTIA to reduce Metas total cost of ownership for AI correlate with the reported deal with ARM, which would potentially enable it to scale up AI cost effectively and reduce its reliance on GPU-based AI acceleration.ARM, which is a SoftBank company, recently found itself at the core of the Trump administrations Stargate Project, a SoftBank-backed initiative to deploy sovereign AI capabilities in the US.During the earnings call for ARMs latest quarterly results, CEO Rene Haas described Stargate as an extremely significant infrastructure project, adding: We are extremely excited to be the CPU of choice for such a platform combined with the Blackwell CPU with [ARM-based] Grace. Going forward, therell be huge potential for technology innovation around that space.Haas also spoke about the Cristal intelligence collaboration with OpenAI, which he said enables AI agents to move across every node of the hardware ecosystem. If you think about the smallest devices, such as earbuds, all the way to the datacentre, this is really about agents increasingly being the interface and/or the driver of everything that drives AI inside the device, he added.

Emerging economies in Africa often have relationships with developed nations through dark colonial pasts, but today, digital tech is connecting previously unexpected partners.Developed nations looking for growth are targeting Africa as an opportunity, but must offer the countries of the continent something in return, and one programme to transfer IT professionals and knowledge between Africa and the Baltic region is an example that goes beyond filling a skills gap.As Computer Weekly reported recently, IT professionals in Africa are being connected to tech businesses in the Baltic region as part of a European Commission-funded project, known as theDigital Explorersprogramme.Fronted by Lithuania-based think tank Osmos, it aims to address skills shortages in the Baltic tech sector, and increase more business and government engagement between the Baltic nations and African countries.While countries in the Baltic region, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia lead the world in digital business, they lack people. Estonia, for example, while a leading digital nation, has a population of about 1.3 million.In contrast, countries like Nigeria are lagging in terms of digital economy, but have large and growing IT talent pools. Nigeria, for example, has a population of about 240 million and growing.But African countries offer more than a skills pool for Europe to tap, with a huge potential market for its goods and services. Its hoped connecting people through digital technology initiatives, like Digital Explorers, will initiate cooperation between the two regions.It also sees African IT professionals learn new skills that can be used to help the economic development in their home countries.At the Turing College data science school in Lithuanias capital Vilnius, the Digital Explorers programme has already remotely trained 90 junior to mid-level data analysts from Africa. These trainees then travel to and work in the Baltic region, particularly in its rich tech startup sector. Its hoped the project will create a model for the wider European Union (EU) region to follow.Cindy Waweru, aged 24, from Kenyas capital, Nairobi, a policy analyst in the city, was invited by the Kenya Private Sector Business Alliance (Kepsa) to take up a role that blended economics with statistical analysis. She had the option of taking up the role in Kenya or Lithuania, and opted for the latter. Once I saw the Lithuania option, I was pretty intrigued, she said.With a degree in economics and statistics from the University of Nairobi, and experience as a policy analyst, Waweru took up a role at research institute Visionary Analytics in Lithuanias capital, Vilnius.Originally I wanted to become a policy analyst and this could give me the opportunity to be a global one, Waweru told Computer Weekly. I have an IT background and worked initially as a data specialist in the Kenyan government. This was pretty important for the programme.She is currently on a six-month placement at Visionary Analytics in Vilnius. After that, she will either be offered a role in Lithuania or take her learnings back to Kenya.In Kenya there will be opportunities for Waweru to work either in the tech sector or with tech-enabled organisations.She said her international experience could open up more opportunities for her in Kenya. There is a growing tech scene in the East African country, she told Computer Weekly. They call Kenya the Silicon Savannah, said Waweru.Read more about African IT skillsCan Africa deliver on its ambitious digital transformation goal?Kenyan AI workers form Data Labelers Association.Kenya needs to emulate some of the strategies adopted in Europe, and Waweru said one of the main differences she has learned is the cooperation between nations. I have noticed with in Europe generally and in terms of the framework and their policies that they operate within all EU member states, she said. We have something like that with the African Union, but a lot of the policies are led to the national governments. Something like intergovernmental working would help a lot in Africa.Waweru hopes the programme will build a good reputation for African talent and lead to more European countries taking advantage of their skills to fill gaps in their workforces.But the programme is about much more than tech skills, with future business ties a major goal for both sets of economies.Ashley Immanuel, co-founder and chief operating officer at Nigeria-based Semicolon, which trains software engineers and other technology skills, is an ambassador of the Digital Natives programme.Immanuel said she is increasingly engaging with Baltic tech firms and tech ecosystems, as well as others across Europe.She said the Nigerian digital tech market has evolved quite quickly over the past 10 to 15 years. There is activity in terms of technology startups, and then of course the digital transformation of established companies, said Immanuel. Historically in Nigeria, obviously oil and gas has been present, but also some of the larger corporates like banks and finance firms.She said there is a huge population in Nigeria and that people are anxious to find good jobs, but added: There has historically been a gap because the human capital thats available here hasnt been aligned to employer needs, especially for leading technology companies.In contrast, the Baltic nations have small populations and a large tech sector.Immanuel said both regions have challenges and that Baltic employers and tech companies she has met have listed access to talent as one of their challenges.She said there is a mutual desire to learn from each other, as well as potential for business partnerships and relationships. On her travels in Europe, there is a lot of interest in working with African companies, she told Computer Weekly.Immanual agreed that diversity of the IT workforce is also important, with the rapid development of technologies such as AI, and that Africa and the Baltics relationship can contribute to increased diversity.ilvinas vedkauskas, managing director at Osmos, said it creates unexpected country partnerships.We built the project around people, digital explorers and their digital journeys, he told Computer Weekly. We create connections that set the path for more business-to-business and government-to-government type of engagement between countries.

ZDNET's key takeaways The Asus Zenbook A14 will be available in late February, 2025. Asus' new ultraportable is a fantastic balance of innovation and value with a brilliant OLED display, competitive hardware, and a satisfying physical form. While its use case is clearly defined, the laptop has its limits when it comes to high-end performance. View now at Asus When Asus officially announced the Zenbook A14 at CES this year, I wasn't the only one to be low-key enamored with it. It's a great laptop in its own right, but it stands out as a successful balancing act between performance and affordability while hitting all the right notes that consumers care about.Made of Asus' proprietary ceraluminum material, the Zenbook A14 almost feels like a prototype model that's empty inside, as it's exceedingly light at just 2.1 pounds (for reference, the 13-inch MacBook Air is 2.7 pounds). When you set it down, the device opens easily with the lift of a single finger, revealing the brilliant OLED display.Also: My pick for best budget OLED laptop is finally on sale - and more affordable than everAsus committed to a neutral-forward aesthetic with the A14. The brand messaging features muted tones and quiet, sophisticated imagery punctuated by natural motifs, and, overall, it works to form a cohesive identity. details View at Asus This aesthetic highlights Asus' determination to deliver a cohesive brand message while balancing innovation and cost. For example, the display on the Zenbook A14 looks good right out of the box. It's bright, crisp, and efficient. But closer inspection reveals that it's not as premium a display as you'd find on, say, Asus' ProArt P16.The display is framed by plastic bezels carefully designed not to look cheap, but again this isn't the ProArt. Additionally, the panel over the FHD display has some slight warping that can give a funhouse mirror effect when you catch your reflection on the glossy surface. Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETOnce the display is turned on, however, whatever jumpscare you just saw is quickly forgotten, as it delivers a brilliant image: contrast is crisp, colors are vivid, and it's bright, at 600 nits and a full HD+ (1920 x 1200) resolution that pairs well with the speedy performance.Also: I tried Asus' dual-screen laptop, and it revitalized my workflow in the best waySpeaking of performance, let's discuss the tech that powers this device. Asus again focused on balance, pairing the base-level Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor with the 32GB RAM configuration and the slightly faster Snapdragon X Plus with the lower-end, 16GB RAM configuration.This balancing act results in a slightly unintuitive pricing structure: the laptop with the higher-end processor is cheaper ($899) as it comes with half the memory (which is what you're really paying for). The version with more RAM and the lower-end Snapdragon X processor starts at $1,099.The difference between the two processors is ultimately not that massive, both are eight-core chips, but the Snapdragon X chip is limited to 3.0 GHz clock speed, putting a performance cap on this laptop.That cap is fine because this device isn't made to tackle intensive workloads. It's for the modern professional who lives in the cloud, works remotely, and values a nice display.Also:I recommend this high-end laptop to creative pros over MacBooks - here's whyThat being said, the performance is solid. It's a fast laptop: it boots quickly, loads apps swiftly, and navigates the web without lag. It runs silent and cool, generating almost no heat -- even with the slim form factor.In our benchmarking tests, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X processor performed better than I expected against more premium devices with Intel's Core Ultra 7 "Lunar Lake" chip, particularly in its higher-end sibling, the Zenbook S14, and Dell's XPS 13 in multi-core performance. The processor even surpassed the latter in single-core performance.Comparing this laptop's numbers to HP's OmniBook X with the Snapdragon X Elite, for example, suggests the device is outclassed at the higher end of performance but is highly optimized for everyday tasks and able to deliver a faster, more efficient experience in those use cases.Cinebench 24 MCGeekbench 6.2.2 SCGeekbench 6.2.2 MCZenbook A14 (Snapdragon X)541213310624Zenbook S 14 (Intel Lunar Lake)481274811050Dell XPS 13 (Intel Lunar Lake)552274311005HP Omnibook X (Snapdragon X Elite)470232613160The laptop's strong performance is allied to an enjoyable physical form factor. The keyboard is fantastic -- it's one of the most comfortable laptop keyboards I've used. I make this claim without exaggeration and note its success isn't due to anything particularly expensive or high-end. Asus just hit the mark when balancing design and cost.Also: Finally, a powerful Windows desktop that rivals the M4 iMac (and has a better display, too)The keys are smooth and matte, with a slick texture that borders on ASMR. I also love how the laptop's ceramic body is fingerprint-resistant and easy to clean, even when splashed in the kitchen or coffee shop.For remote or hybrid workers who move from place to place, the laptop also features the right number of ports (an HDMI, two USB-Cs, and one USB-A) to handle whatever accessories you carry in tow or to charge the battery. I'm (sort of) kidding, but that leads me to my last point. Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETHands down, the best part of this laptop is the outstanding battery life. Asus advertises up to 32 hours on a single charge. Although that's the top end of the estimation, it's not far off from what you can expect with everyday use. During my testing, a day's work in the office didn't take me down past 50%.The Snapdragon X processor reduces power consumption to a trickle when it's not in use. If you do need juice, the A14 charges quickly, reaching close to 75% after just an hour of charging. This capability translates to a laptop that can last a couple of days' work on one charge, even if that includes multiple video calls.Also: An RGB monitor stand sounds outrageous, but it's transformed my desk for the betterI'll also mention a few of the drawbacks of this laptop (but there aren't many). The first is that the Qualcomm Adreno GPU on this system is not designed for high-end gaming. Sure, it can certainly handle casual games. But this isn't a device made for the latest FPS.Also, the display, while it looks great, is still capped at a 60Hz refresh rate, which keeps the battery (and price point) low but further limits any aspirations of high-end gaming. Ultimately, while the Zenbook A14 is competitively priced, this is not a $1,500 laptop.ZDNET's buying adviceThe Zenbook A14 has a coherent identity: it's a lightweight, aesthetic machine for the modern professional, effortlessly mobile in both form factor and battery life, but trades some raw power for all that endurance. That being said, the Snapdragon X processor punches well above its weight and competes handily with chips that are, on paper, more powerful.Because of its cohesive identity, how well it balances innovation and value, and the hardware performance, the Zenbook A14 is one of the best laptops I've reviewed in the past year and one I'd strongly recommend as long as its strengths align with your needs.To top it all off, the starting price of $899 is very competitive -- potentially even disruptive -- if Asus succeeds in selling this laptop's brand story in a way that positions it as an alternative to other ultraportable, such as Apple's MacBook Air.Featured reviews