But X Premium+ and SuperGrok users get increased access to Grok 3 as well as early access to advanced features like Voice Mode.

BELLEVUE, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella smiles during the question and answer ... [+] portion of the Microsoft Annual Shareholders Meeting at the Meydenbauer Center on November 28, 2018 in Bellevue, Washington. Microsoft recently surpassed Apple, Inc. to become the world's most valuable publicly traded company. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThrow in one unorthodox opinion to a general vat of consensus, and what you come up with is often a lot of churn.That seems to be sort of the case with the recent podcast interview of Microsofts Satya Nadella by Dwarkesh Patel, where are the two talked about the future of AI and where its going.Lets look at that interview through the lens of Nathaniel Whittemores AI Daily Brief, where the host breaks down some of the main points made by the Microsoft executive on whether we are at the point that we can anticipate artificial intelligence joining us at the table.The headline, for many of the articles that cover the interview, is that Nadella is telling us: dont believe the hype.(Nadellas) comments seem intended to implore insiders to stop spreading hype about a so-called artificial general intelligence that could replace humans in most tasks, writes Thomas Maxwell at Gizmodo. Nadella said essentially that it will not happen, and either way is an unnecessary distraction when the industry needs to get practical and just try and make money before investors get impatient.Some of these observers cite Nadellas comment that the real benchmark would be greater growth:Stop claiming some AGI milestone, Nadella said. That's just nonsensical benchmark hacking. The real benchmark is the world growing at 10%A usual growth rate, Whittemore points out, is around 2%, as he asks us not to conflict knowledge work with the knowledge worker.In making those comments and others, Whittemore argues that humans are in a bounded rationality scenario where a cognitive amplifier could change the game.Artificial Intelligence Comes in WavesAs Whittemore goes over some of the other comments Nadella made, and their possible interpretations, he looks at the possibility that theres a phase one in which human labor gets cut extensively. Companies can apply these savings, he points out, internally, or expand their operations. Which one they choose to do will make a difference. Citing lean manufacturing and just in time inventory, he suggests that human labor in the future will be different than it is now.He also mentions that the legal infrastructure will have a big effect on what AI does, and how it takes off.The problem will be in the courts, Whittemore said.Back to the FutureGetting back to Nadellas chair, theres also a point in the interview where the exec talks about what happened in the 1990s.(The current time) reminds me a little bit of my first few years in the tech industry, starting in the 90s, where there was real debate about whether it's going to be RISC or CISC there was the beginning of what was Windows NT. So everything, from the core silicon platform, to the operating system, to the app tier, that full stack approach - the entire thing is being litigated. And you could say that the cloud did a bunch of that. And obviously distributed computing and cloud did change client-server, the web changed (things) massively, but this does feel a little more full stack than even the past, that, at least, I've been involved in.He then tackles the issue of capital expenses or capex for business, claiming that data centers will inherently be overbuilt. Thats another point that the commentariat is using to characterize what hes saying as throwing water on the AI fire.Also, Nadella pointed out, this is not unlikely to be a winner-take-all market. He noted barriers for disruption that will likely put the brakes on a wider implementation of AI, at least in the beginning.A coronary point involves the cloud, which Nadella pointed out has done a lot of the groundwork for changing the full stack on AI systems.Humans in the LoopNow lets go back to Whittemores secondary analysis, and please excuse the whiplash. He talks quite a bit about what this would mean for human workers.Work will be transformed he argues - a new form of human labor will arise. But will it arise in time, and will it arise in a wide enough margin to employ people who have meantime lost their jobs?In a lot of the secondhand coverage of the interview, you can read between the lines and see that there is some concern about this.People are wondering if markets can grow boundlessly without human involvement.In that case, qui bono? Who benefits?The interview itself was extremely interesting, and I urge you to go and watch the whole thing. Keep an eye on what those close to the industry are saying, as we assess whether we have artificial general intelligence in our sights, or not.

Apple Vision Pro is to again Apple Intelligence in the coming weeks, Apple has just confirmed, and will arrive with the next major update, visionOS 2.4. Apple, which rarely says when updates will be released, has confirmed that the update will come in Apriland there are other neat updates coming alongside. Heres whats coming.Apple Intelligence coming to Apple Vision Pro.ApplevisionOS 2.4: Apple IntelligenceFeatures coming to Apple Vision Pro in April will include Writing Tools, so you can have Apple Intelligence craft or rewrite your emails, notes and more. The tools already on iPhone, Mac and iPad, that will proofread, summarize and adjust the tone of your writing, will come to the Vision Pro.visionOS 2.4: Image Playground And GenmojiA new, dedicated Image Playground app is coming to Vision Pro, where it can create unique new images from text descriptions and photos from the photo library. As on other devices, the capabilities are also baked into apps like Messages, Freeform and Keynote.Similarly, Genmoji, where you create an original emoji based on your spoken or typed descriptions, will come to Vision Pro in the update.Other Apple Intelligence features such as Smart Reply, which suggests how you could answer a text message or email, and natural language search in Photos, are also on their way.Note that at first, these features will only be available in U.S. English, with more options available later in 2025, Apple says.visionOS 2.4: Guest UserIf you have a Vision Pro youll know two things: everybody wants to have a go on it and setting it up for guests can be a long-winded experience. Apple is improving things by adding a Guest User icon to Control Center, so that the owner can choose which apps their guests can access and start the session, all from an iPhone or iPad. It will also retain the guests eye and hand setup for up to 30 days so next time its easier still. This is a big step forward.iOS 18.4: Apple Vision Pro App For iPhoneWhen Apple releases iOS 18.4, which it has also confirmed will come in April, there will be a new Apple Vision Pro app available. It will have helpful tips, access to information about the Vision Pro from the iPhone and have access to the Vision Pro App Store, so apps and games can be queued to download on the headset.Even people who dont have the Vision Pro will be able to get the app, to learn more about it.

Facepalm: Conventional wisdom suggests that using dark mode on apps and websites helps conserve battery life on your devices. However, new research is challenging this belief, suggesting that dark mode may actually drain energy for most users. The surprising findings come from the BBC's R&D team, who examined how real users interact with their devices in both dark and light modes. Participants were asked to sit in front of the BBC Sounds homepage and adjust the device brightness to a comfortable level. This process was repeated for both the light and dark mode versions of the page.A significant majority (80 percent) of participants increased their screen brightness much higher to improve visibility in dark mode. This created a "rebound effect," leading to much higher energy consumption compared to the supposedly more wasteful light mode.Zak Datson, a BBC R&D engineer, explained that many common sustainability tips are overly simplified and fail to consider how people actually use technology in real-world scenarios.The findings were published in the journal Joule and are part of an ongoing BBC R&D project exploring the effectiveness of typical guidelines for creating low-energy websites and apps."What we need is a better understanding of what exactly causes our devices to consume energy when we spend time online," Datson said. "That's what our team is working on, so that we can make changes based on evidence that will allow us to reduce the overall footprint of digital media consumption, both here at the BBC and for the wider media industry."Too often, the BBC team found that energy advice for developers lacks solid data to back it up. As a result, coders end up wasting effort on changes that don't truly improve sustainability. The research also examined whether making websites more responsive translated to energy efficiency gains and found that it did not.So, if dark mode isn't the battery-saving hack it was thought to be, what should actually be done to conserve energy? The most straightforward solution is simply dimming the screen brightness. BBC's research shows that using devices at maximum brightness can double power consumption. They also recommended opting for smaller screens, such as phones and tablets, which use less energy than laptops. Another practical tip is extending the lifespan of aging devices, as each new device produced has significant environmental costs. // Related StoriesTo be fair, the team doesn't completely dismiss dark mode's merits. Their blog acknowledges that research has shown that for certain devices, adopting darker color schemes can legitimately reduce power usage. However, this is true only under controlled conditions. The researchers' main point is that these numbers haven't been tested in real-world scenarios, where user behavior can lead to unexpected outcomes.Masthead credit: Walling

The big picture: Shuhei Yoshida spent more than three decades at Sony, leading the PlayStation project from its early years. Now retired, the BAFTA Fellowship-awarded industry veteran is revealing some of the gaming industry's worst-kept secrets starting with the significant role played by the PC platform. In a recent interview, Shuhei Yoshida confirmed the "rumors" that everyone in the gaming industry has known for years: Sony is making substantial profits from PC conversions of its PlayStation blockbusters while simultaneously expanding its market reach, particularly where PCs are the dominant gaming platform.Yoshida, who retired from Sony on January 15, 2025, is now sharing insights into the company's future plans. He had already advocated for bringing PlayStation games to PC when Sony was still committed to strict console exclusivity. Today, the company actively supports PC ports, aiming to convert more PC gamers into PlayStation console buyers over time.According to Yoshida, releasing a PlayStation game on PC is beneficial for several reasons. It introduces the game to a new audience, growing the fanbase at a fraction of the original development cost. Porting PlayStation titles to PC is significantly cheaper than developing new games from scratch, he explained, making it "almost like printing money." Those profits, in turn, help fund expensive new AAA projects for PlayStation.Sony is currently in the process of bringing many PlayStation exclusives to PC through platforms like Steam and GOG.com, though Bloodborne may be an exception. The inability to play FromSoftware's horror Soulslike title has become a point of contention for many Dark Souls fans, myself included. However, PS4 emulation is making notable progress on this front.Yoshida speculated that FromSoftware's boss, Hidetaka Miyazaki, might be interested in handling the port on his own, with no direct involvement from Sony. // Related StoriesBringing PlayStation games to PC is a major win for business, especially in markets like China, where consoles aren't as popular. Yoshida confirmed that China is a massive market, and PC releases are essential for reaching that audience. While the "very small" console market in China is still growing, successful releases will likely focus on PC conversions for the foreseeable future

A Chinese manufacturer has come up with a 12VHPWR adapter featuring active cooling and real-time power monitoring, aiming to mitigate concerns of melting GPU power connectors. The unique angled adapter is claimed to improve safety by addressing two major issues: cable bending and excessive heat. Unlike traditional connectors, which can be strained by tight case layouts, this adapter features a 180-degree design, reducing cable stress and minimizing the risk of poor seating.Additionally, the adapter features an integrated cooling fan to actively dissipate heat, a first for GPU power connectors. It also includes an LCD screen that provides real-time temperature and power consumption monitoring, helping users detect potential overheating before damage occurs. The adapter is currently selling on Chinese online shopping platform TaoBao for around $30 and is compatible only with the RTX 40-series GPUs, as there is no mention of any RTX 50-series products.Recommended VideosNotably, third party cable manufacturers including Ezdiy-fab and Cablemod have introduced 12VHPWR adapters with heatsink solutions. While these adapters may or may not offer a workaround for current RTX 40-series owners, the long-term solution lies in Nvidias shift to the 12V-26 standard for future GPUs. The 16-pin 12VHPWR power connector has been a point of controversy since its introduction with Nvidias RTX 40-series GPUs, particularly the flagship RTX 4090. Reports of connectors melting due to excessive heat buildup and poor cable seating have raised concerns among PC gamers and enthusiasts. Users reported instances of 12VHPWR connectors overheating and, in extreme cases, melting.Investigations suggested that improper cable insertion, combined with high power draw, led to increased resistance, generating excessive heat. Nvidia initially claimed that ensuring a fully seated connection would prevent failures, but real-world cases continued to surface, leading to further scrutiny of the connectors design.16pin adapter with fan With temperature and power consumption detectionhttps://t.co/P7zsd2ALBe pic.twitter.com/1rZGzn3r4G HXL (@9550pro) February 21, 2025The issue prompted regulatory bodies and tech experts to examine the power delivery system. PCI-SIG, the group responsible for power connector standards, later introduced the revised 12V-26 connector for the RTX 50-series, designed to improve power efficiency and safety. However, many RTX 40-series cards, remain vulnerable to the original problem, necessitating aftermarket solutions.1 of 3TaoBao TaoBao TaoBao Despite the new RTX 50-series adopting the revised 12V-26 power connector, melting concerns persist. It was discovered that using older 12VHPWR cables with the RTX 5090 can still lead to overheating issues. This became evident when a Reddit user reported the first recorded meltdown of a 16-pin connector on an RTX 5090 while using a previous-gen third-party cable. The cable manufacturer later clarified that only its 2025-made 12V-26 cables are fully compatible with RTX 50-series GPUs, despite the new connector being backward compatible with 12VHPWR.Editors Recommendations

Not everyone can afford the hefty upfront cost of a massive surround sound system, complete with speakers, an AV receiver, and appropriate wiring. Fortunately, most of the best soundbars on the market are designed to deliver a level of immersion that goes beyond a simple stereo soundstage. As a matter of fact, we were looking through soundbar deals earlier today when we came across this fantastic Samsung offer:Right now, when you purchase the Samsung HW-Q910D Dolby Atmos Soundbar at Crutchfield, B&H Photo-Video, and through Samsung, youll only wind up paying $1,000. The full MSRP on this model is $1,300.Far more than a traditional soundbar, the Samsung Q910D comes with two rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer. The bar itself also contains two up-firing speakers, delivering the kind of top-down immersion that Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are known for. Enjoy some of the best surround sound virtualization youve ever heard from a soundbar system, and fine-tune the Q910D to match your room acoustics with Samsungs SpaceFit Sound Pro calibration feature.RelatedThe HW-Q910D is fantastic for movies, TV shows, and video games, but its also an excellent soundbar for streaming music and podcasts. Just switch to the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi input to wirelessly beam audio from a host device to your Samsung soundbar! Speaking of connectivity, the Q910D plugs into your TV via HDMI eARC or digital optical. This means any AV components that are connected to your TV will route audio through the soundbar.While were unsure how long this sale is going to stick around, Samsung deals like this one tend to vanish pretty quickly. That being said, today might be the best and last day to save! Take $300 off the Samsung HW-Q910D Dolby Atmos Soundbar when you purchase today.You may also want to take a look at our list of the best Samsung TV deals for more discounts on Samsung AV hardware!Editors Recommendations

The service will no longer be available to new users and current U.K. users will need to eventually disable the security feature, Apple said.

Artistic revolutionaries of the early 20th century hoped to end fine art as a cultural institution. They wound up creating a new department.

Selected by Jonathan Ames, the author, most recently, of the novel Karma Doll.