NVIDIA’s Jetson TX1 puts AI in the palm of your hand
If you’re a true tech fan, you know that the future is in artificial intelligence and machine learning. You also know that AI is one of tech’s most exciting things to talk about, but possibly the most difficult to build. Giving a computer the ability to see something, think about what it’s seeing, then learn from the data it is receiving used to be a very complex task requiring giant supercomputers and loads of time. Last year, NVIDIA’s Jetson chip started moving the world toward more efficient machine learning, and this year’s improvement, the Jetson TX1, is moving us even further.
The Jetson TX1 is the first chip of its kind: it’s small enough to fit into a drone or android, it’s powerful enough to process deep neural networks (learning from what it sees or hears), and it’s as fast as the best supercomputer humanity had at the turn of the millennium. Imagine a search and rescue drone flying through the woods looking for lost hikers on its own, or a personal robot you can actually teach tricks to using verbal commands! The future of machine learning and AI is as exciting as it gets, and the Jetson TX1 is taking us one step closer. The developer kit and chip will be available tomorrow for $600. Check out the press release below to learn more.
Tiny NVIDIA Supercomputer to Bring Artificial Intelligence to New Generation of Autonomous Robots and Drones
Jetson TX1 Module Runs Deep Neural Networks for Computer Vision, Machine Learning and Navigation, While Drawing Little Power
SANTA CLARA, Calif.—Nov. 10, 2015— NVIDIA today unveiled a credit-card sized module that harnesses the power of machine learning to enable a new generation of smart, autonomous machines that can learn.
The NVIDIA® JetsonTM TX1 module addresses the challenge of creating a new wave of millions of smart devices — drones that don’t just fly by remote control, but navigate their way through a forest for search and rescue; compact security surveillance systems that don’t just scan crowds, but identify suspicious activity; and robots that don’t just perform tasks, but tailor them to individuals’ habits — by incorporating capabilities such as machine learning, computer vision, navigation and more.
Jetson TX1 is the first embedded computer designed to process deep neural networks — computer software that can learn to recognize objects or interpret information. This new approach to program computers is called machine learning and can be used to perform complex tasks such as recognizing images, processing conversational speech, or analyzing a room full of furniture and finding a path to navigate across it. Machine learning is a groundbreaking technology that will give autonomous devices a giant leap in capability.
With its 1 teraflops of performance — comparable to the fastest supercomputer from 15 years ago — Jetson delivers exceptional performance for machine learning, computer vision, GPU computing and graphics, while drawing very little power.
“Jetson TX1 will enable a new generation of incredibly capable autonomous devices,” said Deepu Talla, vice president and general manager of the Tegra business at NVIDIA. “They will navigate on their own, recognize objects and faces, and become increasingly intelligent through machine learning. It will enable developers to create industry-changing products.”
Available as a module, Jetson TX1 is also built into a Developer Kit, which enables hobbyists and professionals to develop and test highly advanced autonomous devices. This makes it easy to transition from development to manufacturing and production.
Industry Support
Ovum Principal Analyst Michael Azoff said: “Jetson TX1 is a significant advance in moving machine learning applications from research into the real world. It has uses that range from artificial intelligence-assisted robots, to advanced systems in automobiles, and to Internet of Things-connected intelligent machines. The ecosystem around Jetson will accelerate the transfer of AI from lab to real-world machines.”
Sertac Karaman, professor of aeronautics and astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said, “NVIDIA’s Jetson TX1 is so powerful and easy to use, we decided to base MIT’s robotics systems and science course around it. Our students will use TX1 for embedded vision, stereo reconstruction and machine learning, so their scale racecars will be able to detect and avoid obstacles. I’m excited with the possibilities that Jetson offers.”
Jeff Bier, president of Berkeley Design Technology, Inc., said: “Based on BDTI’s independent analysis, the Jetson TX1 stands out in three respects. First, developing applications on the Jetson TX1 feels more like developing on a PC than like developing on a typical embedded board. Second, the JetPackTX1 installer makes it easy to install a system image on the board. Third, support for CUDA enables developers to use the GPU to accelerate their applications without having to delve into the complexities of GPU programming.”
System Specs and Software
Key features of Jetson TX1 include:
- GPU: 1 teraflops, 256-core MaxwellTM architecture-based GPU offering best-in-class performance
- CPU: 64-bit ARM A57 CPUs
- Video: 4K video encode and decode
- Camera: Support for 1400 megapixels/second
- Memory: 4GB LPDDR4; 25.6 gigabits/second
- Storage: 16GB eMMC
- Wi-Fi/Bluetooth: 802.11ac 2×2 Bluetooth ready
- Networking: 1GB Ethernet
- OS Support: Linux for Tegra
- Size: 50mm x 87mm, slightly smaller than a credit card
Jetson TX1 includes the most comprehensive SDK for embedded visual computing, including:
- cuDNN is a CUDA®-accelerated library for machine learning. For both training and inference, it is compatible with many industry-standard frameworks, including Caffe, Theano and Torch.
- VisionWorksTM is a CUDA-accelerated library and framework for computer vision. It is an implementation of the OpenVX 1.1 specification with additional NVIDIA extensions.
- Support for the latest graphics drivers and APIs, including OpenGL 4.5, OpenGL ES 3.1 and Vulkan.
- Support for CUDA 7.0. CUDA turns the GPU into a general-purpose processor, giving developers access to tremendous parallel performance and power efficiency.
Availability
The NVIDIA Jetson TX1 Developer Kit can be preordered starting Nov. 12 for $599 in the United States, with availability in other regions in the next few weeks. The Jetson TX1 module will be available in early 2016 at a suggested price of $299 (in quantities of 1,000 or more) from distributors around the world.
Keep Current on NVIDIA
Subscribe to the NVIDIA blog, follow us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram, and view NVIDIA videos on YouTube and images on Flickr. About NVIDIA
Since 1993, NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) has pioneered the art and science of visual computing. The company’s technologies are transforming a world of displays into a world of interactive discovery — for everyone from gamers to scientists, and consumers to enterprise customers. More information athttp://nvidianews.nvidia.com/ and http://blogs.nvidia.com/.
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Chrome announces end to Windows XP support
Earlier this year, Google announced that it would be supporting older desktop OS’s for Chrome for the remainder of 2015, but not beyond the end of the year. Today, the tech supergiant announced that after April 2016, the company would no longer be offering any support for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X 10.6, 10.7, and 10.8. The browser will still function on these operating systems, but there will be no security updates or fixes of any kind after April.
If you’re still using one of the ancient operating systems, Chrome’s lack of support is the least of your problems. Google strongly encourages you to update your OS to a more recent version, and I do too. Windows XP turned 14 this year, meaning it was released when Boy Bands were king and Friends was still on air. If you’re running Windows XP still, do yourself a favor and get an update. You’ll get Chrome support, and you’ll also have an OS made in this decade.
Source: Chrome Blog
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Facebook releases updates to live broadcasts
Facebook added a super hot feature a few months back called Live that allows celebrities and other public personalities to broadcast live to their followers everywhere. So far the feature has been a huge success, with politicians and celebrities giving live broadcasts to hundreds of thousands of their fans. Vin Diesel recently did a broadcast of a couple potential scripts to over one million people!
One extra feature that many users wanted, however, is the ability to subscribe to a certain person in order to receive notifications for when he or she goes Live. Facebook heard your cries and delivered, allowing you to now subscribe to any athlete, musician, actor, politician or comedian so you can know any time a live broadcast is about to start, so you don’t feel left out of the intimate experience. If you’re a public figure, this means that all of your true, loyal followers will now be able to always tune in just in time to hear what you have to say.
Source: Facebook Media
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Super fun headphones for the active lifestyle: Soul Transform On-Ear Headphones (Review)
I really shouldn’t be writing this review with these Transform headphones from Soul electronics on my head blasting music, but seriously they are so fun to listen to that I don’t want to take them off. I’m typically the type who needs quiet to focus, but the Transform headphones by Soul have got me in a groove. It’s a little late and my dog and I just got back from a two mile jog. My brain is in high-gear jamming out to some music, and while I have the energy, I might as well let you know how I feel about these headphones.
Design
The Transform On-Ear headphones by Soul are designed for active types who love to listen to music while they stay active. They’re made from a light but durable plastic with a sporty design. My set happens to be red, gray and black, although they come in electric blue and lightning green too. They definitely look the part.
The ear cups are lined with a breathable and washable mesh material that is similar to what most basketball or fitness athletic shorts are made from. A very important feature is that the ear cups can be removed and are fully washable so you don’t have to worry about sweating into them.
The cable of the Soul Transform headphones is 49 inches long which is perfect for most people. It definitely needs length as active types are sometimes in super stretched out positions from jumping, stretching or lifting weights. The cable itself is flat and is also coated with a rubbery material which really does keep it from tangling in on itself. Just four or five inches down from the left ear cup is an inline controller which has a built-in microphone for phone calls, and a main button for answering and ending phone calls and playing or pausing music(Android devices). For iOS devices, the inline remote control serves as a microphone, volume up/down, fast forward/rewind, play/pause and answer and end phone calls.
Usage
Like I stated in the opening sentence I love these headphones. No, they are not designed to be reference monitors which are tuned for balance and clarity. And neither are most smartphones. I have never used on-ear headphones to workout with but this set has me contemplating making a permanent switch.
I’ve always used earbuds because they blocked out sound well and are light weight. There were not many on-ear headphones that were designed for the active types and Soul is definitely looking to change that. Earbuds can be fun to listen to, but they cannot reproduce the sound that their larger counterparts can. The Transform headphones enable me to feel my music. Not to sound cheesy, but I really feel my music in my soul. They are specially tuned to Soul’s signature sound, which to me is a little bass heavy, but is a sound signature I love for working out. The bass slightly muddles out the mid-ranges if I look for them, but the highs come through nicely through the rumbling bass. It’s really nice to feel the bass on my ears when I am working out, as it really helps to get me pumped up which is exactly what I need for my workout after a full day at work.
The inline mic picked up my voice very clearly when I tried it out for a work call. The inline remote worked as promised.
The only downside for the Transform headphones was that they made my ears hotter than normal as compared to when I use earbuds. When working out, I naturally heat up, and having two large ear cups over my ears holds in the heat. It may have kept my ears a little warmer because they fit like a glove. Soul was smart for making these fit snugly against my head as the last thing I want is headphones bouncing around on my head. Indoors the heat was not a good thing, but for my jog, they were actually nice to have as it has gotten into the 40’s here in San Diego. So they naturally serve as ear muffs and prevent my ears from getting cold. These didn’t budge an inch off my head during any of my workouts.
I may not use the Transform headphones in the gym on a regular basis due to the added heat, but for the days I am squatting and dead lifting, I will definitely have these on my head as I really need that extra push. And for the mornings and nights when it is chilly out, these will be a must have in order to keep my ears warm.
These headphones are light weight but are very durable. I have been tossing them around during my workouts and also when I get home. I’ve washed the ear cups several times now and I have no doubts they will last me a long time.
What I liked:
- Quality materials
- Design for active lifestyle
- Punchy and fun sound signature
- Light-weight
- Tangle-free, flat and rubberized cord
- 49″ cable length
- Washable ear pads
- Carrying Pouch
- Durability
What I didn’t like:
- No volume control for Android devices
- Caused my ears to get a little warm
Summary
For $99 the Soul Transform headphones are a great option for anyone, but especially the active types. If you like your music to be fun and punchy with bass, these headphones are definitely designed for you. They fit like a glove, get you pumped up and can withstand the active lifestyle.
If you would like to learn more, head on over to Soulelectronics.com or Amazon.com.
Please excuse me while I go jam out to some music. These headphones are so much fun to listen to.
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Test drive the new Firefox OS 2.5 Developer Preview on your Android device
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Firefox OS has somewhat fallen off the radar of late – not for those who love it, of course – but it appears the Mozilla team is trying to engage more people in its latest update, the Firefox OS 2.5 Developer Preview. Unlike previous previews, this version of Firefox OS can be loaded, as an app, on an Android device and run as a launcher of sorts – for those who have tried Ubuntu through their virtual operating system, this appears to be pretty much the same thing.
For those who have kept track of Firefox OS, you’ll be interested to know that the changes in this latest version include:
- Add-ons: Just like the add-ons we’ve come to love in desktop browsers,Firefox OS add-ons can extend just one app, several, or all of them, including the system app itself.
- Private Browsing with Tracking Protection: A new Firefox privacy feature, Tracking Protection allows users to control how their browsing activity is tracked across many sites.
- Pin the Web: Pin the Web removes the artificial distinction between web apps and web sites and lets you pin any web site or web page to your home screen for later usage.
If that sounds like your cup of tea, you can find the APK and more information on the Mozilla site (source link below), and also includes instructions if you want to take the next step and move your Android device fully over to Firefox OS.
What do you think of the Firefox OS 2.5 Developer Preview? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Mozilla via Phone Arena
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Politician wants to give 200 NYC trees email addresses
You read that right: Upper West Side Councilmember Mark Levine plans to give 200 trees in New York City their own email addresses. His spokesperson, Tyrone Stevens, told Gothamist that the goal is to deepen “public engagement with the trees” — we’re guessing the politician believes residents can connect more personally with them that way. People, however, are welcome (encouraged, even) to report a tree’s plight, such as broken branches, blight and rotting parts, by sending it an email. Levine himself told the publication that the project’s only expense should be the creation of the signage that will display the chosen specimens’ email addresses, prominently installed on or near them.
Source: Gothamist
Snag a 1st Gen Moto 360 for $99.99 from Google
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The holiday shopping season is fast approaching. In a few short weeks retailers will fighting for your hard-earned dollar on Black Friday. Some of you might even be fighting your fellow shopper for a door buster deal. Hopefully many of you will shop online and just tackle UPS or FedEx in your driveway. For those who still haven’t pulled the trigger on an Android Wear device, Google has your back right now with the 1st Gen Moto 360 for $99.99
At that price you could get yourself one and someone else one too. Google is offering up the Android Wear toting smartwatch in black on black or silver on grey. While it isn’t as customizable on the outside as the new 360, it is hard to not want to drop a Benjamin for it. Especially if you don’t have an Android Wear watch, or know someone who has really wanted one for a while. Head off to the Google Store and get your 1st Gen Moto 360 ordered today.
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Pre-order the Samsung Gear VR for $99
As of today you can now pre-order the Samsung Gear VR if you live in the U.S. If you remember, Samsung’s Gear VR powered by Oculus, was first released last year for owners of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and sold for $199.99. Available media for virtual reality last year was slim and it is picking up traction now with devices like Samsung’s Gear VR and Google’s Cardboard.
This year the Samsung Gear VR is 19% lighter than last year’s edition, features a new touchpad for easier navigation and more importantly it is $100 cheaper. If you have a Samsung Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge you can now pre-order the device at Bestbuy.com, Amazon.com and Samsung.com. Orders are expected to arrive as early as November 20.
The package contents will include the Gear VR Innovator Edition headset, pouch, replacement face foams, lens cleaning cloth, user manual and warranty information. Samsung has its own dedicated Milk VR store to download videos and games specifically designed for virtual reality. Other content you can enjoy on Gear VR are movies from Netflix, Vimeo, 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate and you can even stream live broadcasts from twitch.
“Samsung is leveraging its leadership in mobile, by giving millions of Samsung Galaxy smartphone owners’ access to amazing virtual reality
experiences including immersive games, the ability to explore beautiful photographs and exciting videos in 360 degrees, and much more,” said Nick
DiCarlo, vice president, Immersive Products and Virtual Reality at Samsung Electronics America.
Let us know in the comments section below if you’ll be making the jump to VR.
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Amazon Underground has three times as many Android apps than ever before
Amazon has been playing around with a pretty interesting business model lately, and their use of it involving Android apps has seen a 300% growth since its inception.
The idea is simple. Creators should get paid in proportion to the amount of time a consumer engages the creative content. Amazon first came up with the idea when crowds of writers with cartoonish dollar signs in their eyes flooded the Kindle self-publication platform with an unrelenting tide of werewolf erotica.
For years, Amazon had been trying to establish itself as a serious publishing operation, but eliminating the traditional gatekeepers of publication had some unexpected results. Suddenly, the professional writers they wanted to showcase had to dog paddle in a sea of poorly written lupine lust hocked at $2.99 a pop. Something had to be done.
Amazon solved their problem by introducing Kindle Unlimited, an intriguing system that pays a writer for how many pages a reader reads of their book. The werewolf erotica economy, which banked on titillated readers forking over cash in exchange for a few hastily read pages of drivel, suddenly collapsed. Now the people who began profiting were creators who produced well-crafted, engaging writing that found and maintained an audience.
As an encore, Amazon turned their attention to their Free App of the Day program, a system that provided a different paid app free of charge each day to Amazon device owners. They decided to replace Free App of the Day with Amazon Underground, a system very similar to Kindle Unlimited that pays developers based on the number of minutes users stay engaged with the app. Amazon Underground launched with a selection of paid Android apps (which Amazon device owners can access for free), and as of this week the size of that selection has tripled.
Hypothetically with this model in place, developers who create engaging and useful apps will be paid well by Amazon, and the developers who create whatever the app-equivalent of werewolf erotica is will get left out in the cold.
It’s such a new payment model that there’s no guarantee how well this will play out for developers. However, if you’ve got an Amazon device and the Amazon Underground store, it’s a win-win for you. More paid Android apps than ever are available to you for free. Might as well check ‘em out.
Google may build their own phone that isn’t a Nexus
We recently reported on a story about Google trying to end fragmentation in Android. However, it now looks like Google may be going a little farther and making their own Google made phone.
If they make their own Google phone, not a new Nexus as that is made by other companies, they would be able to control literally everything just like Apple does. The chips, the software, and the hardware would all be made by Google.
Currently, this is just a rumour, but it would be awesome to have an Android phone that is totally made by Google as it would be the smoothest Android device ever. The only problem with this idea is the Nexus already receives updates quickly and is pretty smooth. Plus, a Google made phone would only make other manufactures who run Android look bad. They would always release the newest version of Android even later and considering Google wants manufactures to use Android, probably not a good idea. However, share your thoughts on if you want a Google made phone in the comments?
Source: The Information
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