AMD’s Radeon Vega Frontier Edition is the most powerful graphics card yet

Why it matters to you

The Radeon Vega Frontier Edition proves AMD’s new GPU is ready for prime time and it should appear in consumer cards soon.

At long last, AMD announced the first graphics card based on the Vega architecture. The card, called the Radeon Vega Frontier Edition, is designed for “AI, creatives, and science pioneers.” In other words, it is not a card built for PC gaming.

That may disappoint some enthusiasts, but it will interest others. The numbers put forth by AMD are impressive. AMD says the Radeon Vega Frontier Edition will have 64 “next-generation compute units,” which will produce 13 teraflops of peak single-precision 32-bit compute performance. By contrast, the Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti offers 11.3TFLOPs, and the Nvidia Titan Xp quotes 12TFLOPs. AMD’s calling its Radeon Vega Frontier Edition the “fastest graphics card on the planet.”

The Radeon Vega Frontier Edition also boasts an impressive 16GB high-bandwidth cache, provided by High Bandwidth Memory 2 technology, which is capable of moving up to 480 gigabytes of data each second (GB/s).

Note the name. Although built using High Bandwidth Memory 2, AMD is calling this a cache instead of memory or video RAM, as is typical. That is related to how AMD is pitching the Vega architecture. The company is making a big deal of its “revolutionary memory engine,” which AMD says can access terabytes of memory.  That memory is not part of the GPU or video card itself but instead can be attached as its system builders desire.

This is touted as one of Vega’s key advantages, particularly in the enterprise and supercomputing arenas, since it theoretically grants quick access to huge amounts of data, with some customization possible.

However, despite the name change, we think enthusiasts can fairly interpret the 16GB HBC as the equivalent to video memory, which is still very impressive. The Nvidia GTX Titan Xp has 12GB of video memory, though the Titan’s memory is quicker, with a peak throughput of 548GB/s.

AMD also thinks highly of its “new compute engine,” which the company is abbreviating as NCU. The company says it enables the use of “double packed math” to double throughput by using 16-bit data, if it’s appropriate for the workload. Doing that essentially doubles potential throughput to 26TFLOPs. But don’t get too excited; this is a feature meant for very specific uses and probably won’t have any immediate impact on games or other everyday applications.

AMD provided several benchmarks to prove Vega’s potential. AMD says the Radeon Vega Frontier Edition is up to 27 percent quicker than Nvidia’s Titan Xp in Catia, a 3D CAD program. In Solidworks, another 3D CAD program, Vega’s lead jumps to 70 percent. Of course, these are internal benchmarks from AMD itself — real-world results won’t be available until the hardware is released.

And when will it be released? June. Pricing is not yet available, unfortunately, but given its focus on enterprise, we are sure it will be very, very expensive.

Gamers may be disappointed to hear that the first Vega card will focus on enterprise, rather than PC gaming. That’s understandable, as AMD fans have been waiting a long, long time.

Daniel’s Google I/O gear bag: 2017 Edition

Here’s what I take with me when I travel.

Packing a travel bag for Google I/O is not dissimilar to going on vacation, at least not for someone who lives and breathe technology. There’s the laptop and the phone(s), the cables and chargers, the adapters and other accoutrements that make the experience a little more productive during work, and more enjoyable during downtime.

What’s interesting about this year is how much less stuff I am bringing; the older and more experienced I get at these shows, the fewer essentials I feel pressured to bring — to the delight of my beleaguered back.

Here’s what I’m bringing to Google I/O this year.

The bag – Tylt Energi Pro

I usually have pretty short honeymoon periods with backpacks, but I’ve found a long-term winner with the Tylt Energi Pro. It’s not the included 20,100mAh battery charger and cable routing, but the design and quality of the bag itself.

Excellent, weather-resistant materials mean that I don’t have to worry about my stuff getting drenched in a storm or dusty from porousness. Tight, well-constructed zippers ensure that they won’t break from applying too much force and, when closed, water won’t seep in.

I love the number of compartments, and the easy access to ones on the side when I’m in a rush. The main compartment opens vertically, and is designed for camera equipment and other larger pieces; I can easily fill it with cameras, lenses, cables and adapters and still have plenty of room left over.

The laptop compartment is nicely cushioned and features a number of smaller mesh areas for storing tablets, phones and other diminutive pieces of tech.

Finally, the straps are fully adjustable, and wonderfully cushioned for longer day trips that have me wearing the bag for long periods.

See at Tylt

The computer – 2015 MacBook Pro

An early 2015 MacBook Pro is still my workhorse. It’s spec’d out, with a Core i7 and 16GB of RAM, though Chrome churns through memory so I rarely feel its full speed potential.

Still, unlike Andrew I haven’t moved to the newer form factor, for, as much as I love simplicity I’m not ready to give up MagSafe for dongles.

I may have to look at another laptop soon, though: the battery life on this computer isn’t what it used to be, and I struggle to get more than four or five hours from a charge. In that case, I’d look into a Surface Book or an equivalent high-end Windows laptop. I like Mac, but I want to explore the latest in Windows — provided the notebook has a trackpad that’s equivalent in performance to this one. You still can’t beat Macs for trackpads.

See at Amazon

The phones – Galaxy S8 + Pixel XL

Two phones for this trip — keeping it simple. The Galaxy S8+ will be my daily driver, hooked into Rogers’ Roam Like Home plan to let people from back home call and text me with no problems.

I’ve had great battery on the Galaxy S8+ so far, and don’t expect that to change even while roaming, though connecting to a non-native network does typically impact battery life.

See at Amazon

In the other pocket, a Pixel XL, which I may use to load the first Android O beta when it’s announced during the keynote. I still love this phone, and often go back to it for a few days just to remember what I’m missing — the smoothness, the minimalism — when I switch to the Galaxy S8.

See at Google Store

The camera – Sony RX100 IV

This year, I decided to keep things simple and bring just my Sony RX100 IV, a fantastic point and shoot that outperforms rivals in its size range, and many larger DSLRs, too.

Google I/O isn’t typically a photo-heavy event, but I’ve taken the RX100 to product launches, too, and have rarely been disappointed with the results. If there’s one gripe I have with the damn thing, it’s the lack of a microphone jack, but I’ve solved that issue, to a large extent, with the next item on the list.

See at Amazon

The Microphones

Zoom H5 microphone + input

Have you listened to a live Android Central podcast over the past year? You’ve heard this handy microphone in action. The Zoom H5 is a field podcaster’s dream, with two XLR inputs along with a super-sensitive default cardioid mic attachment that does well in a pinch.

See at Amazon

Rodelink wireless lav microphone

The next piece of the puzzle is capturing audio wirelessly, and the Rodelink wireless lav is amazing. It hooks into the Zoom’s auxiliary input and allows for the capture of high-quality audio from practically anywhere, even outside in the wind.

It’s not cheap, but the Rodelink is a great deal if you’re looking to capture vocals without having to worry about long cords or standing close enough a boom mic.

See at Amazon

Chargers

There are a couple of essential chargers and adapters I always include in a travel bag: my three-port AC adapter extension from Belkin, which swivels at its base to make sure it works in any plug; and my Aukey 5-port USB-A hub, which is perfect for charging all the things. One of the ports on the Anker is Quick Charge 2.0-compatible, which is helpful, but generally I just fill them up with whatever cables and accessories need topping at the end of the day. Easy, peasy.

See at Amazon

Battery pack – Tylt 20,100mAh pack

This is the Tylt 20,100 mAh pack that I mentioned earlier. It’s awesome: it has two USB-A inputs, including one that supports Quick Charge 3.0, along with a USB-C port that doubles as both juice in and out — it can give charge as well as receive it. I’ve only had the battery pack since March, but I am incredibly impressed with the quality of the cell.

See at Amazon

Headphones – Blue Satellite

Of course, my headphone load is my latest rave review: the Blue Satellite wireless headphones. They’re comfortable to wear for long periods, and have both active noise cancelling and a separate amp, in case your source isn’t particularly powerful. The dual 44mm drivers also sound great, with accurate mids and deep, rich bass.

See at Blue Microphones

Other items (not seen)

I brought my Nintendo Switch because why the hell not? The idea of playing some Mario Kart with some buds in the middle of Shoreline Amphitheatre sounds great. Sure, it’s probably not going to happen, but we have to have some fun at these events, don’t we?

I also lugged along my Kenu Stance USB-C tripod, which is an awesome little gadget for watching movies or framing video on the go.

Other than that, there are cables, granola bars (Nature Valley what up) and some adapters, as well as some roaming SIM cards from Roam Mobility in case I run out of data.

What about you?

What do you bring on your trips? Let us know in the comments below!

Instagram copied Snapchat again: Here’s how those face filters work

Facebook-owned Instagram has no qualms about ripping off Snapchat.

You’ve all seen these types of headlines: Facebook adds Snapchat-like blah blah blah; Facebook continues assault on Snapchat; Facebook is turning into a Snapchat clone; and so on. Those stories aren’t lying. Facebook, which once tried to buy Snapchat, has been heavily copying the app to appease a younger, more mobile audience. And the most recent update to the Instagram app is yet another example.

• Instagram Stories adds Snapchat-like geostickers
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IG

What are Instagram face filters?

Instagram has launched “face filters” — and, yes, you probably guess correctly, they’re just like Snapchat’s lenses. They are augmented reality filters that can change the way you look in real-time. For instance, Instagram’s face filters can make you look like a koala or a rabbit, while some of Snapchat’s past lenses can put a flower crown on your head or make it look like you’re puking rainbows.

How does Instagram face filters work?

Face filters work whether you use the front or the back camera on your phone. To find them, open up to the the camera interface in the app and tap the new face icon in the bottom right corner. Watch the video here for an example. Face filters work in any shooting modes – photo, video, or even Boomerang. Instagram said you can use them to “turn an ordinary selfie into something fun and entertaining”.

• For more detailed instructions, go to Instagram’s help center.

How many face filters are available?

At launch, Instagram is offering eight face filters. Open the camera and tap the new face icon in the bottom right corner to see them.

When can you use Instagram face filters?

You can access them now by downloading the new Instagram 10.21 update from the App Store or Google Play Store.

What else is new?

Instagram is also rolling out more creative tools in the camera. Again, to learn more, check out the Instagram Help Center.

IG

Rewind

You can now make videos that play in reverse with Rewind. It’s a new camera format next to Boomerang and Hands-Free. Instagram said you could “drop a microphone and watch it fly up into your hand”.

IG

Hashtag sticker

You can now add more context to your story with a hashtag sticker. Just tap the sticker icon at the top right of your screen, then select and customise the hashtag, and add it to your story. People watching your story can tap the hashtag sticker to explore related posts.

IG

Eraser brush

Instagram added a new eraser brush in the drawing tools. You can use it to erase other things you’ve drawn or play around with removing color. After you’ve taken a photo or video, select a drawing tool, then tap and hold to fill the entire screen with color, and while using the eraser brush, you can “reveal parts of your photo or video underneath”, Instagram said.

Google Assistant might hit iPhone, Photos, and your kitchen this week

Google Assistant is coming to the iPhone, the Google Photos app, and GE home appliances like refrigerators, a new report has claimed. 

According to Bloomberg, Google will announce an expansion of its voice assistant during the Google I/O developers conference this week. The Mountain View, California-based company will announce a standalone Google Assistant app for the iPhone on 17 May. As we reported earlier, thanks to a leak from Android Police, the app should arrive first in the US, but Google is working to launch it in other countries.

The iPhone version of Assistant will take commands via voice and integrate with other Google apps on the iPhone. So, for instance, you could ask to the Assistant to play a video and it will appear via the YouTube app installed on your device. Google Assistant will also show up in Google’s Photos app somehow, which Bloomberg said is further being updated so that it can create a physical coffee table photo book. 

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You will be able to order the physical, printed books – complied with pictures from the Photos app – and get them shipped to your home. There will be multiple types of books, with one option costing $10 per book. And, finally, Google plans to integrate it Assistant into GE home appliances, including refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washers and dryers, giving you voice control over those devices.

You will be able to ask Google Assistant how many cleaning pods are left in the dishwasher, for instance. Check out Pocket-lint’s Google I/O 2017 round-up to see what else might be announced this week.

• Best Android phones: These are the Androids you’re looking for
• What is Google Home, how does it work, and when can you buy it?
• Google Assistant tips and tricks: Master your Android assistant
• What is Google Assistant, how does it work, and which devices offer it?

Don’t expect an iPad Mini 5: Apple might ‘phase out’ its smallest tablet

The iPad Mini line might soon be no more.

The last iPad Mini, the iPad Mini 4, was announced along with the iPad Pro in late 2015. And then, this spring, Apple upgraded it slightly with increased storage. That means we are way over due for a refresh. So, will Apple use its upcoming WWDC conference to announce an iPad Mini 5? Nope, according to anonymous BGR source, which claimed Apple plans to “phase out” or “discontinue” the compact tablet.

The report suggested that iPad Mini has been “sized out of its own category”, likely thanks to the iPhone 7 Plus. Most people don’t want to spend their money on an new entry-level iPad when they can just get a larger iPhone, it seems. But that’s not just speculation. Apparently, the sales numbers are “very clear” – and the primary reason why the company plans to “eliminate” the iPad Mini.

• Which iPad is best for you?
• Best iPad Pro cases: Protect your new huge 12.9-inch Apple tablet

Keep in mind none of this information is confirmed. Also, other reports have indicated Apple plans to introduce a 10.5-inch iPad while keeping both its 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch tablets. Doing so could make the 7.9-inch tablet even more obsolete. We’ve of course contacted the company for a comment and will update if we hear more. We might even learn more at WWDC 2017 next month.

Check out Pocket-lint’s WWDC 2017 guide for more details about what to expect from the conference.

• Apple iPad Pro 9.7 review: The tablet to beat all tablets
• Apple iPad Pro 9.7 vs iPad Pro 12.9: What’s the difference?

Bragi Dash Pro wireless earbuds offer real-time translation and more

Bragi has introduced a new version of the Dash.

Dash is a pair of wireless earbuds that began on Kickstarter. Called Dash Pro, the latest $329 set works much like the original Dash but is supposed to offer better Bluetooth performance. The first Dash received many complaints about the easily-disrupted Bluetooth connection between the earbuds and the phone. The new Dash Pro will also offer improved audio and call quality and five hours of battery life.

Both the Dash Pro and the original Dash will now feature real-time language translation, too, thanks to Bragi OS 3.0, the third version of the operating system. Bragi inked a partnership with language translation app iTranslate to power the feature. Dash or Dash Pro users can let someone speak into their phone’s microphone, and then the app will transmit translated speech to the Dash/Dash Pro earbuds.

• Bragi Dash review: The sound of the future?
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A Dash user can also speak in one language and have it audibly translated through their phone. Bragi’s new software comes preinstalled on the Dash Pro. Existing Dash users will be able to grab it later today. Other features included are automatic activity recognition for fitness tracking and a gesture-based interface that allows Dash and Dash Pro users navigate through menus simply by moving their head.

Bragi

And, finally, Bragi has announced a “tailored” version of the Dash Pro. These can be custom-fit to your ears, if you’re willing to pay $499 and meet with an audiologist to have impressions made of your ears (appointment cost is included). Both earbuds are available to order in the US and Canada starting 16 May via Bragi’s website. Bragi said the Dash Pro will start shipping in two weeks.

The Dash Pro, which obviously competes with Apple’s AirPods and Samsung’s IconX, should also be available in Best Buy and Brookstone stores in the near future. We’ve contacted the company to learn more about UK pricing and availability.

You can’t get an LG Watch Sport on Verizon after all

We hope you weren’t dead set on picking up Verizon’s edition of the LG Watch Sport. The carrier has confirmed that it cancelled its take on the Android Wear 2.0 flagship device, yanking the smartwatch from its store. LG has pulled the wristwear from its online shop, too. Verizon didn’t have an immediate explanation for the move when we reached out, but it is offering pre-order customers $100 off any connected smartwatch it sells.

It’s tempting to be cynical about the decision — after all, this could help boost sales of Verizon’s self-branded Wear24. It’s not clear that this is the case, however, and there could be a more mundane answer such as estimated demand or technical issues. We’ve asked LG if it can shed any light on the move as well.

Whatever the reason, the cancellation leaves the network’s subscribers in a tricky spot. If your heart’s set on the Watch Sport, you’ll either have to buy a version without compatible cellular data (such as the one in Google’s online store) or switch to a provider like AT&T. Otherwise, you’re left looking at older hardware like the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition or Gear S2.

Via: 9to5Google

Source: Droid-Life

DJI streams drone footage to your television

Just a few months after GoPro threatens to close its entertainment doors, DJI is ready to step in. The drone-cum-camera company has just announced that it’s launching a Smart TV app that’ll stream plenty of aerial content and 4k videos captured from DJI drones and cameras. The app will initially be made available on Samsung’s Tizen TVs and Apple TV.

This is yet another instance in which DJI and GoPro have overlapping businesses. GoPro started with cameras and moved into drones, while DJI went from making drones and then moved into the camera business (The DJI Phantom Vision 2 was the first to ditch GoPro cameras for its own).

GoPro has also been trying to make inroads as an entertainment company for a few years now — indeed, there’s a GoPro channel on Xbox, PS4, Roku, Samsung and LG TVs, as well as Virgin America’s in-flight entertainment center. And now DJI is starting to do that too.

“We’ve made flying and capturing aerial footage easy with our drones, and now with the DJI Smart TV App, creators will have more ways to share their work with the world,” said Paul Pan, DJI’s senior product manager in a statement.

At the same time, GoPro has been struggling. It had a disappointing earnings report at the end of 2016, and had to cut 15 percent of its workforce late last year. The company laid off another 270 jobs in March of this year. It also announced last year that it would be ending its entertainment division entirely, so those aforementioned GoPro channels might not be around for long. In a few months, DJI might be the only channel streaming action camera content.

You can find DJI’s Smart TV app in both Apple TV and Samsung’s Tizen TV app store. DJI says that the app is also compatible with entertainment devices running on Android 5.1 and above, so get ready for it to be available on even more platforms going forward.

Source: DJI

Bragi’s Dash Pro earbuds pack improved audio and AI smarts

If tapping your cheek to ask Siri a question isn’t futuristic enough, Bragi’s new “wireless ear computers” might impress you. The headphone maker has announced two new versions of its high-end Dash earbuds, the “Dash Pro” and the “Dash Pro tailored by Starkey” (a hearing-aid manufacturer). These wireless, in-ear devices will also be powered by a new operating system (OS). The Bragi OS3 will bring new features like real-time face-to-face translation, a hands-free gestural menu system, and AI built right into the earpieces. Existing Bragi Dash owners can also upgrade to BOS3 to get these tools.

The Dash Pro consumer model connects to Android, Apple or Windows devices with what Bragi claims is a “simple, one-touch” setup. The company also promises that this new iteration of its Dash series will have up to five hours of battery life per charge and a carrying case that carries up to five charges, similar to the case for AirPods.

What sets these headphones apart from offerings like Apple’s, though, is how they’re fitted with computing features, like the iTranslate real-time language translation, the hands-free menu systems and an integration with IBM’s Watson AI, not to mention the built-in workout tracking features. Your workouts will be accessible in the Bragi app on your smartphone, too.

During a demo in New York City, the Dash Pro heard what I said most of the time, correctly recording the words I said in Mandarin. However, it delivered an inaccurate translation of what I said, which was admittedly an informal saying. You have to tap the lower third of the left earbud before starting to speak, and tap it again to indicate you’re done. You can also nod or shake your head to signal to the earbuds that you were ready to talk. And because of the noisy environment with multiple Dash devices in the area, my demo unit lagged and struggled to hear what I was saying.

The Dash Pro tailored by Starkey will only be available at one of approximately 5,000 audiologists in the US. It’s made with an exact impression of your ear canal, just like other high-end hearing aids and in-ear monitors for musicians. They’ll also have a fancy laser engraving on the earbuds themselves.

The fitting process will take about five minutes, and involves looking into your ear for blockages, cleaning it, filling it with a silicone that’s similar to dental molds and waiting for that to set. Once your mold is made, it’s sent off to the Starkey labs, where it will be scanned. The engineers will 3D print a template, and your Dash Pro will be ready in less than a week, according to Bragi.

Both models promise high-end audio clarity and tonal balance for a wide range of activities, from listening to music (which you can store on the headphone’s 4GB of internal storage) to making calls. They’re waterproof in up to three feet of water, too, which makes them ideal for swimming and other water sports. The Dash Pro tailored by Starkey isn’t available as yet, while the Dash Pro is available now through the company website.

Source: Bragi

Samsung sold over 5 million Galaxy S8 phones

Samsung was quick to crow about Galaxy S8 pre-orders, but it was easy to be skeptical without real numbers to back up the bragging. Flash forward a few weeks, though, and it’s a different story. The company now reports that it has sold 5 million Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus devices worldwide since its April 21st debut — not bad for less than a month on the market, and only in a limited number of countries. It’s not certain which model was the most popular, though the regular S8’s lower price helps its chances.

It’s hard to say how this stacks up to the Galaxy S7, although Samsung had noted that pre-orders were up 30 percent compared to a year ago. And other manufacturers? That’s tricky when most tend not to divulge model-specific data to avoid tipping their hand to competitors. The closest you get is Apple. It reported selling 50.8 million iPhones last quarter (about 16.9 million per month), but it’s not certain how many of those were iPhone 7 and 7 Plus units, let alone how many of them sold in April. Without directly comparable figures, it’d be difficult to declare a sales leader in high-end phones.

As it is, Samsung is likely less concerned about raw numbers and more about its bottom line. In that sense, the S8 could easily be a success. Samsung racked up record operating profit in the quarter before the S8 stared shipping (albeit mainly on the back of chip sales), and the phone’s strong early showing is only bound to help.

Via: Mashable

Source: The Investor, ZDNet