The Unthinkable Has Happened

Tech giants. Photographic image: TechMediaArcive.

In a surprising turn of events, major tech players are joining forces to tackle the rising threat of ARM processors. Intel and AMD have formed the x86 Advisory Group, enlisting the help of giants like Microsoft and Google. This collaboration comes amidst significant updates and challenges in the tech world.

 

Key Takeaways

• Intel and AMD unite against ARM processors.

• Google and Amazon explore small modular nuclear reactors.

• Windows 11 24H2 update causes widespread issues.

• FTC introduces a new click-to-cancel rule for subscriptions.

• SpaceX successfully catches a rocket mid-air.

Intel And AMD Join Forces

The age-old adage, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend," rings true as Intel and AMD have decided to collaborate. At Lenovo's Tech World Conference, they announced the formation of the x86 Advisory Group. This group aims to defend against the increasing competition from ARM processors, which are gaining traction in powering devices like MacBooks and Windows PCs.

Interestingly, despite their own ventures into ARM technology, companies like Microsoft and Google have joined this advisory group. This move raises eyebrows, especially considering their recent development of ARM server chips. The addition of industry luminaries like Tim Sweeney and Linus Torvalds to the board adds a layer of intrigue, as they bring their expertise to the table.

Intel also showcased its first Panther Lake sample chip, built on its new 18a node technology. This comes at a crucial time, as leaked benchmarks of Intel's Aerolake chips have shown disappointing performance. AMD is expected to launch its Ryzen 9 9800 X3D shortly after, making this rivalry even more compelling.

Nuclear Power: A New Frontier

In a surprising pivot, both Google and Amazon are exploring small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). These reactors promise a more efficient and cost-effective way to harness nuclear energy. Google has struck a deal with Chyros Power, while Amazon is investing in two utility companies to study the feasibility of integrating SMRs into existing systems.

The potential of SMRs lies in their ability to be prefabricated and easily assembled, with an output capacity of up to 300 megawatts. However, regulatory hurdles and public skepticism have slowed their adoption. Currently, the only successful SMRs are operational in Russia and China, built in 2020 and 2021.

Windows 11 Update Chaos

The rollout of Windows 11 version 24H2 has not been smooth sailing. Users are reporting a myriad of issues, including connectivity problems and disappearing mouse cursors in Chromium-based applications. One particularly troublesome bug misclassifies system files as corrupted, leading to a frustrating cycle of attempts to fix them.

Additionally, a phantom 8.63 GB update cache has appeared, which Microsoft claims is merely a reporting error. The most alarming issue involves certain Western Digital SSDs crashing due to changes in their memory buffer settings. Users experiencing these problems may want to consider rolling back to the previous version until a fix is implemented.

FTC's Click-To-Cancel Rule

In a move to protect consumers, the FTC has unveiled its final version of the click-to-cancel rule. This regulation mandates that subscription services must make a cancellation as easy as signing up. Gone are the days of convoluted cancellation processes that require excessive paperwork. This rule applies to both online and brick-and-mortar businesses, making it a significant step forward for consumer rights.

SpaceX's Groundbreaking Achievement

In a remarkable feat, SpaceX caught a rocket mid-air during its fifth test flight of the Starship rocket. The first stage booster launched the Starship, designed to carry people into space. The booster then descended and was caught by the mechanical arms of the launch tower, marking a significant milestone in rocket recovery technology.

Quick Bits

• uBlock Origin may face support issues in Chrome, with users reporting that the extension is being disabled.

• Ecovacs vacuums have been reported to scream obscenities after being hacked, raising concerns about privacy and security.

• Adobe's Firefly tool is in beta, focusing on generating video content from text while ensuring licensed content is used.

As the tech landscape continues to evolve, these developments highlight the ongoing challenges and innovations shaping our digital future. Stay tuned for more updates as these stories unfold!