News/Computers
Asus launches first GB10 Superchip desktop at $4.1K while Dell’s remains unavailable
Asus has launched the Ascent GX10, becoming the first company to bring Nvidia's GB10 Superchip to market in a compact AI desktop form factor, beating Dell's similar but unavailable Pro Max GB10 to retail availability. The $4,100 system delivers up to one petaflop of computing power in a package small enough for individual workstations, bringing data center-level AI capabilities to researchers and developers who previously needed access to large server clusters. What you should know: The Ascent GX10 is currently available for immediate purchase while competing systems remain in pre-order status. Asus's system can be ordered now from Viperatech for...
read Oct 16, 2025Microsoft adds “Hey, Copilot” voice activation to Windows 11
Microsoft is expanding AI-powered features deeper into Windows 11's core functionality, introducing voice activation with "Hey, Copilot" and new capabilities that allow the assistant to read, edit, and manage files directly. These updates represent Microsoft's attempt to succeed where Cortana failed by leveraging generative AI to create a more capable voice assistant that can perform complex tasks autonomously. The big picture: Microsoft is transforming Windows 11's fundamental features—including the taskbar, Start menu, and File Explorer—into AI-powered interfaces that can understand natural language and take actions on users' behalf. Key new features: The rollout includes several major additions designed to make...
read Oct 16, 2025PEARL AI detects chip trojans with 97% accuracy as security gap concerns remain
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed PEARL, an AI system that uses large language models to detect hardware trojans in computer chips with up to 97% accuracy. While this represents a significant advancement in securing the global chip supply chain, experts warn that the remaining 3% margin for error could still allow catastrophic vulnerabilities to slip through in critical systems like defense networks and medical equipment. What you should know: Hardware trojans are malicious alterations secretly embedded during chip manufacturing that can remain dormant until activated to steal data or cause device failures. These threats can be inserted...
readGet SIGNAL/NOISE in your inbox daily
All Signal, No Noise
One concise email to make you smarter on AI daily.
Firefox adds Perplexity AI as default search engine option
Mozilla has officially added Perplexity AI as a default search engine option in Firefox for desktop users, expanding beyond an earlier limited test. The integration brings conversational AI-powered search with citations directly to Firefox's address bar, positioning Mozilla to compete with other browsers offering AI-enhanced search capabilities. What you should know: Perplexity provides conversational answers with citations, allowing users to validate information without navigating through multiple search result pages. Users can access Perplexity through the unified search button in Firefox's address bar alongside traditional search engines. Mozilla plans to bring Perplexity to mobile Firefox browsers "in the coming months," though...
read Oct 13, 2025Nvidia launches $3K desktop AI supercomputer with petaflop performance
Nvidia has launched its DGX Spark "personal AI supercomputer" for sale this week, priced at $3,000 and designed to fit on a desktop while delivering data center-level AI performance. The compact machine democratizes access to sophisticated AI computing power that was previously only available through expensive, energy-intensive data centers, potentially transforming how researchers, students, and data scientists engage with AI development. What you should know: The Spark delivers enterprise-grade AI capabilities in a desktop form factor that can run on standard power outlets. The system features Nvidia's GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, 128GB of unified memory, and up to 4TB of...
read Oct 9, 2025Google DeepMind launches Gemini 2.5 Computer Use to control web browsers
Google DeepMind has launched Gemini 2.5 Computer Use, an AI model that can autonomously navigate web browsers by clicking, typing, and scrolling through websites like a human user. The model joins similar offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic in the emerging field of AI agents capable of performing web-based tasks with minimal human oversight. What you should know: Gemini 2.5 Computer Use operates through natural language prompts and can execute complex multi-step web tasks independently. Users simply provide instructions like "Open Wikipedia, search for 'Atlantis,' and summarize the history of the myth in Western thought," and the model handles the entire...
read Oct 9, 2025Dia browser available for Mac users with $20/month Pro subscription
The Browser Company has officially released its AI-powered Dia browser to all Mac users after months of beta testing, offering a free tier alongside a $20/month Pro subscription. This agentic browser represents a significant evolution from traditional web browsing by integrating AI automation directly into everyday online tasks, potentially transforming how users shop, research, and navigate the internet. What you should know: Dia is designed as an "entirely agentic browser" that automates web-based tasks through AI integration rather than simply adding AI features to traditional browsing. Users can enter natural language prompts like "I want a modern-looking men's shirt with...
read Oct 9, 2025Microsoft Azure launches world’s first GB300 supercomputer for OpenAI
Microsoft Azure has unveiled the world's first production-scale NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 supercomputing cluster, specifically designed for OpenAI's most demanding AI workloads. This milestone represents a significant leap in AI infrastructure capabilities, featuring over 4,600 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs that will power next-generation reasoning models and agentic AI systems while reinforcing American leadership in artificial intelligence. What you should know: The new NDv6 GB300 VM series delivers unprecedented computational power through liquid-cooled, rack-scale systems that integrate cutting-edge hardware into a unified supercomputer. Each rack contains 72 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs and 36 NVIDIA Grace CPUs, providing 37 terabytes of fast memory...
read Oct 6, 2025Over Overviews? New browser extension lets users hide Google’s AI search features
A new browser extension called "Bye Bye, Google AI" allows users to completely hide Google's AI Overviews and other AI-powered search features from their results pages. Developed by Avram Piltch, former Editor-in-Chief of Tom's Hardware, the tool addresses growing user frustration with AI-generated summaries that have reached over 2 billion monthly users but face criticism for accuracy issues and cluttering search results. How it works: The extension uses CSS (web styling code) to block AI elements from appearing on Google Search, restoring a cleaner, more traditional search experience.• Users can remove AI Overviews (summaries above web results), the AI Mode...
read Sep 30, 2025Google Drive adds AI ransomware detection to stop attacks before they spread
Google Drive is adding AI-powered ransomware detection to its desktop application, using a specialized model trained on millions of real-world ransomware samples to identify malicious file modifications before they spread. The feature automatically pauses file syncing when threats are detected, sends alerts to users, and enables file restoration, addressing the growing ransomware threat that saw 5,289 attacks worldwide in 2024—a 15% increase from the previous year. How it works: Google's AI model continuously monitors file changes on Windows and macOS systems to detect signs of ransomware activity like mass encryption or corruption attempts. When the system detects suspicious activity, it...
read Sep 26, 2025Windows 11 Photos app now uses AI to automatically sort images into categories
Microsoft is testing an AI-powered feature for its Photos app on Windows 11 that automatically sorts images into specific categories like receipts, screenshots, identity documents, and handwritten notes. The feature aims to help users better organize their photo libraries by using visual recognition to categorize images, even when text appears in non-English languages. How it works: The Photos app uses AI to analyze the visual content of images and automatically place them into designated folders based on what it detects.• Categories currently include receipts, screenshots, identity documents, and handwritten notes.• The system can identify and sort images containing text in...
read Sep 23, 2025Perplexity launches AI-powered Comet browser in India with Pro-only access
Perplexity has launched its AI-powered Comet browser in India on September 22, 2025, marking the company's expansion into the competitive browser market. The launch brings AI-enhanced browsing capabilities to Indian users, though availability remains limited to specific platforms and user tiers. What you should know: The browser is currently available with significant platform restrictions across different user categories. Android users can pre-register for Comet on the Google Play Store, though no specific launch date has been announced for actual usage. Windows and macOS users with Perplexity Pro subscriptions can already download and use the browser. iOS availability has been delayed...
read Sep 18, 2025Google brings Gemini AI to all Chrome users with cross-tab features
Google is expanding Gemini AI integration to all Chrome desktop users in the US on Windows and Mac, bringing cross-tab functionality, YouTube video navigation, and Google app integration directly into the browser. This move positions Chrome to compete directly with AI-first browsers like Perplexity's Comet and signals the mainstream arrival of AI-powered browsing experiences for billions of users. What you should know: Gemini in Chrome was previously limited to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers but is now rolling out widely with enhanced capabilities. Users can access Gemini through a new sparkle icon in the top-right corner of the tab...
read Sep 17, 2025Personal refuting: US PC shipments fall 1.4%, though business spend rises
US PC shipments fell 1.4% year-over-year to 18.6 million units in Q2 2025 as vendors cleared excess inventory, though commercial sales grew 4% while consumer demand remained weak. The decline comes as businesses rush to upgrade systems ahead of Microsoft's Windows 10 end-of-support deadline in October 2025, with analysts predicting modest 3% annual growth through 2026 driven by AI-capable PC adoption and the Windows 11 transition. What you should know: The PC market slowdown was largely anticipated as vendors worked through inventory stockpiled earlier to avoid potential tariff exposure. Commercial sector growth of 4% offset declining consumer demand, with businesses...
read Sep 10, 2025Acer’s €4,499 Predator Helios 18P blends gaming with AI workstation features
Acer has unveiled the Predator Helios 18P AI at IFA 2025, a gaming laptop that incorporates enterprise-grade features like ECC memory and Intel vPro processors typically found in professional workstations. This hybrid approach creates an unusual proposition where gamers may pay premium workstation prices for hardware that could actually deliver slower gaming performance than traditional gaming laptops with standard components. The big picture: Acer appears to be testing whether the market will embrace a single machine that serves both gaming and professional AI workstation needs, blurring traditional product category lines. Key specifications: The Predator Helios 18P AI maintains aggressive gaming...
read Sep 8, 2025Getac unveils world’s first rugged Copilot+ PC tablet with 48 TOPS AI power
Getac has unveiled the F120, which it claims to be the world's first fully rugged Copilot+ PC in a tablet form factor, designed to withstand extreme conditions while running advanced AI workloads. The device combines battlefield-grade durability with cutting-edge AI processing power, targeting professionals in industries where equipment failure isn't an option and advanced computing capabilities are increasingly essential. What you should know: The F120 meets Microsoft's strict Copilot+ PC standards while maintaining military-grade ruggedness certifications. Built around Intel's Core Ultra 200V Series processor with an Intel AI Boost NPU (neural processing unit) delivering up to 48 TOPS of AI...
read Sep 5, 2025Lenovo delivers AI-powered Android tablets starting at $270
Lenovo has unveiled two new Android tablets at IFA 2025: the premium Yoga Tab starting at $549.99 and the budget-friendly Idea Tab Plus starting at $269.99. Both devices feature AI-powered capabilities, large batteries, and Android 15, targeting different market segments with flagship-level processors and day-one artificial intelligence integration. Key specifications: The tablets showcase Lenovo's strategy of offering AI features across price points while maintaining competitive hardware. The Yoga Tab features an 11-inch 3,200 by 2,000 display with 144Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor (the same chip powering Samsung's Galaxy S24 flagship phones), up to 12GB RAM, and...
read Sep 5, 2025Chrome extension “Bye Bye Google AI” removes AI overviews, touts 50K+ users
A tech industry veteran has created a free Chrome extension called "Bye Bye Google AI" that removes Google's AI Overviews from search results with a single click. The tool addresses growing concerns about AI summaries that may contain inaccurate information while diverting traffic from original content creators. Why this matters: Research shows that 10.4% of Google's AI Overview responses are derived from AI-generated content, with 52% of citations coming from sources outside Google's top 100 search results—pages the algorithm considers less authoritative. How it works: The Chrome extension modifies search result pages by hiding AI Overviews through CSS manipulation.• Users...
read Aug 29, 2025Geekom’s $1.9K mini PC packs AMD’s flagship AI chip into compact design
Geekom has announced the A9 Mega, a compact mini PC powered by AMD's flagship Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, launching via Kickstarter with pricing starting around $1,899. The system represents the 20th product to feature AMD's 16-core, 32-thread Strix Halo chip and positions itself as an alternative to traditional workstations and Apple's Mac Studio for AI workloads and creative applications. What you should know: The A9 Mega packs serious computing power into a compact CNC-machined aluminum body measuring 171x171x71mm. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor includes Radeon 8060S graphics and an XDNA 2 NPU (neural processing unit) capable of 126...
read Aug 21, 2025Microsoft brings AI-powered Copilot to NFL sidelines for real-time coaching
Microsoft has extended its NFL partnership to integrate AI-powered features into the familiar sideline Surface tablets, introducing GitHub Copilot-based play filtering and Microsoft 365 Copilot dashboards for game analysis. The multiyear deal transforms the existing Surface tablet infrastructure into an AI-driven coaching tool that could fundamentally change how teams make strategic decisions during games. What you should know: The enhanced system connects every NFL team's sideline viewing setup to more than 2,500 Surface Copilot Plus PCs, complete with prominent "Copilot" branding. A GitHub Copilot-based feature filters plays and makes strategy recommendations based on current game situations. Microsoft 365 Copilot powers...
read Aug 20, 2025Intel’s new feature boosts AI performance by allocating more RAM to integrated graphics
Intel has introduced "Shared GPU Memory Override," a new feature for its Core Ultra systems that allows users to allocate additional system RAM for integrated graphics use. This capability mirrors AMD's earlier "Variable Graphics Memory" feature and targets compact laptops and mobile workstations that rely on integrated solutions rather than discrete GPUs, potentially improving AI workload performance where memory availability is often the limiting factor. What you should know: The feature requires the latest Intel Arc drivers to function and is specifically designed for systems without dedicated graphics cards.• Bob Duffy, who leads Graphics and AI Evangelism at Intel, confirmed...
read Aug 18, 2025Not WWE: AMD’s new 64-core “Threadripper” 9980X offers local AI alternative for $5K
AMD has launched its Ryzen Threadripper 9000 Series workstation processors, featuring the 32-core Threadripper 9970X ($2,499) and 64-core Threadripper 9980X ($4,999). The processors target enterprise developers building AI applications locally, offering a cost-effective alternative to cloud-based solutions while addressing security concerns and providing the computational power needed for large language models and intensive development work. What you should know: These workstations bridge the performance gap between consumer PCs and enterprise servers, specifically designed for AI development, STEM applications, and content creation. The Threadripper 9970X delivers 32 cores and 64 threads, while the flagship 9980X offers 64 cores and 128 threads...
read Aug 15, 2025Chinese brand debuts 16-core AMD laptop with 99.9Wh battery under 1.8kg
Sixunited, a Shanghai-based laptop manufacturer, has launched the XN77-160M-CS featuring AMD's latest Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 APU, beating major brands like Dell and Lenovo to market with the high-end processor. The laptop combines the rare 16-core Strix Halo chip with a massive 99.9Wh battery in an under-1.8kg aluminum chassis, targeting users who need both power and extended battery life. What you should know: The XN77-160M-CS is one of only a handful of laptops to feature AMD's Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 APU, also known as Strix Halo. The 16-core processor includes integrated Navi 3.5 graphics and a 50 TOPS NPU (neural...
read Aug 15, 2025Firefox’s new AI features cause CPU spikes and drain batteries
Firefox users are experiencing unexpected CPU usage spikes and increased power consumption, with early evidence pointing to artificial intelligence features recently integrated into the popular web browser. Mozilla has acknowledged the performance issues and reversed the rollout of the problematic feature while working on a permanent fix. The performance problems appear linked to an "inference engine" - essentially a local AI system that runs directly on users' devices rather than in the cloud. This engine powers several new features in recent Firefox versions, most notably an AI-powered tab organization system that automatically suggests names for groups of browser tabs. What's...
read