It seems like we’ve had quite an exciting week in the world of technology! From potential new hardware announcements to impressive reviews and early Black Friday deals, there’s something for everyone.
Another week has whirred by, meaning the virtual newsstand has had time to change over several times since our last roundup. Over the last week, Anthropic’s CEO disagreed with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman about the timeline for AGI, NVIDIA released a new app for gamers and creators, and Microsoft finally shipped ISOs for Windows 11 on Arm. Sprinkle on top discussions of an Xbox gaming handheld by the Xbox CEO, five perfect-score reviews, and a bunch of early Black Friday deals and you have a jam-packed week in the tech world.
Here’s everything you need to catch up on from the past week.
AGI debate
Anthropic and OpenAI CEOs disagree on AGI timelines
Major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic are persistently striving towards achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). However, there’s a lot of discussion about exactly when this milestone might be reached. For instance, the CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, estimates that AGI could become a reality within the next five years.
In five years, it seems that technology advancement will be astonishingly swift, according to Altman. People often express surprise, stating that the moment of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) has already passed by or is happening much faster than expected. The pace of progress is incredibly rapid, and we’re constantly discovering new insights not only in AI and research but also across all fields of science.
According to Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, we might achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) within a few years, with estimates pointing towards 2026 or 2027. This optimism is based on the observation that AI models are rapidly approaching the level of intelligence equivalent to a PhD candidate, at least when assessed in specific ways.
Independent of the timing of when Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) might arise, if it ever does, it will represent a significant achievement for artificial intelligence. For an AI system to be classified as AGI, it must exceed human cognitive abilities in multiple areas. As of now, AI excels at specific tasks but still lags behind human cognitive capabilities.
NVIDIA App
New NVIDIA App enhances gaming experience
This week, NVIDIA introduced an application called “NVIDIA App” designed to optimize gaming experiences on PCs. This user-friendly tool encompasses a centralized GPU control panel, innovative in-game recording overlay, updated monitoring screens, and performance-enhancing filters for games. Essentially, it consolidates numerous features from GeForce Experience and RTX Experience into one convenient platform.
On their download page, NVIDIA presents the NVIDIA App as an indispensable sidekick for PC gamers and creators. With this tool, you can ensure your computer is running the most recent NVIDIA drivers and technology. The app offers a streamlined GPU control center to enhance gameplay and applications, powerful recording tools that allow you to capture memorable moments directly within games through an in-game overlay, and access to the latest NVIDIA tools and software for even more optimization possibilities.
As a tech enthusiast, I find the NVIDIA app to be a hub for a variety of exciting experiences such as GeForce Now, NVIDIA Broadcast, NVIDIA Canvas, and more. In the near future, this app will also come with the choice to bundle it with NVIDIA’s Game Ready Driver and Studio Ready drivers. However, you can manually install it right now if you prefer that route.
Windows 11 ISOs for Arm
Windows 11 ISOs arrive for Arm PCs
At long last, individuals can now officially download Windows 11 ISO media for computers equipped with an Arm64 processor. This week, Microsoft made available the official ISOs tailored for Arm64 processors, bringing immense joy to our Senior Editor Zac Bowden and many other enthusiasts who relish installing Windows on a PC in its pristine state.
ISO files, initially intended for virtual machine operation, can also be utilized to perform a fresh installation of Windows 11 on personal computers. These newly available ISOs, obtainable directly from the Microsoft website, have been warmly received by users.
As an analyst, I find that users with a PC powered by the Snapdragon X chip can directly boot the ISOs without additional steps. However, if your Arm-based PC utilizes an older Snapdragon chip, you may need to perform some extra tasks. If your PC is equipped with the Microsoft SQ3, which is based on the Snapdragon 8cx Gen3 and found in devices like the Surface Pro 9 or other older Snapdragon models, you’ll be required to incorporate necessary drivers into an ISO image before proceeding.
Besides pleasing individuals who prefer a pristine installation of Windows, the released ISOs suggest that Microsoft manages Windows on Arm in much the same way as other operating systems. This year, 2024, has been significant for Windows on Arm, and recent announcements demonstrate the platform’s progress.
Xbox handheld
Xbox CEO discusses future handheld console
It’s possible that top-tier handheld gaming devices such as the ASUS ROG Ally, Steam Deck, and Nintendo Switch might face competition from Microsoft down the line, but not for some time. In a recent interview, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer hinted at Microsoft’s interest in handheld consoles, stressing that they are adopting a thoughtful, data-driven strategy when it comes to this gaming format.
Over the long haul, Spencer expressed his enthusiasm for creating devices with us. He believes our team has the potential to produce groundbreaking work, but he stressed the importance of staying informed about current trends and advancements. Additionally, he clarified that a practical handheld console from Microsoft is unlikely to hit the market for several years.
It’s quite likely that an Xbox portable device would captivate many and revolutionize handheld gaming, but it’s important to note that Microsoft isn’t entirely new to the handheld console market. Although they don’t have their own dedicated hardware yet, they do offer games compatible with various devices. A recent advertising strategy emphasizes that phones, TVs, and computers can all be considered Xbox platforms, in a sense.
Reviews
Perfect scores highlight this week’s reviews
An unusual event took place this week as all five of our latest reviews received a flawless rating – that’s five stars or 5 out of 5s in simpler terms. The week started off with a 4K gaming handheld dock capable of recording gameplay without the need for a computer. Following this, we discussed our opinions on the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3), which many consider to be the best Xbox headset available at the moment. We also reviewed an impressive pair of mini PCs from Geekom, the HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest 3, and the ASUS ROG Ally X, all of which received perfect scores.
According to Rebecca Spear, the AVerMedia X’TRA GO Charging Dock is an excellent accessory for handheld device owners due to its compact design and capability of recording 120 frames per second at 1080p. However, she mentioned that setting it up can be a bit puzzling, and it may not accommodate the ROG Ally X fully. Despite these minor issues, it performs well and delivers enough power for charging devices while they are being used.
In simpler terms, our Executive Editor Jez Corden expressed great admiration for the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 headset. He was impressed by the high standard the company has set at this price point. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 retails for $199, but Jez mentioned that he would have expected such quality in a $299 headset. He praised the sound and bass quality, spacious soundstage with excellent detail, comfortable materials featuring memory foam ear cups, and robust construction. In summary, he found very little to fault with this headset.
Take a look at the complete feedback on the AVerMedia X’TRA GO Charging Dock, Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3), as well as our latest reviews posted earlier, for comprehensive insights.
Early Black Friday Deals
Early Black Friday deals are live
With less than two weeks until Black Friday, retailers are in a mad dash to entice customers through their virtual storefronts! Our dedicated team is constantly on the hunt for the top offers on PCs, games, accessories, and beyond. Here you’ll find our regularly updated roundups of the best deals as well as some hot trending offers that you won’t want to miss out on!
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2024-11-15 21:42