Microsoft backed G42 to build India's largest supercomputer with 8 exaflop

Microsoft backed G42 to build India's largest supercomputer with 8 exaflop


It did not mention the timeline for setting up the data centre and supercomputer. | Representative Photo: Reuters


Microsoft and Mubadala-backed G42 will build India’s largest supercomputer with eight exaflops, which can perform millions of trillion floating-point operations per second, a senior company official said on Tuesday.


G42 India CEO Manu Jain told PTI that the company also unveiled a beta version of Hindi language large language model — an artificial intelligence engine, with which users can converse in Hindi, English and Hinglish (mix of Hindi and English) language.


He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Abu Dhabi earlier this year and a memorandum of understanding on digital infrastructure was signed between India and the UAE.

 


“We are the chosen implementation partner to execute this MoU. The MoU had spoken about three things – setting up a very large 2 gigawatt data centre in India. This can double the existing capacity of data centres in India. The second is building one of India’s largest supercomputers up to 8 exaflops which we (G42) are building with Cerebras, and third was co-developing AI models in India,” Jain said.


He, however, did not mention the timeline for setting up the data centre and supercomputer.


“We are very thrilled that today we have launched Nanda, the Hindi large language model. The name of the LLM has been derived from India’s top mountain peak,” Jain said.


He said NANDA has been trained on a 13-billion parameter model trained on approximately 2.13 trillion tokens of language datasets, including Hindi.


“With NANDA, we are heralding a new era of AI inclusivity, ensuring that the rich heritage and depth of Hindi language is represented in the digital and AI landscape. NANDA exemplifies G42’s unwavering commitment to excellence and fostering equitable AI,” G242 group company Inception’s Acting CEO Andrew Jackson said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sep 10 2024 | 11:44 PM IST



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Tech wrap Sep 10: iPhone 16 series, iOS 18.1, AirPods 4, Sony PS5 Pro, more

Tech wrap Sep 10: iPhone 16 series, iOS 18.1, AirPods 4, Sony PS5 Pro, more



On September 9, Apple introduced the iPhone 16 series, marking a new phase for the iPhone. The event also featured the launch of two new wireless earbuds in the AirPods 4 series, the Watch Series 10 smartwatch, and updates to the Watch Ultra 2 and AirPods Max.


iOS 18 will be available as a free update from September 16 for eligible iPhones. The update, announced earlier at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), includes several new features. However, the highly anticipated Apple Intelligence features will be introduced in a future release.

 


On September 9, Apple introduced the iPhone 16 series, featuring significant upgrades across the standard and Pro models. The new iPhones are equipped with the A18 chip in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, and the A18 Pro chip in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.


Apple unveiled the Watch Series 10 alongside the iPhone 16 series on September 9. The new Apple Watch includes larger displays and a thinner design, with enhanced health features like Sleep Apnea detection. It now comes in a titanium casing and includes a new Titanium Milanese Loop band for the Watch Ultra 2.


Apple has launched the fourth-generation AirPods, which include the standard AirPods 4 and the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Pre-orders are open in India, with availability starting September 20. New health features have also been added to the second-generation AirPods Pro, and new colour options with USB-C charging are available for the AirPods Max.


Following the launch of the iPhone 16 series on September 9, Apple has discontinued the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models. Prices for the base iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 models have been reduced by Rs 10,000. The iPhone 16 series is now the sole lineup featuring Apple Intelligence capabilities.


A prominent feature of the iPhone 16 series is the new “Camera Control” button, present on all four models. This button facilitates quick access to camera functions through touch gestures like light presses, taps, and slides.


Apple’s “Glowtime” event revealed several new products, including the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 10. However, some anticipated announcements were absent. These products may be released later this year or early next year.


Sony is set to hold a “Technical Presentation” on September 10, with expectations that it will reveal the PlayStation 5 Pro gaming console. Although Sony has not confirmed a new Pro model, the presentation will focus on “PS5 and innovations in gaming technology.”


The Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 series allows users to quickly open the camera app with one press and capture a photo with a second press.


Apple’s new iPhone launch faced criticism in China due to the absence of artificial intelligence features, creating challenges as the company competes with Huawei Technologies in the Chinese smartphone market.


Lithium-ion battery devices are increasingly overheating on flights, with incidents rising by 28% from 2019 to 2023. Such incidents are often associated with devices stored in checked bags, where fires may go unnoticed.


A recent launch attempt was delayed due to a minor helium leak in the ground equipment on SpaceX’s launchpad.


Huawei Technologies has introduced a tri-fold smartphone in China, aiming to enhance its competitive position against Apple in the smartphone market with this new form factor.


Apple Inc. has lost its legal battle over a €13 billion ($14.4 billion) tax bill from Ireland, representing a significant development in the European Union’s efforts to challenge preferential tax arrangements for large corporations.

First Published: Sep 10 2024 | 8:03 PM IST



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HCLTech to show GenAI-based chatbot, other solutions at SEMICON India 2024

HCLTech to show GenAI-based chatbot, other solutions at SEMICON India 2024


The IT company will showcase enterprise, digital and engineering innovations, specifically designed for the semiconductor ecosystem. | Representative Picture


HCLTech on Tuesday said it will showcase its generative AI-based chatbot, along with its other engineering and AI solutions at the SEMICON India event.


The three-day conference will commence on September 11, and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.


“HCLTech suite of solutions on showcase will include conversational AI, HCLTech AI Force — a generative AI solution that accelerates software development lifecycle, Digital Twins for Wafer Handler and Rack System, Spec to Parts and Spec to Platform and HCLTech Proto ATMP lab demos,” HCLTech said in a statement.


The IT company will showcase enterprise, digital and engineering innovations, specifically designed for the semiconductor ecosystem, it said.

 


“We look forward to our participation in SEMICON India–especially at a time when India is poised to become a leading player in the semiconductor space. We’re happy to contribute our skills, knowledge and engineering prowess gained over four decades.


“Our collaborations with top OEMs, fabs and OSATs demonstrate our commitment to accelerating semiconductor roadmaps, maximising ROI and fostering innovation,” said Ameer Saithu, EVP, Semiconductor, HCLTech.


SEMICON India 2024 is being organised by microelectronics industry association SEMI and Messe Muenchen in partnership with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, India Semiconductor Mission, and Digital India.


It will see participation from global semiconductor giants and will feature more than 250 exhibitors and 150 speakers.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sep 10 2024 | 6:17 PM IST



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Apple loses European Union top court fight over .4 bn Irish tax bill

Apple loses European Union top court fight over $14.4 bn Irish tax bill


The ruling is a boost for EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager. (Photo: Shutterstock)


Apple Inc. lost its court fight over a €13 billion ($14.4 billion) Irish tax bill, in a boost to the European Union’s crackdown on special deals doled out by nations to big companies.

 


The EU’s Court of Justice in Luxembourg backed a landmark 2016 decision that Ireland broke state-aid law by giving the iPhone maker an unfair advantage.


The European Court of Justice ruled on Tuesday that a lower court win for Apple should be overturned, because judges incorrectly decided that the commission’s regulators had made mistakes in their assessment.


The ruling is a boost for EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager, whose mandate in Brussels is about to end after two terms. 

 


In 2016, Vestager sparked outrage across the Atlantic when she homed in on Apple’s tax arrangements. She claimed that Ireland granted illegal benefits to the Cupertino, California-based company that enabled it to pay substantially less tax than other businesses in the country, over many years. 


She ordered Ireland to claw back the €13 billion sum, which amounts to about two quarters of Mac sales globally. The money has been sitting in an escrow account pending a final ruling.


Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook blasted the EU move as “total political crap.” The US Treasury weighed in too, saying the EU was making itself a “supra-national tax authority” that could threaten global tax reform efforts. Then President Donald Trump said Vestager “hates the United States” because “she’s suing all our companies.”


“We are disappointed with today’s decision as previously the general court reviewed the facts and categorically annulled this case,” an Apple spokesperson said.

First Published: Sep 10 2024 | 3:22 PM IST



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Camera Control button on Apple iPhone 16 series: What is it, how it works

Camera Control button on Apple iPhone 16 series: What is it, how it works


Camera Control on iPhone 16 Pro


One of the standout features of the new iPhone 16 series is the introduction of a “Camera Control” button. This button is included on all four iPhone 16 models and is designed to enhance the user experience with quick access to camera functions using touch gestures such as light press, tap, and slide.


iPhone 16 Camera Control: Details


The Camera Control button is integrated into the iPhone 16 series frame and features a “high-precision” force sensor that provides haptic feedback mimicking the feel of a DSLR camera shutter. The capacitive touch sensor on the button detects interactions such as clicks and slides.

 


The button is topped with a sapphire crystal surface, offering a smooth texture and is encircled by a colour-matched fine stainless steel trim.


iPhone 16 Camera Control: Functions


The Camera Control button facilitates rapid access to various camera actions. A single click launches the Camera app, while another quick click captures a photo. In video mode, a click starts and stops recording.


The force sensors distinguish between a click and a light press. A light press opens up controls like zoom, displayed in a new interface adjacent to the button. A double light press reveals a sliding menu for additional camera settings, such as exposure or depth of field. Users can swipe on the button itself to select the desired setting.


For the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models, Apple is introducing a two-stage shutter feature with the Camera Control button. This feature allows users to lock focus and exposure with a light press, enabling them to reframe their shot without losing the set focus and exposure levels.


These Camera Control actions are also compatible with third-party apps, including Snapchat.


Visual Intelligence with Camera Control Button


During the iPhone 16 launch event, Apple showcased the new “Visual Intelligence” feature, which utilises the Camera Control button. Once available, users can click and hold the button within the camera app to obtain information about real-life objects. For instance, pointing the camera at a restaurant will provide details such as opening hours, reviews, and ratings. Users will also have the option to perform a visual Google Search or send the information to OpenAI’s ChatGPT for further details.

First Published: Sep 10 2024 | 2:42 PM IST



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iPhone SE 4 to iPad mini 7: Expected Apple products yet to be announced

iPhone SE 4 to iPad mini 7: Expected Apple products yet to be announced



Apple’s “Glowtime” event featured several announcements, including the iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Intelligence. However, some anticipated products were notably absent from the event. Here are the details about the missing products, which could be in the works for launch later this year or early next year.


iPhone SE 4


Apple has been working on an upgrade for the iPhone SE, but the device was not mentioned during the event. The third generation, launched in 2022, retains a design similar to the iPhone 8. Rumours suggest that the updated iPhone SE will adopt a design akin to the iPhone 14, potentially replacing Touch ID with Face ID and featuring an OLED display with a notch. The new device might also be powered by the A18 chip, aligning with the requirements for the Apple Intelligence system.

 


iPad mini 7


Reports indicate that Apple Stores worldwide are running low on stock of the iPad mini 6, suggesting an imminent release of a new iPad mini. The device was not announced at the event. According to Bloomberg, the new generation model is expected to be revealed in October.


M4 Macs


New Macs are anticipated to launch in October, including updated versions of the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac, all featuring the M4 chip.


AirPods Pro 3


A new generation of AirPods Pro was not introduced at the event. The second generation, announced in 2022, was upgraded in 2023 with a new USB-C charging case. At the event, Apple unveiled two new versions of AirPods 4. Rumours suggest that the AirPods Pro 3, with more significant enhancements such as integrated health sensors, will launch next year.


Apple Watch Ultra 3


While the Apple Watch Series 10, with a new design and large screen, was a highlight of the event, no new version of the Apple Watch Ultra was announced. Instead, Apple released a new black variant of the existing Apple Watch Ultra 2. For the first time, there is also an Hermès edition of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 available.


New Apple Watch SE


A new Apple Watch SE was anticipated, expected to be made of plastic, targeted at children, and available in various colours. However, this was not announced at the event.


Additionally, Apple is expected to launch a more affordable Apple Vision and new HomePods in 2025, but these were also missing from the announcements.

First Published: Sep 10 2024 | 1:53 PM IST



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