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Get a Deep Sleep With Tuft & Needle Holiday Discounts of Up to 25% Right Now

CNET News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 12:00
This sale saves you up to 25% on a mattress and lets you bundle accessories for some extra savings.
Categories: Technology

Microsoft tipped to give its Surface devices a major Intel refresh in 2025

TechRadar News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 11:30
  • New Surface devices are on the way
  • Intel and AMD chips could be involved
  • Expect new products from March

Our Surface Pro 11 review and Surface Laptop 7 review will tell you we've been very impressed with Microsoft's own-brand computers this year – and it seems as though plenty more Surface products are heading our way in 2025.

A comprehensive leak from Windows Central outlines what's next for Microsoft Surface. We're apparently getting new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models in 2025, both with Copilot+ PC branding and Intel Lunar Lake CPUs inside (as previously rumored).

These will be the first Intel-powered Surface computers with the AI-centric Copilot+ PC branding – following on from the Qualcomm-powered models mentioned at the start – as Lunar Lake brings with it the necessary neural processing architecture.

Don't expect too much to change in terms of the aesthetics though. Microsoft is likely to stick with the current designs for the Surface Pro and the Surface Laptop in 2025 and beyond, according to the Windows Central report.

A new mystery device

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (Image credit: Future)

Some other tidbits: the new Surface Pro and Surface Studio will get anti-reflective screens (unlike the most recent versions), a card reader option will be available, and we may even see 5G on the Surface Laptop for the first time.

The Surface Laptop Studio is getting a 2025 refresh as well, it seems. Intel or AMD chips could be used here, but again the Copilot+ PC branding will be used. According to insiders, a 16-inch version is being mulled over at Microsoft.

A new 11-inch Surface device is in the pipeline as well, the report says, to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset – though it's not clear what the form factor will be. Finally, a new Surface Dock is also rumored to be on the way.

We can expect these new products to start appearing from the first quarter of 2025, Windows Central says, so that's March at the latest. Plans and schedules can of course change, but it looks like 2025 will be a fun year for Microsoft Surface fans.

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What Is the Saver's Credit? How You Can Turn Retirement Savings Into Lower Taxes

CNET News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 11:00
Saving enough for retirement is a major responsibility, but the saver's credit can help you offset the costs come tax time.
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La Liga Soccer Livestream: How to Watch Girona vs. Real Madrid From Anywhere

CNET News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 11:00
Can the improving hosts take advantage of Los Blancos' faltering form?
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Take These Tax Steps Before the End of 2024 to Maximize Your Tax Refund in 2025

CNET News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 10:55
The 2025 tax deadline is months away, but careful planning now could help get you more money back from the IRS.
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Future exascale supercomputers will be built using these HPE Lego-like cabinets able to hold nearly 100,000 AMD EPYC Cores

TechRadar News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 10:05
  • HPE's Cray EX4000 supports modular designs, scaling to 98,304 cores
  • Slingshot 400 interconnect doubles throughput, vital for exascale systems
  • AMD and Nvidia collaborations help compute density exceed 10 petaflops

Future exascale supercomputers will adopt modular designs that allow enhanced scalability and efficiency, new reports have claimed.

TheNextPlatform says Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is leading this transformation, with its Cray EX4000 systems, which use HPE’s Slingshot interconnect and innovative chassis to support up to 98,304 AMD Epyc cores per rack.

HPE’s interconnect technology is also advancing. The Slingshot 400, expected to be used in “Shasta” Cray EX systems in 2025, builds on the earlier Rosetta architecture and promises 400Gb/sec per port, doubling the throughput of its predecessor.

Staying ahead

This development is vital for managing the massive data loads produced by exascale systems, particularly for AI and scientific simulations.

The Slingshot 400’s improvements to network interface cards and switches show HPE’s drive to stay competitive in a market that includes Nvidia and Broadcom, and TheNextPlatform predicts the company could achieve “800 Gb/sec speeds with a future Slingshot 800 (perhaps in the fall of 2027) and 1.6 Tb/sec speeds with an even further out Slingshot 1600 (perhaps in the fall of 2029).”

On the compute side, HPE’s collaboration with AMD is reflected in its upcoming Cray EX4252 Gen 2 compute blades. These will feature AMD’s Zen 5c-based Epyc 9965 processors, offering 192 cores per CPU.

According to TheNextPlatform, “With eight Epyc 9965s on each blade and 64 blades in one EX4000 chassis, that works out to a total of 98,304 cores in a single liquid-cooled rack.” This setup achieves up to 2 petaflops per rack and with 500 racks, “you could build an all-CPU exascale supercomputer."

Nvidia, naturally, also plays a key role in HPE’s systems. The forthcoming EX154n blade, expected at the end of 2025, will include Nvidia’s Grace-Blackwell complexes, combining CPUs and GPUs in a unified design. A single cabinet using these components could exceed 10 petaflops.

HPE’s advancements, showcased at the SC24 supercomputing conference, include storage upgrades. The new Cray E2000 all-flash array doubles the performance of its predecessor with PCIe 5.0-enabled NVM-Express drives, ensuring storage keeps pace with compute and network advancements.

By upgrading its lineup from top to bottom and blending cutting-edge compute, networking, and storage technologies, HPE, which already leads the HPC server market, is demonstrating its determination to push the frontiers of high-performance computing and maintain its dominance over the likes of rivals Dell and Lenovo.

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SEO: Korg MicroKorg 2 Review: Better, Not Best

WIRED Top Stories - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 09:03
This tiny synth is a solid upgrade, but it lives in a sea of excellent competitors.
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iPhone content creator? The Moft Creator Kit should be your next purchase

TechRadar News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 09:00

There are iPhone cases, and then there are iPhone cases. The Moft Creator Kit – a 5-in-1 accessory package for iPhone-owning content creators – sits firmly in the latter camp.

Admittedly, Moft’s MagSafe-compatible Snap Phone Case (which is made from high-color-retention vegan leather and microfiber) is only one part of this creator-friendly toolkit, but when working in tandem with the various other accessories that Moft includes in the Creator Kit, it becomes the iPhone case to end all iPhone cases.

Designed for on-the-go TikTokers and compatible with iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max, the Moft Creator Kit features four distinct tools: the phone case itself, a lanyard clip with a strap, a snap-on stand and wallet, and what Moft describes as an Invisible Tripod (it unfolds to reveal a third magnetic surface). If you go for the iPhone 16 Pro version, you’ll also get a magnetic notepad stand and a little wad of sticky notes (talk about luxury!).

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The whole kit comes in a neat, shelf-like box that’s designed to be re-used as a handy storage space for each of the four (or five, depending on your iPhone model) tools, and everything is presented in a minimalist, off-white, and decidedly Apple-like color.

As mentioned, the Creator Kit is intended for digital creators who produce social media content on the go, and although it might seem like overkill for regular folk (sticky notes, really?), I’ve found myself using many of Moft's attachable tools on a daily basis, especially the wallet and tripod, which have become features of both my office and home desk setups.

(Image credit: Moft)

The only small (okay, big) snag is the price. The Moft Creator Kit costs a whopping $198 / £159 – that’s outrageously expensive for a handful of phone accessories, but there is a sliver of good news. The case maker is currently running a Christmas sale, meaning you can pick up the Kit for a discounted price of $168 / £134. Yes, that figure is only marginally less outrageous, but if you like the look of certain tools over others, Moft does sell most elements of the Creator Kit individually (the Snap Phone Case, for instance, can be purchased separately – and in many different colors – for a much more reasonable $49.99 / £40).

So, if you’re an iPhone-owning content creator who’s keen on upgrading their on-the-go shooting setup, or you’re simply looking for a Christmas present for the iPhone fan in your life, I'd recommend adding one of Moft’s excellent iPhone accessories to your basket sooner rather than later.

For more iPhone-related gifting advice, check out our roundups of the best iPhone 15 cases and best iPhone 16 cases.

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Premier League Soccer: Livestream Man United vs. Nottingham Forest From Anywhere

CNET News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 08:30
The Red Devils look to bounce back after their first defeat under new coach Ruben Amorim.
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Skip the Viral Hatch Restore 2 for This Brighter, Cheaper Clock

WIRED Top Stories - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 08:02
After testing many, many sunrise alarm clocks, I recommend the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 for your perpetually sleepy loved one.
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Captain America: Brave New World: release date, trailer, confirmed cast, plot synopsis, and more news and rumors on the Marvel Phase 5 movie

TechRadar News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 08:01
Captain America: Brave new World: key information

- Releasing worldwide next February
- Will be the second-to-last Marvel Phase 5 film
- Trailers released in July and November
- Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson/Captain America is the movie's protagonist
- Harrison Ford among its supporting cast
- Story synopsis unveiled in July
- Other plot details leaked online
- Unclear how it'll set up future MCU movies, including the next two Avengers flicks

Captain America: Brave New World feels like an apt description for the superhero's next tentpole movie adventure. Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson first stepped into the shoes vacated by previous incumbent Steve Rogers in the TV series Falcon and the Winter Soldier (FATWS), and now it's time for the former Falcon and Cap's sidekick to take flight as the so-called Star Spangled Man With a Plan in his own right.

Before the penultimate Marvel Phase 5 film arrives in theaters, we'll break down everything we know about Captain America 4. In this guide, you'll find official details on its release date, confirmed cast, story specifics, trailers, and more. Potential cast and plot spoilers follow, so proceed at your own risk.

Captain America: Brave New World release date

Marvel Studios' #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld. Only in theaters February 14, 2025. pic.twitter.com/7quDHgwnIKJuly 12, 2024

Captain America: Brave New World will be released in theaters worldwide on February 14, 2025.

The Marvel Phase 5 movie was originally scheduled for release on May 3, 2024, but the 2023 Hollywood strikes meant several Marvel films were delayed by many months. Unsurprisingly, that contingent included Wilson's first silver screen outing as the titular shield-wielding superhero, initially pushed to July 26, 2024. However, in November 2023, it was given its third launch date slot, which it's subsequently held onto despite numerous recent reshoots.

Captain America: Brave New World trailer

With just over three months to go until its release in cinemas, Captain America: Brave New World's official trailer was posted online in early November. Alongside a new Thunderbolts movie teaser, Captain America 4's latest trailer suggested Marvel Phase 5 would go out with a bang rather than a whimper, too.

This trailer arrived four months after Captain America: Brave New World's first trailer, which premiered online in mid-July. That was the first time the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) flick revealed it was returning to the film series' political thriller vibes. Oh, and that legendary actor Harrison Ford was not only playing Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross in the movie but he'd also be hulk-ing out as Ross' iconic Red Hulk alter-ego, too.

Captain America: Brave New World confirmed cast

Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross and Sam Wilson won't always see eye-to-eye in Captain America 4 (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Potential spoilers follow for Captain America: Brave New World.

Here's the confirmed cast for the next MCU movie so far:

  • Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America
  • Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres/Falcon
  • Harrison Ford as Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross/Red Hulk
  • Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns/The Leader
  • Shira Haas as Rut Bat-Seraph
  • Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley
  • Giancarlo Esposito as Seth Voelker/Sidewinder
  • Liv Tyler as Betty Ross
  • Takehiro Hira as Ozaki
  • Xosha Roquemore as TBC
  • Rosa Salazar as TBC
  • Seth Rollins as TBC

Some of the above actors and their Marvel characters will be familiar to MCU fans. Wilson has been ever-present since 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Ramirez and Lumbly made their debuts in FATWS, while Nelson and Tyler played supporting roles in 2010's The Incredible Hulk – a flick some viewers may have forgotten is an MCU movie. Indeed, it was the second Marvel Studios film to land in theaters after 2008's Iron Man. You can learn more about this duo and other MCU films in our Marvel movies in order guide.

Say hello to Red Hulk, everyone (Image credit: Marvel)

On the newcomer front, veteran actor Harrison Ford was hired to play Ross following William Hurt's passing in March 2022. As mentioned, Ford will also portray Red Hulk, a much angrier and seemingly unstoppable version of Bruce Banner's gamma-irradiated superpowered alias.

As for the rest of the confirmed cast: Haas is playing Bat-Seraph, a Marvel character whose backstory has been significantly altered from her comic book counterpart. In the source material, Bat-Seraph is an Israeli superhero known as Sabra – another of Marvel's many mutants who possesses numerous superhuman abilities, including being able to withstand high-caliber rounds. Per Marvel.com, though, her MCU adaptation has been retooled to turn her into a former Black Widow and one of Ross' closest confidantes.

Meanwhile, Hira will play Japanese Prime Minister Ozaki, who's expecting to have a small role in the proceedings. The same is expected of Esposito's Sidewinder, who'll be a secondary antagonist in Captain America 4 and is the leader of a villainous group known as the Serpent Society.

Hira's Prime Minister Ozaki (left) will reportedly have a small role to play in Captain America 4 (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Speaking of the Serpent Society, Salazar and Rollins' roles haven't been confirmed by Marvel, but the pair are rumored to be playing two members of this team, Diamondback and Cutthroat. Lastly, Roquemore is involved as an unnamed secret agent.

There are other characters rumored to appear in Captain America 4, but we won't spoil them ahead of time. Two individuals who aren't expected to make cameos, though, are Sebastien Stan's James 'Bucky' Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier, and Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner/The Hulk.

Where 'Bucky' is concerned, he's one of the major players in Thunderbolts, which arrives in theaters next May, so it wouldn't make sense for him to be involved in this film if he's caught up in events elsewhere. As for Banner, despite Ruffalo appearing to suggest (during a chat at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival) that he'll appear in Brave New World, Variety reports that he misspoke about his involvement.

Captain America: Brave New World plot synopsis and speculation

Captain America: Brave New World is being billed as a geopolitical thriller (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Potential spoilers follow for Captain America: Brave New World.

Here's the movie's official plot synopsis: "Captain America: Brave New World follows Sam Wilson who, after meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red."

That's not much to go on, but Captain America 4's cast and crew have provided some additional details about its story – starting with the titular hero.

Speaking to Empire magazine, director Julius Onah spoke about the challenges that Mackie's Wilson will face in Brave New World. "Part of the challenge for Sam as Captain America, working within the government, is the way he’s going to make decisions,” Onah said. "The point of view he’s going to have will, at times, put him at odds with the president. Sam [also] finds himself almost standing between Samuel Sterns and what he thinks the government owes him, and how he wants to go about getting that.

"The action in this movie is incredibly exciting because this is a guy who can break, this is a guy who can bleed," Onah added. "We get to have a lot of fun pushing him to the limit."

Red Hulk won't be an easy foe for Cap 2.0 to overcome (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

It sounds like Wilson will be put through the wringer, then! Considering he'll be going up against Red Hulk at some point, that's to be expected, but how will Wilson, who isn't imbued with the super soldier serum, withstand an assault from a far more menacing Hulk who can melt matter with his radiated skin? Taking to the stage at Disney's APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Mackie explained how his character would level the playing field.

"With Sam, him being a counselor, he uses more of his brains than brawn," Mackie said (via comicbookmovie.com). "When you don’t have the serum, you have to be smart and engineer different ways of defeating [enemies]. He uses more of his wit than his fist. He’s more of a friend to everyone.

Elaborating on Wilson's new superhero costume, Mackie added: "It’s a high-tech suit. I went to Wakanda, met with everybody in Wakanda, we had dinner. It was a great time. They threw me a welcome party. It was dope. But when I was leaving, they gave me a suit, right?" We're not sure if you're joking here, Anthony, but we'll take you at your word and believe that Wilson will travel to Wakanda to acquire a new, vibranium-infused suit to combat Red Hulk.

#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld details • It's a return to the grounded aspects of 'The Winter Soldier' • Giancarlo Esposito will play Sidewinder — King of the Serpent Society• Celestials are made out of Adamantium • Harrison Ford turns into Red Hulk while giving a… pic.twitter.com/EbVHVQ5AT3July 28, 2024

And what of the new Captain America-Falcon dynamic that was introduced in FATWS? In another Empire article, Onah teased: "There’s this incredible big brother/little brother dynamic between them [Wilson and Torres]. It’s going to be one of the key emotional centers of the film."

The pair will need to have each other's backs throughout the film, too, because of the geopolitical storm they become embroiled in. Indeed, as Captain America: Brave New World's trailers have teased, the world's biggest nations are after a brand-new material that's been discovered in the Indian Ocean. The substance in question? Adamantium – yep, the very same metal that iconic X-Men member Wolverine's bones are coated in.

Per numerous online rumors, the precious metal is found on the corpse of Tiamut, aka the Celestial that was set to emerge from Earth's core in the 2021 MCU movie Eternals. However, thanks to Sersi's matter transmutation abilities and the titular team using their shared Uni-Mind powers, the group manages to stop Tiamut's emergence (and Earth's subsequent destruction) by turning the Celestial to marble. It seems the group's combined efforts also created adamantium. Once it's discovered, and its unique properties are scientifically proven, the US, Japan, and other first-world countries will try to forcefully claim it as their own after a breakdown in diplomatic talks.

Marvel Studios’ #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld arrives in theaters February 14. pic.twitter.com/PkB3yCgPD6November 9, 2024

There are plenty of other questions – many of which were conceived by fans after Brave New World's trailers were released – that need answering.

Why does Ross want Wilson to reform the Avengers if he was previously at odds with the group's formation? What's Samuel Sterns/The Leader's role in proceedings? Who brainwashes Lumbly into trying to assassinate Ross? And how will Captain America 4 set up future MCU movies? We can't answer all those yet, but we'll deliver our best guesses about the last question in this guide's final section.

Where to watch the Captain America movies

You can stream Captain America: The Winter Soldier exclusively on Disney Plus (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Want to re-watch the other Captain America movies, or stream them for the first time, before Brave New World arrives? You can do so on Disney Plus.

The last three Captain America films, two of which are among the best Marvel movies ever made, are viewable on one of the world's best streaming services, but you'll need to sign up to the platform to watch them. Read our Disney Plus price guide for more details on how to purchase a subscription.

How will Captain America: Brave New World set up future Marvel movies?

Brave New World may set the stage for Sam Wilson (right) to assemble the next Avengers line-up (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The short answer is: we aren't sure, but we can speculate on how it'll set up some Marvel Phase 6 films.

Depending on how Captain America: Brave New World ends, we'd be surprised if Wilson doesn't try to reform the Avengers. There are plenty of new recruits who could replace the likes of Iron Man and Black Widow on the team, and veterans including Thor, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and Doctor Strange would answer the call if, well, they're called upon.

It'll be in the team's interests to regroup, too, ahead of the next two Avengers movies. Indeed, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will cap off the Marvel Multiverse Saga – and, with The Fantastic Four's legendary villain Doctor Doom (who'll be played by none other than ex-Iron Man superstar Robert Downey Jr) set to be the main villain of that duology, Earth's Mightiest Heroes will be required to defend our world once more.

Looking further ahead, the emergence of adamantium in the MCU continues the long-drawn-out arrival of the X-Men. Marvel President Kevin Feige has already stated that the post-Secret Wars era will "lead us into a new age of mutants", and the introduction of the malleable metal in Brave New World is further proof that the X-Men's MCU debut will be upon us in the next few years. Considering they've been teased in everything from Ms Marvel and Deadpool and Wolverine to The Marvels and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, it's high time they appeared, too.

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Best Broadband Deals for the Holidays

CNET News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 08:00
Are you on the hunt for holiday gifts? CNET has the rundown on how to treat yourself to some significant savings on your home internet connection.
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Asus Vivobook S 14 OLED Review: A Simple and Effective Laptop

WIRED Top Stories - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 07:30
It’s not flashy, but this Asus laptop has all the power you probably need plus a crisp OLED display.
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New leak predicts just how thin the iPhone 17 Air is going to be

TechRadar News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 06:30
  • An iPhone 17 Air has been rumored for a while
  • It'll apparently shave 2 mm off the iPhone 16 Pro
  • Apple's own modems will be smaller

There's been plenty of talk around a potential iPhone 17 Air (or iPhone 17 Slim) model next year – replacing the iPhone 16 Plus, apparently – and now we've got details on just how thin this upcoming handset could be.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who tends to know what he's talking about when it comes to Apple information, the iPhone 17 Air is going to be around 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro.

Considering the iPhone 16 Pro is only 8.3 mm (0.33 inches) front to back, that's quite a serious reduction – knocking off some 24%. It would be Apple's thinnest iPhone yet, beating the iPhone 6 from 2014 (6.9 mm or 0.27 inches).

The slimming down is due in part to Apple's expected switch to using its own modem in next year's iPhones, rather than using chips from Qualcomm. It's a rumor we've heard before, and which Gurman has now mentioned again.

Chipsets and screens

Remember the iPhone 6? It's the thinnest iPhone ever

We'll see the new Apple modem in the iPhone SE 4 first of all, according to Gurman – that is tipped to arrive in March 2025. After that, it'll show up in the iPhone 17 models, with an improved version set to be ready in time for the iPhone 18 in 2026.

Apple is even planning to use its own modem chipset to add cellular connectivity to Macs and the Apple Vision Pro, according to the report – but that's unlikely to happen before 2026, as the technology needs to be further developed.

As for the iPhone 17 Air, previous leaks suggest it's going to do without a physical SIM card slot to keep it as thin as possible, while it might also introduce a screen that's thinner and more efficient compared to the current iPhone displays.

All of this thinning down will eventually help Apple in the development of its first folding iPhone, according to Gurman. That device looks unlikely to launch before 2026 at the earliest – but it is now reportedly on the way.

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Try These Tricks to Free Up More Screen Real Estate on a Mac

WIRED Top Stories - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 06:30
There are several ways to keep the elements on your Mac’s screen from getting in the way of your work. Try these tips to free up some visual space.
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Norman and the NERD: Google insider spills beans on how the quest for clean nuclear energy went ballistic at one of the world's largest technology companies with a weird detour via cold fusion

TechRadar News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 06:03
  • Cold fusion revival sparked Google curiosity but yielded no conclusive evidence.
  • Google’s bold nuclear projects highlighted innovation beyond traditional tech
  • Google's NERD explored nuclear energy with audacious and pioneering ideas

Google has been at the center of many innovative developments, but its foray into nuclear energy development - aided by unexpected detours into cold fusion and machine learning - is a lesser-known chapter of its innovation journey.

To achieve its goals, Google partnered with TAE to enhance Norman, a machine designed for advanced plasma experiments, and NERD (Nuclear Energy R&D), Google’s bold program to explore clean nuclear energy.

A Google insider has now shed light on how this journey unfolded, complete with pioneering successes, bureaucratic battles, and a strange sidetrack into the discredited realm of cold fusion.

Tackling advanced nuclear policy

Google’s interest in nuclear energy wasn’t merely about technology, it extended to reshaping policies.

In collaboration with think tanks like Third Way, Google worked to create a policy landscape conducive to advanced nuclear development. Advanced reactor designs, which promise safety, efficiency, and better waste management, often face bureaucratic hurdles due to outdated regulatory frameworks.

To address this, the NERD team supported legislative efforts, resulting in multiple laws that modernized nuclear licensing and provided funding for demonstration projects.

This advocacy bore fruit. The US federal government committed billions to support the next wave of nuclear reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs). Notably, Google recently signed an agreement to purchase nuclear power from SMRs, signalling its practical commitment to the nuclear renaissance.

In the realm of nuclear fusion, Google combined its computing prowess with plasma research at TAE Technologies. The centerpiece of this effort was Norman, a reactor designed to heat plasma to extreme temperatures. The “optometrist algorithm”, a machine learning tool that optimized the reactor’s settings was key to this initiative.

Like an optometrist adjusting lenses for clarity, this algorithm enabled physicists to refine experiments efficiently, resulting in groundbreaking advancements in plasma stability and temperature control.

These collaborations pushed TAE to new heights, as Norman surpassed its initial goals, and the insights gained fueled the development of Copernicus, a reactor targeting the holy grail of energy breakeven, where energy output equals input.

However, NERD’s most unconventional project was its exploration of low-energy nuclear reactions (LENR), colloquially known as cold fusion. While cold fusion’s credibility was tarnished after controversial claims in the late 1980s, Google approached the topic with rigorous scientific scrutiny. Partnering with external researchers, Google funded 12 projects investigating whether anomalies in earlier experiments could yield a breakthrough.

The result? No evidence of cold fusion, but a wealth of peer-reviewed publications and unexpected applications. Nevertheless, Google’s nuclear endeavors didn’t stop with fusion and policy. The company explored nuclear excitation, a cutting-edge method to tailor nuclear reactions for energy generation or waste reduction.

The scale of Google’s ambition from transforming US nuclear policy to leveraging machine learning in fusion and re-examining debunked science is absolutely ballistic. This unconventional journey reflects Google’s broader philosophy: no idea is too big, too wild, or too controversial to explore. While not every initiative hit the mark, each contributed to a greater understanding of nuclear energy’s potential.

Via IEEE Spectrum

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Premier League Soccer: Livestream Crystal Palace vs. Man City From Anywhere

CNET News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 06:00
Pep Guardiola's look to make it back-to-back wins as they travel to Selhurst Park.
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Premier League Soccer: Livestream Brentford vs. Newcastle From Anywhere

CNET News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 06:00
The Magpies travel to West London looking to build on their dramatic comeback draw against Liverpool.
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Premier League Soccer: Livestream Aston Villa vs. Southampton From Anywhere

CNET News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 06:00
The Villans look to build on their midweek win as they face the EPL's bottom club.
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Why Can’t I Get More Than One Internet Option at My Address? The Untold Story of Internet Monopolies in the US

CNET News - Sat, 12/07/2024 - 06:00
A handful of large internet service providers dominate the broadband market. What does that mean for your monthly internet bill?
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