Technology

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• Swimlane survey finds many businesses aren't keeping on top of AI energy needs
• Nearly three quarters are aware of the dramatic energy demands needed to train AI models
• Just 13% actively monitor AI energy consumption, which may indicate most used off-premise facilities

As the transition from simple algorithms to advanced models significantly increases energy demands, the adoption of agentic AI, known for its advanced decision-making capabilities, is intensifying concerns over energy consumption, new research has claimed.

A survey by SambaNova Systems, sampling over 2000 business leaders from the United States and Europe, found 70% of business leaders are aware of the substantial energy requirements for training models for AI tools, but only 13% monitor the power consumption of their AI systems.

At the same time, 37.2% of enterprises are facing growing stakeholder pressure to improve energy efficiency, and 42% expect these demands to intensify.

Challenges with AI energy demands

Rising energy costs have become a significant challenge, with 20.3% of businesses identifying them as a pressing issue.

Thankfully, 77.4% of businesses are actively exploring ways to reduce power usage by optimizing their models, adopting energy-efficient hardware, and investing in renewable energy solutions.

However, these efforts are not keeping pace with the rapid expansion of AI systems, leaving many enterprises vulnerable to rising costs and sustainability pressures.

“The findings reveal a stark reality: businesses are rushing to adopt AI, but aren’t prepared to manage its energy impact,” said Rodrigo Liang, SambaNova Systems' CEO.

“Without a proactive approach to more efficient AI hardware and energy consumption, particularly in the face of increasing demand from AI workflows, we risk undermining the very progress AI promises to deliver," he added.

"By 2027, my expectation is that more than 90% of leaders will be concerned about the power demands of AI. As businesses integrate AI, addressing energy efficiency and infrastructure readiness will be essential for long-term success.”

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AI technology is everywhere, from phones to drive-through ordering systems. Given that companies like Google, Microsoft and Apple are putting AI into everything, it's good to stay up to date on all the latest terminology.

• TikTok can no longer be downloaded in the US
• The app will still let you access your data
• President Trump may reverse the ban decision

It's finally happened: TikTok has been banned in the United States. If you're in the US, you won't find the app available in the Android or iOS app stores, and if you already have the app on your phone you won't be able to use it – except to download your data.

As we've posted on our TikTok ban live blog, attempting to use the app brings up a message saying "you can't use TikTok for now". Your options then are to close the app or to log in and download your data.

There is a strong possibility that the app will be reinstated though. The message goes on: "We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Stay tuned!"

That sounds like TikTok owner ByteDance is betting big on the incoming president. Yesterday Trump told NBC News that he would "most likely" give TikTok a 90-day reprieve once he takes office, which will be tomorrow (January 20).

Following the law

Apple posted a support document on the TikTok ban. Have never seen one of these before for an app removal. But then again this is all pretty unprecedented. All this for a 48 hour ban. https://t.co/V4XpFhKwoeJanuary 19, 2025

While this might not be the end for TikTok in the US, users there are going to have to go without their fix of short-form videos for a day or two at least. The removal and blocking of the app has been swift and comprehensive.

As noted by Apple analyst and Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, Apple has taken the unusual step of publishing a support document for the TikTok ban, which will show up if you try and search for TikTok in the iPhone App Store.

"TikTok and ByteDance Ltd. apps are no longer available in the United States, and visitors to the United States might have limited access to features," explains the document. "Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates."

The long-term fate of TikTok remains uncertain. According to CNBC, Perplexity AI has made a bid to take over the running of TikTok in the US – which may be one way the app can carry on operating in the country.

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The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is one of the best Android smartwatches you can buy right now, and the best Samsung watch (from a specs perspective, anyway) the company has ever made.

Unveiled in 2024, it's a durable and rugged alternative to mainstream Android choices that has proven popular among Android fans looking for a Wear OS answer to the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Apple has successfully iterated on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and is expected to unveil a new Apple Watch Ultra 3 in 2025, but will Samsung follow suit?

The Galaxy Watch Ultra has by all accounts been a success story, and it seems almost inconceivable that Samsung isn't cooking up something behind the scenes to iterate on the first generation.

That being said, leaks and rumors are scant (if not non-existent), so right now all we can do is speculate and talk about what we'd like to see in a Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

With that in mind, here are some of our ideas.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Cut to the chase

• What is it? A prospective second-generation Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
• When could it launch? As soon as 2025
• How much could it cost? Current pricing is $649 / £599 / AU$1,299, unlikely to change much

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Price and release date predictions

(Image credit: Future)

There are no rumors about the release date or pricing of a potential Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, but we can make a few predictions.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is $649 / £599 / AU$1,299, one of the biggest draws of the watch is that it undercuts the Apple Watch, and it's unlikely that Samsung would upend this successful formula by raising the price. As such, we'd expect a Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 to cost in the region of the current model.

As for release date, rival Apple launched its Apple Watch Ultra 2 just one year after the first iteration, so there's precedent here for a Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 as early as 2025. Specifically, the Galaxy Watch Ultra was unveiled at last year's Unpacked on July 10, 2024, so if you're betting on a one-year upgrade cycle, pencil in July 2025.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Leaks and rumors

(Image credit: Future)

There are no leaks or rumors about the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, but we know Samsung has some exciting things in the pipeline.

Perhaps the most exciting development is Samsung's new solid-state battery tech. The company might well have cracked denser solid-state batteries for wearables like the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. However, this technology isn't expected to go into production until 2026, so wouldn't be ready in time for our speculated 2025. If the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 arrives in 2026 instead of this year, it could well feature the technology.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: What we want to see

(Image credit: Future)

We've actually already discussed at length some of the features the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 should steal from the Apple Watch Ultra, but here's a recap of some of the things we'd like to see in the next Galaxy Watch Ultra.

1. Digital Crown

The lack of digital crown is a big miss on the Galaxy Watch Ultra, and was one point we picked up on during our review. It would make scrolling on the Ultra a lot easier, especially in inclement weather, dirt, or while wearing gloves.

2. A slimmer chassis

As an Apple Watch Ultra 2 user, I find the Galaxy Watch Ultra to be quite bulky, and I'd love to see the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 be slightly less chunky than its forebear.

3. Squircle display

While I appreciate the circle display is a hallmark of Samsung watches, the circular display inside the square chassis looks a bit strange in my opinion. It makes the bezels appear larger than they actually are, and makes the screen look smaller by comparison. A squircle display akin to the Apple Watch Ultra would be an excellent upgrade.

4. Watersports

The Galaxy Watch Ultra can't keep up with the Apple Watch Ultra 2's water sports prowess, it's not rated as highly for water resistance and doesn't come with a temperature sensor or depth gauge, both of which would be a welcome addition for diving and snorkeling.

5. Ultra watch faces

The Apple Watch Ultra boasts a richer and more attractive set of Ultra-dedicated watch faces, something Samsung could dig into by bringing more Ultra-exclusive faces to the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: The verdict

Without leaks and rumors to point to a solid device, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is just a pipe dream at this stage, but there are plenty of ways Samsung could improve the watch and make the second generation successful. When that will be remains anyone's guess.

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Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1091) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1091) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1091) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1091) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1091) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• W

• R

• S

• C

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1091) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1091, are…

• WREST
• RINSE
• SCOUR
• CANNY

Normal service is resumed. After crashing out yesterday I was pleased just to complete today’s Quordle.

Things were looking good when I got SCOUR after three guesses, but the other three words didn’t come as easily. Fortunately, it was all relatively stress-free as I had all the letters for RINSE.

Meanwhile, I blitzed through the Daily Sequence, getting the words in the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th rounds. I don’t know how that happened, but it feels a long way off from occurring in the Classic format, at least on a regular basis.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Daily Sequence today (game #1091) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1091, are…

• ACTOR
• FETCH
• ELBOW
• SWILL

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1090, Friday 18 January: BLARE, ITCHY, BICEP, PIPER
• Quordle #1089, Friday 17 January: CATCH, WEARY, SWOON, LATHE
• Quordle #1088, Thursday 16 January: PARTY, BLUNT, TWEED, PLANT
• Quordle #1087, Wednesday 15 January: RISEN, PLATE, RURAL, ENVOY
• Quordle #1086, Tuesday 14 January: SWARM, SCRAP, ONION, BELCH
• Quordle #1085, Monday 13 January: EYING, GIDDY, CHEAP, PETAL
• Quordle #1084, Sunday 12 January: BRIEF, PETAL, WOMAN, FELON
• Quordle #1083, Saturday 11 January: ASCOT, FIBER, ROGUE, SMELL
• Quordle #1082, Friday 10 January: BIGOT, INLET, LEECH, TUNIC
• Quordle #1081, Thursday 9 January: RESET, HUMOR, TENOR, IMAGE
• Quordle #1080, Wednesday 8 January: MINCE, SADLY, RISEN, VOUCH
• Quordle #1079, Tuesday 7 January: CREED, FILET, ROUTE, TAPER
• Quordle #1078, Monday 6 January: PIVOT, WOOLY, GRUNT, GROOM
• Quordle #1077, Sunday 5 January: BORAX, JUDGE, CADET, SALON
• Quordle #1076, Saturday 4 January: CORER, CRATE, QUASI, EXIST
• Quordle #1075, Friday 3 January: PERKY, QUARK, NAVEL, SHEEN
• Quordle #1074, Thursday 2 January: UNIFY, SWORE, DEPOT, INTRO
• Quordle #1073, Wednesday 1 January: CLING, SUITE, WORRY, TONIC
• Quordle #1072, Tuesday 31 December: PLUMP, TUBER, IRATE, ICILY
• Quordle #1071, Monday 30 December: TODDY, GROIN, GROWN, VERVE