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The blazing-fast speeds, extremely low latency, and massive connectivity achieved with 5G technology are changing how mobile media is being perceived. As such, storage solutions need to keep up with the growing demands of the content supply chain. In 2009, 4G introduced the concept of mobile data as an object that is downloaded to a device and is then played back. This innovation led to an increase in the amount of data processed on mobile devices.

For example, more than 500 hours of video content are uploaded in a single minute just on YouTube alone, and 5G is only going to increase how much media can and will be consumed worldwide. In this article, we’ll provide insights on how the 5G innovation will change storage requirements and the way media is consumed on mobile devices.

Impact of 5G on Media Consumption

The performance of 5G far surpasses standard wired Ethernet ports on desktop computers, with speeds up to 20 Gbps in theory. This is compared with the typical 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps of wired Ethernet. In practice, 5G is more than a match for most wired connections, capable of download speeds from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps, which is on par with your desktop computer. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile own the 5G infrastructure and are able to create private 5G cells, where a higher performance can be achieved and may even reach 20 Gbps as you don’t have to share the bandwidth with many devices.

UHD Streaming

5G's higher speed and lower latency allow high-resolution videos such as 4K and 8K to be streamed easily with minimal buffering on mobile devices. For reference, a 4K stream requires about 25 Mbps of bandwidth, while an 8K stream calls for 100 Mbps, both of which are demanding, but easily achievable with 5G. As a consequence, consumers can seamlessly stream UHD videos from their phones in almost any setting.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): AR and VR apps, with their full immersion, rely extensively on high bandwidth and low latency. Although 5G's 1ms latency is significantly higher than Ethernet's 10-30 microseconds latency, it is still suitable for these applications. To meet these fast requirements, storage systems must be capable of real-time data retrieval and processing.

Interactive Live Streaming: High-data volume and speed for 5G empower new interactive live streaming possibilities, such as multiple angles and instant replays. To achieve this, the underlying system and storage infrastructure need to be efficient and quick enough to handle countless requests while maintaining sub-second video latency.

Storage Challenges and Solutions

As more advanced and data-driven media technologies become possible through 5G, older, conventional storage infrastructures face various technical limitations:

1) Scalability: The surge in high-resolution and interactive content calls for storage solutions that are capable of handling increased amounts of data. Conventional storage systems might be unable to keep up with the amount of information created by innovative, 5G-enabled applications due to their sheer size and rapid expansion. Distributed storage systems, such as those using software-defined storage (SDS) architectures, offer the scalability needed to handle these demands efficiently.

2) Bandwidth Management: Compression technologies are used to effectively manage the greater data bandwidth offered by 5G networks, with many of them leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for more efficient algorithms. These algorithms help reduce the size of the data being stored or transferred, making sure that bandwidth is not wasted while preserving media quality.

3) Security: Given the massive amount of data pushed through 5G networks, security is growing even more important and challenging. With massive amounts of data being sent around at an unprecedented rate, traditional encryption methods may fall short. Improving encryption techniques and incorporating blockchain for data integrity and Self-Encrypting Drives (SEDs) into storage solutions can improve security.

Future Trends

Edge Storage: As 5G becomes more widely available, it will be critical to make better use of "edge storage,” which is a type of decentralized storage that keeps data close to where it's needed. This approach has the potential to reduce latency while improving performance and overall user experience in real-time applications such as AR/VR and streaming for Apple Vision Pro and similar devices.

AI-Driven Storage Optimization: The use of AI in storage management is likely to become more widespread in the 5G era. AI tools can analyze usage patterns and dynamically optimize storage allocation, making sure that resources are used to their fullest potential. For example, AI can predict which content will be accessed frequently and then cache it in high-performance storage tiers, while less frequently accessed data is moved to lower-cost storage.

5G as Backbone for Broadcasting: Mobile broadcasting and network infrastructure, including cables, are not particularly suited to sudden changes in mobility. 5G technology reduces the need for extensive infrastructure, making it an ideal solution for dynamic, live broadcasting environments such as breaking news or outdoor events. When combined with edge computing, 5G enables local processing of video feeds, reducing latency and boosting broadcast efficiency. This seamless integration improves the efficiency and speed of live content delivery, representing an important shift forward in the media industry.

5G as Backbone for Mobile Broadcasting: Leveraging 5G has the potential to transform how cameras and other devices connect with the Outside Broadcasting (OB) trucks. With technically up to 20 Gbit, private 5G cells and an acceptable latency of 1ms, the setup becomes considerably more flexible. Inside the OB truck, data storage receives the recorded data and may send it out via 5G and allows for real-time editing and graphic overlays directly from that storage. 5G technology can also greatly improve mobile broadcasting workflows by delivering rapid speeds of up to 10 Gbps. This allows for the seamless transmission of uncompressed 4K or 8K video directly from cameras to production facilities without sacrificing video quality.

5G as Backbone for Live Broadcasting: For live sports broadcasts, 5G enables near-instantaneous synchronization of multiple camera feeds with an ultra-low latency of only 1 millisecond. Thanks to these precise positioning and angles, viewers get to enjoy an immersive, “live-like” experience from any screen. Furthermore, 5G’s impressive speeds easily support real-time editing and graphics overlay right from the field, allowing editors to integrate live feeds and make quick edits with minimal delay.

Conclusion

Innovative storage solutions and 5G completely transform the way media is consumed on mobile devices, and the latter will continue to change the way digital media is consumed on every screen. Storage technologies must meet security standards and continue evolving to keep pace with 5G’s increased bandwidth management and scalability requirements to ensure viewers enjoy always-on seamless experiences. Luckily, 5G higher speeds and lower latency makes it easy to transmit live 4K content over the internet from anywhere possible. 5G and advanced storage solutions can not only facilitate great viewing experiences; they can vastly improve upon them. Who knows what’s next?

We've rated the best cloud storage.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 14

Here are some hints, and the answers, for the Oct. 14 Strands puzzle, No. 225.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections No. 491 for Oct. 14.

Here are some hints and the answer for Wordle No. 1,213 for Oct. 14.

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Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.

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

NYT Strands today (game #225) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Get out of here!

NYT Strands today (game #225) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• TUCK
• RUCK
• SOLE
• DOLL
• BUNG
• NEAT

NYT Strands today (game #225) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Packed and ready

NYT Strands today (game #225) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First: left, 4th row

Last: right, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #225) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #225, are…

• DOLLY
• BUNGEE
• TRUCK
• BOXES
• FOAM
• CRATE
• TAPE
• STRAP
• SPANGRAM: MOVINGDAY

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 hint

It's a long time since I moved house – 14 years and counting, although before that I'd moved 10 times in a decade. And honestly, none of my moves were anywhere near as organised as the NYT's fictional example that provides answers such as FOAM, BUNGEE and DOLLY; mine were strictly cardboard-boxes-tape-and-a-few-friends-in-a-hired-van jobs.

Setting aside my relative unfamiliarity with the subject, this is a fairly tricky Strands puzzle anyway, with lots of short words to find. Sure, short words are theoretically easier to uncover than long ones in that there are fewer possibilities for where the letters could go, but they can be harder to solve simply because there are many four-letter words on the board, and if you don't know what the concept is, you don't know where to start.

I did get going without help, as it happens, but uncovered DOLLY first and could not imagine how that might relate to 'Get out of here!' Adding BUNGEE didn't really help, and it was only once I found TRUCK and BOXES that it all came together. I still needed one hint to get started on the bottom-right corner of the board, though; this was a harder game than many that we've had recently.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, 13 October, game #224)

• VEST
• SWEATER
• FLANNEL
• FLEECE
• CARDIGAN
• SCARF
• SPANGRAM: FALLFASHION

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need clues.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Wordle hints and answers, Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too.

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

NYT Connections today (game #491) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• PONY
• ROLL
• COMB
• BOOK
• ROOT
• TREE
• CLAP
• TABLE
• BUN
• SALAD
• DIG
• RUMBLE
• SIFT
• TWIST
• PEAL
• BRAID

NYT Connections today (game #491) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• Yellow: Look for
• Green: Sonic boom
• Blue: Up-do
• Purple: Eats shoots and __

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #491) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: RUMMAGE
• GREEN: SOUNDS OF THUNDER
• BLUE: WAYS TO WEAR YOUR HAIR UP
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT CAN HAVE LEAVES

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

NYT Connections today (game #491) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #491, are…

• YELLOW: RUMMAGE COMB, DIG, ROOT, SIFT
• GREEN: SOUNDS OF THUNDER CLAP, PEAL, ROLL, RUMBLE
• BLUE: WAYS TO WEAR YOUR HAIR UP BRAID, BUN, PONY, TWIST
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT CAN HAVE LEAVES BOOK, SALAD, TABLE, TREE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I'm disappointed at myself for not solving today's purple group, because it's a really nice connection; THINGS THAT CAN HAVE LEAVES, featuring BOOK, SALAD, TABLE and TREE. I did stare at it for a while hoping for inspiration, but none came and I ended up entering those four words by default and solving it without knowing why I was doing so. This is arguably the worst thing about Connections – the fact that you can complete it by only getting three of the four groups. Maybe there should be a way whereby when faced with that final puzzle you get to write in your answer, and an AI assistant decides whether it's correct or not (I imagine too many people play Connections for a human to be the arbiter).

That's my only criticism today, though. This was a fairly simple Connections game, but a perfectly enjoyable one.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, 13 October, game #490)

• YELLOW: MADE OF KERATIN CLAW, HOOF, HORN, NAIL
• GREEN: ROAD RUNNER CARTOON STAPLES ANVIL, BOULDER, COYOTE, TNT
• BLUE: KINDS OF PANTS CAPRI, CARGO, HAMMER, STIRRUP
• PURPLE: ___ ROLL CALIFORNIA, DRUM, EGG, HONOR

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now nearly 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 Wordle today, NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles.

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 #994) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* 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 #994) - 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 #994) - 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 #994) - 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 #994) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• R

• S

• E

• A

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

Quordle today (game #994) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #994, are…

• ROGUE
• STORY
• EMCEE
• AUNTY

More tricky words in today's Quordle; but then when was that not the case? ROGUE always trips me up, because for some reason I always play ROUGE first. EMCEE is a nightmare with its three Es and its uncommon MC bit in the middle. Yes, the other two are standard words, but when 50% of them are toughies, it ramps up the difficulty a lot.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #994) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #994, are…

• BORNE
• RUDDY
• CACHE
• SMOKY

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #993, Sunday 13 October: UNFIT, NYMPH, THUMB, PUREE
• Quordle #992, Saturday 12 October: SAUCY, UNDUE, EGRET, HELLO
• Quordle #991, Friday 11 October: RINSE, ANIME, PUSHY, ZEBRA
• Quordle #990, Thursday 10 October: UNTIL, MARSH, METAL, WINDY
• Quordle #989, Wednesday 9 October: TRIAL, HUSKY, DOWNY, TRADE
• Quordle #988, Tuesday 8 October: TROUT, HATER, BARGE, DOZEN
• Quordle #987, Monday 7 October: CAULK, HALVE, APING, HEATH
• Quordle #986, Sunday 6 October: FUDGE, TENOR, BEGAT, ROUSE
• Quordle #985, Saturday 5 October: ELECT, CROAK, FRISK, JAUNT
• Quordle #984, Friday 4 October: ELFIN, GRAIL, PATIO, RECAP
• Quordle #983, Thursday 3 October: TENTH, REMIT, CURVE, TOAST
• Quordle #982, Wednesday 2 October: ARGUE, CRANE, TOKEN, PRINT
• Quordle #981, Tuesday 1 October: FRILL, MADLY, GRANT, NYLON
• Quordle #980, Monday 30 September: CRUSH, TARDY, TEACH, STUMP
• Quordle #979, Sunday 29 September: SERIF, BORNE, WRITE, SLEEK
• Quordle #978, Saturday 28 September: BUSHY, CIVIC, SNOUT, EQUIP
• Quordle #977, Friday 27 September: GUEST, CHASM, ROOST, BASAL
• Quordle #976, Thursday 26 September: STAGE, VOGUE, CLUMP, HEATH
• Quordle #975, Wednesday 25 September: UMBRA, DADDY, GLAZE, PRANK
• Quordle #974, Tuesday 24 September: SPACE, INNER, SPAWN, BEGAT

After US trade restrictions stopped Nvidia from exporting its advanced AI chips to China, the company responded by developing the H20 GPU, a modified version which complies with the regulations by offering lower performance levels while still meeting the AI processing demands of Chinese firms.

Although there is a thriving black market for Nvidia’s high-end GPUs, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, already under intense scrutiny in the US, cannot afford the legal and reputational risks of engaging in such illegal markets, and so has been purchasing Nvidia’s lower-capability processors for its AI needs. ByteDance is reportedly the largest buyer of H20s in China, having spent over $2 billion on the hardware in 2024 alone.

While it is expected to continue using Nvidia GPUs, Reuters claims ByteDance is now shifting its attention towards domestic chip suppliers like Huawei to meet its AI ambitions.

Not without challenges

The report claims that ByteDance has purchased more than 100,000 Ascend 910B chips to date, making it one of the largest buyers of Huawei’s AI hardware in China, although as of July it had received less than a third of the order.

Training AI models is a computationally demanding process, which is why high-end GPUs like Nvidia’s are so in demand. Making the shift to Huawei’s Ascend chips might be a strategic move for the TikTok owner, but it won’t be without its challenges.

ByteDance’s existing AI models, such as Doubao and Jimeng, were built using more powerful hardware and are used in applications ranging from chatbots to text-to-video tools. The company's ultimate aim is to reduce its dependency on Nvidia, but the shift to Huawei’s Ascend chips could hinder its ability to train more complex models, Reuters says.

ByteDance’s strategy appears to be to navigate US trade restrictions while looking for local suppliers to help it maintain its competitive edge in AI, and beyond. The company recently invested in Xinyuan Semiconductors, a Chinese memory chip manufacturer, which could lead to developments such as a potential VR headset to compete with Meta's Quest and Apple's Vision Pro.

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An eGPU can significantly boost a laptop’s graphics capabilities, allowing users to enjoy high-end gaming and demanding content creation, without the need for a bulky desktop setup.

Typically, users add their own choice of GPU to an external enclosure, but the ONEXGPU 2, currently seeking funding on Indiegogo, is a self-contained unit pre-equipped with a powerful AMD graphics card.

The ONEXGPU 2 comes with a Radeon RX 7800M, which offers 60 compute units, 3840 stream processors, and 12GB of GDDR6 memory. With a game clock speed of 2145 MHz and a peak memory bandwidth of 432 GB/s, it is designed to handle most challenging workloads, including video editing.

Already massively overfunded

The device offers a range of connectivity options, including OCuLink and USB 4 ports, two USB-A 3.2 Gen2 ports, an M.2 slot, and LAN support. For video output, it includes HDMI 2.1 and two DisplayPort 2.0 ports, supporting up to three screens simultaneously.

The ONEXGPU 2’s cooling system uses an air cooling solution with a main fan capable of 20.75 CFM airflow and a fin area of over 20,000 square millimeters to maintain optimal temperatures during extended use. The casing is crafted from an aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, enhancing durability while minimizing heat build-up. Additional features include a magnetic cover for easy SSD upgrades and RGB lighting effects. It supports a 330W power supply with up to 180W available for the GPU alone, ensuring stable performance during intense tasks.

As is always the case, backers should be cautious when supporting products on crowdfunding platforms like Indiegogo, as delays and unexpected changes can occur, and it’s not unheard of for products to fail to come to fruition. Indiegogo's page for the ONEXGPU 2 warns, “The project team has a working demo, not the final product. Their ability to begin production may be affected by product development or financial challenges.”

That said, Chinese manufacturer One-Netbook has successfully run seven campaigns in the past and is considered “Trust Team Proven.” The ONEXGPU 2 has already received $175,451 in pledges (13639% of the $1,286 flexible goal) with well over a month of the campaign still to go. If you want to back the ONEXGPU 2, pricing starts from $902.

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