Short Reads Page 2

Today, Google launched Bard 2, its most advanced conversational AI yet, now supporting real-time voice interactions and image understanding. Users can simply speak or upload a photo, and Bard 2 will respond verbally or analyze visuals on the fly. Seamless integration with Gmail and Google Docs means you can draft an email by voice or ask Bard 2 to summarize an uploaded chart in seconds. (more…)

Today, Nvidia and Hewlett Packard Enterprise announced a collaboration with Germany’s Leibniz Supercomputing Centre to develop Blue Lion, a next-generation supercomputer powered by Nvidia’s Vera Rubin GPUs. Slated to enter service in early 2027, Blue Lion will offer researchers high-performance computing for AI research, complex simulations, and data-intensive science. Designed with energy efficiency and modular scalability in mind, the system underscores both companies’ commitment to advancing scientific discovery and meeting growing computational demands.

Today’s launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 has game enthusiasts praising its leap in visual fidelity and performance. The updated console boasts a sharper OLED display and seamless 4K output when docked, delivering vibrant colors and stable 60 fps gameplay across first-party demos. (more…)

AMD is set to unveil its new Radeon Pro W9000 workstation GPU lineup at Computex 2025, targeting professionals in video editing, 3D rendering, and AI development. Built on the latest RDNA 4 architecture, the series is expected to debut with a 32 GB GDDR6 flagship model, optimized for performance-per-dollar and energy efficiency. (more…)

Today, insiders revealed that talks to build a massive AI data center complex in the United Arab Emirates have hit a roadblock. Originally unveiled during President Trump’s Gulf visit and backed by an Emirati tech firm, the multi-billion-dollar project promised one of the world’s largest AI hubs. (more…)

Today, Amazon revealed plans to build a massive $10 billion high-tech campus near Raleigh, North Carolina, designed to serve as a hub for cloud computing and artificial intelligence innovation. The new facility will feature state-of-the-art data centers, research labs, and collaborative spaces where engineers and researchers can develop next-generation AWS services and AI applications. (more…)

On June 3, 2025, Ubisoft officially shut down all servers for its free-to-play shooter, XDefiant, marking the end of a brief but lively experiment in arena-based combat. Launched last year with high hopes, XDefiant struggled to maintain player numbers despite strong initial buzz and frequent content updates. Today, players logged in one last time to find the matchmaking queue closed and a final farewell message from the development team. (more…)

On June 2, 2025, Apple submitted a formal challenge against the European Union’s recent mandate requiring the company to open its closed ecosystem to competitors, calling the order “unreasonable” and “innovation-stifling”. The EU’s directive aims to give third-party services access to Apple’s App Store and related APIs, but Apple argues that such a move would compromise user security and privacy. (more…)

On June 1, 2025, financial markets buzzed as tech giants once again took center stage. Since early April, Nvidia shares surged roughly 40%, while Microsoft climbed about 30%, collectively fueling the S&P 500’s impressive comeback. Investors cheered the AI chipmaker’s bullish guidance and strong earnings, which overshadowed lingering concerns about global uncertainties. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s robust cloud and AI revenue continued to reassure shareholders. (more…)

In a letter sent to Memphis city officials today, the NAACP asked for a temporary stop to operations at xAI’s newly established data center, expressing deep concern over potential environmental and health impacts. Residents living near the facility fear that emissions from backup generators and cooling equipment could degrade air quality in neighborhoods that have long faced pollution challenges. (more…)