Showing 1 - 10 of 78
Microsoft's quantum conundrum
Life, James Hein, Published on 12/03/2025
» If you've been keeping up with quantum computer news, you will have seen the Microsoft Marketing announcement on topological q-bits and a potential quantum computer in a few years. I was planning to write about this in some detail, but it turns out the reality may not meet the marketing. Surprising, I know, but the announcement implying Microsoft has q-bit technology ready to go and scale is speculative. They don't have any physical models, just some tests and a theory that has already been challenged by the physics community. It will take a while to go through all the published data, but the Microsoft quantum computer could be decades, not years, in the future, if ever.
A foldable powerhouse
Life, Komsan Jandamit, Published on 05/02/2025
» If your goal is to stand out from the crowd when you use your phone in public, rocking a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 will turn heads. But is this enough to justify the steep price? Yes, it is.
AI is the new marketing buzzword
Life, James Hein, Published on 08/11/2023
» Some readers will remember back a decade or three when the big term was "turbo". Everything was turbo something. Turbo speed, turbo clearing, turbo graphics and so on. Today, the equivalent term is AI. I saw an advertisement recently for glasses described as AI technology that adapts to your sight. It was a regular lens with some design elements, perhaps from an AI, perhaps not, with claims of predictive focus. Rubbish. There was no inherent active or dynamic AI technology in the lenses to back up this claim and I don't think such a technology at that level is even available at any price in the current time. The same goes for many other claims preceded or appended by the AI moniker. Like turbo, it is the current marketing buzzword and since many don't understand it and what the current engineering and technological limitations are in 2023, it has become part of the mindscape.
Apple sets sights on VR market
Life, James Hein, Published on 21/06/2023
» The biggest announcement of the past week or two was the Apple Vision Pro VR system. There has been so much on this recently. The quick summary is -- two 4K eyepieces, no controllers required and it can replace your TV and computer monitors. I was more interested in the battery life being two hours, or if you were using them, not enough for the full Apple presentation. The price is also an amazing US$3,500 in America so out of the range of most people. One argument is that by the time you don't need to pay for a TV upgrade or new monitors it is worth the investment. My counter is if you have a four-person household that price becomes $14,000, a lot more than the cost of a new TV. Oh, and you can mostly only use it with Apple kit which really limits options.
Nissan drives engine design with X-in-1
Life, Published on 24/04/2023
» Nissan has announced a new direction in developing electric powertrains that will help reduce development and manufacturing costs.
Microsoft on the naughty list again
Life, James Hein, Published on 15/03/2023
» Some of you may have already noticed, Microsoft is getting very pushy about installing Windows 11. On one of my machines, it started the process under the guise of a standard update. Softwarekeep.com has an excellent article titled "How to Cancel Windows 11 Update and Stay on Windows 10" that covers many ways to handle this. One option is to revert back to Windows 10 within 10 days of Windows 11 being installed, found here: Start menu > Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Recovery > Previous version of Windows. After this arbitrary 10 days, you need to do a clean Windows 10 install. I also recommend the free Windows Update Blocker, currently at version 1.7, as a way to control your Windows updates.
Auto review: An SUV scooter?
Life, Jedd Sreshthaputra, Published on 20/02/2023
» Piaggio is an iconic Italian manufacturer and has production facilities around the world including in Southeast Asia, where it produces several models and brands for supply to the region.
Aprilia launches GT 200
Life, Jedd Sreshthaputra, Published on 13/02/2023
» Aprilia recently launched the SR GT 200, a premium scooter with racing DNA, at a special event held at Lumpini Boxing Stadium.
Auto review: Stylish and sporty
Life, Kingsley Wijayasinha, Published on 23/01/2023
» Nissan has witnessed a significant jump in sales of its Kicks e-POWER thanks to attractive upgrades as well as pricing adjustments for all four variants.
Volvo unveils solar carport charging stations
Life, Published on 09/01/2023
» Volvo Car Thailand has opened prototype solar carport charging stations at four of its dealerships, available to Volvo customers free of charge.