TechAmok News Archive
NVIDIA Releases GeForce 572.60 WHQL - [gaming]
12:15 PM EST - Feb,28 2025 - post a comment NVIDIA today released the GeForce 572.60 WHQL Game Ready drivers. These drivers come with optimization for "Monster Hunter Wilds," and the DLSS 4 update of "Naraka Bladepoint." The drivers also introduce G-SYNC support for dozens of monitor models listed below. This release is highly recommended to users of GeForce RTX 50-series "Blackwell" graphics cards, as they fix the various random black screen issues and BSOD system halts being encountered by these users. They also fix audio quality issues being encountered by all users when using high refresh-rate displays with DSC on DisplayPort 1.4, which are caused due to OS-level dynamic tick rate.
Also fixed are issues where applications encounter display/image corruption on pixellated 2D patterns. Unexpectedly low performance on RTX 50-series GPUs in VRay 6 has been fixed. The drivers also address application crashes and texture compression issues encountered by Adobe Substance 3D. A bug that caused some SteamVR apps stuttering with RTX 50-series GPUs has been fixed.
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AMD confirms Radeon RX 9070 XT is 42% faster than RX 7900 GRE at 4K - [hardware]
11:34 AM EST - Feb,28 2025 - post a comment Baseline price points-VAT included-of 4999 RMB (~$686 USD) and 4499 RMB (~$617 USD) were announced, for the incoming Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 models (respectively). We now know that North American MSRPs (excluding tax) are $599 and $549 (respectively). AMD's presentation slides included more shots of their reference designs (MBA), in triple or dual-fan configurations. Earlier in the week, industry watchdogs proposed that the Radeon RX 9070 Series would launch with an all-custom card lineup; with no AMD-built options. In related news, AMD confirms Radeon RX 9070 XT is 42% faster than RX 7900 GRE at 4K
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You can now buy Delidded AMD Ryzen 9800X3D with 2 Years Warranty - [hardware]
06:13 PM EST - Feb,26 2025 - post a comment Important! This video was shot early February. The CPU price fortunately dropped a bit so the price for the delidded 9800X3D is now 679 EUR (inside EU with VAT) or 570 EUR (outside EU without VAT). Please let me know what you think of offering delidded CPUs with this kind of warranty. If you'd like to see other CPUs or have other feedback in general.
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Windows 24H2 Update Broke My PC - 12 Hours Wasted Reinstalling Windows - [briefly]
03:06 AM EST - Feb,26 2025 - post a comment I just wasted 12 hours reinstalling Windows because the Windows 24H2 update completely broke my PC. In this 7-minute rant, I go over what happened, why the update was a disaster, and my frustration with Windows updates causing more harm than good. If you've ever had a Windows update mess up your system, you'll definitely relate to this one.
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The Worst Thing About Windows 11 - [software]
05:57 PM EST - Feb,24 2025 - post a comment Today we take a look at the worst thing about Windows 11. There are many things wrong with Windows 11, but the worst thing is bloat. Windows 11 is full of unnecessary bloat and people simply don't need or want it. Apps like recall, copilot, ads and much more!
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Have we been testing SSDs wrong this entire time? Chipset vs. CPU PCIe 4.0 storage benchmarks - [hardware]
04:01 AM EST - Feb,24 2025 - post a comment While all M.2 ports on a motherboard might look they same, they're not quite identical under the hood. Some are connected directly to the CPU, while others are attached to the chipset and connected to the CPU from there. Despite many claiming that chipset-connected ports hurt storage performance, we've been testing all our PCIe 4.0 drives via one of these M.2 ports... is our testing data completely faulty or is it perfectly fine? We tested it for ourselves.
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AT&T Intros Bill-Splitting Option - [briefly]
09:59 AM EST - Feb,23 2025 - post a comment AT&T has introduced SplitPay, a new, industry-first option to let post-paid customers who share a multi-line account split the bill. When using SplitPay, there is still a single 'account owner' who is ultimately responsible for the whole amount. But the account owner can designate a different payor for each line. "Each month thereafter each of the designated lines is sent a text message with a secure link to pay their portion of the bill." SplitPay can also be used with AutoPay. Account owners will be notified - before the due date - if someone on the account hasn't paid their share. AT&T has patented the feature, but expects competitors to offer something similar soon. |
5 years of cold wallet knowledge in 21 minutes - [guides]
09:03 AM EST - Feb,23 2025 - post a comment The video presents essential information about cold wallets, addressing 22 common questions from beginners regarding crypto security. It explains the advantages of cold wallets over online exchanges, highlighting security features, the proper use of wallets, and tips for selecting a suitable cold wallet. In particular, it contrasts cold and hot wallets, emphasizes securing seed phrases, and advises against connecting cold wallets to risky platforms.
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Majorana 1 Explained: The Path to a Million Qubits - [technology]
04:39 AM EST - Feb,22 2025 - post a comment Hear from the Microsoft team behind the recent breakthrough in physics and quantum computing demonstrated by the new Majorana 1 chip, engineered from an entirely new material that has the potential to scale to millions of qubits on a single chip. Find out what is possible...
Finally, a computer capable of running Microsoft Teams at full speed ;-)
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Windows 11 Lite Official From Microsoft - [software]
04:16 AM EST - Feb,22 2025 - post a comment Today we are looking at Windows 11 LTSC. This is a lite version of Windows 11 that comes without bloat, without system requirements, and comes directly from Microsoft. This is NOT a debloated copy of Windows 11. This version comes directly from Microsoft as a retail product.
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Amazon Ditching Appstore for Android - [mobile]
06:45 PM EST - Feb,20 2025 - post a comment Amazon has announced that it is killing off its Appstore on Android as of August 20, 2025. After after that date, apps purchased from the Amazon Appstore on Android may no longer function. The Appstore could be side-loaded onto Android devices and offered an alternative to Google's Play app store. The Amazon Appstore was also the primary source of apps for Microsoft's Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), which enabled Windows 11 devices to run Android apps. Microsoft is ending support for WSA on March 5, 2025. |
The iPhone 16e Replaces Apple's iPhone SE - [mobile]
05:18 PM EST - Feb,20 2025 - post a comment Apple has announced the iPhone 16e, the company's new "affordable" iPhone starting at $599, replacing the iPhone SE. (The iPhone SE was last updated in 2022 and started at $429.) The iPhone 16e is powered by the same A18 processor as the standard iPhone 16, supporting Apple Intelligence AI features. The iPhone 16e is also the first iPhone to use an Apple-designed cellular modem instead of a Qualcomm modem. This Apple C1 chip supports 5G and is "the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone". Apple claims the iPhone 16e's battery can last up to 12 hours longer than any iPhone SE. The iPhone 16e has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a notch for Face ID sensors and no home button, just like the iPhone 14. The display is protected by Ceramic Shield and the phone body is rated IP68 for water and dust resistance. The phone features Apple's satellite connectivity, including Messages, Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, and location sharing. The iPhone 16e has both wireless and USB-C charging. The single rear camera has 48 megapixel resolution, supporting 2x zoom, 4K video with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps, and Spatial Audio capture. The iPhone 16e will be available in black or white starting at $599 for 128 GB of storage. It will also be available with 256 GB storage for $699, or 512 GB for $899. Pre-orders start this Friday, with full availability beginning the following Friday, February 28.
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Samsung Brings Digital Car Keys to Volvo / Polestar - [technology]
05:18 PM EST - Feb,20 2025 - post a comment Samsung is expanding its digital car key function to select Volvo and Polestar vehicles, starting with the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3. The feature lets someone with a high-end Samsung Galaxy phone use their phone to unlock, lock, and start their car with only their phone, no physical key required. Samsung already offers this function for certain BMW, Mini, and Audi vehicles. The function also supports temporarily sharing a copy of the digital key with someone else. Digital car keys can be disabled remotely in the event your phone is misplaced or stolen. Many recent Apple and Google smartphones also support digital car keys. |
AMD CPU, Apple M4 Pro Performance - Ryzen AI MAX Review - [hardware]
04:20 PM EST - Feb,19 2025 - post a comment The video reviews AMD's Ryzen AI MAX processors, the 395 and 390, which are designed to compete with Apple's M4 chips in creative workloads and AI applications while offering impressive power in a compact form factor. The review highlights benchmarks comparing performance with various systems, discusses gaming capabilities, and evaluates battery life alongside integrated graphics performance.
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GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 5090 - Test in 12 Games - [gaming]
06:14 PM EST - Feb,18 2025 - post a comment 00:00 - Specifications
00:11 - 3DMark - Time Spy
00:20 - Alan Wake II - High, RT OFF, PT OFF, SSAO
00:42 - Alan Wake II - High, RT High, PT OFF
01:04 - Black Myth: Wukong - Very High, RT OFF, TSR 100
01:26 - Black Myth: Wukong - Very High, RT Very High, TSR 100
01:48 - Cyberpunk 2077 - Ultra, RT OFF, PT OFF
02:10 - Cyberpunk 2077 - Ultra, RT Ultra, PT OFF
02:31 - Cyberpunk 2077 - Ultra, RT Ultra, PT ON, FSR/DLSS Q, FG ON
02:52 - Cyberpunk 2077 - Ultra, RT Ultra, PT ON, FSR/DLSS Q, FG/MFG ON
03:14 - Dying Light 2 - High, RT OFF, LOD 140
03:36 - Dying Light 2 - High, RT Ultra, LOD 140
03:58 - Ghost of Tsushima - Very High, XeGTAO, SMAA T2X
04:21 - Hogwarts Legacy - Ultra, RT OFF, TAA
04:43 - Hogwarts Legacy - Ultra, RT Ultra, TAA
05:05 - Indiana Jones And The Great Circle - Ultra, PT OFF / Vulkan
05:28 - S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl - Epic, TAA
05:51 - Star Wars Outlaws - Ultra, RT OFF, TAA
06:13 - Star Wars Outlaws - Ultra, RT Ultra, TAA
06:35 - Starfield - Ultra, GTAO, VRS OFF
06:58 - The Last of Us - Ultra
07:21 - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Next Gen - Uber+, RT OFF, HBAO+, HW x8
07:43 - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Next Gen - Uber+, RT Ultra, HW x8
08:05 - Power Consumption
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Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max Drop Test! - [mobile]
05:40 PM EST - Feb,17 2025 - post a comment This video compares the durability of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max through a series of drop tests. The phones are subjected to back, corner, and face drops, as well as a bonus round of impact and shock resistance tests. The results reveal which phone is more resistant to damage and which phone might be more reliable in the event of a fall.
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Windows 11 February 2025 update (KB5052093/KB5052094) - what's new? - [security]
07:34 AM EST - Feb,16 2025 - post a comment The second feature drop for Windows 11 in 2025 will be shipping soon, for the month of February for users on version 24H2 (KB5052093, OS build 26100.3321 - Release Preview may be 26100.3320) and version 23H2 and 22H2 (KB5052094, OS build 22631.4972 and 22621.4972, Release Preview has 22631.4969 and 22621.4969) - with several new features and changes.
The battery icon has received a visual overhaul and you can now turn on battery percentage on the taskbar!* Windows Spotlight on both the lock screen and desktop has been updated with new icons and interactions. Windows Share has several improvements, with new entry points in the Start menu's recommended section and jump lists as well as the ability to share to Notepad and Clipchamp, while File Explorer now lets you turn off or snooze backup reminders. Various inbox apps have several new features and improvements, from OCR text recognition in the Photos app to the option to omit unnecessary parts of games you install in the Store. And so much more.
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Gen 4 Samsung QD-OLED 2025 Panels and Improvements - [hardware]
03:36 PM EST - Feb,14 2025 - post a comment A complete look at Samsung Display's latest QD-OLED updates and news for 2025 including new technologies, improvements and specs. We look at both the TV and monitor panel market, and include a deep dive of all the QD-OLED monitor panel generations and options over the years.
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WhatsApp is rolling out customizable themes and backgrounds for chat - [internet]
03:05 AM EST - Feb,14 2025 - post a comment WhatsApp is rolling out a significant visual update, bringing more personalization options to its messaging platform. Users will be able to customize their conversations with new pre-defined themes and backgrounds, moving away from the app's long-standing green theme.
The update introduces a range of new chat themes that alter the background as well as the chat bubbles themselves. This enables users to select a theme and instantly alter the look and feel of their conversations. While WhatsApp once allowed for custom wallpapers, this new feature provides greater personalization with 30 new background options along with the theme options.
Importantly, one can always upload an image from the phone gallery if one desires a personalized background. Such new themes can be used in all conversations as a group or separately to some conversations so that users can personalize their WhatsApp with ease.
It's also worth noting that such visual changes are personal and will only be observed by the user who sets them up, and not by the recipients of the chats. This feature is also applicable to WhatsApp Channels, where one can personalize their subscribed content as well.
The release of these colorful features has already begun on both Android and iOS. While availability at launch is limited, a wider global release will begin in the following weeks. |
Apple now allows users to migrate purchases from one Apple Account to another - [briefly]
04:39 AM EST - Feb,12 2025 - post a comment Apple Account purchases of apps, music, and other content have historically been non-transferable between accounts. Apple today published a new support document describing how users can migrate purchases between Apple Accounts. If an Apple Account is only used for making purchases, those purchases can be migrated to a different account, allowing users to consolidate their Apple Accounts. After completing the migration, users will be able to download the purchased apps, music, movies, TV shows, and books. Even subscriptions will be migrated along with the other purchased content. iCloud data will not be migrated since it is not tied to purchases. However, this feature is not available to users in the European Union, United Kingdom, or India. Apple will not allow users to migrate their purchases in the following scenarios:
- Neither Apple Account can be a child account created through
Family Sharing.
- Neither Apple Account can already be used for migrated
purchases. Learn how to undo a migration of purchases. If you undo a
migration of purchases from a secondary account, you won't be able to
migrate purchases again for 1 year.
- You can't migrate purchases if both the primary Apple Account
and the secondary Apple Account have music library data associated with
each of them.
- You can't migrate purchases if you've set your Apple One
subscription to provide iCloud storage to a third, different account.
Learn about Apple One and iCloud storage.
- If your primary account has never been used for purchases or
free downloads, you can't migrate purchases.
- You can't migrate purchases from an Apple Account that's been
deleted or deactivated.
- You can't migrate purchases if your Apple Account is locked or
disabled.
- Neither Apple Account can be receiving any special access to
apps or content. For example, an Apple Account enrolled in the VPP
program through an employer to receive special access to apps.
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Windows Defender vs Top 200 Ransomware - [security]
06:52 PM EST - Feb,10 2025 - post a comment In this video, the host conducts a test of Windows Defender's efficacy against ransomware by executing a collection of the latest ransomware variants on a fully updated Windows system. This annual tradition aims to assess whether Windows Defender can effectively prevent ransomware from encrypting files. The host downloads the top 200 ransomware variants and executes them while observing the system's behavior and monitoring for any signs of encryption. Throughout the test, the host encounters notifications from Windows Defender about various threats being blocked, as well as instances where ransomware manages to bypass the security measures, ultimately leading to some files being encrypted. The experience highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of Windows Defender in real-time ransomware attacks, especially in dealing with newly emerging threats. The host reflects on the results and encourages viewers to share their thoughts on the outcome.
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We Gotta Talk About This! - My Intel 14900K 1 Year Later, REGRETS?! CRASHES?! - [briefly]
08:22 AM EST - Feb,08 2025 - post a comment It's been just over a year since I upgraded to Intel's Core i9-14900K, and today I'm sharing my long-term experience with this CPU. With all the reports of instability, crashes, and even degradation that hit Intel's 13th and 14th gen processors last year, you might be wondering did I encounter any of those problems? Would I consider switching to something else given everything that's happened? How did this chip handle my demanding workloads for productivity, gaming, and content creation over the past year? In this video, I'll walk you through how the 14900K performed in real-world use, the tweaks I made to optimize performance, and whether I regret the upgrade. Stick around to find out if this CPU is still worth it in 2025!
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New Breakthrough: Light Speed Computers Take Over! - [technology]
12:46 PM EST - Feb,07 2025 - post a comment
In the video, the speaker discusses the evolution and future of computing technology, focusing on the emergence of light-based computing, particularly through the innovations of photonic chips. As the demand for computing power continues to rise, traditional electronic chips are struggling to keep pace due to limitations in speed and scalability. The speaker introduces a new class of chips known as Native Processing Units (NPUs), which utilize light instead of electricity for calculations, significantly increasing computational efficiency and density. The discussion also highlights the technological advancements made by Q.ANT, which has developed a fully functional commercial light-based computer that employs lithium niobate—a material crucial for minimizing light loss during computations. The video emphasizes the potential of photonic computing to outperform traditional GPUs, particularly in AI applications, while also addressing the challenges of controlling light and the implications of integrating photonic systems into existing computing architectures. Finally, the speaker suggests that the future of computing will likely consist of a combination of various technologies, including analog photonic, digital, probabilistic, and quantum computing, each serving specific applications.
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AI Laptops: Exposing the Truth - [hardware]
06:37 PM EST - Feb,05 2025 - post a comment In this video, the hosts explore the concept of 'AI laptops' and whether they truly offer any advantages over traditional laptops. They clarify that an AI laptop is generally characterized by having a neural processing unit (NPU), which can handle lightweight AI tasks more efficiently than a standard CPU or GPU. However, the hosts find that many laptops marketed as 'AI laptops' do not actually possess this capability, and numerous existing laptops with powerful GPUs are overlooked in this branding. The video reviews various AI tools, such as Adobe Photoshop, Zoom, and Microsoft's Co-Pilot, assessing their actual performance and utility. The hosts conclude that while NPUs have the potential for future applications, current software does not fully leverage their capabilities. Ultimately, they suggest that upgrading for an AI laptop may not be necessary, as improvements in battery life, performance, and cooling are more relevant.
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DeepSeek R1 Cloned for $30?! PhD Student STUNNING Discovery - [technology]
12:01 PM EST - Feb,05 2025 - post a comment In a groundbreaking development, a PhD student from UC Berkeley successfully replicated the 'aha moment' experienced by DeepMind's DeepSeek model using a Reinforcement Learning (RL) approach. This achievement, which can be accomplished for as little as $30, showcases the potential of language models to develop sophisticated reasoning abilities through reinforcement learning. The 'aha moment' refers to a point during the model's training where it begins to effectively allocate time and resources to reevaluate its answers, indicating a significant leap in its cognitive capabilities. The student utilized a specific game called the 'countdown game,' where the model learns to achieve a target number through arithmetic operations, providing a clear reward signal that enhances its learning process. The results demonstrate that with a well-defined reward system, even smaller models can learn to think independently, offering exciting possibilities for future applications of AI in various domains.
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Did Ripple Do A Deal, XRP Outshines in Ledger Demand - [briefly]
10:28 AM EST - Feb,04 2025 - post a comment In this cryptocurrency update from Japan, Eddie discusses the current state of the crypto market, highlighting significant market cap figures and Bitcoin dominance, which has reached a rare 60.4%. He reviews several emerging tokens, including Radium, Aerodrome Finance, and Jeto, noting their substantial price increases. Eddie emphasizes the growing importance of XRP, both in trading and as a potential beneficiary of a new U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund proposed by President Trump. He also touches upon international trade tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, and their potential impact on the crypto market. The conversation transitions to the upcoming press conference hosted by David Sacks, focusing on America's position in digital assets. Eddie concludes with insights about upcoming developments on the XRP Ledger and the launch of new stablecoins, hinting at an exciting year ahead for decentralized finance (DeFi) in 2025.
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Run Deepseek R1 at Home on Hardware from $250 to $25,000: From Installation to Questions - [hardware]
02:34 AM EST - Feb,04 2025 - post a comment In this video, Dave introduces NVIDIA's Jetson Orin Nano, a compact yet powerful edge computing device tailored for running AI models locally. He emphasizes the benefits of self-hosting AI, particularly with the Deep Seek R1 model, which allows users to leverage advanced conversational AI capabilities while maintaining complete data privacy. The video walks through the setup process using Olama, a deployment tool for large language models, and explores the practical applications of running AI locally, including coding assistance and home automation. Dave compares the performance of the Jetson Nano with more powerful hardware configurations, demonstrating the capabilities of Deep Seek R1 across different models, from a lightweight 1.5 billion parameter version to a massive 671 billion parameter version. He highlights that self-hosted AI not only enhances privacy and reduces costs but also maintains reasonable performance for interactive tasks. Overall, the video serves as a guide for enthusiasts looking to harness the power of AI at home without relying on cloud services.
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The Truth about Amazon's Colorsoft E-ink Kindle - [gadgets]
05:01 PM EST - Feb,02 2025 - post a comment In this video, the reviewer explores Amazon's newly released Kindle ColorSoft, a waterproof color e-ink e-reader that marks a significant advancement in e-reader technology. The review begins with a general overview of the Kindle's sales figures and features, highlighting the unique aspects of this model, such as its color e-ink display and long battery life. The reviewer expresses skepticism about the claimed battery performance but appreciates the convenience of carrying multiple books in one device, despite the fact that users do not truly own the books they purchase. The video delves into the technical aspects of the Kindle ColorSoft's display, examining its microscopic structure and the color pixel mechanism. The reviewer also conducts a durability test, noting the device's construction and performance under stress, including a scratch test and a bend test. Despite being made of plastic, the Kindle ColorSoft shows surprising resilience. The waterproofing claims are scrutinized, with the reviewer indicating that while it has an IPX8 rating, it may not be entirely watertight. The video concludes with a deeper look into the e-ink technology, particularly how the color filter array interacts with the microcapsules to produce color images. The reviewer expresses enthusiasm for the potential of colored e-ink displays in future devices, posing a question to the audience about their preferences between e-ink and traditional OLED displays
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STOP these 12,000 popular apps from tracking you! - [security]
03:51 PM EST - Feb,01 2025 - post a comment A recent data breach has revealed that over 12,000 apps have compromised personal information, exposing sensitive location data of users. The breach stemmed from Gravy Analytics, a data broker that collects and sells location data, which was hacked, leading to the theft of 10 terabytes of data. This dataset included billions of location points, with a sample of 1.4 GB released by the hacker showing 30 million location points. Popular apps like Candy Crush, Tinder, and even VPN services were implicated, raising concerns over privacy and data security. The breach highlights how real-time bidding for ads in these apps can facilitate the unauthorized collection of user data, even from companies that do not win the ad auctions. Consumers are advised to take proactive steps to protect their privacy, including deleting their personal information from data broker websites and adjusting their device settings to prevent tracking.
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