Giridhar's Blog

Nothing has recently unveiled its latest offering, the CMF Phone 2 Pro, positioning itself as an affordable successor to the CMF Phone 1. Boasting a vibrant new design and a series of noteworthy upgrades, this device aims to capture the attention of budget-conscious consumers. Alongside the phone, Nothing introduced three new earbuds – CMF Buds 2a, Buds 2, and Buds 2 Plus – each catering to different price points and feature preferences. However, beneath the appealing price tag and impressive specifications lies a significant limitation that potential US buyers should carefully consider. Let's delve deeper into what the CMF Phone 2 Pro has to offer and what compromises have been made to achieve its competitive pricing. Stunning Display and Performance 📱 The CMF Phone 2 Pro features a spacious 6.77-inch Full-HD+ (1,080 × 2,392) AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, ensuring fluid visuals whether yo...

In a surprising turn of events, Amazon has reversed its decision to display the impact of Trump tariffs on its Amazon Haul website. This move came after direct intervention from the White House and a personal call from former President Donald Trump to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The initial plan aimed to show customers exactly how much the tariffs increased the cost of certain items, particularly those sourced from China. This decision highlights the complex interplay between trade policies, corporate strategies, and political pressures. The proposed display of tariff costs on Amazon Haul, a site known for selling items under $20, was triggered by the end of the de minimis exemption . This exemption allowed US consumers to receive foreign packages valued under $800 duty-free. With the implementation of a 145% tariff on imports from China and a 10% minimum tax on goods from other countries (excluding specific ...

In an era where high-end GPUs are becoming increasingly massive, manufacturers are devising innovative solutions to combat the issue of GPU sag . Asus has taken a unique approach by incorporating gyroscopes into their high-end graphics cards to detect and alert users to potential sagging. This article delves into Asus's new technology, the reasons behind the growing size of GPUs, and alternative methods employed to prevent GPU droop, ensuring your expensive hardware remains safe and functional. The Rise of GPU Sagging The phenomenon of GPU sag , or GPU droop, has become a significant concern for PC enthusiasts. As graphics cards, particularly high-performance models , grow in size and weight due to more extensive cooling solutions, gravity exerts its influence. Over time, this can cause the card to slowly bend downward, potentially damaging the PCIe connection ...

The technology job market in 2025 is experiencing a surge of opportunities coupled with significant confusion. As artificial intelligence rapidly permeates various industries, companies are racing to integrate AI into their operations. However, this rush has created a labyrinth of job titles that often appear interchangeable, yet lack clear definitions. Job seekers are left bewildered, struggling to discern whether one position is truly distinct from another. This article delves into the challenges faced by both job seekers and employers in navigating this complex landscape of AI job roles . The Explosion of AI Job Titles 💥 The proliferation of AI job titles stems directly from the exponential growth of artificial intelligence. Research indicates that a substantial portion of new tech jobs now seek candidates with expertise in AI. Companies are aggressively seeking individuals capable of ...

Exciting news for tech enthusiasts! Qualcomm is reportedly gearing up to unveil its next-generation flagship mobile System on a Chip (SoC), the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 , in September. This highly anticipated announcement is expected to take place at the next Snapdragon Summit, with the first devices powered by this cutting-edge chip slated to hit the market as early as October. If the rumors hold true, we could be looking at a significant leap in mobile performance and efficiency. Prepare to witness the next evolution in smartphone technology! The tech world is abuzz with speculation about the potential performance gains and features of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 . Early leaks and reports suggest that this new chip will offer substantial improvements over its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Let's dive into what we know so far and what we can expect from this upcoming mobile powerhouse. Release Timeline...

AMD has recently slashed the price of its Ryzen 5 9600X processor by a significant $95, bringing the new price down to an attractive $185. This price adjustment has sparked considerable interest among gamers and PC enthusiasts alike, prompting many to re-evaluate the CPU's value proposition. With reviewers highlighting its lower power draw, reduced heat output, and faster performance compared to its predecessor, the Ryzen 5 7600X, the 9600X is now positioned as a compelling option for budget-conscious builders and those looking to upgrade their existing systems. But does this price cut make it a must-buy? Let's delve deeper into what makes the 9600X tick and whether it's the right choice for your needs. Lower Power, Cooler Operation ❄️ One of the most significant improvements lauded by reviewers is the Ryzen 5 9600X's lower power consumption compared to the previous generation 7600X. This tr...

In a remarkable feat of engineering and nostalgia, a developer has successfully ported the Llama 2 Large Language Model (LLM) to the venerable DOS operating system. This unexpected achievement brings modern AI capabilities to vintage computing environments, showcasing the enduring power of open-source software and the ingenuity of dedicated programmers. The project, completed over a single weekend, demonstrates the adaptability of Llama 2 and opens up intriguing possibilities for exploring AI on older hardware. The Genesis of DOS LLM The mastermind behind this ambitious project is Yeo Kheng Meng, a programmer known for his previous work on a DOS client for ChatGPT. Driven by a passion for both AI and retro computing, Meng set out to create a fully functional LLM for DOS that could perform inference tasks offline. This endeavor required overcoming significant technical hurdles, given the limitations of the DOS envi...

A massive data breach involving the WorkComposer employee monitoring app has exposed over 21 million screenshots of workers' computer screens to the open internet. This alarming incident underscores the significant risks associated with workplace surveillance and raises critical questions about data security and employee privacy. The exposed data provides an unprecedented look into the daily activities of over 200,000 employees across thousands of organizations, highlighting the potential for misuse and the far-reaching consequences of such breaches. The Anatomy of the Breach The breach was discovered by researchers at Cybernews, who uncovered a misconfigured Amazon S3 storage bucket used by WorkComposer to store the screenshots. This misconfiguration allowed public access to the bucket, effectively exposing millions of images capturing employees' computer screens at regular intervals. The s...

Microsoft's endeavor to retire the traditional Windows Control Panel has been a protracted saga spanning several years. Since the advent of Windows 10, the company has steered users toward a modernized settings interface, yet the transition remains incomplete and, at times, frustrating. It appears the conclusion of this drawn-out development process is still distant. Recently, Microsoft unveiled new Dev and Beta builds of Windows 11 to Insider testers, introducing yet another alteration in how users manage system settings. Another Setting Moves to Settings App ⚙️ Windows 11 users now find themselves with one fewer reason to rely on the familiar Control Panel. Microsoft has seemingly migrated another Control Panel setting to the Windows 11 "Settings" app. This alteration is currently concealed and not enabled by default, requiring Insiders to activate it manually. The newly migrated options, encompassing the keyboard chara...

Nike is facing a $5 million lawsuit following a recent Cloudflare outage that temporarily wiped out the digital images associated with its CloneX NFT collection. The incident, which occurred on April 24, sent shockwaves through the NFT community, underscoring the vulnerabilities inherent in relying on centralized infrastructure for supposedly decentralized assets. This article delves into the details of the outage, the subsequent legal action, and the broader implications for the future of NFTs. The Cloudflare Outage and Its Impact 📉 On the morning of April 24, 2025, users discovered that the images linked to Nike's **CloneX NFTs** had vanished, replaced by a message indicating that Cloudflare had restricted the content due to a violation of its terms of service. These NFTs, avatars created by RTFKT, a digital fashion studio acquired by Nike in 2021, suddenly became visually inaccessible on major marketplaces like OpenSea and Blur....

Geoffrey Hinton, often called the "Godfather of AI," has issued a stark warning regarding the rapid development and potential dangers of artificial intelligence . Hinton, whose work laid the groundwork for modern AI systems like ChatGPT , suggests there's a 10 to 20 percent chance that AI could eventually seize control from humans. His concerns highlight the urgent need for robust AI safety measures and ethical considerations. The Tiger Cub Analogy Hinton uses a compelling analogy to illustrate the risks associated with AI development. He likens AI to a "really cute tiger cub." While the cub may seem harmless now, there's a significant risk that it could become dangerous as it grows. He emphasizes that unless we can be certain that AI will not turn against us, we should be deeply concerned. This analogy underscores the importance of proactive measures to ensure AI safety ...

For decades, scientists have been intrigued by the presence of water on the Moon, a resource that could prove invaluable for future lunar exploration and even sustained human presence. The prevailing theory suggested that the Sun's relentless **solar wind**, composed of charged particles, interacts with the lunar surface to create water molecules. Now, a groundbreaking NASA-led experiment has provided the most robust evidence yet, confirming this long-held hypothesis and potentially revolutionizing our approach to lunar resource utilization. This discovery, spearheaded by researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, marks a significant leap forward in our understanding of the Moon's composition and its potential to support future missions. 🚀 The Solar Wind's Role in Lunar Hydration The Sun constantly emits the **solar wind**, a high-speed stream of hydrogen protons traveling at millions of miles per hour. Unlike E...

The tech world is buzzing as the new Apple MacBook Air M4 hits an unprecedented low price of just $849 on Amazon. This marks a significant opportunity for consumers to get their hands on Apple's latest technology at a more accessible price point. With enhancements across performance, display capabilities, and memory, the MacBook Air M4 presents a compelling proposition. Let’s delve into what makes this deal so attractive and whether it's the right choice for you. 💻 Enhanced Performance and Efficiency 💪 The MacBook Air M4 brings a noticeable leap in performance compared to its predecessors. The M4 chip offers significant improvements in both CPU and GPU performance, making everyday tasks smoother and more responsive. Even compared to the M2 and M3 models, the M4 provides a tangible upgrade that users will appreciate. This enhanced performance translates to faster application loading times, smoother multitasking, ...

In a groundbreaking move, Starbucks is set to open its first-ever 3D-printed store in Brownsville, Texas, marking a significant step towards the mainstream adoption of innovative construction technologies. This new store represents a bold bet on greener and more efficient building methods, signaling a potential shift in how major brands approach physical retail spaces. The store is designed with a focus on mobile order pickups and drive-thru service, reflecting changing consumer preferences and the demand for quick, convenient service. This development not only highlights the capabilities of 3D printing technology but also underscores the commitment of leading companies like Starbucks to explore sustainable and forward-thinking solutions in their operations. The Dawn of 3D-Printed Retail Spaces ☕ The opening of the Starbucks store in Brownsville represents more than just a new coffee shop; it...