Brian Fagioli

Accenture has unveiled its Accenture AI Refinery framework, built on NVIDIA AI Foundry, to help clients develop custom LLM models using the newly introduced Llama 3.1 collection. This framework, part of Accenture’s foundation model services, is designed to enhance the use of generative AI by allowing businesses to create LLMs tailored to their specific domains and business processes.

The AI Refinery framework includes four main components: domain model customization and training, the Switchboard platform for model selection, an enterprise cognitive brain for indexing corporate knowledge, and Agentic architecture for autonomous AI actions.

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ShowMeCables has unveiled a new series of Cat 6a right-angle Ethernet cables. These innovative cables feature 90-degree angled connectors designed to ease installation in spaces with dense cabling. The line offers low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) rated jackets for environments where PVC is banned, and CMX jackets for standard communication settings.

These Cat 6a cables are equipped to handle 10-gigabit speeds, making them suitable for a variety of indoor uses such as data centers, offices, industrial sites, home networks, and transportation systems.

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Bitwise Asset Management has launched the Bitwise Ethereum ETF (ETHW), scheduled to start trading on the New York Stock Exchange on July 23. This marks the introduction of the first spot Ethereum fund in the U.S., providing investors with a new method to invest in Ethereum, the second-largest crypto asset by market capitalization.

The ETF begins with a management fee of 0.20 percent, offering a promotional zero fee on the first $500 million in assets for the initial six months.

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Google has revised its Privacy Sandbox initiative, moving away from its earlier decision to eliminate third-party cookies. The initiative has been influenced by extensive feedback from various stakeholders, including the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), publishers, and the advertising industry.

Instead of phasing out third-party cookies as initially planned, Google is now implementing a new user experience in Chrome that allows individuals to make informed decisions about their privacy settings during web browsing. This new approach allows users to modify their privacy preferences at any time, reflecting a significant change in strategy.

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Docking stations are so common these days, that’s it’s hard to really get excited about them. With that said, the newest such dock from Sabrent has a unique aspect that you will want to check out. You see, the Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with Monitor Desk Mount (DS-T4WA) offers Thunderbolt 4 technology and a gas-lift monitor arm to enhance workspace flexibility and connectivity. Yes, it’s a dock and monitor arm in one!

This docking station supports high-speed data transfer up to 40Gbps with its Thunderbolt 4 downstream port. It features two 10Gbps USB-C ports, one 10Gbps USB-A port, and one 5Gbps USB-A port, accommodating a variety of devices. Additionally, the station includes a UHS-II microSD/SD card reader, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5mm audio port.

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The release of OpenMandriva ROME 24.07 offers a timely Linux alternative for users considering a switch from Microsoft Windows 11, particularly in the wake of the recent Crowdstrike-induced BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) disaster. This rolling release integrates the latest from the Release Candidate, featuring updated packages and enhanced stability.

At the forefront of this release is the introduction of KDE Plasma 6 as the default desktop environment, designed to enhance user experience with its improved aesthetics and functionality. For those seeking variety, there are additional spins available with LXQt (2.0.0 Qt6) and GNOME(46.3). It's important to note that while a Wayland-based ISO is offered, OpenMandriva advises that Wayland might not fully replace X11 for all users just yet, especially when used in VirtualBox environments.

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Hitachi-LG Data Storage, in partnership with SK hynix and NEOWIZ, is set to release a limited edition external USB SSD, the Tube T31 Lies of P Edition. This product will be available exclusively at Newegg.com, with only 300 units slated for sale in the United States starting from July 22. Pricing details have not yet been announced.

The Tube T31 is designed to be portable and user-friendly. It features plug-and-play compatibility via USB-A with PCs, consoles, TVs, and laptops, enhancing its practicality for both gaming and general use.

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In a recent statement to Engadget, Twitch has confirmed that is has restored former President Donald Trump's account on the live streaming platform. Owned by Amazon, Twitch emphasized the importance of direct communication from presidential nominees.

The decision comes amidst a backdrop of heightened security concerns and political tension. "We reinstated former President Trump’s Twitch channel," Twitch said in the statement. "We believe there is value in hearing from Presidential nominees directly, when possible. Trump is now the official Republican nominee for US President." This move by Twitch underscores a broader strategy to provide a platform for significant political figures to engage with the public directly.

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Apple Vision Pro users are now be able to enjoy a new range of content captured in Apple Immersive Video. This format uses 3D video recorded in 8K with a 180-degree field of view and Spatial Audio to deliver a highly realistic experience. Apple’s lineup includes series, films, and special performances.

The series “Boundless” kicks off with an episode called “Hot Air Balloons,” taking viewers over Cappadocia, Türkiye. “Wild Life,” a nature documentary series, will continue in August with a focus on orphaned elephants in Kenya. In September, “Elevated” will feature stunning aerial views of Hawaii.

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Google's URL Shortener service will be fully discontinued after August 25, 2025. Originally transitioned to Firebase Dynamic Links in 2018, the service stopped accepting new URLs but continued to support existing ones. Now, Google has announced it will cease serving these links.

Starting August 23, 2024, users will encounter an interstitial page on some goo.gl links. This page will notify users of the service’s impending shutdown and will increasingly appear before the links direct to their original destinations. After August 25, 2025, all goo.gl links will return a 404 error.

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OpenAI has released GPT-4o mini, a new AI model aimed at enhancing affordability and accessibility. Priced at 15 cents per million input tokens and 60 cents per million output tokens, GPT-4o mini represents a significant cost reduction compared to previous models like GPT-3.5 Turbo. The new model is more than 60 percent cheaper, making it an economical option for a wide range of applications.

GPT-4o mini is designed with a context window of 128K tokens and supports up to 16K output tokens per request. Currently, it is capable of handling text and vision tasks. Future updates will expand its capabilities to include text, image, video, and audio inputs and outputs.

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Dynabook Americas, Inc. has announced the release of its latest professional laptops, the 14-inch Tecra A40-M and the 16-inch Tecra A60-M. These new models, both of which have a starting price below $1,300, are equipped with Copilot AI and Intel Core Ultra processors, aiming to enhance productivity for professionals and educators.

The Tecra A40-M operates on Windows 11 Pro and is available with various Intel Core Ultra processors, including Series 1 H28, Core Ultra 5 135U, Core Ultra 5 145U, Core Ultra 7 155U, Core Ultra 7 165U, Core Ultra 5 135H, Core Ultra 5 145H, Core Ultra 7 155H, and Core Ultra 7 165H. It supports up to 64GB of LPDDR5 5,400MHz memory and features Intel Arc Graphics, with a minimum requirement of 16 GB dual-channel memory. The 14-inch WUXGA display (1920x1200) offers optional touch functionality, and storage options include PCIe NVMe SSDs up to 2TB.

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Lemokey, a premium gaming subsidiary of Keychron, has launched the G1 wireless optical mouse. This new product offers an 8KHz polling rate and a 0.125ms latency, aimed at both gamers and creative professionals.

The G1 mouse is designed with a lightweight 55g frame and incorporates a PixArt 3950 sensor, supporting up to 30,000 DPI and 50g acceleration, suitable for high precision tracking on various surfaces, including glass. It also features tri-mode connectivity, including 2.4G wireless, Bluetooth 5.3, and wired options, facilitating easy device and setup switching.

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ADLINK has introduced the IMB-C Value Series of ATX motherboards. This new series targets users looking for high performance at a lower price point, suitable for sectors such as warehousing, industrial automation, smart manufacturing, and new energy.

The IMB-C series adds to ADLINK's existing range of IMB motherboards by offering a cost-effective option that retains necessary features for industrial use. These motherboards support Intel Core processors from the 10th to the 14th generations and come equipped with features such as 2.5 GbE, PCIe 4.0, DDR4, and USB 3.0.

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TEAMGROUP has announced the new PD20 Mini External SSD, targeting business travelers and professionals who require both portability and high performance. This external SSD combines practical design elements with advanced technology to meet diverse storage needs.

The PD20 Mini is notable for its lightweight design, weighing only 22 grams, making it highly portable for users who need to carry their data with them. It is available in storage capacities ranging from 1TB to 4TB, accommodating everything from basic documents to large media files.

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