Technology

Google Cloud brings tech behind Search and YouTube to enterprise gen AI apps

Published

2 hours ago

October 3, 2024

Google Cloud brings tech behind Search and YouTube to enterprise gen AI apps

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As the generative AI continues to progress, having a simple chatbot may no longer be enough for many enterprises.

Cloud hyperscalers are racing to build up their databases and tools to help enterprises deploy operational data quickly and efficiently, letting them build applications that are both intelligent and contextually aware.

Case in point: Google Cloud’s recent barrage of updates for multiple database offerings, starting with AlloyDB.

According to a blog post from the company, the fully managed PostgreSQL-compatible database now supports ScaNN (scalable nearest neighbor) vector index in general availability. The technology powers its Search and YouTube services and paves the way for faster index creation and vector queries while consuming far less memory.

In addition, the company also announced a partnership with Aiven for the managed deployment of AlloyDB as well as updates for Memorystore for Valkey and Firebase.

Understanding the value of ScaNN for AlloyDB

Vector databases are critical to power advanced AI workloads, right from RAG chatbots to recommender systems.

At the heart of these systems sit key capabilities like storing and managing vector embeddings (numerical representation of data) and conducting similarity searches needed for the targeted applications.

As most developers in the world prefer PostgreSQL as the go-to operational database, its extension for vector search, pgvector, has become highly popular. Google Cloud already supports it on AlloyDB for PostgreSQL, with a state-of-the-art graph-based algorithm called Hierarchical Navigable Small World (HNSW) handling vector jobs.

However, on occasions where the vector workload is too large, the performance of the algorithm may decline, leading to application latencies and high memory usage.

To address this, Google Cloud is making ScaNN vector index in AlloyDB generally available. This new index uses the same technology that powers Google Search and YouTube to deliver up to four times faster vector queries and up to eight-fold faster index build times, with a 3-4x smaller memory footprint than the HNSW index in standard PostgreSQL.

“The ScaNN index is the first PostgreSQL-compatible index that can scale to support more than one billion vectors while maintaining state-of-the-art query performance — enabling high-performance workloads for every enterprise,” Andi Gutmans, the GM and VP of engineering for Databases at Google Cloud, wrote in a blog post.

Gutmans also announced a partnership with Aiven to make AlloyDB Omni, the downloadable edition of AlloyDB, available as a managed service that runs anywhere, including on-premises or on the cloud.

“You can now run transactional, analytical, and vector workloads across clouds on a single platform, and easily get started building gen AI applications, also on any cloud. This is the first partnership that adds an administration and management layer for AlloyDB Omni,” he added.

What’s new in Memorystore for Valkey and Firebase?

In addition to AlloyDB, Google Cloud announced enhancements for Memorystore for Valkey, the fully managed cluster for the Valkey in-memory database, and the Firebase application development platform.

For the Valkey offering, the company said it is adding vector search capabilities. Gutmans noted that a single Memorystore for Valkey instance can now perform similarity search at single-digit millisecond latency on over a billion vectors, with more than 99% recall.

He also added that the next version of Memorystore for Valkey, 8.0, is now in public preview with 2x faster querying speed as compared to Memorystore for Redist Cluster, a new replication scheme, networking enhancements and detailed visibility into performance and resource usage.

As for Firebase, Google Cloud is adding Data Connect, a new backend-as-a-service that will be integrated with a fully managed PostgreSQL database powered by Cloud SQL. It will go into public preview later this year.

With these developments, Google Cloud hopes developers will have a broader selection of infrastructure and database capabilities — along with powerful language models – to build intelligent applications for their organizations. It remains to be seen how these new advancements are deployed to real use cases, but the general trend indicates the volume of gen AI applications is expected to soar significantly.

Omdia estimates that the market for generative AI applications will grow from $6.2 billion in 2023 to $58.5 billion in 2028, marking a CAGR of 56%.

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Dell PowerEdge R620 Rack Server INNOVATIC)

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14 mins ago

October 3, 2024

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Dell PowerEdge R620 Rack Server INNOVATIC)

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Technology

Best iPad deals for October 2024

Published

21 mins ago

October 3, 2024

NewsAdmin

While the best iPad deals usually land during major sale events like Black Friday and Amazon’s forthcoming Prime Day event, many great iPad deals are attainable outside those times. The day-to-day discounts may come and go like changing winds, but there’s often something to be saved, particularly on the more affordable iPads. What’s more, Apple released a new iPad Pro and iPad Air during the summer, and they’re causing prices on older models to drop even further.

It’s difficult to know where exactly you can find the most notable iPad deals unless you’re scouring the major retailers on a daily basis. But that’s often what our deal hunters at The Verge are doing each and every day, so let us help you out. Below, we’ve listed the best deals you can get on each iPad model that is currently available, from the cheapo ninth-gen iPad of 2021 to the latest models equipped with Apple’s powerful M2 and M4 chips.

The best iPad (2021) deals

Announced alongside the iPhone 13 way back in 2021, the ninth-gen iPad is Apple’s aging entry-level tablet, one that’s still great at carrying out everyday tasks despite having been discontinued. The ninth-gen model originally started at $329 with Wi-Fi and 64GB of storage, which arguably makes the newer 10th-gen model the better deal if you don’t need a home button or a headphone jack, as it now starts at $349 and is often on sale for even less.

If you’re still interested in buying the last-gen model, however, now isn’t a bad time to pull the trigger. The base Wi-Fi configuration is currently on sale for $224 ($105 off) at Amazon and $229.99 at Best Buy and Target. As for the 256GB model that initially sold for $479, it’s down to $379.99 ($100 off) at Best Buy and Target, which is about $30 north of its all-time low.

A last-gen model is still worth considering

The last-gen iPad uses an A13 Bionic processor and a 12MP wide-angle camera with Center Stage, a feature designed to keep you framed up and centered while on video calls. The tablet also carries over a number of features from its predecessor, such as the 10.2-inch display, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the home button, and a smart connector for connecting a smart keyboard.

A 9th gen iPad on a wood table viewed from the top down

Apple’s entry-level iPad from 2021 has a 10.2-inch screen, an A13 Bionic chip, and a 12MP front camera that supports Apple’s Center Stage feature. It’s also compatible with the first-gen Apple Pencil and the company’s smart keyboard. Although it’s discontinued, it’s the only iPad you can still buy with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The best iPad (2022) deals

Although the newer 10th-gen iPad came out in late 2022, it’s still an excellent tablet — one we consider to be the best value for most people (once Apple dropped its price in 2024). The latest iPad modernizes the design with a switch to USB-C, uniform bezels with no home button, a side power button with a fingerprint sensor, and a larger display, but it eliminates the 3.5mm headphone jack.

In the past, you could often buy Apple’s latest entry-level iPad for $349 ($100 off its initial launch price) — which is now the MSRP. Right now, however, the base model with 64GB of storage is on sale at Amazon starting at $319.99 ($29 off); Amazon is also selling the step-up 256GB model starting at $461, which is $38 off its new starting price of $499.

The 10th-gen iPad in yellow, resting face up on a wooden table.

Apple’s 10th-gen iPad is the successor to the older ninth-gen model. In exchange for its revised design, landscape-oriented webcam, USB-C port, larger 10.9-inch screen, and faster processor, it ditched the headphone jack and home button.

The best iPad Mini (2021) deals

The sixth-gen iPad Mini has a larger screen than its predecessor, along with an A15 Bionic processor, support for USB-C, and options for 5G. It has forfeited its 3.5mm headphone jack and dedicated home button in the process, but overall, it’s a solid device that brings a fully refreshed design to Apple’s small tablet form factor.

The changes and refinements to the newest iPad Mini come at a heftier price, however, and the 64GB Wi-Fi model now starts at $499. Electing for 256GB of storage brings the price up to $649, while the 5G cellular models are $649 for 64GB and $799 for 256GB. These are some big numbers for a small iPad, and the larger iPad Air might be worth considering if you prefer your dollar to go further with more screen real estate. But if you want the latest and greatest from Apple in a smaller format, this is where the action is.

purple iPad mini back with pencil attached on blue background and vignette

Apple’s revamped iPad Mini ditches the home button and opts for a larger edge-to-edge display. It also comes outfitted with a faster processor, support for USB-C, and a top-mounted power button that moonlights as a Touch ID sensor.

Now is a good time to buy the iPad Mini, however, as multiple configurations are discounted to an all-time low. For instance, Amazon is currently selling the latest iPad Mini in its 64GB base configuration starting at $379.99 ($119 off). If you need additional storage, the 256GB model is also on sale at Amazon in select colors for $539.99 ($109 off) thanks to an on-page coupon.

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The best iPad Air (2024) deals

Apple just recently launched the 2024 iPad Air, which features several small upgrades. The newer model doesn’t feature any groundbreaking changes compared to the 2022 release, but notably, there is now a 13-inch configuration in addition to a base 11-inch model. Apple also added Wi-Fi 6E radios and upgraded the chipset to M2, which enables the hover feature when using Apple’s latest styluses. You can use the newer iPad Air with the Apple Pencil Pro and both previous-gen Magic Keyboards, too. The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599, while the comparable 13-inch model starts at $799.

Deals for the 2024 iPad Air started to appear before the latest model even hit store shelves. Right now, you can pick up the 11-inch base model at Amazon in select colors with 128GB of storage starting at $549 ($50 off). The 13-inch iPad Air, meanwhile, is on sale at Amazon in its 128GB base configuration starting at $745 ($54 off) or at B&H Photo starting at $769.99 ($30 off).

The newest iPad Air comes with Apple’s M2 chip, a new horizontal placement for the front camera, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro and last-gen Magic Keyboards. The 11-inch model is exactly the same size and weight as the previous version.

A photo of the iPad Air in a cafe setting.

In addition to the 11-inch model, the newest iPad Air is also available in a 13-inch configuration with Apple’s M2 processor. It features a Liquid Retina display, new horizontal placement for the front camera, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro and the bigger version of Apple’s last-gen Magic Keyboard.1

The best iPad Pro (2024) deals

Compared to the latest iPad Air, the 2024 iPad Pro is a far more impressive upgrade. The 11- and 13-inch models start at $999 and $1,299, respectively, and they are the first Apple devices to feature the company’s latest M4 chip, which brings moderate performance gains and dedicated hardware for on-device Apple Intelligence processing. The new Pro models can claim other firsts, too, such as being the first iPad models with OLED displays and the lightest Pros yet, which is true for both sizes. They also feature repositioned front-facing cameras that sit along the horizontal edge, which prevent you from looking as though you’re staring off into space on a video call.

As for deals, the 11-inch iPad Pro with Wi-Fi / 256GB of storage is on sale in select colors at Amazon starting at $927 ($72 off), B&H Photo starting at $929 ($70 off), and Best Buy starting at $949 ($50 off). The sleek and super-thin 13-inch model, meanwhile, is on sale in its 256GB base configuration at Amazon starting at $1,198 ($101 off) or Best Buy for $1,249 ($50 off).

An overhead photo of the iPad Pro 2024 on a table.

Apple’s latest iPad Pro is the first Apple device with an M4 processor and an OLED-based Ultra Retina XDR display. It also features an improved camera system with adaptive flash and compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro and the newest Magic Keyboard.

A photo of a person pinching the screen on an iPad Pro.

The newest iPad Pro comes in either an 11- or 13-inch configuration with Apple’s M4 processor. Both models also feature an OLED display, a much thinner and lighter build, new horizontal placement for the front camera, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro.

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Technology

Priceline has a new AI voice assistant thanks to OpenAI

Published

43 mins ago

October 3, 2024

NewsAdmin

Travel agents may be mostly a relic of the past, but Priceline has used AI to create a new one. Penny Voice is designed to help you book trips by conversing with you like a human. Priceline turned to OpenAI and its new Realtime API introduced this week to create Penny, leveraging GPT-4o and the technology underlying the Advanced Voice Mode for ChatGPT.

Penny Voice augments the existing Priceline AI travel assistant with the new tools from OpenAI. Natural, conversational speech with a user processed by the AI models allows Penny to understand complex requests and even anticipate what you want before you lay it out. It also has a memory for previous interactions and stated preferences to customize how it responds in future conversations. Penny Voice is starting out just on hotel reservations, and you can talk to it on the Priceline iOS app or on its website.

For travelers, Penny Voice can streamline getting a trip together. Instead of searching through websites and writing long, detailed requests, you can talk to Penny like the AI is a human. The AI will help find hotels and offer suggestions for places to eat and things to do. Priceline plans to add flights, rental cars, and vacation packages to Penny’s capabilities soon.

“At Priceline, we’ve always pushed technological boundaries to make travel easier. With Penny Voice, we’re further redefining how people plan and book travel,” Priceline CEO Brett Keller said. “Our collaboration with OpenAI includes a continuous feedback loop, allowing us to rapidly innovate, enhance, and now literally bring Penny to life. We’re extremely proud of our work together and the results.”

AI Speech for All

Priceline claims Penny stands out from rival voice AI tools due to contributions from within the company and from OpenAI. Priceline brings a huge amount of information on its customers and its proprietary deals engine to the table. And thanks to OpenAI’s Realtime API, Penny can reflect your emotions, adjusting tone and phrasing to match emotional cues and mimicking human conversation better.

Priceline held auditions with more than a hundred voice actors to figure out the perfect voice to clone with AI and make for a friendly, approachable AI voice. Not just in English, either. Penny Voice can identify and answer queries in more than 120 languages. Ultimately, Penny will serve as a test for both Priceline’s AI investment and whether putting AI voices into everything will count as a win for OpenAI.

“Integrating Realtime API with Penny is a great example of how companies can use our tools to build natural conversation experiences into their applications,” OpenAI Head of API Product Olivier Godement said. “We’re” thrilled to work with Priceline to help them build an AI-powered booking experience for their customers.”

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Original Toten Server Rack Best Price in Bangladesh

Published

48 mins ago

October 3, 2024

NewsAdmin

Original Toten Server Rack Best Price in Bangladesh

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Which AI chatbot is best at avoiding disinformation?

Published

1 hour ago

October 3, 2024

NewsAdmin

Which AI chatbot is best at avoiding disinformation?

Russian propaganda about its invasion of Ukraine is affecting AI chatbot accuracy

Roman Pilipey/AFP/Getty

Artificial intelligence chatbots struggle to consistently provide accurate answers about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and sometimes regurgitate Kremlin propaganda – an especially noticeable problem for Google’s Gemini chatbot.

“Increasingly, chatbot users tend to trust the output of these new digital tools,” says Elizaveta Kuznetsova at the Weizenbaum Institute in Germany. “Therefore, the way in which chatbots frame information about current events can have a substantial effect on political attitudes about crucial events, like the ongoing war in Ukraine.”

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