Victura and Highwire Games today announced that the upcoming first-person tactical military shooter Six Days in Fallujah will feature a groundbreaking technology developed by Highwire Games called “Procedural Architecture,” which re-shapes the entire battlefield each time the game is played, assembling entire buildings and city blocks procedurally.
See a video demonstration of Procedural Architecture:
Six Days in Fallujah recreates true stories from the 2004 Second Battle for Fallujah, with help from more than 100 Marines, Soldiers, and Iraqi civilians who were present during the battle. It is scheduled for release on PC and consoles in late 2021.
The stories in Six Days in Fallujah are told through gameplay and documentary footage featuring dozens of service members and more than 26 Iraqi civilians with diverse experiences and perspectives about the battle. These eyewitnesses speak directly to players through video and audio, and players solve real-life challenges from the battle during gameplay.
These stories inspired the development team to explore new ways to make tactical military shooters more like actual combat.
“Marines told us they never knew what was waiting behind the next door,” says Six Days in Fallujah’s creative director, Jaime Griesemer. “But, in video games, we play the same maps over and over again. Just knowing the layout of a building in advance makes playing a combat encounter in a video game very different than actual combat.”
“Memorizing maps is fake. It’s that simple,” says Sgt. Adam Banotai, who led a squad of Marines block-by-block through Fallujah. “Clearing an unfamiliar building or neighborhood is terrifying. You have no idea what’s about to happen, and this is one of the reasons we experienced such high casualties.”
To simulate the uncertainty and danger of urban combat, Highwire Games and Victura invested more than three years building technologies that allow a modern game engine to assemble every room in every building procedurally, along with the dynamic AI and sound systems needed to support game environments that do not remain static.
In Six Days in Fallujah, every map is a new map, so players never know what to expect. While mission objectives and events are consistent with the true stories, every scenario becomes a unique experience each time players restart, ensuring no game ever plays the same way twice.
“With Procedural Architecture, even the game designer doesn’t know what’s about to happen in Six Days in Fallujah,” according to Victura CEO Peter Tamte. “And the best way to overcome this uncertainty is by deploying real military tactics, just like you would if you were really there.”
Six Days in Fallujah will launch for PC and consoles in 2021. For more information about the game go to Six Days in Fallujah at www.sixdays.com. Six Days in Fallujah is also on Twitter (@VicturaGG), and YouTube.
ABOUT SIX DAYS IN FALLUJAH
Six Days in Fallujah is a first-person tactical military shooter that recreates true stories of Marines, Soldiers, and Iraqi civilians during the toughest urban battle since 1968. Players lead a fireteam through real-life encounters enabled by unique technology that simulates the uncertainty and tactics of urban combat. Six Days in Fallujah is produced and published by Victura and developed by Highwire Games, which is led by many of the original Halo and Destiny leadership. Six Days in Fallujah launches for PC and console platforms in late 2021. More information is available at www.sixdays.com.
Amazon, Enterprise Ireland and Enterprise Nation announce the first ever Amazon Bootcamp Ireland, an online event on Tuesday 13 – Wednesday 14 April providing free training and guidance to help businesses increase their online sales and reach new customers, as part of the Amazon Small Business Accelerator, a programme to support more than 200,000 entrepreneurs across the UK and Ireland.
The event will include practical sessions on how to sell products on the Amazon stores, scale operations, master social media, secure funding and more. Tickets are free but attendees must register in advance via this link.
Amazon Bootcamp Ireland has been created in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, Enterprise Nation, and the Local Enterprise Office. The virtual event will feature interviews, panel discussions and interactive presentation sessions with Amazon experts who will provide hands-on, practical advice of how to sell on Amazon, together with Irish industry leaders such as Pamela Laird, former contestant on The Apprentice, who is now a successful Amazon entrepreneur with her brand Moxi Loves.
The two-day event follows the successful Amazon Academy Ireland, which took place in November 2020, where hundreds of attendees learned how to grow revenues, enhance productivity and develop digital skills. More than 4,500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have now joined Amazon Academy events across the UK and Ireland to scale their businesses.
Amazon Bootcamp Ireland comes as recent research from Enterprise Ireland revealed that 9 in 10 Irish exporters to the UK see future opportunities in the UK market, with 4 in 5 businesses (83%) saying their strategy is to grow exports to the UK, topics which the bootcamp will cover. The event is part of the Amazon Small Business Accelerator, a major support package for 200,000 small businesses and start-ups which provides free online training and access to business advice, developed in partnership with Enterprise Nation, a leading small business support network.
“Amazon is proud to work with Enterprise Ireland to offer free training and advice to small and medium-sized businesses across Ireland which we hope will help them grow and prosper in 2021,” said Simon Donegan, Head of Seller Services, Amazon.“More than half of all products sold on Amazon stores come from independent selling partners, most of which are SMEs. We also have a long track record of supporting Irish entrepreneurs and small businesses, most recently with the Amazon Academy Ireland event. Many businesses have found their way through the crisis by providing goods and services online. Through this bootcamp we will be providing hundreds of offline and online businesses with the skills, tools and support they need to succeed in the digital world, to reach customers through Amazon or any other service.”
“I believe Amazon offers a huge opportunity for small and medium sized businesses in Ireland to grow and I’m looking forward to taking part in the Bootcamp to help get more businesses online,”said Pamela Laird, founder of Moxi Loves.“By listing products on Amazon, SMEs have access and reach to an entirely new customer base. It can be costly to acquire a new customer online, especially if you are new to e-commerce, but Amazon provides a simple and cost-effective opportunity for your products to go global!”
Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland: “It’s great to partner with Amazon following our successful event for small businesses last year. Amazon Bootcamp Ireland will build on the strong foundations laid at the Amazon Academy, helping hundreds more companies to take their businesses online. I’m excited to welcome lots of new faces to our virtual event in April.”
Padraic McElwee, Chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices: “Selling online has become a key component for Irish small businesses and we saw the difference that made in 2020 when we approved over 13,000 Trading Online Vouchers as traditional businesses pivoted to online. As the Local Enterprise Offices are the first stop shop for start-ups and small businesses in Ireland, it is great to partner with Amazon on this event that will give small companies even greater resources and knowledge on how to build their online skills.”
Emma Jones CBE, Head of Enterprise Nation: “We’re looking forward to returning to Ireland with another fantastic Amazon event, with the aim of helping more small businesses to prepare for growth by embracing e-commerce. Attendees will get an understanding of how to get their businesses online from industry leading experts over the two-day event and we can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Amazon’s fulfilment network supports millions of businesses of all sizes worldwide through its Fulfilment by Amazon offering, and many of those businesses are based in Ireland. There are hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), authors and developers in Ireland growing their companies and reaching new customers with Amazon products and services. Amazon offers a suite of services to help businesses export their products and services, including providing global delivery and distribution, managing customer services in the local language and translating hundreds of millions of product listings each year on behalf of smaller businesses.
In 2020, Amazon announced it was creating another 1,000 permanent jobs in Ireland over the next two years. The new, highly skilled roles will be based in locations across the company’s Cork and Dublin sites in Blanchardstown, Tallaght, the city centre, and north County Dublin, and will bring Amazon’s total permanent workforce in the country to 5,000 people over the next two years. This will help to support Ireland’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
For over 16 years, Amazon has been investing and growing in Ireland. The company launched its first cloud infrastructure region outside of the US in Ireland in 2007, and since this time, has grown the number of staff, expanded its collaboration with colleges and universities, invested in skills programmes, and strengthened its relationships with local communities across the country. Amazon, through Amazon Web Services (AWS), maintains the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. Millions of customers – including the fastest-growing start-ups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies – are using AWS to lower costs, become more agile, and innovate faster.
Sony today announced three outstanding G Lenses to its impressive E-mount line-up – the FE 50mm F2.5 G(model SEL50F25G), FE 40mm F2.5 G (model SEL40F25G) and FE 24mm F2.8 G (model SEL24F28G) All three lenses deliver high image quality and beautiful bokeh in a lightweight and compact design, perfect for photographers and videographers alike who strive for standout shots and easy mobility. When paired with a Sony full-frame camera or APS-C, all three lenses boast high resolution, intuitive operability and fast, precise and quiet autofocus capabilities. The lenses have been introduced as the perfect set for photo and video for a wide range of uses including snap shooting, portraiture and landscape shots.
“At Sony we are constantly innovating to produce the tools that creators need to capture the beauty of this world” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe. “With superb resolution and mesmerising bokeh, all housedin a compact and sophisticated design, the FE 50mm F2.5 G, FE 40mm F2.5 G and FE 24mm F2.8 G enable users to experience the joy of owning lenses that capture different perspectives of the same scene”.
These three prime lenses each deliver a focal length for any shoot with the 50mm best for portraits, the 40mm optimal for still or movie snap shooting, and the 24mm ideal for landscapes. With their intuitive operability and superb build quality they are a fantastic set of three.
What’s more, the three lenses are all the same size (68mm diameter x 45mm), all have the same filter diameter (49mm) and are almost all the same weight (FE 50mm F2.5 G 174g, FE 40mm F2.5 G 173g and FE 24mm F2.8 G 162g) and internal focus so lens interchange is easy – even when using a gimbal. They feature the same stylish exterior design, but focal lengths are clearly marked for quick switches.
High resolution in a compact design
The FE 50mm F2.5 G, FE 40mm F2.5 G and FE 24mm F2.8 G deliver the high image quality of a G Lens, whilst being compact and lightweight. The image quality is achieved by state-of-the-art optics using aspherical elements and ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements[i], delivering high resolution and suppressing colour fringing. The aspherical elements ensure high resolution performance in every corner of the image, even from the widest aperture with shallow depth of field. Enjoy shooting in high resolution using a compact design.
The stunning bokeh of the G lens is achieved with the optimisation of a circular aperture and is delivered at the widest point of each lens (F2.5 at 50mm, F2.5 at 40mm and the F2.8 at 24mm).
All three lenses were carefully designed for optimum mobility and are compact and lightweight enough to suit any location. Whether shooting with a full-frame or APS-C body for portraiture, landscape, snap shots or movies with a gimbal and more, the size and weight are balanced perfectly. Experience the benefits of interchanging lenses to suit any scene or subject.
Focus distances
As well as the 50mm angle of view being perfect for portraits and snap shooting stills or movies, the FE 50mm F2.5 G has a minimum focus distance of 0.35m (AF) / 0.31m (MF) and maximum magnification of 0.18x (AF) / 0.21x (MF), meaning it’s ideal for a variety of scenes and objects.
The FE 40mm F2.5 G 40mm angle of view is ideal for snap shooting stills or movies with a minimum focus distance of 0.28m (AF) / 0.25m (MF) and maximum magnification of 0.20x (AF) / 0.23x (MF). Particularly for movie shooting, 40mm is the preferred angle of view as it corresponds to the natural field of vision and for stills, 40mm allows subjects to stand out against backgrounds.
With a wide 24mm angle of view, the FE 24mm F2.8 G lens is perfect in situations where the background is included, such as gimbal or selfie shooting with a grip attached. And with a minimum focus distance of 0.24m (AF) / 0.18m (MF) and maximum magnification of 0.13x (AF) / 0.19x (MF), you can also shoot close-ups with a blurred background.
High operability and reliability
Despite their compact size, the lenses feature a focus hold button, focus mode switch, aperture ring, and Aperture click switch for ideal operability. The focus hold button is customisable from the camera menu and can be assigned a function that the user prefers. The aperture ring provides a more intuitive and direct feel, compared to operating the aperture from the camera body when shooting either stills or movies. The aperture also provides switchable click stops that can be turned off for movie shooting using the aperture click switch. Furthermore, with Linear Response MF, the focus ring responds precisely and linearly when focusing manually so control feels immediate and intuitive, directly reflecting the intent of the photographer and allowing delicate focus adjustments.
The aluminium exterior and engraved Sony logo ensure a premium, sophisticated finish as well as increased strength and durability. Conveniently, the diameter of the filter threads on the hood and the lens barrel are equal[ii] (49mm), allowing the same cap and filter to be attached to both the hood and the lens barrel. The lenses are also designed to be dust and moisture resistant[iii] to ensure usability in any outdoor environment.
Fast, precise and quiet autofocus
The FE 50mm F2.5 G, FE 40mm F2.5 G and FE 24mm F2.8 G feature two linear motors to deliver fast, precise autofocus (AF) with excellent tracking performance which is maintained despite instantaneous changes in subject motion – making the lens ideal snapping moving subjects. The AF is also quiet, so works for both still and movie shooting.
Pricing
The FE 50mm F2.5 G, FE 40mm F2.5 G and FE 24mm F2.8 G lenses will be available in April 2021 at a variety ofSony’s authorised dealers, for an estimated retail price of £630 and €700 each.
For detailed product information on the three lenses, please visit:
A variety of exclusive stories, videos and exciting new content shot with the newest cameras and other Sony products can be found here. Sony’s European photography hub is available in 22 languages and details product news, competitions and an up-to-date list of Sony events in each country.
Those who use fax services stick to this mode of communication for a reason. It is by far the most secure, simple, and professional way to communicate. While emails and other digital channels are susceptible to hacking, fax is free of all these issues. Do you not have access to a fax machine and are wondering how to send and receive faxes near me? Well, you have reached the right place. ‘Send Faxes online’ the moment you type this online, you will get many options. Despite the competition, you have reached the right place.
CocoFax- Send Fax for Free
The online faxing alternatives available online are either too pricey or too complicated. But, the marketing gimmicks are attractive and give an impression that they are too good. Do not fall for the traps of false promises as they will rip you off your time and money. CocoFax is the most dependable online faxing service. It is known to be the best in the business because of the immense ease in its functions. When it comes to the perfect platform for faxing services, CocoFax offers the following:
The most friendly user interface
The most amount of free faxes compared to any other platform
Best rates and minimized faxing costs ..
Prerequisites for using CocoFax
There are a few prerequisites that you need to ensure for CocoFax. The prerequisites are just part and parcel of the daily functionalities. There are no requirements that are out of the ordinary. Nevertheless, ensure that you have the following in handy to send and receive faxes through CocoFax:
Device Compatible with Internet
You need to have an internet-compatible device in place. You would need to use the online web page of CocoFax and for the same having an internet-connected device is important. You can use your laptop, computer, tablet, smartphone, etc. to do the same. The device can be as big as a supercomputer or as small as a smartphone, CocoFax would work on both of them.
A CocoFax subscription
You also need to have a CocoFax subscription to be able to use the services it has to offer. If you are signing up to this platform for the first time, you will likely feel apprehensive about it. CocoFax understands the apprehensiveness of first-time users and that is why it offers a 30-day free trial. The trial period of 30 days is a lot of time to understand and check your compatibility with the application. As compared to other apps that offer at most a 7-day trial, CocoFax is a blessing.
If, however, you feel like you are not compatible with the application or its functioning, you can cancel the same. You can cancel the subscription within the trial period and you would not be charged a penny for it.
Fax For Free
CocoFax offers you the perfect setup to send and receive faxes online. It also offers you a plethora of options to do so. Yes, you do not need to stick to one prescribed method. You can function based upon your convenience. You can ensure that you send a fax for free in the below-mentioned ways:
Fax through Email
While we do send emails daily, we can also send faxes through emails. CocoFax can be used to fax with a Gmail account, Yahoo Mail account, Outlook, Hotmail, and other popular mail service. This particular method of faxing is the most popular of all. In the ordinary course of business communication or email sending, you can also embed this function. All you need to do is just add @CocoFax.net.doc as a suffix to the fax number. The suffix will act as an email identity for the fax number.
Now, the only thing you need to do is to attach the fax document to the mail. The compatible attachment types with CocoFax are in Docx, Xls, xlsx, png, and jpg formats. Despite the preferred mode and kind of attachment, it will only be received in a .pdf format.
Fax from Dashboard
The dashboard of CocoFax is also another convenient mode to send and receive faxes. You just need to log in to the CocoFax webpage with your ID and password. Once the application is logged in, you can send documents directly to a fax number.
The dashboard creates a log of all faxes sent and received. It is simpler to use and acts as a common database for the faxes sent and received. Whenever you need to refer to the fax status, you can just log in and view it.
Fax from Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft office 365 is widely used in the office culture through outlook and word documents. Concerning Microsoft Office Word document, you can add CocoFax as a ribbon to it, through the add-on feature. Thereafter, whenever there is a word document that you need to send, you can just click on the ribbon. Once clicked, you will automatically be led to the dashboard of CocoFax. You can then log in, reconfirm and send your fax.
Fax from Google Drive
Google Drive, our primary source of the secure database, can also be used to send faxes. Instead of downloading documents and then attaching them to other sources, you can send them directly. It is quite time-efficient to send and receive faxes directly from the drive.
Fax from Smartphone
Your smartphone can also act as the perfect source of sending a fax. It is also mighty convenient as you do not need to go through the paraphernalia of turning your system on and off. Smartphones have become extremely convenient and can be accessed immediately from anywhere. As all mailing apps and other applications can be downloaded on the phone, they offer ease.
Conclusion
Through CocoFax, you can attain the best sort of faxing services with the most economical setup. It is so convenient that it would be operationally viable to use CocoFax than buying a fax machine. To send and receive fax near me, you can just opt for the best alternative, CocoFax.
Google has today launched Google for Small Business; a new website which is specifically dedicated and designed for small Irish businesses to help them take their business online and continue to reach customers in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Google’s aim is to help Irish businesses leverage current consumer sentiment by using the online tools available to them. With the search term “buy Irish” increasing by 3,500% in 2020, and by nearly 6,400% during peak shopping seasons, being visible online will enable more Irish businesses to reach new and existing customers now while restrictions remain in place and in the future.
The free online platform will guide businesses along every step of their journey from setting up their Google Business Profile to creating a website, along with tips and advice on how to reach and grow their customer base. The platform will also allow business owners to tailor their approach, in their own time, to operating online based on their own specific needs.
Commenting on the launch of Google for Small Business, Alice Mansergh, Google’s Director of Small Business, said; “This online platform has been set up at a crucial time for small businesses, many of whom have faced great challenges over the past year due to COVID-19 and need help adapting and growing online.
Over the last year we have seen some great success stories from small businesses that have pivoted to sell and engage with their customers online. Google for Small Business was designed to help more businesses leverage the supports available and start taking the small steps to overcome the impacts of the pandemic and experience similar growth and success. One of the key insights we have gained from working with small businesses is the need for a practical, step-by-step guide to operating online and that is exactly what Google for Small Business is.”
The website will also specifically allow businesses to discover valuable insights about their customers using market research tools along with advice on how to create a strong customer experience and drive more traffic to their business.
In response to COVID-19, Google has committed to supporting 60,000 Irish SMEs as they embark on recovery from the financial impacts caused by the virus. The launch of the Google for Small Business website is part of this ongoing commitment to support Irish SMEs and help them gain the necessary digital skills to set up and grow their business successfully online.
Today GT Manager lets players take charge of a Gran Tourismo racing team and speed along the world’s most iconic racing tracks. In direct line with the rise of a new genre within the racing category, GT Manager – developed by French studio, The Tiny Digital Factory – allows players to build their own GT team in the ruthless world of motorsports. Available for free today on all app stores, GT Manageroffers the best experience of motorsport management in the market.
A new game genre anchored in The Tiny Digital Factory’s legacy
GT Manager is the result of more than 10 years of experience building racing games from The Tiny Digital Factory team, having worked in partnership with Codemasters and Eden Games, including co-development on the official F1 Mobile Racing game, downloaded by 16 million players and played daily by 150,000 people. In offering unprecedented features and content, comparable to the best football management games, GT Manager carries the ambition to join the segment’s leader, F1 Manager, at the top of the rankings.
Racing games on mobile never managed to reach the top spots of mobile game rankings because of the lack of accuracy and the quality of the racing experience inherent to the devices’ small screens. GT Manager positions itself on the fast-growing segment of Sport Management games and in direct line with games conceived specifically for mobile in the racing category which represents five percent of current mobile games revenues. The game plays in portrait mode and offers short game sessions to be played on the go.
GT Manager: sophisticated and accessible, the perfect balance for motorsport management games fans
Players will be able to master the art of the race as a racing team manager through an experience centered in management and tactical decisions taken from the pit.
The game offers a deep immersive experience in the universe of race management. Every player takes on the role of a young manager who will reinforce their expertise and network through their encounters with the leading experts of the track. Here, the engineer, the mechanic, the sponsoring manager are as important as the driver. It’s the player’s capacity to hone his skills which will allow him to make the difference in Career mode. This progressive evolution brings both sophistication and accessibility to the experience. GT Manager features a wide range of official GT championships licenced car models and authentic tracks to add to the authenticity.
GT Manager: An in-depth experience from the pit lane
Players take charge of every aspect of their GT team, before, during and after the race. From the development center and their headquarters, they will take all the major decisions regarding investments and the budget management of the team. From their team’s factory, the player can – through experience and investments – manage more and more aspects of the team’s life, from training to sponsorship scouting.
On the track, the race strategy is essential to get in front of one’s rivals. Going faster is not the solution to win. Tire wear, car settings and the information provided by your race team will have a major impact on the race’s results.
“GT Manager has been conceived by a team with many years of experience in developing racing games. GT Manager is the result of our expertise and we are proud to offer the first racing game fully developed, produced and edited by our Lyon-based studio from The Tiny Digital Factory”, Stéphane Baudet, CEO of The Tiny Digital Factory, explained.
In GT Manager, players will…
Manage pilots from the pit without any driving skills required.
Collect 19 official cars from major brands with various GT championships, under licence : Porsche, Mercedes, McLaren, Nissan, Audi, Chevrolet, Renault / Alpine, Ford, Honda, Aston Martin, Brabham, Saleen.
Build their own headquarters (five buildings and 12 departments), invest in their production factory and in R&D, recruit pilots, engineers and sponsors…
Equip their factory with more than 200 different cards.
Score points in the championship ranking to move up the next league.
Improve the performances of cars and pilots’ statistics.
Take part in daily races in endurance, sprint, at night and in seasonal events, on 11 different iconic racetracks.
Compete online in 1vs1 races to build their weekly and seasonal rankings.
Choose their tire strategy and adapt their general race strategy to react to race incidents.
GT Manager is now available for free on the Apple, Google, Huawei and Samsung stores!
Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) ushers in the next generation of computing with its most powerful and secure Dell EMC PowerEdge server portfolio. With the new servers, Dell Technologies is charting the path toward autonomous infrastructure to offer greater IT efficiency, embrace AI and address the demands of IT at the edge.
The world’s best-selling server portfolio provides the power needed to gain and act on real-time insights from data wherever it may reside—from core data centers to public clouds and edge locations. Reimagined with 17 new PowerEdge servers and bolstered by 1,100 Dell-owned or filed U.S. patents, the new servers deliver their highest performance to date.
“Data is being created and used in more places than ever before, and organizations are challenged to act on it as quickly as possible,” said Jeff Boudreau, president and general manager, Infrastructure Solutions Group at Dell Technologies. “As we innovate for the future of IT, advanced automation is a must, no matter where infrastructure resides. Our new PowerEdge servers offer next-level performance to help customers accelerate data insights and the move toward autonomous compute.”
Autonomous compute helps customers fully realize self-deployed, self-provisioned and self-managed infrastructure in the future. Today, through Dell EMC OpenManage Enterprise, PowerEdge servers and systems management can deliver up to 85% time savings on average and eliminate dozens of steps with automation.
Highest performance to date helps businesses reach goals faster
Optimizing the latest technologies from AMD and Intel, new PowerEdge servers deliver the compute power needed for customers’ most critical workloads and applications. Example advancements include:
PowerEdge R6515, featuring 3rd Generation AMD EPYC™ processors, accelerates data processing capabilities by up to 60% in big data Hadoop databases, speeding time to insights.
PowerEdge R750, with the upcoming 3rd Generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors, deliver up to 43% greater performance in solving massively parallel linear equations, supporting most computational-heavy workloads.
“With the virtualized environment we’ve deployed on PowerEdge servers, we have the agility to shift workloads as needed,” said Joel Weight, chief technology officer at Overstock.com. “Whether it’s an email, an increase in customer traffic or a machine learning workload that needs to be completed quickly, we’re able to adjust with the business’ needs with PowerEdge’s flexibility and performance.”
AI-optimized to tackle the most data-intensive workloads
PowerEdge servers now feature PCIe Gen 4.0 – doubling throughput performance over the previous generation – and up to six accelerators per server to support the most challenging, data-intensive workloads. These technologies, coupled with PowerEdge’s autonomous intelligence, make this the most AI-enabled PowerEdge portfolio to date, enabling organizations to anticipate and more quickly respond to their needs.
This latest portfolio features two all-new, accelerator-optimized servers:
PowerEdge XE8545, a powerhouse for AI workloads, powers the latest HPC Ready Solution for AI and Data Analytics, making it easier to run AI, analytics and advanced computing workloads on one system. The PowerEdge XE8545 combines up to 128 cores of 3rd Generation AMD EPYC processors, four NVIDIA A100 GPUs, and optimized performance of NVIDIA’s vGPU software in a dual socket, 4U rack server.
PowerEdge R750xa, purpose-built to boost acceleration performance,delivers GPU-dense performance for machine learning training, inferencing and AI with support for the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software suite exclusively available for VMware vSphere 7 Update 2. The dual socket, 2U server is powered by the 3rd Generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors and supports up to four double-wide GPUs and six single-wide GPUs.
Ruggedized and short-depth servers take IT to the edge
Built to thrive in remote and harsh environments, the portfolio now includes the new PowerEdge XR11 and XR12 ruggedized servers that bring enterprise performance and security to a durable form factor. With a hardened chassis, minimal footprint and support for multiple accelerators, the Intel-based XR11 and XR12 short-depth servers are built for the growing demands of edge-based workloads.
“Infrastructure has long been evolving beyond the data center, and workloads at the edge are only becoming more complex,” said Patrick Moorhead, founder and president, Moor Insights & Strategy. “Dell’s servers and intelligent management solutions give organizations the compute options and tools to run even the most complex workloads from the data center to the edge or wherever they need to be.”
Security that’s built-in, not bolted on, forend-to-end protection
Organizations around the world report their top concern on the path to digital transformation is data privacy and cybersecurity. Built with cyber-resilient architecture and a well-established silicon Root of Trust, the new portfolio’s comprehensive approach ensures PowerEdge servers are secure at throughout their lifecycle, from manufacturing, deployment and beyond.
Energy-efficient cooling, designed with sustainability in mind
Energy-efficient products are important to the environment and to our customers and our commitment to sustainability is embedded into everything we do. With a uniquely designed chassis, the new servers feature ducted fans and adaptive cooling for more efficient power consumption that improves energy efficiency by up to 60% over previous generation.1 Coupled with multi-vector cooling, PowerEdge automatically directs airflow to the hottest part of the server for optimized cooling. Direct Liquid Cooling, available on select servers, features a proprietary leak-sensing technology to find and resolve issues faster.
Flexible ways to consume compute
With Project APEX, Dell Technologies is reinventing how customers acquire and consume IT. The Dell Technologies Cloud Console will provide the foundation for Project APEX, delivering a single, seamless experience for businesses to manage their cloud and as-a-Service journey.
Through the Dell Tech Cloud Console, customers today can subscribe and configure compute instances in private or hybrid cloud environments to finetune infrastructure capabilities to match their workloads. In the future, companies will be able to provision instances for virtual machines and container-based workloads, have them delivered to data center or at the edge, all with pay-as-you-go pricing.
Additionally, the new lineup of PowerEdge servers are available with Flex On Demand that allows customers to acquire the technology they need with payments that scale to match actual usage.
Availability
Dell EMC PowerEdge C6525, R7525, R6525, R7515 and R6515 servers with 3rd Generation AMD EPYCTM processors are available globally now.
Dell EMC PowerEdge XE8545 servers with 3rd Generation AMD EPYC processors and NVIDIA A100 GPUs have planned global availability on March 29th.
Dell EMC PowerEdge C6520, MX750c, R750, R750xa, R650 servers with 3rd Generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors have planned global availability in May 2021.
Dell EMC PowerEdge R750xs, R650xs, R550, R450, and the ruggedized PowerEdge XR11 and XR12 have planned availability in the second quarter of 2021.
Bluesound, makers of the award-winning hi-res wireless multi-room line of audio players, announced the PULSE SOUNDBAR+, an all-new soundbar addition to the brand’s high-performance ecosystem. The PULSE SOUNDBAR+ is the ultimate audiophile-grade soundbar that will satisfy any home entertainment need. The PULSE SOUNDBAR+ (£799, €999, $899 in black, £899 €1099, $999 in White, U.S. MSRP) is offered in a choice of Black or White finish and is configurable to a range of home entertainment applications. For ease of installation, it comes supplied with a wall mount bracket as well as two kickstand feet. Available for pre-order now, the PULSE SOUNDBAR+ will begin shipping in April 2021.
The PULSE SOUNDBAR+ is a system solution that replaces the need for bulky AVRs. Designed to fit perfectly under HD TVs, the PULSE SOUNDBAR+ offers a fully immersive sonic experience thanks to its range of features, including support for Dolby Atmos, 24-bit high resolution audio, 120 watts of full frequency multi-room and multi-channel audio, and a wide array of connectivity options.
DOLBY ATMOS SUPPORT
A full audio-chain redesign with advanced DSP processing now supports 3D audio from Dolby Atmos, meaning a wider, higher, and more enveloping soundstage from the PULSE SOUNDBAR+.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SOUND
Featuring 24-bit audio processing, 8 audiophile-quality drivers, and 120 watts of total power, the PULSE SOUNDBAR+ is to audio what the 8K TV is to video. Capable of deep and crisp bass on its own, the PULSE SOUNDBAR+ can also be paired with the PULSE SUB+ to create dramatic soundscapes for music, movies, concerts and games. Simply add a pair of PULSE FLEX 2i speakers as rear channels for a complete wireless Dolby Surround Sound experience.
FLEXIBILITY FOR ANY ENTERTAINMENT SETUP
Connect nearly any audio source to the PULSE SOUNDBAR+ via its array of wired and wireless, digital and analog connectivity options. TVs, gaming consoles, music streaming services, laptops, and music libraries can be accessed through HDMI eARC, Apple AirPlay 2, two-way aptX HD Bluetooth, TOSLINK, RCA, USB, and our proprietary BluOS music streaming system.
MORE POWERFUL, MORE EFFICIENT
Designed for end-to-end efficiency, the PULSE SOUNDBAR+ features a powerful custom-specified ARM Cortex A53 Quad-Core chipset that processes audio 8 times faster than previous generations of Bluesound architecture. Combined with two WiFi chips to prevent network latency, this flagship board design offers rock solid and zero-lag audio performance, even for demanding gaming applications.
PRECISION APP CONTROL
The PULSE SOUNDBAR+ offers a spectrum of control options, making it easy to weave home entertainment into everyday life. Newly added simple touch controls on the front panel now offer quick access to play, pause and volume. With just a smartphone or tablet, the built-in BluOS wireless multi-room streaming technology can connect and sync audio to, from, and around any room in the home. Hands-free control of your home entertainment is made possible with popular voice assistants from Google, Amazon, and Apple, while professional smart home integrators can get access to drivers for popular control systems like Lutron, Crestron, RTI, Elan, and others.
Like all Bluesound PULSE speaker models, the acoustic design and speaker voicing was performed at Canada’s National Research Council by Lenbrook’s renowned speaker design and engineering team.
“In 2016, Bluesound launched the world’s first Hi-Res soundbar, setting the bar for audio excellence in the category that continues to this day,” says Matt Simmonds, Bluesound Product Manager. “With the PULSE SOUNDBAR+, we continue to innovate and refine, making good on our commitment to bring hi-res, HiFi listening to everyday life, even in product categories that traditionally overlook the importance of audio quality.”
Highlights of the Bluesound PULSE SOUNDBAR+:
Future Forward. Bluesound’s next generation quad-core processor boasts all the power and speed required for the latest and greatest audio and DSP processing, with built-in headroom for whatever technologies the future may hold.
Audio First. The PULSE SOUNDBAR+ stays true to its hi-res audio foundations and its HiFi roots. The tried and tested amplifier platform packs a punch, allowing you to play loud and dig deep, with tight, musical control.
BluOS. The world’s leading hi-res multi-room system connects the PULSE SOUNDBAR+ to any other Bluesound Player with precise control in the BluOS app.
About Bluesound
An alliance of audiophiles. We are the designers, engineers and individuals who have spent our lives in the music industry. Our founders helped pioneer HiFi in the 70s – innovation and the pursuit of perfection in audio runs deep in our collective DNA. Bluesound’s sole mission is to create innovative wireless audio products and technologies that allow for the most true-to-live performance music reproduction possible, utilizing the most advanced, state-of-the-art digital technology.
Creative AI company Pencil has partnered with the world’s largest e-commerce investor Clearbanc to provide their customers with the latest innovation in online video advertising, Machine Generated Creative (MGC). These ads can be created in minutes and consistently double return on ad spend for brands. It is anticipated that companies using the Pencil platform will be able to unlock new audiences on Facebook and Instagram and grow revenue faster.
MGC online video ads are generated by artificial intelligence (AI), while learning what resonates with audiences, in order to systematically deliver better results for brands. Using historic ad performance data, Pencil is able to understand what in the ad is resonating with customers. It can then generate new batches of ad ideas which are new and distinct, but which share winning characteristics with past winners. In this way Pencil learns what works while continuously exploring new ideas that could resonate with audiences.
Pencil analysed over 100 campaigns that used MGC video ads and found the best MGC ads delivered an average return on ad spend (ROAS) 2x that of other ads the brands were running. One brand’s MGC campaign delivered 7x higher ROAS.
Will Hanschell, CEO and co-founder of Pencil commented: “This partnership with Clearbanc underlines the success we’ve had with our Machine Generated Creative ads for brands around the world. These ads are helping ecommerce brands and agencies grow, and I am confident we can help them scale further.”
This partnership announcement comes hot on the heels of Pencil joining as a creative partner in Facebook Marketing Partners, a program that connects businesses to an ecosystem of specialists. More than 200 million businesses worldwide use Facebook’s apps to connect with customers and grow, and over 10 million of them run advertising campaigns each month.
Pencil customer James Harding, Head of Growth at Lyka Pet Food commented :“Pencil gives us the ability to generate ads quickly and more importantly, come up with ideas we might not have otherwise. It’s been a massive win for us essentially.”
Pencil leverages proprietary technology to generate ad video, derive insights and make predictions, as well as integrating the OpenAI API to generate ad copy. The OpenAI API provides access to GPT-3, one of the world’s most powerful language models. Pencil is among the first companies approved to use it commercially. This approval requires strict criteria in AI safety and ethics.
Daniel Rodic, Head of Market Development commented: “Clearbanc was created to help Founders grow their businesses by using our non-dilutive capital to invest in predictable and repeatable expenses like marketing spend. Pencil’s technology offers a simple solution for brands in our portfolio to improve their return on ad spend and ultimately maximize the effectiveness of the capital they deploy.”
Clearbanc has deployed over US$1.6b to more than 4,000 ecommerce and SaaS businesses.
