Computer Hardware

Believe it or not, Amazon’s Kindle e-reader is ten years old, and it is celebrating by launching a brand new (and improved) e-reader. With the introduction of tablets and other devices on which people can read books as well as use apps, or chat, or work, it’s hard to fathom that e-readers still have a place on the market – and that people still buy them. Yet, here is the new Kindle Oasis, and for $249 +, it will give you the very best e-reading experience available out there.

Let’s start with the visuals. First, the screen is noticeably bigger – Amazon moved from 6 to 7 inches, allowing about 30 percent more text to be displayed at a time. It’s also easier on the eyes. Secondly, the Oasis has a peculiar shape. It’s paper thin on one side and thicker on the other, because the battery and other innards have to go somewhere. I’m not sure why Amazon decided to go with this look, but I would assume that the thicker side might make it easier to hold the device while reading. This aside, the new e-reader has a smooth aluminum back instead of a plastic one, which is presumably more comfortable on the hands.

With the Oasis, Amazon brought back the page turning buttons, which makes it much more easier to read one-handed (you need that second hand to hold your glass of wine, am I right?). I’m glad the buttons are back for another reason, as well: I find the touch screen page turning to be fickle at the best of times – half the time, instead of turning the page, my Kindle reduces the size of the page to show me the specs. As with its other Kindle e-readers, this one keeps its charge for weeks, but Amazon has increased storage from 4GB to 8GB, with the option to go up to 32GB if you need more space. An additional $45-$60 will get you a waterproof fabric or leather case that opens like a book and flips back to hold the e-reader up so you can read hands free. And it isn’t only the cover that’s waterproof – the Oasis is, too, so you can read in the tub without worrying about dropping it. You can read more about the Oasis and get one here.

According to Vincent Tucker, Director Of Innovations & Strategy at Logitech, the Logitech Bridge kit is “…aimed at helping App makers and SW developers solve the problem of text entry in virtual reality”. The kit includes a Logitech G gaming keyboard, an accessory that positions a Vive Tracker correctly on the keyboard, and the associated software. In essence, it will allow app developers to see a 3D virtual keyboard while in the Vive, making it much easier to find the right keys without feeling their way around first. It can be difficult to find the right keys or reposition your hands once you’ve moved them to attend to other tasks, but thanks to Logitech, those issues are in the past.

Developers will also be able to overlay custom VR keyboards, as the Logitech Bridge will allow shortcuts or hot keys to be replaced by the label of their choice, making it easier to access the right keys. The kit is compatible with any game or app while using the Vive’s SteamVR software.

You probably won’t get to test the Logitech Bridge, at least not any time soon, as Logitech is only releasing a small number of kits (50, to be precise) to developers with the goal of “partnering to create compelling new experiences centered around a VR keyboard”. To apply to receive a kit, you can fill up this form. Be warned though, the price is pretty steep: the prototype system costs $150, in addition to a $99 tracker disk and the $599 HTC Vive. And if you already have a non-Logitech gaming keyboard that you like and are used to, chances are it won’t work with the kit. If you’re undeterred and still want to give it a shot, hurry up and fill up that form, because applications close on November 16th. If you’re not selected this time around, don’t lose hope. Tucker, on Vive’s blog page, goes on to say: “If there is sufficient interest we may build additional kits for purchase after the initial batch is distributed”. You can go here for more information and a short video of the Logitech Bridge in use.

The process of choosing a microcontroller for an embedded device can be one of the most challenging aspects of any project. With so many options to choose from, with different specifications and applications, it can feel like a monumental task.

While the right decision always depends on your specific project needs, there are a few general points to consider that can point you in the right direction.

Programming Language

Currently, Programmable Interface Controllers, or PIC Controllers, are among the most common microcontrollers in use thanks to their lower cost, but if you do not have experience in coding and programming, you will want to choose from the array of PIC microcontrollers that uses a user-friendly program like C or Basic. If you want to try working in a different language, some microcontrollers have resources such as user communities and free libraries of code you can use, but in general, it’s best to choose a microcontroller that uses a familiar programming language to limit frustration.

Review the Architecture

One of the most significant factors in choosing a microcontroller is the software architecture requirements. You need to understand exactly how much processing power will be required for your application so you can choose the microcontroller that’s powerful enough for your needs. Some of the considerations include the type of mathematics used to run algorithms (floating or fixed point), the sensors being used, and how long tasks will run. Without the right system architecture, your device could run slowly or inefficiently, negatively affecting user experience.

It’s also important to consider the future when evaluating the system architecture. Future versions of the system could have more features or require more processing, meaning that the 8-bit microcontroller you choose today will be inadequate in a year or two. Consider looking at more powerful microcontrollers now to make the process of scaling up and upgrades easier.

Memory

Choosing a microcontroller with adequate flash and RAM is vitally important so you don’t run out of space.  It’s always better to choose a microcontroller that has more memory than you actually need, since you will not be able to add more memory at the end of the design process. In fact, you should always include more memory than you think you need to allow for future versions of your device. You can often get an estimate of your memory needs using the software architecture and the peripherals in the application; use that estimate as a starting point.

Power

It’s also important to carefully look at the power requirements of the device and the microcontroller to find the one that will meet your needs. Mobile devices that are powered by a battery, for example, use more power than those that are “plugged in” and stationary, and therefore a microcontroller that uses more power is going to become a greater drain on that device. Carefully consider how the device will be used, and select accordingly.

Cost

Cost is always a concern, and while general processors can be found for around $1 apiece when purchased in volume, those lower priced processors may not be ideal for your project. The more specialized your device or the more processing power it needs, the more expensive the microprocessor.

Available Tools

When comparing microcontrollers, you need to evaluate the tools that come with the device, including the compiler, debugging tools, and code libraries. These tools make the development process much easier, so carefully compare your options and make sure it won’t be too difficult for you to program.

Parts Availability

Finally, once you have narrowed down your list of potential microprocessors, you should double check the availability of the parts you need. Can you easily access the microprocessors when you need them, or is there a significant lead time? Will you be able to acquire enough parts when you need them if you scale up? You should also consider the potential that the microprocessor you select will be obsolete in the near future, requiring you to start over. A relatively new microprocessor that you are reasonably certain will still be available in 10 to 15 years is a better choice than one that’s been on the market for a long time and is approaching obsolescence.

Evaluating all of these factors can lengthen the process of choosing a microcontroller, but are well worth the effort when you choose the right one and the design and manufacturing process proceeds without any difficulty.

Think your eight-core PC is cool? Not anymore. Intel is turning loose a 22-core monster of a CPU, dubbed the Xeon E5-2600 V4.

The CPU’s 22 count is made up of Broadwell cores, which when combined with Hyper-Threading, amounts to no fewer than 44 threads in a single-socket computer. On a dual-socket machine, you’re looking at 88 threads in a workstation. Yes, cue Johnny Dangerously joke here.

The new Xeon E5-2600 V4 hasn’t shown up on Intel’s ARK product list yet, but the top-end part with 22 cores is the Xeon E5-2699 V4 with a base clock speed of 2.2GHz, 55MB of cache, and a TDP that isn’t that crazy at 145 watts. An enthusiast eight-core Haswell-E has a TDP of 140 watts, but runs at 3GHz and supports overclocking.

The price? A cool $4,115. That works out to $187 per core. The same eight-core Core i7-5960X at $1,059 is $132 per core—what a deal, right? The new Xeon series supports DDR4/2400 and up to 12 DIMMs per CPU socket. With registered modules that means 385GB of RAM per chip using 32GB DIMMs.

OK, so you’re thinking this doesn’t apply to you, Jane or Joe Consumer. But high-core-count Xeons have historically found their way into all kinds of consumer machines.

The Falcon Northwest Tiki I reviewed last year, in fact, featured a Xeon part in an Xbox-sized form factor. The Tiki’s Xeon, however, had a piddling 18 cores, based on Haswell.

Xeons are also relevant to the prosumer crowd. Apple’s MacPro line, for instance, has long offered core-laden Xeons, as have Boxx’s workstations.

For the most part though, Intel’s big news impacts data centers more than desktop PCs.

“More processor cores are valuable in the data center as long as they have enough memory bandwidth and are big enough to get a lot of work done. This is because workloads can either be virtualized or containerized, which take advantage of multiple cores,” said Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst with Moor Insights & Strategy. “On the PC front, we’ve really moved to accelerated computing where a lot of the heavy lifting, particularly in gaming, VR, and in workstation workloads is being put on the GPU. The CPU is still very important in PCs, but not necessarily one with a ton of smaller cores.”

Still, Intel is rumored to be introducing a consumer-focused Core i7 chip later this year with 10-cores under its lid. Code-named Broadwell-E, the chip is expected to work with many existing X99 motherboards and, for the first time, give consumers a 10-core option.

AMD’s Zen due later this year is also expected to push the thread and core count, with the chip apparently packing up to 32 cores. With AMD’s pivot to support a Hyper-Threading-like approach with Symetrical Multi-Threading, the Zen CPUs would effectively have 64 threads.

The highest-end Zen isn’t likely to be a consumer CPU, but it does appear to signal a looming battle, with thread count (necessary or not) being the carrot to lure consumers to new computers.

Moorhead’s not convinced: “I do believe we will see a core and thread war between Intel and AMD, but only in the data center and only with medium-size cores and above.”

Why this matters, or not: Does the average consumer really need 22 cores? No. In fact, most people don’t even need a quad-core machine. That’s starting to change as DirectX 12 games lean more heavily on cores, but even still, you can simply appreciate this for what it is: an awesome amount of compute cores packed into a CPU.

This post was orignally publihsed on: pcworld.