I've been thinking a lot lately about microprocessors, from the many-core CPUs that AMD and Intel introduced recently to the massively scalable GPGPU processing that's taking machine learning by storm. After years of consolidation on commodity x86 CPUs, it seems that the computing paradigm is turning again to specialized offload processors. This trend towards heterogeneous … [Read more...] about Co-Processors, GPGPU, and Heterogeneous Computing
Apple
The iPhone Revolution 10 Years Later
10 years ago today, Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, perhaps the most revolutionary technological product in history. There have been many important products introduced before and since, but nothing else was as groundbreaking as the iPhone. Watching the introduction, it's amazing to see just how many things were introduced that day that have become integral to daily life … [Read more...] about The iPhone Revolution 10 Years Later
Beware! USB-C HDMI Adapters are Flaky with 2016 MacBook Pro
The new MacBook Pro has USB-C ports for everything - power, I/O, and graphics. And although USB-C ought to support HDMI monitors just fine, I've found that it doesn't work all that well with my 15" MacBook Pro. I recommend sticking with DisplayPort until Apple resolves the issues. First, a bit of background: The "Thunderbolt 3" USB-C ports on the Late-2016 MacBook Pro … [Read more...] about Beware! USB-C HDMI Adapters are Flaky with 2016 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro FaceTime HD Camera Not Working?
As I transition to the 2016 MacBook Pro, I'm finding myself enjoying many aspects but disappointed by the maturity of the software on this new hardware base. My latest little annoyance is that the built-in "FaceTime HD" webcam didn't work. Happily it's a quick fix, but it's another disappointment that it didn't work out of the box! TL;DR: If your MacBook Pro camera won't … [Read more...] about 2016 MacBook Pro FaceTime HD Camera Not Working?
2016 MacBook Pro USB-C/Thunderbolt Survival Guide
So you bought a late-2016 MacBook Pro? Congratulations! So did I! But how will you connect your favorite monitor, hard drives, and other accessories to those pesky new USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports? Read on for my "survival guide", listing the essential cables and accessories you should (and shouldn't) buy to go with your new MacBook Pro! Revisiting USB Type-C and Thunderbolt … [Read more...] about 2016 MacBook Pro USB-C/Thunderbolt Survival Guide