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Think Again: DeepSeek Continues AI Spending

Generative AI: Scaling Laws Post DeepSeek

The Future of AI Infrastructure

The recent stock market collapse, triggered by the sudden fervor for the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) breakthrough DeepSeek AI, and its apparently much cheaper computing approach, might lead one to believe that companies are dramatically reducing their spending on chips and systems for AI. However, a recent generative AI conference in New York, hosted by the Bloomberg Intelligence unit of Bloomberg, left a different impression: the hunger to expand the use of generative AI is so great that spending is set to continue to drive enormous investment.

The Demand for AI Infrastructure

The conference, titled "Generative AI: Scaling Laws Post DeepSeek," featured constant references to how demand will drive greater spending. "We had ten panels today, and not a single person on those panels said we have more capacity than we need," said Mandeep Singh, a senior technology analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence, and an organizer of the event. "And no one was talking about a bubble" in infrastructure, added Singh. "The most important question right now in front of everybody is the AI infrastructure build. Yeah. Where are we in that cycle?"

The Impact of DeepSeek AI

The hope raised by DeepSeek AI is that a lot of work can be done with less expense. "DeepSeek shook a lot of people," said Anurag Rana, Singh’s colleague at Bloomberg Intelligence, and the senior IT services and software analyst. "If you are not needing that many GPUs to run models, then why do we need $500 billion for the Stargate project," he observed, referring to a planned US AI project run by Japan’s SoftBank Group, OpenAI, and database giant Oracle. Everyone in the industry hopes that AI costs will come down rapidly just like the cost of cloud computing dropped.

The Need for Custom AI Models

Panelists agreed that while "foundation" or "frontier" large language models will continue to be developed, individual enterprises may use hundreds or even thousands of AI models. "We use a family of models," said Shawn Edwards, Bloomberg’s chief technologist, in an interview with David Dwyer, the head of Bloomberg Intelligence. "There is no such thing as a best model." These models might be trained on a company’s proprietary data via fine-tuning, the act of re-training a neural network after its initial "pre-training" on generic data.

The Rise of AI Agents

The proliferation of AI models is increasing the processing demand, many speakers suggested. "You won’t cram a whole process into one agent, you’ll break it up into parts," said Ray Smith, Microsoft’s head of Copilot Studio agents and automation. Through a single interface, predicted Smith, such as Copilot, "we will interact with hundreds of agents — they are just apps in the new world" of programming.

The Need for Cost Reduction

The trend to get AI "agents" to more people in an organization is further demanding a cost reduction, said James McNiven, the head of product management for microprocessor maker ARM Holdings, in a chat with Bloomberg’s Hyde. "How do we provide access on more and more devices," he posed. "We are seeing models at a PhD-level" of task capability, he said.

The Future of AI Computing

Despite the ambitious scenarios, one condition could upend all the use cases and investment plans: the economy. "The other big thing we are focused on is the non-AI tech spending," said Rana. "When we look at the likes of IBM, Accenture, Microsoft, and all the others, when we just put aside AI for a second, that is something that is going to be a struggle going into this earnings season."

Conclusion

The future of AI infrastructure is looking bright, with demand driving greater spending and investment. However, the economy remains a wild card, and the impact of potential economic uncertainty and recession on AI spending remains to be seen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is DeepSeek AI?
A: DeepSeek AI is a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) breakthrough that has sparked a sudden fervor for cheaper computing approaches.

Q: What is the impact of DeepSeek AI on AI infrastructure spending?
A: The hope raised by DeepSeek AI is that a lot of work can be done with less expense, potentially driving greater spending on AI infrastructure.

Q: What is the need for custom AI models?
A: The need for custom AI models arises from the fact that individual enterprises may use hundreds or even thousands of AI models, which cannot be met by a single "best" model.

Q: What is the rise of AI agents?
A: The rise of AI agents is driven by the need to break down complex processes into smaller parts, making it easier to deploy and manage AI models.

Q: What is the need for cost reduction in AI?
A: The need for cost reduction in AI is driven by the trend to get AI "agents" to more people in an organization, as well as the proliferation of AI models, which is increasing processing demand.

AI Boosts Character Animation in Cascadeur 2025.1

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Cascadeur 2025.1 Update Brings Powerful Tools to the Table

Cascadeur is a relatively young character animation program that didn’t make our list of the best animation software. However, the latest update, Cascadeur 2025.1, shows that the program is committed to bringing powerful tools to the table.

New AI-Driven Inbetweening Tool

The new update introduces a new AI-driven Inbetweening tool designed to automatically generate smooth, natural animation between two poses. This feature makes the animation workflow faster and more intuitive. The Inbetweening tool is a significant improvement, especially considering its relatively accessible price compared to programs like Maya.

Other Updates and Improvements

Along with the AI Inbetweening tool, Cascadeur 2025.1 includes a range of other updates and improvements. These include:

  • Improved AutoPosing for greater stability
  • Improved pelvis control
  • Improved AutoPhysics with better original pose preservation via Geometrical Constraints logic and a new slider for controlling the Physics Corrector
  • Ragdoll System updates with new Ragdoll interaction with characters and props and support for custom Kinematic mesh colliders
  • New GLTF/GLB Import Format & FBX Improvements and extended compatibility with Blender, Daz3d, and other software
  • UI improvements, including a new Right-Click Context Menu for setting the pivot and accessing other functions
  • Improved Unbaking functionality, added Roblox Sample characters, and optimised Copy Tools
Conclusion

The latest update to Cascadeur 2025.1 shows that the program is committed to bringing powerful tools to the table. With its AI-driven Inbetweening tool and range of other updates and improvements, Cascadeur is an increasingly attractive option for animators and designers, especially considering its relatively accessible price.

FAQs

Q: What is the new AI-driven Inbetweening tool in Cascadeur 2025.1?
A: The new AI-driven Inbetweening tool is designed to automatically generate smooth, natural animation between two poses, making the animation workflow faster and more intuitive.

Q: What other updates are included in Cascadeur 2025.1?
A: The update includes improved AutoPosing, pelvis control, AutoPhysics, Ragdoll System updates, new GLTF/GLB Import Format & FBX Improvements, extended compatibility with other software, and UI improvements.

Q: Is Cascadeur 2025.1 compatible with other software?
A: Yes, the update includes extended compatibility with Blender, Daz3d, and other software.

Q: What is the price of Cascadeur 2025.1?
A: The price of Cascadeur 2025.1 is relatively accessible compared to programs like Maya.

Gmail’s AI-Powered Update Impact on Influencer Marketing

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How Gmail’s AI search update enhances influencer outreach

Gmail’s AI-powered update helps ensure effective communication and strengthens relationships for brands and agencies using influencer marketing.

Prioritising important responses

Influencer marketing relies heavily on engagement, and prompt responses are important to create and maintain partnerships. Gmail’s AI-driven search ensures that emails from influencers and other collaborators you’ve interacted with are displayed first.

Andrea Noureddine, AWISEE’s Influencer Marketing Coordinator, said, “New relationships are also given a priority as the AI can analyse content in emails and understand its relevance in future communications. If you are in a critical stage like negotiation with an influencer, you’ll see the communication at the top of the results.”

This makes it easier to find important emails and reduces the risk of delays in communication.

Streamlining follow-ups

Maintaining partnerships and ensuring that a brand’s marketing goals are met needs timely follow-ups. Before Google released Gmail’s latest update, marketers had to sift through pages of emails to find the latest correspondence with a specific influencer. Now, the email interface brings up the most relevant conversations.

Andrea said, “If a marketer needs to reach out to an influencer to enquire about various deliverables, they’ll have an easier time as Gmail will give priority to conversations that need a follow-up.”

Enhanced organisation for large-scale outreach

Part of influencer marketing is reaching out to many brands, agencies, and dozens – if not hundreds – of influencers. This can easily become challenging when an organisation isn’t efficient, and Gmail’s traditional chronological search order certainly didn’t help. An important conversation could be buried under tens of others that aren’t relevant.

Now that message sorting is based on AI, marketers have an easier time focusing on priority interactions. “What this means is that outreach emails that received a response, ongoing collaborations, and messages from the influencers you often work with are easier to locate,” Andrea said.

Using AI for data-driven influencer strategies

According to AWISEE, marketing relies on data, which makes AI an integral part of all strategies. Data focus goes beyond email management and requires that marketing agencies adopt advanced AI tools for analysing influencer profiles, assessing engagement authenticity, and refining campaign targeting.

Gmail’s AI search integration aligns perfectly with this data-driven approach to ensure a more streamlined and efficient workflow.

The future of influencer marketing in the age of AI

Gmail’s latest search update is just one example of the increasingly important role that AI plays in influencer marketing. As the technology evolves, it will become increasingly more influential in how brands and agencies identify, engage, and collaborate with influencers.

Hyper-personalised influencer outreach

AI can analyse huge amounts of data about a brand, influencer, and customers, so we can expect outreach strategies to become more tailored. Instead of sending generic pitch emails, brands and agencies can use AI to create personalised messages based on an influencer’s past collaboration, content style, demographics, and engagement trends.

Predictive analytics for campaign performance

Beyond improving outreach, AI plays an important role in marketing decision-making. It can analyse historical campaign data to help predict which influencers can drive the highest engagement and conversions for a particular brand. Agencies and brands can use this information to create more impactful campaigns by reducing guesswork.

Smarter campaign optimisation

AI can track the performance of different influencer campaigns in real-time, offering actionable insights into what’s working and what’s not. This gives brands and agencies metrics like engagement rates, audience sentiment, and conversation rates, which can be used to know whether a campaign needs tweaking.

Gmail’s recent update aligns with this goal, as all parties involved can look up past correspondence easily, quickly identifying strategies that aren’t working.

Andrea summarizes:

“At AWISEE, we see AI as a game-changer in influencer marketing and a tool that we can take advantage of to maximise the chances of meeting our clients’ campaign goals. Gmail’s AI-driven search will go a long way in ensuring we prioritise conversations that matter and act on various insights in real time. And when you combine this with the advanced AI analytics we already have access to, we’ll be able to create data-driven influencer strategies that work well in today’s dynamic digital landscape.”

Conclusion

Gmail’s AI-powered search update has the potential to revolutionize the way brands and agencies engage with influencers. By prioritizing important responses, streamlining follow-ups, and enhancing organization, the update can help streamline influencer marketing efforts. As AI continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more personalized and data-driven influencer strategies that drive real results.

FAQs

Q: How does Gmail’s AI search update improve influencer outreach?
A: The update prioritizes important responses, streamlines follow-ups, and enhances organization, making it easier for brands and agencies to connect with influencers.

Q: How does AI play a role in influencer marketing?
A: AI can be used to analyze huge amounts of data, personalize outreach strategies, and predict campaign performance.

Q: What are the benefits of Gmail’s AI-driven search?
A: The update prioritizes conversations that matter, reduces the risk of delays in communication, and facilitates more efficient and effective collaborations.

Q: How can brands and agencies take advantage of AI in influencer marketing?
A: By adopting advanced AI tools for analyzing influencer profiles, assessing engagement authenticity, and refining campaign targeting, and by using AI to create personalized messages and track campaign performance.

Whispers from the Cosmos

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A Surreal Journey Through Fragmented Consciousness

A surreal journey through fragmented consciousness and cosmic whispers, Echoes of the Ethermind captures the delicate tension between self and shadow, thought and tether, dream and dimension.

The Delicate Tension

Each figure in Echoes of the Ethermind is caught amid transformation — a fluttering of ideas, memories, or beasts that inhabit the space between reality and imagination. This tension is palpable, as the boundaries between the self and the unknown begin to blur.

The Blueish Palette

The blueish palette used in these pieces adds a sense of melancholy and introspection to the work. The soft, painterly textures also contribute to the dreamlike quality, drawing the viewer into the world of the Ethermind.

The Question It Asks

With these pieces, Echoes of the Ethermind asks one question: What if your thoughts could leave your body and take shape? It’s a question that invites the viewer to contemplate the nature of consciousness and the limits of the self.

The Figures

Each figure in Echoes of the Ethermind is unique, with its own distinct characteristics and symbolism. Some appear to be human, while others are more beast-like or abstract. Each one is caught in a moment of transformation, as if they are being pulled apart or put back together again.

The Space Between Reality and Imagination

The space between reality and imagination is where Echoes of the Ethermind resides. It’s a place where the boundaries between the self and the unknown are blurred, and where the viewer is invited to explore the depths of their own consciousness.

The Cosmic Whispers

The cosmic whispers that inhabit the Ethermind are a reminder of the infinite possibilities that lie beyond the confines of our everyday reality. They are a call to explore the unknown, to push beyond the limits of our understanding and to discover new truths.

Conclusion

Echoes of the Ethermind is a surreal journey through fragmented consciousness and cosmic whispers. It’s a world where the boundaries between the self and the unknown are blurred, and where the viewer is invited to explore the depths of their own consciousness. With its blueish palette and painterly textures, Echoes of the Ethermind is a thought-provoking and visually stunning work that invites the viewer to contemplate the nature of consciousness and the limits of the self.

FAQs

Q: What is the inspiration behind Echoes of the Ethermind?

A: The inspiration behind Echoes of the Ethermind is the human experience of fragmented consciousness and the unknown. It’s a exploration of the tension between self and shadow, thought and tether, dream and dimension.

Q: What can I expect to see in Echoes of the Ethermind?

A: Echoes of the Ethermind is a collection of surreal and dreamlike images that capture the delicate tension between self and shadow, thought and tether, dream and dimension. Each piece is unique and invites the viewer to contemplate the nature of consciousness and the limits of the self.

Q: Is Echoes of the Ethermind meant to be interpreted in a specific way?

A: Echoes of the Ethermind is intentionally open to interpretation. The artist invites the viewer to bring their own meaning and symbolism to the pieces, and to explore the depths of their own consciousness.

Q: Can I purchase prints of the work?

A: Yes, prints of Echoes of the Ethermind are available for purchase. Please contact the artist for more information.

From Concept to Reality

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Meet Marcos Emilio Cuesta Carrasco, a 3D Character Artist from the Dominican Republic

The Project: Arlinoe, the Guardian of the Boy-King

Marcos Emilio Cuesta Carrasco’s latest piece is based on the concept ‘Arlinoe, the Guardian of the Boy-King’ by Simon Gocal. The artwork showcases the combination of skills and tools Marcos used to bring this character to life.

Creating the 3D Model

Marcos used a combination of Maya and ZBrush for the modelling, switching into Substance 3D Painter and Unreal Engine for other stages. He started by using Maya for the retopology, UVs, and hair cards. For the high-poly, he relied on ZBrush to create the final 3D model. The texturing and look dev were done using Substance 3D Painter, while Unreal Engine was used for rendering and look development.

Tools and Software Used

  • Maya for retopology, UVs, and hair cards
  • ZBrush for high-poly modelling
  • Substance 3D Painter for texturing
  • Unreal Engine for rendering and look dev

Challenges and Highlights

The hardest part of the project for Marcos was creating the reliefs. He drew on the forehead area of the helmet, but for the other reliefs, he made 3D versions and then converted them into an alpha. He enjoyed creating the textures and look dev, as he loved seeing the model come together and start coming to life.

Tips and Techniques

  • Use add-ons like GS Curves for hair modelling
  • Experiment with different software and techniques to achieve the desired look
  • Pay attention to detail, especially when working with reliefs

Conclusion

Marcos’ artwork showcases his skill and creativity as a 3D character artist. His use of different software and techniques demonstrates his ability to adapt to various tools and bring a concept to life.

FAQs

Q: What inspired you to create this piece?
A: I was browsing ArtStation when I found Simon Gocal’s concept. I just fell in love with it and decided to do a 3D version.

Q: What was the most challenging part of the project?
A: The hardest part for me was the reliefs. I just drew on the forehead area of the helmet, but for the other reliefs I made 3D versions and then converted them into an alpha.

Q: What software and tools do you use for 3D modelling?
A: I use Maya for the retopology, UVs, and hair cards, ZBrush for the high-poly, Substance 3D Painter for the texturing, and Unreal Engine for the rendering and look dev.

NVIDIA Showcases Real-Time AI

Real-time AI Revolutionizes Media and Entertainment

Unlocking New Possibilities

Real-time AI is unlocking new possibilities in media and entertainment, improving viewer engagement and advancing intelligent content creation.

NVIDIA at NAB Show 2025

At NAB Show, a premier conference for media and entertainment running April 5-9 in Las Vegas, NVIDIA will showcase how emerging AI tools and the technologies underpinning them help streamline workflows for streamers, content creators, sports leagues and broadcasters.

NVIDIA Blackwell Platform

Attendees can experience the power of the NVIDIA Blackwell platform, which serves as the foundation of NVIDIA Media2 — a collection of NVIDIA technologies including NVIDIA NIM microservices and NVIDIA AI Blueprints for live video analysis, accelerated computing platforms and generative AI software.

NVIDIA Holoscan for Media

Attendees can also see NVIDIA Holoscan for Media — an advanced real-time AI platform designed for live media workflows and applications — in action at the Dell booth, as well as experience the NVIDIA AI Blueprint for video search and summarization, which makes it easy to build and customize video analytics AI agents.

Driving Innovation with Partners

Partners across the industry are showcasing innovative solutions using NVIDIA technologies to accelerate live media.

Amazon Web Services

Amazon Web Services (booth W1701) will collaborate with NVIDIA to showcase an esports racing challenge through a live cloud production. The professional-grade racing simulator allows users to analyze their performance through cutting-edge AI-powered insights and step into the spotlight for their own post-race interview.

Beamr

Beamr (booth SL1730MR) will demonstrate how it’s driving AV1 adoption with GPU-accelerated video processing. Beamr’s technology, powered by the NVIDIA NVENC encoder, enables cost-efficient, high-quality and scalable AV1 transformation.

Dell

Dell (booth SL4616) is collaborating with a wide range of partners to highlight their latest innovations in the media industry. Autodesk will feature its Flame visual effects software for AI-driven compositing; Avid will demonstrate real-time editing and AI metadata tagging on Dell Pro Max high-performance PCs; and Boris FX and RE:Vision Effects will showcase their motion-tracking, slow-motion interpolation and object-removal technologies — all running on NVIDIA accelerated computing.

HP

HP (booth SL3723) will showcase its desktop and mobile workstation portfolio with NVIDIA RTX PRO Blackwell GPUs, delivering cutting-edge AI performance in a variety of use cases. Attendees can also find HP’s newly announced AI solutions, the HP ZGX Nano AI Station G1n and HP ZGX Fury AI Station G1n, developed in collaboration with NVIDIA.

Monks

Monks (booth W2530) will announce its complete suite of products and services for the media and entertainment industry, designed to drive innovation, monetization and efficiency. Monks uses tools under NVIDIA Media2, such as NIDIA NIM microservices and Holoscan for Media, to enable real-time audience feedback, AI-powered selective encoding and contextual content analysis for large archives.

Conclusion

NVIDIA’s presence at NAB Show 2025 showcases the company’s commitment to driving innovation in the media and entertainment industry through the use of AI and accelerated computing technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is NVIDIA Media2?
A: NVIDIA Media2 is a collection of NVIDIA technologies, including NVIDIA NIM microservices and NVIDIA AI Blueprints, designed for live video analysis, accelerated computing platforms and generative AI software.

Q: What is NVIDIA Holoscan for Media?
A: NVIDIA Holoscan for Media is an advanced real-time AI platform designed for live media workflows and applications.

Q: What is NVIDIA AI Blueprint for video search and summarization?
A: The NVIDIA AI Blueprint for video search and summarization makes it easy to build and customize video analytics AI agents.

Q: What is NVIDIA Blackwell platform?
A: The NVIDIA Blackwell platform serves as the foundation of NVIDIA Media2 and includes NVIDIA NIM microservices and NVIDIA AI Blueprints.

Amazon Kindle’s New Feature

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Amazon’s New "Recaps" Feature for Kindle Users: A Convenient Way to Recall Plot Points and Character Arcs

Introduction

Amazon has introduced a new feature called "Recaps" for Kindle users, designed to help them recall plot points and character arcs before picking up the latest book in a series. This feature is now available for Kindle device users in the United States and will soon be available on the Kindle app for iOS.

How the Feature Works

The recaps are generated using AI technology, including GenAI and Amazon moderators, to create short summaries of books that accurately reflect the content. According to Amazon spokesperson Ale Iraheta, "We use technology, including GenAI and Amazon moderators, to create short recaps of books that accurately reflect book content." Users can access recaps by checking if a series has a recap by looking for the "View Recaps" button on the series page in their Kindle Library or through the "View Recaps" option within the series grouping three-dot menu.

Concerns and Accuracy

Users have taken to Reddit to share their concerns about the use of AI for the feature, questioning how accurate recaps will be. While the company has assured that recaps accurately reflect content, TechCrunch has asked for more information about the process. The company has stated that it uses a combination of technology and human moderators to ensure the accuracy of the recaps.

Features and Availability

The Recaps feature is available for thousands of best-selling English-language e-books in series, including epic fantasy series and mystery thrillers. The feature is designed to provide readers with a convenient way to recall plot points and character arcs without losing the joy of discovery. The company plans to bring the recaps feature to the Kindle app for iOS soon.

Accessing Recaps

To access recaps, users need to be on the latest Kindle software. Before reading the recap, users will be warned that it includes spoilers about major plot points and characters. Once acknowledged, users will be taken to the recap.

Conclusion

The Recaps feature is a convenient way for readers to recall plot points and character arcs before picking up the latest book in a series. While there are concerns about the use of AI for the feature, Amazon has assured that recaps accurately reflect content. The feature is available for thousands of best-selling English-language e-books in series and will soon be available on the Kindle app for iOS.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How do I access the Recaps feature?
A: To access recaps, users need to be on the latest Kindle software and check if a series has a recap by looking for the "View Recaps" button on the series page in their Kindle Library or through the "View Recaps" option within the series grouping three-dot menu.

Q: Are recaps accurate?
A: Amazon has assured that recaps accurately reflect content, using a combination of technology and human moderators to ensure accuracy.

Q: What kind of series are available for recaps?
A: The feature is available for thousands of best-selling English-language e-books in series, including epic fantasy series and mystery thrillers.

Q: Will the Recaps feature be available on the Kindle app for iOS?
A: Yes, the company plans to bring the recaps feature to the Kindle app for iOS soon.

Unity 6 and Unreal Engine 5 Power Up Nintendo Switch 2

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Unreal Engine and Unity Announce Support for Nintendo Switch 2

Unreal Engine and Unity have announced support for Nintendo’s Switch 2 console, a major development that will open up new opportunities for indie game developers and enable more powerful features. This news has excited both developers and players, who will now have access to a wider range of games on the handheld console.

Nintendo Switch 2: A Major Opportunity for Developers

The Switch 2 is the biggest games console release of the last few years, and its compatibility with Unreal Engine and Unity will signal a huge opportunity for developers. As long as they are on Nintendo’s list of approved developers, they can create games for the newest console using Unity 6 or Unreal Engine 5. This will enable them to access advanced features such as Lumen for dynamic lighting and Nanite for improved geometry performance.

Key Features of Unity 6 and Unreal Engine 5

Unity 6 and Unreal Engine 5 will offer a range of features that will enable developers to create more complex and immersive games. Some of the key features include:

  • Lumen: A dynamic lighting system that allows for more realistic and detailed lighting effects.
  • Nanite: A geometry system that enables the creation of detailed and complex 3D models.
  • Universal Render Pipeline (URP): A rendering pipeline that allows for high-performance rendering on a wide range of devices.
  • Netcode: A networking system that enables seamless online multiplayer experiences.
  • Lobby and Relay: Live services that enable developers to create and manage online experiences.

Survival Kids: A Nintendo-Exclusive Game Developed with Unity 6

One of the first games to be officially developed using Unity 6 for Switch 2 is Survival Kids from Konami. This game has been created closely with Nintendo to "battle test" Unity 6 and showcases the capabilities of the engine. Survival Kids makes use of a range of Unity tools and features, including the Universal Render Pipeline (URP), Netcode, and live services like Lobby and Relay.

Unreal Engine Support

Details about Unreal Engine support are yet to be released, but it’s an exciting prospect for developers. Epic Games’ tech gives small teams the ability to make elevated games with the whizz-bang tech the platform is known for. We’ve heard from smaller development studios in recent years about how UE5 has enabled greater detailed and more ambitious games to be created.

Conclusion

The announcement of Unreal Engine and Unity support for Nintendo Switch 2 is a major development in the gaming industry. It will enable developers to create more powerful and complex games, and players will have access to a wider range of titles on the handheld console. With the Switch 2’s advanced features and the capabilities of Unity 6 and Unreal Engine 5, this is an exciting time for gamers and developers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: What is the Nintendo Switch 2?
    A: The Nintendo Switch 2 is the newest console from Nintendo, offering improved performance and new features.
  • Q: What is Unity 6 and Unreal Engine 5?
    A: Unity 6 and Unreal Engine 5 are game engines that enable developers to create complex and immersive games.
  • Q: What features does Unity 6 and Unreal Engine 5 offer?
    A: Unity 6 and Unreal Engine 5 offer a range of features, including Lumen, Nanite, URP, Netcode, and live services like Lobby and Relay.
  • Q: What is Survival Kids?
    A: Survival Kids is a game developed using Unity 6 for Switch 2, showcasing the capabilities of the engine.
  • Q: Will Unreal Engine 5 games be available on Switch 2?
    A: Yes, Unreal Engine 5 games will be available on Switch 2, possibly with enhanced visuals.

Easy Photo Editing with Zoner Photo Studio X

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Why you can trust Creative Bloq

Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Specs/pricing
$59/year ($5.99/month)
Requires Windows 10, 64bit processor, 4GB RAM, internet connection

As the size of memory cards, and the framerates of cameras, continues to increase, so too does the number of exposures we take. After all, we’re not wasting film, so why not take three, five, 10 shots where once one would have done? Spray and pray has long been a technique used by action photographers too, and once you get home and empty your cards into your PC you’ll need something to speed up the trawl through, looking for the good ones.

Zoner Photo Studio X is a Windows-only photo editing software that combines the functions of several different programs – specifically about half of the Adobe Creative Suite – into one that, while it has an annual subscription, comes in at less than Adobe’s Lightroom/Photoshop bundle. It doesn’t go all-in on AI, but does offer affordable and effective RAW processing.

Setup and getting started
Easy to install
Seven-day free trial

Zoner Photo Studio X is a simple enough thing to install. You point your browser to the website, create an account, download the seven-day free trial, and if you like it, you buy a one-year subscription, which also nets you some photo prints and cloud storage. Once you’ve got a licence, you can use the software on any number of computers, though there are separate licences for solo operators and families. There’s also a $29 ‘Complete Guide’ ebook available that will step you through editing in Zoner. If you don’t want to pay for the book, there is a whole section of the Zoner website dedicated to the app’s photo processing, with videos and written articles.

Features
Loads of options
Good organisation for large collections

Zoner has a great deal of image-editing functionality available. The app feels like more of a Lightroom replacement than a Photoshop alternative, though with cloning, liquefy, text placement and effects filters available alongside layers, masking and blending, there’s enough in the Editor module to accomplish most tasks. A bit like Photoshop Elements, in a way. The Editor module is also where you’ll find the AI background remover, which did a good job in our tests of keeping edges sharp, and was also surprisingly quick. You can create a layer mask directly from the tool’s results, which is a nice feature to see.

User experience
Non-destructive editing
Well-thought-out interface

Zoner offers a non-destructive editing process with effects and edits that must be approved before they are applied, and an export window that offers quick presets for JPEGs and PNGs as well as TIFFs and HEIF files. It keeps sidecar files alongside the original image files to store its data, rather than saving everything in a massive catalog file that can get corrupted.

Who’s it for?
Zoner Photo Studio X will suit beginners, students and hobbyists, as well as anyone wanting a full photography workflow who’s unwilling to subscribe to Creative Cloud. It’s bargain-priced for what you get, and hasn’t integrated generative AI (yet). While Lightroom and Photoshop may offer more control and more sophisticated tools, and Affinity a complete creative suite for a single price, Zoner’s low cost and broad approach will make it an attractive option.

Scorecard

Section Score
Getting started 5/5
Features 4/5
User experience 4/5

Buy it if…
You’re looking for a complete editing app
You’re on a budget
Adobe doesn’t appeal

Don’t buy it if…
You need Lightroom features
You want generative AI

Wyyt launches AI-powered robotics for agile manufacturing

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Wyyt, a developer of adaptive robotics for agile manufacturing, has launched “groundbreaking robotic solutions” designed specifically to help manufacturers quickly automate production line tasks without disrupting existing production processes.

Autonomous production lines powered by Wyyt enable companies in high-cost-of-living countries to bring production home, simplify logistics, and protect intellectual property.

Wyyt’s customers, including a Fortune 500 medical device manufacturer, and a leading specialty protective equipment supplier in Norway, benefit from increased flexibility, rapid deployment, and significant cost savings.

Addressing the critical industry needs of flexibility, and rapid deployment without process interruption Wyyt’s modular robotic stations uniquely allow deployment into existing workflows within weeks, without requiring costly or complex process alterations.

Unlike traditional automation systems that demand significant infrastructure changes, Wyyt’s robotics solutions seamlessly retrofit into existing environments, delivering immediate productivity gains.

Wyyt’s proprietary AI-driven software enables manufacturers to reconfigure robotic tasks within hours, making it possible to handle multiple products and product variations quickly and effortlessly.

This rapid reconfigurability ensures minimal downtime and maximum adaptability, allowing businesses to respond instantly to market changes.

Artem Burachenok, CEO of Wyyt, says: “Our customers face constant pressure to adapt quickly to new demands without incurring downtime or expensive redesigns.

“Our technology uniquely solves these challenges by providing modular, retrofit solutions that are easy to deploy and rapidly reconfigurable—truly agile automation that delivers immediate value.”

By leveraging state-of-the-art AI models, Wyyt’s robots require minimal manual intervention, dramatically cutting deployment times and delivering a significantly shorter payback period, typically under 18 months.

This fast lead time sharply contrasts with custom automation solutions that can take years to implement and recover initial investments.

Osman Amith, CEO of Xshielder, says: “Wyyt automated assembly system helped us to secure consistent quality in critical parts of our assembly line.

“The system is reliable, safe to work around, and produces consistent results, which in our case is hard to achieve with manual labor. Its compact design fits easily into our environment, and the ability to quickly reconfigure it by our team on site is a game-changer.”

Wyyt is poised to redefine standards in agile manufacturing, empowering companies to become more resilient, responsive, and ready for the future.