TLDR 2022-07-15

Here’s a secret that many observability vendors don’t want you to know: throwing out data has serious consequences. Sampling might sound like a good way to lower costs or a workaround for systems that can’t handle large volumes of data—but it can make you miss critical issues such as bursty moments where latency spikes above 5 seconds.

In any observability system, you need all the data you can get. Sampling data makes it harder to get answers. Read the new blog post by Greg Leiffer, Observability Practitioner Director at Splunk, to understand why sampling must be avoided in observability

Meta has unveiled an advanced generative artificial intelligence system called Make-A-Scene. The system generates images through a combination of text descriptions and freeform sketches. Make-A-Scene is part of a wider research project aimed at exploring how AI can empower creativity. Examples of images generated by Make-A-Scene are available in the article.

Nintendo has acquired Dynamo Pictures and will rename it to Nintendo Pictures. Nintendo Pictures will focus on the development of visual content utilizing Nintendo IP. The acquisition is expected to close on October 3. Nintendo is gearing up for its release of the new Super Mario Bros. film starring Chris Pratt in spring next year.

New research shows that certain defects in silicon qubits, known as T centers, can act as light-based links between qubits. T centers could make scalable, distributed quantum computers possible by combining high-performance spin qubits and optical photon generation. They can handle processing and communications together, which makes systems more efficient and easier to build. T centers emit light at the same wavelength used by fiber communications and telecom networks, making rolling out quantum internet technology potentially more straightforward.

Sodium-ion batteries operate well in colder temperatures and are energy dense, nonflammable, and made out of cheap and abundant materials. However, their performance has always been limited by poor durability. US-based researchers have developed a sodium-ion battery that can go through over 300 charging cycles while retaining over 90% of its capacity. The battery's temperature-change resistance, stability, and long cycle life could make it valuable for electric vehicles or energy storage applications.

Working with IoT data? Learn how you can use a time series database to unlock its potential. Watch the discussion between InfluxData CEO Evan Kaplan, Director of IoT Brian Gilmore, and a panel of customers, as they discuss real life challenges and use cases. Watch the video.

GPU architectures are critical to machine learning, but people can become experts in machine learning without ever touching GPU code. This notebook teaches beginner GPU programming in an interactive way. It covers the basics up to understanding the real algorithms that power 99% of deep learning today.

Patterns.dev is a free book on design patterns and component patterns to building web apps with vanilla JavaScript and React. The book contains patterns, tips, and tricks for improving app architecture. A preview of each section is available on the website. The full book can be downloaded as an ePub or PDF on a variety of platforms, including Apple Books and Google Play.

GM has partnered with EVGo to construct a coast-to-coast national DC fast charging network. The network will offer 2,000 charging stalls at 500 stations located every 50 or so miles along America's highways. Each station will offer a 350kW maximum charge rate and be accessible to all EV brands. GM owners will receive added perks such as exclusive reservations and discounts. The stations will feature amenities such as Wi-Fi, restaurants, coffee, and secure shower facilities.

Firefox was a legend, but most people are now using Chrome, especially with Brave browser targeting a similar audience. This article discusses the birth of Firefox, how it developed, and its downfall. The browser didn't keep up with the market and what users wanted. By the time Firefox started paying attention to its audience, many users had already switched to Chrome.

Stripe has cut the internal value of its shares by 28%.

Canadian researchers have reverse-engineered a millimeter-long vessel that pumps fluid just like the exit chamber of a human embryo's heart.

Owl is a system for the distribution of large data objects to hosts in Meta's private cloud.

Samsung is sampling the industry’s first 16-gigabit Graphics Double Data Rate 6 DRAM with 24 Gbps processing speeds.

Chrome OS Flex is designed for businesses and schools to install and run on old PCs and Macs.

This article discusses what tools like GitHub Copilot mean for the future of programming.