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    Amazon credits analog with making Ocelot a more-efficient quantum chip

    Amazon AWS Amazon Web Services is the third of the Big Three cloud computing giants to announce a quantum computing chip breakthrough this week, joining Microsoft last week and Google in December.  Amazon’s researchers claim their chip, Ocelot, can be much more efficient in using qubits, the fundamental building block of quantum computing, in an […] More

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    How TikTok’s enhanced desktop app challenges YouTube in game streaming – and more

    TikTok/ZDNETWhile TikTok’s fate remains uncertain after being temporarily banned in the US, the Chinese-owned social media service is continuing efforts to attract and expand its US user base. The company announced on Thursday new enhancements for its web-based platform, including a revitalized For You feed, a new Explore tab, immersive full-screen LIVE gaming streaming, a web-exclusive floating player, and a new modular layout. These new features invite more uninterrupted scrolling on its desktop platform but also suggest that the app is vying to encroach on Twitch and YouTube’s dominance in the game streaming market.Also: Targeting TikTok, Meta’s Instagram may turn Reels into a separate app”By enhancing our desktop capabilities, we aim to bring TikTok’s handheld magic on desktop,” said TikTok product manager Cody Puckett in the blog post, “so you can enjoy TikTok anytime, anywhere. We remain committed to innovating for our community and ensuring the platform is accessible for all.” The new web layout, which allows desktop users to see a horizontal view in addition to the above enhancements, is designed to attract more gamers and streamers to an immersive viewing experience. This is further emphasized by the remodeled navigation bar, which mirrors the mobile version of TikTok, thereby “creating a seamless, unified viewing experience,” according to the blog post. Gamers and streamers can now go live in portrait or landscape mode, similar to Twitch’s interface setup. TikTok is also introducing a new Collections feature that lets users organize their favorite videos into custom categories, “making it easier to find and revisit saved content,” according to the announcement. This feature is similar to YouTube’s Playlists feature or Instagram’s Reels, which lets users save videos to revisit later. More

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    The Sandisk Extreme Pro 8TB Portable SSD is $210 off at Amazon

    Sandisk/ZDNETAre you a PC gamer who needs a large-capacity storage drive for your game library? Or are you a creative or office professional who needs a large-capacity SSD for important files and projects? Right now, you can grab Sandisk’s Extreme Pro Portable 8TB SSD More

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    Amazon’s new Alexa+ companion devices coming this fall

    Nina Raemont/ZDNETAfter a successful Devices and Services event that delivered a new Alexa+, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy gave an interview saying the company’s new devices will launch this fall. Amazon’s late February event featured the launch of Alexa+, a generative AI-powered version of the company’s virtual assistant that had been delayed for about a year. The new Alexa will be able to hold more natural conversations and allow interactions that are more similar to those with an AI chatbot, like ChatGPT and Gemini, than what you may be used to.Also: 7 exciting AI features coming with Alexa+ (and what Amazon devices support it)After demonstrating most of Alexa+’s new capabilities, Amazon announced that the reimagined smart assistant will launch over the coming weeks. Certain devices, like the Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21, will be prioritized. However, Jassy said on Bloomberg Television that Amazon will release Alexa+ companion devices in the fall.Although the larger Echo Show devices will be the first to gain access to Alexa+, once you have the new voice assistant, you can use it across all your Alexa devices, with the exception of some older models. This means that if you have an Echo Show 8 that gets Alexa+, you can also use the generative AI-powered Alexa+ on your compatible Fire TV, Echo speakers, and Fire tablets. More

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    This $70 off iPad deal is a steal – and it’s the model I recommend to most people

    Adam Breeden/ZDNETApple sells some very fancy iPads these days. In fact, several of them now cost over $1,000. But for the things most people do with their iPads — watching streaming content, making video calls, reading books and documents, answering messages, and surfing the web, the best iPad to buy is the standard 10th-generation iPad More

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    Apple’s Watch Series 10 is on sale again for $70 off at major retailers

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf you’re looking to get your health and wellness goals in check in 2025, now’s a great chance to scoop up one of Apple’s handy watches to help. Right now you can get the newest Apple Watch Series 10 for $70 off, or only $329 at most major retailers ahead of the incoming spring season. This 18% off savings can be found on both the 42mm More