Cloud Computing

China has finished construction of what’s being billed as the world’s first wind-powered underwater data center. The project, which cost around 1.6 billion yuan (US$226 million), marks a bold step in green, high-performing computing infrastructure.

Current AI training methods burn colossal amounts of energy to learn, but the human brain sips just 20 W. Swiss startup FinalSpark is now selling access to cyborg biocomputers, running up to four living human brain organoids wired into silicon chips.

Researchers have developed a new cloud gaming system that uses low-level white noise to accurately synchronize separated audio and video streams transmitted to multiple devices, ensuring gamers see and hear things at the right time.

Liquid cooling is one of the most effective ways to keep computers from overheating. Microsoft has now put a unique spin on the technique, demonstrating a system to cool its cloud servers by dunking the computers into a tank full of boiling liquid.

Data centers require heavy-duty cooling and maintenance. Microsoft has now finished a two-year test of an unconventional solution – dropping a data center to the bottom of the sea – and found that it was more reliable than land-based facilities.

Boston Dynamics’ dog-like Spot robot can now be remotely controlled from anywhere in the world thanks to a partnership with Rocos. To demonstrate its new capabilities the US team remotely monitored the robot working on an isolated farm in New Zealand.

Computers still pale in comparison to nature’s version – the brain. Now Intel has unveiled its most powerful “neuromorphic” computing system. Named Pohoiki Springs, it packs in 100 million neurons, putting it on par with the brain of a small mammal.

​When we first caught up with BandLab – a cloud-based music creation and collaboration platform – the project was in its infancy. A lot has happened since early 2013, so a catchup is long overdue.​

Data centers use a lot of power, they create a lot of heat, and it helps if they're close to populated areas. With that in mind, Microsoft recently anchored an unmanned data center to the bottom of the sea.​

There are plenty of options for storing your photos and videos with an online storage provider, such as Google or Dropbox. A private, home-based cloud can provide more control, security and home-integration options, though. EzeeCube is a new home cloud hub that aims to do just that.

Backing up your data can save important documents, digital purchases and years of memories. But even if you never have to restore a single file, backups can still give you peace of mind. Join Gizmag, as we review Backblaze, a simple and affordable service that backs up your entire PC.

Following Microsoft's recent relaunch of SkyDrive as OneDrive, Google has thrown down the gauntlet in the cloud storage market by reducing the prices of its own platform. The drops are significant too.