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  • Sony, Microsoft Strike Deal on Tiny AI Chip With Huge Potential

    Sony, Microsoft Strike Deal on Tiny AI Chip With Huge Potential(Bloomberg) — Sony Corp. and Microsoft Corp. have partnered to embed artificial intelligence capabilities into the Japanese company’s latest imaging chip, a big boost for a camera product the electronics giant describes as a world-first for commercial customers.The new module’s big advantage is that it has its own processor and memory built in, which allows it to analyze video using AI tech like Microsoft’s Azure, but in a self-contained system that’s faster, simpler and more secure to operate than existing methods.The two companies are appealing to retail and logistics businesses with potential uses like optimizing warehouse and factory automation, quantifying the flow of customers through stores and making cars smarter about their drivers and environment.At a time of increasing public surveillance to help rein in the spread of the novel coronavirus, this new smart camera also has the potential to offer more privacy-conscious monitoring. And should its technology be adapted for personal devices, it even holds promise for advancing mobile photography.Read more: Sony Releases Faster Camera Sensors With Integrated AIInstead of generating actual images, Sony’s AI chip can analyze the video it sees and provide just metadata about what’s in front of it — saying instead of showing what’s in its frame of vision. Because no data is sent to remote servers, opportunities for hackers to intercept sensitive images or video are dramatically reduced, which should help allay privacy fears.Apple Inc. has already proven the efficacy of combining AI and imaging to create more secure systems with its Face ID biometric authentication, powered by the iPhone’s custom-designed Neural Engine processor. Huawei Technologies Co. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google also have dedicated AI silicon in their smartphones to assist with image processing. These on-device chips represent what’s known as edge computing: handling complex AI and machine-learning tasks at the so-called edge of the network instead of sending data back and forth to servers.“We are aware many companies are developing AI chips and it’s not like we try to make our AI chip better than others,” said Hideki Somemiya, senior general manager of Sony’s System Solutions group. “Our focus is on how we can distribute AI computing across the system, taking cost and efficiency into consideration. Edge computing is a trend, and in that respect, ours is the edge of the edge.”Sony’s advance is to eliminate the need for transfers within the device itself. Whereas Apple and Google still use conventional image sensors that convert light particles into computer-readable image formats for their chips to read, Sony’s new part is capable of doing the analytical work without any data leaving its physical boundaries.The AI-capable sensor may also help advance augmented reality applications. The two U.S. giants, whose iOS and Android operating systems control practically the entire smartphone market, are heavily invested in AR development. Google Maps now offers the option to show 3-D directions atop a video feed of a user’s surroundings while Apple is planning new 3-D cameras on its next set of iPhones in the fall. The agenda-setters of the mobile industry are looking for ever smarter mobile cameras, spurring the demand for more sophisticated imaging gear.Read more: Google Delivers an Answer to Apple on Augmented RealitySony already enjoys a substantial lead as the world’s foremost provider of image sensors, counting Apple, Samsung Electronics Co. and every major Chinese smartphone maker among its customers along with pro camera stalwarts like Hasselblad V, Fujifilm Holdings Corp. and Nikon Corp.Its next set of customers may be automakers.The AI-powered Sony sensor is capable of recording high-resolution video and simultaneously conducting its AI analysis at up to 30 frames each second. That rapid, up-to-the-microsecond responsiveness makes it potentially suitable for in-car use such as detecting when a driver is falling asleep, Sony’s Somemiya said. Without the need for a “cloud brain” as some existing systems have, Sony’s AI sensor could hasten the adoption of smart-car technology.”This on-chip approach enables a system design to be more flexible and even optimized, given that the cost of image processing, which is one of the most compute-intensive tasks for autonomous driving, can be offloaded from an electronic control unit,” said Shinpei Kato, founder and chief technology officer of Tokyo-based Tier IV Inc., which develops self-driving software.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

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  • These ASX tech shares could be destined for big things thanks to cloud computing

    cloud technology

    One investment thematic that I’m excited about is the cloud computing boom.

    The global public cloud services market is expected to grow materially over the next decade as more infrastructure migrates to the cloud.

    I believe this growth means that companies exposed to the cloud computing market could be positioned perfectly to profit.

    Two shares which I expect to benefit greatly from this boom are listed below:

    Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

    Megaport could be a great way to play this thematic. It is a leading provider of elasticity connectivity and network services through a growing number of data centres globally. Its network as a service offering allows customers to increase and decrease their available bandwidth in response to their own demand requirements. This basically means that customers can ramp up their bandwidth at busy times and reduce it when demand is low.

    This is proving very popular with companies that don’t want to be locked into fixed service levels on long-term contracts. So much so, the company recently reported a 10% quarter on quarter increase in revenue to $15.2 million. This was driven by a 6% lift in customer numbers to 1,777 and a 12% jump in total services to 15,531. Also rising strongly was  Megaport’s monthly recurring revenue. It was up 19% quarter on quarter to $5.4 million at the end of March. Given the tailwinds it is experiencing, I believe it is well-placed for further strong growth over the coming years.

    NEXTDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

    Another way to gain direct exposure to the cloud computing market is NEXTDC. It is an innovative data centre operator with world class centres in key locations across Australia. Thanks to the strong demand for data centre services, NEXTDC has been expanding its network at a solid rate over the last few years.

    And with the cloud market expected to continue growing materially for many more years to come, demand for space in its centres looks set to maintain its upwards trajectory. Another positive is that the company has consistently been making its operations more efficient by generating greater revenue per square metre and megawatt over the last few years. I’m confident there will be more of the same in the coming years, which should drive strong earnings growth as it scales.

    And here is another option which offers investors exposure to the cloud. One analyst has urged investors to go all in with it…

    One “All In” ASX Buy Alert, that could be one of our greatest discoveries

    Investing expert Scott Phillips has just named what he believes is the #1 Top “Buy Alert” after stumbling upon a little-owned opportunity he believes could be one of the greatest discoveries of his 25 years as a professional investor.

    This under-the-radar ASX recommendation is virtually unknown among individual investors, and no wonder.

    What it offers is an utterly unique strategy to position yourself to potentially profit alongside some of the world’s biggest and most powerful tech companies.

    Potential returns of 1X, 2X and even 3X are all in play. Best of all, you could hold onto this little-known equity for DECADES to come.

    Simply click here to see how you can find out the name of this ‘all in’ buy alert… before the next stock market rally.

    Find out the name of Scott’s ‘All in’ Buy Alert

    More reading

    James Mickleboro owns shares of NEXTDC Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of MEGAPORT FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended MEGAPORT FPO. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

    The post These ASX tech shares could be destined for big things thanks to cloud computing appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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  • 3 ASX shares to instantly diversify your portfolio

    diversification of wealth management

    The coronavirus crash the ASX has gone through in 2020 has, so far, proved many things. But one of the most pertinent (in my view) is the importance of having a diversified and risk-adjusted portfolio.

    A portfolio of ASX shares is always open to attack from so-called ‘black swan’ events; occurrences (like the coronavirus) which no-one can predict or plan for. For example, having a portfolio with large exposure to travel-related shares might not have raised too many eyebrows in 2019. But in 2020? It’s a different story.

    So here are 3 ASX shares that I think anyone can add to their portfolio and instantly see increased diversification and a debasing of concentrated risk.

    MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF)

    MFF Capital is a Listed Investment Company (LIC) that holds a portfolio of predominantly US-based shares. Some of these include MasterCard, Visa, Home Depot, Wells Fargo, and Microsoft, but overall MFF holds around 20 companies.

    Just by buying shares of MFF, you are getting exposure to this diversified portfolio of US shares – something that will instantly increase your own portfolio’s diversification. Most ASX share portfolios are underweight in US and international shares as well, so this company is an easy way to increase your geographical exposure.

    Washington H. Soul Pattinson & Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)

    ‘Soul Patts’ is one of the best shares on the ASX in my view. The company is very old, having listed on the (then) Sydney Stock Exchange back in 1903 as a chemist. Today, Soul Patts has well and truly branched out from pharmacies and now owns significant chunks of a variety of quality ASX businesses. These include TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM), Brickworks Ltd (ASX: BKW), BKI Investment Company Ltd (ASX: BKI), and New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC).

    Thus, I think Soul Patts is a great company to hold for broad exposure to the Australian economy. It might also be a strong alternative to an S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO)-based ETF for any investor not keen on heavy exposure to ASX banks and miners.

    iShares Global 100 ETF (ASX: IOO)

    This ETF holds nothing more or less than the 100 largest companies within the advanced economies of the world. It’s dominated by US shares like Apple, Alphabet, and Amazon, but also has companies like Toyota, Nestle, and Samsung to spice things up.

    All of the companies in iShares Global have got to where they are today by being highly successful in their fields. Whilst large companies do fail, I still think that size gives a lot of safety, especially in these uncertain times. As a result, I don’t think any investor can go wrong by including this ETF in a well-balanced portfolio.

    For another ASX share to add portfolio diversification, don’t miss the free report below!

    One “All In” ASX Buy Alert, that could be one of our greatest discoveries

    Investing expert Scott Phillips has just named what he believes is the #1 Top “Buy Alert” after stumbling upon a little-owned opportunity he believes could be one of the greatest discoveries of his 25 years as a professional investor.

    This under-the-radar ASX recommendation is virtually unknown among individual investors, and no wonder.

    What it offers is an utterly unique strategy to position yourself to potentially profit alongside some of the world’s biggest and most powerful tech companies.

    Potential returns of 1X, 2X and even 3X are all in play. Best of all, you could hold onto this little-known equity for DECADES to come.

    Simply click here to see how you can find out the name of this ‘all in’ buy alert… before the next stock market rally.

    Find out the name of Scott’s ‘All in’ Buy Alert

    More reading

    John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Teresa Kersten, an employee of LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Sebastian Bowen owns shares of Alphabet (A shares), Magellan Flagship Fund Ltd, Mastercard, Visa, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), Amazon, Apple, Mastercard, Microsoft, and Visa and recommends the following options: long January 2021 $85 calls on Microsoft, short January 2021 $115 calls on Microsoft, short January 2022 $1940 calls on Amazon, and long January 2022 $1920 calls on Amazon. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Brickworks and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), Amazon, Apple, and Mastercard. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

    The post 3 ASX shares to instantly diversify your portfolio appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

    from Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/2zObClq

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