What gives, AMD?

AMD has launched the Ryzen 9 9950X3D 2, touted as the world's first desktop CPU with 3D V-cache on both chiplets. However, initial reviews are largely unenthusiastic, with outlets like Ars Technica and Tom's Hardware suggesting its $900 price tag doesn't justify its benefits. A notable aspect of this launch is the limited number of samples sent to reviewers, with many popular channels, including LT, not receiving one. Tech PowerUp reported that AMD allegedly instructed retailers not to sell to the press pre-launch. Jay's Two Cents and Hardware Unboxed speculate that AMD may have anticipated a lukewarm reception for the chip and consequently scaled back its marketing efforts. Tech PowerUp further suggested that AMD might have selectively chosen reviewers less likely to delve into the chip's caching intricacies. The overall impression is that this is "the world's most reluctant product launch." Framework has introduced a "Pro" version of its Laptop 13, featuring a complete redesign. This includes a CNC aluminum chassis, a custom 2.8K touchscreen, and a claimed battery life of over 20 hours. It offers an option for Ubuntu pre-installation, aligning with the CEO's vision of it being "the MacBook Pro for Linux users." The Intel version of the Laptop 13 Pro DIY edition is expected to ship in June. Additionally, Framework is preparing to launch the Laptop 16's Oculink dev kit, which provides a 128 Gbit per second eight-lane PCIe connection, allowing users to transform their laptop into a desktop with an external GPU. Framework is also developing a wireless keyboard with an integrated touchpad, and plans to release CAD files for 3D printing custom designs, as well as selling bare circuit boards for DIY enthusiasts. Anthropic's AI model, Mythos, previously considered too dangerous for general release, has reportedly been accessed by unauthorized individuals. The good news is that these users appear to be engaging in harmless activities like building simple websites to avoid detection, rather than malicious hacking. However, this marks a second security incident for Anthropic this month, following the accidental release of source code for the Claude Code app. Reports indicate that the users gained access on April 7th, the same day Mythos was announced, by combining a contractor's access with details from a recent Merkor data breach. This incident has reinforced concerns about Mythos's potential to uncover real security vulnerabilities online, urging Anthropic to enhance its security measures. In other tech news, Deezer is raising alarms about the influx of AI-generated music on its platform, urging Spotify and Apple Music to address the issue. Deezer is now removing high-res quality from AI tracks and excluding them from algorithmic recommendations, catching an estimated 75,000 AI uploads daily, totaling over 2 million per month. Meta is reportedly installing tracking software on its US employees' computers to monitor mouse movements, clicks, keystrokes, and screenshots for AI training, though it explicitly states this data won't be used for performance reviews. With upcoming layoffs, employees are considering quitting to avoid contributing to the training of potential AI replacements. Hail, a major lidar manufacturer, has announced new lidar technology capable of detecting color, which analysts believe will significantly improve self-driving car performance by enhancing spatial intelligence and reducing the need for cars to "guess" at objects like traffic lights. Intel plans to extend overclocking support to more budget and mainstream CPUs, a departure from its previous strategy of limiting the feature to high-end K series chips. Robert Hack of Intel stated that overclocking should not be restricted to expensive processors. Finally, YouTuber "Dr. Semiconductor" successfully fabricated functioning micron-scale RAM cells in his garden shed, converting it into a class 100 semiconductor clean room and using advanced techniques. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given that RAM suppliers are currently only meeting 60% of global demand.