Green software engineering is a set of best practices aimed at creating applications that lower carbon emissions. The green software movement is accelerating rapidly. The Green Software Foundation now has over 60 member organizations, including tech giants such as Microsoft, Google, and Intel.
Sustainable software can help reduce the often-considerable environmental impact of software development, says Tim Juravich, a principal with business advisory firm Deloitte Consulting, in an email interview. “By optimizing resource usage, sustainable software helps create a more environmentally friendly digital infrastructure.”
“Software development quality can have direct ties to energy consumption and, therefore, sustainability,” Juravich says. “Having teams think about creating software in a sustainable manner also promotes long-term software viability by utilizing efficient coding techniques, reducing maintenance requirements, and enhancing scalability — all with the goal of minimizing the carbon footprint.”
All enterprises should focus on lowering their carbon footprint, advises Carl Coken, vice president of engineering at Atrius, a software company focusing on energy management. “If we can build more efficient software, we can decrease the hardware resources that are used and therefore lower the overall carbon impact,” he says in an email interview.
With the arrival of chief sustainability officers (CSOs) and teams, and over half a million environmental, social, and governance (ESG) professionals, there’s a need to understand the carbon footprint of both the enterprise and vendors, says Mark Smith, partner and head of software research at technology research and advisory firm ISG. Supplier input is essential. “Software companies need to provide the compute and consumption of their operations and software, their related impact on sustainability, and where users can find reporting on ESG metrics,” he explains in an email interview.
Multiple Benefits
While sustainable software reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions, it also provides operational cost savings by allowing enhanced resource utilization. “In many cases, we’re also seeing a push toward sustainability reducing technical debt and enabling an easier developer experience due to architecture simplification,” Juravich says.
By building more sustainable, efficient software, adopters can decrease overall power consumption, including servers, storage, networking and, as AI becomes more prevalent, GPUs, Coken says. “This becomes even more important when considering the rapid development and implementation of AI, which can be particularly power hungry.”
The first step when building a sustainable software initiative is setting clear goals and developing quality success metrics. “By defining metrics that correlate to sustainability, it creates a quantifiable conversation of brokering sustainability throughout the development process,” Juravich says. He also recommends fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation — thinking outside the box — where all parties are encouraged to speak up, present ideas, and help develop software development practices designed to meet sustainability goals.
Targeting Sustainability
Developers play a major role in achieving enterprise sustainability by creating optimized code designed to minimize energy consumption, Juravich says. They should be encouraged to use energy-efficient development methods, such as those suggested by the Green Software Foundation, to improve efficiency and prolong application lifespans. “Organizations can also use renewable energy sources for their data centers and cloud computing needs,” he adds.
When building new products, software developers tend to use all available resources, Coken observes. This can lead to bad habits in terms of both cost and efficiency. “Furthermore, the resources that have the highest carbon impact also tend to also have the highest cost,” he notes. “Therefore, in a broad sense, you can use cost as a way to measure your carbon impact.”
Developers can also make software more sustainable by identifying and stopping wasteful activities. “Turning off VMs or containers when they aren’t being used, deprecating them when they are no longer needed, and creating and implementing storage retention policies can all significantly improve energy efficiency,” Coken says.
Building the Case
When approaching enterprise leaders about the need for a sustainable software strategy, begin by emphasizing the potential cost savings. “Typically, the best way to convince management colleagues is to appeal to their wallet,” Coken says. While most executives understand this, and would like to support policies that help the environment, sustainability goals can seem vague, esoteric, and costly to adopt with only a low return on investment. He notes that by showing how sustainability goals will positively impact budgets — and potentially their bonuses — over the long term, enthusiasm for sustainable software development initiatives will increase.
While focusing on cost is a helpful motivation tool, it’s also important to track your organization software’s carbon impact to show where savings may be found, Coken says. “Cloud vendors, such as Microsoft, provide the tools to do so.” One such tool is Microsoft’s Emissions Impact Dashboard. There are also other free tools, including the open-source Cloud Carbon Footprint, which allows users to carbon emissions across different clouds.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
