Google Cloud’s bevvy of AI-related services and products headlined its annual Google Cloud Next ’24 conference in Las Vegas this week, but the hyperscaler also brought a handful of new infrastructure releases.
Google Cloud storage offerings have expanded with Hyperdisk Storage Pools with Advanced Capacity, a new service for its block storage. The offering replicates a popular on-premises infrastructure setup for cost and hardware efficiency. The vendor also debuted Axion, a server Arm-based processor, and the general availability of storage performance-focused VMs.
Storage experts said Google’s conference embraced the cloud’s popularity with developers but also kept customer infrastructure teams at arms-length.
Generative AI is a demanding and powerful enterprise workload once operational, according to Keith Townsend, an analyst at Futurum Group. Google’s own Vertex AI efforts such as Creative Agent provide additional benefits to customers, but those same buyers still have common enterprise apps and demands to maintain.
“The air has been taken out of the room for cloud infrastructure,” Townsend said. “AI is still a workload. It’s probably the most demanding workload we see, but SAP still needs to run.”
Speeding up storage
Hyperdisk Storage Pools with Advanced Capacity, generally available now, builds on the SSD block storage offering Google released last year to enable the pooling of storage in Google Cloud across multiple workloads.
Pooling storage resources enables larger storage reserves with thin provisioning for VMs and applications without needing to purchase additional storage, Townsend said. Historically, most hyperscalers require customers to purchase underlying storage for a VM or app instead of pooling resources the way admins have done on premises, he said.
“This has been a long-time complaint from the enterprise,” Townsend said.
This capability exists in storage vendor cloud offerings such as NetApp’s OnTap, but isn’t sold natively in AWS or Microsoft Azure, he said.
Google also launched the general availability of Z3 machine series for Compute Engine, storage-optimized VMs running on Google Cloud’s physical hardware. These VMs prioritize SSD cloud workloads demanding high IOPS for uses such as scale-out databases and data warehouses, according to the vendor.
Google Cloud’s new Axion processors, the platform’s first Arm-based chips, and a handful of new cloud compute instances and bare metal offerings round out its infrastructure updates.
If not for the current hype cycle surrounding AI, Townsend said the Hyperdisk Advanced Storage Pools would have made headlines for marking a significant strategy change by Google.
Rather than attempting to lock users into its cloud platform, Google is offering multi-cloud services and capabilities to attract new customers, he said. Having an option to pool storage rather than requiring customers to buy more is a positive trend, he added.
“As cloud growth has slowed, they have to give up their sacred design cows to win these enterprise workloads,” Townsend said. “Google has embraced open standards compared to the other cloud guys.”
Creating services and capabilities for multi-cloud or hybrid cloud customers is one of the major ways Google Cloud can differentiate itself from competitors, said Simon Robinson, an analyst at TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group.
Google’s support for open source projects such as Kubernetes container orchestration has won over buyers before, he said. Enabling infrastructure teams to work with the platform across environments, rather than exclusively within it, could win additional customers.
“I don’t think they’re as embedded in the core [enterprise] infrastructure compared with AWS and Microsoft Azure,” Robinson said. “Developers are where it’s at. They have huge influence on the direction, pace and extension of a cloud platform.”
All AIs on me
Still, Google Cloud Next’s primary focus remained firmly on AI and related offerings. But developments surrounding the technology are laying the foundation for additional capabilities and a stronger partner ecosystem including for storage, said Sid Nag, an analyst at Gartner.
“[Google] finds connective tissue across different services,” Nag said. “[Like] what are the resources needed to support that workload [and] how do you address storage for it to be an asset.”
Google Cloud’s Vertex AI offerings may be among the more technologically advanced out there but haven’t gained as much the enterprise traction as Microsoft Copilot and the Amazon Bedrock managed service, said Brent Ellis, an analyst at Forrester Research.
“They haven’t broken through in the way OpenAI [has with] Microsoft and, to a lesser degree, AWS has,” Ellis said. “[Google] doesn’t get to live on their own little island. They get adoption by partnering with other technology organizations.”
Generative AI workloads will eventually become commoditized and made more available to enterprise IT teams, according to Steve McDowell, founder and lead analyst of NAND Research. Generative AI creation will require hybrid cloud implementations, he said, demanding faster storage through an R&D investment by platform holders.
“Cloud storage has never been known for or marketed for performance, but AI changes that equation,” McDowell said. “The cloud guys will have to stand up and deliver.”
Tim McCarthy is a news writer for TechTarget Editorial covering cloud and data storage.
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.
