AMD announced the start of production for its next-generation EPYC server processors, codenamed Venice. These chips are the first high-performance processors to enter mass production using TSMC's 2nm fabrication technology. The company confirmed the milestone in a statement released earlier this week.

The Venice EPYC processors are built on TSMC's N2 process node, which promises significant improvements in performance and power efficiency over previous generations. AMD has not disclosed specific clock speeds or core counts, but the chips are expected to target data center and cloud computing workloads. The 2nm node is TSMC's most advanced manufacturing technology, offering up to 15% faster speeds or 30% lower power consumption compared to the 3nm node.

AMD's move to 2nm production marks a strategic shift in the server processor market. The company has traditionally relied on TSMC's 5nm and 3nm nodes for its EPYC lineup. With Venice, AMD aims to compete directly with Intel's upcoming server processors, which are also expected to leverage advanced process nodes. Industry analysts note that early adoption of 2nm could give AMD a performance edge in high-performance computing and AI workloads.

The Venice chips are designed for the SP5 socket, which is compatible with existing EPYC platforms. AMD has not yet announced specific models or pricing, but the processors are expected to feature increased core counts and support for DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0. The company also plans to integrate advanced security features and AI acceleration capabilities.

AMD's production ramp for Venice is already underway at TSMC's facilities in Taiwan. The company expects to begin shipping the processors to customers in the second half of 2025. Major cloud providers and server manufacturers are likely to be among the first to adopt the new chips.

The announcement comes as AMD continues to gain market share in the server segment. According to recent reports, AMD's EPYC processors now account for over 30% of server CPU shipments, up from less than 10% five years ago. The Venice launch is expected to further strengthen AMD's position against Intel's Xeon lineup.

AMD has not provided detailed performance benchmarks for Venice, but early testing suggests significant gains in multi-threaded workloads. The company also emphasized the energy efficiency benefits of the 2nm node, which could reduce total cost of ownership for data center operators.

"Venice represents a major leap forward in server processor technology," said an AMD spokesperson. "We are excited to bring the benefits of 2nm manufacturing to our EPYC customers." The first Venice-based servers are expected to be available from OEMs in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Apple has rolled out a suite of new health capabilities for its Apple Watch and AirPods Pro devices, expanding their functionality to over 160 countries. The update introduces sleep apnea detection, hearing assessments, and hypertension tracking, marking a significant expansion of the company's health-focused features.

The sleep apnea feature uses the Apple Watch's accelerometer and heart rate sensor to monitor breathing patterns during sleep. It can detect interruptions in breathing that may indicate sleep apnea, a condition that affects millions worldwide. Users receive notifications if the device identifies potential signs of the disorder.

For hearing health, the AirPods Pro now includes a built-in hearing test that evaluates hearing sensitivity across different frequencies. The test takes about five minutes and provides a detailed audiogram, which users can share with healthcare providers. This feature aims to make hearing screenings more accessible.

The hypertension monitoring feature, available on the Apple Watch, tracks blood pressure trends over time using the device's sensors. It does not provide real-time readings but offers insights into long-term patterns, helping users identify potential issues. Apple emphasized that this feature is not a replacement for medical-grade monitors.

These features are part of Apple's broader push into health technology, which has become a key differentiator for its wearable devices. The company has previously introduced ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and fall detection. The new additions are designed to address common health concerns that often go undiagnosed.

Apple stated that the features were developed in collaboration with medical experts and validated through clinical studies. The sleep apnea detection, for instance, was tested in a study involving over 5,000 participants. The company also noted that all data is encrypted and stored securely on the device or in iCloud with user consent.

The update is available for Apple Watch Series 6 and later, as well as AirPods Pro (first and second generation). Users need to update their devices to the latest watchOS and iOS versions to access the new features. The rollout began this week and will continue globally over the next few days.

Apple's health features are available in over 160 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Australia. The company plans to expand to additional regions in the coming months. Pricing for the features is included in the device cost, with no additional subscription fees.

"We believe that technology can play a vital role in helping people take charge of their health," said an Apple spokesperson. "These new features are designed to provide users with actionable insights while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and security."

The successor to the AV1 video codec, AV2, is approaching its final release. According to leaked information, the official 1.0 version of AV2 could be published in May 2026. The timeline suggests the codec is moving closer to standardization after years of development.

AV2 is being developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOM), the same consortium behind AV1. The group includes major technology companies such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, and Amazon. The new codec is designed to offer better compression efficiency than its predecessor, enabling higher quality video at lower bitrates.

Early development of AV2 began around 2018, with exploratory work on next-generation coding tools. The codec incorporates advanced techniques such as neural network-based coding and improved motion compensation. These features aim to reduce file sizes by up to 30% compared to AV1 while maintaining similar visual quality.

The leaked release date comes from a public AOM meeting agenda, which listed the AV2 1.0 specification as a target for May 2026. The agenda also included discussions on finalizing the bitstream format and reference software. AOM has not officially confirmed the date, but the document suggests the consortium is on track to meet that deadline.

AV2 is expected to be royalty-free, following the same licensing model as AV1. This approach has made AV1 popular among streaming services and web browsers, though adoption has been gradual due to encoding complexity. AV2 aims to address some of those challenges with more efficient encoding algorithms.

Streaming platforms and hardware manufacturers are likely to begin integrating AV2 support after the final specification is released. Software encoders and decoders are expected to follow, with hardware acceleration possibly arriving in later generations of GPUs and mobile chips. The transition from AV1 to AV2 is anticipated to take several years.

For now, the May 2026 target remains unofficial. AOM has not issued a public statement regarding the release schedule. The leaked agenda indicates the consortium is working toward that date, but delays are possible as the technical details are finalized.

If the timeline holds, AV2 will mark a significant step forward in video compression technology. The codec's improved efficiency could benefit streaming services, video conferencing, and other bandwidth-sensitive applications. The final specification is expected to be published on the AOM website upon release.

Beyond Teknoloji presented its new Bazna series of kamikaze drones at the SAHA 2026 exhibition. The platform is engineered to operate in challenging environmental conditions, including rain, sea spray, and high-altitude terrain. Company representatives highlighted the drone's resilience against adverse weather during the unveiling.

The Bazna drone incorporates anti-jamming technology to maintain control in contested electromagnetic environments. It is built with water-resistant materials, allowing it to function in wet conditions and over maritime areas. The system offers a flight time of up to 25 minutes per mission.

Designed as a loitering munition, the Bazna can loiter over a target area before engaging. The drone's compact form factor enables rapid deployment from various platforms. Beyond Teknoloji emphasized the system's ease of use and portability for field operations.

The drone's navigation suite includes GPS and inertial guidance, with the anti-jam feature ensuring reliable operation even when GPS signals are disrupted. The water-resistant design protects internal components from moisture and saltwater exposure.

Beyond Teknoloji stated that the Bazna series is intended for military and security applications requiring persistent surveillance and precision strike capabilities. The drone can be integrated with existing command and control systems.

Pricing and specific technical specifications were not disclosed at the event. The company confirmed that the Bazna is available for order and will be delivered to customers following testing and certification.

The SAHA 2026 exhibition, held in Istanbul, serves as a platform for defense and aerospace companies to showcase new technologies. Beyond Teknoloji's Bazna drone attracted attention from international delegations attending the fair.

Beyond Teknoloji officials said the Bazna represents a new category of all-weather kamikaze drones designed for modern battlefield requirements. The company plans to demonstrate the system's capabilities in live-fire exercises later this year.