Triforce is an open-source beamforming LV2 plugin designed to improve the audio quality of built-in microphones on Apple Silicon Macs. Leveraging the Apple Neural Engine (ANE), it processes multi-channel microphone input to enhance speech clarity and suppress background noise, essentially creating a virtual microphone array. This results in cleaner audio for applications like video conferencing and voice recording. The plugin is available as a command-line tool and can be integrated with compatible audio software supporting the LV2 plugin format.
Scorpi is a new, open-source type-1 hypervisor designed specifically for macOS on Apple silicon. It aims to be a modern, lightweight, and performant alternative to existing solutions. Leveraging the virtualization capabilities of Apple silicon, Scorpi provides a minimal kernel responsible solely for virtualization while offloading other tasks to a dedicated "service VM." This approach prioritizes performance and security by reducing the hypervisor's attack surface. Scorpi also offers a flexible device model for efficient peripheral access and a streamlined user experience. While still in active development, it promises a compelling new option for running virtual machines on macOS.
HN commenters generally expressed excitement about Scorpi, praising its clean design and potential for macOS virtualization. Several highlighted the difficulty of macOS virtualization in the past and saw Scorpi as a promising new approach. Some questioned the performance compared to existing solutions like UTM, and others were curious about specific features like nested virtualization and GPU passthrough. A few commenters with virtualization experience offered technical insights, discussing the challenges of implementing certain features and suggesting potential improvements. The project's open-source nature and reliance on Apple's Hypervisor.framework were also points of interest. Overall, the comments reflected a cautiously optimistic view of Scorpi's potential to simplify and improve macOS virtualization.
The MacBook Air with the M2 chip boasts all-day battery life and impressive performance in a thin, fanless design. Available in four finishes, it features a stunning 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, and a powerful 8-core CPU. The M2 chip also allows for fast graphics performance, ideal for gaming and demanding applications. Configurations offer up to 24GB of unified memory and up to 2TB of SSD storage. It also includes MagSafe charging, two Thunderbolt ports, and a headphone jack.
HN commenters generally praise the new MacBook Air M4, particularly its performance and battery life. Several note the significant performance increase over the M1 and Intel-based predecessors, with some claiming it's the best value laptop on the market. A few express disappointment about the lack of a higher refresh rate display and the return of the MagSafe charging port, viewing the latter as taking up a valuable Thunderbolt port. Others question the need for the notch, though some defend it as unobtrusive. Price is a recurring theme, with many acknowledging its premium but arguing it's justified given the performance and build quality. There's also discussion around the base model's SSD performance being slower than the M1, attributed to using a single NAND chip instead of two. Despite these minor criticisms, the overall sentiment is highly positive.
Apple announced the new Mac Studio, claiming it's their most powerful Mac yet. It's powered by the M2 Max chip, offering significant performance boosts over the previous generation for demanding workflows like video editing and 3D rendering. The Mac Studio also features extensive connectivity options, including HDMI, Thunderbolt 4, and 10Gb Ethernet. It's designed for professional users who need a compact yet incredibly powerful desktop machine.
HN commenters generally expressed excitement but also skepticism about Apple's "most powerful" claim. Several questioned the value proposition, noting the high price and limited upgradeability compared to building a similarly powerful PC. Some debated the target audience, suggesting it was aimed at professionals needing specific macOS software or those prioritizing a polished ecosystem over raw performance. The lack of GPU upgrades and the potential for thermal throttling were also discussed. Several users expressed interest in benchmarks comparing the M4 Max to competing hardware, while others pointed out the quiet operation as a key advantage. Some comments lamented the loss of user-serviceability and upgradability that characterized older Macs.
Apple announced the M3 Ultra, its most powerful chip yet. Built using a second-generation 3nm process, the M3 Ultra boasts up to 32 high-performance CPU cores, up to 80 graphics cores, and a Neural Engine capable of 32 trillion operations per second. This new SoC offers a substantial performance leap over the M2 Ultra, with up to 20% faster CPU performance and up to 30% faster GPU performance. The M3 Ultra also supports up to 192GB of unified memory, enabling professionals to work with massive datasets and complex workflows. The chip is available in new Mac Studio and Mac Pro configurations.
HN commenters generally express excitement, but with caveats. Many praise the performance gains, particularly for video editing and other professional workloads. Some express concern about the price, questioning the value proposition for average users. Several discuss the continued lack of upgradability and repairability in Macs, with some arguing that this limits the lifespan and ultimate value of the machines. Others point out the increasing reliance on cloud services and subscription models that accompany Apple's hardware. A few commenters express skepticism about the claimed performance figures, awaiting independent benchmarks. There's also some discussion of the potential impact on competing hardware manufacturers, particularly Intel and AMD.
Hector Martin (marcan) is stepping down as the lead of the Asahi Linux project, which focuses on bringing Linux support to Apple Silicon Macs. He cites burnout from the project's demanding nature and the toll it has taken on his personal life. While he'll continue contributing to Asahi Linux in a less central role, he's transitioning leadership to the core team, expressing confidence in their ability to continue the project's success. He emphasizes that this change is not due to any internal conflict or loss of enthusiasm for Asahi Linux, but rather a necessary step for his well-being and the project's long-term sustainability.
Hacker News commenters largely express gratitude for Hector Martin's (marcan) work on the Asahi Linux project, acknowledging the significant technical challenges involved in bringing Linux to Apple Silicon. Some lament his departure as a loss for the project, while others are optimistic about the future and the team he's built. Several discussions revolve around the complexities of reverse-engineering Apple hardware, the difficulties of maintainership, burnout, and the importance of funding for open-source projects. A few commenters speculate about Apple's role in the project's challenges, while others focus on the technical aspects of GPU drivers and kernel development. Some threads delve into the nuances of open-source licensing and the balance between hobby projects and professionally supported endeavors.
Hector Martin, the lead developer of the Asahi Linux project which brings Linux support to Apple Silicon Macs, has stepped down from his role as a Linux kernel developer. Citing burnout and frustration with the kernel development process, particularly regarding code review and the treatment of new contributors, Martin explained that maintaining both Asahi Linux and actively contributing to the kernel has become unsustainable. He intends to remain involved with Asahi Linux and will continue working on the project, but will no longer be directly involved in core kernel development or reviews. He hopes this change will allow him to focus on higher-level aspects of the project and improve the experience for other Asahi Linux developers.
Several Hacker News commenters expressed surprise and sadness at Hector Martin's resignation, acknowledging his significant contributions to the Asahi Linux project and the broader Linux community. Some speculated about the reasons behind his departure, citing burnout, frustration with kernel development processes, or potential new opportunities. Others discussed the implications for the future of Asahi Linux, with some expressing concern about the project's trajectory without Martin's leadership, while others remained optimistic about the strong community he fostered. A few commenters questioned the overall tone of Martin's resignation email, finding it overly critical of the Linux kernel community. Finally, some users shared personal anecdotes of interacting with Martin, praising his technical skills and helpfulness.
Lume is a lightweight command-line interface (CLI) tool designed specifically for managing macOS and Linux virtual machines (VMs) on Apple Silicon Macs. It simplifies the creation, control, and configuration of VMs, offering a streamlined alternative to more complex virtualization solutions. Lume aims for a user-friendly experience, focusing on essential VM operations with an intuitive command set and minimal dependencies.
HN commenters generally expressed interest in Lume, praising its lightweight nature and simple approach to managing VMs. Several users appreciated the focus on CLI usage and its speed compared to other solutions like UTM. Some questioned the choice of using Alpine Linux for the host environment and suggested alternatives like NixOS. Others pointed out potential improvements, such as better documentation and ARM support for the host itself. The project's novelty and its potential as a faster, more streamlined alternative to existing VM managers were highlighted as key strengths. Some users also expressed interest in contributing to the project.
Summary of Comments ( 134 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43461701
Hacker News users discussed the Triforce beamforming project, primarily focusing on its potential benefits and limitations. Some expressed excitement about improved noise cancellation for Apple Silicon laptops, particularly for video conferencing. Others were skeptical about the real-world performance and raised concerns about power consumption and compatibility with existing audio setups. A few users questioned the practicality of beamforming with a limited number of microphones on laptops, while others shared their experiences with similar projects and suggested potential improvements. There was also interest in using Triforce for other applications like spatial audio and sound source separation.
The Hacker News post titled "Triforce – a beamformer for Apple Silicon laptops" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43461701) has a modest number of comments, sparking a brief but interesting discussion around the project and its potential applications.
One commenter expresses excitement about the project, specifically highlighting its potential for improving the quality of conference calls. They envision using multiple Apple laptops spatially distributed around a room to create a more immersive and higher-fidelity audio experience for remote participants. This commenter also raises a practical question about the latency involved in such a setup, wondering if the delay introduced by the beamforming process would be perceptible and potentially disruptive to natural conversation flow.
Another commenter focuses on the technical aspects, pointing out that the project leverages the "AVBDevice" class in macOS. They delve into the capabilities of this class, explaining that it allows access to raw audio streams, bypassing the system's audio processing pipeline. This direct access, they suggest, is crucial for implementing real-time audio manipulation like beamforming. They also mention the existence of similar functionalities on iOS, raising the possibility of extending this project to iPhones and iPads.
A subsequent comment builds upon this technical discussion, highlighting the challenges associated with clock synchronization across multiple devices. They note that achieving precise synchronization is essential for effective beamforming, as even minor discrepancies in timing can significantly degrade the performance. This comment underscores the complexity inherent in implementing such a system across multiple independent devices.
Finally, the original poster (OP) of the Hacker News submission chimes in to address the question about latency. They confirm that the latency is indeed noticeable, stating that it falls within the range of 100-200ms. They acknowledge that this level of latency might be problematic for real-time communication but suggest that the project's primary focus is on other applications, specifically mentioning sound source localization as a key area of interest. They also provide additional technical details, clarifying that the project utilizes UDP for communication between devices, a choice that prioritizes speed over guaranteed delivery.
In summary, the comments section explores both the potential uses and the technical intricacies of the Triforce project. While there's enthusiasm for its potential to enhance audio experiences, commenters also acknowledge the practical challenges related to latency and clock synchronization that need to be addressed.