Epic Games developer account reinstated by Apple following EU intervention

By

-

Mar 11, 2024

In a significant turn of events in the ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, the tech giant has reinstated Epic Games’ developer account. This decision by Apple comes after a swift intervention by the European Commission, marking a breakthrough in the dispute that has been ongoing since 2020.

Since 2020, Epic and Apple have been entangled in a legal dispute. Epic Games accused Apple of breaching U.S. antitrust regulations by imposing fees of up to 30% on in-app purchases made on its iOS devices. Despite Epic’s efforts to challenge Apple’s policies, the court ruled against them. Epic’s deliberate violation of Apple’s regulations resulted in the gaming company being barred from Apple’s devices.

Recent developments saw Apple initially blocking Epic Games from launching its online marketplace and bringing back Fortnite in Europe. However, pressure from European regulators, coupled with the enforcement of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), prompted Apple to backtrack on its decision.

The DMA, which bans Apple and Google from controlling which apps are distributed on devices with iOS and Android operating systems, played a crucial role in Apple’s compliance. The European Commission’s involvement led to Apple’s decision to reinstate Epic’s developer account, allowing them to operate their game store in Europe and bring Fortnite back to iOS devices in the region.

The reinstatement has broader implications, signaling a shift in Apple’s App Store business model and highlighting the effectiveness of regulatory bodies like the European Commission in holding tech giants accountable. Both Epic Games and the EU’s industry chief, Thierry Breton, have expressed satisfaction with Apple’s decision, emphasizing the importance of enforcing DMA policies.

Epic Games CEO, Tim Sweeney, welcomed the reinstatement of the developer account, viewing it as a positive message to developers regarding the enforcement of DMA. Apple, in confirming the decision, stated that Epic has committed to following DMA policies, leading to the restoration of their developer agreement.

Looking ahead, Epic Games is set to proceed with its plans to launch the Epic Games Store and Fortnite on iOS devices in Europe, marking a significant step forward in resolving the dispute between the two companies.

The reinstatement of Epic Games’ developer account by Apple following EU intervention represents a milestone in the ongoing legal saga, underscoring the impact of regulatory oversight in the tech industry.

Related:

(via)

Xiaomi 14 now on sale in India: Check price and launch offers

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Mar 11, 2024

A few days back, the Xiaomi 14 was announced in India. The company’s latest flagship smartphone is now up for sale in the country.

The device succeeds the Xiaomi 13 Pro from last year. Thus, it even costs the same.

Similarly, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is also up for pre-reservations. You can check the details here.

Xiaomi 14 Price in India

The Xiaomi 14 arrives in a single 12GB + 512GB memory configuration in India. It is priced at ₹69,999 (~$845) in the region.

The handset is offered in three colors, namely Black, White, and Jade Green.

The product can be purchased from Mi.com, Amazon, Flipkart, Xiaomi Home stores, and partner retail stores.

Xiaomi 14 Launch Offers in India

Buyers can avail of a ₹5,000 (~$60) instant discount on credit cards issued by ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank. They can also get a ₹5,000 (~$60) exchange bonus on select devices.

Those interested in installments can also make use of up to 24-month no-cost EMI plans on various credit cards.

Further, customers get one free screen replacement within 6 months of the purchase date. They also get one free out-of-warranty repair (including labor cost) within a year from purchase. There’s also a free 3-month YouTube Premium subscription for new users.

Finally, buyers get access to Xiaomi Priority Club. This membership gives them free priority pick-up and drop, a guaranteed 2-hour repair turnaround time or a standby device, a half-yearly phone check-up, and priority customer support (dedicated manager).

Xiaomi 14 Review

We reviewed the Xiaomi 14 when it was first released in China. You can check out the text review here or watch the video embedded below.

RELATED:

ViewSonic expands monitor lineup with new Optiquest 31.5-inch curved display

By

Rajesh Regmi

-

Mar 11, 2024

ViewSonic continues its hot streak of monitor launches with the introduction of the new Optiquest 31.5-inch curved monitor. The new display is now available in China through JD.com and offers a compelling mix of features and affordability for gamers and general users alike. So let’s get into its details here.

ViewSonic Optiquest 31.5-inch monitor specifications

The ViewSonic Optiquest boasts a 2560×1440 resolution (2K) Fast VA screen sourced from CSOT. The display promises smooth visuals with a rapid 165Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time.

The immersive experience is further enhanced by the 1500R curvature. Additionally, the monitor supports HDR10 and Adaptive-Sync technologies, ensuring vibrant colors and eliminating screen tearing and stuttering during gameplay.

The display also has a brightness of 300 nits and an 85% NTSC color gamut coverage. Gamers will also appreciate the inclusion of a gaming crosshair for improved aim in fast-paced titles.

The ViewSonic Optiquest doesn’t just cater to performance-minded users. It has eye-care features like a blue light filter and a flicker-free screen to reduce strain during extended sessions. It should make the monitor well for use in general day-to-day usage as well.

The monitor has a Y-shaped metal base and the stand allows for horizontal and vertical rotation, providing flexibility for various setups. Connectivity options are ample, with 2 HDMI 2.0 and 1 DP1.2 interface.

Pricing and Availability

The ViewSonic Optiquest 31.5-inch curved monitor is currently available on JD.com for an initial price of 1,149 yuan. Currently, the company hasn’t made any announcement regarding the global release of the monitor.

Related:

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Blue Archive Edition launched in South Korea

By

Sean

-

Mar 11, 2024

Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy S24 Ultra Blue Archive Edition has finally been launched in the brand’s home market of South Korea. The new special edition bundle was teased last month and has officially been released in the region now. So let’s have a look.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Blue Archive Edition

The South Korean tech giant’s Blue Archive edition would be its latest collaboration. This time around, the company worked with Nexon Games to unveil this limited edition bundle. To recall, Blue Archive is a tactical role playing game. The Galaxy S24 Ultra Blue Archive Edition launched with a bunch of accessories and goodies in a special retail box. This bundle offers protective covers, stickers, a small box with the characters Plana and Arona, and more.

The color scheme of certain accessories is also inspired by the two characters. It is worth noting that Samsung is only offering 2,000 units of the Galaxy S24 Ultra Blue Archive Edition. There are even acrylic stands, wireless chargers, keychains, exclusive Bixby voices, and game props as well. The new limited edition accessories were announced in the South Korean market for 339,000 Won (roughly 259 US Dollars).

As of right now, it is still unclear whether the brand will release the Galaxy S24 Ultra Blue Archive edition outside of South Korea. The mobile game isn’t really popular outside of the region, so it likely won’t see a full global release. But take this with a pinch of salt.

RELATED:

Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G launch date for India officially confirmed, here’s what is known so far

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Mar 11, 2024

Realme has been teasing the arrival of a new Narzo smartphone in the Indian market. The landing page for the device has been active on Amazon for the past few days. Today, the brand officially confirmed that the Narzo 70 Pro 5G will be unveiled on March 19 in the country. In addition, the brand also confirmed that popular Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor will be the product ambassador for its Naro 70 Pro 5G.

Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G launch date

By releasing the above image, the company has confirmed that the Narzo 70 Pro 5G will be the first smartphone in its price segment to feature a Sony IMX890 50-megapixel primary camera. The brand claims that the device’s back panel has a “Duo Touch Glass” design. As can be seen, the rear shell of the phone has an arc design with a dual-tone finish.

The Narzo 70 Pro 5G will run on Realme UI 5-based Android 14. What’s interesting about it is that it will have 65 percent less bloatware as compared to what’s usually seen on similarly priced phones from the brand. In addition, it will have plenty of Air Gesture features that will allow users to control the device with the movement of their palms or fingers.

The Narzo 70 Pro 5G has a flat AMOLED display that supports a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The other details of the smartphone are yet to be revealed. With around a week remaining for the launch, the company is expected to confirm more details about the Narzo 70 Pro 5G soon.

The Realme Narzo 60 Pro 5G was announced with a starting price of Rs 23,999 (~$290) last year in July. Hence, it is likely that the successor may arrive with a similar pricing.

RELATED:

Xiaomi 14 Ultra Reservé Edition bundle with limited edition case & more unveiled in India

By

Sean

-

Mar 11, 2024

Xiaomi has just unveiled the Xiaomi 14 Ultra Reservé Edition in India. The company took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce this bundle, which brings a bunch of accessories alongside the flagship smartphone. Booking for the device is currently live, so here is everything you need to know.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra Reservé Edition

To recall, the Chinese tech giant recently launched the Xiaomi 14 Ultra in the region for 99,999 INR. Now, the brand has introduced the Reservé Edition as well. This isn’t a limited edition variant of the high end phone, rather, it is a special edition bundle that offers some exclusive accessories. The Reservé Edition offers the Xiaomi 14 Ultra with a limited edition protective case, a 67mm filter adapter, and more.

The reservation for this bundle is set to go live in India at 12 PM IST today (11th March 2024) and the booking will cost users 9,999 INR. It is worth noting that only the 16GB + 512GB storage option will be available via the Reservé Edition, although you can get the device in Black or White color variants. For those unaware, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the company’s latest flagship phone that offers top notch specs and features like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

It sports a tall 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display that offers a 120Hz refresh rate and 2K+ resolution on the front, while the rear features four 50-megapixel sensors for primary, ultra wide, telephoto, and periscope telephoto lenses. Under the hood, a large 5,000mAh battery pack powers this device, which supports 90W wired fast charging, 80W wireless fast charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging.

RELATED:

A mysterious Xiaomi phone visits MIIT certification, could be Xiaomi Civi 4

By

Rajesh Regmi

-

Mar 11, 2024

A new Xiaomi phone, with model number 24053PY09C, has recently surfaced in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) certification. While its official name remains under wraps, it’s likely the Xiaomi Civi 4 which has been in the rumors mill for a while now.

Although the MIIT certification doesn’t offer detailed information about the device, it does confirm that it will support 5G network connectivity. If indeed this is the Xiaomi Civi 4, leaked details about its specifications have already emerged.

According to earlier reports, the device will feature a 1.5K flat display covered by a 2.7D micro curved glass similar to Xiaomi’s 14 series. Notably, it will boast Leica co-branded cameras led by a 50MP sensor, marking the first time a non-Xiaomi series phone will sport Leica branding.

Additionally, the phone will adopt a metal frame and glass back akin to flagship smartphones. It’s reported to pack a battery exceeding 5,000mAh capacity with support for fast charging, potentially up to 100W (or even 120W).

Of particular interest is the device’s alleged use of Qualcomm’s upcoming SM8635 (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3) processor. Qualcomm is scheduled to unveil its new SoCs on March 18th, likely including the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 alongside the 7+ Gen 3.

Interestingly, the timing of the MIIT certification for the new Xiaomi phone aligns well with Qualcomm’s announcement. So Xiaomi could be one of the first adopters of the new Snapdragon SoC.

While the exact launch date for the Xiaomi Civi 4 remains unconfirmed, previous reports suggest a timeframe around May.

Its predecessor, Xiaomi Civi 3, was also released in May last year, with a slim design and a Dimensity 8200-Ultra processor. The Civi 4 looks to build on this foundation, offering a clear step up in power and imaging prowess.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on further developments and will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.

Related:

Google unveils ‘Social Learning’: A collaborative, privacy-aware approach to AI advancement

By

Debasish

-

Mar 11, 2024

Google has introduced a groundbreaking AI framework called “Social Learning,” aimed at enhancing the collaborative capabilities of language models without compromising user privacy. This framework allows AI models to learn from each other through natural language interactions, enabling them to share knowledge and improve performance on various tasks.

The framework involves a “student model” learning from multiple “teacher models”

Teacher models teach the student model, and the student model utilizes what it learned during the inference process

Through the Social Learning framework, teacher models can impart knowledge to student models without directly sharing sensitive or private data, ensuring privacy protection while facilitating effective learning.

In this framework, student models learn from multiple teacher models, each proficient in specific tasks, such as spam detection, solving math problems, or answering questions based on text. By leveraging human-labeled examples, teacher models can teach students without the need to exchange original data, addressing privacy concerns associated with data sharing. Additionally, teacher models can synthesize new examples or generate instructions for tasks, further enhancing the learning process.

Experiments have demonstrated the efficacy of social learning in improving the performance of student models across various tasks. Synthetic examples generated by teacher models have shown comparable effectiveness to original data, while significantly reducing privacy risks. Similarly, instructions generated by teacher models have proven to enhance student performance, demonstrating the adaptability of language models in following instructions.

To ensure privacy protection, researchers have employed metrics like Secret Sharer to quantify data leakage during the learning process. Results indicate minimal leakage of private data, affirming the framework’s ability to teach without revealing specifics from the original dataset.

By mimicking human social learning processes, these models can effectively share knowledge and improve each other’s performance while upholding user privacy. This approach holds promise for the development of privacy-conscious AI systems in various domains. Moving forward, researchers aim to further refine the Social Learning framework and explore its applications across different tasks and datasets.

Related:

(Source)

OnePlus Ace 3V is coming soon, says OnePlus President

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Mar 11, 2024

Last year, OnePlus released three Ace-branded smartphones in China. This year, the brand has already launched the OnePlus Ace 3 with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Reports suggest that the home market will soon receive the Ace 3V and Ace 3 Pro phones. The Ace 3V is rumored to debut soon as the world’s first smartphone equipped with the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset. Today, the OnePlus President for China announced that the Ace 3V is launching soon.

OnePlus Ace 3V is coming soon

OnePlus Ace 3V is coming says OnePlus President for China

As can be seen above, OnePlus China President Li Jie Louis has said that the OnePlus Ace 3V is coming soon but hasn’t confirmed the launch date. The teaser reveals that the Ace 3V equipped with AI features will be announced this month.

Louis’ confirmation about the Ace 3V came soon after Qualcomm revealed that it would unveil its next chipset on March 18 in China. It is speculated that the US-based chip manufacturer will take off covers from the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 through the upcoming launch event. In all likelihood, the Ace 3V will debut in the fourth week of March.

OnePlus Ace 3V specifications (rumored)

According to reports, the OnePlus Ace 3V will have an OLED panel that produces a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. On the front, it will have a 16-megapixel camera for selfies and a 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS support on the back. The device will run on the ColorOS 14-based Android 14. Shown above is the leaked schematic of the device.

The OnePlus Ace 3V is said to feature the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB or 1 TB of storage, and a 5,500mAh battery with 100W charging. In addition, the 3V is said to be equipped with other features, such as an alert slider, an in-screen fingerprint scanner, an IR blaster, and dual speakers. Rumors are rife that its tweaked version will released globally with the OnePlus Nord 4 branding.

RELATED:

Qualcomm to launch new Snapdragon chips on March 18 event, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 & 7+ Gen 3 expected

By

Rajesh Regmi

-

Mar 11, 2024

Qualcomm is hosting a new product launch conference at 14:30 on March 18th for its upcoming Snapdragon flagship system-on-a-chip (SoC). The conference’s slogan is “Intelligence is in the core, and there is a dragon in it.”

There are rumors suggesting that Qualcomm will unveil its previously speculated Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (SM7675) and Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (SM8635) chips during the event. These chips, reportedly sharing the internal codename “Cliffs,” are believed to be different variations of the same core offering. Both chips are expected to use the same architecture as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Leaks so far have revealed the possible specifications for both the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. Here’s a summary of rumored specifications along with a comparison to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3:

Chip	Big Core	Medium Core	Small Core	GPU
7+ Gen 3	1*2.9GHz Cortex-X4	4*2.6GHz Cortex-A720	3*1.9GHz Cortex-A520	Adreno 732
8s Gen 3	1*3.01GHz Cortex-X4	4*2.61GHz Cortex-A720	3*1.84GHz Cortex-A520	Adreno 735
8 Gen 3	1*3.3GHz Cortex-X4	3*3.25GHz Cortex-A720	2*2.27GHz Cortex-A520	Adreno 750

There are rumors about various new devices that could come equipped with these latest processors. Below is a list of potential devices that might feature either the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 or the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processors:

Realme GT Neo6 series (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 or Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3)
Redmi Note 13 Turbo (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3)
Xiaomi Civi 4 (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3)
OnePlus Ace 3V (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3)
Vivo Pad 3 (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3)
iQOO Neo 9 series new devices (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3)

We’ll need to wait for Qualcomm’s official event on March 18th to confirm these specifications and device lineups.

Related:

Honor Magic 6 Ultimate Edition design revealed before March 18 launch, key specifications leaked

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Mar 11, 2024

Last week, Honor officially confirmed that it will hold its next launch event on March 18 in China. The brand has already confirmed that it will release three products, such as the Magic 6 Ultimate Edition, the Magic 6 RSR Porsche Design, and the MagicBook 16 Pro notebook. Today, the brand released an official poster to reveal the design of the Ultimate variant. At the same time, tipster Digtial Chat Station has tipped the key specifications of the device.

Honor Magic 6 Ultimate Edition color options

In the above images, the Honor Magic 6 Ultimate Edition can be seen in two shades, such as Sky Purple and Rock Black. The unique camera module reveals that it has a triple camera unit with LED flash. A closer look at it reveals that the camera setup includes a periscope telephoto camera, and it promises 100x digital zoom.

Honor Magic 6 Ultimate Edition key specifications

According to tipster Digital Chat Station, the Honor Magic 6 Ultimate has a quad-curved OLED panel on the front. It appears that the screen will have a punch-hole cutout like the Magic 6 Pro, which will probably house a 50-megapixel selfie camera with autofocus support and a ToF 3D depth sensor for biometrics. The screen supports LTPO technology and offers a 1.5K resolution.

DCS claims the Magic 6 Ultimate Edition has a metal middle frame and a leather back. The 50-megapixel primary camera of the device is said to support f//4.0 to f/2.0 variable apertures and have an f/2.6 aperture. The setup is also said to include a 100-megapixel periscope telephoto camera, which allows the device to offer 100x digital zoom. Likely, the Magic 6 RSR may also offer similar specifications.

Under the hood, the Magic 6 Ultimate Edition is expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In addition, it is said to support 80W fast charging.

RELATED:

This ~$100 Xiaomi Shower Head Brings Temperature Control to Your Bathroom

By

Rajesh Regmi

-

Mar 11, 2024

Xiaomi has unveiled a new addition to its Mijia line of smart home products: the Mijia Temperature-Controlled Shower Head N1. The shower head is designed to deliver a comfortable showering experience. It’s currently undergoing crowdfunding on Xiaomi Youpin. So let’s get into its detail here.

Xiaomi Mijia Temperature-Controlled Shower Head N1 Specifications

The Mijia N1 features a two-part design, consisting of a fixed shower head and a detachable hand shower. This allows users to enjoy a wider showering area or target specific areas with the hand shower’s integrated spray gun function.

Its highlight feature though is of course the temperature-controlling feature. The shower head has a separate temperature control knob, allowing users to adjust the water temperature to their liking precisely.

The shower head also has three different spray modes — a boosted hand shower, a gentle sun shower, and a discreet lower water spray, all accessible with a simple button press.

Users also have the flexibility to control the water output, offering greater customization to suit their preferences. With hygiene at the forefront, the company says Mijia N1 has 59 brass body, offering high antibacterial protection.

Xiaomi claims that it offers 99.9% protection against common bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. To ensure durability, the temperature adjustment knob uses a ceramic valve core for an extended lifespan, while the water outlet is crafted from liquid silicone to resist aging. Moreover, the hand shower conveniently features an integrated spray gun function.

Price and Availability

The Xiaomi Mijia Temperature-Controlled Shower Head N1 is available for crowdfunding on Xiaomi Youpin at a price of 699 yuan. The crowdfunding period will run from March 13th to March 27th.

Related:

Vivo T3 5G officially teased in India, launch imminent

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Mar 11, 2024

Vivo has recently introduced the Vivo V30 and Vivo 30 Pro smartphones in India. There’s speculation surrounding the launch of the next Vivo phone in India, possibly the Vivo T3 5G, and recent teasers from the company hint at its imminent arrival. It seems likely that the T3 will be unveiled this month (March) in the country.

Vivo T3 5G teaser released in India

Lights, camera, Turbo! Yes, I am a part of Gen Turbo – thanks to my new #vivoT3 5G, my ticket to non-stop multitasking action!

Get your #vivoT3 5G exclusively on Flipkart. #GetSetTurbo pic.twitter.com/pizCcIDLXW
— vivo India (@Vivo_India) March 10, 2024

The above teaser confirms that the Vivo T3 5G will be launching soon in India. However, it neither reveals the device nor its specifications. It only confirms that the T3 will be sold through Flipkart, like its predecessor, the Vivo T2 5G.

To recall, the Vivo T2 5G, which debuted with a price tag of Rs 18,999 in April 2023, came equipped with the Snapdragon 695. It arrived as a rebranded version of the iQOO Z7 Pro 5G, which was sold through Amazon. Tomorrow (March 12), the iQOO Z9 5G equipped with the Dimensity 7200 will debut in India. It is speculated that the upcoming T3 could be a rebranded or tweaked version of the Z9 Pro.

According to recent reports, the Vivo T3 5G will have a 6.7-inch AMOLED FHD+ 120Hz display with up to 1800 nits of brightness. The D7200-powered device is expected to ship with 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB / 256 GB of built-in storage, 8 GB of virtual RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery with 44W fast charging. For photography, it will have a 16-megapixel front-facing camera, and an OIS-enabled 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 + 2-megapixel (bokeh) dual-camera system on the back.

The T3 will be available in Crystal Flake and Cosmic Blue shades. The device will likely carry a sub-Rs 20,000 price tag.

RELATED:

Poco X6 Neo display features confirmed via Flipkart page

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Mar 11, 2024

Poco recently confirmed that it will unveil the Poco X6 Neo on March 13 in India. With the launch of the device happening in just a few days, its landing page has emerged on Flipkart. It reveals that the device will be available in at least two colors. In addition, the page has also confirmed some display features of the device.

Poco X6 Neo key features

According to the brand, the Poco X6 Neo has a 120Hz AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. The punch-hole screen, which the company says is surrounded by slim bezels, promises a 93.3 percent screen-to-body ratio. The screen is shielded by Gorilla Glass 5.

Poco X6 Neo offers 93.3% screen-to-body ratio

The Poco X6 Neo has flat edges, and it measures 7.69mm in thickness. It is equipped with a 108-megapixel dual-camera system on the back. It appears that, apart from blue, the X6 Neo will also come in a beige option.

It appears that Poco will confirm the price of the X6 Neo on March 13. Considering that it will be positioned below the Poco X6, it appears that it will arrive with a sub-Rs 20,000 price tag. To recall, the Poco X6 has a starting price of Rs 21,999 in the country.

Reports have claimed that the X6 Neo will be a rebranded version of the Redmi Note 13R Pro, which is exclusively available in the Chinese market. Therefore, the X6 Neo may have a 6.67-inch AMOLED FHD+ 120Hz screen, a Dimensity 6080 chipset, LPDDR4x RAM, UFS 2.2 storage, a 16-megapixel front camera, a 108-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual-camera system, a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging, MIUI 14-based Android 13, and a side-facing fingerprint scanner.

RELATED:

Huawei’s New Patent for an Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor has Surfaced Online

By

Anubhav

-

Mar 11, 2024

Huawei recently unveiled a patent for a new “ultrasonic fingerprint” sensor, potentially signaling a move towards developing their own ultrasonic fingerprint technology. This comes as many phone makers currently rely on solutions from Goodix, which are restricted by Qualcomm patents.

Samsung’s Galaxy S10 was the first flagship smartphone to feature the sensor

The patent, titled “Ultrasonic fingerprint recognition module, system and electronic device” (CN117058725A), details a sensor design that promises improved fingerprint identification accuracy.

Currently, ultrasonic fingerprint sensors are used in some high-end phones, especially Samsung‘s flagship S-series smartphones. However, these solutions are limited by patents held by Qualcomm. Huawei‘s new patent suggests they’re aiming to create an alternative ultrasonic fingerprint recognition technology, potentially freeing them from reliance on other companies’ patents.

The specifics of the patent delve into the technical details of the sensor’s construction, including a stacked common electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and an array of pixel electrode units. The technical breakdown describes how the sensor operates in both transmitting and receiving modes to capture fingerprint information with greater accuracy.

While the technical details might be complex, the key takeaway is that Huawei’s new patent hints at their ambition to develop their own ultrasonic fingerprint technology, potentially reducing their dependence on other companies’ solutions in the future.

RELATED:

(Via)

Three Authors Sue Nvidia in a Bizarre AI Copyright War

By

Anubhav

-

Mar 10, 2024

Three authors are throwing a wrench into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with a lawsuit against chipmaker Nvidia. The fight centers around Nvidia’s AI platform, NeMo, which the authors claim used their copyrighted books for training without permission.

We can expect similar lawsuits to pop up due to the growing popularity of AI

Brian Keene, Abdi Nazemian, and Stewart O’Nan allege their works were included in a dataset of nearly 200,000 books used to train NeMo to mimic natural language writing. While Nvidia removed the dataset in October 2023 due to copyright infringement claims, the authors argue this takedown is an admission of guilt.

Filed in a San Francisco federal court, the proposed class-action lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for US authors whose copyrighted works potentially helped train NeMo’s large language models in the past three years.

The lawsuit mentions specific titles like Keene’s “Ghost Walk” (2008), Nazemian’s “Like a Love Story” (2019), and O’Nan’s “Last Night at the Lobster” (2007). As of Sunday, Nvidia declined to comment, and the authors’ lawyers haven’t responded to requests for further information.

This lawsuit adds Nvidia to a growing list of companies facing legal challenges from writers and media giants like the New York Times. The issue revolves around generative AI, a technology capable of creating new content based on existing text, images, and sounds.

RELATED:

(Via)

Dareu launches A980Pro and A980ProMax 8K gaming mice with 0.85-inch TFT color display in China

By

Soumyakanti

-

Mar 10, 2024

Dareu, a Chinese manufacturer of gaming peripherals, has announced the release of two new wireless gaming mice, the A980Pro and A980ProMax in the Chinese market.

Specifications:

Both mice support are equipped with the P3395 optical sensor, which offers a maximum DPI of 26000, 650 IPS tracking speed, and 50G maximum acceleration. They also feature Kailh GM 8.0 Black Mamba micro switches with a lifespan of 80 million clicks.

The Dareu A980Pro and A980ProMax feature three connectivity modes: wired, NearLink wireless, and Bluetooth 5.1, and can pair with three devices simultaneously. The NearLink wireless technology developed by Huawei boasts a low latency of around 1ms and a polling rate of up to 4000Hz in wireless mode and 8000Hz in wired mode.

The key difference between the two mice is that the A980ProMax features a 0.85-inch TFT color display screen that can display mouse status like battery indicator and static or dynamic images, and can also be used to switch DPI/polling rate and other functions.

The A980ProMax also has a metal scroll wheel and a larger battery capacity (930mAh) compared to the A980Pro (500mAh). However, the A980Pro supports fast charging, while the A980ProMax does not.

Both mice are made from magnesium alloy, which is said to be lighter, denser, and more durable than traditional materials. They are also equipped with Dareu’s new energy-saving wireless technology, which can last up to 70 hours in NearLink mode and up to 130 hours in Bluetooth mode on the A980Pro (the A980ProMax’s battery life is not specified).

The A980Pro weighs 62g, and the A980Pro Max is slightly heavier at 73g. Both mice have dimensions of 129mm x 72mm x 40mm, providing a comfortable size for various hand grips and gaming styles.

The DPI settings, lighting effects, polling rate, and customization of the TFT screen can be adjusted through the Dareu driver software. This software also allows for the configuration of macro keys to tailor the mouse to specific needs and preferences.

Pricing and Availability

The Dareu A980Pro is priced at 299 Yuan (around $42 USD), while the A980ProMax is priced at 399 Yuan (around $56 USD). Both mice are available for pre-order now on JD.com and will go on sale starting at 10:00 am on March 15th.

RELATED:

Xiaomi is removing a popular feature from HyperOS

By

Erencan Yılmaz

-

Mar 10, 2024

In an unexpected move, Xiaomi is removing that popular feature. Users will be looking for the background video playback option that came with MIUI 12 and will no longer be available in HyperOS. The Chinese brand has decided to remove it, probably after Google’s warning.

Because the ability to play videos in the background with the screen off was only available for premium users. This feature, which previously existed in applications such as YouTube, even users without a premium subscription could easily listen to the music they wanted in the background.

Xiaomi will gradually remove this feature from the video toolbox with new updates. The video toolbox was highly praised for its useful features and was added to MIUI 12. Now in MIUI 15 ( HyperOS as Xiaomi calls it), there will be no option to play videos with the screen off. Those who still want to use this feature will have to subscribe to YouTube’s Premium subscription.

Attention users of MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and HyperOS (MIUI 15) interface! If you upgrade the security app to the above-mentioned versions, the ability to play videos with the screen off will be disabled. This is not a problem and is officially stated by the brand itself.

So what happens now? Xiaomi has to comply with Google’s policies and unfortunately the feature has to be removed. Although users are upset, there is nothing to be done about it. Still, it should not be forgotten that there are different methods. Android is an open-source operating system. You can make any changes you want on the operating system and users can do whatever they want with a little research.

Lenovo Xiaoxin Pro 16 2024 with Intel Core Ultra 9-185H launching in April, specs revealed

By

Sudhanshu

-

Mar 10, 2024

In April, Lenovo plans to release a new version of its Xiaoxin Pro 16 2024 notebook featuring the Intel Core Ultra 9-185H in China. This update follows the series’ initial launch in December 2023 with the Ultra 5 125H version, and an Ultra 7 version being announced in January.

The notebooks are relatively light and thin, weighing 1.91 kg and measuring 17.5mm in thickness, making them portable. They’re powered by an 84Wh battery and feature high-speed memory with a bandwidth of up to 7467MT/s. The laptops support ARC core graphics and offer expansion slots for 2280 M.2 hard drives for those who need more storage.

Display quality is a strong point, with a 16-inch screen that has a 16:10 aspect ratio, 2.5K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 350 nits brightness, covering 100% of the sRGB.

For security, there’s IR+ToF face recognition for quick unlocking. For audio, the laptop is equipped with dual speakers. Connectivity-wise, the laptop offers Wi-Fi 6E, an SDXC card reader, a 3.5mm audio port, two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, a full-featured USB-C port, and a Thunderbolt 4 port.

Lenovo’s pricing for the earlier versions starts at 5,799 yuan for the 16GB RAM plus 1TB storage configuration, and 5,999 yuan for the 32GB RAM with 1TB storage.

RELATED:

(via)

ViewSonic launches VG2781-4K monitor for MacBooks with PD 96W reverse charging support

By

Soumyakanti

-

Mar 10, 2024

ViewSonic has launched a new 27-inch monitor called VG2781-4K designed specifically for Apple Mac users. The monitor is now available on JD.com in the Chinese market at a price of 1699 Yuan ($239). Let’s check out the key specs.

ViewSonic VG2781-4K Specifications:

The monitor boasts a minimalist design with a three-dimensional embossed logo and a subtle textured back. It features slim bezels with an inner black border of about 4.5mm and a micro bezel of about 1.5mm, maximizing screen real estate for an immersive viewing experience.

The monitor features a 4K Ultra HD 60Hz IPS screen with a brightness of 400 nits. In terms of color accuracy, it boasts a 10-bit color, covering 100% sRGB color gamut, 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, and 92% Adobe RGB color gamut.

The VG2781-4K also works with PS5/XBOX/Switch consoles. It can provide players with better gaming effects, making games smoother, more detailed, and more realistic. With a color depth of 10-bit (8+FRC) and a wide color gamut, the fine details of the image are fully displayed, making the color transitions smoother and more natural. The monitor meets the DeltaE≤2 color display accuracy standard, presenting exquisite images.

It comes with 178-degree viewing angles and is equipped with two 3W speakers. The stand of the monitor supports tilt, height adjustment, left-right swivel, and vertical rotation. It also includes features like DisplayHDR 400 and SuperColor Technology which enhances the viewing experience with improved brightness and color accuracy.

In terms of interfaces, this monitor is equipped with 1 USB-C port (supporting PD 96W charging), 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, 1 DP 1.2 port, 1 USB-B 3.0 port, and 3 USB-A 3.0 ports. It can transmit 4K images, and data and charge for MacBook or mobile devices using the Type-C cable.

This ViewSonic monitor uses low blue light technology to reduce harmful “blue light” output, combined with the high PPI of the monitor itself, making long-term viewing more comfortable. The blue light can be adjusted from 0 to 100 for Monocular Degree. Yesterday, the company also launched a new monitor called VX2776-2K-PRO which supports 2K resolution and 185Hz panel.

RELATED: