Google’s Bard AI Adds Image Generation with Gemini Pro & Expands Language Support

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Feb 2, 2024

Google has recently improved its Bard AI by adding Gemini Pro and a new image generation feature. These updates aim to make Bard more useful in different languages and regions, providing users with better tools.

Gemini Pro, introduced in English last December, is now in over 40 languages and 230 countries. This expansion lets users around the world benefit from Bard’s better understanding, reasoning, summarizing, and coding abilities. Independent evaluations have recognized Bard with Gemini Pro as a top-performing chatbot, praised for its significant improvements.

Along with expanding Gemini Pro, Google has also made the double-check feature more widely available. Initially for English users, it now supports over 40 languages. By clicking the “G” icon, users can ask Bard to check its answers against web content, helping verify information and explore additional sources.

A new feature in Bard is image generation, available globally in English. Users can describe something, and Bard will create custom, high-quality visuals. Powered by the updated Imagen 2 model, it aims to produce realistic images quickly.

Google emphasizes responsible AI in Bard’s image generation. To distinguish AI-created visuals from human art, Bard uses SynthID to add identifiable watermarks. Google has set limits to prevent generating violent, offensive, or explicit content and avoids creating images of specific individuals.

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Samsung Wireless Powerbank 10,000mAh surfaces online, offers 25W fast charging

By

Sean

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Feb 2, 2024

Samsung is apparently working on a new accessory for its mobile devices. The Samsung Wireless Powerbank 10,000mAh recently surfaced at a retailer. So here are all the details regarding the upcoming gadget’s pricing, specifications, and design.

Samsung Wireless Powerbank 10,000mAh

The South Korean tech giant’s upcoming powerbank was spotted at a German retailer by Roland Quandt, who shared images and details on X (formerly Twitter). Samsung will launch a pair of power banks soon, which were initially expected to launch alongside the Galaxy S24 lineup during the Galaxy Unpacked event. Looking at the tweet, one of these models is a 10,000mAh battery pack. It features a sleek matte design with rounded edges. It carries the model number EB-U2510.

The Samsung Wireless Powerbank 10,000mAh comes with two USB Type C ports and houses an LED indicator. This will likely display the battery capacity of this accessory. The power bank can output charging speeds of up to 25W from one of the USB Type C port. But if both ports are being used, the powerbank can only charge the two devices at a standard 10W. Another notable aspect of this device is the wireless charging pad, which can be seen on the top of the body.

In other words, the Samsung Wireless Powerbank 10,000mAh can charge three devices at the same time at a 7.5W charging speed. This power bank was spotted on a German retailer (Bechtle) for a price tag of around 39.26 EUR (roughly 43 US Dollars). Apart from this model, Samsung is also expected to launch a larger 20,000mAh battery variant that offers faster 45W fast charging.

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Elon Musk’s $56 Billion Tesla Pay Package That Surpasses Reserves of 100 Countries Central Banks Rejected by Court

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Feb 2, 2024

If you’ve reached the mid-20s, you’ve probably noticed that the world isn’t quite a fair place. Of course, hard work can lead to success, but there’s a serious prevailing issue of of income inequality. Consider an employee in the same company struggling with their monthly salary, while a high-level executive might earn in a year what the worker might not see in a lifetime. While of course equal salaries aren’t expected, It is not possible to ignore injustice. You don’t believe me? Recently, a court had to decide that Elon Musk’s $56 billion stock option package from Tesla’s board was excessive and needed cancellation. Here are the details…

Judge Rules Against Elon Musk’s $56 Billion Tesla Pay

The salaries and annual bonuses of tech CEOs have often been a topic of discussion. For example, in 2022, Tim Cook earned $99.4 million at Apple, with $3 million as his salary, $83 million from stock bonuses, and a $16.5 million bonus. Now, Elon Musk was set to receive a much much more impressive amount from Tesla, exactly six times larger than the combined pay of the top 200 executives.

Over the past decade, Elon Musk, Tesla’s founder and CEO, has achieved remarkable success. Tesla has not only become synonymous with electric vehicles but has also seen a substantial rise in its market value. In recognition of Musk’s contributions, Tesla’s board awarded him a $56 billion stock option package. To give you an idea of the scale, this amount surpasses the reserves of more than 100 central banks globally as of 2024.

That’s such a significant payment that even your own company needs court approval to grant it to you. However, a Delaware court judge deemed the $56 billion stock option package awarded to Elon Musk by Tesla’s board excessive and ruled that it should be canceled. The court cited concerns that the $56 billion payment rewarded the CEO without considering shareholders’ interests and highlighted that the board didn’t act independently enough in determining Musk’s compensation during the decision making process.

Tesla’s board of directors must craft a new compensation package and may prompt a review of the connection between Tesla shareholders and the CEO. Musk, in response, strongly advocated against incorporating the company in Delaware, stating, “Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware,” implying the potential relocation of Tesla to another state.

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Google’s AI Assistant, Bard, Might be Getting a Makeover as “Gemini”

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Feb 2, 2024

In a surprising move, Google may be preparing to rename Bard to Gemini. Recent code discoveries suggest the company may be planning to unify all of its AI efforts under the name “Gemini,” its latest AI model.

Tech researcher Bedros Pamboukian discovered flags on the public Bard website, allowing Google to easily replace all instances of “Bard” with “Gemini” throughout the site.

Notably, all text strings featuring “Bard” have corresponding alternatives with “Gemini,” visible in the code of the Bard website. The only Bard reference left untouched by Google seems to be the logo label in the header.

It's… everywhere. The only "Bard" spared is the label logo image in the top left ("Bard [Experiment]"). Can still find Bard in the FAQ for now. (3/7) pic.twitter.com/UtquZmFJGj
— Bedros Pamboukian (@bedros_p) February 1, 2024

Even the unreleased paid version of Bard, known as “Bard Advanced,” is found to be internally referred to as “Gemini Advanced.” While seemingly straightforward, the new name could lead to confusion with the existing complexity levels of the underlying Gemini model (“Nano,” “Pro,” and “Ultra”).

The potential rebranding aligns with 9to5Google’s recent discovery that Google was planning to rename its AI-powered Assistant to “Gemini,” previously hinted at as “Assistant with Bard” during the announcement.

Google rename Bard to Gemini — Bard replaced with Gemini

By renaming both Bard and Assistant, Google could streamline its generative AI branding under the comprehensive “Gemini” umbrella. “Gemini” would then cover both consumer-ready products and the underlying technology.

Nevertheless, even if Bard undergoes a rebrand, other generative AI products like “Duet AI” in Workspace may retain their current names.

Google may be aiming for a clearer distinction between Workspace tools and consumer offerings while maintaining a more unified overall image. Compared to rivals like Siri and Alexa, “Gemini” could provide a more distinctive identity for Google’s AI assistant.

In related news, Google this week introduced Generative AI features to Google Maps that will help users for personalized place discovery.

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POCO X6 Neo may launch in India next month: Tipster

By

Sean

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Feb 2, 2024

Xiaomi is apparently planning on launching a new smartphone model in India soon from its POCO sub brand. The device in question is the POCO X6 Neo, which is rumored to launch next month. So here is everything we know so far.

POCO X6 Neo India Launch

The news arrives from the tipster @saaaanjjjuuu who shared the information on X (formerly Twitter). He claimed that the Chinese smartphone maker is planning on releasing the POCO X6 Neo in the region next month. This means that the release is set for sometime in March 2024. Apart from this, the tipster also revealed the key specs and pricing details of the upcoming device.

This model could sport a tall 6.67-inch AMOLED display that offers 120Hz refresh. Under the hood, it is reportedly equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 SoC. Sanju claims that the new smartphone will be powered by a large 5,000mAh battery pack that supports 33W wired fast charging. Other notable features include IP54 rating for water and dust resistance and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Lastly, the POCO X6 Neo’s pricing was also tipped in this tweet. This model is expected to be priced around 15,000 INR (roughly 180 US Dollars). Although, the smartphone may launch under the 15,000 INR mark as well. For those unaware, the POCO X6 Neo is expected to be a rebranded Redmi Note 13R Pro since both carry similar model numbers. This is all the information we have at the moment so stick around fore more updates.

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New Qualcomm chip, Snapdragon SM8635, surfaces in rumors; its not 8 Gen 4

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Feb 2, 2024

Qualcomm might be working on a new processor in the Snapdragon 8 Gen series. It’s not the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 that has been recently rumored. Instead, rumors suggest that it could be a lighter version of the current flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.

Digital Chat Station, a reliable source for leaks, recently shared details about a new chip, codenamed SM8635, on Weibo. Although the tipster didn’t share its official name, the codename suggests that the chip likely belongs to the Snapdragon 8 series.

According to the leaked information, the chip is equipped with a 2.9GHz ARM Cortex X4 core and an Adreno 735 GPU. The tipster also shared that it has an AnTuTu score of over 1.7 million. If accurate, this score would place the SM8635 above the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in terms of raw performance. So we are guessing, it could be a lite version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

However, Roland Quandt, another leaker, recently shared that Qualcomm has two similar chips in development — the SM8635 and the SM7675. This brings up some confusion about the position of the SM8635 within the Snapdragon lineup.

Really wonder what the difference between SM8635 and SM7675 will be. They both show up looking basically identical, but…. I've never seen this happen with anything Qualcomm. Two model numbers for the same chip…
— Roland Quandt (@rquandt) January 30, 2024

The “SM7675” is reported to be the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, and Digital Chat Station previously said it to be the most powerful chipset in the Snapdragon 7 series.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the chip itself, several smartphone models are rumored to be equipped with the SM8635. These include the Poco F6, previously expected to use the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, the Redmi Note 13 Turbo, and an upcoming iQOO Neo-series phone.

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Boat Rockerz 255 ANC neckband unveiled featuring 32 dB noise canceling, launching soon in India

By

Sudhanshu

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Feb 2, 2024

The popular Indian electronics brand Boat has announced the launch of its latest audio product called the Boat Rockerz 255 ANC neckband. A few days back, the brand launched a couple of TWS earbuds in the market called the Boat Immortal 201 and Airdopes 91.

Boat Rockerz 255 ANC neckband specs:

Key features of the Rockerz 255 ANC include 13mm drivers and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) capable of reducing external noise by over 32 dB. The neckband has a long battery life, providing 100 hours of playtime. Additionally, it comes with a fast-charging feature, offering 24 hours of playback time with just a 10-minute charge.

Users will have access to dual EQ modes: Boat Spatial Audio for a 3D immersive sound experience and Boat Signature Sound, easily switchable with a double tap on the ANC button. The neckband’s low latency of 60ms is particularly beneficial for gamers and those who require synchronous audio and video.

The Boat Hearables App further enhances the user experience, offering various customizable features like Button/touch control mapping, Equalizer (EQ) settings, and more. Other functionalities of the Rockerz 255 ANC include Google Fast Pair, Multipoint connectivity, Adaptive EQ, and a magnetic power on/off feature.

Pricing & availability

The Rockerz 255 ANC, which will be available at an introductory price of Rs.1,799 is set to make its debut on February 7th at 12 AM on Amazon India. It will be available in Blue and Pink color options.

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Oppo Find N3, Find N3 Collector’s Edition, and Oppo Find N3 Flip Start Receiving Stable ColorOS 14.0 Update

By

Simranpal Singh

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Feb 2, 2024

After the Android 14 Open Beta and the second batch, Oppo is now seeding the official ColorOS 14 update for the Oppo Find N3. The new update is rolling out in China for the Oppo N3, Oppo N3 Collector’s Edition, and Oppo N3 Flip. The Flip Phone is receiving the ColorOS 14.0.0.400 firmware, while the Oppo N3 and Oppo N3 Collector’s Edition receive the ColorOS 14.0.0.401 firmware.

ColorOS 14.0 Features for Oppo Find N3, Oppo Find N3 Flip and Find N3 Collector’s Edition

All three smartphones will receive the ColorOS 14.0 goodies and the Android 14 features. One notable addition is the introduction of floating window support for home screen applications, providing users with more flexibility in multitasking. Another feature is the ability to shake the device to change songs or intercept notifications, adding a convenient and intuitive element to user interactions.

Customization options have been expanded with the inclusion of customizable status bar font styles, allowing users to personalize the visual aspects of their devices further. Additionally, optimizations have been made to display transitions, audio effects, and lock screen layouts, contributing to a smoother and more refined user interface. Improved bounce animations and facial recognition speed improve the lock screen experience. System notifications are clearer, and vibrations are more immersive. Users can now customize app screen refresh rates for more display flexibility. Color display optimization in eye protection and ambient color adaptation modes improves viewing comfort.

In the gallery, users can now alter photos with the added capacity to restore them to their original state. Users may be more creative and flexible with this photo editing option.

Steps to Get ColorOS 14.0 Update

Prerequisites:

The user should backup important data, as the update may erase all the important personal data.
Some apps may have compatibility issues with the latest Android 14-based update. You should update all the apps.
The Oppo Find N3 Series smartphones must be running Firmware 13.2.0.300 to get the Android 14 update.

Note: Some applications may not work properly, and your device may heat up for a couple of days. Due to after-upgrade optimizations, the smartphone may consume more battery, resulting in heating and fast battery drain.

Steps:

Navigate to Settings > About device > Tap the top of the page > Tap the icon on the top right > Early Adapter Version > Official version > Apply Now. Fill in your information, and then the Oppo employees will verify and approve your device for the update.
After a successful application, proceed to update your device by going to About Device and selecting “Download Now.”

For more information, users can head over to the official announcement thread.

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Tim Cook confirms AI features are coming to Apple products ‘later this year’

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Feb 2, 2024

Apple‘s CEO, Tim Cook, has revealed that the company is actively working on introducing generative AI features “later this year.” Cook made this remark during Apple’s quarterly earnings call.

Tim Cook highlighted Apple’s effort in the field of AI saying, “As we look ahead, we will continue to invest in these and other technologies that will shape the future. That includes artificial intelligence, where we continue to spend a tremendous amount of time and effort, and we’re excited to share the details of our ongoing work in that space later this year.”

The company’s focus on generative AI aligns with recent reports by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman who said that the upcoming iOS 18 update could be the “biggest” in the operating system’s history.

Big players like Google and Samsung are already using AI to bring innovative new features to users. So, it’s only a matter of time before Apple joins the AI bandwagon. And now the CEO himself has confirmed that AI is on its way to Apple products.

Rumors suggest that Apple may introduce a more intelligent version of Siri, possibly named “Siri 2.0,” with generative AI capabilities.

Additionally, there are speculations about AI integration in Apple Music for better playlist recommendations and in Messages for smarter replies. Further, Apple is expected to seamlessly integrate AI across its software platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

Although Cook didn’t explicitly mention the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), the indication of a “later this year” timeframe suggests a possible announcement at Apple’s annual developer conference in June. If not initially included, these AI features could be introduced through subsequent software updates.

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iQOO Neo 9 Pro pre-booking kicks off in India this month, Check special offers

By

Sean

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Feb 2, 2024

iQOO is planning on announcing the Neo 9 Pro in the Indian market soon. But ahead of the launch, the company has revealed the pre-booking details for the upcoming smartphone. So here’s everything you need to know regarding the special offers.

iQOO Neo 9 Pro Pre-Booking

The Chinese smartphone maker officially revealed that the iQOO Neo 9 Pro will be available for pre-booking on 8th February 2024 at 12 PM IST. It will also arrive with exclusive offers via Amazon India as well as the brand’s official website. Buyers can pre-book for a refundable amount of 1,000 INR. You can also get an additional discount of 1,000 INR if you pre-book the device. Other notable benefits include various offers on launch day and 2 year warranty.

It is worth noting that the pre-book stocks are only available in limited numbers and that the company is only offering the Neo 9 Pro on a first come first serve basis. Talking about the smartphone itself, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. This is a flagship grade processor that helped it receive a score of over 1.7 million on AnTuTu.

This chipset will be paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. A large 5,160mAh battery pack powers this device, which will support 120W fast charging. The rear will pack a 50-megapixel Sony IMX920 primary sensor that is paired with an 8-megapixel ultra wide angle lens. iQOO will release the Neo 9 Pro in a Fiery Red and Conqueror Black color option.

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NIO expands Urban Road coverage and achieves milestone deliveries in January 2024

By

Joane

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Feb 2, 2024

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer NIO, has successfully doubled the coverage of its Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) capabilities on urban roads in China. As of the end of January, the Navigate on Pilot Plus (NOP+) urban road coverage reached an impressive 651,640 kilometers, marking a remarkable growth of 103.75% from the previous month.

The NOP+ coverage expansion is particularly noteworthy, demonstrating a gain of 331,819 kilometers in January alone. This surge brings the total coverage to over 1 million kilometers when considering highways and urban expressways. The city-specific achievements are equally impressive, with NOP+ achieving 99.2% coverage of Shanghai’s main roads and 93% coverage of the entire road network. Other cities with high NIO vehicle ownership, including Beijing, Zhengzhou, Chengdu, and Suzhou, showcase ultra-high-density coverage.

The growth extends beyond geographical reach. The number of cities covered by NOP+ soared from 208 at the end of December to an impressive 606 by the end of January. Importantly, NOP+ now encompasses all cities in China’s 34 first-tier administrative regions, excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

In tandem with these technological advancements, NIO delivered 10,055 electric vehicles in January 2024, marking an 18.2% increase from last year. However, the month-on-month comparison reveals a 44% decline, aligning with market expectations. The cumulative deliveries reached an impressive 459,649 as of January 31, 2024, with the impact of the Chinese New Year falling on February 10 creating a temporary anomaly in year-on-year comparisons.

Breaking down the deliveries, 6,307 SUVs and 3,748 sedans were included in January’s figures, with the Nio ES6 SUV contributing 40% of sales. The ET5 and its station wagon variant, ET5 Touring, accounted for nearly 30% of sales. Nio’s battery swap alliance continues to expand, with notable members including Geely, Changan, JAC, and Chery.

Looking ahead, NIO’s plans for 2024 include no new model launches, but annual updates for the existing lineup are expected. The highly anticipated executive sedan ET9 is set to launch in early 2025, with the entry-level Alps brand unveiling in March or April 2024, and deliveries scheduled for later in the year. Nio aims to launch its second sub-brand, Firefly, focusing on small electric cars in 2025.

With an expanding sales team and the launch of the ALPS sub-brand anticipated to stimulate growth, NIO remains at the forefront of the evolving electric vehicle landscape. The pre-market trading reflects the market response, with NIO shares up by 2.67%.

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Honor Choice Earbuds X5 to launch in India soon, Amazon Landing Page live

By

Sean

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Feb 2, 2024

HTech is set to release a bunch of new Honor branded products in the Indian market soon. The company is gearing up to unveil the Honor X9b smartphone and the Honor Choice Watch in the region. And now, a new listing has revealed that the Honor Choice Earbuds X5 will also be launching soon.

Honor Choice Earbuds X5 spotted on Amazon India

To recall, the brand’s Honor X9b smartphone is set to launch in India on February 15. The company recently teased the anti-drop display feature as well earlier this week. Soon after the teaser, a leak from a tipster revealed that the smartphone will be arriving in the country alongside the Honor X9b. However, it appears that the Honor Choice Earbuds X5 will be joining the two devices.

As the name suggests, it is a pair of truly wireless earbuds that was previously teased to launch in India. In a leak, the packaging retail box was revealed and the latest sighting is on Amazon. The landing page e-commerce platform lists the TWS earbuds with the tagline “Unlock the eXtra”. It also adds that the earbuds will be an Amazon Specials product, which will be “Coming Soon.”

The Honor Choice Earbuds X5 earbuds were previously released in the Chinese market, which offers us an idea regarding its specifications. The Choice Earbuds X5 features 10mm audio drivers and dual microphones for ENC as well as ANC of up to 30 decibels. It supports AAC and SBC audio codecs along with low latency gaming, and Bluetooth 5.3 support.

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Lava Yuva 3 with UNISOC T606 SoC, 6.5″ HD+ & 18W fast charging launched in India; Check pricing & availability

By

Sudhanshu

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Feb 2, 2024

Lava International, India’s homegrown smartphone brand, has introduced the Yuva 3, targeting the needs of young consumers in India. The phone combines modern design and impressive performance at an accessible price.

Lava Yuva 3 specs:

Key features of the Yuva 3 include a premium back design with flat sides, a side fingerprint sensor for security, and a generous storage capacity with options of 64GB and 128GB using UFS 2.2 ROM. It is equipped with 4 GB RAM and has an option to extend it to 8GB virtually. Under the hood, the smartphone has a UNISOC T606 Octa-core processor.

The Yuva 3 boasts a long-lasting 5000 mAh battery supported by 18W Fast Charging with a Type-C USB Cable. The 6.5-inch HD+ Punch Hole Display features 90Hz refresh rate. For photography enthusiasts, the phone offers a 13MP Triple AI rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Additional features include a bottom-firing speaker, stock Android 13, and face unlock capabilities. It has a 3.5mm audio jack as well.

Pricing & availability

Available for purchase from February 7, 2024, on Amazon, and from February 10, 2024, through Lava’s retail network and e-store, the Yuva 3 is set to be a competitive option in the affordable smartphone category. The smartphone will be available in three color variants: Eclipse Black, Cosmic Lavender, and Galaxy White. In terms of pricing, the 64GB model is priced at Rs 6,799, while the 128GB model is available at Rs 7,299.

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YouTube Premium and Music Cross 100 Million Subscribers

By

Simranpal Singh

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Feb 2, 2024

Being the most browsed video platform, YouTube has over a billion daily users. However, access to its paid services, aka YouTube Premium and YouTube Music, is slowly and gradually picking up. In an exciting revelation, YouTube Music and Premium proudly announce the achievement of surpassing 100 million subscribers, a significant milestone that includes trial users.

Launched in 2015 as a new subscription service along with YouTube Music, YouTube Premium finally surpassed 100 million subscribers. The ad-free experience and access to a vast YouTube music library have made the subscription model a success. It also offers additional features like an uninterrupted experience, background play, downloads, and an extensive music catalog. Further, the recent rebranding, expanded offerings, and access in over 100 countries have made it the user’s choice in the past some time. Speaking on the occasion, Adam Smith, Vice President of Product Management at YouTube, said:

"Beyond features, we know what truly makes viewers and listeners keep choosing YouTube - it’s the incredible content from our creators and artists. YouTube Premium helps maintain a thriving creator and artist community, providing them with an additional source of revenue from subscriptions."

With the advent of AI, YouTube has added several AI-based features and also offers enhanced bitrate 1080P HD quality videos. It enables seamless cross-device watching. YouTube Music recently received the Samples tab for new music discovery in reel format. YouTube Music also brings the integration of podcasts and a customized radio-building experience. It recently added the ability to find music by singing them.

Apart from the user perspective, the YouTube Premium subscription contributes to the prosperity of the creator and artist communities by providing them with an additional source of revenue through subscriptions.

YouTube remains committed to delivering a best-in-class experience, with a focus on continuous support for the thriving creator and artist community. We hope YouTube introduces some more useful features that benefit the creator community and its users too.

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Meitu’s profits soar: Advancements in AI lead to success despite challenges in the industry

By

Joane

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Feb 2, 2024

Meitu, the Hong Kong-listed tech company, has reported a remarkable surge in profits for the year 2023, tripling its net profit to an estimated range of US$46.36 million to US$51.98 million. This substantial increase, exceeding 200% compared to the 2022 net profit is attributed to the success of its new generative AI-based image and productivity tools.

The tools, namely “Action” for narrated videos and “X-Design” for creating graphics for product and service posters, have outperformed expectations in terms of user growth and subscription conversion. Meitu’s ability to monetize generative AI tools stands in contrast to challenges faced by major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Advanced Micro Devices, which have struggled to turn a profit from their own AI initiatives.

This success has also translated into global expansion for Meitu, with products now available in 195 countries and regions. The company experienced rapid growth in subscribers outside mainland China, marking a significant milestone in its international presence.

Founded in 2008 in Xiamen, Meitu initially gained success with a selfie app for touch-ups. However, the company faced setbacks with unsuccessful ventures in the smartphone market and social media, as well as significant investments in cryptocurrencies. Despite warnings to investors in July 2022 about potential losses due to cryptocurrency market volatility, Meitu’s recent focus on generative AI has boosted investor confidence, leading to a more than 7% jump in shares upon announcing the 2023 profit estimates.

While Meitu’s shares experienced an 11% pullback recently, shareholders remain up 68% over the last three years. The quarterly performance saw a 27% drop in share price, causing concerns among investors. Despite these short-term fluctuations, Meitu’s long-term returns have been significant, outperforming the market by 67% over three years.

Meitu’s CEO, Wu Xinhong, emphasized the company’s commitment to understanding AI technology, including employee training programs. The total shareholder return (TSR) for Meitu shareholders over the past year stands at 41%, including dividends, indicating a positive trajectory for the business. As investors navigate the recent pullback, there is a call to examine whether the fundamentals align with the share price and to consider Meitu’s future outlook beyond historical profits.

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Google Maps Adds Generative AI for Personalized Place Discovery

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Feb 2, 2024

Google Maps is testing a new feature powered by generative AI, allowing users to discover places based on their specific needs expressed in natural language. However, this feature is currently only available to a select group of “Local Guides” in the US, limiting its accessibility for now.

This select group can experience the power of AI-powered place discovery, tailored to their specific needs and expressed in everyday language.

Here’s how the feature works. Users can express their preferences using natural language in the Google Maps app, such as a motel for tonight with various dietary restrictions. The AI then analyzes Google’s extensive database of locations and will provide personalized recommendations with photos, ratings, and reviews. Users can further refine their search by asking follow-up questions without needing to rephrase their initial query.

According to Google, the system is designed to work “no matter how specific, niche, or broad your needs might be.” To illustrate this, the company shared an example involving searching for thrift stores in San Francisco, where users can simply inquire about “places with a vintage vibe in SF.”

You will then get the results that neatly categorized into sections such as clothing stores, vinyl shops, and flea markets. Each category includes photo carousels and review summaries, helping users understand why a particular place might be of interest to them.

Google emphasizes that this is a closed beta program, aiming to gather feedback from Local Guides before a wider release. The company says this feedback will help shape the feature and ensure it meets user needs effectively.

While the current availability is limited, this integration of generative AI into Google Maps certainly feels like a useful features for new travellers in new city and country. Once refined and made available to a broader audience, I can see it enhance the way users explore their surroundings and find hidden gems.

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Xbox Vapor Wireless Controllers launched with customizable buttons, thumbstick & grips

By

Sudhanshu

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Feb 2, 2024

Microsoft has added new options to its Xbox controller line with the Vapor series. This includes the Xbox Wireless Controller – Dream Vapor Special Edition, notable for its pink and purple swirl look. This series builds on the earlier Stormcloud Vapor model and lets gamers choose their own designs.

In the Xbox Design Lab, the Vapor series offers six unique top-case colors. Choices include Fire Vapor in red and orange, Stormcloud Vapor in blue, and Cyber Vapor in pink and purple. This lets players pick a style that suits them.

The controllers can be further personalized. Gamers can choose different buttons and thumbsticks, and add extras like metal triggers, D-pads, and grips with a rubber feel. They can also put their own engravings on the controller.

The Dream Vapor Special Edition has purple grips, pink buttons, and purple details. It also comes with a special background for the Xbox Series X|S consoles.

These controllers have a long battery life of up to 40 hours and can connect via Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless. They’re compatible with different devices, including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PCs, and smartphones.

Microsoft also released the Vapor Hoodie that matches the controller colors. It comes in three color patterns.

The Dream Vapor Special Edition controller is up for pre-order at $69.99/€69.99 in some markets, the same price as other colors in the series. Shipping for the Dream Vapor Special Edition starts on February 6, 2024. In India, the controller will have a price tag of ₹6,390 and will be available to buy starting 12th March 2024.

Preorder the Microsoft Xbox Controller Dream Vapor Special Edition on Amazon

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Redmi K70 Ultra tipped to house a massive 5,500mAh battery pack

By

Sean

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Feb 2, 2024

Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the new Redmi K70 Ultra model in its home market of China. But various leaks and rumors have already revealed a bunch of its specifications ahead of the official release. Now, the latest rumor has even shared details regarding a large battery pack for the upcoming smartphone.

Redmi K70 Ultra Battery Specs

The Chinese tech giant is set to launch the Redmi K70 Ultra and the Note 13 Turbo in the first half of this year. Details regarding the K70 Ultra have been surfacing online over the last couple of weeks and the latest information revealed its battery specifications. In a new Weibo post, tipster Smart Pikachu shared the battery specifications of the former.

The online post claimed that the Redmi K70 Ultra will be powered by a battery pack that is larger than 5,000mAh in capacity. When a Weibo user asked if this meant a 5,500mAh battery pack, the tipster simply replied with a thumbs up emoji. In other words, the massive 5,500mAh capacity is likely the battery that powers the new smartphone. The leak adds that a new Redmi tablet is set to launch in China soon as well.

Based on what we know so far, the Redmi K70 Ultra is expected to sport an OLED display with 1.5K resolution and up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness. Under the hood, the handset is equipped with MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 SoC that is paired with up to 24GB of LPDDR5T RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. This is all the information we have at the moment, so stick around for more updates.

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Samsung may re-release Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Tab S6 Lite in 2024

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Feb 2, 2024

Samsung is tipped to re-release two products. This won’t be the first as the company has already done it in recent years.

The firm is said to re-launch a tablet and a smartwatch. The former was originally released almost four years ago, while the latter is nearly three years old.

The devices in question are Galaxy Tab S6 Lite and Galaxy Watch 4. This piece of information comes from reliable tipster Roland Quandt.

He says that the aforementioned products will bear ‘2024’ in their names. The branding goes in line with the previously re-launched devices.

Unfortunately, he does not reveal anything else other than the names. Anyway, we expect to learn more about these products in the coming days.

This will be Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s second re-release. The tablet was initially launched in 2020 with an Exynos 9611 chip. It was launched again in 2022 with Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G and Snapdragon 720G chipsets.

On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 4 was originally released in 2021. The 2024 edition will be its first re-release.

Currently, we don’t know whether the upcoming models will differ in terms of specs. We cannot assume anything as the 2022 edition of Galaxy S20 FE was the same as the original from 2020.

However, we are certain that there may not be hardware changes but the devices will definitely arrive with newer firmware.

Meanwhile, if you are in a hurry, you can get the latest Galaxy Watch 6 series from sites like Amazon.

Please Note: If you buy something via one of our affiliate links, Gizmochina may earn a commission.

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Mechanike Sugon desktop setup with i7-14700K and RTX 4060 launched for 8,499 yuan (~$1200)

By

Debasish

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Feb 2, 2024

Chinese computer manufacturer Mechanike has introduced a new model to its Sugon lineup, featuring an impressive combination of hardware components. Priced at an initial offering of 8,499 yuan (~$1200), the Sugon desktop setup boasts a powerful configuration, catering to users with demanding computing needs.

Technical details of the high-performance computing solution

The centerpiece of this Sugon model is the 14th generation Intel Core i7-14700K processor, a 20-core 28-thread powerhouse with a maximum core frequency of 5.6GHz. Complementing the robust processing capabilities is the Nvidia RTX 4060 8GB graphics card, providing a significant boost for graphics-intensive tasks. The system also includes 16GB of DDR5 5600MHz high-speed memory and a spacious 1TB PCIe 4.0 high-speed SSD, ensuring quick and efficient data access.

The chassis of the host features a WINDCROSS 5.0 water-cooled cooling system. This cooling solution incorporates a three-in and three-out balanced air duct layout, a 240 full-blood specification water-cooled radiator, and customizable lighting effects. The light strip comes with 16 preset lighting effects, supporting one-click switching and software dimming, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the system. Moreover, the host is equipped with a variety of interfaces, including 2 USB-A interfaces, 1 USB-C interface, and 1 3.5mm audio interface on the front.

The detailed specifications of the rear interface and other connections have not been officially disclosed. The system comes with a 650W 80PLUS bronze power supply, ensuring stable and reliable performance. Connectivity features include a WiFi 6 wireless network card and Bluetooth 5.2 support.

In terms of the operating system, the Mechanic Sugon computer host comes pre-installed with the genuine Windows 11 Home Chinese version. The entire system, known as the Mechanic Dawn Desktop, is approximately 15kg in weight.

This is a high-performance computing solution that caters to demanding tasks such as gaming, content creation, and other resource-intensive applications.

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