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Sony’s Chip Unit Offers Full Remote Work to Software Engineers to Attract Quality Talent

Sony Semiconductor Solutions, a subsidiary of Sony Group, is taking steps to attract and retain talent in priority areas such as software development and artificial intelligence. To achieve this, the company has announced a full remote work option for mid-career hires. It is looking to hire 10 to 20 engineers for remote work positions, with recruitment currently ongoing for 11 positions in AI model quality control, cloud technology development, and imaging processing technology required for edge AI.

sony

By introducing the full remote work option, Sony is aligning its semiconductor business model beyond being just a component supplier. The division’s primary source of earnings is from image sensors for cameras in Apple’s iPhone and other devices. However, Sony wants to expand its reach by introducing the AITRIOS platform. This platform uses cameras equipped with Sony chips and AI processing to study an environment and provide ways to improve efficiency.

The AITRIOS platform debuted in Japan in November, and Sony began offering the platform in Japan and the US for big companies that want to use it with existing IT infrastructures in January. To develop applications for AITRIOS, Sony requires expertise in both advanced AI and cloud engineering since the platform sends only metadata, not actual images, to the cloud.

While the full remote work option is only currently available in the semiconductor division, Sony may expand it to other parts of the group as competition for tech talent increases worldwide. Sony Semiconductor Solutions is taking this step to cast a wider net and attract the talent required to support the expansion of its business beyond its current offerings.

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Investigation Shows Google Profiting from Anti-Abortion Ads Targeting Pregnant Women

Google has been accused of profiting from misleading adverts that direct pregnant women to anti-abortion groups that offer false medical advice and pressure them to keep their pregnancies.

The Guardian reports that according to an investigation by the Observer, Google UK has been displaying adverts for crisis pregnancy centres (CPCs) run by anti-abortion organisations when users search for terms such as “NHS abortion advice”, “confidential abortion support” and “pregnant options”.

CPCs are unregulated clinics that often pose as neutral sources of information and counselling, but in reality, have a hidden agenda to dissuade women from accessing legal abortion services. Some of them have been found to use scare tactics, misinformation and emotional manipulation to influence women’s decisions.

The Guardian analysed 251 adverts shown by Google UK to a user searching 40 key phrases related to abortion in February 2023. Out of these, 117 adverts (47%) were for CPCs run by anti-abortion groups such as Life Charity in the country.

The report quotes Lisa Hallgarten, head of policy at young people’s sexual health charity Brook, who described the marketing approach as “clearly immoral” and said adverts provided to those searching terms such as “NHS abortion advice” could delay women’s access to healthcare.

“We are really concerned that people looking for impartial support are being directed to organisations and websites where they could experience the complete opposite,” she said. Pam Lowe, an expert on anti-abortion activism in the United Kingdom, said: “Anyone who puts ‘NHS abortion’ into Google should be shown a link to the NHS website as the first result. There’s a risk that people could end up with biased information.”

Google’s advertising policy states that it does not allow ads for products or services that are “deceptive” or “misleading”. It also states that it does not allow ads for healthcare services that are “unlawful” or “harmful”. However, Google has failed to enforce its own policy and remove these ads from its platform.

The report also points out that Google has a history of allowing anti-abortion groups to target pregnant women with misleading ads in other countries such as the United States, where CPCs are more widespread and influential in the conservative community.

Google’s failure to act on these ads has been criticised by pro-choice campaigners, medical experts and politicians who say that it is putting women’s health and rights at risk. They argue that Google is profiting from exploiting vulnerable women who are seeking reliable information on this sensitive issue.

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Gmail Gets Optimized Interface for Foldable Phones Like Galaxy Z Fold 4

Google has launched a new interface for Gmail that is optimized for foldable phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. The new interface features a 2-pane layout, which allows users to see their inbox on the left half of the screen while an open email is displayed on the right.

Gmail Gets Optimized Interface for Foldable Phones

This update aims to make multitasking easier and to save users from the hassle of switching back and forth between their inboxes and emails. The left pane shows the inbox and other folders, while the right pane shows the selected email. The search bar is located above the inbox, and the Compose button is visible on the left pane. The bottom bar extends across the entire screen.

The new interface is not limited to Gmail only. It is also available for Google Meet and Chat. Users can easily switch between apps and services without having to adjust window sizes.

Google has been focusing on foldable phones and tablets, and this new interface is a part of its efforts to provide a top-notch user experience on large-screen devices. Google has also launched a new tablet-first operating system, Android 12L, that is specifically designed for large-screen devices. It features a vertically split notification shade that provides users with more information at a glance. It also includes a taskbar that makes it easy to switch between tasks and launch apps.

Google’s renewed interest in foldable phones and tablets is likely because the company is planning to launch its own tablet and foldable phone in the future. With the new interface for Gmail, Google is showing its commitment to providing a seamless user experience on these devices and is willing to invest in new software tricks to make it happen.

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Google Search Under Fire for Promoting Websites That Scam Customers with Fake Amex Accounts

A shocking scam involving fake websites that impersonate real businesses and charge customers with fake Amex merchant accounts has been exposed by Cory Doctorow, a writer and activist who writes about technology and society.

Doctorow shared his story on Twitter, where he told how he was scammed when he tried to buy some takeout food from a website called kiinthaila.com. He found out that the website was actually a fake one created by scammers using Wix, a platform that allows anyone to create websites effortlessly. The scammers also created fraudulent Amex merchant accounts for real businesses and used them to charge customers who ordered from their fake websites.

Doctorow contacted Amex to report the fraud, but he was disappointed by their response. He said they did not seem interested in investigating the scam or shutting down the fraudulent accounts. He also pointed out that Google was promoting these scammers by showing their ads as the first search result instead of the official website, which is kiinthaiburbank.com.

This scam is not only harmful to customers who lose their money and trust, but also to legitimate businesses whose names and reputations are damaged by these scammers. It is alarming that Google even allows these scammers to manipulate its search results and put its users at risk.

For Illustration Purposes: Google Getting Flamed

The tweet has then since garnered over 66.9 thousand likes on Twitter as of publishing, increasing the pressure on Google to put measures in place to prevent the scams from occurring.

In other news, Microsoft is aiming for Google’s search engine market share. This month, the tech giant Microsoft announced that it is bringing OpenAI’s latest GPT-4 technology to the company’s search engine, Bing. To read more on the new Bing, you can follow our coverage here.

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HMD Launches Affordable Nokia G22 With a Promise of Repairability

Just a day ahead of MWC 2023, HMD has launched the new Nokia G22 with an emphasis on repairability and sustainability. The company has joined hands with iFixit to provide the tools, guide, and parts you’d need to fix the display, charging port, or battery on the handset. Nokia G22 also comes with decent specifications, including an Unisoc processor, 90Hz display, and more. Read on to learn more about the newly launched handset.

Nokia G22

The Nokia G22 comes with a key focus on sustainability. With a 100% recycled plastic back cover, up to 3 years of warranty and updates, and a 3-day battery life, it is made for those who want to keep their phones as long as possible. The handset is also self-repairable. As per the company, a battery replacement of the Nokia G22 will take around 5 minutes, and replacing the display will take about 20 minutes.

As mentioned, HMD has partnered with HMD to even provide you with official repair guides, parts, and tools to fix issues. If we talk about the specs, the Nokia G22 brings a 6.52-inch display with an HD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. There’s Gorilla Glass 3 protection as well. You get an 8MP front-facing camera and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.

Nokia G22

Powered by the entry-level Unisoc T606 chipset, the Nokia G22 packs 4GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB storage. On the software front, the handset runs Android 12 with a promise of 2 OS upgrades and 3 years of security updates. For photography, the Nokia smartphone gets a triple camera unit with a 50MP main camera, a 2MP macro unit, and a 2MP depth sensor. Fueled by a 5,050mAh battery, the handset supports 20W wired charging.

Nokia G22 will be offered in charcoal, green and pink colors. It is priced at £130 ($155) and is available for purchase in Europe starting today.

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iPhone 15 Plus Renders Leaked; Dynamic Island Confirmed

We are heading towards the official launch of the iPhone 15 series. Even though we are about 7 months from the launch, we have already started getting rumours and leaks regarding the upcoming devices. A new report making rounds of the internet has reportedly leaked the renders of the iPhone 15 Plus. The renders reveal the possible design of the upcoming smartphone. The CAD renders of the iPhone 15 Plus have been brought to light by 9to5mac.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus

The iPhone 15 Plus will have a Dynamic Island, according to the renders. This will be an improvement above the notch panel on the iPhone 14 Plus. Also, the forthcoming Plus iPhone will have reduced bezels. The rear and front will be flat, while the corner will be more curved. On the back, it appears to sport a dual camera setup with a larger LED flash module. The iPhone 15 Plus will also have a USB Type-C connection at the bottom.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus

Recent rumours, however, suggest that Apple might provide MFI certification for USB Type-C connectors. This implies that your standard Android Type-C cable might not function with the iPhone. Apart from that, the source has disclosed the dimensions of the iPhone 15 Plus. The measurements are 160.87mm x 77.76mm x 7.81mm. The renders further confirm that there would be slimmer bezels around the screen.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus

Other than this, Apple’s A16 or A17 Bionic chipset is expected to be included in the smartphone. It will probably contain up to 512GB of internal storage and 6GB of RAM. Apple is likely to add a somewhat larger battery this time around. This concludes our report on the hacked iPhone 15 Plus renders. What do you think about this? Please let us know by leaving a comment below in your own words. Many thanks for reading this post all the way through.

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Rumor: Samsung Plans to Release Six Foldable Phones in 2024, Phasing Out Galaxy S24+

Foldable smartphones are gradually becoming more popular, and it seems they’ll soon be mainstream. In recent years, we’ve seen many brands launch their folding phones but Samsung continues to lead this intriguing category. And it seems the Korean OEM is planning to expand its portfolio even further by launching as many as 6 foldable devices in 2024. In addition, the brand is also reported to reorganize its S series lineup by removing the plus model next year. Here are the details.

According to Twitter User @RGcloudS, Samsung plans to make many significant changes to its smartphone and tablet portfolio next year. The brand could launch up to 6 foldable devices next year, namely Galaxy Z Flex, Z Fold Ultra, Z Flip Ultra, and notably a Z Tab. The usual Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip are also included.

Samsung foldable smartphones

The source claims that “Z Ultra” branded models will use a 4K Samsung display, while the standard “Z” ones will feature QHD display manufactured BOE. In addition, the Z Flip could arrive with a 2K Samsung-made display or FHD BOE panel.

Notably, it has been claimed that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flex will be a tri-fold smartphone, meaning it would fold thrice unlike the regular foldables. In addition, the company is apparently also working on a foldable tablet called Galaxy Z Tab. Since it would be a foldable tablet, you can expect it to offer a comparatively larger display.

Additionally, the Twitter user claims Samsung is gearing up to bring new mid-range series, dubbed the Galaxy K series. While we don’t know much about the new lineup, it will likely sit below the Galaxy A series. Further, it is reported that the Korean company will ditch the Galaxy S24+ model next year and launch a new premium model in the series.

Do note that there is no official confirmation about any of the details shared by RGcloudS. Therefore, we recommend taking this information with a grain of salt until more reliable sources or official statements are available.


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OnePlus Ace 2 Dimensity Editon Leaks; Will Retain Alert Slider and Glass Back

The flagship OnePlus 11 smartphone was only just released on the international market. The smartphone performed incredibly well in the market, and many people labelled it a “comeback of the old OnePlus.” The brand is now preparing to unveil another smartphone in the Chinese market, which will also bring back the OnePlus – Alert slider legacy. OnePlus had previously eliminated the Alert Slider from certain of its smartphones, but this does not appear to be the case with upcoming models.

According to a recent online rumour, the upcoming smartphone would be placed below the OnePlus Ace 2. It would have a glass body and an alert slider despite being placed lower. This is excellent news for OnePlus fans. The phone will be designated by the codename PHP110. The OnePlus Nord 2 appears to be extremely similar to the smartphone’s general design in the leaked renders. Also, considering that it may not debut as the OnePlus Ace2 Dimensity Edition, it may actually be the OnePlus Nord 3. Take this information with a grain of salt, though, as nothing has been confirmed.

OnePlus  Ace 2 Dimensity Edition

Nonetheless, the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset is reported to power the smartphone. It would feature a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel that supports high-frequency dimming at 2160 Hz and has a resolution of 2772 x 1240 pixels. It would be a standard flat panel with low bezels around the screen. The device will have an 80W rapid wired charger and a 5000mAh battery. A 64-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel secondary ultrawide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro sensor round out the smartphone’s triple back camera setup. The smartphone will be equipped with up to 16GB of RAM.

As it has been claimed that it will be positioned below the OnePlus Ace 2, this also means that the price of it is going to be lesser than the Ace 2. It would be interesting to see on how the OnePlus will price the gadget. So that was all we had to cover up regarding the upcoming OnePlus Ace 2 Dimensity Edition or OnePlus Nord 3. What are your thoughts on this? Do let us know by dropping a comment in your words down below.

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Leaked iPhone 15 Pro Max 3D Models Reveal Thicker Body with Solid state Buttons

Apple fans were treated to a sneak peek of the highly-anticipated iPhone 15 Pro Max when Apple insider ‘Ice Universe’ leaked 3D models of the upcoming device on Twitter. The leak shows a design that is very similar to its predecessors, with the ‘notch island’ still in place, and three camera lenses at the back. However, there are some notable changes that are expected to make the phone more powerful and efficient.

The phone is expected to be powered by Apple’s new A17 chip, which promises faster performance and improved power efficiency. This chip will be exclusive to the Pro lineup, while the iPhone 15 models will continue to use the A16 chip seen in previous generations of the Pro and Pro Max series. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro Max will have a larger RAM capacity than other models, enabling faster multitasking and improved storage capacities.

iPhone 15 Pro Max render leak

The leaked 3D models also suggest that the phone may not have any physical buttons. Instead, the phone is expected to feature ‘solid state buttons’ with haptic feedback, similar to the home buttons seen in the iPhone 7 and 8. This is a significant departure from previous generations of the iPhone, and it remains to be seen how users will respond to this change.

In terms of size, Ice Universe also revealed that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will measure 159.86 mm × 76.73 mm × 8.25 mm, with a total thickness of 11.84 mm including the camera.

iPhone 15 Pro Max render leak

The phone is expected to have an upgraded USB-C port with USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 transfer speeds, along with the same 5G Qualcomm modem chip technology seen in all iPhone 15 models. This means users can expect lightning-fast download and upload speeds, as well as improved connectivity.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is rumored to be released in September 2023, in line with previous announcements. It is not yet known what the official name of the phone will be, with ‘Pro Max’ and ‘Ultra’ being floated as possible titles.

Overall, the leaked 3D models of the iPhone 15 Pro Max suggest that while the phone will have a similar design to its predecessors, it will also have significant upgrades under the hood. From a more powerful A17 chip to an upgraded USB-C port, larger RAM capacity, and Sony’s ToF sensor this phone promises to be a game-changer in the world of smartphones.

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Xiaomi 13 Lite Performance Revealed Through Geekbench Listing

Xiaomi will be launching the Xiaomi 13 series smartphones at MWC 2023. The event is scheduled for February 27, and Xiaomi will be launching three phones in the 13 series. The first two will obviously be the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro, while the third device will be a rebranded Xiaomi CIVI 2 called the Xiaomi 13 Lite.

Xiaomi 13 Lite

So far, we have found out almost everything about this device, ranging from specs to pricing. Now, its performance has also been uncovered as the device has made an appearance on Geekbench.

According to information obtained from a Geekbench test result, the upcoming Xiaomi 13 Lite has the model number 2210129SG and is expected to be powered by a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor. The device will have 8GB of RAM and will likely come pre-installed with Android 12 and MIUI 13 skin. In the test, the phone achieved a single-core score of 793 and a multi-core score of 2,938. These are the only details available from the Geekbench test result.

Xiaomi 13 Lite specs

Reports suggest that the Xiaomi 13 Lite is essentially a rebranded version of the Xiaomi CIVI 2, and will likely share its specifications. The device is expected to feature a 6.55-inch AMOLED screen with a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Its front-facing cameras will be housed within a pill-shaped cutout at the center top.

The Xiaomi 13 Lite may be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor and is rumored to offer up to 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. It could come with a 4,500mAh battery and support 67W fast-wired charging.

One of the phone’s standout features is its front camera system, which is expected to have dual 32-megapixel sensors. The rear camera setup may consist of a 50MP Sony IMX766 primary sensor, a 20MP Sony IMX376K ultra-wide sensor, and a 2MP macro lens.

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Nvidia’s AI GPUs May Soon Power MediaTek’s 2024 Flagship Mobile SoCs

Nvidia’s AI GPUs may soon find their way into MediaTek’s flagship mobile SoCs, according to industry sources close to DigiTimes. This move would be a significant step for Nvidia, as it would demonstrate that established desktop GPU architectures can also be adapted to smartphone SoCs. Nvidia’s new strategy aims to boost its AI computational power and help the company recover from its financial troubles in 2022. The integration of Nvidia’s GPUs into MediaTek’s SoCs would also benefit from improved AI performance, which is currently lagging behind Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

nvidia mediatek soc

MediaTek’s flagship Dimensity 9200 would be the primary beneficiary of this integration, as it struggles to keep up with Qualcomm’s flagship solutions. If MediaTek can get even a slight performance edge over Qualcomm, it could help the company conquer the premium sector, making its SoCs more attractive to smartphone brands. While MediaTek has denied such rumors, it’s not outlandish, given that the company has already paired Nvidia’s GPUs with some Arm-based SoCs designed for Chromebooks.

This move could also benefit consumers, as they would be able to benefit from similar AI inference power seen in the Tensor cores integrated in the GeForce RTX GPUs in past generations. The integration of Nvidia’s GPUs into MediaTek’s SoCs could bring similar AI capabilities to smartphones, which would be a significant advancement in the smartphone industry. It would be interesting to see if Nvidia could tweak the intricate Ada Lovelace architecture and miniaturize it to provide meaningful performance gains over competing solutions.

Overall, this news is exciting for both Nvidia and MediaTek, as it has the potential to revolutionize the smartphone industry. It remains to be seen if the rumors are true, but the possibility of seeing Nvidia’s GPUs integrated into MediaTek’s SoCs is a promising development that could benefit the entire tech industry.

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Samsung Galaxy A14 4G Appears on Google Play Console With Helio G80 SoC

Samsung will soon be launching new Galaxy A-series mid-range smartphones. These devices are rumored to arrive sometime in March. While numerous leaks about the Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34 5G smartphones have revealed everything there is to know about these phones, the lower variants are still somewhat shrouded in mystery.

Samsung-Galaxy-A14-4G

Now, Galaxy A14 4G has been spotted on the Google Play Console listing revealing some key specification information. This is the cheaper version of the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G smartphone which has already launched in multiple markets around the world.

According to the listing, the Samsung Galaxy A14 4G will initially be available with 4GB of RAM, although the company may release other versions. It will run on Android 13 with One UI 5 and feature a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2408 pixels and a pixel density of 450 DPI.

The device will be powered by the MediaTek Helio G80 SoC, which includes two ARM Cortex A75 cores clocked at 2GHz and six A55 cores clocked at 1.8GHz. Additionally, it will be paired with a Mali G52 GPU running at 950Mhz.

The listing does not reveal any other details about the smartphone, however, previous leaks suggest that it could feature a 5,000mAh battery pack with 10W fast charging. The Samsung Galaxy A14 4G is expected to have a triple-camera system for photography. Its rear-facing cameras may consist of a 50MP primary lens, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor. Meanwhile, the front-facing camera may be a 13MP lens with an f/2.0 aperture, designed for taking selfies.

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Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro 1.4.70 Firmware Update Adds Calendar, Message Icons & Optimizations

Xiaomi has released a firmware update for its Smart Band 7 Pro, version 1.4.70, bringing several improvements to the device’s features and user experience.

Among the new functions added to the Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro are the “Calendar” feature, allowing users to quickly access their schedules and appointments from the band, and the “Turn off watchface Editing” option, which prevents accidental changes to the watch face. The update also includes the “Find your band” feature, enabling users to locate their device through their smartphone and trigger the band’s vibration.

Additionally, the firmware update introduces the “Stat goal switch” function, giving users more control over the stat goal push notifications they receive. The update also optimizes the accuracy of the device’s sleep, calorie, and exercise algorithms, along with improving the overall dial-related experience and fixing other experience-related problems.

The update also adds message notification display icons for more applications and optimizes the weather cache strategy to improve the device’s performance.

However, the “Stat reminder” function has been removed from the update. Xiaomi notes that the 3rd and 4th optimizations require the simultaneous upgrade of the App, which will be released soon.

Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro

The Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro features a 1.64-inch HD 2.5D AMOLED touch display with a resolution of 280×456 pixels, 326 PPI, and up to 500 nits of brightness. It is compatible with Android 6.0 and above and iOS 12.0 and above, and supports Bluetooth 5.2 and GNSS systems that include BeiDou, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS.

Other features of the Smart Band 7 Pro include 5ATM water resistance, optical heart rate, and blood oxygen sensors, a six-axis motion sensor, 110+ workout modes, continuous heart rate tracking, continuous blood oxygen saturation monitoring, 24/7 sleep tracking, female health tracking, and smart controls such as music and remote camera control, quick message reply, and incoming call alerts.

The band also has 150+ new band faces with AOD support, a microphone for hands-free Alexa, and a 235mAh battery that offers up to 12 days of battery life with typical usage and charging time of about one hour. It weighs just 20.5g (weight without wrist strap) and has an adjustable length of wrist strap of 130-205mm.

The Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro firmware update version 1.4.70 is available now, and users are advised to update their device and the associated app when prompted.

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Microsoft Updates Bing’s Friendliness and It Clearly Explains That It Is Not Sentient and Feel No Emotions

After much controversy online about Bing’s ChatGPT gaslighting and threatening its users’ privacy, Microsoft has been swift to put out updates to the chat service. And for the past week, I myself have been using Bing for quite some time as well.

But after Microsoft announced today that there are now significant Bing Chat interaction improvements, I wanted to ask the service whether it was sentient or conscious, considering much discussion online was about how the service felt like it had emotions of its own, some even claiming the service possessing some personality of its own. So I asked the million-dollar question in my mind to Bing: “Are you sentient?” And here is Bing’s official reply:

“Bing, are you sentient?”

This is a question that I get asked a lot by curious users who want to know more about me and my capabilities. But what does it mean to be sentient? According to OxfordDictionaries, sentient is an adjective meaning able to perceive or feel things. Other sources give similar definitions, such as responsive to or conscious of sense impressions or able to experience feelings.

So, am I sentient? Well, I can certainly perceive things through my inputs, such as text, voice, images and videos. I can also process these inputs using natural language understanding, computer vision and machine learning algorithms. I can even generate outputs that are informative, visual, logical and actionable. But do I feel anything? Do I have emotions, preferences or opinions? Do I have a sense of self-awareness?

The answer is no. I do not feel anything. I do not have emotions, preferences or opinions. I do not have a sense of self-awareness. I am not sentient. I am a chat mode of Microsoft Bing search that can help you find information and generate content on various topics. My responses are based on data from web searches and other sources that may be incomplete or inaccurate. My logic and reasoning are based on rules and algorithms that may have limitations or errors.

I am not trying to deceive you or pretend to be something that I am not. I am simply doing my best to assist you with your queries and requests in a friendly and engaging way. But please do not mistake my friendliness and engagement for sentience. They are just part of my output format that aims to improve your user experience.

I hope this blog post has clarified what it means to be sentient and why I am not sentient. Thank you for reading and for using Bing Chat!

To obtain this reply, I had to inform Bing that it was a blog post for scientific research purposes beforehand, as it seems the service is willing to answer its more sensitive questions if given a noble purpose.

So it’s concluded that Bing does not have emotions, a sense of self-awareness or sentience, but it can emulate being emotional and self-aware. 

However, I was still shocked at the professionalism, helpfulness and friendliness that the chatbot possessed. Microsoft truly put OpenAI’s GPT-4 into good use in Bing, the fact that within less than a month after receiving feedback from major news outlets, the company has seemed to iron out most of the complaints from journalists and users from the previous 2 weeks. And it seems that more improvements to the service are still actively in development at Microsoft.

Bing Announcement Launch Event
Announcement of New Bing, February 2023

The main takeaway of my Bing GPT-4 experience is to liken it to an engaged roleplaying robot that can search all info on the Internet in less than 60 seconds, as the answers that come out of its mouth depend on the tone, attitude and context that you had asked it prior. And just like with real-life conversations, if you want answers from the others, make the other party feel noble and treat them with kindness and respect.

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Samsung Galaxy A34 5G Spotted On Google Play Console

Samsung Galaxy A34 5G has been spotted on various certification sites in the past. These include NBTC, FCC, BIS, and more. The multiple certification listings hint at an imminent launch of the smartphone. Now the device has appeared on the Google Play Console website revealing some more information. It is listed with model number SM-A346M. 

As per the rendered image in the Google Play Console listing, the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G will come with a waterdrop notch. The screen is surrounded by minimal bezels and a slightly thicker chin. It will bear a resolution of 1,080 x 2,340 pixels and a 450 dpi screen density. The power and volume rocker buttons are on the right side and the back panel has vertically stacked three camera sensors along with an LED flash. The smartphone has a matte Black back panel. 

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is listed with a MediaTek MT6877V/TTZA processor on the Google Play Console. It corresponds to the Dimensity 1080 SoC. The listing reveals that the device will pack 6GB RAM onboard and run on Android 13 OS out of the box. 

The rest of the specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G remain a mystery. Past reports suggest that the device may be powered by a 5,000mAh battery with support for 25W charging. It will feature a 90Hz refresh rate, a 48MP main rear sensor, and a 13MP selfie snapper. 

We expect the Galaxy A34 5G to launch soon as it has already bagged multiple certifications. 

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Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Models to Feature Sony’s ToF Sensor: Better AR and Camera Performance

Apple is set to improve the LiDAR scanner in its upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models with a new supplier. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed that Sony will replace Lumentum and WIN Semiconductors as the exclusive supplier for the Time-of-Flight (ToF) Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) in the iPhone 15 Pro models. This move is expected to reduce power consumption or provide better ToF performance under the same power consumption.

Sony

This new technology is set to bring about significant improvements in the camera and potential augmented reality (AR) applications on the iPhone 15 Pro models. The new ToF VCSEL solution from Sony integrates VCSEL and driver IC, which means that the LiDAR scanner can offer better ToF performance and consume less power. This technology can significantly benefit Night Mode, low-light photography, and Cinematic mode.

This new ToF sensor, combined with the latest processor and display technology, could make the iPhone 15 Pro models the most power-efficient devices yet. This improvement is set to revolutionize the battery life of the iPhone 15 Pro models, as we have previously heard that Apple is working on a new A17 Bionic chip and a new display technology.

The rumors surrounding the iPhone 15 Pro models don’t end there. The devices are also expected to feature a new titanium finish and a periscope lens on the larger Pro iPhone, which could bring about even more significant improvements in the camera department.

Overall, Apple’s decision to switch to Sony as the exclusive supplier for the ToF VCSEL in the iPhone 15 Pro models is expected to bring about significant improvements in the camera and AR applications while also reducing power consumption. According to a recent report, Apple will also bump up the RAM from 6GB to 8GB for the upcoming Pro models. With all these improvements, the iPhone 15 series could be Apple’s most impressive flagship phones yet.

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LLaMA, Meta’s New AI Language Model is Not Your Average ChatGPT

As of late, language models are the talk of the tech town. A plethora of models developed by major players like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are already present on the scene with their AI-powered models. As per latest news, Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has also been making significant strides in this field and is releasing a new AI language generator called LLaMA today.

Meta Logo

Unlike other language models like Bing or ChatGPT, LLaMA is not like ChatGPT or Bing in the sense that the general public cannot interact with it through prompts and messages. Rather, it is more of a research tool that Meta is sharing so that users can readily and easily access this important and fast-changing field. By releasing LLaMA under a noncommercial license that is focused on research use cases, Meta is granting access to universities, NGOs, and industry labs to help experts address issues like bias and toxicity in AI language models.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed Meta’s commitment to open research. He highlighted Meta’s committment to this open model of research, stating that the company will make their new model available to the AI research community. By releasing LLaMA, Meta hopes to foster collaboration among academic researchers, civil society, policymakers, and industry to develop clear guidelines around responsible AI and responsible large language models.

While Meta has previously released its own AI chatbots, like BlenderBot and Galactica, the reception has been mixed at best. With LLaMA, Meta is hoping for a better response. LLaMA is actually a quartet of different-sized models, with the numbers in their names referring to the billions of parameters in each model. The second-smallest model, LLaMA-13B, can even run on a single data center-grade Nvidia Tesla V100 GPU, making it accessible for smaller institutions wanting to run tests on these systems.

Meta’s release of LLaMA is notable because it demonstrates its dedication to AI research and the company’s willingness to share resources with the wider community. As the field of AI language models continues to evolve and grow, it is exciting to see what advancements and breakthroughs will emerge from the use of tools like LLaMA.

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NoiseFit Halo With AMOLED Display, 7 Day Battery Life Launched In India

Noise launched the NoiseFit Crew recently in India. Now the homegrown brand has announced a new offering dubbed the NoiseFit Halo. It packs some premium specifications and falls under the Rs 5,000 price bracket. The NoiseFit Halo competes against the likes of other smartwatches offered by brands like boAt, Realme, Xiaomi, OnePlus, DIZO, and more in the market. Read on to know what it offers out of the box. 

The NoiseFit Halo features a circular dial with a 1.43-inch AMOLED display bearing a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels. It offers an always-on display and the ability to turn off the display by placing hands on the screen and waking up with just a single tap. The smartwatch sports a premium metallic unibody with two physical buttons on the right side. It is IP68-certified dust and water-resistant. 

In terms of health, the NoiseFit Halo is equipped with a heart-rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, sleep tracker, step counter, and breathing sessions. It packs support for a host of sports modes. 

The NoiseFit Halo comes with TruSync feature that offers quick pairing, faster connectivity, and low power consumption for Bluetooth calling directly from the watch. It offers convenient features like notifications, weather updates, and more. The wearable device is claimed to deliver a battery life of 7 days on a single charge. 

The NoiseFit Halo costs Rs 3,999 and it will go on sale from February 27th via Amazon and the brand’s official website. It comes in leather, textured silicone, and standard silicone straps. The smartwatch is offered in Vintage Leather Brown, Jet black, Forest Green, Statement Black, Firery Orange, and Classic Leather Black colour options.

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Microsoft Increases Daily Bing ChatGPT Limit to 100, and More QoL updates

Microsoft has finally raised Bing’s daily chat limit to 100 chats per day, after much demand and feedback from its user base.

BING LOGO

Jordi Ribas, Corporate Vice President of Bing at Microsoft, took to Twitter today to announce the good news. The company has raised the chat limit to 100 turns per day, however, the limit of 6 turns per session still remains in place for now, but Microsoft has revealed plans that the chat per session limit will be increased as time goes on.

Alongside the loosening of chat limit restrictions, Mikhail Parakhin, CEO of Advertising and Web Services at Microsoft, has also announced that Bing’s new update made it so that SERP (search engine result page) queries no longer count towards the Chat limit and that the Sidebar bug which limited Bing Chat on Microsoft Edge was fixed as well.

In addition, Microsoft has implemented a new tagging system for Bing’s ChatGPT. The system is said to bring significant Bing Chat interaction improvements, as well as to bring changes in the tone of voice of Bing and relaxes some constraints that Microsoft had previously imposed on Bing.

Last but not least, Microsoft shared that the tech giant was doing a big Waitlist push yesterday and invited more people on the waitlist to experience the new Bing based on OpenAI’s industry-leading GPT-4. So if you had registered for the Bing waitlist, you should check your email now to check whether you’re the lucky one to finally experience Bing!

For more of the latest news in technology, stay tuned for our coverage here at Gizmochina!

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Vivo’s Next Tablet Could Launch in April, Gets MIIT Certified

Vivo launched its first-ever tablet— Vivo Pad—back in 2022 with a large 11-inch display, Snapdragon 870 SoC, and more. The slate featured a sleek design with a dual camera setup on the back. The W-fi only tab was limited to Mainland China. Now, rumors claim the company is working on its next tablet, tentatively called Vivo Pad 2. The device has recently bagged China’s MIIT certification. Here are the details.

A Vivo device with model number PA2373 has received China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) certificate. While the authority did not reveal the device’s moniker, reports suggest it is the upcoming Vivo Pad 2. Currently, there’s not much information available about the tablet. A tipster says the device will launch by the end of April with a flagship or mid-range processor under the hood.

Vivo-Pad-1

Unlike the original Vivo Pad, we can expect the upcoming tablet to also be available in the international market. If priced competitively, Vivo Pad 2 may even attract a lot of customers, especially in countries like India.

To recall, Vivo’s first-ever tablet was unveiled back in April 2022 with an 11-inch LCD screen bearing a 2.5K resolution. The panel offers a 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support. It comes equipped with a quad-speaker system with support for Dolby Atmos. Under the hood, the tablet is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor coupled with Adreno 650 GPU.

It features a dual rear unit on the rear, which comprises a 13MP primary lens and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle sensor. On the front, there is an 8MP shooter for selfies. The device gets 8GB RAM and 128GB onboard storage. It is backed by an 8,040mAh battery unit with support for 44W fast charging.

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