Gadgets And Technology Daily News | 27 Jun 2023
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 Mobile Platform With Support for 2.5Gbps 5G Download Speeds Launched
Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 was announced by the chipmaker on Monday as the company's latest chipset for entry-level 5G smartphones. The new chip is the latest addition to the company's Snapdragon 4-series and is the successor to the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 SoC that was launched in 2022. It is also the first chip in the series to be built on a 4nm process node and offers 10 percent performance better performance than its predecessor. The new Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC is equipped with a Qualcomm X61 5G modem that is capable of download speeds of up to 2.5Gbps. It also offers NavIC and dual frequency GNSS support for navigation.
According to details shared by Qualcomm, the newly announced Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 will be used in upcoming smartphone models from manufacturers like Redmi and Vivo, while smartphones equipped with the chipset are expected to be available for purchase in the second half of 2023.
The new Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC comprises two performance cores clocked at 2.2GHz and six efficiency cores clocked at 2GHz. It is said to offer a 10 percent jump in performance over the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, along with support for UFS 3.1 storage and up to LPDDR5x RAM at 3200MHz. The chip also comes with support for up to full-HD+ displays with 120Hz refresh rate.
The company has also touted its on-device AI technology that offers features like background noise reduction during voice and video calls. The chipset supports USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C connectivity along with support for Qualcomm's Quick Charge 4+ technology which is based on the USB-PD (Power Delivery) standard.
Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X61 5G modem, the new chip is the first in the Snapdragon 4-series to support the 3GPP Release 16 5G standard. The company says that the modem is capable of download speeds of up to 2.5Gbps. It also offers support for Bluetooth 5.1 dual-band Wi-Fi 5 connectivity. It also supports GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC, and QZSS location services with dual-frequency GNSS (L1 + L5) support.
For photos and videos, the new Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC supports a dual camera setup with two 16-megapixel cameras or a single 32-megapixel camera. Both setups offer 30fps zero shutter lag support, according to the company. Video capturing is supported at 1080p resolution at 60fps (single camera) and 30fps (dual camera) and at 720p resolution at 120fps (slow-motion). Qualcomm says it has introduced AI features for improved low-light photo and video capturing with noise reduction using Multi Camera Temporal Filtering (MCTF).
iPhone 15 Pro Max Leaked Case Tips Design Changes to Mute Button: All Details
iPhone 15 series with four models —iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Max, and iPhone 15 Pro Max— is expected to be unveiled in September. Apple is yet to confirm any details about the next generation of iPhone models, but we've had many leaks at this point. Most recently, a video that claimed to show an alleged phone case for the iPhone 15 Pro Max has surfaced on the web. The video gives us a glimpse at what the new flagship may look like. It indicates the presence of a new mute button, a large camera module, and a unified volume button on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Tipster Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) has leaked the video showing the alleged iPhone 15 Pro Max case on Twitter. The prototype appears to have a new relocated solid-state button for the mute function, replacing the iconic switch available on previous iPhone models. This is speculated to be a new “custom key” replacing the traditional mute key. The company started packing mute switches since the original 2007 iPhone.
Further, the leak suggests a larger camera bump on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This change can be attributed to a significant camera upgrade. Apple is expected to employ a upgraded 48-megapixel rear camera on the iPhone 15 Pro models. The camera setup could use a new three-stacked sensor that can capture more light with improved image quality. This would allow users to take photos in Apple ProRAW.
The case for the iPhone 15 Pro Max also shows room for a USB Type-C port and a speaker grill at the bottom. Further, the sides have cutouts for the volume rocker.
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 15 series in September. As per a previous leak, the average selling price of the iPhone 15 series will be $925 (roughly 76,300). The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models are expected to run on an A16 Bionic chip, while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max could run on A17 Bionic SoC. This year's iPhone models are expected to pack a USB Type-C port for charging.
Hansal Mehta and Netflix Announce Multi-Year Creative Partnership Following Success of 'Scoop'
Following the success of 'Scoop', Netflix and Hansal Mehta on Monday announced a multi-year partnership where the filmmaker will create several series for the streamer in the coming years. The Netflix series, inspired by journalist Jigna Vora's memoir 'Behind the Bars In Byculla: My Days in Prison', has emerged as one of the most critically acclaimed shows this year. Mehta, also known for films such as 'Aligarh' and 'Shahid', as well as series 'Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story', said that he is happy to take his partnership with Netflix forward.
"As a filmmaker, the idea of creating diverse and dynamic stories constantly keeps me on my toes. What excites me about this partnership with Netflix, which is home to some of the finest talent, is the potential for my work to reach viewers across the world. As was the case with 'Scoop', Netflix is engaged in the creative process right from scripting, all the way to marketing and distribution which is critical for the success of any creative collaboration. This long-term partnership with them is only going to empower me to dive into a variety of undiscovered stories," the National Award-winning director said in a statement.
Monika Shergill, vice president - content, Netflix India, described Mehta as 'a master of his craft' who has an eye for spotting stories that have a broad appeal. "Being a nuanced storyteller, he is able to tell these stories like no other. 'Scoop' marks yet another success for our series line-up this year, and with this partnership we look forward to never before seen stories that audiences will love," Shergill added.
The first season of 'Scoop' follows Jagruti Pathak (Karishma Tanna), a star crime reporter at a Mumbai newspaper who makes headlines after she is accused of her rival Jaideb Sen's (Prosenjit Chatterjee) murder. The series is based on the real-life story of journalist Jigna Vora, who spent time in prison on charges of murder, but was eventually acquitted of all charges.
Samsung SeeColors Accessibility Mode for Colour Blind Users Added to 2023 TV and Monitor Lineup: Details
Samsung's SeeColors mode will be added to the company's TV and monitor models launched in 2023, the company announced on Sunday. The accessibility feature is designed with the aim of helping users who are affected by colour vision deficiency (CVD) — more commonly known as colour blindness — see content on better on a screen. Previously available as an app, the SeeColors feature will roll out to customers who have already purchased the company's TVs and monitors launched this year as a software update, according to Samsung.
The South Korean firm stated in a press release that the new SeeColors accessibility mode will offer users a set of nine presets that will automatically adjust the levels of red, green, and blue (RGB) colours that are shown on the screen, in order to improve the way users with CVD see colours on their screen. SeeColours was first introduced by the company as an application in 2017, and Samsung says that its integration as an accessibility feature will allow more people to use the feature.
Colour blindness, or CVD, affects one in 12 men and one in 100 women while over 300 million people globally are reportedly affected by the condition. Back in 2017, Samsung introduced the SeeColors app on the company's QLED TVs that used the quantum dots on the company's TVs to ramp up brightness, increase contrast, and widen the available colour palette for users who were affected by CVD.
Samsung first introduced SeeColors as an application in 2017Photo Credit: Samsung
Samsung says that the SeeColors mode will be available on the company's TV and monitor models from 2023. These include the company's Neo QLED, QLED, OLED models as well as the Smart Monitor and the G95SC gaming monitor. Customers who have already purchased models launched in 2023 will gain access to the feature as part of a software update, according to the firm.
Users with Android smartphones can still download the SeeColors mobile app, which provides diagnosis of CVD levels, while the SeeColors app for TVs is available via the Play Store and the Galaxy App Store. Meanwhile, the SeeColors mode received a "Color Vision Accessibility" certification from German testing organisation TÜV Rheinland earlier this month, according to Samsung.
Alibaba Cloud, Near Foundation Agree to Collaborate on Asia’s Web3 Growth: Details
Web3 adoption, around the world, seems to be heating up with plenty happening around crypto rules and CBDC introductions in existing economies. Aiming to foster the growth of Web3 in Asia, the Near Foundation has entered a partnership with China's Alibaba Group. Essentially, the Near Foundation is looking to use Alibaba's Cloud solutions to help developers build on its blockchain infrastructure. The development comes at a time when more Web3 players are shifting their attention to the densely populated and tech savvy Asian continent.
Based in Zug, Switzerland, the Near Foundation is a non-profit organisation that oversees the funding, ecosystem development, as well as core governance of the Near blockchain. The Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain is energy efficient and eco-friendly.
The Near Foundation is aiming to encourage more Web3 developers to use its blockchain to support their solutions and products. Its partnership with Alibaba Cloud aims to encourage developers from anti-crypto China to also hop onboard the Web3 wagon.
As part of their partnership, the Near Foundation and Alibaba Cloud will offer remote procedure calls (RPC) as a service to developers on the Near ecosystem. The RPC, which is a type of a computer server, lets users read blockchain data amongst other features, a Coindesk report said on Monday, June 26.
In addition, the infrastructure provided by Alibaba Cloud will enable Web3 developers to use Near's Blockchain Operating System (BOS) to build on and connect with others using the ecosystem.
For Alibaba, this makes for an important deal signed under its executive vice chairman, Joseph Tsai. A vocal blockchain enthusiast, Tsai himself is reportedly a Web3 investor who has been analysing favourable deals with crypto-related organisations to bring into Alibaba's partnerships portfolio.
For now, all crypto-related activities are banned in China. Hence it looks like blockchain solutions apart from the ones that simplify engagement with crypto, could brew strong among Chinese developers.
As far as Near is concerned, this is not its first foray into the Asian market.
In February this year it joined forces with Indian multi-media company Shemaroo Entertainment to bring immutability, transparency, as well as decentralisation to India's entertainment and media sphere via blockchain.
Blockchains that aim to onboard gaming companies are also shifting their focus to Asia from the western markets.
Asia's gaming community generates the maximum chunk of revenue in the industry. In its latest research report, DappRadar said the Asian nations of India, China, Japan, and South Korea collectively have over 1.7 billion video game players, and this big number has attracted players in the Web3 gaming space to shift their focus to the Asian market on priority.
Apple Vision Pro $3,499 Price Might Not Include Overhead Strap For Headset: Mark Gurman
Apple Vision Pro will arrive in the US next year, the company announced earlier this month during its WWDC 2023 keynote event. The company's first spatial computer is a mixed reality headset that combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) and customers will have to pay a premium to purchase the device. However, some accessories such as optical inserts from Zeiss for people who need vision correction will be available for an additional fee. Apple might also charge users an additional fee for an overhead strap to secure the headset.
In his latest Power On weekly newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman states that Apple, which will charge customers $3,499 (roughly Rs. 2.87 lakh) for the Apple Vision Pro headset in the US, might not include an overhead strap that is purportedly designed to help users better handle the weight of the metal and glass headset while wearing it continuously for a couple of hours.
Apple stated at WWDC 2023 that the Vision Pro would "start at $3.499" (roughly Rs. 2.88 lakh)Photo Credit: Screenshot/ YouTube
Like the upcoming Zeiss optical inserts, customers might have to buy the additional strap as an accessory, he states in the newsletter. However, there's currently no word on how much the overhead strap will cost. It is also worth noting that Apple mentioned the price of the headset would "start at $3,499" (roughly Rs. 2.87 lakh) during the WWDC keynote, which suggests that additional accessories will be sold separately.
The company charges up to $449 (roughly Rs. 36,800) for the metal Space Black Link strap and up to $849 (roughly Rs. 69,600) for Hermès-branded Apple Watch straps. Similarly, Gurman has previously estimated that the cost of the Zeiss optical inserts for the Vision Pro would be "at least" $300 (roughly Rs. 24,700) to $600 (roughly Rs. 49,500) for a pair. However, there's no word from Apple or Zeiss — the latter recently teased the design of the prescription lenses ahead of their arrival next year.
Gurman also states that Apple could demonstrate the new headset in special areas at its stores next year, while requiring customers to set up an appointment to buy the Apple Vision Pro. The firm will also allow users to pick bands and light seals of different sizes to that it perfectly fits their face, and Apple will allow users to scan their face with a newly-developed iPhone app to understand which light seal size will be best suited for their face.
Last week, Apple released the visionOS software development kit (SDK) to enable developers to create apps and services for the Vision Pro. Shortly after the software was made available, details of a 'Guest Mode feature that would allow Apple Vision Pro owners to allow others to use the headset were spotted. The company's first mixed reality headset will also allow users to protect their content with Optic ID, the iris-scanning biometric authentication feature that will debut on the device.
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