In a celebration of technological innovation and creativity, Apple has unveiled its carefully curated list of the best apps and games for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV for the year 2023. The Cupertino-based giant recognizes the outstanding contributions of 14 apps and games from developers worldwide, with winners meticulously chosen by the App Store’s editorial team from a pool of 40 finalists.
Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed his admiration, stating, “It’s inspiring to see the ways developers continue to build incredible apps and games that are redefining the world around us. This year’s winners represent the limitless potential of developers to bring their visions to life, creating apps and games with remarkable ingenuity, exceptional quality, and purpose-driven missions.”
In a nod to the evolving landscape of technology, Apple acknowledged the prominence of generative AI in capturing users’ collective imagination, showcasing its real-time evolution. The company also released a list of apps with generative AI capabilities, featuring popular titles such as ChatGPT, Canva, Picsart, Pinterest, Craft, Artifact, Sololearn, and SmartDreams.
Here is a closer look at the standout winners across different Apple devices:
iPhone App of the Year 2023: AllTrails
AllTrails clinches the title of iPhone app of the year, offering a free-to-use platform for hikers, bikers, and runners. The app provides detailed trail reviews and assists users in planning upcoming adventures. AllTrails+ and AllTrails Pro versions, with additional features, are also available.
iPad App of the Year 2023: Pret-a-Makeup
Pret-a-Makeup takes the spotlight as the iPad app of the year, allowing users to experiment with over 700 beauty products on a digital canvas. Compatible with both iPhone and iPad, the app offers a real-sketching experience with more than 40 face templates, providing a realistic makeup trial using Apple Pencil.
Mac App of the Year 2023: Photomator
Photomator secures the Mac App of the Year award for its photo editing prowess. Available on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, the app employs AI to fine-tune colours and lighting. Supporting over 650 RAW image formats, including Apple ProRAW, it also facilitates batch editing of RAW format images.
Apple TV App of the Year 2023: MUBI
MUBI, the cinema streaming platform, received the Apple TV App of the Year award. Accessible on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, MUBI offers hand-picked movies with in-depth content from artists worldwide. The platform comes with a monthly subscription plan, and first-time users can enjoy a free trial for a week.
Apple Watch App of the Year 2023: SmartGym: Gym & Home Workouts
SmartGym: Gym & Home Workouts takes the title of the app of the year for Apple Watch, also available on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. This app enables users to log workouts and provides personally curated workouts with over 620 pre-installed exercises on the Apple Watch. It offers real-time heart rate monitoring, counts session data towards activity rings, and functions as a standalone app without an iPhone.
iPhone Game of the Year 2023: Honkai: Star Rail
Honkai: Star Rail, a popular fantasy RPG, earns the title of iPhone game of the year, also playable on iPad. This free-to-play adventure game offers an immersive experience with online multiplayer support, allowing users to explore distinct worlds following the path of the Aeons.
iPad Game of the Year 2023: Lost in Play by Snapbreak Games
Lost in Play by Snapbreak Games is crowned iPad’s game of the year for 2023, also available on iPhone. This free adventure game revolves around guiding a brother and sister home by solving puzzles and escaping horned beasts and quirky goblins.
Mac Game of the Year 2023: Lies of P by NEOWIZ
Lies of P by NEOWIZ secures the title of Mac game of the year, showcasing the evolving gaming capabilities of Macs, especially with the launch of the M1 MacBook Pros. The game follows a puppet created by Geppetto entangled in a web of lies, monsters, and untrustworthy figures.
Apple Arcade Game of the Year 2023: Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Hello Kitty Island Adventure emerges as the Apple Arcade game of the year for 2023, available on iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. This adventure game invites users to embark on a journey with Hello Kitty and friends to restore an abandoned island by solving various puzzles.
Cultural Impact Winners of 2023
Recognizing apps and games with cultural impact, Apple acknowledges Pok Pok, a digital toy room for kids; Proloquo, an accessibility app; Too Good To Go, an app minimizing food waste; Unpacking, a meditative puzzle game; and Finding Hannah, a hidden object game with heartfelt tales. These winners have made meaningful contributions to various aspects of culture.
In a groundbreaking move, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the launch of the Amazon Titan Image Generator on Wednesday, entering the competitive arena alongside industry rivals Microsoft, Stable Diffusion, Midjourney and Adobe.
The new innovative tool allows users to not only generate new images from text descriptions but also modify of existing ones using text, providing content creators with a swift and precise means of refining images based on English language cues, according to the company.
At the AWS ‘re:Invent 2023’ conference, Swami Sivasubramanian, Vice President of Database, Analytics, and Machine Learning, showcased the generator’s capabilities.
Sivasubramanian emphasized its role in facilitating easy background swaps, transforming scenes seamlessly while maintaining the image’s primary focus and expanding creative possibilities.
The Titan Image Generator holds great promise for businesses in advertising, e-commerce, media and entertainment, offering the creation of high-volume, cost-effective, studio-quality images. The model demonstrates an understanding of complex instructions involving multiple elements, producing contextually relevant images.
Trained on diverse and high-quality data, the model aims for accuracy, generating realistic images while prioritizing inclusivity and minimizing distortions.
AWS highlights the customization potential of the Titan Image Generator, allowing companies to fine-tune the model with proprietary data to align with brand guidelines or create images in a specific style, such as retooling the model with previous marketing campaign images.
The Titan Image Generator also ensures responsible AI usage by mitigating the generation of harmful content.
All images generated by Amazon Titan come with an invisible watermark, a default feature aiding in discreetly identifying AI-generated images to curb the spread of misinformation.
AWS introduced two new Amazon Titan multimodal foundation models along with Amazon Titan Multimodal Embeddings, providing a range of high-performing options for image, multimodal, and text models through a fully managed API.
Additionally, AWS announced the integration of Anthropic’s Claude 2.1 foundation model (FM) in Amazon Bedrock, enhancing accuracy and reducing hallucination rates, especially in long documents and system prompts. A beta tool feature for function calling and workflow orchestration was also introduced.
Since its launch in June 2023, the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center has collaborated with numerous global customers, comprising strategists, data scientists, ML engineers, and solutions architects.
The team has played a crucial role in conceptualizing, prioritizing, and constructing tailored solutions leveraging generative AI.
AWS unveiled the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center Custom Model Programme for Anthropic Claude. Starting Q1 2024, customers can collaborate with researchers and ML scientists from the centre to securely fine-tune Anthropic Claude models using their proprietary data.
(With inputs from agencies)
A recent study conducted by the Vrije Universiteit or Vrije University, Amsterdam suggests that every Bitcoin transaction uses an average amount of water equivalent to filling a backyard swimming pool.
This figure is approximately six million times more than the water consumed in a typical credit card transaction. The excessive water usage is attributed to the power and cooling requirements of the millions of computers globally supporting the Bitcoin network.
In 2021, Bitcoin is estimated to have consumed nearly 1,600 billion litres (gigalitres) of water, a figure expected to surpass 2,200 gigaliters in 2023. The study highlights concerns about Bitcoin’s environmental impact, especially in regions already facing water shortages.
The significant water consumption is primarily due to Bitcoin’s reliance on extensive computing power, leading to substantial electricity use.
Bitcoin’s energy consumption is comparable to that of entire countries, such as Poland, according to data from Cambridge University.
The demand for electricity to power Bitcoin’s operations results in water use for cooling gas and coal-fired plants and the evaporation of water from reservoirs supplying hydroelectric plants.
The mining process, where miners compete to audit transactions, is identified as the major contributor to Bitcoin’s water usage.
Alex de Vries of Vrije argues that Bitcoin could significantly reduce its water consumption by altering the “proof of work” method, which involves miners competing to audit transactions.
The “proof of work” method generates extensive computational competition, consuming massive amounts of electricity and water.
Ethereum, another major cryptocurrency, transitioned to a more sustainable system called “proof of stake” in September 2022, reducing its power usage by over 99 per cent. However, implementing a similar change in Bitcoin may face challenges due to its decentralized nature.
The study emphasizes the need for a reassessment of Bitcoin’s environmental impact, especially as water scarcity affects up to three billion people globally, a situation expected to worsen in the future.
Regulators and the public are urged to consider the freshwater consumption associated with Bitcoin mining, particularly in regions grappling with water shortages.
(With inputs from agencies)
In a recent development, two prominent accounting firms, KPMG and Deloitte, have reportedly instructed their staff to refrain from using their regular smartphones during visits to Hong Kong, citing security concerns.
According to the Financial Times, employees have been advised to use burner phones, when visiting China and Hong Kong.
Its not only Deloitte and KPMG who have issued such instructions, as consultants from McKinsey have also purportedly adopted the practice during their trips to the Chinese special administrative region, as per a different report by the Business Insider. The move is believed to be a response to the geopolitical tensions and increased surveillance in the region.
What are burner phones and how do they work?
In an era dominated by smartphones and constant connectivity, the use of burner phones is gaining traction as people seek to maintain a level of anonymity in their communications.
Burner phones, are usually disposable, ‘use and throw mobile phones’ that come with a set number of prepaid talktime or minutes, have very little data capabilities and often lack some of the more common internet-based features.
They are usually inexpensive mobile devices designed for short-term use. Users can purchase these phones without the need for a contract, providing a level of anonymity that is challenging to achieve with regular smartphones. They are often associated with privacy-conscious individuals, journalists, activists, or those navigating sensitive situations. They are also used extensively in organised crime
The workings of burner phones are relatively straightforward. Users buy the device with a preloaded amount of credit or minutes, and once that credit is used up, the phone can be discarded without leaving a trace.
Some people may swap out SIM cards frequently to further conceal their identity, but usually, once the minutes are up, people tend to simply dispose off the phone and buy a new one, because by topping it up, they may give away their personal and banking info. Moreover, they are nearly impossible to track because of their limited functionality.
The lack of personal information tied to these phones makes it difficult for authorities or other entities to trace the user’s communications.
Why are major organisations turning to burner phones?
In countries like China, where surveillance measures are robust and internet censorship is prevalent, the use of burner phones is not limited to illegal activities. Legal users may employ these devices to communicate without being tracked, especially in situations where privacy is paramount.
This includes activists coordinating social movements, journalists protecting their sources, or individuals seeking to express dissent without fear of reprisal.
While the legality of burner phones varies from country to country, their use underscores a growing concern for privacy in an interconnected world.
As technology advances, the debate around the balance between security and personal freedom continues, with burner phones emerging as a tool for those seeking to navigate this delicate equilibrium.
China’s snooping habit
The directive aligns with a broader trend observed in various sectors, including athletics and journalism.
Athletes at the Winter Olympics in a previous year were reportedly cautioned to use burner phones due to concerns over China’s national data security laws, which were perceived as lacking in Western standards of privacy and liberty, according to a report cited by BBC News.
Similarly, journalists covering the Games were reported to have employed burner phones, as reported by The Washington Post.
The backdrop for these precautions can be traced back to 2020 when former President Donald Trump issued an executive order asserting that Hong Kong no longer maintained sufficient autonomy from China.
Concurrently, China introduced the national security law in Hong Kong, which has been used to quell pro-democracy activism and reinforce Beijing’s authority over the city.
This heightened sensitivity to security measures is not limited to corporate entities, as evidenced by a surge in demand for burner phones in Hong Kong following the release of China’s “health code” contact-tracing app during the pandemic.
As global concerns over data security and privacy continue to grow, individuals and entities across various sectors appear to be adopting precautionary measures such as using burner phones when operating in regions with perceived heightened surveillance and potential risks to privacy.
(With inputs from agencies)
In the dynamic landscape of technology, generative AI has emerged as the hottest topic, revolutionizing various tasks from generating images based on text prompts to solving complex equations at lightning speed.
Among the notable players in this field is Runway, a specialised generative AI tool for content creation. This tool stands out by effortlessly producing audio, images, videos, and 3D structures with a simple prompt, and the best part is — it’s free to get started with.
Runway’s new motion brush is wild.
Brought me right back to the platform.
This isn’t perfect…w/e.
Way too much fun.
Tools Used:
Images: Midjourney
Image Editing: Photoshop Beta
Animation + Editing: Runway Gen2
Music: Soundraw#midjourney #runwayml #aiart #AIArtCommuity pic.twitter.com/6Unn8xpFLT— Rory Flynn (@Ror_Fly) November 23, 2023
Runway’s capabilities extend to converting any image, including those generated on models like Midjourney, into videos using tools like Runway Motion Brush.
The latest addition to its offerings is Runway Gen-2, a multimodal AI system capable of generating images, videos, and videos with text. Adding to the convenience, there’s even an iOS app for Runway, allowing users to generate multimedia content on smartphones.
With Runway Gen-2, users can create new videos with straightforward text prompts. Free account holders can generate four-second videos, downloadable and shareable on any platform, although they will bear a watermark.
Today we’re releasing new features and updates to provide more control, greater fidelity and even more expressiveness when using Runway.
We are excited to introduce Motion Brush, Gen-2 Style Presets, updated Camera Controls and more.
Thread below pic.twitter.com/VdF6MyCUSK
— Runway (@runwayml) November 20, 2023
Each second of video generation consumes five credits, and free users receive 500 credits. For those seeking enhanced tools and capabilities, a subscription plan is available at $12 per month, offering more customization options for the output.
Motion brush in runway…damn good.
Much better control.
This was very needed.#runwayml #midjourneyV52 #AIArtCommuity #aiart pic.twitter.com/r8ZhM0GnAd
— Rory Flynn (@Ror_Fly) November 24, 2023
In a parallel development, Stability AI has introduced Stable Video Diffusion, a cutting-edge AI research tool that transforms any static image into a short video. This open-weights preview of two AI models employs image-to-video techniques and can operate locally on machines with Nvidia GPUs.
Fully AI generated short film using @runwayml Gen-2. + @midjourney. pic.twitter.com/3nD3IqzHEi
— Reagan Maconi (@reaganmaconi) November 27, 2023
I made a short film about dogs. 🐶
“The Unspoken World of Woofs”
Made with @runwayml Text-to-Image and Gen-2. pic.twitter.com/oCqsKSdGep
— Bryan Fox (@bryanf0x) November 23, 2023
Stability AI gained attention last year with Stable Diffusion, an open-weights image synthesis model, inspiring a community of enthusiasts who built on the technology with their own adaptations.
Now, Stability aims to replicate this success in AI video synthesis. Currently, Stable Video Diffusion comprises two models, “SVD” and “SVD-XT,” producing video synthesis at 14 and 25 frames, respectively. The models can operate at varying speeds and output short MP4 video clips at 576×1024 resolution, typically lasting 2-4 seconds.
Stability underscores that the model is still in its early stages and intended for research purposes only.
While they actively update the models, seeking feedback on safety and quality, the company emphasizes that the current stage is not suitable for real-world or commercial applications. The insights and feedback received will play a crucial role in refining the model for future releases.
Russia has added Andy Stone, a spokesperson for Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), to its wanted list on unspecified charges, as the social media giant is classified as “extremist” by Moscow. Russian authorities have also started criminal investigations into Stone, reports have revealed
This move is part of Russia’s broader crackdown on media and social media freedom since the launch of its Ukraine offensive and the subsequent ban on criticism of it.
Stone is now listed on Russia’s interior ministry’s wanted list without providing specific details about the charges against him.
In October 2022, Russia categorized Meta as a “terrorist and extremist” organization, paving the way for potential criminal investigations and fines for users within the country. Facebook and Instagram have been blocked in Russia since the onset of the Ukraine offensive, with access limited to virtual private networks (VPNs).
In addition to Meta being labelled as “extremist,” Russia’s financial watchdog in April 2022 had added Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to the blacklist, prohibiting him from entering Russia.
Russia’s clampdown on media and social media freedom has extended to other platforms, with X (formerly Twitter) also banned, along with other Russian independent media critical of the Kremlin. Before the bans, millions of Russians used Meta’s applications, particularly Instagram, which remained highly popular among the country’s youth.
The tensions between Russia and Meta escalated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with users expressing unfiltered emotions on the platforms from both sides of the conflict.
In response, Stone announced temporary changes to Meta’s hate speech policy, allowing for certain forms of political expression that would typically violate the rules. However, Stone clarified that credible calls for violence against Russian civilians would continue to be prohibited.
(With input from agencies)
Elon Musk seems to be really happy about the way Grok, his AI-bot that is supposed to take on OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has turned out to be. The owner of xAI and X, posted a poem that he got Grok to compose, on the theme of love.
Despite their sophistication and the level of complexity with which the operate, as well as the legal framework most AI-bots have difficulty in coming up with original poems that are not plagiarised.
I asked Grok to write a poem about love pic.twitter.com/WNXoHTa0RF
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 27, 2023
Surprisingly though, the untitled poem that Elon Musk got Grok to write actually follows rules or rather guidelines that is normally expected of a poet when writing a sonnet. The poem is 14 lines long, as it should, and follows an iambic pentametre in rhythm.
Ever since it was launched, Grok has been making headlines for all the right reasons. So far, it seems to be working in a much better manner than OpenAI’s ChatGPT, despite the fact that OpenAI has been in the public domain for longer, and the fact that OpenAI has trained ChatGPT from a number of sources.
Grok, even though it is barely a month or two old has proven to be much wittier, intelligent and far less prone to hallucinate than ChatGPT. This is nothing short of a miracle, considering that Grok is trained mainly using X’s own data, and the posts made by X users.
On November 4, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the launch of “Grok,” a new information platform designed to provide answers to a wide range of questions. Musk indicated that Grok is set to be integrated into the Tesla Model X in the near future. Notably, Grok is not just a straightforward information service; it comes with a touch of humour.
While details about Grok’s capabilities and features are still emerging, it appears that the platform aims to be a conversational and entertaining source of information for Tesla users. Musk’s emphasis on the inclusion of humour suggests that Grok may respond to queries in a lighthearted and engaging manner. Perhaps that is why Elon Musk has asked people to steer clear of his chatbot service, if they have a very thin-skin.
The launch of Grok may have been a major moment for xAI and X Corp. However, Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO is certainly not happy given their history. About a week ago Altman took some major swipe at xAI and Grok, calling it a chatbot that is only capable of answering questions in a joke, “that only your dad would like”
Google is placing some major bets on Indian startup CoRover, and believes it to be India’s answer to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. That is why, the tech giant is set to invest about $4 million in CoRover.
CoRover is the Indian AI studio behind BharatGPT, an LLM-based AI solution that has proven to be much more capable than ChatGPT, and supports a number of Indic languages.
Earlier this year, CoRover unveiled BharatGPT, a significant addition to a body of large language models or LLMs.
This innovative language model supports more than 12 Indian languages and over 120 foreign languages, surpassing the language range of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which is limited to 95 languages and primarily operates in English.
What sets BharatGPT apart is its versatility, as it can process diverse data formats, including images, audio, video, and maps, unlike ChatGPT, which predominantly handles text.
CoRover emphasizes that BharatGPT boasts an impressive accuracy level of 90 per cent. Leveraging a vast repository of internet data as its foundation, BharatGPT offers the flexibility to fine-tune and enhance its content.
This adaptability allows the system to incorporate contextually relevant information based on factors such as region, sector, domain, client, business, and specific use cases, ensuring that users receive current and pertinent information in response to queries.
In a blog post, CoRover highlights BharatGPT’s ability to integrate with custom knowledge bases, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, as well as Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for real-time transactions.
This latest offering from CoRover provides organizations with the capability to build and manage chatbots across communication channels.
CoRover currently extends its AI virtual assistant services to prominent organizations such as IRCTC, LIC, Max Life Insurance, NPCI, and the Government of India, catering to over one billion users.
Moreover, in a notable development, Google is reportedly on the verge of investing approximately $4 million in CoRover, marking another significant milestone in the growth of the Indian conversational artificial intelligence startup. Following a non-equity funding of $500,000 earlier this year, discussions are underway for a $4 million equity investment after the official launch of BharatGPT. As a strategic partner, Google offers cloud computing credits to CoRover, and the additional funds are intended to scale up BharatGPT in the coming weeks.
In a significant move, Tata Electronics, a part of the Tata Group, is set to amplify its iPhone-casing facility in Hosur, with intentions to double its current size, according to a report by the Economic Times, quoting sources familiar with the matter.
The company, which recently acquired Wistron’s iPhone assembly plant in Karnataka, is strategically positioning itself to enhance its contract manufacturing capabilities for premium electronic devices and accessories.
The existing Hosur unit, established with a substantial investment of Rs 5,000 crore, is spread across 500 acres and accommodates over 15,000 employees. The proposed expansion, anticipated to conclude within 12-18 months, could result in a workforce surge to approximately 25,000-28,000 individuals at the consolidated site.
The report quotes a senior government official saying, “The company is looking to expand the unit to 1.5-2 times the current size and capacity.” While speculations suggest the new facility may primarily focus on manufacturing components for Apple phones, there is also a possibility of catering to other high-end smartphone manufacturers.
Industry insiders have believed for long that Tata Electronics is planning to establish a major plant in Hosur, emphasising its commitment to manufacturing phone components, potentially aligning with Apple’s ambitious export targets from India.
Tata Electronics, being the sole Indian company shortlisted by Apple as a vendor, is playing a pivotal role in diversifying Apple’s manufacturing operations away from China, particularly in the production of iPhone enclosures.
This expansion aligns seamlessly with Apple’s overarching strategy to bolster smartphone manufacturing within India.
The Cupertino-based tech giant has steadily increased its reliance on Tata Electronics to meet the escalating demand for iPhone exports. Notably, in the second quarter of this year, Apple surpassed Samsung to become the leading smartphone exporter from India, commanding 49 per cent of the country’s total shipments compared to its Korean counterpart’s 45 per cent.
The latest estimates indicate that Apple has exported iPhones worth over $5 billion in the first seven months of FY24 (April-October) from India, marking a remarkable year-on-year growth of 177 per cent. This underscores the mutually beneficial partnership between Tata Electronics and Apple, further solidifying India’s role in global smartphone manufacturing.
(With input from agencies)
Sony is set to take on AI-generated images through its upcoming ‘in-camera authenticity’ technology, a collaborative effort with non-profit news organization Associated Press (AP) and Camera Bits.
The company has recently announced the completion of the second round of testing for this innovative solution.
This cutting-edge technology introduces a digital signature, essentially creating a birth certificate for images that validate their origin.
Sony aims to address concerns about the authenticity of digital content by generating this signature in the camera’s hardware chipset at the moment a photographer captures an image.
The process is expected to provide professionals with a means to verify the legitimacy of their content, offering an additional layer of security for news agencies.
Neal Manowitz, the COO and President of Sony Electronics, expressed optimism about the valuable results obtained through the testing phase but remained tight-lipped about the intricate workings of the technology.
It is speculated that the images captured using this technology will contain substantial metadata, including details such as the camera model, the time the picture was taken, and any subsequent edits made.
Sony plans to roll out the digital signature feature in 2024 through a firmware update for its Alpha 9 III, Alpha 1, and Alpha 7S III models.
While Sony is at the forefront of this endeavour, it is worth noting that other companies have also delved into developing technologies to detect image tampering.
Leica, for instance, unveiled the M11-P rangefinder in October of this year, incorporating a Content Credential label containing information about the photo’s capture time and any alterations made.
However, the Leica M11-P comes with a hefty price tag of $9000, significantly more expensive than Sony’s Alpha models.
(With input from agencies)
In a bid to revolutionize the monitoring of track limits in Formula 1 races, the FIA, the regulatory body for the sport, is set to trial artificial intelligence (AI) during the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The initiative aims to address the challenges posed by breaches of track limits by utilizing ‘Computer Vision’ technology, which employs sophisticated shape analysis to identify the pixels crossing the track’s edge.
The FIA’s goal is to distinguish genuine breaches, where drivers fully cross the designated white line marking the track’s perimeter, thus enhancing the precision of enforcement.
In Formula 1, the term “track limits” means the defined boundaries of the racing circuit that dictate where drivers are permitted to manoeuvre their cars during a race. These boundaries are typically demarcated by white lines along the edges of the track.
It is expected that drivers adhere to these limits, although often there are instances where they may cross these boundaries. When a driver exceeds the designated track limits, by placing all four wheels of the car off the track, they receive penalties or warnings from race officials. This may range from penalising a driver by a few seconds in the main race, or deletion of the lap time during qualifying.
The impetus behind monitoring track violations using Computer Vision is to alleviate the workload at the FIA’s remote operations centre (ROC) and streamline response times, as it has been seen that there are times when certain drivers were not flagged when the track limits were violated.
The FIA encountered a significant challenge during the Austrian Grand Prix on July 2, where approximately 1,200 potential violations had to be managed by a team of only four individuals.
By the Qatar Grand Prix in October, the team had expanded to eight members, monitoring 820 corners and reporting 141 incidents to race control, resulting in the deletion of 51 laps.
Despite these efforts, certain breaches during the October US Grand Prix in Austin remained unaddressed, prompting stewards to express dissatisfaction with the enforcement of track limit violations at turn six.
Tim Malyon, the FIA’s head of remote operations and deputy race director, emphasized the efficacy of Computer Vision technology, drawing parallels with its success in medical fields, particularly in the analysis of data from cancer screenings.
Malyon highlighted the technology’s intended use in eliminating cases where no infringement occurred, allowing skilled personnel to focus on the genuine 20% of potential violations.
He noted that the integration of Computer Vision would reduce the number of cases considered by the ROC, with fewer instances forwarded to race control for further action.
Malyon emphasized the potential of real-time automated policing systems, foreseeing them as the future of efficient track limit enforcement in Formula 1.
(With inputs from agencies)
If AI and advertising agencies have their way, your favourite influencer might soon be out a job. Influencer marketing may take a dramatic turn in a couple of years, thanks to AI generated models. To see just how much money can agencies mint using AI-generated models, take the example of Aitana, Spain’s first AI model.
Introduced by a Spanish design agency named The Clueless, Aitana, is a 25-year-old pink-haired woman from Barcelona, who has quickly become an influencer with over 121,000 followers on Instagram and a lucrative career, earning up to €10,000 a month through endorsements.
The creation of Aitana stemmed from the agency’s desire to have a model that could be more reliable and not subject to the challenges associated with human influencers. Rubén Cruz, founder of The Clueless, explained that Aitana’s purpose is to serve as a model for brands working with the agency.
Every week, the agency team convenes to craft Aitana’s lifestyle, determining her weekly activities, selecting destinations to visit, and curating photos for her followers eager to keep up with her life.
However, there are no traditional photoshoots or wardrobe changes involved. Instead, a collaboration of artificial intelligence and design experts utilizes Photoshop to orchestrate scenarios, allowing the model to virtually experience weekends in cities like Madrid.
“In the first month, we recognized that people are drawn to lives, not just images. Given Aitana isn’t a living being, we needed to infuse a touch of reality to establish a relatable connection with her audience. We had to weave a narrative,” explains her designer, Rubén Cruz, who is also the founder of the agency.
Aitana’s success has prompted the agency to create a second virtual model named Maia, with both names incorporating the acronym for artificial intelligence (AI). Brands have expressed interest in personalized virtual models to represent their values without the complications associated with human influencers.
While the initiative is seen as a potential cost-saving measure for brands, it has sparked ethical concerns. Critics worry that the unrealistic perfection of AI-created models could contribute to body image issues and unrealistic beauty standards, particularly among the younger generation. Additionally, there is criticism of the highly sexualized image associated with virtual models like Aitana.
The designing agency defends its approach by stating that it aligns with the aesthetic already established by real influencers and brands. The agency believes that changing the system would require a shift in the vision of brands, as the current visual landscape is already characterized by a certain level of sexualization.
(With input from agencies)
Elon Musk has called for OpenaAI to be transparent with the public and reveal why they felt that Sam Altman could no longer be trusted with ChatGPT’s development and that of other AI tools that the studio was developing.
Elon Musk, former board member of OpenAI and CEO of Tesla, has urged transparency regarding the dismissal of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. OpenAI, known for developing ChatGPT, announced Altman’s firing on Friday, citing a loss of confidence in his leadership abilities.
Musk, responding to a post by former Yammer CEO David Sacks, emphasized the significant risks associated with advanced AI and called for public disclosure of the reasons behind Altman’s abrupt removal.
Although Musk departed from the OpenAI board in 2018 due to a conflict of interest with Tesla, he has remained vocal about his concerns regarding the societal impact of AI.
Musk’s call for transparency comes amid heightened tensions within OpenAI’s leadership regarding the potential dangers posed by artificial intelligence.
Altman had been actively seeking funding to accelerate AI development, while other board members expressed concerns about mitigating the potential threats associated with AI.
One possible reason for Altman’s removal may stem from a divergence of opinions among the company’s leadership on the responsible development of AI technology. Altman’s push for aggressive expansion clashed with the cautious approach advocated by some board members who are wary of AI’s potential harm to society.
Ilya Sutskever, co-founder of OpenAI and a key figure in Altman’s dismissal, reportedly established a “Super Alignment” team within the company. The team’s mission was to ensure that future iterations of GPT-4, the underlying technology of ChatGPT, would prioritize safety and avoid potential harm to humanity.
This move was indicative of a broader internal debate within OpenAI about striking a balance between technological advancement and ethical considerations.
As discussions around Altman’s firing continue, Musk’s call for transparency underscores the broader challenges faced by AI companies in navigating the delicate balance between innovation and addressing the ethical implications of their technologies.
Meanwhile, despite attempts by multiple people, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and many of OpenAI’s investors, the 3-member board failed to reinstate Altman and Greg Brockman, co-founder and President of OpenAI, who was also fired from the board of directors.
With the news of Altman’s departure and subsequent failure to reinstate him breaking online, several reports have surfaced which suggest that OpenAI is set to see a mass exodus of some of its top talent.
(With input from agencies)
In a bizarre series of events, it seems that Sam Altman may actually not return to OpenAI, despite investors hounding the board to ensure that the former CEO continues to manage the AI studio that gave us ChatGPT. The reason? A conflict between Altman and the board over Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.
The story around Sam Altman’s dismissal and then potential return to OpenAI, the AI development studio behind ChatGPT is getting stranger by the hour, as new developments keep on surfacing.
Sources say that the key contention for Sam Altman’s return as OpenAI CEO has been on Sam’s condition that all company meetings should use Microsoft Teams instead of Google Meet.
The board is now weighing its options between letting the company burn to ground or endure Teams. pic.twitter.com/cY7GLpyLBq
— Shantanu Goel (@shantanugoel) November 19, 2023
After getting terminated by a board of four people, reports surfaced that Sam Altman, the erstwhile CEO of OpenAI would be starting off his own venture. OpenAI’s staff, who had a very close relationship with Altman, threatened to quit OpenAI and join Altman’s new venture, even before the venture could take off.
Soon after Altman was fired, OpenAI’s President Greg Brockman, also a board member, quit, saying that he was not informed of Altman’s termination
As a result, OpenAI’s investors have been hounding the board to hire him back. Even Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, is trying to broker peace between the outsed CEO and the board members.
As per sources close to Altma, he has two key demands, both of them non-negotiable. First, he has demanded that the board members who fired him resign immediately from the board and that new members be elected by the investors as well as Nadella. The board, in principle, had agreed to this.
The second condition, which is even more bizarre, is that Altman wants all future virtual meetings, across all verticals and levels to take place through Microsoft Teams, and not Google Meet.
Over the weekend, reports surfaced that Altman had been fired by OpenAI’s board in a rather unceremonious way over a virtual conference using Google Meet. Given how AI security has been a major concern for the AI studio it seems a little odd.
Microsoft stands as the primary investor in OpenAI, having committed a substantial investment totaling $13 billion in support of the AI company. Notably, in the current fiscal year, Microsoft has executed a significant transaction, channelling $10 billion towards OpenAI under an agreement that allocates a share of OpenAI’s profits to Microsoft. Additionally, it is noteworthy that OpenAI’s GPT-4 technology is instrumental in powering the chatbot integrated into Microsoft’s search engine, Bing.
As for what happens to the staff at OpenAI, Altman loyalists are most likely to quit the company and go with Altman, to his new venture. The Verge, who broke the story of Altman’s firing, reported that several key employees had sent out an ultimatum to the board that if Brockman and Altman were not hired back by 5:00 PM Pacific Time, they would file their resignations, and go with him.
Pros:
– Good sound output after tweaks
– Surprisingly good ANC for the segment
– Customisable sound and controls
– Pleasant design, comfortable in-ear fit
– IP55 dust and splash resistance
– Impressive battery backup, fast charging
– Decent call quality
– Excellent value for money
Cons:
– Most sound presets are no good
– Average Transparency mode
– No wear detection sensors or dual-pairing support
Price: Rs 2,299
Rating: 4/5
Realme launched their Buds Q2 true wireless (TWS) earbuds over two years ago. Not only did they sound good, but were packed with features like active noise cancellation (ANC), something unheard of in TWS earphones under Rs 2,500 back then. No wonder they were hard to beat in the segment for a long time while their stocks lasted. Though not its literal successor, the new Realme Buds T300 looks poised to take over courtesy of its updated hardware and extensive feature list.
It is not just about succession, but also about taking the competition head-on. And, going by the specifications sheet, it can prove to be a major threat to the OnePlus Nord Buds 2, which itself is a solid all-round product. We have an interesting contest on our hands today. Let’s see how it plays out.
Realme Buds T300: Design and Comfort (8/10)
One looks at the charging case and you can guess the source of inspiration for the design. It is unmistakably Apple; this is not the first product or brand, nor will it be the last to take a dip in that pool. Having said that, Realme has done a good job with the build quality and the T300 has a well-rounded and polished look. The case and buds are completely glossy but the finish is good, and they don’t look cheap. They are prone to fingerprints and smudge marks but are a lot less conspicuous on the white variant that we received.
While everything is largely white here, the inside of the case is grey, which breaks the monotony. The case is fairly compact, lightweight and pocketable. It hosts a 460 mAh battery, with a tiny charge indicator LED and a USB-C charging port located towards the base. A Bluetooth pairing/reset button is absent here, but that function can be performed by touching and holding both buds simultaneously for a few seconds. There is a small indentation at the back of the buds to mark the touch zones.
The touch sensitivity is generally not bad but can be a little iffy with the triple clicks, where the third click fails to register at times. The buds are quite light at 4.1 grams each. The fit is snug and comfortable, and they don’t pop out of the ear during a workout or a jog. The buds are IP55-rated dust and splash-resistant to add to the sturdiness. The right-sized silicon tips from the three bundled pairs offer decent passive noise isolation and eventually help in enhancing ANC too.
Realme Buds T300: Features and Specifications (8/10)
Each earbud is fitted with a 12.4 mm dynamic driver with a titanized diaphragm. They have a pair of microphones each for calling and ANC. The Realme Buds T300 can suppress up to 30 decibels of ambient noise; an impressive number for budget earbuds. Unlike some midrange earphones like the Realme Buds 5 Pro, you do not get varying degrees of noise cancellation. Things have been kept simple, and ANC On, ANC Off and Transparency mode are the choices available here.
While you do get ANC, wear detection sensors have been given a skip. These Bluetooth 5.3-compliant TWS buds support SBC and AAC codecs. You also get 360-degree Spacial Audio Effect, but keep your expectations in check as it doesn’t always enhance the output. The Realme Link app lets you access and tweak certain features of these earphones. The app comes pre-installed on Realme phones and needs to be installed on other devices. The app is available for Android and iOS both.
It lets you alter the sound profile, configure the controls and more. You can assign play/pause, previous/next track, voice assistant, volume control or nothing to double tap and triple tap gestures. Touch-and-hold lets you switch between the ANC profiles. While volume control is available here, you do not have enough gestures to assign all the functions to, and you will need to skip some. The presence of wear detection sensors would have freed up a slot here.
Realme Buds T300: Performance (7.5/10)
The first thing you notice is how loud these earphones are. And if you need them to be louder for whatever reason, you can turn on the Volume enhancer from the app. I rarely had to go beyond 50% during the test run even when outdoors. The wireless range is not an issue either with the buds maintaining a stable connection at 10 metres with no obstruction between them and the source device. Now, let’s talk about the sound quality.
The default sound signature of the Realme Buds T300 is noticeably bass-heavy. You get four sound presets in the Realme Link app – Clear Vocals, Nature Balance, Clear Bass and Bass Boost, in the increasing order of bass. While Clear Vocals is not bass-heavy, it is too mids-forward to be enjoyable in music. It is usable in podcasts though. Even Nature Balance, which is otherwise on the brighter side, has excess bass that masks the mids a bit too much. The last two are almost unusable with way too much bass and poor vocal clarity.
Probably the bassheads may not complain about the output when using Clear Bass. Just like in the case of all the Nord Buds, the sound presets are a mere formality, and the real deal is the 6-band equaliser that lets you tweak the audio to your liking and create custom presets. Feel free to play around with it till you find the output that suits your taste. Try lowering the upper bass and pushing the mids up for a far better balance, or simply try our custom EQ displayed in the app screenshot and finetune it further if necessary.
After those sound tweaks, the T300 produces a more energetic sound output with better balance and sharpness. There is still enough thump in the bass, just a little tighter and not as boomy as before. The vocal clarity is much better and the highs are sharp without sounding sibilant. The soundstage here is not too broad but fine for the segment. The latency is low enough to not cause any noticeable lag between the video and audio when streaming videos from OTT platforms. It can supposedly drop further to 50 ms in Game Mode.
The T300 sound quality is good enough for a pair of TWS buds selling under 2K, but what gives the product an edge is the presence of ANC that actually works well. These buds can reduce ambient noise up to 30 dB, which is 6 dB higher than what the Nord Buds 2 can manage. Numbers aside, the ANC here is perfectly functional and noticeably reduces certain low-frequency ambient sounds like the whirr of the fan. It also cuts down on certain midrange sounds like human voices, but cannot eliminate them entirely.
Having said that, the ANC is highly effective in reducing background chatter when on public transport. The Transparency mode is average at best and needs a bit more work. It tends to amplify all the sounds and could have done with a focus on just the vocal frequencies. While you cannot have an extended conversation in this mode, it is still useful in keeping you aware of your surroundings when outdoors. Overall, the ANC is arguably the best you get on TWS earbuds under Rs 3,000. And there are very few who offer ANC in that budget to begin with.
Realme Buds T300: Call quality (7/10)
The call quality of the T300 is quite good indoors, with people on the line clearly audible to each other. When in busy areas outdoors, you are still audible with a good degree of clarity but not as good when in quieter areas. While the background noise cancellation circuitry does a decent job of keeping the ambient noise in check, it also impacts the sharpness of your voice. The caller immediately reported a drop in vocal clarity as soon as I stepped out on a buzzing street. Having said that, these earbuds are still pretty good for calling.
Realme Buds T300: Battery life (8.5/10)
The battery backup on the Realme Buds T300 is impressive. The company claims 6 and 8 hours of audio playback for the buds with ANC on and off respectively, and 30 and 40 hours overall with the charging case in similar conditions at 50% volume. With the loudness mostly around 50% during the course of testing, the earbuds actually managed to get quite close to those figures with the buds going on for a little over 5 hours with ANC on and just under 7 and a half hours without ANC. The case can recharge them four more times.
That translates into an overall battery backup in the range of 25 to 37 hours for the buds and case combined depending on your use of ANC. These are excellent figures and among the best in the segment. If that wasn’t good enough, they support fast charging too. A 10-minute charge promises close to 7 hours of playtime without ANC, which is very good. The buds and case can be charged fully in a little over an hour.
Realme Buds T300: Price and verdict
The Realme Buds T300 is officially priced at Rs 2,299 but can be purchased for Rs 1,999 at the moment with a one-year warranty. Given its performance and features, you get excellent value for your money. The T300 looks good, sounds good (after using the equaliser), is comfortable to wear for long, offers impressive battery backup with fast charging and the ANC is better than anything you get in the sub-3K category of TWS earbuds.
It does have a few minor shortcomings but the pros far outweigh the cons, and for a selling price of Rs 1,999, there’s very little to complain about. As for competition, we cannot think of anything close to 2K that offers everything that the Realme Buds T300 does. If you don’t care about ANC, then the Oppo Enco Buds2 does sound a little better for a couple of hundred Rupees less.
For a like-for-like alternative, you will need to shell out 3K and consider the OnePlus Nord Buds 2. But other than a different design and superior call quality outdoors, there are no other benefits of buying that over the T300 for the extra money. All things considered, the Realme Buds T300 is a great all-round product around Rs 2,000 and improves upon the Realme Buds Q2 in almost all departments. Though it probably wasn’t meant to be, it is the perfect successor to the Q2.
In a celestial mystery that has left scientists scratching their heads, the Moon’s surface has become the stage for a peculiar crash that has raised questions about undisclosed lunar payloads. On March 4, 2022, an unexpected rocket booster collided with the Moon, leaving behind two equally-sized impact craters and a host of unanswered queries.
Initially believed to be a discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from 2015, further investigation unveiled a twist – the crash culprit was a booster launched by China in 2014 as part of its lunar exploration program. As scientists probed the collision, the peculiar nature of the impact raised suspicions that there might have been an undisclosed object onboard, turning the lunar crash site into a scientific whodunit.
Researchers from the University of Arizona, who had been tracking the object’s trajectory for seven years, detailed their findings in a recent paper published in The Planetary Science Journal. The team analyzed the rocket’s light reflection signature and its movement through space, leading them to propose that the booster carried a mystery payload that met its end on the lunar surface.
Tanner Campbell, a doctoral student at the University of Arizona and lead author of the study, noted, “This is the first time we see a double crater.” The researchers observed that for the creation of two craters of equal size, there must have been two roughly equal masses that impacted the Moon at a distance from each other.
The object, initially identified as WE0913A, was first mistaken for a Falcon 9 rocket booster but was later confirmed to be from China’s Long March 3C rocket, launched by the China National Space Administration, or CNSA. Launched for a future sample return mission test flight, the booster was left in space after completing its mission of propelling its payload into lunar orbit.
Using a high-powered telescope, researchers tracked the booster’s peculiar behaviour, tumbling end-over-end in a stable manner, suggesting an additional mass mounted to its front as a counterweight to the engines. The subsequent observation of the double impact craters on the Moon further supported the theory of a mystery payload.
China, known for keeping mission details confidential, has not disclosed the nature of the undisclosed object. As lunar exploration missions continue, the incident highlights the need for increased transparency in disclosing the payloads carried by various space agencies and industry leaders. The Moon, it seems, holds not only the remnants of past missions but also the enigma of lunar secrets yet to be unveiled.
(With inputs from agencies)
It seems that Baidu, one of China’s biggest tech companies and one of the first Chinese companies to launch an AI bot, is not happy with the level of excitement people have with AI at the moment, and find it a bit premature.
At a recent industry event in Shenzhen, Baidu CEO Robin Li expressed his belief that major players in the tech industry should redirect their attention away from developing foundational AI models and instead concentrate on the burgeoning business of creating artificial intelligence-based applications.
Li argued that the continuous redevelopment of large foundational models represents a significant waste of social resources.
“In the AI-native era, what we need are AI-native applications at a scale of millions,” Li emphasized. Foundational models, characterized by hundreds of millions or even billions of data points, are intricate and expensive to develop, limiting accessibility to only the most sophisticated tech companies.
Li likened a large language model to a fundamental foundation, akin to an operating system, but stressed that developers ultimately need to rely on a limited number of these large models to build various native applications.
While Baidu did not provide a comment on the matter, many prominent tech companies in China and the United States have already unveiled their foundational models, sparking a race to establish the operating system of the future. Last month, Baidu introduced its latest AI model, Ernie 4.0, positioning it as a competitor to OpenAI’s GPT-4.
Other tech giants, such as Alibaba and Meta, have also released their own models, with Meta requiring a special license for companies with over 700 million monthly active users to use its Llama 2 model.
Li argued against attempting to catch up with these dominant tech players, deeming it improbable and ultimately fruitless. Instead, he suggested that the development of AI should follow a path similar to the smartphone revolution. After smartphones became popular and affordable, a diverse range of applications emerged, some of which evolved into major tech companies. Li cited examples like Uber and Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok).
According to Li, there is yet to witness the emergence of the best AI-native applications in China or the United States. The Chinese market has seen a proliferation of competing AI foundation models, leading to what an executive from Tencent referred to as the “war of a hundred models.” However, analysts express concerns about the similarity among these models and the difficulty new entrants may face in competing against entrenched, larger players.
Li’s perspective contrasts with that of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who speculated that ever bigger models might be replaced by smaller ones tailored to specific use cases. The development and use of large AI models have raised questions about transparency in AI development. A study from Stanford University found that 10 of the largest AI developers in the US failed a “transparency test” evaluating the origin of their data and how it is used.
In response to such concerns, China’s government has taken steps to regulate the development and usage of large AI models. In July, China’s Cyberspace Administration released some of the world’s first government regulations governing AI use, potentially narrowing down the field of AI models in China.
With the EU cracking down on Big Tech, and designating some of the biggest companies as gatekeepers, it was only a matter of time before someone took issue with them.
Meta Platforms Inc. has contested the European Union’s recent crackdown on the dominance of major technology corporations, setting the stage for a legal battle between regulators and the social media giant.
The company contends that the European Commission erred in subjecting Facebook’s Marketplace and Messenger services to the new digital antitrust regulations of the bloc, as outlined in an appeal submitted to EU courts on Wednesday. This legal dispute positions Meta against EU lawyers in opposition to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to curtail market abuses.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Meta stated, “This appeal seeks clarification on specific points of law regarding the designations under the DMA. It does not alter or detract from our firm commitment to complying with the DMA.” Despite the appeal, the company emphasized its dedication to abiding by the DMA’s regulations.
The European Commission refrained from commenting on the legal challenge. The DMA imposes requirements on Meta, compelling the company to secure users’ consent before sharing data between Marketplace and other Meta-owned services. Additionally, it mandates Messenger to collaborate with competing online messaging platforms, with enforcement of these obligations set to begin in March.
In a broader context, the DMA criminalizes specific platforms favoring their own services over those of competitors. Provisions include prohibiting the amalgamation of personal data across different services, preventing the use of data collected from third-party merchants for competitive purposes, and ensuring users can download apps from rival platforms.
Among the 22 platforms covered by the DMA, Alphabet Inc.’s Google Search, Apple Inc.’s Safari, Amazon.com Inc.’s marketplace, and ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok are included. Apple is expected to file an appeal challenging the inclusion of some of its services.
Meta is already entangled in a separate dispute with the EU following the December complaint by the European Commission.
The complaint alleged that the California-based company stifled competition from classified ad rivals by linking Facebook Marketplace to its extensive social network. While Meta is contesting these allegations in the EU, it has resolved a similar case initiated by the UK’s competition watchdog.
The dangerous AQI levels that several Indian cities, especially New Delhi has been facing for some time now, clearly shows that we need realistic, nuanced and creative solutions for air pollution, and we need it fast. Maybe, we should be taking a cue from the Swiss.
On, a Swiss sportswear brand, is launching a new line of T-shirts, tanks, and shorts called the Pace collection, which incorporates polyester made, in part, from carbon emissions. On collaborated with LanzaTech, a biotech company specialising in transforming emissions and pollutants into chemicals using bacteria.
Traditionally, polyester clothing is produced using ethanol derived from petroleum or gas. However, On’s innovative process involves capturing gas from a steel mill in China and feeding it to microbes in bioreactors, a method akin to brewing beer. The byproducts generated in this process are then converted into ethanol, which is further used in the production of polyester.
Nils Atrogge, Head of Innovation Portfolio Strategy at On, expressed the company’s commitment to moving away from fossil-based resources entirely. Sixty-four per cent of the material used by On in apparel and accessories is already fossil-free, and the Pace collection represents a significant step forward in achieving their goal in technical sportswear.
The final material, known as CleanCloud, is engineered into a performance fabric designed by On’s material design teams for high functionality and aesthetics suitable for activities like running.
While other clothing brands have launched capsule collections in collaboration with LanzaTech, On aims to make the material an ongoing part of its supply chain. Currently, it is possible to make a material from 20 per cent recycled emissions, as polyester comprises 20 per cent ethylene glycol made from ethanol and 80 per cent from another material, PTA, which cannot be derived from CO2. On is also exploring methods to de-fossilize PTA.
Reducing environmental impact is a key element of On’s company strategy, with a focus on pioneering sustainable technologies. Despite potential higher costs in the beginning for certain materials, On believes it is a necessary step to create awareness and demand, ultimately accelerating the economics of scale.
The company hopes that the Pace collection will showcase consumer demand for more sustainable options and encourage similar initiatives across the apparel industry.
AI chip manufacturing leader and one of the biggest GPU makers, NVIDIA has announced the upcoming release of its advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chip, the H200, scheduled to launch next year.
The H200, which is being positioned as a massive upgrade over the existing top-tier H100 chip, comes with key enhancements, with a primary focus on increased high-bandwidth memory—a pivotal component determining the chip’s rapid data processing capabilities.
NVIDIA’s dominance in the AI chip market, powering notable services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, makes this announcement significant for various sectors relying on generative AI applications.
The augmented high-bandwidth memory and accelerated connection to the chip’s processing elements promise swifter response times for AI services, enabling quicker generation of human-like responses to user queries.
The H200 chip features an impressive 141 gigabytes of high-bandwidth memory, a substantial upgrade from the 80 gigabytes found in its predecessor, the H100.
While NVIDIA has not disclosed the memory suppliers for the new chip, Micron Technology expressed its intent in September to become a supplier for NVIDIA. NVIDIA also sources memory from SK Hynix, which reported a sales resurgence in the AI chip sector last month.
In a strategic move, NVIDIA has secured partnerships with major cloud service providers, ensuring rapid integration of the H200 chip into the market.
Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure are among the notable providers set to offer access to the H200 chips. Additionally, speciality AI cloud service providers, including CoreWeave, Lambda, and Vultr, will also be part of the initial rollout.
The H200’s anticipated debut in collaboration with tech giants highlights the chip’s potential impact on diverse industries relying on cutting-edge AI capabilities. As AI applications continue to evolve, NVIDIA commitment to advancing AI hardware positions the H200 as a pivotal player in the unfolding landscape of artificial intelligence.
(With input from agencies)
It seems that the Indian government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that Elon Musk’s EV company, Tesla, finally enters the Indian market. One of its latest gambit is to lower import tariffs on CBU or completely built-up EVs, which currently attract at least 70 per cent import duty.
After multiple rounds of negotiations, it appears that the Indian government is on the verge of reducing import duties for electric vehicles. According to a report from the Financial Times, India is contemplating a tax reduction on the import of EVs, with indications that a prominent US EV manufacturer is planning to establish its manufacturing unit within the country.
Currently, CBU vehicles with a price tag below $40,000 face a steep import duty of 70 per cent, while those priced above $40,000 face a 100 per cent import duty. The government is reportedly contemplating a substantial reduction, potentially bringing it down to 15 per cent for electric vehicles across all price ranges. However, the report emphasizes that no official agreement on this policy change has been reached.
A source familiar with the matter shared with the Financial Times, “Their view has always been that they need some tariff concessions at least in the interim period… It would have some kind of sunset clause.” Another source added, “We want to create a package that is good for India and doesn’t become a curated package for one company… Others are free to take advantage of this window, subject to meeting these kinds of requirements.”
Recent reports from Reuters indicate that Tesla CEO Elon Musk is scheduled to meet with the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. The meeting is expected to cover discussions on India’s new policy, allowing automakers to import fully built EVs into the country at a reduced tax rate of 15 per cent, down from the current 100 per cent. It’s crucial to note that this policy is still under development.
In 2021, Tesla had abandoned its plans to enter the Indian market due to inconclusive talks regarding import duties with the Indian government. The government’s insistence on local manufacturing and promises of additional benefits were among the sticking points. Furthermore, Tesla was encouraged to apply for the production-linked incentive scheme.
According to the report, the upcoming meeting between Piyush Goyal and Elon Musk aims to ensure that the discussions are progressing in a positive direction, potentially paving the way for significant developments in the EV sector in India.
(With input from agencies)
Apple’s latest iOS 17.2 beta’s source code has shown that it will allow sideloading apps on iPhones, allowing users to download apps from third-party app stores.
The discovery was made by the team at 9to5 Mac, who identified a new public framework called “Managed App Distribution” within the beta code.
How Apple will allow sideloading
Initially thought to be related to modernizing Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions for enterprise app installations, the theory faced challenges as iPhones already possess this capability. The presence of a region lock reference further fueled speculation that this API may facilitate sideloading apps, aligning with local regulations in specific countries.
Upon closer examination, it was discovered that the API includes basic controls for downloading, installing, and updating apps from external sources, along with an extension endpoint for other apps to create similar extensions. Additionally, a currently unused entitlement was identified, potentially granting third-party apps the necessary permissions to install other apps on iPhones, effectively allowing developers to establish their own app stores.
This development follows a report from April outlining Apple’s intentions to lay the groundwork for sideloading apps with iOS 17. If implemented, this change would mark a departure from Apple’s traditional closed ecosystem, where users are restricted to downloading apps exclusively from the official App Store.
Why sideloading is dangerous
Unlike reputable app stores that implement stringent security measures, sideloading exposes users to an elevated risk of downloading malicious software. Apps obtained from unofficial sources may harbour malware, viruses, or other harmful elements that can compromise the integrity of a device and compromise sensitive user data.
Moreover, sideloading circumvents the regulatory frameworks imposed by official app stores. These regulations serve to ensure that apps meet certain standards, such as privacy protection and adherence to ethical coding practices. Sideloading allows the installation of apps that haven’t undergone such scrutiny, increasing the likelihood of encountering software with compatibility issues, privacy violations, or other undesirable features.
Additionally, sideloading raises concerns about intellectual property and piracy. Users may unwittingly download pirated or unauthorized versions of apps, infringing on developers’ rights and exposing themselves to potential security risks. The lack of automatic updates and limited support for sideloaded apps further exacerbates these dangers, as users may miss critical security patches and updates. In summary, while sideloading offers flexibility, its associated risks make it a potentially hazardous practice, particularly for users seeking a secure and reliable digital experience.
How Apple was forced into making this decision
Despite its drawbacks, sideloading would empower iPhone users to download apps from external sources and provide iOS developers with an alternative to Apple’s standard 15-30 per cent cut from App Store purchases.
The shift towards sideloading is seen as a response to new European Union regulations, particularly the Digital Markets Act set to take effect in 2024. These regulations compel major tech companies, including Apple, to open up their services and platforms to other developers, offering users the option to download apps from diverse sources.
The move towards sideloading represents a noteworthy adjustment for Apple, driven by evolving regulatory landscapes and the demand for greater flexibility within its iOS ecosystem.
The European Commission has officially designated iOS and the App Store as “gatekeepers,” prompting the implementation of significant changes outlined in the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission had identified Apple’s iOS, the Safari browser, and the App Store as gatekeepers, necessitating adjustments within six months in accordance with DMA regulations.
As a result, Apple is now obligated to permit users to directly install applications on their iPhones, with sideloading being one of the notable outcomes. The DMA introduces broad transformations, allowing users to potentially replace Siri with competing alternatives, while services like iMessage may undergo modifications in the future.
Although Apple hasn’t made an official announcement regarding the imminent availability of this feature for iPhones and iPads in the region, the new discovery all but confirms this.
Failure to comply with these regulations could expose Apple to fines, starting at 10 per cent of its annual turnover, with the potential to increase to 20 per cent for repeated violations. Further consequences may include the EU compelling Apple to divest parts of its business or prohibiting acquisitions.
Pros
– Awesome sound
– Wide Soundstage
– Solid bass performance
– Sturdy design with water-resistance and dustproof IP rating
– DIY user-replaceable battery
– Support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Cons
– Price
– Google Assistant doesn’t work in India
– A bit on the heavier side, and not exactly portable
– Bluetooth does not support a lot of features from the Sonos App
Price: Rs 43,999 (can often be found for a lot cheaper)
Rating: 4.25/5
Most premium wireless speakers do a pretty solid job for the average consumer — they have good bass, they are well-balanced, get pretty loud and most importantly, sound pretty good. Then, we have the Sonos Move, a wireless speaker, that sounds simply heavenly. In fact, this portable speaker is so good, that even audio aficionados, or audiophiles, have been thoroughly impressed.
When we speak of premium wireless speakers, we see that there are a dime a dozen of options out there in the Indian market. However, there are only a few truly good speakers. While you may have your Sonys, B&Os and Bose, when it comes to wireless audio, only a few audio brands can hold a candle to Sonos.
While they may not be the most popular choice for wireless speaker systems in India, the US audio company is considered one of the best. What sets their audio products apart from other makers, is that apart from sounding phenomenally well, they are very consumer-oriented — easy to set up, easy to pair with other devices, and easy to use.
Sonos Move Portable Speaker Review: Build quality and design
The Move speaker, with dimensions of 9.5 by 6.3 by 5.0 inches, is sturdily constructed and comes with an appealing matte finish, and is available in black or white. Notably, it holds an IP56 rating, signifying its resilience against dust exposure and water projection from any direction. While it can endure rain and poolside splashes, it is not advisable for submersion. Additionally, the speaker is somewhat resistant to exposure to the sun and accidental drops.
Sonos has invested significant effort in the Move’s durability. Predominantly enveloped in a protective grille, the top, bottom, and back sections are composed of plastic, with a substantial part of the bottom using rubberised feet for enhanced scratch resistance and improved grip.
On the upper panel, you’ll find touch-sensitive controls, featuring a central play/pause button and adjacent buttons for adjusting the volume. Additionally, there’s a microphone/mic mute button designed for the far-field mic array, strategically positioned on the same panel.
Along the rear, there are three buttons—power, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, and Join (for connecting to an existing Sonos network)—accompanied by a USB-C port dedicated to charging. While a charging cable is not included, the charging dock comes with a fixed adapter and a pretty long cable. The Move also comes bundled with a protective pouch secured by a drawstring for added convenience.
You get a charging dock included with the speaker, which is a feature I think should be standard with every Bluetooth speaker. The dock securely houses the speaker when not in use, ensuring it remains consistently charged and ready for use. In instances where the dock is unavailable, like when you’re on the go, the speaker can be conveniently charged using any USB-C charger.
As for portability, the Move weighs approximately 3kg thanks to its weatherproof and shock-resistant attributes. Plus, good speakers are usually on the heavier side, mainly because the drivers are heavy. While the built-in handle makes it easy to carry over short distances, like within a residence, because of its heft and weight, and somewhat unwieldy form, the Move isn’t exactly suitable to be carried around for long. As a result of all this, while the Move is quite adept at being moved around in household spaces, its bulkiness and weight make it impractical for certain outdoor activities like picnics or trekking.
Sonos Move Portable Speaker Review: Functionality & Software
Setting up the Sonos Move is a walk in the park, and really intuitive. Connect the Move to its charging base, and the initial setup is done seamlessly via Wi-Fi. If this happens to be your first Sonos speaker, you’ll have to get the Sonos S2 app. This app not only links up with popular music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Prime Music and a ton of other services, it also has a very easy-to-use Equalizer, along with many other features and options. You will also need the app in case you want to set up two Move units in stereo mode.
While the Move is compatible with both S1 and S2 apps, you should be opting for the S2 app to get the best compatibility, especially with the latest Sonos products and features. Through the app, you gain access to internet radio and the ability to stream music from your phone’s library as well. In the app, you also get a loudness button that primarily enhances bass at lower volume levels.
One standout feature of the Sonos Move is its Auto TruePlay functionality. What it does is play a sound from the Move, record the audio on your phone, and then recalibrate the Move, based on its surroundings and how it sounds. Although not perfect, it greatly simplifies the tuning process for your wireless speaker. The difference is subtle but can get pretty discernible in certain tracks, especially if you have a sharp sense of hearing.
The app also allows integrating the Move into an existing Sonos setup, forming multi-room groups, searching for music, adjusting settings, and monitoring battery life
For connectivity, you get both 2.4GHz and 5.6GHz wireless bands, and Bluetooth, which is limited to version 4.1. Additionally, Apple AirPlay 2 is supported for added convenience. The USB-C port is only for power and charging.
If you find yourself using Bluetooth for streaming with the Move, the pairing process is straightforward, and once done, you can effortlessly switch back and forth between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modes. However, it’s worth noting that some of the best features of the Sonos app is exclusive to Wi-Fi connectivity; when you’re in Bluetooth mode, you don’t get Apple AirPlay 2 obviously, but you also don’t get create stereo pairs, nor do you get to group other Sonos speakers in your system to listen all around your home.
Although the packaging on Move says that it does not support voice assistants, it does support Alexa, and has Sonos’ own Voice Control. Sonos Voice Control works fairly well, but not as well as Alexa. Unfortunately, we do not get support for Google Assistant.
Sonos Move Portable Speaker Review: Audio performance
When it comes to crafting top-notch speakers, Sonos has an impressive track record, and the Move lives up to its legacy. Boasting one tweeter, one mid-woofer, and two Class D amplifiers, this speaker delivers an outstanding listening experience. Whether you’re into subtle background tunes, thumping dance beats, or anything in between, the Move has you covered. Even at its maximum volume, the Sonos Move maintains a balanced sound, handling bass-heavy tracks like The Weeknd’s Starboy, Avicii’s Wake Me Up, or twenty one pilots’ Heathes with finesse.
This speaker leans towards a bass-forward profile, and you have the flexibility to enhance or dial down the bass using the Sonos app. Even at impressively high volume levels, the Move avoids distortion, though there’s a slight thinning of the bass.
For tracks with less emphasis on bass, such as Passenger’s Let Her Go or Gotye’s Somebody That I Used To Know where the deep bass is less prominent, the Move’s overall sound signature shines. The vocals strike a pleasing balance between low-mid richness and crisp high-mid clarity.
What really stands out, is how well the Move responds to custom EQ settings. Yes, you do not get very granular control over the EQ, and you really don’t need to tweak anything if you’re a casual listener. But it is nice to know that you have the option to do so and that the option works really well, in a pronounced way.
In summary, the Sonos Move can pump out serious volume while retaining impressive detail—a rarity even among pricier speakers.
In terms of listening options, the Sonos Move opens up a world of possibilities with access to 100 streaming services through the Sonos app, voice commands, or Apple AirPlay 2. However, keep in mind that these options are available only when the device is connected to your Wi-Fi network.
Sonos Move Portable Speaker Review: Battery life
Sonos claims that the 2500-ish mAh battery of the Moves has an 11-hour battery life for continuous playback when the speaker is not on the charging dock. In our assessment, we achieved a solid 9 hours of uninterrupted playback at about 80 per cent of the volume, which is quite satisfactory unless you plan on an extended playing session.
The battery life is commendable for a portable speaker delivering the quality of sound that the Move does. Our testing involved a consistent music output peaking at 75dB, as measured by the Apple Watch. Keep in mind that if you opt for maximum volume, the battery life may understandably be shorter.
Nevertheless, considering that the Sonos Move is likely to be predominantly used around the house, the battery life shouldn’t pose a significant issue for most users. If you decide to take it out for the day, the speaker should endure long enough for you to make the most of it before heading back home.
Sonos Move Portable Speaker Review: Sustainability
One thing that we really love about Sonos is how they focus on sustainability. The packaging that the Sonos Move comes in is made out of cardboard instead of plastic. You also get a nice fabric bag that can last you a long time, instead of a flimsy one that will disintegrate in a few days.
We also love the fact that Sonos is providing a user-replaceable battery for the Move, which comes with this easy DIY kit that includes a new battery and all the required tools to carry out the battery swap. Sonos says that the in-built battery will last you for at least 900 cycles. You will have to be a little clever in sourcing your battery, but it is pretty easy to get your hands on one.
Sonos Move Portable Speaker Review: Verdict
Priced north of Rs 40,000, not a lot of people looking for a portable speaker can actually buy the Sonos Move, even though it is one of the best ones that we have tried. There are some pretty solid options out there for a fraction of the price, that offer a lot of the same functionality, and performance that would be sufficient for most people.
However, money no object, if you really want to have one of the best-sounding portable speakers, the Sonos Move is a pretty solid option.
The Sonos Move offers a remarkable degree of flexibility in its usage, catering to both on-the-go portable playback and seamlessly integrating into an in-home multi-room setup. With its robust driver and complete access to the Sonos software ecosystem, what you’re essentially getting is a full-fledged Sonos home speaker that conveniently happens to be portable.
While the portability aspect is well-considered, evident in features like extended battery life, carrying handles, and durability, what truly stands out is the Move’s ability to hold its own against powered home speakers. It manages to deliver a comparable performance without sacrificing key features, except for voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. This dual capability makes the Sonos Move a truly impressive and versatile audio solution.
