Home Blog Page 130

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Qualcomm’s New SoC Focuses On Efficiency, Ray Tracing And AI

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Qualcomm announced the flagship chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, at the Snapdragon Summit 2022. Like the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, the chipset is manufactured at TSMC using the 4nm EUV process.

With its 1+4+3 core configuration, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is said to be faster and more efficient than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Qualcomm claims a performance increase of 35% and an improvement in efficiency of 40%. The prime core is a Cortex-X3 with 3.2 GHz, and the four performance cores consist of two Cortex-A710 and two Cortex-A715 with 2.8 GHz each. The three efficiency cores are Cortex-A510 with 2 GHz.

Its latest Adreno GPU is claimed to deliver 25% faster performance and 45% more power efficiency. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the first Qualcomm chip to enable hardware ray tracing. Qualcomm is a week too late for the title of the first mobile SoC with this function — MediaTek presented the Dimensity 9200, a chipset with hardware ray tracing, shortly before the Snapdragon presentation.

With its new flagship, Qualcomm has improved Hexagon AI processor. The performance of AI-supported functions should improve by a factor of 4.35. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 also supports INT4 interference, which is faster but less precise than INT8. According to Qualcomm, however, there should be no significant deterioration in quality. The performance should be improved by 60%.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

The SoC’s Sensing Hub should be able to process and evaluate sensor information as well as audio and video signals. The SoC should be able to react better and faster to changes in the environment. The Sensing Hub got a second AI core in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. With the Sensing Hub, for example, smartphones should automatically lock the display when users move away from the switched-on device.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the first Qualcomm SoC that enables 5G on two SIM cards simultaneously — the X70 modem is integrated into the SoC. It also supports Wi-Fi 7, which Qualcomm says is a first for a mobile SoC, although Dimensity 9200 also supports Wi-Fi 7.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 supports the latest LPDDR5x-4200 RAM, as well as UFS 4.0 format drives. The chip can also work with QHD+/144 Hz and 4K UHD/60 Hz displays, as well as play 8K video at 60 frames per second and supports HDR10+ dynamic range and Dolby Vision. The Snapdragon 8 Gen2 supports the AV1 codec, but currently only decoding due to legal differences.

In terms of cameras, it has a triple 18-bit ISP that can support up to three 36MP cameras at the same time, or up to 200MP for a single camera configuration. It also works with 108MP camera sensors and has no shutter lag. Qualcomm is also proud of its first “cognitive ISP”. This part of the processor is responsible for real-time image segmentation processing. 

The first buyers of the chip include Asus with the ROG brand, Honor, iQOO, Motorola, Nubia, OnePlus, RedMagic, Redmi, Sharp, Sony, Vivo, Xiaomi, Xingji/Meizu and ZTE, although not all of them will be available this year will start. Qualcomm expects the first devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 to appear in late 2022 and early 2023.

The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update Will Land On December 14th

Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update

Polish game company CD Projekt Red has tweeted that the popular game “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” will be updated for next-gen consoles on December 14, 2022. 

The game will be available for Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. At the same time, the improvements are coming to the version for Windows PC. The new content that will come with the upgrade will later also be available for the Playstation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch version. There is no date for this yet.

The game includes dozens of graphics, performance and technical improvements. When it comes to the technical improvements for the newer consoles and the PC, the developers mention “ray tracing support, faster loading times on consoles and a large number of mods that are integrated directly into the gaming experience” .

There will also be additional content inspired by The Witcher series on Netflix. CD Projekt Red will soon be revealing more details about the optimized graphics and other extras in a stream on Twitch. There is no specific date for this either.

Updates are free for owners of any previous version. If you purchase it now, you can download it under the complete edition that includes all the DLC sold separately.

Details of the next-generation console update, including play videos, will be distributed on CD Projekt Red’s official Twitch channel in the future.

The Witcher 3 was released on PC/PS4/Xbox One in 2015. In addition to the enormous popularity and the release of several additional content, there was a surprise Nintendo Switch version and a Netflix live-action drama in 2019. As of April 2022, it has sold over 40 million copies.

The next-gen upgrade was supposed to arrive in the first half of 2021. Still, due to changes in the development system and due to the epidemic of the coronavirus infection, it was released in a state that was far from the next-generation machine.

A new sequel to The Witcher 3, called Project Polaris, is already in the early stages of development and has been announced as a trilogy.

The Best Game Economic Simulator

Game Economic Simulator

Two Point Studios is a respected developer, despite the fact that the studio was founded only in 2016. In fact, its roots go back to 1987, when Bullfrog Productions was born. Founded by the notorious Peter Molyneux, it has released such masterpieces as Populous, Dungeon Keeper, and Theme Hospital. It was the latter that inspired the newly formed studio for its first release, Two Point Hospital.

And now, after dozens of additions and a dizzying success, the economic simulator was continued in the face of the Two Point Campus. The same gameplay, the same bobbleheads, and the playful tone are all there, but is there any point in buying a game that might seem like a reskin? Play Game karma to your heart’s content and don’t forget to read about what’s new in the gaming world.

Should we expect much from the Two Point Campus?

The answer to the question is positive. The developers were able to take the traditionally difficult genre to master and make it truly accessible to a wide audience, and even on all possible platforms, from PC to PS4 and Switch. In this regard, nothing has changed: in Two Point Campus, the emphasis is still on accessible, relaxed gameplay. It is difficult to lose here – for this you need to really try. This is a sim where you often don’t have to do anything at all – sit back in your chair and watch how little bobbleheads live their lives.

Two Point Campus Review

As in the previous part, the gamepad control is excellent – no matter where you play, you will not have any problems. The campaign offers a range of different campuses, each with its own challenges and themes. Somewhere the emphasis is on virtual reality, somewhere on cooking skills. Despite the fact that this is a simulator, there is no smell of realism here – Two Point has long been a series with its downright Pratchett laws of physics.

The game stands out with a huge amount of funny details, pleasant little things, and just great animation. You can generally forget about some tasks there and study the life of each student under a magnifying glass. What is he happy with, what does he dream about? Like an ant farm, Two Point Campus is moderately autonomous, although, of course, without your efforts, getting the maximum rating – which means opening other campuses – will not work.

Two Point Campus game loop

The game loop is simple: at the start of a level, you are given a simple building and a set of tasks. You can create classrooms, rooms, and public spaces for students to learn, relax, fall in love, and find new hobbies. The main focus is always on the comfort level of the students; the happier they are, the richer the university. Satisfaction depends on various factors: cleanliness, the number of teachers, and the level of catering.

You need to think not only about the interior but also about the improvement of the territory of the university, which can be planted with trees, decorated with fountains and artsy shops.

Apple’s Possible Search Engine Fades Into Oblivion As Key Developers Moved To Google

Apple news and stories and more

If you currently search Safari using the address bar, it will automatically be sent to Google. Google pays Apple billions of dollars a year to set Google Search as the default search engine in the Apple eco-system.

However, for several years there have been rumours that Apple is working on its search engine, which is intended to replace Google search on the Apple platforms gradually.

Four years ago, Apple acquired the company Laserlike, which also dealt with optimising search results using artificial intelligence. The three founders, Anand Shukla, Srinivasan Venkatachary and Steven Baker, all former Google employees, joined Apple after the acquisition. 

But as TheInformation reports, all three employees have left the group and switched back to Google — a severe blow for Apple. Apple probably bought the company not so much because of the technologies it developed but rather because of the founders and employees.

As per the sources, Apple is still working on its search engine, but concrete results of the project cannot be expected in the coming years — due to the leaving of the three crucial employees and the complexity. It would take at least four more years before Apple could launch its search engine.

Of course, it is not certain in what form Apple will offer a search engine and whether this will be like Google Search or accessible directly in the browser or only on Apple devices. Apple’s newly won interest in selling advertising in the App Store could, of course, also affect the upcoming search engine — Google’s main source of income is advertisements, which are found directly between the search results — and Apple could open up another source of income with its search engine.

WhatsApp Will Finally Be Able To Use One Account On Multiple Devices

enable fingerprint lock feature on WhatsApp

WhatsApp has long been planning to add a new Companion mode to link two smartphones to the same WhatsApp account. The functionality was recently made available for Android tablets, and it is now being tested for a secondary smartphone as part of a beta update.

A recent WABetaInfo report shows that WhatsApp has started rolling out Companion mode to some Android users as part of the 2.22.24.18 beta. This will allow you to link an additional phone to the same account to make it easier to manage it across two devices.

It is noted that the new function is called “Linka device”. You can find it in the settings of the messenger. After activation, a QR code appears on the screen of the primary device, which can be scanned by the camera of a smartphone or tablet, which will allow you to automatically log into your account.

One WhatsApp Account On Multiple Devices

All of your chats will be synchronised to the second phone after the two mobile phones are paired by following the on-screen instructions.

However, due to the experimental nature of the functionality, some functions will stay inaccessible. Features like live locations, as well as managed broadcast lists and stickers, will be unavailable.

Companion mode is an expansion of the multi-device functionality, allowing you to connect up to four devices and use WhatsApp on any accessible device. There’s a potential you’ll be able to connect more than two phones to a single WhatsApp account.

The feature is said to be rolled out to more users in the coming weeks. We can expect stable Android and iOS users to get it soon. However, it has not yet been announced when this will happen. 

The New PlayStation VR2 Will Have The MediaTek Processor

PlayStation VR2 With Mediatek Processor

Over the past couple of years, MediaTek has established itself well in the chipset industry. Following the success of the flagship SoC for smartphones competing with renowned giant Qualcomm, MediaTek is now entering the VR chipset industry with the launch of its first chipset specifically built for VR headsets.

MediaTek announced that it would provide the chip to be used in the PS VR2 headset and PS Sense controllers at the recent executive summit.

Vince Hu, CEO of MediaTek, announced the partnership with Sony during the event. This is a significant step forward for the company, especially since Qualcomm’s chips power other standalone and networked VR headsets. 

The first PlayStation VR was very successful, providing console users with an easy and affordable way to experience virtual reality. Sony picked MediaTek because it can develop processors with excellent performance, low latency, and great efficiency.

The Sony PlayStation VR2 virtual reality headset is based on the MediaTek single-chip system. The headset uses a unique semi-custom platform instead of some of the platforms familiar to us from smartphones. Moreover, this is MediaTek’s first SoC for VR.

Unfortunately, the technical characteristics of the platform are not yet available. However, it is obvious that the PlayStation 5 itself is responsible for processing the headset’s basic data, so MediaTek’s solution should not stand out for some high performance.

If you remember the current generation PS VR, then there is no dedicated single-chip system at all — the only Nuvoton NUC123SD4SN3 NUC123 microcontroller based on the Cortex-M0 core.

The PS VR2 has two 2000×2040 displays (one for each eye) with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Between the headset and the controllers, there are also a variety of cameras and position-tracking sensors. As a result, MediaTek’s silicon must be strong enough to run these trackers and push high-resolution screens, which is no simple feat.

Sony’s PlayStation VR2 will go on sale February 22, 2023. The price of the device will vary by region, but it will cost $549.99 in the United States.

This year Qualcomm has also partnered with Meta to create chipsets for the next generation of Oculus Quest series VR headsets.

7 Tools That Can Inspire to Create a Business Name

Create a Business Name
Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash

The field of business is a very competitive one, and the requirements to stay on top are ever-changing. Statista reports that in the first quarter of 2022 alone, there were over 347,0000 new businesses formed in the US. Entrepreneurs always have to innovate from the moment they conceptualize their brand to its completion. For those who are struggling with creating a business name that stands out, here are seven tools for that can inspire you.

Thesaurus.com

If you already have a solid concept for your business name, then you’re off to a great start. However, there might be some cases where the wording doesn’t seem quite right. Thesaurus.com is straightforward and simple tool that allows you to access over 1.5 million definitions and synonyms to help you find a better fit for the idea you’re working with. Typing in ‘coffee shop’, for instance, will grant you results such as ‘cafe’, ‘java house’, or ‘tearoom’.

Answer The Public

Choosing a good business name is important not only for branding purposes but for search engine or SEO optimization as well. Tools like Answer The Public lets you tap into an infinite amount of data to help you grasp consumer insights and commonly searched keywords. After all, Google searches are some of the most important information there is to business owners and entrepreneurs – it’s like the pulse of the consumer.

Namchk

If your creative juices just aren’t flowing, then a business name generator tool will be your best friend. Namchk is a business and domain name generator that provides a list of name suggestions based on keywords you enter with just one click. Moreover, it also allows you to check if your prospective name is available for domain registration, which will help you seamlessly create an online presence for your business.

USPTO

We also recommend checking out the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the USPTO website to make sure you aren’t violating any existing trademarks. Its Trademark Electronic Search System allows you to perform a “clearance search”. Its purpose is to let you see any trademarks that have already been registered or applied for, and conveniently show you names, related products, and services that are similar to your brand name.

Word Merge

Some of the biggest brands of today are portmanteaus or combinations of two words – some examples are Netflix, which combines internet and flicks, and Microsoft, short for micro-computer software. WordMerge is a site that lets you play around with a keyword of your choice, and suggests combinations that might sound catchy. It also suggests how said combinations might sound in other languages, which is also a cool feature.

Fake Word Generator

In contrast to the above option, there are some brands that have blown up in popularity despite them making little sense, or only making sense to their creators. Google and Haagen-Dazs are prime examples of this category. If you want a brand name unlike any other, then this Fake Word Generator might be of help to you. Keep in mind that this method is a hit-or-miss, since customers might also have a hard time forming brand recall.

Online Whiteboard

Putting your heads together as a team is also a great way to get unique and out-of-the-box ideas. And sometimes, the best of ideas come to you when you least expect it – when you’re outside the office. A Web Whiteboard can keep your team’s brainstorming all in one place, and can be accessed even when you’re working remotely. Having a visual reference to your thought process will also come in handy, especially when developing your branding.

Conclusion

The internet is a goldmine when it comes to finding tools and resources that can help you create a name that’s perfect for your business. It also helps to do your research and read up on how other brands came to develop their own name, and how it has affected their company’s growth and success throughout the years. After all, the internet doesn’t only offer tools and resources, but also inspiration from fellow entrepreneurs.

Even though finding the perfect name is a daunting endeavor, it’s also important to make sure the process of developing a name is a fun and educational one for you and your team. After all, your brand name will reflect the type of company you are and the values you deem paramount. It also makes for a great story when you’re asked about your brand’s beginnings. For more helpful articles, check out our blog here at TechLog360.

Apple Plans To Create Its Own Metaverse And A Video Service For Its Mixed Reality Glasses

Apple AR Headset

Apple is on the lookout for a number of new employees who will be heavily involved in promoting the company’s first mixed reality headset, which is currently in development.

Apple also intends to develop a virtual 3D world to go with its future mixed reality glasses. It would enter directly into competition with the metaverse of Meta, with its CEO Mark Zuckerberg has previously stated that its Cupertino neighbours are the biggest competitor in this field.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is looking for several experts to join its future mixed reality team. One of them is destined to create the aforementioned “3D virtual world.”

The job description states that the job will be to solve “incredibly challenging and interesting problems in the 3D application space.” Tasks will include “creating tools and frameworks to enable connected experiences in a mixed reality world.”

In addition to the above and other profiles, the Californian giant also wants to hire experts in the generation of audiovisual content. Thus, the company would seek, among other things, to create a 3D video service designed exclusively for this device.

The mixed reality headset will most likely cost between $2,000 and $3,000 because it is a high-end product with a Mac-level M2 chip, more than ten cameras placed on the outside and inside of the device, and the best display yet — the highest resolution ever used in a consumer headset.

We also know that the device will run realityOS, a new operating system that will include mixed reality versions of core Apple apps like Messages, FaceTime, and Maps. The first version of the operating system, codenamed Oak, is currently in development and is expected to be ready for new hardware next year.

According to the latest rumors, Apple’s mixed reality headset will be introduced in the spring of 2023.