MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Brings AI Capabilities to Battle Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

November 8, 2023

MediaTek has introduced its latest SoC, the Dimensity 9300, designed to redefine the premium smartphone experience and aiming to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

The Dimensity 9300 is MediaTek’s answer to the growing demand for high-performance, energy-efficient mobile processors. With an architecture that MediaTek has dubbed “all big cores,” the chip promises a significant boost in CPU and GPU performance, alongside enhanced capabilities for artificial intelligence processing, particularly in generative AI tasks.

Crafted using the advanced third-generation 4-nanometer process from TSMC, the Dimensity 9300’s octa-core CPU features four of the latest Cortex-X4 cores at 3.25 GHz and four Cortex-A720 cores at 2.0 GHz. MediaTek’s strategy is clear — to maximize processing power without sacrificing energy efficiency. The chip achieves a 33% reduction in energy consumption compared to its predecessor, the Dimensity 9200, and boasts a 15% increase in single-core performance and a 40% improvement in multi-core operations.

Graphics performance is another arena where the Dimensity 9300 shines. It incorporates ARM’s latest GPU, the Immortalis-G720, which, according to MediaTek, outperforms its predecessor by 46% without any additional power draw. Furthermore, energy consumption has been slashed by up to 40% when matching the performance of the previous GPU.

Aiming to dominate the mobile gaming market, the Dimensity 9300 supports ray tracing with new indirect lighting effects at 60 frames per second, promising an immersive gaming experience with console-quality graphics.

The chip’s prowess extends to artificial intelligence with the new APU 790, which outperforms its predecessor while consuming up to 45% less energy. Like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Dimensity 9300 aims to harness the full potential of AI in mobile devices. This includes enhancements in photography and video capture, enabling users to record in 4K at 30 frames in cinematic mode with professional-grade, real-time subject and background separation.

Moreover, the APU 790 facilitates the local execution of massive language models such as Meta’s LLaMA 2 and Baidu’s Ernie 3.5, supporting LLMs from 1 billion to 13 billion parameters, scalable up to 33 billion parameters. MediaTek also claims that the chipset can generate images in Stable Diffusion in just one second, a capability akin to Qualcomm’s recent assertions for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

The Dimensity 9300 is future-ready, optimized for LPDDR5T memory at 9,600 Mbps, UFS 4.0 storage, and high-refresh-rate displays, including compatibility with WQHD panels at 180 Hz and 4K at 120 Hz. It also supports camera sensors up to 320 megapixels.

In terms of connectivity, the Dimensity 9300 supports Wi-Fi 7 with speeds up to 6.5 Gbps and 5G networks. Devices powered by this new SoC are expected to hit the market before the year’s end, though the specific brands adopting it first remain under wraps.

Elon Musk’s xAI Unveils ChatGPT Competitor Grok

Amaya Simon

November 7, 2023

Elon Musk’s xAI has rolled out its latest creation: Grok. This AI-based language model, which draws its moniker from the beloved sci-fi classic “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” is designed to not only respond to queries but also to proactively suggest questions, adding a new dimension to user interaction.

Released to a select user base in the United States on November 4, 2023, Grok is currently in its beta phase. The team behind Grok, with a nod to its namesake’s humor, warns that the AI possesses a “rebellious streak” and is not suited for those averse to a bit of wit.

Grok’s integration with X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, provides it with a “unique and fundamental advantage” — real-time knowledge of the world. This allows Grok to tackle “juicy questions” that other AI systems might typically avoid. However, this feature could also be a potential pitfall, as it may inadvertently spread misinformation prevalent on the platform.

Despite being in the early stages of development, Grok’s prototype, Grok-0, with 33 billion parameters, has already shown promising results. It reportedly matches the capabilities of Meta’s LLaMA 2 in standard benchmarks while utilizing only half the training resources. The subsequent iteration, Grok-1, has further enhanced its reasoning and coding abilities, as evidenced by its performance on the HumanEval coding task and the MMLU benchmark.

HumanEval is a format that can be used to test the programming skills of language models. MMLU (Massive Multitask Language Understanding) can be used to test the general knowledge and problem-solving abilities of language models.

In the face of stiff competition from established players like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard, Grok’s developers acknowledge that ChatGPT 4 outperforms Grok in benchmark tests. However, Grok distinguishes itself with its efficiency and unique personality.

xAI has developed a custom training and inference stack for Grok, utilizing Kubernetes, Rust, and JAX. This infrastructure is designed to maximize computational efficiency and minimize energy consumption, addressing the myriad of challenges that come with training such an advanced AI model.

Early feedback from developers at X highlights Grok’s ability to manage multiple conversations and switch between them fluidly, a feature that could redefine user engagement with AI.

ARM Boosts Investment in Raspberry Pi, Challenging RISC-V Growth

Adwaith

November 7, 2023

ARM has taken a minority stake in Raspberry Pi to strengthen its position in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector. The details of the investment have not been disclosed, but the move is seen as a significant step in ARM’s efforts to foster innovation and growth in the IoT space.

Since its inception in 2008, Raspberry Pi has become synonymous with accessible computing, empowering hobbyists, educators, and professionals alike. ARM’s processors have been a key component of Raspberry Pi’s success, providing the computational power for these versatile devices. With more than half of Raspberry Pis sold since 2020 being deployed in industrial and commercial environments, the company has shifted from a hobbyist image to a serious player in the IoT market.

This shift comes as the industry faces a growing challenge from RISC-V, an open-source processor architecture that has been gaining traction among companies like Qualcomm and Google. These tech giants are exploring RISC-V for potential use in devices running Wear OS and other applications, posing a direct challenge to ARM’s dominance in the processor market.

The timing of ARM’s investment coincides with the recent launch of the Raspberry Pi 5, the most powerful iteration of the device to date. Featuring a Broadcom BCM2712 application processor with four 64-bit capable Cortex-A76 cores and a VideoCore-VII GPU, the Raspberry Pi 5 promises to deliver more than double the performance of its predecessor.

8 Best Battery Saver Apps for Android in 2024

Sabarinath

November 6, 2023

Ever felt that mini heart attack when your phone’s battery dips below 10% way too early in the day? We’ve all been there. With countless apps and processes running in the background, preserving battery life has become a modern-day challenge. Fortunately, there’s a solution at your fingertips.

Let us introduce you to the best battery saver apps for Android, designed to extend your phone’s battery life and enhance your mobile experience. From monitoring your battery’s health to managing power-hungry apps, these tools are here to ensure your device is ready whenever you need it.

Contents

1. Pixoff

Pixoff cleverly saves your Android device’s battery life by applying a filter that turns off pixels on your screen, particularly useful for OLED displays where black pixels consume no power. Pixoff also offers a night filter to reduce blue light exposure, promoting better sleep and further conserving battery life.

2. Greenify

Greenify — recognized for its efficiency and ability to keep your phone running smoothly — extends your device’s battery life by hibernating apps that aren’t in use. The app ensures that background apps don’t drain your battery or slow down your device. It’s user-friendly and privacy-conscious, requiring certain permissions to automate the hibernation process. However, users should be careful not to hibernate essential apps they rely on. Greenify works efficiently on both rooted and non-rooted devices.

3. Battery Guru

Battery Guru helps you keep a close eye on your phone’s battery health and usage. Key features include monitoring battery capacity, setting charging and temperature alarms, and tracking application battery usage and wake-locks since the last unplug. Users can check the remaining charge time, monitor the percentage of deep sleep and awake time, and receive detailed ongoing notifications for real-time battery statistics. Battery Guru also offers a widget and status bar indicator, displaying essential battery information on your home screen and status bar based on your preferences.

4. Hibernation Manager

Hibernation Manager is a nifty Android app designed to extend your device’s battery life. When your screen is off, it hibernates your CPU, settings, and power-hungry apps, ensuring that your battery lasts longer. It’s particularly effective for rooted devices, allowing deeper control over the CPU’s power usage. With a user-friendly interface and a handy home screen widget, managing your battery’s health becomes a breeze.

5. KillApps

KillApps is a practical tool to enhance your Android device’s performance and battery life. With a user-friendly interface, this app allows you to swiftly close all running apps with just a simple touch. It’s not just limited to user apps; system apps can also be managed, ensuring a comprehensive cleanup.

6. Battery Lifespan Extender

Battery Lifespan Extender helps you maintain your Android device’s battery in top condition over time. It’s a well-known fact that batteries have a dislike for extremes, be it high or low temperatures, or being charged to full capacity or drained to zero. This app cleverly addresses these issues. With Battery Lifespan Extender, you receive timely notifications when your device begins to overheat or get too cold, helping you avoid conditions that could shorten your battery’s life. Moreover, it introduces partial charging to prevent deep discharging and overcharging, significantly extending your battery’s lifespan.

7. AccuBattery

AccuBattery provides real-time insights into battery usage and capacity. The app offers a unique charge alarm to minimize battery wear by suggesting optimal charging times. It accurately measures battery usage, helping users identify power-consuming apps and activities. Additionally, AccuBattery can determine the fastest charging methods for your device. While the basic version is free, a Pro version is available for an ad-free experience and added features.

8. Charge Meter

Charge Meter helps users monitor and optimize their device’s charging process. It measures the charging current, tracks battery capacity, and provides insights into battery usage per app. The app also estimates the remaining charge and use time, and monitors battery temperature. Charge Meter is available for free with ads, and there’s a premium version with additional features like dark mode, picture-in-picture, and home screen widgets.

Beyond the Apps:

While battery saver apps offer targeted solutions, don’t overlook the simple yet effective ways to save battery life. Uninstalling unused apps, lowering screen brightness, and using black themes on AMOLED screens can make a noticeable difference. Remember, every little bit helps in the quest for longer battery life. Check out our guide to save battery life on Android devices.

Choosing the right battery saver app can transform your Android experience. Whether you’re a power user or just someone who wants to make it through the day without reaching for the charger, these apps offer solutions tailored to your needs. So, go ahead, give your Android the gift of endurance, and stay connected to what matters most.

10 Best Hacks To Tweak Android Without Rooting

Sabarinath

November 5, 2023

Best Android Hacks And Tweaks You Can Do Without Rooting Your Phone

Are you looking to make your Android phone more personal and efficient? You might think you need to root your device to do this, but that’s not the case. Rooting can be risky and complicated, but luckily, there are plenty of Android hacks and tweaks you can do without it.

In this guide, we’ll explore some simple yet powerful ways to tweak your Android phone without rooting. These hacks will help you customize your device to better suit your needs and preferences, all while keeping your phone’s warranty and security intact. So, let’s dive in and discover how you can enhance your Android experience with these easy and safe modifications.

Contents

1. Change the look with unique launchers:

One of the most transformative hacks for your Android device is the use of launchers. These are applications that replace your home screen with a customizable interface, allowing you to change the appearance, layout, and the way you interact with your apps and widgets.

Launchers like Nova Launcher, Apex, and Action Launcher offer a plethora of customization options. You can change icon sizes, choose different scrolling effects, and even create custom gestures for navigating your device. Some unique launchers allow for deeper changes, like altering the entire user interface to mimic other operating systems or to create a completely unique user experience. For those who crave organization, Smart Launcher organizes your apps into categories, making it easier to find what you’re looking for.

For those who appreciate a clutter-free and streamlined interface, clean and minimalist launchers are a godsend. Launchers like Niagara and Nothing Launcher provide a simplistic, clean interface that prioritizes ease of use and efficiency. They strip away the unnecessary frills, focusing on smooth performance and accessibility.

2. Change wallpapers automatically:

Keep your home screen fresh and dynamic by setting your wallpapers to change automatically. Use apps like Tapet and Wallpaper Changer to rotate your wallpapers on a schedule or each time you unlock your device, ensuring your home screen always has a new look.

Whether you prefer a daily surprise or a new scene every time you unlock your phone, these apps can curate your gallery or favorite images or even generate a new wallapaper everytime to keep your home screen vibrant and dynamic. It’s a simple yet effective Android tweak you can do to personalize your device.

3. Automate different tasks:

Transform your Android device into a personal assistant with automation apps like MacroDroid, Tasker and IFTTT. These powerful tools allow you to automate various tasks, from sending texts at specific times to changing settings based on your location. Unleash the full potential of your device by creating custom automation that suits your lifestyle.

4. Save battery life:

Elevate your battery-saving game with Pixoff, an app designed to extend your device’s battery life by turning off pixels on your screen. This app applies a filter that effectively shuts down pixels, particularly beneficial for AMOLED screens where black pixels are completely turned off, conserving significant amounts of power.

Pixoff also offers a night filter, reducing the harmful blue light emitted by your screen, which not only saves battery but is also easier on your eyes. For those seeking the ultimate battery conservation, Pixoff provides the option to set a true black wallpaper, leveraging the unique properties of AMOLED screens to save even more power.

5. Kill the background apps:

Keep your device running smoothly by managing background apps. KillApps is a powerful tool that allows you to close all running apps with just a simple touch. It’s designed to be user-friendly and efficient, providing you with the ability to close background tasks and services, including both user apps and system apps. The app also comes with a widget for quick access right from your home screen to effortlessly kill background apps, freeing up memory and CPU resources.

6. Control internet access to different apps:

Take charge of your data usage by controlling which apps have access to the internet. With the Firewall Security app, you can effortlessly manage which apps can connect to the internet and which cannot without rooting your device. The app provides real-time insights into which applications are trying to connect to the internet. With a simple tap, you can grant or deny internet access to individual apps.

7. Dual apps environment:

Another one of the Android tweaks — running multiple instances of an app. Parallel Space－Multi Accounts helps you to run multi accounts of the same app simultaneously. This means you can run multiple WhatsApp, Facebook accounts or any other app or game in one phone. Parallel Space is based on MultiDroid, the first application virtualization engine on Android. App features include custom themes to cloned apps, protects user privacy by making apps invisible on device with the Incognito Installation feature, and supported 24 languages.

8. Run every app in full-screen mode:

Immersive Mode Manager tool lets you force your apps or games to display in full-screen mode. You can either define a global “Immersive Mode” which will be applied system-wide. Or if you wanna go further you can define the “Immersive Mode” per-app.

9. Smart indicators for anything:

PowerLine is the perfect app to make your phone looks different. PowerLine is a really powerful app that lets you have a highly customizable bar at the top of your screen to display how much battery is left, how much time you use your smartphone etc. Not only the top you also can show indicator bars on any side of the screen and also can display any number of indicators at the same time on screen.

10. Music visualizer beneath your phone’s navigation bar:

Bring your Music Experience to life with floating visualization beneath your on-screen Navigation Bar. MUVIZ is a first-of-its-kind app that displays a music visualizer beneath your navbar while you are listening to your favorite music from your favorite apps. MUVIZ not only enhances your music experience, but it also elevates your video experience by showing visualizations over your favorite video apps like Youtube, MX Player, etc.,

Simple Hacks to Tweak Android Like a Pro:

Many Android users believe they need to root their phones to customize them. However, these are some of the best Android hacks and tweaks that can be done without rooting. These simple and risk-free methods open up a world of possibilities, allowing you to make the most out of your device. So go ahead, try out these Android tweaks, and enjoy a more personalized and efficient Android experience.

Firefox for Android to Launch Open Add-on Ecosystem

Ankit Pahuja

November 4, 2023

Mozilla is set to introduce a significant upgrade to its Firefox browser for Android users. By the end of this year, Firefox for Android is expected to launch an open add-on ecosystem, a feature that has long been available to desktop users but has been conspicuously absent in the mobile domain.

Until now, Firefox for Android users has had access to a limited selection of browser extensions, installable directly from the app. This constraint is about to be lifted as Mozilla plans to open up a whole new world of customization and functionality through an open store for extensions, accessible via the familiar domain addons.mozilla.org.

This move positions Firefox to become the only major Android browser to support an open extension ecosystem, setting it apart from its competitors. Mozilla has announced its intention to reveal a concrete launch date for this feature in early September.

The success of this initiative hinges on the active participation of developers. Mozilla is calling on developers to adapt their existing desktop extensions for use on Android, making them discoverable on Mozilla’s platform. The organization anticipates a substantial user demand for more Android-compatible extensions and advises developers to optimize their software for mobile use as soon as possible. This optimization process may involve redesigning application interfaces for smaller screens and addressing the technical peculiarities of the Android ecosystem.

To ensure a smooth transition, Mozilla is gearing up to support developers with guidelines, resources, and community events. Discussions are already taking place online, encouraging collaboration among software developers. Mozilla has laid the groundwork for this open ecosystem, ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place.

In a recent update, Mozilla indicated its plans to officially unveil its open ecosystem for browser extensions for Firefox on Android in December. The launch is expected to feature over 200 new add-ons, marking a significant expansion of the browser’s capabilities.

Apple M3 Max Surpasses Snapdragon X Elite in Initial Benchmarks

Adwaith

November 3, 2023

Apple’s latest M3 Max chip has set a new benchmark in the world of Arm-SoCs, outshining Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite in recent Geekbench tests. This news arrives just ahead of the official release of Apple’s latest SoCs, which are built on the advanced 3-nm manufacturing process by TSMC.

The leaked benchmark results reveal that the M3 Max not only outperforms its predecessor, the M2 Max, but also eclipses the Snapdragon X Elite by a significant margin of 38 percent in multi-core test. Remarkably, the M3 Max’s performance even surpasses that of the Intel Core i9-13900K, a processor with 24 cores.

The M3 Max’s impressive performance boost of 47 percent over the M2 Max can be attributed to a new CPU architecture that includes more cores and a higher clock speed. The M3 Max operates at 4.05 GHz, which is 16 percent faster than the M2 Max. With 16 cores compared to Qualcomm’s 12, the M3 Max has a distinct advantage.

However, the true test will be in the power efficiency of the M3 series. While Qualcomm claims its chip surpasses the M2 Max in performance per watt, only time and thorough testing will reveal if Apple can match or exceed these claims.

In single-core tests, Apple continues to lead, narrowly outperforming Intel’s Core i9. The M3 chip shows a 12 percent improvement over the M2, nearly meeting Apple’s promise of 15 percent faster performance cores. The competition is closer in single-core performance, but Apple’s M3 Max still maintains a strong position.

The GPU performance improvements in the new chips are modest, with less than a 10 percent increase over their predecessors. Despite Apple’s announcements of significant GPU enhancements, such as Raytracing and Mesh Shading, these improvements have yet to be fully realized in Geekbench’s Compute tests.

The new chips are expected to have a significant impact on Apple’s product lineup. A MacBook Pro equipped with an M3 Max is anticipated to rival the performance of a Mac Pro and Mac Studio with an M2 Ultra, despite having eight fewer cores.

Google Search and Lens Rolls Out New Math and Science Problem-Solving Features

Vishak

November 2, 2023

Google Search Math and Science Problem-Solving Features

Google has announced the integration of advanced features into its Search and Lens applications, aimed at assisting students and enthusiasts in unraveling the complexities of math and science problems.

Users can now input equations or integrals directly into the Google Search bar, or capture them using Lens, to receive detailed, step-by-step explanations and solutions. This feature is not just confined to desktops but will soon be available on mobile devices as well.

Another utility Google has added is support for word problems. The company has harnessed the power of advanced Language Learning Models (LLMs) to provide assistance with word problems, starting with fundamental topics from high-school physics. This innovative approach helps users identify known and unknown values, understand which formulas to apply, and when to use them.

Geometry, with its visual complexity, presents a unique challenge. Google Lens steps in to bridge this gap, allowing users to scan geometry problems, such as calculating the area of a triangle, and receive step-by-step explanations that interpret both visual and text components of the problem.

The exploration of science through Google Search has also been enhanced with interactive 3D models and diagrams. These tools provide users with a deeper visual understanding of various STEM-related topics, including biology, chemistry, physics, and astronomy. Google has expanded its repository of 3D objects from 100 to around 1,000, offering definitions and overviews to foster a comprehensive learning experience.

The interactive 3D concept diagrams cover a wide array of STEM topics, from cell biology and anatomy to robotics, space physics, and geology. Users can interact with these models, zooming, rotating, and clicking on labeled parts to gain detailed explanations and definitions. These visual models aim to enhance curiosity and deepen the understanding of science concepts.

These new capabilities in Google Search and Lens are powered by recent AI advancements, providing an intuitive learning experience that goes beyond mere information retrieval. The tools are designed to assist with complex calculus, trigonometry problems, and even foundational high-school physics topics like forces, energy, and motion. Google plans to further expand these features to encompass more advanced university-level concepts.

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