Nokia Pure: A Flexible and Minimalist Interface for Next-Generation Nokia Devices

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April 1, 2023

Nokia has unveiled its new interface, Pure, which will be the aesthetic and functional language for its upcoming smartphones and other devices like smartwatches, tablets, and PCs. The Nokia Design Team has created a flexible and future-proof interface that focuses on minimalism, with a few colours mainly based on shades of blue and the Nokia Pure font.

The icons of Nokia Pure UI feature smooth animations and vary in stroke thickness to improve visualization on different devices. Additionally, the UI offers a dark mode that helps reduce eye strain with a dark blue background instead of the traditional black.

Nokia has shared screenshots of Pure UI in action on smartwatches and computers, and it will be interesting to see which smartphone will be the first to come with this interface pre-installed. It remains to be seen whether an update will be released to bring it to existing Nokia devices.

According to Nokia, Pure UI is a clean and functional interface that embodies the company’s new direction as it returns to producing devices in Europe. While the company has not shared a specific release date for Pure UI, it has stated that it will arrive soon.

Overall, Pure UI represents a step forward for Nokia, as it seeks to offer a modern and sleek interface that can compete with the latest smartphone offerings from other companies. With its focus on minimalism and flexibility, Pure UI could be a significant selling point for Nokia’s devices in the coming years.

The difference between FIFA and eFootball?

By

Jenna Jose

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April 1, 2023

For several decades, FIFA has been the undisputed king of football games. For a long time, it was the only game that featured real-life teams and players. During the 90s and 2000s, the major rival to FIFA was Pro Evolution Soccer from Konami. In recent years, however, the latter has ‘evolved’ into a new game, called ‘eFootball’.

So, what does this mean to the average football fan looking to play a video game version of their favourite sport?

Contents

1 Licensing differences
2 Graphical differences
3 Options
4 Cost

Licensing differences

FIFA 23 will be the last game to feature FIFA branding. It has most of the major teams (though several major Italian clubs like the all-conquering Napoli are missing). For obvious reasons, the Russian league is also not represented.

The roster for eFootball isn’t quite as deep, but it does include several major names which are omitted from FIFA. Those Italian clubs we mentioned, for example, are included here.

Graphical differences

Both games are more realistic than ever, but FIFA holds a significant advantage when it comes to animation and player likeness. The more famous a player, in general, the better their likeness will be to their real-life counterparts.

3d modelling is something that takes time and effort from skilled 3d artists, and so it’s only a few hundred players that actually resemble their real-life counterparts. When you consider that most players will play as the big teams, this might not come as a surprise. Stars like Virgil van Dijk, Lionel Messi and cover star Kylian Mbappe will be convincing; recently-emerged players like Khvicha Kvaratskheli, not so much.

Options

FIFA comes with a wealth of gameplay options and modes, while eFootball tends to put the focus on the core 11v11 match mechanics. Longtime PES aficionados might hold that the Konami game is actually more enjoyable to play, but this is a matter of opinion. The reviews have been extremely negative, with many users complaining that the eFootball game is a significant downgrade from previous incarnations of PES, and that Konami’s focus is on the mobile gaming market.

Cost

Let’s address the elephant in the room. FIFA costs around £70 when you buy it new on release, while eFootball is free to play. Except that, if you want access to certain features within the game, then you’ll have to pay. So, you might consider the free version of the game as akin to a glorified demo mode. Both games are swimming in microtransactions and extra costs. In fact, a court in Austria recently ruled that FIFA Ultimate Team consitutes ‘illegal gambling’. But, on balance, the Konami offering is probably more egregious.

Microsoft CorePC: A Modular and Customizable Version of Windows with AI

By

Vishak

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March 31, 2023

Microsoft is gearing up for another attempt to modernize its Windows platform with a new project called CorePC. The project is focused on creating a modular and customizable version of Windows, emphasizing modularity, security, and the use of artificial intelligence. This new version of Windows will allow Microsoft to customize editions of Windows with varying levels of feature and app compatibility.

The CorePC project is based on the Windows Core OS, also known as Windows 10X, which was previously developed as a modular, UWP-enabled operating system with limited compatibility and stripped of legacy features for faster updates and increased security. Unfortunately, Windows Core OS for PCs in traditional form factors was never released, and the Windows 10X project was cancelled in 2021 after years of development and months of internal testing.

One of the main differences between CorePC and previous versions of Windows is the separation of CorePC states. Unlike the current version of Windows, which is installed by default on a single disk partition, CorePC splits the drive into multiple partitions, speeding up OS updates, providing a quick and reliable system reset, as well as boosting security by utilizing designated read-only partitions that are unavailable to the user and third-party apps.

CorePC will allow Microsoft to release a version of Windows that can rival ChromeOS in size, performance, and features. An early internal testing version of Windows for low-cost education PCs that only runs the Edge browser, Android apps (via Project Latte), and Office programs takes up 60-75% less disk space than Windows 11 SE.

Microsoft is also working on a version of CorePC that matches the current feature set and Windows desktop experience but with a split state enabled for faster OS updates and improved security.

Additionally, the company is experimenting with a version of CorePC optimized for specific hardware, similar to macOS on Apple Silicon processors. This version focuses on AI capabilities, including content analysis and contextual cues to quickly launch projects or applications and identify objects and text in images. Some AI functions will require special hardware.

The release of CorePC is expected in 2024, in time for the next major version of Windows, codenamed Hudson Valley or Windows 12. Microsoft representatives declined to comment, and the plans, features, and configurations are subject to change before the project ships. However, CorePC shows promise as a modular and customizable version of Windows, with the potential to rival Chrome OS and provide new AI capabilities.

Microsoft Confirms Plans to Monetize Bing Chat with Ads

By

Adwaith

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March 31, 2023

Microsoft’s Bing Chat has been troubled by high computational expenses, and the company is thought to be desperate for a way to monetize the service as quickly as possible. Ads in Bing Chat have been rumoured for some time, but Microsoft has officially confirmed its plans to monetize the AI chatbot with advertisements.

According to Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President & Consumer Chief Marketing Officer at Microsoft, advertising aims to “bring more traffic to publishers in this new world of search.” The company intends to boost Bing and Edge usage for new scenarios such as chat and will provide a link to the source of information in the chat response’s body and a “Learn more” link below the chat result.

Bing Chat now has Ads!

It's going to be fascinating to see how the unit economics of Ads in language models will unfold and affect search advertising.

1/3 pic.twitter.com/o5YjRjikOP
— Deedy (@debarghya_das) March 29, 2023

Microsoft met with Microsoft Start partners and gathered suggestions on leveraging Bing Chat to link to their content and services. The business has implemented several early concepts to promote user engagement with Microsoft Start content and share advertising income with partners, such as better hover experiences and rich captions of Microsoft Start licenced content next to chat responses.

While Microsoft is still in the early phases of these advertising initiatives, it is evident that the company is aggressively working on monetizing Bing Chat. The structure of Bing Chat and the overall advertising experience are expected to alter more in the coming months.

Given the increased computational expenses connected with the service, Microsoft’s decision to monetize Bing Chat with ads is unsurprising. Microsoft can recoup these expenses while providing users with a more engaging chat experience by generating more traffic to publishers and sharing advertising income with partners. It remains to be seen how effective these early concepts will be, but Microsoft’s dedication to monetizing Bing Chat is a promising indication for the chatbot’s future.

Disney Scraps Metaverse Plans as Part of Divisional Layoffs

By

Avinash A

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March 30, 2023

Disney had planned to enter the so-called Metaverse for its next-generation storytelling and consumer experience, but The Wall Street Journal reported that the plan was scrapped as part of divisional layoffs. The team, which consists of about 50 employees, will explore how Disney’s existing intellectual property will be leveraged in the Metaverse.

Disney announced its Metaverse ambitions to employees last February when former CEO Chapek appointed Mike White to lead its next-generation storytelling division. White, who is said to be unaffected by the layoffs, has worked at Disney for over a decade.

Disney has reportedly disbanded the team in the first of three planned layoffs. The restructuring is expected to result in 7,000 job cuts across Disney, resulting in cost savings of about $55 billion. Rumours of layoffs began circulating shortly after Bob Iger returned as CEO of Disney to replace Bob Chapek last November.

It’s unclear what specific experiences the team was working on, but it could involve “fantasy sports, theme park attractions, and other consumer experiences,” according to The Wall Street Journal.

Despite the layoffs under Iger, he doesn’t seem sceptical of the Metaverse. According to The Wall Street Journal, Iger is on the board of Genies, a startup that helps create avatars.

Disney and many other companies are struggling to realize their big metaverse ambitions. Meta, for example, has also struggled to promote the adoption of its technology. Meta Quest Pro, the first major VR headset release after the rebrand, was a flop, costing the Reality Labs division $137.2 billion last year.

Many companies, including Disney, are facing difficulties entering the Metaverse. But that doesn’t stop Disney from exploring new technology and storytelling possibilities. Disney has led the entertainment industry many times in its history, so it is expected to continue to take on new challenges.

Apple Launches Apple Pay Later Service in the US

By

Adwaith

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March 30, 2023

Apple has announced a new post-payment feature called ApplePay Later. The service allows Apple Pay purchases to be split into four instalments over six weeks and paid without interest or late fees. This feature is designed to help users better manage their finances by providing a more flexible payment option.

Users with postpay functionality can apply for Apple Pay Later loans ranging from $50 to $1,000 to pay for online and in-app purchases that accept Apple Pay. To take advantage of postpay, apply for a loan within the iOS Wallet app and agree to the terms of Apple Pay Later. A subsidiary called Apple Financing will review the loan application and report to the US credit agencies this fall.

Apple plans to roll out Apple Pay Later to all “qualified” users of iOS 16.4 or iPadOS 16.4 over the next few months, with some users randomly getting a pre-release version. Apple Pay Later was originally scheduled to debut with iOS 16 but was delayed due to technical issues.

Apple Pay Later will be enabled through the Mastercard Installments program, with Goldman Sachs as the issuer of the Mastercard payment entitlement used to complete the purchase. This means users can use their Mastercard credit card to purchase using Apple Pay Later.

Apple Pay Later competes with existing postpaid services and has the potential to further grow the postpaid market by offering users easier and more secure options.

To use Apple Pay Later, you first need a device with a compatible iOS or iPadOS version. In addition, a postpay option will now appear when purchasing at merchants that accept Apple Pay. If you choose to purchase later, your Apple Pay Later loan payments will appear within the Wallet app, with a calendar view of your 30-day loan payment schedule.

Apple Pay Later is expected to offer consumers a new option in the post-payment market, offering flexible and easy payment options that appeal to a wider audience. It is currently launched for users in the US, which will be expanded soon.

NVIDIA Announces AutoDMP, a New AI-Accelerated Tool for Chip Design

By

Bhasker Das

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March 29, 2023

NVIDIA has introduced AutoDMP (Automated DREAMPlace-based Macro Placement), a new tool that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize chip design. AutoDMP uses AI to automate putting macros, big blocks of integrated circuits (ICs) commonly used in memory and analogue devices.

Macro placement is an important stage in a chip’s design since it substantially influences its performance, power consumption, and area. AutoDMP can assist chip designers in improving macro placement by automatically investigating a larger range of alternative locations and optimizing placements for various factors such as performance, power consumption, and area.

AutoDMP is built on the DREAMPlace placer, an AI-accelerated tool for conventional cell placement. DREAMPlace uses artificial intelligence to automate the process of arranging standard cells, which are the basic building blocks of integrated circuits. DREAMPlace has been proven to be substantially quicker than traditional placers at placing ordinary cells, while AutoDMP is projected to be much faster at placing macros than typical macro placers.

AutoDMP is still in development. However, NVIDIA has demonstrated that it can increase macro placement by up to 30%. AutoDMP is expected to be accessible to chip designers soon.

AutoDMP offers several benefits to chip designers, including:

Improved performance: AutoDMP can help to enhance chip performance by optimizing macro placement.
Decreased power consumption: By optimizing macro placement, AutoDMP can assist in minimizing chip power consumption.
Decreased chip area: By optimizing macro placement, AutoDMP can assist in minimizing chip area.
Improved design productivity: By automating the process of installing macros, AutoDMP can assist chip designers in boosting their design productivity.

AutoDMP is an exciting new chip design tool that is predicted to have a substantial influence on the industry. AutoDMP is expected to be accessible to chip designers shortly and will aid in improving chip performance, power consumption, area, and design productivity.

Apple Quietly Acquires WaveOne, a Startup Developing AI-powered Video Compression Algorithms

By

Vishak

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March 29, 2023

TechCrunch has recently reported that Apple has quietly acquired WaveOne, a Mountain View-based startup that developed AI-powered video compression algorithms. WaveOne’s website was shut down around January, and former employees, including one of the co-founders, already work in Apple’s machine learning group. Apple declined to comment on the acquisition.

WaveOne was founded in 2016 to augment the old paradigm of video codecs with AI. Its main innovation lies in its content-aware video compression and decompression algorithms that leverage AI accelerators in many smartphones and PCs. By leveraging AI-powered scene and object detection technology, WaveOne can “understand” a video frame and prioritize faces, for example, to save bandwidth at the expense of other elements. WaveOne also developed video compression technology resistant to sudden connection interruptions, so when bandwidth is limited, the video will not freeze but show less detail and continue playing.

WaveOne’s approach is hardware-agnostic, so it performs better in complex scenes and can reduce video file sizes by up to half. Before Apple’s acquisition, WaveOne received $9 million in investments from Khosla Ventures, Vela Partners, Incubate Fund, Omega Venture Partners, Blue Ivy, and others.

Efficient streaming is the most probable way for Apple to take advantage of AI-powered video codecs. Even small improvements in video compression technology can save bandwidth costs and allow higher resolutions and frame rates for content delivered by services such as Apple TV+. Rival YouTube is already doing this. Last year, Alphabet’s DeepMind applied a machine learning algorithm originally developed for playing board games to the YouTube video compression problem, reducing the amount of data it needs to stream to users by 4%.

We may see similar innovations coming from Apple’s WaveOne team shortly. Video compression using AI technology improves the video viewing experience on the internet and makes it easier to use video content even in places with limited communication environments. With Apple’s acquisition of WaveOne, we can expect further evolution in video compression technology.