#Meta Threads has launched.
Threads from Instagram is Meta's answer to Twitter. The app has passed 2 million users in just the first hour and 5 million in the first four, as announced by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
The app won't be available in Europe at launch, likely because of privacy concerns - according to the Play Store listing the app collects your health information, list of installed apps and location, among other things.
Even before the launch, the app started a fight between Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter ex-CEO Elon Musk - and not just in the social media market.
Threads is available in both the App Store and Play Store.
@thetechdroid
Threads from Instagram is Meta's answer to Twitter. The app has passed 2 million users in just the first hour and 5 million in the first four, as announced by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
The app won't be available in Europe at launch, likely because of privacy concerns - according to the Play Store listing the app collects your health information, list of installed apps and location, among other things.
Even before the launch, the app started a fight between Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter ex-CEO Elon Musk - and not just in the social media market.
Threads is available in both the App Store and Play Store.
@thetechdroid
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It's official: #Galaxy Unpacked is on July 26th.
#Samsung has officially announced that Unpacked is on July 26th, live from Seoul, South Korea.
The company will likely announce the Galaxy Z Fold5, Z Flip5, Tab S9 and Watch6 series at the event, which is coming to the company's home country.
You can already reserve the upcoming devices and get $50 in credit for pre-orders.
@thetechdroid
#Samsung has officially announced that Unpacked is on July 26th, live from Seoul, South Korea.
The company will likely announce the Galaxy Z Fold5, Z Flip5, Tab S9 and Watch6 series at the event, which is coming to the company's home country.
You can already reserve the upcoming devices and get $50 in credit for pre-orders.
@thetechdroid
#Google is developing a fully custom Tensor chip.
Despite Google's claims about the Tensor lineup being made by Google, current Tensor chips are designed in partnership with Samsung System LSI, who also design Exynos chips.
But that's about to change. In 2025, Google is set to launch its first fully in-house Tensor, codenamed "Laguna" and likely branded as the Tensor G5. The chip will be based on TSMC's 3nm process, which is more efficient than the current Samsung process.
In the meantime, Google is replacing more and more Samsung-developed parts of Tensor - "everything from communications and audio to image and graphics processing" - with custom hardware every generation.
@thetechdroid
Despite Google's claims about the Tensor lineup being made by Google, current Tensor chips are designed in partnership with Samsung System LSI, who also design Exynos chips.
But that's about to change. In 2025, Google is set to launch its first fully in-house Tensor, codenamed "Laguna" and likely branded as the Tensor G5. The chip will be based on TSMC's 3nm process, which is more efficient than the current Samsung process.
In the meantime, Google is replacing more and more Samsung-developed parts of Tensor - "everything from communications and audio to image and graphics processing" - with custom hardware every generation.
@thetechdroid
#Meta Avatars are now available in calls.
Meta is launching the ability to use Meta Avatars in video calls in Messenger and Instagram, on both iOS and Android.
Users can choose between their avatars and some animals, like a futuristic cat and llama.
Meta is also releasing animated stickers with Avatars, available on Facebook, Messenger and Instagram. And soon, avatar stickers will be able to have multiple people in Messenger chats and Stories.
@thetechdroid
Meta is launching the ability to use Meta Avatars in video calls in Messenger and Instagram, on both iOS and Android.
Users can choose between their avatars and some animals, like a futuristic cat and llama.
Meta is also releasing animated stickers with Avatars, available on Facebook, Messenger and Instagram. And soon, avatar stickers will be able to have multiple people in Messenger chats and Stories.
@thetechdroid
xAI, #elon Musk's new company, wants to understand the universe.
Elon was the co-founder of #OpenAI, and his new company is built to compete with it. The company's employees have strong backgrounds with OpenAI itself, as well as Google DeepMind, Tesla and other companies.
What does Elon mean by "understanding the universe"? In a Twitter space, he said that we don't actually understand a lot of what we think we do about reality, like the true nature of gravity and why there is no evidence of aliens existing.
xAI will use heavy computing to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI), which is an AI capable of performing any task that a human can. Currently, AGI remains an unsolved task, but several companies are working on solving it. According to Elon, the safest way to develop an AGI is to make it "maximum curious" and "truth curious", and to minimize the error between the actual truth and what you think is true. The goal is to make xAI useful for businesses and consumers, like Tesla, which will use xAI technologies for Full Self Driving.
For training xAI plans to use public data, like tweets (which, ironically, is something Twitter is trying to prevent with scraping limits). Once the model runs out of human-created data it will have to generate its own data and train on it. Elon believes that training an AI to lie is dangerous, so xAI will be trained to say what it thinks is true and not what is politically correct, which will result in criticism.
More information about the first release from xAI will be revealed soon.
@thetechdroid
Elon was the co-founder of #OpenAI, and his new company is built to compete with it. The company's employees have strong backgrounds with OpenAI itself, as well as Google DeepMind, Tesla and other companies.
What does Elon mean by "understanding the universe"? In a Twitter space, he said that we don't actually understand a lot of what we think we do about reality, like the true nature of gravity and why there is no evidence of aliens existing.
xAI will use heavy computing to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI), which is an AI capable of performing any task that a human can. Currently, AGI remains an unsolved task, but several companies are working on solving it. According to Elon, the safest way to develop an AGI is to make it "maximum curious" and "truth curious", and to minimize the error between the actual truth and what you think is true. The goal is to make xAI useful for businesses and consumers, like Tesla, which will use xAI technologies for Full Self Driving.
For training xAI plans to use public data, like tweets (which, ironically, is something Twitter is trying to prevent with scraping limits). Once the model runs out of human-created data it will have to generate its own data and train on it. Elon believes that training an AI to lie is dangerous, so xAI will be trained to say what it thinks is true and not what is politically correct, which will result in criticism.
More information about the first release from xAI will be revealed soon.
@thetechdroid
Easily replaceable batteries are coming back.
The European Parliament approved new rules that will require devices with batteries to be designed in such a way that their batteries can be easily replaced by June or July 2025.
The new rules also make production of batteries more sustainable. In an effort to reduce e-waste, spare parts shall be available for up to 7 years, and need to be replaceable with no tools, tools that are supplied with the product or part, or basic tools. This is where the EU's efforts differ from Apple's Self Service Repair program, which requires people to rent expensive proprietary equipment.
Despite the European Parliament's successful vote, the new rules are not a part of EU law yet.
(Image: part of iFixit's Nokia G22 battery replacement guide)
@thetechdroid
The European Parliament approved new rules that will require devices with batteries to be designed in such a way that their batteries can be easily replaced by June or July 2025.
The new rules also make production of batteries more sustainable. In an effort to reduce e-waste, spare parts shall be available for up to 7 years, and need to be replaceable with no tools, tools that are supplied with the product or part, or basic tools. This is where the EU's efforts differ from Apple's Self Service Repair program, which requires people to rent expensive proprietary equipment.
Despite the European Parliament's successful vote, the new rules are not a part of EU law yet.
(Image: part of iFixit's Nokia G22 battery replacement guide)
@thetechdroid
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Google brings Space Invaders into real life.
The classic game is getting an AR version in honor of its 45th anniversary, developed by Taito, film and XR studio Unit9 and #Google.
In "SPACE INVADERS: World Defense", players must defend Earth from the aliens from the original game. Players explore their city, destroy Space Invaders and earn points. In this aspect the game is similar to Pokémon GO. Players can also compete for earning the top score for a location and take AR selfies.
The game was developed using Google's ARCore and Geospatial API technologies, which allowed them to place virtual objects in specific places in the real world.
"SPACE INVADERS: World Defense" is available now on iOS and Android.
@thetechdroid
The classic game is getting an AR version in honor of its 45th anniversary, developed by Taito, film and XR studio Unit9 and #Google.
In "SPACE INVADERS: World Defense", players must defend Earth from the aliens from the original game. Players explore their city, destroy Space Invaders and earn points. In this aspect the game is similar to Pokémon GO. Players can also compete for earning the top score for a location and take AR selfies.
The game was developed using Google's ARCore and Geospatial API technologies, which allowed them to place virtual objects in specific places in the real world.
"SPACE INVADERS: World Defense" is available now on iOS and Android.
@thetechdroid
#EXCLUSIVE: More information about the #Galaxy Tab S9.
A version of the Galaxy Tab S9+ firmware was leaked. In it, Technodroid could find the following:
- The tablet will run One UI 5.1.1.
- The firmware has the popular note-taking app GoodNotes, digital painting app Clip Studio Paint and video editing app LumaFusion pre-installed. Notably, GoodNotes launched for Android this year in beta, and the tablet's announcement might be a good time to release the app officially.
- The tablet is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
- We also found the default wallpapers of the new tablet.
Some of the information here isn't new, but the firmware confirms it.
@thetechdroid
A version of the Galaxy Tab S9+ firmware was leaked. In it, Technodroid could find the following:
- The tablet will run One UI 5.1.1.
- The firmware has the popular note-taking app GoodNotes, digital painting app Clip Studio Paint and video editing app LumaFusion pre-installed. Notably, GoodNotes launched for Android this year in beta, and the tablet's announcement might be a good time to release the app officially.
- The tablet is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
- We also found the default wallpapers of the new tablet.
Some of the information here isn't new, but the firmware confirms it.
@thetechdroid
Technodroid
#EXCLUSIVE: More information about the #Galaxy Tab S9. A version of the Galaxy Tab S9+ firmware was leaked. In it, Technodroid could find the following: - The tablet will run One UI 5.1.1. - The firmware has the popular note-taking app GoodNotes, digital…
#EXCLUSIVE: Even more information about the #Galaxy Tab S9+.
We already showed some of what the leaked firmware of the Galaxy Tab S9+ has, such as the tablet's wallpapers and preloaded apps. Now, we found some more information about the upcoming tablet.
Even though a tablet is probably not the best device to record videos and take photos on, we were able to find that the Galaxy Tab S9+ supports recording video at up to 4K resolution, with support for VDIS but not HDR10+. The tablet has a 12.7 MP main and 8 MP ultrawide camera, and a 3 MP front camera. This confirms the leaked camera specs. Also, the tablet will support neither Expert RAW nor Camera Assistant, two apps that improve the camera experience on Samsung devices, at least at launch.
For connectivity the tablet's modem supports Wi-Fi 6E. The display supports 120Hz, may support variable refresh rate and has a 16:10 aspect ratio, just like the Tab S8.
(Picture: Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra render, credit: WinFuture)
@thetechdroid
We already showed some of what the leaked firmware of the Galaxy Tab S9+ has, such as the tablet's wallpapers and preloaded apps. Now, we found some more information about the upcoming tablet.
Even though a tablet is probably not the best device to record videos and take photos on, we were able to find that the Galaxy Tab S9+ supports recording video at up to 4K resolution, with support for VDIS but not HDR10+. The tablet has a 12.7 MP main and 8 MP ultrawide camera, and a 3 MP front camera. This confirms the leaked camera specs. Also, the tablet will support neither Expert RAW nor Camera Assistant, two apps that improve the camera experience on Samsung devices, at least at launch.
For connectivity the tablet's modem supports Wi-Fi 6E. The display supports 120Hz, may support variable refresh rate and has a 16:10 aspect ratio, just like the Tab S8.
(Picture: Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra render, credit: WinFuture)
@thetechdroid
New apps are coming to the #Galaxy Watch6 series.
Samsung announced 2 apps that are coming to Galaxy Watch. The first is a version of Samsung Wallet, the company's virtual wallet app. It's launching with the Galaxy Watch6 next week and coming later to the Galaxy Watch5 and Watch4 series.
The second app is Thermo Check, which uses the Galaxy Watch's IR temperature sensor to measure various objects like the water a user is about to swim in, their surroundings and meals, without requiring physical contact. Unlike the previous app, Thermo Check will not be available on the Galaxy Watch4 - it launches with the Watch6 series and will be released for the Galaxy Watch5 later.
Samsung also announced that WhatsApp is now available on Wear OS for the first time, after the announcement at Google I/O.
(Source: Samsung Newsroom)
Samsung announced 2 apps that are coming to Galaxy Watch. The first is a version of Samsung Wallet, the company's virtual wallet app. It's launching with the Galaxy Watch6 next week and coming later to the Galaxy Watch5 and Watch4 series.
The second app is Thermo Check, which uses the Galaxy Watch's IR temperature sensor to measure various objects like the water a user is about to swim in, their surroundings and meals, without requiring physical contact. Unlike the previous app, Thermo Check will not be available on the Galaxy Watch4 - it launches with the Watch6 series and will be released for the Galaxy Watch5 later.
Samsung also announced that WhatsApp is now available on Wear OS for the first time, after the announcement at Google I/O.
(Source: Samsung Newsroom)
#Apple is developing a rival to ChatGPT.
Most big tech companies are developing features based on generative AI. Google has Bard and Imagen, Meta is developing the Llama series of large language models and Microsoft is partnering with OpenAI to bring GPT-4 powered features to Windows. But Apple has been strangely absent from the trend, and its voice assistant Siri is inferior to the competition. Not for long, though.
According to Bloomberg, Apple has secret teams working on AI features. The teams built a framework to create large language models called Ajax. Using it, the company has already released AI-based improvements to search, Siri and Maps. And now, Apple has created a chatbot that some engineers call "Apple GPT". "Apple GPT" is already being used to assist with prototyping, but its output can't be used to develop features that will be released to consumers. Apple employees say that the company's tool is similar to Bard and ChatGPT and has a stripped-down design.
For consumers Apple is still trying to determine how generative AI will be used. The efforts are lead by John Giannadrea, head of AI, and Craig Federighi. People familiar with the work believe Apple is aiming to make a "significant AI-related announcement" as early as next year, while Giannadrea wants to see how the competition evolves. Apple has also made a trial of OpenAI's technology, and weighed signing a contract with the AI company. One of the planned AI features includes a health coaching service, codenamed "Quartz", that uses data from an Apple Watch to make personalized plans.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said that there are still a "number of issues that need to be sorted" with generative AI features. Then, in an interview with the TV show Good Morning America, he said that he uses ChatGPT and that it's something that Apple is "looking at closely". The company is said to be working on addressing privacy concerns related to the new technology.
Most big tech companies are developing features based on generative AI. Google has Bard and Imagen, Meta is developing the Llama series of large language models and Microsoft is partnering with OpenAI to bring GPT-4 powered features to Windows. But Apple has been strangely absent from the trend, and its voice assistant Siri is inferior to the competition. Not for long, though.
According to Bloomberg, Apple has secret teams working on AI features. The teams built a framework to create large language models called Ajax. Using it, the company has already released AI-based improvements to search, Siri and Maps. And now, Apple has created a chatbot that some engineers call "Apple GPT". "Apple GPT" is already being used to assist with prototyping, but its output can't be used to develop features that will be released to consumers. Apple employees say that the company's tool is similar to Bard and ChatGPT and has a stripped-down design.
For consumers Apple is still trying to determine how generative AI will be used. The efforts are lead by John Giannadrea, head of AI, and Craig Federighi. People familiar with the work believe Apple is aiming to make a "significant AI-related announcement" as early as next year, while Giannadrea wants to see how the competition evolves. Apple has also made a trial of OpenAI's technology, and weighed signing a contract with the AI company. One of the planned AI features includes a health coaching service, codenamed "Quartz", that uses data from an Apple Watch to make personalized plans.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said that there are still a "number of issues that need to be sorted" with generative AI features. Then, in an interview with the TV show Good Morning America, he said that he uses ChatGPT and that it's something that Apple is "looking at closely". The company is said to be working on addressing privacy concerns related to the new technology.