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Hundreds of Google Assistant software, Devices and Services workers laid off

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Hundreds of Google Assistant software, Devices and Services workers laid off


Google is in the news again. This time it has announced yet another round of layoffs that is happening and this time it is all about those working on the voice-activated Google Assistant software and other departments. The number of lay offs is quite large and runs into hundreds. 

Apart from hundreds of people being laid off who were working on its voice-activated Google Assistant software, parent company Alphabet also eliminated a similar number of roles in the company’s Devices and Services team. The Google layoffs at Google Assistant, first reported by news platform Semafor, are a part of organizational changes that have been in place since the second-half of 2023, which included layoffs at the company’s mapping app Waze, Reuters reported.

A few hundred roles are being eliminated in the company’s Devices and Services team, with the majority in the 1P AR hardware team, the company said.

As part of the move, the co-founders of Google-owned Fitbit, James Park and Eric Friedman, as well as other Fitbit leaders, are leaving Google, a 9to5Google report revealed.

“Throughout second-half of 2023, a number of our teams made changes to become more efficient and work better, and to align their resources to their biggest product priorities. Some teams are continuing to make these kinds of organizational changes, which include some role eliminations globally”, a spokesperson told Reuters in a statement. ​

The spokesperson did not specify the number of roles being impacted. It is not immediately clear how many people are part of the Google Assistant software and Devices and Services teams.

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Realme 12 Pro series’ cameras detailed, launch expected this month

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Realme 12 Pro series’ cameras detailed, launch expected this month


Realme held a media preview yesterday to detail the periscope camera tech that will be used on the Realme 12 Pro series.

The Realme 12 Pro series will likely include the Realme 12 Pro and Realme 12 Pro+. The lineup will use the Sony IMX890 sensor with OIS for the primary camera with a 24mm equivalent focal length. The periscope camera will use the OV64B sensor.

Realme says the implementation of the periscope camera on the Realme 12 Pro series is the same as the flagship GT5 Pro‘s. The brand also said the lineup will feature a 3x Portrait Mode with a 71mm focal length, with the telephoto unit facilitating up to 120x digital zoom.

Realme 12 Pro series' cameras detailed, launch expected this month

The Realme 12 Pro series will also feature an ultrawide camera, which, together with the periscope telephoto unit, will offer “lossless zoom at 0.6x, 1x, 2x, 3x, and 6x, providing a full-focal-length lossless zoom photographic experience comparable to that of a flagship device.”

In addition to detailing the camera system, Realme also revealed the design of the Submarine Blue version of a Realme 12 Pro series smartphone, which is likely the Pro+ model. The lineup has been designed in collaboration with luxury watch design master Ollivier Saveo.

Realme said the lineup will feature a CNC-cut golden fluted bezel, polished sunburst dial, premium vegan leather, and a 3D jubilee bracelet.

Realme 12 Pro series' cameras detailed, launch expected this month

The event page set up by Realme on its Indian website says, “See you on XX Jan, 2024,” suggesting the Realme 12 Pro series could launch later this month.



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XDefiant Delayed After Failing PlayStation and Xbox Console Certification Test

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XDefiant Delayed After Failing PlayStation and Xbox Console Certification Test


XDefiant, Ubisoft’s upcoming cross-over arena shooter, still does not have a solid release date and now we know why. In a blog post, producer Mark Rubin confirmed that the game failed its console certification with PlayStation and Xbox, and therefore has been delayed from its original American summer window. It is now eyeing a release sometime between mid-September to the middle of October, depending on any required day-one patches. It’s worth mentioning that not passing a certification test is incredibly common for games, but we hardly ever hear about them since it’s taken into consideration by publishers when setting a release date far in advance.

Rubin explained in the blog post that with XDefiant, the team has decided to be transparent about their processes, starting with multiple beta sessions which let players hop into unfinished versions of the game. “These were real tests and not just marketing events. So, when it comes to when we will release the real answer is ‘as soon as we can.’ And we will continue to update you with more info when we have it,” he said. The aforementioned certification and compliance checks are not to be confused with a game’s quality or bugs, but rather to check whether it adheres to a platform’s expectations. For instance, whether trophies are unlocking properly or if the friend list is being updated with the proper game status, name, and activity.

It appears Ubisoft submitted XDefiant for certification at the end of July, hoping to ship it by the end of August. However, it failed and so, the team has spent the last 3–4 weeks fixing those compliance issues and preparing for another submission. Currently, the game is in the stage of the process where the developers are finalising the submission build and hope to send it to first-party platforms within the next two weeks. If it passes ‘cleanly,’ XDefiant will be out sometime in mid to end of September. But if it comes back with a ‘conditional Pass,’ the studio will need to implement a day-one pass to ensure any lingering fixes for compliance. That would push the launch date to anywhere between early to mid-October.

XDefiant is a free-to-play arena shooter set against a vibrant punk rock backdrop, roping in gunmen from Ubisoft’s flagship franchises like Splinter Cell, Far Cry, Watch Dogs, and more, so they can duke it out in 6v6 arena matches. Each class is equipped with a unique set of skills that can help turn the tide on-field, with Echelons as the stealth-based operators who can turn invisible, while the attack-minded Cleaners — from The Division — can send out a flying drone that engulfs its path in flames. In my XDefiant first closed beta impressions, I mentioned that “while its core gameplay is slickly executed, I struggle to see its appeal in the long run,” especially when you consider the FPS multiplayer market that’s already filled to the brim with arcade shooters. Since then, the game also had an open beta session in June.

XDefiant is now eyeing a launch sometime between mid-September to mid-October on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.

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January 11, 2021: R Ashwin, Vihari forge defiant SCG partnership to snatch a historic draw vs Australia

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January 11, 2021: R Ashwin, Vihari forge defiant SCG partnership to snatch a historic draw vs Australia


Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari displayed remarkable resilience to forge a defiant stand and help India secure a historic draw against the formidable Australian side at the SCG on this very day in 2021.

The day began with India’s hopes hanging by a thread, as they resumed at 98 for two, with a daunting target of 309 runs ahead. The early loss of skipper Ajinkya Rahane added to the pressure, but Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant reignited India’s chances with a 148-run stand. Pujara’s stoic 77 off 205 balls and Pant’s aggressive 97 off 118 balls kept the game alive. However, their dismissals set the stage for what was to become a legendary last stand.

Enter Ashwin and Vihari, who were not just battling the Australian bowlers but their physical ailments. Vihari, hampered by a severe hamstring injury sustained during his innings, and Ashwin, suffering from excruciating back pain that prevented him from sitting down even during breaks, displayed a masterclass in grit and endurance. Their partnership was not about scoring runs; it was about survival, about saving the game one ball at a time.

Together, they faced 259 deliveries, adding an unbeaten 62 runs over more than 42 overs after joining forces in the 89th over of India’s second innings. Vihari’s 23 not out off 161 balls and Ashwin’s 39 not out off 128 balls were not just numbers on the scoreboard; they were a testament to their indomitable spirit. The duo wore down the Australian attack, which had been relentless throughout the series, and batted through pain, having taken large doses of painkillers to continue their rescue operation.

Their partnership was a lesson in Test-saving batsmanship, a skill that seems largely extinct in the era of fast-paced cricket. It was a partnership that spoke volumes about the mental fortitude required at the highest level of the game. The communication between Ashwin and Vihari was pivotal, as they navigated through the challenging conditions and the formidable Australian bowling lineup.

India finished the day at 334 for 5 in 131 overs, achieving an extremely unlikely draw, thanks to the tenacity of these two cricketers. The SCG partnership between Ashwin and Vihari will be remembered as a magical moment in cricket, where sheer willpower triumphed over adversity. It was not just a draw; it was a moral victory, a statement of courage that resonated with cricket fans around the world. On that day, Ashwin and Vihari didn’t just save a match; they inspired countless others with their exemplary display of perseverance and teamwork.

Published By:

Saurabh Kumar

Published On:

Jan 11, 2024

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NASA says Asteroid 2023 WZ3 will pass Earth today; Know details of this close encounter

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NASA says Asteroid 2023 WZ3 will pass Earth today; Know details of this close encounter


While these space rocks are millions or even billions of kilometers away from Earth, located in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, their orbits bring them close to Earth on some occasions. Spacecraft such as Dawn, OSIRIS-REx, and Hayabusa2 have helped in discovering and studying asteroids, unlocking their secrets. Moreover, NASA has several space telescopes and ground-based observatories in place such as the NEOWISE telescope, Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), Pans-STARRS1, Catalina Sky Survey, the Hubble Space Telescope and the new $1 billion James Webb Space Telescope.

With the help of such advanced tech, NASA has revealed that this is the case today as an asteroid is expected to pass Earth by a close margin today, January 11. Know all about this close encounter.

Asteroid 2023 WZ3: Speed, size, and more

The asteroid has been designated as Asteroid 2023 WZ3 by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). This Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) is expected to make its closest approach to the planet at a speed of about 14352 kilometers per hour. During its closest approach, it will pass by the planet at a distance of approximately 6.1 million kilometers. It is important to note that while it has been termed as a Near-Earth Asteroid due to its close distance of passing, it is not expected to actually impact the planet.

It belongs to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids, which are Earth-crossing space rocks with semi-major axes larger than Earth’s. These asteroids are named after the humongous 1862 Apollo asteroid, discovered by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth in the 1930s.

How big is the asteroid?

According to NASA, Asteroid 2023 WZ3 is approximately 115 feet wide, making it almost as big as an aircraft! It is larger than the Chelyabinsk asteroid which caused destruction in 2013, damaging over 7000 buildings and leaving nearly 1000 people injured. Despite its size, the asteroid has not been termed as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid. Only celestial objects larger than 492 feet that pass Earth at a distance closer than 7.5 million kilometers are designated so.

According to NASA, Asteroid 2023 WZ3 has passed Earth before. It first came close to Earth on May 15, 1970 when it passed the planet by 73 million kilometers. After today, this Apollo group asteroid will fly by Earth on October 18, 2036, and it will do so at approximately 68 million kilometers.

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Samsung Galaxy S24 series to bring higher touch response time

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Samsung Galaxy S24 series to bring higher touch response time


We are hurtling towards the Samsung Galaxy S24 series launch at lightning speed. With that being said, Samsung’s next-gen UnPacked event is set to happen on January 17th. Turns out we have been getting updates on the Galaxy S24 series and the leaks have intensified as the launch date approaches. 

According to tipster Ice Universe, all three smartphones under the Galaxy S24 series will get a 10% improvement in terms of touch response speed. What this means for users is that the phones will respond to your touches faster and smoother than the last-generation devices. 

It is a debate whether a 10% improvement in touch response is any better, it should make the OneUI snappier than ever. It is especially true when the performance on OneUI is still refined and getting any better is good for the users.

Samsung Galaxy S24 series appears to sport one of the best AMOLED screens. We are talking about Super AMOLED 2X displays. These are made up of LTPOa backplanes made using M13 materials making them one of the best. These displays could light up at 2,600 of peak brightness while Galaxy S23 was able to punch 1,750 nits of brightness. 

Samsung Galaxy S24 Series Specifications

galaxy s24 ultra

Leaked specs coming from leakster Evan Blass gave us a peek into what to expect with the upcoming trio.

Galaxy S24 sports a 6.2” Dynamic AMOLED 2X FHD+ display 50MP triple rear cam, 30x Space Zoom and 2x & 3x dual telephoto, 4000mAh battery, 8GB RAM, and 256GB of storage. Galaxy S24+ upgrades the display to 6.7” and QHD+ resolution. It packs up to 12GB of RAM with 512GB of storage and a 4900mAh battery.

Finally, the topmost Galaxy S24 Ultra brings the display to 6.8” QHD+ with a 200MP quad-cam setup, 100x space zoom, 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 5000mAh battery. Moreover, the Galaxy S24 series will be high on its AI quotient thanks to ‘Galaxy AI’.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Series is set to launch on January 17 at UnPacked 2024 in San Jose, California. Reserve your unit here.

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Borderlands Maker Gearbox Reportedly Up for Sale by Embracer Group

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Borderlands Maker Gearbox Reportedly Up for Sale by Embracer Group


Borderlands developer Gearbox is reportedly up for sale by parent company Embracer Group. As per Reuters, the Swedish conglomerate is looking to restructure following a $2 billion (about Rs. 16,586 crore) deal with Saudi Arabia government-funded Savvy Games Group that fell through, earlier this year. The fallout resulted in the former cutting down on spending, in addition to closing down studios and laying off its employees. Having been acquired merely two-and-a-half years ago, Gearbox is now the latest victim, with some alleged third-party publishers expressing interest in acquiring the developer. No names were mentioned, though they were described as “international gaming groups.”

Following the original Reuters report, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier noted that it’s not confirmed whether Gearbox would be sold off, but Embracer is certainly looking to part ways with it. In an email sent to staff, Gearbox CCO Dan Hewitt said, “The base case is that Gearbox remains a part of Embracer. However, there are many options under consideration, including Gearbox’s transfer, taking Gearbox independent, and others. Ultimately, we’ll move ahead with whichever path is best for both Gearbox and Embracer.” Earlier this month, Embracer offloaded the Saints Row studio Volition, essentially shutting it down after 30 years in the game development space — possibly to do with the critical and commercial failure of its latest open-world reboot, as Embracer mentioned in its 2023 financial report.

Embracer has spent the last few years swiping game studios through a series of non-stop acquisitions and building an empire, bringing together coveted developers like Tomb Raider’s Crystal Dynamics, Remnant II’s THQ Nordic, Dead Island 2’s Deep Silver, franchising rights to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and more. This obviously cost a lot of money, which was initially covered by the aforementioned Savvy Games Group through a $1 billion investment. But in May, the latter backed out, leaving Embracer to deal with the debt.

Earlier this year, Embracer Group confirmed that The Lord of the Rings was getting an MMO adaptation developed by Amazon Games’ Orange County Studio — the same developers who previously worked on New World. The title is in the early stages of development and will feature stories from the LOTR and The Hobbit written material from author J.R.R. Tolkien. A bit before that, in February, the conglomerate confirmed that it had five video games based on the Middle-earth franchise in development, one of them being the critically panned The Lord of the Rings: Gollum game, whose failure resulted in Daedalic Entertainment closing down its development division.

Amidst all this restructuring drama, Crystal Dynamics put out an open letter assuring fans that the Embracer restructuring program will have no impact on the development of the upcoming Tomb Raider game. The parent company is also behind the long-gestating Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake, which switched studios from Aspyr Media to Saber Interactive, in August 2022, following the firing of two top employees.

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Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2024 hub.



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HP OMEN Transcend 14 gaming laptop boasts a 2.8K HDR OLED display

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HP OMEN Transcend 14 gaming laptop boasts a 2.8K HDR OLED display



HP OMEN Transcend 14 All Metal Intel Gaming Laptop 01

Introducing HP’s groundbreaking innovation in gaming technology: the HP OMEN Transcend 14 gaming laptop. This cutting-edge device redefines the gaming experience with unparalleled portability, high-performance capabilities, and personalized features for gamers and creators alike.

 

– Immersive display: The IMAX-enhanced 2.8K 120 Hz VRR OLED display boasts stunning visuals.
– Epic speed: It has an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPUs.
– Thermal revolution: A redesigned chassis with a vapor chamber works alongside Intel’s dual-channel flow technology.
– Boosted productivity: It has local AI capabilities through Intel and NVIDIA processors. Built-in AI with Otter.ai offers live transcription, real-time captions, recording, and AI-generated notes.
– Audio excellence: With audio tuned by HyperX, it delivers custom-tuned sound performance for enhanced gaming audio.

 

HP’s OMEN Transcend 14 sets a new standard in gaming laptops, offering a blend of portability, performance, and personalized features.





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CES 2024 day 3: Check top 10 product announcements; From smart rings to headsets

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CES 2024 day 3: Check top 10 product announcements; From smart rings to headsets


CES 2024: Day 3 of the event saw various innovations in the tech industry from top brands and new startups being rolled out. Yes, CES 2024 day 3 has commenced and there are still two more days left to see what companies are planning to launch in the coming months. The year has kickstarted with the introduction of top-notch innovations, and it’s astonishing to see what 2024 holds in terms of bringing new tech products and leveraging the capabilities of artificial intelligence.

Top 10 CES 2024 day 3 announcements

  1. Amazfit Helio Smart Ring: Amazfit launched its new smart ring which has the capabilities of giving serious competition to the Oura ring. The ring has a titanium alloy build and weighs only 4 grams. It is 2.6mm thick and offers 10ATM of water resistance.

2. Rabbit R1: It is an AI-powered device which is called the R1. It features a 2.88-inch touchscreen display and is powered by a MediaTek processor. It is based on the Large Action Model and it can do several tasks such as playing music, ordering groceries, and sending messages.

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3. Hisense 110UX ULED TV: It is a massive 110-inch TV that features 40000 local dimming zones and a 10000 nits peak brightness. For an immersive sound experience, the TV features Dolby Atmos FlexConnect wireless audio.

4. Sennheiser Momentum Sport: The earbud has dual functionality of tracking health and conducting the basic listening task. It can measure body temperature and heart rate through any of the fitness apps installed on your smartphone.

5. Sony XR headset: It is Sony’s high-end headset with 4K OLED microdisplays and is powered by Qualcomm XR2+ Gen 2 chipset for staggering performance. It is focused on providing 3D content and fulfilling basic gaming needs.

6. New Alexa skills: Amazon announced new capabilities of its voice assistant tool Alexa. It can now work like a generative AI assistant as it is powered by Character.AI. Additionally, it has a skill called Splash which enables the device to create music based on what you prompt.

7. Samsung SmartThings Map: It is a new smart home feature which enables users to have an interactive map view of their home. It will show users all the smart home gadgets and they control them via smart devices

8. Casio G-Shock Rangeman HPR-1000: Casino announced their new smartwatch for adventurous users. The watch is integrated with GPS which will track your location and distance. It includes health tracking, compass bearings, altitude, barometric pressure and temperature sensing.

9. Bluetooth Auracast: It can be wirelessly connected with multiple devices such as TV, Bluetooth speakers, and more. You can connect to two devices at the same time. It is a new headphone but holds more capabilities than normal buds.

10. LG C4 OLED TV: It is the new generation of C-series TV which claims to be brighter than its predecessor. The TV features OLED panels and Dolby Atmos sound for immersive viewing and sound experience. The TV is also powered by an Alpha 9 Gen 7 processor for brightness and power management.

Also, read these top stories:

The AI Fight of the ages! False and misleading information supercharged with cutting-edge AI that threatens to erode democracy, the World Economic Forum said. Some interesting details in this article. Check it out here. 

If you enjoyed reading this article, please forward it to your friends and family.

ChatGPT-Maker vs NYT! A barrage of lawsuits in a New York federal court will test the future of ChatGPT and other AI products.

Read all about it here.  Found it interesting? Go on, and share it with everyone you know.

The Suite Life! Chef-like robots, AI-powered appliances and other high-tech kitchen gadgets are holding out the promise that humans don’t need to cook — or mix drinks — for themselves.

Jump in and see what’s happening here. 

 



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Samsung brings new rugged Galaxy XCover7 smartphone and Tab Active5 tablet

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Samsung brings new rugged Galaxy XCover7 smartphone and Tab Active5 tablet


As all eyes are on Samsung’s Galaxy S24 flagships coming later this month, the company surprised everyone with two new rugged devices. Say hello to the Galaxy XCover7 smartphone and the Galaxy Tab Active5 tablet.

The duo comes with Android 14 out of the box, 5G connectivity, NFC for cashless payments, Samsung Knox Vault for data protection and a programmable button for quick access in rough conditions.

Samsung brings new rugged Galaxy XCover7 smartphone and Tab Active5 tablet

Samsung Galaxy XCover7

The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 comes with a 6.6” LCD with Full HD+ resolution that has increased touch sensitivity for work with gloves up to 2 mm thick and in wet environments. Samsung generally does not say what chipset powers their phones, and we only know the Galaxy XCover7 has a SoC built on a 6nm process with an octa-core CPU.

The only camera on the back has a 50 MP sensor, while the one at the front does 5 MP stills. Memory is 6 GB RAM, storage is 128 GB, and the phone takes microSD cards. Other highlights include a 3.5 mm audio jack and Dolby Atmos sound.


Samsung Galaxy XCover7
Samsung Galaxy XCover7

Samsung Galaxy XCover7

The Galaxy XCover7’s key selling point is that it’s built to last, complying with the IP68 and MIL-STD-810H standards. The screen is protected by a Gorilla Glass Victus+, while the 4,050 mAh battery is removable.

The phone has a No Battery Mode, allowing it to run without a battery when plugged into the USB-C port – this is extremely convenient to be used in kiosks, cars, and all other scenarios where the device is constantly connected to a charger. That way, the cell is preserved, and the phone does not emit extra heat.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5

The tablet has an 8” LCD with up to 120 Hz refresh rate, and just like the smartphone, has increased touch sensitivity. There’s a 13 MP camera on the back and a 5 MP one at the front. It packs an unnamed 5 nm chipset.

Memory combinations are two – 6/128 GB or 8/256 GB, both with a microSD slot for up to 1 TB more. The IP68-certified tablet supports an S Pen, but that comes in a separate protective case as it does not go into the actual body of the slate.


Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5

The Tab Active5 is also MIL-STD-810H0 rated for withstanding extreme altitude, humidity, immersion, salt fog, dust, vibrations, and drops. However, the panel here has the slightly dated Gorilla Glass 5 on top.

There are physical keys in the bottom bezel, and the home key has a built-in fingerprint scanner. The battery has a 5,050 mAh capacity and can also be removed, allowing the tablet to work without the cell.

The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5 will be available starting this month. Pricing is yet to be confirmed.



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