Qualcomm unveiled its Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform during its annual Snapdragon Summit last month, and brands including Xiaomi, OnePlus, Realme, and Asus released phones with the new processor inside, following the chipmaker’s announcement. It is built on TSMC’s 3nm process technology and is claimed to offer 44 percent improved power efficiency compared with its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. Now, early tests with two of the first devices using the chip have revealed some significant battery life improvements.

YouTuber Dave2D posted a video offering insights about the battery life and performance of Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro and OnePlus 13. Both models run on the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip are compared with their predecessors in the video. The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro and OnePlus 13 have a 5,800mAh and 6,000mAh battery, respectively, while their predecessors were equipped with 5,500mAh (ROG Phone 8) and 5,400mAh (OnePlus 12) batteries.

The video notes that the battery life of the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro surged to 14.29 hours from the 11 hours of the ROG Phone 8 Pro (with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) in the PCMark battery test. Similarly, the OnePlus 13’s battery lasted 17.25 hours in the same test, up from 12.13 hours offered by the OnePlus 12 (with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3). The tests indicate significant improvement in battery life over previous generation phones and the YouTuber attributes the advancements to the new Snapdragon chip.

He also ran a few more tests highlighting the performance potential of the new chip. On Genshin Impact, the ROG Phone 9 Pro offered nearly five hours of battery life whereas the predecessor lasted up to 3.42 hours.

Similarly, the OnePlus 13’s battery life is impressive at 5.39 hours with Genshin Impact, while the OnePlus 12 lasted only 3.51 hours. In his video, Dave2D says the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC is energy efficient and offers battery longevity alongside battery health.

During the launch event, Qualcomm claimed a 44 percent improvement in power efficiency for the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip over its predecessor. It is also promised to deliver up to 45 percent better CPU performance and up to 40 percent improved GPU performance. The mobile platform has an Oryon CPU with a custom eight-core structure with prime cores clocked at 4.32GHz and performance cores with a peak frequency of 3.53GHz.

Apple engineers made a key decision in 2017 which led to the company being able to offer Apple Intelligence even in devices launched in 2020, said an executive. In a podcast, senior executives in the company highlighted that the engineers responsible for designing the M1 chipset decided to add neural networks to make them artificial intelligence (AI) ready. This is notable since the M1 chipset was first launched in 2020, which was two years before the generative AI trend caught steam.

Apple Executive Reveal the Key Decision That Led to M1 Chipsets Being AI-Ready

The Circuit podcast, in its latest episode, invited Apple’s Vice President of Platform Architecture Tim Millet and Tom Boger, Senior Director, Mac & iPad Product Marketing at Apple for a conversation. The duo discussed the company’s approach towards AI, integration of hardware, importance of architecture, and more.

Interestingly, the executives revealed that Apple’s engineers had become aware of neural networks in 2017, soon after the first paper about it was published. The same technology led to the development of transformer networks which is considered the foundation for generative AI.

The executives highlighted that the engineers began re-designing the company’s neural engine for the next generation of Apple silicon — the M1 chip. By the time the chipset debuted with the MacBook Air, the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and the Mac Mini in 2020, the company could run neural networks on the processor. However, back then the company did not have much use for neural networks and generative AI technology was still two years away.

As a takeaway, the executives said with M1 “we had the foresight to be able to look, and we’re paying attention to the trends and introduce it, knowing that silicon takes time to get it in there.”

Notably, at the “It’s Glowtime” event earlier this year, Apple announced that Apple Intelligence will be compatible with the M1 chipsets, bringing new features to hardware that is four years old. The tech giant’s AI offerings are now scheduled to be rolled out to users globally in December. However, users in the European Union (EU) and China will not get it at launch due to regulatory hurdles.

Google is reportedly working on a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature for Google Keep. The company’s note-taking app might soon offer AI-powered feature that can turn hand-drawn text and sketches into images. Dubbed Help Me Draw, the evidence of the feature were said to be found within the latest version of the Google Keep app for Android. The feature could reportedly first be available in the tech giant’s Workspace Lab, and then gradually rolled out to a wider user base.

How Google Keep’s ‘Help Me Draw’ Feature Could Work  

Android Authority and AssembleDebug spotted Google Keep’s AI feature that is still in development. The publication found certain flags related to the feature during an application package kit (APK) teardown, and were able to make it visible in the app. However, since the AI capability is likely on-cloud, the feature could not be tested. It was reportedly spotted on Google Keep version 5.24.462.04.90 for Android.

Google Keep’s Help Me Draw feature
Photo Credit: Android Authority

However, based on several screenshots shared, several details about the AI tool could be unearthed. The feature is said to be called ‘Help Me Draw’ and its description states, “Try Help Me Draw to create unique images from your hand drawings and bring your doodles to life.”

Once the feature goes live, users can reportedly scribble a hand-written text or a sketch on a Google Keep page and highlight it to trigger the AI tool. By tapping on the Help Me Draw, the AI will process the visual information to see if it can recognise it. If it can, the AI is said to open a text field where users can type a prompt on what they want to create.

There is reportedly also an option to select from different styles such as vector drawing, coloured pencil, ink marker, and more. Once everything is added, the AI is said to enhance the artwork. However, since the feature is not turned on, the publication was not able to test the end result.

Notably, since the description of the feature mentions Workspace Lab, it is likely that this feature will be available to Google Workspace account holders with a Gemini add-on. However, nothing can be said conclusively till the tech giant makes an official announcement about it.

Microsoft reached a deal with News Corp.’s HarperCollins that will allow the software company to use nonfiction titles from the book publisher to train its artificial intelligence models, according to a person familiar with the matter. 

Microsoft wants the HarperCollins books for a model that it hasn’t yet announced, according to the person, who asked not to be identified discussing plans that aren’t public. The company isn’t planning to use the content to generate new books without human authors, the person said. Microsoft declined to comment.

In a statement to Bloomberg News, HarperCollins confirmed it reached an agreement with an unidentified AI technology company that would “allow limited use of select nonfiction backlist titles for training AI models to improve model quality and performance.”

HarperCollins authors will have the option to participate or not, the company said.

“Part of our role is to present authors with opportunities for their consideration while simultaneously protecting the underlying value of their works and our shared revenue and royalty streams,” HarperCollins said. “This agreement, with its limited scope and clear guardrails around model output that respects author’s rights, does that.”

Technology companies use an array of data, from social-media sites to news articles, to train AI models, and companies like Microsoft are hunting for additional sources of high-quality text that they can license to make their programs more accurate, better able to answer questions or provide expertise on specific subjects. 

News Corp. signed an agreement in May with OpenAI to let the company use content from more than a dozen of its publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s and MarketWatch. OpenAI has also signed licensing deals with publishers including Axel Springer SE, the Atlantic, Vox Media, Dotdash Meredith Inc., Hearst Communications Inc. and Time magazine. Microsoft has worked on AI initiatives with Reuters, Hearst and Axel Springer, which publishes Business Insider and Politico. 

Some publishers have taken issue with AI companies pulling in content without permission. The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging copyright infringement. Perplexity AI, another AI startup, has faced similar lawsuits. 

© 2024 Bloomberg LP

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

iQOO 13 is all set to debut in India in the first week of December. As the launch date nears, the Vivo sub-brand has disclosed more details about the Indian variant of iQOO 13. Like its Chinese counterpart, it is confirmed to ship with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, iQOO’s in-house Q2 chip and an LTPO AMOLED display. The iQOO 13 will offer IP68 and IP69 ratings. It is confirmed to receive software updates for four years.

iQOO 13 Indian Variant Specifications Confirmed 

In a press release, the company confirmed that the iQOO 13 will be equipped with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and the handset is claimed to have scored over 3 million points on the AnTuTu benchmarking platform. It also includes the company’s Q2 chip for gaming and a 7000 sq mm vapour chamber cooling system for thermal management.

The iQOO 13 is teased to feature a Q10 LTPO AMOLED display with 2K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. It has IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. iQOO says it will get four software updates and five years of security updates. 

Like the Chinese variant, the Indian variant of iQOO 13 boasts a triple rear camera unit, comprising a 50-megapixel primary camera with a Sony IMX 921 sensor, a 50-megapixel Sony portrait sensor and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera. It has a 32-megapixel selfie sensor that is capable of shooting 4K videos at 60fps.

The iQOO 13 features a Monster Halo lighting effect on the camera module. This side light offers dynamic alerts for calls, messages, and charging. It houses a 6,000mAh battery with 120W charging support. This is slightly smaller than the 6,150mAh battery unit available on the Chinese variant.

The Indian variant of the iQOO 13 is confirmed to arrive in Nardo Grey and Legend Edition colourways. The latter features BMW’s iconic Red, Black, and Blue stripes on a matte white rear panel.

The price of iQOO 13 in China starts at CNY 3,999 (roughly Rs. 47,200) for the 12GB RAM + 256GB option and ranges up to CNY 5,199 (roughly Rs. 61,400) for the 16GB + 1TB RAM and storage configuration. We can expect the Indian variant to be priced similarly.

The iQOO 13 will be announced in India on December 3. It will go on sale through iQOO e-store and Amazon.

Microsoft Windows 365 Link Cloud PC was unveiled by the company on Tuesday. The company’s first Cloud PC device lets users quickly and securely connect to Windows 365. Microsoft’s new compact PC bears a resemblance to Apple’s Mac Mini M4, although there are differences in how the devices function. The PC has a thin and light build and runs a cloud-based version of Windows 11. The Windows 365 Link offers dual monitor connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and more similar to the Mac Mini. It will be available in April 2025.

Microsoft Windows 365 Link Price, Availability

Windows 365 Link, announced at the Microsoft Ignite event 2024, will be available for purchase in select markets starting April 2025 with a price tag of $349 (roughly Rs. 30,000). 

However, Microsoft is allowing organisations in Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the UK, and the US to apply for the Windows 365 Link preview programme. Interested users in these regions can reach out to their Microsoft account team and request to join the preview programme by December 15, 2024.

The launch of Windows 365 Link comes a month after Apple unveiled its new Mac Mini M4. The latter starts at Rs. 59,900 in India for the base model. The version with the M4 Pro chip costs Rs. 1,49,900.

Microsoft Windows 365 Link Specifications

The Windows 365 Link runs a cloud-based version of Windows 11 and houses an undisclosed Intel processor with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The device designed for corporate customers — specifically desk-based workers — offers dual 4K monitor support, along with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. It offers support for high-performance video playback and conferencing.

Microsoft states that it is working to support high-fidelity meetings with partner solutions such as Webex by Cisco. The Windows 365 Link is equipped with three USB Type-A 3.2 ports, a USB Type-C 3.2 port, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an Ethernet port, a Kensington lock port, and a port for the power cord.

The Windows 365 Link carries a locked-down operating system with no local data or apps, and no local admin users. Microsoft states that the elimination of local data and apps and admin rights reduces the chances of malware. It offers passwordless authentication using Microsoft Entra ID. Features like Secure Boot, the dedicated Trusted Platform Module, Hypervisor Code Integrity, BitLocker encryption, and the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint detection and response sensor can’t be turned off, further helping to secure the device.

Organisations using Windows 365 with Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra ID and meeting existing Windows 365 requirements are eligible to use the Windows 365 Link. It is compatible with wired and wireless peripherals, monitors, audio devices, input devices like keyboards and mice, cameras, storage devices, and hubs. The Windows 365 Link measures 120x120x30mm.

Apple will ask a federal judge on Wednesday to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice’s case accusing the iPhone maker of unlawfully dominating the smartphone market, in the latest Big Tech antitrust showdown.

US District Judge Julien Neals in Newark, New Jersey, is scheduled to hear arguments from lawyers for Apple, and from prosecutors who say the company locks users in and keeps competition out by limiting interoperability between the iPhone and third-party apps and devices.

Apple has moved to dismiss the case, saying its limitations on developers’ access to its technology were reasonable, and that forcing it to share technology with competitors would chill innovation.

Antitrust cases against Big Tech firms are a bipartisan trend. The case against Apple began during the first presidential term of Donald Trump and was filed during the administration of President Joe Biden.

In other cases, Alphabet’s Google was found to have an illegal monopoly in online search, Meta Platforms faces trial on claims that it squelched competition by acquiring upstart rivals, and Amazon.com is fighting a case over its policies toward sellers and suppliers.

But some claims like the ones at the heart of the Apple case have ultimately failed.

A judge dismissed the Federal Trade Commission’s claim against Meta over the social media platform’s restrictions on third-party app developers.

In the Google search case, the judge rejected a claim that Google should have done more to accommodate advertisers on Microsoft’s search engine, Bing.

Apple cited the ruling in its own case, saying it shows that withholding access to technology should not be considered anticompetitive.

The Apple lawsuit filed in March by the DOJ and a coalition of states takes aim at restrictions and fees on app developers, and technical roadblocks to third-party devices and services – such as smart watches, digital wallets and messaging services – that would compete with its own.

If the judge finds the claims plausible, the case will be allowed to move forward.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)