Tom Wassick on Twitter, Tom's Hardware
AMD Radeon cards with 3D V-Cache may become a reality as Navi 31 GPU found to integrate possible connection site for 3D cache - Notebookcheck.net
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Tuesday, January 31, 2023
AMD Radeon cards with 3D V-Cache may become a reality as Navi 31 GPU found to integrate possible connection site for 3D cache - Notebookcheck.net
AMD Radeon cards with 3D V-Cache may become a reality as Navi 31 GPU found to integrate possible connection site for 3D cache - Notebookcheck.net
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Monday, January 30, 2023
Google’s AI model converts text to music - The Hindu
Google researchers have developed an AI tool, MusicLM, that can generate high-quality music from text descriptions.
(For insights on emerging themes at the intersection of technology, business and policy, subscribe to our tech newsletter Today’s Cache.)
MusicLM generates music at 24 kHz that remains consistent over several minutes. It outperforms previous systems both in audio quality and adherence to the text descriptions, Google claimed in a research paper on Thursday.
The model can even transform a whistled or hummed melody according to the style described in a text caption, Google added.
The tech company however does not have any plans to release the model right now as it acknowledged that there are several risks associated with the new model and the use-case it tackles.
“We strongly emphasize the need for more future work in tackling these risks associated to music generation — we have no plans to release models at this point,” Google said in the research.
The generated samples will reflect the biases present in the training data, raising the question about appropriateness for music generation for cultures underrepresented in the training data, while at the same time also raising concerns about cultural appropriation, Google noted.
The company’s future works may focus on lyrics generation, along with improvement of text conditioning and vocal quality, modeling of high-level song structure like introduction, verse, chorus, and modeling the music at a higher sample rate, according to the research paper.
Google’s AI model converts text to music - The Hindu
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Sunday, January 29, 2023
WhatsApp working on message reactions within community announcement group - Business Standard
Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature which will allow users to react to messages within the announcement group, on iOS.
The platform is working on an in-app banner to alert users when an update that brings message reactions within the announcement group is available, reports WABetaInfo.
As a result, users will be needed to update the version of the application from the App Store or the TestFlight app to access this new feature.
The ability to react to messages within the community announcement group is currently under development and it is expected to be released in a future update of the iOS application, the report said.
Meanwhile, last week, it was reported that the messaging platform had rolled out some new shortcuts for group admins to quickly and easily perform actions for a certain group participant, on iOS.
The new update will help group admins to quickly manage and communicate with group participants in private, as now the platform supports large groups of up to 1024 participants.
--IANS
aj/uk/
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WhatsApp working on message reactions within community announcement group - Business Standard
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Saturday, January 28, 2023
The death of Moore's law, and why it's actually a good thing for games - TechRadar
Gordon Moore looked into his proverbial crystal ball one day in 1965 and authored one of the 20th century’s most defining principles. Observing the pace of innovation in computing for the magazine Electronics, he predicted that the number of transistors on a circuit would double each year from the present until 1975.
What he didn’t know at the time was that Moore’s law would continue to hold true for a bit longer than that. In the intervening decades, that pace of growth of the number of transistors per circuit continued to remain steady, utterly transforming the modern world in the process. This technological revolution has been responsible for about a third of all productivity-based growth in the United States since 1974, according to MIT Technology Review (opens in new tab). Moore supposed that it might lead to wonders like computers in our own homes, and here we are in 2022 trading NFTs on our smartphones. Dream bigger, Gordon. Jeez.
But nothing lasts forever. Not The Undertaker’s Wrestlemania streak, not your friend’s conversation about their holiday, and, most pertinently, not Moore’s law. There wasn’t a particular moment when the graph suddenly flatlined after decades of upwards diagonal trajectory. Instead, it’s been a slow tapering off, an increasing struggle to achieve the next microscopic manufacturing process.
Age against the machine
Intel’s 10nm manufacturing process was severely delayed, arriving in 2019 with poor die yields and leading to a four-year generational gap between it and Intel’s previous 14nm chips. The company’s designers agree that their rate of progress is no longer consistent with Moore’s law. Nvidia has recently said the same.
We all need constraints, because limitless choice is paralysis. Neil Postman called it the information action ratio – the more we know, the less we do.
What’s more, it’s taking exponentially more effort to reach the next rung on the ladder. The amount of research and development required to bring about smaller, denser microchips has risen by a factor of 18 since 1971, say economists at Stanford and MIT.
Most computing experts are in agreement by now: Moore’s law is dead. And while that spells trouble for a western world that’s been largely driven by that innovation, with entire economies propped up on it, where we are now is a safe space. We’re only here to talk about games. Silly old games.
In this incredibly specific microcosm of society, the fall of Moore’s law is actually a good thing. That seems counter-intuitive at first, given that, as gamers, our initial reaction when we hear about a more powerful CPU or GPU is to imagine an outlandish degree of new graphical fidelity.
And particularly through the late ‘90s and noughties, the CPU arms race seemed to be generating massive steps forward for gaming. Not just better graphics, although that was certainly happening, but entirely new genres, made possible by complex AI, newfound environmental scale, and procedural generation.
But, since about 2008, the line’s been curving off. We didn’t notice an immediate effect in gaming. It’s happened so slowly that only now, more than a decade on, do we accept that games from 2012 don’t look that different to games from 2022. Particularly when you put games from 2012 next to games from 2002.
Having greater technological bandwidth at your disposal to make games is certainly a positive. But having a clear ceiling, albeit a little lower than you would have liked, is better.
Because creativity is all about constraints. In the writing world, you’d probably be looking at a blank page right now, just like I would have been the night before, if this commission asked me to write about whatever I liked. We all need constraints, because limitless choice is paralysis. Neil Postman called it the information action ratio – the more we know, the less we do.
In game development, the major constraints are budgetary – and that also covers time, since every day you’re still working on a game is another day you have to pay everyone – and technological.
We’ve become increasingly aware of the stresses and workloads involved with making games happen in recent years. But removing those aforementioned constraints wouldn’t alleviate that. Increasing them might.
Window of opportunity
Let’s take a classic example of development hell: Duke Nukem Forever. The project kicked off in 1997 and didn’t see the light of day until 2011, and at least part of the reason for that famously protracted dev time was that it kept missing its tech window – the period during which the visuals still looked competitively shiny, the mechanics were in line with what else was out there in the market, and culturally people were still into the idea of picking up a piece of feces. Unfortunately this piece was published by Gearbox Software and going for full price.
What if there had been no new game engine? What if the Build Engine was the be-all and end-all of technical wonderment? Duke Nukem Forever would probably have been out before ‘99. And it would, inarguably, have been a much better title.
Because its developer would have had to work within the lines. Find new ways to make sprites and corridors interesting, just a couple of years after the ideas they displayed in Duke Nukem 3D. Without new, 3D-rendered corridors and polygonal enemies to hide old ideas behind, they’d have to innovate on a creative level.
That’s exactly what we see in the current wave of retro shooters like Dusk, Ion Fury and Amid Evil. They download on Steam before you’ve had a chance to click ‘OK’, such is their tiny file size. Their visuals wouldn’t make the cover of a games mag in 2001. But they’re fantastic games, all of them, because of their level and enemy design, weapon feedback, and sense of atmosphere.
To broaden the idea out a bit, let’s look at consoles. The PlayStation 3 arrived with Motorstorm, Resistance: Fall of Man, Need For Speed: Carbon, Madden NFL 07 et al. That same console’s lifespan ended in 2013 with The Last of Us, Bioshock Infinite, and GTA 5.
The hardware ceiling was never raised. But developers were able to find efficiencies, smarter solutions to fundamental problems, and harness those same resources to produce games that looked easily a generation removed from the platform’s launch titles.
The less the goalposts move, the easier it becomes to score. Look through ‘Best games of 2021’ lists and you’ll find some gorgeous triple-A offerings like Forza Horizon 5 (which is nearly visually identical to its predecessor, incidentally), but also strange new concepts like Loop Hero, Unpacking, and Wildermyth. Their minimum specs are 2007-grade, but they’re full of new experiences and fresh angles.
So, while our global economy might be doomed by the decline of Moore’s law, itself the engine room for so much of our 20th and 21st century prosperity, we can at least, as we gather around the burning trashcans amidst the rubble of what were once cities, look forward to some really smart video games coming out.
The death of Moore's law, and why it's actually a good thing for games - TechRadar
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Fire-Boltt targets offline stores with three new smartwatches - The Indian Express
Fire-Boltt on Friday introduced three new smartwatches exclusively for the offline market – Saturn, Talk 3, and Ninja-Fit, priced at Rs 3999, Rs 2199, and Rs 1299, respectively. These watches follow the recently announced Fire-Boltt Talk Ultra. All three watches cover the basics, featuring smart notifications, weather updates, camera control and music control. They also come with an upgraded Health Suite comprising a SpO2 monitor, heart rate tracker, and sleep monitor.
The Fire-Boltt Saturn is the most premium of the three and sports a 1.78-inch AMOLED display with a 368*448 resolution housed in a square dial. It also supports calling features, made possible with the built-in mic and speaker. The wearable registers more than 110 sports modes, has built-in games and calculator, and is IP67 water-resistant. Colour options are Black, Blue, Pink, Grey, Silver, and Gold Black.
Next in line is the Fire-Boltt Talk 3, which gives the AMOLED display a miss for a cheaper Rs 2,199 price tag. It instead comes with a 1.28-inch panel with a 240*240 resolution. This watch also features an IP67 water-resistant rating and has a “metal texture” with a round dial. As its name implies, the Talk 3 comes with Bluetooth calling support.
Finally, the Fire-Boltt Ninja-Fit skips out on calling features to go for a larger 1.69-inch display instead. It also is IP68 water-resistant, meaning it’s slightly better protected against the elements than the other two offerings. Multiple watch face selections work in the way of customisation.
Subscriber Only Stories
While the Fire-Boltt Saturn and Fire-Boltt Talk 3 are already available across offline stores, the Fire-Boltt Ninja-Fit will go on sale from January 29. The company says that these watches can be purchased in “750+ cities through modern trade outlets, all national and regional large format retail stores including Croma, Reliance and Vijay Sales, and all large regional retailers including Poorvika, Sangeetha, etc.”
Fire-Boltt targets offline stores with three new smartwatches - The Indian Express
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Bug fixes this week | Vulnerabilities in Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Samsung products fixed - The Hindu
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), released vulnerability notes for commonly used software detailing security bugs that could be exploited by cybercriminals to compromise the security of affected systems. Over the week, vulnerability notes were released for software from Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Samsung.
(For insights on emerging themes at the intersection of technology, business and policy, subscribe to our tech newsletter Today’s Cache.)
Apple iOS
A security bug that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the targeted devices was detected in Apple’s iOS-affecting versions before iOS 15.1.
The vulnerability was found to exist due to a type of confusion flaw in the WebKit component and could be exploited by enticing victims to visit a maliciously crafted website. Apple released an update fixing the vulnerability and advised users to update their software since the vulnerability was being actively exploited in the wild.
The security bug affected software on iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch.
Microsoft Edge (Chromium based)
Multiple high-severity security bugs were reported in Microsoft’s Edge (Chromium-based) browser.
The security bugs could be exploited by remote threat actors to gain elevated privileges and bypass security restrictions on targeted systems by escaping the browser’s sandbox, which is used to run web applications in isolation to ensure malware are unable to infect other areas of the system.
Microsoft has released updates fixing the security bugs which could be exploited by enticing users to click on a maliciously crafted URL.
Google Chrome
High-severity security bugs were detected in Google Chrome versions for Windows and Linux. The bugs could be exploited by remote cyber attackers to execute arbitrary code, compromise the security of the system and gain elevated privileges.
The bugs were found to exist due to flaws in Use after free in WebTransport and Type Confusion error in serviceworker API.
Threat actors could exploit the bug by persuading Chrome users to visit maliciously crafted web pages. Cybercriminals could also exploit the security bug to access sensitive information on targeted systems.
Google has rolled out a stable channel update for desktop users which will be rolling out over the coming days, the company shared in a blog post.
Samsung Galaxy Store App
Multiple vulnerabilities with high severity rating were reported in Samsung Galaxy Store App which could be exploited by attackers to install unwanted apps and execute arbitrary code on targeted devices.
The security bugs were found to exist due to a flow activity that did not handle incoming commands in a safe manner, and due to an incorrectly configured filter in webview.
The vulnerabilities could be exploited by threat actors by sending specially crafted requests or by enticing users to tap on malicious hyperlinks in Google Chrome or pre-installed rouge applications.
Successful exploitation of the bugs could allow attackers to install malicious apps on users’ devices without their knowledge or execute arbitrary codes thereby compromising the security of affected devices.
Samsung released an updated version of the Galaxy Store App, and users are advised to install the latest version to avoid exploitation.
Related stories
Bug fixes this week | Vulnerabilities in Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Samsung products fixed - The Hindu
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Friday, January 27, 2023
A look into upcoming Apple iPhone 15 series: Faster Wi-Fi, titanium frames, image sensors - Economic Times
According to a Gizmochina report, citing research shared by Barclay analysts Blayne Curtis and Tom O’Malley, the new model may support a Wi-Fi 6E network similar to the MacBook and iPad Pro. Wi-Fi 6E translates to a faster, more stable internet connection. Here’s what we know about the possible features and benefits of this much-awaited model:
- According to the tech news website macrumors.com, there will be four iPhone 15 models in the same size as their iPhone 14 counterparts, with two 6.1-inch iPhones and two 6.7-inch iPhones. One will be the standard iPhone model, while the other two will be the more expensive ‘Pro’ models. The lineup will include a 6.1-inch iPhone 15, a 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus, a 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- The new series will very likely have image sensors. This will allow users to capture high-quality images even when there is poor backlighting.
- The next generation of smartphones will come with a USB-C port. This translates to ultra-fast data transfer speed. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 15 Pro models will support USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3.
- The ‘Pro’ models will have shiny titanium frames along with periscope lens camera technology. This will provide the ultimate photography experience.
- According to tech leaker Shrimp Apple Pro, the iPhone 15 Pro will resemble Apple Watches a lot. They would have flat displays with slender, curved edges, similar to Series 7 and 8 Apple Watch models.
- The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max would have new features such as solid-state buttons with haptic feedback and increased RAM.
- The new models will not have a touch ID and will continue to operate on Face ID.
A look into upcoming Apple iPhone 15 series: Faster Wi-Fi, titanium frames, image sensors - Economic Times
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Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Infinix Note 12i launches with 50MP camera and 5,000mAh battery: Price inside | Mint - Mint
Infinix has expanded its smartphone range in India with the launch of Infinix Note 12i. The all-new budget category phone comes powered by MediaTek Helio G85 processor. It is said to come with a 10-layer cooling system for optimal gaming performance. Here’s everything you need to know about the device
Infinix Note 12i price and availability
The Infinix Note 12i packs 4GB RAM with 64GB internal storage capacity. The smartphone carries a price tag of ₹9,999. It will be up for sale in the country starting January 30 via Flipkart.
Introductory offers include a cashback of ₹1,000 for Jio users. Metaverse Blue, Alpine White, and Force Black are the colour options of the phone that a buyer can choose from.
Infinix Note 12i specifications
Powering the Infinix Note 12i is MediaTek Helio G85 processor. The smartphone runs on XOS 12 custom operating system based on Android 12. As mentioned above, the handset offers 4GB RAM. It has virtual RAM support for up to 3GB.
The device packs 64GB internal storage capacity which is expandable using a microSD card. Infinix Note 12i comes with a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen. The phone’s display is Widevine L1 certified to watch 1080p content and has a peak brightness of 1,000 nits.
For optics, the smartphone boasts of an 8MP camera at the front. There is a triple camera setup on the back. The camera system consists of a 50 MP primary sensor with an f/1.75 aperture coupled with a depth sensor and AI lens.
The device is backed by a 5,000 mAh battery and offers support for 33W fast charging. Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, 4G, Dual-SIM, GPS, are some of the connectivity features available on the Infinix Note 12i.
Catch all the Technology News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More LessInfinix Note 12i launches with 50MP camera and 5,000mAh battery: Price inside | Mint - Mint
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Micrsoft Down: MS Teams, Outlook, Linkedin, More Face Major Outage Globally, Twitteratis React With Hilario... - Zee News
New Delhi: Software giant Microsoft’s services MS Teams, Outlook, Linkedin, Azure and Microsoft are down. Down tracking site Down Detector has seen a major uptick in reports by the users across the world. Over 3000 users have reported the outage in Outlook, MS Team, more so far on the Down Detector.
ALSO READ | YouTuber Waits 2 Months Outside Twitter Office to get hug From Musk | Watch
Twitteratis react with hilarious memes
Twitteratis flood the social media platform with hilarious and sarcastic tweets on the wake of down in Microsoft’s wide range services.
Me after realising MS Teams and outlook is down. #MicrosoftTeams pic.twitter.com/x1X2609hVE — Yashdip Does Cricket (@YASHDIPRAUT) January 25, 2023
Not so excited for a 5-9pm meeting today. But now MS Teams is down — Li-ly-pad (@yampamyy) January 25, 2023
MS Teams down
MS Outlook down
MS 365 down — DaddyJuan (@DaddyJuan_X) January 25, 2023
MS Teams and Outlook down? @MicrosoftTeams
I guess some companies will opt to announce early work dismissal or “Be right back” status is the key #MicrosoftTeams #MSTeams #MSTeamsDown
— WALTER CES (@waltzjces) January 25, 2023
People coming on Twitter to check if MS Teams is down. #MicrosoftTeams pic.twitter.com/Q7fD7aYbfI — Yashdip Does Cricket (@YASHDIPRAUT) January 25, 2023
MS Teams is down oh no pic.twitter.com/wiT5dlWFHQ — zenobia (@Zrangefinder) January 25, 2023
MS teams and outlook global outage pic.twitter.com/F9wn3gNzIG — missing junhui every second (@arsndef) January 25, 2023
That's how they react.
Micrsoft Down: MS Teams, Outlook, Linkedin, More Face Major Outage Globally, Twitteratis React With Hilario... - Zee News
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Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Mac mini Review - MacRumors
Apple's new Mac mini models will start arriving to customers and launch in stores this Tuesday. Ahead of time, the first reviews of the desktop computer have been shared by select media publications and YouTube channels.
The new Mac mini is available with new M2 and M2 Pro chip options. There are no major design changes, but the M2 Pro version of the Mac mini is equipped with four Thunderbolt 4 ports and an HDMI 2.1 port, compared to two Thunderbolt 4 ports and HDMI 2.0 on the M2 model. Other upgraded specs include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
The new Mac mini can be pre-ordered now on Apple's online store, with the M2 model starting at a lower $599 price and the M2 Pro model starting at $1,299.
Written Reviews
Dan Moren shared benchmarks for the Mac mini with the M2 Pro chip in his Six Colors review:
Moren said the fan inside the M2 Pro model is incredibly quiet:
Oh, and since I know fan noise is of particular concern to segments of the market that might be interested in the M2 Pro mini, I’ll say this: I could not hear the machine’s fan. Ever. I fired up all the cores and left them going for a while, and still nothing. I held my Apple Watch’s decibel reader near the back of the mini, and I noticed no appreciable change. I even installed Fanny, an app that reports fan data, to make sure there was indeed a fan inside. (There is, but apparently it is very quiet.) Apple’s not blowing smoke when it says low power consumption is a cornerstone of how it develops its chips.
The Verge's Chris Welch said "Apple's littlest Mac has never been more appealing" and said the performance improvements offered by the M2 and M2 Pro chip options make the Mac mini a good compromise between an iMac and the far more expensive Mac Studio:
If you've been waiting for the in-betweener Mac that’s more capable than the iMac and less exorbitant than the Mac Studio, look no further. The new Mac Mini is still small and not the type of computer that calls attention to itself on your desk, but it’s never been more mighty.
Welch said the increased performance makes the Mac mini worthy of a "Mac Studio junior" title:
So far, it’s been an absolute screamer worthy of the “Mac Studio junior” moniker — and then some. In benchmarks, its Cinebench single-core and multicore CPU scores bested last year’s M1 Max MacBook Pro. And the added GPU cores over the standard M2 made a noticeable difference when exporting 4K footage or gaming. As our Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark shows, that graphics horsepower isn’t quite on the level of Apple’s Max chips since they have even more GPU cores to spare. But it’s a big step up from what the standard M2 Mini, MacBook Air, and 13-inch MacBook Pro are capable of.
Ars Technica's Andrew Cunningham did wish the new Mac mini had ports on the front of the computer like the Mac Studio, and he said pricing for higher-end configurations can end up being equal to an entry-level Mac Studio:
I wish the new minis had ports on the front, as the Studios do. And pricing is still on the high side for the M2 Pro version. If you upgrade to the fully enabled 12-core M2 Pro and 32GB of RAM, the new mini costs $1,999, the same amount as a (mostly more-powerful) entry-level Mac Studio with the same amount of memory and storage, more ports, and 10 gigabit Ethernet.
TechCrunch's Matt Burns said M2 Pro performance lives up to the hype:
I threw everything in my daily rotation at the M2 Pro, and it never blinked. It zoomed through media encoding and heavy photo editing. It conquered benchmarks and put up with Chrome’s never-ending quest for system memory. It’s been a joy to use.
More Written Reviews
Video Reviews and Unboxings
Mac mini Review - MacRumors
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Monday, January 23, 2023
Meta Announces 'End-To-End Encryption' For Facebook Messenger With New Features; Details - Jagran English
AFTER WhatsApp and Instagram, Meta-owned Facebook officially announced that Messenger would be getting end-to-end encryption for the security and privacy of the users. Additionally, the California-based technology company has also added a new set of features to the platform to regain the popularity of messenger.
Meta in the announcement has mentioned that it has included a set of features including the Chat themes, Group Profile Pictures, Bubbles for Android, and a lot more. Here is the list of features in detail that are added to the platform in the end-to-end encrypted mode:
1. Custom Chat Emojis: Just like Snapchat, a popular real-time photo-sharing application, the users of Facebook Messenger will now be able to share customised chat emojis with other users including reactions in the end-to-end encrypted chats.
2. Chat Themes: The Chat themes are no more an ice breaker as plenty of platforms are already offering them in the chats. The company has announced that it would be offering themes including static and gradient themes to personalise and improve the conversational experience.
3. Group Profile Photos: If you are a part of a Messenger group, the platform will allow you to choose different profile pictures to make them as display pictures.
4. Link Previews: Yet another safety feature that has been added on the platform is to give the users a first glimpse of the content/site/landing page before clicking and visiting the landing page.
5. Bubbles On Android: Messages are read and responded to using bubbles (a circle with your friend's photo inside of it) while using other apps. When turned on, a bubble will appear each time a new message is received.
The company has also announced that the end-to-end encryption is currently under the testing phase and it wants to ensure that the company would protect the user’s confidentiality, security, and safety.
Meta Announces 'End-To-End Encryption' For Facebook Messenger With New Features; Details - Jagran English
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How to install plugins on Steam Deck using Decky Loader - XDA Developers
Decky Loader is popular plugin software for Steam Deck, giving you easy access to plugins that can enhance the SteamOS experience.
Readers like you help support XDA Developers. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.
The Steam Deck is already a great handheld gaming device, but if you want more functionality, you can install software like Decky Loader. If you've never heard of Decky Loader before, it's a launcher for the Steam Deck that gives you easy access to browse and install a variety of plugins. By installing it, users will gain access to plugins that can be found through the Quick Access menu. Once you download and install this, you'll wonder how you got by without it, especially now that the installation process has been made easier for beginners.
How to get started
As a small disclaimer, this tutorial was created using a Steam Deck running the stable channel release of Steam OS — version 3.4.4, at the time of this writing. If you're using another OS version (Beta or Preview), these instructions might not work.
Additionally, make sure to back up any important data before hopping into this tutorial in case anything goes wrong. While the installation is pretty straightforward, you never know what can happen.
To get started, you will want to Enable Developer Mode by heading into the Settings menu.
- Press the Steam button and scroll down to the Settings menu and select it.
- Once you're in the Settings menu, head to the System settings.
- You'll see an Enable Developer Mode option that you can toggle on.
- Scroll to the bottom of the Settings menu to find the new Developer menu option.
- Inside the Developer menu, toggle on the setting for CEF Remote Debugging.
- Once you select this, the Steam Deck will automatically prompt you to restart the console to make the changes.
After the reboot, you will need to switch to Desktop mode.
- Press the Steam button.
- Scroll to the Power option.
- Navigate to the Switch to Desktop option and click it.
How to install Decky Loader
- From here, open your browser of choice (Microsoft Edge works best) and navigate to the Deck Loader GitHub page.
- Scroll down the page until you see a huge Decky Loader Download button in the middle of the page. Click it to begin the download.
- Once downloaded, head into your download folder and find the "decky_installer.desktop" file.
- Double-click the file and select Execute, and then select Continue.
- Decky Loader will ask if you want to create a temporary password. Select Yes.
- Proceed to select the release version of the app and hit OK.
- When the installation is finished, you can choose OK to close the window.
Time to access Decky Loader and install plugins
- Once the installation is completed, return to Gaming Mode by clicking on the icon on the desktop.
- Head into the Quick Access menu. You should see a new menu icon that looks like a plug.
If everything's gone as planned, you should see the Decky menu. While it is currently empty, pat yourself on the back as you've successfully installed Decky Loader. It's now time to install some plugins.
- From the Decky plugin menu, click on the icon that looks like a shop.
- Once selected, you'll see a list of plugins that you can download
- Select the plugin, hit Install, and it will automatically download and apply the plugin.
Decky Loader plugins to try
The main reason I installed Decky Loader was to grab game art from SteamGridDB. For games that are installed through the Steam Store, game art will be populated automatically. But if you load something on your own, you'll be left with a blank canvas, which, frankly, looks terrible. While game art can be added manually, this process makes it much simpler. You'll be presented with game art for all different areas of the Steam Deck UI, too, including for the capsule, wide capsule, hero, and logo.
By looking at the before and after image below, you can get an idea of just how much of a difference assets downloaded from SteamGridDB can really change things, leaving you with a polished product that looks like it came installed natively.
ProtonDB Badges is another plugin that I had my eye on. If that sounds familiar, it's because colleague Adam Conway has previously discussed ProtonDB, which can help you find more games to play on your Steam Deck. With this plugin, you'll be able to instantly see which games in your library are suitable for the Steam Deck, some of which might not be included by Valve in the Great on Deck category on the Steam Store.
By tapping or selecting the badge, you'll get details on how well the game works on Steam Deck, and you'll also see feedback from the community. So if you're ever doubtful about some of the games you might own and their support, give the ProtonDB Badges plugin a try.
There are a lot of different plugins available. There's even the Animation Changer plugin that will easily let you find and install boot and suspend animations. Scroll through the loader and try some out.
For the most part, Decky Loader is intended to make life easier for Steam Deck users. Perhaps its best feature is that after the initial installation process, you can make all of these changes while staying in the Gaming Mode environment. If you have a plugin you'd recommend, let us know in the comments below.
How to install plugins on Steam Deck using Decky Loader - XDA Developers
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HP Envy x360 15 with OLED display, 12th-gen Intel i7 processor launched in India: Price, specifications - India Today
The base models of HP Envy x360 15 (2023) come with a Full-HD IPS display, while the top variants feature an OLED panel.
By Abhik Sengupta: The HP Envy x360 15 (2023 edition) has been launched in India. The company states that the new notebook is designed for content creators and can be used like a tablet. The HP Envy x360 15 is Intel Evo certified and is powered by up to a 12th-generation Intel Core i7 processor. The base models come with a Full-HD IPS display, while the top models feature an OLED panel.
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HP Envy x360 15 (2023) prices in India
The HP Envy x360 15 is available to purchase via official HP channels at different price ranges.
-The HP Envy x360 15 (ew0037tu): 12th Gen Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB storage, and Full-HD display with 250 nits is available at a starting price of Rs 82,999.
-The HP Envy x360 15 (ew0040tu): 12th Gen Intel Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and Full-HD display with 250 nits is available at Rs 86,999.
-The HP Envy x360 15 (ew0043tu): 12th Gen Intel Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and OLED display is available at Rs 94,999.
-The HP Envy x360 15 (ew0048tu): 12th Gen Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage, and OLED display is available at Rs 1,14,999.
HP Envy x360 15 (2023) specifications
The top variants of the HP Envy x360 15 (2023) come with a touch-enabled 15.6-inch OLED display. The company says the display offers 100 per cent DCI P3 colour calibration, meaning that the colours users will see should be as close as possible to the colours of the original content. Users can also use the HP Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen (stylus) to digitally sign documents or create designs.
As mentioned, the laptop doubles as a tablet with a rotating display. Under the hood, the HP Envy x360 15 (2023) is powered by up to 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor paired with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. The laptop also supports Wi-Fi 6e to unlock fast internet connectivity.
HP says the HP Envy x360 15 is primarily for content creators, though it includes the Iris Xe graphics. Other features include 10 hours of battery promise, Bluetooth 5.2, and HP Fast Charge support.
For video calling, there's a 5-megapixel camera with support for auto frame technology to help users keep in focus during video calls. There's also a physical camera shutter for privacy. The company adds that the HP Envy x360 15 continues its focus on sustainable impact and contains ocean-bound plastic and recycled aluminium.
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HP Envy x360 15 with OLED display, 12th-gen Intel i7 processor launched in India: Price, specifications - India Today
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Sunday, January 22, 2023
iPhone not responding? Know how to restart your iPhone - Economic Times
There have been some problems with the iPhone's slow performance or unresponsiveness, it's time to force restart it. It is straightforward to accomplish if your iPhone isn't responding at all, or if something else is causing you problems, it could be time to forcibly restart it! Not only will a quick force restart cure a lack of response, but it will also resolve a variety of issues on your iPhone such as poor performance, connectivity issues, 5G connection failures, and many more.
Step 1: Press and release the volume up button to restart your iPhone.
Is it, however, safe to restart your iPhone. Force restarting an iPhone is not hazardous and can occasionally solve problems. According to Apple talks, it is not a problem to reset a phone if something isn't working or if you want to give it to someone else. Don't be concerned! It's a quick procedure. All you need to know first is the model of your iPhone since the procedures to force restart an iPhone vary depending on its model.
Step 1: Press and release the volume up button to restart your iPhone.
Step 2: Next, press and hold the volume down button.
Step 3: Hold down the power button.
Step 4: When you see the Apple logo, just release the button. All you have to do now is wait for the phone to turn back on.Step 5: This will work with iPhones with both Face ID and Touch ID.In the case of an iPhone 7, simply press and hold both the volume down and the Sleep/Wake buttons simultaneously.
For iPhone 6s or iPhone SE 1st Generation, press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time.
If the iPhone does not restart after following all of these procedures, try charging it once. Still, if your iPhone isn't operating properly after restarting it, you should contact Apple Support.
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Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by an external agency. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.
iPhone not responding? Know how to restart your iPhone - Economic Times
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