Google Launches Tool That Detects AI Images In Effort To Curb Deepfakes - Forbes

Fake images and misinformation in the age of AI are growing. Even in 2019, a Pew Research Center study found that 61% of Americans said it is too much to ask of the average American to be able to recognize altered videos and images. And that was before generative AI tools became widely available to the public.

Adobe shared August 2023 statistics on the number of AI-generated images created with Adobe Firefly reaching one billion, only three months after it launched in March 2023.

In response to the increasing use of AI images, Google Deep Mind announced a beta version of SynthID. The tool will watermark and identify AI-generated images by embedding a digital watermark directly into the pixels of an image that will be imperceptible to the human eye but detectable for identification.

Kris Bondi, CEO and founder of Mimoto, a proactive detection and response cybersecurity company, said that while Google’s SynthID is a starting place, the problem of deep fakes will not be fixed by a single solution.

“People forget that bad actors are also in business. Their tactics and technologies continuously evolve, become available to more bad actors, and the cost of their techniques, such as deep fakes, comes down,” said Bondi.

“The cybersecurity ecosystem needs multiple approaches to address deep fakes, with collaboration to develop flexibly architected approaches that will evolve to meet and surpass the bad actors' technology,” added Bondi.

Ulrik Stig Hansen, co-founder of Encord, a London-based computer vision training data platform, said that there is little doubt synthetic data detection will be one of the significant challenges ahead.

"We've seen it over and over with new technologies, and it's no different with generative AI — just as it's being used in overwhelmingly positive ways (e.g., cheaper diagnostics in healthcare, faster disaster recovery), there'll be vulnerabilities for those looking to exploit," added Hansen.

"It'll be more a matter of how quickly the preventative applications can progress compared to the bad guys and how regulation will shape around the space," said Hansen. "We've seen some indications of what this might look like in the EU, but the key will be to enable the progress of positive applications while building solid guardrails to limit misuse."

Digital watermarking, a term created by Andrew Tirkel and Charles Osborne in 1992, is a way to identify the origin and authenticity of images. Another method is through images’ metadata, but that can be removed or modified, which diminishes trust in the image's authenticity.

Dattaraj Rao, who is the chief data scientist at Persistent Systems and holds 11 computer vision patents, said watermarking has traditionally been used to protect image copyrights, but it can damage and modify the content.

"Using this method for AI-generated images, which have been in use for several years, is a great improvement," said Rao in an email interview. "Although the major challenge will be for all enterprises and users to adopt a single standard for this—we still have not agreed upon a single format for storing image data; hence, we have GIF, JPEG, PNG, etc."

Because AI technology is evolving rapidly, someone will find a way to break into this watermark and override it, Rao said.

"That's what happened with visible watermarks,” he added. “Today, multiple algorithms can detect and fill the watermarked pixels of the image with best guess colors based on surroundings.”

A 2017 Google research paper looked at the vulnerability of watermarking techniques that lie in the consistency of watermarks across image collections. To counter the consistency, the idea would be to introduce inconsistencies when embedding the watermark in images.

“The computer vision engineer inside me feels that using imaging techniques is not a long-term solution here—at the end of the day, an image is an array of pixel color intensities, which can easily be manipulated,” said Rao. “This problem will need a generic solution for protecting digital content using techniques like cryptography.”

Today, we know that some websites are safe based on public key encryption provided by TLS certificates, which are issued by certain approved agencies, Rao explained. “Similarly, we will probably need a way to verify any digital content,” he said. “Technologies like blockchains and digital ledgers can help create a decentralized, immutable register for digital content so you know the complete lineage for any image or Word document on the internet, but this, of course, is difficult to enforce.”

Rao added that whichever method succeeds, the challenge will be in developing the standard and getting it endorsed by multiple organizations and countries globally.

In July 2023, the White House hosted a meeting with seven leading AI companies, including Google and OpenAI. Each company pledged to create tools to watermark and detect AI-generated text, videos and images.

The Pew Research Center study also showed that 77% of U.S. adults said that steps should be taken to restrict altered videos and images intended to mislead, but only 22% said they preferred protecting the freedom to publish and access them.

Neil Sahota, a futurist, lead artificial intelligence advisor to the United Nations and author of Own the AI Revolution (McGraw Hill), said we can and should equip more people on how to verify the authenticity of images to ensure accuracy.

“This includes having companies step up to the digital plate. The watermarking idea has been out there for a while,” said Sahota. “It will help to some degree, but the biggest problem is that the watermarks can be spoofed.

“One of the advantages physical watermarks have is that they can use things like ultraviolet ink, so that part of it is invisible, and we haven’t figured out how to do that with an e-watermark,” said Sahota.

“If Google’s solution has the ability (which would make it much harder to spoof), then this would be a tremendous leap forward,” he added.

Adblock test (Why?)

Google Launches Tool That Detects AI Images In Effort To Curb Deepfakes - Forbes
Read More

Withings adds temperature tracking to the new ScanWatch 2 - The Verge

/

There’s also now a more affordable ScanWatch Light that delivers the basics in a prettier package.

By Victoria Song, a senior reporter focusing on wearables, health tech, and more with 11 years of experience. Before coming to The Verge, she worked for Gizmodo and PC Magazine.

The ScanWatch 2 will cost $349.95 and features a temperature sensing module.

Image: Withings

After nearly three yearswithout a new smartwatch, Withings is kicking off IFA 2023 by announcing not one but two ScanWatch hybrid watches.

The $349.95 ScanWatch 2 is Withings’ latest and greatest hybrid smartwatch, with a new temperature tracking module that uses a combination of four sensors: a thermistor; heat flux; PPG (the green LED for measuring heart rate); and accelerometer. Data from the four sensors will then be fed into an algorithm that uses movement, heart rate, and skin temperature to deliver health insights. Withings also introduced a slightly pared-down, fashion-first ScanWatch Light for $249.99.

Unlike most smartwatches these days, the ScanWatch 2’s temperature tracking isn’t intended for advanced cycle tracking, though the ScanWatch 2 does add the ability to log periods and symptoms straight from the wrist. Instead, Withings told me the goal is to monitor temperature fluctuations during the day and build a baseline to help wearers optimize workouts and detect when they may be getting sick. The ScanWatch 2 will show temperature zones during workouts and recovery temperatures afterward. As for illness detection, this isn’t quite the same as the warning light idea researchers have been looking into since the start of the covid-19 pandemic. You won’t geta notification that you might be getting sick.It’s more indirect. By building a temperature variance baseline, Withings gives you the opportunity to spot abnormal fluctuations, which you can then interpret as a sign that you may be getting ill.

Four of the ScanWatch Light models. It also comes in black.

Photo by Victoria Song / The Verge

The bottom row are all ScanWatch 2 models. The top row is the original ScanWatch. You can see Withings isn’t messing too much with the design.

Photo by Victoria Song / The Verge

There’s a reason Withings opted for such a roundabout approach. While there’s preliminary evidence that consumer wearables are capable of proactively detecting potential illnesses,building it into a full-blown predictive feature would require FDA clearance.And while Withings is no stranger to that process, it is long, tedious, and could potentially delay sales in the US. The original ScanWatch didn’t go on sale in the US until nearly two years after it was announced because that’s how long it took to get the required FDA clearance for its EKG and atrial fibrillation detection feature.

Forgive the cruddy lighting. The ScanWatch Light is a lot more eye-catching in person. I also have forgotten what a 37mm smartwatch feels like.

Photo by Victoria Song / The Verge

The ScanWatch Light is to the ScanWatch 2 what the Apple Watch SE is to the Apple Watch Series 8. It’s missing the ScanWatch 2’s temperature sensors, EKGs, atrial fibrillation detection, and high and low heart rate notifications. It also doesn’t track elevation or blood oxygen levels.

I got to see the original ScanWatch, ScanWatch 2, and Light side by side at a hands-on event in New York City ahead of IFA 2023. The Light has the most distinctive design of the three: it’s more feminine, with a thinner bezel and more colorful options like rose gold, pastel blue, and a minty green.

On my wrist, the 37mm Light was noticeably smaller and lighter. The green one, in particular, reminded me a lot of the Garmin Vivomove Sport but with a classier analog vibe. The regular ScanWatch 2 comes in two sizes — 38mm and 42mm — and has a more classically masculine style. I don’t love that smartwatch (and other tech) makers tend to make entry-level devices more colorful and feminine-coded, while higher-end trackers almost always adopt a more masculine style. I’m sure there are technological and market research factors at play here, but generally speaking, I wish companies explored more unisex design options.

The ScanWatch Light (left) and the ScanWatch 2 were announced at IFA 2023.

Image: Withings

I only got to see demo models of Withings’ new watches, so it’s impossible to reach any verdicts yet. That said, they certainly felt nice to handle — probably because the cases are stainless steel. (The ScanWatch 2 also has a sapphire crystal lens.) It’s been a while since we’ve seen this kind of classy hybrid smartwatch — and frankly, I’ve missed them and their battery life; both of these watches will have an estimated 30 days on a single charge.

The $349.95 ScanWatch 2 and the $249.95 ScanWatch Light are available for preorder today. Withings says it expects the watches to arrive at selected retailers later in October.

Adblock test (Why?)

Withings adds temperature tracking to the new ScanWatch 2 - The Verge
Read More

iQOO Z7 Pro launched in India with Dimensity 7200 and 66W charging - GSMArena.com news - GSMArena.com

The iQOO Z7 Pro is now official as the latest Z7 series device in India. It brings updates across the board compared to the iQOO Z7 launched in March. The Z7 Pro gets a larger curved 6.78-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It also retains the in-display fingerprint scanner and 16MP front-facing camera housed inside a punch-hole cutout.

MediaTek’s Dimensity 7200 chipset sits at the helm aided by 8GB RAM and 128/256GB storage. The back houses a 64MP main camera with OIS and a 2MP depth sensor. We got the chance to test out the Z7 Pro’s cameras last week and you can check out some photo and video samples here.

There’s a 4,600 mAh battery here which supports up to 66W fast charging and iQOO claims a 1-50% charge in 22 minutes. The software side is covered by Funtouch OS 13 based on Android 13 with iQOO promising 2 years of Android updates and 3 years of security patches. The device is also IP52 dust and water-resistant.

iQOO Z7 Pro comes in Blue Lagoon and Graphite Matte colors. Pricing starts at INR 23,999 ($290) for the 8/128GB trim and INR 24,999 ($302) for the 8/256GB version. Open sales are scheduled to begin on September 5 via iQOO India and Amazon at 12 noon IST time.

Source

Adblock test (Why?)

iQOO Z7 Pro launched in India with Dimensity 7200 and 66W charging - GSMArena.com news - GSMArena.com
Read More

Garena Free Fire returns to India with take a break reminders, will have MS Dhoni as a playable character - India Today

Indian gamers have a special affection for Battel Royale Games and titles like Garena Free Fire, BGMI, and Call of Duty enjoy immense popularity in the Indian gaming market. Millions of Indian gamers enjoy playing these titles and any news relating to them is quite huge for them. Recently, BGMI fans were over the moon when the game was finally made available in India, after a 10-month-long ban. The unbanning of BGMI gave hope to players of Garena Free Fire and rumours of the banned game returning to India have been making rounds for the past couple of days.

advertisement

Well, the wait for Garena Free Fire players is finally over as the game is all set to relaunch in India with a new name, and some new rules. Free Fire, along with BGMI and some other applications, was banned by the Government of India in February 2022 over security issues.

Garena Free Fire returns to India

Garena Free Fire will be relaunching in India as Free Fire India. The game, according to the developer, will 'incorporate unique content and features to encourage a safe, healthy and fun gameplay experience'. The local cloud hosting and storage infrastructure for the game will be provided by Yotta, a Hiranandani Group company.

"As a MeitY-empanelled service provider, Yotta will ensure best in-class management of personal data of Indian users on local servers and network connectivity services to support Garena’s product offerings in India, including in exports," Garena said in a press release.

The game will be available to download from September 5 and will include features such as a verification system to enable parental supervision, gameplay limitations and ‘take a break’ reminders.

MS Dhoni becomes a playable character

Garena also announced that MS Dhoni has joined as the game's brand ambassador and will be available as a playable character in the game named 'Thala'. Dhoni will be joined by other leading sportspersons, such as football captain Sunil Chhetri, badminton champion Saina Nehwal, tennis legend Leander Paes, and Kabbadi champion Rahul Chaudhari.

Garena says that MS Dhoni will be 'celebrated as the first Indian sportsperson to be featured in-game as a playable character Thala'.

Mr. Gang Ye, Co-founder of Garena, commented on the game's relaunch and said, "India is home to very passionate communities of esports enthusiasts and we are excited to be able to support our fans from Bharat with the launch of Free Fire India. We look forward to providing an engaging and highly localised experience for Indian users. We believe our partnership with Yotta will ensure that our users can enjoy the highest quality gameplay experience and benefit from Yotta’s expertise in protecting and securing Indian user data. We are also committed to supporting the development of India’s esports and startup ecosystems. The Free Fire India Esports Championships is our first step in building out our platform of esports events and activities in the coming months to empower Indian esports athletes to succeed globally.”

Why was Garena Free Fire banned in India?

advertisement

In February last year, the Indian government banned hundreds of Chinese apps in India over fears of privacy and security threat to Indian users. Even though Garena Free Fire was created by a Singapore-based company, it was categorised as a “security threat” and was a part of the list of banned apps in the country.

The ministry of electronics and IT said that the ban is important as these apps “pose a threat to the country's security” and can allegedly “obtain various critical permissions” as well as “collect sensitive user data.”

Edited By:

Divyanshi Sharma

Published On:

Aug 31, 2023

Adblock test (Why?)

Garena Free Fire returns to India with take a break reminders, will have MS Dhoni as a playable character - India Today
Read More

IFA 2023: the biggest announcements from Europe's big tech show - The Verge

CES may rule the roost in the States, but over in Europe, it’s IFA that serves as the year’s biggest tech trade show. It means we’re likely to see plenty of product announcements, as well as showcases that’ll cast a light on where consumer tech is now and where it’s heading in the next 12 months. 

This year, IFA opens its doors to the public on September 1st and runs through the weekend to September 5th. But much like CES, many companies like to make their big announcements in the days leading up to the show’s public opening. If September and October (Techtember and Techtober, if you will) are the year’s two big months for tech announcements, then IFA is their starting gun. 

The Verge will be covering IFA 2023 live from Berlin, taking a firsthand look at all of the biggest launches, and you can follow along with all our coverage below. In recent years, IFA has acquired a reputation as being a big smart home trade show. Last year, it took place on the eve of Matter’s launch and was filled with companies making big promises about their support for the fledgling standard. So, alongside announcements from LG, Samsung, and Honor, expect plenty of robot vacuum cleaners, security cameras, and smart lights, as well as difficult questions about if and when Matter is going to let them effortlessly work together.

• 

  

  The TV neatly folded down into its suitcase.

  Photo by Jon Porter / The Verge

  LG’s StanbyME Go, its bizarre $999.99 27-inch suitcase TV announced for the US earlier this month, is on show in Berlin at a corner of its booth at IFA 2023.

  We had a poke around the demo model being displayed on the show floor, and couldn’t find any of the games that are apparently optimized for its touchscreen. But we were able to get acquainted with its robust articulating design. The TV can be swiveled from portrait into landscape, and set at any angle from straight upwards to straight forwards.

  Read Article >
• If 5G is a banana, what is 6G?

  “It has the potential to change the world,” said Samsung at the IFA event in Berlin, without any shame.

  Now where have we heard this before? Prepare the HYPErdrive!

  
  

  

  

  Oh, Samsung.

  Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
• I love the smell of IFA in the morning.

  The sun’s shining, the IFA flags are fluttering, and the announcements are in full swing. We’ve got a packed day ahead of us in Berlin, but here are some highlights of the biggest stories so far:

  JBL has announced new speakers that offer simultaneous access to Alexa and Google Assistant, Philips Hue has announced new smart lights and security cameras, and Sennheiser has a new soundbar.

  
  

  

  

  Photo by Jon Porter / The Verge

• 

  

  The Eve Play is AirPlay 2-ready.

  Image: Eve

  Eve announced it’s releasing a $149.95 AirPlay 2 receiver called the Eve Play — its first audio device — on November 14th. Though a little pricey, the receiver looks aimed at audiophiles: it’s got optical, coaxial, and RCA audio outputs, 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, a built-in DAC, and an ethernet port.

  Eve says you can adjust latency between speakers automatically or manually using the Eve app’s Audio Sync feature if you’re finding multiroom audio isn’t perfectly synchronized. Users will need an iPhone or iPad to use it, as well as a home network to connect it to either via Wi-Fi or ethernet.

  Read Article >
• Do the Smart Thing in the kitchen.

  We’re at Samsung’s IFA 2023 press conference in Berlin, where the tech giant isn’t launching a humongous new TV... but a new app.

  Samsung Food is a souped-up recipe app powered by generative AI that integrates with SmartThings and Samsung’s appliances to try and fill the gap between the idea of the smart, connected kitchen and well, the way we actually cook.

  We’ve got a deeper dive coming soon.

  
  

  

  

  Samsung’s smart home platform SmartThings takes center stage at the IFA 2023 press conference.

  Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
• Jlab’s $39.99 Jbuds Mini are the smallest yet.

  “The smallest true wireless earbud of any major headphone brand,” according to JLab, and comfortable enough to wear while sleeping. They feature Bluetooth multipoint for quick swaps between your computer and phone, with 5.5 hours of continuous playtime, or 20 hours after recharging from the case. They’re sweat-proof, and also offer a pass-through audio feature to better hear your surroundings. They only lack ANC.

  
  

• 

  

  The JBL Authentics 200, the smallest of the three speakers.

  JBL is very proud of its new Authentics speaker range. It’s proud of the retro-inspired design, which harks back to its L-100 speakers from the 1970s. It’s proud of the sound quality (obviously) and the range of streaming services and technologies they support. But the only thing I had on my mind when I got to try one of the speakers out for myself was its ability to run Google Assistant and Alexa at the same time, and listen for each wake word simultaneously.

  This isn’t the first time that the two popular voice assistants have been available on the same speaker, nor is it the first time any two voice assistants have been available simultaneously. Sonos already sells speakers that have both Google Assistant and Alexa built-in, but only one can be active at a time — you can’t have them both listening and responding to commands. Alexa can also coexist for simultaneous use with Sonos’s own Voice Control service, but not with Google Assistant.

  Read Article >

• 

  

  Anker MagGo Power Bank (10,000mAh, 15W)

  Image: Anker

  Anker’s newest batch of mobile power accessories includes new Qi2-equipped MagGo magnetic chargers, stations, and power banks, as well as new Nano USB-C chargers ready for any future iPhone 15 owners who might be tearing out old Lightning-equipped setups to go with their new phones and AirPods. Rumors suggest Qi2 support will be enabled with the launch of the iPhone 15 lineup, possibly enabling 15W charge speeds without Apple’s MagSafe certification.

  However, Apple hasn’t confirmed its plans on that front just yet, and we’ll find out soon if other manufacturers will update their devices for Qi2 or support the spec on new phones launching later this year, like the Pixel 8 series.

  Read Article >

• 

  

  Philips Hue’s new wired indoor/outdoor security camera comes in black or white and can work as a motion sensor for Hue’s smart lighting and its new Hue Secure security system.

  Philips Hue is moving into the smart home security space with the launch of Philips Hue Secure, a DIY security system that leverages new cameras and new sensors that work alongside Philips Hue’s smart lighting system to scare off potential burglars. When the system is triggered by a sensor, you can activate any compatible Hue lights to flash red or white and/or sound an alarm through the camera. 

  Read Article >

• 

  

  The Philips Hue Bridge.

  Image: Philips Hue

  Things are looking brighter for smart home owners. After months of delays and uncertainty, the Philips Hue Bridge is finally being updated to support the new smart home standard Matter. A software update will roll out in September, letting users connect their Hue systems with other Matter devices and apps. This means that every existing Philips Hue product will now work with Matter, all the way back to their original bulbs launched in 2012.

  The news was announced by Signify, which makes Philips Hue, during the IFA tech show in Berlin, along with a bevy of other updates, including the rollout of the Hue line’s first smart security cameras and a handful of new lights. 

  Read Article >

• 

  

  The outer ring can create a gradient — or serve as a notification light.

  Image: Aqara

  Aqara is adding a bunch of new products to its smart home lineup today, one of which includes a Matter-enabled ceiling light with a pretty unique perk. With a diameter of 50cm (~19.7 inches), Aqara’s Ceiling Light T1M features a range of 16 million different colors, along with an independently addressable RGB ring on the outside.

  While you can use the ring to create a gradient lighting effect, Aqara notes that it can also serve as a status indicator when linked to other smart home products. That means you can program the outer light to show a specific color when one of your other smart devices detects an issue, such as a leak or an open door.

  Read Article >

• 

  

  You’ll find no upward-firing full-range drivers on the Soundbar Mini.

  Image: Sennheiser

  Sennheiser’s new Ambeo Soundbar Mini is the German audio brand’s third and most affordable soundbar. At $799 (€799 / £699), it’s still an expensive AV accessory, but in the context of the company’s original $2,499.95 Ambeo Soundbar Max and $1,499.95 Ambeo Soundbar Plus, the Mini’s asking price almost looks almost entry-level in comparison (almost).

  The Ambeo Soundbar Mini maintains many of the core specs of Sennheiser’s previous soundbars. It still supports a range of 3D surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 360 Reality Audio, and MPEG-H, it can still be paired with an utterly excessive four Sennheiser Ambeo Subs, and it still supports a full array of streaming options like Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, Chromecast built-in, and AirPlay 2.

  Read Article >
• For just $1,699.95, you could have a glowing Dolby Atmos party speaker.

  JBL announced a new wireless party speaker today as part of a host of new products, like new earbuds and new smart speakers, debuting at IFA.

  The company says the PartyBox Ultimate self-tunes, has Wi-Fi 6 and LE Audio-ready Bluetooth connectivity and supports the company’s multi-speaker connection feature. Oh, and RGB lights. It has those too.

  
  

  

  

• 

  

  The Q8 Max is one of two new robot vacuums from Roborock. It features dual roller brushes, obstacle avoidance, and smart mapping features.

  Image: Roborock

  Robot vacuum manufacturer Roborock announced three new vacuum products at IFA 2023, the global tech show taking place in Berlin this week: the Q5 Pro robot vac; the Q8 Max robot vac; and the Dyad Pro Combo wet / dry stick vacuum. The new lidar-powered robot vacuums add more than double the suction power of previous models, a new and more advanced DuoRoller brush system, and more app features for a lower price. The Dyad Pro is a multifunctional upright vacuum that can convert to a stick vacuum.

  Part of the company’s more affordable Q line, the Q5 Pro costs $429.99 standalone or $699.99 for the Q5 Pro Plus with an auto-empty charging dock. The Q8 Max costs $599.99 standalone or $819.99 for the Q8 Max Plus. Both are slated to go on sale in October.

  Read Article >

• 

  

  The Soundgear Sense are designed to keep you aware of your surroundings.

  Image: JBL

  JBL’s Soundgear Sense is a new pair of true wireless earbuds with an open design that’s meant to allow you to “hear the world around you while enjoying every beat of your favorite tracks.” JBL is announcing the earbuds alongside new Live 770NC and 670NC headphones and a new party speaker called the PartyBox Ultimate.

  JBL is making the announcements during Berlin’s IFA trade show this week, where the company is also demonstrating its new Authentics-branded smart speakers, which offer simultaneous access to Alexa and Google Assistant — an industry first. The Authentics speakers and PartyBox Ultimate are coming to both the US and Europe, but the earbuds and headphones won’t release in the US until next year.

  Read Article >

• 

  

  The JBL Authentics 500 is one of three new speakers from Harman that will house Google’s Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa simultaneously.

  Image: JBL

  The latest retro-style smart speakers from JBL are the first to house Google’s and Amazon’s voice assistants in one place for simultaneous use — something Sonos was never able to achieve.

  Announced at the IFA tech show in Berlin this week, Harman’s new JBL Authentics 200 ($329.99), Authentics 500 ($699.99), and the portable Authentics 300 ($429.99) speakers come with both Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Assistant on board. And for the first time on any smart speaker, you can invoke either assistant at any time. This means you can ask Alexa to play your “Sounds of the ’80s” playlist and then your roommate can ask Google to stop it.

  Read Article >

• 

  

  Samsung’s smart appliances will work in LG’s ThinQ app.

  Image: Samsung

  The smart home is all about interoperability these days. First came Matter, making Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung play nice, and now large appliance manufacturers LG, Samsung, GE, and Vestel are going all kumbaya.

  Today, at the IFA tech show in Berlin, LG and Samsung announced that before the end of 2024, their respective smart home apps will be able to control each other's appliances and TVs. So, LG’s ThinQ app can tell you when you left the door open on your Samsung Family Hub smart fridge, and Samsung’s SmartThings app can set your LG washer to delicate mode. You should also be able to control each company’s TV’s with their competitors’ apps.

  Read Article >

• 

  

  Confusingly, the 4G-only phone seems nicer than the 5G version.

  Image: TCL

  Is your phone screen just too darn bright and uncomfortable to look at? Do you long for the comforting matte-like finish of a page of paper as you swipe through Tinder? No? Well, TCL went and made a couple of phones to try and remedy these problems anyway. The NXTPAPER 40 and 40 5G include screens with a matte-textured finish that emphasize eye comfort with reduced blue light output, which TCL says gives them a paper-like look and feel. If nothing else, they’re a refreshing departure from the stream of unremarkable budget Android phones the brand has been putting out over the last few years.

  Confusingly, the 4G-only NXTPAPER 40 includes a few more high-end touches compared to the 5G version. The NXTPAPER 40 5G uses a newer MediaTek Dimensity 6020 chipset, while the 4G-only model includes a lower-caliber Helio G88 chipset. But outside of that, the NXTPAPER 40 offers more amenities like a bigger 6.78-inch 1080p screen, 8GB of RAM, and 33W wired fast charging. It’s also compatible with an optional T-pen stylus; the 5G version isn’t. The NXTPAPER 5G has a 6.6-inch 720p screen, 6GB of RAM, and slower 15W charging. There’s good news, though: they both have a 3.5mm headphone jack.

  Read Article >

• 

  

  Image: Dolby

  Dolby Atmos is about to get a whole lot more adaptable. Today, Dolby is announcing Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, which it describes as “a new feature that seamlessly pairs together a TV’s sound system with accessory wireless speakers to deliver a more extensive and immersive Dolby Atmos sound experience.” Since it factors your TV speakers into the equation, FlexConnect doesn’t necessarily require a soundbar at the center of everything. TCL will become the first TV manufacturer to offer FlexConnect with its upcoming 2024 TV lineup, and it also plans to release a line of wireless speakers optimized to support the feature.

  Dolby says that FlexConnect “intelligently optimizes the sound for any room layout and speaker setup, offering the freedom to place one or more wireless speakers anywhere in a room without having to worry about whether they are placed perfectly.” There’s no long setup required; Dolby will use the TV’s built-in microphones to locate and calibrate each wireless speaker in the room.

  Read Article >

• 

  

  But has it?

  Photo by Fabian Sommer / Picture Alliance via Getty Images

  A year ago at Berlin’s IFA tech trade show (think European CES), Verge reporter Jon Porter witnessed a Google Nest Hub control an Apple HomeKit smart plug. This “lightbulb moment for the smart home” was the first public demonstration of Matter. The new smart home standard is designed to fix the biggest issue facing tech in our homes: interoperability, and witnessing two fierce competitors in the space working together was exciting. Twelve months later, on the eve of IFA 2023, we’re still waiting for that lightbulb to turn on across the industry. 

  The smart home remains fragmented. Despite being developed by the biggest names in the industry — Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, and more — Matter has yet to deliver on its main promise. You still can’t just buy a smart light bulb, screw it in, and have it work with every other smart light you have (no matter who made it) and with any ecosystem you want.

  Read Article >

• 

  

  The SwitchBot S10, the company’s first robot vacuum for the US market, brings with it some unique features.

  Image: SwitchBot

  Smart home robotics company SwitchBot — of robot finger fame — has come up with another ingenious solution for automating boring chores in your home. This one is a sizable leap toward a Rosie the Robot vision of a fully autonomous robot house cleaner, though without the personality. The SwitchBot S10 is a new robot vacuum and mop that autonomously drains and refills its dirty and clean water tanks using a battery-powered water station that hooks directly into your plumbing. 

  Combined with an auto-empty charging dock that dries the mop, the S10 is the most fully automated floor cleaner I’ve seen. You won’t need to refill its mopping tank, deal with emptying dirty water post-clean, or mess with its mops. The only dirty work you need to do is empty its dust bag after about 70 days (according to the company). Otherwise, it should trundle around your home, mopping and sweeping until the cows come home.

  Read Article >

Adblock test (Why?)

IFA 2023: the biggest announcements from Europe's big tech show - The Verge
Read More