Tech
Bangladesh to become 4th country in the world to join G-Cloud: Palak
Bangladesh will become the fourth country in the world to join G-Cloud in June next year, said State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Tuesday.
Oracle Academy will provide technical assistance and free training to the talented youth of the country in the field of differentiated technology, he said while speaking as the chief guest at the announcement ceremony of the ICT Division's agreement with Oracle Bangladesh as a knowledge partner to build skilled manpower in the public and private sectors in the capital’s Agargaon on Tuesday.
Also read: Nagad became a billion-dollar company in just 3 years, 5 more Bangladeshi unicorns by 2025: Palak
The Blended Education Task Force has been formed to develop industry-friendly technology and skilled manpower in the country. As a member, the ICT Division will work with all ministries including the Ministry of Education, said Palak.
Also read: Open Russian tech universities’ offshore campus in Bangladesh: Palak to ambassador
In addition, the ICT Department will take the initiatives to teach AI, machine learning and data analytics in addition to teaching coding from primary education to build innovative, creative, solution-solving skilled human resources to build smart Bangladesh, he added.
Also read: Youths are the architects of Smart Bangladesh by 2041, says Palak
Presided over by Naveed Shafiullah, additional secretary, ICT Division, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Garrett Ike, president of Oracle Japan and Asia Pacific Region, and Rubaba Daula, managing director of Oracle Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
15-inch MacBook Air M2 Review: What’s new?
Apple enthusiasts and tech enthusiasts alike have eagerly awaited the arrival of the highly anticipated 15-inch MacBook Air. With its larger screen size and enhanced features, this latest addition aims to redefine the consumer laptop experience. Released on June 13th, the MacBook Air 15-inch M2 is generating tremendous buzz as Apple's online store prepares for the surge of eager customers. This article delves into the latest features, pros and cons of Apple’s latest Macbook Air M2 15-inch model.
Key Specs of 15-inch MacBook Air M2
Design
The 15-inch iteration of the MacBook Air, powered by the M2 chip, adheres to the design principles established by its 13-inch counterpart. Its sleek and lightweight construction remains a focal point. The laptop retains a flat and uniform chassis, featuring elegant flat edges.
Read more: Apple is expected to unveil sleek headset aimed at thrusting the masses into alternate realities
With dimensions of 13.4 x 9.3 x 0.45 inches and weighing a mere 3.3 pounds, the MacBook Air 15-inch M2 is among the thinnest and lightest laptops available. With a 0.45-inch thickness, the M2 claims to be the slimmest 15-inch laptop in the market. Noteworthy competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 and Dell XPS 15 OLED (2023), measure 0.5 and 0.71 inches in thickness, respectively.
Facebook’s importance as source of news sees significant decline in 2023: Reuters Institute Report
A new report by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism suggests that Facebook is becoming significantly less important as a source of news.
The report titled “Digital News Report -2023” found that only 28% of people surveyed accessed news through Facebook in 2023, compared to 42% in 2016.
The figures were based on interviews with some 94,000 people across 46 countries, conducted for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, part of Britain's University of Oxford.
“Facebook remains one of the most-used social networks overall, but its influence on journalism is declining as it shifts its focus away from news,” Lead author Nic Newman said in a press release.
Also read: CNN head Chris Licht is out at the global news network after a brief, tumultuous tenure
Newman highlighted that Facebook now faces new challenges from established networks such as YouTube and vibrant youth-focused networks such as TikTok.
“The Chinese-owned social network reaches 44% of 18–24s across markets and 20% for news. It is growing fastest in parts of Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America,” he said.
Meanwhile, the report found that influencers and celebrities are increasingly taking over from journalists as the main source of news for young people across almost all social media platforms except for Twitter and Facebook.
A new report by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism suggests that Facebook is becoming significantly less important as a source of news.
Also read: Lack of transparency exposes Bangladeshi news sites to disinformation risks: new report
The report titled “Digital News Report -2023” found that only 28% of people surveyed accessed news through Facebook in 2023, compared to 42% in 2016.
The figures were based on interviews with some 94,000 people across 46 countries, conducted for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, part of Britain's University of Oxford.
“Facebook remains one of the most-used social networks overall, but its influence on journalism is declining as it shifts its focus away from news,” Lead author Nic Newman said in a press release.
Newman highlighted that Facebook now faces new challenges from established networks such as YouTube and vibrant youth-focused networks such as TikTok.
Also read: Trial begins in case against Fox News for false election claims
“The Chinese-owned social network reaches 44% of 18–24s across markets and 20% for news. It is growing fastest in parts of Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America,” he said.
Meanwhile, the report found that influencers and celebrities are increasingly taking over from journalists as the main source of news for young people across almost all social media platforms except for Twitter and Facebook.
According to the report, 55 percent of TikTok and Snapchat users and 52 percent of Instagram users get their news from "personalities" — compared to 33 percent of Tiktok, 36 percent of Snapchat and 42 percent of Instagram users who get it from mainstream media and journalists on those platforms, which are most popular among the young.
“We find that, while mainstream journalists often lead conversations around news in Twitter and Facebook, they struggle to get attention in newer networks like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, where personalities, influencers, and ordinary people are often more prominent, even when it comes to conversations around news,” Newman said.
Also read: Tucker Carlson leaves Fox News
Trust and interest in news
Among other indicators, the news industry has seen a sharp decline in terms of trust and interest.
According to the report, trust in the news has fallen across markets by further 2-percentage points in the last year, reversing in many countries the gains made at the height of the pandemic.
“On average, 40% of our sample say they trust most news most of the time,” the lead author of the report said.
Meanwhile, around 36% of the interviewees said they actively avoided the news sometimes or often, seven points above the figure in 2017 but two points lower than last year.
Read more: Journalism award to recognize outstanding reporting on Bangladesh-China trade, investment ties
In interviews, many said that news stories are too repetitive or too “emotionally draining”.
According to the report, 55 percent of TikTok and Snapchat users and 52 percent of Instagram users get their news from "personalities" — compared to 33 percent of Tiktok, 36 percent of Snapchat and 42 percent of Instagram users who get it from mainstream media and journalists on those platforms, which are most popular among the young.
“We find that, while mainstream journalists often lead conversations around news in Twitter and Facebook, they struggle to get attention in newer networks like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, where personalities, influencers, and ordinary people are often more prominent, even when it comes to conversations around news,” Newman said.
Trust and interest in news
Among other indicators, the news industry has seen a sharp decline in terms of trust and interest.
Read more: Women’s participation in journalism still very low: Dialogue
According to the report, trust in the news has fallen across markets by further 2-percentage points in the last year, reversing in many countries the gains made at the height of the pandemic.
“On average, 40% of our sample say they trust most news most of the time,” the lead author of the report said.
Meanwhile, around 36% of the interviewees said they actively avoided the news sometimes or often, seven points above the figure in 2017 but two points lower than last year.
In interviews, many said that news stories are too repetitive or too “emotionally draining”.
Read more: Russian House lauds growing presence of online journalism in Bangladesh
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G Review with Price in Bangladesh
The A series from Samsung has seen several denominations over the years. The series entitles Samsung’s premium mid-range smartphones. Samsung recently launched the A34 5G globally on 24th March 2023. Traditionally, the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is supposed to be a lower spec than the A54. But this year, things are different. Here’s why.
Key Specifications of Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
Design and Build Quality
For a few years now, Samsung has started to incorporate the flagship S series design into their A-series lineup. While it is not feasible to bring every element to the A series, the overall dimension , and back design surely represent the premium line.
This year too, the A34 is reminiscent of the current S23 flagship, at least on the back design. The same vertical camera design is found on the A34 with a frosted finish. Anyone would be hard-pressed to tell the difference from afar.
Read more: Hollyland Mars 400S Pro Review: A must-have gadget to make flawless videos
The difference becomes obvious on the front. Unlike the S23, there is a significant amount of bezel all around. Yet Samsung has worked to streamline the overall bezel to give the front a more unified look and it works to some extent.
The build of the device is all around plastic with a glass front and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Weighing 199 g, its design (6.35 by 3.07 by 0.32 inches) is quite manageable with one hand. The device has an IP67 dust and water resistance meaning it can withstand 1 meter water for 30 mins max.
Moving on to ports and buttons, users will have everything standard from Type C ports to volume rockers and power buttons in their usual places. Unfortunately, the headphone jack is not present on the A34 as well.
Read more: Xiaomi 13 Ultra Review: Does this flagship phone offer any ultra feature?
Overall, the design and build quality of the A34 are satisfactory as it follows its predecessors and the current flagship.
Display
The 6.6-inch display on the Samsung Galaxy A34 is a Super AMOLED FHD+ one with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The 120 Hz refresh rate is an upgrade from the 90 Hz on the last-gen A33. The panel also features a 1000 nits HBM which makes it perfect for outdoor legibility.
The resolutions of Galaxy A34 are 1080 by 2340 pixels, with 19.5:9 ratio and around 390 ppi density. Speaking of display performance, it's every bit what’s expected from Samsung. It’s safe to say this is the best display in its budget. The colors looked bright and crisp with a slightly warm tone. The viewing angles are also excellent with no weird color shift or blue tint.
Read more: Google Pixel 7a Review: Mid-range Smartphone with Enhanced Camera Features
The high refresh rate makes interacting with the panel a buttery smooth experience. To sum it up, the display on the A34 is best as it gets in a mid-range device and is a strong selling point for the device.
The Camera
The camera on the A34 is a triple sensor setup vertically aligned on the back. The main sensor is a 48 MP wide-angle shooter. The complementing sensors are an 8 MP ultrawide and a 5 MP macro shooter.
It might seem like a downgrade from the A33 as it loses the depth sensor. But in practicality, the enhanced main sensor more than makes for the lacking.
Read more: Top 10 Upcoming Smartphones in Bangladesh on June 2023
In the test, the camera produced decent results. Images taken in bright light appeared to be highly detailed and the subject separation from the background also seemed to be much better than on the A33. There have been improvements in night photography as well thanks to the more optimized variable shutter on the stock camera app. Pictures looked well exposed with minimal noise and grains. The latter only appears in extremely dark conditions.
Surveillance 10 years ago ‘child’s play’ compared to highly intrusive tech today, Edward Snowden says
Edward Snowden has warned that today's surveillance technology is so advanced and intrusive that it makes what he exposed in 2013 by US and British intelligence services appear like “child's play”.
On the 10th anniversary of his revelations about the extent of surveillance — some of it unlawful — by the US National Security Agency and its British equivalent, GCHQ, he said he had no regrets and underlined constructive advances, reports The Guardian.
However, he is concerned about invasions of privacy in both the physical and digital worlds. "Technology has grown to be enormously influential," stated Snowden. “If we think about what we saw in 2013 and the capabilities of governments today, 2013 seems like child’s play.”
Read more: Edward Snowden gets permanent residency in Russia
Snowden was concerned not only about the risks presented by governments and Big Tech, but also by commercially accessible video surveillance cameras, face recognition, artificial intelligence, and intrusive malware like Pegasus, which was used against dissidents and journalists, said the report.
“We trusted the government not to screw us. But they did. We trusted the tech companies not to take advantage of us. But they did. That is going to happen again, because that is the nature of power,” he said looking back to 2013.
Snowden has been in exile in Russia since 2013, after fleeing Hong Kong, where he gave media access to tens of thousands of classified papers to journalists.
Read more: Regulation must to control AI for surveillance, disinformation: rights experts
His critics criticize him for being in Russia, despite the fact that it looks to be his only realistic alternative other than jail time in the United States. Since the invasion of Ukraine and his obtaining of Russian citizenship last year, two years after applying, criticism has grown, it also said.
End-to-end encryption “was a pipe dream in 2013 when the story broke”, Snowden said. “An enormous fraction of global internet traffic traveled electronically naked. Now, it is a rare sight.”
“The idea that after the revelations in 2013 there would be rainbows and unicorns the next day is not realistic. It is an ongoing process. And we will have to be working at it for the rest of our lives and our children’s lives and beyond,” he also said.
Read more: Probe: Journalists, activists among firm’s spyware targets
The US intelligence agencies and the UK admit that the debate over privacy that Snowden sparked was beneficial, but they say that this was offset by the harm done to their capabilities, particularly the closure of MI6's human-intelligence activities.
Their third criticism is that in 2013, the narrative depicted the NSA and GCHQ as the only bad actors, disregarding what Russia and China were doing on the internet.
UK to host global AI Summit to assess 'most significant risks'
The United Kingdom will hold a global artificial intelligence (AI) summit this autumn to assess the technology's "most significant risks."
A number of alarming warnings have been issued concerning the possibly existential threat that AI poses to humans, reports BBC.
Regulators throughout the world are trying to create new laws to mitigate that danger.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that he wants the United Kingdom to lead efforts to guarantee that the advantages of artificial intelligence are "harnessed for the good of humanity."
Also read: Regulation must to control AI for surveillance, disinformation: rights experts
"AI has an incredible potential to transform our lives for the better, but we need to make sure it is developed and used in a way that is safe and secure," he said.
The summit's attendees are currently unknown, but the UK government stated that it will "bring together key countries, leading tech companies, and researchers to agree on safety measures to evaluate and monitor the most significant risks from AI."
Speaking to reporters in Washington, DC, where Sunak is meeting with President Biden on the matter, the prime minister stated that the UK was the "natural place" to lead the discourse on AI.
Downing Street pointed to the prime minister's recent talks with the CEOs of key AI businesses as proof of this. It also mentioned the 50,000 individuals engaged in the sector, which is worth £3.7 billion to the UK.
Also read: UNESCO reveals new AI roadmap for classrooms
'Too ambitious'
Some have questioned the UK's ability to lead in this sector.
According to Yasmin Afina, a research fellow at Chatham House's Digital Society Initiative, the UK "could realistically be too ambitious."
She stated that the EU and US had "stark differences in governance and regulatory approaches" that the UK would struggle to reconcile, as well as a number of existing global efforts, such as the UN's Global Digital Compact, that had "stronger foundational bases already."
Afina went on to say that the UK was home to none of the world's most innovative AI startups.
Also read: How to Use AI Tools to Get Your Dream Job
"Instead of trying to play a role that would be too ambitious for the UK and risks alienating it, the UK should perhaps focus on promoting responsible behaviour in the research, development and deployment of these technologies," she told the BBC.
Deep unease
Since the chatbot ChatGPT first came on the scene in November, astounding people with its ability to answer complicated queries in a human-sounding manner, interest in AI has skyrocketed.
It can do so because of the enormous processing capacity of AI systems, which has sparked widespread concern, the report said.
Geoffrey Hinton and Prof Yoshua Bengio, two of the three so-called godfathers of AI, have been among those to issue concerns about how the technology they helped design has a high potential for disaster.
Read more: China warns of artificial intelligence risks, calls for beefed-up national security measures
These concerns have fueled calls for effective AI legislation, while many uncertainties remain about what that would include and how it would be implemented.
Regulatory race
The European Union is drafting an Artificial Intelligence Act, but even in the best-case scenario, it will take two and a half years to become law.
Last month, EU technology head Margrethe Vestager said it would be "way too late" and that the EU was working on a voluntary code for the industry with the US, which they anticipated would be completed within weeks.
China has also taken the lead in developing AI rules, including ideas requiring corporations to notify users anytime an AI algorithm is employed, the report added.
Read more: ChatGPT's chief to testify before US Congress as concerns grow about artificial intelligence's risks
The UK government published their opinions in a White Paper in March, which was criticized for having "significant gaps."
However, Marc Warner, a member of the government's AI Council, has suggested a stricter approach, telling the BBC that some of the most powerful kinds of AI may eventually have to be outlawed.
According to Matt O'Shaughnessy, visiting fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, there was nothing the UK could do about the fact that others were leading the charge on AI legislation - but it could still play an essential role.
"The EU and China are both large markets that have proposed consequential regulatory schemes for AI - without either of those factors, the UK will struggle to be as influential," he said.
Read more: AI & Future of Jobs: Will Artificial Intelligence or Robots Take Your Job?
But he added the UK was an "academic and commercial hub", with institutions that were "well-known for their work on responsible AI".
"Those all make it a serious player in the global discussion about AI," he told the BBC.
A ‘vast paedophile network’ connected by Instagram's algorithms, says WSJ report
Instagram's recommendation algorithms linked and encouraged a "vast network of paedophiles" seeking illicit underage sexual content and conduct, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
These algorithms also marketed the sale of unlawful "child-sex material" on the network, it said.
The report is based on a joint investigation by the Wall Street Journal and researchers from Stanford University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst looking into child pornography on Meta's platform. Buyers might even "commission specific acts" or organize "meet ups" on some accounts.
Also read: Instagram adds new tools to help content creators earn money
"Pedophiles have long used the internet, but unlike the forums and file-transfer services that cater to people who have interest in illicit content, Instagram doesn't merely host these activities. Its algorithms promote them," the WSJ report said. "Instagram connects pedophiles and guides them to content sellers via recommendation systems that excel at linking those who share niche interests."
According to the investigation, Instagram users may search for child-sex abuse hashtags.
According to the researchers, these hashtags directed users to accounts that offered to sell paedophilic items and even included footage of minors harming themselves.
Also read: Meta brings Facebook Reels to Bangladesh
Anti-paedophile campaigners alerted the corporation to accounts purporting to belong to a girl selling underage sex content.
The activists got automated answers that stated, "Because of the high volume of reports we receive, our team hasn't been able to review this post." In another situation, the message advised the user to conceal the account in order to avoid viewing its material, the report said.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed receiving the reports but failing to act on them, attributing the failure to a technological glitch, it also said.
Also read: Instagram adds new tools to help content creators earn money
The company told the WSJ that it has repaired the flaw in its reporting system and is offering fresh training to its content moderators.
"Child exploitation is a horrific crime. We're continuously investigating ways to actively defend against this behaviour," the spokesperson said.
Meta claims to have shut down 27 paedophile networks in the last two years and is preparing more. It also stated that hundreds of hashtags that sexualize minors, some with millions of postings, had been banned, the report concluded.
Read more: Wish you could tweak that text? WhatsApp is letting users edit messages
Hollyland Mars 400S Pro Review: A must-have gadget to make flawless videos
In the world of videography, seamless communication among camera operators and directors is paramount. The Hollyland MARS 400S Pro emerges as a game-changer in this realm. This video monitoring device is specifically designed to cater to the needs of small film crews and videography teams. With minimal latency, the MARS 400S Pro allows directors and staff to remotely monitor the camera operator's footage, providing a hassle-free and efficient workflow. This article delves into the features and capabilities of this remarkable video transmission device.
What is Hollyland MARS 400S Pro?
It is a specially designed wireless video transmission tool. The Mars 400s PRO features a fresh and enhanced design. This innovative system boasts a lower center of gravity, resulting in a more compact setup.
Notably, the transmitter and receiver are equipped with an integrated cold shoe, ensuring a stable and convenient installation. Additionally, the system includes an OLED screen that intelligently conserves battery power by automatically entering low power mode and reducing brightness when idle for more than 5 seconds.
Read more: Mini DC UPS for Wi-Fi Router: Buyers' Guide and Price Ranges in Bangladesh
Key Features of Hollyland Mars 400S Pro
Input/Output
Transmission: The MARS 400S Pro comes equipped with 5G SDI ports on both the transmitter and receiver, in addition to a full-size HDMI port. While many smaller consumer cameras do not utilize SDI, it is a common feature among monitors and recorders. Both the SDI and HDMI ports allow simultaneous video signal output, enabling a maximum of four devices to monitor a single camera, along with an additional four devices viewing on smartphones.
Hollyland emphasizes the range of their Mars 400s PRO system. They claim a distance of 400ft (122m) when the transmitter and receiver face each other in an unobstructed setting. For optimal performance, they recommend positioning the devices 1.7m above the ground.
To cater to the growing popularity of streaming, Hollyland allows the receiver to be connected to a computer through a USB-C to Ethernet dongle (not included). This enables direct recording of the stream into software like OBS or VLC.
Read more: Top 10 Upcoming Smartphones in Bangladesh on June 2023
- Firmware: Firmware updates can be easily performed through the USB-C port located on both the transmitter and receiver. A straightforward procedure allows for updates in the field if necessary.
- Battery Power: There are multiple ways to power the devices as well. You have the choice to employ Sony NPF batteries, USB-C, or the included DC power adapter. When using NPF batteries, the device will indicate the remaining battery voltage. Conversely, if you power the device using USB-C or the DC power adapter, it will display a power icon indicating the power status instead of the battery voltage.
- External Power: DC power is supplied through a high-quality socket with a threaded design, ensuring a secure connection with the power plug.
- Antennas: RF signals are transmitted via two 2 x RP-SMA Male connectors, allowing for easy connection to longer range antennas. The package includes a spare antenna for convenience.
- Mount: Each unit features a female 1/4-20 tripod thread on the base, enabling vertical or horizontal mounting options.
Read more: Mini DC UPS for Wi-Fi Router: Buyers' Guide and Price Ranges in Bangladesh
Video Resolution
The maximum supported resolution is 1080p at 60fps. The MARS 400S Pro automatically detects the incoming signal's resolution, eliminating the need for manual configuration. While it would be great to have 4K monitoring capabilities, the MARS 400S Pro offers satisfactory resolution for its price point, especially when considering prevalent usage scenarios.
Latency
The MARS 400S Pro offers low latency, with presets available for adjusting the latency settings. While the latency may be noticeable in certain situations, it remains within an acceptable range for most applications. HollyWood claims the MARS 400S Pro’s latency to be less than 0.1s. Professional-grade devices provide even lower latency, but they come at a significantly higher price.
Video Quality
The video quality delivered by the MARS 400S Pro is superb. The receiver outputs video that is virtually indistinguishable from the source, especially in scenes with minimal motion. While there are distinctions between professional and consumer-grade devices in terms of compression methods, the MARS 400S Pro offers sufficient performance for its price point.
Read more: Xiaomi 13 Ultra Review: Does this flagship phone offer any ultra feature?
Cooling
The MARS 400S Pro is equipped with running fans to dissipate heat generated during the encoding process. There are three cooling modes available: auto, low and off. In the auto mode the fan speed adjusts automatically depending on the external temperature.
Smartphone Monitoring
The MARS 400S Pro allows for simultaneous connection of one transmitter to up to four smartphones for video monitoring using the Hollyview app. The app's interface is user-friendly, providing access to a range of tools and features. While smartphone monitoring may have occasional video glitches, it remains entirely usable and adds significant value to the product.
Other Uses
In addition to its primary function as a wireless video transmitter, the MARS 400S Pro can serve as a viable option for recording, video sending, or even as a CCTV solution. Its versatility opens up exciting possibilities for creative applications.
Read more: Google Pixel 7a Review: Mid-range Smartphone with Enhanced Camera Features
Pros and Cons of MARS 400S Pro
Pros
-Lightweight and compact design-Low latency transmission with line-of-sight range up to 400'-Multiple power options-Bright OLED display-Up to 1080p60 SDI or HDMI video transmission capacity-Multiple monitoring options-Sturdy all-metal body construction
Cons
-HDMI cables not included-Slight latency delay-Comparably limited range-Additional accessories may be required for mounting and antenna options.-The case for transportation needs to be purchased separately.
Read more: realme 11 Pro Plus Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features
Price of Hollyland MARS 400S Pro
The Hollyland MARS 400S Pro is priced at INR 37,000 or BDT 48,203. The conversion rate here is INR 1 = BDT 1.30. However, the official price of MARS 400S Pro may vary in Bangladesh due to tax and other issues.
Verdict
The Hollyland MARS 400S Pro is a robust and versatile wireless video transmission system, offering impressive features like low latency, multiple monitoring options, and a sturdy all-metal body. However, it does have minor drawbacks like a slight latency delay, limited range, and the need for additional accessories.
Despite these, its benefits outweigh the cons, making it a valuable tool for small film crews and videography teams. It may not be the best fit for those seeking zero-latency or long-range transmission. But for those looking for a reliable, high-quality, and cost-effective solution for on-set monitoring, the MARS 400S Pro is a worthy investment.
Read more: Motorola Edge 40 Review: Is it a flagship killer?
Xiaomi 13 Ultra Review: Does this flagship phone offer any ultra feature?
Xiaomi has been known for its extravagant "Ultra" versions of flagship phones in recent years. Holding this legacy 13 Ultra is set to have an international release on June 7, expanding its availability beyond China. Let's take a look at the details of Xiaomi's latest flagship smartphone, Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
Key Features of Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Build and Design
The first notable aspect of the phone is its size, particularly the camera module, which is remarkably large and attracts attention when in use. The phone's weight has been alleviated to some extent. Don't worry, its 227g weight is well-balanced. Comparatively, it is slightly lighter than both the S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max while being similar in overall size with a 163.2x74.6x9.1mm dimension.
One distinguishing feature of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is the vegan leather finish available in three colors: white, black, and olive green. This design choice aims to emulate the aesthetics of traditional SLR cameras. The leather-like texture enhances grip, which is particularly important given the phone's large size.
Read more: Google Pixel 7a Review: Mid-range Smartphone with Enhanced Camera Features
The phone's frame is constructed from aluminum, combining flat sides with rounded corners to ensure a comfortable grip. Furthermore, the device boasts a tough build, with Gorilla Glass Victus protecting the display and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
In terms of biometrics, the phone incorporates a fingerprint sensor within the display, as well as a face unlock option facilitated by the punch-hole selfie camera. Both methods of authentication perform well and offer convenient security options.
Display
The phone has a large display of 6.73 inches that makes it well-suited for various tasks, including productivity, gaming, and streaming movies.
Impressively, the display quality is noteworthy as well. Xiaomi utilizes LTPO OLED display technology, enabling the screen to dynamically adjust its refresh rate. It can reach a maximum of 120Hz for smooth scrolling and animations when necessary. It can also conserve battery life by slowing down the screen refresh rate when possible.
Read more: Top 10 Upcoming Smartphones in Bangladesh on June 2023
Paired with a sharp 1440p x 3200p resolution, the phone's top-tier display offers exceptional visual quality. Almost everything appears pleasing on this panel, and in case it doesn't meet your preferences, Xiaomi has included numerous color profiles and settings to allow for fine-tuning of the content.
Performance and Software
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the latest and most advanced 4 nm chip available for Android phones at the time of writing. Only Samsung's Galaxy S23 line, with its slightly overclocked custom version of the same chip, surpasses Xiaomi in terms of performance. Furthermore, in 13 Ultra, you get adreno 740 GPU.
The phone boasts impressive specifications with up to 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM. This configuration results in a true powerhouse that can effortlessly handle the latest Android games and seamless multitasking.
Read more: Asus ROG Phone 7 Review: Does it offer value for money?
Benchmark tests further confirm its capabilities. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra ranks among the most powerful Android phones in CPU-focused Geekbench tests. It also keeps pace with its competitors in graphics-intensive GFXBench scores, despite having a high-resolution display that typically affects frame rates.
Connectivity features present no surprises. The phone comes with standard 5G support, supplemented by Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC, ensuring compatibility with the latest standards.
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra comes pre-installed with Android 13, featuring Xiaomi's MIUI 14 on top. However, the Chinese version of the phone does not include the Google Play Store, which can make app installation a frustrating experience. To address this, users need to sideload Google services onto the device. However, the international version of MIUI includes full Google support, ensuring a seamless experience with Google services.
Read more: realme 11 Pro Plus Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features
Rear Cameras
The main camera employs the same 50MP, 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor found in the 13 Pro, as well as other phones like the Vivo X90 Pro and Oppo Find X6 Pro. However, the Ultra enhances the camera by adding a variable aperture.
The phone truly excels in low-light conditions, capturing some of the best concert photos ever taken on a phone. In good lighting, the main camera performs exceptionally well, with the only drawback being Xiaomi's tendency for slightly vivid and saturated photos, even when using the more subdued 'Leica Authentic' photo style instead of the default 'Leica Vibrant' (Xiaomi has partnered with Leica for the phone's optics).
The supporting rear cameras also contribute to the overall camera prowess of the 13 Ultra. All three of the other rear cameras utilize 50MP sensors, specifically the Sony IMX858 sensor.
Read more: Motorola Edge 40 Review: Is it a flagship killer?
The ultrawide camera, although competent, is the least remarkable of the three. It closely aligns with the main camera most of the time but struggles in challenging lighting conditions due to the absence of optical image stabilization, resulting in overexposure in certain situations.
Apple unveils a $3,500 headset as it wades into the world of virtual reality
Apple on Monday unveiled a long-rumored headset that will place its users between the virtual and real world, while also testing the technology trendsetter's ability to popularize new-fangled devices after others failed to capture the public's imagination.
After years of speculation, Apple CEO Tim Cook hailed the arrival of the sleek goggles — dubbed "Vision Pro" — at the the company's annual developers conference held on a park-like campus in Cupertino, California, that Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs helped design. The device will be capable to toggling between virtual reality, or VR, and augmented reality, or AR, which projects digital imagery while users still see can see objects in the real world.
Read more: Microsoft will pay $20M to settle U.S. charges of illegally collecting children's data
“This marks the beginning of a journey that will bring a new dimension to powerful personal technology," Cook told the crowd.
Although Apple executives provided an extensive preview of the headset's capabilities during the final half hour of Monday's event, consumers will have to wait before they can get their hands on the device and prepare to pay a hefty price to boot. Vision Pro will sell for $3,500 once it's released in stores early next year.
“It's an impressive piece of technology, but it was almost like a tease,” said Gartner analyst Tuong Nguyen. “It looked like the beginning of a very long journey."
Instead of merely positioning the goggles as another vehicle for exploring virtual worlds or watching more immersive entertainment, Apple framed the Vision Pro as the equivalent of owning a ultrahigh-definition TV, surround-sound system, high-end camera, and state-of-the art camera bundled into a single piece of hardware.
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“We believe it is a stretch, even for Apple, to assume consumers would pay a similar amount for an AR/VR headset as they would for a combination of those products,” D.A. Davison Tom Forte wrote in a Monday research note.
Despite such skepticism, the headset could become another milestone in Apple’s lore of releasing game-changing technology, even though the company hasn’t always been the first to try its hand at making a particular device.
Apple's lineage of breakthroughs date back to a bow-tied Jobs peddling the first Mac in 1984 —a tradition that continued with the iPod in 2001, the iPhone in 2007, the iPad in 2010, the Apple Watch in 2014 and its AirPods in 2016.
The company emphasized that it drew upon its past decades of product design during the years it spent working on the Vision Pro, which Apple said involved more than 5,000 different patents.
The headset will be equipped with 12 cameras, six microphones and variety of sensors that will allow users to control it and various apps with just their eyes and hand gestures. Apple said the experience won't cause the recurring nausea and headaches that similar devices have in the past. The company also developed a technology to create three-dimensional digital version of each user to display during video conferencing.
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Although Vision Pro won't require physical controllers that can be clunky to use, the goggles will have to either be plugged into a power outlet or a portable battery tethered to the headset — a factor that could make it less attractive for some users.
“They’ve worked hard to make this headset as integrated into the real world as current technology allows, but it’s still a headset,” said Insider Intelligence analyst Yory Wurmser, who nevertheless described the unveiling as a “fairly mind-blowing presentation.”
Even so, analysts are not expecting the Vision Pro to be a big hit right away. That's largely because of the hefty price, but also because most people still can't see a compelling reason to wear something wrapped around their face for an extended period of time.
If the Vision Pro turns out to be a niche product, it would leave Apple in the same bind as other major tech companies and startups that have tried selling headsets or glasses equipped with technology that either thrusts people into artificial worlds or projects digital images onto scenery and things that are actually in front of them — a format known as “augmented reality.”
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has been describing these alternate three-dimensional realities as the “metaverse.” It's a geeky concept that he tried to push into the mainstream by changing the name of his social networking company to Meta Platforms in 2021 and then pouring billions of dollars into improving the virtual technology.
But the metaverse largely remains a digital ghost town, although Meta's virtual reality headset, the Quest, remains the top-selling device in a category that so far has mostly appealed to video game players looking for even more immersive experiences. Cook and other Apple executives avoided referring to the metaverse in their presentations, describing the Vision Pro as the company's first leap into “spatial computing” instead.
The response to virtual, augmented and mixed reality has been decidedly ho-hum so far. Some of the gadgets deploying the technology have even been derisively mocked, with the most notable example being Google's internet-connected glasses released more than a decade ago.
Microsoft also has had limited success with HoloLens, a mixed-reality headset released in 2016, although the software maker earlier this year insisted it remains committed to the technology.
Magic Leap, a startup that stirred excitement with previews of a mixed-reality technology that could conjure the spectacle of a whale breaching through a gymnasium floor, had so much trouble marketing its first headset to consumers in 2018 that it has since shifted its focus to industrial, health care and emergency uses.
Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives estimated Apple will sell just 150,000 of the headsets during its first year on the market before escalating to 1 million headsets sold during the second year — a volume that would make the goggles a mere speck in the company's portfolio.
By comparison, Apple sells more than 200 million of its marquee iPhones a year. But the iPhone wasn't an immediate sensation, with sales of fewer than 12 million units in its first full year on the market.