Tech
Honor X6a Review: A minimalist budget-friendly phone with standard features
The journey of Honor as a smartphone brand started with their entry into the budget-friendly and mid-range smartphone market. Honor launched the X6a on 28th July 2023 in India. The Honor X6a comes as an update over last year’s Honor X6. Let’s have a detailed look into it.
Key Specifications of Honor X6a
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Honor X6a is quite minimal. The device has a plastic frame and back with a glass front. The sensors protrude from the back panel. The frosted finish on the Cyan Lake variant refracts light which gives the smartphone its unique look. Those looking for an even more minimal option, the Midnight Black can be an option with a matte black finish.
Dimension-wise, the X6a comes in at 163.32 x 75.07 x 8.35 mm with 188 g of weight. The smartphone comes with standard ports and button choices including a headphone jack and a dedicated micro SDXC slot. The power button on the X6a doubles as the fingerprint scanner. The front of the device has a water-drop notch display with a sizable chin at the bottom. Being an ultra-budget smartphone, the large chin isn’t entirely unfounded.
Overall the flat style design with frosted finish adds a new dimension to the X6a.
Read more: itel S23+ Review: Budget-friendly phone with AI-assistant
The Display
The display on the Honor X6a is a 6.56-inch TFT LCD panel with HD+ resolution. The panel has a 720 x 1612 pixel layout with 260 ppi. However, the most distinctive feature of the display is the 90 Hz refresh rate. It’s great to see even ultra-budget smartphones are offering faster refresh rate displays.
The panel also supports up to 16.7 M colors. It has a slightly different aspect ratio at 20.15:9. It can be due to the large chin at the bottom which brings the screen-to-body ratio to around 83%. The multi-touch gesture support can accommodate up to 10 touch points at the same time.
Speaking of usability, the display looked great for a budget smartphone. The default color was a bit on the warm side but that can be easily calibrated from the settings. For anyone coming from a 60 Hz panel, the faster refresh rate would be easily noticeable.
Read more: OPPO Find N3 Review: A New Standard for Foldable Smartphones
The Camera
There is a triple camera setup on the X6a even though there are 4 distinct sensor housings on the back. One of the sensor spaces actually houses the flashlight which helps to bring that square symmetrical look at the back.
The main camera is a 50 MP f/1.8 wide-angle sensor with PDAF. The complementing camera modules are a 2 MP f/2.4 macro and a 2MP f/2.4 depth sensor. In effect, the X6a is carried mostly by the main camera as the macro and depth sensors aren’t very useful in any way.
Being a budget smartphone, the camera on the X6a was quite impressive. The main camera was able to capture some great shots in daylight conditions. One of the key issues with budget-friendly smartphone cameras is the loss of dynamic range. However, the X6a did a good enough job of preserving it throughout every shot. The portrait shots also came out pretty well. There were slight edge detection issues at times which will hopefully be solved with a software update.
Read more: Honor X5 Plus Review: A decent budget-friendly phone
Infinix Smart 8 Review: Affordable Excellence in Entry-Level Smartphones
Infinix Mobile is known for offering smartphones under affordable price ranges. The brand brought out another entry-level phone, the Infinix Smart 8, which is a successor of the Infinix Smart 7. It is a budget-friendly smartphone that comes with a range of essential features. Designed for users seeking a reliable device without breaking the bank, the Smart 8 combines functionality with simplicity. Infinix Smart 8 was released on November 11, 2023, in Bangladesh. Let’s see what features you will get in this device.
Key Features of Infinix Smart 8
Design
The design of the Infinix Smart 8 combines durability and functionality, featuring a glass front, plastic back, and a plastic frame. This construction strikes a balance between a sleek aesthetic and practicality, ensuring a sturdy build that can withstand everyday use.
The bottom part houses a mono speaker, along with a USB Type-C port and a headphone jack, providing convenient connectivity options. The right side of the device is equipped with volume keys and a power button, cleverly integrated with a fingerprint scanner for added security and ease of access.
Read more: OPPO Find N3 Review: A New Standard for Foldable Smartphones
On the left side of the phone, users can find the SIM card and microSD card tray, offering expandable storage options. With 4G capability, the Infinix Smart 8 not only delivers on design but also ensures a smooth and connected experience.
It comes with four different color options, including Timber Black, Crystal Green, Shiny Gold, and Galaxy White.
Display
The Infinix Smart 8 features a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720x1612 pixels, providing a satisfactory visual experience for basic social media consumption.
Notably, the display stands out with a surprisingly high 90Hz refresh rate, a significant improvement from the 60Hz refresh rate on its predecessor, the Infinix Smart 7. This enhanced refresh rate contributes to a smoother and more responsive user experience, which is particularly beneficial for tasks like scrolling and navigating through applications.
Read more: Honor X5 Plus Review: A decent budget-friendly phone
While the display may not be suitable for high-end gaming due to the device’s low-end processor and the Android 13 Edition, casual games like Candy Crush and potentially Free Fire can run at a decent frame rate. It’s worth noting that major software updates may be limited, but Infinix promises at least one year of security updates.
Additionally, the Smart 8 introduces a unique feature – the Magic Ring, incorporated into the 6.6-inch Interactive Punch-Hole Screen. This Magic Ring offers real-time information about charging status and voice calls, enhancing the overall user interface and adding a touch of innovation to the device.
Camera
The camera setup of the Infinix Smart 8 comprises a triple camera module featuring a dual AI main camera system and a single selfie camera. The primary rear cameras consist of a 13-megapixel lens with an f/1.8 aperture for wide-angle shots, complemented by a 0.3-megapixel depth sensor. The dual camera setup incorporates features such as Ring-LED flash, HDR, and panorama mode. Notably, the LED flash is ring-shaped, adding a unique visual element to the device.
The main camera is capable of recording videos at 1080p resolution with a frame rate of 30 frames per second, providing users with decent video recording capabilities.
Read more: DOOGEE V31GT 5G Rugged Phone Review: Sturdy mid-range gaming device
On the front, the Smart 8 sports an 8-megapixel selfie camera.
While the camera system performs well under sufficient lighting conditions, capturing decent photos, the quality may suffer in indoor or low-light settings. Despite this, the Infinix Smart 8 offers a functional camera setup suitable for everyday photography and video recording needs.
Performance and Memory
The Infinix Smart 8 is powered by the UniSoC T606 chipset, a budget-friendly 12-nanometer processor. Featuring an octa-core configuration with two Cortex-A75 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores, this chipset is designed for efficiency rather than high-end performance.
Infinix’s advanced RAM extension technology effectively doubles the initial 4GB RAM capacity, elevating it to an impressive 8GB. This enhancement significantly enhances the user experience, making activities like watching movies, listening to music, and engaging in daily tasks more enjoyable. The augmented RAM not only facilitates quicker booting but also enables the seamless operation of multiple applications simultaneously.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Review: An Incremental Update Nearing Perfection
Further, the device comes with 128GB storage. While the Smart 8 may not be geared toward gaming enthusiasts due to its lower-end specifications, it performs well for everyday tasks and applications. To optimize performance, users are advised to install lighter versions of apps, such as Facebook Lite, Instagram Lite, or TikTok Lite.
Battery
The Infinix Smart 8 is equipped with a robust Li-Po 5000mAh non-removable battery, providing users with ample power for extended usage. The sizable battery capacity ensures that the device can easily last throughout the day, even for users with heavy smartphone usage patterns.
The inclusion of a 10W wired charging feature allows for a relatively quick and convenient charging experience, ensuring that the device can be replenished efficiently when needed. Additionally, the Smart 8 features reverse wired charging capabilities, allowing the device to function as a power source for other gadgets.
Pros and Cons of Infinix Smart 8
Pros
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner- 3.5mm Audio Jack- IPS LCD Display with 90Hz Refresh Rate- Android 13 OS- Dedicated MicroSD Card Slot- 5000 mAh battery.
Read more: Honor X8a Review: Is it a value for money smartphone?
Cons
- Camera performance is average- No 4K video recording- No NFC supports
Infinix Smart 8’s Price in Bangladesh
With all these great features, the Infinix Smart 8 is priced at Tk. 11,499.
Final Words
The Infinix Smart 8 emerges as a compelling budget-friendly smartphone and offers a range of essential features at an affordable price point. The device’s design strikes a balance between durability and functionality, incorporating a glass front, plastic back, and plastic frame. The camera system, comprising a dual AI main camera and a selfie camera, provides satisfactory performance for everyday photography and video recording needs. However, it may fall short in low-light conditions. The device’s performance, driven by the UniSoC T606 chipset, is optimized for efficiency.
Overall, for users seeking an affordable smartphone with essential features and a focus on practicality, the Infinix Smart 8 presents a competent option in the entry-level segment.
Read more: itel S23+ Review: Budget-friendly phone with AI-assistant
'HUAWEI eKit' in Bangladesh for Better distribution of ICT Products
Huawei has launched 'HUAWEI eKit,' a robust sub-brand that provides an easy supply chain and distribution system for ICT products through local distributors in Bangladesh. The launching ceremony was held on November 20, 2023, at Huawei Bangladesh Academy.
Excel Technologies LTD and Inflow Technologies Singapore Pte Ltd will work with HUAWEI eKit in the distribution process. HUAWEI eKit, Excel, and Inflow Jointly organized the launching ceremony. The event was attended by Ms. Kousalya Narayan, Vice President of South Asia Channels Management, Inflow Technologies Singapore Pte Ltd, Mr. Goutam Saha, Managing Director, Excel Technologies, Mr. Allen Liu, Vice President of Huawei South Asia and MD, Huawei South Asia Enterprise Business Group. Other high officials from Huawei, Excel, and Inflow were also present at the event.
HUAWEI eKit, a sub-brand dedicated to SME customers and partners. Policies, products, solutions, services, and digital tool platforms are integrated on HUAWEI eKit to build end-to-end enterprise digital solutions. In the SME market, HUAWEI eKit intends to grows together with partners and helps thousands of enterprises go digital with its intelligent products and solutions.
Ms. Kousalya Naraya, Vice President, South Asia Channels Management, Inflow Technologies Singapore Pte Ltd, said, "HUAWEI eKit launch has immense strategic significance as it will empower distributors and retailers. Together with HUAWEI eKit, we believe in collaborative growth. HUAWEI eKit aligns with Inflow Technologies' commitment to driving technological advancements and business success in the region."
Mr. Goutam Saha, Managing Director of Excel Technologies Limited, said, "I am delighted to begin our partnership with HUAWEI eKit. This sub-brand aligns with our commitment to delivering cutting-edge ICT solutions. It promises to redefine the landscape of technology distribution in our country. Launching the HUAWEI eKit in the Bangladesh market provides a unique opportunity for us."
Mr. Allen Liu, Vice President of Huawei South Asia and MD of Huawei South Asia Enterprise Business Group, said, "Huawei is introducing a sub-brand known as ' HUAWEI eKit'. It will bring innovative ICT products through our distribution partners in the retail sector. This sub-brand is ideal for ensuring retail business growth for the retailers. Partners and Consumers will also benefit from this platform as the HUAWEI eKit products will be available in our distributors' inventory. This sub- brand will help make significant contributions to realizing Smart Bangladesh.
In the HUAWEI eKit distribution landscape, Excel Technologies will be responsible for product promotion, market availability, and after-sales services. Simultaneously, Inflow is responsible for bringing these products to Bangladesh, taking orders from local distributors and retailers, and acquiring the product from HUAWEI eKit.
itel S23+ Review: Budget-friendly phone with AI-assistant
Ever since the itel S23+ has been announced, there has been quite a hype around this smartphone. itel is known for its smartphones in the entry-level to mid-range segment. The brand launched its S23+ on 19th September 2023 in India. Beyond the obvious confusion with Samsung’s flagship, the itel S23+ brings surprising features that are almost unthinkable in the budget segment. So what’s this hype about? Let’s find out.
Key Specifications of Itel S23+
Design and Build Quality
The design and naming philosophy of the smartphone can be considered a cosmopolitan mix of brand identities. The back looks like the iPhone, the front like Huawei, and a name that mimics the Samsung flagship, the S23+ has a lot going for itself.
But on a serious note, it is surprising to see itel pull off a sleek-looking curved screen device at such an ultra-budget price segment. The exact dimensions of the smartphone couldn’t be confirmed but the device is 7.9 mm thick with 178 g weight. There are two color options – Lake Cyan and Elemental Blue.
Read more: realme C33 Review: Key specs, pros, and cons
There is a large camera housing on the back that looks exactly like that of the iPhone Pro, except it is much larger in size and one of the arranged sensor spaces is actually dedicated to the flashlight.
The plastic back has a frosted finish that gives it a glass-like look. However, the main design attraction is at the front with the curved panel.
The scant bezels on the top and bottom along with the small punch-hole camera make the display look like an upper mid-range or flagship device.
Read more: Symphony Z47 Review: 90Hz Refresh Rate on a Budget Device
Another interesting feature is the in-display fingerprint scanner which is also uncommon in budget smartphones. Ports and buttons are as usual but the micro SDXC and the 3.5 mm headphone jack are missing on the S23+ which is a bit odd considering these are almost staple in budget smartphones.
The Display
The display on the itel S23+ is a 6.78-inch AMOLED curved panel with FHD+ resolution. The panel has a 1080 x 2400 pixels distribution at a 20:9 ratio and 388 ppi density. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
The display is what’s usually seen on a mid-range smartphone. Except the S23+ is placed almost in an ultra-budget segment. The performance of the display has been pretty good. There’s a decent amount of curve on both sides but itel has optimized the OS well to ensure there aren’t any accidental touches. The color reproduction looked great with good viewing angles all around. There’s also 500 nits of peak brightness on the panel which makes it fairly legible under direct sunlight.
Read more: itel Vision 5 Plus Review: Standard Phone under Tk14000
The display of the S23+ has generated considerable buzz around the smartphone and honestly, the hype here is absolutely justified. The only lacking would be a higher refresh rate but its absence doesn’t take away anything from an already great experience.
The Camera
There’s a dual camera setup on the S23+. The flashlight is arranged in such a way that it might look like a triple camera sensor at first glance. The main camera is a 50 MP f/1.6 wide-angle shooter with AF. The secondary camera is a 0.08 MP camera. The S23+ is essentially a single-camera smartphone as the secondary camera won’t be of any practical use.
Even then, the camera performed pretty well. Pictures taken outdoors and in bright conditions came out sharp and crisp. The dynamic range was average and the shadow exposures were a hit and miss at times.
Read more: Infinix Hot 20 5G Review: What's New
OpenAI saga: ChatGPT-maker says Sam Altman returning to company
The ousted leader of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is returning to the company that fired him late last week, the latest in a saga that has shocked the artificial intelligence industry.
San Francisco-based OpenAI said in a statement late Tuesday: “We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board" made of former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo.
OpenAI’s previous board of directors, which included D'Angelo, had refused to give specific reasons for why it fired Altman on Friday, leading to a weekend of internal conflict at the company and growing outside pressure from the startup's investors.
Read: ChatGPT-maker OpenAI fires CEO Sam Altman
Microsoft, which has invested billions of dollars in OpenAI and has rights to its technology, quickly moved to hire Altman on Monday, as well as another co-founder and former president, Greg Brockman, who had quit in protest after Altman's removal. That emboldened a threatened exodus of nearly all of the startup's 770 employees who signed a letter calling for the board's resignation and Altman's return.
Microsoft Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott put out a call to the startup’s employees Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter: “Know that if needed, you have a role at Microsoft that matches your compensation and advances our collective mission.”
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also made clear in a series of interviews Monday that he was still open to the possibility of Altman returning to OpenAI, so long as the startup's governance and board problems are solved.
Read: ChatGPT's chief to testify before US Congress as concerns grow about artificial intelligence's risks
“We are encouraged by the changes to the OpenAI board,” Nadella posted on X late Tuesday. “We believe this is a first essential step on a path to more stable, well-informed, and effective governance.”
In his own post, Altman said that “with the new board and (with) Satya's support, I'm looking forward to returning to OpenAI, and building on our strong partnership with (Microsoft)."
Co-founded by Altman as a nonprofit with a mission to safely build so-called artificial general intelligence that outperforms humans and benefits humanity, OpenAI later became a for-profit business but one still run by its nonprofit board of directors. It's not clear yet if the board's structure will change with its newly appointed members.
Nadella said Brockman, who was OpenAI's board chairman until Altman's firing, will also have a key role to play in ensuring OpenAI “continues to thrive and build on its mission.”
Hours earlier, Brockman returned to social media as if it were business as usual, touting a feature called ChatGPT Voice that was rolling out for free to everyone who uses the chatbot.
Read: What can Bard, Google’s answer to ChatGPT, do?
“Give it a try — totally changes the ChatGPT experience,” Brockman wrote, flagging a post from OpenAI's main X account that featured a demonstration of the technology playfully winking at recent turmoil.
“It’s been a long night for the team and we’re hungry. How many 16-inch pizzas should I order for 778 people,” the person asks, using the number of people who work at OpenAI. ChatGPT's synthetic voice responded by recommending around 195 pizzas, ensuring everyone gets three slices.
As for OpenAI's short-lived interim CEO Emmett Shear, the second interim CEO in the days since Altman's ouster, he posted on X that he was “deeply pleased by this result, after (tilde)72 very intense hours of work.”
“Coming into OpenAI, I wasn't sure what the right path would be,” Shear wrote. “This was the pathway that maximized safety alongside doing right by all stakeholders involved. I'm glad to have been a part of the solution.”
OPPO Find N3 Review: A New Standard for Foldable Smartphones
The Find series from OPPO has been their premium flagship range since the brand’s inception. It brought top-of-the-line features that competed for the best of what Android has to offer. Back in 2021, the N series was introduced as OPPO’s first take on foldable and flip phones. Fast forward to 2023, OPPO released the Find N3 foldable smartphone on 19th October in China. The N3 brings some big and effective changes compared to the N2. Let’s find out what those are.
Key Specifications of OPPO Find N3
Design and Build Quality
The Find N3 doesn’t really reinvent the wheel. It looks similar to the existing range of foldables from the likes of Huawei and Samsung. There is a distinct round camera housing on the back with Hasselblad branding that gives it its distinguishing look.
Coming to the design specifics, the curves around the hinges have been sharpened. It might be due to the hinge mechanism used in the N3. Speaking of the hinge mechanism, it now does an excellent job of dissipating the crease at the middle of the inner display. It’s still possible to feel the crease by touch, but visually it is much less pronounced compared to the Mate X5 or the Z Fold5.
Read more: Top 10 Smartphones Coming to Bangladesh in November 2023
The front glass and aluminum frame are complemented by a choice of either a glass back or an eco-leather back. The dimension comes in at:
Glass Folded: 153.4 x 73.3 x 11.7 mmEco-leather Folded: 153.4 x 73.3 x 11.9 mmGlass Unfolded: 153.4 x 143.1 x 5.8 mm Eco-leather Unfolded: 153.4 x 143.1 x 6.0 mm
The weight comes in at 239 g for the eco-leather option and 245 g for the glass-back variant. The front is protected by OPPO’s own Ceramic Guard protection with the inner panel being a plastic one as usual. The choice of ports and buttons are carried over from the N2 which means the 3.5 mm headphone jack didn’t make the cut. The power button doubles as the fingerprint scanner similar to the N2.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus Review: Know the Pros and Cons
Another useful addition this time around has been the IPX4 splash resistance rating. Overall, the updated hinge mechanism massively improves the experience and alleviates the design experience of the device.
The Display
OPPO used the new state-of-the-art LTPO3 OLED panels for the N3. The cover screen is a 6.31-inch panel with 1116 x 2484 pixels with 431 ppi density. The panel supports 1.07B colors, Dolby Vision, 120Hz refresh rate, and 2800 nits of peak brightness in HBM.
On the other hand, the inner panel is a 7.82-inch Foldable LTPO3 OLED panel with 2268 x 2440 pixels resolution at 426 ppi. The panel supports 1.07B colors, Dolby Vision, 120Hz refresh rate, and 2800 nits of HBM. The screen-to-body ratio of the N3 comes in at 89.6%.
The best thing about the N3 display is the utilitarian design. The cover screen isn’t unnaturally tall like that of the Z Fold5. Rather it looks much like a standard smartphone. The inner screen is also 1:1 which gives it a square look. This display design enhances the usability all the while being a cutting edge panel.
Read more: vivo V29e 5G Review: Is this mid-range phone rightly priced?
Being an LTPO3 panel, the screen is everything one would expect from it. It has high contrast, great color, and amazing visibility under direct sunlight. And thanks to the new hinge mechanism, the inner crease also isn’t as distracting anymore.
Musk's X sues liberal advocacy group Media Matters over its report on ads next to hate groups' posts
Elon Musk’s social media company X filed a lawsuit against liberal advocacy group Media Matters for America on Monday, saying it manufactured a report to show advertisers’ posts alongside neo-Nazi and white nationalist posts in order to “drive advertisers from the platform and destroy X Corp.”
Media Matters, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit, called the lawsuit “frivolous.”
Advertisers have been fleeing the site formerly known as Twitter over concerns about their ads showing up next to pro-Nazi content — and hate speech on the site in general — while billionaire owner Musk has inflamed tensions with his own posts endorsing an antisemitic conspiracy theory.
IBM, NBCUniversal and its parent company Comcast said last week that they stopped advertising on X after the Media Matters report said their ads were appearing alongside material praising Nazis. It was a fresh setback as the platform tries to win back big brands and their ad dollars, X’s main source of revenue.
READ: Elon Musk's refusal to have Starlink support Ukraine attack in Crimea raises questions for Pentagon
The Media Matters report pointed to ads from Apple and Oracle that also were placed next to antisemitic material on X. On Friday, it said it also found ads from Amazon, NBA Mexico, NBCUniversal and others next to white nationalist hashtags.
But San Francisco-based X says in its complaint filed in federal court in Fort Worth, Texas, that Media Matters “knowingly and maliciously” portrayed ads next to hateful material “as if they were what typical X users experience on the platform.”
X's complaint claims that Media Matters manipulated algorithms on the platform to create images of advertisers' paid posts next to racist, incendiary content. The juxtapositions, according to the complaint, were "manufactured, inorganic and extraordinarily rare."
It says Media Matters did this by using X accounts that just followed X users known to produce “extreme fringe content” and accounts owned by X’s major advertisers. This, the complaint says, led to a feed aimed at producing side-by-side placements that Media Matters could then screen shot in an effort to alienate X's advertisers.
READ: Elon Musk reveals new black and white X logo to replace Twitter's blue bird
Media Matters said Monday that it stands by its reporting and expects to prevail in court.
“This is a frivolous lawsuit meant to bully X’s critics into silence," the non-profit's president, Angelo Carusone, said in a prepared statement.
Advertisers have been skittish on X since Musk's takeover more than a year ago.
Musk has also sparked outcry this month with his own posts responding to a user who accused Jews of hating white people and professing indifference to antisemitism. “You have said the actual truth,” Musk tweeted in a reply last Wednesday.
READ: Twitter users run into service issues after Elon Musk imposes daily limits on reading tweets
Musk has faced accusations of tolerating antisemitic messages on the platform since purchasing it last year, and the content on X has gained increased scrutiny since the war between Israel and Hamas began.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino said the company's “point of view has always been very clear that discrimination by everyone should STOP across the board.”
“I think that’s something we can and should all agree on,” she wrote on the platform last week.
OpenAI drama continues: Over 500 employees threaten to quit and join Microsoft
The majority of OpenAI employees have threatened to quit and join Microsoft, which has hired former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former president Greg Brockman to run a new "advanced AI research team."
More than 500 current employees wrote a letter to OpenAI's board, published by Wired, where they said, “Microsoft has assured us that there are positions for all OpenAI employees at this new subsidiary should we choose to join,” reports The Verge.
Explainer: What may have caused OpenAI board to fire Sam Altman
According to the letter, if the board does not restore Altman and Brockman, the OpenAI staff will quit. But, given that the board has already made its decision, it appears that Microsoft may have just found Altman's first several hundred employees, assuming they are correct about the company's promise to hire them all, it said.
Employees at OpenAI, who signed the letter, accused the company's board of jeopardising their work and violating their rights. They also rejected the notion that OpenAI was moving too swiftly and without regard for safety. "Our work on AI safety and governance shapes global norms," they wrote.
Microsoft hires OpenAI founder Sam Altman to lead AI research team
OpenAI head scientist Ilya Sutskever, who apparently led the campaign to oust Altman, expressed sadness on X (previously Twitter) over the weekend of instability at OpenAI. "I deeply regret my involvement in the board's actions. I never intended to harm OpenAI," Sutskever wrote.
"I love everything we've built together and I will do everything I can to reunite the company." Surprisingly, Sutskever's name is also on the list of resignations, it also said.
ChatGPT-maker OpenAI fires CEO Sam Altman
Microsoft has now launched a new "advanced AI research team" to house a number of former OpenAI personnel, with Altman given the position of CEO to manage the group. Outside of acquisitions, this is an unusual step for Microsoft, since the CEO title is usually reserved for the heads of large divisions like Microsoft Gaming or acquired firms like LinkedIn and GitHub.
Employees at OpenAI have stated unequivocally that Microsoft is approaching this as a major acquisition, assuring existing employees that there are available positions to join Altman and his team at Microsoft.
Explainer: What may have caused OpenAI board to fire Sam Altman
In a surprising move, OpenAI, the artificial intelligence research lab, ousted its CEO, Sam Altman, raising eyebrows and leaving shareholders in the dark.
While concerns about the rapid advancement of AI technology may have played a role in Altman's termination, the handling of the situation has drawn criticism from various quarters, reports CNN.
The decision to remove Altman, credited with steering OpenAI from obscurity to a $90 billion valuation, was made abruptly, catching even major stakeholders like Microsoft off guard.
Human drama at OpenAI: Board reportedly ‘in discussion’ with Sam Altman to return as CEO
The CNN report suggests that Microsoft, OpenAI's most important shareholder, was unaware of Altman's dismissal until just before the public announcement, causing a significant drop in Microsoft's stock value.
OpenAI employees, including co-founder and former president Greg Brockman, were also blindsided, leading to Brockman's subsequent resignation. The sudden departure of key figures prompted rumors of Altman and former employees planning to launch a competing startup, posing a threat to OpenAI's years of hard work and achievements, said the report.
The situation worsened due to the peculiar structure of OpenAI's board. The company, a nonprofit, harbors a for-profit entity, OpenAI LP, established by Altman, Brockman, and Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever. The for-profit arm's rapid innovation to achieve a $90 billion valuation clashed with the nonprofit's majority-controlled board, resulting in Altman's dismissal, it also said.
The tipping point appears to be Altman's announcement at a recent developer conference, signaling OpenAI's intention to provide tools for creating personalised versions of ChatGPT. This move, seen as too risky by the board, may have triggered Altman's removal.
ChatGPT-maker OpenAI fires CEO Sam Altman
Altman's warnings about the potential dangers of AI and the need for regulatory limits indicate a clash between innovation and safety within OpenAI. The board's concerns about Altman's pace of development, while perhaps justified, were mishandled, leading to a crisis that could have been avoided.
The aftermath sees OpenAI scrambling to reverse the decision, attempting to entice Altman back. The incident has strained relations with Microsoft, which now demands a seat on the board. OpenAI's future hangs in the balance, with possibilities ranging from Altman's return to a potential competition with a new startup, the report also said.
In the end, OpenAI finds itself in a precarious position, facing potential internal upheaval and external challenges, highlighting the importance of strategic decision-making in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
Microsoft hires OpenAI founder Sam Altman to lead AI research team
TECNO unveils Universal Tone Imaging Technology
TECNO, a global pioneer in mobile imaging technology, unveiled its latest groundbreaking leap in camera technology, TECNO Universal Tone–the most advanced AI-Powered multi-skin tone imaging technology that integrates the industry's newest spectral database and insights recently.
Self-developed by TECNO, the technology was enhanced through joint research and development in cooperation with color science academics from leading global universities, with newly collected and analyzed data from scientific research integrated into the system. The Universal Tone technology made its debut in the captivating 'Portrait For Everyone' short film produced by BBC StoryWorks on October 2, said a media release.
Created to deliver precise representations of skin tones, TECNO Universal Tone embodies inclusivity and customization.
Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO, highlighted the brand's commitment to fostering a positive mindset through technological development. The technology employs a rigorous scientific, data-based approach to ensure an accurate reflection of the diverse beauty of users worldwide.
TECNO Universal Tone technology incorporates three engines: the Multi-Skin Tone Restoration Engine, the Local-Tuning Engine, and the AI-Powered Computational Portrait Engine.
The Multi-Skin Tone Restoration Engine utilises a scientific approach, featuring the industry's largest diversified spectral database. It covers frequently overlooked skin colors, eliminating bias in technology. This engine allows for the creation of an inclusive skin tone scale and precise representation.
The Local-Tuning Engine tailors solutions for diverse real-world scenarios, considering local environments, lighting conditions, and color temperatures to achieve a harmonious output, it reads.
The AI-Powered Computational Portrait Engine delivers a personalized and localized portrait imaging experience. It considers aesthetic preferences, facial features, and skin tones unique to each region, ensuring enhanced accuracy, texture, and personalized beauty enhancements.
In synergy, these engines optimize TECNO Universal Tone. The Multi-Skin Tone Restoration Engine calibrates skin tones, the Local-Tuning Engine restructures facial tones and analyzes the environment, and the AI-Powered Computational Portrait Engine applies a personalized algorithm aligned with regional preferences.
Dr. Kaida Xiao, Associate Professor at the University of Leeds, emphasizes the data-based approach in developing accurate color cards for each skin tone. TheUniversal Tone technology ensures accurate identification and optimization of individual skin tones, setting a new standard for diversity and true-to-life portraits.
TECNO, guided by its user-centric philosophy and "Stop At Nothing" strategy, continues to pursue innovation. The development of TECNO Universal Tone marks a significant milestone in creating a more inclusive smartphone industry, emphasizing the brand's commitment to enhancing user lifestyles globally.