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YouTube introduces new features across web, mobile, TVs, and YouTube Music

by | Oct 16, 2024 | Technology


YouTube introduces new features across web, mobile, TVs, and YouTube Music

2 min read Last Updated : Oct 16 2024 | 5:21 PM IST


YouTube is rolling out an array of updates that include features such as fine-tunable playback speed, allowing adjustments in increments of 0.05, improved browsing in landscape mode (coming later this year for iOS users), larger thumbnails, and bigger text. These updates have started to roll out across web, mobile, TVs, and YouTube Music. Here are the details:


Improved Miniplayer for multitasking


YouTube now allows users to browse on the mobile phone while watching a video with the new improved miniplayer. Users can resize and move the miniplayer within the YouTube mobile app.

 


Collaborative YouTube playlists


Users can create playlists with friends and family by inviting others to collaborate using a specific link. Soon, users will also be able to use a QR code to add to a playlist on TV.


YouTube is introducing a new customisation tool for playlists, enabling users to design their own custom thumbnails using their photos or by creating new ones with generative AI. To create a custom thumbnail, users need to select an image and personalise it with text, filters, or stickers. To generate an AI thumbnail, users can tap on “Create with AI,” select a theme, and choose from the creations generated by AI.


Users will also be able to vote on videos in playlists, allowing creators to let their audience rank their favourite content.


Sleep timer


YouTube is introducing a sleep timer, enabling users to set a timer that automatically pauses videos after a specified time.


Badges


YouTube is adding badges to the YouTube and YouTube Music apps on mobile devices. Initially, there will be a few badges that can be earned by achieving YouTube milestones, such as being a top listener of an artist. The badges will start rolling out in the upcoming weeks and can be found in the “You” tab.


Upgraded YouTube on TV


The visual updates being launched on web and mobile will also be available in the YouTube app on TV. The new user interface provides continued interaction with the content while watching Shorts.

First Published: Oct 16 2024 | 5:21 PM IST



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Prime Video viewers in India to face ad interruptions starting 2025

by | Oct 16, 2024 | Technology


2 min read Last Updated : Oct 16 2024 | 3:51 PM IST

Starting 2025, Amazon’s Prime Video viewers in India will have to face interruptions due to advertisements during shows and movies on the streaming platform.


The change, which is already in effect in the United States, is aimed at Amazon’s plans to fund content investments amid heated competition in the sector.

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“To continue investing in compelling content and keep increasing that investment over a long period of time, starting in 2025, Prime Video shows and movies will include limited advertisements in India,” the company said in an official statement.


Prime Video said that it aims to have “meaningfully fewer” advertisements compared to its competitors. The company plans to increase its “investments over a long period of time” in its titles, it said.

 


How to sign up for Amazon Prime ad-free service


For an uninterrupted, ad-free experience, users will likely have to shell out more money for the streaming platform’s services. The pricing details for such plans are not out yet. However, there will be no changes to the current price of Prime membership in 2025. Amazon also said that the users will be notified about the advertisement related introductions “several weeks before” through email, which will include details about the ad-free option plan.


The development signals the intensifying competition in the streaming services market. Data analytics firm Comscore predicted that Reliance and Disney’s $8.5 billion mega-merger could capture nearly half of India’s streaming users, prompting other providers to adapt and respond.


Amazon has continued to invest heavily in its platform in India due to its growing user base. More people are signing up for Amazon Prime in India than anywhere else in the world over the last few years, Mike Hopkins, senior vice-president at Prime Video had said in March.


Some reports estimate that the Indian internet industry is expected to reach a valuation of $5 trillion by 2030.

First Published: Oct 16 2024 | 3:51 PM IST



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Lenovo Tech World 2024: New AI agent, ThinkPad AI laptop and more announced

by | Oct 16, 2024 | Technology


ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition

4 min read Last Updated : Oct 16 2024 | 2:51 PM IST

At its Tech World 2024 event, China’s Lenovo announced several new artificial intelligence innovations, including Lenovo AI Now, an artificial intelligence agent that can transform a PC into a personal assistant. Lenovo also introduced its Learning Zone educational software platform, featuring a suite of AI-powered tools. Additionally, the company unveiled its new ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition AI laptop and several new proof-of-concept AI devices. Here are the details:


ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition: Details

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The new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition is a versatile laptop that can function as a tablet. Powered by Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors, the new Lenovo AI laptop features a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) capable of performing 48 trillion operations per second (TOPS). While the laptop is set to receive Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC experience with new AI-powered features such as Live Captions and Recall, it also includes its own suite of AI features.

 


As a Lenovo Aura Edition device, the new 2-in-1 laptop features Smart Modes that provide intuitive access through a simple widget for personalising different tasks, such as collaboration, wellness, and privacy. There is also a Smart Share feature that allows quick image sharing with smartphones, and a Smart Care feature that provides instant access to the company’s support tools for problem-solving assistance.


The laptop boasts an up to 2.8K resolution OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits peak brightness. It is offered with up to 32GB LPDDR5X dual-channel RAM and up to 2TB PCIe Gen5 SSD. Powered by a 57Whr battery, the device supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. Connectivity options include two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and an HDMI 2.1 port.


Lenovo AI Now: Details


Lenovo AI Now is the company’s proprietary AI agent, based on a local large language model developed on top of Meta’s Llama 3.1 AI model. This AI agent enables real-time interaction with a user’s personal knowledge base (PKB) using on-device processing. Lenovo stated that users can leverage Lenovo AI Now to automate and simplify various tasks, including document management, online meeting transcriptions, device control, and content generation. The platform’s intuitive AI assistant supports natural language interaction and can be prompted to search for locally stored files or generate summaries. The AI agent also integrates PC assistant functionality, allowing users to adjust device settings via AI prompts.


Lenovo AI Now also provides support for after-sales services, device recommendations, and customer support through Lenovo’s virtual assistant.


Lenovo Learning Zone: Details


Lenovo Learning Zone is the company’s new AI-powered educational platform that offers several AI-driven learning tools. The platform converts study materials into AI Notes and generates AI-powered quizzes. Additionally, it features the Lenovo Smart Scanner for digitising and importing documents.


Lenovo Learning Zone supports synchronisation between PCs and smartphones, allowing users to access learning materials across devices.


AI device: Proof of concepts


At its Tech World 2024 event, Lenovo also showcased several concept devices, including an AI mouse featuring a dedicated button for Lenovo AI Now. There is also an “AI Buddy,” which features a circular display that simulates a sentiment-based user interface to interact with users more personally. This digital assistant can handle scheduling, reminders, and daily tasks, adapting its responses based on the user’s preferences.


Other proof-of-concept devices showcased at the event include Home AI Brain and a Super Multi-view 3D Conference Solution.

First Published: Oct 16 2024 | 2:51 PM IST



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Samsung Galaxy Ring goes on sale in India: Check price, offers and features

by | Oct 16, 2024 | Technology


3 min read Last Updated : Oct 16 2024 | 1:09 PM IST

Samsung’s new ring-style wearable, the Galaxy Ring, is now available in India. Launched alongside the Galaxy Z 6 series foldable devices in July, the Galaxy Ring has been available for pre-reservation in India since October 14. The Galaxy Ring brings notable health monitoring sensors and fitness tracking capabilities to a smaller, more lightweight form factor.


The Samsung Galaxy Ring is available in nine different sizes, ranging from Size 5 to Size 13. The smallest size weighs 2.3g, while the largest Size 13 weighs 3g. Additionally, the Galaxy Ring is available in three colours: Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, and Titanium Gold.

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Samsung Galaxy Ring: Price, availability, and offers

The Galaxy Ring starts at Rs 38,999 and is available on Samsung’s official website, select retail stores, and on e-commerce platforms Amazon and Flipkart. Samsung also stated that customers who are unsure about their ring size can obtain a sizing kit to verify the fit before purchasing the Galaxy Ring.


As part of the introductory offer, Samsung is offering a 25W travel adapter at no additional cost to customers who purchase the Galaxy Ring until October 18. There is also an option for a no-interest equated monthly instalment (no-cost EMI) plan of up to 24 months on select bank cards.


Samsung Galaxy Ring: Details


Samsung noted that the Galaxy Ring features a distinct concave design with durable construction. Made from Grade 5 titanium, the Galaxy Ring comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing it to withstand depths of up to 100 metres with a 10ATM rating. Samsung claims a battery life of seven days for the Galaxy Ring, which comes with a clamshell-style charging case featuring LED lighting to indicate charging status.


Samsung has also equipped the Galaxy Ring with Galaxy AI for generating detailed health reports that focus on various health metrics. This feature, referred to as “Health AI,” utilises all available health-related data to offer personalised recommendations and tips. All this data and insights are accessible on the Samsung Health app, which the company stated does not require a subscription.


With Health AI, the Galaxy Ring offers additional metrics like the Energy Score, based on users’ current physical state. This score is calculated by evaluating various health metrics collected by the ring, such as sleep, activity, sleeping heart rate, and sleeping heart rate variability. Samsung also mentioned that users can pair the Galaxy Ring with a Galaxy Watch, which can enhance the accuracy of health and wellness tracking.

First Published: Oct 16 2024 | 1:09 PM IST



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iPad mini 7th Gen (A17 Pro) vs 6th Gen (A15): Similarities and differences

by | Oct 16, 2024 | Technology


3 min read Last Updated : Oct 16 2024 | 12:54 PM IST

Apple has launched the seventh generation iPad mini, powered by the A17 Pro chip for Apple Intelligence. Additionally, the new iPad mini brings updates in hardware, including a slightly better display, Wi-Fi 6E support for connectivity, and compatibility with the top-of-the-line Apple Pencil Pro. However, is it a significant upgrade over the sixth-generation model that was launched in 2021? Let us check out:


iPad mini (A17 Pro): Compared to iPad mini (6th gen)


Design and variants

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The new iPad mini looks identical to the sixth-generation model, with the same dimensions and weight. Both models measure 6.3mm thick and weigh 293g for the Wi-Fi variant. However, with the 2024 iPad mini, Apple has replaced the Pink colour option with a new Blue colourway.

 


In addition to the new colour, the 2024 iPad mini offers a 512GB storage variant, while the sixth-generation model provides a maximum of 256GB storage space. Moreover, the base model now starts with 128GB storage, instead of 64GB on the last-generation model.


Display and Apple Pencil support


Both the iPad mini (A17 Pro) and the iPad mini (6th gen) feature an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with the same 2266 x 1488 resolution and 500 nits peak SDR brightness. However, the display panel now supports the high-end Apple Pencil Pro, while the older generation model is limited to support for the second-generation Apple Pencil. This also means that the display includes the Apple Pencil hover feature.


Performance and AI


The new iPad mini is powered by the A17 Pro chip, while the 2021 model features the A15 Bionic chip. This represents a significant upgrade, with a 30 per cent boost in CPU (central processing unit) performance and a 25 per cent increase in GPU (graphics processing unit) performance. Additionally, the A17 Pro chip includes a faster neural engine (NPU), which brings Apple Intelligence support to the new iPad mini.


Once available, Apple Intelligence will offer AI-powered tools for generating text and images, taking action across apps, and understanding personal context to simplify everyday tasks.


Camera


Both models feature a 12MP wide camera at the back with the same f/1.8 aperture and similar video recording capabilities. However, the new iPad mini supports Smart HDR 4, while the sixth generation iPad mini has Smart HDR 3. This enhancement allows the new iPad mini to capture images with better dynamic range and more lifelike colours. The front-facing 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera remains identical in both iPad minis and is positioned in the same portrait orientation.


Connectivity


Apple has introduced significant changes in connectivity options with the new iPad mini. The 2024 model includes support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, compared to Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 on the predecessor. Additionally, the USB-C port on the new iPad mini supports higher data transfer speeds. However, the 2024 iPad mini has dropped support for physical SIM cards and now only supports 5G eSIM.


Battery


Apple claims similar battery life on both iPad mini models, offering 10 hours of web surfing on Wi-Fi or video playback.

First Published: Oct 16 2024 | 12:54 PM IST



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Intel and AMD unite to form a group amid rising popularity of ARM chips: Technology news

by | Oct 16, 2024 | Technology


Intel and AMD create x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group

2 min read Last Updated : Oct 16 2024 | 11:53 AM IST

Intel and AMD have announced the creation of an x86 ecosystem advisory group. Intel and AMD are the leading members of this new x86 Advisory Group, which includes founding members such as Lenovo, Microsoft, Google, and Meta. The announcement was hosted by Lenovo at the Tech World 2024 conference in Washington, where presentations were made by AMD CEO Lisa Su and Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, who remarked that the x86 architecture is “alive and well.”

“The group will focus on identifying new ways to expand the x86 ecosystem by enabling compatibility across platforms, simplifying software development, and providing developers with a platform to identify architectural needs and features to create innovative and scalable solutions for the future,” stated the press release regarding the formation of the group.

This development appears to be an attempt by the makers of x86 chips, who are also competitors, to assure customers and investors that they are addressing the rise of chips based on ARM architecture.

ARM architecture has traditionally been used in smartphones and portable mobile devices. However, there has been a recent shift, with more laptops and desktop PCs that have historically relied on x86 architecture now being equipped with ARM chips. Apple has completely transitioned from Intel chips to ARM-based Apple silicon, while Qualcomm is producing ARM chips for Windows machines.

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What is an ARM processor

ARM processors are system-in-package units featuring central processing units (CPUs) based on the “Reduced Instruction Set Computing” (RISC) architecture created by Arm Holdings, a British semiconductor design firm.

The RISC architecture focuses on executing a limited set of simplified instructions, enabling faster operation and a higher rate of millions of instructions per second (MIPS).

The key distinction between ARM and x86 processors lies in their instruction set architectures (ISA). ARM processors utilise RISC architecture, which streamlines the computing process by employing a smaller number of simpler instructions, often leading to improved energy efficiency.


 


 

First Published: Oct 16 2024 | 11:53 AM IST



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