“Selected startups will gain access to AWS compute, storage, and database technologies, as well as AWS Trainium and AWS Inferentia2, energy-efficient AI chips that offer high performance at the lowest cost,” the release said. Bloomberg Photo
1 min read Last Updated : Sep 13 2024 | 11:09 PM IST
Amazon Web Services on Friday announced that seven generative AI startups from India have been selected for its global Generative AI accelerator program.
The selected Indian startups — Convrse, House of Models, Neural Garage, Orbo.ai, Phot.ai, Unscript AI, and Zocket, are among the 80 companies selected by AWS worldwide for their innovative use of AI and their global growth ambitions, according to a release.
The Indian cohort also marks the highest number of startups selected from a country in the Asia-Pacific region for the AWS Global Generative AI Accelerator programme.
As part of AWS’s $230 million commitment to drive the creation of applications worldwide, the AWS ‘Generative AI Accelerator program’ provides startups, especially early-stage companies, with AWS credits, mentorship, and education to further their use of AI and machine learning technologies.
“Selected startups will gain access to AWS compute, storage, and database technologies, as well as AWS Trainium and AWS Inferentia2, energy-efficient AI chips that offer high performance at the lowest cost,” the release said.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
3 min read Last Updated : Sep 13 2024 | 8:03 PM IST
Apple’s iPhone 16 series, equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, is now available for pre-order, with the official release set for September 20. Customers can take advantage of instant cashback and no-interest equated monthly instalment options through select banks when ordering via Apple’s online and retail stores. The company is also offering trade-in deals for older models in exchange for the iPhone 16 series.
OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, has introduced the o1-series AI models, designed to improve reasoning and problem-solving abilities. These models, including the o1 and o1-mini, are engineered to tackle more complex tasks and address greater challenges in areas like science, coding, and mathematics compared to earlier versions.
Google is currently testing a desktop windowing feature on Android tablets, enabling users to run multiple apps simultaneously and resize windows, offering a more desktop-like experience. Available in developer preview, the feature aims to enhance multitasking capabilities on Android tablets.
Realme has launched the P2 Pro 5G smartphone in India, along with the Realme Pad 2 Lite tablet. The P2 Pro 5G comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor and a curved AMOLED display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate. Meanwhile, the Realme Pad 2 Lite features a 2K display and a 90Hz refresh rate.
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its hearing aid functionality. Unveiled during the iPhone 16 launch on September 9, these hearing health features are expected to be available later this year, aimed at supporting users with hearing loss through prevention and awareness tools.
Apple has introduced the “Activation Lock” feature for iPhone components in the release candidate (RC) of iOS 18, currently in beta testing. This feature links individual iPhone parts, like the battery and display, to the user’s Apple account, similar to how the device itself is secured, aiming to reduce theft by preventing stolen parts from being used in other devices.
Starting at Rs 79,999, the Google Pixel 9 offers substantial improvements, including one of the best smartphone displays, enhanced battery life, and a solid imaging system. With deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the device provides a seamless user experience, though it lacks certain features found in the Pro version, such as a telephoto lens and higher-quality zoom.
China has introduced three key 6G technology standards through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), setting the foundation for future global telecommunications frameworks. These standards aim to address scenarios outlined in the ITU’s mobile telecommunications 2030 framework, such as immersive communication, ultra-reliable low-latency performance, and AI integration, according to the South China Morning Post.
Among other aspects, the study will focus on the existing and evolving regulatory/legal frameworks governing AI systems and applications in India and other major jurisdictions. Photo: Intel
2 min read Last Updated : Sep 13 2024 | 5:15 PM IST
Fair trade watchdog CCI has selected the Management Development Institute Society (MDIS) to conduct a market study on artificial intelligence and competition that will examine various aspects, including potential competition issues in the AI ecosystems.
In April this year, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) had issued a request for proposal to conduct the market study on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Competition.
The Gurugram-based MDIS has been engaged to conduct the study that will seek to understand certain key AI ecosystems, including stakeholders, resources, value chains, market structures and parameters of competition, CCI said in a release on Friday.
It will also examine the emerging and potential competition issues in these markets/ecosystems as well as look at the scope and nature of AI applications/use cases, and assess associated opportunities, risks and ramifications from a competition standpoint.
Among other aspects, the study will focus on the existing and evolving regulatory/legal frameworks governing AI systems and applications in India and other major jurisdictions.
Earlier this year, in an interview to PTI, CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur said AI and machine learning can drive efficiency and innovation but also raise concerns related to market concentration and potential anti-competitive behaviour.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
2 min read Last Updated : Sep 13 2024 | 5:13 PM IST
Technology giant Microsoft Corporation (India) has bought around 16 acres of land in Pune from Viva Highways for Rs 453 crore, according to property consultant Square Yards.
In a statement on Friday, Square Yards said the recent land deal in Pune, registered in September 2024, involved the purchase of 66,450 square metres (approximately 16.4 acres) from Viva Highways Limited.
“The transaction, which registered under its Indian arm Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt Ltd incurred a stamp duty of Rs 27.18 crore along with a registration fee of Rs 30,000,” the consultant said, adding that the total consideration paid was Rs 453 crore.
Earlier this week, Square Yards said that Microsoft had bought 16.4 acres of land in Pune for Rs 520 crore.
“As per the registration document reviewed by Square Yards, Microsoft’s Indian arm, Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt Ltd, acquired 66,414.5 square meters (around 16.4 acres) of prime land in Pune’s Hinjewadi. The transaction, registered in August 2024, involved the purchase of land from Indo Global Infotech City LLP,” the consultant had said in a statement.
In 2022, the company also acquired a 25-acre plot in Pimpri-Chinchwad for Rs 328 crore. Earlier this year, Microsoft secured 48 acres of land in Hyderabad for Rs 267 crore, the consultant said.
These deals are part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to expand its presence in India, particularly within its data centre operations. The company’s network of data centres already includes locations in Pune, Mumbai, and Chennai, Square Yards said.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
3 min read Last Updated : Sep 13 2024 | 5:03 PM IST
Google is experimenting with desktop windowing on Android tablets, offering users the ability to run multiple apps simultaneously and resize app windows for a desktop-like experience. This feature is currently available in developer preview and is aimed at enhancing multitasking capabilities on Android tablets.
In an update to the Android Developers Blog, Google noted that similar concepts have been available on select Android-powered tablets through solutions like Samsung DeX and ChromeOS. However, with the Desktop Windowing feature, Google is adding native support for it.
The Desktop Windowing feature is currently available in developer preview and on the Pixel Tablet with the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 release.
Desktop Windowing on Android tablets: What’s new
The new Desktop Windowing feature for Android tablets enables users to run multiple apps at once and offers more flexibility for resizing app windows. Google stated that this would provide a desktop-like experience on Android tablets. Here is what users can expect when the feature is fully rolled out:
Multitasking: Users can run multiple apps side by side, simultaneously. Google will also support drag-and-drop gestures between apps for a more seamless desktop-like experience.
Freeform resizing: Users can resize apps as per their preference. Google is currently allowing app developers to optimise their applications to ensure adaptability to various layouts.
Locked orientation resizing: Even if an app is locked in portrait or landscape orientation, it can be resized into the opposite orientation.
Multi-instance support: Users will be able to run multiple instances of the same app side by side. For example, two separate windows of the same browser can be opened with different web pages displayed side by side.
More input support: Apart from touch gestures, apps will support input from accessories like keyboards, mice, trackpads, and more. App developers will also have the option to add support for app shortcuts.
Desktop Windowing on Android tablets: How it works
For managing Desktop Windowing, Android tablets will feature a fixed taskbar at the bottom, showing the apps currently running. Users can also pin apps to the taskbar for quick access.
By default, apps will open in full-screen mode on Android tablets. Users can press and hold the top of an app window and drag it downward to open it in desktop space.
Once in desktop space, apps will have a new header bar with window controls, which can be customised by the app developer.
To exit Desktop Windowing and return to full-screen mode, users can close all active windows.
With the Pixel 9 series, Google has introduced substantial upgrades across the board. The new models feature brighter displays, improved cameras, exclusive artificial intelligence (AI) functionalities, enhanced performance, and a larger battery—all within a chassis that feels both unique and familiar.
Moreover, Google Gemini is deeply integrated into the Pixel 9’s user interface and operating system, positioning it as one of the first smartphones to transition into a true AI-powered device. But is it ready to deliver this experience to the average user? Let’s find out.
Design
The Google Pixel 9’s design feels fresh. With more squared-off edges and a flat frame, it closely resembles other compact flagships from the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S series. The signature rear camera visor is gone, replaced by a pill-shaped, floating-island style camera module. Despite these changes, the Pixel 9 retains its recognisable identity as a Pixel device.
I particularly appreciate the look and feel of the Pixel 9, especially in the Wintergreen colour. The phone feels premium to hold and is compact enough for comfortable one-handed use. However, at 198g, it leans toward the heavier side. The metal frame’s matte finish effectively hides fingerprints and smudges, though the glossy glass back panel does the opposite. Similar to the Pixel 8, the prominent rear camera bump causes the Pixel 9 to lift slightly when placed on a flat surface, but it remains stable and easy to use. The front features an edge-to-edge display with slim bezels and a punch-hole front camera cutout.
For durability, Google has equipped the Pixel 9 with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the screen and the back. The panel glass sits flush within the satin-finished metal chassis, instilling confidence to go without a case. The phone also features an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
Overall, the Pixel 9 offers a premium in-hand feel and a distinctive design, even though it evokes a sense of familiarity.
Display and Audio
The display is a highlight of the Pixel 9. At 6.3-inch, it is slightly larger than the Pixel 8 but remains comfortably accessible for one-handed use. Google has enhanced both the resolution and peak brightness of the OLED panel, and the improvements are immediately noticeable. The Pixel 9’s display delivers vibrant colours and smooth visuals thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate.
Whether viewing images on social media or streaming content, the Pixel 9’s display offers clear visuals. It supports HDR10 for streaming services like Netflix and select YouTube videos. The addition of Dolby Vision HDR would have further elevated an already excellent display experience.
The Pixel 9’s legibility in direct sunlight is impressive, with a peak brightness of 2700 nits. With 1800 nits of HDR brightness, watching high dynamic range content remains hassle-free, even outdoors. The display remains vibrant and bright from various angles, though slight glare is noticeable in certain conditions.
On the audio side, the Pixel 9’s built-in stereo speakers are flat and lack depth, particularly in terms of bass. While the audio output is clear, the volume is best suited for indoor use. For enhanced sound quality with paired devices, the Pixel 9 supports Spatial audio for select media and Advanced Audio Codec (AAC) for high-definition audio on compatible headphones. However, it does not feature Dolby Atmos surround sound support.
Camera
On paper, the Pixel 9 features the same primary and ultra-wide camera sensors as its Pro counterparts, with identical apertures and fields of view. However, Google may have applied different software optimisation techniques. The output from both the 50MP primary lens and 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera results in 12.5MP images. Photos from both cameras are impressive, with true-to-life colours, appropriate contrast, and sharp details. The primary camera slightly outperforms the ultra-wide in terms of detail. While the Pixel 9 maintains high image quality across various lighting conditions, low-light photography lacks vibrancy.
Portrait shots are somewhat underwhelming. The Pixel 9 occasionally struggles with accurate edge detection, especially in artificial lighting. Additionally, the phone only allows portrait shots at 1.5x or 2x zoom. For selfies, the Pixel 9 retains the 10.5MP front camera from the Pixel 8, now with Auto Focus functionality. It takes impressive pictures in well-lit conditions but struggles in low light, with images lacking detail.
The Pixel 9 supports Ultra HDR photography and offers the option to save images in RAW format alongside JPEG. This feature is crucial for photographers who wish to preserve details for more control while editing. Additionally, the “Social Media Depth” feature allows supported social media apps to access depth-related image data for improved image sharing quality.
For videography, the Pixel 9 supports FHD and 4K resolution recording at up to 60 frames per second. It also offers 10-bit HDR recording, though this is limited to 24fps and 30fps. Google provides three stabilisation modes: Standard, Locked, and Active. While Standard and Locked modes work at any resolution and frame rate, Active stabilisation is restricted to FHD recording at 30fps. Additional features include a Speech Enhancement tool, which improves voice clarity in noisy environments.
Performance and Battery
The Pixel 9 shows significant improvement in both performance and thermal management compared to its predecessor. Powered by the Tensor G4 chip, the Pixel 9 performs well in everyday use. The smartphone handles tasks smoothly, including AI processing workloads, and shows no signs of stuttering during regular use.
To test its capabilities further, I ran graphic-intensive games such as Battleground Mobile India (BGMI) and FC Mobile. BGMI can be played on Extreme graphic settings, with the Pixel 9 delivering the best experience on HDR graphics and an Ultra frame rate option. The phone maintained a consistent 45-50 fps without significant frame drops or overheating. FC Mobile also ran smoothly on Ultra graphics settings. However, when connected to an external gaming controller, the Pixel 9 warmed up quickly.
With a larger battery and better thermal management than its predecessor, the Pixel 9 offers much-needed improvement in battery life. Using it as a daily driver, I was able to get a full day of use by charging it to 85 per cent in the morning. When recharging with a 33W charger, I reached the 70 per cent mark in about 40 minutes from 5 per cent.
Software and AI
The Google Pixel 9 fully embraces its role as an AI phone. Many AI features are seamlessly integrated into daily usage. This is a major strength of the Pixel 9, with tools like the new Screenshots app and the “Add Me” camera feature enhancing the user experience effortlessly.
Of the new AI tools, I frequently used the dedicated Screenshots app and the AI-generated weather summary in the revamped Pixel Weather app. Other features, such as the “Add Me” camera tool, “Reimagine” in Google Photos, and the Pixel Studio image generator app, were useful but used less often. Existing AI features have also seen notable improvements, such as the AI wallpaper generator, which now offers more styles and higher-quality results.
Here are some key new AI features on the Pixel 9:
Screenshots App: Automatically saves screenshots, organising them into a searchable grid. You can add notes for context, and the app uses AI to understand the image’s content, making search easier. It generates AI-based summaries and links back to the webpage where the screenshot was taken. However, you cannot launch an app directly from a screenshot.
Pixel Studio App: Allows you to create images from text prompts in various styles using the Gemini image generator. The feature uses cloud processing and typically delivers appropriate results after a few iterations.
Pixel Weather App: Offers a customisable, tile-based format for displaying weather data, alongside AI-generated summaries for the day’s expected conditions. These summaries are concise but don’t always account for your prioritised metrics.
Add Me: This camera tool includes the photographer in group shots. After taking a regular group photo, it superimposes a second image with the photographer in the frame. While the results are often good enough for social media, it sometimes struggles with shadows and reflections.
360-degree Panorama: Allows you to capture 360-degree panorama shots with a helpful interface guiding your camera positioning.
Reimagine: Part of the Magic Editor in Google Photos, this tool uses generative AI to modify selected sections of an image or change the background based on text input. It works best with large, uniform sections but may occasionally miss the mark on matching descriptions.
Gemini Live: Available through the Gemini Assistant app, Gemini Live offers interactive, life-like conversations. This feature is available with the Gemini Advanced subscription included with the smartphone for a month. It allows you to interrupt conversations mid-way, with the assistant pausing to listen. However, its current functionality is limited, as it doesn’t support basic tasks like setting timers or alarms that Gemini Assistant can do.
Ask About This Screen: The Gemini Assistant can answer questions about what’s on your screen by processing it as an image. Unfortunately, this limits its use since it doesn’t work with scrollable content on a full page.
In addition to these AI tools, the Pixel 9 comes with Android 14 out-of-the-box, and will be among the first to receive Android 15 when it rolls out in October.
Verdict
Priced at Rs 79,999 onwards, the Google Pixel 9 delivers significant improvements across the board. It features one of the most impressive displays on a smartphone, offers longer battery life, better performance, and a solid imaging system. Additionally, it boasts one of the most seamlessly integrated AI experiences in the industry. However, the device lacks certain features found in the Pro variant, such as the telephoto lens and higher-quality zoom capabilities.
The Pixel 9 is a strong contender in the flagship segment, especially for users who value the latest AI technology. While it may not match the Pixel 9 Pro in every aspect, it stands out as a well-rounded, high-performing device.
