by Hansraj Agrawal | Sep 5, 2024 | Technology
Microsoft Surface for Business
3 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 1:23 PM IST
Microsoft has announced that it will be hosting a special “Microsoft 365 Copilot: Wave 2” event on September 16, focussing on the “next phase of Copilot innovation.” The event will kick-off at 8AM PT ( 8:30 PM IST) and will be livestreamed on Linkedin.
According to a report by The Verge, the American technology giant will primarily focus on new AI-powered features for Copilot specifically made for business and productivity. These would likely be integrated into Microsoft’s Office applications such as Word, Excel and more. Some of these features might get carried over to Copilot Pro which is Microsoft’s consumer centric subscription plan for offering exclusive AI features.
The report also stated that the company might rebrand “Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365” to “Microsoft 365 Copilot.”
Ahead of the Copilot event, Microsoft has announced that it will start shipping new Surface devices for businesses, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X-series Arm processors. These devices include Surface Pro, 11th Edition and Surface Laptop, 7th Edition. The company will also launch Surface Pro 10 with 5G for businesses. Microsoft has already launched Qualcomm Snapdragon powered Surface devices for consumers in June.
Snapdragon X-series powered Surface for Business: Details
Specifications for the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7th Edition for businesses will be along the same line as their consumer centric counterparts. Business customers will have the option to choose between the 10-core Snapdragon X Plus and 12-core Snapdragon X Elite chip powered models for both the devices. The Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7th Edition will also be available in different RAM and storage options.
Microsoft Surface Pro 10 with 5G on the other hand will be powered by Intel Core Ultra series processors.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11: Specifications
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Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus / Snapdragon X Elite
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RAM: 16GB / 32GB (LPDDR5x RAM)
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Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (Gen 4 SSD)
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Display: 13-inch OLED / LCD, 120Hz refresh rate, 2880 x 1920 resolution
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Battery: Up to 14 hours of local video playback
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Camera: Quad-HD front-facing Surface Studio Camera, 10MP UltraHD rear-facing camera
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Audio: 2W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
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Mics: Dual Studio Mics with voice focus
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Ports: 2x USB-C (USB4), DisplayPort 2.1, Surface Pro Keyboard port, Surface Connect port, NanoSIM
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Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7: Specifications
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Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus / Snapdragon X Elite (Only Snapdragon X Elite on 15-inch model)
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RAM: 16GB / 32GB (LPDDR5x RAM)
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Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (Gen 4 SSD)
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Display: 13.8-inch display with 2304 x 1536 resolution / 15-inch display with 2496 x 1664 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision IQ
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Battery: Up to 20 hours of local video playback (13.8-inch) / Up to 22 hours of local video playback (15-inch)
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Camera: FullHD front-facing Surface Studio Camera
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Audio: Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Atmos
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Mics: Dual Studio Mics with voice focus
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Ports: 2x USB-C (USB4), DisplayPort 2.1, USB-A 3.1, 3.5mm headphone jack, Surface connect port, MicroSDXC card reader (only in 15-inch model)
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Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
First Published: Sep 05 2024 | 1:23 PM IST
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by Hansraj Agrawal | Sep 5, 2024 | Technology
2 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 3:21 PM IST
Meta-owned WhatsApp is experimenting with features to enhance visibility and access for fresh status updates. Instant messaging platform WhatsApp update tracker WABetainfo spotted a new feature in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.19.4 update available on the Google Play Store. The feature allows users to open status updates from the viewer list.
The feature is currently available to beta testers who install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store and allows opening of status updates directly from the viewer list. Contacts who view the user’s status updates appear in a sheet below the update and the user can simply tap the profile picture of the contact to view the status update if a green ring around the profile picture is visible. The feature will be rolling out widely in the upcoming days.
Previously, WhatsApp had added a feature allowing users to see status updates directly from the chats list by showing a green ring around the profile pictures of contacts who have shared updates. This made it more convenient to view status updates and users did not have to move to the tab dedicated to status updates.
WABetainfo has also reported that WhatsApp was introducing a revamped preview feature for status updates in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.14.2 update. The new design will offer a redesigned interface without cluttering the screen irrespective of if they follow any channels or not.
WhatsApp is also reportedly developing a voice chat mode for Meta AI, which currently only supports text inputs. According to the WhatsApp update tracker WABetainfo, the voice chat mode feature is available in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.18.18 on the Google Play Store, allowing users to interact with Meta AI using voice commands.
First Published: Sep 05 2024 | 1:11 PM IST
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by Hansraj Agrawal | Sep 5, 2024 | Technology
ASUS Vivobook S15 and ProArt PZ13
2 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 12:35 PM IST
Taiwanese consumer technology company ASUS has launched new laptops powered by the newly unveiled Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core processor. New ASUS Vivobook S15 and ProArt PZ13 laptops offer Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC experience with exclusive artificial intelligence feature, utilising the dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) on the new Qualcomm Arm chip.
ASUS said that these new devices mark a significant expansion of the ASUS Copilot+ PC series, by making AI PCs more accessible. ASUS has not detailed the availability of these laptops in India, but the company is expected to launch these laptops soon in the country.
ASUS Vivobook S 15: Details
The new ASUS Vivobook S 15 is a lightweight laptop with a 14.7 mm thin, 1.42 kg all-metal body. It features a 15.6-inch 3K OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 colour coverage. Complimenting the display is the laptop’s in-built speaker system that supports Dolby Atmos surround sound.
The device is equipped with a 70 Wh battery, supporting fast charging and up to 19 hours of use. It includes a single-zone RGB backlit keyboard, a large touchpad with gesture support, and a dedicated key for AI tools. Connectivity options include two USB4 ports, USB 3.2, HDMI 2.1, a microSD slot, and WiFi 7.
ASUS ProArt PZ13: Details
ASUS said that the ProArt PZ13, a 0.85 kg, 9 mm detachable laptop is specially designed for creators who require portability. Additionally, the device gets IP52-rating for resistance against dust and water ingress, as well as military-grade durability. The device features a 3K OLED display that has been validated by Pantone for colour reproduction. The touchscreen display on the device gets stylus support, and a 16:10 aspect ratio for more productivity.
Powered by a 70 Wh battery, ASUS ProArt PZ13 promises up to 21 hours of FHD video playback. Connectivity includes two USB4 ports and an SD card reader. The ProArt PZ13 also includes AI tools like StoryCube for asset management and ProArt Creator Hub for workflow optimization, designed for creative professionals.
First Published: Sep 05 2024 | 12:35 PM IST
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by Hansraj Agrawal | Sep 5, 2024 | Technology
3 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 12:22 PM IST
Google has reportedly confirmed that Google Drive will soon gain native support for ARM chips. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon announced at the company’s IFA event that Google will be launching an Arm64 version of Google Drive on Windows later this year, according to the technology news website The Verge. He added that NordVPN and ExpressVPN have arrived on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon laptops.
Additionally, he informed that Qualcomm is exploring the possibility of Snapdragon chips in desktop PCs. Qualcomm has previously teased Snapdragon X Elite chips for desktop PCs but the closest device to a desktop PC is Qualcomm’s eight-inch development kit. More details about desktop plans could be revealed at the Snapdragon summit in October.
What is the reason for the limitations of many apps on Arm based Windows?
Microsoft announced AI powered Copilot Plus PCs in May this year. The new range of Arm-based Copilot+ PCs support select apps from Adobe such as Photoshop, Lightroom and Express and other software that are supported out-of-the-box includes DaVinci Resolve Studio, CapCut, Cephable, LiquidText, djay Pro, and more.
However, Windows on Arm has faced the issue of native support for many apps as most apps have been created in accordance with Windows on x86 processors and many softwares are not compatible with Arm architecture. Arm and x86 processors differ in their instruction set architectures and software compatibility.
Many apps are now adapting to Windows on Arm processors and Arm processors need software specifically built for their architecture. This is what has been resulting in limitations for many apps but with the major software developers showing support, things are changing. Google Drive and VPN apps have been missing on recently launched Copilot Plus PCs as it was required that they were updated for Windows on Arm.
Qualcomm and Microsoft have been putting in effort to persuade app developers to port their applications over to Windows on Arm and now it appears that Google has been brought onboard with the idea of turning Drive into a fully-fledged app for Arm64.
Previously, Google released a native version of Chrome for Arm based Windows PCs before the Qualcomm’s latest Arm-based processors for Windows, dubbed Snapdragon X Elite and just in time for the launch of Copilot Plus in June.
Quick Share, Google’s file-sharing app for Android devices, continues to be missing ARM support completely.
First Published: Sep 05 2024 | 12:22 PM IST
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by Hansraj Agrawal | Sep 5, 2024 | Technology
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core
2 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 11:29 AM IST
American chip maker Qualcomm has unveiled a new Arm chip, the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core, to expand its portfolio of AI PC processors. The new chip by Qualcomm features eight CPU cores, making it the smallest in the Snapdragon X-series that encompasses Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) and Snapdragon X Plus (10-core).
The new processor is likely to make Copilot+ PCs more affordable, significantly bringing down the prices.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core chip features the same 4nm architecture-based Oryon CPU cores as the company’s flagship PC processors that the company said delivers 61 per cent faster CPU performance while consuming significantly less power. The chip also features a Qualcomm Adreno integrated GPU (Graphic processing unit), capable of processing visual data at up to 2.1 teraflops (TFLOPS).
Similar to Qualcomm’s other X-series processors, the Snapdragon X-Plus 8-core processor gets a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) which is responsible for running machine learning algorithms and processing data for AI. The company said that the integrated NPU on the new processor can handle 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS) for faster on-device AI.
 "Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core")
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core
“The first and best Copilot+ PCs are powered by Snapdragon X Series platforms, launching a new generation in personal computing, made possible by our groundbreaking NPU,” said Cristiano Amon, President and CEO at Qualcomm Incorporated.
“With the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core, we are now bringing to more users these transformative AI experiences, and the best-in-class performance and unprecedented battery life of our power efficient custom Qualcomm Oryon CPU,” he added.
Qualcomm has partnered with PC makers such as Acer, ASUS and Dell to bring new Snapdragon X Plus 8-core chip powered AI PCs built on Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC platform. The company said that select PCs powered by the new Snapdragon X Plus 8-core are now available. However, availability of these devices may vary depending on the region.
First Published: Sep 05 2024 | 11:29 AM IST
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by Hansraj Agrawal | Sep 5, 2024 | Technology
While India’s semiconductor industry is in its infancy, Singapore has played a significant role in the sector for decades | Photo: Bloomberg
3 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 10:05 AM IST
By Gao Yuan and Philip J. Heijmans
India and Singapore agreed to ramp up collaboration in semiconductors and digital technologies, seeking a bigger role in a global chip supply chain being reshaped by tensions between the US and China.
During a two-day visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the city-state, the countries signed agreements to cultivate talent in chip design and manufacturing and facilitate Singaporean tech investment in India, according to a statement from the Indian government on Thursday. The nations will also work more closely together in cybersecurity, fifth-generation mobile networks, super-computing and artificial intelligence.
Singapore, India and Malaysia are among Asian economies that have emerged as beneficiaries of the prolonged US-China chip war that has rattled the global chip market, which is on track to hit $588 billion in sales this year. Both China and western countries are racing to establish stand-alone supply chains to avoid geopolitical risks, creating business opportunities for the industry.
While India’s semiconductor industry is in its infancy, Singapore has played a significant role in the sector for decades. The city-state is home to some of the largest chip manufacturing plants in Southeast Asia, hosting international names from NXP Semiconductors NV to Micron Technology Inc. The island nation boasts a legion of chip research and engineering talent as well as abundant venture capital for chip startups.
The tie-up also showcases Modi’s ambition to turn the world’s most populated country into a technology superpower, in which a strong semiconductor ecosystem is crucial. During his trip to Singapore he met with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and is expected to meet with other key officials in the city-state. The two nations also signed deals in the areas of health, medicine and skills development.
Closer ties with India in semiconductors would help Singaporean companies to tap into the rapidly growing market in South Asia, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan told reporters last month. “They know that although Singapore is very small, we have a disproportionate share of global semiconductor manufacturing capability, and they are carefully studying our system in terms of its ecosystem,” he said.
Modi’s government has set up a $21 billion plan to beef up semiconductor capabilities across the country, with a total of $15 billion worth of investment in chipmaking plants announced earlier this year. Singapore’s expertise in memory chips and matured logic processors, which are widely used in electronic devices and automobiles, could help India grow its chip industry at a faster pace.
First Published: Sep 05 2024 | 10:05 AM IST
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