by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 3, 2024 | Technology
Representative Image: Xbox Series S
Microsoft is reportedly testing an AI-powered chatbot for the
Xbox platform. According to a report by The Verge, the American technology giant has been testing an “embodied AI character” that animates when responding to users’ queries. The AI powered chatbot for Xbox would likely be integrated into the Xbox platform and services in the coming months and it would likely respond to support queries.
According to the report, the Xbox AI chatbot will have access to Microsoft’s support documents for the Xbox network and ecosystem and it would be capable of generating responses to questions related to the service. Additionally, the chatbot is said to have the ability to process game refunds from Microsoft’s support website.
In a statement to The Verge, General Manager of gaming AI at Xbox, Haiyan Zhang confirmed that the company is working on an “Xbox Support Virtual Agent”. Detailing on the functionality of the AI chatbot, Zhang said that the virtual agent is currently “an internal prototype of an animated character” that can answer support related queries with voice or text. “The prototype makes it easier and quicker for players to get help with support topics using natural language, taking information from existing Xbox Support pages,” he added.
According to the report, Microsoft’s prototype Xbox chatbot is part of the company’s broader plan to integrate new AI-powered features and tools to the Xbox platform and developer tools. Microsoft is also said to be developing dedicated Copilots for safety and moderation tasks, including content moderation on the Xbox platform.
First Published: Apr 03 2024 | 4:36 PM IST
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by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 3, 2024 | Technology
India’s cybersecurity agency has warned Apple products have a “remote code execution vulnerability” in devices, meaning they are vulnerable to exploitation by hackers.
The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) said hackers can “remotely gain access on a device and execute arbitrary code on the targeted system”. It said that the vulnerability is in iPhone and iPad devices with iOS and iPad OS versions prior to 17.4.1. The vulnerability is also in iOS and iPad versions before the 16.7.7 update, available on iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPad gen 5, iPad Pro 9.7-inch, and iPad Pro 12.9-inch gen 1.
The agency has given a “high” severity rating to the issue. It said that the remote code execution vulnerability also affects “Apple Safari versions prior to 17.4.1, which is available for macOS Monterey and macOS Ventura; MacBook users on macOS Venture versions prior to 13.6.6; and macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.4.1”.
According to a report by India Today website, CERT-In said that the issue is due to an “out-of-bounds write issue in WebRTC and CoreMedia”, which implies that the security flaw could let a hacker trick someone into visiting a specific link, which could then be used to attack the device remotely. “Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system,” the vulnerability note on CERT-In website reads.
Steps to ensure security of Apple devices:
-Keep Apple iOS and iPad OS devices updated with the latest software
-Apply security patches provided by Apple, especially those addressing vulnerabilities highlighted by CERT-In
-When connecting to a network, prioritise secure connections and avoid unsecured or public Wi-Fi network
-Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an added layer of security
-Back up data to protect against data loss due to security breaches or system failures
First Published: Apr 03 2024 | 3:28 PM IST
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by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 3, 2024 | Technology
Lenovo’s smartphone brand
Motorola on April 3 launched the Edge 50 Pro smartphone in India. Billed as a smartphone with focus on technology and aesthetics, the smartphone boasts segment leading features and design. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 system-on-chip, and boasts AI imaging features. It is offered in Pantone validated Luxe Lavender, Black Beauty and Moonlight Pearl colours. Below are the details:
Motorola Edge 50 Pro: Price and options
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8GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs 31,999
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12GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs 35,999
Motorola Edge 50 Pro: Availability and introductory offers
The Moonlight Pearl colour variant of the Motorola Edge 50 Pro will be available in limited sale on April 8, 7 pm onwards, on the e-commerce platform Flipkart. The Luxe Lavender and Black Beauty colour variants will be available for purchase starting April 9 on the company’s official website, Flipkart, and select retail outlets.
As for the introductory offers, Motorola is offering a limited period introductory discount of Rs 2,000. In addition, customers can avail bank discounts of Rs 2,250 on HDFC bank cards. For non-HDFC bank customers, Motorola is offering an exchange bonus of Rs 2,000 on trade-in deals. There is also an option for a monthly equated instalment plan of up to nine months.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro: Introductory pricing
8GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs 27,999
12GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs 31,999
Motorola Edge 50 Pro: Specifications
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Display: 6.7-inch 3D curved pOLED display, 1.5K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, 2000nits peak brightness, HDR10+
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Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3
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RAM: up to 12GB
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Storage: up to 256GB
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Rear camera: 50MP primary, 13MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto
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Front camera: 50MP
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Battery: 4,500mAh
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Charging: 125W wired, 50W wireless
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OS: Hello UI based on Android 14
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Protection: IP68, Corning Gorilla Glass v5
First Published: Apr 03 2024 | 2:31 PM IST
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by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 3, 2024 | Technology
HP on April 3 launched in India the OMEN Transcend 14 laptop series in India. The American PC maker said that the laptop is specifically designed keeping gamers in mind and it comes with
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics. The Omen Transcend 14 laptops boasts on-device AI capabilities offered by Intel Core Ultra processors, and offers AI features such as live transcript, real-time captions during video calls, and more.
HP Omen Transcend 14: Price and availability
Priced at Rs 174,999 onwards, the HP Omen Transcend 14 is available at HP World Stores and HP Online stores. In a bundled scheme, HP is offering a HyperX bag together with the laptop at no additional cost. Customers purchasing the HP Omen Transcend 14 laptop will also stand a chance to get HyperX mouse and headset for no additional cost.
HP Omen Transcend 14: Details
The HP Omen Transcend 14 laptops boast a 14-inch OLED display of 2.8K resolution with 120Hz refresh rate. HP said the display is IMAX Enhanced certified for enhanced visual experience. Powered by the Intel Core Ultra processors, paired with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics, the HP Omen Transcend 14 laptops feature a redesigned chassis that the company said creates pressurised zones using a vapour chamber for managing thermals more efficiently.
The laptop supports charging via a USB-C adapter of 140W. HP said the laptop is rated for up to 11.5 hours battery life on a single charge. The laptop features a USB-C port at the rear along with an HDMI 2.1 output. There is also a Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port and two USB-A ports.
HP said that the speaker system on the OMEN Transcend 14 laptops have been co-created with the HyperX audio team for better audio output.
First Published: Apr 03 2024 | 1:29 PM IST
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by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 3, 2024 | Technology
With Android 15,
Google might allow users to send messages to anyone in their contact using satellite connectivity. According to 9To5Google, Google has added strings into the latest beta version of the Messages app that suggests that the company might allow two-way-messaging with contacts over satellite and not just emergency services.
According to the report, decompiling the APK files of the latest beta version of Google Messages reveal three explanatory strings about how satellite messaging will work on the app. It states that the user needs to be outside with a clear view of the sky in order to send or receive messages. Additionally, the feature will not allow sending or receiving multimedia files such as photos and videos. In one of the strings, Google stated, “You can message with anyone, including emergency services”. The last string suggests that Google does not intend to limit satellite communication to emergency services and would likely allow two-way-messaging over the satellite through SMS.
Apple provides support for satellite connectivity in select regions as well, but iPhone users can only connect to emergency responders, roadside assistance, and select others using the feature.
Notification when device connects to satellite (Image: Google)
Last month, Google released the second developers preview of Android 15 detailing upcoming features including satellite communication support. Google said that apps on the upcoming Android version will be able to detect when a device is connected to a satellite. Additionally, SMS/MMS apps and apps that use RCS messaging will be able to send and receive messages through satellite connectivity, without using mobile or Wi-Fi networks.
First Published: Apr 03 2024 | 12:41 PM IST
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by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 3, 2024 | Technology
Yahoo said on Tuesday, it had acquired Instagram co-founders’ AI-driven news platform, Artifact, and will incorporate its technology across the U.S. web services provider’s news and other sites.
The deal signals continued pain for media start-ups struggling to grow revenue at a time when Big Tech giants Alphabet and Meta Platforms attract the bulk of advertising sales.
In January, Artifact said in a blogpost it would wind down operations of its app as “the market opportunity isn’t big enough to warrant continued investment in this way.” Yahoo, which also owns news brands TechCrunch, Engadget and Yahoo Finance, said Artifact’s AI-powered recommendation engine and other features will help scale its news operations and deliver personalized content to audience.
The online publisher also owns a minority stake in content recommendation platform Taboola.
Yahoo, which declined to share financial details, was bought out by private equity firm Apollo Global Management for $5 billion in 2021.
Artifact was launched in early 2023 by Systrom and Mike Krieger. They were earlier at Meta, then known as Facebook, after the company’s acquisition of Instagram in 2012.
The duo had left the Facebook owner in late 2018, which some
media reports
later described as due to their strained relationship with Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg and differences in their visions for Instagram.
Systrom and Krieger will work with Yahoo in an advisory capacity during this transition, Yahoo said in a statement.
First Published: Apr 03 2024 | 12:25 PM IST
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