Author: Pratik Ghone

Technology and automobiles are dopamine

Windows gets image editing AI | Generative Erase them all!

Introducing the upcoming Generative Erase tool for Windows! Microsoft is rolling out a new feature called Generative erase to the Photos app for both Windows 11 and Windows 10. Now you can magically remove unwanted elements from your photos using the power of AI. Get ready to take your photo editing game to the next level with Microsoft’s AI-powered tools.

Windows is set to receive its very own Magic Eraser for AI-enhanced photo editing. The new Generative Erase feature is on its way to the Photos app in Windows 11, and it will also be available for Windows 10 users. Just like Google and Samsung, Microsoft is jumping on the bandwagon of incorporating magical AI-powered selective photo erasers into their devices. The company has introduced Generative erase, allowing users to perform similar tasks within the Photos app that is included with Windows.

Microsoft is currently developing its own upscaler similar to DLSS for Windows 11, showing that even Notepad is not exempt from the company’s significant AI advancements in Windows. Although this may not be as flashy as other AI features you’ve seen, the good news is that you won’t need to purchase a new Pixel or Galaxy device to enjoy this functionality. Microsoft has confirmed that it will not only introduce this feature to Windows 11 but will also bring all of the Photos app’s AI editing capabilities to Windows 10, including Windows 11 for Arm64 devices. This includes a background removal tool as well.

For now, these tools are only available to Windows Insiders. Microsoft has stated, “This update is starting to roll out to Windows Insiders in all channels today (including Windows Insiders on Windows 10 in the Release Preview Channel). Be sure to update your app to version number 2024.11020.21001.0 or higher.” The company’s blog post does not mention whether AI-edited photos will contain metadata or watermarks to differentiate them from unedited images. Image editing AI seems like a mandatory feature in most operating systems going forward.

Nothing Phone 2(a) – Nothing does another Nothing

Nothing has been transparent in its products and approach towards bringing the best style and value to any given customer. Just like the Google Pixel (a) series, the Nothing Phone 2 (a) is a budget offering for the masses with the goodness of Nothing OS and Glyph light features in a new design language, one worthy of copying by other manufacturers.

Design

Nothing has been banking on the design and form factor to make their products unique in a sea of similar-looking products. Adhering to the mandate of transparency, the Nothing Phone 2 (a) brings a centre-mounted camera island housing two cameras, a transparent back with 3 glyph lights and a glass back that curves to the edges flowing the design seamlessly in one’s hands. The matte finish metal sides with glossy glass finish at the rear feel unique, and the weight balance, along with the sheer large dimensions, make the Nothing Phone 2 (a) seem like a meticulously crafted smartphone.

Display

A 6.7-inch flexible AMOLED variable refresh rate FHD+ panel with good brightness levels and accurate colour calibration dominates the front fascia. This HDR+ panel supports most industry standards and allows for immersive gameplay and content consumption. The symmetrical bezels make this phone look neat, and despite the 6.7-inch display, it is still physically larger than something like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, sporting a 6.8-inch display. Given the budget pricing, the phone looks way above its price tag thanks to the symmetry and overall neat display design.

Performance

MediaTek SKUs are confusing. Nothing Phone 2 (a) sports a 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro. This Octa-core SOC with 12GB RAM and 256GB fast storage performs way better than most around the similar price bracket. We witnessed 90fps gaming on social games like Call of Duty, and high fidelity in other graphic-intensive games surprising the performance packed inside this budget Nothing offering. The Nothing OS 2.5.x runs on Android 14, and although the chip supports AI features, Nothing has stirred clear of any AI experiments for now. Overall, the UI animations are buttery smooth, the apps run seamlessly, and the experience is definitely worth every single penny. Glyph features along with a composer to make your own glyph patterns, and the additional experimental features also support Apple Airpods natively. Calling and texting with haptics, sound quality and video are impressive with the loads of 5G, tri-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3 goodness.

Camera

The rear camera sensor is similar to the primary camera setup of its predecessor, shooting pixel-binned 12.5MP shots from the 50MP rear camera. The shots are detailed, and crisp and carry good colour calibration and saturation with decent contrast levels from both the primary and ultra-wide cameras. Capped to shoot only 4k 40fps, both the cameras perform great in the video, although focus searching was an issue on our pre-production unit. Night shots, too can be improved as they do over-process the image at times. We hope a software update improves the performance, as has been the track record of Nothing. Overall, the cameras are decent and do the job of capturing memories very well.

Battery and Verdict

Battery life has been above average with our heavy-use scenario. There is no charger included, although fast charge transparent design cable does the aesthetics utmost justice. Nothing has skipped wireless charging, and at the price point, it is understandable. Nothing Phone 2 (a) is just as impressive, if not more as the Pixel (a) series. Along with the competitive pricing and the design, Nothing has bought their A-game to compete in a crowded segment of smartphones. If you are looking for something unique on a budget, the Nothing Phone 2 (a) should glyph your radar.

Specs

6.78-inch variable FHD+ AMOLED HDR
MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro
Nothing OS + Android 14
12GB RAM + 256 ROM

What’s happening with Paytm?

Paytm has been under some serious trials in India. Is Paytm Wallet going to continue functioning after March 15? Paytm has not provided a clear clarification on this matter yet. Although they have published a detailed FAQ page explaining what will and will not work on Paytm after March 15, they have not specifically mentioned whether the Wallet will still be operational for those who have not linked it with Paytm Payments Bank.

The company has not given any indication as to whether the Wallet will continue to function for users who have linked it with other banks. Paytm has stated that the ban will not affect features such as Paytm QR, Soundbox, and Card Machine. Paytm Payments Bank is set to be banned or seized next month, as the deadline for this has recently been extended. However, there is still confusion among some people regarding whether Paytm will completely stop working or if certain services will still be available. While Paytm has provided information on what will work on the platform after March 15, they have not clarified the status of the Wallet for users who have not linked it with Paytm Payments Bank.

The company has stated that if your Paytm account is linked with Paytm Payments Bank, you will be able to continue using it, withdrawing funds, and transferring to other wallets or bank accounts until the balance is available. However, after March 15, 2024, you will not be able to make any deposits into the Wallet. Refunds and cashback can still be credited to your Wallet. It has been confirmed that users will still be able to use the Paytm app for bill payments and recharges without any interruption. The recent ban on Paytm Payments Bank will not affect individuals who have linked their Paytm accounts with authorized banks such as ICICI, HDFC, and others. Users can carry out their usual transactions, including recharges and bill payments, through Paytm. It is important to note that the ban imposed by the Reserve Bank of India only applies to users who have specifically opened accounts with Paytm Payments Bank.

The recent announcement from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has prompted Paytm Payments Bank to provide further details on the impact of the directive. As of March 15, 2024, new deposits and credit transactions will no longer be accepted by Paytm Payments Bank Account/Wallet. Nevertheless, customers can still withdraw funds from their existing balance post this date. It’s worth noting that the directive does not affect the current balances in customers’ accounts or wallets, and the company guarantees the safety of their money within the bank.

Galaxy S24 Plus – Almost an Ultra, Plus improves

Galaxy S24 series launched at the start of the year, and this year, as usual, there are three phones – S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra. What is unusual, though, are the much-needed upgrades on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus. For years, the Galaxy S series Plus phone has been nothing more than a larger base S series model with significant misses compared to the Ultra. This year, Samsung has evolved its game to the S tier with the new Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus.

Design

Visually, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus looks similar to its predecessor. The rear panel is still a colourful frost glass matching similar coloured flat metal sides with three similar camera islands at its rear. Banking on the display prowess this time around, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus brings a larger display in the same chassis as last year. This time, there is a 6.8-inch display with symmetrical minimal bezels all around. Samsung is simply following the quote: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The design is tried and tested, minimalistically stunning and well-designed with good weight balance. IP68 ratings and gorilla glass Victus ensure protection is top-tier, too.

Display

A major upgrade to this year’s Galaxy S24 Plus is the inclusion of a QHD+ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED 6.8-inch display. The resolution, peak brightness of 2600nits on HDR content and the PPI count are ironically a little better than its elder sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The added resolution and brightness finally make the Galaxy S24 Plus feel like a worthy large flagship phone.

Performance

Performance in the current era of smartphones depends on two major factors – hardware and software. On the hardware side, Samsung has opted for the Exynos 2400, a 4nm SOC with 10 cores. Matching this performance is the 12GB RAM from the base variant with the capability to extend RAM when possible. Together with the better hardware performance comes an Android 14-based One UI software which is loaded pack with Galaxy AI, a version of implementing Google Gemini Pro on the Samsung S series. Samsung plans to bring Galaxy AI features to the S23 series too. Needless to say, the new chip performs like a flagship processor, and although it might fall on sheer benchmarking numbers compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Exynos 2400 holds its own, delivering snappy performance coupled with decent battery life.

Circle to search, live translate, and more AI features work seamlessly, if not perfectly and add a sense of software newness to the entire experience. There are tons of customisations, WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support for multi-channel audio, calling, texting and gaming on this phone has been a charm. No matter what task is thrown at the phone, including some demanding games like GTA San Andreas, Genshin Impact, and Raji, the S24 Plus gamed like a console. The back did feel warm after an hour of gaming but nothing alarming. Samsung is promising 7 years of OS and security updates with the S24 Plus, and we believe the phone will stand the test of time, albeit with a battery replacement.

Camera

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The camera system is the same as last year, which was the same as yesteryear. Samsung has not changed the hardware on the S Plus series since S22! The 50MP primary shooter does a commendable job with auto HDR, the 12MP ultrawide camera still maintains the details and colour science of the primary camera, and the 3x telephoto camera matches the performance overall. The primary camera can shoot 8K footage while all others can do 4K 60fps. The pictures are similar to the S23 series and maintain similar depth of contrast, crispness, saturation and contrast. The selfie camera is similar too. Overall, the tried and tested camera setup is here to stay this year and 9/10 times clicks images and videos worth saving.

What is interestingly noteworthy about S24 Plus is the new image editor and enhancement tools, which are similar to the Pixel 8 pro series. The ability to create slow-motion videos out of regular videos, edit images with a simple AI-generated tap and more make this camera setup feel more usable and creatively user-friendly. Samsung has also enabled apps like Instagram and Snapchat to access their hardware and software camera features, ensuring crisp social media integration.

Battery life and Verdict

With a healthy 4900mAh battery and the capabilities of 45W fast charge, fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus covers all the flagship checkmarks. The Exynos 2400 was performing below average, but a quick software update fixed the issue, and now, it has been consistently delivering above-average battery life. A day’s heavy use or two days of medium usage are sustainable on the S24 Plus.

Samsung has finally added value to the Plus category with a crisper display, better hardware, and, overall, one of the best software implementations and improvements on any series of smartphones. With the Pixel-esque image editing features, the immense capabilities of Galaxy AI powered by Google Gemini Pro and the utmost peace of mind with over half a dozen years of software support, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is almost an Ultra smartphone without the S-Pen or that the multi-digit price tag. We absolutely recommend this year’s Galaxy S24 Plus for a premium large flagship Android experience.

Galaxy S24 Plus Specs

6.8-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED
Exynos 2400
12GB RAM + Expandable
Android 14 + One UI + Galaxy AI
INR 99,999

How to Nearby Share? Apple has AirDrop; Android has Nearby Share

Apple’s AirDrop is a proprietary ad hoc service allowing Apple machine users to seamlessly transfer and share content among Apple devices, including Macs, iPads and iPhones. This service has been robust and reliable, almost a second nature for sharing content among Apple device users. Google has been experimenting with something similar for decades. Their last known attempt was Android Beam, which was limited to specific devices during nascent years over a decade ago in 2011. Competition has proven to improve the market for everyone involved and thereby was born Nearby Share.

Launched on August 4, 2020, Nearby Share is a service provided by Google that acts similarly to Apple devices but is not limited to Google devices. Nearby Share is not to be mistaken for Nearby Sharing, the service by Microsoft on Windows 10 or later. Google’s Nearby Share is available for all Android, ChromeOS and Windows devices. Nearby Share is compatible with devices running Android 6.0 or later, ChromeOS 91 or later, and Windows 10 or later. This service is built into the OS for Android and ChromeOS devices, while Windows devices need a separate installation with permissions for WiFi and Bluetooth.

On Android and ChromeOS, Nearby Share is enabled by going to Connected Devices > Connection preferences > Nearby Share (or Google > Devices & sharing > Nearby Share) in the settings app and enabling “Use Nearby Share.” Samsung has banked on the Google partnership and merged this service with what they name “Quick Share”. Weirdly, in the tech world, terminologies and technologies have different names on different devices. Vivo also names Nearby Share as Quick Share and so on. The options on display look like – Hidden, Contacts Only and Everyone (time limiter). The criteria are simple: one can simply share content like Apple devices on Android devices; Nearby Share allows for the sharing of files and links, such as images, videos, text, contact info, directions, YouTube videos, and other data. It shares content with Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC, and peer-to-peer Wi-Fi. It can be configured only to share content offline, restricting it to Bluetooth-only operation. When sharing content between two devices registered on the same Google account, there is no need to confirm file transmission or wake the other device to receive shared content. Forget data usage or document sharing on chat apps; Nearby Share is the authentic sauce for sharing files on Android and Windows.

Are you fed up with fake profiles on dating apps? Bumble has an AI solution for avoiding scams and frauds.

Bumble Inc. (BMBL), the popular women-centric dating app, has announced its latest feature, Deception Detector™, aiding its decade-long priority of building kind, safe, and authentic connections. Deception Detector™ uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help identify spam, scams and fake profiles, aiming to take action before members see them. Within the first two months of the technology’s introduction, Bumble saw member reports of spam, scams, and fake accounts reduced by 45%.

Research from Bumble Inc. shows that globally, respondents cited fake profiles and the risk of scams as their top concerns when online dating. In India, 29% of respondents expressed keeping their personal data safer, and 28% expressed the risk of scams as their top concern when meeting or dating people online. This concern and anxiety can lead people to miss out on meaningful connections that can positively impact their lives.

Deception Detector™ introduces a fast, reliable machine learning-based model to assess the authenticity of profiles and connections on Bumble Inc.’s platforms. Of those accounts identified as spam/scam profiles, Bumble Inc.’s testing showed that Deception Detector™ supported blocking 95% of these accounts automatically. This automated and AI-based technology is used in conjunction with dedicated human support to prioritise a safe and empowering community.

Lidiane Jones, CEO at Bumble Inc., addressed,

“In recent years, the online landscape has evolved significantly, and we see a growing concern about authenticity. Bumble Inc. was founded to build equitable relationships and empower women to make the first move. Deception Detector™ is our latest innovation as part of our ongoing commitment to our community to help ensure that connections made on our apps are genuine.

With a dedicated focus on women’s experience online, we recognise that in the AI era, trust is more paramount than ever. We are being thoughtful about using new models best to reduce the anxiety of making connections and support our community, with AI as a main focus area.”

Ready for silent auto rides?

ZERO21’s Project Gagan allows retrofitting ICE autos with EV powertrain

Based in Hyderabad, India, ZERO21 Renewable Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd. announced the launch of Project Gagan, an innovative initiative to reshape the landscape of auto-rickshaw mobility in India. Beyond introducing an innovative product range, Project Gagan aligns with a broader mission of promoting sustainable living in India, one of the world’s most dynamic nations. Zero21 aims to target 100,000 autos as part of Project Gagan through retrofitment or exchange to new electric autos in the next 5 years.

Project Gagan is a plan offering owners of fossil fuel auto-rickshaws the option to retrofit their vehicles into electric or exchange them for new electric three-wheelers. The retrofitting process, facilitated by a specially designed Conversion Kit, seamlessly converts any internal combustion engine (ICE) passenger three-wheeler to electric in less than four hours. This forward-thinking approach allows owners to transition to electric mobility faster and effortlessly, ensuring an extended vehicle life with minimal maintenance and exceptionally low running costs.

As part of ZERO21’s strategic vision to uplift the image of the three-wheeler & facilitate faster services, the company has introduced Roadside Assistance (RSA) with a unique theme. Project Gagan primarily targets auto-rickshaw owners and fleet operators with the core objective of enhancing health through reduced pollution and lower operating & maintenance costs, providing long-term financial benefits to drivers. By replacing older, less efficient auto-rickshaws with clean energy Electric Vehicles (EVs), this initiative aims to significantly reduce air and noise pollution, contributing to a healthier environment. The project seamlessly aligns with broader goals of sustainable urban development by encouraging the adoption of EVs and supporting the transition to a more sustainable transportation system.

Master Of All, Jack Of None Sony WF-1000XM5 Evolves, But How?

Sony nails it when it comes to their headphones but is still trying innovations with their TWS. Remember the cool-looking Sony wf-1000xm4? They were bulky, but the 6mm drivers were absolute bangers in some tunes. The xm5 improves the design, making them slightly more approachable, but the new 8mm drivers made me listen to more music than I usually do for a review.

Design

The newer design is a welcomed iteration of the wf-1000xm series. The older design was bulkier and heavier than the rounded and relatively lightweight XM5. The case, too, is redesigned, and it retains wireless charging. Overall, the new design can be summarised in one word – smooth. The Sony wf-1000xm5 is excellent to use visually and physically as a pair of daily audio drivers.

Audio performance

Here is where I had to listen to this pair for the longest time. The new 8mm drivers are different from the older 6mm drivers. Sony has managed to keep the sound stage as impressive as the earlier XM4, and just about every frequency is tuned perfectly for a relatively louder, clearer-sounding pair of earphones. My biggest issue was the excursion from the newer pair compared to the older ones. The 6mm drivers of the xm4 produce deeper bass, while the 8mm drivers of the xm5 produce a much tighter bass that audiophiles would appreciate. This is the pair’s highlight; it has become so precise that it seems like a pair of flat monitor speakers unless you customise it.

The software is king here. Overall, you still get that fantastic spatial audio, an AI that maps your ear canals through the camera and creates an audio graph to suit your ears. Only proceed to use these earphones with the software. They improve the sound by many folds and have some neat tricks to track your usage, upload settings to the cloud and link to your Sony account for easy pairing. Ambient sound control, the ability to pair with two devices simultaneously and DSEE extreme with a 5-step equalizer and ten positive or negative step clear bass settings allow the best audio fidelity with a wide range of codec support. ANC is suitable for most scenarios and can sometimes struggle thanks to the seal created by the newer foam + plastic tips; it is a hit or a miss for most users. Mic quality, call quality and battery life were excellent.

Battery

The earphones were always used with ANC on, and I could not kill them even after using them for 8+ hours on some days. I’ve used these earphones for more than 90+ hours, and they have never managed to die on me yet. The battery life claimed is surpassed, with a quick charge from the case and the case’s capability to charge relatively fast with wireless charging ability. The case can charge these units twice, and unless you are on a multi-day trek, there are barely any chances the Sony wf-1000xm5 would run out of juice.

Verdict

Sony wf-1000xm5 is a definite evolution in all aspects, but the new drivers leave me wanting more bass excursions in life. Don’t get me wrong, I am nitpicking. In isolation, these are absolute masters of all and jacks of none. They have some of the most amazing sound quality in all genres of music, and this time around, they shall also appeal to the audiophile audience.

Newer Restrictions Safeguarding Teens On Social Media

Meta Parents Teens

Earlier in January, Meta announced that it would be restricting the algorithms on both Facebook and Instagram from showing sensitive content to teens aged 18 or 16 and below across the world. Following up on those actions, Meta has introduced a newer restriction from anyone randomly sending DMs to teens. Teens on the platform shall not be approachable by anyone via DMs based on the geographical locations and their norms considered as teens either 16 or 18 years of age and below.

These restrictions are a welcome addition to the already existing restrictions on showing sensitive content to teenage users on both Instagram and Facebook. Anyone who does not exist in the friends or followers list, would not be allowed to text teen users on the said platforms. These stricter guidelines on private messaging are a good move towards safeguarding teens from the horrors of social media psychopaths. These restrictions shall be on the teen’s app end and shall be restricting texts or media from unknown people.

People allowed to connect with the teens on Instagram and Facebook will only be people in their contact list on these social media platforms or on their phones connected to the teens on the same mediums. Meta also wishes to restrict messages via AI technology, considering sensitive content could also be shared by people in the teen’s contact list on social media. It’s not like teens do not know workarounds, but a system-level restriction safeguards most teens from creeps on the internet.

Wish to send something to the moon? America’s commercial attempt in 5 decades!

The first country to land on the moon was the Soviet Union in 1966. America was the first country to land humans on the moon in 1969, and ever since, only two countries have achieved a successful landing, including China, which managed three successful landings in the past decade and India, which achieved the feat on its second attempt. America is pushing the private industry of their country to complete space exploration and missions at a fraction of the cost required by a government initiative for the same. Called the Vulcan Centaur, America blasted off an attempt to land on the moon after almost 5 decades from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Vulcan Centaur is a two-stage-to-orbit, heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by United Launch Alliance (ULA). It is principally designed to meet launch demands for the U.S. government’s National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program for use by the United States Space Force and U.S. intelligence agencies for national security satellite launches. It will replace both of ULA’s existing heavy-lift launch systems (Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy) due to their retirement. Vulcan Centaur will also be used for commercial launches, including an order for 38 launches from Kuiper Systems.

Development of the Vulcan rocket started in 2014, largely in response to growing competition from SpaceX and a desire to phase out the Russian RD-180 used on the Atlas V. Initially scheduled for an inaugural flight in 2020, the program was delayed by over three years due to problems with the development of the BE-4 engine and the new Centaur upper stage. Vulcan Centaur launched for the first time on 8 January 2024, successfully carrying Astrobotic Technology’s Peregrine lunar lander, the first mission on NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.

The lander Peregrine is carrying confidential scientific equipment that shall measure the Moon’s radiation and surface composition. The most interesting part is the remaining cargo: the cremated remains and DNA of Star Trek creator, Gene Roddenberry, DNA remains of scientist and author Arthur C. Clarke, a live dog, a physical bitcoin and a small rover built by Carnegie Mellon University! The US has paid only $100 million for the transport to Astrobotic, and in space exploration terms, it’s a good deal on a taxi fare.

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