Jun 29

HONOR Magic V2 Unveiled As The Future Of Foldable Smartphones

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The globally renowned technological brand HONOR has unveiled the official date for the launch event of its highly anticipated flagship foldable smartphone, the HONOR Magic V2. The revelation took place during the MWC Shanghai conference, where George Zhao, the Chief Executive Officer of HONOR Device Co., Ltd., delivered an enlightening keynote session titled “The Future of Smartphones” and actively engaged in a CEO Tech Talk hosted by John Hoffman, the CEO of GSMA, Ltd.

The event brought to the forefront the pivotal role played by artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G in propelling smartphone innovation. The grand launch of the HONOR Magic V2 is scheduled to take place on July 12 in Beijing.

Pushing the boundaries of innovation

George Zhao emphasized HONOR’s unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation — he firmly believes that smartphones amalgamate computational systems, communication technologies, display advancements, and AI frameworks, effectively breaking down barriers and seamlessly integrating various other devices and emerging technologies.

Zhao asserted that AI and communication technologies serve as catalysts for a new era of smartphone innovation, and it becomes HONOR’s responsibility to embrace these opportunities and explore the limitless possibilities bestowed by smartphones. The brand remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing technology that revolves around human-centric principles.

HONOR (which also manufactured the already reviewed Magic VS) showcased its advancements in on-device AI, communication capabilities, display technologies, battery longevity, and device portability. The company aspires to deploy AI across a myriad of usage scenarios and delve into the potential of large language models (LLMs) to spearhead the development of technology that prioritizes human needs.

Zhao also expounded upon HONOR’s endeavors to optimize information communication capabilities, ensuring seamless user experiences through software and hardware integration, enhanced connectivity, and satellite-enabled communication in extreme conditions.

Revolutionizing User Experience

Acknowledging the growing accessibility of digital content and platforms, HONOR places great importance on developing display technologies that align with the ever-evolving behaviors of users. The brand remains committed to user well-being and has introduced features like Flicker-free PWM Dimming and Circadian Night Display to safeguard users’ visual health at all times.

Furthermore, HONOR recognizes the significance of balancing compact design with powerful performance, leading them to explore novel materials and form factors, including the Super-light Titanium Hinge and Silicon-carbon Battery.

During the event, Zhao underlined HONOR’s dedication to fostering innovation and collaboration to effect positive change, encouraging industry stakeholders to harness the power of innovation to create enthralling experiences for consumers. The keynote culminated with an exclusive preview of the HONOR Magic V2, the forthcoming flagship phone that aims to establish a new benchmark in foldable technology. And don’t forget to check out our review of the HONOR Magic Vs.

HONOR Magic V2 Unveiled As The Future Of Foldable Smartphones

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Jun 29

Sony’s Exposed Figures: Marker Mishap Reveals Game Development Costs

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In an astonishing twist of events, Sony’s endeavor to conceal sensitive data using black marker technology has backfired, allowing vigilant investigators to decode classified numbers. Unveiled in a US district court during the ongoing hearing on Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a leaked Sony document has revealed staggering development costs associated with highly anticipated games like Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part 2.

The budget allocated for Horizon amounted to a substantial $212 million — while The Last of Us Part 2 surpassed that with a staggering $220 million. While exorbitant budgets are not uncommon in the gaming industry (as evident from Star Citizen‘s remarkable $600 million in funding), it is rare to obtain precise figures directly from companies such as Sony.

The inadvertent revelation can be attributed to the peculiar nature of blacked-out text on scanned paper, where the marker’s residue allows for legibility. The responsibility for redacting the document remains unclear, opening the door to scrutiny regarding Sony’s choice of marker.

Beyond the financial aspects, the document sheds light on the extensive development processes involved; Horizon Forbidden West took 5 years to create and involved a team of up to 300 employees at its peak, while The Last of Us Part 2 engaged 200 individuals — these details, originally concealed by the black ink, have now become discernible.

Furthermore, The Verge analyzed a challenging section of the document, hinting at a significant PlayStation user base exclusively dedicated to the Call of Duty franchise, numbering in the millions. Under the current agreement between Sony and Activision, only the upcoming Call of Duty installment, scheduled for release later this year, is confirmed for PlayStation.

FTC vs. Microsoft: Sony Supports Opposition to Acquisition, Revealing Potential Consequences

The backdrop of this disclosure lies within the legal battle between the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Microsoft concerning the latter’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Seeking temporary intervention to delay the deal until an ultimate judgment in August, the FTC aims to prevent Microsoft from gaining excessive market power. Naturally, Sony, as a gaming rival of Microsoft, aligns itself with the FTC’s cause.

The document serves as PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan‘s contribution to establishing the potential consequences of Microsoft controlling Call of Duty, including the possibility of Xbox exclusivity. In its defense, Microsoft has committed to maintaining Call of Duty on PlayStation, at least for the time being — still, their precedent of making Starfield an exclusive title after acquiring Bethesda raises questions and fuels speculation.

This hearing has uncovered numerous intriguing details, inadvertently exposed through document mishaps, including Microsoft’s prior contemplation of acquiring Bungie, Sega, IO Interactive, Square Enix, and others. Although the inadequately redacted Sony document has been removed from its original server, the cat is already out of the bag.

The fate of Microsoft’s acquisition hinges on the outcome of this hearing, with the FTC striving to block it, and UK regulators also expressing concerns. All will be decided by Thursday (07/29/2023), shaping the future of this jeopardized deal.

Sony’s Exposed Figures: Marker Mishap Reveals Game Development Costs

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Jun 29

Scientists Develop Method To Reconstruct 3D Images From Eye Reflections

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A team of researchers from the University of Maryland has made significant progress in turning some of the advanced enhancement tools depicted in crime investigation shows like CSI into a reality. Their latest breakthrough involves reconstructing interactive 3D models of what a person was looking at in a short video clip using the reflections captured in their eyes.

While the eyes are often referred to as the window to the soul, this research suggests that they can serve as mirrors that provide valuable data for recreating visual information. Leveraging the concept of neural radiance field (NeRF) technology, which enables the creation of 3D models from a limited set of 2D images, the scientists focused on the cornea of the eye, which remains relatively consistent across healthy adults. By analyzing the imagery extracted from eye reflections, they successfully generated 3D representations of simple scenes.

Some limitations and challenges

It is important to note that this innovative approach is not intended for crime-solving purposes. The process comes with its own set of challenges. Unlike traditional methods that require high-quality source material, this technique extracts reflections from a small, low-resolution portion of each frame. The complex textures of the iris and variations in its color among individuals further complicate the post-processing stage.

Another obstacle is the limitation imposed by the source footage, as the 2D images used for reconstruction originate from the same location with minimal variations caused by eye movements. Unlike capturing a comprehensive 3D model with a smartphone and moving around the subject, this approach relies on fixed positioning.

Consequently, the resulting 3D models exhibit low resolution and lack intricate details. While objects like plush toys can still be identified in basic scenes with deliberate lighting and high-resolution source imagery, the application of this method to footage captured under less controlled conditions proves challenging.

For example, when attempting to reconstruct a clip from Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball” music video sourced from YouTube, the resulting 3D model becomes indiscernible. The vague representation likely corresponds to a hole in a white shroud seen through the camera lens to achieve the specific shot’s visual effect.

Although this research is captivating, it will take time before it can be practically applied in real-world scenarios. The current limitations in resolution and detail prevent its immediate use as a reliable tool. Nonetheless, the advancements made by the University of Maryland team open up intriguing possibilities for further exploration in the field of 3D reconstruction and visualization.

Scientists Develop Method To Reconstruct 3D Images From Eye Reflections

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Jun 29

Morphobot, The Versatile Transformative Robot Revolutionizing Mobility

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In a leap towards cutting-edge robotics, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has unveiled its latest creation: the Morphobot. This innovative robot, drawing inspiration from the iconic Transformers, showcases remarkable adaptive capabilities, enabling it to navigate through different terrains and modes of transportation.

Equipped with advanced electronics, powerful motors, and sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithms, the Morphobot represents a significant breakthrough in versatile mobility options.

Designed by Professor Mory Gharib from Caltech’s Aeronautics and bioinspired engineering department, in collaboration with Assistant Professor Alireza Ramezani from Northeastern University’s electrical and computer engineering department, the Morphobot stands as a testament to cutting-edge robotics. This revolutionary robot possesses the ability to adapt its shape according to the environment it encounters.

From Wheels to Rotors: A Seamless Transition

One of the standout features of the Morphobot is its ability to seamlessly transition between different modes of transportation. With the help of its advanced mechanics, the robot’s large wheels can swiftly convert into drone-like rotors, enabling it to take flight. The rotors also serve a dual purpose: they assist the robot in ascending steep slopes while the back wheels propel it forward on the ground.

Versatility Personified: Two Wheels as Feet

When faced with rough terrains or situations that require an improved field of vision, the Morphobot can skillfully stand on two wheels, utilizing them as feet. This flexibility allows the robot to maintain stability and maneuverability even in challenging environments, showcasing its adaptability and problem-solving capabilities.

The Inner Workings

To bring the Morphobot to life, Caltech’s team integrated advanced electronics, powerful motors, and a compact computer. At the heart of this transformative robot lies Nvidia’s affordable Jetson Nano CPU, specifically designed for robotics applications. This powerful computing system empowers the Morphobot with autonomous decision-making abilities by employing state-of-the-art artificial intelligence algorithms that analyze the surrounding conditions.

Potential Applications of the Morphobot

Caltech envisions a wide range of applications for the Morphobot’s transformative capabilities. Here are a few potential scenarios where this innovative robot could prove invaluable.

The Morphobot’s versatile mobility options could play a crucial role in emergency response situations. Its ability to adapt and navigate various terrains swiftly makes it an ideal candidate for transporting injured individuals to hospitals, especially in areas where traditional vehicles may face limitations.

With its multi-modal mobility and adaptable nature, the Morphobot opens up exciting possibilities for exploring extraterrestrial environments. This robot’s transformative capabilities and autonomous decision-making can greatly assist in the exploration of celestial bodies, providing valuable insights and expanding our understanding of the universe.

Caltech’s Legacy of Innovation

The Morphobot is not Caltech’s first foray into groundbreaking robotics. The institution has a track record of developing intriguing and adaptable machines, pushing the boundaries of what robots can achieve.

Among Caltech’s notable creations is LEONARDO, a bipedal robot equipped with propeller arms that aid in flying and stabilization during walking. This unique robot emits an eerie ghost-like sound as it maneuvers through the air, showcasing Caltech’s dedication to

Morphobot, The Versatile Transformative Robot Revolutionizing Mobility

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Jun 29

Electrical Fire Breaks Out In Basement Of NYC’s Iconic Tiffany Store

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The fire spewed thick gray smoke from under the iconic building on Thursday and caused two minor injuries, officials said.

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Jun 29

Wild Webb Telescope Image Uncovers Never-Before-Seen Carbon Molecule in Distant Star System

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The Webb Space Telescope recently peered into a gassy region of the Orion Nebula and managed to spot a carbon-based molecule that could be a “cornerstone of interstellar organic chemistry,” according to a European Space Agency release.

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Jun 29

California Officials Vote to Protect the Iconic Joshua Trees

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California officials have recently voted to permanently protect the otherworldly western Joshua tree, as the desert plant faces challenges caused by development and climate change.

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Jun 29

Let's Breakdown That Epic New Dune: Part Two Trailer

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Have you caught your breath yet? Warner Bros. just dropped an incredibly massive trailer for Dune: Part Two and it gives us an even better idea of all the awesomeness Denis Villeneuve is getting ready to drop on the world. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should definitely check it out at this link. Then, once your…

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Jun 29

'to a T' is a coming-of-age game about a T-posing teenager

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In to a T, players have to navigate the world as a teenager who can’t lower their arms from an outstretched, T-shaped position. The character, named Teen, traverses an ordinary coastal town alongside their loyal dog, fending off bullies and discovering the strengths of their unique posture along the way. In the game’s reveal trailer, it looks like flying might be the big benefit to T-shaped arms.

The game is an episodic 3D adventure with a rounded, cartoon art style that’ll be familiar to anyone who’s played Katamari Damacy, Wattam or other titles from creator Keita Takahashi. to a T comes from Takahashi’s studio, Uvula, which recently released one of the coolest little games on Playdate, Crankin’s Time Travel Adventure.

There’s no release date or confirmed platforms for to a T, though Uvula began teasing it back in 2022 and it’s being published by Annapurna Interactive. The project is being created in partnership with AbleGamers, a non-profit organization that advocates for people with disabilities in the video game market, leading inclusion efforts in software and hardware development. AbleGamers collaborated with Xbox as it designed the Adaptive Controller, and it provided input to Sony in the creation of the Access controller, the studio’s coming accessibility-focused gamepad.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/to-a-t-is-a-coming-of-age-game-about-a-t-posing-teenager-191135661.html?src=rss

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Jun 29

Democrats Rip ‘Radical’ Supreme Court Decision Axing Affirmative Action In Education

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“For some reason, every time people of color take a step forward, this nation finds a way to make them take three steps back,” said Rep. Frederica Wilson.

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