It doesn’t take anyone with special intelligence to surmise that the rapid push into AI, or artificial intelligence, is going to cost consumers, who will soon see AI models invade their homes through computers, smartphones, tablets and even cars. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to push cultural conversations, the economics behind it are rapidly coming into focus since the technology demands massive computational power and constant development, and are unlikely to be offered for free down the line.

Few companies want to put a price tag on things at the moment, given that not many have successfully rolled out AI alongside hardware, but this pivot to machine learning at scale, where the system essentially ‘learns’ from patterns in data will change how consumers subscribe to services in the future, much like the way our grandparents could never fathom paying for a portable phone line that would be with them 24/7.

With the launch of Google’s Pixel 9 flagship series, the integration of AI into hardware has never been more evident, particularly with large language models like Gemini, Google’s AI assistant – requiring extensive training data, large-scale infrastructure, and significant processing power to function. The tech giant is pushing Gemini Advanced, the premium upgrade that comes at additional cost, through its current hook, to get consumers seduced by AI, is a complimentary one-year subscription on the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL models. 

Speaking to Geek Culture at Mountain View in California after the Made By Google 2024 event, Amar Subramanya, Vice President of Engineering at Google, shares the company’s outlook of improving both free and paid AI models and “make them amazing, and then learn from that.”

This dual approach reflects a larger trend in the AI industry. On one hand, companies want to democratise AI, making it accessible to all; on the other, advanced features such as greater context windows or faster processing power often require significant resources, justifying subscription-based models. It’s a sector that will evolve as AI continues to mature, but  Subramanya remains unfazed by its newborn nature, stating that the team can “figure out how we make progress” once there’s a “better understanding of what the economics of generative AI are.”  

The sentiment echoes a larger observation – that the economics of AI are still being defined, and how the way companies like Google monetise and distribute AI will continue to evolve with further investment. Then, there’s also an industry-wide nudge toward personalising AI for users, highlighting the growing importance of creating economically sustainable AI models that can operate efficiently on consumer-grade hardware without having to tap into cloud services. Between these considerations, as well as the immense computational power and ongoing development that AI requires, one cannot help but ask: how is financial sustainability achieved? 

For now, the balance between free and premium models ensures accessibility without compromising the development of more powerful tools, especially as these tools become embedded in everyday devices like the Pixel 9. 

As the industry has pointed out, there’s plenty of potential to harness here, evident from the growth of text processing models into a jack-of-all-trades capable of handling multiple data types, including images and voice. This explosion of multimodal (inputting prompts via text, audio, photo and video) capabilities has brought AI closer to resembling the depictions often seen in popular media, but as Subramanya points out, true artificial general intelligence (AGI) is still a distant dream.

“We’ve been making a ton of progress, especially in the last two or three years. Just even two years ago, we only had models that could take in input in the form of text and output text responses,” he explains. “And fast forward to today, you have models that can take images. We also demoed at Google I/O on inputting video and how you can actually speak to it in a natural way.”

The concept of AGI, where machines can perform any intellectual task a human is capable of, has been a defining feature of AI’s narrative in pop culture. However, the current reality is more nuanced. Today’s AI excels in specific domains, like language processing and image recognition, and although it has grown dramatically, it still lacks the unified reasoning abilities that AGI would require.    

“I think reasoning is another area where, recently, we announced this massive stride in how we can get these models to solve Mathematical Olympiad problems. So I think we will continue to make progress in all of these areas. But I do think AGI is probably a little bit further out,” Subramanya adds. 

For now, the focus remains on enhancing these specialised capabilities, gradually increasing AI’s capacity to handle more complex and diverse tasks. Still, there are challenges – while AI software is progressing at an extraordinary pace, hardware struggles to keep up. It’s hardly surprising, given the significant computational demands that modern AI places on existing hardware infrastructure, and Subramanya shares his own experience:

“We’ve made a lot of progress, particularly at Google, thanks to the work we’ve done on TPUs (Tensor Processing Units) of running these models efficiently on those processors. But the pace of progress here has been so rapid that hardware always takes a while to catch up.”

The implication here is clear – as AI becomes more integrated into everyday devices, from smartphones to wearables, ensuring that hardware can support these advancements is key. The Pixel 9 represents a significant step in this direction, providing consumers with faster, more efficient AI experiences. However, it may take time for hardware across the board to fully match the rapid evolution of AI software, which Subramanya describes as “a journey”. 

Another concern surrounding the tech is the phenomenon of “hallucinations”, where AI generates responses that are plausible but factually incorrect, which undermines trust in the system. To alleviate the issue, Google has adopted various measures, such as “including some algorithmic improvements, “improving training to get the model to hallucinate less”, and it’s secret weapon that its competitor’s won’t have – the “Google it” button.

By allowing users to cross-referencing AI-generated responses with verified sources, the industry heavyweight is one step closer to creating an environment where AI is both powerful and reliable. Doing so also paints a more complete picture of its capabilities, as the common expectation is that results should be immediate. But AI is inherently iterative, and Subramanya highlights the importance of engaging with AI over multiple interactions. 

“These models are multimodal. They are multi-turn. They are contextual. So if you don’t get the right response, if you don’t get what you want the first time around, work with the model and you will have to go through a few turns, you’d actually get there,” stresses Subramanya. “Oftentimes what will happen is people will just give up on the first try. But if you actually take one more step, you will probably end up achieving what you wanted to go for.”

There’s also the question if consumers will bite. Google isn’t the first to introduce AI to mobile devices and while Samsung has laid claim to having AI on over 100 million devices since last year, it hasn’t, or can’t claim supremacy. And this September, tech giant Apple will also roll out it’s AI, dubbed Apple Intelligence, across select iPhone 16 Pro models, which means that the battle has only just begun.

Through its various AI-powered offerings like the Pixel 9, Google is opening the door to more practical applications that have the potential to reshape industries and daily life, even if the road to AGI remains a long stretch. 

With Gemini Live already working and out in the wild, the pace at which such tools and services are moving faster than Google can roll out its latest mobile hardware globally. As it stands, current AI advancements are inadvertently reshaping user experiences especially as users learn to make full use of these tools but as AI continues to evolve, building trust and ensuring reliability will be crucial to its widespread adoption and success. 

Or it just might be another trend in tech that comes off more as a fancy party trick as opposed to actual utility.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post Google Pixel 9 Outlines Economic Tightrope Between AI Innovation And Sustainability appeared first on Geek Culture.

OLED monitors have come a long way in the market, evolving from niche products to becoming mainstream choices for gamers and creative professionals alike. Initially praised for their exceptional contrast and deep blacks, OLED tech has continued to push the boundaries of brightness and colour accuracy, resetting what users expect from a display. 

Amidst the growth, the segment has followed the trajectory established by its television bretheren and splintered off into different tangents, and the likes of QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED) and WOLED aka White OLED, have made their mark as some of the latest developments in the arena. The incorporation of quantum dots brings along enhanced colour performance and brightness levels, while WOLED remains competitive by focusing on maximising high dynamic range (HDR) performance and brightness. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG, which features a 27-inch 1440p WOLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, exemplifies this distinction by offering superior gaming experiences with advanced features catering to the needs of serious gamers.

Cutting a sleek and modern figure, the monitor comes equipped with slim bezels and a glossy display that enhances its premium look. It opts for a more low-profile aesthetic, taking the form of subtle etching and an illuminated logo on the rear, which can be customised using the on-screen menu or coordinated with other RGB-LED devices via ASUS’ Aura Sync software.  

The stand is compact and flat, minimising its footprint on the desk and allowing for ergonomic adjustments such as height (0~120mm), tilt (+20° ~ -5°), swivel (+45° ~ -45°), and pivot (+90° ~ -90°). As the monitor is VESA compatible, users will be able to attach it to various mounts and configure a setup that fits their work or play space. Compared to past ROG models, the XG27AQDMG is subtle in its design language and does not scream “gamer” at first glance. 

There are also basic but sufficient connectivity options, including one DisplayPort 1.4 port, two HDMI 2.0 ports, two USB-A ports for connecting peripherals, and a USB-B upstream port. It’s important to note, though, that the monitor does not support HDMI 2.1 (sorry PlayStation 5 owners), which limits the maximum refresh rate to 144Hz over HDMI, while the full 240Hz is only achievable via DisplayPort.

On-screen navigation is accessed through a joystick on the underside, making it easy to navigate and adjust settings. The menus are logically arranged, with extensive image quality adjustments available, including preset modes, colour temperature, gamma settings, and six-axis colour customisation. For those new to OLED monitors, some additional time will be needed to arrive at the right display settings. 

Put it into action, the glossy coating on its 2560×1440 panel delivers sharper images as opposed to traditional matte offerings, even if it doesn’t come close to those on OLED TV displays. In standard dynamic range (SDR) mode, the XG27AQDMG reaches a maximum brightness of 260 nits, which, while competitive with other OLED monitors in the market, isn’t  particularly remarkable. Still, the blacks prove beneficial for games and movies with a darker presentation, offering deep and immersive visuals without straining the eye. 

Where it truly shines is in HDR mode. Here, it can achieve a peak brightness of 724 nits – higher than its QD-OLED competitors that typically top out at 400 nits. Part of the magic can be credited to WOLED tech and its incorporation of a white sub-pixel in addition to the traditional red, green, and blue (RGB) sub-pixels found in standard OLED panels. Unlike the latter, WOLED panels use a white OLED emitter layer that produces white light, which then passes through RGB colour filters to create the desired colours. The additional white sub-pixel also allows more light to pass through, resulting in higher luminance levels. 

Essentially, this enhanced brightness brings out more detail in luminous areas of a scene, making HDR content on the monitor look exceptionally vibrant and detailed. There’s a small hitch, however – orange tones appear somewhat undersaturated, translating into skin tone issues that are exacerbated by the limited colour customisation in HDR, restricted to three nearly identical presets. 

In particular, the problem is more noticeable when running SDR emulation in HDR, and remains slightly off in pure HDR scenes. All other colours look good elsewhere, with orange tones appearing just fine in sRGB mode. For now, the recommendation is to turn off HDR when not viewing HDR content, and hopefully a future firmware update will be able to address the issue. 

As a gaming monitor, it’s important for the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG to nail motion performance – and it does. The 240Hz refresh rate combined with a 0.03ms response time ensures smooth and responsive gameplay, but there’s also the Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) mode that reduces motion blur with backlight strobing. While effective, the feature reduces brightness and is limited to a 120Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the monitor supports a wide range of adaptive sync technologies, including VESA Adaptive Sync 240, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, for a tear-free gaming experience across various platforms.

Putting it through its paces in Doom Eternal yielded stunning visuals in HDR mode and undersaturated orange hues, as mentioned earlier. Mowing through hordes of demons proved to be a smooth experience, easily exceeding the bar when compared to previously reviewed monitors. When it comes to SDR performance, the monitor continues to excel with accurate colours in Hades 2 and Zenless Zone Zero. It was highly capable of keeping up with the on-screen action for both games, handling the constant changes in motion seamlessly and without much effort. 

A widespread concern with OLED technology is screen burn-in, and ASUS has taken measures to reduce the chances of it happening. The XG27AQDMG boasts several tailored features such as pixel shifting, a brightness limiter for static elements, and pixel shifting, which is less aggressive than on the ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM, but does appear from time to time to keep it in tip-top shape. 

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG is a compelling option for gamers seeking a highly competent OLED monitor, with its HDR performance, high refresh rate, and advanced gaming features adding to the allure of a US$749 or S$1,199 price tag. While it has minor drawbacks, such as limited HDMI 2.0 support and undersaturated colours, its overall value and performance make it a strong contender in the OLED market. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a content creator, the monitor offers an exceptional visual experience that is hard to beat.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Even as tech companies struggle to successfully integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their products to enhance the daily life of user, Korean tech giant Samsung is already taking things several steps further. After successfully embedding AI into its flagship Samsung Galaxy S24 earlier this year, the chaebol is now emphasizing a human-centric approach so instead of merely showcasing what the technology is capable of, Samsung is focusing on how people can tap on AI to improve their lives. Unlike many competitors, its AI integrations aim at creating a seamless and unique user experience, blending hardware and software in ways that stand out from the typical software-based virtual assistants.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is its latest smartphone and the first to adopt Samsung’s human approach and while the flip device didn’t enjoy the smoothest growth in its quest to reinvent the past, this year’s line-up continues to serve as a bold ode to the good old days of flip phones that consumers slowly grew to embrace. With the addition of AI, the conversation has shifted from hardware functionality and concerns over durability, to how implementation can seamlessly integrate with a unique clamshell. 

Or at least it makes an attempt to.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 retains the signature flip phone flair of its predecessor – to the point that the design language seems deliberately held back, which means the upgrades here are, as such, more minor touches than a big leap forward, bleeding into other parts of the foldable, including its overall build. When folded, it measures 14.9mm thick, just slightly thinner than before, and weighs 188 grams. The device is both lightweight and durable, armed with a reinforced Armor Aluminum chassis and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, with a robust form factor for improved protection against scratches and impact. 

While the aluminum edges promise a more comfortable grip and reduced accidental touches, the rigidity may cause discomfort during prolonged use, especially when gaming. There’s no denying the premium build quality, however, which features a visually appealing finish that maintains a modern aesthetic.

The familiar dual-display setup with an outer display makes a return on the Galaxy Z Flip 6, boasting the same 3.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a 720 x 748 resolution. The small screen size means limited functionality, but users can still expect a quick access point for notifications and essential functions. Supported widgets include Spotify, Weather, and Calendar, with the tech’s maturity ultimately capped at offering similar capabilities as before. 

Unfolding the device reveals the main attraction: a 6.7-inch 2640 x 1080 AMOLED display. Despite the 1080p panel, the AMOLED technology ensures vibrant colors and deep blacks, enhancing the visual experience. A 120Hz refresh rate ensures fluid and responsive interaction, proving crucial for activities such as gaming and video streaming. 

The hardware performance is further furnished with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM that packs flagship-level performance. Smooth multitasking, fast app launches, and a lag-free experience are all par for the course, even with demanding applications and games such as Zenless Zone Zero, where the on-screen action heats up after the execution of multiple button-mash combos. 

Amid the smaller tweaks, the phone’s camera system claims its place as the pièce de résistance. The rear camera on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 now features a 50MP sensor, a substantial improvement from the 12MP camera in the Z Flip 5, which allows for more detailed and higher-quality photos. The front-facing camera remains a 10MP shooter, providing decent selfies, but it doesn’t match the camera quality of flagship devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

In action, the photos still look saturated and often have a strong beauty filter applied. However, there’s no denying that the phone has captured images to the best of its ability, especially in natural light. Do note that the Flip 6 lacks the additional telephoto lens found in the S24 Ultra and Fold 6, so it would struggle to get those insane zoom shots we’ve seen at concerts. Here’s a gallery for you to check out some sample shots –

The new autofocus and auto-zoom capabilities are standout features powered by AI. When the phone is propped in a half-open position, it automatically adjusts the camera’s zoom based on the subject’s distance and the number of people in the frame, intelligently switching between the main and ultrawide cameras for the best composition. Designed for group shots and selfies, the AI-powered tool brings greater convenience and optimal framing without a need for manual intervention. 

While not entirely new per se, this marks the first time that a smartphone is using it predominantly for webcams to help users center themselves while on a call. Samsung combines this tech with its gesture command to allow users to take pictures from a distance, but it isn’t always the fastest to respond to the framing and can be thrown off when the scene is busy with a crowd.

The next offering in the new AI tool kit is the Sketch-to-Image feature, which has the ability to turn sketches into realistic images. It works in a straightforward manner – all users have to do is draw simple shapes or objects, and the phone will generate a detailed image based on the sketch. Although it doesn’t score high on the practical use scale, it offers a unique way to engage with the phone’s capabilities, particularly for creative projects or social media content.

The real benefit of this would be the ability to draw (or at least attempt to) directly on a specific area of a scene, as opposed to using a text prompt and hope for the best. As it stands, Sketch-to-Image has the most potential out of all of Samsung’s new AI features, reminiscent of puzzle game Scribblenauts, in that users can tap into the power of their mind and whip up anything from their imagination. 

When it comes to day-to-day use, the Interpreter tool reigns supreme. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is able to display real-time translations on its cover screen with ease, proving especially useful for travellers and those communicating in different languages, by showing each speaker’s words in their native language. It’s not perfect, but the translations are generally accurate and helpful, even if slight errors can occasionally lead to minor misunderstandings. Having tried it with translations for French and Chinese, the Interpreter did conjure up odd translators for French especially when it came to expressions but Chinese was more accurate and straightforward.

It should be noted, however, that while the feature is great in theory, its execution can come off a bit stiff, as both users will be staring at the device for most of the time, instead of engaging in natural human interaction involving eye contact and non-verbal behavior. As a result, this feature is best used for quick questions as opposed to long exchanges – pressing a button for an individual to start their turn in a dialogue can become cumbersome and end in fatigue. 

These three highlighted AI features are a continued attempt by Samsung to differentiate its AI offerings from the rest of the pack. However, the real challenge is getting people to use them in the first place. With subtle changes to the phone’s UI, the “star” button – which triggers AI functionalities and used to be hidden deep within the Galaxy S24’s UI – is now more prominent, playing into the idea of encouraging users to explore AI suggestions that might help improve their visuals. Only time will tell if these features would actually stick in the long run like Circle to Search has, though. 

Having addressed the battery life concerns in the previous model, the Z Flip 6 excels with its 4000 mAh battery. Despite its compact form factor, it houses a larger battery than its predecessor, providing all-day usage without frequent recharging, and more than sufficient juice to power through work and entertainment throughout the day. 

Because the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 brings numerous enhancements and cutting-edge features, it comes with a steeper price tag of S$1,648 (12GB + 256GB configuration). This is a jump from previous models and raises questions about its value proposition, especially if you aren’t keen on the AI features. If anything, it might make more sense to use an older model and wait for some level of AI to make an eventual appearance, as the company is committed to roll out AI features to their older Galaxy range of devices.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 stands out in the smartphone market with its nostalgic design, durable build, and innovative AI features, with camera enhancements, display quality, and performance making it a formidable device. The price tag might be a deterrent for some, but for those who appreciate the unique form factor and advanced features, it comes as a compelling choice – more so if they can take advantage of trade-in deals or discounts.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

With the PlayStation Portal launching in key markets at the end of 2023, PlayStation’s latest accessory will make its way to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand from 4 September 2024 onwards.

Being able to play games in your bedroom is such an underrated experience that many Steamdeck or portable PC owners can attest to. With the PlayStation Portal, we’re also yearning for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) days when life was simpler given its form factor.

The PlayStation Portal remote player brings the PlayStation 5 experience right to your hands. It incorporates the essential features of the DualSense wireless controller, such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. The vivid 8-inch LCD (we were hoping OLED) screen offers 1080p resolution at 60fps, delivering the high-definition visual quality you expect from top-tier games.

Looking at PlayStation’s marketing material, it would seem that users will be tethered to only their home for the Portal to work. However, as long as you have a stable Wi-Fi connection, the PlayStation Portal should work anywhere in the world. It’s just that PlayStation recommends that the second screen experience on the home network is ideal for the best experience in the event you’d need to give up the living room TV.

Preorders for the PlayStation Portal start on 5 August 2024 and will cost S$295.90 / MYR 999 / IDR 3,599,000 / THB 7,790.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post PlayStation Portal Sets Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand Launch appeared first on Geek Culture.

Gaming on the PlayStation console leans more mature, which has been the brand’s DNA since day one. But since the launch of the PlayStation 5, the cute robot companions from Astro Bot have been on hand to educate new console owners on how to make full use of their DualSense controller.

Filled with even more textures to allow players to feel through the haptics, the new Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense wireless controller is a work of art. Complete with Astro Bot’s robotic digital eyes on touchpad, the handles and buttons feature Astro Bot’s signature blue accent.

For anyone who has used the DualSense of present-day PlayStation 5 games, the haptics for each title might be a hit-and-miss between true gaming immersion and gimmick. But that’s where the upcoming Astro Bot title is looking to address.

Based on what we’ve seen so far, this approach seems more akin to Nintendo than PlayStation themselves as players can feel the thruster vibrating in sync with the animation, creating a highly dynamic and immersive experience. Each new power-up receives this special treatment, allowing players to sense different effects through their fingertips.

Preorders for the Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense wireless controller start on 9 August 2024 for US$79.99 / S$114 and will be set for launch on 6 September 2024 in line with the game’s release.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post PlayStation 5 Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense Wireless Controller Is Simply Adorable appeared first on Geek Culture.

EVO, short for the Evolution Championship Series, is the premier annual event in the competitive fighting game community, bringing together top players from around the globe to compete in a thrilling showcase of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship across a variety of popular fighting game titles.

For many who do not follow the fighting game circuit, it’s an event that can easily fall under the radar. But, there’s a clip that has circulated the Internet for the past 20 years that any gamer would have seen at some point of their life –

What made EVO Moment #37 iconic was the feat that became famously known as the Daigo Parry. In the original clip, you’ll notice Daigo’s Ken is on the brink of defeat with no health remaining, facing Justin Wong’s Chun-Li’s devastating special move. Dodging isn’t an option, and blocking would still result in a loss because of chip damage. In a remarkable display of skill, Daigo chooses to parry, requiring him to flawlessly time his forward movements to counter each of the 17 hits in Chun-Li’s attack. At that moment, even the top players – including Daigo’s opponent, Wong – were unaware that such a precise maneuver was possible.

The sequence has been so iconic that players can practice and recreate the moment in Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition in 2011.

Fast forward to 2024, and we have a moment that could top EVO Moment #37.

The subsequent EVO 2024 Street Fighter III losers’ quarterfinal saw HAYAO returning with Hugo to face FRANKIEBFG on his Ken. HAYAO was focused on his mission to fight back to the grand finals. The match culminated in a spectacular moment where HAYAO executed a flawless air parry against FRANKIEBFG’s assaults after baiting FRANKIEBFG into launching an air Tatsumaki (Hurricane Kick). In a desperate attempt, FRANKIEBFG whiffed his super after HAYAO executed one of Hugo’s worst attack normals to clear Ken’s attack by a hair. This then allowed HAYAO to seize the opportunity with an EX command grab, clinching the win.

Interestingly, it was a Ken who was on the receiving end of this spectacular win against a much weaker Hugo and Justin Wong (a key character in EVO Moment #37) was on the shoutcaster’s table as well commenting on the match.

It seems that history tends to repeat itself.

Despite Daigo’s best efforts, he ended up in second place at EVO 2004. In the same beat, HAYAO was unable to push his way through to the finals succumbing to CHI-RITHY’s Chun-Li in the next match, he would end the tournament in a respectable fourth place with an iconic clip to his name which could possibly be crowned as EVO Moment #38 in the years to come.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post Street Fighter Comeback Heralds Potential EVO Moment #38, 20 Years After Iconic Moment #37 appeared first on Geek Culture.

Aspiring esports professionals and those at the top of their game recognise the importance of having the right gear to use because natural skill can bring you all the way, but the right hardware can give you the edge. This is especially true in the high-stakes world of esports, where wins and losses are determined by mere pixels and precision motion. Being able to peek around the corners strategically or land shots the moment an opponent steps into your crosshair becomes paramount, especially when the top prize and bragging rights are on the line.

A mainstay in the esports circuit is ZOWIE monitors and the Taiwanese company has consistently earned the trust of top-tier esports teams and tournament players worldwide. And illustrating the peak of what ZOWIE offers right now in the form of its ZOWIE XL2586X gaming monitor, a 24-inch display with a 540Hz refresh rate and 1920 x 1080 resolution.

While the extreme refresh rate might seem like overkill to some, it’s now an essential prerequisite to ensure the smoothest gameplay possible, reducing input lag to near-zero and giving players a crucial advantage in fast-paced games, especially for FPS (First-Person Shooter) games.

The magic, however, is not in the numbers tied to the monitor’s specifications, because the key feature is under the hood, with ZOWIE’s Dynamic Accuracy (DyAc) technology that has always been a hallmark of its display technology in achieving motion clarity. With the XL2586X monitor, this enhancement technology is driven to the next level with DyAc 2, which further reduces motion blur, even in the most demanding gaming scenarios, ensuring that every movement is displayed with crystal-clear clarity. Whether you’re tracking an enemy’s flick shot or lining up a perfect headshot, DyAc 2 gives you the visual edge needed to succeed. This feature works in conjunction with the 540Hz refresh rate, by inserting a black frame between regular frames, effectively reducing the time each frame is displayed. This significantly reduces motion blur, the smearing effect that occurs when fast-moving objects are displayed on a screen. In high-intensity gaming scenarios, like a chaotic firefight in an FPS, DyAc 2 keeps the action crystal clear, even when the bullets are flying and your crosshair is darting across the screen.

When it comes to visual fidelity, IPS and OLED monitors dominate the conversation with both these display technologies praised for their wider viewing angles and colour reproduction, even though neither can match the lightning-fast response times of TN panels. The XL2586X’s Fast TN panel, coupled with DyAc 2, delivers unparalleled clarity and responsiveness, making it the preferred choice for competitive gamers who prioritize speed and precision above all else. When compared to other TN panels, the XL2586X’s vivid colour film panel stands out from other TN panels in the market. To make full use of the panel, the display automatically changes visual settings depending on the content being displayed on the screen with the Auto GameMode feature. Plus, if you are seeking specific tweaks to the monitor, you’re able to download profiles to see what works best for you.  Getting up close and personal to the monitor is pretty much an expected behaviour in esports and Fast TN panels excel in this arena, as it boasts incredibly low response times that translate to crystal-clear images even during the most chaotic of action sequences.

But having the best performing and fastest panel, along with reducing motion blur, is just the tip of the iceberg in competitive gaming. Getting up close to the screen means that players need to also lean into subtle shifts in movement on screen to gain the upper hand for dimly lit areas in a game, and colour saturation helps denote the separation of enemies and the environment. With Black eQualizer, dark areas of the screen are brightened without overexposing brighter areas, enhancing visibility in shadows and dimly lit environments. This gives players a crucial advantage in games where spotting dirty campers can mean the difference between escaping and claiming total victory. Combined with ZOWIE XL2586X’s Colour Vibrance feature, which allows users to fine-tune the intensity of colours, players get to experience ideal visibility and differentiation of in-game elements, which significantly improves target acquisition and overall visual clarity, allowing the best of the best to pick off targets with precision in a firefight, as opposed to spraying and praying precisely.

Rounding out the experience is the XL2586X’s user-friendly height-adjustable stand with customizable tilt, swivel, and pivot options allowing players to find their perfect ergonomic setup without having to grapple with too much resistance. This not only enhances comfort during long gaming sessions but also ensures that they can maintain optimal viewing angles for maximum performance, making it easy for tweaks in between game rounds to find that sweet spot on your road to achieving victory. If the 540Hz XL2586X doesn’t quite suit your needs, ZOWIE has two more monitors in the same family in the form of the 240Hz XL2546X and 360Hz XL2566K, each with its own unique specs to explore.

After kitting out your desktop rig with the best components, the last thing you’d want holding you back would be a budget monitor unable to support your competitive dreams. As one of the many top-tier monitors available on TECHYARD, the team has curated a wide range of gaming monitors to meet all your gaming needs. With ZOWIE’s player-centric approach to monitor design, the ZOWIE XL2586X’s esports-focused capabilities are the result of countless hours of research from professional players, honed to deliver a competitive edge in the most demanding gaming environments.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post Unrivaled Speed & Clarity Makes ZOWIE XL2586X Monitor The Esports Pro’s Choice appeared first on Geek Culture.

Even as tech, software and a mix of other companies strive towards adapting artificial intelligence or AI into their products, and attempt to use it to enhance a way of life, Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics is already moving on to the next stage. After integrating AI into its flagship Samsung Galaxy S24 smartphone earlier this year, it is now focusing on a strong emphasis on a human-centric approach, of not what AI can do, but how people are using it for the better.

Compared to many rivals in the market, much of the AI integrations found on Samsung devices does feel seamless and unique as opposed to existing models or virtual assistants being software-based models without any hardware integration.

“From our perspective, AI is not longer an emerging technology.” noted Dr Won-Joon Choi, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile eXperience division, at its Salon d’AI AI media forum in Paris, alongside key partners Google and Qualcomm, on the sidelines of the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6. 

“It is no longer about ‘if’ people are using AI but rather, ‘how they are using it, And how much AI can provide our users with the real benefits in their daily lives.”

And Samsung would since with the upgraded AI features on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6, its Galaxy AI has been deployed on approximately 100 million devices, as it plans to hit 200 million by the end of the year.

“When we launch new features, some immediately caught customers’ attention. Over time, user engagement typically decreases, but we’ve noticed that the usage rate of Galaxy AI features remains consistently high,’ he explained.

One key feature of Galaxy AI, ‘Circle to Search’, was created in collaboration with Google.This allows users to search anything located anywhere on the screen, simply by circling the object. By merging Samsung’s expertise in user understanding with Google’s search capabilities, it has been able to sustain user interest over time, rather than have usage fall over time.

With ‘Circle to Search’ topping the list in sustained usage, it also reinforces the importance of collaboration with Google and other industry partners in creating the best experience for our customers, highlighted Choi. 

“Moving forward, we aim to expand these collaborations to continue providing valuable features to our community.”

With the rise in concern over the use of AI and personal data security, especially in AI’s reliance on a learning model to improve, Samsung has addressed this through its hybrid AI approach, which allows for both on-device and cloud-based AI processing depending on user preference. On-device AI ensures data is processed within the device, reducing the risk of data leakage, while cloud-based AI leverages internet connectivity for more extensive processing capabilities.

Dr Daehyun Kim, Head of Samsung Research Global AI Center, emphasized, “The customer does not care about where AI computing happens as long as we provide the best experience to the customer. With Samsung as a mobile product company, we want to provide the best out of the two (between on device and cloud processing). Thus we choose the best AI features to deliver the best experience for the customer that’s why our collaboration with Google and Qualcomm is important.”

As a rule of thumb, anything that has a hint of Google would involve cloud processing whereas anything that’s done via Samsung’s apps would be on device. However, being able to discern between each might be tricky to the average consumer.

In conjunction with research instituition Goldsmiths, University of London, Samsung conducted a survey of 5,000 people across South Korea, the United States, Britain, Germany, and France to explore the impact of mobile AI on users, and itrevealed that mobile AI users are more likely to rate their quality of life as higher than those who do not use it.

Dr. Chris Brauer, Director of Innovation at Goldsmiths University of London and Chief Innovation Officer at Symmetry, shared findings from the Samsung Mobile AI Report and noted, “The data shows a potential AI divide forming, where some are embracing AI and seeing substantial quality-of-life benefits, while a minority who are reluctant to embrace it and that group reports lower life satisfaction.” 

This also brings to light concerns about a growing AI divide, which is particularly concerning given that AI’s rising prominence, with tools like virtual assistant ChatGPT and text prompt-to-visual model DALL-E bringing generative AI to the forefront of public attention. The digital divide, wherein 30% of the world remains under- or not-connected, exacerbates this issue noted Don McGuire, Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer at Qualcomm. 

“You can’t use AI if you’re not connected (via device or cloud) so AI has the potential to further create this problem of the digital divide. Connecting the unconnected is crucial for bringing more access and accessibility to AI tools but we have to solve the fundamental issue of it first,” he said.

As the world races toward an AI-reliant future, it is clear that inclusive development and equitable access to AI technologies are essential. Samsung’s human-centric approach, coupled with efforts to bridge the digital divide, represents a step in the right direction to ensure that AI enhances the quality of life for all users.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post AI & Hardware Integration? Samsung Is Already Working On Perfecting User Experience appeared first on Geek Culture.

Marketing for Deadpool & Wolverine is pretty much hitting a high this week leading into the show’s release on 25 July 2024.

The next biggest partner Marvel is linking up with is Microsoft to introduce a new Xbox controller resembling Deadpool’s butt.

Announced on Xbox Wire, the new Xbox Wireless Controller is inspired by “Deadpool’s much-discussed, perfectly rounded tush.”

Microsoft has dubbed this new controller the “Cheeky Controller,” claiming it “channels Deadpool’s buns of steel in its firm (yet surprisingly comfortable) grip.” You can see it in all its glory below:

For the sake of posterity, let’s get an even closer look.

That’s going to be one uncomfortable grip.

Sadly, Microsoft is limiting the availability of this Deadpool-themed Xbox controller to competition winners, which will help get rid of scalpers and reward deserving fans. Hopeful participants aged 18+ worldwide can enter for a chance to win this Deadpool collectible by following Xbox on X and retweeting the official Xbox sweepstakes tweet.

Plus, there’s a custom Deadpool-inspired Xbox Series X and stand featuring foam versions of Deadpool’s katanas, Bea and Arthur, along with two Xbox Wireless Controllers. This too is a competition prize.

Finally, on July 22, the first 1,000 fans to buy an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Core from the Microsoft store will receive an exclusive Cable Guys Deadpool Controller Holder by EXG Pro.

In the meantime, do check out the upcoming debut of the Deadpool Corps with Lady Deadpool, Dogpool, and Cowboy Deadpool making their first on-screen appearance in the MCU.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post Deadpool Cheeky Xbox Controller Is Ass-clusive To Sweepstakes Only appeared first on Geek Culture.

PC enthusiasts know that Sim Lim Square isn’t what it used to be, and Funan hasn’t exactly held on to its tech heritage, so where would one go for the latest and best computing hardware in the market?

Once you’re done shopping for your new desktop or laptop rig from AFTERSHOCK PC, you can easily scoot over to online portal TECHYARD to scope out everything else that you need, from the latest peripherals, upgrades and even the latest monitors to complete your gaming rig. With a large selection of tech offerings, TECHYARD should be your first and final stop when assembling your next PC build and gaming setup. 

More often than not, folks will pour everything into the desktop, but fall short in picking the right display for their set-up, even though monitors are essential in completing your gaming experience. After all, with the latest graphics cards (GPU) capable of pumping out the most stunning visuals and pairing it with ultra-responsive gameplay, the right monitor can augment your gameplay and offer make a world of difference in significantly improving your overall gaming experience.

So what makes for a good monitor, other than mere aesthetics and sharp screen? If you’re all set with a powerful graphics card such as the NVIDIA RTX 3080 or newer, choosing a gaming monitor that can match its capabilities, will allow you to unlock your setup’s full potential. This is especially important if you want to take advantage of gaming-centric features including adaptive sync technology (for smoother gameplay) and high refresh rates (for improved responsiveness and reduced motion blur).

From the likes of Gigabyte, BenQ, Viewsonic, Phillips, Asus, Acer and more providing a wide range of gaming monitors, here are three top-tier gaming displays that cater to different gaming and audiovisual needs, as well as budgets.

AORUS FO32U2P: The Ultimate Gaming Monitor

Having the best graphics card in the market is only half of the equation, and you’d want to get a top-tier monitor to match the NVIDIA RTX 4080 or 4090 GPU you have under the hood.

With a QD-OLED display, you’re committing to the latest and greatest in the world of Monitors available in the market, and the AORUS FO32U2P is a prime example of what QD-OLED is bringing to the table. Considering that you’ve already splashed on a high end GPU, adding this top of the line monitor to your basket would be a natural next step.

The Aorus FO32U2P is a 32-inch, 4K QD-OLED monitor that offers a resolution of 3840 x 2160, ensuring incredibly sharp and detailed images, making it ideal for visually demanding games. Furthermore, it has deep blacks that make for stunning contrast, and punchy colours that are only possible with QD-OLED Technology, meaning that both games and movies will look out of this world on this monitor!

With a 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms response time, this monitor provides smooth and fluid motion, reducing motion blur and input lag, which is crucial for competitive gaming.

The monitor supports HDR400 True Black, offering exceptional contrast and vibrant colours. It includes HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 inputs, making it compatible with the latest gaming consoles and graphics cards, helping you future proof your investment for the next upgrade. Additionally, it supports both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, ensuring a tear-free gaming experience

The AORUS FO32U2P is available from TECHYARD at S$$1,799.

Zowie XL2586X: The Competitive Edge

For true competitive gamers, it’s not about the size of the monitor but securing the best tool for the job. Anything bigger than this 24.5-inch 1920 x 1080 TN display and you won’t be able to get up close to the screen and get into the thick of the action.

The real highlight of the Zowie XL2586X is its incredible 540Hz display, which is the fastest refresh rate available in the market right now. This next-level refresh rate allows for clearer and sharper outlines of moving images, and better focus and reduced distractions. Additionally, BenQ’s proprietary DyAc 2 technology reduces motion blur, giving gamers a clearer view during rapid movements​. 

True esports enthusiasts would appreciate features like the Black eQualizer, which increases visibility in darker scenes without overexposing bright areas, while Color Vibrance allows fine-tuning of color settings for better visibility of enemies. The monitor also comes with a shield accessory to block distractions, so the only person to give credit, and any blame when gaming on this monitor is the individual seated right in front of it.

The Zowie XL2586X is available from TECHYARD at S$1,599.

While buying or building your own rig boils down to your specific needs, preferences, and budget, don’t skimp on the accompanying display. With a robust range of curated monitors available on TECHYARD, we’ve merely scratched the surface by providing you with just a slice of the different possibilities to fit your needs.

Do take note of a few things to consider when picking out a proper display. Ensure that your monitor supports AMD’s FreeSync or NVIDIA’s G-Sync technology, to get the most out of your graphics card. As a rule of thumb, it would be wise to grab a G-Sync supported monitor if your GPU of choice is NVIDIA.

The AORUS FO32U2P offers premium performance with stunning 4K visuals and a high refresh rate, perfect for immersive gameplay. the Zowie XL2586X is tailored for competitive gamers, offering features that give a competitive edge in fast-paced games.

Investing in one of these monitors ensures that you not only stay competitive in the realm of PC gaming, but also enjoy a visually stunning and immersive gaming experience. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a professional esports player, these monitors offer the features and performance to elevate your gameplay to the next level.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post TECHYARD By AFTERSHOCK PC Offers The Widest Gaming Monitors From OLEDs To Esports-Worthy Displays appeared first on Geek Culture.

In life, having choices is essential, and AFTERSHOCK PC understands this well. The Singaporean tech firm has always prioritized hardware customization and a range of specifications in its laptops and desktop rigs, which has in turned allowed users to tailor their setups and enhance their gaming experience, just the way they like it (and within budget).

With their latest lineup of ready-to-ship laptops, AFTERSHOCK PC empowers users with a variety of options. The Forge 15X, MX15R, and Rift 16X are designed to meet diverse gaming preferences and requirements and every model delivers powerful performance, incorporating state-of-the-art NVIDIA technologies like DLSS 3 for AI-driven speed boosts, the NVIDIA Reflex Low-Latency Platform, and cutting-edge ray-tracing capabilities. Gaming on the go has never been better with one of the best mobile GPUs on the market.

If you’re keen to check out what the other side of the fence looks like with a full AMD build, the Lunar 14 is the trusty sidekick you’d want to help you go the distance without weighing you down.

AFTERSHOCK PC knows that the wait for a new piece of tech is always the hardest, which is why all these setups qualify for immediate same-day delivery, cutting out any downtime. Additionally, at the Suntec City showroom, customers can benefit from a special cash-and-carry deal, enabling them to buy any laptop instantly and take it home with ease. It’s a straightforward option aimed at enhancing your experience and skipping any lines.

Aftershock Forge 15X: Options For Everyone and Anyone

For the individual who wants the best of everything, the Aftershock Forge 15X offers the widest range of customisation allowing users to pick from an Intel Core i5-14500HX or tiering up to the Intel Core i7-14700HX Processor. With three GPUs to opt for starting with the NVIDIA RTX 4050, 4060, and 4070 GPU, the Forge 15X affords a wide range of options for every need and budget.

To make the best of the beefy RTX 4070 GPU, the highest-specced Forge 15X comes with a brilliant 15.6-inch QHD 165Hz wide view angle display outputting at 2560 x 1400 resolution to ensure that all content presented on the screen looks the best in a myriad of conditions. 
The Aftershock Forge 15X is available at the starting price of S$1,499 for the RTX 4050 model, S$1,835 for the RTX 4060 build, and S$2,225 for the RTX 4070 build.

Aftershock MX15R: The Middle Ground

If the above two options don’t quite hit your fancy, the Aftershock MX15R is the true middle ground option. Opting for an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS mobile processor that features an onboard neural processing unit is perfect for your budding AI and machine learning needs with the NVIDIA RTX 4060, this configuration keeps you up to date with the latest hardware in the market.

Complete with a full suite of essential ports (3 x USB-A, 1 x USB-C, 1 x 2.1 HDMI, 1 x Ethernet slot, 1 x SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack), users will be getting the key features in helping fulfill their gaming connectivity needs.

Paired with a wide quad extended graphics array (2560 x 1600 resolution) with 120Hz refresh, the display makes full use of the RTX 4060 graphics to provide crisp and detailed images, which is crucial for both gaming and professional work such as video editing or graphic design. The refresh rate ensures ultra-smooth motion, reducing blur and providing a more responsive experience during fast-paced action scenes. This combination of high-resolution display and powerful GPU ensures that users can enjoy both stunning visuals and top-tier performance, making it a perfect setup for anyone looking to maximize their computing experience.

The Aftershock MX15R starts from at S$1,699.

Aftershock Rift 16X: Best of the Best

With the Aftershock Rift 16X, dreams just became a reality. This mobile powerhouse lets you effortlessly max out all your graphical settings, delivering unparalleled performance. As the pinnacle of Aftershock’s laptop lineup, the Rift 16X represents the ultimate in gaming and professional capabilities, ensuring top-tier performance and portability.

Packing a 14th generation Intel Core i9-14900HX Processor and pairing it with either a RTX 4080 or 4090 GPU, you’ll be able to get the best of every world with no compromises.

Gaming has never looked this good when the hardware is combined with a breathtaking 16-inch wide quad extended graphics array (2560×1600) 240 Hz refresh display. Experience sharp, clear visuals, vibrant colours, and fluid motion that make your games come alive. For professionals, this high-resolution display ensures meticulous accuracy in design work, video editing, and other creative endeavours.

The Aftershock Rift 15X is priced at S$3,625 for the RTX 4080 model, and S$4,425 for the RTX 4090 model.

Aftershock Lunar 14: Portable Powerhouse

For the gamer who has had to grow up and earn that bread, the Aftershock Lunar 14 is the sensible pick to help exude professionalism in the boardroom. The Lunar 14 is Aftershock’s lightest notebook to date weighing just 1.4kg, and boasting a stunning 14-inch nearly bezel-less display and remarkably compact design.

At the heart of the laptop would be the latest AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS Processor, which offers a solid balance between performance and efficiency, making it suitable for various high-demand applications without significantly draining the battery. This processor is designed with advanced power management features that helps optimize energy consumption, and allows you to hit the road for long stretches without needing a recharge.

Despite its slim form, the Lunar 14 does not skimp on ports (1 X 2.1 HDMI, 1 X USB 2.0, 2 X USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 X USB 3.2 Gen 2 with 80WPD + DP, 1 X USB C Gen 2, and a 3.5mm audio jack) allowing you to tackle almost every conceivable scenario possible when projecting your work on the big screen.

The Aftershock Lunar 14 starts from S$1,099.

From the versatile Forge 15X to the high-end Rift 16X, Aftershock offers a laptop for everyone, whether it’s for work, play, or a blend of both. The Forge 15X is perfect for casual gamers and budget-conscious users. Meanwhile, the Rift 16X caters to the most dedicated and hardcore users, delivering an immersive gaming experience with top-of-the-line features and performance.

Regardless of your eventual pick, waiting for your laptop to arrive is a thing of the past with Aftershock’s same-day delivery. The Aftershock PC showroom at Suntec City takes this convenience even further. Customers can test out a laptop and take it home immediately. Now that’s fast!

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post AFTERSHOCK PC Offers More Laptops, More Choices, More Power For Gamers & Road Warriors appeared first on Geek Culture.

Since the debut of Samsung’s Galaxy AI (artificial intelligence) with the chaebol’s Galaxy S24 flagship in early 2024, the tech landscape around AI has grown considerably and with the recent launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Fold 6 and its updated Galaxy AI, some may feel a sense of AI fatigue. However, the Korean tech giant remains steadfast in advancing its AI agenda on the one device category that few competitors have a global presence and lead on – by simplifying and enriching lives through mobile devices.

While many of the AI features touted by tech and software companies are essentially rebranded machine learning capabilities, their resurgence cannot be overlooked and Samsung’s Galaxy AI exemplifies this trend, by encouraging users to explore AI use beyond traditional functions like texting, web browsing, and gaming. By enhancing email composition, planning travel itineraries, and even serving as a personal language interpreter, Galaxy AI is shifting user behavior towards maximizing the full potential of their smartphones, and this continued innovation underscores Samsung’s trajectory in leading the AI revolution across mobile technology.

Few would remember but long before AI entered the zeitgeist with great fervour around two years ago, and before machine learning was the then flavour of tech world, Samsung was already using technology to improve the user experience,  whether it was through enhancing images taken using the phone’s camera, or simplifying editing of photos on the device.

With the Galaxy S24, Samsung introduced Circle to Search, which allowed users to search for circled items anywhere on the screen, photo assist, and live translate AI features that translates all phone conversations in real-time.

“Samsung has been investing heavily in AI research, alongside our strong heritage in providing the best-in-class experience to our users. I would say it was a longstanding effort in the making; there has been a lot of investment, and it’s not just about a business unit’s effort but about the research team’s effort in providing the foundation for the current AI experience,” shared Jisun Park, Head of Smartphone Software Engineering Group, Samsung Mobile eXperience during a media session in Paris, right after the company announced its latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Fold 6.

New to the devices are updated AI upgrades, including Interpreter, which aids two way in personal interpretation without the Internet,and Sketch-to-Image, which turns your scribbles into a visual, and he took the opportunity to provide  Geek Culture and other media present the opportunity to understand the goals and motivations of his team tasked with bringing AI to Samsung’s mobile devices.

“Circle To Search is the top feature that most Galaxy AI users use. Other top features are Photo Assist and Live Translate. These are the top three features most people use. We are also introducing new features with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. We will see and make sure those new features will be polished and improved going forward.” Park shared.

While Circle to Search, a top feature co-developed with Google, would be added to the Flip and Fold 6, it needed to be adapted for both folding phones.

“Even for Circle To Search, we worked closely together to determine which devices to roll out first and what features we could provide for Galaxy devices,” Park revealed, highlighting the complexities involved in ensuring compatibility across different devices, especially given the unique form factors of the Flip and Fold 6 compared to the candy bar-style Galaxy S24.

“Foldable devices are a completely new form factor, and their usage is different from that of bar-type phones. One aspect, for example, is the Galaxy Z Fold 6 device, which features a larger screen. So, we have to focus on optimizing the larger screen for that phone, even for the new features.” Park elaborated.

The new Interpreter feature is one of Samsung’s most polished innovations thus far, but many other concepts did not make it to the final release, but Park held back from sharing any details, given the competitive nature of the AI landscape. 

“We believe in providing the best user experience. Whenever we come up with ideas, we explore them further and investigate possible solutions as well. If we want to deliver the experience but the quality isn’t there yet, we will pause that feature until the next release. We are purely focusing on the user experience, and that’s how we decide which features to put on which Galaxy devices.”

With the rapid pace at which Samsung is developing AI tools, a ‘tech debt’ is an inevitable consequence. While Galaxy AI has been retroactively rolled out for older devices like 2023’s S23, Flip 5, and Fold 5, this may not always be feasible in the future. As technology advances, the growing complexity and resource demands of new AI features may limit their backward compatibility.

“We are trying to democratize AI by introducing Galaxy AI to more devices. When we make decisions about devices where we can expand these features, we consider other factors. For example, the chipset performance, audio characteristics, and other things as well. So, those factors are considered when we expand, for example, Live Translate, to other devices,” he explained.

“Once we are confident about providing that experience to the level where users can be satisfied, that’s when we decide to expand to those devices. We are considering expanding these features to the Galaxy A (Samsung’s budget mobile phone range) series as well, but nothing has been decided yet.”

As it stands, the accessible entry point to AI is through mobile devices, and Park sees great potential in multimodality (using text, voice, images, or video to prompt AI).

“If you think about human perception, we can read, we can hear, and we can see images. Multimodality is a very natural evolution of artificial intelligence,” he noted. And to bring this vision to life, Park admitted that Google might not be the only partner involved. 

“We have a principle of open collaboration. Right now, Google is our key partner to help realize that experience and work together on solutions. We are open to collaborating with other partners if that will help us provide the user experience we want to provide. That’s where we are right now, but there are no specifics we can share. Based on the open collaboration principle, we’re not closing off possibilities.”

While discussions with OpenAI might be in progress, the future remains uncertain, especially given the computational costs associated with providing the best answers and image generation.

And Samsung is also planning for the future bottomline, as AI is not expected to be a free feature that tech companies are rolling out. 

“Previously, we announced that Galaxy AI would be provided for free until the end of 2025. We will see where the industry and technology go after that. We don’t have specific plans to make features ‘not free’ after 2025. The decision will only be made after there are more data points for observation,” addressed Park to quickly alleviate any concerns.

Ultimately, Galaxy AI aims to help users maximize their creativity, a sentiment Park expressed with enthusiasm for the new sketch-to-image function:

“There’s a feature called sketch-to-image which provides a way for me to convert my poor drawing into a better one. I’m not good at drawing or painting or any art but this is very interesting to me because it helps me create something I can think but I cannot express. So, this is an area where we are focusing on to help people unleash their creativity and this is one of the features I like,” proclaimed Park as he broke out in a rare grin during the interview.

Turning our crappy bird drawings into bunny rabbits (see above) is not quite perfect but it’s definitely something we can get behind.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post Samsung’s Galaxy AI’s Key Philosophy Is Rooted In Delivering The Best Experience Possible For The Average User appeared first on Geek Culture.

Samsung and the Olympics have always had a long-standing relationship, ever since it began in 1988 at the Seoul Olympic Games. With the next Olympics kicking off in Paris pretty soon, Samsung sought the opportunity to roll out the launch of their new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Fold 6 mobile in the City of Light, and showcase the full suite of their product features.

If you’re heading down to Paris for the Olympics or to just enjoy a French summer, the Olympic Rendezvous @ Samsung pop up store is a great place to check out the new devices and pick up some swag at the same time.

As we were in Paris for Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, heading down to the store, which is right next to the Arc de Triomphe, was a no brainer. For any tourist, the locale is pretty much on everyone’s itinerary and you can step in for a break and be greeted with various experience zones to understand how Samsung’s new Flip and Fold devices could fit within your holiday.

Pick up an exclusive Flip Suit Case

If you’re a collector of Olympics memorabilia, this Flip Suit case featuring the Paris 2024 Olympic mascot, Phryge, can only be found at this store. Modeled after a French hat, this Flip Suit case comes with its own unique customer wallpaper and icon package and could become quite a collector’s item within the Olympic merch collecting community.

Collect the full Samsung Olympic Games Pin Set

By taking part in the in-store activities, visitors can get a chance to pick up a variety of Samsung Olympic Games pins. It’s going to take plenty of time to simply collect them all, but each has been tastefully designed a look great! Our favourite is the pin in the middle which features the Effiel Tower and a Samsung Galaxy Flip hanging off the follow. It’s definitely going to be a hit with the collectors.

Use Circle to Search to plan the rest of your trip

Putting together an itinerary for a holiday is challenging especially if you’re looking to hit some non-touristy spots, or if you’re not familiar with French architecture to distinguish your Mas ( traditional farmhouse) to a Maison à Colombage (half-timbered houses), that’s where the handy Circle to Search comes in.

Snap a picture from an article and let Circle to Search do its work and this time round, the Samsung Z Fold 6 is perfect for you to map out the itinerary with its unfolded screen space that goes big, while still being able to fit into your pocket. Within the notes app, you’re able to transplant a variety of visuals and text into one place and allow the AI to help organize a summary for you. It’s still dependent of the quality of information fed into the app but it helps remove the fuss of formatting and planning out the rest of your trip easier.

Get tips for on mobile photography

With a 50-megapixel camera now available in the new Galaxy Z Flip 6, the best way to learn how to best travel pictures would be to ask the staff on hand to give you a tutorial. There are plenty of demos available at the store to try your hand at the phone and get a deep dive into how to land that perfect shot before your trip to the Eiffel Tower.

Craft your own custom hand-strap

Sustainability is a big part of Samsung’s environmental push with efforts toward eco-friendliness and reusing materials within their devices so it comes as no surprise the store allows you to customize your own hand straps using materials made from recycled items. Make one for yourself or a friend as it would be great to hook onto your mobile phone for that added security.

This activity might take the longest of them all so it might make sense to hit the store early while the crowds are not up and about yet.

The timing could have not been better for Samsung as their long-standing relationship with the Olympics is coming to fruition. Combined with Samsung’s success in implementing the variety of Galaxy AI features on its devices and being in Paris to capture the crowds is the perfect match for the company to show off what a gold medal showing for how far mobile AI has come. 

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post 5 Great Activities Only At The Paris Olympic Rendezvous Samsung Pop-Up Store appeared first on Geek Culture.

The Apple Vision Pro made its local debut in Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and Japan on 28 June 2024 and we were on the ground at the flagship Singapore Apple Store in Orchard Road, to get fresh thoughts from the dedicated local community who got to try out Apple’s latest device.

Frankly, the team did consider that the S$5,299 starting price, as well as availability across some markets earlier this year, might have tempered expectations, but based on the constant flow of customers entering the store to try the headset, there are plenty of folks intrigued by the incredible and first-of-its-kind performance of the device.

Unlike an iPhone, iPad or MacBook Pro, this is definitely not a product anyone can pick up on a whim. Apple wants to make sure you know what you’re getting into and has made the effort to walk interested users through the headset, with a dedicated 30 min demo session. You can also book an appointment here, or an online demo at Apple.com.

Right now, the potential possibilities of the Apple Vision Pro is still an open book, especially without an extensive library of suitable content on the platform. The Apple Vision Pro leans more towards a complementary product, as opposed to one that is essential for daily life and with that in mind, one of the best content pieces to check out is Marvel’s What If…?, a virtual experience that is half game and half interactive movie, which is exactly what the Apple Vision Pro needs, to show off the device’s prowess.

At the same time, let’s not forget the robust library the Apple TV+ team is building to round out the content viewing experience. In the meantime, we will see if more emergent forms of entertainment and content will come about once consumers get around to the mixed reality headset!

Apple Vision Pro is designed to fit and be used by individuals 13 years of age and older, and should not be used by children under the age of 13. Children ages 13 years and older should be supervised by an adult while using Apple Vision Pro.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

The post Apple Vision Pro Singapore Launch Sees Constant Queues Of Curious Customers appeared first on Geek Culture.

Play For Dream Technology, a Shanghai-based spatial entertainment company, is rolling out its Play for Dream MR (Mixed Reality) Headset. Having dipped their toes with an earlier foray of their own virtual reality headsets, the market has since shifted with the darling in the spotlight being the Apple Vision Pro.

Play For Dream’s Android-based MR headset made its debut in Singapore and the company is gunning towards an October 2024 launch window for Singapore and Malaysia. Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan, will see its own launch sometime in 2025.

The headset boasts impressive specs consisting of an 8K Micro-OLED screen and Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 CPU at the heart of the device. Weighing in at 288 grams for the headset alone, the Play For Dream MR headset fits snugly when placed on the head, the weight distribution was balanced as we navigated the demo room.

The Play for Dream MR touts a screen size to over 1,000 inches in a 3840×3552 resolution consisting of 3882 pixels per inch across a 103-degree field of view. This all translates into a high level of clarity across a variety of content types from movie trailers to event footage.

To navigate between menus on the headset, users have input options in the form of physical controller or gesture controls.

The greatest upside of the headset right now would its ability to stream and connect with a Windows PC giving users access to a wealth of gaming content through Steam.  The entire Windows desktop is mirrored into the headset allowing users layout their windows and multitask like a pro.

“Singapore is one of the most innovative cities in the world and a preferred hub for many cutting-edge technology companies. We hope to embark on our global expansion from here and influence the Asia Pacific region over time,” shared Huang Feng, Founder and CEO of Play for Dream Technology as the company announced that it would be launching its marketing headquarters in Singapore.

All that remains to be seen is the eventual price the Play for Dream MR would launch at but it is teased to be at US$1X99. Considering that the Apple Vision Pro costs S$5,299 in Singapore, the Play for Dream MR could price itself competitively to draw in early adopters.

Gerald

Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!

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