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Apple could be working on a new AI tool that animates your images based on text prompts

by technovatica.com on

Apple may be developing a new artificial intelligence tool that allows you to make rudimentary animations from your images using a simple text prompt. If the technology comes to completion, you’ll be able to convert any static image into a quick animation by simply entering in the desired look.

According to 9to5Mac, Apple engineers have published a study outlining methods for modifying picture images using language commands. Apple Keyframer will use natural language text to instruct the suggested AI system to modify and animate the provided image.

Assume you have a photo of the scene from your window, with trees in the backdrop and even automobiles passing by. As the report says, you’ll be able type commands like’make the leaves move as if windy’ into the Keyframer tool, and it will animate the desired section of your photo.

If you’re an Apple user, you might recognize the term ‘keyframe’ because it’s already part of Apple’s Live Photos feature, which allows you to scroll through a ‘live photo’ GIF and choose which frame, the keyframe, you want to be the real still image for the shot.

Better late than never?

Apple has been noticeably sluggish to join the AI bandwagon, but that is not surprising. The corporation is notorious for playing the long game and allowing others to work out the wrinkles before making its move, as evidenced by its latest venture into mixed reality with the Apple Vision Pro.

If the Keyframer application becomes a reality, I’m really excited since it will put fundamental animation tools in the hands of every iPhone user who may not know where to begin with animation, let alone making their photographs move.

Overall, Apple appears to be heading a healthy way with AI technologies. The Keyframer tool follows on the heels of Apple’s AI-powered image editing tool, reinforcing the focus on improving the user experience rather than simply releasing products that match the competition from companies such as OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google.

I’m pleased to see that Apple’s foray into the field of artificial intelligence tools isn’t just another AI chatbot like ChatGPT or Google Gemini, but rather focuses on tools that provide distinctive new functionality for iOS and macOS products. While my project is still in its early stages of development, I’m excited about the prospect of generating humorous small video of my cat being goofy or moving recollections of my friends with only a few phrase suggestions.

As for when we’ll get our hands on Keyframer, regrettably, there’s no release date in sight right now – but based on recent feature launches, Apple readily disclosing details at this level signals that it’s probably not too far away, and more crucially, isn’t likely to be discarded. After all, Apple is not Google.

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The iPhone 16’s A18 CPU could help Apple overcome the Samsung Galaxy S24’s artificial intelligence

by technovatica.com on

With the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 8 series both having considerable AI talents, Apple has some catching up to do, but it appears that the iPhone 16 line may be able to match or outperform those phones in terms of AI capabilities.

According to Taiwanese website Economic Daily News (via 9to5Mac), the Neural Engine in the A18 chipset, which we expect the iPhone 16 line to use, will feature “significantly” more cores than the Neural Engine in the A17 Pro, which was used by the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.

The Neural Engine is a component of Apple’s chipsets that is specifically built to power AI and machine learning operations, making it a critical component of any major AI pushes Apple may undertake. As a result, it makes sense for Apple to increase the amount of cores accessible to the Neural Engine in its next smartphone chipset.

The website does not say how many cores the A18’s Neural Engine may have, but the A17 Pro has 16, so it may be more if this is correct. This would also be the first time Apple has increased the number of cores in its Neural Engine since the iPhone 12, perhaps marking the biggest substantial boost in the iPhone’s AI capabilities in a long time.

However, the core count isn’t everything; the A17 Pro’s Neural Engine is up to twice as fast as the A16 Bionic’s, while having the same number of cores. We’d take this leak with a grain of salt, but we fully expect the A18 to include much increased AI capabilities in some form or another.

A professional-only upgrade?

While other speculations say that every iPhone 16 model will include an A18 CPU, it’s worth noting that Apple has traditionally reserved its most advanced chipsets for Pro phones. We’ve also heard that some AI functions may only be available on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, implying that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have a lower-end processor.

It’s unclear if it will be the A17 Pro, Apple’s current top smartphone processor, or a lower-end version of the A18, maybe with fewer Neural Engine cores.

At the very least, it appears like this year’s Pro models will feature technology capable of matching Samsung and Google’s AI skills. It’s unclear whether it will also have software and features. We should find out in September, which is when the iPhone 16 range is expected to arrive.

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Samsung Galaxy S24 gets a major update that promises to fix display and camera issues

by technovatica.com on

Samsung has taken the unusual step of declaring that a major software update is on its way to Galaxy S24 phones to address a few issues that many users have complained about.

In a new blog post, Samsung states that “based on your feedback,” the Galaxy S24 will receive “enhanced options and experiences across the device display and camera.”

That appears to be a generous way of stating that Samsung has (possibly) resolved the much-criticized vivid display issue, which caused the screen to appear more washed out than prior Galaxy phones.

The remedy is a new ‘vividness’ option in the display’s ‘advanced settings’, which allows you to select a more colorful look than the “natural” one that Samsung incorrectly assumed you’d prefer. You’ll still be able to select between ‘vivid’ and ‘natural’ display settings, but this new slider will provide additional fine-tuning controls.

Along with the screen patch, Samsung claims to have improved “the camera experience,” including improvements to the device’s zoom functionalities, Portrait Mode, Nightography, rear camera video shooting capabilities, and more.

Samsung did not give any other details on what these enhancements do, but hopefully they will resolve some of the other issues that some Galaxy S24 owners have reported. These include an image shift issue that appeared to alter the camera’s field of view while moving from 1x to 5x zoom on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

According to Samsung, these updates will “begin rolling out in February,” so expect them to arrive within the next 10 days.

Is there an end to the S24 issues?

Unfortunately, recent complaints concerning the Galaxy S24’s display have not stopped with the previously noted vividness issue; last week, multiple Reddit users reported unusual grain on their S24 displays when viewing dark and gray colors.

Meanwhile, several owners have reported seeing “frankly unacceptable” horizontal bars when viewing the screens with the brightness set to low. We don’t know yet whether Samsung’s software update will help cure one or both of these reported issues, but we’ll find out shortly because the distribution is imminent.

The grainy screen issue appears to be hardware-related, since several afflicted customers have reported receiving a free replacement from Samsung. However, given that Samsung has made an unusual public disclosure about this next software update, we expect it to include as many bug fixes as possible in addition to the new capabilities.

We haven’t encountered any of the concerns mentioned above while testing the Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, or Galaxy S24 Ultra, thus we can confidently recommend the phones. If you favor punchy smartphone displays, you’ll now have that option with the S24 series thanks to this upgrade.

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Samsung Galaxy S24 users have reported ‘frankly awful’ new display difficulties

by technovatica.com on

We’ve been praising Samsung’s Galaxy S24 range since its debut at Galaxy Unpacked 2024, but the company’s most recent phones haven’t been without issues.

Following the debut of the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra last month, some customers questioned the phones’ vivid display setting for causing a washed out color panel. Samsung replied to these claims by asserting that the Galaxy S24’s vivid display option is working properly, although the company has recently revealed that a fix to the setting is on its way.

Now, it appears that Samsung will face even more display-related complaints. Several Reddit users (via Android Police) have reported noticing a grainy texture while viewing dark and gray hues on Others have reported seeing “frankly unacceptable” horizontal bars when viewing their Galaxy S24 displays in low light conditions. Yikes.

The texture issue appears to be tied to the hardware in the new phones, and numerous afflicted consumers have reported receiving a free replacement from Samsung.

The horizontal bars issue does not appear to be as pervasive, but individuals who have encountered it have also experienced excessive banding when viewing gradient images. It is unclear whether these issues are caused by hardware or software flaws in the Galaxy S24, but one Reddit post suggests the latter.

According to Android Police, its staffer Manuel Vonau experienced a similar issue with the Honor Magic 4 Pro’s display. On dark gray backdrops, he noted inconsistent colors with vertical stripes running over the screen, implying that the issue may be fundamental to OLED screens rather than specific to the Galaxy S24 screen.

In any case, none of the aforementioned issues should prevent you from purchasing a Galaxy S24 handset. For starters, these issues don’t appear to be widespread – we didn’t encounter any display-related hiccups while testing all three Galaxy S24 devices – and even if your device is affected, Samsung has clearly demonstrated a willingness to quickly address concerns (via updates or full-blown replacements).

Furthermore, post-release teething troubles are an unavoidable feature of any phone introduction. The Google Pixel 8 Pro, for example, had a strange screen tint issue until an update was released, and Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro experienced overheating concerns in its first week of availability.

Check out our entire review of Samsung’s latest devices Samsung Galaxy S24 review, hands-on review of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra demonstrates that the OnePlus 12 may be this year’s best-value flagship

by technovatica.com on

When Samsung released the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in January, I, like many others, was immediately intrigued to the almost limitless possibilities available with the new phones, particularly the premium Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Samsung has already acknowledged the rather surprising success of the new Samsung Galaxy S24, with James Kitto, Samsung’s VP of UK sales, stating that “the reaction has been nothing short of absolutely incredible,” but now, only a few weeks later, I’m starting to doubt.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 has already proven its popularity, with Samsung Galaxy S24 deals being more popular after the first week than the Samsung Galaxy S23, and this success is only set to continue, unless the latest Android opponent can finally put the Samsung Put the Galaxy S24 to the test.

See, in recent days, OnePlus, one of the most popular non-Samsung Android brands, has announced its current flagship, the OnePlus 12, and it has sparked a lot of issues, which may make the OnePlus 12 a more appealing alternative for many consumers looking for their next flagship smartphone.

How much am I spending?

The pricing is likely to be one of the first things you notice when comparing Samsung to its Android and even Apple competitors. It’s long been assumed that Apple is overpriced, but even the best iPhone 15 Pro Max discounts will be less expensive than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the base pricing is no different, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max priced $100/£50 less than the S24 Ultra.

When you compare the S24 Ultra to its Android competitors, the OnePlus 12 costs only $799/ ₹ 89008.59 for the base model, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra starts at a stunning $1,299.99/₹130944.32. A $500/ ₹41935.73 price difference implies that if, like me, you want to get the whole experience out of your phone, including a smartwatch and headphones, you can do so while still paying less than for a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

When deciding how much to spend on a phone, consider how long you intend to use it. In the United Kingdom, a recent YouGov survey found that nearly a fifth (19%) of smartphone users wished to keep their phone for more than five years, which was previously considered a ridiculous notion. Phones now offer up to seven years of Android upgrades, and while the OnePlus 12 is not one of these phones, it has the potential to deliver a lifespan that makes the amount you invest seem insignificant in comparison to the years of usage you receive.

What is the true difference?

Unfortunately for the OnePlus 12, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of the phones now offering seven years of Android updates. However, what the OnePlus 12 lacks in years of updates, it makes up for in its sheer ability to push the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to its limits when comparing the specifications of both devices.

Many people will focus on the processor as the most important difference between the two gadgets. The OnePlus 12 is one of the first handsets to employ Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU, which is expected to be the only serious contender to Apple’s A17 Pro. That is, unless you are the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which sports a special version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is slightly more powerful and only available on the latest Samsung Galaxy S24 series.

Aside from that, the average user will see very little difference between the two devices, assuming they are not looking for the most tiny of variances. Both phones feature QHD+ LTPO panels, with the OnePlus 12 having a little larger display and a greater screen-to-body ratio, whilst the S24 Ultra has somewhat better display technology due to the usage of Dynamic AMOLED 2X. From a camera perspective, it’s difficult to separate the two, with the S24 Ultra offering an impressive 200MP main sensor and new Galaxy AI image processing benefits, while the OnePlus 12 was made in collaboration with Hasselblad to give the phone its signature color accuracy and image quality, and offers a 64MP periscope telephoto lens and The gadget has a 48MP ultrawide lens, which is significantly superior than the S24 Ultra’s, however it lacks a telephoto lens.

The OnePlus clearly outperforms the S24 Ultra in terms of battery and charging technology. The OnePlus 12 has a larger 5,400mAh battery and supports 80W wired fast charging in the United States and 100W wired charging internationally, as well as 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging. In comparison, the 24 Ultra only has a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, making the OnePlus 12 a clear winner, even before considering the battery maintenance technology and cooling systems incorporated.

Where’s the personality?

By just comparing the two devices, it’s impossible not to criticize Samsung’s decision to move to a titanium frame on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra while making no other significant improvements from the prior edition. Fundamentally, the phone was meant to represent technologies pushing the boundaries, primarily of AI, but pushing boundaries anyway, which this minor adjustment does not really exemplify.

The OnePlus 12, on the other hand, has managed to strike the perfect mix between keeping a phone fresh and being true to what they know works, as the phone looks just lovely with its new emerald rear panel option and better screen-to-body ratio on the front.

Samsung is also shockingly lacking in terms of user interface, as One UI does not seem to hit the mark for users in the same way that successive incarnations of OxygenOS on OnePlus have in recent years. Although recent AI-tailored updates to One UI have given it a much-needed boost, there’s no guarantee that Samsung will maintain its lead in terms of creating a great experience for its users for long, leaving OnePlus in an arguably stronger position.

How should you choose your choice?

Yes, there are some distinctions between the OnePlus 12 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra that may sway your decision, with the S24 Ultra’s excellent AI capabilities likely being the most notable, but for many, the price difference between the two handsets will not be worth it.

The OnePlus 12 offers what many expect to be an exceptional flagship phone experience, with a long lifespan promised and backed up by specs and design features across both the device and OxygenOS 14 that, frankly, make the OnePlus 12 difficult not to fall in love with, as many have with previous OnePlus devices.

If you want the very best of the cutting-edge advancements being made right now, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra may be the right choice for you; however, if you simply want a flagship phone that will last you long enough to make its impressively low price tag appear well worth the cost, and give you great results in the process, the OnePlus 12 is unlikely to be surpassed by even the best competition that Samsung faces in the Android space right now.

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An Apple iPhone foldable could be available by 2026, and it’s about time

by technovatica.com on

According to The Information, Apple may be closer than thought to releasing a foldable iPhone, citing a source with firsthand information. The business is thought to be getting closer to releasing a foldable iPad mini, but an iPhone foldable might be available in stores as early as 2026 if it passes Apple’s rigorous requirements.

The company’s first foldable phone is believed to be similar in size to the Galaxy Z Flip 5 or Motorola Razr Plus, featuring a clamshell design that folds into a pocketable size. The corporation is supposed to be looking into a design that folds the screen outwards, putting the display on the exterior, but that notion has obvious durability issues that Apple has reportedly been unable to overcome.

Apparently, two alternative foldable iPhone designs are in the prototype stage. Of fact, firms frequently create working prototypes of items and concepts that will never be released to the public. Apple is likely to have already produced functional foldable iPhones.This time, the insider appears to be certain that Apple is considering manufacture, albeit the phone is not expected to be released this year or before 2025.

Apple may have rearranged the order, putting a folding iPad mini device ahead of work on a folding iPhone. The folding iPad’s eight-inch flexible display would be comparable to the current screen size of foldable tablet phones such as the Honor Magic V2 or the OnePlus Open.

There is no indication that Apple will employ an external display with this gadget. It may just be a tablet that folds shut, not a phone with two display options.

Analysis: too early to know, but it’s going to be expensive

The most essential questions surrounding an Apple iPhone fold have yet to be resolved, as The Information correctly notes. Why does this phone exist? What benefits would a foldable design provide to the iPhone that would compel users to upgrade?

According to the foldable design designs that have leaked from Apple headquarters, Apple’s device will require very expensive, high-end, robust parts to be a viable product. In other words, it will be quite pricey. The present clamshell foldable market has plateaued and is beginning to collapse, as interest has not seemed to catch on.

While these phones used to cost more than $1,000 in the United States, the Motorola Razr Plus, my current pick for the finest foldable clamshell phone, is currently $699.99 after a limited-time ‘discount’ that Motorola has been offering for almost four months. Google Pixel Fold is more expensive and features higher-end internal components such as a quicker processor and more powerful cameras.

Apple’s most costly iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / ₹125443.82 / AU$2,199, and if that seems pricey, keep in mind that Samsung has two phones with greater starting prices: the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Even if Apple decides to offer its iPhone at a 50% premium to the existing iPhone 15 Pro, it will still be less expensive than Samsung’s most expensive foldable phone.

According to the source, Apple’s phone might be released as early as 2026, with an altogether new design concept that will drive the price much higher than existing clamshell phones. If two years seems like a long time, with enough time for the price to potentially fall, I have terrible news. Two years of smartphone development It is actually not much time at all.

A regular upgrade to an existing smartphone, such as the iPhone 15 following the iPhone 14, typically takes 18 months of development. If Apple intends to deploy this phone within two years, it is closer to completion than a first-run prototype. It is six months away from meeting a normal launch timeframe.

Apple will not have time to wait for price drops. It’s going to release another super-expensive new product, ripped from the future, and our wallets will suffer.

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Google Pixel Fold 2: What We Want to See

by technovatica.com on

The Google Pixel Fold was one of the standouts of the first half of 2023, combining a gorgeous and surprisingly thin design with excellent cameras and displays. Overall, Google’s first folding phone was a fantastic success, but there are plenty of areas where the inevitable Google Pixel Fold 2 might be improved.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a wish list of the five features we most want to see in the Pixel Fold 2. You can find it further down in this article, but first, we’ve included some educated assumptions about the Pixel Fold 2’s release date, pricing, and specifications.

There are no leaks or speculations about the phone yet As soon as there are, we will make sure to include them in this article, so bookmark this page.

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? When will Google release its second foldable phone? Possibly mid-2024.
  • How much will it cost? Probably at least $1,799 / ₹183224.72 (about AU$2,630).

Google Pixel Fold 2: Date of Release and Price

Google’s main Pixel series gets new models every year, so if the same is true for the Pixel Fold line, we may expect the Pixel Fold 2 in 2024, most likely in May. For the time being, however, that is only speculation.

We can only speculate on the price right now, but the Pixel Fold starts at $1,799 / ₹183224.72 (about AU$2,630 but with no Australian availability), thus the Google Pixel Fold 2 will most likely have a similar – or somewhat higher – beginning price.

There’s a chance the Pixel Fold 2 will arrive in Australia even though the previous model did not, given Google’s presence there, but that remains to be seen. A US and UK rollout is almost certain.

Google Pixel Fold 2: Updates and Leaks

For the time being, there is no word on the Pixel Fold 2’s design, but given that the present model resembles a foldable Pixel 7, it’s logical to expect the next one to resemble a foldable Pixel 8.

One update that is expected is a switch to the Tensor G3, which was introduced in the Pixel 8 last year. However, according to an alleged source, the Google Pixel Fold 2 may replace the Tensor G3 with a new Tensor G4 chip. This could boost AI performance, resulting in a smarter and faster foldable phone. A hefty 16GB of RAM has also been tipped, which wouild be a first for the Pixel family.

Google Pixel Fold 2: What We Want to See

The following features could make the Google Pixel Fold 2 far superior than the original Pixel Fold.

Smaller bezels

Overall, the Google Pixel Fold looks excellent. It’s thin, sleek, and appears more like a traditional smartphone than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. However, the foldable screen has rather big bezels around it.

These don’t appear like they belong on a phone at this pricing, so we’d want to see them drastically reduced for the Pixel Fold 2.

A reduced price

Foldable phones are inherently expensive, and the Google Pixel Fold is no exception, with a price tag comparable to the best Samsung foldables.

That is not entirely unreasonable, given that it is essentially two smartphones in one, with a potentially pricey folding screen. However, this means that many people will be unable to afford the Pixel Fold.

We’d like to see these gadgets become more popular, and that requires them to be less expensive, so we’re hoping Google finds a way to lower prices with the Pixel Fold 2 while maintaining quality.

A larger battery

Battery life is nearly always a concern on foldable phones. After all, their large and multiple screens can be extremely power hungry, but there isn’t enough room within these phones for a tablet-size battery.

Still, most foldable phones cannot compete with traditional flagships in terms of battery capacity, despite the fact that the form factor should be capable of doing so. So, we’d like to see Google upgrade the Pixel Fold’s battery from 4,821mAh to at least 5,000mAh in the Pixel Fold 2.

Long-term support

Google promises at least three years of Android upgrades and five years of security updates for the Pixel Fold, and although the latter statistic seems reasonable, three years of operating system updates for a phone this costly is not very spectacular. Not least of all, the Pixel 8 series includes seven years of software support.

Many iPhones are supported for up to five or six years, and Samsung offers four years of Android updates for many of its handsets, so Google – the creator of Android – has no reasonable excuse for not offering more. Hopefully, this will be addressed with the Pixel Fold 2.

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New iPhone 16 renders show a familiar iPhone 12-style design

by technovatica.com on

The iPhone 16 is expected to inherit a major design characteristic from the iPhone 12, and we’ve now got our first glimpse at what this same-but-different iPhone might look like.

Apple rumor aggregator Apple Hub has posted (via X) a mock-up of the iPhone 16’s rear panel, which was constructed based on iPhone 16 reports received thus far. The phone in question bears apparent similarities to the iPhone X, iPhone 11, and iPhone 12.

This speculated iPhone 16 features a two-lens vertical camera configuration, replacing the diagonal setup found on every iPhone model since the iPhone 13. “It’s a mix of the iPhone X and 11,” Apple Hub reports, adding that the renders are displayed in iPhone 15 hues due to the fact that they “don’t know what [the iPhone 16 colors] will be yet.”

Naturally, we can’t confirm the accuracy of these iPhone 16 renders just yet, but they do correspond to leaked iPhone 16 schematics revealed by serial iPhone leaker Majin Bu. Furthermore, we first heard that the iPhone 16 would feature an iPhone 12-style camera bulge in May 2023, so we’re convinced that Apple is at least testing this type of iPhone 16 design.

If these design rumors are confirmed in September 2024, it will not be the first time Apple has drawn inspiration from its own product history. The business appeared to ditch the iPhone 4’s straight-sided style with the iPhone 6, but returned to it with the iPhone 12. The iPhone 15, on the other hand, had slightly curved edges, similar to the iPhone 11.

So we shouldn’t be surprised if the iPhone 16 features an iPhone 12-style camera hump. However, it appears to be a little lax on Apple’s part, especially given that the rest of the phone would supposedly include “no significant design changes.” That’s according to Apple source Ming-Chi Kuo, who argues in his most recent Medium article that the lack of Apple’s revenues could fall by 15% in 2024 as a result of innovation on the iPhone 16.

Kuo’s prognosis comes only weeks after Barclays released a similar analysis predicting that the iPhone 16 will be a complete failure. “We see no features or upgrades that are likely to make the iPhone 16 more compelling,” the business states in its report. Ouch.

By the sounds of it, the iPhone 16 may be one to avoid this year. The speculations around the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are a tad more hopeful, but don’t expect a game-changing new regular iPhone in 2024.

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Nokia phones could be history with HMD considering ditching the legendary brand

by technovatica.com on

HMD Global may drop the Nokia trademark from its forthcoming smartphones in favor of the lesser-known HMD brand.

HMD has produced a new brand video (below) on its website to reintroduce the company, but the movie makes no mention of Nokia, even when referring to “nostalgic dumbphones,” which is most likely referring to the company’s line of classic Nokia-inspired handsets.

The company’s website has also been updated and now has less Nokia branding, with the exception of a notice at the top of the page that states, “We build Nokia phones. You’re in the right spot,” demonstrating HMD’s recognition of consumers’ potential lack of brand awareness and ownership of the Nokia brand, at least in the mobile phone market.

Although this rebranding could be interpreted as the end of the Nokia name in the phone market, HMD rejects this, noting in a separate blog post that it will continue to make phones under the Nokia name.

“You have undoubtedly noticed some changes around here. We’re still making Nokia smartphones and “dumbphones,” but we’re gearing up to provide you even more, including original HMD devices and phones from new collaborations.” There were no new gadgets or partnerships disclosed in the post, and all of the devices listed on the HMD website remain Nokia-branded.

HMD also confirmed that Nokia devices will still receive support through warranty periods, as well as security and software updates.

The History of Nokia

Nokia was once a titan in the phone industry, back in 1999, Nokia’s revenue surpassed 31 billion Euros thanks to the success of phones like the Nokia 3310 and Nokia 8210. However, by the 2010s, Nokia was losing market share to Apple, Samsung, and the growing smartphone market. Microsoft acquired the company in 2013, but it was eventually sold to the Finnish company HMD in 2016, with HMD releasing all future devices.

Most recently, Nokia has been in the news for a legal disagreement with OnePlus’ sibling company Oppo over patent licensing of Nokia’s 5G technology, which resulted in a temporary ban on Oppo selling its handsets in Europe before being lifted.

Many older consumers associate the Nokia brand with nostalgia, owing to its success in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Many people’s first introduction to mobile phones was through Nokia’s devices, thus HMD’s decision to further bury the Nokia name in today’s mobile market may harm brand recognition in the future.

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AMD comes to the rescue for Nvidia RTX 2000 and 3000 GPUs, as a fudge for DLSS 3 games boosts frame rates to an eye-opening level

by technovatica.com on

Owners of older Nvidia RTX graphics cards can now enjoy FSR 3 frame generation in games that support DLSS 3, due to a clever new tweak.

Your first reaction may be confusion over FSR support being added for Nvidia DLSS 3 games and how that works. So, the easiest way to look at this is that it’s a ruse for RTX graphics cards that aren’t from the most recent Lovelace lineup.

Of course, gamers can use DLSS 3 on current-generation RTX 4000 GPUs, but prior generations of Nvidia RTX graphics cards do not enable DLSS 3 frame generation.

Here’s where this mod comes in: for DLSS 3 titles, the referenced mod implements FSR 3 frame generation. So what you’re receiving is fudged frame generation that boosts your frames per second through an AMD workaround in Nvidia-supported titles (with Nvidia RTX graphics cards).

All of this is only feasible because AMD made FSR 3 open source, allowing modders to use it in new ways, such as injecting FSR 3 frame generation into DLSS 3 games. In case you’re wondering, installation consists of dropping a few of DLLs into the game’s directories and doing a fast Registry adjustment, so it’s not too complicated.

Aside from that, all you really need to know is that adding this mod to DLSS 3 games results in a significant frame rate boost for RTX 2000 and RTX 3000 GPUs.

Digital Foundry put the mod through its paces (as suggested by Tom’s Hardware) in a number of titles, and you can see the results in the below video.

To summarize, Cyberpunk 2077 witnessed an RTX 3080’s performance increase by more than 60% (at 1440p resolution). Before tinkering, the RTX 3080 averaged 60 to 70 frames per second (fps), but with FSR 3 enabled via the hack, it frequently exceeded 100 fps.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales got a similar kind of increase from the hack, moving from 50 to 60 fps up to roughly 100 fps with FSR 3 fudged on.

Analysis: Catch Two

That all seems fine, but what’s the catch? There are two significant caveats to be aware of.

To begin, one disadvantage of any frame generation system is the increased input lag. This can be more of an issue in some games than others (you suffer less if you have a decent frame rate before using frame generation).

A second disadvantage is the presence of artifacts and other visual niggles caused by the forced integration of FSR 3 support. Notably, interface elements can have distracting shimmering lettering, as well as glitching shadows or a character’s hair. The latter is demonstrated in Alan Wake 2, and an apparent remedy outlined in the YouTube comments is to go into the game’s INI file and adjust ‘bLensDistortion’ to ‘false’ – which may be worth a try.

Anyway, this is a fudge of a solution, and it will never compare to a developer correctly integrating FSR 3 natively in a game. Overall, Digital Foundry is very excited with this customized solution, describing it as near enough to native FSR 3 that many gamers will not notice the difference most of the time.

It’s weird that an AMD tech can be recruited in to assist folks with older-generation Nvidia GPUs yet the mod isn’t compatible with Team Red’s Radeon graphics cards. However, additional mods are likely to add equivalent capability to non-RTX GPUs, including AMD models, in the future.

Finally, for those wondering: didn’t RTX 3000 GPUs acquire support for DLSS 3.5, anyway? No, they did not. They did get something with DLSS 3.5, notably support for ray reconstruction (for better ray tracing), but not frame creation, which was not included in the agreement (unfortunately).

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