Tech
Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Review: A Budget-friendly Version of Galaxy S24?
The Galaxy A series has often been considered the toned-down version of the flagship S series. It has been Samsung’s reliable mid-range device that mimics the look and feel of the flagship. Samsung recently launched the Galaxy A55 on 15th March 2024 globally. As a successor of the A54, how does it stack up against its predecessor? More importantly, does it hold ground on par with its competitors? Let’s find out.
Key Specs of Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
Design and Build Quality
The A series has always been replicative of the S series. Users would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the two side by side. The A55 follows the S24 with its glass front, aluminum frame, and glass back.
The frame has a brushed finish on the A55 which oddly enough, gives it a more premium look than the S24. The frame around the volume rocker and the power button is slightly raised which aids in the overall ergonomics.
Read more: Infinix Hot 40 Review: Is It A Good Deal Under BDT 18000?
Dimension-wise the A55 comes in at 161.1 mm by 77.4 mm by 8.2 mm with 213 g weight. The overall dimension is a tad bit larger than last year’s A54. The front screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, the same as that of the S24. In line with the flagship, Samsung has finally introduced a symmetrical display on the A series.
In addition to the highest 256 GB storage, the A55 also comes with a shared micro SDXC slot. There’s unfortunately no headphone jack on the A55 which was expected as Samsung stopped its inclusion in the A series. The A55 comes in Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, and Lemon colors which gives it distinction from the S24.
The Display
Samsung is often touted to create the best smartphone display in the market. The A55 stands up to that hype with its 6.6-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ panel with 1000 nits of HBM. The symmetrical display is 0.2 inch larger than the one on A54 with a center punch hole for the front camera.
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The resolution of the display comes in at 1080 by 2340 pixels with 390 ppi and an unusual 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The screen-to-body ratio has also seen a jump at 85.8% which is the highest among any A series device to date. With over 16 M color support, the A55 is one of the most vibrant and eye-pleasing devices in the mid-range category.
The Camera The A55 features a triple camera setup just like its predecessor. The main sensor is a 50 MP f/1.8 with PDAF and OIS. The secondary sensors are a 12 MP f/2.2, 123˚ ultrawide shooter, and a 5 MP f/2.4 macro shooter. The front features the usual 32 MP f/2.2 selfie camera.
It is difficult to differentiate the camera performance of the A55 from that of the A54 as both of them feature identical sensors. The pictures came out great in daylight with good color balance and dynamic range.
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The post-processing on the A55 seems to have slightly improved as it shows better exposure and portrait details side by side with the A54. The edge detection in the portrait mode has also gotten better.
Pictures taken in artificial light or low light suffer a bit from softness and grains. The night mode is stable in low light as it does an excellent job of capturing details and maintaining the overall sharpness of the image. The quality of the selfie camera is also as usual. It produces decent pictures with good details in bright conditions.
The videography on the A55 is rated to be 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30/60fps with gyro-EIS. OIS and EIS both work well to produce stable videos with good exposure.
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List of Video Games Releasing in April 2024
2024 has started with thrills and chills for gamers all around the world. A whole bunch of new original games along with a few big-name sequels have been released throughout the last couple of months. April is knocking at the door with a few anticipated big ones, including several sequels, and a couple of worthwhile indies. Gaming communities around the world are getting ready to be blown away once more by the sheer excitement this April promises to bring along.
Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch in April 2024
Keep up with the release calendar for April 2024 here:
Minishoot Adventures
Minishoot Adventures, developed by SouldGame Studio, is a two-stick shooter action game, set in a captivating handcrafted universe, open for roaming and explorations. The game is set to release on 2nd April 2024, expected to plunge players into an exciting world. The protagonist of the game will fight the minions of the malevolent Unchosen, who have ravaged villages and ensnared the protagonist’s friends in mystic crystals.
Players will engage in tight combat. They have to pilot a nimble spaceship and encounter battles meticulously designed to be thrilling. There will be Bullet Hell boss battles, tailored for both novices and seasoned gamers. The game will run on a PC with both Windows and iOS operating systems.
Read more: February 2024 Video Games: Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch
Turbo Golf Racing 1.0
Turbo Golf Racing developed by Hugecalf Studios and published by Secret Mode, offers an exhilarating blend of racing and golf. The game was released on August 4, 2022, for the first time and its 1.0 version is about to get rereleased on the 4th April of 2024. Players traverse diverse courses, utilizing their cars to skillfully put the ball into the hole.
Additionally, the 8 Player Online Race mode pits competitors against each other in a Grand Prix-style competition, where speed, strategy, and skill are paramount. The game covers multi-platform that includesXbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, and PC. It will take only $5.49 or BDT 602.57 (USD 1 = BDT 109.76) to play this exciting game.
Botany Manor
Botany Manor, developed by Balloon Studios and published by Whitethorn Games, invites players to step into the shoes of Arabella Greene, a retired botanist, as they explore a stately home in 19th-century England. Scheduled to be released on April 9, 2024, the game offers an immersive experience, allowing players to delve into the intricate world of botanical research within the tranquil setting of a historical English manor and its gardens.
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As Arabella, players solve exploration-based puzzles by growing plants, each with its mysterious qualities, in their ideal habitats. The game's puzzles challenge players to think creatively, utilizing clues found throughout the manor such as botanical posters, newspapers, letters, and paintings. Gamers can stream the game via The game covers multi-platform that includes Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, and PC.
Children of the Sun
Children of the Sun, developed by René Rother and published by Devolver Digital, plunges players into a gripping tale of vengeance and redemption, released on April 9, 2024. As THE GIRL, players embark on a perilous road trip of retribution against the sinister cult that shattered her life.
Through tactical precision and strategic planning, players navigate a series of increasingly complex levels, controlling the path of a single bullet to dismantle the cultist ranks, trigger traps, and reshape the environment. With its intense storyline, challenging puzzles, and relentless action, "Children of the Sun" promises an adrenaline-fueled journey into darkness where every bullet counts. The game will only be playable on PCs.
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The Curse of Grimsey Island
The Curse of Grimsey Island, developed and published by Miga Games, offers players a futuristic detective experience set on a remote island plagued by a centuries-old mystery. Released on April 30, 2024, the game presents four interconnected cases spanning hundreds of years, challenging players to unravel the truth behind the island's cursed history.
As a Remote Forensics Investigator, players utilize advanced technology in the Nanodeck to reconstruct crime scenes in meticulous detail. "The Curse of Grimsey Island" promises a captivating blend of futuristic technology, immersive storytelling, and challenging gameplay for players ready to delve into one of modern times' greatest mysteries. The game will only be playable on PCs.
Infinix Hot 40 Review: Is It A Good Deal Under BDT 18000?
“Hot” series has been the supreme envoy of the good name of the smartphone manufacturing company, Infinix Mobile. At the end of 2023, on December 5, the company launched Hot 40. This gaming phone is now available in Bangladesh for an affordable price. Let’s take a look at the key specs, pros, cons, and price of the Infinix Hot 40.
Key Features & Specs of Infinix Hot 40
Design
The Infinix Hot 40 matches its Pro version in terms of design. Both phones contain themselves in a 168.6 mm by 76.6 mm by 8.3 mm body that features a plastic frame and a plastic back, while using a glass on the front. It is not quite bulky, as users will feel a weight of 196g, also not quite slander, on their hand while carrying the phone without struggling to handle or maneuver it.
The phone houses a massive camera module, reasonably inspired by the minimalism of the iPhone cameras, featuring three distinct lenses along with an LED flash. A subtle signature of Infinix branding is placed on the lower edge of the backing.
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Users will find all necessary buttons and ports where suitable. As usual, the power button and the volume rocker are on the right, and a SIM tray is on the left. The primary microphone, a 3.5mm audio jack, and the USB-C port with a speaker grille are placed at the bottom. The top gets a secondary microphone.
The selfie camera takes place in a punch hole on the top of the display, which is surrounded by thin chin and chunky bezels The overall design features nothing extraordinary.
Display
The front panel of the Infinix HOT 40 boasts a 6.78-inch FHD+ IPS LCD. It supports a smooth 90Hz refresh rate and offers a resolution of 2460 by 1080 pixels. With a touch sampling rate of 270 Hz, interactions feel responsive and fluid. You have the flexibility to adjust the refresh rate, either letting it switch automatically or setting it at 60Hz to save battery. Moreover, users can tailor the color temperature to suit their preferences.
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Noteworthy features include Eye Care mode, which maintains a warm screen tone to reduce eye strain during prolonged usage, and the Inadvertently Mode, designed to prevent accidental taps when the phone is stowed away.
Although the screen may not be as bright as some competitors, it remains acceptable for outdoor use. What it lacks in brightness, it compensates for with accurate and vivid colors. Additionally, the contrast remains consistent, ensuring a satisfying viewing experience from any angle.
Cameras
The back panel of the Infinix HOT 40 houses a triple camera setup, led by a 50MP main sensor featuring autofocus and an f/1.6 aperture. This primary sensor is complemented by a 2MP macro lens and a 0.08MP auxiliary lens. For selfies, there's a 32MP front-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture.
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The 50MP rear camera captures photos with warm tones and decent detail, although colors may appear somewhat muted even under good lighting conditions. In low-light environments, image quality remains satisfactory but with reduced sharpness and contrast, typical for an entry-level smartphone. However, considering most users will likely share photos on social media, the quality should suffice.
The 32MP selfie camera captures adequate details, especially with the Beauty mode enhancing shots for social media sharing. Portrait mode effectively separates subjects from backgrounds, ensuring pleasing results.
The Super Night mode is a noteworthy feature, offering interesting shots with recovered details in low-light situations. However, caution is advised in tricky lighting scenarios to prevent overexposure.
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Performance and Hardware
The Infinix HOT 40 runs on a MediaTek Helio G88 chipset, accompanied by 8GB of RAM and a spacious 128GB to 256GB storage capacity. Users also have the option to expand RAM with an additional 8GB of virtual RAM for demanding tasks.
This 12-nm chipset is favored for its efficient cores and respectable performance in both entry-level and mid-range smartphones. The graphic unit sports a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU.
During testing, the HOT 40 proved proficient in handling everyday tasks with ease. It also demonstrated commendable performance in casual gaming and lighter titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Garena Free Fire, and Call of Duty Mobile game, running smoothly without noticeable lag or frame drops.
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While playing extensive sessions of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, the gameplay remained smooth with minimal interruptions. However, more graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact, while playable on lower graphics settings, may struggle with rendering complex gameplay effects.
The device excels in multimedia consumption, serving as a reliable platform for streaming shows from various apps. Notably, the inclusion of stereo speakers, though not delivering top-tier sound quality, enhances the overall audio experience with a balance of bass and treble.
In benchmark tests, the Infinix HOT 40 achieved respectable scores, reaching 275987 in the Antutu test, 430 for single-core and 1446 for multi-core scores in Geekbench 6 CPU benchmarking, and 575 in OpenCL and 1118 in Vulkan benchmark tests for GPU performance.
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Reddit reveals FTC inquiry into deals licensing its users' data for AI training
Reddit said Friday that the Federal Trade Commission has opened an inquiry into the social media platform’s sale, licensing or sharing of its users' posts and other content to outside organizations for use in training artificial intelligence models.
The company disclosed the inquiry Friday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that cited a letter from the FTC dated Thursday.
Reddit bans accounts, suspects possible UK vote interference
“Given the novel nature of these technologies and commercial arrangements, we are not surprised that the FTC has expressed interest in this area,” Reddit wrote in the filing. “We do not believe that we have engaged in any unfair or deceptive trade practice.”
Like many other social media platforms, Reddit has expressed interest in business deals where AI companies pay to access databases of human-written text that AI models can use to refine their ability to converse, answer questions and produce written work and images on request.
OpenAI, Intel CEOs cite artificial intelligence’s voracious appetite for processing powe
Almost a month ago, Reddit announced a $60 million deal with Google for exactly that purpose. That arrangement will also give Reddit access to Google AI models for improving its internal site search and other features. Reddit declined to comment or answer questions beyond a written statement about the deal.
Friday's disclosure comes as Reddit prepares to sell shares to the public for the first time. The San Francisco-based company on Monday filed paperwork that projected a price for its initial public offering valuing the 18-year-old platform at up to $6.4 billion.
OpenAI CEO warns that 'societal misalignments' could make artificial intelligence dangerous
AI supercharges threat of disinformation in a big year for elections globally
Artificial intelligence is supercharging the threat of election disinformation worldwide, making it easy for anyone with a smartphone and a devious imagination to create fake – but convincing – content aimed at fooling voters.
It marks a quantum leap from a few years ago, when creating phony photos, videos or audio clips required teams of people with time, technical skill and money. Now, using free and low-cost generative artificial intelligence services from companies like Google and OpenAI, anyone can create high-quality “deepfakes” with just a simple text prompt.
A wave of AI deepfakes tied to elections in Europe and Asia has coursed through social media for months, serving as a warning for more than 50 countries heading to the polls this year.
“You don’t need to look far to see some people ... being clearly confused as to whether something is real or not,” said Henry Ajder, a leading expert in generative AI based in Cambridge, England.
The question is no longer whether AI deepfakes could affect elections, but how influential they will be, said Ajder, who runs a consulting firm called Latent Space Advisory.
As the U.S. presidential race heats up, FBI Director Christopher Wray recently warned about the growing threat, saying generative AI makes it easy for "foreign adversaries to engage in malign influence.”
With AI deepfakes, a candidate’s image can be smeared, or softened. Voters can be steered toward or away from candidates — or even to avoid the polls altogether. But perhaps the greatest threat to democracy, experts say, is that a surge of AI deepfakes could erode the public’s trust in what they see and hear.
Some recent examples of AI deepfakes include:
— A video of Moldova's pro-Western president throwing her support behind a political party friendly to Russia.
— Audio clips of Slovakia's liberal party leader discussing vote rigging and raising the price of beer.
— A video of an opposition lawmaker in Bangladesh — a conservative Muslim majority nation — wearing a bikini.
The novelty and sophistication of the technology makes it hard to track who is behind AI deepfakes. Experts say governments and companies are not yet capable of stopping the deluge, nor are they moving fast enough to solve the problem.
As the technology improves, “definitive answers about a lot of the fake content are going to be hard to come by,” Ajder said.
ERODING TRUSTSome AI deepfakes aim to sow doubt about candidates' allegiances.
In Moldova, an Eastern European country bordering Ukraine, pro-Western President Maia Sandu has been a frequent target. One AI deepfake that circulated shortly before local elections depicted her endorsing a Russian-friendly party and announcing plans to resign.
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Officials in Moldova believe the Russian government is behind the activity. With presidential elections this year, the deepfakes aim “to erode trust in our electoral process, candidates and institutions — but also to erode trust between people,” said Olga Rosca, an adviser to Sandu. The Russian government declined to comment for this story.
China has also been accused of weaponizing generative AI for political purposes.
In Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China claims as its own, an AI deepfake gained attention earlier this year by stirring concerns about U.S. interference in local politics.
The fake clip circulating on TikTok showed U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, vice chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, promising stronger U.S. military support for Taiwan if the incumbent party's candidates were elected in January.
Wittman blamed the Chinese Communist Party for trying to meddle in Taiwanese politics, saying it uses TikTok — a Chinese-owned company — to spread “propaganda.”
A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang Wenbin, said his government doesn't comment on fake videos and that it opposes interference in other countries' internal affairs. The Taiwan election, he stressed, “is a local affair of China.”
BLURRING REALITYAudio-only deepfakes are especially hard to verify because, unlike photos and videos, they lack telltale signs of manipulated content.
In Slovakia, another country overshadowed by Russian influence, audio clips resembling the voice of the liberal party chief were shared widely on social media just days before parliamentary elections. The clips purportedly captured him talking about hiking beer prices and rigging the vote.
It's understandable that voters might fall for the deception, Ajder said, because humans are “much more used to judging with our eyes than with our ears.”
In the U.S., robocalls impersonating U.S. President Joe Biden urged voters in New Hampshire to abstain from voting in January's primary election. The calls were later traced to a political consultant who said he was trying to publicize the dangers of AI deepfakes.
In poorer countries, where media literacy lags, even low-quality AI fakes can be effective.
Such was the case last year in Bangladesh, where opposition lawmaker Rumeen Farhana — a vocal critic of the ruling party — was falsely depicted wearing a bikini. The viral video sparked outrage in the conservative, majority-Muslim nation.
“They trust whatever they see on Facebook,” Farhana said.
Experts are particularly concerned about upcoming elections in India, the world’s largest democracy and where social media platforms are breeding grounds for disinformation.
A CHALLENGE TO DEMOCRACYSome political campaigns are using generative AI to bolster their candidate’s image.
In Indonesia, the team that ran the presidential campaign of Prabowo Subianto deployed a simple mobile app to build a deeper connection with supporters across the vast island nation. The app enabled voters to upload photos and make AI-generated images of themselves with Subianto.
As the types of AI deepfakes multiply, authorities around the world are scrambling to come up with guardrails.
The European Union already requires social media platforms to cut the risk of spreading disinformation or “election manipulation.” It will mandate special labeling of AI deepfakes starting next year, too late for the EU's parliamentary elections in June. Still, the rest of the world is a lot further behind.
Bill that could ban TikTok passed in the US House of Representatives
The world's biggest tech companies recently — and voluntarily — signed a pact to prevent AI tools from disrupting elections. For example, the company that owns Instagram and Facebook has said it will start labeling deepfakes that appear on its platforms.
But deepfakes are harder to rein in on apps like the Telegram chat service, which did not sign the voluntary pact and uses encrypted chats that can be difficult to monitor.
Some experts worry that efforts to rein in AI deepfakes could have unintended consequences.
Well-meaning governments or companies might trample on the sometimes “very thin” line between political commentary and an “illegitimate attempt to smear a candidate,” said Tim Harper, a senior policy analyst at the Center for Democracy and Technology in Washington.
Major generative AI services have rules to limit political disinformation. But experts say it remains too easy to outwit the platforms' restrictions or use alternative services that don't have the same safeguards.
Even without bad intentions, the rising use of AI is problematic. Many popular AI-powered chatbots are still spitting out false and misleading information that threatens to disenfranchise voters.
And software isn't the only threat. Candidates could try to deceive voters by claiming that real events portraying them in an unfavorable light were manufactured by AI.
“A world in which everything is suspect — and so everyone gets to choose what they believe — is also a world that’s really challenging for a flourishing democracy,” said Lisa Reppell, a researcher at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems in Arlington, Virginia.
World’s First Transparent Laptop by Lenovo: A Peek into The Future
Lenovo is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to design and innovation. It’s the same company that brought the world’s first foldable laptop with the ThinkPad X1 Fold. This year, Lenovo took things a step further by unveiling the world’s first transparent laptop at the MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2024. Here’s what we know so far.
The Story So Far
This year, the trend seems to be transparent. Earlier, at the CES 2024, both Samsung and LG showcased transparent televisions as the future of in-house entertainment systems. LG went a notch up with a retractable black screen for a more ‘normalized’ viewing experience.
Keeping up with that, Lenovo brought a proof-of-concept product Project Crystal in the CES 2024. It was a Concept Laptop with a transparent display.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Ring: Specs, Features, and Probable Release Date
The completely transparent laptop, called ThinkBook, was finally displayed by Lenovo at the MWS2024 event in Barcelona.
Making Transparent Laptop a Reality
Tom Butler, the executive director of Lenovo’s Worldwide Product Management division talked in detail about the new transparent laptop. The 17.3-inch laptop uses micro-LED technology to achieve the transparent look of the ThinkBook. Lenovo incorporated a 55% transparency on the display to make it optimally visible for both indoor and outdoor use. The display can churn out up to 1000 nits with the screen resolution standing at 720P.
Lenovo talked about the limitations of OLED and why they had to opt for a micro-LED solution. With the currently available tech, the R&D team couldn't push beyond 480P with an OLED panel. There’s also the limitation of transparency as the laptop cannot incorporate a black screen for absolute contrast.
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A Paradigm Shift For the Future
With its current set of limitations, it is clear that Lenovo isn’t planning to release the ThinkBook as a mainstream laptop. Instead, the proof-of-concept product would see its feature trickle down to the mainstream product lineup over the next 5 years.
Bill that could ban TikTok passed in the US House of Representatives
TikTok once again finds itself in a precarious position as lawmakers in Washington move forward with a bill that could lead to a nationwide ban on the platform.
The House on Wednesday passed legislation that would ban TikTok if its China-based owner ByteDance doesn’t sell its stakes in the popular social media platform within six months of the bill’s enactment.
Bill that could make TikTok unavailable in the US advances quickly in the House
Here’s what you need to know:
What’s in the House bill?The legislation essentially gives ByteDance two options: sell TikTok or face a ban.
If ByteDance chooses to divest its stakes, TikTok would continue to operate in the U.S. if the President determines “through an inter-agency process” that the platform is “no longer being controlled by a foreign adversary.” The bill would also require ByteDance to give up control of TikTok’s well-known algorithm, which feeds users content based off their preferences.
Experts have said it will be challenging for ByteDance to sell TikTok in a few months.
Bill that could make TikTok unavailable in US advances quickly in the House
If the company chooses not to sell, TikTok would be prohibited from app stores – such as those offered by Apple and Google - as well as web-hosting services until a divesture occurs, according to the bill.
Why are lawmakers concerned about TikTok?Lawmakers from both parties - as well as law enforcement and intelligence officials - have long expressed concerns that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over data on the 170 million Americans who use TikTok. The worry stems from a set of Chinese national security laws that compel organizations to assist with intelligence gathering - which ByteDance would likely be subject to – and other far-reaching ways the country’s authoritarian government exercises control.
TikTok has denied assertions that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese government. The company has said it has never shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities and won’t do so if its asked. To date, U.S. government also has not provided any evidence that shows TikTok shared such information with Chinese authorities.
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Apart from security concerns, some lawmakers, researchers and critics of TikTok posit the app suppresses content unfavorable to Beijing, which TikTok denies. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence also warned in a report released Monday that the Chinese government has used TikTok to influence recent U.S. elections.
“TikTok accounts run by a PRC propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates from both political parties during the U.S. midterm election cycle in 2022,” the report said.
Will TikTok shut down now?No. The Senate would also need to pass the measure for it to become law. But it’s unclear what will happen in that chamber, where several bills aimed at banning TikTok have stalled. Senate lawmakers have indicated this bill would undergo a thorough review.
President Joe Biden has said he will sign the bill if lawmakers pass it. If that happens, ByteDance would have 180 days to sell TikTok to a qualified buyer.
The proposal could also be challenged in the courts by TikTok, which has sued to counter other attempts to ban the platform both nationally and at the state level.
What happened to the previous attempts made to ban TikTok?In 2020, former President Donald Trump attempted to ban the social media platform through an executive order. This was later blocked by the courts after TikTok sued.
The Trump administration also brokered a deal in 2020 that would have had U.S. corporations Oracle and Walmart take a large stake in TikTok on national security grounds. But the sale never went through for a number of reasons, one being China, which imposed stricter export controls on its technology providers.
The Biden administration revoked Trump’s executive order but continued a review of the platform by the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., an intra-agency committee that reportedly threatened to ban TikTok last year if its Chinese owners don’t divest their stakes. The White House acknowledged last month that review remains ongoing.
Other efforts from federal lawmakers to enact nationwide bans were stalled last year amid lobbying from TikTok as well as influencers and small businesses who use the platform. The American Civil Liberties Union and some digital rights groups have opposed a TikTok ban on free speech grounds and argued the latest House bill would violate the rights of Americans who rely on the app for information, advocacy and entertainment.
How are TikTok content creators reacting to the latest bill?If the House bill becomes law, it would be bad news for small businesses who rely on the platform for marketing or sell products on TikTok Shop — the company’s e-commerce arm. It would also impact the lives of social media influencers who have spent years cultivating their following on the platform, and rely on it to acquire brand deals or other types of income.
Many TikTok influencers were flown into into Washington this week by the company to participate in a lobbying blitz against the bill. Some said a ban on the app would disrupt their lives and businesses.
What about TikTok users?TikTok sent a notification to some users last week urging them to call their representatives about the measure, which it characterized as a “TikTok shutdown.”
The company told users Congress was planning “total ban” on the platform that could “damage millions of businesses, destroy the livelihoods of countless creators across the country and deny artists an audience.”
On Thursday, many users responded by inundating congressional offices with calls, leading some to shut off their phones.
Can I access TikTok if it gets banned?Experts say users can likely find ways to get around a ban.
App users can try to use virtual private networks, or VPNs, to disguise their location and bypass such restrictions, said Roger Entner, a telecom analyst and the founder of Recon Analytics. It will be challenging for the government to crack down on that behavior because there are many foreign VPN services that don’t need to abide by U.S. laws, Entner said.
But the use of VPNs also raises additional security questions, especially for users who go with a free or cheap VPN provider they haven’t carefully vetted.
New AI tools can record your medical appointment or draft a message from your doctor
Don’t be surprised if your doctors start writing you overly friendly messages. They could be getting some help from artificial intelligence.
New AI tools are helping doctors communicate with their patients, some by answering messages and others by taking notes during exams. It's been 15 months since OpenAI released ChatGPT. Already thousands of doctors are using similar products based on large language models. One company says its tool works in 14 languages.
AI saves doctors time and prevents burnout, enthusiasts say. It also shakes up the doctor-patient relationship, raising questions of trust, transparency, privacy and the future of human connection.
A look at how new AI tools affect patients:
IS MY DOCTOR USING AI?
In recent years, medical devices with machine learning have been doing things like reading mammograms, diagnosing eye disease and detecting heart problems. What's new is generative AI's ability to respond to complex instructions by predicting language.
Your next check-up could be recorded by an AI-powered smartphone app that listens, documents and instantly organizes everything into a note you can read later. The tool also can mean more money for the doctor’s employer because it won’t forget details that legitimately could be billed to insurance.
Your doctor should ask for your consent before using the tool. You might also see some new wording in the forms you sign at the doctor’s office.
Other AI tools could be helping your doctor draft a message, but you might never know it.
“Your physician might tell you that they’re using it, or they might not tell you,” said Cait DesRoches, director of OpenNotes, a Boston-based group working for transparent communication between doctors and patients. Some health systems encourage disclosure, and some don’t.
Doctors or nurses must approve the AI-generated messages before sending them. In one Colorado health system, such messages contain a sentence disclosing they were automatically generated. But doctors can delete that line.
“It sounded exactly like him. It was remarkable,” said patient Tom Detner, 70, of Denver, who recently received an AI-generated message that began: “Hello, Tom, I’m glad to hear that your neck pain is improving. It’s important to listen to your body.” The message ended with “Take care” and a disclosure that it had been automatically generated and edited by his doctor.
Detner said he was glad for the transparency. “Full disclosure is very important,” he said.
WILL AI MAKE MISTAKES?
Large language models can misinterpret input or even fabricate inaccurate responses, an effect called hallucination. The new tools have internal guardrails to try to prevent inaccuracies from reaching patients — or landing in electronic health records.
“You don’t want those fake things entering the clinical notes,” said Dr. Alistair Erskine, who leads digital innovations for Georgia-based Emory Healthcare, where hundreds of doctors are using a product from Abridge to document patient visits.
The tool runs the doctor-patient conversation across several large language models and eliminates weird ideas, Erskine said. “It’s a way of engineering out hallucinations.”
Ultimately, “the doctor is the most important guardrail,” said Abridge CEO Dr. Shiv Rao. As doctors review AI-generated notes, they can click on any word and listen to the specific segment of the patient’s visit to check accuracy.
In Buffalo, New York, a different AI tool misheard Dr. Lauren Bruckner when she told a teenage cancer patient it was a good thing she didn't have an allergy to sulfa drugs. The AI-generated note said, “Allergies: Sulfa.”
The tool “totally misunderstood the conversation,” Bruckner said. “That doesn’t happen often, but clearly that's a problem.”
WHAT ABOUT THE HUMAN TOUCH?
AI tools can be prompted to be friendly, empathetic and informative.
But they can get carried away. In Colorado, a patient with a runny nose was alarmed to learn from an AI-generated message that the problem could be a brain fluid leak. (It wasn’t.) A nurse hadn’t proofread carefully and mistakenly sent the message.
“At times, it’s an astounding help and at times it’s of no help at all,” said Dr. C.T. Lin, who leads technology innovations at Colorado-based UC Health, where about 250 doctors and staff use a Microsoft AI tool to write the first draft of messages to patients. The messages are delivered through Epic’s patient portal.
The tool had to be taught about a new RSV vaccine because it was drafting messages saying there was no such thing. But with routine advice — like rest, ice, compression and elevation for an ankle sprain — “it’s beautiful for that,” Linn said.
Also on the plus side, doctors using AI are no longer tied to their computers during medical appointments. They can make eye contact with their patients because the AI tool records the exam.
The tool needs audible words, so doctors are learning to explain things aloud, said Dr. Robert Bart, chief medical information officer at Pittsburgh-based UPMC. A doctor might say: “I am currently examining the right elbow. It is quite swollen. It feels like there’s fluid in the right elbow.”
Talking through the exam for the benefit of the AI tool can also help patients understand what's going on, Bart said. “I’ve been in an examination where you hear the hemming and hawing while the physician is doing it. And I’m always wondering, ‘Well, what does that mean?’”
WHAT ABOUT PRIVACY?
U.S. law requires health care systems to get assurances from business associates that they will safeguard protected health information, and the companies could face investigation and fines from the Department of Health and Human Services if they mess up.
Doctors interviewed for this article said they feel confident in the data security of the new products and that the information will not be sold.
Information shared with the new tools is used to improve them, so that could add to the risk of a health care data breach.
Dr. Lance Owens is chief medical information officer at the University of Michigan Health-West, where 265 doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners are using a Microsoft tool to document patient exams. He believes patient data is being protected.
“When they tell us that our data is safe and secure and segregated, we believe that,” Owens said.
Samsung Galaxy Ring: Specs, Features, and Probable Release Date
Samsung unexpectedly revealed a new product, called the Galaxy Ring, alongside its Galaxy S24 smartphone series. However, there was very little information available about this “smart ring”, except for the expected release later this year. Recently, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the company hosted a discussion to provide some additional details about this new product category.
What is the Samsung Galaxy Ring?
Samsung is marketing the Galaxy Ring as a device suited for those who desire the perks of a smartwatch without being overwhelmed by excessive data. Since the smart ring doesn't have a screen for interaction, it's believed that users will find it easier to adopt and wear one. They can still enjoy health tracking features without having to learn a new interface.
However, it's important to note that the ring isn't intended to replace Samsung's Galaxy Watch series. According to Hon Pak, vice president of Samsung's Digital Health Team, individuals will have the option to wear both a Galaxy Watch6 and the Galaxy Ring simultaneously, allowing them to access more comprehensive health data.
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Invention
The Galaxy Ring from Samsung represents a significant innovation in wearable technology, particularly in the realm of digital health. Unlike traditional smartwatches, the Galaxy Ring focuses on essential health tracking without the need for screen interaction, offering a minimalist and user-friendly experience. With its lightweight design and customizable options, including various sizes and finishes, it sets a new standard for comfort and personalization.
Equipped with advanced sensors for heart rate monitoring and step counting, the Galaxy Smart Ring promises to deliver comprehensive health insights in a sleek and convenient form factor. As anticipation grows for its release, it's poised to revolutionise how we approach personal health monitoring.
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iQOO Neo7 SE Review: Competent Mid-range Gaming Phone
vivo’s subsidiary company iQOO has had a reputation for producing value-for-money phones since 2019. In this wave, iQOO launched another gaming-centric device Neo7 SE. Recently, the phone had its global launch which brought it in the spotlight. Let’s have a look at where it can be the right gaming phone for you.
Key Specs of Vivo iQOO Neo7 SE
Design and Build Quality
There’s an obvious caveat of having a plastic build all around on a budget-friendly to lower mid-range phone. The Neo7 SE is also no different. The plastic frame and back have a mix of matte and glossy frosted finish which gives it a glass-like look.
The Neo7 SE comes in at around 164.8 mm by 76.9 mm by 8.6 mm with 193 g weight. It’s a relatively lightweight build with a considerably large footprint. The camera housing on the back is reminiscent of the Neo7 with the iconic squared cut. The front features a near-uniform punch-hole display with a slight bottom chin.
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Ports and buttons are identical to the Neo6 SE. Users will be missing out on the 3.5 mm headphone jack and the extendable card storage on the Neo7 SE.
Overall the design and the build quality are okay for its price. It matches the expectation for a sub 35K BDT smartphone.
The Display
The display on the Neo7 SE is a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a 12 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and 1300 nits of peak brightness. The panel has 1080 by 2400 pixels with a 20:9 aspect ratio and 388 PPI. The slight bottom chin accounts for an 87.6% screen-to-body ratio.
The Neo6 SE also had a similar spec albeit with a higher pixel density thanks to the smaller screen size. Competitions in this price point like the Redmi K60E bring higher resolution with nearly the same features.
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But as for the performance, the Neo7 SE holds its ground. The sharp brightness provides great contrast both indoors and outdoors. The viewing angles were great and the high refresh rate worked smoothly in day-to-day use. For the price, it’s hard to beat what Neo7 SE brings to the table.