Tag: Computers

In an ever-evolving tech landscape, Qualcomm stands as a beacon of innovation. The company’s remarkable ability to collaborate with diverse partners across various operating systems has elevated it to a position of extraordinary strength. Irrespective of whether a device runs on Windows or Android, Qualcomm’s platforms seamlessly adapt to provide a unified experience. This extraordinary feat is not confined to any specific gadget. Whether it’s a laptop, a smartphone, a virtual reality headset, or a smartwatch, Qualcomm’s influence is felt far and wide.

Improving Connectivity: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Seamless Transforms the Digital Landscape

The tech world is buzzing with excitement as Qualcomm unveils a groundbreaking concept that promises to revolutionize the way we interact with our devices. Alongside the introduction of the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Snapdragon X Elite, Qualcomm has presented the world with “Snapdragon Seamless.” This innovative platform allows devices running on various operating systems to connect seamlessly, enabling the sharing of data and the harmonious functioning of multiple gadgets as if they were one.

A Unified Digital Ecosystem

Traditionally, seamless connectivity was limited to devices of the same brand. Your mobile could easily connect with your computer and smartwatch, provided they shared the same manufacturer. Qualcomm, however, seeks to transcend these brand-specific boundaries, ushering in a new era of interconnectedness. Through Snapdragon Seamless, we can expect cross-brand compatibility, giving consumers unprecedented freedom and flexibility.

Notably, this groundbreaking platform has already garnered support from some of the industry’s heavyweights. Microsoft, representing the Windows realm, and Google through Android. Alongside leading manufacturers such as Xiaomi, ASUS, Honor, Lenovo, and OPPO, have embraced Qualcomm’s vision. The implementation of Snapdragon Seamless is not some distant dream. Qualcomm asserts that the first fruits of this innovation will become apparent as early as this year.

Unlocking New Possibilities

Qualcomm offers a tantalizing glimpse of what Snapdragon Seamless can achieve. For instance, the platform enables hassle-free connections between keyboards and microphones across laptops, tablets, and mobiles, all without the need for tedious setup or compatibility issues. File transfers are no longer constrained by device type. You can drag and drop files seamlessly between Windows and Android devices.

The audio experience also gets a much-needed upgrade. Earbuds will become intelligent, automatically prioritizing the sound source. No more fumbling with settings; when you click on your computer, your sound will flow from there. And the moment you open an application on your mobile, Snapdragon Seamless will ensure that your devices know where to channel the audio.

Enhancing Augmented and Virtual Reality

Snapdragon Seamless doesn’t just cater to everyday devices. It extends its embrace to the realms of virtual and augmented reality, opening up a world of possibilities. Qualcomm envisions a future where VR and AR experiences seamlessly intertwine with smartphones, creating immersive and interactive digital spaces.

Dino Bekis, Qualcomm’s VP for mixed solutions, eloquently captures the essence of Snapdragon Seamless, stating, “Snapdragon Seamless fundamentally breaks down the barriers between manufacturers, devices, and how systems work. It’s the only multi-device solution that truly puts the user first.”

A Glimpse into the Future

Snapdragon Seamless debuts with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Snapdragon X Elite, but this is just the beginning. Qualcomm’s ambitions extend beyond the present. They aim to extend this innovative platform to other domains, such as virtual reality, automotive technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

While Qualcomm’s vision is undoubtedly groundbreaking, it’s important to note that not all tech giants have hopped on the Snapdragon Seamless train. Prominent names like Google, especially for its ChromeOS, and manufacturers with their own ecosystems, such as Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and Amazon, have not yet joined the Qualcomm collaboration. These companies continue to maintain their proprietary systems and ecosystems. Showing that the tech world is still evolving, and boundaries remain to be pushed.

The Future Beckons

In the world of technology, interoperability and connectivity have always been the holy grail. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Seamless promises to be the legendary sword that unifies the disparate elements of our digital lives. By transcending brand-specific boundaries and fostering collaboration among tech giants, it aspires to create a world where our devices work together harmoniously, regardless of their origin.

As Qualcomm moves forward with its mission to unite devices and systems, we can expect a transformation in how we interact with our gadgets. A future where we’re not tied down by brand-specific limitations and where our devices intuitively respond to our needs is indeed an exciting prospect. While some giants in the tech industry still maintain their walled gardens, the landscape is evolving. And Qualcomm’s innovative approach will reshape the digital world.

The arrival of Snapdragon Seamless marks a significant turning point in the tech industry’s ongoing quest for connectivity and user-centric design. It has the potential to not only bridge the gap between diverse operating systems. But also pave the way for an entirely new dimension of digital experiences, where the user is truly at the forefront.

As we look ahead to a world where Snapdragon Seamless is the norm rather than the exception, we can anticipate a more integrated and seamless digital existence. The barriers between manufacturers, devices, and systems are crumbling, and Qualcomm is at the forefront of this monumental change. With its innovative vision and the support of tech giants, Snapdragon Seamless will redefine the way we connect, communicate, and create in the digital age. The future is indeed bright, and Qualcomm’s contribution promises to be a shining beacon guiding us toward a new era of digital connectivity.

Here are some specific examples of how Snapdragon Seamless can be in use to improve the user experience:

• A user can start a document on their phone and then seamlessly transfer it to their laptop to continue working on it.
• A user can use their phone as a second screen for their laptop, or even as a touchscreen input device.
• A user can copy and paste text between their phone and laptop without having to switch windows or applications.
• A user can start a video call on their phone and then seamlessly transfer it to their laptop if they need a larger screen or a better camera.
• A user can use their phone to control their smart home devices while they are working on their laptop.
• A user can use their VR headset to play a game on their laptop. And Snapdragon Seamless will ensure that the audio and video are synchronized perfectly.

These are just a few examples of the many ways that Snapdragon Seamless can be in use to improve the user experience. As more and more devices support Snapdragon Seamless, we can expect to see even more innovative and useful applications emerge.

Conclusion

Qualcomm Snapdragon Seamless is a major breakthrough in the multi-device ecosystem. It has the potential to revolutionize the way we use our devices. By making it easy to connect, share data, and work with devices from different manufacturers and operating systems seamlessly. Snapdragon Seamless is still under development, but it is already getting support from a number of leading brands. We can expect to see a wide range of Snapdragon Seamless-compatible devices coming to market in the near future.

Expecting complete privacy on the Internet is a far cry in 2023. While turning off third-party cookies to protect your identity is good, most users don’t know just how much information their own IP address gives away. Short of using the best VPNs, there hasn’t been a reliable way to control who we give out our IP addresses to selectively. Thankfully, Google has recently started to test an exciting new feature for its Chrome Browser that just might bring some of the control back to users. Let’s talk about this potential feature coming to the Google Chrome browser below.

Google IP Protection: IP Address & Identity Masking

First spotted by Bleeping Computer, the new potential feature for Google Chrome is called “IP Protection.” The feature aims to protect users’ online privacy by obfuscating their real IP address. The feature will do that by dynamically routing third-party traffic through Google’s proxy servers while hiding the IP addresses from the original domains. This will essentially make you invisible to the websites you visit and ensure that the users won’t give out their actual IP address while browsing through the Internet.

Currently, the IP masking process will work through a single dedicated proxy. However, In the future, Google is also looking towards using a two-hop proxy system that should enhance the security of your real IP even further.

Google has also confirmed that the long-term solution will be to evolve the ecosystem for better privacy. The company has stated that it will collaborate with internet service providers, various third parties, and destination sites to work on the privacy proxies. IP Protection for Google Chrome will initially be an opt-in feature and will roll out in a phased manner in time.

Despite all that, Google has stated this is not a foolproof solution. The IP protection feature on Google Chrome does have certain demerits. A big one of them is the strength of the company servers themselves. If the proxy server gets hacked itself, it puts all the IP address information inside it at work. Furthermore, it could be used to mask fraudulent activities or DDoS attacks done against websites.

Why Google Chrome’s IP Protection Is Important

There are a lot of reasons why one might need to mask their IP address, and Google’s own Github repo lists some of them. For instance, the information users give repeatedly “can be combined over time to create a unique, persistent user profile and track a user’s activity across the web.” This can considered as a threat to privacy to many users.

There is also the consideration of your geolocation which when tracked regularly lets advertisers build a custom profile on users and cater their ads to you. However, with the IP protection feature enabled, Google aims to give websites a more obscure location instead. For example, your country location would likely be given to the website rather than your exact one.

As the company mentions in its repo, Google was already phasing out third-party cookies and limiting fingerprinting. If implemented correctly, the IP Protection feature in Google Chrome will help limit other methods of cross-site tracking that go beyond third-party cookies.

It is great to see Google innovating upon the privacy features of its ever-so-popular Chrome browser. What do you think about the new IP protection feature coming to Google Chrome? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Satyam Kumar

132 Posts

Highly passionate about technology. Major expertise in PC hardware, the VR industry, esports-centric gear, and other gadgets. In my spare time, I’m usually researching exciting hardware breakthroughs or playing competitive games.

Google has confirmed that it blocked the installation of benchmark apps from the Play Store on its new Pixel 8 series. This move has been criticized by some as an attempt to hide the shortcomings of the Tensor G3 chip, which powers the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones. In this article, we will explore Google’s decision to block benchmarking software and the reasons behind it.

Background

Before we dive into the reasons behind Google’s decision to block benchmarking software, let’s first understand what benchmarking is. Benchmarking is the process of measuring the performance of a device or system against a set of standardized tests. These tests are designed to simulate real-world usage scenarios and provide a score that can be used to compare the performance of different devices.

Benchmarking is an important tool for consumers who want to make informed decisions when purchasing a new device. By comparing the benchmark scores of different devices, consumers can get an idea of how well a device will perform in real-world scenarios.

Google’s decision to block benchmarking software

Google has confirmed that it intentionally blocked mobile benchmarks on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro during the review embargo period of the phones. According to the company, the reason for blocking reviewers from easily installing and running benchmarks on their Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices was to prevent their scores from leaking.

However, Google confirmed to NotebookCheck that “reviewers who knew how, could sideload the benchmarking apps and run the tests regardless”.

Some people criticize this move as an attempt to hide the weakness of the Tensor G3 chip. This is the chip that powers the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones. Critics argue that by blocking benchmarking software, Google is preventing users from making informed decisions.

Google’s response

Google has responded to the criticism by stating that the company did not block benchmarking apps to hide the shortcomings of the Tensor G3 chip. Instead, the company reiterates that it blocked benchmarking apps to prevent reviewers from publishing false benchmark scores.

In a statement to Notebookcheck, Google said… “We blocked benchmarking apps during the review embargo period to prevent inaccurate scores from being published, which could mislead consumers. We believe that benchmarks should be run in a way that accurately reflects real-world usage scenarios. Also, we work with benchmarking organizations to ensure that their tests are representative of real-world usage scenarios.”

Conclusion

Google’s decision to block benchmarking software on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones is facing criticism. Some claim that the move is an attempt to hide the weakness of the Tensor G3 chip. However, Google has responded by stating that the company blocked the apps to prevent reviewers from posting fake scores. The debate over the reasons behind Google’s decision to block the software continues. Benchmarking is an important tool for users who want to make informed decisions when buying a new device.

Genshin Impact 4.1 ends in about two weeks and there’s a lot to be excited about the upcoming version 4.2. Genshin Impact 4.2 will bring us new lore bombs, some of the most anticipated characters, a new Fontaine map expansion, and lots of primogems to pull for your favorite characters. Genshin Impact 4.2 livestream date has finally been revealed so let’s look at when it’s scheduled and what to expect.

Genshin Impact 4.2 Livestream Date and Time

The Genshin Impact 4.2 Livestream is scheduled for October 27 at 08:00 AM (UTC-4). The contents will be streamed first on Genshin Impact’s official Twitch channel. Subsequently, the program will be broadcast on Genshin’s official YouTube channel on the same day, an hour later at 9:00 AM (UTC-4).

Genshin Impact 4.2 Livestream Start Time

Here’s when the Genshin Impact 4.2 Livestream will be starting based on where you live.

Region	Livestream Start Time
India	5:30 PM IST
Japan	9:00 PM JST
California, USA	5:00 AM PDT
Beijing, China	8:00 PM CST
Toronto, Canada	8:00 AM EDT
Rome, Italy	2:00 PM CEST
Melbourne, Australia	10:00 PM AEST
Auckland, New Zealand	12:00 PM (NZST)

For those waiting patiently, here’s a countdown timer to show how many days and hours are left for the Livestream.

Genshin Impact 4.2 Livestream Countdown

We’ve briefly written what to expect from Genshin Impact 4.2, about the new characters Furina and Baizhu, and all the banners. Besides, we’ve also compiled the Genshin Impact 4.2 primogems count. While Genshin Impact 4.2 might not be as huge as 4.1, it will feature lots of lore about Fontaine and the Archon, Furina.

Are you excited about Genshin Impact 4.2? Have any theories about how it will go? Show us your excitement in the comments section below.

Abubakar Mohammed

74 Posts

Abubakar covers Tech on Beebom. Hailing from a Computer Science background, the start of his love for Tech dates back to 2011, when he was gifted a Dell Inspiron 5100. When he’s not covering Tech, you’ll find him binge-watching anime and Tech content on YouTube, hunting heads in competitive FPS games, or exploring Teyvat in Genshin Impact. He has previously worked for leading publications such as Fossbytes, How-To Geek, and Android Police.

Vivo sub-brand iQOO is preparing to launch the iQOO 12 series on November 7. The vanilla model of the series is already out in the wild, and we’ve already shared pictures of it in our previous coverage. But, of course, the initial exposure didn’t bring much detail regarding the devices.

Now, we have more information about the iQOO 12. As mentioned earlier, the phone is about to launch on November 7, and the official launch event is set to take place in China. The global release of the device will take place later this year.

But what’s really important is that the device will be the first-ever gaming-oriented phone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It takes full advantage of the chipset and brings advanced gaming features.

iQOO 12: All the Confirmed Details So Far

iQOO has confirmed that it will be continuing its partnership with BMW M Motorsport. The upcoming iQOO 12 will have a special legend edition, which will mark 4th consecutive year of this collaboration. And as you may have seen, the BMW M Motorsport edition iQOO phone truly stands out among the crowd. They come with sleek aesthetics and eye-catching design.

But the main highlight of the iQOO 12 will be its gaming-enriched features. It will come with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Yes, it’s a similar technology that Apple introduced with its iPhone 15 Pro. This means the gaming device can deliver realistic lighting, shadows, and reflection across the compatible games.

Moreover, iQOO 12 will offer exclusive gaming optimizations for some of the popular mobile gaming titles. That includes PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, PUBG New State, and LoL. These major titles can natively run 120 FPS on different devices.

But with exclusive optimization, iQOO 12 will break through the native frame rate limit and offer 144 FPS gameplay. This will offer the gamers a competitive edge, offering smoother and more responsive visuals. More information regarding the device should land soon, and we will cover it all. So, stay tuned.

After rounds of reports and speculation, we have the official confirmation: MediaTek is about to launch its Dimensity 9300 SOC on November 6 at 19:00 local China time. The new chipset stands as the company’s champion for 2024 flagship smartphones. It will be the brand’s high-end chipset made to compete with the likes of the Exynos 2400 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It’s an interesting option compared to its rivals, and through this article we will share more details about the Dimensity 9300

The MediaTek Dimensity 9300 – See its Specifications Here

What makes the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 stand against its rivals is the CPU configuration. MediaTek is being bold with the use of 4 x ARM Cortex-X4 cores instead of one. So far, chipset makers have been using only one Cortex-X core for their flagship chipsets. With the Dimensity 9300 we will see multiple Cortex-X4 cores for heavy tasks. They will be arranged in a 1 + 3 combination. There will be a “prime” core running at 3.25 GHz and a cluster of three cores running at 2.85 GHz. The other four cores will be Cortex-A720 maxing out at 3 GHz.  The chipset doesn’t include Cortex-A520s; instead, it is entirely focused on delivering high performance.

When it comes to the GPU, the Dimensity 9300 will boast the ARM Immortalis G720 chispet. The GPU represents a new milestone for Mali and will improve the ray-tracing technology on mobile smartphones featuring the Dimensity 9300.

MediaTek Dimensity 9300 breaks the 2,000,000 barrier on AnTuTu

In comparison to the Dimensity 9300, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the Exynos 2400 will only have only a single Cortex-X4 core. At first glance, it looks like te Dimensity 9300 will obliterate the competition with its four Cortex-X4 cores. However, it’s not that simple. I’m particularly curious to see how MediaTek is managing the thermals with the use of powerful cores. It’s hard to keep one Cortex-X4 core cool, so at least in theory, the Dimensity 9300 could throttle more easily to keep its thermals in check.

The first AnTuTu Benchmark results show the Dimensity 9300 topping AnTuTu after breaking the 2,000,000 threshold. It has a 65% better CPU score and 55% GPU score than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. However, the results achieved by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Exynos 2400 are fairly similar.

Conclusion

MediaTek has been on a positive trip towards the flagship segment. In the past years, the company’s flagship chipsets appeared in multiple flagship smartphones from brands like iQOO, Vivo and Realme. However, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen series is still the preferred choice for some brands in the premium segment. Let’s see if the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 will be able to change that with its unique traits.

All details will be fully uncovered on November 6, but we expect MediaTek to keep teasing us with more details in the next few days.

At the Snapdragon Summit 2023, Qualcomm finally announced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagship mobile chipset, the successor to the well-received Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. All eyes are on Qualcomm as last year it had a massive success on both counts, performance, and efficiency. So what is new with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3? Is it using the new Nuvia-designed cores? To find out, let’s go through all the specifications and new features of Qualcomm’s latest mobile chipset.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Packs a Powerful Hexagon NPU, CPU and GPU

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is all about on-device AI this year, but we will come to that later on. First, let’s talk about its architecture. The 8 Gen 3 is built on TSMC’s 4nm process node and features an octa-core CPU cluster. It’s still using the Kryo cores and not the Nuvia cores available on the Snapdragon X Elite.

The CPU on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 features a single Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.3GHz, 3x Cortex-A720 cores clocked at 3.2GHz, 2x Cortex-A720 cores clocked slightly below at 3.0GHz and finally 2x Cortex-A520 cores clocked at 2.3GHz. Basically, the core setup is 1+(3+2)+2 with the Cortex-A720 core clocked at two different frequencies. It has a total of 12MB L3 cache.

According to Qualcomm, due to the newer ARM cores, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has seen a performance improvement of 30% over the previous year’s 8 Gen 2. And with this, Qualcomm has dropped support for the 32-bit architecture. Coming to the GPU, Qualcomm is using the best Adreno GPU on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 which is 25% faster than the Adreno 740 on last year’s SD8Gen2.

At the same time, the new Adreno GPU still offers 25% greater power efficiency than the Adreno 740. It has also brought support for 240FPS gaming and can go down to 1Hz as well. The 8 Gen 2 already came with hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing support, and this year, Qualcomm has partnered with Unreal Engine to bring Lumen Global Illumination and reflections on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 to make the Ray Tracing experience even better.

Not to mention, the new Adreno GPU on 8 Gen 3 has introduced something called Adreno Frame Motion Engine (AFME 2.0) to generate frames in real-time, changing the frame rate to 120FPS from 60FPS while gaming. It’s similar to Apple A17 Pro’s MetalFX Upscaling tech.

Moving to the new Hexagon NPU on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, AI tasks are 98% faster and 40% more efficient than the last-gen NPU. It can run LLM models on-device and generate 15 tokens per second. For this, Qualcomm has partnered with Meta to run its LLama 2 model locally. According to Qualcomm, the SD 8Gen3 can handle LLMs trained on more than 10 billion parameters. It can generate images in less than 1 second which is crazy fast.

Other than that, the Hexagon NPU can process multimodal data from images, speech, and text. The ISP on the SD8Gen3 has also gotten AI capabilities. It can remove objects from videos, expand photos, perform semantic segmentation up to 12 layers, and enhance low-light videos significantly – all done locally. And for 5G connectivity, it is using Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X75 modem. So what do you think about the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3? Let us know in the comment section below.

Arjun Sha

902 Posts

Passionate about Windows, ChromeOS, Android, security and privacy issues. Have a penchant to solve everyday computing problems.

Google just dropped a thrilling update that’s set to elevate your gaming experience on Google Play Games. This announcement packs a punch, featuring more games, a nifty search tool, and seamless game controller support. Let’s delve into the details and explore the exciting world of Google Play Games.

Google Play Games Beta on PC: 4K Gaming and Console Controller Support Included!

A Vast Gaming Playground

Google has massively expanded its gaming library, now boasting over 3,000 games. This treasure trove includes beloved titles such as Clash of Clans and Clash Royale. What’s even more exciting is their promise to continually add more games based on player feedback.

But that’s not all. Starting today, you can enjoy games like Clash of Clans and Clash Royale on your Windows 10 and 11 PCs. The best part? Your progress syncs flawlessly across different devices, ensuring you never miss a beat in your gaming journey.

Game Search Made Easy

In response to players’ pleas for a more convenient way to discover games, Google has introduced a game-changing search feature. Now, finding your favorite games is as easy as pie. In the “All Games” section, just type the game’s name into the search bar at the top, and voila – you’re on your way to endless entertainment.

Controller Compatibility

With this remarkable update, Google ushers in support for console controllers in select games. This enhances your gaming experience by leaps and bounds. Imagine using controllers like Xbox S|X, Xbox One, PS5 DualSense, or PS4 DualShock with compatible games such as Asphalt 9: Legends and BADLAND. It’s a great addition for those who love the tactile feel of a controller in their hands.

Gaming in Glorious 4K

Prepare to be dazzled! Google Play Games now offers the option to play in stunning 4K screen resolution on supported monitors. This is a dream come true for gamers seeking the ultimate visual experience. Players can choose from a range of screen resolutions that suit their gaming needs. To select a resolution, simply press Shift + Tab in any game, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking world of 4K gaming.

Announcing these exciting updates, Arjun Dayal, Director of Product at Google Play Games, expressed his enthusiasm, “Discover thousands of games, from Clash of Clans to Clash Royale, connect your controllers, find your favorite games with ease, and enjoy 4K gaming on Google Play Games Beta for PC.”

“We’ve brought more than 3,000 games to the Google Play Games catalog, and we continue to add top requested games from our incredible player community. We are excited to announce that starting today, you can play the massively successful mobile games, Clash of Clans and Clash Royale, on Windows 10 and 11 PCs. And your progress syncs no matter where you play – whether it’s on your mobile phone, Windows PC, or your Chromebook”.

In a nutshell, this announcement is a great. Google Play Games is bringing an unprecedented level of convenience and entertainment to your gaming life. With a massive library of over 3,000 games, you’ll never run out of options. The introduction of the search feature ensures you can quickly find the games you love, and support for game controllers takes your gameplay to new heights. And let’s not forget the dazzling 4K gaming experience, which will leave you in awe.

So, whether you’re a casual gamer or a dedicated enthusiast, these Google Play Games updates promise to elevate your gaming experience like never before. Say goodbye to limitations and hello to a world of limitless entertainment. Get ready to explore a gaming universe that’s bigger, better, and more immersive than ever.