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touch screens

Apple Is Working on Adding Touch Screens to Mac

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According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the MacBook Pro’s switch to OLED in 2025 may include touch screens, which Apple has previously rejected.

Apple is finally prepared to reverse course after years of steadfastly refusing to include touchscreens in its Mac computers. According to a recent article by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple engineers are “actively engaged” in this project, and the corporation is “seriously considering” making touch screens Macs for the very first time.

touch screens
Image Source: macrumors.com

The first touchscreen Mac may debut in 2025, the report claims. However, Apple’s ideas on this aren’t set in stone, and it is always plausible that these gadgets will never be released.

If it happens, Apple will probably introduce a conventional laptop with a touchscreen that can recognize iPhone-like movements. Other producers, like HP, Lenovo, and Dell, all offer laptops with touch screens in their product lines.

In contrast, Apple has promoted its iPad Pro models as laptop alternatives for users who require a touchscreen, with varying degrees of success. In 2010, Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, made the infamous claim that touch screens on laptops “don’t work.” Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, stated that the Microsoft Surface hybrid tablet was “a fairly compromised, confusing product” in response to analysts’ questions in 2012 over its introduction.

A Mac with a touch screen would occupy an intriguing spot in the market and within Apple’s ecosystem. Even though touch-screen computers have been on for a long time on Windows OS-based systems, Apple has been gradually transforming the iPad into something like a “laptop lite” product.

The company has even included its ARM-based system on a chip, in addition to several keyboard add-ons for the iPad, such as the Logitech Combo Touch and the Magic Keyboard.

Apple explored a Touch Bar for Macs from 2016 until 2021, when it began to phase it out with the introduction of revamped 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros. This was done in place of adding touch screens to laptops. But since then, the technology has spread to numerous Windows laptops, and an abundance of iPad add-ons have essentially transformed the tablet into a MacBook.

OLED technology is a significant further upgrade coming to Apple’s MacBooks. Apple is reportedly preparing to release a MacBook with an OLED display, most likely by the end of 2024, according to claims from both Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Last but not least, according to yet another fresh report by Kuo, Apple is preparing to release a new generation of AirPods, which might be priced at $99 and be less expensive than the original.

AirPods Max is a potential additional new audio product from Apple, while no other information is available. These new products could be available in the second part of 2024 or perhaps 2025.

instagram

Was the Instagram Shopping Tab a complete failure?

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Instagram is replacing the Shop tab with the Create button in its main navigation. Instagram revealed that it will be deleting the Shop button from the main navigation of its mobile application in a post on its Help Center.

The Shop option has been a part of the app’s primary navigation since it was initially introduced in November 2020, therefore many people are surprised by this change.

Instagram
Image Source: easy2digital.com

According to The Information, Instagram, which is owned by Meta, intends to dramatically reduce its e-commerce shopping facilities and return its attention to the aspects that generate advertising money. The decision went on to say that the current Shopping page will soon be completely phased away, and it was communicated to staff via an internal memo.

Despite this, Instagram will still offer the ability to shop; it will just receive less attention as the company prepares to test a less complex, more generic version.

The company informed its workforce that these modifications are a part of “a new Northstar and goals for the commerce organization that is more directly tied to advertising revenue for Meta.”

According to the company, the Create button will be placed in the app’s central menu in February and take Reels’ place. Reels are not being removed from the main navigation, simply moved to the right. Instagram noted, “Starting in February, we are changing Instagram’s navigation to make it easier for people to share and connect with their friends and interests.

The navigation bar at the bottom of the app will now have the Create shortcut for creating content in the center and Reels to the right.”

Over the past few years, Instagram has significantly invested in enhancing its internal e-commerce functionality in addition to introducing the shop option to the main menu. In the past year alone, it has allowed users to shop inside of chats and tag brands in images that connect to a store page, but according to The Verge, the company was experimenting with a main feed without a shop tab as early as last September.

Instagram undoubtedly believed that there was a lot of revenue to be made in e-commerce at one point and for a while, but recently, as its holding company struggles with enormous losses brought on by bad business decisions, including the massive investment into the Metaverse, that has so far completely failed, priorities have changed.

While Instagram has stated that the navigation would change in February, it has not given a specific date for the transition. The announcement comes just after the company unveiled its new Notes tool, a feature reminiscent of MySpace that enables users to post a status with friends in order to spark conversation.

‘Shops,’ an in-app shopping tool that encouraged users to shop as they browsed, was introduced by Meta-owned Instagram in the midst of the pandemic in 2020.

Galaxy S23

Galaxy S23 Expected to Launch at Samsung Event

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Samsung’s upcoming Unpacked event is likely to be highlighted by the Galaxy S23. On February 1st, Samsung will hold a live Unpacked event in San Francisco, California. It’s Samsung’s first live event since the pandemic compelled companies to concentrate solely on virtual ones.

Galaxy S23
Image Source: businesstoday.in

Samsung is anticipated to unveil its newest trio of premium smartphones, the Galaxy S23, at the event. Press personnel will be present, and the function will take place in The Masonic Auditorium. Additionally, Samsung intends to broadcast the event live on its web page and on YouTube

Leaked promotional materials suggest that the Galaxy S23 would include improved low-light photography, which suggests that cameras will play a significant role in the unveiling.

The main camera of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is said to have a 200MP sensor, a significant improvement over the 108MP sensor seen on the Galaxy S22 Ultra at the moment The new phones, according to rumours from reputable leakers Ice Universe and Steve Hemmerstoffer would have circular cutouts on the rear for the camera lenses.

This kind of camera is already present in the Galaxy S22 Ultra. But according to the rumour from Hemmerstoffer, it might trickle down to the Plus variant and take the place of the Galaxy S22 Plus’s present camera module.

On Tuesday, Samsung began accepting reservations for its forthcoming products in the US.

If users request a reservation for one device, the company will give a $50 Samsung credit, and if a user requests a reservation for two devices, the company will give users a $100 Samsung credit.

No payment data is required and the deal is valid through February 1st. Although the pricing for Samsung’s as-yet-unannounced phones is unknown, the majority of S23 pricing speculations point to the base model, Plus version, and Ultra option costing the same as Samsung’s most recent models.

In that case, the regular S23 would cost $799, followed by the Plus ($999), and the Ultra ($1,199). To put it another way, Samsung credit might be useful.

Samsung is anticipated to introduce its new Galaxy S lineup at a period when financial headwinds have reduced overall phone sales. Market analysts Counterpoint Research and IDC both released analyses in December indicating that global shipments may grow less than anticipated in 2023.

It’s unknown if Samsung will only unveil the Galaxy S23 series during the Unpacked event on February 1 or if additional items are in development. Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Tab S8 tablets at the Unpacked event that marked the release of the Galaxy S22 last year.

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip, together with two Galaxy Watch 5 models and Galaxy Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds, were displayed at a second Unpacked event in August.

It’s possible that more tablets or even Galaxy Book computers will be unveiled during this year’s Galaxy Unpacked event, but with three new phones to showcase, Samsung may decide to focus exclusively on those models. Certainly, there haven’t been many rumours beyond the release of the Galaxy S23.

Apple

Apple to ditch Samsung and start making in-house screens in 2024

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Apple Inc. intends to use its personalized screens in smartphones as sooner as 2024, in an attempt to decrease dependence on technology partners such as Samsung and LG, and introduce many more constituents in-house.

According to people familiar with the matter, the firm intends to start by replacing the screen in the most expensive Apple smartwatches by the finish of next year.

Apple
Image Source: cnbctv18.com

The displays are an upgrade from the existing OLED, organic light-emitting diode, benchmark to a technology known as microLED, as well as Apple plans to introduce the screens to all other gadgets, such as the iPhone, in the future.

The modifications are part of a larger plan to substitute Apple supplies with in-house components, which will give the firm more influence over the style as well as the functionality of its products.

The tech behemoth has abandoned Intel Corp. chips in favor of in-house designs in its Mac computers but also intends to do so with the vital wireless elements in its iPhones.

Apple’s Cupertino who is a representative based in California declined to comment.

Apple’s display switch has been in the works for several years. According to a report by Bloomberg in 2018, Apple intended to design its displays, beginning with the Apple Watch. The move will be a setback for Samsung Display Co. as well as LG Display Co., the watch’s primary screen suppliers.

Wei Chen, who leads Apple’s display technology team within Johny Srouji’s Hardware Technologies division, is in charge of the project. The firm has started assessing the microLED screens on an upgrade to its current high sports watch, the Apple Watch Ultra.

In contrast to existing Apple Watches, the next-generation screens are intended to provide brighter, more vibrant colors as well as the capacity to be seen from an angle. As per the people who have seen the displays and asked to remain anonymous because the task is still under wraps, the material appears to be painted on top of the glass.

The microLED screens will be Apple’s first entirely in-house designed as well as developed screens. In addition to Samsung and LG, the firm mainly sources displays from a wide range of manufacturers which includes Japan Display Inc., Sharp Corp., and BOE Technology Group Co.

PS2 emulator

Can an Android phone run a PS2 emulator?

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The PlayStation 2, also known simply as PS2, is one of the most popular gaming systems of its time. It is undoubtedly one of the indisputable kings of home video game consoles, with sales of close to 155 million units. Independent developers have recently made unwavering efforts to recreate the heyday of PS2 gameplay by creating what is now known as a “PS2 emulator”.

Instead of being restricted to gaming consoles, these apps basically allow users to run PS2 games on their Android smartphones and even PCs.

PS2 emulator
Image Source: engadget.com

One might be wondering how PlayStation games will function on the phone or computer. Technically speaking, due to the PS’s distinct hardware and software design, it is unlikely that any PS games could be played natively on smartphones or desktop computers. This is the major justification for why programmers think of making emulators.

To put it simply, emulators serve as a link and replicate a gaming console’s features, including its controls and graphics, enabling users to enjoy and play their favorite console games on both PC and mobile devices.

In essence, ROM refers to PS2 games for emulators. ROMs are made in the ISO file format and serve as the actual game. A BIOS designed exclusively for PS2 must also be downloaded.

If a user has a PS2 BIOS, PS2 games can be played without a PS2 console. Additionally, without this BIOS, your Android phone cannot play PS2 games. It’s simple to use a PS2 emulator for Android mobile devices. To begin, merely adhere to these actions:

  • Get the PS2 BIOS file now. This is accessible on most ROM web pages.
  • Install the appropriate PS2 emulator.
  • Add the obtained BIOS file to the PS2 emulator’s “Data” folder.
  • Locate the ISO file containing the game and launch the emulator from there.
  • Play Game

Older PS2 ROMs are encrypted to function for the actual console, therefore they won’t immediately run on PS2 emulators. The task can be completed using an ISO file and PS2 ROMs BIOS, but understanding how to correctly decrypt them requires more work.

One can also find PS2 ISO online. One of the top PS2 emulators on the Google Play Store is AetherSX2. However, since the emulator is still in early access, some features might be missing. AetherSX2 is 100% free, unlike earlier Android PS2 emulators, like Damon.

In principle, any user may play PS2 games on one’s Android phone as long as one has downloaded the appropriate emulator. But at the moment, only devices with flagship specs can run these games smoothly, such as the Huawei P40 Pro, Google Pixel 4, OnePlus 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

Therefore, to play these cherished classics, see if the Android smartphone has flagship specifications like a Mediatek Helio G90 chipset or a Snapdragon 865 processor.

AR glasses

Will 2023 be the year of AR glasses?

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Even though smart AR glasses with augmented reality capabilities haven’t completely taken over, a lot of applications for augmented reality are now in use.

Applications of today frequently take the shape of Head-up Displays (HUDs), which are transparent displays that present data without obstructing the view, similar to a window with writings on it. Except that the annotations are data that adjust to the surroundings being examined. HUDs were first created for use in military airplanes.

AR glasses
Image Source: builtin.com

The Integrated Visual Augmentation System, a $22 billion program launched by the American Army this year, will create mixed reality battle goggles (IVAS). With the use of the new eyewear, soldiers may communicate in real-time about information like maps or enemy locations while they are engaged in combat.

However, HUDs are already being employed in other industries, including cars and commercial aviation. HUDs, which can display crucial information like driving directions on the driver’s windscreen without requiring the driver to take their eyes off the road, is viewed as the next step in advancing the driving experience, especially for cars.

Automakers like Kia, who employ the HUD in models like the Kia EV6, Kia Niro, and others, are already implementing this form of AR HUD.

Assisted reality is a different version of AR that is being used in a variety of fields. It is comparable to Augmented Reality in that information is shown on a screen over the user’s surroundings, but it is less immersive.

One business, RealWear, creates head-mounted devices for aided reality for front-line workers in sectors such as healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and automotive. According to Jon Arnold, vice president of EMEA at RealWear, the primary use cases for XR (or extended reality, which encompasses both augmented reality and aided reality) today are focused on business and security.

The potential for how AR glasses will change our user experience—and our lives—grows as digital behemoths like Google, Apple, and Magic Leap draw closer to releasing new types of smart glasses.

Take the Metaverse as an illustration. However, headsets like The Magic Leap 2 provide a fully immersive experience even while XR gear isn’t yet ready for the Metaverse (it’s too pricey, too large, or just not very good).

Users will require wearable tech and glasses like these to take them there if they intend to spend any time in the metaverse.

Faster networks for AR will enable regular employees to better interact in real-time with their international teams. What precisely does this look like? Everyone participating in a virtual presentation or meeting would be able to access the same material at the same time and collaborate on real-time digital content interaction thanks to 5G-enabled AR.

AR and VR are still far from being completely supported by today’s 5G. Meanwhile, cutting-edge smart glasses solutions continue such as in Japan. Japanese customs authorities employ smart glasses to combat smuggling since they can instantly share cargo photographs with other experienced inspectors.