OpenAI released a new model that free users will love

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OpenAI released a new model that free users will love
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Right now, Microsoft-backed OpenAI has a selection of LLMs to power your ChatGPT experience. Well, the company just released a cheaper version of its flagship AI model. Named GPT-4o Mini, this model costs much less to use, and it might be a boon for ChatGPT’s largest user base.

In case you don’t know, OpenAI has several models like GPT-3.5 Turbo, GPT-4 Turbo, and GPT-4o. The third one on the list is the latest and most powerful model that the company has. It’s available to all users, but people who are paying will have the most access to the model. It’s multi-modal and it can understand live video.

If you want to know more about this model, we have Everything You Need To Know About GPT-4o. It answers all of the important questions about it.

OpenAI released GPT-4o Mini

When it comes to using a model, cost matters a lot. Every time you send a query and get a response, it costs money. This cost applies to GPT-4o mini model costs 60% less than GPT-3.5 Turbo. That’s a massive reduction in cost. So, if you’re using this model, you will see some major cost savings.

When it comes to the performance, this model definitely has some chops. It’s important to note that this is only from one benchmarking system. On the MMLU (Massive Multitask Language Understanding) test, GPT-4o scored 88.7%, and GPT-4o Mini was a bit behind with 82%.

GPT-4o Mini scored higher than 3.5 Turbo, which scored 70%. That’s important to know because GPT-4o mini is meant to be the replacement for 3.5 Turbo. That’s right! Free users are getting access to a more powerful model. Paid users saw models like GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo, but free users haven’t seen too many changes over the past nearly two years.

At this point, we don’t know everything that was stripped away from GPT-4o to make this Mini version. We know that it can currently only take text and images as input. It will eventually gain the ability to understand audio and video some time down the road.

GPT-3.5 Turbo isn’t going away altogether. Users will still be able to access it through the API.


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The final Android 15 Beta is now rolling out

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The final Android 15 Beta is now rolling out
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Today, Google announced that it is starting to roll out Android 15 Beta 4, which is scheduled to be the final beta for Android 15. The next update we see should be the stable build which could come as soon as next month. It’d be a good guess to say that it’s coming on August 13 at the Google event.

This is the second Platform Stability release, which Google says “developer APIs and all app-facing behaviors are now final”. Though, Google could still release some patches for this beta, as we’ve seen with just about every beta so far for Android 15. Google also mentions that Android 15 removes the legacy PNG-based emoji font file. Back in Android 13, Google moved to a vector-based file, but did keep the old version around for a while, for compatibility reasons of course.

There is still quite a long list of “known issues” with this beta, which is surprising since it is the final one scheduled for Android 15.

Expect Android 15 to launch next month with Pixel 9

While we don’t know for sure, we do expect that the stable version of Android 15 will launch next month around the time of the Pixel 9 announcement. While Google hasn’t really kept the new version of Android for the new Pixels for quite some time now, it would be surprising to see Google announce four new Pixel devices on Android 15, when it’s not yet available.

Google could end up doing it similar to Apple with the iPhone. Where it announces the iPhone, pre-orders open that Friday, the following Monday the new version of iOS is available to everyone, with new iPhones shipping that Friday. At this Made By Google event, we’re expecting the company to launch the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, as well as a few Pixel Watch 3 models.


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Epic Ceo says Apple lawsuit is tied to Epic’s metaverse vision

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Epic Ceo says Apple lawsuit is tied to Epic’s metaverse vision
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Epic’s lawsuit with Apple is fairly notorious at this point after Apple pulled Fortnite from the App Store several years ago, but according to Epic CEO TIM Sweeney, the lawsuit wasn’t just about Fortnite, it was also about not letting “gatekeepers Apple and Google” control the future of the metaverse by blocking progress.

This revelation comes from a recent interview that Sweeney had with Matthew Ball back on July 16. In the interview, Sweeney says “It is vitally important that we not allow the gatekeepers, Apple and Google, to block progress on the metaverse as they block progress on the web and block progress in computing in general.” With regard to blocking progress on the web and computing, Sweeney is referencing Apple and Google’s hold on what is allowed in the company’s respective stores.

Specifically, Apple and Google were accused by Sweeney and Epic of intentionally blocking off developers from allowing users to make in-app payments that didn’t use the App Store or Google Play Store payment systems. Thus forcing developers to pay the associated fees. In its lawsuit against Google, this eventually led to a case where it was ruled that Google had a monopoly with the Play Store. Following that case, Sweeney vowed that Epic would be going back for Apple.

In a more recent case against Apple, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rodgers ordered Apple to deliver all documents relating to its anti-trust case with Epic. Starting a process that would see Apple required to revise its App Store policies.

Epic CEO says the Apple lawsuit was also about his vision for the metaverse

The way Sweeney sees it, Apple and Google can’t be allowed to block progress in the metaverse the way they do with the App Store and Google Play Store. He tells Ball that neither company can be allowed to lay the ground rules for payments made in the metaverse. As doing so would essentially give Apple and Google the majority of profits due to high front-end taxes that both companies would impose. Just like they do with their app stores.

“If you let Apple and Google set the ground rules for the metaverse, that tax they collect at the front end is going to constitute the far, far majority of profit that will ever be made from the metaverse,” Sweeney says.

Epic hasn’t publicly laid out any concrete plans for the metaverse yet. But it has sort of started playing with it in a sense through Fortnite. Once merely a third-person shooter game, Fortnite now spawns online social activities like online concerts. Where players can go and interact with other players while watching live performances from entertainers via Fortnite avatars. The most recent of these experiences revolved around Metallica. Epic then tied in special in-game items themed after the band.

It’s clear that Sweeney doesn’t want Apple or Google to be able to control the lion’s share of the sort of revenue this type of thing could drive for metaverse-related games.


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Google to start removing low-quality apps from the Play Store beginning next month

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Google to start removing low-quality apps from the Play Store beginning next month
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Google is taking steps to remove low-quality apps from the Play Store. The company has updated its Spam and Minimum Functionality policy to ensure that apps provide a good user experience. Apps that are unstable, unresponsive, or don’t offer any real value will be removed from the Play Store. This includes apps that are just text, single wallpaper apps, or apps that don’t install or load properly.This change is expected to go into effect on August 31, 2024. It’s part of Google’s ongoing effort to improve the quality of apps on the Play Store. In 2023, the company prevented over 2 million policy-violating apps from being published and rejected nearly 200,000 app submissions.

By removing these low-quality apps, Google hopes to make the Play Store a safer and more reliable place for Android users. This is a positive step, as it will help to protect users from apps that could be harmful or simply a waste of time. It’s also good news for developers who create high-quality apps, as it will make it easier for their apps to be discovered.

Google’s updated policy is a sign that the company is taking app quality seriously. It’s a good reminder for developers to make sure their apps are up to par, and it’s a good sign for users that the Play Store is becoming a more trustworthy place to find apps.

What does this mean for developers?

Developers who have apps on the Play Store will need to make sure their apps meet the new standards. This means that apps need to be stable, responsive, and engaging. They also need to offer some kind of utility. Apps that don’t meet these standards could be removed from the Play Store.

What are the specific requirements for apps?

Google has not released a complete list of requirements for apps, but they have said that apps should provide a “stable, responsive, and engaging user experience.” This likely means that apps need to be well-designed, free of bugs, and offer some kind of value to users.

It’s also likely that Google will be cracking down on apps that are simply clones of other apps, or that offer no real functionality. Apps that are simply designed to generate ad revenue are also likely to be targeted.

This change is likely to be a good thing for both users and developers. It will help to improve the quality of apps on the Play Store, and it will make it easier for users to find apps that they’ll actually enjoy using.


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Samsung is giving One UI 7 an iOS Makeover

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Samsung is giving One UI 7 an iOS Makeover
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Samsung is expected to announce One UI 7 at the Samsung Developer Conference in October. Though, we are getting some more tidbits on what to expect from One UI 7. According to X user @chunvn, who is pretty accurate with leaks, One UI 7 is going to get a lot of inspiration from iOS 18.

This will include a more rounded icon pack, which will look “sorta like macOS/visionOS icons” according to their source. The Gallery app icon is also getting a redesign with a white background and rainbow type flower, which is also an “iOS copycat” again according to their source.

Additionally, the notification panel is changing to a two-page panel. With the left side being notifications only and the right side being toggles. This is how it works on iOS, as well as Xiaomi’s Hyper OS, and even in ASUS’ “Optimized” version of the notifications panel. They believe this will be a direct copy-paste from HyperOS.

There will also be more rounded lockscreen widgets, a revamped camera UI with all of the quick camera settings on the top being moved to the bottom of the camera app.

Samsung is bringing iOS 18 to its Galaxy devices

This year, Samsung really seems to be going all-in on “borrowing” things from Apple. Just a few weeks ago, we saw the new Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro which now have a stem like the AirPods. Samsung also announced the Galaxy Watch Ultra which sort of looks like Apple, but not quite. Now, the next major update for the Galaxy ecosystem is going to include quite a few takeaways from iOS 18.

Samsung has seen the success that many others have had, borrowing aspects of Apple’s products and putting it into their own. And now it seems like Samsung is doing that as well. We’ll have to wait and see how well it works out for them.


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Samsung ShotControl elevates basketball performance with AI

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Samsung ShotControl elevates basketball performance with AI
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Last month, Samsung launched a revolutionary sneaker that lets you control your phone with dance moves. The company has just announced another groundbreaking technological innovation, the Samsung ShotControl. It’s an AI training tool that helps basketball players analyze their performance and improve their game over time. The Dutch men’s and women’s teams in 3×3 basketball already use the tool.

Samsung ShotControl uses AI to revolutionize your basketball performance

Basketball is one of the most physically challenging games, and 3×3 basketball is even more so. Known as the most intense form of basketball, it is a 10-minute sprint where players do not have enough time to think and strategize. The game gets particularly intense in the last three minutes as teams rush to score that vital point and win. Players need to be on top of their game physically and mentally to come out victorious.

Samsung ShotControl helps 3×3 basketball players perform at their best during this critical phase of the game. According to the company, this AI tool “measures the field position, the elbow angle during the throw, hit or miss shot, and even the heart rate of the athletes to monitor fatigue levels.” An extensive dataset is readily available on the connected Samsung smartphone, like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 with a big screen.

Coaches and athletes can use the data to identify their strengths and weaknesses. These insights allow them to train in a targeted way and improve their performance on the court. Advanced heat maps of players’ activities during training sessions and competitive games enable efficient analysis of the position and precision of shots. With Samsung ShotControl, 3×3 basketball players can take their game to the next level.

The new AI tool will shine at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris

Samsung says its continuously evolving machine learning-based tool has been collecting data from both the Dutch men’s and women’s teams in 3×3 basketball since March 2024. Samsung ShotControl supported them “on their way to the 2024 Summer Olympics and other important tournaments such as the European Championships and World Cups.” The Dutch men’s team has qualified for the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

“The first results of Samsung ShotControl already provide insights that we can implement [in] Paris,” said TeamNL 3×3 basketball head coach Aron Roye. “… they reveal surprising outcomes that reveal interesting scoring opportunities for players in specific phases of the match.” Dutch basketball player Worthy de Jong added that Samsung ShotControl has the potential to help them strengthen their position “in the international 3×3 landscape.”


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Google app is getting 3 new info-packed weather widgets

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Google app is getting 3 new info-packed weather widgets
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Google is working on a few new weather widgets for the homescreen of Android devices. According to an APK teardown by Android Authority, at least three new homescreen weather widgets are in the works for the Google app. The new widgets will overhaul or replace the current options available for Android devices via the Google app. The search titan has already changed its weather experience in the Google app last year with the latest Pixel devices.

Google app will soon have 3 three new weather widgets for Android’s homescreen

As per AssembleDebug’s report for Android Authority, three new weather widgets are in the pipeline for the Google app. The source has played around with the latest beta version 15.28.37.29 of the Google app for Android and found the new widgets. The upcoming widgets will offer slightly more information than the options currently available. The new widgets will include a space-saving smaller option, apart from the two widgets with expanded hourly views on the weather.

The report indicates that Google is working on a square 2×2 widget and a day-at-a-glance hourly 4×2 widget. Furthermore, an expanded 4×3 option includes a forecast of the upcoming next few days. While there’s only a subtle distinction between the upcoming and current widgets, the new ones will provide more weather data.

The current weather widgets offer limited information

At the moment, the Google app offers either a 3×2 widget showing the latest weather, or a bigger 4×2 widget with the hourly forecast. You can easily resize these widgets on your Android phone or tablet. The shape and content of these widgets vary as you tweak their size parameters. However, they do not display the same information as the upcoming widgets.

Google is currently testing out the upcoming weather widgets for the app in the beta version. As of now, there’s no word when these new widgets will be available for all Android devices. We will keep an eye out and will bring you more information on the matter soon, so stay tuned for the latest updates.


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You can now leave temporary notes on your friends’ Instagram posts and reels

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You can now leave temporary notes on your friends’ Instagram posts and reels
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Image credit — Meta
Instagram has announced the ability to leave Notes directly on Reels and Feed posts, so you can easily share your thoughts and reactions and providing a fresh avenue for connection and engagement. This feature aligns with the platform’s ongoing focus on fostering more personal interactions among users.

Notes’ real-time nature enables users to quickly share their thoughts on the content their friends are enjoying, making it easier to stay connected and involved in conversations. The feature’s temporary nature, with Notes disappearing after three days, encourages spontaneous and unfiltered reactions. This makes it ideal for sharing lighthearted commentary, quick opinions, or humorous remarks on trending topics.Beyond reacting to posts, Notes can also serve as a tool for expressing support and appreciation. Users can leave a note on a friend’s selfie, show enthusiasm for a new music release, or share excitement about a collaboration with a favorite brand. Meta states that early testing of the feature showing that people are enjoying the ability to leave quick thoughts and commentary on Notes for friends and mutuals to see, especially on comedic content.Creating a Note is a seamless process:
  1. Click on the airplane icon and tap on the Note icon in the bottom left corner
  2. Choose your audience by selecting “Close Friends” or “Followers you follow back”
  3. Type your message and post your note

Instagram Notes | Images credit — Meta

Whether it’s a quick reaction to a funny Reel, a supportive comment on a friend’s post, or a shared excitement for a new trend, Notes offers a simple yet effective way to stay connected and engaged with the Instagram community. The ephemeral nature of Notes also adds a layer of spontaneity and authenticity to interactions, encouraging users to express themselves freely and without overthinking.

This feature is now rolling out globally. It remains to be seen how the public will be using it, and whether this will eventually be used more than regular commenting.


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Gboard could get an option to switch to another font

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Gboard could get an option to switch to another font
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Google could be working on an option to choose between fonts in Gboard. Currently, the Google keyboard app only displays characters in its default font, ignoring the font set in the device’s settings. That said, the new feature may be somewhat limited in terms of functionality for many devices.

Android Authority found references to the potential new option in the code of the latest Gboard app beta (v14.4.06.646482735). According to the report, the Gboard settings may get a new “Font” option soon. Currently, the latter is not available by default, but the source could enable it to offer an early preview.

The potential Gboard’s option to choose between fonts would be limited

Sadly, the feature may not offer everything you would expect. Apparently, it will not let you freely set the font you want, but rather it will allow you to choose whether you want Gboard to display the keyboard’s app default font or the device’s system font. Natively, Android does not yet allow you to switch between different font styles for the whole OS. However, there are custom skins, like One UI or OxygenOS, that let you do so.

So, if implemented, the new Gboard option will not be useful for Android users whose devices do not include a custom skin with the option to choose between multiple system fonts. However, the devices that allow this kind of customization will offer a more cohesive experience by matching the keyboard font to that of the OS.

Currently, the feature is still under development, but is functional once enabled. Google’s plans regarding the implementation of the Gboard’s font change feature are unknown. In any case, let’s hope that it is the first step towards a future where the company allows you to change the font of both the keyboard app and the whole Android OS without resorting to third-party apps, mods, or custom skins.


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T-Mobile reportedly wants to acquire Metronet through a joint venture

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T-Mobile reportedly wants to acquire Metronet through a joint venture
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It looks like T-Mobile’s acquisition game isn’t over just yet. The company is reportedly planning to buy Metronet, a fiber internet service provider (ISP) based in the United States. Unlike Mint Mobile’s sole acquisition earlier this year, T-Mobile plans to join hands with global investment firm KKR to acquire Metronet.

T-Mobile is reportedly planning to acquire Metronet through a joint venture with KKR

The news comes via PhoneArena which spotted a paywalled report from TMT finance hinting at the possible acquisition. According to the report, T-Mobile and KKR will have an equal stake in Metronet following the acquisition.

For the uninitiated, Metronet is America’s largest privately-owned fiber company headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. This renowned fiber-optic company has a user base of 2 million and currently offers services in over 300 communities across 17 states.

Apart from the Metronet acquisition, T-Mobile has already shown interest in buying fiber internet provider Lumos. And, the company plans to do so by forming a joint venture with global investment company EQT.

T-Mobile would still be far from reaching all American households

In the past, T-Mobile has stated that it couldn’t fulfill the broadband demand solely through its wireless services. It also acknowledges that fiber is considerably faster than 5G home internet. That’s the main reason why it is currently offering fiber services in a few markets. The smartphone carrier giant has been able to do so through partnership agreements with some fiber ISPs.

Now that T-Mobile is planning to acquire Lumos and Metronet through two joint ventures, it can tap into more US households than it did previously. However, Vikash Harlalka, an analyst at New Street Research, notes that the Metronet deal would help T-Mobile cover only 1.5%of American households.

Whereas, the Lumos deal would help it access 2% to 3%of total households, that too, by 2028. In short, this also means T-Mobile would still be far away from covering all American households following the planned acquisitions.


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