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Character.AI Founders and Team Join Google in $25 Billion Deal

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It has hired Character.AI’s co-founders Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas. More importantly, their research team of 30 members also comes as part of the deal. Character.AI was founded by the cofounders after they left Google in 2021 because of dissatisfaction with the bureaucratic processes at Google. Their returning to Google is a huge change in tides.

The deal has something for both investors and employees in the form of compensation. Google values Character.AI at $25 billion. That valuation speaks much about the pace at which the startup grew and its gross potential. Furthermore, Google will offer cash equal to the vested shares. This move will ensure that all parties are compensated fairly.

Before this acquisition, Character.AI raised about $150 million. The valuation of the startup was $1 billion. This huge jump in valuation depicts that it is developing very fast. Hence, the acquisition speaks a lot about the technological advancement of Character.AI.

The acquisition by Google is for enhancing its artificial intelligence capabilities. The in-house integration of Character.AI expertise is going to give a boost to the development of AI for Google. Further, it also indicates the innovative nature of Google. Moreover, this move places Google in a strategic position in this highly competitive AI market.

This acquisition by Google of Character.AI shows one major step toward development. It is a major deal that encompasses the advancement in AI technology. The strategic hire of Google is going to boost its AI capabilities. So, it will shape the future of AI development.

Realme C61 Now Available in Malaysia with Impressive Features

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Realme has launched a new device in Malaysia, the Realme C61. Starting at 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, it comes with a price tag of RM499. Color variants include Sparkle Gold and Dark Green, available in Realme Brand Stores, authorized dealers, and even on online platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok.

The Realme C61 is pretty slim at 7.84mm in thickness. It features a glass front, plastic frame, and plastic back. It sports a 6.74″ HD+ IPS LCD at the front, which offers a pretty view with its refresh rate at 90Hz.

Realme C61

The Realme C61, powered by the Unisoc Tiger T612 Octa-core processor, assures customers of a flagship-like experience. It equips 6GB RAM, extendable up to 18GB using Realme’s DRE technology. This setup does not lag and supports up to 18 applications running in the background.

Realme C61

It comes equipped with a 50MP AI primary camera and a 0.08MP auxiliary lens. The main camera supports video recording up to 1080p at 30fps. For selfies, it comes with a 5 MP front camera. The C61 is built for ruggedness and resistance to drops, with an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance.

The Realme C61 has a fitted 5,000mAh battery, rated for up to two days of use. There’s also mention of a 4-year battery health guarantee. Other conveniences on the C61 include 15W fast charging, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Everything You Need to Know About Made by Google Event

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Now it’s time for Google’s most awaited event, Made by Google, which brings forward new devices. The most interesting thing would be the Pixel 9 lineup, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. These smartphones ensure significant upgrades over their predecessors. Another smartphone that will be launched will be the Pixel 9 Pro Fold with a new design and increased specifications.

Furthermore, Google is about to release Android 15, boasting of its AI capability with its Gemini feature. This would represent a new OS version and would be installed with enhanced security features and context AI. Much more intuitive and fluid when people interact with their devices.

It will also unbox new accessories like the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and probably a new Pixel Watch. There may be some other cool devices like a refreshed Google TV streaming box and one more fresh Nest Learning Thermostat.

Mark down that day, August 13 at 1 PM ET. Google is looking to make a big wave just right before Apple introduces its new iPhone 16. Stay tuned for updates on the latest technology trends.

WhatsApp Beta Unveils New Meta AI Voice Messaging Capability

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2024 saw the mad rush of all the technology giants to incorporate AI chatbots into daily life. Spearheading this charge are Google Gemini and ChatGPT. Not far behind is Meta—having rolled out Meta AI voice into WhatsApp. This makes chatting with Meta AI easier.

WhatsApp Beta for Android version 2.24.16.10 is incorporating a new feature that will allow users to forward their voice messages to Meta AI. This way, there is no longer the need to write long, boring prompts. WaBetaInfo shared a screenshot of the new feature—inside the Meta AI chat interface, it’s evident that there is now a voice message button.

 Meta AI voice

Now, Meta’s AI voice chat could work like regular voice messages. Details regarding supported languages are yet to be revealed, but certainly, multilingual support would be there owing to WhatsApp’s strong popularity in South Asia. This could broaden its usability.

The key would be how it works within WhatsApp. Meta AI will either respond or maybe even recommend responses to messages. Or maybe it’s going to be a general voice assistant for web searches and recommendations. If that’s the case, it’ll go up against the voice assistants already in place from smartphones.

Currently available only to beta testers, it should soon reach a broader audience. We are waiting to see how this feature further evolves.

Infinix Note 40X Now Available in Malaysia with Premium Features

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Infinix has finally launched the Note 40X—the latest entry-level smartphone in its lineup. It’s the sixth model from the Note 40 series to hit the shores of Malaysia. The obvious would be that it is the cheapest offering within the series. It will have an LCD panel, unlike the rest of its AMOLED siblings.

Infinix Note 40X

The Infinix Note 40X is now available for purchase as of today. The device is priced at RM849 and comes in three colors. One can buy it through Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and Authorized Retailers. Previously, there was a listing error that showed the price to be RM869, but it was corrected.

Infinix Note 40X

It features a 6.78″ 1080p IPS LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits peak brightness. System-wise, it is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip. Memory comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage.

Note 40X comes with a 108MP main camera for photography. Also, it has a 2MP macro lens, a depth sensor, and an 8MP front sensor. It comes with a 5,000mAh battery supporting 18W charging.

Infinix Note 40X

Well, for a budget phone, this one doesn’t come short of options when talking about connectivity, it has 5G, Wi-Fi 5, NFC, Bluetooth, and even a jack for 3.5 mm audio. For what it costs, the specs are great on the Infinix Note 40X, enough to spell real competition to entry-level rivals.

New YouTube Suspension Policy: Can Appeal Before Suspension

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Google is updating the suspension policy for YouTube creators who have monetized content. The change is significant to members of the YouTube Partner Program. Now, in terms of violations, Google will let creators appeal before suspending their accounts. Earlier, the YouTube suspension used to happen first and the scope for appeal was after. According to the update, during an investigation, this policy adjustment is supposed to protect the income stream of the creators.

For less prominent or marginally clear violations, Google will delay suspensions to avoid inconveniencing creators. However, in the case of a severe policy violation, immediate suspension still stands. Correspondingly, Google’s new practice shall not cover everything at the very beginning. Early appeals will extend over time though the specifics remain unclear. Google hopes to include more violations and creators in the future.

Such changes are valued by creators, making YouTube a bit more just. Early appeal would reduce unwarranted suspensions, and this kind of policy reflects the creator-friendly approach. Further updates that spell out which violations qualify for an early appeal are very promising. It is good that Google will keep on improving and expanding this initiative.

These policy changes are greatly in favor of the creators at YouTube. They now can deal with their issues without jeopardizing their livelihoods. Google’s approach proves that indeed it stands for its community of creators.

Intel’s New 5-Year Warranty for 13th and 14th Gen CPUs

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Intel has made the decision to extend the warranty for its 13th and 14th Gen Intel Core Central Processing Units, following a number of customer complaints about the processors’ stability. The company retains the current three-year limited warranty and adds an extension of two years. This ensures that Intel is supportive to affected customers as the products are exchanged.

 Intel CPU warranty extension

Symptoms of instability are as well sheered off a fact well known too by Intel. According to Thomas Hannaford, an Intel representative, the company will give further guidance on the rules of engagement in regard to the extended warranty. This is indeed a significant move after the five years guarantee for most of the CPUs that are affected by this scandal.

The electrical underpinning according to experts of the issue primarily concerned having an increased voltage when in operation. Patch for the root cause of these problems is already being developed by Intel. This patch is going to be released around mid-August. However, this will not repair or fix any processors that have already been damaged.

Intel has encouraged its customers to replace damage chips. Some of the inconvenience will be erased as long as the warranty period is prolonged. The further support is help in protecting customer trust and satisfaction for Intel.

Xperia 10 VI Debuts in Malaysia: All About the New Smartphone

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Sony has officially launched the Xperia 10 VI in Malaysia. This launch comes nearly a month after the Xperia 1 VI debut in July. Notable features of the Xperia 10 VI include its strong battery and lightness. These attributes were pointed out in some of the earlier previews this year.

It will come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor. The device is powered by a 5,000mAh battery, rated to last up to two days on a single charge. Additionally, it will come with 8GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage that supports microSDXC up to 1.5 TB.

The Xperia 10 VI has a strong build with a transparent case and tempered glass screen protector. It comes with a 6.1″ Full HD+ OLED display with a 21:9 aspect ratio and 60Hz refresh rate, while the touch sampling rate is 120Hz. It still has IPX5/IPX8 water resistance and IP6X dust resistance ratings.

  • Xperia 10 VI
  • Xperia 10 VI

For photography, it packs a 48MP main sensor and an 8MP wide-angle lens in the rear camera system. It has an 8MP sensor that serves as the front-facing camera. At its top and bottom bezels, it keeps the camera off the screen and saves the frontal stereo speakers.

The Sony Xperia 10 VI is now available in the online store of Sony Malaysia for a price of RM2,199. The colors will be black and light blue. With early bird promotion, those who buy fast will get a free pair of Sony’s ULT Wear Headphones worth RM899.

Join Samsung’s New Portrait Studio at Experience Stores

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Samsung Malaysia invites members of the public to experience its new Portrait Studio feature that is available in its newly launched smartphones, namely the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Galaxy Z Fold6. The campaign encourages users to try out the Portrait Studio at local Samsung Experience Stores. You can capture and edit your portraits in an artistic manner using state-of-the-art face recognition technology from the Galaxy.

Samsung Portrait Studio

It has many different styles, like Disney and Pixar-like 3D cartoons. The feature allows multiple artistic results so that you can choose the best one that would be suitable for you. Typically, you would need to use either the Galaxy Z Flip 6 or Z Fold 6 to use the feature. Samsung is letting you use both phones and Portrait Studio at their Experience Stores.

Moreover, Samsung is conducting a promotional campaign whereby you can have your AI-generated portrait featured on 50 billboards across Malaysia. Weekly, it shall be the turn of 50 contributors and it showcases the portraits of contributors, each with their social media tags for recognition.

Samsung Portrait Studio

Step into the scene and join in—just share your Portrait Mode photo from the Samsung Experience Store on social media. Tag @SamsungMalaysia with #MadewithPortraitStudio and #GalaxyAI in your post. Ensure that your profile can be viewed by anyone. The campaign ends on 30 August 2024.

Bring your creativity to life with this unique opportunity by engaging with the latest technology of Samsung, and you may get your portrait up-front and center. Visit a Samsung Experience Store today and immerse in all the action.

Pixel 9 Series Arrives in Malaysia: What You Need to Know

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Google Malaysia has hinted at the release of the Pixel 9 series here in Malaysia, but the company has yet to confirm the details. With the hint, local telcos, including Maxis, have gone on to confirm the availability of the Pixel smartphones here in Malaysia. This has been among the most imperative steps for Google fans living here in this region.

Maxis has not disclosed specific details on Pixel 9 variants or their pricing. It has kept the specifications and availability of the devices mum as well. Although it did mention the Pixel 9 Pro in its announcement, the company failed to provide the exact lineup and pricing.

Pre-orders of the Pixel9 series will happen on launch day, August 14. The official Google event is going to take place at 1:00 AM Malaysian time on the same day and will be held at Google HQ in Mountain View.

A lot more related updates on the Pixel 9 series should come out in the run-up to the launch date. After all, the official event does promise to give away all the essential details about Google’s latest flagship smartphones. Keep a watch on the announcements for the latest information.