TAIPEI, Sept. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Ubitus K.K., a global leader in cloud gaming solutions, will demonstrate potential AI applications in games, based on customized large language models (LLM), graph diffusion models, and other generative AI tools. Come talk to Ubi-chan, the AI avatar of Ubitus, at the 2023 Tokyo Game Show in Convention Hall BM-10.
Advancing AI in Games
Ubitus is at the forefront of providing AI solutions in games, encompassing content, interface, and visual presentation. By training LLM with game data and local language, AI can converse like a knowledgeable Japanese gamer. By incorporating voice recognition and text-to-speech, AI can chat like a real person. By synchronizing body, facial, and lips movements with voice, avatar and human characters can come to life. All these AI technologies consummate to Ubi-chan, an AI avatar who is fluent in spoken Japanese and knowledgeable of Japanese games. Ubi-chan can be a receptionist at TGS, an NPC in games, a moderator in game forums; as long as there is a browser and an internet connection, Ubi-chan is there to serve and accompany you.
“AI can dramatically enhance productivity and enrich user experiences. As a solution provider, we want to help our customers gain the upper hand in this fast AI revolution,” Wesley Kuo, CEO of Ubitus, commented. In addition to Ubi-chan, Ubitus can provide support for game companies to apply AI in their production process, as illustrated by Ubi Art, an image generative tool like Stable Diffusion.
Experience the future of AI with Ubi-chan
From September 21st to 22nd, visitors are invited to interact with Ubi-chan firsthand at Ubitus booth or via online https://tgs23-chat.ubitus.ai
Interested companies can make appointments during our meeting sessions to learn more about specific AI applications.
About Ubitus
Ubitus operates the world’s best GPU virtualization technology and cloud streaming platform, and is dedicated to providing a superior user experience via its advanced technology. As long as users are connected to a broadband network, they can enjoy AAA gaming experience across various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, game consoles, smart TVs, and personal computers.
With innovative Game Cloud® technology, Ubitus is able to stream interactive media content with immersive experience on multi-devices for platform operators and digital content developers, to accelerate metaverse popularization with broad applications.
Leveraging the power of GPUs, Ubitus has ventured into AI development. Large language models (LLM), graph diffusion models, and other generative AI tools aim to provide innovative solutions for unique challenges across various industries.
SHANGHAI, Sept. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Infinix today proudly introduces the Infinix NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition, a bold blend of speed and innovation. Created in partnership with BMW’s esteemed Designworks, this handset embodies the essence of racing and technology. Designed to ignite the spirit of pushing boundaries and embracing velocity, the NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition stands as a powerful symbol of performance and racing fervor. Its cutting-edge materials and reimagined aesthetics earned it the prestigious iF Design Award 2023.
Design collaboration with BMW’s Designworks
“The NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition is a true flagship smartphone combining legendary design with top specifications. Through this collaboration with Designworks, we have pushed the boundaries of product design once again and integrated racing elements that represent speed and passion together with our leading products. With its futuristic look and powerful configuration, the NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition brings young users personalized product experiences that share our brand spirit and encourage everyone to follow their heart and continually challenge themselves,” Lake Hu, CMO at Infinix.
“We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Infinix. Incorporating racing elements into the heritage of the Note 30 VIP was both fun and challenging. Infinix gave us the freedom to create, allowing us to create a more futuristic look for the younger generation while pushing the limits by integrating the racing spirit into every detail of the phone design,” Andre De Salis, Creative Director of Designworks.
Featuring innovative 3D Lighting Leather technology
Racing Themed Design Inspiration
The NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition draws its inspiration from the exhilarating realm of street racing. Emulating the captivating scenes of neon-lit racing cars at night, this design guarantees a standout presence.
Incorporating groundbreaking 3D Lighting Leather technology on the back, Infinix pioneers a fusion of classic leather texture with cutting-edge lighting effects. The result is a truly unique visual and interactive encounter. This innovation allows the iconic tri-color light band on the rear back plate to shine through the black leather grain, merging elegance and innovation. This light band symbolizes speed, performance, and power, echoing the digital racing dashboard’s advanced nature and Infinix’s persistent spirit of challenge. Furthermore, this light band dynamically indicates the phone’s status through various light patterns, adding both aesthetics and practicality.
Echoing racing aesthetics, the NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition integrates motorsport elements into its design. The back cover’s design evokes the iconic checkered flag that signals race completion. The palm grip is adorned with small embossed triangles, reminiscent of performance racing steering wheels. This enhances grip and stability for an optimal hold.
Supercharged Specifications
Adding to the pulse-pounding velocity of the NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition is the revival of the NOTE series’ renowned All-Round FastCharge technology. With support for both 68W wired and 50W wireless charging, users can swiftly recharge their battery with a pit stop. This technology includes features like Reverse Charge (both wired and wireless), Bypass Charge, AI Smart Charge, and PD 3.0, ensuring a solution for every charging situation, enabling users to take control of their power around the clock.
This high-performance experience is propelled by the robust engine at the core of the NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition. Powered by the advanced 6nm Dimensity 8050 5G platform, the device effortlessly handles multitasking and immersive 3D gaming. The phone boasts a 120Hz refresh rate 10-bit AMOLED screen for a crisp and invigorating visual journey. In terms of photography, the NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition flaunts a 108MP main camera and a 32MP selfie camera, empowering users to capture intricately detailed shots that reflect their unique perspective.
An Exclusive VIP Experience
The NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition goes beyond its design to embody the spirit of speed through an extensively customized operating system. Precisely tailored, the NOTE 30 VIP boasts a unique UI theme that mirrors racing’s essence. This theme is harmonized with the color of the back plate’s light band, reflecting velocity in every aspect. Introducing Infinix’s innovative Magic Ring feature, the NOTE 30 VIP takes operating to new heights with seamless multitasking. Leveraging the front camera punch holes, Magic Ring provides swift access to information and services through a user-friendly UI design. This eliminates the need for app switching, enhancing the overall interaction experience.
Availability
To enhance the racing-inspired journey, buyers of the NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition can access a comprehensive array of VIP benefits. These encompass exclusive after-sales support, prioritized repair services, and an array of premium VIP privileges. These services mirror the high-energy thrill of the phone, offering an elevated experience to match its exhilarating essence.
The Infinix NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition will hit the market in specific global regions, with an approximate price tag of $315.
Infinix Mobility is a rapidly emerging technology brand that designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of smart devices worldwide under the Infinix brand, which was founded in 2013. Targeting today’s youth with first in class technology, Infinix creates trendy, powerful and attainably priced smart devices that bring the latest technology on the market to users around the world at a time when they need it at a price that they want.
It’s that time of year again – new(ish) Nintendo Switch bundles are here. Starting from October 6, you can dive into the world of Super Mario with the Nintendo Switch™ Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe Bundle. This bundle includes a digital copy of the thrilling racing game and a three-month individual membership to Nintendo Switch Online, providing you with all the essentials to embark on your Super Mario adventures.
However, one massive thing you have to take note of is that we’re not talking about the OLED version of the Nintendo Switch. We’re talking about the regular Switch which also means that the bundle is technically the same bundle that we’ve seen from Nintendo previously.
But that’s not all! October 6 also marks the arrival of two enchanting Nintendo Switch Lite system bundles. These bundles feature charming designs inspired by the beloved Animal Crossing™: New Horizons game and include a digital version of the game itself.
If you’re a fan of Animal Crossing, you’re in for a treat. The exclusive Nintendo Switch Lite bundles are inspired by the charming world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Here’s what you can expect:
Nintendo Switch Lite Isabelle’s Aloha Edition – Animal Crossing: New Horizons Bundle (Target Exclusive): This bundle includes a coral-coloured system adorned with a leaf design on the front and a white leaf motif on the back.
Nintendo Switch Lite Timmy & Tommy’s Aloha Edition – Animal Crossing: New Horizons Bundle (Walmart Exclusive): Only available at Walmart, this exclusive bundle features a cool turquoise-coloured system with the same leaf-inspired design.
While these bundles are exclusive to the U.S., it wouldn’t surprise us to see these bundles come to Malaysia in stores like Impulse Gaming, Atlas Gamers and M4G.
It’s the perfect time to get your Switch or Switch Lite if you don’t already have one. Nintendo has had one of the best lineups for their hybrid console this year with games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Metroid Prime Remastered. Let’s not forget the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Wonder game, set to launch on October 20.
Unity has been at the receiving end of ire from the Game development community and here’s what’s happening.
In a startling move that has left the game development community reeling, Unity, the company behind one of the most prolific game engines, has announced a new pricing model set to go live on January 1, 2024. Unlike Unity’s traditional royalty-free licensing structure, this change introduces a “per-install” fee, triggering outrage and concern among developers.
Breaking Down the New Pricing Structure
Unity’s “Runtime Fee” is poised to impact developers based on the number of game installations. The fee structure varies depending on the subscription tier:
Unity Personal: Developers under this tier will incur a $0.20 per-install fee after their game achieves $200,000 in annual revenue and 200,000 lifetime installs.
Unity Pro and Enterprise: These tiers will experience slightly lower per-install fees starting at $0.125 to $0.15 after a game reaches $1 million in annual revenue and 1 million total installs. Volume discounts will apply for heavily installed games, potentially going as low as $0.01 per install for games with 1 million monthly installations.
The new pricing model will affect certain countries, including the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. In other countries, an “emerging markets rate” ranging from $0.005 to $0.02 will apply after meeting the minimum thresholds.
Source: Unity Technologies
Developer Shock, Outrage & Concerns
Unity’s decision to switch to a per-install fee structure has sparked widespread anger within the game development community. This change fundamentally contradicts Unity’s previous approach, which allowed developers making under $100,000 per month to enjoy fee-free usage of the Unity engine. Larger developers, earning $200,000 or more monthly, paid only per-seat subscription fees for access to Unity’s full-featured Editor.
This shift has not only infuriated developers but has also cast a shadow on trust in Unity. Many developers are concerned about retroactive changes, as the new fee structure will apply to previously existing Unity games. Developers who invested significant time and resources into Unity based on its royalty-free structure now feel betrayed.
I was wrong. This is how the fees are working out for Rust:
Lifetime we'd have paid them about $410k more. About $40k a year. Last month it would have cost us $2,517.
While this isn't much, here's some stuff I don't like:
– Unity can just start charging us a tax per install? -…
The outcry was loudest on X, formerly Twitter. Developers were up in arms as the changes in the pricing structure for Unity’s game engine could result in Unity charging more than the developer will ever make. This would create a very unsustainable development cycle for games. In a post on X, Gary Newman, founder of Facepunch – the company behind the hit game Rust, outlined that the new pricing policy not only increases the price of maintaining and developing games, it does so exponentially. In his post, he outlines what would have cost his company USD$410,000 over the lifetime of the game, it would cost the company USD$2,517 a month barring increases to the install base of Rust. In an interview with IGN, Newman has come out saying that Rust 2 would not be a Unity based game due to the changes.
Developer Aggro Crab also highlights that games on services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus would incur costs simply for access to the user base when they agree to list on these services. Let’s not forget massive games like Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact that use Unity’s development engine and are free to play would incur massive fees which could put companies like Hoyoverse and Aggro Crab out of business. Let’s not forget games like PokémonGO.
Possible Misuse and Privacy Concerns
Developers fear the potential for abuse in a per-install fee model. Groups of gamers with a history of “review bombing” could theoretically engage in “install bombing” by repeatedly installing and deleting a game, incurring costs for the developer with each new installation. Pirated copies of games could also be factored into the fee calculations, adding costs for illicit downloads.
Initially, Unity stated that the per-install fee would apply even if a user deleted and re-installed a game. However, they later adjusted this stance to charge only for the initial installation on a single device with exceptions for secondary devices like the Steam Deck. In addition, the wording of the announcement and its terms and conditions indicate that fees would be incurred by the distributing entity. This would mean that platforms like Steam, Epic Game Store and App Store would be the ones who would incur the charge and not developers.
Developers also question Unity’s ability to accurately track installations, raising concerns about privacy and the accuracy of Unity’s counting methods. These concerns and the uproar at the change in pricing have resulted in a massive dip in Unity’s shares with the trend continuing today after some reprieve. What’s even more intriguing is the fact that the top brass in Unity divested a portion of their shares days before the announcement. CEO Jon Riccitiello alone sold 2,000 shares the week before the announcement according to Kotaku.
Impact on Game Business Models
Unity’s new fee structure could significantly impact the feasibility of various game business models. It may discourage developers from offering low-cost games due to the additional fee burden. Additionally, games distributed through subscription services like Microsoft’s Game Pass may face financial challenges due to per-install fees.
Some developers are urging players not to install their games in protest of the new fee. The overall sentiment among developers is one of frustration and distrust, with many questioning Unity’s commitment to its user base. Some developers are looking into delaying upcoming games to jump to another engine like Valve’s Unreal Engine. It’s worth noting that Unity was launched to “democratize game development” and now, it seems like the company wants to cash in in the most douchy way possible. Having only just gained prominence in recent years, the company is looking at a possible mass exodus of developers from its platform due to the pricing change that is due to come into effect in 2024.
Unity’s announcement has set off a firestorm of controversy, with developers clamouring for changes to restore trust and transparency in their relationship with the platform provider.
Google’s Android Auto has been getting constant updates for a while now and is getting the attention it finally deserves. Android Auto has been a blessing for plenty of Android users in their cars. With every update, they just get better, more useful, and even more relevant to drivers today than ever before. You can use Google Assistant seamlessly in your car, for example. You can also reply to text messages via Android Auto, obviously via voice activation. In one of their latest updates, the interface now allows you to spread the screen out in multiple windows with Google Maps or Waze taking up most of the real estate while allowing another app like YouTube Music, Tidal, or Spotify in a smaller window. Even your notification can get its own window in the latest interface.
Source: Google
In their latest update, Google is looking to make Android Auto a better journey companion than before by bringing more apps into the Android Auto Ecosystem. For those that are always on-the-go but can never get away from their smartphones for work, Google is bringing Zoom and WebEx into Android Auto for a more seamless video call experience even when you are stuck in a terrible traffic jam. For the long-drawn-out standstill traffic, they are also bringing Prime Video into the fold. Best of all though, for better journey planning, they are bringing weather updates via The Weather Channel app into Android Auto.
The Weather Channel app has been the most popular weather prediction app on Android devices worldwide. It is only natural to start bringing the app into Android Auto for the purpose of journey planning. The Android Auto version of the app will operate a little differently from the smartphone app though. There are still some similarities like push weather updates, but now it is more catered toward your specific journeys. It updates the users of incoming bad weather, for example, just so that you can either plan around the traffic build up, or brace for extended journey times. The Android Auto app also can offer hourly forecasts, follow-me alerting, and Trip View radar that allows you to be your own F1 race engineer watching out for rain on your journey.
Source: Google
The updates are being rolled out to Android Auto units by select manufacturers currently and will roll out to other users following the select manufacturers. They are also rolling out digital key support in select regions for select manufacturers and models. Of course, while that nifty feature allows you to lock and unlock your car via your smartphone, you want to keep in mind that it will only work if your care comes natively with Android Auto. More information on the latest updates on Android Auto can be found on their website.
Transforming revenue generation across FAST, AVOD, and Linear TV Platforms
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), a leading creator of AI technology solutions for the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry, is proud to announce the launch of Ad Break Automation, powered by CLEAR® AI at IBC 2023. This significant advancement is poised to generate revenue for content on Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST), Ad-Supported Video on Demand (AVOD), and Linear TV platforms.
The Ad Break Automation feature enables content owners to automatically identify the best spots for ad placement according to the specific policies of FAST and AVOD platforms. It gives keywords within the content between ad markers to facilitate contextual ad placement. Content owners can now avoid the cumbersome manual placement of ads for each platform. Overlay ads, including banners, lower thirds, and L-bands, can be intelligently placed with the content. This creates an additional revenue stream for content owners. The Ad Break Automation user interface lets you set rules for each destination, and you can conveniently review and edit them when necessary.
“With the exponential growth anticipated in FAST revenues—predicted to triple and exceed $18 billion by 2028, as per Digital TV Research—there’s no better time to transform your monetization approach,” said Murali Sridhar, Senior Vice President of Product Management at PFT. “No more cumbersome and counterintuitive spreadsheets for ad break management; bring automation within advertising workflows, deliver contextual advertisements, and supercharge your top line with CLEAR® AI.”
Utilize CLEAR® AI to:
Harness the power of multi-modal AI analysis and Machine Wisdom technology to discover scenes, segments, and in-content metadata.
Automatically identify the best potential ad break opportunities within your content, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Efficiently manage your content distribution by accessing predefined ad break policies tailored for various FAST/AVOD platforms and automatically exporting ad break markers that align with platform requirements.
Empower users to preview the potential breaks, AI-recommended ad overlays, and contextual metadata through an intuitive user interface.
Join us at IBC 2023 for a demo of Ad Break Automation. To arrange a meeting with us, click here. We are at stand Hall 3, C23.
PFT has recently secured its third distinctive non-adjacent US Patent for AI-enabled Scene Detection, with four more AI patents pending grant.
About Prime Focus Technologies
Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) is the creator of CLEAR® and CLEAR® AI. It offers streaming platforms, studios, and broadcasters transformational AI-led technology and media services powered by the cloud that help them lower their Total Cost of Operations (TCOP) by automating their content supply chain. PFT works with major companies like Walt Disney-owned Star TV, Channel 4, ITV, Sinclair Broadcast Group, A&E Networks, Warner Media, PBS, CBS Television Studios, 20th Century Fox Television Studios, Lionsgate, Showtime, HBO, NBCU, TERN International, Disney+ Hotstar, BCCI, Indian Premier League and more.
Flip, Fold, Open, Close – Foldables seem to be all the rage as more and more companies continue to weigh in on the new form factor. From sleek, shiny folding clamshells to thinner-than-you-can-imagine folding tablets, that’s the current climate of the smartphone market. But, as more companies start releasing their foldables, it’s becoming more difficult to differentiate and stand out from the noise.
The Galaxy Z Flip5 is Samsung’s fourth iteration of their pioneering Galaxy Z Flip lineup and it makes some strides when it comes to functionality and features. However, is that enough for Samsung to stand out? Or will it simply get lost in the crowd? We’re taking a deep dive into the smartphone and its new features to find out just that.
Design
The Galaxy Z Flip5 is not a revolutionary update when it comes to design. Instead, Samsung has made small, incremental updates to the design in response to consumer feedback and also to accommodate the many features that it introduced.
The Flip5, like its predecessor, is very focused on being a fashionable addition to your tech gear. Its svelte form factor is meant to be easy on the eyes, light in hand and a statement piece when it comes to your outfit. It’s built to accessorize and be functional.
The biggest, most obvious change this year is the top half of the Flip being jet black. This is done to accommodate the upsized 3.4-inch display that now emblazons the top half. Samsung has also opted to keep the Flip5 colourful as a lineup with a selection of seven colours at launch with more options sure to come as the year progresses. However, the pastel palette of the Flip5 is lost and subdued even further by the jet-black upper half, leaving the phone feeling rather drab. Most colours appear white or slightly off-white after a while. We experienced this with the Mint colour of the review unit we had.
The other design change is the reduction and removal of the visible gap between the two halves when closed. While this is a major aesthetic change, it doesn’t affect the functionality. The biggest impact it had in our review period was making it harder to open the Flip with a single hand. This was just because there wasn’t a place to leverage to push the hinge open. Speaking of the hinge, Samsung has changed its design to minimize moving parts which also allowed for the removal of the gap. The only complaint we have with this design change is that it seemed to make the crease more apparent. It felt deeper, and more pronounced on the Flip5 than it was on the Flip4.
Other than that, the Galaxy Z Flip5 is still a pretty little thing when it comes to design. It’s made a few functional tweaks that leave it feeling refreshed. However, it feels like Samsung needs to refine the design a little bit more to get to that perfect balance of aesthetics and functionality.
Hardware
Hardware-wise, the Z Flip5, feels like a repeat performance of the Z Flip4. Of course, that doesn’t include the larger cover display which plays a prominent role in the improved functionality of the smartphone.
OneUI continues to homogenise the Samsung ecosystem when it comes to mobile devices. The user interface of the Flip5 is for better or worse – the same. However, there is one caveat Samsung has introduced a lot of features when it comes to the cover screen and the folding form factor. While not much has been done in terms of better adapting the UI to the longer 22:9 aspect ratio, they have introduced features which make apps look better optimised for the display.
Samsung’s focus when it came to UI this generation is undoubtedly on Flex Mode. The company has put its weight behind some apps like Facebook, Instagram, and the Google Suite to better utilise Flex Mode. In Malaysia, we have apps from companies like ZUS coffee, Family Mart and Maxis that have been optimised to make use of Flex Mode. However, for apps that haven’t been optimised, you have the option to enable the floating Flex Mode trigger which brings up a grey screen at the bottom which functions like a touchpad. Using this touchpad, you can scroll, select, and interact with the active you have in Flex Mode. One of the features I used most in Flex Mode is using the Flip5 on a flat surface to free up my hands during a video call.
Of course, Flex Mode’s features extend to a whole myriad of Samsung apps like the camera. In the camera itself, activating Flex Mode allows you to hold the Flip5 like a camcorder with functions and buttons on the bottom side while the viewfinder remains on the front. Flex Mode also allows you to take selfies with the cover screen and the main cameras.
Speaking of the Cover Display, Samsung’s new approach to it – the Flex Window expands the functionality of the display tremendously. You can now interact more directly with the apps from the cover display itself. You’ll be able to reply to messages with a full on-screen keyboard while reading it. You can create and edit calendar events seamlessly as well. However, the functionality goes into overdrive when you use some of the Good Lock modules. The Multistar module lets you use any app on the with no restrictions. During our time with the device, we tried to do some gaming with it on the Flex Window. While it didn’t feel very comfortable, it was possible to game on the FlexWindow.
While the Galaxy Z Flip5 comes with a larger FlexWindow, it did allow me to properly disconnect from my apps. I found myself striving to not open the Flip throughout the day. I was replying to messages with the FlexWindow while checking my schedule with a simple swipe. The best part is everything and I mean everything was a swipe away. This to me was the best feature of the User Interface hands down.
Performance
The Z Flip5 continues to be one of Samsung’s go-to flagships when it comes to foldables. However, aside from its processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 this year, it doesn’t feel like a flagship like its larger sibling the Fold5 or even the Galaxy S23 series.
That said, Samsung’s focus on OneUI does make it a little better with the software optimizations and a killer feature like the FlexWindow.
Multitasking & Productivity
Samsung’s focus on OneUI also trickles into productivity with features like the sidebar, split screen and floating windows playing a huge role when it comes to productivity. While the Flip doesn’t necessarily have the form factor to be a productivity powerhouse, the ability to use 2 apps in split screen and Flex mode makes it functional for people looking to get things done on the go. It also shines when it comes to creating an environment to focus on work thanks to the cover display.
Multitasking and productivity also get a little bit of a kick with the FlexWindow and more so with Good Lock. The fact that you don’t have to open your phone to get things done is a dream for me. I found myself using the calculator, calendar and to-do list apps from the FlexWindow itself. The voice recording widget made it even easier to quickly capture my thoughts. Samsung’s Notes app also helped accomplish some note-taking and productivity on the go.
Call Quality & Connectivity
With Samsung’s track record with flagship smartphones, it should come as no surprise that the Flip5 has crisp call quality and a bevvy of connectivity options including 5G. The unit we got for review didn’t come with a dual SIM but the Malaysian version of the smartphone does come with support for Dual SIMs. That said, you could leverage the eSIM capabilities of the smartphone to get the same result.
Aside from this, the Galaxy Z Flip5 does come with support for Bluetooth 5.3, and WiFi 6e. Like many of the other Samsung flagships, the Flip5 had no qualms when it comes to connectivity. 5G connectivity was quite fast with commendable performance on 4G LTE as well. If anything, the connectivity on the Flip5 and other Samsung devices, in general, has been a lot more stable than many of its Android competitors.
Bluetooth performance on the Flip5 was also pretty solid. Using the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, I was able to move about while connected to the smartphone. Signal degradation only happened about 30 to 40 meters away from the phone. It was the same even when using the OnePlus Buds2 Pro and the Sony WF-1000XM3.
Quick Connect and nearby share are boons to the device too. Provided the device you are trying to connect supports it, all you have to do is click one button and your earbuds, speakers or even laptop are connected seamlessly. The option to use nearby share to send large files wirelessly is also a plus. I mean, sending a 100MB file over a nearby share took only 5 minutes and you didn’t have to fumble with cables or finicky wireless pairing.
Gaming
When it came to gaming, the Z Flip5 was a little bit of a challenge. Let’s be straight, you’re not buying a Z Flip5 for its gaming capabilities. However, with a processor like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and extendable RAM, you would expect a little bit more from the device.
While games ran pretty well on the smartphone, the issue we had with it was that it got a little bit warm. Not as bad as the S22+ when we reviewed it, but it did get warm. Of course, this wasn’t with simple games like Candy Crush or Angry Birds. This was with games like Diablo Immortal and Genshin Impact. That said, while it did get a little warm, there were hardly any stuttering or screen tears during gaming sessions.
Your biggest challenge when it comes to the Flip5 with gaming is the fact that it has a hinge. If you’re playing a horizontal game, you run the risk of over-exerting and bending the hinge the wrong way; and even if you bend it the correct way, your gaming session is disrupted because you accidentally switched off the screen.
However, with games like Pokemon GO, Pokemon TCG Live and Marvel’s Snap, we didn’t feel the hinge as much. The vertical alignment alleviates a lot of the issues we mentioned.
Battery Life
Samsung’s track record with battery life hasn’t been the best but it’s also not the worst. With the Flip5, I was easily able to get a good 7-8 hours with regular use. This was primarily using apps like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Telegram and Threads. On days where I found myself interacting more with the FlexWindow this easily went up to about 11-13 hours. However, if you are using it constantly, you may find yourself looking for a charger in about 6 hours.
Of course, it should come as no surprise that I only managed to get about 3 hours of continuous gaming time with the Flip5. This was playing Diablo Immortal which can be quite taxing on the battery and processor.
Display
The display of the Galaxy Z Flip5 is one we’re used to seeing in Samsung flagships. The flexible AMOLED 2X and the FHD+ resolution are a good combination. The screen is capable of vivid colours and deep blacks. However, the panel can oversaturate some colours like reds and oranges when pumped up to vivid. In its natural tone mode, it feels a little washed out. These are, however, issues that can be addressed through software updates later on. Samsung’s inclusion of a 120Hz refresh rate is also a plus which brings buttery smooth and fluid animations and a little bit of an edge when it comes to games like PUBG Mobile.
The only thing that takes some getting used to when it comes to the display on the Flip5 is the aspect ratio. With most phones coming with a 16:9 aspect ratio, the 22:9 aspect ratio will seem a little weird at first. You will notice black bars on videos that you usually wouldn’t have any. However, these issues will take a backseat as you continue to use the device.
The FlexWindow or Cover display is the hallmark of this smartphone. The Super AMOLED panel in the FlexWindow does its job pretty well. It delivers high-quality images with good colour reproduction. You won’t even realise that it only has a 60Hz refresh rate. However, I don’t think Samsung was prepared for users like me who end up using this display more than the main display. But for all the functions that are possible on the screen, it excels at delivering a near-perfect experience.
Cameras
Samsung continues to opt to equip the Flip series with a dual-sensor setup when it comes to cameras. To be very honest, you’re not missing out on much when it comes to camera performance – unless you’re looking for extensive camera performance to be a Pro photographer. Let’s be honest, you’re better off buying a camera at that point. Samsung has packed a bevvy of features into the camera of the Flip5 for users like most of us who want to point and click and not fuss about apertures, shutter speed and the like.
Samsung continues to prove that more sensors don’t mean better cameras. The Z Flip5’s dual 12-megapixel main cameras are pretty decent. They give you enough options for Zoom and changing to a larger aperture or even landscape shots with an ultrawide mode. The versatility also means you have options even for a bokeh-licious portrait shot. With super steady mode, you’ll be able to shoot while walking or skating but also it allows for better movement shots.
Up front, the Galaxy Z Flip5 is equipped with a 10-megapixel sensor. One that I didn’t use much as I found myself defaulting to the main sensors. The FlexWindow allowed for better control of selfies using the front cameras. The selfie sensor was only my go-to when it came to video calls. This was mostly cause of the convenience the folding allowed me when using it. It allowed the phone itself to become like a tripod and freed up my hands to do other things.
That said, the images from the selfie camera were still pretty sharp and detailed.
The main camera setup is an unusual combination of two 12-megapixel sensors – a wide sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and an ultrawide one with an f/2.2 aperture. Samsung didn’t even include its variable aperture technology. However, the combination gave relatively good photos. Colours were bright and popped.
That aside, the camera combination allowed the Flip to be a little more versatile than other dual-camera smartphones. While the lack of a telephoto meant that there was no optical zoom, the limited digital zoom allowed for good zoomed-in photos. However, don’t expect the quality to be anything like other smartphones with optical zoom. Pictures beyond 2x or 3x zoom become grainy and unusable. Zoom aside, the phone was still able to adapt to portrait mode and was even able to take close-up shots. The versatility proved to be quite useful during our review period, but it still is no replacement for a DSLR.
The main camera paired with the cover screen is also a winning combination. The fact that you’re getting stunning selfies thanks to the main sensors is a win in our books. What’s more, you don’t even need to flip the phone open to use them. However, the size does limit the versatility of the cameras. However, that’s not a deal breaker considering you technically can just flip the phone open to use the cameras fully.
Supersizing a Cover Screen and Making it Flex Hard with Functionality while Leaving Users Wanting More in terms of Performance and Upgrades
Saying the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is an iterative update would be a disservice to the change that the FlexWindow brings to the table when it comes to functionality and productivity. However, when you look at what powers the Z Flip5 and the overall specifications, it seems like Samsung may have been a little too hyper-focused on its update of the Z Flip lineup.
That said, the focus pays off when it comes to the overall user experience. The hyper-focus allowed Samsung to iron out the kinks and perfecting features that were left to third parties to figure out. Them taking on things like optimising for FlexWindow and FlexMode elevated the user experience significantly making it a more enjoyable user experience that you would be comfortable with even in 3 years. That said, Samsung’s inclusion of an IPX8 rating needs to be recognised as it brings us that much closer to having a foldable that is truly water and dust-resistant and having peace of mind with splashes and accidental spills is a big win.
User experience-wise, it’s a near-perfect update to the Galaxy Z Flip series. However, the only place where the Flip tends to fall short is on the hardware upgrades that it lacks internally. We want to see Samsung up the ante with features like Cameras and RAM to make it even more compelling than their A and S series. Samsung can make a performance powerhouse that’s a foldable and the Z Flip series is the series to prove it. Sadly, the Flip5 isn’t that.
PFT to help extend access to IMAX Stream Smart™Image Optimization Technology across Europe, Asia, and Australia
AMSTERDAM, Sept. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Entertainment technology industry leader IMAX Corporation® (NYSE: IMAX) and PFT, the creator of AI-powered technology solutions for the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry, today announced plans to expand their strategic relationship beyond theatrical and into the streaming ecosystem.
Under the arrangement, IMAX will expand access to its Stream Smart™ technology to PFT customers across Europe, Asia, and Australia. The expanded partnership will dramatically increase the global availability of Stream Smart™, which helps streaming platforms deliver maximum picture quality while significantly reducing distribution and storage costs.
“We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with IMAX, an industry trailblazer with a remarkable legacy of revolutionizing the global entertainment industry,” said Ramki Sankaranarayanan, Global CEO of PFT. “For over a decade, CLEAR®, our flagship product, has spearheaded digital packaging and delivery services for prominent streaming platforms worldwide. CLEAR® & Stream Smart will help optimize our customers’ encoding pipeline, so they deliver better streaming quality while optimizing CDN & storage costs.”
“Many of Hollywood’s biggest streaming platforms use Stream Smart™ to ensure quality and reduce costs, and we’re excited to work with our partners at PFT to extend the reach of our technologies throughout key markets in Europe, Asia, and Australia,” said Vikram Arumilli, General Manager of Streaming and Consumer Technology at IMAX. “Our suite of streaming technology products, including Stream Smart™, provides a best-in-class service for direct-to-consumer broadcast and streaming companies, and PFT’s’ ability to leverage this for their customers is a win-win for both organizations.”
PFT and its parent company, DNEG, are industry leaders providing a full suite of technology and creative solutions, including IMAX post-production and 3D mastering.
IMAX and DNEG joined forces in 2022 for post-production, which included Indian films like Jawan, Pathaan, and RRR. This extended partnership will build upon the established theatrical relationship between IMAX and DNEG to develop a comprehensive video optimization solution. Stream Smart™ is an enterprise software product designed to deliver the best image quality and optimize delivery to unlock cost savings. This product was built from cutting-edge scientific advancements, state-of-the-art engineering, trusted studio relationships, and rooted in a real-world at-scale Emmy®-winning collaboration with Disney Streaming Services and SSIMWAVE.
Stream Smart™ will be the centerpiece of the IMAX showcase at IBC 2023. Sign up to meet with PFT and IMAX Streaming & Consumer Technology group at IBC:
IMAX will be at booth 3.C67. PFT will be at booth 3.C23.
About IMAX Corporation IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture, and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you’ve never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX systems to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, making IMAX’s network among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of June 30, 2023, there were 1,718 IMAX systems (1,638 commercial multiplexes, 12 commercial destinations, 68 institutional) operating in 87 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code “1970.”
IMAX®, IMAX® Dome, IMAX® 3D, IMAX® 3D Dome, Experience It In IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, An IMAX Experience®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, IMAX DMR®, DMR®, Filmed For IMAX™, IMAX LIVE™, IMAX Enhanced™, IMAX nXos®, SSIMWAVE®, and Films to the Fullest®, are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. For more information, visit www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Instagram (www.instagram.com/imax), Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax), YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies), and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/imax).
About Prime Focus Technologies Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) is the creator of CLEAR® and CLEAR® AI. It offers streaming platforms, studios, and broadcasters transformational AI-led technology and media services powered by the cloud that help them lower their Total Cost of Operations (TCOP) by automating their content supply chain. PFT works with major companies like Walt Disney-owned Star TV, Channel 4, ITV, Sinclair Broadcast Group, A&E Networks, Warner Media, PBS, CBS Television Studios, 20th Century Fox Television Studios, Lionsgate, Showtime, HBO, NBCU, TERN International, Disney+ Hotstar, BCCI, Indian Premier League and more.
DNEG (www.dneg.com) is a world-leading visual entertainment services company for the creation of feature film, television, and multiplatform content, with worldwide offices and studios across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
DNEG’s critically acclaimed work has earned the company seven Academy Awards® for Best Visual Effects and numerous BAFTA and Primetime EMMY® Awards for its high-quality VFX work. Current and upcoming DNEG projects on behalf of its Hollywood and global studio and production company partners include Spy Kids Armageddon (September 2023), No One Will Save You (September 2023), The Gilded Age S2 (October 2023), Nyad (November 2023), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (December 2023), Lift (January 2024), Dune: Part Two (March 2024), Mickey 17 (March 2024), Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (April 2024), Garfield (May 2024), Borderlands (August 2024), Furiosa (2024), That Christmas, Coyote vs. Acme, The Gorge, and Animal Friends.
Press Contact: T Shobhana Senior Vice President and Global Head of Marketing Prime Focus Technologies Los Angeles, CA t.shobhana@primefocus.com
LAS VEGAS, Sept. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — CORNEX NEW ENERGY CO., LTD. (“CORNEX” or “the Company”), a global new energy company focused on the innovation of lithium-ion batteries, has come to RE+, the largest clean energy event in North America, showcasing its latest offerings that are at the cutting-edge of energy storage technology. Products highlighted at the CORNEX’s booth (L1, 21046) included its Conergy π 314Ah high-capacity battery cell and 5MWh liquid-cooling energy storage container, both equipped with CORNEX’s proprietary technology designed to maximize cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
CORNEX
Being held at The Venetian Convention and Expo Center, Las Vegas, from September 11 to 14, RE+ offers an unparalleled space for new energy players across the globe, once again staging a recording-breaking trade show that connects with over 27,000 attendees and 1,300 exhibiting companies. Eying to create high-performance renewable energy products to empower the world to transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources, CORNEX aims to leverage the platform to unveil solutions with upgraded features developed to trim down costs while delivering better performance and stability.
“As CORNEX continues our path to explore new solutions to unlock the potential of renewable energy, we have hit a new technological milestone with our 280Ah energy storage solution that reduced the price to RMB 0.5 per Wh excluding tax, a standard-setting achievement that is set to usher in a new era for energy storage. Now, we have revved up our R&D efforts to further lower the costs for new energy investments, bringing our next-gen products that feature unmatched benefits that enable the world to accelerate toward energy transition and make clean energy accessible to all,” said Dai Deming, Chairman of CORNEX.
Conergy π 314Ah High-Capacity Battery Cell
Conergy π 314Ah high-capacity battery cell offers industry-leading performance and reliability that sets a new industry benchmark for energy storage solutions, crafted with innovative carbon-coating treatment and manufacturing process to boost its life cycle and quality to address challenges related to battery longevity and safety. Thanks to the optimization of the electrolyte and the ceramic-coated separators for greater thermal stability, the cell’s design is effective in preventing internal short circuits and thermal runaways.
Conergy π 314Ah cell boasts new technological breakthroughs that allow it to achieve longer duration, with its single-cell energy capacity reaching up to 1,004Wh and a lifespan of over 12,000 cycles. Its enhanced electrolyte formula and pole lug structure result in a 15% reduction in internal resistance and a 10% decrease in temperature rise, coupled with special coating treatments and granulation process to ensure its stability for long-term use.
5MWh Liquid-Cooling Energy Storage Container
With Conergy π 314Ah cell as its core, CORNEX’s 5MWh liquid-cooling energy storage container features the “Submerge” battery safety system and high energy storage capacity, significantly lowering the initial investment for energy storage as well as the overall energy cost over its lifecycle. Meanwhile, the synergy of the Conergy π 314Ah cell and the container targets the need for an all-in-one, large-capacity energy solution that can withstand high temperatures, further expanding the possibilities of renewable energy integration.
As an innovation powerhouse in the new energy sector, CORNEX has rapidly risen to the forefront of energy storage since its inception in 2021 with its robust technological prowess and production capacity. The company has now established three manufacturing bases in Hubei, China, with a combined production capacity of 350GWh. On the R&D front, the Company has been granted over 1,500 domestic patents in China, securing its leadership as one of the leading forces that drive the changes in the renewable new landscape. Looking forward, CORNEX will continue to provide reliable and sustainable energy solutions that meet the global ever-evolving demands, facilitating the world to build more renewable power sources as it moves towards a greener future.
About CORNEX
As a new energy innovative high-tech enterprise, CORNEX NEW ENERGY CO., LTD. (“CORNEX”) focuses on the R&D, manufacturing, sales, and services of energy storage batteries, EV batteries, and energy management systems, and is committed to providing world-class solutions, products and services for new energy applications worldwide.
Sony’s camera division is on a roll. They just recently introduced the α(alpha)6700, α7CII and α7CR models for the budding hybrid content creators who are looking for premium and reliable hardware that is also accessible and offers flexibility and shooting capabilities like no other. The α6700, while being an APS-C mirrorless camera, is still a rather capable camera that offers 4K 60p video recording capabilities alongside the S-Log encoding Sony is known for. If you have a little more money to spare and wants the best shooting experience at a more compact body, the α7CII and α7CR are perfect mirrorless full-frame cameras that can get the job done as well as their full-sized counterparts.
These are Alpha cameras though. They are made for the pro-sumers and enthusiasts more than anything else. What if you are serious about your contents? What if you are a professional videographer that often takes out time for documentary type shoots? You need to go for the Sony FX30 or FX3, no wait; maybe the FX6 will do, what about the Venice 2? Too much? Maybe something in the middle, something like the brand-new BURANO.
Welcome to the Sony CineAlta line-up, specifically to the VENICE 2, Sony’s flagship video camera that is made to shoot at 8.6K resolution, higher than what Netflix requires for their 4K certified movies. Well, to be fair Sony launched their VENICE 2 camera a while ago, and this is not the camera you are here to see. It is important to know the VENICE 2 camera though, because Sony’s latest film camera is sporting Sony’s best and most powerful full-frame film sensor ever made.
8.6K Sensor with VENICE Colour Science
Source: Sony
The BURANO sports an 8.6 full-frame sensor that is likened to the VENICE 2, except for a few missing features. You cannot record videos at the full 8.6K resolution, for example, but that is minor when you consider that the BURANO still records videos at 8K resolution at 30p. You can shoot at 60p, but you must dial it down to 6K. At 4K, the BURANO can record at a maximum of 120p for those impressive slow-mos. They are still more than what Netflix requires for their exclusive movies.
Perfect for Running About
Source: Sony
So why would you opt for a dieled down edition of the brilliant VENICE 2 film camera then? For one, it comes down to the weight and size of the BURANO. The Sony BURANO is 32mm shorter and 1.4kg lighter than the VENICE 2, meaning that it is more portable, comfortable, and easier to work around when you are constantly moving or when you need to shoulder mount your camera. Its lightweight magnesium body construction also means that you can shoulder and operate the camera for longer periods of time.
The cuts in effective resolution, weight, and size does not make the BURANO a slouch. It still packs some of the best Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) mechanisms you can find on a film camera, which makes it all the more suitable for a run-and-gun type of shoot. With an included PL mount bracket for the Sony BURANO, you have the world’s first PL-mount digital cinema camera. Of course, it is still an E-mount camera so you can pair it to Sony’s wide lens selection or third-party lenses of your choice.
Does Everything The VENICE 2 Does
Source: Sony
You still get variable ND filters built right into the camera body just so that you can trim your set-up down to a reasonable size and weight. With built-in ND filters too, you are able to quickly set-up for your shot to save on time.
Since this is a cinema camera with 8K recording capabilities, recording media is rather crucial here. The Sony BURANO supports up to two CF Express Type-B cards and VPG400 mediums for high bitrate writes especially with8K videos. You can even shoot at compressed RAW if you want even more control over colours and look. If course, you still can shoot at Sony’s S-Log3 or even S-Log.cine for the best-in-class log encoding and easy colour grading in post-editing processes. Since it offers the same colour science as the VENICE 2 camera, you can even use this BURANO as a secondary camera or back-up camera for your main driver, the VENICE 2 (if you are lucky enough to own a VENICE 2 anyway). But that is not all your camera can record in. To quicken your editing process and skip through the entire colour grading process, you can stick to the Warm, Cool, Vintage, Teal and Orange cinematic colour presets.
Price and Availability
Sony did not announce the Sony BURANO’s official pricing. It is a cinema camera though, so it is not technically a product that is sold publicly. They also have not mentioned any availability dates for the camera. If you are interested in procuring one, you might want to contact Sony. They are offering attendants to IBC 2023, Amsterdam a first look and feel of the BURANO though from the 15th to 18th of September 2023. If you wish to find out more about Sony’s latest BURANO cinema camera, you can head out to Sony’s website.
