Poco X4 GT moves a step closer to launch as it gets NBTC certified
Xiaomi’s Poco unveiled the Poco X4 Pro 5G in February, and you can expect the GT model to launch soon since it has bagged NBTC certification.
The Poco X4 GT is listed on the Thai certifying authority’s website with model code 22041216G, but it doesn’t reveal any specs of the smartphone.
Poco X4 GT on NBTC
However, if rumors are to be believed, the Poco X4 GT will be a rebranded Redmi Note 11T Pro announced last month in China, which comes with the Dimensity 8100 SoC, 6. 6″ FullHD+ 144Hz LCD, 64MP triple camera, 16MP selfie camera, and a 5,080 mAh battery with 67W wired charging.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11T Pro
The Redmi Note 11T Pro runs Android 12-based MIUI 13 and has up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage onboard. It also comes with stereo speakers and a side-mounted fingerprint reader.
Google Assistant for Galaxy Watch4 Now Available – Samsung Global Newsroom
Samsung Electronics and Google have teamed up to build a unified Wear OS platform that creates a seamless connection across Android devices. The platform comes with Google Play, which gives users access to some of the most popular apps and services from Google, including Google Maps, Google Pay and YouTube Music.1
Starting today, Galaxy Watch4 users will also be able to download Google Assistant2 on their devices, gaining access to fast, more natural voice interactions, quick answers to questions and on-the-go help. With access to both Bixby and Google Assistant, consumers will have more advanced voice assistant functionality right from their wrists.
1 Availability of the services may vary by market.
2 Google Assistant will be available in 10 markets, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, The UK and USA. It will, also, support 12 languages, which include Danish, English (American, Canadian, United Kingdom, Australian, Irish), Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French (Canadian, France) and Taiwanese.
Apple developer lawsuit: Judge accepts $100M deal, but questions $27M lawyer’s cut
An Apple developer lawsuit filed back in 2019 has been settled after the Cupertino company agreed to pay $100M in compensation, and the court approved the deal – but the judge in the case has asked the lawyers to justify their $27M cut.
The antitrust case was brought by a number of small iOS developers, on the same basis as the separate case brought by Epic Games: that Apple has a monopoly on the sale of iOS apps, leaving them forced to give the iPhone maker a 30% cut …
Background
The single biggest antitrust complaint levied against Apple in multiple countries has been over the company’s complete control of the iOS app market.
Apple claims it doesn’t have a dominating position in the market. It believes that because it holds only a small share of smartphone markets in many countries, it can not be considered to hold a majority.
Competition regulators tend to take the view that the relevant market is “iOS apps,” and here Apple has a 100% monopoly on their sale and distribution. Edge cases aside: It is impossible for an iOS developer to release an iOS app without it being sold through the App Store.
Epic Games and other companies argue for in-app purchase without Apple taking any cut. Apple takes a cut of developers’ income and forces developers to raise prices to compensate. This argument is made by Epic Games. Apple responds that it’s perfectly acceptable for companies to receive a portion of sales they facilitate.
Apple developer lawsuit
While the Epic Games lawsuit got all the attention, a smaller class action lawsuit on behalf of a number of smaller developers was also making its way through the courts.
The lawsuit brought by Apple in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose, concerns Apple’s anticompetitive practice of mandating one iOS app store. This allows Apple to exploit its market power […]
Today’s lawsuit seeks to force Apple to end its abusive monopoly and allow competition in the distribution of iOS apps and related products, to get rid of its pricing mandates, and to reimburse developers for overcharges made through abuse of its monopoly power.
Two events have occurred since the Apple developers lawsuit was brought :
The higher-profile Epic Games lawsuit ended with a compromise ruling.
Apple reduced its cut for 98% of developers from 30% to 15%.
This made the separate small developer lawsuit easier to settle.
Apple’s $100M settlement
Apple replied by suggesting the establishment of a Small Developer Assistance Fund. This proposal was accepted, subject to court approval.
The Small Developer Assistance Fund created as part of the settlement will benefit over 99% of U.S. iOS developers, whose proceeds from app and in-app digital product sales through all associated accounts were less than $1 million per calendar year during the period from June 4, 2015 to Apr. 26, 2021. These developers can claim sums from the fund ranging between minimums of $250 to $30,000, based on their historic participation in the App Store ecosystem.
Developers were given until May 20 this year to submit their request for inclusion in the payout.
Judge questions $27M legal bill
Law360 reports that the court has approved the settlement, but questioned the $27M lawyer’s cut. In particular, she wants to see the impact on the developer payouts.
A California federal judge said Tuesday she’ll approve Apple’s $100 million deal resolving class antitrust claims by app developers, but told class counsel she wants more information about the “math” behind their $27 million attorney fee request and how much their fee bid will reduce claims by small app developers.
During a hearing in Oakland, California, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers told class counsel Steve W. Berman of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, to submit a mathematical breakdown of how much each class member would receive if she awarded class counsel $25 million in fees instead of the $27 million they requested from the nonreversionary settlement.
The judge noted that for some developers, who she pointed out “really are the people who are taking the brunt of this,” the difference between $1,000 and $2,000 may be significant.
“That is why I want the numbers to be visible,” she stated.
9to5Mac’s Take
It’s not unusual in class action lawsuits to see payouts in the tens of millions of dollars – but there are so many claimants that the actual amount received by most amounts to just a few dollars.
The Small Developer Assistance Fund gave claimants a better deal than most, as it saw them receive payouts ranging from $250 to $30,000, depending on how active they were in the App Store.
However, the other factor to impact payouts is the fee charged by lawyers. Typically this is 25%, meaning that lawyers make tens of millions. This already seems crazily excessive for most cases, but in this one, they have demanded 27% – or $27M. It’s good to see a judge requiring justification for this sum.
Optimus Prime Bluetooth speaker is the real deal – it transforms and plays music in robot or truck mode
It’s perhaps the most interesting thing to watch the Optimus Prime shape-shift from a robot to a truck. If you like the fictional universe of the Transformers and indulge in music pretty often, a designer has visioned the Prime Speaker – a Bluetooth-enabled speaker in the shape of the transforming robot for our cause – and I am already contemplating the idea of having it on my work desk!
It’s a fantastic, color-themed speaker, that most importantly can really transform. So, it’s a given that you can use the Prime Speaker in form of a truck – with the speaker cylinder on its cargo bed – or use it in a full-blown Autobot with the speaker in the right hand, mimicking an oversized cannon. Optimus Prime has been an inspiration for many portable speakers in the past as well, however, what distinguishes this one is that – despite its toy structure – it is the first real transforming speaker, shaped completely like the one in the franchise.
Designer: Seunghwan Ra
As a resurrection project of Transformers: Music label, the transformable toy speaker transports the iconic character into a real-life audio device, instantly becoming more than a mere toy for the kids to play with. The Bluetooth speaker delivers exceptional quality audio that can compete with the best in the portable audio player industry. Controls are integrated on the top of the cylindrical speaker while the Optimus Prime is made from die-cast metal parts and is supplied with a 48-step guideline to help you through the intricate transforming procedure.
Though we are not sure of the durability of the speaker, but over 25 core articulation points (also of die-cast metal) employ ratchet joints & pin joints to ensure this guy can transform without a hiccup thousands of times. Well, you may not be able to take the transformer to your pool party, but I’m definitely sure this guy would look great on the bedside table or a workstation. It will be an instant conversation starter without an iota of doubt!
Saints Row’s full character creator released free on all platforms
Volition’s upcoming reboot of Saints Row, titled simply Saints Row, won’t be available until Aug. 23 — but you can go ahead and design your character right now. Saints Row Boss Factory has been released as a prerelease and is available for download on all platforms. It was announced at the Thursday’s Summer Game Fest stream.
The forthcoming installment in the action-adventure open-world series will be available to play on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X, and Saints Row Boss Factory is available on those platforms as well. You can use the Boss Factory characters in Saints Row after it is out. However, you can still show them off. Every character will be identified by a unique code that allows players to easily share their designs across all platforms.
Volition has already revealed tons of information about the depth of Saints Row‘s character customization, which allows for multiple body types (including prosthetic limbs), hairstyles, and skin tones, including both natural colors and more vibrant hues and metallic textures. Saints Row will also include the option for asymmetrical face designs, like a tattoo or a scar or lipstick smear on just one side. There are many makeup options and outfits available.
The Boss Factory . also includes options for weapons or vehicles. You wouldn’t make a Saints Row boss if you didn’t have wheels and a gun. You can transform ordinary objects like foam finger-guns into high-powered blasters, and you can add rainbow rims or a flaming paint job to your getaway car.
Honkai: Star Rail teases palatial spaceships in new trailer
There’s a whole lot lot going on in space these days. Hoyoverse teased a new look at its upcoming sci-fi adventure, Honkai: Star Rail, at Summer Game Fest on Thursday.
Honkai: Star Rail is a new sci-fi open-world adventure from the makers of Genshin Impact. The game follows the story of a protagonist who has embarked on an interstellar trip aboard the Astral Express. The game features turn-based fighting where you assemble a team of unique fighters, each with their own unique combat abilities. It is latest entry to the Honkai series, but is intended to appeal to old and new players.
The new trailer showed teased more of its intergalactic mission filled with dramatic sword attacks, lasers big enough to endanger entire planets, and a space train. It also showed a new dreamy new white-haired character who offers the you wine in his voice line and welcomes you aboard his palatial spaceship.
Honkai: Star Rail is currently being developed for mobile devices and Windows PC. Honkai: Star Rail has no release window. The developers recently announced the ending of its second closed Beta on June 15. Hoyoverse also showed a new trailer for another recently announced game Zenless Zone Zero at Summer Games Fest as well.
[Invitation] Bespoke Home 2022 – Samsung Global Newsroom
Samsung Digital Appliances invites you to discover the expansion of your home life possibilities.
Bespoke 2022 will display Samsung’s latest Bespoke services and products. They are designed to give users innovative, customizable and flexible home solutions that can be tailored to their changing lifestyles.
Be sure to watch the livestream worldwide to find out more. Bespoke Home 2022 will be streamed live on Samsung Newsroom, Samsung.com and Samsung YouTube on June 7 at 16:00 CEST (10:00 EDT, 23:00 KST).
Senate antitrust vote likely to pass legislation targeting Apple and other tech giants
A Senate antitrust vote could take place as early as this month, and its proponents say they are confident that the legislation will pass into law.
Although there has been bipartisan support for antitrust legislation across both houses, there has been considerable debate on the wording – to the point where some were afraid that the issue would be lost to the midterms. But key figures behind the proposed bill say they now have the votes …
Background
Apple has faced a huge range of antitrust threats, but perhaps the greatest of these is US legislation that could force the company to allow competing app stores or sideloading of iOS apps from developer websites. We’ve previously summarized the story so far:
2019 saw the start of a year-long investigation into whether tech giants were guilty of anti-competitive behavior. Apple was one of the companies investigated, with Tim Cook required to testify before Congress – and was among the tech companies found to engage in “deeply disturbing” anticompetitive behavior.
Congress was initially expected to try to pass a single antitrust bill to tackle all of the issues identified, but instead for multiple bills. At one point, we were up to six of these, but two of them are currently progressing.
If passed into law, either would impact Apple’s treatment of apps like Spotify, but some have suggested it could even bar the company from pre-installing its own apps on iPhones.
The American Innovation and Choice Online Act has made the most progress. Apple CEO Tim Cook personally lobbied against the bill, but his concerns were dismissed by co-sponsor Senator Amy Klobuchar. The bill had bipartisan support in the Senate Judiciary Committee, but it faces opposition from some in both houses […]
The Department of Justice has now thrown its weight behind the bill, arguing that it would enhance its ability to challenge anti-competitive behavior.
Senate antitrust vote likely to pass
Reuters reports that key antitrust legislation proponent Senator Amy Klobuchar and other supporters on both sides of the Senate now believe they have the votes.
Senator Amy Klobuchar and lawmakers from both parties said on Wednesday they had the Senate votes needed to pass legislation aimed at reining in the four tech giants, Meta’s Facebook, Apple, Alphabet’s Google, and Amazon, and urged a vote be taken […]
“We wouldn’t be asking for a vote if we didn’t think we could get 60 votes,” said Klobuchar, who was flanked by Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican who backs the bill, and House sponsors Representative David Cicilline, a Democrat, and Ken Buck, a Republican […]
The Senate is expected to vote on the bill this summer, perhaps as early as late June, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The House is then expected to vote on the Senate version, sources said.
“This bill has to pass in June,” said Buck. Grassley said: “We need a Senate vote. And we need that Senate vote to be soon.”
Apple continues to argue against the legislation, claiming that allowing the installation of apps from outside the company’s own App Store would put iPhone security at risk, despite the fact that any Mac user can install apps directly from developer websites, with macOS protections in place to guard against malware.
The legislation would also stop Google from favoring its own products in search results (like Google Shopping), and Amazon from doing the same in its e-commerce store.
Surface Duo 2 gets June update with better Glance Bar support and Slim Pen 2 improvements
A new OTA update has begun rolling out to the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 that brings plenty of improvements and new features to the Microsoft foldable. The update weighs in at 736MB and brings the Duo 2 up to version 2022.418.98.
The Glance Bar is a thin area of the exposed displays that shows glanceable information such as time, date, and notifications. The update will now show notifications for 3rd party messaging apps. The Glance Bar used to only display SMS and voicemail alerts.
The Slim Pen 2 gets improved functionality, and its own firmware update will enable automatic pairing with the Surface Duo 2. The Slim Pen 2 will be able to receive a firmware update when paired over Bluetooth (no need to do this with a Surface PC) and when updated to version 5.133. 139, the Slim Pen 2 will also be able to automatically pair to the Surface Duo when inking on either display.
New features to the software include optimized charging, haptic feedback is now available in the Camera app’s settings, and Device Firmware Configuration Interface (DFCI) is now supported to control device usage. The camera app gets improved “usability” which is kind of vague of a description, but it should either be snappier or see better performance.
The OG Surface Duo also received an update, but it only listed “device stability” updates and comes with version 2022.418.56.
Ten best products designed to create the bedroom you’ve been dreaming of
Our bedroom is our haven, our safe space, to which we rush after a bad day at work, or simply a bad day in general! I love cozying up in my bed, snacking, and watching some Netflix, with my favorite PJs on! So, making my bedroom as comfortable as possible is a major priority for me! And one way of doing this is by filling it up with innovative designs, that just help make our lives easier and more comfortable. Hence, we’ve curated a collection of products that work perfectly for your bedroom! From a smart bed that comes with a 70-inch retractable screen to a ‘cuddle cave’ for you to snuggle into, these designs will add a whole lot of value to your bedroom, and make it whole! You won’t feel like leaving your bedroom at all, once these products enter it!
1. The Hariana Tech Smart Ultimate Bed
The Hariana Tech Smart Ultimate Bed has an integrated reclining massage chair with a remote, a built-in Bluetooth speaker, a bookshelf, a reading lamp, an air cleaning system, an area to plug in and charges your devices, a foot-stool that opens up for extra storage, and a pop-up desk for the ultimate WFH setup, Netflix marathon or cozy reading hours. The sound system also features an SD card slot, an auxiliary port, and a USB port. Another interesting detail about the Hariana bed is a password-protected safe box for you to store your most precious belongings – for me, it would be my passport and snacks!
Why is it noteworthy?
You know how we always have to get up to get stuff before we settle into relax mode? Well, this bed was designed to have everything you will need to relax within your bed frame. It’s the ultimate bed to unwind after a long day at work!
What we like
Features a password-protected safe box
Sufficient storage spaces integrated into the bed
What we dislike
Hefty price tag
Unsuitable for homes with space constraints
2. Mate
For those who don’t have actual side tables in their bedroom, the next best thing would be a chair or stool. That became the inspiration for the design of this bedside table called Mate. It is designed to look like a stool but its main purpose is to store all of the things that you “need” before you sleep and that includes devices.
Why is it noteworthy?
The top view actually looks like a breakfast tray or a laptop tray that you would use to eat or work (or both) in bed. And yes, that is actually the other component of this clever design. So you get a chair-inspired design for your bedside table with a minimalist but functional feel. Your laptop and other gadgets can fit at the top part and you can have other stuff like books, journals, and other bedside needs at the “shelf” at the bottom.
What we like
Has rounded corners and some holes where you can fit in your cords so you don’t get strangled by the tangles of wires that accompany your devices
Slidable and removable tabletop
What we dislike
No complaints!
3. Floofs
Initially designed for our furred friends, the designer has created two human-sized Floofs for the perfect at-home getaway, even for just a few hours. Simply dive in, alone or with a friend or a snack, and curl up into a hopefully comfortable position to while the day away.
Why is it noteworthy?
Most of us had something like a fortress of solitude when we were kids, whether they were made from stacked boxes, piles of pillows, or sheets held up by ropes. As we grew older, we gave up those sacred places in exchange for a simple blanket and pillow. There is no reason not to have that comfortable and comforting space again, no matter how young or old you are. That’s the very tempting proposition that these “cuddle caves” are making if you don’t mind looking like a human inari sushi in the process. Then again, you’re trying to escape from the world’s judging eyes anyway.
What we like
Provides a ‘getaway’ within your own home
Made to vegan specifications so that it can be used by any and all people
What we dislike
No complaints!
4. Mitchell’s suitcase
A British designer came up with a concept suitcase that will make it easier for travelers to pack and unpack, especially if they have a tiny hotel room or Air BnB space. It’s carry-on luggage that can also function as a bedside table in case the room doesn’t have one.
Why is it noteworthy?
The product is designed so that you don’t have to unpack everything when you arrive and then repack them when it’s time to leave. It will be especially useful for cramped spaces and if you’re traveling from one place to another.
What we like
The suitcase/bedside table can also serve as a lamp
The storage is designed as drawers that will make it easier for you to access the items that you need at the moment
What we dislike
It’s still a concept!
5. The Moonsetter
The Moonsetter enters the scene as a ray of sunshine…err, moonlight to your room. It is like having the moonlight coming in through your window or the gaps in the curtains. You do not need too much bright light anyway—just some ambient lighting to set the mood for a good night’s rest.
Why is it noteworthy?
The design of the lamp is timeless with its simple graphic form. This modern metal floor lamp appears like a sculpture or a piece of art. It can easily be the center of attention in any room with a unique configuration. It combines the basic shapes—circle, cylinder, and square. The floor lamp features its own axis where a disc rotates 360-degrees. The disc features a reflective side and white on the other. It gives an illusion of soft and diffused moonlight at times while one side reflects direct light.
What we like
Allows you to customize the reflection of the LED source
The LED light is submerged in the frame, giving off a beautiful effect
What we dislike
No complaints!
6. The Fiture
Fitness mirrors are not completely new, but they experienced a spike in interest and popularity in the past months as people tried to cope with having no access to gyms or personal trainers at home. The idea is to have a device that lets you communicate with a remote trainer while you go through your exercises at home. The mirror acts as a display that guides you through the reps while a trainer watches you from the other side of the wire. There are already quite a few of these in the market, but Fiture believes it has a better chance of ending up in your house because of two differentiating features.
Why is it noteworthy?
The first and the most apparent is that the Fiture fitness mirror actually looks more like a fancy home mirror than a machine masquerading as one. While the generically named “The Mirror” also lays claim to that title, the Fiture does one better by offering five colorways to match your decor or wallpaper. The shape of the mirror itself is more visually pleasing, employing rounded corners and brushed metal surfaces to make the frame look more aesthetic. The U-shaped legs provide stability when the mirror isn’t mounted on the wall while also giving it a more distinctive style.
What we like
The Fiture isn’t a two-way mirror into your house, one of the biggest concerns interested buyers have
When not in use, you can even put on the magnetic camera cover to completely block out even this AI-based technology
What we dislike
No complaints!
7. Ember
Ember is a compact electric heater with integrated smart features that allow you to heat your home from anywhere.
Why is it noteworthy?
Spurred by the recent trend toward midcentury-modern design styles, Koleda designed Ember to be subtly elegant with a bronze velodrome-style trim and stainless steel grille. The tastefully subdued appeal of Ember allows it to fit into any living area, from a boho minimalist-style bedroom to a living room filled with Bauhaus aesthetics. The versatile nature of Ember even moves past its looks to pack a lot of punch into such a compact build. Equipped with a heating capacity of 1’200 Watts, Ember can heat up to 215 feet with ease. Inside Ember’s cylindrical center, a ceramic heating element kickstarts the job by evenly distributing instant heat via a silent and powerful built-in fan.
What we like
Features an accompanying smartphone app that allows users to control their home heating from anywhere
Real-Time Cost Monitoring and Smart Scheduling helps users stay on top of their bills and optimize the heating schedule of their Ember devices
What we dislike
No complaints!
8. The Island
The Island stands in sharp contrast to the conventional router by being round and white. There is probably no shape that is more calming than circles, so this router has five concentric circles that seem to ripple out of a central sphere. These circles also rise ever so slightly, creating the appearance of a low mountain on top of that island metaphor.
Why is it noteworthy?
While the Island router is already visually calming, its features are also intended to relieve people’s stress, especially over their privacy on the Internet. The router offers a built-in VPN service that can hide you from malicious actors that try to snoop into your browsing activities and eventually steal your information. Ideally, this VPN is already configured out of the box, so no software or app is needed to get it working, another source of stress for some less tech-savvy users.
What we like
The Island smart router is an example of how form can still follow function, even for something as technical as a router
It doesn’t even need foreboding antennas to transmit its signals, much like many mesh routers today that have eschewed the stereotypical router design
What we dislike
No complaints!
9. The Storm Lamp
The beauty of the Storm Lamp by Julia Kononenko is that there isn’t any method to its mad design. The lamp comes with a variety of laser-cut wooden panels that can be arranged/oriented in any way you like because as its name suggests, the Storm Lamp is all about beauty in chaos. Looking almost like an abstract tornado, the lamp is entirely made from flat pieces of laser-cut plywood that are either left plain or painted black.
Why is it noteworthy?
When assembled together, they create a 3D form using the Gestalt visual law of continuity. Moreover, the jagged edges themselves illuminate to look like chaotic lightning strikes, reinforcing the product’s inspiration!
What we like
The lamps are available in both hanging and floor formats
The jagged edges themselves illuminate to look like chaotic lightning strikes
What we dislike
No complaints!
10. Jungle
Most commonly in homes across the world, indoor gardens are a form of biophilic design. Interpreting biophilia in a similar way, Jungle, designed by Poland-based KABO & PYDO design studio, is a planter that can hang from the ceiling and also function as a semi-flush mount light fixture.
Why is it noteworthy?
Comprised of only a few parts, the beauty of Jungle lies in the design’s simplicity. Defined by a bulbous, capsule-shaped centerpiece, Jungle is a half-planter and half-light fixture. The capsule-shaped planter emanates a warm, golden light that’s diffused with an opaque body. The opaque body softens the light and accentuates the plant life by offering an unassuming canvas for teeming greenery to drape across.
What we like
The simple form emphasizes the beauty of the plants
The lamp emits a soft and soothing light
What we dislike
You need to stand on a stool or a little ladder to water the plants
