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ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom gets official price

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ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

We got our hands on the highly anticipated ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom last week, and although we learned all of its tricks, one important piece of information was missing: Pricing.

Until now, that is. During the just-concluded launch of the ZenFone Pegasus 3S in Taiwan (more on that later), ASUS execs revealed the price of the 128GB storage variant of the ZenFone 3 Zoom: CNY 3,699 or roughly $535.

That’s a tough price to swallow for a smartphone equipped with a midrange Snapdragon 625 chipset, which can be found in phones priced much, much lower. Still, a high-priced ZenFone 3 Zoom would have an iPhone 7 Plus-like dual-camera setup and large 5000mAh battery to its credit.

On the bright side, the expected starting price of $380 may still push through with the official rollout of the ZenFone 3 Zoom’s 32GB storage version next month. And since the phone comes with a microSD slot, you can push the total space to 2TB if you’re desperate enough.

Going back to the recent launch in Taiwan: What we earlier thought was going to be a next-generation ZenFone, turned out to be the ZenFone Pegasus 3S, a lower-end Android Nougat smartphone with a price of CNY 1,999 (about $290).

Similar to the ZenFone 3 Zoom, the Pegasus 3S has a generous non-removable 5000mAh battery, but settles for a much weaker MediaTek processor to manage the 5.2-inch HD 720p display, 3GB of memory, and pair of 13- and 8-megapixel rear and front cameras.

Nothing out of the ordinary, but what really makes it stand out is the fingerprint scanner on the clickable home button. That and the all-metal body make the Pegasus 3S stand out from the multitude of similar-looking ZenFones out there.

Like other handsets in the Pegasus line, the new model will see a limited release, with China getting first dibs on the device.

[irp posts=”9208″ name=”ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom: Hands-on and sample photos”]

Source: Weboo, via GSMArena

Accessories

Logitech introduces a dedicated shortcut for ChatGPT

Compatible with most keyboards and mice

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Artificial intelligence is already meant to simplify a workflow. However, despite the ease, there are still a few ways to optimize the process. Today, Logitech has launched a new shortcut to launch ChatGPT straight from your mouse or keyboard.

Minus programmable hotkeys or buttons, there are hardly any built-in way to easily access an AI model. For a typical workflow, it still consists of manually opening the model on a separate window and keeping it within cursor’s reach throughout the day.

Logitech is simplifying the process by adding a dedicated shortcut for its devices. With a Logitech keyboard or mouse supported by the Logi Options+ app, users can program a keyboard or mouse button for the new Logi AI Prompt Builder.

Once activated, the AI Prompt Builder automatically accesses easy options for highlighted text. For example, users can easily rephrase or summarize the text. Likewise, they can input their own custom queries. By eliminating a few clicks and some typing throughout the day, the new tool hopes to save you time.

While most Logitech keyboards and mice are compatible with the new tool, it is also more easily accessible with the new Logitech Signature AI Edition Mouse. The new mouse has a dedicated button just for AI prompts. If you’re an AI power user, this one is perfect for you.

SEE ALSO: Logitech unveils G Pro X 60 gaming keyboard: Price, details

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X’s AI accused Klay Thompson of vandalizing houses with bricks

AI thought joke posts were real

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Image source: Keith Allison, Wikimedia

Despite the ease that the technology promises, artificial intelligence still isn’t the most reliable thing you can depend on. Today’s models can still flub answers. Now, the pitfalls of AI are abundantly clear with a few mishaps on X. Golden State Warrior Klay Thompson was just “accused” of a vandalism spree involving bricks.

Late Tuesday night, X presented an AI-generated news snippet. The article, posted soon after the Warriors’ play-in loss to the Sacramento Kings, reads: “Klay Thompson Accused in Bizarre Brick-Vandalism Spree.”

The snippet hilariously described an incident where Thompson supposedly vandalized houses in Sacramento with bricks. Thankfully, according to the snippet, no one was hurt. It even had a few sources for its claims below the news summary.

The sources, however, are just joke posts stemming from the recently concluded game. In that do-or-die game, Thompson put up a staggering 0 points on ten shot attempts, the most misses without a make by a Warrior since the ’68 season. Naturally, everyone joked that the Warriors guard just threw bricks all over Sacramento.

Now, X is currently experimenting with a new AI feature called Grok. The model collates trending topics and creates snippets of what’s happening for X users. However, it’s not exactly the smartest in determining real news from satiric ones. The feature notes as much, carrying a fine-print caveat warning users to “verify its outputs” because it’s an early feature and can make mistakes.

SEE ALSO: New X users must pay a dollar per year to post and reply

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New X users must pay a dollar per year to post and reply

Rolling out globally now

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New users on X might soon face a tough time on the platform. The social media website will likely start charging new accounts a small fee for the right to post on the platform.

Now, the fee isn’t a new one. Almost six months ago, the company tested the paid system in New Zealand and the Philippines. New users in those countries had to pay a dollar per year for the ability to post and reply to content.

As spotted by X Daily News on the same platform, the company might be ready to take the experiment to a larger market. New text strings have shown that the policy is rolling out worldwide.

The policy is designed to combat a wave of bots appearing on the platform. By preventing new accounts from creating posts, X hopes to stave off the standard behavior of bots these days. You might have noticed them as OnlyFans creators in unrelated posts, peddling NSFW content on their bio.

Though the global rollout was only just spotted, owner Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed the change. Replying to X Daily News, Musk says that it is “the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.” He says that the current breed of bots can easily bypass simple checks these days.

SEE ALSO: X will no longer let you hide your blue checkmark

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