News
Study shows facial recognition misfires with dark-skinned people
It’s most accurate with white men
Artificial intelligence is only still emerging, but pundits are already decrying how it will soon outsmart mankind. Amid these warnings, AI has yet to overcome a very human prejudice — skin bias.
Recent studies show that AI-powered facial recognition works more accurately with certain skin tones and genders compared to others. MIT researchers Joy Buolamwini and Timnit Gebru recently conducted experiments that tested the accuracy of modern facial recognition.
The experiment compiled 1,270 different facial images from three African countries and three Northern European countries. The difference creates an equal parity between dark-skinned and light-skinned individuals. The test used AI tech from Microsoft and IBM.
The results showed that facial recognition worked better with lighter skin tones rather than darker ones: 11.8 percent error rate for lighter skins versus 19.2 percent for darker skins (the lower the percentage, the better). Further, it shows that the tech performed better with males than females: 8.1 percent for males versus 20.6 percent for females.
As you might expect, males with light skin tones fared way better than females with dark skin tones: 0.3 percent versus a whopping 34.7 percent.
Despite the rigor of their study, the researchers quickly pointed out that there were some AI developers (like Google) who did not want to be included.
Also, they add that accuracy might depend on where the tech was developed. For example, AI recognition developed in Asia might recognize Asian faces more accurately than Caucasian ones.
One study isn’t enough to put down the entire AI industry. The tech is still constantly improving itself. Soon, developers will likely bring error rates down to zero.
However, its current inaccurate state is a warning for those who use AI facial recognition for security and law enforcement.
Right now, facial recognition is most prevalent just in selfie cameras. However, some companies are already adopting the tech to bolster their security by scanning the faces of bad guys. If the current trends continue, your badly shot selfie might incriminate you for a crime you didn’t commit.
SEE ALSO: Chinese woman returned her iPhone X for faulty Face ID
News
vivo X300 Pro headlines Dimensity 9500 and Sony’s LYT-828 image sensor
Alongside Samsung’s custom-engineered ISOCELL HPB sensor
In line with vivo’s annual product roadmap lies the refresh of their grandest smartphone line.
The vivo X300 and X300 Pro were finally revealed in China as the industry’s newest smartphones leading the mobile photography and Dimensity 9500 race.
Two Flavors, One Flagship
Qualcomm already announced their first Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 phones with the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. vivo then pioneers the X300 series as the first batch of Dimensity 9500-running flagships.
Unlike last year though, there are only two models in the X300 lineup instead of three.
The vivo X300 adapts a smaller 6.31-inch flat screen, ditching the 6.67-inch of X200 last 2024. This not only is the “mini” successor of the X200, it also effectively replaces last year’s X200 Pro mini altogether.
Moreover, the Pro variant still rocks the same 6.78-inch panel as last year’s X200 Pro with “finely curved straight-edged bezels.”
These ZEISS Master Color displays are 8T LTPO 120Hz displays based on BOE’s Q10 AMOLED. Both support HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Netflix HDR content as well.
They also feature eye-protection features like 2160Hz PWM Dimming, TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free and SGS Low Blue Light certifications, and as low as 1 nit of screen brightness.
Finally, the base vivo X300 adopts an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor that was previously exclusive to the Pro and Ultra models.
When it comes to battery, the X300 has a 6040mAh battery while the Pro variant packs a bigger 6510mAh capacity.
vivo boldly claims that these Silicon-Anode BlueVolt batteries are comparable to phones with 7000 and 7500mAh batteries through software and hardware energy optimizations.
Both support 90W FlashCharge plus 40W Wireless FlashCharge standards.
Pocket Pro-tography
The X300 phones wouldn’t be complete without their revolutionary flagship-grade camera system.
| vivo X300 Pro | vivo X300 | |
| Wide | 50MP f/1.57 1/1.28” Sony LYT-828 sensor |
200MP f/1.68 1/1.4” Samsung ISOCELL HPB sensor |
| Ultra-Wide | 50MP f/2.0 1/2.76” Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor |
50MP f/2.0 1/2.76” Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor |
| Telephoto | 200MP f/2.67 ZEISS APO 1/1.4” Samsung ISOCELL HPB sensor |
50MP f/2.57 ZEISS APO 1/1.95” Sony LYT-602 sensor |
| Selfie | 50MP f/2.0 1/2.76” Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor |
50MP f/2.0 1/2.76” Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor |
While both phones possess an identical ultra-wide and selfie shooters, the biggest differences can be seen between their wide and telephoto modules.
The X300 Pro headlines the all-new Sony LYT-828 1/1.28-inch image sensor together with vivo’s self-developed VCS 3.0 imaging technology. That’s then partnered by Samsung’s custom-engineered 200MP ISOCELL HPB sensor for its telephoto shooter.
Interestingly, the same sensor is also being utilized by vivo as the main camera sensor for the base X300. In return, the X300 packs a different 50MP telephoto module based on Sony’s LYT-602 with VCS technology.
Other than the power of MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500, the X300 series achieves an efficient “Dual-Chip Integration” with vivo’s in-house V3+ imaging chip (plus VS1 in the X300 Pro).
This further provides robust computational power for both advanced imaging processing and system operations.
With their long-lasting partnership with ZEISS, stylized portrait features still remain. Aside from the new Style Portrait and ZEISS Natural Portrait, the X300 Pro also has an added a newer ZEISS Mirotar Telephoto Style Bokeh that wasn’t found on previous models.
There’s even the Adaptive Zoom Flash feature as well as other enhancements that solves night-time portraits against complex lighting setups.
Last but definitely not the least, both the X300 and X300 Pro have their own Photography Kit — including that 2.35x Telephoto Extender that was only exclusive to the vivo X200 Ultra.
Video Mastery
That pro-tography prowess doesn’t end there.
The X300 Pro alone is finally capable of shooting up to 4K/120fps footages in 10-bit Log format across all focal length options. The X200 Pro can only manage to shoot 4K / 60fps Dolby Vision in 1x wide or 3.7x zoom.
For shake-free footages, vivo also promises gimbal-grade stabilization with an upgraded ±1.5-degree stabilization angle aside from the Dual-Channel EIS feature.
ACES Workflow was also incorporated for better color management and seamless color grading in editing software when synced across multiple devices.
Portrait Video was also improved to 4K / 60fps (previously limited to 4K / 30fps). vivo’s custom styles such as Cold -White or Classic Negative can also be applied when shooting in this mode.
On the other hand, the vanilla X300 is also capable of recording 4K / 120fps clips through Pro mode.
With the special camera kit in mind, it complements the 4K Stage All-in-One Recording found on the X300 Pro together with 20x Long-Range Motion Snapshot and Dual-View Stage Video add-ons.
These might make the X300 Pro the bestest compact concert companion just yet.
Refinements Within
Both of the X300 phones feature a Unibody 3D Glass Design that seamlessly blends the camera hump towards the rear cover.
There’s also the Coral Velvet Glass Technique for that fingerprint-resistant back design that’s also pleasant to the touch.
Both models are also slim just below the 8mm mark (7.95mm and 7.99mm respectively). Durability-wise, these X300 phones still rock dual IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance ratings.
Other notable improvements include USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port standard, UFS 4.1 storage protocol, as well as Bluetooth 6.0 and Wi-Fi 6G support for the X300 Pro.
Lastly, the X300 series will premiere the latest OriginOS 6 based on Android 16 with a revamped look a la Apple’s Liquid Glass as well as seamless Apple Ecosystem integration — much like any other Chinese phone brands these days.
It’s said that this version will (finally) kill the long-running Funtouch OS and will be launched in India on October 15.
Pricing and Availability
The vivo X300 is available in Black, Blue, Pink, Purple, and Red colorways.
Meanwhile, the X300 Pro is available in four shades: Black, Brown, Blue, and White.
Pricing and configuration in China are as follows:
- 12+256GB = CNY 4399 (US$ 620 / EUR 535 / GBP 465 / SG$ 800 / MYR 2610 / PhP 36,000 / INR 54,790)
- 16+256GB = CNY 4699 (US$ 660 / EUR 570 / GBP 500 / SG$ 860 / MYR 2790 / PhP 38,490 / INR 58,530)
- 12+512GB = CNY 4999 (US$ 700 / EUR 610 / GBP 530 / SG$ 910 / MYR 2970 / PhP 40,900 / INR 62,260)
- 16+512GB = CNY 5299 (US$ 745 / EUR 645 / GBP 560 / SG$ 965 / MYR 3145 / PhP 43,360 / INR 65,995)
- 16+1TB = CNY 5799 (US$ 815 / EUR 705 / GBP 615 / SG$ 1060 / MYR 3440 / PhP 47,450 / INR 72,230)
- 12+256GB = CNY 5299 (US$ 745 / EUR 645 / GBP 560 / SG$ 965 / MYR 3145 / PhP 43,360 / INR 65,995)
- 16+512GB = CNY 5999 (US$ 845 / EUR 730 / GBP 635 / SG$ 1095 / MYR 3560 / PhP 49,085 / INR 74,715)
- 16+1TB = CNY 6699 (US$ 940 / EUR 815 / GBP 710 / SG$ 1220 / MYR 3975 / PhP 54,815 / INR 83,435)
- 16+1TB Photographer Kit Edition = CNY 8299 (US$ 1165 / EUR 1010 / GBP 880 / SG$ 1520 / MYR 4930 / PhP 67,910 / INR 103,360)
* These are only rough, rounded-off price estimates
There’s no word on global availability just yet but it’s expected to rollout months after the Mainland China launch.
Press materials also suggest that global versions will only come with a maxed out config of 16+512GB as opposed to China’s 1TB variants.
Automotive
Green GSM, Xentro partner to boost all-electric ride hailing
Collaboration to bring 2,000 EV units for co-branded fleet
Green GSM and Xentro Group have partnered to boost the all-electric ride-hailing scene in the Philippines even further.
The collaboration involves Green GSM, which is the brand of GSM’s ride-hailing fleet, and AMRC Renewable Corporation/Xentro Motors from the Philippines.
The latter is a subsidiary of the Xentro Group of Companies.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Green GSM will supply 2,000 VinFast electric vehicles to support future operations under the Green GSM platform.
A thousand units have already been secured and the remaining half is expected to be delivered within two years.
The fleet will operate under the co-branding Green Xentro powered by Green GSM. In case you missed it, Green GSM has been in operation in the Philippines for a few months now, utilizing VinFast EVs for ride-hailing across Metro Manila.
Following the completion of all necessary regulatory and accreditation processes, the fleet is expected to cater to even more major urban areas.
The Green Xentro fleet will showcase Green GSM’s signature cyan color and follow eco-friendly standards.
Known for their quiet operation, zero tailpipe emissions, and comfortable interiors, VinFast electric vehicles aim to offer passengers a cleaner and more enjoyable ride.
In addition, Green GSM is developing a partner-based operational approach to increase EV adoption while fully complying with local regulations.
AMRC Renewable Corp/Xentro Motors viewed this collaboration as an opportunity to contribute to the country’s growing sustainable transportation movement.
Once all approvals are secured, the fleet will begin operations under the Green GSM platform.
For their side, the Xentro Group of Companies will let Xentro Malls nationwide offer accessible pick-up zones, EV charging stations, and parking areas.
Of course, the partnership will also benefit from VinFast’s service ecosystem. This includes fleet maintenance, charging infrastructure, and driver support.
Gaming
Avatar: The Last Airbender is getting a fighting game
You can play as one of twelve characters on launch.
For every beloved anime franchise, there will always come a time when the only thing left to do is to pit all of its characters inside a fighting game. So far, it’s happened with Dragon Ball, Naruto, My Hero Academia, and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. Soon, Avatar: The Last Airbender is joining the fight. An official fighting game is coming.
Announced during New York Comic Con, the upcoming title, temporarily called Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, will pit the franchise’s most powerful characters against each other. According to the Steam page, the game’s launch will see 12 initial characters for gamers to fight with. More characters will then come afterward through a seasonal model. From the trailer, we can already confirm Aang, Korra, Toph, Sokka, Azula, Katara, and Zuko.
Importantly, the game will use 2D drawn animation. Its style will thankfully look similar to the original series. It will also feature special powers using something the developers call a “flow system.” And characters will get swappable support characters to bolster their powers.
It will feature a single-player campaign featuring an original narrative.
It’s all currently vague because the game is in pre-alpha development. However, Gameplay Group International, the game’s developers, has already confirmed a release date window during the summer of next year. It will launch on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and Steam.
SEE ALSO: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot’s DAIMA Demon Realm DLC out now
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