News

Nothing officially confirms Phone (2)

Coming this summer

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Last year, Nothing introduced its first smartphone. Though the Nothing Phone (1) squeaked past the market in relatively silent fashion, it made a lot of waves ahead of the launch. Today, the brand is reaching into the same bag of tricks. Nothing has officially confirmed the Phone (2) coming later this summer.

While the device is officially confirmed, the teaser leaves a lot to the imagination. The only graphic associated with the launch shows what is presumably a peek at the smartphone’s rear. As with the previous iteration, the upcoming flagship will likely feature a “transparent” rear, allowing for a peek into some of the device’s innards.

Also, the graphic shows a portion peppered with tiny bumps. Besides a unique look, the panel might also feature some interesting textures to make the smartphone more tactile.

With this iteration, Nothing faces quite a climb to build the lineup’s reputation. Last year, the Phone (1) had a Snapdragon 778G processor, an interesting piece to debut in the smartphone market with. The device also featured 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It also had a GBP 399 price tag.

The announcement, complete with its own landing page, confirms a launch coming later this summer. Since the Phone (1) launched in July, we might be in for a similar window for the Phone (2).

SEE ALSO: Nothing Ear (2) now available in Singapore: Price, features

Apps

Instagram is building an AI chatbot

Follows TikTok in doing so

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Do you need an AI chatbot to hold a conversation? Instagram seems to think so. As the world rapidly experiments with developments in AI technology, the platform is reportedly working on a chatbot for its users.

According to Alessandro Paluzzi, a reverse engineer who usually digs up future plans for popular apps, Instagram is working on the AI chatbot feature for a future iteration of the app. Much like other chatbots out in the market today, Instagram’s unnamed bot will enable users to interact with it in casually flowing conversation.

The screenshots obtained by the engineer read that it “answers questions, gives advice.” Additionally, it helps users “find the best way to express [themselves] … [through] writing messages.” From a usability standpoint, the feature can help users craft replies to direct messages. They can also bring the bot into human-to-human conversations by mentioning the bot in the conversation.

To add to the quirkiness, Instagram will supposedly add 30 different personalities to the chatbot. Users can pick and choose which one they like the best. The sneak peek does not reveal any personalities included in the feature. (We’re hoping for a snarky one that judges and critiques posts.)

The feature has no timetable as to its release. However, since TikTok already released its own chatbot for testing, it should stand that Instagram’s feature will come out soon.

SEE ALSO: Instagram is creating a Twitter competitor

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Gaming

ROG Ally greatly improves with new update

Days before official launch

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The ROG Ally has some hefty shoes to fill. Touting an impressive slate of specs, the upcoming handheld console is one of the first true competitors to the dominating Steam Deck. Unfortunately, early reviews revealed a flawed comparison against Valve’s juggernaut of a console. Now, days ahead of its official launch, ASUS is releasing new firmware which drastically improves the console’s performance.

Getting down to the nitty gritty of things, the ROG Ally, in its unpatched version, lacked performance in low-wattage scenarios. Early reviewers found that the console could not keep up with the Steam Deck under such circumstances.

A new update, which started rolling out to early units, started catching up. According to YouTuber Dave2D, the update easily improves the console by 15 to 20 percent better than its initial release. First of all, it brings the ROG Ally almost at par with the Steam Deck in low-wattage scenarios. While the results aren’t as good as the latter device yet, it’s a much better performer compared to the former on day one. ASUS acknowledges that Valve really did its homework in low-wattage scenarios.

More notably, the update dramatically boosts the ROG Ally’s performance in higher wattages. The console is now close behind the Ayaneo 2S, a beefier alternative to the Steam Deck. Before the update, the ROG Ally could barely touch the Steam Deck, let alone the Ayaneo 2S.

ASUS also notes that the update should include improvements for the battery life. The lackluster battery has been a point of contention among all early users.

The ROG Ally is officially launching on June 13 and will start at US$ 699.99.

SEE ALSO: How well do PlayStation games run on the ROG Ally?

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Xiaomi reportedly working on a clamshell phone

Says a new rumor

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In recent years, Motorola and Samsung have proved that the clamshell phone is more than just a resurrected fad. Both companies have developed solid lineups capable of becoming daily drivers. Now, others want to get into the market. Following the footsteps of its contemporaries, Xiaomi is reportedly developing a clamshell phone of its own.

Even before the unannounced clamshell phone, Xiaomi has some experience in the foldable market. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 was quite the impressive powerhouse when it launched last year. The foldable smartphone even bagged the title as the thinnest foldable at the time (before Huawei grabbed the title soon after).

Now, the Chinese company is seemingly tapping into the same lineup for a rumored clamshell phone. According to Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station, the brand is indeed looking at an extremely light version of the vertically folding form factor.

Unfortunately, not much else is known about the upcoming device yet. However, Xiaomi’s supposed entry into the market shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, the brand’s competitors — Huawei and vivo — are already deep inside the clamshell segment. The latter, for example, just released the vivo X Flip, its first device in the vertically folding market. Expect things to heat up in the Chinese foldable market soon.

SEE ALSO: The vivo X Flip is the company’s first vertical-folding smartphone

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