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Philippine TV Network introduces AI sportscasters

The first in the country

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AI Sportscasters
Photo from FB.com/GMANetwork

It’s happening. While debates continue to rage on about what role Artificial Intelligence or AI should play with its rapid advancement in recent years, a Philippine Television Network jumped the gun and decided to introduce AI sportscasters.

GMA Network, widely considered the second largest broadcasting network in the Philippines, proudly introduced on Saturday, September 23 are MAIA and MARCO — two AI-generated sportscasters. They will be reporting on NCAA Season 99, a collegiate sports association in the country, as well as other local and international sports news. They are expected to appear across the network’s broadcasting and social media platforms.

In their own introduction article, GMA Network said the two were generated by artificial intelligence using Image Generation, Text-to-Speech AI Voice Synthesis/Generation, and Deep Learning Face Animation Technology.

Unfavorable reactions

The Facebook post concerning this news was met with unfavorable reactions in the comments section.

Facebook user Aple Balagtas Bangaysiso commented: “As a communication student, it is very sad. A job of a real person replaced by AI. This is very alarming for media industry. The kind of innovation we never wished.”

Sh1n Boo also left a comment lamenting that “this gives a lot of wrong signals,” and added “I’m a big fan of AI tools but sadly this is very out of touch.”

Another commenter named Paul Emmanuel had this to say:
“There is no urgent need for AI sportscasters nor any caster there are. Why would we need these things when we have lots of skilled people that can do it better than them. I disagree with this.”

Many of the comments on the particular Facebook post shared the same sentiments

Conversations on AI, ChatGPT, and more

Discussions about AI surges when ChatGPT hit a scene. It’s an AI tool that can analyze billions of words and the relationship between them. It uses GPT-3.5, a specific language model created by OpenAI.

It’s been used to generate many things with many different sectors being alarmed of how it will be used. The education sector was one of the first to react, fearing that students will rely more on the tool instead of traditional research and writing methods.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT Explained

Taking over jobs

Globally, there are many discussions happening in conferences, podcasts, and even informal settings about how AI can take away jobs. The ongoing writer strike has also touched on this matter.

Disney+ has already come under fire recently for admitting that the opening credits for the show Secret Invasion was made with AI. Meanwhile, YouTube channel Corridor Digital, known for their breakdowns, reactions and recreations of CGI effects, came under fire for producing an AI-generated “anime”. On TikTok, there are also several posts of AI-generated song covers of global and K-Pop artists.

Despite all these, Senior Vice President and Head of Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso notes that their AI sportscaster initiative ” promote[s] inclusivity in our reporting.”

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Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 price, availability in the Philippines

An all-rounder tablet

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Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4

Xiaomi maintains its great value proposition with its tablet offerings. In 2023, it was the Xiaomi Pad 6. This time, in 2024, it’s the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4.

Price and availability

The tablet will be available in two variants and are priced as follows:

  • 12+512GB — PhP 39,999
  • 8+256GB — PhP 33,999

It comes in classic Black and White colors.

Meanwhile, the accessories are priced as follows:

  • Focus Pen — PhP 3,499
  • Touchpad Keyboard — PhP 6,499

Discounted from May 3 to 9

Naturally, these will be available at special slashed prices from May 3 to 9 on the Shopee exclusive online sale.

  • 12+512GB — PhP 37,199
  • 8+256GB — PhP 31,199

Buyers will get free Redmi Buds 4 Active (valued at Php 999) for every checkout of the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro.

Unboxing the tablet and its accessories

Like the tablet that preceded it, the 6S Pro came with a generous accompaniment of accessories. Other than the tablet itself, there’s the Cover, Touchpad Keyboard, and the Focus Pen. 

Watch the unboxing below. 

@gadgetmatch

This is our favorite Android tablet right now! #XiaomiPad6SPro #Xiaomi

♬ original sound – GadgetMatch – GadgetMatch

Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 specs

  • Display — 12.4” 144Hz 3K display, supports Dolby Vision
  • Processor — Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Battery — 10,000mAh, 120W HyperCharge
  • RAM and Storage — 8GB+256GB / 12GB+512GB
  • OS — Xiaomi HyperOS 
  • Cameras — 50MP main (4K, 60 FPS video), 2MP depth, 32MP front (1080p, 30 FPS video)
  • Connectivity — USB 3.2 Gen 1, Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi 7
  • Audio — Six (6) speakers, support for Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Hi-Res wireless 

Here’s a quick excerpt from our review: 

“The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 has a mouthful of a name with a feature set that’s just as packed. It’s a device made for many purposes. It’s both a workmate, a creative companion, and a relaxation buddy.”

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HUAWEI Pura 70 Series: Price, availability in the Philippines

Starts at PhP 47,999

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Huawei Pura 70 Ultra

Huawei’s P Series is now Pura. The company says the rebrand represents a new chapter. But the Pura essentially is the same lineage as the P Series — expert mobile photography and fashion forward. Now, the Huawei Pura 70 Series has been confirmed to come to the Philippines.

The Huawei Pura 70 series has three phones: the Huawei Pura 70, Huawei Pura 70 Pro, and Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. Pricing are as follows

The Huawei Pura 70 (12GB+256GB) is priced at PhP 47,999. It comes in Black, White, and Pink.  Meanwhile, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro (12GB+512GB) retails for PhP 59,999 which comes in Black and White. Last and surely not the least is the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra (16GB+512GB) that comes in Black and Green. This one retails for PhP 79,999.

Pre-orders are live as of May 2, 2024. Every pre-order comes with the following:

  • Mystery Gifts Worth PhP 17998
  • 1-year Accidental Damage Protection Worth PhP 3999
  • Deposit PhP 1000 Get PhP 3000 Token

The Pura 70 Ultra will come with an Inbox Magnetic case while the other two models have a Magnetic Case Worth PhP 1999.

Huawei Pura 70 Series

The Huawei Pura 70 Series is a reinvention of Huawei’s camera-toting lineup. The new smartphones again promise huge improvements to the world of smarthpone photography.

The series is equipped with a new generation of Ultra Lighting camera system. Combined with the industry’s first HUAWEI XD Motion Engine, it can activate the Ultra Speed Snapshot feature and easily capture fast moments

The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra also equipped with the industry’s first Ultra Lighting Pop-out Camera. It’s an original retractable camera structure; achieving a thin one-inch image sensor and a large aperture in a compact body, bringing a revolutionary imaging system.

Both HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro and HUAWEI Pura 70 Ultra feature the new Ultra Lighting Macro Telephoto Camera. It promises to produce clear images from distant buildings to close details. Thanks to its periscope telephoto aperture of F2.1, it offers superb light-gathering ability and better telephoto image quality, achieving full focal HD photography across the entire focal length.

SEE ALSO:
Huawei Pura 70 Pro Unboxing and First Impressions
GadgetSnaps: Huawei Pura 70 Pro in Shenzhen

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US sues Razer over fake Zephyr facemask claims

Advertised N95 filters but didn’t have them

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The pandemic turned facemasks into a fashion trend. While most brands fought over who could present the most stylish way to protect yourself from the virus, tech companies rushed to pack the most features into a light wearable. Because the pandemic introduced health risks that the world barely understood, most of these products aren’t the safest around. Now, years after introducing its RGB-infused mask, Razer finds itself in trouble over disproven claims.

In 2021, Razer introduced the Zephyr. It was cyberpunk-looking facemask that supposedly carried N95 filters. Over the years, the company failed to have its claims certified. What’s worse, critics  analyzed the product and found that the filters did not, in fact, keep 95 percent of particles away. (That’s why an N95 mask is named as such.)

Today, the Federal Trade Commission is asking over US$ 1.1 million in refunds to customers who purchased a Zephyr in the past. According to the proposal, Razer misled consumers by claiming the mask had N95 filters. The company also never submitted the product for testing. Though Razer eventually removed the claims, it wasn’t enough.

Additionally, the proposal is seeking US$ 100,000 in damages and a ban on Razer from selling and marketing any further health-inspired products in the future.

SEE ALSO: Razer officially launches its Zephyr facemask

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