News

Xiaomi Mi 5s and 5s Plus set to challenge iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

Published

September 27, 2016

Marvin Velasco

Another Xiaomi launch, another pair of Apple clones. This isn’t to say the Chinese brand’s newest flagships aren’t any good; in fact, the Xiaomi Mi 5s and 5s Plus are up there with the very best, and they don’t cost a fortune.

Despite having a little “s” attached to their names, the pair of smartphones are significant upgrades over the original Mi 5 launched last February. Back then, we compared Xiaomi’s flagship at that time to the Samsung Galaxy S7. Now, the similarities are closer to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Even the promotional image below screams copycat.

Compare the Xiaomi Mi 5s promotional image above with the iPhone 7’s below

The signs are all there: a completely metal unibody construction for both the 5.15-inch Mi 5s and 5.7-inch Mi 5s Plus, the usual iPhone-like MIUI Android interface, and some features taken straight out of Apple’s playbook. Let’s look into them now.

The highest-end Mi 5s, which is the 4GB RAM with 128GB internal storage configuration, has a pressure-sensitive display, similar to what Apple applied on its last two iPhone generations. It’s definitely a bonus if you want expanded interactivity with your apps’ options, but if it goes down the same path as the iPhones, then third-party support might be limited for a while. Huawei did it first on Android with its Mate S handset last year, yet there has barely been any backing from software developers since then.

What’s unique to the Mi 5s — and this isn’t even available on the larger Mi 5s Plus — is the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner powered by Qualcomm’s Sense ID. It may sound needless with regular sensors already being blazing fast, but this type is a lot more secure thanks to its added accuracy, plus it can work through wet hands and may be placed under the handset’s glass panel. We had a chance to try it ourselves and we must say, it really is the best fingerprint-scanning technology out there, and we’re glad Xiaomi finally managed to incorporate it.

The specs are expected of a newly launched flagship: We have Qualcomm’s best processor in the Snapdragon 821, a 12-megapixel shooter at the back with a 4-megapixel one up front, and an acceptable 3200mAh battery capacity.

The 4GB memory with 128GB storage model we mentioned earlier will retail at RMB 2299 (almost $345), and the 3GB memory with 64GB storage version will go for RMB 1999 (slightly above $299). Colors offered are silver, gray, gold, and rose gold, with availability beginning on September 29 in China.

Surprisingly, the Mi 5s Plus doesn’t just lack the high-tech fingerprint scanner of its smaller sibling (although, there’s a regular one at the back), it also doesn’t offer a pressure-sensitive display. Instead, the 5.7-inch phablet opts for a 13-megapixel dual-camera setup, very similar to Huawei’s implementation on the P9; one image sensor captures in monochrome, while the other in full color. Image detail will be a lot sharper thanks to the combined effort of two lenses, which is far better than Xiaomi’s previous attempt.

Other advantages of the Mi 5s Plus are the larger 3800mAh battery, bigger display (it maxes out at 1920 x 1080 pixels like the more compact Mi 5s, though), and the choice of having 6GB of RAM. The processor is the same as the chip found in the Mi 5s, and both phones have Quick Charge 3.0-enabled USB Type-C ports. As you can tell, the Plus variant may not be as innovative as the Mi 5s, but it definitely has more multimedia muscle in its circuits.

Its cheapest configuration, which has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, costs as much as the top-end Mi 5s at RMB 2299 ($345). The model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage isn’t much of a jump in price, and seems like a more worthwhile purchase; you can buy one for only RMB 2599 ($390). Colors options and availability are the same as that of the Mi 5s.

[irp posts=”12207″ name=”One month with Xiaomi’s Yuemi mechanical keyboard”]

Source: Xiaomi

News

vivo V29 5G Grand Launch in the Philippines

Aura Light 2.0 and more

Published

September 23, 2023

GadgetMatch

The vivo V29 5G will officially launch on Monday, September 25 at 7PM in the Philippines. You should check out the vivo V29 5G Grand Launch. You can watch it on this Facebook event page.

We already know that the vivo V29 5G comes with Aura Light 2.0. An improved version of its lighting system first showcased on the vivo V27 5G. Aura Light 2.0 will automatically adjust its color temperature to harmonize with the surroundings.

We also know that it comes on two stunning colors: Milky Way and Starry Purple.

Elsewhere on the phone, you’ll find a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED FHD display. It has up to a 120Hz refresh rate and a pixel density of 452ppi.

The screen is HDR10+ certified and is also 100% DCI-P3, offering users breath-taking details and colors for an astonishing visual experience.

vivo has also worked on the phone’s eye protection features for both its hardware and software. The phone has reduced blue light and screen flickering to ensure safe usage.

If you want to learn the rest of the specs along with other surprises, you should definitely check out the vivo V29 5G Grand Launch.

Price and availability

The vivo V29 5G comes in two storage options. Pricing are as follows: 12GB+256GB is PhP 24,999 while 12GB+512GB is 26,999. It’s available in vivo’s official stores, Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.

This article is a sponsored press release by vivo Philippines.

News

Philippine TV Network introduces AI sportscasters

The first in the country

Published

September 23, 2023

Rodneil Quiteles

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.”

News

Google ridicules Apple again in a new ad

#GetTheMessage

Published

September 23, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Google is back to its old tricks. After the relatively successful #BestPhonesForever campaign, the company has launched a new dig against Apple. This time, the campaign sends another attack at Apple’s refusal to adopt the RCS protocol.

As most Apple users know, one way to tell a fellow iPhone user from an Android user is the green bubble. Android users pop up as green bubbles on iMessage, instead of the standard blue. Whether inadvertently or on purpose, Apple turned iMessage into an exclusive club that can easily tell those who aren’t part of the club.

In the new #GetTheMessage campaign, Google parodies an Apple launch by releasing an Apple-like trailer for an “iPager.” Meant to be a stand-in for the iPhone, the parody device uses the same messaging technology as Apple’s flagship, resulting in “broken group chats,” “zero encryption,” and “pixelated videos.” All of these lead to a call for Apple to adopt RCS as a standard.

The lack of RCS on Apple is more than just a green bubble. As Google parodies, the difference in standards leads to reduced security and a lack of features. Apple, unfortunately, is remarkably against the adoption. Tim Cook notoriously told an inquiring reporter to just get an iPhone.