Virtual Content Has No Border

Author: yousufparvez

How Google’s Accelerators Programs Shape the Future of Startups

Google has been supporting startups and developers since 2016 through its accelerator programs. These initiatives have played a crucial role in assisting entrepreneurs in solving global challenges. Today, we’re excited to share the first Accelerator Impact Report, highlighting the significant growth achieved by over 1100 startups and developers.

During Google’s accelerator programs, participants receive valuable training and hands-on mentorship from industry leaders and Google experts. They also gain access to the latest products and technologies. For instance, India’s Brown Living, a plastic-free marketplace, implemented automations through Looker Studio and Apps Script with support from Google mentors. Another success story comes from Carbonext, a Brazilian startup that used machine learning to monitor deforestation 80% faster and at 70% of the cost after participating in a Google for Startups Accelerator program. Additionally, Indonesia’s Gambir Studio increased revenue by 20% with guidance from mentors at an Indie Games Accelerator.

Since completing Google’s accelerator programs, 20 alumni have become unicorns (startups with a valuation over $1 billion), and one has achieved the status of a decacorn (valuation exceeding $10 billion). These startups employ nearly 120,000 people globally and have raised an impressive $30.7 billion in venture funding. Notably, accelerator alumni maintain a remarkable 96% survival rate, outperforming the average startup success rate of around 20%.

The first Accelerator Impact Report spans from 2016 through July 2023, providing insights into 24 Google accelerator programs across six continents and 87 countries. The report explores the diversity and impact of these programs, showcasing success stories and the overall positive influence on participating startups.

Google’s accelerator programs have created a supportive environment for startups and developers, fostering growth and innovation. The programs have a wide reach, covering six continents and 87 countries, illustrating Google’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs worldwide.

Numerous success stories, such as Brown Living and Carbonext, showcase how participants leverage the training and mentorship to make a real impact in their respective industries. Google’s accelerator alumni achieving unicorn and decacorn status underscore the effectiveness of these programs in nurturing successful startups.

The startups have significantly contributed to job creation, employing almost 120,000 individuals. The impressive $30.7 billion raised in venture funding highlights the financial support these programs provide. Google’s accelerator programs continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the success of startups and developers globally.

November 24, 2023
Meet Aitana: Spain’s Groundbreaking AI-Generated Model

In a challenging period, Rubén Cruz, founder of The Clueless agency, created Aitana, the first Spanish model generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Facing a slowdown in client projects last summer, Cruz analyzed the situation and discovered that many projects were delayed or canceled due to issues with influencers or models. In response, they decided to create their own influencer, Aitana, to serve as a model for approaching brands.

Aitana, a vibrant 25-year-old with pink hair from Barcelona, was designed to perfection. According to Cruz, the virtual model can earn up to €10,000 monthly, with an average of around €3,000. Cruz aimed to provide a better living without being dependent on individuals with egos or specific demands. Aitana’s income is diverse, earning just over €1,000 per advertisement. She has become the face of a sports supplement company and shares lingerie photos on Fanvue, a platform similar to OnlyFans.

In a few months, Aitana gained over 121,000 followers on Instagram, receiving thousands of views and reactions. She even receives private messages from celebrities unaware that she is not a real person. The agency team conducts weekly meetings to plan Aitana’s virtual life, deciding her activities, locations, and photos for her followers. There are no actual photoshoots; instead, a blend of AI and design experts uses Photoshop to create Aitana’s virtual experiences.

Unlike traditional models, Aitana has a distinct personality, described as a fitness enthusiast, determined, and complex. The agency realized that people follow lives, not just images, prompting them to create a backstory for Aitana. Aitana’s success led to the creation of a second virtual model, Maia, with both names containing the acronym for artificial intelligence (AI).

The agency now receives numerous requests from brands seeking their own personalized virtual models to represent brand values without continuity issues. The initiative also offers cost savings compared to real influencers, challenging existing pricing norms in the industry. While the initiative faces criticism for potentially influencing unrealistic beauty standards, the agency argues that they are simply following the aesthetics set by real influencers and brands. They believe that challenging the vision of brands is essential to change the system.

November 23, 2023
From Baazigar to Devdas: Shah Rukh Khan’s Cinematic Reign in Bollywood

Shah Rukh Khan is a famous and wealthy Bollywood actor known as the “king of Bollywood.” He attributes his success to his mother. This article will highlight the movies that played a significant role in establishing him as the king of Bollywood.

The movie “Baazigar” is unforgettable for many. Shah Rukh Khan and actress Kajol delivered brilliant performances in this revenge-themed film. The movie’s songs are still popular today.

“Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” is considered the most successful romantic Bollywood movie. Starring opposite Kajol, the film won awards in ten categories, contributing to Shah Rukh Khan’s rise as a star.

In “Karan Arjun,” Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan played the roles of two brothers, with Kajol also delivering an excellent performance. Some dialogues from this movie are still widely remembered.

“Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” revolves around a love triangle, featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and a stellar performance by Rani Mukherjee. The movie received several awards, including the National Award, solidifying its place as one of the greatest Bollywood films.

“Devdas” starred Shah Rukh Khan opposite Aishwarya Rai and earned numerous awards, further establishing him as the Bollywood king. Additionally, movies like “Chak De! India,” “My Name Is Khan,” and “Dil To Pagal Hai” propelled Shah Rukh Khan to great heights.

Although Shah Rukh Khan’s performances in “Pathan” and “Jawaan” impressed the audience, his journey to becoming the king of Bollywood is marked by iconic films that have left a lasting impact on Indian cinema.

November 23, 2023
Kawasaki’s 2024 ZX-10RR Retro Liveries: A Nod to 1990s ZXR750 Heritage

Kawasaki has introduced three special retro color schemes for their 2024 Ninja ZX-10RR superbike at the Motorcycle Live show in Birmingham. These designs, available as limited editions, pay homage to the early 1990s ZXR750 and mark the 40th anniversary of the Ninja superbike. These special liveries, created as UK-only limited editions, are already on sale.

To celebrate 40 years of Ninja, Kawasaki UK collaborated with Kar Lee Design to develop liveries for the ZX-10RR inspired by retro colors from the last four decades. The UK social media followers of the Japanese brand voted for their favorite designs, and SprayBay, a UK paint specialist, turned the top three into reality.

These tribute ZX-10RRs are limited to 40 units, each featuring anniversary plates on the top yokes and a special anniversary logo. Buyers have the option to choose from the three designs. Additionally, each bike comes with Kawasaki’s ‘Performance Edition’ specification, including an Akrapovic can, pillion seat cover, smoked screen, and tank pad. Customers will also receive a paddock stand, a special bike cover, and a Ninja 40th-anniversary keyring. The cost of each bike is £26,599, and they are available for order from dealers.

This initiative by Kawasaki aims to tap into the growing popularity of retro-themed motorcycles in recent years. The retro liveries, reminiscent of the early 1990s ZXR750, have been designed to evoke nostalgia among motorcycle enthusiasts and celebrate the longstanding legacy of the Ninja superbike, which debuted with the GPz900R Ninja in 1984.

Kawasaki UK Sales and Marketing Manager, Craig Watson, expressed confidence that these special liveries would be well-received, emphasizing the need for interested buyers to contact their local Kawasaki dealers promptly. The limited-edition ZX-10RRs not only feature unique colors but also come with the ‘Performance Edition’ specification, enhancing the overall package for enthusiasts.

The collaboration with Kar Lee Design allowed Kawasaki to draw inspiration from retro colors spanning four decades, providing a visual treat for fans of the brand. The involvement of social media followers in voting for their preferred designs added an interactive element to the unveiling process.

With just 40 units available, each adorned with special anniversary plates and logos, these ZX-10RRs offer a unique opportunity for Kawasaki enthusiasts to own a piece of the brand’s history. The inclusion of exclusive features, such as the ‘Performance Edition’ specification and commemorative items, further enhances the appeal of these limited-edition motorcycles.

November 23, 2023
AI Technology Misuse: Hollywood Star Scarlett Johansson Targeted in Fake Ads

Popular Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson recently faced a distressing situation when fake advertisements featuring her surfaced on the internet. Scarlett, widely known for her role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, became a victim of misuse of artificial intelligence technology.

The misleading ads, created using the Liza AI artificial intelligence application, went viral on the internet. The actress, upset by the incident, took legal action against the agency responsible for the deceptive advertisements. This misuse of AI technology not only affected Scarlett Johansson but also raises concerns about the potential harm to the entertainment industry.

AI technology has been misused in various ways, from distorting songs and releasing them on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify to creating fake promotional videos. This incident involving Scarlett Johansson highlights the growing challenges posed by the misuse of artificial intelligence.

In this specific case, a 22-second fake promotional video featuring Scarlett was circulated on social media. The ad, which encouraged people to use a particular app, utilized footage from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The deceptive nature of the ad made it challenging for viewers to distinguish between reality and the manipulated content. Subsequently, it was clarified that the promotional video was entirely fake.

Such incidents have occurred before, leading to frustration and suffering among numerous stars who have fallen victim to the misuse of AI technology. Scarlett Johansson joins the list of celebrities who have faced challenges due to the unauthorized use of their likeness in misleading content.

The prevalence of these deceptive practices raises concerns about the potential legal consequences. In many countries, such actions are considered punishable offenses, highlighting the need for stricter regulations to curb the misuse of artificial intelligence in creating misleading content.

Scarlett Johansson’s case serves as a reminder of the ethical and legal implications associated with the rapid advancements in AI technology. As technology continues to evolve, it becomes crucial to establish safeguards and regulations to protect individuals from unauthorized and deceptive use of their identity in digital content.

November 23, 2023
When Will Your Phone Get Android 14? A Manufacturer-by-Manufacturer Breakdown

Waiting for the Android 14 update on your phone? Let’s break down the current status for various manufacturers. Google released Android 14 on October 4 for its Pixel phones, promising support for future devices for up to seven years. ASUS has started testing Android 14 in the US, beginning with the Zenfone 10. The stable release’s timing depends on beta test results.

Huawei devices in the US, Canada, and Europe won’t receive Android 14 due to restrictions dating back to 2019, limiting their access to Google services. Motorola plans to roll out Android 14 to its phones, starting with the 2022 Edge series and extending to the 2023 lineup in early 2024.

Nothing, Carl Pei’s venture, is beta-testing Nothing OS 2.5, based on Android 14, for its Phone (2), with promised support for three years of OS upgrades and four years of security updates. OnePlus is testing a beta version of OxygenOS 14, but the release date is yet to be confirmed. Recent OnePlus models ensure four years of Android updates and five years of security patches.

Samsung has already rolled out One UI 6, its Android 14 skin, for many recent devices, offering up to four generations of OS updates. Sony initiated the Android 14 rollout for its Xperia 1 V on November 6, with plans to extend the update to other Xperia models, although the exact timeline is undisclosed.

Xiaomi swiftly released MIUI 14, based on Android 14, for the Xiaomi 13 Pro, 13, and 12T, but the timeline for updating older Xiaomi devices is currently unknown. While waiting for your phone’s Android 14 update, stay tuned for further updates from manufacturers.

November 22, 2023
MediaTek Reveals Dimensity 8300: A Powerful Chip for Mid-Range Smartphones

MediaTek, a tech company, has made a significant announcement with the introduction of its latest chip, the Dimensity 8300. This new System-on-Chip (SoC) is specifically designed for mid-range smartphones, offering notable improvements in performance, efficiency, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. Let’s explore the key features of this new chip.

The Dimensity 8300 is built on a second-generation 4nm process from TSMC, a technology manufacturing company. This process brings substantial enhancements in both performance and efficiency compared to its predecessor, the Dimensity 8200.

The chip adopts a triple-tier CPU architecture, featuring one Cortex-A715 core clocked at 3.35GHz, three Cortex-A715 cores at 3GHz, and four Cortex-A510 cores at 2.2GHz. This configuration promises a 20% boost in performance and up to 30% better efficiency compared to the previous Dimensity 8200.

A significant upgrade comes in the graphics department, with the Mali-G615 MC6 GPU. This enhancement claims a 60% increase in performance and a 55% gain in efficiency. These improvements ensure a smoother and more responsive gaming experience on devices powered by the Dimensity 8300.

The Dimensity 8300 brings notable improvements to the camera capabilities. It supports 4K/60fps HDR video, ensuring high-quality video recording. Additionally, the chipset offers more power-efficient video recording and introduces AI-Color functionality for enhanced image quality.

A standout feature of the Dimensity 8300 is the APU 780 AI silicon, supporting large language models (LLMs) with up to 10 billion parameters. This enables advanced features such as real-time language translation, text summarization, and creative writing.

The Dimensity 8300 is equipped with AV1 decoding, Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 6E, and supports refresh rates of up to 120Hz at WQHD+ resolutions or 180Hz at FHD+. These features contribute to a well-rounded and advanced user experience. The first smartphone set to be powered by the Dimensity 8300 is the Redmi K70e. This device is expected to launch later this month, showcasing the capabilities of the new chipset. MediaTek’s Dimensity 8300 brings significant advancements to mid-range smartphones. With improvements in processing power, graphics capabilities, camera functionalities, and AI capabilities, this chipset aims to enhance the overall user experience.

November 22, 2023
Astronomers Witness Sun’s Own Northern Lights for the First Time

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have observed a mesmerizing display of radio waves resembling the Northern Lights on Earth, known as auroras, occurring on the surface of the sun. This captivating solar lightshow unfolded approximately 25,000 miles above a sunspot, a magnetic dark area on the sun’s surface. This marks the first time such a phenomenon has been observed on our own sun.

Astronomers, based on Earth, detected these bursts of radio waves over the course of a week. Unlike typical transient solar radio bursts lasting minutes or hours, this discovery is described as “quite unlike” anything seen before, with the potential to reshape our understanding of magnetic processes on stars. The findings were published in the journal Nature Astronomy on November 13.

On Earth, auroras result from energetic solar debris interacting with the atmosphere near the poles, where the protective magnetic field is weaker. This interaction causes oxygen and nitrogen molecules to release energy in the form of light, creating the beautiful and colorful displays seen in the night sky.

Solar debris is usually ejected from the sun when magnetic fields around sunspots become tangled and then suddenly snap. This release of energy leads to solar flares and explosive jets of solar material, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

By pointing a radio telescope at a sunspot on the sun’s surface, researchers detected an aurora-like emission above it. They believe this emission is caused by electrons from solar flares being accelerated along the sunspot’s powerful magnetic field lines. Unlike Earth’s auroras, these sunspot aurora emissions occur at much higher frequencies due to the sunspot’s magnetic field being thousands of times stronger than Earth’s.

The scientists express excitement about this discovery, as it introduces new avenues for studying the sun’s activity. They have already started examining archival data to uncover hidden evidence of past solar auroras. The research not only enhances our understanding of our own sun but also opens doors to studying stars beyond our solar system.

The researchers are in the early stages of assembling the puzzle of how energetic particles and magnetic fields interact, especially in the presence of long-lasting sunspots. This knowledge has broad implications, not only for understanding our sun but also for gaining insights into the activities of stars far beyond our solar system.

November 22, 2023
Xiaomi’s New HyperOS Update Coming to Five Smartphones

Great news for Xiaomi smartphone users! A report from GSMChina reveals that Xiaomi is gearing up to release a stable update for its self-developed operating system, HyperOS. This anticipated update will be based on Android 14 and will soon be available for five flagship smartphones.

The lucky smartphones set to receive the HyperOS stable update include Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Xiaomi 13T, Xiaomi 12T, Xiaomi Pad 6 Max, and Redmi K60 Pro. These devices have already made an appearance with the HyperOS build on Xiaomi’s official server.

The update is on its way and is expected to start with the Xiaomi 13 Ultra in China. Following that, Xiaomi 12T and Xiaomi 13T will get the update in the European market. For users in other regions, don’t worry – the update will make its way to you in the future.

Xiaomi has generously shared a roadmap outlining the release schedule for the HyperOS update on both Chinese and international devices. The update will be delivered in phases, with the first batch of international devices set to receive HyperOS in the first quarter of 2024.

Users can look forward to a smoother and improved experience with the new HyperOS stable update. As Xiaomi continues to enhance its operating system, the Android 14 base promises exciting new features and optimizations for these flagship smartphones.

For users eager to get their hands on the HyperOS update, keeping an eye on software update notifications will be crucial. When the update is ready for your device, a notification will prompt you to install it. Make sure your phone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and has sufficient battery to smoothly complete the update process.

HyperOS is Xiaomi’s own operating system, and with each update, users can expect performance improvements, enhanced features, and possibly new functionalities. The company is dedicated to providing the best user experience, and HyperOS is a key element in achieving this goal.

While the initial rollout begins in China and Europe, Xiaomi’s commitment extends globally. Users around the world can anticipate the HyperOS update reaching their devices in subsequent phases. This phased approach ensures a smooth and controlled distribution, minimizing any potential issues during the update process.

November 22, 2023
New Trade Routes Opening in the Arctic: A Change in Shipping Landscape

In the vast North or Arctic Sea, a significant portion is covered with ice. However, a recent NASA study revealed that 13 percent of the North Sea ice is starting to melt each year. This melting trend, if it continues, could lead to the creation of valuable trade routes by the year 2050 or 2100.

In the past, most of the North Sea remained ice-covered even during the summer months. A tragic event in 1845 saw a British campaign in the North Sea, where all 129 crew members of a ship lost their lives after being trapped in the ice.

Today, things have changed. The ice in the North Sea is showing signs of melting, opening up possibilities for trade routes. It is projected that shipping routes could be accessible for several months every summer. This could prove economically beneficial for shipping, offering a shorter and faster passage.

Despite the potential, there are challenges to face in these waters. Numerous small islands of solid ice dot the route, serving as homes to various animals, including polar bears. The lack of deep-sea ports and limitations in rescue operations pose additional hurdles. Nevertheless, if these challenges can be addressed, the North Sea could become a viable commercial route, potentially saving time and money compared to existing routes through the Suez Canal or Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal is currently a crucial route for commercial shipping from different parts of Asia to North America. However, if the North Sea route becomes operational, it could offer a faster and more direct path, reducing dependence on the Suez Canal or Panama Canal. China, in particular, has shown keen interest in this development, recognizing potential advantages in communication and trade.

Climate change is playing a role in this evolving scenario. As the Northwest Hemisphere experiences increasing open water spaces due to climate change, many anticipate that this route will play a pivotal role in the future transportation of goods.

The melting ice in the North Sea is creating new possibilities for trade routes. While historical challenges and environmental considerations must be addressed, the potential benefits in terms of time and cost savings are significant. The changing landscape in the Arctic could reshape the world of shipping and commerce, with countries like China actively exploring the advantages of this emerging trade route. As climate change continues to impact our planet, the economic and logistical dynamics of global trade are also undergoing transformation.

November 21, 2023