Category: Technology News

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Hexa²Pixel” Trademark: Samsung’s Path to a 432MP Camera Sensor

In July 2022, Samsung filed for a trademark called “Hexa²Pixel,” hinting at a new camera sensor technology. This technology, when applied to a camera sensor, would enable 36:1 pixel binning, a process where data from neighboring pixels is combined to produce better photos with reduced noise.

The name “Hexa²Pixel” suggests a pixel binning factor of 36, as hexa means six, and six squared equals 36. When Samsung filed for this trademark, they showcased post-binning images with resolutions ranging from 12MP to 12.5MP, using the 108MP sensor found in the Galaxy S22 Ultra. By multiplying these resolutions by 36, we arrived at a potential range of 432MP to 450MP.

Recent information from a reputable source, known as Revegnus, indicates that Samsung is indeed working on a new camera sensor series called ISOCELL HW. The first two sensors in this series, HW1 and HW2, are expected to feature nearly 1-inch sensor sizes. The HW1 sensor will offer an impressive 432MP resolution with a sensor size of 1/1.05″ and a pixel size of 0.56 micrometers. Meanwhile, the HW2 sensor will also boast a 432MP resolution and a size close to 1-inch, measuring at 1/1.07″ with a pixel size of 0.5 micrometers.

Revegnus also provided insights into Samsung’s upcoming foldable devices. The Galaxy Fold 6 is rumored to continue using the 50MP GN3 image sensor, which is currently employed in the Galaxy Z Fold 5. On the other hand, the Galaxy Fold 7 is expected to feature a significant upgrade in its camera department, with a 200MP ISOCELL HP5 sensor. This sensor will have a sensor size of 1/1.3-inch and a pixel size of 0.5 micrometers.

Back in August, the same source revealed that Samsung is gearing up to mass-produce several new ISOCELL image sensors in the second half of 2024. These include the 200MP HP7 sensor with 0.6μm pixels, a 50MP GN6 sensor, and an impressive 440MP HU1 sensor.

It’s fascinating to see how a simple mathematical deduction based on the “Hexa²Pixel” trademark filing accurately predicted a camera sensor with a 432MP resolution. However, what remains uncertain is when Samsung will introduce a smartphone with this remarkable 432MP camera. The Galaxy S24 Ultra might not be the candidate, so the earliest possibility could be the Galaxy S25 Ultra in 2025. But it’s more likely that we’ll see this advanced camera sensor in either the Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Galaxy S27 Ultra.

October 9, 2023
Durable by Design: The 5 Best Rugged Smartphones

Rugged smartphones are tough and durable devices designed to withstand harsh environments and conditions. They come equipped with special features that set them apart from regular smartphones used in everyday life. In this article, we will discuss the top 5 rugged smartphones available today.

1. Nokia XR20

Nokia introduced the XR20 in 2021, showcasing its commitment to producing durable devices. This smartphone is designed to meet the military standard of MIL-STD-810H, ensuring its ruggedness. Nokia has a strong reputation for producing reliable and long-lasting phones. The XR20 also supports 5G connectivity, making it a versatile choice for users.

2. Motorola Defy

The Motorola Defy is far from an ordinary smartphone. Its thermoplastic frame design sets it apart. The phone is certified to military standards, allowing it to thrive in extreme conditions. It can withstand exposure to sand, dust, and water. The display is protected by Victus Gorilla Glass, and the Defy features a high-quality camera for various photography needs.

3. Doogee S98 Pro

The Doogee S98 Pro is considered one of the best rugged smartphones of 2023. It boasts exceptional battery life, a bright display, night vision capabilities, and a thermal imaging camera. Its rugged and durable design is reinforced with Gorilla Glass, ensuring its longevity. However, it’s important to note that this phone does not support 5G connectivity.

4. Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro

Samsung’s Galaxy XCover Pro is another strong contender in the rugged smartphone category. Initially released in 2020, it meets military grade MIL-STD-810G certification standards. This smartphone is tailored for business settings and offers enhanced security features. To unlock the phone, users can utilize both a fingerprint scanner and facial recognition.

5. CAT S62 Pro

The CAT S62 Pro, part of the CAT Phone lineup by Bullitt Group Limited, earns its place among the best rugged smartphones in 2023. This advanced device provides instant access to professional-grade thermal imaging. As a durable smartphone, the CAT S62 Pro is waterproof, dustproof, and more, making it suitable for challenging environments.

These rugged smartphones cater to users who require a device that can handle tough conditions, whether for work or adventure. While each phone comes with its own set of features and specifications, they all share a commitment to durability and resilience. Whether you’re in a demanding job or simply seeking a phone that can withstand the elements, these rugged smartphones have you covered.

October 9, 2023
Xiaomi’s Dual-Powertrain Car: Electric and Extended-Range Versions

Xiaomi is getting ready to launch its very first electric vehicle (EV), and it’s generating quite a buzz. This news is coming from a source called Pandaily based in Beijing, and they’re saying Xiaomi’s upcoming car will come in two versions: one fully electric and the other with an extended-range powertrain.

This report follows another piece of news that said Xiaomi is hiring engineers in China to work on extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) range extenders. What’s interesting is that the basic model will use a 400V voltage platform and a BYD Blade Battery, while the fancier version will go for an 800V voltage platform and a CATL Qilin Battery with a big 101kWh battery pack.

Now, let’s talk about the extended-range version. This one is expected to have either a 1.5-liter or 1.5T range extender paired with a big battery. If you’re wondering what a range extender is, it’s a gasoline engine that can help extend the range of a battery electric vehicle. It does this by powering an electric generator that charges the car’s battery. So, this choice by Xiaomi could give their car a longer range, which is great news for potential buyers.

When it comes to the design, Xiaomi’s first car is aiming to catch the eye of the younger generation. It’ll be a sleek coupe with a low profile, a longer front, and a sporty fastback rear end.

But that’s not all. Recently, the car was spotted on Bluetooth SIG certification, and it spilled the beans on some of its tech features. It will have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chipset, Bluetooth 5.2, USB Media functions, and even support for Apple CarPlay.

Xiaomi is making big strides in the car manufacturing world since announcing its entry into the industry. Mass production is expected to kick off in 2024, and right now, the car is in the trial production stage. Reportedly, they’re churning out about 50 prototype cars each week. So, we’ll definitely be hearing more about Xiaomi’s car in the near future.

October 9, 2023
The Future of Smartphones: Snapdragon 8 Gen3’s Groundbreaking Features

In the world of mobile technology, a new superstar is emerging, and it goes by the name of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen3 SoC. This chip is creating quite a buzz, thanks to its impressive benchmark scores that are expected to surpass the 2 million points mark on the AnTuTu platform. If these predictions hold true, the Snapdragon 8 Gen3 could become Qualcomm’s most powerful smartphone SoC ever, outshining its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen2, which had an average score of 1.6 million points.

Let’s dive into the specifics of these benchmark results. The CPU performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen3 is shining brightly with a score of over 440,000 points. This is a noticeable improvement over the Snapdragon 8 Gen2, which scored 380,000 points. But where the real transformation takes place is in the GPU department. The Snapdragon 8 Gen3’s GPU score soars past 840,000 points, a significant leap compared to the previous generation’s score of around 600,000 points.

The device that underwent testing with the Snapdragon 8 Gen3 is an impressive powerhouse, boasting 16GB of LPDDR5T memory and a capacious 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. These specifications promise lightning-fast performance and ample storage space to meet all your needs.

Excitingly, this formidable chipset is set to make its debut at the end of October, with rumors suggesting that the Xiaomi 14 series will be the first smartphones to feature it. With groundbreaking benchmark scores and cutting-edge features, the Snapdragon 8 Gen3 is on the verge of redefining what’s possible in the world of mobile technology. Users can look forward to a truly unparalleled experience.

As we eagerly await the launch of this highly-anticipated SoC, it’s clear that Qualcomm is pushing the boundaries of mobile technology. The Snapdragon 8 Gen3 is poised to empower smartphones with unprecedented processing power, graphics capabilities, and storage capacity. This leap in performance is not only exciting for tech enthusiasts but also for everyday users who rely on their smartphones for various tasks.

One of the key takeaways from the Snapdragon 8 Gen3’s benchmark scores is the substantial increase in GPU performance. This improvement is particularly noteworthy as it directly impacts graphics-intensive tasks such as gaming and multimedia consumption. With the Snapdragon 8 Gen3, users can expect smoother gameplay, stunning visuals, and a more immersive entertainment experience.

The CPU performance of this chipset is no slouch either. With a score of over 440,000 points, it demonstrates Qualcomm’s commitment to delivering top-tier processing power. Whether you’re multitasking, running demanding applications, or simply navigating your smartphone’s interface, the Snapdragon 8 Gen3 is engineered to provide swift and responsive performance.

Additionally, the generous 16GB of LPDDR5T memory ensures that you can switch between apps seamlessly and keep numerous tasks running without a hitch. This is particularly beneficial for users who rely on their smartphones for productivity and efficiency.

October 9, 2023
Is the Waterdrop Hinge the Future of Foldable Laptops?

Samsung is working on a new kind of laptop that can fold, like a book. This new laptop is expected to come out in the second half of 2024. It’s going to be very slim, and it will have a special way of folding called a “waterdrop hinge.” This is a bit like the way a water droplet looks when it falls from a leaf.

The waterdrop hinge is not something completely new for Samsung. They’ve used a similar design in their recent foldable smartphones like the Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5. This hinge allows the laptop to fold in a way that the screens fit together very closely, and it reduces the creases or lines you see when you fold it. This could make the laptop thinner, although there are concerns about whether it will be strong enough.

But some people in the tech industry are wondering if this waterdrop hinge is really necessary for laptops. Unlike smartphones, which you hold close to your eyes, laptops are used differently. They are heavier, and when you fold them, they become thicker. So, some experts think a different type of hinge, like a U-shape, might be more practical for laptops. They say that the benefits of the waterdrop hinge might not be that important for laptop users.

It’s also important to note that LG has already released a foldable laptop called the Gram Fold. So, Samsung is not the first to try this, but they are waiting a bit to launch their product. Some people think this is because the tech industry is facing some challenges right now. They believe that Samsung might not be able to make a lot of money from foldable laptops, especially because they are not as strong in the laptop market as some other companies.

When it comes to the laptop’s screens, Samsung might get them from their own company, Samsung Display, or from another company called BOE Technology Group. By the way, there’s a rumor that Apple is also working on a foldable MacBook, but that’s not expected until 2026.

October 8, 2023
Mystery of Nikola Tesla: Did He Really Communicate with Aliens?

Nikola Tesla was a very smart scientist, and his inventions have helped people for a long time. But there are some strange stories about him. Some people say he talked to aliens and had something to do with ships disappearing.

In the year 1900, something weird happened to Tesla. He didn’t talk about it for 22 years, but then he did. He received a signal through his wireless machine, and it didn’t seem like it came from anywhere on Earth.

Tesla thought that this signal was coming from Mars, the planet. He explained that the signal was like numbers, like one, two, three, four, five. He believed that aliens on Mars were trying to talk to humans on Earth using these numbers.

According to Tesla, both aliens and humans could understand each other through numbers. Tesla really liked the number 369, and he used it a lot in his work.

Some people believed in Tesla’s ideas about aliens, but many others didn’t. A well-known person named Lord Kelvin said that such a signal could come from Mars.

The people who disagreed with Tesla said that a signal from Mars wouldn’t be able to get through Earth’s ionosphere, which is like a protective layer around our planet. What’s funny is that even Tesla’s supporters were surprised to learn that he believed in aliens.

So, there’s a big argument about whether Nikola Tesla talked to aliens or not. And this argument has not been settled yet.

October 7, 2023
Special Passport Privileges for World Leaders!

A passport is a very important thing when you want to visit another country. Everyone, rich or not, needs a passport to go to a different country. Even important leaders like the president or prime minister of a country use special passports called diplomatic passports.

But did you know that there are three people in the world who don’t need a passport to travel anywhere? They get special treatment and don’t have to show their passports.

These special people are the King of Britain and the King and Queen of Japan. Before, it was Queen Elizabeth from Britain who got this special treatment. But when Charles became the King of Britain, all the countries got a message from the Foreign Affairs Ministry saying that he doesn’t need a passport.

However, the King’s wife in Britain doesn’t get this benefit. She has to have a diplomatic passport like everyone else in the royal family. Even Queen Elizabeth’s husband had to carry a passport when he traveled to different countries.

In Japan, both the Emperor and Empress used to enjoy this special privilege. Akihito, the previous King, and his wife had this benefit for a long time. But when Naruhito became the King of Japan, things changed. He and his wife had to start carrying their diplomatic passports like regular people.

Usually, leaders of countries have some special benefits even if they have a diplomatic passport when they go to other countries. They don’t have to stand in line in front of immigration officers, and they don’t need to go through security checks like everyone else. They get to move more easily through the process.

October 7, 2023
Gaming Evolution: How DLSS and FSR Changed the Game

Before 2018, computer gaming was one way, but then NVIDIA, a famous graphics card company, introduced a special technology called Deep Learning Super Sampling or DLSS. This technology made a big impact on the gaming world.

DLSS uses artificial intelligence to make gaming better. It can make low-resolution images look better in real time, and the best part is you don’t need to change your settings. It can even make your games run faster without making them look worse.

DLSS works by using neural networks to understand and improve images. It has two parts: one for image quality and the other for performance. The quality part makes the images look better without changing your settings, and the performance part makes the games run smoother and faster without hurting the image quality.

Another company called Advanced Micro Devices, or AMD, also makes graphics cards. They have something called FidelityFX Super Resolution or FSR. They introduced this technology in 2021.

FSR also makes games look better by using special algorithms, but it doesn’t use artificial intelligence as advanced as DLSS. However, it can still make your games run better, which is great for gamers.

DLSS by NVIDIA and FSR by AMD are technologies that use special methods to make computer games look and run better. They are different, but both can improve your gaming experience.

October 7, 2023
Origins of ‘SOS’: From Morse Code to Distress Call

“SOS” is a well-known distress signal, but it doesn’t stand for anything specific, like “save our souls” or “save our ship.” These are actually made-up phrases for the acronym. In reality, “SOS” is a continuous Morse code sequence of three dots, three dashes, and three dots without any spaces (…—…). However, people began using “SOS” because three dots represent the letter S, and three dashes represent the letter O in the International Morse Code.

This Morse code sequence has become a recognized visual distress signal on its own, and people in need of help often spell out “SOS” on the ground to be seen from above. If you break down the Morse code sequence, you can also interpret it as IJS, SMB, or VTB.

So, why use this specific sequence of dots and dashes if it doesn’t have a meaning? The reason is that it was the best way to communicate distress when wireless radiotelegraph machines were first used on ships around the early 1900s.

In those early days, sailors needed a way to quickly and clearly signal distress and ask for help. Different organizations and countries had their own distress signals, which caused confusion and language barriers when ships were in trouble in foreign waters. For example, the U.S. Navy used “NC,” the Marconi Company used “CQD,” and Germany used “…—….”

International regulations for radiotelegraph communications were established in 1906 during the International Wireless Telegraph Convention in Berlin to address this issue and create a universal distress signal. After considering various options, Germany’s “…—…” was chosen as the international distress signal because it could be transmitted rapidly and clearly without confusion. This standard went into effect on July 1, 1908.

The first recorded use of “SOS” as a distress signal happened in August 1909 when the SS Arapahoe’s wireless operators sent the signal after the ship’s propeller broke off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Not everyone immediately adopted the new standard. The Marconi Company was hesitant to give up “CQD.” In fact, during the sinking of the Titanic, Marconi operators initially sent “CQD” before eventually using “SOS” as well.

October 6, 2023
South African Cricket Team’s History of Near Misses: ‘Chokers’ Label

The South African cricket team is known as “chokers.” This means that they are very good at cricket but often end up losing important matches. South Africa has had a history of performing well in cricket but then failing to win major tournaments.

In the 1992 World Cup, South Africa made it to the semi-finals. They played well, but when it came to the important match against England, they couldn’t win.

In the 1996 World Cup, South Africa reached the quarter-finals with strong performances. In the quarter-finals, they faced West Indies, and everyone thought South Africa would easily win. However, they surprised everyone by losing this match.

The term “chokers” started to stick after South Africa’s losses to Australia in the 1996 World Cup and a tri-series in 1997. Fans still remember their disappointing semi-final loss to Australia in the 1999 World Cup.

In the 2003 World Cup, South Africa faced Sri Lanka and needed just one run from one ball to win. However, due to rain, the game didn’t finish, and South Africa’s luck turned against them. Apart from the 1998 Champions Trophy, they haven’t reached the final of any major tournament.

In the 2015 World Cup, South Africa played a great match against New Zealand. But because of poor fielding, including missed catches, New Zealand managed to win. Now, in the current World Cup, South Africa has a chance to change their reputation as “chokers” by winning the championship.

The South African cricket team has been labeled as “chokers” because they often perform well but then fail to win important matches in major tournaments. They have had several heartbreaking losses in the past, but they hope to change their reputation by winning the current World Cup.

October 6, 2023