Vous avez vu la dernière version d’Ollama ? Cette version 0.133 a l’air plutôt pas mal. Bon, je sais, je sais, ça faisait un bail que je n’avais pas parlé des mises à jour de cet outil génial pour faire tourner des modèles d’IA en local, mais là, impossible de passer à côté !

Déjà, on a le droit à des fonctionnalités expérimentales de parallélisme (je sais pas si c’est comme ça qu’on dit en français…) qui vont vous permettre d’optimiser grave vos applis d’IA. Il y a donc 2 nouvelles variables d’environnement qui débarquent : OLLAMA_NUM_PARALLEL et OLLAMA_MAX_LOADED_MODELS. Avec ça, vous allez pouvoir gérer plusieurs modèles et requêtes en même temps, comme des pros ! 😎

Par exemple, si vous avez un modèle pour compléter votre code avec une IA de 6 milliards de paramètres comme Llama 3, et en même temps vous demandez à Phi 3 Mini et ses 3,8 milliards de paramètres comment architecturer votre projet et bien maintenant, c’est possible ! Comme ça, plus besoin d’attendre que l’un ait fini pour lancer l’autre puisque tout ça va se lancer en parallèle.

Alors bien sûr, c’est encore expérimental car il n’y a pas encore de priorité, et on est limité par la mémoire dispo sur notre machine. D’ailleurs, il vaut mieux avoir 16 Go de RAM et un CPU 4 cœurs pour que ça fonctionne correctement.

Il y a aussi plein de nouveaux modèles d’IA compatibles avec Ollama maintenant. Des gros calibres comme Llama 3, le meilleur modèle open-source à ce jour, mais aussi des plus légers et spécialisés comme Phi 3 Mini, Moondream pour la vision par ordinateur sur des appareils à la marge, ou encore Dolphin Llama 3 qui répond sans censure. Et le premier modèle Qwen (c’est chinois) de plus de 100 milliards de paramètres, Qwen 110B, est également de la partie. Ça en fait des compagnons pour nous assister dans nos projets !

Ensuite, imaginons que vous vouliez tester le parallélisme. Vous devez simplement lancer votre serveur Ollama avec les fameuses variables d’environnement.

Voici comment procéder :

Définir les variables sur Mac :

• Utilisez launchctl pour définir chaque variable. Par exemple, pour permettre à Ollama de gérer trois requêtes simultanément, tapez dans le terminal :
  launchctl setenv OLLAMA_NUM_PARALLEL 3
• Pour définir le nombre maximal de modèles chargés simultanément à deux, utilisez :
  launchctl setenv OLLAMA_MAX_LOADED_MODELS 2
• Après avoir défini les variables, redémarrez l’application Ollama.

Configurer les variables sur Linux :

• Éditez le service systemd d’Ollama avec systemctl edit ollama.service, ce qui ouvrira un éditeur de texte.
• Ajoutez les lignes suivantes sous la section [Service] :
  [Service] Environment="OLLAMA_NUM_PARALLEL=3" Environment="OLLAMA_MAX_LOADED_MODELS=2"
• Sauvegardez et quittez l’éditeur. Rechargez systemd et redémarrez Ollama avec :
  systemctl daemon-reload systemctl restart ollama

Paramétrer les variables sur Windows :

• Quittez l’application Ollama via la barre des tâches.
• Accédez aux variables d’environnement système via le panneau de configuration et créez ou modifiez les variables pour votre compte utilisateur :
  • Pour OLLAMA_NUM_PARALLEL, ajoutez ou modifiez la variable à 3.
  • Pour OLLAMA_MAX_LOADED_MODELS, ajustez la variable à 2.
• Appliquez les changements et redémarrez Ollama à partir d’une nouvelle fenêtre de terminal.

Là, ça veut dire que vous pourrez envoyer 3 requêtes en parallèle sur le même modèle, et charger jusqu’à 2 modèles différents si votre RAM de 16 Go minimum le permet.

Bon, et une fois que c’est lancé, vous pourrez envoyer des requêtes à tour de bras. Un coup à Llama 3 pour qu’il vous aide à générer un résumé de texte hyper optimisé, un autre à Phi 3 Mini pour résumer un article scientifique, tout ça pendant que Moondream analyse une image pour de la détection d’objets.

Allez, je vous laisse tranquille, faut que j’aille optimiser mes scripts maintenant.

Ollama 0.133 est dispo ici.

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We are still living with the iPhone 15 and its variants; the era of the iPhone 16 is further away from now. As known, it’s customary of Apple to drop its new seedlings (iPhone variants, if you like) in September every year and it looks like there is nothing unusual this year as well. Like every other year in the past, since Steve Jobs revealed the first iPhone – feels like it was a century ago – iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro variants will arrive with new features.

A lot of them are leaking in bits and will continue to do so until the launch date. Irrespective of that, we will continue to have our own wishlists: long battery performance… please, elaborate AI integration into the iOS, and perhaps smaller screen real estate…hmm! When everyone else is putting their money on predicting the possible large display sizes of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the Phone Industry is taking an ‘S’ route: A concept of an iPhone 16S that looks to take design cues from the Rabbit R1.

Designer: Phone Industry

For reference, the Rabbit R1 isn’t a typical gadget, and so is not its design. The boxy little AI device is designed to learn from your commands and do more than what the average smartphone can do. That is until the recent debacle of reviews that are showing that the real-world evolution of the Rabbit is far from its advocated details. Anyhow, this is not about what the Rabbit R1 does, it’s about the identical-looking (minus the hold bars on the top and bottom) iPhone 16S concept because the best AI device you can have in your pocket – in the foreseeable future is a phone!

Perhaps then the form factor of the concept phone in question may be stolen from the Rabbit R1, it does have some interesting ideas reliving its iPhone 16 identity (as the rumors hold it for now). The iPhone 16S is taking the expected Capture Button idea from the forthcoming iPhone deals, to give us a pocket camera-like physical clicking button from the yesteryears.

So, the hypothetical capture button on the opposite side of the iPhone 15 Pro like the Action Button, gives this iPhone a more camera-like feel. While Apple is considering on reworking the camera array in the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, this concept sticks to the S series iPhone basics and uses just one – obviously multi-capability – camera in the rear. The highlight for me – besides the square form factor – of the iPhone 16S concept is its all-metal body and an interesting pattern around the Apple logo on the back. What do you think?

 

The post iPhone 16S concept mimics the Rabbit R1 format to reinstate that a phone is the best pocket AI device first appeared on Yanko Design.

In the ticking heart of the watchmaking universe, a bold new contender named ALTO—short for ‘Art and Limited Time Objects’—strides forward, intent on redefining the very essence of timekeeping. Thibaud Guittard, the visionary behind this audacious enterprise, brings a resume that reads like a passionate love letter to horology. His creation, the ART 01, is beautiful timepiece that’s a defiant manifesto of artistic and mechanical rebellion. With this spectacular debut, Guittard is doing more than just dipping his toes into the waters of watch design. Consider him diving in headfirst, ready to disrupt the calm surface with waves of beauty and unprecedented style, where we’ve seen others play it safe. This launch marks ALTO’s commitment to blending of art with the precision of timekeeping in ways previously unimagined.

Designer: ALTO + Thibaud Guittard

Picture this: The ART 01 is a watch that tells a story, one of art, ambition, and audacity. With its angular, octagonal embrace, it whispers tales of Greek temples and brutalist skyscrapers, daring its wearer to dream differently about the seconds slipping by. In my eyes, art meeting precision on the wrist is a visual feast for the heart and soul with every glance. It’s an invitation to explore a masterpiece of movement and a revolution in the reading of time.

Speaking of movement, the ART 01 features a mechanical marvel, expertly crafted by Nussbaumer and the esteemed Cercle des Horlogers in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This innovative movement redefines tradition with its automatic micro-rotor caliber, which powers the watch through a counterclockwise motion—an audacious deviation from the usual clockwise routine. This unique twist isn’t just a display of exceptional craftsmanship but also a bold break from the conventional, inviting admiration through the watch’s transparent sapphire back. Here, the unique and elegant architecture of the A01 movement is fully visible, turning the act of checking the time into an experience of aesthetic appreciation.

The ART 01’s titanium case blends durability with elegance. It feels as if ancient sculptors and modern architects collaborated to mold its shape. Inside, the unconventional A01 movement features a micro-rotor that uniquely spins against the norm. Observing its secondhand moving counter to the usual tick-tock is like listening to a punk rock anthem amid classical music—it turns every tick into a statement of artistry.

Drawing inspiration from Greek sculptures and architecture, the dial is an art piece set against a matte black lacquered brass backdrop. The slatted openings allow for a captivating interplay between light and shadow, paying homage to light, a key artistic inspiration for the timepiece. Each glance at the wrist becomes a personal ticket to an ever-present performance where time, the star, plays its role with both elegance and edge.

The ART 01 timepiece will be produced as a limited edition, with only 25 numbered examples available. Each watch is priced at 18,450 CHF (approximately $20,286 USD).

The post ALTO’s ART 01 is a Gallery of Time on Your Wrist Where Art Meets Precision first appeared on Yanko Design.

The year 2024 is bringing a return to stable tech salary growth in APAC, with AI and data jobs leading the way. This follows downward salary pressure in 2023, after steep increases in previous years.

TechRepublic identified the top four trends emerging in IoT that businesses in the U.K. should be aware of.

The enterprise plan seeks to fill a need for generative AI tools for small and medium businesses. Plus, a Claude app is now on iOS.

AI is now the present, as well as the future. Learn to use valuable tools such as ChatGPT and more to increase productivity or strengthen teaching skills.

There’s a massive missing link between tech companies and tech reviewers… and instead of fixing it, we’re playing the blame game.

The backlash following bad reviews from MKBHD and other tech outlets like The Verge, Engadget, and CNET has been swift from the AI community. The internet is ablaze, either blaming Marques Brownlee for being too harshly critical in his review of the Humane AI Pin and the Rabbit R1 device… or shaming Humane and Rabbit for not delivering on what they promised. The blame, however, lies on the inherent relationship between the two parties. Like two people who aren’t emotionally ready to date, these AI companies shouldn’t have even shipped their products to tech reviewers.

The job of a tech reviewer, as its name rather simply suggests, is to provide an objective (or sometimes even a subjective) analysis of a product for their consumers/viewers. Tech Reviewers highlight technology through the lens of ‘Is this worth the money or not’… The problem, however, is that Humane and Rabbit needed beta testers, not tech reviewers.

Who’s to blame?

Let’s look at every single stakeholder in this AI charade and you’ll see that there’s some blame to go around for everyone. The first reaction, and justifiably so, is to blame Humane and Rabbit. They overpromised, underdelivered, hyped the product, raked in tonnes of VC and preorder money, but couldn’t stick the landing. Companies all across the world have been rushing to develop the ‘next iPhone’, and while Samsung has hedged all its bets on folding devices, and Apple on a $3400 headset, Humane and Rabbit happened to be at the right place at the right time with the right buzzwords. Imagine this, an AI assistant powerful enough to do anything you ask – it’s literally something out of a sci-fi movie, and that’s precisely what these companies hoped we’d think. They weren’t wrong. However, they committed the cardinal sin of the entrepreneur – they pitched something that didn’t exist. Sure, this wasn’t as detrimental as the stunts Elizabeth Holmes or Sam Bankman-Fried pulled, but in essence, it was still a far-fetched lie or rather a very convenient truth. An AI that does everything you ask doesn’t exist and probably won’t for a while… but a cute design or a body-mounted projector was more than enough to deceive us… and for the sake of this argument, let’s operate under the good-faith assumption that Humane and Rabbit didn’t know they were pushing a bad product.

Why the hardware trickery though? Why did Humane and Rabbit NEED to build hardware devices that looked fancy/quirky/cool? Here’s where the blame shifts to the powers that be – Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta. For every reviewer that said the Humane AI Pin or Rabbit R1 “could’ve been a smartphone app”, there are thousands of engineers at these companies building JUST THAT. It’s no coincidence that Humane and Rabbit BOTH had their products publicly reviewed well before Google I/O and Apple’s WWDC. Rumor has it that Apple and Google are just waiting to launch AI assistants with similar features, tying into all the smartphone-related services. These large companies have repositories of consumer data, and they have a powerful influence, putting them miles ahead of the starting line when it comes to the AI race. The only way Humane and Rabbit could escape the clutches of these companies was to isolate themselves completely from them. Not to mention, there’s absolutely no way Apple would allow a third-party smartphone app to have Humane or Rabbit’s level of control over your entire device. Sure, Humane and Rabbit could have made all-powerful AI assistant apps, but they A. wouldn’t be as impressive or attractive, and B. they’d be doomed to fail because of the goliath forces that are Apple and Google.

A venture capitalist’s job, in Shark Tank parlance, is to “pour gasoline on a fire”, so there’s definitely some blame to share here too. AI became a buzzword in the second half of 2022 and it’s been on the top of everyone’s mind ever since. I don’t blame VCs for seeing potential in the ideas that Humane and Rabbit came up with, but if there’s one thing that absolutely pisses me off, it’s the fact that they took the criticism of Humane and Rabbit’s devices a little too personally. After all, a VC thrives on value creation – take that away and you have a very angry person who’s poured millions into a project that now doesn’t have anywhere to go. However, bad products and bad companies are all too common in the VC world. What they didn’t expect, however, was their golden goose (AI) to lay a rotten egg.

It’s easy to say that tech reviewers were simply doing their job and deserve no blame (after all, I’m a tech reviewer too), but the truth is that the reviewers also share a bit of blame in this entire cycle of events. However, not for the reason you think. Arguably, Marques Brownlee deserves praise for being forthright with his review – some reviewers would probably hesitate to say something bad about a company if there was sponsorship money involved – and although MKBHD didn’t have any financial stake in this product, they spoke their mind (as did every other reviewer). But that isn’t where the problem lies. The problem lies with the hype train that tech reviewers both create and ride. These reviewers are, by nature of their profession, enthusiasts when it comes to technology – so it’s no surprise that they were the biggest cheerleaders of Humane and Rabbit 5-6 months back when the products were first teased. If anything, the media should have balanced their enthusiasm with a pinch of real-world salt. Had that been the case, these disastrous reviews would’ve stung less under the pretext of the age-old “I told you so”…

Dave2D’s review of the Rabbit R1 device may just be the most sensible, erudite take on the internet.

So what’s the solution?

If the last few years have proven anything, it’s that designers and companies operate in such secrecy, they often don’t put themselves in the shoes of the consumer to begin with. With Tesla pushing the steering yoke over a wheel even though consumers have been begging for the latter, with Apple needing EU regulators to force them into adopting USB-C, with Google cancelling products left right and center against the wishes of their consumers, or firing employees who object to their technology being used for warfare (whoops, I went there), there’s a massive disconnect between what companies do and what consumers want. Even though at a smaller scale, Humane and Rabbit seem to find themselves in a similar soup. Whether it’s the holier-than-thou attitude that’s hard-coded into being an entrepreneur, or whether it’s a bunch of VCs deciding what’s good for the public, the one voice that seems to constantly be left out of the room is that of consumers… and their only representative for now is the humble tech reviewer, who actually is incentivized to see things from their points of view. Sadly, that also means Marques Brownlee ends up being in the line of fire when he has to call an AI gadget ‘the worst product he’s ever reviewed’…

The solution lies in reimagining how products are developed and promoted. Humane and Rabbit needed beta testers, not reviewers, who would’ve helped them swallow the hard pill that is the realization that their product isn’t ready for the real world. After all, it’s better to hear that bitter truth behind closed doors instead of an influencer saying it on YouTube… right?

The post Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1 versus Tech Reviewers: Who’s to blame? first appeared on Yanko Design.

Vous avez une vieille vidéo toute pourrie, floue à souhait, qui date de Mathusalem et bien avec VideoGigaGAN d’Adobe, elle va se transformer en une magnifique séquence HD, avec des détails si nets que vous pourrez compter les poils de nez des gens qui sont dessus !

VideoGigaGAN est ce qu’on appelle un modèle d’IA génératif. En gros, ce machin est capable de deviner les détails manquants dans une vidéo pourrave pour la rendre méga classe. Les petits gars d’Adobe ont balancé des exemples sur leur GitHub et franchement, c’est impressionnant. On passe d’une vidéo degueulasse à un truc ultra net, avec des textures de peau hallucinantes et des détails de fou !

En plus, cette IA est capable d’upscaler les vidéos jusqu’à 8 fois leur résolution d’origine, par contre, faut pas s’emballer car pour le moment, c’est juste une démo de recherche et y’a pas encore de date de sortie officielle. Mais connaissant Adobe, y’a moyen que ça finisse dans Premiere Pro un de ces quatre. Je vais pouvoir améliorer mes vidéos tournées à l’époque au format 3GP \o/.

D’ici là, va falloir continuer à se taper des vidéos de chat toutes pixelisées sur les réseaux sociaux.

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Vous connaissez OpenELM ? Non, normal, ça vient de sortir. Et c’est une famille de modèles IA open-source made in Apple conçus pour tourner directement sur vos appareils, sans passer par le cloud. En gros, c’est de l’IA maison dans nos iPhone, iPad et Mac…etc.

OpenELM combine plusieurs modèles de langage naturel (LLMs) utilisant des algorithmes évolutionnistes qui exploitent les principes techniques suivants :

1. Layer-wise scaling strategy : Cette stratégie consiste à allouer les paramètres dans les couches d’un modèle transformeur pour améliorer l’exactitude. Les modèles sont pré-alourés avec un budget de paramètres de 270 millions, 450 millions, 1,1 milliard et 3 milliards.
2. Pré-entraînement : Les modèles ont été pré-entraînés à l’aide d’une combinaison de datasets, incluant une sous-ensemble de Dolma v1.6, RefinedWeb, deduplicated PILE et une sous-ensemble de RedPajama. Ce dataset contient environ 1,8 trillion de tokens.
3. Evolutionary algorithms : Les algorithmes évolutionnistes sont utilisés pour combiner les modèles LLM et améliorer l’exactitude. Cela permet d’exploiter les forces combinées des modèles pré-alourés et d’améliorer leur précision.

Alors évidemment, Apple arrive un peu après la bataille dans l’IA, pendant que Microsoft et Google déboulent à fond la caisse. Mais bon, mieux vaut tard que jamais, et puis ils compensent avec du lourd, soit 8 modèles OpenELM au total, dont 4 pré-entraînés avec CoreNet et 4 fine-tunés. Et avec leur stratégie de scaling par couche ça optimise à fond l’allocation des paramètres.

Allez, je traduits… En gros, ça veut dire qu’ils sont hyper efficaces et précis. Prenez le modèle à 1 milliard de paramètres et bien bah il explose un modèle équivalent comme OLMo de 2,36% en précision, avec 2 fois moins de tokens en pré-entraînement. Et ce qui est top, c’est qu’Apple balance tout : code, logs d’entraînement, configuration…etc et pas juste le modèle final. Et vu qu’ils utilisent des datasets publics, c’est top en matière de transparence et vérification des biais.

En tout cas, une chose est sûre, avec OpenELM, Apple nous prouve qu’ils sont dans la course, et qu’ils comptent bien mettre le paquet sur l’IA

Et Merci à Letsar pour l’info, c’est lui qui m’a mis la puce à l’oreille sur OpenELM. Tu gères !

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Imaginez un monde où les ordinateurs pourraient prédire ce que vous allez faire avant même que vous ne le fassiez. Ça peut sembler tout droit sorti d’un film de science-fiction du style de Minority Report, mais les chercheurs du célèbre MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) sont en train de rendre ça possible ! En effet, ils ont mis au point un modèle d’IA (intelligence artificielle) qui est capable d’analyser les limitations d’un agent, qu’il soit humain ou artificiel, pour en déduire ses actions futures les plus probables.

Dingue, non ?

Mais comment ce modèle s’y prend-il pour jouer les madame Irma ? En fait, tout est une question de limites. Nan, je ne parle pas des limites de vitesse ou des dates de péremption, hein. Je parle des contraintes qui pèsent sur un agent peu importe sa nature, biologique ou numérique.

Prenons un exemple concret : Vous êtes en train de jouer aux échecs contre un ordinateur. Vous avez vos propres contraintes : votre niveau de jeu, votre connaissance des ouvertures et des fins de partie, votre capacité à anticiper les coups de l’adversaire… Bref, tout un tas de facteurs qui limitent vos possibilités d’action. Eh bien, c’est exactement ce que le modèle d’IA du MIT analyse !

En se basant sur ces fameuses limites, il est capable d’inférer les coups que vous avez le plus de chances de jouer. Pas besoin d’être Garry Kasparov pour comprendre à quel point c’est bluffant. Votre ordinateur sera bientôt meilleur que vous aux échecs… et dans plein d’autres domaines !

Mais attention, le modèle du MIT ne prétend pas prédire l’avenir avec une précision de 100%. Il s’agit plutôt d’identifier des tendances et des schémas de comportement en fonction des limitations d’un agent. Ça reste néanmoins un outil très puissant pour anticiper les actions les plus probables.

D’ailleurs, les applications de cette technologie vont bien au-delà des jeux de société. Je pense par exemple au voitures autonomes qui pourraient anticiper les mouvements des piétons et des autres véhicules, des assistants virtuels qui sauraient exactement ce que vous allez leur demander avant même que vous n’ouvriez la bouche, des robots industriels capables de s’adapter en temps réel aux changements de leur environnement… Les possibilités sont infinies !

Bien sûr, tout cela soulève aussi son lot de questions éthiques. Est-ce qu’on a vraiment envie que les machines lisent dans nos pensées comme dans un livre ouvert ? Est-ce que ça ne risque pas de créer de sacrés problèmes de vie privée et de manipulation ? Imaginez que votre enceinte connectée décide de vous commander une pizza quatre fromages parce qu’elle a deviné que vous aviez un petit creux… Flippant, non ?

Mais bon, on n’en est pas encore là. Pour l’instant, les chercheurs du MIT sont encore en train de plancher sur leur modèle pour le perfectionner et étendre ses capacités. Et croyez-moi, c’est loin d’être un long fleuve tranquille ! L’IA a beau faire des progrès de géant, prédire le comportement humain reste un sacré défi. On est tellement imprévisibles et irrationnels, nous autres mortels…

En attendant de pouvoir déléguer toutes nos décisions à une machine, le modèle du MIT nous offre un aperçu de ce que pourrait être le futur de l’interaction homme-machine. Un futur où les ordinateurs nous comprendraient mieux que nous-mêmes, pour le meilleur et pour le pire. Perso, j’oscille entre fascination et inquiétude.

Et vous ?

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A new report by cyber security firm Radware identifies the four main impacts of AI on the threat landscape emerging this year.

TechRepublic digs into the business implications of artificial intelligence trends highlighted in Stanford’s AI Index Report, with help from co-authors Robi Rahman and Anka Reuel.

Despite developing an operating system that’s used on a variety of devices and computers, Google has practically snubbed anything other than a smartphone. It’s notorious for having a love-hate relationship with tablets, for example, so it was a bit of a surprise that Google would launch its own foldable device. Perhaps even more surprising is how it might actually release a second-gen foldable phone. Given its pedigree, the next Google foldable is definitely going to pique people’s curiosity, whether it will be called the Pixel Fold 2 or the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Judging from what we’ve been hearing so far, this foldable phone will be undergoing several significant changes, though not all of them might appeal to Pixel fans and onlookers alike.

Designer: Google (renders courtesy of Smartprix, @OnLeaks)

Google Pixel Fold 2: Design

For three generations since the Pixel 6 in 2021, Google seemed to have settled on a signature design that, unusual as it may have been, gave its phones a unique personality. It seems, however, that Google has gotten tired of that look and will be moving to a different design for the Pixel 9 series. For better or for worse, that change is apparently happening to the foldable version of the Pixel as well, but not in the same way as leaks and renders would have it.

The camera bump, which was a horizontal bar across the width of the Pixel Fold’s “back,” has now been reduced to a more conventional rectangle. But unlike the ones you’d see on other smartphones, Google opted for an odd horizontal layout, with black pill-shaped markings that hold the actual camera lenses. It’s definitely an unusual design, but unlike the current “visor” shape, many might find it visually unappealing.

Fortunately, there will be even more important design changes in store for the Pixel Fold 2 (or Pixel 9 Pro Fold), though they might be a bit more subtle. According to rumors and at least one leaked prototype, the next Google foldable will have an outer screen that is taller than its predecessor, yielding an unfolded shape that is more square than the first Pixel Fold as well. Whereas the Pixel Fold had a rectangular shape that resembled a small notebook, the Pixel Fold 2 could be more like a minuscule iPad mini.

This change in screen aspect ratios isn’t just cosmetic and will have important usability implications. It won’t be as tall and narrow as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, which is notorious for being almost unusable as a regular phone, but it could make it a bit more awkward to use the Pixel Fold 2 in folded form, at least with a single hand. Those who loved the current wider design of the Pixel Fold might be disappointed, but those who missed using a 16:9 phone will welcome this change.

Google Pixel Fold 2: Specs and Software

With the change in screen aspect ratios come changes in screen sizes as well, and everyone will probably love what’s rumored so far. The Pixel Fold 2/Pixel 9 Pro Fold is expected to have bigger screens on both sides, though there is some agreement on the exact sizes. Some claim that the external Cover Screen will be 6.4 inches and the main foldable screen will be 7.9 inches, while another source uses 6.29 inches and 8.02 inches for those same screens, respectively. Either way, it will still be a significant size boost compared to the current Pixel Fold’s 5.8-inch exterior and 7.6-inch interior displays.

As far as the hardware is concerned, Google might debut a new Tensor G4 on the Pixel Fold 2, a very big leap from the Tensor G2 on the OG Pixel Fold. Details on this new processor are still extremely slim at this point, but you can expect significant performance improvements, especially on Google’s favorite AI features. Uncharacteristically, Google might also be extra generous and give the Pixel Fold 2 as much as 16GB of RAM, something that even the Galaxy Z Fold 6 isn’t expected to have.

There seems to be some disagreement on which version of Android the Pixel Fold 2 will ship with, but that mostly depends on when the foldable device will actually launch. It could go with Android 14, which is the current version in circulation, or it could delay it to coincide with the release of Android 15. Pushing the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s launch to the end of the year might sound unreasonable, but there might be one very good reason for doing so. Android 15 betas have revealed that Google implemented improvements to the behavior of apps on foldable phones, something that its Pixel Fold badly needed.

Google Pixel Fold 2: Cameras

It’s a bit surprising that there hasn’t been any news on the kind of cameras that the Pixel Fold 2 will bear. The new camera design on the back may look like Google was making room for an additional camera, but the lack of news in that department suggests otherwise. In short, the new Pixel Fold may still be using the exact same three sensors as the current model, with some additional lenses for focusing or maybe a thermal sensor for taking temperatures. It wouldn’t be unheard of for Google, since it prefers to rely on software solutions to improve image quality.

Another big camera design change will be the internal selfie camera which used to sit on the Pixel Fold’s ugly thick bezels. According to leaks and renders, the Pixel Fold 2 will do away with those atrocities, which means there’s a need to move the camera to a different place. The consensus is that it will take the form of an under-display camera similar to the Galaxy Z Fold, but it’s also possible Google will opt for a simpler solution that has a traditional punch-hole cutout for the camera.

Google Pixel Fold 2: Price and Release Date

Although the Pixel Fold 2, or Pixel 9 Pro Fold, will be advertised as an upgrade, it doesn’t seem like a huge generational leap if not for the difference in design and the new Tensor G4 processor. As such, it’s probably only reasonable to expect that the price tag won’t go higher than the $1,800 that the first Pixel Fold launched with. At the same time, it’s also not expected to go lower than that either.

As for its launch date, that could depend on whether Google wants to delay it to sync with Android 15’s release. If it’s fine with having it run Android 14 out of the box, it could follow the same schedule last year that saw the Pixel Fold hit shelves in June. Otherwise, we might be looking at an October date after Android 15 goes gold. Either way, we’ll definitely find out more next month when Google reveals the real deal at I/O 2024.

Google Pixel Fold 2: Final Thoughts

The first Pixel Fold was definitely a surprise for Google fans. It managed to carry some of the personality of the Pixel design language to a foldable phone, along with Google’s blessed flavor of the Android user experience. At the same time, however, it really failed to stand up to other options in the market, and its very thick bezels were a big turn-off for more design-conscious consumers.

Fortunately, the Pixel Fold 2 will be improving on those pain points, but it raises the question of whether it’s actually enough or if they’re the right changes to make. The screens will be larger and have thinner bezels, but Google is also moving away from an aspect ratio that was praised by some reviewers as one of its winning traits. The camera design will definitely be divisive, especially if it doesn’t bring significant improvements to the camera system anyway. While the Pixel Fold 2, or Pixel 9 Pro Fold, will catch the attention of Pixel fans and market watchers, it might not end up being the big hit that Google wants it to be, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of low sales that will lead to the early demise of Google’s foldable phone line.

The post Google Pixel Fold 2: News, Rumors, Price, and Release Date first appeared on Yanko Design.

Most of us probably presume that lamps either hang from ceilings, stick to walls, or stand on tables. While elevated lighting is indeed necessary to provide illumination in the darkness, every inch of your room or house definitely deserves a bit of light, especially when it adds a splash of color as well. As far as ambient lighting products go, the tall, stick-like figures known as RGB floor lamps are probably the least known or appreciated. Govee might very well be changing that perception with its new Floor Lamp Pro which not only brings pro-level features deserving of its name but also looks quite sleek and elegant standing anywhere in the room, even when all its lights are turned off.

Designer: Govee

Click Here to Buy Now: $219.99.

Aesthetics

Govee has dozens of designs for different kinds of lighting solutions, but if there’s one trait they share it’s that they shine best when the lights are on, figuratively and literally. When they’re off, they tend to look unimpressive, at least for those that aren’t hidden behind TVs or stuck to wall corners. Floor lamps, however, are always visible and are, therefore, designed to be seen. Fortunately, the Govee Floor Lamp Pro is something that you’ll love seeing even if there’s no light show taking place.

Available in black and gray color options, the Govee Floor Lamp Pro’s dark silhouette cuts a rather striking figure whether it’s standing in a corner or placed somewhere in the middle of the room. The floor lamp’s shape is pretty simple: a tall, thin rod standing on top of a cylindrical base. On closer inspection, you will realize that the rod is made of sturdy aluminum that slightly wraps around a white silicone LED light strip. You’ll hardly see this color contrast unless you intentionally turn the light strip into view, which is actually easy to do since you can rotate the rod 360 degrees.

The can-shaped base is covered with a fabric-like material reminiscent of those found wrapped around smart speakers. That association isn’t by accident as the Floor Lamp Pro, unlike Govee’s other lights, actually comes with a built-in Bluetooth speaker. This makes the product an all-in-one light and sound system, one of the extremely few floor lamps with such a feature. The bottom of the base itself isn’t covered by this soft material as it exposes the base’s own RGB lights, yet another defining feature of this new Govee Floor Lamp Pro.

Although you can expect the Govee Floor Lamp Pro to be a dazzling sight once the psychedelic lights start to dance, what sets this design apart is how it still catches your eyes once the show is over. Unless you’re familiar with these kinds of RGB floor lamps, you might actually mistake it as some modern design object meant to add some minimalist elegance to your room. This pretty much means that the Floor Lamp Pro provides value all the time, even when you’re not actively using its bright lights.

Ergonomics

Just like any Govee product, setting up the Floor Lamp Pro is practically a breeze. Given the rod’s 67-inch height, you shouldn’t be surprised that it comes in four pieces that you can quickly join and screw together in a snap. You slip in the silicone light strip and install the rod into the base, easily connecting the wires to finally finish the process. It can be done in around 10 minutes, depending on how well-versed you are at assembling things.

You won’t be handling the Govee Floor Lamp Pro most of the time, at least not directly, which is probably for the best. After all, it’s meant to stand in a corner of the room and stay there until the next time you redecorate. And even when you do need to control it, you won’t be able to do it on the lamp itself anyway because it lacks any form of physical control. Instead, you will be operating the lamp remotely, mostly through your smartphone.

Surprisingly, Govee ships a Bluetooth-enabled remote control with the Floor Lamp Pro, which gives you quick and instant access to some of the most basic and important functions. Instead of fiddling with the app to turn down the volume, you can simply press down the button on the remote to save you the trouble and the stress. And to make sure you don’t lose that small remote, you can magnetically stick it to the lamp’s metal rod until you next need its services.

The Govee Floor Lamp Pro isn’t exactly lightweight at 7.3lbs (3.3kg), but that’s fine since you’re unlikely to move it around anyway. One trick that it does have is that you can turn the rod around, making it trivial to customize the lighting experience from bouncing off walls to directly shining the light in your direction. All in all, this Govee product is just as easy to set up just like its siblings, though there is definitely some assembly required. Operating it is also straightforward, though the Govee Home app can admittedly be a bit daunting and overwhelming for first-time users, but that is mostly because of the plethora of features available for such a simple-looking product.

Performance

When you first turn on the Govee Floor Lamp Pro, you might actually be blinded by how bright the LED lights are. It is to be expected from a flagship Govee product, but this one definitely takes it up a notch with a 2,100 ANSI lumens brightness. Govee didn’t skimp on the LED beads either. The light strip, for example, has 162 RGB units and 162 white units, while the base has 30 RGB beads and 30 white beads.

What all these numbers mean in practice is that you have a bright and unbroken beam of light wherever the Floor Lamp Pro shines. You won’t see any distinct cuts or patterns on the projected light thanks to the high density of LED beads distributed along the length of the light strip. And thanks to Govee’s RGBICWW technology, your eyes are treated to the widest range of colors, turning every moment a psychedelic experience.

The Govee Floor Lamp Pro, however, doesn’t stop there. As mentioned earlier, this is one of the extremely few floor lamps to bear a speaker inside. And not just any speaker, mind you, but a Bluetooth speaker system with two full-range and one low-frequency speaker inside. What would normally be a captivating light show becomes an immersive multimedia experience that dances to the beat of your music or even your film. That speaker, though loud, won’t exactly blow your mind with its quality. It’s decent enough for small parties and enhancing the mood of a film or soundtrack, but it isn’t going to win any awards, especially against actual speakers from audio brands.

The Floor Lamp Pro has the ability to sync its lights to music like a magical light and sound show. It can use either the built-in mic to listen to the sounds around it or, better yet, the built-in Bluetooth speaker playing your own tunes streaming from your phone. With Govee DreamView, you can even sync other Govee lights so they all dance to the same beat, whether they’re in the same room or scattered throughout the house. This Music Mode is just one of the many features you can access from the Govee Home app, of course, and there are literally a dozen others you can pick out to set the right mood at the right time, from scheduled activation to scenes for different holidays. You can even enjoy 29 preset white noise sounds to calm you down and help you focus, though not everyone might like the available selection. Fortunately, you can always use your own relaxing notes thanks to the lamp’s speaker.

As a smart lamp, you have a variety of ways you can control the lamp, though what you’ve heard so far requires your fingers to tap your way through menus and options. You can also use your voice thanks to integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Unfortunately, the Govee Floor Lamp Pro doesn’t yet support the new Matter standard that would open up compatibility with other smart home platforms and devices. That will eventually come, but there’s no timeline yet for its arrival.

Sustainability

The Govee Floor Lamp Pro is an exceptional smart lighting product, but it isn’t that too different from other brands when it comes to the materials it uses. There’s plenty of plastic to go around, especially with the silicone light strip. That said, the Floor Lamp Pro is a little unique in its use of slightly more sustainable materials like the aluminum rod and fabric-like cover for the base.

Any damage, however, would require sending the product back for repairs, which is thankfully a straightforward and painless process. It’d be impossible to repair the light strip on your own, at least not without extensive electronics experience, though you might get by with a few dents and knicks on the metal rod. Hopefully, as Govee’s business grows, so will its efforts in sustainability in order to secure a brighter future for its customers.

Value

Truth be told, a floor lamp is a harder sell compared to products like string or strip lights. The latter are more general-purpose and more flexible as they can be used in almost any situation or design. That said, they also don’t have a big effect when it comes to coloring an entire space, at least not without investing in longer strips. Not only is that not economical, it’s not very efficient either.

The Govee Floor Lamp Pro has the power to really change the atmosphere inside a space. Whether it’s bouncing off walls or shining directly, the bright and colorful lights can easily reach across the room. The magic, however, really happens when you start pairing those lights with sounds coming from the lamp’s own speaker. Best of all, it remains just as captivating as a decorative design when it’s not in use. For a floor lamp that costs $219.99, that’s quite a steal.

Verdict

Smart floor lamps are still a pretty niche market, and it might be difficult to justify one or two if you’re not a gamer or a die-hard room modder. Of course, these aren’t the only audiences that these lights serve, but most people probably can’t imagine what they’d want a vertical stick of light for. With the Floor Lamp Pro, however, Govee is pushing the envelope of what floor lamps are capable of and trying to break the mold with a smart lighting solution that can instantly change the ambiance of a room in a cost-efficient and space-saving manner.

The configurable and bright RGB lights are already impressive, but their ability to sync with the music playing from the lamp’s built-in speakers really takes the immersion up a notch. The wide variety of modes and features enables you to almost literally paint a different picture of your room every time, whether you’re having a lively party or trying to focus on work. The Govee Floor Lamp Pro’s value, however, doesn’t end when the lights go off and the music stops. With a sleek minimalist design and quality materials, it becomes a design object that adds a different kind of aesthetic, one that can speak loudly with fewer words and without the dazzling lights.

Click Here to Buy Now: $219.99.

The post Govee Floor Lamp Pro Review: Elevate Your Space with Lights and Sounds first appeared on Yanko Design.

There are some heated discussions right now about how a YouTuber may have single-handedly killed a startup, but big companies do that every time. In 2016, Apple may have put the audio industry on notice when it banished the headphone jack from the iPhone forever. Of course, the 3.5mm connector is used in more than just smartphones, but this change caused a ripple that pushed wireless audio technologies to innovate and improve. Although it’s becoming more common for smartphones to rely on Bluetooth headphones and speakers, many audiophiles still swear by wired equipment to deliver high-fidelity lossless sound, and it seems that there’s a growing trend of bringing the venerable headphone jack back to smartphones to satisfy these audio cravings.

MOONDROP MIAD01

It isn’t enough just to have a 3.5mm headphone jack and expect to have high-quality audio output. You still have to make sure that the digital-to-analog conversion process is just as good, usually with some help from dedicated hardware designed for that purpose. Hi-Fi audio equipment maker MOONDROP knows that only too well, which is probably why it’s making an ambitious attempt to corner a niche market with an upcoming MIAD01 smartphone made specifically for discerning audiophiles.

Designer: MOONDROP

Aside from a few teaser images, details on this “Hi-Fi” smartphone are still pretty slim other than the mention of 3.5mm+4.4mm interfaces. The latter of the two is known as “balanced” output used by high-impedance headphones and speakers, resulting in even better output quality. It’s not yet known, however, if the phone will have two headphone jacks or have a single 4.4mm port with a 3.5mm adapter. Either way, it’s something that music lovers on the Android side of the smartphone camp will want to keep an eye, or an ear, out for.

nubia Music Phone

Although technologically less ambitious, ZTE subsidiary nubia is putting a different twist on enjoying music on smartphones. The nubia Music Phone does have two headphone jacks, both 3.5mm, but their main purpose is to simply connect two wired headphones at the same time. It brings back the social aspect of listening to music by sharing your favorite tunes with a friend or loved one while still keeping it private among yourselves. Of course, the fact that you can connect high-performance headphones is definitely a plus as well.

Designer: nubia (ZTE)

The nubia Music Phone also puts a fun and quirky spin on that activity with a design that will appeal to music lovers. It has a large speaker on its back, in itself already an oddity, and it’s made to look like a turntable together with dual camera lenses. Its colorful designs just scream vibrancy and playfulness, characteristics that will pull at the heartstrings of a younger crowd.

ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro

It isn’t just audiophiles who will appreciate good sound output, however. Poor audio can also break the immersion of a mobile game, especially as these titles become more sophisticated and more resource-intensive. While most of its features naturally revolve around graphics and processing, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro doesn’t skimp on the audio side of the equation, whether it’s the “multi-magnet” dual speakers or hi-res 3.5mm headphone jack.

Designer: ASUS ROG

More than just doing the bare minimum, the ROG Phone 8 Pro boasts 384kHz/32-bit audio quality from that wired connection. It also implements spatial sound for headphones and provides listening profiles for different situations. It’s definitely one of the very few premium smartphones these days that have a headphone jack, something that hardcore mobile gamers will surely appreciate.

Sony Xperia 1 V

Speaking of high-end phones, Sony hasn’t completely given up yet on the smartphone market, and neither is it turning back on the features that differentiate its remaining devices. It bears an unusual ultra-wide, ultra-tall screen aspect ratio which Sony claims to be the best format for watching videos. It also shows off its display-making prowess which it also uses on a bigger scale on TVs.

Designer: Sony

The entertainment and electronics company naturally also knows that video is only half the battle. The phone also has a headphone jack to support hi-fi lossless audio output through wired headphones and speakers, something you’d expect from a device designed to deliver a cinematic watching experience on mobile.

TECNO Camon 20 Pro 5G

It’s almost ironic that mid-range and lower smartphone tiers are the remaining bastions of the 3.5mm port, probably as a form of cost-savings on more expensive wireless technologies. At the same time, however, some brands continue to support the feature even on their higher-end models. That’s definitely true for last year’s TECNO Camon 20 Pro 5G, which combines stylish design with a well-balanced set of features, including that headphone jack.

Designer: TECNO

Among TECNO’s flagship Camon line, the Camon 20 Pro has the distinction of winning a few design awards, thanks to the unique geometric patterns on its back, including an uneven hexagon shape for the camera bump. Unfortunately, it will also now have the distinction of being the last TECNO Camon to include that 3.5mm port, as the brand seems to be finally shifting this family of smartphones to a wireless future.

Final Thoughts: Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Just because smartphones no longer have headphone jacks doesn’t mean that it’s obsolete technology. Many aspects of the audio industry and the wider multimedia industry still rely on wired connections, and the 3.5mm connector and those like it continue to offer a standard and space-efficient solution. At least for now, wires still have bigger bandwidth and more reliability, even with potential losses when converting between digital and analog.

Wireless audio is thankfully still improving, but it might take some time for it to be a more common technology that can deliver the needed high-fidelity lossless audio transmission. In the push for thinner phones, it’s this aspect that has unfortunately been sacrificed, even if it came at the expense of consumers as well. It’s a good thing, then, that there are still some brands that try to cater to audiophiles, music lovers, and gamers, and we might even see an uptick in these devices as more people become more aware of the critical role that good sound quality plays in an immersive experience.

The post Headphone jacks on smartphones are making a comeback for your listening pleasure first appeared on Yanko Design.

The AURGA Viewer transforms connectivity by serving as a versatile, lightweight wireless HDMI dongle that seamlessly integrates a wide range of devices across various platforms. It combines the functionalities of a wireless video streamer, mouse, keyboard, touchscreen, and digitizer pen, extending the usability of devices far beyond their standard capabilities. This dongle supports high-definition video streaming at 1920x1080p 60Hz alongside 48K audio, ensuring a high-quality viewing and interaction experience.

Designer: AURGA Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $72 $99 (Use coupon code “YANKO” to get an additional $7 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Ideal for diverse applications, the AURGA Viewer can be used with computers, laptops, single-board computers like Raspberry Pi, and gaming consoles such as the PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch. It also connects seamlessly with mini PCs, cameras, DSLRs, and TV boxes, enhancing its versatility. The device itself is incredibly portable, measuring only 79.4mm by 26mm by 11mm and weighing just 14.5 grams, making it easy to carry and use anywhere.

For PC enthusiasts and technicians, the AURGA Viewer offers a particularly valuable solution. Typically, setting up a computer to access BIOS settings or conduct tests requires a complete setup with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The AURGA Viewer simplifies this process dramatically by allowing for platform-agnostic remote control with just an HDMI and USB connection—eliminating the need for a monitor or even an operating system installed on the PC. This can be a game-changer for testing PCs, bare motherboards, or any “headless” device, providing both display and control access directly from a mobile device or tablet via the AURGA app.

A compelling use case also exists for Nintendo Switch users. The Switch operates in different performance modes—handheld and docked. In handheld mode, the display is limited to 720p, reducing visual quality to conserve battery life. However, when connected via the AURGA Viewer, the Switch can output its display to devices like PCs or tablets, allowing users to enjoy the enhanced visual quality of docked mode on a larger, more vibrant screen. This feature is useful when the TV isn’t available or when traveling, ensuring gamers still enjoy high-quality gameplay.

Acting as an extension for PCs, the AURGA Viewer serves multiple purposes beyond entertainment, such as allowing a tablet or a second laptop to function as an additional screen. This element is particularly valuable for professionals looking to increase their productivity by expanding their available screen real estate. Additionally, it also allows for interactive control over the primary device using the secondary one, which includes using touch inputs or connecting peripheral devices.. This capability adds significant flexibility and efficiency to any workflow, enabling users to manage tasks and execute commands directly from their secondary screens. Whether for complex professional tasks, creative projects, or general multi-tasking, the AURGA Viewer integrates smoothly into a variety of digital environments, streamlining operations and extending the functionality of connected devices.

The device operates by connecting to devices through HDMI for video output and USB for power and peripheral connectivity. It does not require any software to be installed on the host device, making it a plug-and-play solution that’s easy to set up. The video and control signals are transmitted over a local Wi-Fi network, accessible through the AURGA app available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even Android TV with some additional setup.

The AURGA Viewer is a versatile tool that broadens the functionality of electronic setups from gaming consoles to professional workstations. As a compact device, it offers robust solutions for enhancing connectivity and streamlining the use of various devices, making it an essential addition for anyone looking to optimize their digital interactions.

Click Here to Buy Now: $72 $99 (Use coupon code “YANKO” to get an additional $7 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

The post Unlock Seamless Connectivity with a Tiny Device That Redefines Device Integration first appeared on Yanko Design.

Not everyone likes listening to music, but even those will perhaps begrudgingly agree that certain kinds of music can have different effects on one’s mood or mental state. Next to entertainment or the sheer joy of listening to favorite tunes, the most common use of music is to set the right mood, whether it’s to relax, to get pumped, or to be more productive. That said, musical tastes can be quite subjective, and even the kind of harmonies that you like could be affected by your mood at any given time. It can be quite taxing to change playlists or tracks every time, so rather than relying on your fingers and your own mind, why not let your phone do the work for you? This desk speaker concept does exactly that, analyzing your mood and picking the right music to help you finish your work, studies, or any other task you need to get done.

Designer: Junyoung Lee

People who love playing music while they work most likely have a library of tunes selected to help massage their grey matter, especially during slow hours. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of music can be thwarted by moods, emotions, and physical conditions. Sometimes we’re just stuck in a slump and manually picking out a more appropriate playlist only adds to the stress and traps you in a vicious mental cycle.

MIX:X is a smart speaker system that uses the power of your smartphone and machine learning to automate that process so you won’t have to lift a finger when your brain or heart is just too tired to care. You simply dock the phone in front of the tall, boxy speaker to start the process. The large camera at the bottom keeps a constant watch on the person’s face in front of it, particularly their facial expressions, and using computer vision, machine learning, and algorithms, it tries to identify the mood that the person is in. Depending on what mood that is, it will switch to a different playlist that will help get you into a more productive working state.

Part of the MIX:X speaker’s solution is actually not the device itself but the app that comes with it. Here you select the songs that you like and associate them with certain moods. The app’s AI analyzes the music selection and uses that as a pool to choose from when your mood shifts one way or another. It doesn’t simply get music out of thin air (or the Internet), giving you some amount of control to limit the choices to your preferences.

In that sense, the MIX:X speaker is simply a box with speakers facing sideways and a camera, though it definitely has an interesting aesthetic. It has transparent panels for its sides and back, putting the sophisticated electronics inside on display. The rest of the device’s design is pretty minimal, with a single dial for the volume. If there’s one glaring flaw in its design, it’s the fact that it seems to support only a specific model or size of a specific phone, namely an iPhone, which severely limits how much this concept can be used outside of that single device.

The post Phone-powered smart speaker concept reads your mood to play the right music for work first appeared on Yanko Design.

Tech giants weigh in on how they try to mitigate the effects of generative AI on power and water resources.