Samsung debuted the Galaxy S24 FE a few days ago worldwide while the device is set to go on sale soon. The chip used in the handset is a watered down model of Exynos 2400 used in the Galaxy S24 and the Galaxy S24+. Now, the Exynos 2400e benchmark scores have surfaced online, highlighting how big of an upgrade the Galaxy S24 FE is over its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 FE.
As reported by GSMArena, the Exynos 2400e in the Galaxy S24 FE packs a prime Cortex-X4 core that is clocked at up to 3.1GHz instead of the 3.2GHz which the regular Exynos 2400 chip does. However, the other CPU clusters are the same, including 2x Cortex-A720 cores running at 2.90GHz, 3x A720 cores running at 2.59GHz and 4x A520 cores running at 1.96GHz.
The publication’s tests show that the Galaxy S24 FE’s Exynos 2400e is certainly a capable chip when it comes to competing with the flagships. Exynos 2400e benchmark scores on Geekbench 6 Benchmarking platform suggest that the chip is marginally weaker than the regular 2400 but is a major upgrade over the Galaxy S23 FE’s Exynos 2200. In multi-core tests, the Exynos 2400e scored 6711 points compared to 3964 points the S23 FE Exynos model scored and 6926 points scored by the Galaxy S24+.
In fact, the S24 FE scored better than the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which scored 4854 points with its Tensor G4 SoC. Coming to single-core tests, the Galaxy S24 FE scored 2146, compared to 2201 points scored by Galaxy S24+ and 1999 scored by the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The S23 FE (both Snapdragon and Exynos models) were at the bottom, with the Exynos model scoring 1672 points.
Coming over to GPU, the S24 FE did wonders and performed surprisingly well with 3870 points, coming quite close to Xiaomi 14T Pro’s Dimensity 9300+ (3998 points). The iPhone 16 Plus with the A18 chip scored 4029 points which is actually a mere 4% better score than S24 FE’s, despite there being a noticeable price gap between the two. The S23 FE Snapdragon model scored just 2557 points while the Exynos model was even lower than that, with 2356 points.
While we definitely need to review the Galaxy S24 FE and observe how well the Exynos 2400e benchmark scores translate to real-world use, we can say the device is shaping up to be a worthy contender against the flagships.
Samsung and Lenovo have announced the launch of two new Chromebooks including the Galaxy Chromebook Plus and the Chromebook Duet 11″, respectively. Aside from this, Google also announced a bunch of new features for all Chromebooks and those limited to Chromebook Plus laptops as well.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
The new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is an ultra-portable, thin and light laptop with a sleek design. Available in a single neptune blue colour, it weighs 2.58 pounds (1.17kg) and less than half an inch thin (11.8 millimeters). Google says it is the thinnest and lightest Chromebook Plus yet. The laptop comes packed with 8GB of RAM, an Intel Core 3 100U (Raptor Lake-R) processor, 256GB of storage, a 15.6” OLED screen and up to 13 hours of battery life. It’s also the first Chromebook Plus to include the Quick Insert key. The new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook will be available starting in October. The laptop starts at $699 (approx Rs 58,700).
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11”
The compact and durable Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11” can convert from laptop to tablet mode with its built-in kickstand. The Lenovo USI Pen 2 (sold separately) and upgraded palm rejection model lets you sketch with precision, and a MediaTek Kompanio 838 Processor with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage delivers performance for your daily needs. Plus, the laptop allows users to video call or record with high resolution 8MP back-facing and 5MP front-facing cameras with new AI enhanced zoom capabilities. The laptop starts at $339 (approx Rs 28,400).
The Goodnotes for Web App is now optimized for stylus-compatible Chromebooks like the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11”. Users can put the stylus on the screen and can journal, study and take notes. Later this month, users can also avail three months of Goodnotes, including free digital stationery on all stylus-enabled devices.
New Quick Insert Key in Chromebook Plus
The new Quick Insert key, which the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is equipped with, delivers “instant help where you need it.” With a tap of the dedicated keyboard button, a menu instantly gives you access to everything you might need from editing what you’re writing, instantly adding a URL link or quickly finding the perfect Emoji or GIF. Here are just a few examples of what you’ll find:
Quick access to Help me write, which uses Gemini models, so you can get help crafting new text, edit what you’ve written or change the tone
Emoji and GIFs to easily add to any text field
A list of your recently opened websites, to add links without searching, copying and pasting between windows
Google Drive integrated search so you can attach files, photos, videos or anything from your Google Drive, while staying within your work flow
Tactical tools to do simple calculations, add a specific date, and convert units of measure right where you need it
The Quick Insert key launches exclusively on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus. However, existing Chromebook users can use the feature with a keyboard shortcut. Starting next year, the key will become available across more Chromebook and Chromebook Plus laptops, along with the ability to quickly create AI-generated images from within the Quick Insert menu.
AI Features for Chromebooks Plus
New AI features for Chromebook Plus have been added after Google announced Gemini integration in these Chromebooks earlier in May. The following AI features will become available through automatic updates throughout October.
Be seen and heard authentically with new video call features. The new studio-style microphone and built-in appearance enhancements take your video calls to the next level. The studio mic feature ensures crystal-clear sound with AI-powered mic simulation, effectively minimizing noise and room echo. Meanwhile, the built-in appearance effects automatically adjust lighting, brightness, and other settings to ensure you always look your best. Best of all, these features are compatible with any video calling app.
Accelerate understanding with Help me read. Help me read helps you summarize PDFs, articles or websites, all with a right click. You can even ask follow-up questions to dive deeper. Starting next year you can even highlight specific sentences or paragraphs you need extra help clarifying.
Overcome language barrierswith Live Translate. Use Live Translate to enable Google AI-translated captions on whatever is on your screen, whether it’s a meeting on Zoom, a YouTube livestream or a video file a family member sends you. Live Translate can instantly translate content into over 100 languages.
Easily capture audio, thoughts and notes with Recorder app. Use the Google AI-powered Recorder app to create transcriptions that can detect and label speakers, and provide a summary of recorded content.
New Features for All Chromebooks
Google is also bringing new features to all Chromebooks, including Chat with Gemini which was earlier limited to Chromebook Plus laptops. Next, new Chromebook buyers can try Google’s most capable AI tools through the Google One AI Premium plan at no cost for three months. The plan includes access to Gemini Advanced, 2TB of storage and Gemini in Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail and more. You can also get access to 12 months of the Google One AI Premium plan with a new Chromebook Plus purchase.
Another new feature being introduced is called Welcome Recap. Whenever you log into your Chromebook, Welcome Recap gives a visual overview of where you last were across any device and helpful suggestions to get you started. You might get a reminder to join your next video call, quick access to a recently opened file, or a clickable suggestion to finish an article started on your Android or iOS phone.
The new Focus feature can automatically turn on “Do not Disturb” in desired situations. Whether you dedicated focus time or have a specific Google Task you want to finish, choose a time period and soundscape or YouTube Music playlist, then Focus can automatically turn on “Do not Disturb” for a distraction-free experience.
Pinning feature is now also available. Users can now access files in a single click, whether they’re online or offline, by pinning them to their Chromebook’s shelf. To save even more time, Launcher even suggests the Google Docs or Slides the user may be looking for.
Microsoft announced a revamped Copilot experience earlier yesterday, alongside which it revealed that Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs will rollout later this month to Windows Insiders. Furthermore, Microsoft also announced new features like Click to Do, improved Windows search, and more.
Announced via a blog post, Microsoft said that the Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs will begin rolling out to later this month to those who have a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ laptop and are a part of the Windows 11 Insider program. Customers who purchase an Intel- or AMD- powered Copilot+ PC will see Recall initially in the Windows Insider program starting in November. Timing details on the broad availability of Recall will be shared at a later date.
Recall is an entirely new way to instantly find something you’ve previously seen on your PC. Following the announcement of the feature in May, there was a backlash from consumers regarding the privacy concerns related to the feature. As a result, Microsoft listened to the community emphasizing the need for additional default security layers.
Now, users will have the choice to opt-in to saving snapshots and if they do opt-in, they will use Windows Hello to confirm presence and securely unlock the Recall experience. And with the sensitive information filter, Recall will apply filters over sensitive information when highly confidential data, like credit card details or personal identification numbers, needs to stay confidential.
Meanwhile, the company also announced Click to Do, a feature designed to help simplify your workflow by placing an interactive overlay on top of your PC screen, enabling suggested quick actions to appear over images or text. At your request, Click to Do seamlessly connects you to tools and actions to accomplish tasks, like suggesting help with Visual Search with Bing, background blur or erasing objects in Photos, removing backgrounds with Paint, and more.
It also assists with text-related actions such as rewrite, summarize or explain text in line, opening in a text editor, sending an email (with a recognized email address), web searches, and opening websites (with a recognized URL). Click to Do is context-aware, and accessible from any Copilot+ PC screen – simply press the Windows key and click your mouse to find Click to Do in Snipping Tool or Print Screen to get started. With a strong emphasis on boosting productivity, customers can expect a range of new rich actions to be introduced over the coming months.
The improved Windows search will also leverage AI, where users no longer need to remember file names, settings locations or even worry about spelling, so they can just type what’s in their mind to find the correct file on a Copilot+ PC. You can even find photos in OneDrive by describing the content in the same way. Interestingly, the feature works even when you’re not connected to the internet. Improved search will be available first with File Explorer and expanding to Windows Search and Settings in the coming months.
Next, there’s Super Resolution feature in the Photos app. Using on-device AI, super resolution in Photos will transform your old or lower-quality images into reimagined memories. One can use the slider to increase the resolution of any photo by up to 8X, and precisely control and adjust the output. With the power of the 40+ TOPS NPU, super resolution in photos can upscale a photo up to 4K within seconds, for free.
Next up, there’s Generative fill and erase in Paint, where you can edit and alter images with greater precision and creative freedom. Using an adjustable brush, you can remove unwanted or distracting elements in your image or add new ones, exactly where you want them. Microsoft has also improved the underlying diffusion-based model to deliver better results faster, along with built-in moderation.
Microsoft also announced the apps that will soon gain native support for Copilot+ PCs, such as Vegas Pro, Fantastical, Sketchbook Pro, Arc Browser, Google Drive, NordVPN, and more.
Windows 11 24H2 Update
Finally, starting today, the Windows 11, version 24H2 update also begins to roll out to Windows 11 customers. This update includes new features like Energy Saver designed to extend battery life and reduce energy use, even when your device is plugged in. There’s improved Hearing Aid support with Bluetooth LE Audio, with new capabilities to control audio presets, ambient sounds and experience enhancements. Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, HDR background support, improvements to the taskbar and system tray, File Explorer and Settings are also a part of the update.
A listing on the Apple App Store shows that the Perplexity AI app for Mac will be available later in October. The release follows ChatGPT’s announcement earlier this year of its Mac app. The app is set to offer features like Pro Search, voice and text input, search history, and more.
Announced via the official X account, Perplexity AI App for Mac is now up for pre-order on the Mac’s app store. The app store listing suggests that the app will be available for installation beginning October 15, 2024. “Perplexity-Where Knowledge Begins. The answers you need-right at your fingertips. Cut through all the noise and get straight to credible, up-to-date answers. Now on Mac,” the app description on the store says.
As for the features of the app, they are listed as follows:
Pro Search: Guided Al search for deeper exploration.
Ask with voice or text: Instant, up-to-date answers whether you type or say it.
Thread Follow-Up: Keep the conversation going for a deeper understanding.
Trust Built In: Cited sources for every answer.
Your Library: More than search history, it’s an archive of your discoveries.
The Perplexity AI app for macOS will be free to download, while users can subscribe to Perplexity Pro. A Perplexity AI app is already available on iOS and iPadOS.
The ChatGPT desktop app for Mac arrived earlier in May this year, but it’s not available on the Mac app store. The app offers a keyboard shortcut (Option + Space) for instantly asking ChatGPT a question. You can also take and discuss screenshots directly in the app. It will also support the Voice Mode that has been available in ChatGPT at launch, with GPT-4o’s new audio and video capabilities coming in the future. A ChatGPT app for Windows is also in development, as per OpenAI, and it will be released later this year.
Motorola has announced the Motorola ThinkPhone 25 internationally. Aimed at business professionals, the ThinkPhone 25 offers business-grade security features, a promise of five major Android OS updates and security patches, and much more. It is essentially a repackaged Motorola Edge 50 Neo 5G. Here’s everything you need to know about the new ThinkPhone.
Motorola ThinkPhone 25: Price
The ThinkPhone 25 comes in a single Carbon Black colour and is priced at US 499 (approx Rs 41,850) / €499 / 450 GBP depending on the market you purchase it in. It will go on sals from early November.
Motorola ThinkPhone 25: Specifications
The ThinkPhone 25 sports a 6.36-inch 120Hz pOLED display, 1.5K resolution, 3000 nits peak HDR brightness, 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, 300Hz touch sampling rate, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and Gorilla Glass 7i protection.
The device gets a 32MP f/2.4 front-facing camera for selfies. The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC paired with 256GB UFS 2.2 storage. The device has 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM.
The handset packs a 4310mAh battery with 68W fast wired charging and 15W wireless charging. There is a dual rear camera setup, which includes a 50MP f/1.8 Sony LYT-700C primary sensor with OIS and a 13MP f/2.2 ultra-wide angle sensor with PDAF, and a 10MP f/2.0 telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom.
It runs on Android 14 out of the box and will receive 5 years of OS updates and security patches. The device also gets moto AI features. For connectivity, it features Bluetooth v5.3, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, GPS, and a USB-C port for charging. It is also IP68 rated and gets MIL-STD 810H certification. In addition, it packs stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
The refreshed Copilot App from Microsoft is focused on delivering a more intuitive design with more digestible, speedy and fluent answers, as per the company. Alongside, Microsoft also announced what’s to come for Copilot, including Copilot Voice, Copilot Vision, Copilot Daily, Copilot Labs, and a Copilot update in Microsoft’s Edge Browser as well.
The Copilot mobile iOS and Android apps, on the web at copilot.microsoft.com, and through the Copilot Windows app now adapts to you with a warm tone and a distinct style, providing not only information but encouragement, feedback and advice as you navigate through your everyday life. The new redesigned Copilot app, for example, in addition to helping you plan that big trip, can also offer tips on how to keep your composure when, say, the back of your seat is getting kicked by a small child.
Aside from the fresh new look, Microsoft also announced Copilot Vision, which sees what you see and can talk to you about it in real time. It understands the web page you’re viewing, both text and images, and can answer questions about its content, suggest next steps and help you without disrupting your workflow. Copilot Vision will be limited to a number of Copilot Pro subscribers in the US as of now.
As for Copilot Voice, according to Microsoft, it is the most intuitive and natural way to brainstorm on the go, ask a quick question or even just vent at the end of a tough day. Your companion will be personal to you, with four voice options to choose from. Copilot Voice will be available in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US in the first phase, and will expand to more regions and languages soon.
Then there’s Copilot Daily which helps you start off your morning with a summary of news and weather, all read in your favourite Copilot Voice, with more options like reminders of what’s coming soon. Copilot Daily will pull content only from authorised content sources. Microsoft says it is working with Reuters, Axel Springer, Hearst Magazines, USA TODAY Network and Financial Times, and plan to add more sources over time. It will also add additional personalisation and controls in Copilot Daily over time. Copilot Daily is limited to users in the US and the UK before it reaches more regions.
The new personalised Copilot Discover offers a guide to its useful features and conversation starters. With your permission, these jumping off points are customised based on your interactions with other Microsoft services and will be further personalised over time according to your conversation history.
In addition, users can now access Copilot directly from the Microsoft Edge browser by simply typing @copilot into the address bar. Then there’s Copilot Labs which gives people the opportunity to test out Copilot’s experimental features that are still in development. It’s a chance to give feedback and help shape the experiences Microsoft is creating. Microsoft currently offers two features via its Labs initially, Copilot Vision and Think Deeper.
Finally, Microsoft also revealed how its making the Copilot experience more safer and secure for users:
Copilot Vision sessions are entirely opt-in and ephemeral. None of the content Copilot Vision engages with is stored or used for training. As soon as you end your session, the data is permanently discarded.
The experience won’t work on all websites because Microsoft has taken important steps to put boundaries on the types of websites Copilot Vision can engage. Microsoft is starting with a limited list of popular websites to help ensure it’s a safe experience for everyone.
Copilot Vision won’t work on paywalled and sensitive content for this preview.
There is no specific processing of the content of a website you are browsing, nor any AI training. Copilot Vision simply reads and interprets the images and text it sees on the page for the first time along with you.
The company will continue to take feedback on all the above from early users in Copilot Labs, and will refine the safety measures if there’s a need to do so.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus October 2024 security patch update is now rolling out for users worldwide with a slew of bug fixes and enhancements to improve the overall experience of using the device. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus launched in India back in July earlier this year.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus October 2024 Security Patch Update: What’s New?
While small in size, weighing in at about 51.21MB, the update brings a good amount of improvements for the handset, including those for camera, connectivity, and more. Here’s the full changelog:
Connectivity enhancements:
Improved availability of 5G standalone network option
Optimised SIM2 VOLTE registration speed after exiting Airplane Mode
Nothing also seems to be the first brand to rollout the October 2024 security patch update for one of its smartphones. As the update is rolling out in a phased manner, it might take some time to reach your unit. To check if your device has received it, you can head over to Settings > System > System Update.
Meanwhile, select Nothing devices are set to receive Nothing OS 3.0 update in the form of an open beta version later this month. Nothing OS 3.0 is set to bring a whole lot of new changes to Nothing’s Android-based software skin, including a revamped quick settings panel, new lock screen clock styles, animations, and much more. The update will be based on Android 15 and will also bring some of its Proprietary features.
Motorola has launched the world’s first smartphone with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, paired with a durable build quality where the body of the device is both IP68 rated and is also MIL-STD-810H certified. Here’s everything you need to know about the Motorola device.
Moto G75 5G: Price
The Moto G75 5G is available in Charcoal Grey, Aqua Blue, and Succulent Green and is priced at CZK 8,999 (approximately Rs 33,300). It is expected to debut in India before the end of November this year.
Moto G75 5G: Specifications
The Moto G75 5G sports a 6.78-inch IPS LCD screen with an FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 1000 nits peak brightness. The screen is protected with Gorilla Glass 5. It is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM, up to 8GB virtual RAM, and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, which is expandable via a hybrid SIM slot.
For optics, there’s a 50-megapixel primary sensor with OIS on the back, joined by an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle lens and a flicker sensor. At the front, there’s a 16-megapixel sensor for selfies and video calls. The device is backed by a 5000mAh battery with 30W wired and 15W wireless charging support.
Additional features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Dolby Atmos-powered stereo speakers, Wi-Fi 802.11ax, Bluetooth v5.4, NFC, and a USB-C port. The device is IP68 rated and also has the MIL-STD certification. Finally, it runs on Android 14 with MyUX and will receive five major Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates.
Samsung is preparing to debut new Galaxy A-series phones, which may launch before the end of the year. These will be the Galaxy A16 5G and the Galaxy A16 4G. The two smartphones have been leaked in detail, including their design and detailed specifications. Here’s what one can expect.
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G seems to have a shiny back panel. It will be available in Blue, Light Green, and Gray. The vanilla Galaxy A16 (LTE) will be available in Black, Light Green, and Gray. Both phones are expected to land in the market with a 128GB storage variant.
The two devices will feature a flat-screen with a water-drop notch at the top, flat sides, and a key island on the right side for the volume rocker and power key, per the renders shared by YTECHB. The overall design of the phone remains similar to its predecessor, however, the Galaxy A16 5G will have a slimmer profile.
In addition, the Galaxy A16 5G will get a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, while the LTE variant could pack the Exynos 1330 chipset. The phone is expected to sport 4GB RAM and 5,000mAh battery. On the back of the device, there’s a triple-camera module, expected to consist of a 50MP main sensor.
The Galaxy A16 4G will feature a 6.7-inch FHD+ display with 90Hz Refresh Rate support, an IP54 rating, and Exynos 1330 chipset. The phone will come in 4GB, 6GB, and 8GB RAM options paired with 128GB onboard storage, while the 8GB RAM variant will also be available with 256GB storage.
Apart from all these specs, Samsung is expected to offer 6 years of OS updates and security updates to the smartphone, which will be a first for the brand’s Galaxy A-series devices. The previous generation A-series phones came with 4 years of OS and 5 years of security updates.
Epic Games is suing Samsung and Google over coordinated efforts to block competition in app distribution on Samsung devices with Samsung’s default-on Auto Blocker feature. Auto Blocker is the latest in a long series of dealings in which Google and Samsung have agreed not to compete to protect Google’s monopoly power, as per the game’s publisher.
Epic Games claims that Samsung’s recent introduction of the Auto Blocker feature was deliberately designed in collaboration with Google to preemptively counter the U.S. District Court’s remedy following the jury’s verdict in Epic’s lawsuit against Google. The jury determined that Google’s app store practices, including its unlawful agreements with manufacturers like Samsung, were illegal.
As for what’s auto-blocker, it is a setting that Samsung introduced on their mobile devices in October 2023 as an opt-in feature that disables the user’s ability to install apps from any sources other than the Google Play Store and the Samsung Galaxy Store. In July 2024, however, Samsung made Auto Blocker the default setting, requiring every user to change their device settings before they could download and install any app from third-party app stores or the web.
This setting affects Epic Games’ mobile app store because it installs as a third-party application, which Samsung blocks during installation until the user turns off Auto-blocker. Auto Blocker defaulting to “on” requires an exceptionally onerous 21-step process to download an app outside of the Google Play Store or the Samsung Galaxy Store, mirroring Google’s “Unknown Sources” process with multiple steps and scare screens, says Epic Games.
On the other hand, Samsung advertises the feature as a prevention method against security attacks. “At Samsung, we constantly strive to keep our users safe from security attacks, and with the introduction of Auto Blocker, users can continue to enjoy the benefits of our open ecosystem, knowing that their mobile experience is secured,” Samsung said when it introduced the feature.
Epic Games provided evidence against Samsung and Google, saying that Google has a long history of inducing Samsung into “anticompetitive dealings.” “During the Epic v Google trial there was exhaustive and detailed evidence of Google’s schemes to pay Samsung to not compete with the Google Play Store and to block other app stores from trying to compete,” read the blog post by Epic Games. Key points noted by Epic Games included:
Google expressed a strong desire to avoid competing with Samsung.
Google sought to pay Samsung to phase out the Samsung Galaxy Store, including as part of an initiative called Project Banyan.
In 2020, Google signed a Revenue Sharing Agreement with Samsung. Since then, Samsung has not entered into exclusive deals with major game developers to launch on the Galaxy Store, has not competed to offer developers a better headline rate than 30%, and has not taken other necessary steps to meaningfully compete with the Google Play Store.
Google lost its previous lawsuit against Epic Games. The jury ruled that Google’s agreements with OEMs to block competition were illegal. The game’s publisher said this applies not only to Google but also to the device manufacturers that collude with them.
