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Project Ara: the true future of smartphones

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Not just Project Ara, but the modular smartphone idea, is what will revolutionize the way in which we approach gadgets. Google’s Project Ara is the most popular among modular smartphone designs, but there are others out there working to give us, consumers, smartphones that we don’t have to throw away after a year, because we can upgrade the hardware. Fairphone or Fairphone 2 are already on the market, and while they’re not exactly the same type of modular, they’re still modular.

The fact that the Fairphone is already on the market and there’s interest in it shows that modular gadgets are something that we, the consumers want. Which is true, because more and more people are concerned about eco-friendly tech, environmentalism, creating less waste, spending less money and so on. A modular phone like Project Ara can change the way in which we use technology (and put a bit of a thorn into big companies’ sides, for a long time). The Fairphone 2 can do just as well, as the phone is comprised of the same modules that make up its hardware, but it can only be swapped out with identical parts. The idea behind Fairphone is different, because the company promotes welfare policies, strict ethics and uses conflict-free sources in its manufacturing process.

Both Project Ara and Fairphone are promoting eco-friendliness, and while there is less transparency involved with Fairphone, the idea is taking hold. Project Ara, although almost two years behind Fairphone, is progressing and new modules are being revealed. Toshiba has recently unveiled its own Project Ara camera modules and fans are already enjoying the options that people will have once Project Ara goes official.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo4GeSil9fU

Toshiba revealed one 5 MP module and one 13 MP module that will be made available to Project Ara users, and the sensors will definitely appeal to those who want to be able to customize their phones. Those who want professional-grade photos might not be content with 13 MP, but the sensor will be rather good for the usual tasks that a smartphone camera is used for (leisurely ones, mostly). The 5 MP could be for those who don’t really use their smartphones to take artistic photos, rather just snapping bus signs and schedules because they’re lazy to write.

Project Ara is rounding out with new modules and the excitement around the actual launch is building up. People have been waiting for a way to revolutionize smartphones, and Project Ara could be that. Phonebloks (who started it off) and Project Ara have a lot of potential in reducing waste, promote eco-friendly solutions and support independent manufacturers. What this might be called is supporting the alternative, which is extremely catchy. Most people are convinced that Project Ara can’t be anything but a successful business. But you never know. Android 5.0 Lollipop didn’t turn out as magnificent as anticipated, and that can happen to any product anybody makes.

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Project Ara with dual display

Nonetheless, Project Ara is progressing and the list of modules that will be available to future owners is growing. The endoskeleton of the phone, which is what will hold all the modules, including the display, processor, camera, speaker, RAM and memory modules. Besides Toshiba, there are many other hardware manufacturers already working on modules for Project Ara, but there’s no official, definitive list of all the modules that are going to be available. So take this with a grain of salt, because while some of these (like Toshiba) are confirmed, some are not, at least not officially.

The Nvidia Tegra K1 CPU will be one of the processor modules for Project Ara that people will be able to buy, and while that chipset is pretty neat, there must be something even better lined up. A 4G LTE Marvell PXA1928 communications processor is also on the list, as is a Rockchip CPU for the budget-friendly module list of Project Ara. Yezz is also working on a variety of modules, including a game controller, NFC chip, camera module and battery module.

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There are Project Ara modules in development that can fulfill the purpose of both a screen-protector and an extra e-ink display on the back of the phone. New speaker modules, camera modules, waterproofing modules, projector modules and others are in development and word is thousands (if not millions) of developers are wirking with the Project Ara MDK to make their own modules. The true phone of the future is Project Ara, because it’s not Google who’s making it entirely: it’s anyone who wants to buy it. Supporting a partnership between tech companies, all the while protecting the environment is a good combination that will definitely add to the popularity of Project Ara.

But there’s still a long time to wait until the Project Ara release date arrives. Google has only said that it would begin sending out prototypes to test markets this Summer. There’s no info about an actual release date available, and the same goes for pricing and availability. We’re sure that once a list of module manufacturers is published, we’ll know more about the waiting time we have left.

As part of the editorial team here at Geekreply, John spends a lot of his time making sure each article is up to snuff. That said, he also occasionally pens articles on the latest in Geek culture. From Gaming to Science, expect the latest news fast from John and team.

Gadgets

Remake of Silent Hill 2 Dev is “Very Safe” with Any Changes

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The developer of the PS5 recreation of Silent Hill 2, Bloober Team, has said it will take a “very conservative approach” to whatever alterations it makes. Chief marketing officer Anna Jasiska claims that the Polish developer is being very cautious when making changes because they want to remain authentic to the PS2 masterpiece. However, we are making changes to some areas where time has passed and things need to be modernized.

While maintaining “the conventional tale canon,” the team is concentrating on “putting the distinct, visceral atmosphere back in the modernized Silent Hill 2” and modernizing the gameplay and graphics “from the ground up.” Hardcore fans shouldn’t worry that the developer “missed the point” of the original title, Bloober Team then emphasizes. We simply have some thoughts on how to make the odd fright components more accessible to the present audience. “We are not moving away from the original objective of making this cult masterpiece,” the statement continued.

Pyramid Head sexually rapes an enemy in a kitchen quite early in the game, and this is one particular scene Jasiska is questioned about. Jasiska effectively answered “no comment” when asked if the cutscene had been changed or not.

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Out of several other studios, Bloober Team was selected by Konami to oversee the production of the Silent Hill 2 remake. This decision was reportedly made because of Bloober Team’s “commitment and enthusiasm for horror.” The Layers of Fear series, Blair Witch, and The Medium are some of its earlier games. Because so many Bloober Team employees are ardent fans of the game, our business was astounded when we learned of this wonderful news.

The PS5 console exclusive Silent Hill 2 doesn’t yet have a release date, but given that it is in the last stages of development, this year’s release looks feasible.

 

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Artificial Intelligence

Using AI to develop arithmetic algorithms that are more effective

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Using AI, researchers at Google’s DeepMind in London have discovered that matrix multiplication issues can be solved more quickly. The team outlines enhancing math-based algorithms through reinforcement learning in their research that was published in the journal Nature. In the same journal issue, a Research Briefing detailing the work done by the London team was also released.

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In computer programming, math is frequently used to describe and then manipulate representations of real-world phenomena. It can be used to represent nodes in a synthetic network, meteorological conditions, or pixels on a computer screen. Calculations on matrices are one of the main ways that math is used in these situations. Matrixes can be used, for instance, to describe potential movement options in game programming. Matrices are frequently multiplied or added to in order to effectuate such movements; occasionally, both operations are required. This is labor-intensive, especially as the matrices get bigger, therefore computer scientists have devoted a lot of time and effort to creating ever-more-effective algorithms to do the task.

In this new endeavor, the DeepMind researchers questioned whether it may be feasible to deploy an AI system based on reinforcement learning to develop new algorithms with fewer steps than those already in use. They sought inspiration from gaming systems to learn the answer, observing that the majority of them are based on reinforcement learning. The team focused on tree searching after developing a few prototype systems, which is also used in game programming. It gives a system a way to consider multiple options in light of a specific condition. The researchers discovered that turning an AI system into a game allowed for searching for the most effective technique to arrive at a desired outcome—a mathematical result—when used to multiplying matrices.

The system was put to the test by the researchers by having it look for, evaluate, and employ pre-existing algorithms while utilizing incentives to select the most effective one. The system gained knowledge of the elements that affect the effectiveness of matrix multiplication. The researchers then gave the system the freedom to develop its own algorithm in an effort to increase efficiency. The researchers discovered that the algorithms selected by the system were frequently superior than those developed by their human forebears.

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Gadgets

Arriving with higher speeds and a new high-gloss look is Google’s Nest WiFi Pro.

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As is believed, a single pack Google’s Nest Wifi Pro costs $200, and three cost $400.

As anticipated, Google has announced the Nest WiFi Pro mesh router system, which features a sleeker appearance, WiFi 6E speeds that are quicker, and a straightforward setup. When Google’s new smart home protocol debuts, it will also function as a Matter hub, although it costs a little more than the existing Nest WiFi router.

The Nest WiFi Pro has a similar circular appearance to the previous version, but Google claims it utilizes a high-gloss material “inspired by ceramics” that is made of more than 60% recycled materials overall. In comparison to the WiFi Nest, which has a softer matte surface, it appears incredibly glossy in the promotional photographs. To fit nicely with most houses, it is available in four earth tone-inspired tones, “Snow,” “Linen,” “Fog,” and “Lemongrass.”

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A crucial component is the tri-band WiFi 6E protocol, which Google claims offers “a quicker and more direct path to the most dependable internet connection” and operates on the less congested 6Ghz frequency. The end result is speeds that can be up to twice as fast and support for the most recent smartphones and other WiFi 6E-compatible devices. It prioritizes high-bandwidth activity like video chats or streaming while analyzing network performance and optimizing connections to keep things moving swiftly.

The Nest WiFi Pro is compatible with the majority of smart home devices that are linked, and it has the speed to simultaneously handle video chats, 4K films, and security camera feeds. According to Google, a single router can span 2,200 square feet. It has a Thread border router built in to link smart home appliances via a low-power mesh. When Google’s new Matter smart home protocol debuts later this year, it will support it as well.

You’ll spend more than the existing Nest WiFi gadget for all of it. One unit costs $200 (as opposed to $169 for the existing Nest WiFi router), two units cost $300, and three units cost $400. Pre-orders are currently available, and shipment will begin on October 27.

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