Tag Archives: Artificial Intelligence

Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL Review: AI Future Today

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PROS:


  • Distinctive, premium, and sleek design

  • Strong sustainability effort

  • Good camera output with software processing

  • Seven years of software support

CONS:


  • Gets mildly hot under intense use

  • Pixel 9 Pro: Slow 27W charging

  • Base storage starts at a measly 128GB

  • Some AI features still feel a bit gimmicky

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

With a premium and elegant design and impressive photography performance, the Google Pixel 9 Pro offers a glimpse into a future where AI makes lives easier and more meaningful.

In the beginning, Google was content to let its hardware partners shape people’s impressions of the Android mobile platform. With the launch of the first Pixel phone in 2016, however, it started to reveal its own vision for Android, not just in terms of software but for the overall user experience. Of course, visions and priorities change over time, and so do the focus and design for Pixel phones. With everything these days revolving around AI, it’s no surprise that Gemini, Google’s own AI platform, is at the heart of the new Pixel 9 series. But are these phones just vehicles for Gemini or do they have more to offer? With the smaller Pixel 9 Pro and the extra-large Pixel 9 Pro XL in our hands, we give Google’s latest smartphones a spin to see what all the fuss is about.

Designer:

Aesthetics

Remember the “Panda Phone,” a.k.a. the Google Pixel 2 XL? Pixel phones have always had rather distinctive designs bordering on being playful and fun. But as the phone line matured, so did their designs. Compared to the very first Pixels, the Pixel 9 Pro is more mellow, subdued, and grown up. Even the colors are a bit muted compared the last year’s selection. And it’s actually all for the best.

Google Pixel 9 Pro

Google Pixel 9 Pro

Google Pixel 9 Pro

The Pixel 9 Pro now competes in a market where the previously young generation are now young adults and budding professionals. Tastes and needs change, and product design needs to adapt. Gone is the distinctive but divisive “visor” camera bar, now with an equally eye-catching but more modern-looking pill. It still sits across the width of the phone but leaves some space at the sides. While this gives the Pixel 9 Pro a more unified and mature appearance, it also makes the past dual-tone color combinations impossible to implement, at least not without some superficial gimmick.

The change in camera design also frees the Pixel 9 Pro to finally adopt what is now regarded to be a more contemporary convention: flatness all around. The edges are flat and, at long last, so is the back. There will be many that will disagree, definitely, but it’s a change that’s a long time coming either way. The four corners are still very much curved, of course, but this pillow design not only softens the appearance of the Pixel 9 Pro a bit but also literally softens the feel in your hand. One curious detail is that the SIM card tray at the bottom is also curved to follow the contour of the phone’s corner. It shows an attention to detail you might have come to expect from a certain fruity company but not from Google.

Overall, the Pixel 9 Pro gives off an aura of professionalism, maturity, and subtle elegance. It highlights the premium materials that Google has always been using but now feels more noticeable. Yes, it’s still playing up some of the fun things you can accomplish with the phone, especially with generative AI, but that is now a function of the user experience rather than the phone’s aesthetics. It’s almost as if Google wanted to show that, yes, the Pixel 9 Pro is now all grown up so you don’t have to feel shy about taking it out in the boardroom or in galas.

Ergonomics

Disregarding their foldable sibling, the Pixel 9 series this year comes in three models but only two sizes. Both the “plain” Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro come with 6.3-inch screens while the Pixel 9 Pro XL enjoys a much larger 6.8-inch screen. Except for the rather large $200 price difference, there almost isn’t any significant reason to go for the non-Pro model when the Pixel 9 Pro comes in that same handy size but also offers a lot more, well, pixels.

And handy it truly is, making the Pixel 9 Pro easier to hold and operate, even with one hand. The premium materials, particularly the matte glass finish, offer a good grip, and those flat edges sink better into your hand than curved ones. And for good measure, that horizontal camera island gives your index finger a good resting spot, almost like a built-in grip. That camera “pill” design also has one advantage when the phone is laid on a table: it doesn’t wobble.

In that context, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is obviously harder to handle, but that’s the price you’ll have to pay for a much larger screen. In terms of materials and design, it’s equal to the smaller Pixel 9 Pro, but unless you have very large hands, chances are, you will be gripping the phone harder than normal, at least if you’re holding it with one hand only. It could lead to a bit of strain and tiredness in the long run and a bit less confidence in holding the phone overall.

Performance

The Pixel 9 series also debuted Google’s fourth-gen self-made silicon, the Tensor G4. From the very beginning, these processors were made with AI and machine learning in mind, hence the name, and it definitely shows here, for better or worse. If you will be judging solely by benchmarks, you might come off pretty disappointed. It definitely lags behind the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, let alone Apple’s new A18, but don’t let those numbers fool you. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL perform quite well in real-world scenarios, and even better when AI is involved, to no one’s surprise.

If there’s one actually unfortunate aspect of the Tensor G4, it would be its continuing thermal woes. It doesn’t get burning hot, mind you, but the Pixel 9 gets noticeably warm sometimes even under moderate load. This is even more pronounced in the smaller Pixel 9 Pro, perhaps due to its smaller size. More than just some discomfort, this could affect performance, especially in graphics, where the Tensor G4 is forced to throttle sooner to lower the temperature faster.

Pixel phones have always been great in photography, and not always because they have great camera hardware. From the very beginning, Google has relied on computational photography to do more with less, and it has been quite successful at that. This year, it didn’t even skimp on the hardware, giving both Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL the same powerful trio of cameras: a 50MP main camera with OIS, a 48MP periscope telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and OIS, and a 48MP ultra-wide shooter.

As you can probably guess, the combination of decent hardware and even more advanced software results in rather impressive photos and videos. Details are rich, colors are accurate, noise is low, and even a 10x “hybrid” zoom results in decent captures. That’s true even when the lighting isn’t perfect, though there are times when you can catch that the Pixel 9 did a little too much processing to compensate. Of course, there are also plenty of AI features at work here, and that’s also when things can get a bit spotty. Zoom Enhance might sound and look great on CSI, but you might end up catching the wrong person if you rely on the Pixel’s sometimes erroneous guesswork.

AI is, of course, the bread and butter of the Pixel 9 Pro, almost to the point that you could say that it is its raison d’être. Gemini Advanced and Gemini Live, in particular, take center stage in any Pixel 9 discussion, and it is where the phone both shines and, to some extent, fails. No, it’s not that it flops in performance or believability. In fact, it’s scary good that you might even start to worry about the future of humanity. The problem lies in what can be considered really useful and what is just fluff, and, in the final analysis, whether the Pixel 9 Pro has any value without those.

The Pixel 9 Pro is naturally overflowing with AI features. Gemini Live ventures into uncanny valley with its natural sounding voices and conversational capabilities, though you might want to always fact-check before driving to a recommended restaurant that closed years ago. Call Notes is going to be a lifesaver for people who always find themselves in online meetings, and thankfully Gemini openly declares its presence to let other people know there’s an invisible participant. There are also the basics like summarize for long articles and, of course, translate.

And then there are the AI features for more “creative” activities, like Magic Editor’s Reimagine which lets you replace the sky or the ground with other elements, basically a photo-bashing tool on your phone. Pixel Studio is Gemini’s version of text-based image editor everyone’s raving or ranting about, except it can’t or won’t generate images of people. And then there’s Add Me, which lets you compose yourself or any other person into the shot by taking two versions. Useful for when you have nobody around to take a group photo and fun for the first few times.

Some of these features can be quite useful, while others feel more like gimmicks to flex Gemini’s AI muscles. And others still feel like they need a few more iterations to become reliable, presuming you’ll even use them in the future. And for all of those features, Gemini takes up a 3GB chunk of the Pixel 9 Pro’s 16GB RAM, whether you use it or not.

Sustainability

Google has clearly set itself apart from other Android phone manufacturers, not just in design or in how it presents Android, but also in how it ensures the health of the planet for every Pixel made. Every year, it steps up its efforts to use more sustainable materials, like how the Pixel 9 Pro frame is made from 100% recycled aluminum and how its packaging is 100% plastic-free.

And there’s the effort to ensure the longevity of the Pixel 9 Pro, both in hardware and software. Google has committed to serving seven years’ worth of software updates, so the Pixel 9 is guaranteed to remain fresh until 2031 at least. That hopefully also means that kinks in Gemini’s results will also be ironed over time and pushed to the Pixel 9 Pro. Google is also working with iFixit to add the Pixel 9 to the self-repair list, providing instructions and official replacement parts. It won’t be a comprehensive selection, but still better than zero.

Value

Now comes the hard part, determining whether the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are worth their weight in gold. That “gold” is actually $999 and $1,099 for the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL, respectively, and the price gives you the base model with 16GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Yes, you only get 128GB of internal storage that you can never expand, at least not physically. Of course, Google wants you to use its cloud storage for almost everything, but that paltry capacity is really stingy. And then there’s the hidden cost of Gemini Advanced, which will be a $20 monthly subscription after the first free year runs out. But if people won’t migrate to a paid subscription for those AI features, what will be left of the Pixel 9 Pro?

Without AI, the Pixel 9 Pro is a pretty OK Android phone, but it’s really just a little above average. Yes, the cameras are great and don’t rely on Gemini to produce great results, but they’re not the best in class either. Performance outside of AI is pretty mediocre, and mobile gamers will be left unsatisfied with the results. The Pixel 9 Pro really shines brightest when you take into account AI and Gemini, and there might not be any better vehicle for Google’s AI. But if you’re not part of that crowd, there might be little reason to reach for a Pixel 9 Pro for now or upgrade from a Pixel 8 Pro that will be getting some of those AI features soon anyway.

Verdict

The Google Pixel is finally all grown up. From a frivolous youth, it has now become a rather dashing and elegant smartphone with a design that can stand proud beside the biggest players in the market. It retains its impressive camera performance thanks to a combination of contemporary camera hardware and improved imaging algorithms. There are some hardware choices that make little sense in this day and age, such as the 128GB base storage and 27W charging for the Pixel 9 Pro. Its focus on AI, however, is both its strength as well as its weakness. Gemini’s capabilities are impressive and sometimes downright frightening, but not everyone is completely sold on it, especially with a $999 price tag that will have a $20 recurring monthly cost. There might come a time when these AI features will become standard, but that is still in the near future. That makes the Pixel 9 Pro a bit of a harder sell today, no matter how beautiful it has finally become.

The post Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL Review: AI Future Today first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 5 AI Innovations at IFA 2024 That Redefine User Experience

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Are we in an AI bubble? Almost definitely – every next booth at IFA had AI written on its banner and in its pamphlets. Walking around IFA proved that innovation is still going strong, but AI has become more of a marketing term than an actual feature. Whether it’s AI-powered dishwashers, or AI in something as small as a GaN charger, it’s easy to drop marketing jargon to make your product look better than your competitor – but is it truly game-changing AI? Well, after 5 days at IFA, here are 5 products we saw that make proper use of Artificial Intelligence in ways that are meaningful to users, and authentic to the term “AI”.

1. Plaud AI NotePin

Showcased at IFA (although the product will begin shipping very soon), the PLAUD NotePin builds on the company’s successful Plaud NOTE device that first launched last year. Leveraging AI models like ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude, the NOTE could record meetings as well as phone calls, and translate/transcribe them in mere seconds. With the NotePin, the company hopes to make this technology even more portable. Encased in a tiny metal pendant, the NotePin is like your own assistant you can wear around your neck or even on your wrist. It lets you record everything from personal notes to meetings, leveraging GPT 4o and Claude 3.5 to bring AI to your recordings. You can give your NotePin a grocery list and it’ll meaningfully link you to a place where you can buy it online, or give it a task list and it’ll add it to your calendar. The NotePin comes in two colors – silver and dark gray – and has the ability to be worn on your wrist, around your neck, or even attached to your lapel.

2. Timekettle W4 Pro AI Interpreter Buds

Built on the broader vision of the Babel Fish from Hitchhiker’s Guide, the W4 Pro interpreter buds allow you to speak and understand as many as 40 different languages and over 90 accents. Built by the folks at Timekettle (known for their incredible translators since 2016), the W4 Pro are AI-powered interpreter earbuds. Wear one and give one to another person and the two of you can seamlessly have a conversation in two separate languages. A 3-mic array ensures crystal clear audio capture, and Timekettle’s proprietary algorithm gives you 95% accurate results. Where the AI comes in is both at a processing and a post-processing level. When you speak, instead of translating entire sentences (which can take very long), the W4 Pro breaks sentences up into meaningful segments, translating them instead. This turns out to work much faster, with just a 0.2-second delay between speaking and translating. Once you’ve had a conversation, Timekettle also applies AI to the entire transcript, allowing you to extract meaningful information and insights from your conversation – super helpful in meetings with multi-lingual professionals.

3. Honor’s AI across Phone/Tablet/Laptop

I strongly believe that we’re at a time when AI vision can make or break a company. With ChatGPT and Google Gemini sucking so much air out of the room, it’s difficult for smartphone brands to implement AI on their own, but Honor seems to have found an incredible niche. Demonstrated during their keynote on both the 5th as well as 6th of September at IFA, Honor highlighted a few standout AI features on their devices. The phones, tablets, and laptops have AI-powered two-way noise canceling – this means the device not only cancels noise on audio going out, but also on audio coming in. So you could be talking to someone who’s in a noisy environment, and your AI noise canceling will process their noisy audio. Other AI features include their drag-to-search on the Magic V3 folding phone and the MagicPad 2 tablet… but by far the most impressive use of AI is in Honor’s deepfake detection technology that works for both audio as well as video deepfakes. Relying on an ability to catch scammers and phishers in the act, the Magic V3, MagicPad 2, and MagicBook Art 14 all have this new technology working seamlessly to prevent you from being scammed or frauded by deepfake calls.

4. Google Gemini in Pixel Devices

Talking about AI is incomplete without talking about its biggest players – Google. With a dedicated booth at IFA this year, Google invited people to play with their latest devices, the Pixel Buds, the new Pixel Watch, and the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Fold devices. It’s different hearing about AI features in a keynote versus actually seeing them in real life, which is why Google had a dedicated Gemini space at their booth, where consumers could go and get a first look at the new Gemini features coming on Pixel devices later this year. This included the new powerful voice assistant, along with Google’s upgraded AI image-editing tools, as well as the newly unveiled Pixel Studio feature.

5. Samsung SmartThings and AI-powered Bixby

Samsung unveiled several AI-powered features at IFA 2024, highlighting its commitment to “AI for All.” The SmartThings platform showcased AI capabilities for security, sustainability, and device control, including the Map View for home monitoring. The Bespoke AI appliances offered personalized solutions, like the Family Hub refrigerator with image recognition and recipe suggestions. Samsung also introduced a timely upgrade to its AI voice assistant, Bixby, at IFA 2024. The enhanced Bixby delivers more personalized services based on the user’s voice and location, allowing for greater interaction with home appliances and devices. It adapts to the user’s daily routines, offering tailored solutions, whether adjusting appliance settings or integrating with other SmartThings-enabled devices.

The post Top 5 AI Innovations at IFA 2024 That Redefine User Experience first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple’s New ‘Visual Intelligence’ feature on the iPhone 16 basically makes Google Lens obsolete

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Apple has a reputation for taking established ideas and refining them into seamless, intuitive features, and it looks like they’ve done it again with their new Visual Intelligence technology in the iPhone 16. In contrast to Google Lens, which primarily scans objects or texts in photos and returns basic web-based results, Apple’s Visual Intelligence integrates advanced generative models and contextual awareness, creating a more profound, interactive experience. This blend of on-device intelligence and private cloud computing not only delivers more relevant information but does so in a way that feels personal and purposeful.

Let’s dive into why Apple’s Visual Intelligence may have just overshadowed Google Lens, and how it’s bringing more powerful insights to users right through the iPhone 16’s camera. Before we do, it’s important to note that Google HAS, in fact, demonstrated Gemini’s ability to ‘see’ the world around you and provide context-based insights… however, it seems like a lot of those features are limited to just Pixel phones because of their AI-capable Tensor chips. While Google Lens (an older product) is available across the board to both iOS and Android devices, Apple’s Visual Intelligence feature gives iPhones a highly powerful multimodal AI feature that would otherwise require existing Apple users to switch over to the Google Pixel.

Going Beyond Surface-Level Search

Google Lens has been a reliable tool for identifying objects, landmarks, animals, and text. It essentially acts as a visual search engine, allowing users to point their camera at something and receive search results based on Google’s vast index of web pages. While this is undoubtedly useful, it stops at merely recognizing objects or extracting text to launch a related Google search.

Apple’s Visual Intelligence, on the other hand, merges object recognition with contextual data retrieval. This means it can offer richer, more integrated information. During the Apple keynote, Craig Federighi demonstrated how users could point their iPhone at a restaurant and instantly retrieve operating hours, reviews, and options to make reservations—all without needing to open Safari or another app​. Similarly, pointing the camera at a movie poster will not just yield a name or showtimes, but deeper context such as ratings, actor bios, and related media, providing a much more immersive and helpful experience.

The Power of Integration: Visual Intelligence and Third-Party Tools

One of the standout features of Apple’s Visual Intelligence is its seamless integration with third-party tools, offering expanded functionality. For instance, if you spot a bike you’re interested in, Visual Intelligence doesn’t just identify the brand and model; it can quickly connect you to third-party retailers via Google Search to check availability and pricing. This interplay between native intelligence and external databases exemplifies Apple’s mastery of pulling together useful, real-time data without breaking the user’s workflow.

But it doesn’t stop there. Apple has built-in support for querying complex topics with tools like ChatGPT. Imagine you’re reviewing lecture notes and stumble across a difficult concept. Simply hold your iPhone over the text and ask ChatGPT to explain it right on the spot. This deep contextual awareness and ability to provide real-time insights based on multiple external sources is something Google Lens simply cannot do at the same level.

Privacy at the Core

Another area where Apple shines is in its privacy-first approach to AI. All interactions through Visual Intelligence, such as identifying objects or pulling up information, are processed on-device or via Apple’s Private Cloud Compute, ensuring that no personal data is stored or shared unnecessarily. This is a stark contrast to Google’s cloud-based model, which has often raised concerns about the volume of user data being processed on external servers. By keeping the majority of computation on the device, Apple delivers peace of mind for privacy-conscious users—an area that Google has historically struggled with.

A Broader Reach: Enabling Personal Context

One of the most significant advantages of Apple’s approach is its deep integration into your phone’s personal data. Visual Intelligence doesn’t just analyze what’s in front of the camera; it connects the dots with your past interactions. For example, Siri, now supercharged with Visual Intelligence, can identify the contents of your messages or your calendar appointments and offer contextual suggestions based on what you’re viewing​. If you’re looking at a flyer for an event, Visual Intelligence will not only retrieve details about the event but also cross-reference it with your schedule to automatically add it to your calendar—again, without having to lift a finger.

Google Lens, by comparison, lacks this deep personal integration. It’s effective as a standalone visual search tool but hasn’t yet reached the level of intuitive, user-centered design that Apple has mastered.

A New Era for Intelligent Photography

Apple’s innovation also extends into how we interact with our cameras. The new camera control on the iPhone 16 doubles as a gateway to Visual Intelligence. This means users can quickly snap a photo and receive actionable insights immediately. With a simple press of the camera control, users can tap into features like instant translations, object recognition, or even educational tools like ChatGPT.

Google Lens, while impressive in its object recognition, doesn’t offer this seamless experience. It requires users to jump between apps or tabs to get additional information, while Apple’s integration means the iPhone is one fluid tool—camera, intelligence, and action all in one place.

Apple Executes Where Google Initiated

Google Lens may have launched first, but Apple has undeniably refined and expanded the concept. It’s a tendency that we’ve come to learn and love about Apple – they usually don’t believe in being first to the market, but rather believe in executing features so well, people tend to ignore the competition – they did so with the Vision Pro AND with Apple Intelligence. Visual Intelligence is a bold step forward, leveraging on-device power and privacy to deliver more meaningful, contextual insights. Where Google Lens excels at basic object recognition, Apple’s approach feels more like a true assistant, offering deeper information, smarter integrations, and a more secure experience.

The post Apple’s New ‘Visual Intelligence’ feature on the iPhone 16 basically makes Google Lens obsolete first appeared on Yanko Design.

Narwal Freo Z Ultra Review: AI for Clean and Stress-free Homes

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PROS:


  • Sleek and minimalist design that blends seamlessly into any home environment

  • Powerful features for thorough and hygienic cleaning

  • Privacy-respecting AI that knows what to clean and how to clean it well

CONS:


  • Auto Water Exchange System is a separate purchase

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Narwal Freo Z Ultra makes AI relatable and useful, keeping your home clean and hygienic while also adding a touch of elegance to any space with its stylish design.

AI, machine learning, neural networks, and large language models are buzzwords not just in the tech industry but in mainstream media as well. Almost anything that has a tiny computer inside or connects to the Internet boasts of some AI feature, but most of them just talk about how powerful their product is for being able to do AI. Like any other technology, AI is supposed to help make our lives easier, not burden our brains with a litany of features to remember. At IFA 2924, Narwal unveiled the Freo Z Ultra robot cleaner to show how to do AI right, and we were able to get a first-hand preview of how it utilizes this powerful technology to keep our homes clean, our families healthy, and even our pets happy.

Designer: Narwal

Aesthetics

Robot vacuum cleaners are nothing new; they are one of the first robots and automation to enter our homes. Over the years, the basic form of these circular machines has changed little, which means they have kept close to their utilitarian aesthetic which stands out too much in most homes today. Even the base stations, which are evolving in complexity, often look like oversized and uninspiring trash bins. Fortunately, Narwal applied not only artificial intelligence but also human intelligence to give the Freo Z Ultra a more human appeal.

The Narwal Freo Z Ultra is designed to blend seamlessly into your home, a part of it that doesn’t get in your way, both literally and figuratively. It doesn’t call attention in the way that something unappealing would, like a tool out of place, but only by its sleek and elegant appearance that makes you appreciate its presence in a positive way. The smooth curves, minimalist style, and premium-looking materials make the robot vacuum cleaner and its base station look like functional design objects instead of just appliances.

Admittedly, the robot cleaner itself doesn’t deviate too much from the standard formula. It is a circular machine with very few standout details, and that’s a good thing. It allows the robot to move around without being distracting, showing only the bare minimum that informs people of its functions or state. And thanks to its intelligent navigation system, you don’t even have to worry about bumping into it or getting in its way, as it will be the one to move out of your way as it should be.

All in all, the Freo Z Ultra combines simplicity and style in a single package, adding to a home’s aesthetic instead of distracting from it. It makes the AI-powered robot cleaning system look and feel more like a part of your home, rather than something tacked on and out of place. It might even become part of the family, in its own helpful and cute way.

Ergonomics

Unlike devices that you operate by hand, you don’t really handle the Freo Z Ultra robot cleaner, which is definitely for the best. The reason you’d delegate this chore to a robot would be to avoid dealing with dirt and germs, so the less that you have to manually interact with the cleaning robot, the better. Fortunately, Narwal made sure to minimize those moments as much as possible, leading not only to a convenient mode of operation but to a hygienic one as well.

You don’t have to manually empty the robot’s dust bin. You don’t even have to wash the dirty mop. The only time you have to do some work is to empty the dust bag and replace the dirty water with a clean one, and even then you are guaranteed a sanitized environment thanks to the Freo Z Ultra’s smart features that we’ll get to later. Using these functions is definitely a walk in the park, as Narwal has made the design intuitive and easy to use.

Controlling the robot is a matter of setting it up in the mobile app and just letting it do its thing on its own. You don’t even have to lift a finger, literally, thanks to integration with smart home systems and assistants, which means voice control and automated scenarios. Yes, it sounds lazy, but the convenience means you get more time for yourself and your loved ones.

Performance

Smart robot cleaners are becoming the norm these days, but the Narwal Freo Z Ultra definitely pushes the envelope of what you can do with all that intelligence. Most implementations focus on AI-assisted navigation and obstacle avoidance, and of course, we see that here as well. More importantly, however, Narwal’s AI not only identifies what lies before the robot but also what to do about it, even if it means going back to it again and again.

This is the case with the Freo Z Ultra’s Next-gen Proactive AI DirtSense, which means it knows that the thing in front of it is some kind of dirt and can actually identify what kind of dirt it is. If it’s dry dirt, it sucks it up, but if it’s a wet spill or stain, it mops it up. It also detects how much more mopping is needed and returns to the spot after the mop has been cleaned at the base station. It intelligently understands in real-time if a certain section of the floor requires more thorough cleaning than other spots instead of just applying the same amount of vacuuming or mopping, which tends to spread the dirt around instead. In that sense, it’s almost human in the way it thinks and behaves, closely mimicking how we would approach such a problem as well.

Just as with dirt, The Freo Z Ultra is able to correctly identify the type of floor and carpet so that it can automatically adjust its settings without you having to tell it. For carpets, it can lift the mop to a height of 12mm to avoid staining the material, and it also maximizes the suction power up to 12,000 Pa for more thorough cleaning. For wooden floors, it applies only 7N of mopping pressure to protect the sensitive material, but ceramic tiles get 12N of pressure to better clean off dirt and stains.

And yes, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra has some pretty impressive obstacle avoidance skills, thanks to dual RGB cameras that let it see better, as well as not one but two processors, one dedicated solely to AI. This TwinAI Dodge Obstacle Avoidance system can recognize over 120 objects in the house and see the world like we humans do, in three dimensions. This helps the robot not only navigate spaces and avoid objects but even understand what it needs to actually do in order to clean that space.

This feature is especially important to households with pets, where the presence of a robot cleaner could wake up a sleeping pet or cause unnecessary stress. The Freo Z Ultra knows when it approaches a pet and avoids the area, but it also knows that it needs to return to the area again and again until our furry friend is awake and away. It then uses that same intelligence to determine how much it needs to clean your pet’s favorite spot to make sure it’s spotless and hygienic for your smaller family members.

The Freo Z Ultra’s intelligence extends to the way it cleans up after it cleans your floors. The base station doesn’t just empty the dust bin and wash the mops but makes sure both are clean and hygienic as well. It washes the mop at a warm 45°C for normal dust-based or powdery stains but ramps up the temp to 60°C for oil-based dirt like grease and sauce. It then heats things up even further at 75°C to really kill the bacteria, after which it dries the mop at only 40°C to make sure it won’t get damaged. It also applies hot air dust drying at 45°C to kill the bacteria inside the bin.

The Narwal Freo Z Ultra is overflowing with smart features on top of standard ones like an anti-tangling brush and Reuleaux triangular scrubbing mops that really get to those edges and corners. The best part about the smart robot cleaner is that you don’t actually have to mind any of these, as it’s smart enough to do the right thing at the right time, freeing you from worry and stress and giving even your pet some peace of mind.

Sustainability

Even though robot vacuum cleaners have been around for decades, some things haven’t changed that much, like the heavy use of plastics and non-sustainable materials. There might come a day when giants in this industry like Narwal start using more eco-friendly materials, but for now, it is tackling the problem from a different angle. In a way, the Freo Z Ultra uses its AI-powered features not only to preserve the longevity of the product but to also be more energy efficient in the long run.

Knowing when to clean is only one part of conserving energy and saving on your electricity bill. Knowing how to properly clean an area and itself can also contribute to this energy-saving strategy. Rather than applying the same pressure or suction power or heat uniformly across all instances, adjusting the settings lower or higher as needed is ultimately smarter and more efficient. The way it also takes care of itself ensures that the Freo Z Ultra will be your cleaning companion for a very long time, saving you money and reducing unnecessary e-waste over time.

Value

There’s no doubt that the Narwal Freo Z Ultra is one of if not the smartest robot cleaners to date. That makes it an amazing piece of technology, but does it really add value to your life? With the many things that burden our minds and take up our time, the last thing we often want to do is deal with chores like cleaning the floor. And while there are definitely lessons to be learned in such labor, there are also better uses of our limited time as well.

In the end, that’s what this smart AI-powered cleaning robot delivers, not just clean floors but also peace of mind and freedom from stress and worry. We don’t have to fuss over whether the little robot does its job well because we know it does. It’s not yet perfect but learns and improves along the way, much like us. The Freo Z Ultra offers a clean, safe, and hygienic environment while also freeing us to spend more time with the more important things in life. You can’t get any better value than that!

Verdict

There are many robot vacuums that boast AI-powered smarts, but most of them simply means they know their way around your home. The Narwal Freo Z Ultra puts all that computing power to work in teaching the robot how it needs to clean as well. From identifying the kind of dirt and applying the right way to clean it, to waiting for your pet to get up and then clean its spot thoroughly, the Freo Z Ultra frees you from having to worry about such minute details and focus instead on more enjoyable activities. Best of all, it looks stylish and elegant in your home as well, almost like having a designer object doing your chores for you.

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Honor’s MagicPad 2 has an AI-Powered Display that can ‘Reverse Myopia’: Understanding ‘Defocus Displays’

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If you’re a millennial, you probably, at one point in time, had a parent who said staring at a screen for too long would ruin your eyesight. I dismissed this as an urban myth, but let’s just look at the facts – more than 75% of the world’s adults wear glasses (either for near or far-sightedness). Call it a coincidence or not, our eyesight is getting worse as a species, and it turns out screens do play a role. Myopia, or nearsightedness, has skyrocketed, with experts predicting that half of the world’s population could be affected by 2050. Staring at screens for prolonged periods forces our eyes to focus at a fixed distance, leading to eye strain, discomfort, and the gradual deterioration of vision. With more time spent on screens during work, study, or entertainment, the strain on our eyes is becoming a major health issue.

Honor’s solution comes at an ideal time. The company claims its AI-powered Defocus Display in the MagicPad 2 (and other devices like the Magic V3) is designed to reduce eye strain and potentially even reverse the effects of myopia.

What Is A ‘Defocus Display’?

The Defocus Display is Honor’s secret sauce to eye care, driven by AI algorithms and vision science. The idea is simple but sophisticated: mimic the natural defocusing process that happens when our eyes look at objects at varying distances in the real world. In traditional screens, pixels stay static and crisp regardless of how close or far the viewer’s eyes are from the display, causing the eye’s ciliary muscles to strain from constant focus at one distance.

Honor’s Defocus Display, however, dynamically adjusts the sharpness of certain parts of the screen, similar to how a camera lens focuses on objects at different distances. This creates a more natural viewing experience that forces the eyes to subtly change focus as they would in real-world environments, reducing eye strain and helping the eyes relax.

The company suggests that this natural fluctuation can even slow the progression of myopia, though this part is still being explored by medical professionals. The technology, combined with Honor’s software smarts, adjusts the visual experience based on the user’s needs and viewing patterns, aiming to keep prolonged screen use from becoming a burden on your eyes.

AI at the Helm: How It All Works

At the core of the Defocus Display technology is AI, a buzzword that’s practically mandatory in modern tech. But here, it’s not just hype. Honor’s display system uses real-time data from your viewing habits, ambient light, and the angle at which you hold the tablet to fine-tune its visual output.

If you’re using the MagicPad 2 to read an article or watch a movie, the AI analyzes how you’re interacting with the screen. It automatically adjusts the level of defocus so your eyes aren’t locked into a single focal plane for hours. In essence, it’s taking the concept of “digital wellness” and giving it a mechanical solution, directly at the hardware level.

This feature also integrates with the device’s overall eye-care modes, like automatic blue light reduction and brightness adaptation, to further safeguard your peepers from screen-induced fatigue, as well as ensure your Circadian rhythm doesn’t go haywire.

Does It Really Reverse Myopia?

The claim that the Defocus Display can “reverse” myopia is where things get both exciting and a bit murky. Honor’s technology seems to be based on the idea that by reducing eye strain and encouraging natural focal adjustments, the onset of myopia might slow down. It’s worth noting that while there is research supporting the concept of using visual defocus for myopia management, it’s still early days in terms of solid, widespread proof.

What’s clear is that Defocus Display aims to help maintain long-term eye health. While it may not be a magic cure for everyone, its potential benefits for reducing eye strain could be a game-changer for those glued to screens for hours on end.

Is This the Future of Screens?

Honor’s foray into AI-powered display tech is undeniably innovative, and the Defocus Display might be the first of many steps toward making our screen time healthier. Beyond just Honor, other manufacturers are likely to explore similar technology in the near future, especially as consumers become more health-conscious about their digital habits.

For now, the Honor MagicPad 2 and Magic V3 are leading the charge, offering a glimpse of what’s possible when AI and vision science meet. It’s not often that a tablet or phone tries to actively reduce the harm it could do, and in a market crowded with tech specs like battery life, screen resolution, and processing power, it’s refreshing to see a feature that focuses on something so vital yet so often overlooked: our eyes.

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Narwal Unveils Freo Z Ultra at IFA 2024, Showcasing Advanced Robotic Cleaning Technology

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Narwal introduced its latest robotic vacuum and mop, the Freo Z Ultra, at IFA 2024. This new device brings advanced cleaning technology to homes, offering intelligent features for thorough and efficient cleaning. It uses the TwinAI Dodge Obstacle Avoidance system, allowing it to navigate around objects precisely and recognize over 120 household items in real-time. Whether furniture, cables, or pet waste, the robot efficiently avoids obstacles while cleaning all areas.

Designer: Narwal

The design is clean and minimal, with curves that allow it to blend into various home environments. The key feature of the Freo Z Ultra is its dual RGB camera system, which captures up to 1.5 million data points per second. This wide-angle system enhances the robot’s ability to recognize objects and move through spaces without making contact. The high-definition cameras provide detailed visuals, ensuring they can adjust to different surroundings and avoid even small objects.

A significant part of the Freo Z Ultra’s functionality lies in its AI DirtSense 2.0 technology. This system automatically identifies the type of mess it encounters and adapts its cleaning method accordingly. For example, the vacuum first handles dry messes like dust or crumbs with its 12,000 Pa suction. Afterward, it switches to mopping mode to clean up liquid spills, ensuring no dirt is left behind. Separating dry and wet cleaning avoids contamination and maintains a high standard of cleanliness.

The mop system also uses AI technology to optimize its performance. The AI-Adaptive Hot Water Mop Washing system adjusts the water temperature between 113°F and 167°F (45°C and 75°C) based on the type of dirt detected. Regular dirt is cleaned with warm water, while more stubborn grime is addressed with hotter water. After each cleaning session, the system automatically washes and dries the mop, preventing bacteria growth and maintaining mop efficiency.

The Freo Z Ultra quickly maps its environment, creating a detailed 3D model in six minutes. It uses ultrasonic sensors and RGB cameras to navigate various surfaces, including corners and edges. The Smart EdgeSwing technology allows the robot to easily clean along walls and baseboards, ensuring no area is missed during the cleaning process, even in tight spaces.

The robot integrates with popular smart home systems like Alexa, Google Home, and Siri. Users can control the vacuum through voice commands or manage its settings via the Narwal app. The app allows users to customize cleaning schedules, set no-go zones, and remotely monitor the vacuum’s progress. This makes the Freo Z Ultra a versatile tool for households that value convenience and ease of use.

Privacy is another key aspect of the Freo Z Ultra. The robot operates with TÜV Rheinland Privacy Certification, ensuring that all user data remains secure. The robot’s storage and computation functions are kept offline, and any camera use requires user permission. This provides peace of mind for users concerned about data security in their homes.

Pet owners will appreciate the Freo Z Ultra’s pet-friendly features. The vacuum can detect and avoid pets as they move around the house, preventing accidental disturbances. It can also delay cleaning in areas where pets are resting, resuming once the space is free of animals. This ensures pet fur and messes are cleaned effectively without stressing pets or requiring human intervention.

The robot’s Zero Tangling Floating Brush 2.0 is designed to handle hair without tangling. This brush system sweeps 4,400 times per minute, capturing pet hair and debris without causing blockages. Additionally, the robot operates at a noise level of 71 dB, significantly reducing disturbances during its cleaning cycles. This low-noise feature makes it suitable for homes with pets or small children.

The Freo Z Ultra’s self-emptying station simplifies maintenance. The base station can hold up to 120 days’ worth of debris, reducing the need for frequent emptying. It uses hot air at 113°F to dry the collected debris, preventing bacteria buildup and maintaining a hygienic environment. The station also self-cleans and dries the mop after every use, keeping the entire system ready for the next cleaning session without user intervention.

The Freo Z Ultra adapts its cleaning approach based on the surface type. Hardwood floors use less downward pressure to avoid damage. On ceramic tiles, it increases the pressure to ensure a deep clean. The mop’s moisture level is also adjusted to suit the cleaning surface, providing optimal performance on both wood and tile. Carpets are handled with care, as the robot can automatically lift the mop when it detects carpeted areas, allowing it to vacuum the surface without interference.

The device’s powerful 12,000 Pa suction ensures that even deep-set dirt is removed from carpets and other surfaces. Users can enable Power Boost mode through the Narwal app to enhance suction when needed. This allows the Freo Z Ultra to adapt to different cleaning needs, whether tackling high-traffic areas or maintaining delicate surfaces.

Narwal’s Freo Z Ultra offers a comprehensive cleaning solution for homes of all sizes, bringing together advanced AI, privacy protections, and smart home integration. Its ability to adapt to various floor types, combined with features designed for pet owners, makes it a highly versatile tool for maintaining cleanliness with minimal effort. The robot’s low-maintenance design and intelligent cleaning systems ensure a hassle-free experience for users looking to automate their floor care routine.

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TECNO at IFA 2024 reveals AI vision and AIoT products to advance Innovation For All

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AI as a buzzword has many raising their eyebrows at their every reference, but like any emerging technology, it is something that will redefine human life in the years to come. From AI assistants that understand and carry out every query to analytical AI that makes sense of your notes and data to summarize them into digestible information to generative AI which lets anyone create images and words, AI is empowering people to make more efficient use of their time and resources. That technology, however, will only truly have a positive impact on human civilization if it’s made available to everyone rather than just an elite few. As part of its mission to bring advanced technologies to emerging markets, TECNO is now announcing at IFA 2024 its encompassing vision for AI as well as the AIoT experiences and designs to bridge the digital divide.

Designer: TECNO

AI Vision: Practical AI

To some people, “AI” is a vague buzzword, while others understand it only in the form of Apple Siri or Amazon Alexa. The reality is that AI encompasses a wide range of features and applications, but its most important facet is how it can be integrated into daily life in order to improve the quality of people’s lives. For TECNO, this goal involves not just fancy new features or complicated neural networks or large language models, but also AI that can be understood by everyone, requiring localization and integration with local apps in markets where TECNO operates.

One such example is the Gemini-integrated TECNO smart assistant, Ella AI. Its conversational style makes interaction feel more natural, like talking to a real human who can adapt to the dynamic nature of most conversations. Whether you’re asking for advice on what to wear based on the weather or suggestions for recipes, the TECNO AI Assistant offers a more intuitive alternative to the conventional one-question-one-answer systems of smart assistants.

TECNO’s AI vision also includes features like Real-Time Translation that breaks down language barriers and better connects people across the globe. There’s also AI Writing, which can summarize long walls of text to make them easier to comprehend or help improve your writing with proofreading and suggestions. And, of course, there’s also AI Search that puts the world’s information beneath your fingertip, and quite literally, too, with the now popular circle to search gesture.

AI Artboard takes the somewhat controversial generative AI technology and transforms it into a tool to help give users a creativity boost when brainstorming for ideas. AI Image Editing cleans out undesirable objects in photos or helps put together a comical collage of objects in a single composition. Whether it’s for fun or serious work, TECNO’s AI Assistant helps people get their tasks done faster so they can have more time for more important creative work.

TECNO is also showcasing its first-ever AI PC, the TECNO MEGABOOK T16 Pro 2024 Ultra. Powered by an AI-powered Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB of storage, this AI laptop promises exceptional power to drive AI experiences, including those from Windows Copilot+.

TECNO Devices: Technology For All

Of course, AI isn’t the only focus of the technology company. At IFA 2024, TECNO is also unveiling its portfolio of devices that help bridge the digital divide and deliver much-needed technologies to emerging markets. First unveiled at MWC 2024 in February, the TECNO Pocket Go puts a twist on the handheld gaming PC market, combining a gaming computer inside a controller and AR glasses that offer a bigger screen than what these small handheld devices can offer. It also offers advanced AI head tracking and vibration algorithms to add a bit of spice to your games.

The TECNO MEGA MINI Gaming G1 shrinks a gaming desktop down to a more space-efficient size without compromising on performance and, more importantly, cooling. A whisper-quiet cooling pump ensures stable and consistent performance that both gamers and creators need to level up their game. Despite its minuscule form factor, it boasts an Intel Core i9-13900H processor and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card not just for raw performance but to also support AI-powered features.

New to TECNO’s lineup is the MEGABOOK K16S, designed to let entertainment lovers “See bigger, See louder” with its 16-inch widescreen display and 2.5W 4013 quadruple speakers. Running on an AMD Ryzen R7 5800U processor paired with AMD Radeon graphics, the laptop promises stunning visuals and performance as well as AIoT (AI of Things) support that lets it seamlessly multi-task between devices.

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The DJI Neo Is Lightweight, Compact, and Ready to Capture Everyday Moments

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The DJI Neo is the company’s lightest and most compact drone, weighing just under 5 ounces (135g). Designed for casual creators, adventurers, and anyone wanting to capture everyday moments, the Neo combines portability and powerful features, making it ideal for those seeking a simple, efficient way to document their experiences. Its compact form factor means it’s easy to carry and use on the go, offering creators a versatile tool for capturing life’s moments.

Designer: DJI

Unlike many drones, the Neo does not require a traditional remote control. Instead, users can take off, fly, and land the drone using a single button. For added convenience, voice commands allow for hands-free operation, making the drone easy to control even in dynamic situations. The drone can be launched and landed directly from the user’s hand, making it highly intuitive for beginners and experienced users. With an 18-minute flight time, the Neo provides ample opportunity to capture spontaneous moments indoors or outdoors, while its compact size means it fits comfortably into any adventure.

The Neo’s camera capabilities ensure high-quality footage in any situation. Equipped with a 12MP camera, the Neo can capture crisp still images, while its ability to shoot 4K stabilized video adds a professional touch to even casual content. Whether documenting a family day at the park or recording an outdoor adventure, the Neo provides the tools to capture sharp, clear footage quickly.

The AI-powered subject tracking feature allows users to focus on their shots without manually adjusting the drone. Whether cycling, skateboarding, or hiking, the Neo’s advanced AI tracking system keeps the user perfectly framed, ensuring smooth, dynamic footage every time. The drone’s six QuickShots modes—Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang—allow users to create cinematic content with just the press of a button. These pre-programmed flight paths and camera angles simplify the creative process, ensuring professional-looking results without the need for advanced piloting skills.

Safety is also a key design focus of the DJI Neo. The drone’s propellers are fully wrapped, protecting it and its surroundings and making it safe indoors and outdoors. The Neo’s 22GB of internal storage allows users to record up to 40 minutes of 4K video at 30fps or 55 minutes at 1080p/60fps. With built-in Wireless QuickTransfer, users can send their footage directly to their smartphones for easy editing and sharing, streamlining the post-production process and eliminating the need for external memory cards or additional cables.

In addition to its camera and safety features, the Neo is equipped with a single-axis mechanical gimbal, ensuring smooth and steady footage even during rapid maneuvers. DJI’s RockSteady and HorizonBalancing technologies further enhance stabilization, reducing shake and ensuring the horizon stays level even in dynamic or fast-moving scenarios. The Neo also uses infrared and monocular vision positioning systems, allowing it to hover steadily and maintain stability in various environments. Users can focus on capturing content, knowing the drone will stay steady without needing constant manual adjustments.

The Neo includes an Automatic Return to Home (RTH) feature for added convenience. This ensures that the drone safely returns to its takeoff point with a single command, providing peace of mind for users who are new to flying drones. Whether capturing footage in open spaces or more challenging environments, the RTH feature ensures the drone’s safe retrieval, adding an extra layer of security to the flying experience.

DJI NEO FPV Control

Charging the Neo is made easy with its Type-C charging port, which allows for quick recharges between flights. For extended use, DJI also offers a Two-Way Charging Hub that can charge up to three batteries simultaneously, reducing downtime and ensuring users can stay in the air longer. The Neo’s flexible design also makes it compatible with the DJI Fly app, traditional remote controllers, DJI Goggles, and RC Motion, giving users a range of options for controlling the drone based on their personal preferences.

The DJI Neo is designed to make aerial content creation accessible to everyone. Its lightweight and compact form, advanced features like AI-powered tracking, QuickShots modes, and high-quality video capture make it a versatile tool for capturing life’s moments. Whether you’re documenting family outings or outdoor adventures or simply looking to add a cinematic touch to your daily experiences, the Neo provides the perfect balance of portability, performance, and ease of use.

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ASUS Zenbook S 14 with Ceraluminum lead Ubiquitous AI push with Intel Core Ultra 200V

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If you haven’t noticed it yet, AI is taking over, but not in the nefarious Skynet sense. You can hear about it everywhere and, to be fair, it is actually everywhere, even when you don’t see it, let alone be aware of its existence. It’s coming to consumer devices, even when you’re not that interested in AI image generation and photo effects. To be fair, AI can do plenty to improve the computing experience, from optimizing performance to organizing our mess of data to make sense of all the notes and photos that we have taken over the years. To support that kind of AI in computers, however, you need a capable processor to handle that load, and ASUS collaborated with Intel to power this new generation of mobile computers with the latest Intel Core Ultra 200V Lunar Lake chips to cover a wide range of laptops that cater to an equally varied range of users.

Designer: ASUS

ASUS Zenbook S 14 with Ceraluminum

Revealed last June at Computex 2024, the ASUS Zenbook S 14 offers not only AI prowess but, perhaps more importantly, an exquisite design that’s made to last. The new Ceraluminum material, an amalgamation of ceramic and aluminum, combines the durability of metal with the elegance and texture of glass, delivering a graceful aesthetic that belies the power inside. This attention to detail carries over to the cooling system that includes a geometric grille design composed of no less than 2,715 vents. Only 2.6 lbs light and 0.47 inches (11.9mm) thin, the Zenbook S 14 offers a delightful mobile experience that doesn’t compromise on power either.

That power is delivered by the new Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, promising 47 TOPS of neural processing performance to drive those AI features, whether it’s cleaning up audio for conference calls or adding effects to video interactions. Windows’ CoPilot+ key is also there, ready to generate images, create detailed summaries, and more with just the push of a button. The laptop’s 72Wh battery and a full range of ports, including Thunderbolt 4 support, allow users to take their work anywhere they go without having to worry too much about running to the nearest power outlet.

ASUS Vivobook S 14

Embracing minimalism and simplicity, the ASUS Vivobook S 14 delivers that same Intel Lunar Lake performance in a sleek and unassuming design. With a weight of 2.85 lbs and a 0.55-inch profile, this mobile computer offers a stylish companion for all your work and entertainment needs, wherever life takes you. With an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V and its 47 NPU TOPS performance, you also have the full range of AI features available at your fingertips.

Quality of life features for the Vivobook S 14 include a gorgeous 14-inch 16:10 OLED display and Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos speakers, a good number of I/O options, including a microSD card reader, and a large touchpad to complement an RGB backlit keyboard. A 75Wh battery promises hours of use on the go, while USB-C charging offers the flexibility to charge even when away from power outlets.

ASUS Vivobook 14/16 Flip

If flexibility is the name of the game, then the new 14-inch and 16-inch ASUS Vivobook Flip notebooks will satisfy your needs. A 360-degree hinge converts the laptop into a tablet or display, depending on the circumstances, and support for the optional ASUS Pen 2.0 helps those creative juices flow more naturally. Of course, it is also powered by the new Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, giving it AI chops you can take with you anywhere.

The ASUS Zenbook S 14 (UX5406), which is now available from ASUS’s online store, will also be available for pre-order from Best Buy starting 6th September with a starting price tag of $1,399.99. The ASUS Vivobook S 14 (Q423) has a starting price of $999.99 and will be up for pre-order from Best Buy on 5th September, with other configurations following in Q4 this year. Also launching in Q4 are the ASUS Vivobook 14 Flip and Vivobook 16 Flip, with details to be disclosed closer to their availability.

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Acer Nitro Blaze 7 jumps into handheld gaming PC arena with Ryzen AI chops

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You know that handheld gaming PCs have made it big when major PC manufacturers join the fray. At this point, almost every major brand has put out its own take on mobile gaming, not to mention the smaller names that really pushed this niche market long before it became mainstream. Acer was noticeably the only one that was falling behind, but that all changes today at IFA 2024. With the Nitro Blaze 7, not only is it coming out with its first-ever handheld gaming PC, it’s arriving guns blazing (pun intended) with the latest AMD Ryzen chip boasting powerful AI capabilities to take your experience beyond just gaming.

Designer: Acer

If there’s one area that Intel has pretty much been left behind, it would be the nascent handheld gaming PC race where AMD’s Ryzen has become the chip of choice since the Valve Steam Deck. Conversely, Intel has been ramping up its new AI-powered processors, and AMD is now pushing its Ryzen AI generation to new PCs in every form. Being a bit late does have its share of benefits, and Acer’s first stab at a handheld gaming PC is able to immediately gain the lead in this area, with the new AMD Ryzen 8040 series and Ryzen AI giving the portable computer a needed boost.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS inside the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 boasts 39 AI TOPS (tera or trillion operations per second), putting it in the same league as many AI-powered laptops. Teamed up with the AMD Radeon 780M and 16GB of RAM, you’ve got the makings of a powerful gaming beast that can fit into a small bag. Then there’s the 7-inch 1920×1080 144Hz IPS touch display with 100% sRGB color gamut support, delivering vibrant and bright visuals, even for the darkest of horror games.

What really sets a gaming handheld apart, however, are its controls, which often translate to joysticks and buttons that you’d also see on gamepads. The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 also features touchscreen support for more direct interaction with UI elements on the screen, while the traditional joysticks and d-pad offer more precise control. There’s also a dedicated hotkey that brings players to their game libraries without having to fumble with half a dozen menus and screens. This customized Acer Game Space feature fixes one of the biggest pain points of Windows gaming: managing titles from different platforms and sources.

The Acer Nitro Blaze 7’s straightforward and simple design eschews complicated and extraneous details that only get in the way of you and your favorite games. With its arrival, the roster of major handheld gaming PC brands is more or less now complete, heating up the competition for the market’s most powerful gaming machine in the smallest form factor. Availability details for the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 handheld gaming PC will vary by market and have yet to be confirmed.

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