Category: 4. Technology

  • Redmi K90 Pro tipped to have Xiaomi 16-level rear cameras without the Leica logo

    Redmi K90 Pro tipped to have Xiaomi 16-level rear cameras without the Leica logo

    The K80 Pro. (Image source: Redmi)

    The Redmi K90 Pro is now rumored to launch at around the same time as its maker Xiaomi prepares to part ways with its current high-end camera partner, Leica. That might work out well for the putative high-end Android smartphone, as it might be able to benefit from the technology developed as a result of the collaboration without an effect on its price.

    The Redmi K80 Pro is an Android smartphone that launched with the same top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC as the Xiaomi 15 Pro in 2024, albeit without the same reputation for class-leading rear camera hardware.

    It arises from a trend among manufacturers to collaborate with iconic photography brands: for example, Vivo competes with Xiaomi by maintaining a relationship with Zeiss in its X200 series.

    That paradigm might be coming to an end in 2025, though, with reports that OnePlus’ agreement with Hasselblad is to come to an end by the launch of the flagship 15.

    A subsequent rumor now suggests that other smartphone makers will quickly follow suit, which can be interpreted to suggest that the 16 and 16 Pro might be the first Xiaomi flagship smartphones to debut without the right to use the iconic Leica logo since the 12 series. 

    It could also be taken to mean that Xiaomi’s sub-brand Redmi could incorporate the tuning developed over the years of the partnership into the K90 Pro without going through the process of formally turning it into a ‘Leica smartphone’, estimated to involve a cost of up to $5 per unit shipped.

    That could also be good news for any successor to the Redmi K80 Ultra, a device that now technically leads the field in other areas such as haptics and audio through internal hardware upgrades.

    In the meantime, the Xiaomi 16 Ultra is still projected to launch with a Leica-branded camera hump, although it might differ from that of its class-leading predecessor in other ways.

    The Poco F7 Ultra: now available on Amazon

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  • Former Arkane Studios Founder Calls Game Pass “Unsustainable”

    Former Arkane Studios Founder Calls Game Pass “Unsustainable”

    With all the backlash towards Microsoft this week, former Arkane Studios founder Raphael Colantonio has called out Game Pass as the “elephant in the room.”

    Branding it an “unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade, subsidized by Microsoft’s ‘infinite money’,” Colantonio believes that at some point “reality has to hit.” “I don’t think Game Pass can co-exist with other models, they’ll either kill everyone else or give up.”

    Responding to Michael Douse, director of publishing on Baldur’s Gate 3, who said the “infinite money thing never made any sense,” Colantonio said, “I agree, and I’m fed up with all the BS they fed us at first like ‘Don’t worry, it doesn’t impact the sales’, only to admit years later that it totally does. ‘No s*** it does! Really?’”

    Douse did highlight how it could help provide recognition for “smaller teams with new or riskier IPs,” but preferred Sony’s “lifecycle management strategy.” Colantonio responded, “The only way Game Pass can co-exist without hurting everyone is for the back catalogue.”

    While Game Pass started with much fanfare, its subscription numbers have slowed over the years. Despite this, PC Game Pass subscriptions still grew by over 30 percent in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. Furthermore, developers like Rebellion have noted the service’s role in making its new title Atomfall a success. Pocketpair even highlighted how it’s “very worth” having your title on Game Pass after the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

    Of course, whether the shoe will drop and developers aren’t offered as lucrative deals to bring their titles to Game Pass remains to be seen. For the time being, Microsoft shows no signs of stopping its own titles from launching on day one for the service. However, Phil Spencer said the company doesn’t want it to replace the practice of owning games. Head here for more details.


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  • New memristor-based system from China boosts AI data sorting efficiency

    New memristor-based system from China boosts AI data sorting efficiency

    In a bid to overcome shortcomings in scientific computing, Chinese scientists have unveiled a new approach to sorting data that promises both higher speed and lower energy consumption. The system combines memristors—electronic components that mimic the memory function of the human brain—with an advanced sorting algorithm to process large amounts of information more efficiently. 

    Researchers say this method could help overcome performance bottlenecks in not just computing but also artificial intelligence (AI), and hardware design, where rapidly organizing and analyzing vast datasets is essential. Beyond AI, potential applications for this technology include smart traffic systems that analyze images in real time and financial services that require quick risk assessments.

    Prototype shows memristor sorting boosts route finding and neural inference

    To demonstrate the potential of their technology, scientists from Peking University and the Chinese Institute for Brain Research created a hardware sorting prototype based on memristors. The system successfully handled tasks like route finding and neural network inference, delivering faster performance and lower energy consumption compared to traditional sorting methods, the South China Morning Post reported.

    Overall, the system achieved a 7.7-fold increase in throughput and improved energy efficiency by more than 160 times compared to conventional sorting methods. It also boosted area efficiency by over 32 times, marking a significant step towards integrating storage and computing for broader, general-purpose applications.

    In a paper published in Nature Electronics last month, the team explained that sorting remains a major performance limitation across applications ranging from artificial intelligence and databases to web search and scientific computing.

    Traditional computing systems rely on the Von Neumann architecture, which separates data storage and processing functions, typically using a central processing unit (CPU) to handle calculations.

    New insights into memristors show potential to revolutionize computing

    According to the researchers of the latest study, the conventional system has led to the Von Neumann bottleneck, which limits the speed of data transfer between memory and processing units. They explained that while sort-in-memory approaches using memristors could help overcome these limitations, current systems still depend on comparison operations, keeping sorting performance constrained.

    Unlike ordinary resistors, which simply reduce the flow of electricity in a circuit, memristors have the unique ability to remember how much electrical charge has passed through them. This memory function allows memristors to adjust their resistance based on previous activity, enabling them to act as both storage and processing components. 

    By combining these functions, memristors could eliminate the need to transfer data between separate memory and processing units, potentially leading to faster and more energy-efficient computing systems.

    The scientific team aimed to simplify sorting by removing the need for comparison units. Traditional hardware sorting relies on CPUs, GPUs, or specialised chips that compare numbers step by step using sorting algorithms. Instead, the new method uses memristors to perform iterative search-based sorting, finding minimum or maximum values without directly comparing each pair, which in turn saves both time and energy.

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  • NVIDIA's flagship GeForce RTX 5090 is over 25% slower without full PCIe bandwidth – TweakTown

    1. NVIDIA’s flagship GeForce RTX 5090 is over 25% slower without full PCIe bandwidth  TweakTown
    2. PCIe Bottlenecks Slash NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Content Creation Performance by 25%  TechPowerUp
    3. Lack of PCIe bandwidth can nerf RTX 5090 by up to 25% in content creation workloads — Puget data confirms performance hit when using older generations and fewer lanes  Tom’s Hardware
    4. NVIDIA RTX 5090 Loses Over 25% Performance Without Full PCIe Bandwidth, With Noticeable Losses in Rendering Workloads  Wccftech

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  • No connection: How Android updates can turn into a health hazard

    No connection: How Android updates can turn into a health hazard

    An update to Android 16 can cause issues with some glucose monitors (Image source: Abott)

    Connection issues with Bluetooth devices or missing notifications are often just minor inconveniences. However, these can also lead to serious health problems for certain users, such as diabetics who are using a blood sugar monitor.

    A new Android version usually brings more or less significant visual changes to smartphones. Sometimes, and this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, there are various less noticeable changes deep within the operating system that users typically don’t notice. For a considerable number of users, smartphones aren’t just communication and entertainment devices, but also a hub for medical devices. Specifically, we’re talking about continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), particularly Abbott’s FreeStyle series, including the FreeStyle Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus. After the recent release of Android 16, there’s new uncertainty as users report several issues. Abbott itself states that its smartphone app is not yet compatible with Android 16, at least officially.

    This warning doesn’t seem to be baseless or overly cautious. There are various user reports of problems, but also some positive feedback. For instance, one user reports that since the update, the app on their Google Pixel 7 has been using a lot of battery and drastically decreased the phone’s standby time. Additionally, there are reports of connection drops that couldn’t be resolved by reinstalling the app. One user mentions connection drops and sensor shutdowns, which can also turn into a financial issue. Similar reports exist for Dexcom products, such as insulin pumps that can be paired with said blood sugar monitors. Interrupted connections, especially to glucose sensors, can potentially pose a health hazard if an unnoticed drop in blood sugar levels occurs. We reported on a similar issue back in 2023.

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  • GALAX GeForce RTX 5090 D Sets Insane World Records With 3650 MHz GPU Overclock & 36 Gbps GDDR7 Speeds

    GALAX GeForce RTX 5090 D Sets Insane World Records With 3650 MHz GPU Overclock & 36 Gbps GDDR7 Speeds

    GALAX’s GeForce RTX 5090 D has set a new overclocking record, obtaining new world records in 3DMark Port Royal, Unigine Superposition & GPUPI with a clock speed of 3650 MHz.

    Team OGS Overclocks The GALAX GeForce RTX 5090 D To 3650 MHz, Sets New 3DMark Port Royal World Record

    Team OGS has been known for setting world records, and this time, they have managed to set new ones with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D, particularly from GALAX.

    For this overclocking session, Team OGS used the GALAX GeForce RTX 5090 D XOC GPU, an Intel Core i9-14900KF CPU, and the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 APEX Encore motherboard. Stavros of Team OGS gave us some more insight on the overclocking setup and according to him, they were running an XOC BIOS which has a maximum power limit of up to 2000W. The GALAX RTX 5090 D HOF XOC features two 12V-2×6 connectors which can deliver up to 600W of power per connector. That goes up to 1200W so there is a lot of headroom left within the BIOS.

    As for the results, the GALAX GeForce RTX 5090 D was overclocked beyond 3.6 GHz in one benchmark, and over 3.5 GHz in two benchmarks. The maximum clock speed was 3650 MHz which was obtained in the GPUPI benchmark which completed in 39.434 seconds (32B Score).

    Even the memory was clocked to 36 Gbps, a 28.5% increase over the stock 28 Gbps pin speeds of the GDDR7 memory used on the RTX 5090. For reference, the stock GeForce RTX 5090 / D produces up to 1.792 TB/s bandwidth while the overclocked specs would produce up to 2.304 TB/s bandwidth. So to round up the benchmark records:

    We are glad to see overclocking teams such as OGS continue to push the boundaries of GPUs. And what’s interesting is that we have only seen the 5090 D being pushed this hard so we can expect even better OC results when these BIOS and PCBs are available with standard GeForce RTX 5090 GPUs.

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  • Resident Evil: Survival Unit is Set to Show Off the Horror Franchise's Mobile Strategy Game July 10th – MMORPG.com

    1. Resident Evil: Survival Unit is Set to Show Off the Horror Franchise’s Mobile Strategy Game July 10th  MMORPG.com
    2. There’s a new Resident Evil game coming out, and it’s not Requiem  PCGamesN
    3. Resident Evil Survival Unit Announced, and It’s a Real-Time Strategy Spin-Off for Mobile  IGN
    4. Capcom Announces Resident Evil Survival Unit, A New Mobile Game That’ll Be Fully Revealed Next Week  Wccftech
    5. A Resident Evil strategy game will be revealed next week, from Kingdom Hearts’ co-creator  Video Games Chronicle

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  • I use these 7 self-hosted apps instead of Google Drive, Notion, and more

    I use these 7 self-hosted apps instead of Google Drive, Notion, and more

    Ask any computing enthusiast about their motive for running self-hosted services, and you’ll hear a bunch of reasons. Some folks run apps on local hardware to stop large corporations from spying on their data, while others prefer the superior customization features offered by these services. Likewise, you may also encounter FOSS lovers who don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on monthly subscription fees.

    Or you might find people like yours truly, who self-host services for all the reasons above. As someone who has been running all sorts of applications and utilities on a home server, here’s my curated collection of self-hosted services that helped me pull away from premium, third-party tools.

    7

    Immich instead of Google Photos

    It has a similar UI, too

    Immich is my preferred application for syncing my snapshots, images, and even video files to my NAS, though it’s much more than a mere backup tool. With a UI that’s reminiscent of Google Photos, Immich lets me organize my image collection without restricting the amount of storage available at my disposal. It’s one of the rare self-hosted services that includes a robust mobile app in addition to the web interface.

    Immich also features solid tagging support and a handful of search filters to simplify image management. As if that’s not enough, I can even utilize my old GPU to run facial recognition, advanced search algorithms, and hardware transcoding provisions on Immich.

    6

    Jellyfin instead of Plex

    Both can be self-hosted, but I prefer Jellyfin

    Unlike every other app on this list, Jellyfin and the app it’s meant to replace can be self-hosted without a lot of effort. But over the last couple of years, Plex has aggressively shifted to a subscription-based model, effectively enshittifying an application that I relied on for my streaming needs. I’ve since moved on to Jellyfin and don’t regret my choice in the slightest.

    Related

    4 reasons Plex is pushing me further and further towards Jellyfin

    With Plex becoming a minefield of clutter and paywalled features, it’s about time I switched to Jellyfin

    With Jellyfin, I don’t need to register on an online platform to access media self-hosted on my local hardware. Nor do I have to deal with notifications prompting me to subscribe to a premium plan. Then there’s the fact that Jellyfin offers hardware transcoding without charging me a penny, while Plex locks this must-have utility behind a paywall.

    5

    Hoarder instead of Pinterest

    For my never-ending bookmark collection

    hoarder app running on a phone

    Pinterest offers a neat way to create an idea board of my favorite links, but I prefer using a private application that doesn’t keep tabs on my browsing history. After going through numerous bookmark managers, I eventually settled on Hoarder. Capable of pairing with my locally-hosted LLM setup, Hoarder can also use AI models to automatically create tags for newly added pins.

    Besides depicting my links, notes, and images inside a Pinterest-like library, Hoarder can archive entire web pages, so I don’t have to worry about losing access to my favorite content if the website goes down. Add its built-in compatibility with RSS and the ability to store entire YouTube videos, and Hoarder becomes a solid alternative to Pinterest.

    4

    PairDrop instead of AirDrop

    It even works with non-Apple devices

    If you’ve ever used Apple devices in the past, you probably love AirDrop’s ability to seamlessly share files between your gadgets. But just like other proprietary tools, AirDrop’s Achilles’ Heel lies in its inability to support non-Apple products, which is a real shame when you’ve got a mixed bag of Apple, Windows, and Linux devices.

    PairDrop offers a similar no-nonsense drag-and-drop interface for transferring files, except it works over the LAN and is compatible with any device that supports a web browser. Since I end up taking multiple screenshots of my projects, PairDrop makes it easy to share my image collection between devices (including the ones I captured for this very article).

    3

    Docmost instead of Notion

    A polished web app for managing my tasks

    Although I adore Notion for taking notes and organizing my schedule, its free version feels somewhat neutered, especially compared to the extra features offered in paid subscriptions. Couple its lack of a proper offline mode with the fact that my documents are stored on Notion’s servers, and it’s clear that Notion isn’t the best option for privacy-loving folks such as myself.

    Docmost is the closest thing I’ve found to a self-hosted Notion alternative. Besides offering solid note-taking provisions, the app includes everything from LaTeX expressions and tables to media embeds from other apps. I often use pictorial data to make my gibberish notes comprehensible, and Docmost’s compatibility with Draw.io, Excalidraw, and Mermaid diagrams makes it perfect for my documentation needs. Plus, Docmost supports simultaneous editing, inline comments, and unlimited spaces, making it easy to collaborate with my coding buddies and colleagues on projects.

    2

    n8n instead of Zapier

    Perfect for software automations

    By tackling tedious chores, automated workflows make it easy to focus on the more pressing tasks. Zapier is a popular utility for creating trigger-action tasks for other apps, and is undoubtedly great for non-developers who want an easy way to create complex automations. But if you’re willing to put in a little work, I recommend self-hosting n8n instead.

    For starters, a locally-hosted n8n instance features unlimited task executions, which lets me test experimental workflows without worrying about running out of the free monthly quota. Unlike Zapier, n8n also supports webhooks, making it easy to create complex automation procedures involving multiple apps.

    1

    Nextcloud instead of Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive

    Remember to arm it with the right apps

    Cloud storage platforms are a neat way to archive and share files, but they’re afflicted with the same paid subscription shenanigans and privacy issues as other premium utilities. Enter Nextcloud, a personal cloud that can run on my local NAS and deliver the same storage and collaboration facilities as its freemium counterparts.

    However, Nextcloud’s real potential emerges into the light when you pair it with the apps hidden in its App Store. My favorites are Collabora Online and Nextcloud Office, which turn the self-hosted cloud into a full-on productivity hub. Arm it with the Forms, PDF Annotations, Notes, Tasks, and Automatic PDF conversion apps, and you’ve essentially got a Microsoft 365 alternative that’s as great at storing files as it is at editing documents.

    A Raspberry Pi 5 held in front of a PC

    Related

    How I turned my old Raspberry Pi into a home office suite that’s better than Microsoft 365

    Why spend your hard-earned money on Microsoft 365 when you can host a local office server on your Raspberry Pi?

    Say adios to privacy issues and subscriptions by self-hosting FOSS utilities

    Considering the sheer number of applications in the self-hosting landscape, this list is far from over. If you’re a casual user looking for a UX/UI design application, you can ditch Figma and Canva in favor of Penpot. Navidrome is a great alternative to Spotify for audiophiles who own large music collections, while Calibre-Web is my go-to app for organizing my ebook collection. For finance management, I prefer Firefly III over YNAB and other cloud-based rivals, though ActualBudget is a worthwhile option for folks who prefer zero-sum budgeting services.

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  • Arkham Knight sequel release window being roasted by fans already

    Rocksteady Studios has some making up to do.

    Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League was, as we’re all well aware, an abysmal flop.

    Why Rocksteady or Warner Bros. thought it was a good idea to pivot to live-service, I do not know.

    Anyway, that’s exactly what it did and Suicide Squad was dead on arrival.

    Its final content update landed in January of this year and honestly, I’m surprised it was supported for that long.

    The good news is that it confirmed that the Suicide Squad didn’t actually kill Batman; they killed a clone.

    That means that Rocksteady can make a new single-player Batman title set within its Arkham universe, and it appears that that’s exactly what the studio is doing.

    Rumours suggest that the game may be inspired by Batman Beyond, although details are understandably thin on the ground at this moment in time.

    You may recall that a Batman Beyond inspired game was actually the plan prior to the creation of Suicide Squad, with leaked concept having previously surfaced online.

    Could Rocksteady be visiting the idea?

    Of course, fans are happy to hear the studio is on the path to being back on track, although I think it’s far too soon to say all is forgiven.

    That being said, they’re also not thrilled about the inevitable long wait that lies ahead, taking Reddit to roast the entire situation.

    “Ok. See you in nine more years,” wrote Game2Late.

    “Should have been doing that 10 years ago,” added gknight702.

    “I’ll borrow a copy of the game from my grandchildren,” said UsernameError402.

    Others were much more critical, suggesting they’d lost faith in the studio completely.

    Personally, I think Rocksteady could make a stellar comeback if it’s left to do what it does best.

    It’s true though. A new Batman title is going to take many years to develop so that’s something we all better come to terms with.

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  • Syul: Power bank sports solar charging, lamp and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker

    Syul: Power bank sports solar charging, lamp and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker

    A new power bank is now crowdfunding (Image source: Syul)

    The Syul is a new power bank that also includes a solar panel, a light and a speaker. This gadget could be particularly useful for camping, though the solar feature may have certain limitations.

    A new power bank with some advanced features is now crowdfunding on Kickstarter. Backers of the so-called Syul can reserve a unit and a fitting USB-C cable in return for a pledge of $59. Deliveries are scheduled to kick off this October, but the usual financial risks of crowdfunding campaigns also apply in this case.

    With that out of the way, this power bank can be charged off the grid thanks to a built-in solar panel, which can supply up to 500mAh with the according amount of sunlight. However, due to the 360-degree design of the solar panel, it cannot face the sun completely. Therefore, it’s likely impossible to hit the advertised 500mAh. Either way, this also means that the power bank doesn’t have to be moved or positioned properly in order to receive at least some charge.

    Most importantly, the portable charger has a capacity of 15,000mAh, which could be enough to fully charge an Apple iPad Pro twice or AirPods Pro up to 26 times. Devices can be charged via USB-C and at up to 45 watts. This means that the Syul power bank can certainly charge laptops, although larger notebooks would probably need more charging power.

    A Bluetooth speaker with a stated output of 20 watts is built-in and supposedly offers a battery life of up to 24 hours. Two of these gadgets can be paired for stereo sound. Furthermore, the power bank can be used as a lamp as well as a bottle opener, and it should also be comparatively durable.

    The manufacturer advertises a wide range of features (Image source: Syul)
    The manufacturer advertises a wide range of features (Image source: Syul)

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