Kalakshar US

The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro could feature some notable camera upgrades. Writing for Android Authority, leaker Kamila Wojciechowska, who has a solid record when it comes to Pixel leaks, says Google’s next pair of high-end phones will feature Samsung ISOCELL GN2 sensors. That’s the same sensor found on the Galaxy S22 and S23. More notably, it’s a significant upgrade over the ISOCELL GN1 Google has used since the Pixel 6. The GN2 is physically larger and capable of capturing 35 percent more light than its predecessor, making it a better low-light performer. It also supports more modern features, including 8K/30 fps video capture and Staggered HDR. Google could use the latter to reduce ghosting in HDR images.

According to Wojciechowska, both the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will come with the GN2. However, Google’s flagship will also reportedly pack a few exclusive upgrades. The Pixel 8 Pro will feature a new time-of-flight sensor that should improve autofocus performance and, more significantly, a more modern sensor for its ultra-wide camera. Google reportedly plans to use the 64-megapixel Sony IMX787, the same sensor that powers the Pixel 7a’s primary camera, to replace the Pixel 7 Pro’s aging 12-megapixel IMX386. The former is almost twice the size of its predecessor and should produce much better images. Wojciechowska notes the version of the Pixel 8 Pro Google is currently testing doesn’t come with a macro mode, though they suggest that doesn’t mean the final version won’t ship with that feature. The Pixel 8 will continue to use the IMX386 but may offer a lens with a wider field of view for those who want to capture more of a scene at once. Wojciechowska says the selfie and telephoto cameras on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are unchanged from those on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. Lastly, they note the Pixel 8 Pro’s rumored thermometer sensor won’t be used for photography.

Naturally, Google also has software upgrades planned. The company will reportedly update its camera app to allow Pixel users to decide how strong the bokeh effect is when using the “Cinematic” video mode. Additionally, a new “Adaptive torch” feature may dynamically adjust the output of a phone’s flash module to prevent it from overexposing images.

Considering Google has had a history of sticking with the same camera sensor for multiple Pixel generations, it’s encouraging to learn the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro could feature new, more capable camera hardware. Google has done a lot with its computational software, but there are only so many visual enhancements you can squeeze out of a camera sensor without going for a bigger one.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-pixel-8-pro-could-feature-a-larger-more-capable-main-camera-sensor-163235885.html?src=rss 

Another busy day of Summer Game Fest events is upon us, with the Wholesome Direct, Future Games Show and OTK Games Expo streams running back to back. You’ll be able to watch everything right here starting at 12PM ET.

Wholesome Direct will kick things off with a parade of nearly 80 indie games, with a focus on upbeat and cozy titles. It will showcase the “incredible range of themes, styles and perspectives that games have to offer.” One notable game that will make an appearance is the wonderful Unpacking. Developer Witch Beam is promising a big announcement that won’t be an expansion, but it says this is “something that a lot of folks have been asking for.”

At 1PM ET, it’s time for the Future Games Show. The stars of Insomniac’s Spider-Man games, Yuri Lowenthal (Peter Parker) and Laura Bailey (Mary Jane Watson), are hosting the stream, which will run for around 70 minutes and feature more than 50 multi-format games. The show will include more than 10 world premieres and a VR spotlight. Titles that will be featured includeLords of the Fallen, Stray Gods (in which Bailey appears), Warhaven, Pacific Drive and C-Smash VRS.

Last but not least is the OTK Games Expo. This is a showcase from One True King, a collective of prominent content creators. Members of the group will showcase dozens of games, including 30 new indie titles. The stream will take place on OTK cofounder Asmongold’s Twitch channel.

Engadget is in Los Angeles to check out some of the many titles that are being featured at Summer Game Fest. Stay tuned for news, previews and hands-on impressions.

Catch up on all of the news from Summer Game Fest right here!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/watch-three-back-to-back-summer-game-fest-shows-here-starting-at-12pm-et-150021695.html?src=rss 

Lysfanga’s isometric views may conjure up memories of Hades, but this is a different kind of game. While you’ll still be slicing and dicing monsters and enemies, protagonist Imë combines her spells and weapon combos with the ability to revert time and do it all over again, differently. The second time around, her shadow from the previous timeline will continue to rush into the enemies. If you remember the faded-out ghosts in racing games like Mario Kart and Gran Turismo, it’s a little like those, but in a collaborative, not competitive, way.

The aim is to complete separated combat levels within a single ‘run’, with only a finite number of ghost-Imës to get the job done. Naturally, things are further complicated by enemies that can’t be defeated from the front, or paired monsters that have to be killed almost simultaneously or they’ll respawn each other. Another Engadget editor said it reminded them of Transistor – the game rewards careful planning of your moves. While I was able to rush some of the early encounters without too much thinking, later levels demanded careful route planning, with doors that would lock and unlock when my character (or her ghosts) rushed through them, exploding enemies that could be punted into other enemies and a constant countdown that meant, sometimes, there wasn’t enough time to think.

Fortunately, Lysfanga‘s short levels – most can be completed in under two minutes – can be restarted. (Sometimes I knew I messed up, seconds into a level.) Imë also has an array of spells and special attacks with cooldown timers, to add further fight options. Controls are relatively simple, with two melee attack buttons that can be comboed together, a button to launch spells, a dash button that works for avoiding attacks and jumping across gaps, a rewind trigger for your time-twisting powers and a button for your ultimate attack.

According to the trailer, there will be a variety of weapon loadouts to suit different approaches, like long-reaching spears and speedy chakram blades. You’ll also be able to unleash a super attack that not only does heavy damage to enemies nearby but is also echoed in your doppelgangers.

While some action-game prowess helps, you’ll only beat most levels by thinking them through before you act. The controls and play style aren’t remotely similar, but Lysfanga reminded me of old Fire Emblem games, where careful planning decided a fight before it even begins. Even in this early demo, the game offers some incredibly satisfying moments when all your attacking clones come together to wipe out all the enemies in mere seconds. Each level can be replayed at markers across the game, and includes a more challenging time limit to beat, if you thought it was too easy first time around.

Along with Under The Waves, the game is one of the first titles from Quantic Dreams’ new Spotlight publishing arm. Lysfanga will launch later this year on PC, through both Steam and Epic Games.

Catch up on all of the news from Summer Game Fest right here!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lysfanga-hands-on-impressions-sgf-2023-130004741.html?src=rss 

You can now talk to Bing on desktop, and it can even read its replies to you out loud. Microsoft has rolled out voice support for the search engine’s chatbot on Edge for PCs, which is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 technology. “We know many of you love using voice input for chat on mobile,” the tech giant wrote in its latest Bing preview release notes. The feature first became available on Bing’s AI chatbot for its mobile apps. Now it’s also available on desktop — you just need to tap on the mic icon in the Bing Chat box to talk to the AI-powered bot.

The feature supports English, Japanese, French, German and Mandarin at the moment, but Microsoft says support for more languages is on the way. In addition to being able to ask Bing questions simply by speaking, the chatbot now also supports text-to-speech answers and can respond to your questions with its own voice. “Using voice input, ask Bing Chat, ‘What’s the toughest tongue twister you know?,'” Microsoft suggested. And yes, it will be able to respond. 

As The Verge notes, Microsoft has introduced voice support for Bing Chat on desktop shortly after it announced that it’s killing the standalone Cortana app for Windows, which serves as a voice assistant, later this year. In its announcement back then, Microsoft pointed out that users will still have access to “powerful productivity features in Windows and Edge, which have increased AI capabilities.” In particular, it mentioned Bing Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot, which uses artificial intelligence to generate content within the company’s apps. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-adds-ai-voice-chat-to-bing-on-desktop-123055664.html?src=rss