What’s new
Baidu launches SwiftScribe, a web app that uses AI to transcribe audio files
SwiftScribe, a transcription app that uses a neural network to make accurate speech-to-text processing. SwiftScribe can transcribe up to an hour of audio, but that will take 20 minutes to process, Baidu project manager Tian Wu said in an interview. For now, Baidu is providing SwiftScribe as a free service, “but in the future, we hope to turn it into a business,” Wu said.
You can read more here.
Google, NASA will install the new D-Wave 2000Q quantum computer at Ames
Google, NASA, and the Universal Space Research Association (USRA) will upgrade the current quantum computing system installed in NASA’s Ames Research Center with the D-Wave 2000Q platform. The new computer is supposed to be up to 1,000 times faster than the last generation for certain optimization problems.
More info are available here.
New products
Sony Xperia XZ Premium
The Xperia XZ comes with a 5.5-inch 4K HDR display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor. It has a 19MP rear camera, 13MP front-facing camera and 4GB RAM.
More info here.
Xiaomi Redmi Pro 2
The phone will have a 4,500mAh battery and will come in two variants, one with 4GB of RAM with 64GB of internal storage and the other will have 6GB of RAM with 128GB of internal storage. It will have an all-metal unibody design and a MediaTek’s Helio P25 processor.
More info here.
You might want to know about this
Google is using the health data to make Fit a better personal assistant
Google Fit was launched in 2014 and Google said it is most helpful when it has access to as much of your personal data as possible. Mary Liz McCurdy, head of Health and Fitness Apps for Google Play, said in an interview that health-tracking applications are set to become a lot more useful by using as much information as possible.
You can read more here.
The Creators Update will include new feautures for Windows Defender
The new Windows Defender will have memory and kernel sensors to detect nefarious activity going on in the computer. Windows Defender is using machine learning in a novel way too. “Our historical detection capability ensures new detection rules apply to up to six months of stored data to detect attacks that previously went unnoticed,” said Microsoft in a post.
More info can be found here.
Fun stuff
SolSol hat can charge your phone using solar power
SolSol, a startup from Los Angeles, made a baseball cap that has a small solar panel built into its brim. It can be used to charge a smartphone, tablet or any other device after it is plugged in via USB. SolSol says it’s patented technology can charge a device at about 200mAh per hour.
You can read more here.
