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Blog Posts
Blog Posts
What Do Heartbeats on Hinge Mean?
Hinge’s new feature, Signals, is in testing, and it measures thoughtful participation.
Lanterns Trailer Teases Jade DC Action with Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler
It’s Green Lantern but not as fans know it, with a new teaser dropped for HBO’s “Lanterns,” starring Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler.
Google Gemini App to Enhance Deeper Thinking and Expand Third-Party App Support, Report Says
Google’s Gemini app adds extended thinking levels, plus third-party integrations.
A Sneak Peek at Google’s Upcoming 3D Emojis for Android 17
The redesign is apparent, although perhaps not as striking as one might anticipate. Google’s updated Android 17 emojis introduce a 3D depth effect, supplanting the flatter aesthetic seen in previous Android versions. A recent leak discloses approximately 250 revamped emojis, featuring new facial expressions, animals, food, and beverage icons. Google is anticipated to initially release the new Noto 3D emojis to Pixel devices later this year.
A significant leak has provided a comprehensive preview of the upcoming 3D emojis associated with the Android 17 update arriving later this year. During The Android Show last week, one of the more modest yet surprisingly crucial announcements was Google’s reimagined emojis for Android 17. For years, users have voiced concerns that Android emojis appear flat and lackluster compared to those on iPhones, and it seems Google is finally making an effort to rectify that.
Google disclosed that Android 17 will unveil new 3D emojis named Noto 3D. These fresh emojis offer increased depth and dimensionality, with Google asserting they are crafted to better convey emotions and enhance the “sense of presence.” At The Android Show, Google merely teased a small selection of emojis, but a new leak has since exposed a much more extensive assortment.
The leak was disseminated by RKBDI in a post on X, highlighting around 250 revamped emojis. The visuals showcase new emoji faces alongside various animals, food items, drinks, and more. As illustrated by the leaked images, the new emojis indeed exhibit greater depth and a more 3D-like quality than before, though it’s not a complete overhaul from the previous design.
Google has yet to initiate the rollout or testing of these emojis on Android 17 beta devices, but we expect their arrival in upcoming beta updates relatively soon. However, if you are using the stable version of Android, these redesigned emojis are likely to debut first on Pixel phones later this year, probably coinciding with the Pixel 11 launch period.
Android Central’s Perspective
To be honest, I was hoping for a much bolder redesign, but it seems that’s not the case with Android 17. These leaked emojis surprisingly bear a resemblance to Samsung’s emoji style while still reflecting elements of Google’s earlier Android emojis. They’re certainly an upgrade, but they don’t quite match the quality of Apple’s current offerings.
Philips Hue Smart Lights and More at Over 20% Off
Woot is having a day-long sale on a range of tech, including a mix of new and open-box Philips Hue smart lighting. The retailerâs already-discounted prices are even cheaper today when you enter the code SAVETWENTY at checkout through midnight Central Time. The products included in the sale serve as a great introduction to setting […]
Amazon Alexa Plus Now Offers AI-Generated Podcasts
Alexa Plus, Amazon’s upgraded AI assistant, can now generate podcasts on “virtually any topic,” according to an announcement on Monday. With the update, Amazon says you can give Alexa Plus a topic, and the AI assistant will offer an overview of what its AI hosts plan to talk about, allowing you to steer the conversation […]
Kin Health Secures $9M to Develop AI Notetaker for Patients
The app is similar to a meeting notetaker: you can record doctor visits, and it will return an AI summary of the meeting, with the next steps, all of which you share with family and friends if you want to.
Comparison of Performance Between Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck
The Nintendo Switch 2 and Valve’s Steam Deck are both impressive handheld gaming devices with distinct advantages. Nintendo’s latest portable console hybrid has garnered attention for its surprisingly robust hardware, while the Steam Deck continues to be praised for its straightforward approach to PC gaming, effectively addressing game backlogs.
By 2026, the components within the Steam Deck are approximately five years old. It features a custom processor and graphics unit amalgamation, referred to as an “APU,” or Accelerated Processing Unit. Unique to Valve’s device, the APU is derived from AMD’s Zen 2 series chips, which were in production from Ryzen 3000 to Ryzen 7000. Given its age, more tech-savvy users are exploring various methods to enhance performance on the Steam Deck through clever (and cost-free) modifications.
In contrast, the Nintendo Switch 2 also utilizes older technology, but it incorporates more powerful software to bridge any performance gaps. This is due to Nintendo opting for Nvidia, integrating DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), the company’s upscaling technology. With a custom Nvidia Tegra T239 GPU, the Switch 2 can manage much newer games by utilizing Nvidia’s advancements.
Steam Deck vs Switch 2 – it boils down to the software
Currently, the Switch 2 and Steam Deck are fairly similar in terms of performance. Some games may perform better on the Steam Deck, primarily because it functions as a low-powered PC. With realistic expectations, acquiring a Steam Deck in 2026 is still a worthwhile endeavor – provided you can find one.
Nevertheless, the features that the Switch 2 offers, such as DLSS, provide it with slightly more flexibility in games compared to the Steam Deck. DLSS processes the game at a reduced resolution before upscaling it to the intended output using algorithms. For example, “Pragmata” on the Switch 2 operates at 540p, but still yields a 1080p image when docked. In handheld mode, pixel-analysis experts Digital Foundry estimate it runs at about 360p to ensure smooth performance.
Another benefit is the dock for the Switch 2. The console requests a certain voltage and then activates an overclocked mode to extract more power from the hybrid. This capability allows the Switch 2 to reach up to 120Hz at a maximum resolution of 1440p or 4K at 60 frames per second (fps). Meanwhile, the Steam Deck can output up to 4K60 or 1440p120 using Valve’s dock, although it may require third-party docks to exceed those specifications.
Players are discovering methods to optimize the Steam Deck’s capabilities
One approach players are taking to enhance performance on the Steam Deck, which the heavily restricted Switch 2 cannot replicate, is through modifications. The Steam Deck’s chip can utilize AMD’s DLSS alternative, FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is officially supported up to version three. Modders have succeeded in backporting FSR 4, which is exclusive to the latest AMD GPUs, following a leak of a version. Additionally, Lossless Scaling, a paid program, has provided a significant performance boost at the expense of visuals or latency.
It’s essential to remember that the Switch 2 will have specially designed versions for its ports despite similar performance figures. Transferring a game from a PC development environment to a highly specific hardware platform like the Switch 2 will inevitably necessitate certain features to be tailored for the system. Once again using “Pragmata” as an example, hair is not rendered in a strand-based manner, but rather utilizes a more rigid card-based technology.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that Valve and the Steam Deck’s “Verified” system leaves much to be desired. Games may receive the “Verified” label only for their performance to be subpar. For instance, “Death Stranding 2” needed a mod to alleviate processor strain and make it playable, despite the badge being present. On the Switch 2, some ports have faced delays, like “Borderlands 4,” while “Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition” encountered notable performance issues.
Grasping Dual-Network Routers: Their Role and Operation
exciting features your router can offer.
What distinguishes 2.4 GHz from 5 GHz
