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Verizon’s Google Pixel 8a deal gets you this brand new device for free with no trade

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The Google Pixel 8a has just been released, and Verizon is offering one of the best deals we’ve seen on the new mid-range flagship. Right now, you don’t even need to trade in to get it for free at the carrier.

Both new and existing customers can open a new line on an unlimited data plan to get the device, which retails for $500, for free. As of this writing, there are no options for upgraders, so this particular deal is only eligible for a 36-month plan sign-up.

In addition to the free device, you can also throw in a free Google Pixel Watch 2 and Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablet – two excellent devices that are worth over $800 by themselves. There is a catch here, however, as you’ll need to pay for cellular lines for any claimed devices (usually around $5 to $15 per month extra). 

The latest Google Pixel 8a, as with past entries in the Google ‘A’ series, brings a respectable line-up of specs and AI-assisted features that the brand’s devices are known for. Alongside the powerful Tensor G3 chipset (the same as the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro), you’ll also get a better battery, 120Hz display, and seven whole years of guaranteed software updates – which should see you through a 36-month contract period easily. Our full review on this device will be landing shortly but you can head on over to our main Google Pixel 8a page for everything you need to know about this device in the meantime.

Verizon Google Pixel 8a deal

Looking for recommendations for other devices? Check out our main Verizon deals page. Alternatively, you can see this week’s best cell phone deals for options at other major carriers and unlocked retailers. 

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Samsung is the world’s biggest OLED monitor brand

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Samsung has become the world’s biggest OLED monitor brand just one year after releasing its first. According to the latest figures from market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC), Samsung captured a 28.3% share of the global OLED monitor market in 2023.

In terms of value, the South Korean firm had a 34.7% value share of the OLED monitor market, which means Samsung sells pricier models than most other monitor brands.

Samsung becomes the world’s biggest OLED monitor brand in just one year

Samsung Store Gangnam Gaming Zone Odyssey OLED G9

Apart from being the world’s number one OLED monitor brand in sales and revenue, Samsung also occupied 20.8% of the global gaming monitor market, according to IDC’s worldwide quarterly gaming tracker. With this feat, Samsung has remained the world’s biggest gaming monitor brand for five consecutive years.

Samsung’s first OLED monitor was the 34-inch Odyssey OLED G8 (G85SB), which launched in October 2022. Last year, the company expanded its OLED series with the launch of the 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SC). At CES 2024, Samsung launched two new flat-screen OLED gaming monitors: the 27-inch QHD Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SD) and the 32-inch 4K Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SD). You can watch both of them in action in our hands-on video below.

Samsung is planning to launch the new version of the Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SD) gaming monitor in the next few months. It features Multi Control (sharing files and text wirelessly with other Samsung ecosystem devices), Samsung Gaming Hub (quick access to cloud gaming services), and SmartThings Hub (for controlling smart home devices).

Jeong Hoon, Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business Department, said, “Achieving the global first place just one year after entering the OLED monitor market is the result of repeated technological innovations so that gamers can experience excellent picture quality and overwhelming gaming performance. Samsung Odyssey Gaming Monitor is a great choice for gamers. We will continue to work hard to ensure that it is recognized as the best gaming device for consumers.

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Samsung defeats Apple, becomes biggest smartphone brand in Q1 2024

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Samsung regained its number-one position in the global smartphone market in Q1 2024. The South Korean firm defeated Apple just one quarter after it was pushed down to second, thanks to impressive sales of the Galaxy S24 series, which was launched in January earlier this year.

Samsung sold over 60 million smartphones in Q1 2024

In Q4 2023, Apple became the world’s biggest smartphone brand in terms of unit sales. Samsung was pushed down to second place during that quarter. However, Samsung has returned strongly in Q1 2024, riding the wave of the successful Galaxy S24. According to market research firm IDC, it sold 60.1 million smartphones during the first quarter of this year. That’s slightly lower than Samsung’s 60.5 million sales from last year, marking a 0.7% drop compared to Q1 2023 figures.

Samsung Number One Smartphone Brand Sales Global Q1 2024 IDC

Apple sold 50.1 million iPhones in Q1 2024, a 9.6% drop in sales compared to Q1 2023. It was the second-biggest smartphone brand in the first quarter of this year. According to previous reports, most of its sales drop might have come from China.

Xiaomi has also displayed a strong comeback, ranking third in the global smartphone market with sales of over 40.8 million smartphones during Q1 2024. That’s a massive improvement of 33.8% compared to Q1 2023. However, what’s even more impressive is Transsion’s gigantic 84.9% sales jump to 28.5 million units during the same period. OPPO’s sales dropped last quarter by 8.5%, and it sold 25.2 million smartphones globally.

Overall, 289.4 million smartphones were shipped globally in the first quarter of this year. That’s a 7.8% rise in shipments compared to the muted sales figures from 2023’s first quarter. Smartphone sales are increasing globally, and the recovery is underway compared to disastrous market conditions from last year.

Huawei has reportedly seen a strong comeback in China’s domestic market. However, they will likely not be in the top five rankings anytime soon due to the US sanctions on the company.

Nabila Popal, Research Director of IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team, said, “In contrast, while the Top 2 players (Samsung and Apple) both saw negative growth in the first quarter, it seems Samsung is in a stronger position overall than they were in recent quarters.

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Kareem Choudhry has reportedly left Microsoft amid a wider Xbox brand shakeup

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Kareem Choudhry has left Microsoft as of Friday, April 5, 2024. The former corporate vice president of Emerging Technologies at Xbox, Choudhry most recently spearheaded the company’s exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in gaming.

As reported by Windows Central, it marks the end of an impressive 26-year tenure at the company. In addition to heading the Emerging Technologies team, Choudhry is also well known for his previous work on many significant Xbox projects. This includes the development of Xbox backwards compatibility and recent advances in Xbox Cloud Gaming.

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Samsung has been world’s biggest soundbar brand for 10 years in a row

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Samsung has announced that it was the world’s biggest soundbar brand in 2023. With another year as the top-ranked soundbar brand globally, the South Korean firm has become the world’s biggest soundbar brand for ten years.

Samsung has been the world’s biggest soundbar brand globally since 2013

According to a report from FutureSource Consulting, Samsung was the world’s biggest soundbar in 2023, and the company has achieved this feat consecutively for the past ten years. The latest market research analysis reveals that Samsung had an 18.8% market share and a 20.3% revenue share globally in 2023.

Samsung Soundbar World's Biggest Brand 10 Years

Year after year, Samsung has continuously pushed the boundaries of soundbars, releasing several top-ranking soundbars and impressive new technologies. Some of the company’s impressive audio technologies include Q-Symphony, which uses the speakers of the soundbar and the paired TV simultaneously for an immersive audio experience.

The South Korean firm also introduced a feature called SpaceFit Sound, which calibrates the soundbar automatically according to the room it is placed in. A couple of years ago, Samsung also introduced Wireless Dolby Atmos, removing the restriction of using wires between the TV and the soundbar to be able to use Dolby Atmos.

Samsung HW-Q990C Soundbar

Last year, the HW-Q990C was adjudged the world’s best soundbar of 2023, thanks to its impressive 11.1.4-channel audio and 656W of audio output. It also features AirPlay 2, 4K HDR10+ passthrough, built-in Alexa, SpaceFit Sound Pro, Active Voice Amplifier, and Game Mode Pro. It also has Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and SmartThings.

Earlier this year, the company unveiled a follow-up flagship soundbar model, the HW-Q990D, which will be launched soon.

Cheolgi Kim, EVP of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, said, “We are thrilled to be once again acknowledged as the market leader in soundbars, a milestone that reflects the positive feedback from our customers over the years. Building on this success, we will continue to push the boundaries of home entertainment with superior sound quality and advanced connectivity features, leveraging AI-based sound technology to strengthen the consumer experience and Samsung’s position in the global market.

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Microsoft’s Handheld PC plan is the next chapter of Xbox brand

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Current public perception of Microsoft within the console wars paints the Windows developer as a unique loser.

Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S sales comparisons to Sony’s peaking PlayStation hardware aside, it’s interesting to see how both gaming rivals approach PC gaming. Going as far back as the formation of their PC table, we’ve seen Sony trickle down first-party developed games from Horizon Zero Dawn to the current successful dual-platform release of Helldivers 2. It even makes sense for the PSVR2 to eventually add PCVR support as that platform has been notably dormant since launching last year. 

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Obscure Chinese brand launches laptop that may have a better battery life than the MacBook Pro — Core Ultra 7 totting Megabook T16 Pro has record-breaking 99.9WHr battery, up to 22 hours on a single charge

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Tecno Mobile, while not widely known outside of China, does have a reputation for making high-quality devices at competitive prices. The company’s new 16 inch Megabook T16 Pro 2024 Ultra laptop, which was first revealed at this year’s MWC 2024, comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor (a fresh release from December 2023), paired with Arc mobile GPU. If you don’t need all that power, there’s a version with an Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU.

Tecno Mobile says Megabook T16 Pro can deliver 65 watts of performance, and cooling is provided by the company’s proprietary “Ice Storm” advanced thermal management system.

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10 Best AI avatar creators for humanlike presenters, tutors, brand representatives and more

10 Amazing AI avatar generators to use in 2024

If you are searching for a fast and easy way to create human avatars for your presentations, voice-overs, marketing or brands you will be pleased to know that there are plenty of AI avatar generators to choose from.  These tools are reshaping our digital interactions by creating lifelike digital personas powered by AI.

They have a wide range of uses, from generating content to improving training in soft skills. This guide created by Dr Alex Young who has been using the AI avatar makers to create training presentations for as own businesses over the last three years. The training that he has created using these AI avatars is been used by his customers such as Amazon.  This article will take you through the current top AI avatar makers, focusing on their ability to create realistic avatars, the customization they offer, and how they can be applied in various fields.

Using AI avatars for promotional videos, presentations, and training videos can offer several advantages, rooted in efficiency, personalization, and scalability. AI avatars have reached new heights of realism, with the latest versions being almost identical to real humans. This improvement is due to better deepfake and voice cloning technologies, which allow avatars to mimic human speech and appearance with incredible accuracy. Users can adjust these avatars to express different emotions and wear various outfits, making them suitable for many situations and personal preferences.

The quality of text-to-speech technology in these creators varies widely. Some provide basic services, while others feature advanced capabilities like natural inflection and multilingual support. The authenticity of the spoken word is especially important when avatars are used for digital content creation or soft skills training, where clear and nuanced communication is essential.

Best AI Avatar Makers 2024

If you are interested in learning more about the ten best artificial intelligence powered avatar generators check out the video kindly created by  Dr Alex Young below for an in-depth on what he thinks of the 10 best and how they can be used to enhance your business, brand or presentations

Here are some other articles you may find of interest on the subject of creating AI avatars and characters for your presentations, videos and animations.

The cost of using these AI avatar generators can also vary. Some are available through subscription services, others require a one-time payment, or they may charge based on usage. It’s important to consider the cost in relation to the benefits these tools provide to make sure they’re worth the investment.

In the field of content creation, AI avatars are changing the way videos, podcasts, and interactive media are produced. They offer quick and cost-effective alternatives to traditional methods. For soft skills training, these avatars serve as interactive partners, creating realistic scenarios that are conducive to learning.

Things to consider when using AI Avatars

Here are a list of areas you should consider when using avatars created by artificial intelligence in your presentation or business promotional media.

  • Cost Efficiency: AI avatars significantly reduce the need for live actors, location scouting, and the logistical complexities of shooting videos. This can lead to substantial savings in both time and budget, making high-quality video production more accessible for businesses and educational institutions.
  • Consistency: AI avatars provide a consistent presentation every time. They do not suffer from day-to-day performance variability, ensuring that the delivery is always on point, which is especially valuable for training materials where consistency in message delivery is crucial.
  • Customization and Personalization: AI technology allows for high levels of customization. Avatars can be tailored to match specific audience demographics or branding requirements. For training videos, avatars can simulate a diverse range of scenarios and behaviors that might be difficult to replicate with human actors.
  • Scalability: Once an AI avatar is created, it can be used across multiple videos and platforms, making it easy to scale content production. This is particularly beneficial for organizations needing to regularly update their training materials or promotional content to keep pace with changes in their products, services, or industry standards.
  • Accessibility: AI avatars can be programmed to speak multiple languages and incorporate sign language, making videos accessible to a wider audience. This inclusivity is a significant advantage for global brands and organizations aiming to reach diverse populations.
  • Innovation and Engagement: Using AI avatars can add a novel and engaging element to videos. They can be designed to fit any scenario, historical period, or futuristic setting, enhancing the creative possibilities and potentially increasing viewer engagement.
  • Reduced Production Time: The production cycle for videos involving AI avatars can be significantly shorter than traditional video production. Without the need for coordinating schedules, locations, and other logistics, videos can be produced, edited, and deployed much faster.
  • Remote Production Capabilities: Given the increasing need for remote work solutions, AI avatars offer a way to produce high-quality video content without requiring physical presence, adhering to social distancing guidelines when necessary.
  • Ethical Considerations: AI avatars sidestep some ethical concerns related to privacy and consent when using real people’s likenesses, especially in sensitive training scenarios.

When selecting an AI avatar generator, it’s important to consider the tool’s adaptability, the features it offers, and the overall value it provides.  As you explore the the options available, think about your specific needs and how these innovative tools can be applied. The right AI avatar maker can enhance your digital presence and improve efficiency, whether you’re creating engaging content or implementing advanced training programs.

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Volkswagen is the UKs best selling car brand in 2023

Volkswagen

Volkswagen announced that it was the best-selling car brand in the UK in 2023, the carmaker sold a total of 162,087 new cars in the UK last year, giving it a total share of the UK car market of 8.52 percent, they managed to sell 30,000 more cars in the UK in 2023 over 2022.

The carmaker has also done well with its range of electric vehicles in the UK, with its ID models being popular and some of the more affordable electric vehicles available, there are a number of new models coming this year like the ID.7.

A total of 162,087 new Volkswagen passenger vehicles were registered in the UK in 2023 – over 30,000 more than in 2022. This equated to a leading market share of 8.52 per cent – an increase of 0.35 per cent compared with the previous year.

Volkswagen was again one of the most popular electric brands in the UK, with two of its ID. models among the top-10 best-selling EVs in 2023: the ID.3 with 10,295 registrations (sixth place) and the ID.4 with 8,495 registrations (ninth place).

Model highlights from 2023 that contributed to these impressive results included the revised all-electric ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 models, as well as the refreshed flagship Touareg. Special- and limited-edition models were also introduced, including the Polo GTI Edition 25 and Golf Black Edition, while the expanded Volkswagen Live Tour continued to take the showroom experience to people’s living rooms, offering real-time online vehicle presentations with product experts.

We are looking forward to seeing what Volkswagen has planned for their new c ars in 2024 and particularly interested to find out more details about the new electric vehicles they plan to introduce this year.

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How to create an AI influencer to promote your brand

How to build an AI influencer using Fooocus

If one of your new your resolutions is to build your very own AI influencer,  you will be pleased to know that it is much easier than you might think. Remember not all AI influencers need to just attract followers they can also promote your brand or products if done correctly.  Enabling you to create a portfolio of models that you can use again and again for your marketing material without the additional costs of using photographic studios, on location photography or costly models from an agency. This method also puts you in full control over the influencer allowing you to manage costs and use them in any promotion you can imagine without the need to renegotiate fees.

The key to creating and AI influencer is the ability to generate large quantities of AI images using a consistent face throughout. So the first thing you need to do is generate a portrait of the face of your new AI influencer. This first stage can be done using a variety variety of different AI image generators depending on your preference whether it be OpenAI’s DallE 3, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion or others.

In the fast-paced world of digital marketing and online branding, creating a unique and recognizable virtual persona is a great way to promote your products, brand or simply attract followers. With the advent of artificial intelligence, the ability to craft AI influencers with consistent facial features has become a reality, and one of the tools at the forefront of this innovation is Fooocus. This software is designed to help users generate and refine virtual models that can represent brands or ideas in the digital space.

Before diving into the world of AI influencers, it’s important to ensure that your computer meets the necessary specifications to run Fooocus effectively. The software requires a system with at least 8 GB of RAM, an Nvidia graphics card with a minimum of 4 GB of video memory, 33 GB of free disk space, and the Pinocchio software installed. These prerequisites are crucial for the smooth operation of Fooocus and the creation of high-quality images.

How to make your own AI influencer

Once you’ve installed Fooocus and met the system requirements, the next step is to familiarize yourself with its user interface. The interface serves as the central point for all your creative endeavors, allowing you to select a base image that will define the consistent look of your AI influencer. This base image is vital as it ensures that your virtual model maintains the same facial features across various expressions and settings, which is key to building a strong and recognizable brand identity.

Here are some other articles you may find of interest on the subject of using Fooocus :

As you work with Fooocus, you may encounter images that don’t quite meet your standards. Fortunately, the software includes image correction tools that allow you to fine-tune your AI influencer’s appearance, ensuring a polished and professional look. These tools are intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to achieve the desired results without extensive technical knowledge.

For those who wish to delve deeper into customization, Fooocus offers a range of advanced features. These include adjustable resolution settings, the ability to use negative prompts to avoid certain traits, and tabs dedicated to style and model adjustments. One of the standout features is the image prompt function, which lets you blend elements from different images to perfect your model’s look. This level of control allows you to create a virtual model that truly stands out and captures the essence of your brand.

Fooocus detailed adjustments

In addition to these customization options, Fooocus provides specific settings for detailed adjustments. These settings include the stop at value, weight, performance presets, style presets, guidance scale, sharpness, and aspect ratio or resolution. By tweaking these parameters, you can optimize both the performance and aesthetic appeal of your AI influencer, ensuring that the images you produce are of the highest quality.

High-resolution images are a must in today’s digital landscape, where clarity and detail can make a significant impact. Fooocus’s image upscaling feature is invaluable for those who need to enlarge their images for use across different platforms without sacrificing quality. This ensures that your AI influencer looks sharp and professional, whether on a mobile screen or a billboard.

Another advantage of using Fooocus is the ability to generate a variety of images for your virtual model. This functionality allows you to showcase your AI influencer in different contexts, such as various scenarios or clothing options. Having a diverse portfolio of images is beneficial for maintaining audience interest and adapting to different marketing campaigns or social media platforms.

Things to consider when designing an AI influencer

Designing a digital persona, especially for brand promotion or social media influence, involves several key areas. These areas encompass both technical and creative aspects, ensuring the persona is both engaging and consistent. Here’s a breakdown of the crucial elements to consider when creating your AI influencer.

  • Conceptualization and Brand Alignment:
    • Core Characteristics: Identify key traits like charisma, intellect, humor, or empathy. These should mirror the attributes your brand wishes to project.
    • Brand Message Synchronization: Ensure the persona’s characteristics and narrative align with your brand’s messaging, mission, and values.
    • Foundation for Interaction: This initial step dictates how the persona will engage with the audience, reflecting your brand’s approach to customer interaction.
  • Identity Creation:
    • Backstory Development: Craft a compelling and relatable backstory for the AI influencer, giving them depth and making them more engaging.
    • Personality Traits: Choose traits that appeal to your target audience, such as being adventurous for a travel brand or knowledgeable for a tech brand.
    • Interests and Values: Align these with those of your target demographic to foster a deeper connection.
  • Voice and Communication Style:
    • Language Style: Decide on formal, casual, or a mix of tones, depending on your audience and brand voice.
    • Consistent Tone: Maintain a consistent tone across all communications to establish a recognizable voice.
    • Content Type: Determine the mix of educational, entertaining, promotional, and interactive content.
  • Visual Design:
    • Facial Features and Expressions: Design features that are appealing and convey the AI’s personality.
    • Hairstyle and Color: Choose styles that resonate with current trends while maintaining a unique identity.
    • Fashion Style and Clothing: Reflect the latest fashion trends or brand-specific attire.
    • Makeup and Accessories: Use these elements to enhance the persona’s visual appeal and connect with trends.
  • Photographic Style and Portfolio Development:
    • Consistent Photographic Style: Establish a signature style for photos, including angles, filters, and themes.
    • Lighting and Color Schemes: Use these elements to set a mood that complements the AI’s character.
    • Diverse Portfolio: Create a range of images that showcase different aspects of the persona’s lifestyle and interests.
  • Personality and Voice Consistency:
    • Communication Style: Ensure the AI’s way of interacting remains consistent across different platforms.
    • Content Consistency: Align the content with the AI’s established personality and voice.
  • Engagement Strategy:
    • Content Planning: Develop a content calendar that includes various types of posts, from promotional to personal stories.
    • Interaction Methods: Use comments, direct messages, and other engagement tools to interact with followers.
    • Posting Frequency: Determine an optimal posting schedule to maintain presence without overwhelming followers.
  • Ethical Considerations:
    • Transparency: Clearly disclose the AI’s nature to maintain trust and authenticity.
    • Addressing Ethical Concerns: Tackle issues related to representation, authenticity, and societal impact.
  • Analytics and Adaptation:
    • Engagement Analysis: Regularly review engagement metrics to gauge the effectiveness of content and strategy.
    • Strategy Adaptation: Use insights from analytics to refine the AI influencer’s approach and content.
  • Long-Term Evolution:
    • Updating Visuals and Personality: Keep the persona fresh and relevant by evolving with trends and audience preferences.
    • Expanding to Different Markets: Consider creating multiple AI influencers, each tailored to different segments of your market, to broaden reach and appeal.

It’s important to acknowledge the contributions of the open-source AI community, whose collective efforts have provided the tools and methodologies that make software like Fooocus possible. Their dedication to advancing AI technology has paved the way for innovative tools that are reshaping the way we approach digital content creation.

Fooocus is a powerful tool for anyone interested in creating AI influencers with uniform facial features. By utilizing this software, you can master the user interface, customize settings to fit your specific needs, and produce standout images that will captivate your audience. Whether you’re involved in marketing, the arts, or simply have a passion for technology, Fooocus opens the door to new possibilities in digital expression, allowing you to bring your virtual visions to life with precision and flair.

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