Author: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

OpenAI explores monetization options for ChatGPT

OpenAI’s ChatGPT AI chat bot is a free-to-use tool, which means that the cost to keep the viral chatbot up and running is being paid by OpenAI.

It has been reported that the estimated cost of running ChatGPT is $100,000 USD (about $134,000 CAD) per day, or roughly $3 million USD (about 4 million CAD) per month. In light of this, and as OpenAI seeks funding from Microsoft, the company is also exploring ways to monetize the chatbot.

In OpenAI’s official Discord account, the company has shared a waitlist for an “experimental” paid version of ChatGPT, called “ChatGPT Professional,” which would offer a more reliable service, with faster response times, no throttling and “at least” twice the daily number of answers compared to the free version, as reported by TechCrunch.

Image credit: OpenAI, Via: TechCrunch

The company said in its Discord server that it is “starting to think about how to monetize ChatGPT…to ensure [the tool’s] long-term viability.”

Anyone can fill up the ‘Professional ChatGPT access’ form, which contains questions regarding how you would use ChatGPT and what price you’d pay for the paid service.

Regardless, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged the limitations of the current version of ChatGPT and has warned against relying on it for important tasks.

The model’s popularity has led some companies to experiment with incorporating ChatGPT into their workflows, with Microsoft reportedly be using it to improve its Bing search engine, as reported by The Verge.

As per The Verge, OpenAI is also seeking $10 billion in funding from Microsoft and, in return, would give 75 percent of OpenAI’s profit until Microsoft makes back its initial investment. It’s worth noting that OpenAI already offers paid access to software such as DALL-E for image generation, so monetizing ChatGPT would likely be the next step it takes.

Elsewhere, nefarious actors have swarmed both the App Store and the Play Store with unaffiliated ‘copycat’ applications using icons and names similar to that of ChatGPT, and are churning up a profit. Read more about it here.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Via: TechCrunch, The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Acclaimed Canadian game TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge comes to mobile via Netflix

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is now available on Android and iOS exclusively through Netflix.

Developed by Montreal’s Tribute Games, the arcade-inspired beat ’em up released last year on consoles and PC to critical acclaim.

The game follows Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael and April O’Neil as they fight the Shredder, the Foot Clan, Krang, Bebop and Rocksteady.

Netflix Games is included at no additional cost with a Netflix subscription. Other notable games in the catalogue include Kentucky Route Zero, Immortality and Montreal-based Thunder Lotus’ Spiritfarer.

Image credit: Dotemu

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft ends all extended security updates for Windows 7, 8, 8.1

Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 have officially reached the end of their life as Microsoft ended support for the operating systems yesterday, Tuesday, January 10th.

Both Windows 7 and Windows 8 are over a decade old, with the former being released in October 2009, and the latter in October 2012. Windows 8.1, however, was released a year later than Windows 8 (October 2013), which means that it still hasn’t completed a decade in existence. Regardless, according to Microsoft, Windows 8.1 will no longer receive any software or security updates, and the company will not provide any technical support for either of the operating systems, via Gizmodo.

All support for Windows 7 ended yesterday. Three years ago, Microsoft officially announced that it would stop doing software updates for Windows 7. However, the company did offer Extended Security Updates (ESU) for users running Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise. Since Windows 8.1 wasn’t as popular as Windows 7, it won’t be receiving any ESUs.

“Windows 8.1 will reach end of support on January 10, 2023, at which point technical assistance and software updates will no longer be provided. If you have devices running Windows 8.1, we recommend upgrading them to a more current, in-service, and supported Windows release,” wrote Microsoft in its blog post. “Microsoft will not be offering an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 8.1. Continuing to use Windows 8.1 after January 10, 2023 may increase an organization’s exposure to security risks or impact its ability to meet compliance obligations.”

It’s worth noting that both Windows 7 and Windows 8(.1) operating systems will still run on computers, but the the lack of software patches would leave those PCs vulnerable to security risks. According to ZDNet, there were still millions of computers running Windows 7 at the end of 2020, even though Microsoft ended full support. The latest numbers show that there are still over 33,000 federal computer systems running Windows 7 and over 18,000 running Windows 8 or 8.1.

A majority of Windows users are steadfast on using Windows 10, which might be due to the operating system being one of Microsoft’s cleanest product, or because their machines can’t upgrade to Windows 11. According to analytics firm Statcounter Windows 11 accounts for just under 17 percent of Windows market share, while 11 percent of the market share is still held by Windows 7. Windows 10 dominates with a 68 percent market share.

Source: Microsoft, Via: Gizmodo

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Mobile Syrup

We might see OLED MacBooks in 2024 ‘at the earliest’

Apple’s MacBooks will one day shift over to an OLED display, but whether that’s 2024 or later is still unknown.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the OLED MacBook will come by the end of 2024 at the earliest.

Previously, display analyst Ross Young said that Apple would release an OLED display sometime in 2024. Additionally, Young says that this device would be a 13-inch model, and it’s most likely a MacBook Air.

Either way, the 2024 launch window is only possible according to Kuo. He makes it clear that the device would only come by the end of 2024 at the earliest.

The Apple Watch and iPhones use OLED displays; however, they aren’t included with iPads or MacBooks. With an “at the earliest” 2024 launch window, it does seem like we’ll get OLED screens on MacBooks before too long. These MacBooks would have better displays and be thinner and lighter than other devices.

Sooner or later, we’ll probably see it on iPads as well.

Source: 9to5Mac, Ming-Chi Kuo

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Mobile Syrup

Here are the new games hitting PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium in January 2023

Each month, PlayStation offers a handful of games at no additional cost to its PlayStation Plus subscribers.

Now, PlayStation has revealed what’s coming to the Extra and Premium tiers of its PS Plus service in January. (This month’s list of Essential games can be found here.)

The following games are joining the Extra catalogue (which is also included with a Premium membership):

  • Back 4 Blood (PS4/PS5)
  • Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition (PS5)
  • Dragon Ball FighterZ (PS4)
  • Erica (PS4)
  • Jett: The Far Shore (PS4/PS5) [Canadian title — co-developed by Quebec’s Superbrothers]
  • Life is Strange (PS4)
  • Life is Strange: Before the Storm (PS4)
  • Just Cause 4 (PS4)
  • Just Cause 4: Reloaded (PS4/PS5)
  • Omno (PS4)
  • Sayonara Wild Hearts (PS4)

Additionally, PlayStation Premium members can snag the following original PlayStation games:

  • Hot Shots Golf 2
  • Star Wars Demolition
  • Syphon Filter

All of these games will become available through PS Plus on January 17th.

PlayStation Plus Essential costs $11.99/month, Extra costs $17.99/month and Premium costs $21.99/month.

Image credit: Capcom

Source: PlayStation

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft says Xbox is now the first ‘carbon aware’ console

Microsoft says Xbox is now the first “carbon aware” console brand.

In a broader blog post about its sustainability efforts in gaming, the company revealed a new console update that will schedule game, app and OS updates at specific times during the maintenance window to reduce carbon emissions. This means your console will awaken when it can use the most renewable energy in your local energy grid, which, in turn, can save you money.

This functionality is now available to Xbox Insiders across Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S and will roll out to everyone in the future.

Additionally, Xbox consoles now automatically update to the energy-saving Shutdown power option, which reduces power consumption when your console is turned off. This adjustable setting cuts power use by up to 20 times versus when a console is in ‘Sleep’ mode. Citing calculations sourced from the U.S. government’s Environmental Protection Agency, Xbox says that for every two consoles that switch to Shutdown for one year, they’ll save the equivalent amount of carbon removed by one tree planted and grown for a decade.

Meanwhile, Xbox Insiders will also see a new ‘Active hours’ setting. If you opt to continue using the ‘Sleep’ option, you can adjust your console’s active hours so it will only be available for remote wake during this time. During the inactive periods, it will only consume 0.5 W, vs. the 10-15 W it uses while awake.

You can view your console’s full range of energy consumption features by visiting Settings > General > Power options.

All of these features are part of Microsoft’s larger efforts to become a carbon-negative, water-positive, and zero-waste company by 2030.

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung could possibly ditch its S24 ‘Plus’ model

It looks like Samsung is switching things up in 2024 with its flagship S Series. While we still haven’t even seen the S23 series, we’re already learning about the company’s S24 series that’s slated for next year.

According to a leak from The Elec, the Galaxy S24 series will only include the regular Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Ultra. The publication says Samsung is only currently only working on two projects, DM1 and DM3, which refer to the base and Ultra variants. DM2, which isn’t getting worked on, would refer to the S24’s Plus variant.

It’d make sense to ditch the Plus variant; it’d saved resources and push more people to purchase the Ultra variant.

It’s worth noting while The Elec is a reliable source, well-known leaker Roland Quandt has denied these claims. Quandt says DM refers to diamond, which is the codename for the S23 series, and that The Elec‘s research probably isn’t good.

And with that, one should take all of this with a grain of salt, as Samsung’s S24 lineup is more than a year from release. Samsung will unveil its S23 series on February 1st at 10pm PT/1pm ET.

 

The Elec also suggests that Samsung might ditch its A7 series and A2 series to simplify the devices it sells. According to the leak, Samsung will only sell its A1, A3 and A5 series in 2023 and so on.

Additionally, the company might bring back its Fan Edition variant of the upcoming S23 series.  The company ditched the series in FE series last year due to the semiconductor shortage, but Samsung could bring it back later this year or early 2024.

Source: The Elec, SamMobile, Roland Quandt

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Mobile Syrup

Apple could move to in-house screen production in 2024

Apple will reportedly move its screen production in-house as early as next year.

According to Bloomberg, the tech company plans to switch out displays in high-end Apple Watches first, including the Apple Watch Ultra, replacing OLED with microLED before upgrading its other devices.

The move will present the next generation of watches with brighter displays, vibrant colours, and better viewing from an angle. “The displays make content appear like it’s painted on top of the glass, according to people who have seen them,” Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman wrote. 

Gurman further states moving such production in-house will allow Apple to customize its devices better and have more control over its supply chain.

However, the 2o24 target could extend to 2025 due to high costs and technical challenges, people familiar with the matter told the publication. Such factors have long impacted the upgrades, as Apple reportedly had plans to switch to microLED screens in 2020.

The news isn’t surprising, as Apple has been steadily moving to in-house production for years, reducing its reliance on external parties. Moving to in-house production for microLED screens will impact several companies, including Samsung and LG.

The company is also reportedly working on its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip.

Source: Bloomberg

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Mobile Syrup

Xbox and Bethesda confirm game showcase coming January 25

Xbox has announced that it will be holding its first games showcase on Wednesday, January 25th at 3pm ET/12pm PT.

Under a new format called ‘Developer_Direct,’ Xbox developers will offer deep dives into a small handful of games, rather than the sorts of E3-style events featuring dozens of titles. Windows Central first reported on the show earlier this week.

Specifically, Xbox is promising looks at:

  • The Elder Scrolls Online (ZeniMax Online Studios) — an unveiling of the 2023 Chapter Update (an ‘ESO Chapter Reveal Event’ will also take place immediately after Developer_Direct)
  • Forza Motorsport (Turn 10) — we’ll learn more about the next Forza game built from the ground up for Xbox Series X/S
  • Minecraft Legends (Mojang and Vancouver’s Blackbird Interactive) — an “insider’s look” into the PvP experience
  • Redfall (Arkane) — “several minutes” of gameplay from this vampire FPS will be shown

The Developer_Direct will be streamed to Xbox’s Twitch and YouTube channels.

Additionally, Xbox confirmed that Starfield, the next game from Todd Howard’s The Elder Scrolls and Fallout team, will get its own standalone show in the future. All of the aforementioned games are set to release within the first half of 2023. Presumably, Xbox will keep with tradition and hold a major showcase in the summer (perhaps at E3) to outline what’s coming later this year and beyond.

In any case, it seems that Xbox is at least getting close to finally releasing some big exclusives. 2022 was a relatively quiet year for the publisher outside of its pending acquisition of Activision Blizzard, so it remains to be seen how 2023 will fare for the company.

Source: Xbox

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Mobile Syrup

Rumour suggests Apple plans potential iPhone 15 Pro price hike

Another rumour about Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 series suggests the Pro devices will cost more than the 14 Pro variants did at launch.

As detailed by MacRumors, an unverified source on Chinese microblogging site Weibo said Apple plans to increase the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max (assuming those are the names Apple goes with this year), but didn’t clarify how much more expensive the phones would be compared to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.

Moreover, the rumour indicated the price hike was intended to widen the gap between the Pro and non-Pro iPhone 15 models. Previously, rumours suggested Apple was considering a price reduction for the iPhone 15 Plus in a bid to boost sales after iPhone 14 Plus sales reportedly didn’t meet expectations.

The rumour also said the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus would gain several features currently only available on the Pro iPhone models, including the Dynamic Island and the 48-megapixel camera.

Of course, it’s worth taking this information with a healthy dose of skepticism. Aside from the source being unverified, we’re still months out from the fall launch of the iPhone 15 series — lots could change between now and then, which could impact any pricing plans Apple might have.

Beyond that, I’m not sure I buy into the part about iPhone Pro features coming to the regular iPhone models. In my eyes, the Pro iPhones already struggle to offer a compelling reason to buy them over the regular iPhones for most people, so unless Apple has some crazy new features planned, increasing the Pro pricing, and lowering the price of the non-Pro iPhones will make them even better value buys.

Source: Weibo Via: MacRumors