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(Pocket-lint) – TikTok doesn’t currently allow users to see their viewing or “watching” history. But that could change soon, according to a leaker.

The popular social media app is reportedly testing a new watch history feature that will let you easily find a video you’ve already watched without having to save or download it to your device later.

#Tick Tock Try adding a play history feature in the app pic.twitter.com/zFLn6uYSUr

– Hammod Oh (@hammodoh1) March 26, 2022

First discovered by Matt Navarre Twitter user Hammod Oh , which frequently posts unannounced features on various social networks, recently shared a screenshot showing TikTok testing a “Watch History” option. The feature itself, or at least its controls, appear to live under the Content & Activity menu in the app settings. Since TikTok hasn’t officially announced or launched the feature yet, it’s unclear how a watch history page will work in TikTok and if it’s just a running list of all the TikToks you’ve watched.

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Will there even be a filter or search option in your watch history? Not much is known at this point. However, since TikTok is apparently actively testing a watch history feature, it can be assumed that it will officially launch this soon. One other thing is for sure: if and when Watch History rolls out, it will be a much appreciated feature, especially for those who have resorted to workarounds.

Written by Maggie Tillman.

This time we are there. Intel just revealed all the details and availability of the Core i9-12900KS. This is a new flagship processor in its “mainstream” offering. It belongs to the 12th generation core and is based on a hybrid architecture.

Intel doesn’t mince words. This Core i9-12900KS would quite simply be the fastest desktop processor in the world. It features a maximum turbo frequency of 5.5 GHz and features Adaptive Boost technology.

Marcus Kennedy, General Manager of Intel’s Gaming, Creator & Esports segment, says

“Intel continues to push the boundaries of desktop gaming with the new 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900KS processor. This processor is based on Intel’s 12th generation hybrid performance architecture and for the first time can reach 5.5 GHz on up to two cores, giving the most extreme gamers the opportunity to maximize their performance. »

This Core i9-12900KS offers a total of 16 physical cores (8 P-Cores and 8 E-Cores) and manages 24 threads. Its mechanics embed a 30MB Smart Cache, while its maximum turbo frequency is 5.5GHz thanks to Thermal Velocity Boost. It features a 150W base thermal shell while adding PCIe Gen 5.0 and 4.0 support. Its memory controller offers DDR5-4800 and DDR4-3200 support.

It operates over an LGA 1700 socket offered by current Z690 motherboards. This special edition processor will be available from April 5th at a suggested retail price of $739.

Samsung’s famous 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP1 photo sensor is coming soon. A stolen photo of a prototype Motorola smartphone confirms this. The snapshot also shows the size of the module on the back of the phone. And it’s really huge. The lens would also be stabilized and would benefit from an aperture of f/2.2.

In September 2021 we introduced you to a new component from Samsung: the ISOCELL HP1. It is a photo sensor (as its name suggests) whose peculiarity is to reach a new symbolic bar: 200 megapixels. A very high value that promises a hitherto unrivaled level of detail and, above all, high-quality digital zoom.

Also read – Xiaomi 12 Ultra: its huge 50 MP Sony sensor could bury the iPhone 13 in the photo

Each light-sensitive pixel measures 0.64 microns Next. But like many sensors with resolutions of 48 megapixels or more, the HP1 works in ” pixel bining “. It combines four adjacent pixels into a much larger one, here out 1.28 microns Next. The final definition would be 50 megapixels, all the same. Also note that the sensor is capable of filming in 8K at 30 frames per second (although this mostly depends on the performance of the SoC image co-processor).

The 200 MP Samsung sensor is really gigantic

At the end of November, there was a rumor that the sensor would find its place in a smartphone from 2022. But the first model with the HP1 would not be a Galaxy: the Korean giant would have chosen to sell its components to a rival brand. Back then we talked about Xiaomi or Motorola. And a new leak brings a little more precision: It would be the American brand.

A stolen photo actually shows a Motorola prototype with a triple photo sensor on the back that reads: ” 200MP HP1 OIS f/2.2 “. This marking confirms that it is the ISOCELL HP1. The 200 MP sensor is associated with a lens whose aperture is fixed at f/2.2, which compared to modules fixed at f/1, 5 or f/1.6 is quite weak. This aperture is more common on an ultra wide-angle lens. We think the reason has to do with the size of the sensor.

The photo accompanying this article was posted on Weibo by the source of this leak. See the Motorola logo on the back. This shot confirms that gigantic sensor size. The module is so large that it is four times larger than the secondary modules. The marking also confirms that the lens is stabilized, which should ensure precision, especially at night when the sensor needs more light. We are of course very excited to test this sensor and compare it with other photo specialists on smartphones.

If the Studio Display’s price put you off a bit, Samsung just put a new 16:9 screen for sale that’s inspired by the look of the latest iMac: the Smart Monitor M8. It features a 32-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) panel and offers 400 nits of brightness. At the connectivity level, Samsung offers a micro-HDMI port as well as two USB-C ports.

No built-in webcam, but it is possible to purchase an external magnetic webcam that attaches to the back of the device. Samsung makes no secret of taking inspiration from Apple and offers a centered frame-like feature that can be used to track the user in video conferences. An equivalent of True Tone is also present thanks to an “adaptive picture technology” that automatically adjusts the screen’s brightness and color temperature. As with the Studio Display, the panel is limited to 60 Hz, the height can be adjusted at no extra charge and there are two integrated speakers and a microphone.

Even more powerfully, a chip running under Tizen is integrated into the screen, making it possible to offer certain Smart TV functions thanks to the remote control that comes with it. For example, you can launch the Apple TV, Netflix or YouTube application without having to connect a computer. A home automation hub part is also on the program to be able to turn off the light or change the temperature directly from the screen. Finally, Bixby and Alexa assistants are included, while the monitor is AirPlay 2 compatible.

And the price? €749, €1,000 less than the Studio Display. Four colors are available namely white, blue, green and pink. The device will be delivered from April 14th and can already be pre-ordered from Amazon.

The Philips The One range was developed three years ago and has had undeniable success. This third generation picks up the cocktail that has made it so successful: features worthy of a top-of-the-line LCD model at a moderate price. On paper, this model from Chinese TP Vision, owner of the Philips brand, has the good points: a 4K LCD panel, Android TV 10, management of the main HDR processing (HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision) and HDMI 2.1 -Sockets to take advantage of the latest gaming consoles and eARC. All this for less than 800 euros and with a large diagonal of 58 inches (147 cm). This series also benefits from the dynamic Philips Ambilight lighting system on three sides.

But let’s see what it really is and if this TV really is a good deal. The Philips The One PUS8546 is available in 5 sizes: 43, 50, 58, 65 and 70 inches (109, 127, 147, 165 and 177 cm) at prices between 700 and 1600 euros. We tested the 58-inch (147 cm) model.

A premium design

From the front, this Philips looks like a high-end model with a relatively thin bezel and a 3mm thick metal frame. The TV is 3.1 inches thick without the stand, which is thicker than many of its competitors. On the other hand, this 58 inch TV is quite light, tipping the scales at 20 kg when most 55 inch TVs exceed 25 kg.

The all-metal stand consists of two parts: a 72 cm long spatula at the front and a tab at the back with which the TV can be swiveled 15° to the right or left. The set is very stable, but has a depth of 25.6 cm. Due to these dimensions, it cannot be installed on all TV furniture. Besides, it didn’t work out for us. The TV is 6.5 cm high from the cabinet, which allows the installation of a soundbar. The rear tab has a groove through which the cables can be routed. Rather simple as a system. In addition, the base is not very easy to assemble: it consists of three metal elements that are assembled with the 7 screws provided. We knew it easier…

On the back we notice the three rows of LEDs of the Ambilight system, on both sides and in the upper part of the TV. Invented by Philips, the Ambilight system consists of rows of colored LEDs that energize the picture by projecting a colored light on the wall behind the TV, synchronized with the image on display. We think it’s secondary, but once you get used to the system, it’s hard to let go. In the device settings you can synchronize Ambilight with picture, sound or video games.

It will also be possible to combine Ambilight with connected Philips Hue lights so that your whole room reflects the lighting atmosphere of your programme. The plastic back is slightly curved to accommodate the two 10-watt downward-firing speakers and ports. However, the playback lacks power, space and bass. The TV is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS HD titles, but this is just decoding, it will be necessary to use a soundbar or compatible audio system to really take advantage of the 3D spatial effects.

An HDMI 2.1 connection

Philips has equipped its TV with all modern connections: 4 HDMI inputs, including two HDMI 2.1 (HDMI 1 and 2), but without 4K 120p because the panel is limited to 50 Hz. The HDMI 2 socket manages the eARC (Enhanced Return Channel). The HDMI 2.1 inputs ensure compatibility with the latest gaming consoles thanks to advanced features such as ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and in particular VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) to adapt the frame rate of the screen to the console and avoid tearing phenomena. There are also two USB ports (one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0), two antenna sockets (TNT cable / satellite), an optical digital audio output, a headphone jack and an Ethernet port. Wireless connectivity is provided by Wifi ac and Bluetooth 4.2.

The Philips 58PUS8546 is Chromecast compatible but ignores Apple’s Airplay and Homekit, as well as the Amazon Alexa assistant, which only works via a compatible connected speaker on the TV.

The richness and flexibility of Android TV 10

Philips uses Android TV 10 to animate its TV. This is not the latest version of Google’s operating system. But it offers access to the largest catalog of TV apps. Netflix, Disney+, MyCanal and Prime Video are preinstalled. In addition to the Chromecast function, the device can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant.

To run Android, Philips integrated a Mediatek ARM Cortex-A73 quad-core processor clocked at 1.8 GHz, coupled with a Mali-G52 graphics circuit, 3 GB of RAM and 8 GB of shared storage. From our point of view, this configuration is sufficient for use.

A well thought out remote control

The remote control is very well made, with a brushed aluminum finish and clearly laid out buttons. Its rectangular shape does not affect the grip. As always now, buttons are used to quickly launch Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Rakuten TV. We would have liked a touch for YouTube or Disney+. Unfortunately, the only backlit button is the one that turns on the Ambilight LEDs, but backlit remotes are only available at the top-end. There’s also a microphone and a button to launch the Google Assistant.

A 50Hz LCD panel

The Philips 58PUS8546 uses a VA LCD panel that displays images in 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) with a native refresh rate of 50Hz, which is twice as slow as some TVs in the same price range that sometimes hit 100Hz. The Philips P5 processor somehow tries to compensate for the lack of picture fluidity, but the result isn’t convincing: The picture remains jerky, which is noticeable when watching a game, tracking shots or fast action scenes. However, a twist in the motion compensation settings can reduce the damage.

At 1000x magnification, each pixel has three RGB (red, green, blue) primary color sub-pixels.

Cool colors in default mode

Compared to the best LCDs, the Philips 58PUS8546 shows a narrow range of colors (gamut). Our measurements show that it covers 100% of the sRGB color space, but only 87% of the DCI-P3 used by the cinema industry for HDR. For comparison: The TCL 55C728, also equipped with an LCD panel, provided 90 percent coverage of the DCI-P3.

As usual, the color fidelity is not there in standard mode: We measure an average Delta-E of 5.3. However, this reading must be below the threshold of 3 for the human eye to no longer perceive the differences between the colors displayed on the screen and the colors expected. Even with the naked eye, we can see that the image tends toward blue, a blue that appeared to us in the west. The measurements confirm it: The Delta-E of blue is 17…

Switching to Cinema mode keeps colors more realistic with an average Delta-E of 1.5.

A dimly lit but high-contrast image

For an LCD, the Philips 58PUS8546 has a low brightness of 184 cd/m², measured with our probe (in SDR, on the other hand, on the entire screen) by setting the brightness to 100% in standard picture mode. Small reassurance: the contrast ratio reaches 4400:1, thanks to the very deep black at 0.04 cd/m² for an LCD. Even if we are still far from the infinite black of OLED screens, the black level is very satisfactory. It has to be said that the panel is backlit in zones (Full LED Local Dimming), which is also relatively rare at this price.

The device is compatible with many HDR treatments: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Vision. Again, peak brightness is just 302 cd/m², much lower than the higher-end models, which sometimes exceed 1000 cd/m² and 450 cd/m² on some direct competitors like the Samsung Q60A. The gamma curve was measured at 2.3, quite close to our reference curve at 2.2.

Uniformity and viewing angle

Viewing angles are poor, even for an LCD, with severe color and brightness loss when the viewer is off-centre. On the other hand, panel uniformity is comparatively good: tests performed with a probe show that the brightness varies up to a maximum of 13% compared to the center of the screen, with the greatest variation being observed in the top corner.

The competition update

As mentioned above, one of the best competitors of this Philips The One is the Samsung Q60A, but also the TCL C72+, which we also appreciated in our test. There’s also the slightly older but excellent Sony XH90. On the other hand, the latter is much more expensive, so let’s leave it aside.

The Samsung Q60A has the advantage of better brightness, but its contrast ratio is lower. The latter also lacks a 100Hz panel and HDMI 2.1 capability, whereas The One offers several features of this standard. Finally, instead of Android TV, the Samsung embeds Tizen, the brand’s in-house operating system, which also works quite well, even if we prefer Android. For its part, the TCL will offer features close to this Philips, but it has a true native 100Hz panel and full HDMI 2.1 connectivity. It will therefore be perfect for gamers. Its big flaw is also the brightness, which is pretty close to that of The One.

Conclusion

With this latest The One model, Philips wanted to offer a large LCD TV at a competitive price. Despite the low brightness and the 50 Hz panel, this bet is partially held. Well equipped (Android TV, HDMI 2.1, Dolby Vision, Ambilight), this Philips 58PUS8546 shows a beautiful 4K picture with a satisfactory contrast for an LCD. However, we also invite you to consider the TCL C72+, which has similar characteristics and performance, but also includes a 100Hz panel and full HDMI 2.1 connectivity.

Converting 2D images into 3D scenes is a relatively old concept, but modern technology is soon making it a formality.

It’s a love story that has lasted for many years between the graphics technology enthusiasts and the magicians of Nvidia, which is constantly being cultivated with impressive technical demonstrations. And the green team just did it again with a rather eye-catching new proof of concept: Here’s Instant NeRF, a system capable of converting a handful of images into photorealistic 3D renderings in a matter of seconds.

The basic idea is not new; For years, specialists have been trying to transfer 2D images into a three-dimensional space, with very different results. The older ones have trouble producing identifiable images. But the latest ones, based on a technique called NeRF, are already able to offer visually acceptable, even very good, 3D conversions.

On the other hand, even the most advanced suffer from two often prohibitive problems. The first, as is often the case in AI-related projects, is computation time; These are often extremely heavyweight algorithms that can do this to take long to process a handful of images.

A computer magic trick in no time

The other concern relates to the angles available. With old-school systems, it’s difficult to get a clean result from all angles unless you’re using hundreds or even thousands of images for 3D reconstruction. Otherwise we end up with visual artifacts such as blurring or distortion on the final product (see video above).
In summary, this technique already exists, but it is the subject of constant compromise between quality and processing time; Today’s best systems are capable of producing a very good quality rendering in minutes, but it still takes many hours to train the model in advance.

But with Instant NeRF, NVIDIA promises to extract the best of both worlds to offer ultra-precise 3D rendering from just a few dozen photos, and most importantly, with up to 1000x the performance of the best current systems – or in ” a few hundredths of a second”!

To achieve this breathtaking performance, Nvidia developed a technique called “Multi-Resolution Hash Grid Encoding”. The company gives very little information about its activities. Broadly speaking, however, the concept is to create multiple small neural subnets, each of which is exponentially faster to train than a single mega-network.

Opportunities for use in all sectors

The proof of concept is already impressive, but the most interesting thing is that it has a lot of very concrete future prospects. For example, the next step will probably be to go up a gear, namely converting photos not into simple 3D renderings, but into real digital objects in 3 dimensions that can be manipulated by professionals.

For example, the press release explains that a system like Instant NeRF could be used in architecture or in the entertainment world. It could then be used to quickly create content on the fly; a few photos of a historical monument, and phew, here it is integrated into a game or a movie, in two stages, three movements!

Instant NeRF might even find functional applications. Think in particular of autonomous piloting; In fact, there are many machines, such as cars, drones or even industrial machines, whose level of autonomy and reliability depends directly on their ability to translate 2D images into a 3D representation of their environment. You can’t stop the progress!

New twist in the Nintendo Never Jokes With Its Intellectual Property series: The Japanese company has had scans of an old Super Mario 64 strategy guide removed. Yes, yes, scans…

If you follow Nintendo news closely, you know how uncompromising the Japanese company is with its intellectual property. With the smallest fan project articulated around one of its strong brands, the multinational acts with the aim of eliminating everything. To the point of ridiculousness… As reported in an article by Kotaku published on March 24, Nintendo had scans of a Super Mario 64 strategy guide removed outright.

The worst ? Said strategic guide is new to us: it was only published in Japan in 1996. Therefore, the only way to consult it is to find a copy on auction sites (at a very high price). These scans, offered by Comfort Food Video Games on the Internet Archive, were another way to access them – without paying anything. In short, Nintendo is not a gift at all.

Super Mario 64 Strategy Guide // Source: Kotaku

Nintendo’s intransigence

Comfort Food Video Games obviously regrets the verdict – irrevocably – given that it cannot challenge the might of Nintendo. He laments, “Honestly, I’d like to question its legitimacy as I’m wondering how Nintendo of America can be associated with a Nintendo of Japan-licensed strategy guide, but I can’t fight Nintendo’s legal team.” It’s really disappointing. »

The Super Mario 64 Strategy Guide archive page is empty

If Comfort Food Video Games fully understands the concept of intellectual property, he believes that these scans of a document that is more than 20 years old do not in any way harm Nintendo’s image. At worst, they penalized those who resold a physical copy of the guide for huge sums – which no one regretted. “I just wanted to show my love for this incredible guide and in turn my love for the company. I’m new to video game preservation and I find it depressing to see people spend time and money preserving history when companies like Nintendo aren’t doing anything to help. In reality, they are hindering this cause, “concludes the person concerned.

Nintendo’s decision is all the more unfortunate given that the strategy guide in question is a real nugget. It not only gives players valuable advice, but also offers a real overview of the levels thanks to photos of dioramas in 3D (the relief impression is sensational). It really is a great collector’s item worth archiving for fans to enjoy without owning it. Except that Nintendo doesn’t think so.

In 2021, Netflix rocked the entertainment world by announcing its entry into the video game market. Today, the Netflix subscription not only gives access to a catalog of movies and series, but also access to a catalog of mobile games available for iOS and Android.

These titles are available to all subscribers for free, with no ads or in-app purchases. For the company, it’s a way to attract more new subscribers as it faces competition from Apple TV+, Disney+, and other U.S. streaming services.

New mobile games for Netflix subscribers

New games are added to the Netflix catalog quite frequently. For example, this March SVOD released two new titles available to all subscribers on iOS and Android.

The first is This is a true story. “Working in partnership with Charity: Water, a nonprofit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in the developing world, Frosty Pop created this lush narrative-driven puzzle game to tell the true story of a Sub-Saharan African woman’s daily struggle to find water for her family,” reads the Netflix description.

This Is A True Story, a game available on Netflix since March 22nd. ©Netflix

The second is Shatter Remastered, which is “a retro-inspired brick-busting game that combines classic action with unique twists and incredible boss fights. »

Shatter Remastered, a game available on Netflix since March 22nd. ©Netflix

In addition, Netflix has announced the upcoming arrival of a first-person shooter: Into The Dead 2: Unleashed. No date has been announced yet, but in any case, this game should appeal to those who love action and horror movies.

“In this sequel to the hit zombie action game Into the Dead, armed players must fend off escalating zombie threats while traversing dangerous terrain,” reads the description posted by Netflix. “In a world where no one is safe, do what must be done to stay alive. »

Into The Dead 2: Unleashed, available on Netflix. ©Netflix

Ambitious buys Netflix Studios

In any case, Netflix has decided to go all out. In addition to offering this new gaming space, allowing subscribers to access titles on Android and iOS, the company is also acquiring studios to strengthen its ability to offer content.

Currently, SVOD has already made three acquisitions. In September 2021 he bought Night School Studio. In early March, Netflix also announced the acquisition of Next Games. And just a few days ago, the company also formalized the acquisition of Boss Fight Entertainment.

And of course more announcements could follow. “We’re still in the early stages of creating great gaming experiences as part of your Netflix subscription,” SVOD said in a statement.

“Through partnering with developers around the world, hiring top talent, and acquisitions like this, we hope to create a world-class games studio capable of delivering a wide variety of delicious and immersive games – with no ads or… In-App Purchases. — to our hundreds of millions of members worldwide,” the company added.