Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Siri : This touch switch works with Amazon Alexa / Google Home by using App to control electric devices with your voice
Price: ₹1,399.00
(as of Dec 28, 2023 08:52:58 UTC – Details)
Apple Watch ban explained: From pulse oximetry tech to Masimo’s patent dispute, know it all
If all of this information is new to you and words like Masimo and pulse oximetry are confusing, don’t worry. A lot has happened in a short span of time, and many are struggling to keep up with the entire saga, allow us to break it down for you.
Contents
What is Masimo?
The entire dispute goes as far back as 2013, two years before the first-ever Apple Watch was released. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, this was the time when Apple became interested in a health technology company called Masimo Corporation. Founded in 1989, Masimo is a public venture headquartered in Irvine, California. The company primarily manufactures patient monitoring devices and technologies, including non-invasive sensors using optical technology, patient management, and telehealth platforms.
The company founder, chairman, and CEO Joe Kiani started the venture and was later joined by Mohamed Diab, a senior research scientist who is at the core of the company’s scientific innovation. In the later years, Michael O’Reilly, Masimo’s then-chief medical officer also played a crucial role in developing the company’s Signal Extraction Technology (SET) pulse oximetry, which became the bone of contention between Apple and Masimo.
What is pulse oximetry?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all become familiar with the term ‘blood oxygen level’. It is the amount of oxygen in your blood. For normal functioning, doctors recommend that it should be at or above 95 percent. It is only when a respiratory disorder or a genetic condition affects us, that it goes down, potentially causing a life-threatening situation for people.
For most people, there is no need to monitor blood oxygen as the body maintains it autonomously. However, in situations like COVID-19 or critical congenital heart disease (CCHD), it becomes important to keep track of it. Masimo developed a noninvasive method to check blood oxygen levels using two light-emitting diodes (LEDs), one red and one infrared. It measures the absorption of light and translates that into the percentage of hemoglobin molecules that are bound to oxygen, which is called arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2).
This method also became popular as it could only detect arterial oxygen and ignore venous blood using filters.
The Masimo patent dispute
After this background check, we go back to 2013, when Apple was developing an interest in Masimo. In particular, the SpO2 technology they owned. Apple was interested in integrating that technology in its Apple Watch which was still in the research and development phase. Senior folks from Masimo even had meetings with the Cupertino-based tech giant and as per reports, the feeling in the Masimo camp was of excitement.
However, later that year, Apple began hiring some of the key employees of Masimo, including O’Reilly. Reports claimed that they were offered big salaries and other perks to move. Soon, it became clear to Masimo that Apple never intended to form a partnership, but wanted a way to do it all by itself.
Kiani later told the WSJ, “When Apple takes an interest in a company, it’s the kiss of death. First, you get all excited. Then you realize that the long-term plan is to do it themselves and take it all”.
While this was tragic and unethical, no legal terms were broken yet. And they won’t be for the next 7 years. In the fall of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic was in full effect, Apple launched the Apple Watch 6, with a new feature that lets users measure their SpO2 levels without needing a medical device.
Masimo saw this coming. It became aware of the developments occurring at Apple and sued the company even before the product was launched for stealing its trade secrets and infringing upon its pulse oximetry patents.
ITC enters the scene
Patent litigation is a slow process, which revolves around scrutinizing technicalities. Looking for an immediate result, Masimo looked towards the International Trade Commission (ITC) in 2021, while it continued dragging the in-court litigation. This turned out to be a genius move because, in May 2023, the lawsuit was declared a mistrial.
However, things went bad for Apple as the ITC ruled in favor of Masimo in October 2023, after finding that Apple had infringed upon Masimo’s technology.
As a result, ITC banned the sale of every single Apple Watch in the US that contained this technology. This would be every single smartwatch by the company from the Apple Watch 6 all the way to Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The Apple Watch SE was the only exception since it did not feature SpO2 monitoring.
The ban came into effect on December 26 and Apple had pulled the latest generation smartwatches from both its online and retail stores. It also shelved the refurbished Apple Watch 7 and 8, which were still in circulation.
This brings us to the present, where Apple has now received a temporary halt in the ban by an appellate court. It now remains to be seen how exactly the iPhone maker navigates from here and whether it is able to do a software-based upgrade to undo the hardware that is causing the patent infringement.
Source: tech.hindustantimes.com
Best Amazon Fire TV built-in televisions
Right now, we think the best Fire TV Edition set is the Amazon Fire TV 4-Series because it’s one of the newest and most attractive streaming devices available. However, there are several great choices on the market, so let’s take a look at what’s out right now.
At a glance
Best overall
Offering three sizes, HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and reasonable pricing make the 4-Series Fire TV the best overall choice for almost everyone. Extra features like a full-voice remote and three HDMI plus one HDMI eARC port put it at the top of our list.
Best value
Features like HDR10 and Dolby Audio support are must-haves in a new TV set, but the killer feature of Amazon’s’ 2-Serires televisions is the low price. If you’re looking for a budget set, you’ve found it.
Best new model
With an exceptional HDR10 QLED screen, built-in Ethernet, and four HDMI ports the Hisense U6 model is a great way to watch your favorite content. Its locked 60Hz refresh rate isn’t ideal for gaming, though.
Best QLED screen
It’s big, bright, and beautiful. The Omni QLED Series from Amazon is all about the display. Doubling as a digital canvas for your photos or art the Dolby Vision IQ screen also fully supports HDR10+ and HLG. It even has HDMI eARC 2.1 support if you ever decide to turn things off.
Best big screen
The Toshiba C350 is the one to buy if you’re all about a big screen. Features like Dolby Vision and HDR10 are onboard along with DTS audio enhancement, but you won’t pay for a lot of extras you may not need. It’s a great value for a big screen.
Best small screen
If you’re looking for a small set for the bedroom or a spare room, it’s hard to beat the Insignia F20 series. While the design seems boring, you still get the complete Fire TV experience in 1080p at a great price.
What are the best built-in Fire TVs?
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Best overall

Late in 2021, Amazon announced its first “Amazon-built” TV sets with the Amazon Fire TV 4-Series and the Amazon Fire TV Omni Series. The Fire TV 4-Series offers pretty much all of the features that you could want from one of the best smart TVs while being powered by Amazon’s excellent interface. The 4-Series comes in three different sizes and delivers 4K UHD video while also providing HDR10 and HLG support.
As expected, Amazon includes an Amazon Voice Remote, complete with Alexa, which will come in handy since you won’t be able to activate Alexa hands-free. It’s definitely the more affordable option of the two, but the 4-Series still looks great despite relying on an LED panel instead of an OLED or QLED display. Thankfully, Amazon thought ahead for its users and included a total of three HDMI 2.0 ports and a single HDMI 2.1 eARC port so that you can connect all of your devices and peripherals.
The only other catch, besides using an LED panel, is that the Amazon Fire TV 4-Series is only available in three different sizes. If you want something larger than 55 inches, you might want to check out Amazon’s Omni QLED Series.
Best value

Ever since introducing its own lineup of Fire TVs, Amazon has been slowly expanding the offering to hit more segments of the market. Early in 2023, the company unveiled the Amazon Fire TV 2-Series, which comes in either a 32-inch or 40-inch option.
This isn’t going to blow your socks off, by any means, as the TV itself is limited to a 1080p resolution. But when the 40-inch model is just $250 and the 32-inch version comes in at $199, it’s tough to really argue with the value here. Amazon even includes its excellent Alexa Voice Remote in the box, giving you access to hands-free Alexa.
Amazon has made great strides to improve its Fire TV interface, even if you have to deal with ads appearing in line with your other apps. That being said, you still get access to the best streaming services without needing to sacrifice one of the built-in HDMI ports.
Best new model

One of the newest additions to the lineup of built-in Fire TV options is the Hisense U6HF. This new TV recently landed on Amazon as Hisense’s first attempt at using the Fire TV interface as opposed to Android TV. As you would expect, the U6HF includes Amazon’s excellent Alexa Voice Remote, complete with hands-free Alexa support and on-remote shortcuts to some of the best streaming services.
As for picture quality, Hisense is pulling out all of the stops as the U6HF uses a QLED panel, which offers some of the best color accuracy on the market. This TV also supports Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, and HDR10+, so your favorite movies and TV shows will look better than ever. Hisense even went so far as to include a total of four HDMI ports, so you won’t need to worry about running out of connections.
Unfortunately, the U6HF is currently only available in 50-inches and 58-inches, leaving you looking elsewhere if you want a different size. And while Motion Rate 240 is integrated to cut down on blurriness from action scenes, the TV panel itself is limited to 60Hz. This should be fine for most, but gamers might want to look elsewhere.
Best QLED screen

If you want the ultimate Amazon Fire TV built-in television, look no further than the Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED Series. Not only are you getting a stunning 4K UHD quality, but this TV also supports quite a few different HDR formats. These include the likes of HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Vision IQ, and even HDR10+ Gaming.
In the box, Amazon also includes the excellent Alexa Voice Remote, but there are built-in microphones to provide hands-free access to Alexa. As for port selection, Amazon didn’t skimp there either, as the Omni QLED Series includes three HDMI 2.0 ports, one HDMI 2.1 eARC port, an Ethernet jack, and a USB 2.0 port. This makes the Omni QLED perfect for gaming, or enjoying the latest movies as soon as they hit your favorite streaming service.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen the price of QLED TVs come down quite a bit, and that trend continues with the sub-$800 starting price of Amazon’s offering. The only real downside here is that there are only two sizes available, 65 inches or 75 inches. We also wish Amazon would have included its updated Alexa Voice Remote Pro, but alas, you’ll have to pick that up separately.
Best big screen

It was a matter of time, but Toshiba has released its new high-end Fire TV Edition models with the Toshiba C350 series. As a result, you’re going to get the excellent Amazon Fire TV experience built-in without needing to take up those precious HDMI ports with a dongle. Toshiba also included the improved Voice Remote with Alexa, allowing you to make Alexa do all the heavy lifting for you.
In addition to providing 4K UHD quality, the Toshiba C350 series is also compatible with Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10 content. And those who are a bit concerned with the audio quality will enjoy the DTS Virtual: X support that aims to provide an enhanced audio experience compared to other Fire TV models.
The biggest downside to the Toshiba C350 series is that the company uses LED panels instead of OLED. This means your colors may not be quite as vibrant as some of the best TVs, but it should still do a great job. There’s also the concern of only having three different sizes to choose from in this lineup, as Toshiba is only offering 43-inch, 50-inch, and 55-inch options.
Best small screen

Unlike the F30 Series, Insignia did make one major adjustment when it released the Insignia F20 Series. The 2022 “ultra-budget” Fire TV Editions were limited to a 720p resolution, even if you moved up to a larger size. With the F20 Series, Insignia is upping the ante by making the move up to 1080p. This will not be as crisp as 4K, but it will be quite a substantial upgrade over the 720p resolution from last year.
Just as you’ll find with both Insignia and Toshiba’s options, the F20 Series also includes the Amazon Voice Remote equipped with Alexa. Beggars can’t be choosers, but if we could choose, we would have liked to see a redesign to the design of the F20 Series. Slimmer bezels would also have been a welcome feature, and that awkward bump at the bottom of the TV that houses the IR blaster is not very aesthetically pleasing.
Insignia went with an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to its Fire TV Edition lineup. And while it’s great to see the improvement in the picture quality, there are a few other areas that we wished would have gotten some love.
The best of Fire in your TV
Amazon is really hitting hard in the smart TV streaming space, and these latest Fire TV Editions from Amazon, Insignia, and Toshiba have raised the bar another notch. So our top choice on this list has to be the Amazon Fire TV 4-Series because it’s the most attractive and affordable Fire TV-powered option available.
These Fire TV Edition TVs have almost all of the top specs you would look for in a mid-range smart TV like 4K UHD and available Dolby Vision, with the benefit of Amazon’s intuitive Fire TV operating system built-in. Having Alexa available through the included voice remote is a huge bonus as well, as you can use this device like your smart home controller to monitor your Ring Doorbell, Blink cameras, or Ecobee thermostats. We also like that they come in sizes that are not absurdly large for most rooms and are affordably priced for 4K smart TVs.
Whichever Fire TV set you choose, you’re going to get a great viewing experience with Alexa smarts built-in at a reasonable price. Choose wisely, and start enjoying all of that great content soon with your friends and family!
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Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Samsung Galaxy S24: Which phone gives you the best value right now?
Samsung Galaxy S23
The Samsung Galaxy S23 comes with a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with up to 120Hz refresh rate. The smartphone is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, paired with 128GB of storage space for the standard model.
Coming to cameras, the Samsung Galaxy S23 features a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 50MP primary wide camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens. In the front, the Galaxy S23 is equipped with a 12MP selfie camera. The phone gets a 3900 mAh battery. It comes with Android 13 out of the box and all the latest updates by Samsung.
Not sure which
mobile to buy?
The smartphone starts at Rs. 74,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant.
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung is expected to launch its Galaxy S24 lineup which will include the base model Galaxy S24. While some changes are rumored, it is believed that there will not be drastic transformations to the smartphone. The Galaxy S24 is expected to feature a 6.1-inch display, just like its predecessor. But, Samsung can upgrade it from AMOLED panels to LTPO panels, which has so far exclusively featured on the Ultra, if a rumor is to be believed.
Some rumors have also mentioned that the Galaxy S24 will feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in the US, while in other regions it will come with Exynos 2400 SOC. Another rumor says that the base model may feature an optimized version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 instead.
These two phones may also feature a new battery design, which is being called a stacked battery, by rumors. It will offer better energy density without an increase in size.
Apart from that, other changes are not known at this time. It is believed that the Samsung Galaxy S24 will sport the same camera system as its predecessor.
Based on this, it appears that the Galaxy S23 might be a better deal if you can find some discount on it. There should be a significant price drop once the S24 lineup is launched, and it would be an even better time to go for the smartphone.
However, if you live on the bleeding edge of technology and do not want to miss out on the newest features by Samsung, then you spend a little extra and go for the Galaxy S24 instead.
Source: tech.hindustantimes.com
Samsung Galaxy S24 rumored to come in new exciting colors; know what has just been leaked
Samsung Galaxy S24 colors
WinFuture’s Roland Quandt shared a post on X saying that a vendor is selling SIM card trays for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus. The SIM tray colors are revealed to be Orange, Purple and White. Additionally, the vendor is said to be selling seven colors at $1.80 each. According to the vendor, the Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus may come in color options: black, orange, green, purple, blue, gold and white, however, some of the colors will be exclusive for buyers who purchase the product directly from Samsung’s website.
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Not sure which
mobile to buy?
Previously, the color options for Samsung Galaxy S24 were revealed by Ross Young and Ice Universe who claimed that the upcoming S-series will feature black, gray, violet and yellow shades, while orange, blue and light green will be available for exclusive purchases. We can say that yellow or gold might be similar colors, it’s just the point of view of people revealing the colors to the audience.
Also read: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra set to go titanium. Better than iPhone 15 Pro? Know what was tweeted
Having said all this, till the official launch of the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, we can not really be sure of what the company is planning in terms of the device’s colors, features, and design, however, we know that the Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to receive massive upgrades along with new AI features to give tough competition to Apple and Google smartphones.
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Source: tech.hindustantimes.com
6 Amazon Alexa Settings to Change for a Personalized Smart Home Experience
Configuring Alexa and becoming familiar with the basics is pretty easy once you get an Amazon Echo. You can quickly learn how to use your Echo to call someone, how to connect Alexa to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and even how to use Alexa in the kitchen. But there are other Alexa settings you’ll want to explore for a more customized experience.
This story is part of 12 Days of Tips, helping you make the most of your tech, home and health during the holiday season.
No matter which Alexa device you have — an Amazon Echo Dot, a compact Echo Flex, a chunky Echo Studio or a smart display like the Echo Show 15 — there are a ton of customizations to make Alexa more useful. And a few small changes can make a big difference. For example, you’ll want to update your privacy settings, including automatically deleting recordings and turning off the setting that lets Amazon employees listen to those recordings.
Contents
1. Update your Amazon Echo privacy settings
One of the first concerns with owning an Echo speaker is privacy. Fortunately, Amazon is rolling out more privacy settings, including updates to both Ring and Echo products.
You can delete your entire voice recordings history. To do this, open the Alexa app and go to Settings > Alexa Privacy > Review Voice History. Next, tap the downward-facing arrow next to Displaying and then the arrow next to Filter By Date. Then tap All History > Delete All My Recordings.
You can also keep Amazon employees from listening to your voice recordings. In the Alexa app, go to Settings > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data. From here, select Choose How Long to Save Recordings > Don’t Save Recordings > Confirm. Next, scroll down to Help Improve Alexa, and switch off the Use of Voice Recordings.
For more safety tips on your smart home devices, read our privacy guide on how to keep Amazon, Google and Apple out of your conversations.
2. Enable Brief Mode on your Amazon Echo
When you ask Alexa to do something, such as play a song or turn on the lights, Alexa will say something like, “OK, turning on the lights.” This is to help you determine why Alexa did something if it wasn’t what you asked. However, if you don’t want Alexa repeating what you just said, you can change that setting so that it plays a short sound instead of a voice response.
To do so, open the Alexa app’s More menu and select Settings. Under the Alexa Preferences section, tap Voice Responses, then toggle on the switch for Brief Mode.
3. Set up your preferred music streaming service
When you set up your Amazon Echo, the music service defaults to Amazon Music. However, if you use Spotify,
Apple Music
or another streamer, you may want to link your Echo to that instead.
Go to Settings > Music & Podcasts, then link to a service. On the same page, tap Default Services and switch to your preferred music provider. Now the Echo will play from the music streaming service of your choice when you say, “Alexa, play music.” Note that you can select defaults for family or personal listening.
4. Change the wake word from Alexa
If TV commercials keep triggering your Amazon Echo when they say “Alexa,” you can change the wake word to something that’s less likely to trigger the speaker. The other traditional options are Computer, Echo and Amazon, but there are several newer wake word additions you can use like Ziggy and Hey, Disney.
If you want a change, just say, “Alexa, change the wake word” and make your selection. You can also open the Alexa app, go to Settings > Device Settings. Select your device, then tap the Settings icon and select Wake Word to make a choice. Unfortunately, you can’t come up with your own name for the speaker, like “Tallulah” or “Digital Overlord.”
5. Enable voice purchasing on your Amazon Echo
You don’t always have time to search Amazon for something you’re out of, like toilet paper. That’s why it can be helpful to set up voice purchasing on your Amazon Echo, so Alexa can order products for you.
To get started, you’ll need to turn on voice ordering and 1-Click ordering. Open the Alexa app and navigate to Settings > Account Settings > Voice Purchasing > Purchasing controls > Select who can make purchases. For instance, you can set up a voice code or profile so that only you can make purchases when you type in a four-digit code.
6. Set up household profiles on your Amazon Echo
If you have multiple people in your house, you’ll want to set up voice profiles for each member who uses the Echo speaker. This will help Alexa learn your voice and distinguish you from others in the house. To create voice profiles, go to Settings > Your Profile & Family > Voice ID and follow the onscreen prompts.
You can make sure your voice profile is correctly set up by asking, “Alexa, who am I?” The voice assistant will say, “I’m talking to [your name].”
If you have favorite customizations and settings, share them in the comments. And now that you’ve updated these six Echo settings, here are five creative uses for your Amazon Echo device, five essential tips for your new Echo device and CNET’s roundup of every Alexa command you can give right now.
Source: www.cnet.com
5 things about AI you may have missed today: AI adoption by Indian businesses, Nasscom survey, AI in cancer fight, more
Contents
Indian businesses take steps for responsible AI adoption
According to a Nasscom survey, almost 60 percent of surveyed Indian businesses have either developed mature Responsible AI (RAI) practices or are in the process of adopting such practices. About 30 percent have a basic awareness of RAI without a formal strategy. The report, based on a survey of over 500 senior executives in India, highlights the industry’s beliefs and perceptions regarding AI compliance. As the demand for RAI grows, industry leaders are investing in advanced tools and strategies, emphasizing transparency in AI practices. The report notes a correlation between businesses scaling up AI maturity and reporting higher RAI maturity.
AI in cancer detection
Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s medical faculty have made a groundbreaking discovery, revealing the significant potential of AI to improve tumor detection during colonoscopies, as per a report by the South China Morning Post. The focus is on identifying smaller adenomas, addressing the traditional “miss rate” in lesion detection. Unlike conventional methods, where an endoscope is used, the AI tool acts as an additional set of eyes for less experienced doctors, excelling at identifying potential tumors in video footage. This advancement holds promise for transforming colonoscopy practices and reflects the ongoing evolution of medical technology to enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
AI can detect fake luxury items
Entrupy is using AI to authenticate designer handbags and sneakers in the resale market, focusing on brands like Balenciaga, Burberry, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. Initially available to luxury goods resellers, the tool aims to build trust with customers concerned about buying authentic products in the resale market.
Speaking with Elle in an interview, Vidyuth Srinivasan, the cofounder and CEO of Entrupy said, “The whole point of doing this is to add trust and make it verifiable as a third party. It’s the consumer having the certainty that this is not just [one] person saying that it’s authentic, there’s also a third party that’s not invested in the transaction, certifying it”.
Sharing personal information with AI chatbots might not be a good idea, says Oxford prof
According to Oxford University’s AI expert, Professor Mike Wooldridge, confiding in ChatGPT about work issues or political preferences could have repercussions, as the information shared helps train future versions of the technology, reported the Guardian. Wooldridge warns that such conversations with chatbots are “extremely unwise” due to potential privacy concerns. He also cautions users not to expect a balanced response, as the technology tends to provide answers that align with user preferences. These insights are part of Wooldridge’s exploration of AI in this year’s Royal Institution Christmas lectures, where he aims to address key questions and dispel myths surrounding this groundbreaking technology.
OpenAI investor says AI can be deflationary for the economy
Vinod Khosla, a billionaire and early backer of OpenAI, anticipates that AI will bring about fundamental changes to the global economy. Khosla, who made a significant investment of $50 million through his venture capital firm in 2019, stands as one of the early investors of OpenAI, marking the largest investment in the firm’s 15-year history.
He posted on X, “AI should be hugely deflationary over twenty five years. Capital should be scarce for a while, current measures of GDP and the economy will be less relevant but goods and services should be in great abundance. The key question is what are the right measures and the right questions”.
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Source: tech.hindustantimes.com


