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Novel AI system can draw caricatures

Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can sketch caricatures from a given portrait. Caricature portrait drawing is a distinct art form where artists draw a person's face in an exaggerated manner, most times to elicit humour. Automating this technique poses challenges due to the amount of intricate details and shapes involved and level of professional skills it takes to transform a person artistically from their real-life selves to a creatively exaggerated one. "Compared to traditional graphics-based methods which define hand-crafted rules, our novel approach leverages big data and machine learning to synthesize caricatures from thousands of examples drawn by professional artists," said Kaidi Cao, a graduate student at Stanford University in the US. "While existing style transfer methods have focused mainly on appearance style, our technique achieves both geometric exaggeration and appearance stylisation involved in caricature drawing," said Cao, who ...

Apple's new iPad Pro ad insists it is a computer

Apple sure put a lot of thought behind making its new iPad Pro a device of desire will all the aesthetics in place and power at the core. Now, the company wants you to replace your existing computer, however sturdy, with the handheld tablet.In its newly released ad on YouTube, Apple lists 5 reasons why the iPad Pro can be your next computer. The list glorifies the powerful core that allows you to carry out heavy tasks including gaming and graphics, the upgraded Apple Pencil, LTE support, and so on.While it is no denying that the iPad Pro does offer a lot of power for everyday tasks with its A12X processor, is it really a reliable or durable machine? May be not. In a recent teardown by YouTuber JerryRigEverything, the tablet folded like a piece of paper in the very first attempt of bending. Plus, the iPad Pro still does not allow you to use external storage over the Type-C, something an otherwise 'ordinary' laptop would permit.

Google Pixel 3 bug is disabling camera app

Google's Pixel 3 is running into trouble again as owner are complaining that a flaw is preventing them from using the native camera app.The affected users are reporting that they are getting a 'fatal error' or 'can't connect to camera' message when they use the camera app on its own or when accessing it through a third-party app, Engadget reported.It is not clear as to what is causing the problem. However, rebooting the device appears to be the temporary fix at the moment.

Piramal Glass deploys Microsoft Azure IoT platform for seamless production

Glass packaging company Piramal Glass on Tuesday announced that it has deployed Microsoft's Azure IoT platform to digitally transform its manufacturing operations.

Data Localisation in a Globalised World: An Indian Perspective - A Study by The Dialogue

/ -- The Dialogue, an emerging public-policy think tank, today launched its in-house study on the impact of data localisation policies, titled 'Data Localisation in a Globalised World: An Indian Perspective', at the Constitution Club of India. The study argues that cross-border data flows are fundamental to the growth of the global economy. By examining different aspects of data localization such as security, costs, international approaches, and a sectoral analysis, the study concludes that localization is not a viable means to the end that it is designed for. Instead, there are better alternatives available to improve law enforcement and ease of access, which would accomplish the same results without necessarily compromising on the prospects of growth. The report developed through primary and secondary data analysis has forecasted a loss of GDP upto 1 percentage points in the short and medium term if India goes ahead with forced data localisation in its current avatar. The report ...

Samsung brings world's first 4-rear camera smartphone to India

Upping the ante in the camera department, South Korean tech giant Samsung on Tuesday brought Galaxy A9, its first smartphone with quadruple primary (rear) camera system, to India.

Proposed technology export ban in US could affect Apple

A ban has been proposed in the US on the selling of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), computer vision and iPhone processor technology, which could majorly affect trade, working and research of many tech giants, including Apple.

Google to invest data centre and green energy in Denmark

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google will invest 4.5 billion Danish crowns ($690 mln) in building a new data centre in Fredericia, Denmark, its Danish business said on Tuesday.

Casio India Launches New Limited Edition EDIFICE Watch in Collaboration With Honda Racing

/ -- Casio India has announced the release of a new addition to its EDIFICE line of high-performance metal chronographs based on the brand concept of 'Speed and Intelligence'. The new EQS-800HR is a collaboration model with Honda Racing. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/787427/Casio_Honda_Racing.jpg ) The new EQS-800HR is a solar-powered watch that boasts a dial made from carbon fiber, a material indispensable in motorsports. The overall watch design adopts the red and white image colors of Honda Racing, highlighted by a white leather band with red lining. The dial features the Honda Racing logo, and the strap keeper and back plate are engraved with the Honda logo. The premium watch comes in special packaging that includes a card commemorating the 1968 Honda F1 RA301 race car. Honda Racing is the motor sports activities that Honda Motor Company, Ltd. pursues around the world. The Company has been in the spotlight as the supplier of power units to the Scuderia Toro Rosso ...

Google to invest $690 million in Danish data centre

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google will invest 4.5 billion Danish crowns ($690 mln) in building a new data centre in Fredericia, Denmark, its Danish unit announced on Tuesday.

Google Home celebrates Mickey Mouse's 90th birthday with special features

Google is celebrating Mickey Mouse's 90th birthday with new special features on Google Home.

Facebook Messenger crashes globally

Several users in the US and Europe on Tuesday reported that Facebook Messenger was not working for them.

Instagram removes fake likes, comments to fight automated bots

Facebook-owned photo sharing platform Instagram has announced the latest step to purge inauthentic likes, follows and comments from accounts that used third-party apps to boost their popularity.

Apple cuts production orders for all three new iPhone models - WSJ

(Reuters) - Apple Inc has cut production orders in recent weeks for all three iPhone models launched in September, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing sources.

World Toilet Day: IIT Delhi students develop 'stand and pee' device for women

Students at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here have developed a "stand and pee device" for women to avoid dirty public washrooms. The device, "Sanfe (Sanitation for female)", was launched on the World Toilet Day on Monday. It is priced at Rs 10 and has been tried and tested at the AIIMS. The device has been launched with a #StandUpForYourself campaign under which one lakh free samples of the product will be distributed to women across the country. "Lack of hygiene in public washrooms exposes one out of every two women to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Concerned by this we innovated this female stand and pee device so that they can maintain a safe distance from the toilet seats and protect themselves from the possibility of getting infected," Archit Agarwal, a BTech student and the co-founder of Sanfe, said. "Sanfe will also liberate females from the constant burden of withholding their urge to pee. The product will be ideal for pregnant women, women with ...

Mivi launches 3 new portable wireless speakers in India

Domestic electronic gadgets brand Mivi on Monday launched three new wireless portable Bluetooth speakers -- Octave, Moonstone and Roam -- priced at Rs 1,699, Rs 2,299 and Rs 2,999 respectively.

Govt launches upgraded version of AirSewa digital platform for air passengers

Air passengers can now seek help of chatbots to resolve their problems and register grievances using social media, with the government Monday launching an upgraded version of AirSewa digital platform. Passengers will also have access to real-time flight status and schedule for both domestic and international flights with AirSewa 2.0, according to the Civil Aviation Ministry. Besides, the ministry plans to come out with the next generation of AirSewa 3.0 digital platform in the next few months, wherein air travellers can register themselves under DigiYatra initiative. DigiYatra seeks to promote paperless and hassle-free air travel. It is biometrics-based digital processing system for passenger entry and related requirements at the airport. AirSewa 2.0, the upgraded version of the web portal and mobile app, provides chatbot support for faster resolution and personalised traveller experience. Also, passengers can sign up using their Facebook and Google accounts. Generally, chatbots are ..

Smart homes of the future could adjust to your needs

Researchers in the US, including one of Indian-origin, are working on a technology that could make homes of the future adjust to your activity without the need for invasive cameras.

Amazon, Apple deal win-win game for both: Counterpoint

Aiming to boost sales in the wake of weaker-than-expected demand for new iPhone models, Apple has sealed a deal with retail giant Amazon to sell its range of products which is a win-win game for both the tech titans, market research firm Counterpoint Research has said.

New method could make AI less biased

Scientists have developed a new approach that could help reduce each type of bias in artificial intelligence (AI) while maintaining the same level of predictive accuracy. With machine learning systems being used to determine everything from stock prices to medical diagnoses, it has never been more important to look at how they arrive at decisions, said researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US. The new approach demonstrates that the main culprit is not just the algorithms themselves, but how the data itself is collected. "Computer scientists are often quick to say that the way to make these systems less biased is to simply design better algorithms," said Irene Chen, a PhD student at MIT. "But algorithms are only as good as the data they're using, and our research shows that you can often make a bigger difference with better data," Chen said. Looking at specific examples, the researchers were able to both identify potential causes for differences in ...