For better or worse, generative AI has been a disruptive force in many industries, although its reception in video games has been lukewarm at best, with attempts at integrating AI-powered NPCs into games failing to impress most gamers. Now, Google's DeepMind AI has a new model called Genie 2, which can supposedly be used to generate "action-controllable, playable, 3D environments for training and evaluating embodied agents." All the environments generated by Genie 2 can supposedly be interacted with, whether by a human piloting a character with a mouse and keyboard or an AI-controlled NPC, although it's unclear what the behind-the-scenes code and optimizations look like, both aspects of which will be key to any real-world applications of the tech. Google says worlds created by Genie 2 can simulate consequences of actions in addition to the world itself, all in real-time. This means that when a player interacts with a world generated by Genie 2, the AI will respond with what its model suggests is the result of that action (like stepping on a leaf resulting in the destruction of said leaf). This extends to things like lighting, reflections, and physics, with Google showing off some impressively accurate water, volumetric effects, and accurate gravity.

In a demo video, Google showed a number of different AI-generated worlds, each with their own interactive characters, from a spaceship interior being explored by an astronaut to a robot taking a stroll in a futuristic cyberpunk urban environment, and even a sailboat sailing over water and a cowboy riding through some grassy plains on horseback. What's perhaps most interesting about Genie 2's generated environments is that Genie has apparently given each world a different perspective and camera control scheme. Some of the examples shown are first-person, while others are third-person with the camera either locked to the character or free-floating around the character. Of course, being generative AI, there is some weirdness, and Google clearly chose its demo clips carefully to avoid graphical anomalies from taking center stage. What's more, at least a few clips seem to very strongly resemble worlds from popular video games, Assassin's Creed, Red Dead Redemption, Sony's Horizon franchise, and what appears to be a mix of various sci-fi games, including Warframe, Destiny, Mass Effect, and Subnautica. This isn't surprising, since the worlds Google used to showcase the AI are all generated with an image and text prompt as inputs, and, given what Google says it used as training data used, it seems likely that gaming clips from those games made it into the AI model's training data.

Insta360, a global leader in innovative camera technology, today announced the launch of Insta360 Link 2 and Insta360 Link 2C, a pair of AI-powered 4K webcams that aim to revolutionize online video conferencing and live streaming experiences. Whether heading up a meeting, delivering online lessons, or engaging with viewers on a live stream, the quality of both your video and your audio matters more than ever.

The Link 2 Series is designed to meet these demands, delivering premium imaging that shines in any environment. The high-performance 1/2" sensor, paired with advanced HDR technology and the latest AI image enhancing and noise reduction, all work to ensure lifelike detail even in challenging lighting conditions. The audio offering for these webcams has also been transformed, with new algorithms and AI noise reduction technology ensuring best-in-class audio, without the need for a separate mic.

Apple today announced iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, built for Apple Intelligence, the easy-to-use personal intelligence system that understands personal context to deliver intelligence that is helpful and relevant while protecting user privacy. The iPhone 16 lineup also introduces Camera Control, which brings new ways to capture memories, and will help users quickly access visual intelligence to learn about objects or places around them faster than ever before. The powerful camera system features a 48MP Fusion camera with a 2x Telephoto option, giving users two cameras in one, while a new Ultra Wide camera enables macro photography. Next-generation Photographic Styles help users personalize their images, and spatial photo and video capture allows users to relive life's precious memories with remarkable depth on Apple Vision Pro. The new A18 chip delivers a huge leap in performance and efficiency, enabling demanding AAA games, as well as a big boost in battery life.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will be available in five bold colors: black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 13, with availability beginning Friday, September 20.

Apple today introduced iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, featuring Apple Intelligence, larger display sizes, new creative capabilities with innovative pro camera features, stunning graphics for immersive gaming, and more—all powered by the A18 Pro chip. With Apple Intelligence, powerful Apple-built generative models come to iPhone in the easy-to-use personal intelligence system that understands personal context to deliver intelligence that is helpful and relevant while protecting user privacy. Camera Control unlocks a fast, intuitive way to tap into visual intelligence and easily interact with the advanced camera system. Featuring a new 48MP Fusion camera with a faster quad-pixel sensor that enables 4K120 FPS video recording in Dolby Vision, these new Pro models achieve the highest resolution and frame-rate combination ever available on iPhone. Additional advancements include a new 48MP Ultra Wide camera for higher-resolution photography, including macro; a 5x Telephoto camera on both Pro models; and studio-quality mics to record more true-to-life audio. The durable titanium design is strong yet lightweight, with larger display sizes, the thinnest borders on any Apple product, and a huge leap in battery life—with iPhone 16 Pro Max offering the best battery life on iPhone ever.

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available in four stunning finishes: black titanium, natural titanium, white titanium, and desert titanium. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 13, with availability beginning Friday, September 20.

Elgato today announced Neo, a hardware line that merges high-end performance with plug-and-play simplicity. In total, Neo introduces five new products—a microphone, webcam, LED light, capture card, and Stream Deck. All five are designed to make activities like video calls and livestreams easier, working seamlessly on almost any system, including laptop and iPad. Meanwhile, Neo delivers the same high-quality standards Elgato is known for, helping creators and professionals present their best selves online. With prices ranging from $89.99 to $119.99, Neo offers great value for anyone looking to improve their setup.

Starting today, all five Neo products are available to order online, with availability at major retailers around the world coming soon. To learn more about the entire Neo family, customers can visit the Elgato website.

3DMakerpro, a pioneer in consumer-friendly 3D scanning technology, announces the launch of the Moose Series, beginner-friendly 3D scanners with AI visual tracking technology. The Moose series is 3DMakerpro's latest consumer-grade 3D scanner line-up offering, designed to handle real-world medium-sized objects into 3D models with remarkable efficiency and precision. Powered by a set of AI features and in collaboration with Oqton, developers of Geomagic Wrap, 3DMakerpro aspires to make 3D scanning easier and more accessible to beginners and advanced users in the creative field.

"The Moose series brings consumer 3D scanning to new heights of accuracy and allows more users to benefit from the convenience of 3D scanning," said Tianshi Yuwen, Global Marketing Director of 3DMakerpro. "Our dedication to innovation empowers us to democratize high-precision 3D scanning and push beyond the boundaries of making all creative visions a reality."

Assassin's Creed Mirage was envisioned as an homage to its franchise—a celebration of how it began and what it accomplished between 2007's Assassin's Creed and 2023's Mirage. Beginning as an idea for a DLC expansion that would take Eivor to the Middle East, it grew into a standalone prequel starring Basim, the enigmatic Hidden One from Valhalla. Developed as a shorter experience by Ubisoft Bordeaux, the return-to-roots game presented a distinctive set of challenges, which are explored in the March 22 GDC talk "Between Legacy and Modernity: Creating an Homage Game to the 15-Year-Old Assassin's Creed Franchise."

During the talk, Creative Director Stéphane Boudon and Lead Producer Fabian Salomon discuss the game's beginnings, its growth into a "remoot"—that is, something between a remake and a reboot - and how a streamlined approach helped them make tough choices and focus the game on the Assassin experience. To find out more, we spoke with Boudon and Salomon about some of the early concepts behind the game, a few features that didn't make the cut, and how Mirage re-introduced and redefined stealth as a gameplay pillar.

Blink, an Amazon company, today announced the next-generation Blink Mini 2. The new Blink camera packs a punch in a compact, weather-resistant design that can now be used indoors or outdoors with the purchase of the new Blink Weather Resistant Power Adapter (sold as part of a bundle or separately). Blink Mini 2 offers enhanced image quality with improved low light performance, a wider field of view, and a built-in LED spotlight for night view in color. Powered by the company's custom-built chip, Blink Mini 2 utilizes on-device computer vision (CV) to support smart notifications, including person detection, which is available with a Blink Subscription Plan (sold separately).

"It is clear customers love Blink—in fact, the Blink business has grown 5x over the last four years," said Liz Hamren, chief executive officer at Blink. "We are building on this momentum with the addition of Mini 2 to Blink's affordable and easy-to-use suite of devices. Mini 2 was rebuilt from the inside out, keeping everything customers expect from Blink while adding even more utility through features like person detection, all at an incredible price point."

Roland announces BRIDGE CAST X, the latest addition to the growing family of BRIDGE CAST products for online gaming and livestreaming. BRIDGE CAST X is a powerful desktop interface and connection hub that allows streamers to simplify their setups and improve their content with Roland's renowned pro AV features. Multiple USB-C, HDMI, and audio ports provide simultaneous connectivity for computers, gaming consoles, and other devices, eliminating the need to repatch for different streaming scenarios. BRIDGE CAST X also includes an XLR mic input, assignable control pads, and support for thousands of royalty-free backing music titles via the BGM CAST service on Roland Cloud.

From online gaming to podcasting, vlogging, and other video content, BRIDGE CAST X keeps users focused on creating rather than fussing with cables and different pieces of specialized gear. The integrated design simplifies connections and reduces clutter, while the friendly panel is filled with controls for executing actions in real time while streaming.

Cyber Acoustics, a leading manufacturer of reliable and affordable computer peripherals used in schools, businesses, call centers, and homes, today announced the CA Essential Webcam Flex is now shipping and available on CyberAcoustics.com and Amazon.com.

The CA Essential Webcam Flex is the ideal tool to give powerful presentations, conduct authentic live interviews, lead captivating webinars and livestreams, or present engaging demonstrations, via a simple, unobtrusive webcam that's perfect for people spanning industries, professions, interests, and hobbies, as its unique design offers a more collaborative experience for any use.

HTC VIVE is taking interactivity, utility, and expressiveness in XR experiences to the next level with the new VIVE Ultimate Tracker. Whether it's gaming, sports training, motion capture, or industrial use, VIVE Ultimate Tracker can do it all.

VIVE Ultimate Tracker is compact, versatile, and with new technology which essentially makes it "self-tracking". This makes it perfect for HTC VIVE's standalone headsets VIVE XR Elite and VIVE Focus 3, with support coming for OpenXR, SteamVR based PC VR setups in the near future. VIVE Ultimate Tracker is available starting today at vive.com with a range of limited-time bundle deals.

Today Opal Camera Inc. announced Tadpole, the first webcam built exclusively for laptops and tablets. Opal's newest product delivers ultra-portability with the best image quality on the market - at just one-eighth the size of an average webcam, Tadpole is the world's smallest webcam ever made. Powered with the first directional mic to be used on any webcam, along with AI noise isolation and a capacitive touch sensor for easy tap-to-mute functionality, Tadpole offers unprecedented audio quality designed for work anywhere.

"The way we work has changed. Modern work is fluid today. It doesn't just exist in an office or in a home. It happens on couches, in coffee shops, over poor hotel room WiFi," said Veeraj Chugh, CEO and Co-Founder of Opal Camera. "We wanted to build a great product specifically for the way people work today. Tadpole is the first product of its kind: it's tiny, works on any laptop, and comes with a huge sensor, really cool audio features and reliable stability."

Cisco today unveiled the next milestone of its ongoing work with NVIDIA to deliver AI-powered meetings for hybrid workers. Cisco announced the launch of Room Kit EQX and the expansion of its Cinematic Meetings capabilities—both powered by NVIDIA's AI engine—with the goal of enhancing collaboration experiences with audio and video intelligence and enabling more equitable hybrid meetings.

"In order for people to want to come to the office, companies must fundamentally reimagine and reconfigure workspaces to provide seamless and immersive collaboration experience," said Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Cisco Security and Collaboration. "Our collaboration with NVIDIA helps make this possible as we expand our portfolio of AI-powered solutions that unlock the potential of hybrid workers."

Today, Google announced its next generation of Chromebook devices, called the Chromebook Plus, said to improve upon the legacy set by Chromebooks over a decade ago. Starting at an enticing price point of $399, this new breed of Chromebooks integrates powerful AI capabilities and a range of built-in Google apps. Notably, it features tools like the Google Photos Magic Eraser and web-based Adobe Photoshop, positioning itself as a dynamic tool for productivity and creative exploration. In collaboration with hardware manufacturers such as Acer, ASUS, HP, and Lenovo, Google is launching a lineup of eight Chromebook Plus devices on the launch date, with more possibly coming in the future.

Each model boasts improved hardware configurations over the regular Chromebook, including processors like the Intel Core i3 12th Gen or the AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series, a minimum of 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage. Users are also in for a visual treat with a 1080p IPS display, ensuring crisp visuals for entertainment and work. And for the modern remote workforce, video conferencing gets a substantial upgrade. Every Chromebook Plus comes equipped with a 1080p camera and utilizes AI enhancements to elevate video call clarity, with compatibility spanning various platforms, including Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. Set to be available from October 8, 2023, in the US and October 9 in Canada and Europe, the Chromebook Plus is positioning itself as the go-to device for many users. On the other hand, the AI features are slated for arrival in 2024, when companies ensure their software is compatible.Below you can see the upcoming models.

Hey everyone! We're back with another installment of our development diary series. In this one, we will go over a feature that will help you capture the most memorable moments from your city! The Cinematic and Free Camera modes are completely different from what you are familiar with in Cities: Skylines. The difference between them is truly day and night. In Cities: Skylines II, both modes can be accessed by clicking the Photo Mode button located in the bottom-right corner of the main UI.

From here, you can dive into the world of photo- and cinematography and capture your city in all of its glory, chaos, or spaghetti road madness with your friends or other players alike! The power of these tools is really conveyed by the fact the in-game trailer was filmed using the built-in Cinematic Camera feature, and today's diary is here to help you navigate the options so you too can capture amazing footage of your city!

Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (SSS) this week announced that it will ship a new line of LYTIA brand products, primarily 50-megapixel models, this fiscal year. LYTIA is the new product brand of image sensors for mobile devices developed by SSS. SSS has leveraged its imaging and sensing technologies to bring value to the market in a variety of ways and deliver a richer imaging experience to users. SSS is expanding its high-quality products under the LYTIA brand so that more users in the mobile market can benefit from its commitment to imaging as they use smartphones to capture images. The first step in this initiative is expanding the line of 50-megapixel products, as it is the most versatile resolution for use in current mobile applications.

More and more people today are using smartphones to enjoy imaging on a daily basis, and the way they use cameras are also diversifying with more and more smartphones coming with multiple built-in cameras. SSS plans to contribute to enhanced imaging experiences with LYTIA products that accommodate diverse shooting scenes and purposes.

Veeo, based in Las Vegas, NV, is proud to announce its first T-OLED-based display, named Veeo T30 at INFOCOMM 2023. Veeo's BDC system, centrally placed behind a 30" or 50" LG T-OLED display panel, captures images of users sitting on the opposite side with a perspective as if the camera is placed in the front center of the screen. When captured this way, video images are more aligned with the user's line of sight when looking at the display content. This contrasts the effect when a camera is placed on the top edge of a display, creating the erroneous impression that the user is lowering their eyes to avoid eye contact with people on the other end.

With Veeo T35, users in video conferences appear to be looking at one another, eye-to-eye, with the BDC aligned with the user's eye level. This brings us one step closer to recreating the in-person meeting experience where users can look at each other in the eye. "Veeo is a game-changer in the world of remote collaboration," says Bayley Pierson, Veeo's Director of Product Marketing. "It solves the two biggest problems of virtual communication, delivering a genuine face-to-face connection while allowing for seamless collaboration on digital content. Veeo is the future of video conferencing, and we're thrilled to be at the forefront of this revolution."

Microsoft Surface Pro X owners are reporting that their hybrid detachable tablet computer's in-built (front and rear) camera systems have stopped working - user feedback has been popping up on Reddit and the Microsoft Support forum this week. Unfortunate users of the flagship Arm-driven device have attempted to restore normal operation via driver reinstalls, but to no avail. Windows simply displays an error message that states "0xA00F4271<MediaCaptureFailedEvent> (0x80004005)" when the Surface's camera application is launched. A reddit user (Wapitiii) posits that an expired security certificate is the route cause for this issue, which seems to affect all Pro X units.

A couple of crafty Surface Pro X owners have resorted to rolling back their system clocks to May 22 (2023), which seems to restore the camera app's functionality, but this workaround could have potential downsides with online authentication and security checks. A redditor has been in touch with a "support representative, and they confirmed it is a known issue that Microsoft is currently working on." They have suggested another placeholder measure: "The only way to fix it immediately is if you do a full system reset which deletes all applications and files. He said doing a reset that retains user files does not fix the problem. He advised waiting a few days to see if Microsoft puts out a fix versus doing a full reset unless the cameras are needed immediately." The company is currently engaged in its own Build developers conference, where (ironically) announcements have been made about improvements intended for business devices (such as the Surface Pro X) - hopefully Microsoft's engineers can get onto solving this problem, once festivities are concluded.

Edge sensors, such as LiDAR, radar and 3D surround-view camera systems, are becoming more prevalent in the automotive market, especially with the growing adoption in autonomous driving. As more sensors are needed for autonomy, there are increasing needs for faster signal processing, reduced device costs and smaller form factors. Functional safety is also critical for many of these autonomous applications.

To address these market needs, we're introducing two additions to our AMD Automotive XA Artix UltraScale+ family: the XA AU10P and XA AU15P cost-optimized processors, which are automotive-qualified and optimized for use in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) sensor applications. The Artix UltraScale+ devices extend the AMD portfolio of automotive-grade, functional-safety proven and highly scalable FPGA and adaptive SoCs, joining the automotive-grade Spartan 7, Zynq 7000 and Zynq UltraScale+ product families.

As remote work and learning continue to transform daily lives, the demand for high-quality webcams has never been greater. Recognizing the need for versatile and high-resolution video capabilities among creative professionals, BenQ is proud to introduce the BenQ ideaCam, a specialized multi-mode desktop webcam designed specifically for creators and makers.

The BenQ ideaCam revolutionizes the creative possibilities with its four shooting modes: Portrait, Desk View, Handheld, and Macro. While the Portrait mode provides a familiar webcam experience, Desk View enables effortless display of objects or documents on the desktop. The intelligent auto-flip feature seamlessly transitions between Portrait and Desk View modes, automatically rotating and focusing the image. Handheld mode offers unique camera angles and immersive close-ups, while the magnetic Macro lens provides detailed magnification of 15 times.

Apricorn, the leading manufacturer of software-free, 256-bit AES XTS hardware-encrypted USB drives, today announced the release of the USB 10Gbs Aegis NVX. Employing proprietary architecture, The Aegis NVX is the first Apricorn encrypted device to feature an NVMe SSD inside. Initial capacity offerings will be 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB, with a price range of $339.00 - $739.00 MSRP.

The NVX was conceived to address the immediate protection of raw data delivered directly from its source at high speeds, such as high-definition video cameras with the capability to write to an external SSD via USB C or HDMI. The NVX's high-speed read/write capabilities at 1,000 MB/s are sought after in the fields of military intelligence, digital forensics, filmmaking and healthcare where write speeds over 600 Mb/s are critical.

QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading computing, networking and storage solution innovator, announced a partnership with Hailo, the pioneering chipmaker of edge artificial intelligence (AI) processors. This partnership brings cutting-edge AI-powered facial recognition and people counting solutions to surveillance systems with boosted performance using the Hailo-8 M.2 AI acceleration module.

The partnership sees Hailo's advanced AI acceleration technology integrated with QNAP's QVR Face, a smart facial recognition solution, and QVR Human people counting solution. The combined solution boosts video recognition performance and capabilities, making it the ideal choice for an economical centralized security and AI surveillance solution in large-scale deployment.

At the start of 2023, EMEET previewed its first-ever self-created streaming camera, the EMEET StreamCam One, at CES 2023 in Las Vegas. Now EMEET, as a global leader in professional audio and video conferencing solutions, is proud to announce the launch of EMEET StreamCam One. This self-created streaming camera has been designed for both personal and enterprise users. This product offers high-quality video and audio, multiple features, and easy-to-use operation.

The StreamCam One is the latest wireless network camera they have launched, which represents an innovation in the field. With this product, users can take advantage of its multi-camera support, high-quality audio, support for multiple platforms, user-friendly operation, and quality assurance.

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced the new Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 Mobile Platform—delivering premium experiences brand new to the Snapdragon 7-series. Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 provides exceptional CPU and GPU performance fueling swift, nonstop gaming, dynamic low-light photography and 4K HDR videography, AI-enhanced experiences and high-speed 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity.

"Snapdragon is synonymous with premium mobile experiences. Today's launch of the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 illustrates our ability to bring some of the most in-demand flagship features to our Snapdragon-7 series—making them accessible to more people," said Christopher Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of mobile handsets, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "We are committed to delivering the most innovative solutions to meet the needs of consumers, our customers, and the industry at large."

Hailo, the pioneering chipmaker of edge artificial intelligence (AI) processors, today announced its groundbreaking new Hailo-15 family of high-performance vision processors, designed for integration directly into intelligent cameras to deliver unprecedented video processing and analytics at the edge. With the launch of Hailo-15, the company is redefining the smart camera category by setting a new standard in computer vision and deep learning video processing, capable of delivering unprecedented AI performance in a wide range of applications for different industries.

With Hailo-15, smart city operators can more quickly detect and respond to incidents; manufacturers can increase productivity and machine uptime; retailers can protect supply chains and improve customer satisfaction; and transportation authorities can recognize everything from lost children, to accidents, to misplaced luggage. "Hailo-15 represents a significant step forward in making AI at the edge more scalable and affordable," stated Orr Danon, CEO of Hailo. "With this launch, we are leveraging our leadership in edge solutions, which are already deployed by hundreds of customers worldwide; the maturity of our AI technology; and our comprehensive software suite, to enable high performance AI in a camera form-factor."