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AirPods Pro 3 Review: Enhanced Battery, Superior Noise Cancellation, and Improved Sound Quality | Apple

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Apple’s highly acclaimed AirPods Pro Bluetooth earphones have returned in their third generation, featuring an improved fit, extended battery life, built-in heart rate sensors, and enhanced noise cancellation, all while maintaining a look similar to their predecessors.


Although three years have elapsed since the previous version, these earphones remain exclusively white. The differences between them and earlier generations are subtle and require close inspection.

Priced at £219 (249 Euros/$249/$429), the AirPods Pro 3 is £30 less expensive in the UK than its predecessor at launch and features compatibility with AirPods 4.

The earphones have undergone slight shape refinements to enhance comfort, especially during prolonged listening sessions exceeding three hours. The package includes five sizes of tips, but if you prefer non-silicone earphones, these won’t offer much difference.




The stems maintain their previous length, but the earphones’ shape has been optimized to better align the tips with the ear canal. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Most functions are standard for modern earphones. Squeeze the stems for playback controls, swipe for volume adjustment, or remove them to pause music. They support features introduced with older Apple earphones, like the Shutter Remote Camera app and live translation using the translation app on your iPhone. The latter currently supports only English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish but works surprisingly well for casual conversations.

A notable drawback is that others still need to read translated speeches from their iPhones. This feature proves most useful for announcements and audio guides, especially for singular language translations in transportation hubs and museums.

One of the standout hardware features is heart rate monitoring through the sensors on the earbuds, similar to Apple’s PowerBeats Pro 2 fitness band. This can be utilized with over 50 workout tracking options via the Fitness app or select third-party apps on your iPhone. Its readings align closely with those from a Garmin Forerunner 970 or an Apple Watch during activities like walking and running. Additionally, the earphones boast an IP57 water resistance rating, making them more resilient to rain and sweat than previous models.

Battery life has improved, extending to at least 8 hours of playback, along with competitive noise cancellation on every charge, making them suitable for most listening durations.




The compact flip-top case provides two full charges for a combined playback time of 24 hours (6 hours shorter than the previous generation), with just 5 minutes of charging offering an hour of listening time. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Specifications

  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, H2 chip, UWB

  • Battery life: 8 hours of ANC playback (24 hours in case)

  • Water resistance: IP57 (buds and case)

  • Earphone dimensions: 30.9 x 19.2 x 27.0mm

  • Earphone weight: 5.6g each

  • Charging case dimensions: 47.2 x 62.2 x 21.8mm

  • Charging case weight: 44g

  • Case charging: USB-C, QI Wireless/Magsafe, Apple Watch

Richer Sound and Exceptional Noise Cancellation




The silicone tips are designed to slightly expand for a better seal, enhancing both music quality and noise cancellation. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The audio experience with the third-generation AirPods Pro is impressive, offering louder playback with an expansive soundscape. They maintain powerful, well-regulated bass while enhancing the spaciousness of larger tracks. The sound is detailed and balanced, catering to various genres, with ample power when needed. However, like other Apple headphones, they can occasionally feel a tad clinical, lacking warmth and rawness in some tracks, which may lessen the impact of deep bass notes. Nevertheless, few earphones can outshine these in terms of price and size.

Apple’s implementation of spatial audio for movies is unrivaled, and while its efficacy in spatial music remains mixed, it provides an immersive experience with compatible devices and services.




The AirPods Pro offers the ideal blend of earphones and compact carrier, easily portable in your pocket. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Enhanced noise cancellation is arguably the most significant upgrade. Apple claims it’s twice as effective as the already excellent AirPods Pro 2. In direct comparisons, the AirPods Pro 3 effectively mitigates street noise, including traffic sounds and engine roars. It stands up impressively against the class-leading Sony WH-1000XM6, renowned for their over-ear design.

They also excel in dampening disruptive high frequencies, such as keyboard clicks and conversations, making them well-suited for commuting and office environments.

Apple’s leading transparency mode is equally outstanding, allowing for natural sound experiences, as if the earbuds aren’t being worn at all. Sudden loud noises can be managed, making them handy in busy streets and while using hearing aids.

Call quality is superb, with my voice sounding clear and natural, whether in quiet settings or bustling environments, with only minimal ambient sounds noticeable during calls.

Sustainability




The charging case supports USB-C, Magsafe, QI, or Apple Watch charging, and includes new features like Limit Charging to prolong battery life. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Apple does not specify the expected battery lifespan. Typically, similar devices retain at least 80% of their original capacity after 500 full charge cycles. The earphones are not repairable, but Apple provides battery servicing for £49 per earphone or case, with replacement for lost or damaged items starting from £79. Repair specialist iFixit graded these earphones a 0 out of 10 for serviceability.

Both the AirPods and their cases include 40% recycled materials, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, lithium, plastic, rare earth elements, and tin. Apple offers trade-in and recycling programs, detailing the environmental impact of its earphones in their reports.

Price

The price for the AirPods Pro 3 is £219 (249 Euros/$249/$429).

For context, AirPods 4 starts at £119, while Beats PowerBeats Pro 2 are priced at £250. The Sennheiser Momentum TW4 retails for £199, Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 cost £219, Sony WF-1000XM5 is available for £219, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are priced at £300.

Verdict

AirPods Pro 3 takes an already impressive second-generation model and enhances virtually every aspect.

A longer battery life and a more comfortable fit for extended listening sessions are welcome improvements. Additionally, proper water resistance and integrated heart rate monitoring cater well to fitness enthusiasts, particularly for activities like powerlifting where wearing a watch may not be practical. The live translation feature performs better than anticipated, despite its conversational limitations.

The standout element is the remarkably effective noise cancellation, comparable to top-tier over-ear headphones, while being much easier to transport.

Audiophiles may notice a slightly clinical sound profile, and full functionality requires an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Compatibility with Bluetooth devices like Android phones, PCs, and gaming consoles may not offer the same features. However, the significant drawback remains its difficult repairability, a common issue for true wireless earbuds, diminishing its rating.

Pros: Highly effective noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, industry-leading transparency, water resistance, integrated HR monitoring, seamless controls, advanced features when paired with Apple devices like spatial audio, remarkable comfort, and a premium case with excellent call quality.

Cons: Challenging to repair, premium price, lacks high-resolution audio support, minimal functionality with Android/Windows, similar appearance to its predecessor, and only available in white.




The AirPods Pro 3 is among the finest earphones available, especially for iPhone users. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com

Superior to Standard Running Shoes for Swamp Trails: Expert Insights on Top Fitness Techniques and Gadgets

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The fitness technology scene is thriving like never before, offering numerous ways to monitor and analyze every run, ride, or workout session. From high-tech carbon-plated running shoes to innovative foam floats for the pool, the latest wave of fitness gear aims to help you break records, win races, and enhance your athletic performance.


Not all devices, wearables, or training tools align with your fitness goals, so it’s crucial to know where to invest your hard-earned money. To sift through marketing hype, I consulted various sports experts to pinpoint technologies that truly make a difference. Surprisingly, the most effective options aren’t always the latest or most expensive models—some are quite simple.

Top Fitness Technologies and Gadgets

Cycling

Photo: Photoschmidt/Getty Images

Jake Hales, Head Coach Ride Revolution

Pedals and Shoes

Transitioning to clipless pedals enhances your cycling by allowing more efficient circular movements instead of a rigid push-down motion. This also secures your feet in place for greater comfort during long rides, minimizing chain issues when dismounting.

For an accessible entry into clipless pedals, consider mountain bike pedals, which work on both sides, making entry and exit easier than road bike pedals that only clip in from one side. These pedals often come with simple, removable shoe cleats for easy walking.

Rock Rider Mountain Bike Shoes

£79.99 at Decathlon

Shimano Clipless Cycling Pedal

£27.99 at Halfords
£28.62 on Amazon

Turbo Trainer and Third-Party Training Software

For beginners, a turbo trainer can transform your bike into an effective indoor training tool. Advancements in technology have made these trainers more user-friendly. Hales notes, “The main advantage of a turbo trainer is environmental control, eliminating distractions from traffic or road conditions, allowing you to focus on your specific training sessions.”

Today, turbo trainers come equipped with engaging software like Zwift or Rouvy, making indoor training more exciting than ever before.

Zwift

Starting at £17.99 a month on Zwift

Running

Photo: Westend61/Getty Images

Doug Stewart, Head Coach TMR Coaching

GPS Watch

A GPS watch is invaluable for runners, offering the ability to record distance and speed while tracking progress. This functionality serves as great motivation.

Following a training plan becomes easier, guiding when to increase pace or slow down. The data collected allows for assessment of the runner’s efforts.

Choose a reliable running watch; the Apple Watch is sleek but may lack in data accuracy. The Garmin Forerunner series is known for its dependability.

Garmin Forerunner 165 Music

£249 at John Lewis
£289.99 on Garmin

Garmin Forerunner 570

£459.99 on Garmin
£459.99 at Runners

Carbon Running Shoes

Shoes featuring carbon plates enhance running efficiency. Research indicates that each step in these shoes requires less oxygen compared to traditional options, as they function like springs, providing significant propulsion.

Evidence shows they can benefit runners across skill levels, not just elite athletes (supported by both scientific findings and anecdotal evidence from marathon finish times).

It’s important to try various models for comfort. High-performing options include Nike AlphaFly and Vaporfly, ASICS METASPEED, and Saucony Endorphin Pro, with some models proving more durable than others. Generally, Nike models are rated for a lifespan of 100-200 miles, influenced by running conditions and individual forces.

The latest PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite3 has also shown outstanding performance in recent studies, though it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with race-day shoes during training sessions to maintain their efficacy. Balance usage with other shoes to ensure they’re in top condition for race days.

Nike AlphaFly 3 (Boys)

£234.99 at Sports Direct
£284.99 at Nike

Nike Vaporfly 4 (Women)

£199.99 at Sports Direct
£239.99 at Nike

ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris (Unisex)

Starting at £211 at StockX
£220 at ASICS

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 (Boys)

£229.99 at Sports Shoes
£230 at Saucony

Puma Fast R Nitro Elite (Boys)

Runners require £160.89
£230 at Puma

Heart Rate Monitor

For those new to fitness, pace is all that matters at first. Yet as you aim for greater performance, understanding your heart rate becomes crucial in gauging your exertion. Many factors influence pace, including terrain and footwear.

It’s common for runners to overestimate their exertion level; knowing your heart rate can help you find the right training zones. This data can then inform your workouts, ensuring you’re not pushing too hard on easy days.

Although GPS watches have improved, they may still provide unreliable heart rate readings while running. Hence, a strap-based monitor can offer better accuracy. Arm-based monitors, such as those from Coros, can be particularly effective for women, as they can be less cumbersome than chest straps.

Coros Heart Rate Monitor

£68.99 at Sports Shoes
£69 on Amazon

Swimming

Photo: BalanceFormCreative/Getty Images

Film Murphy, Head Coach Total Tri Training

Pull Buoy

Most adults haven’t swum competitively from a young age. Using equipment like a pull buoy can help these “newer swimmers” achieve better body position and feel for the water.

A pull buoy is positioned between the thighs to elevate the body into a neutral position in the water, mitigating the need for kicking. Without it, many may find their hips sinking, making proper stroke initiation difficult.

Not all pull buoys are created equal; their size and buoyancy vary greatly. Many believe that using a pull buoy is akin to cheating, but in reality, it simplifies swimming. Without it, the struggle intensifies and can lead to fatigue, which is why less frequent swimmers may not cover much distance.

Toy Buoy 4

£17.99 at Sports Shoes

Smart Goggles

I tend to prefer traditional methods at the pool, but smart goggles have significantly improved swimming experiences. They automatically track your time and laps, eliminating the need to touch any buttons.

Additionally, these goggles can help analyze your body position in real time, providing feedback on head positioning and breathing, which can enhance swim performance.

Smart Swim Goggles

£299 at Selfridges

Tennis

Alex Johansson, @tennistechie

For years, tennis lagged in tech adoption, but this is changing with tools like SwingVision, which brings smart analytics to your device, offering real-time shot tracking, line calls, and match stats.

SwingVision provides a free tier for two hours of recorded analysis monthly, making it user-friendly and accessible without any permanent infrastructure.

SwingVision

From free on SwingVision

Strength Training

Photo: Skynesher/Getty Images

Andrew Julian, Personal Trainer, @ajsmadness

Gym Shoes

Running shoes propel you forward, but wearing them in the gym can hinder movement patterns. For example, during squats, executing the movement with your toes leads is crucial.

For functional training, Nike Free MetCon is highly recommended for its durability and adaptive exercise patterns. It promotes natural foot movement, providing stability during agility exercises and landings.

Nike Free MetCon 6 (Men)

£99.99 at Sports Direct
£119.99 at Nike

Nike Free MetCon 6 (Women)

£71.99 at Nike
£119.99 at ASOS

Lifting Belt

Hybrid training can often lead to muscle strain if you lift following a long run. It’s advisable to utilize a belt when lifting heavy to support your back and engage your glutes and hamstrings effectively.

Titan Longhorn Lever Belt

£164 at Pullum

Recovery

Photo: Andreypopov/Getty Images

Aileen McCann, PT and Sports Massage Therapist, @aileenmccann_moves

Massage Gun

While manual massages may be more effective, using a massage gun pre, during, or post-workout can have benefits. The rapid vibrations assist in tapping massage techniques to stimulate the nervous system and relieve tension in muscle groups.

Massage guns are excellent for targeting specific muscle areas but aren’t a substitute for comprehensive coverage. It’s difficult to treat areas like the traps effectively without help. However, they can be useful tools.

Theragun Mini Massage Gun

£199 at Therabody
£199 at Argos

Hyper Volt 2 Massage Gun

£199 at Hyperice
£199 on Amazon

Check out our guide on the best massage guns and essential Pilates kits for more insights.

Source: www.theguardian.com

One Antiviral Shot Offers Superior Protection Compared to Influenza Vaccines

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Influenza virus particles observed through an electron microscope, color enhanced

John G/Imago/Alamy

A promising long-term antiviral medication may offer protection against all strains of influenza, providing hope for the most vulnerable populations.

The flu results in the loss of thousands of lives annually, and the swift emergence of new variants poses a risk for future pandemics. Each year, scientists reformulate flu vaccines to correspond with the strains that are projected to be prevalent in the upcoming season. These vaccines prompt the immune system to generate antibodies that block the virus from infiltrating the cells.

Efforts are underway to develop a universal influenza vaccine capable of safeguarding individuals from all strains, yet these vaccines face challenges.

“Even if the first approved universal influenza vaccine is created, individuals exhibit varying immune responses, meaning not everyone will be effectively protected,” says Jeffrey Stein, CEO of Cidara. For instance, vaccines often show reduced efficacy in older adults or in those with compromised immune systems.

To tackle this issue, Stein and his team have developed a treatment known as CD388, which includes Zanamivir, an antiviral drug authorized for treating infections caused by all influenza variants that affect humans. Normally, Zanamivir is eliminated from the body within hours, but the research team has modified it to rapidly neutralize the invasive influenza virus. “It’s not part of the immune system,” Stein explains.

For testing, the team enrolled 5,000 participants aged 16-64 from the US and the UK at the beginning of the 2024 flu season. None of the participants were at elevated risk for flu-related complications or had received that year’s flu vaccine. They divided the participants into four approximately equal groups. Three groups received one injection of CD388 at low, moderate, or high doses, while the final group received a placebo.

About six months later, researchers assessed the number of individuals with symptomatic flu infections during the flu season, defined by the presence of influenza virus DNA in nasal swabs and flu-like symptoms such as cough and fever.

Thirty-three individuals in the placebo group reported symptomatic flu, whereas only eight participants in the high-dose CD388 group did, marking a risk reduction of around 76%. The moderate and low-dose groups saw a 61% and 58% decrease in risk of symptomatic infections, respectively. “All doses demonstrated significant protection against influenza illness,” states Nicole Dhabapana, Chief Medical Officer of Sidara. Side effects, such as injection site tenderness, were consistent across both the treatment and placebo groups.

The results indicate that CD388 may offer a more straightforward means of protecting individuals compared to vaccines. “[Unlike vaccines, it] does not need to match the circulating strain, and could be more effective during a ‘poor match’ year or for pandemic preparedness, especially if new flu strains, such as H5N1, transmit to humans,” remarks Pennyword from King’s College London. She adds that, based on previous data on Zanamivir, it is unlikely that influenza strains will develop resistance to it.

This approach is likely to be effective for older individuals and those known to have poor vaccination responses, including the immunocompromised. Davalpana mentions that the team plans to conduct tests on individuals aged 12 and older with compromised immune systems.

Instead of replacing vaccines, Stein suggests that the drug may work best in conjunction with them, although this has yet to be tested. Nevertheless, the findings are timely given the growing hesitance surrounding vaccinations. “We aim to bypass the controversy that unfortunately surrounds vaccines,” Stein remarks.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Research shows that New World Monkeys are superior yodelers

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Apes and monkeys have special anatomy in their throats Voice membraneit disappeared from humans through evolution, allowing for more stable speech. However, the exact benefits these offer to non-human primates were previously unknown. New research provides important new insights Various vocal sounds It reveals for the first time how nonhuman primates and certain calls are generated.

The range from Mexico to Argentina has been found to have evolved the largest vocal membranes of all primates, suggesting that these thin tissue ribbons play a particularly important role in the repertoire of vocal production and calling. This image shows the black and gold Howler monkeys (Alouatta Caraya). Image credit: Jacob Dunn of Anglia Ruskin University.

Humans have evolved their ability to speak, but apes and monkeys, closest relatives in the animal kingdom, lack this skill.

However, they have a special anatomy in the larynx that humans have lost during their evolution: a thin, lightweight tissue membrane at the top of the crease of the voice.

Previous studies have suggested that these structures contribute to the complexity of animal vocalization, but their precise roles remain largely unclear to date.

The new study, led by researchers at Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Vienna, shows that these membranes promote rapid frequency transitions and significantly expand the range and complexity of monkey vocalization.

Scientists documented and studied the appeals of various primate species at the La Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary in Bolivia.Alouatta Caraya), tufted cappuchin (Sapaju Appella), black capped squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis), and Peruvian spider monkeys (Atheres Chamek).

A combination of methods was used to identify two different modes of vocal fold vibration.

The first mode, which involves only the folding of the voice, produces a low-frequency sound similar to human ponation.

The second mode, which also involves the vocal membrane, results in much higher frequency oscillations, and, like human yodel, produces dramatic “mutation.”

In some cases, these shifts span octaves over 3 octaves. This goes far beyond the human ability of voice breaks, usually limited to a single octave.

“This is an attractive example of how nature offers a means to enrich animal vocalization despite the lack of language,” says Dr. Christian Herbst, a researcher at the University of Vienna.

“The production of these complex vocal patterns is almost possible by the way the animal’s larynx is anatomically shaped, and does not require the complex neural control produced by the brain.”

“These results show how monkeys can exploit new evolutionary features that can generate a wider range of calls, including these ultra-yodel,” says Jacob Dunn, a researcher at Anglia Ruskin University.

“This may be especially important for primates who have complex social lives and need to communicate in a variety of ways.”

This study further suggests that the vocal membrane also introduces vocal instability while enhancing the pitch range.

“Our research shows that the vocal membrane extends the pitch range of monkeys, but it also makes the voice unstable,” says Dr. Tecumse Fitch, a researcher at the University of Vienna.

“They may have been lost during human evolution to promote stability in the pitch of songs and speech.”

study Published in the journal Philosophical trade of the Royal Society b.

____

Christian T. Herbst et al. 2025. “Monkey Yodel” – The new world’s frequency jumps far outweigh the human vocal register transition. fill. transformer. R. Soc. b 380 (1923): 20240005; doi: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0005

Source: www.sci.news

Remaining Accountable: Understanding the Extended Range of Plug-in Hybrids

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Despite the growing number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads, some individuals remain apprehensive about range and access to charging points, particularly if they rely on their vehicles for work. These concerns persist.

Fleet managers and business owners, with myriad responsibilities, may find the transition away from gasoline daunting. Nevertheless, advancements in battery technology and substantial investments in charging infrastructure have made the switch to electric or hybrid more feasible and potentially cost-effective for businesses than ever before. So, what factors should you consider to extend your battery-powered driving range?

Have you thought about a plug-in hybrid?
It’s advisable to explore plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) first. These vehicles feature rechargeable batteries and gasoline engines, with only a few running on diesel. They can be charged at both domestic and public charging points and now offer impressive pure electric ranges.

On the other hand, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) rely on the car’s movement to generate electricity and use battery power to reduce gasoline consumption and emissions. They cannot be charged by plugging into a power outlet.

Modern plug-in hybrids like the Škoda Superb offer impressive range

The latest plug-in models showcase the significant technological advancements, with fast charging capabilities, remarkable range, and battery capacity. “For instance, the Škoda Superb Estate can travel up to 84 miles on pure electricity,” says Alan Barrowman, Skoda’s national contract employment and leasing manager. He also noted that this mileage qualifies for the 5% benefit-in-kind (BiK) tax for company car drivers.

Changes in charging
Charging networks are crucial for PHEV drivers looking to minimize their petrol (or diesel) usage. Fortunately, the number of public charging points is constantly increasing. In October 2023, approximately 50,000 points were installed at various service stations, with the installation rate continuing to rise. According to Zapmap, a data firm, there were 68,273 electric vehicle charging points across the UK by the end of August this year, representing a 41% year-on-year increase. Additionally, there are an estimated 700,000+ home and workplace charging points.

Charging points supply either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power. Electric car batteries can only store DC power, so connecting to an AC charger involves converting the current, which can be time-consuming. Vehicles that support both AC and DC charging points, such as the all-new Škoda Superb, can charge even faster. The Skoda www.theguardian.com

Google’s AI asserts it can create superior chips compared to human designers, but experts are skeptical

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Can AI design chips that are more efficient than those made by humans?

Yuichiro Kayano/Getty Images

Google DeepMind says its artificial intelligence is already helping design chips used in data centers and even smartphones. But some chip design experts are skeptical of the company’s claims that these AIs can plan new chip layouts better than humans.

He said the new method, dubbed AlphaChip, can design “superhuman chip layouts” in hours, rather than relying on weeks or months of human effort. anna goldie and Azaria Mirhoseiniaccording to researchers at Google DeepMind. blog post. This AI approach uses reinforcement learning to figure out relationships between chip components and receives rewards based on the quality of the final layout. However, independent researchers say the company has yet to prove that such AI can outperform expert human chip designers or commercial software tools, and they say they are unable to demonstrate that such AI can outperform expert human chip designers or commercial software tools, and that they believe that current state-of-the-art The company hopes to test AlphaChip’s performance on public benchmarks that include cutting-edge circuit designs.

“If Google provides experimental results for these designs, we’ll be able to make a fair comparison, and we hope everyone will accept the results,” he says. patrick madden At Binghamton University in New York. “Experiments take a day or two to run at most, and Google has nearly infinite resources. The fact that these results aren’t being provided speaks volumes to me.” He declined to comment.

Google DeepMind’s blog post says: update Google for 2021 nature A journal paper about the company’s AI process. Since then, Google DeepMind says AlphaChip has helped design three generations of Google’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). TPUs are specialized chips used to train and run generative AI models for services such as Google’s Gemini chatbot.

The company also claims that its AI-assisted chip designs outperform those designed by human experts and are steadily improving. AI accomplishes this by reducing the overall length of wire needed to connect chip components. This could reduce the chip’s power consumption and increase processing speed. Google DeepMind also said AlphaChip created the layout for a general-purpose chip used in Google’s data centers, while also helping MediaTek develop a chip used in Samsung’s phones.

However, the code published by Google lacks support for common industry chip data formats, which suggests the AI method is currently more suited to Google’s own chips, it said. . Igor Markovchip design researcher. “We have no idea what AlphaChip is today, what it does or doesn’t do,” he says. “We know that reinforcement learning requires two to three orders of magnitude more computational resources than techniques used in commercial tools, and typically lags behind. [in terms of] result. “

Markov and Madden criticized the original paper controversial Claim that AlphaChip outperforms anonymous human experts. “Comparisons to unnamed human designers are subjective, non-reproducible, and very easily fooled. Although it is possible that the human designer is not trying hard enough or is underqualified. , there are no scientific results here,” says Markov. “Imagine if AlphaGo were reported to have won against an unknown Go player.”

In 2023, independent experts who reviewed Google’s paper revoked his nature An explanatory article that initially praised Google’s efforts. The expert is andrew kern At the University of California, San Diego, Public benchmarking efforts When we tried to replicate Google’s AI methods, we found that they could not consistently outperform human experts or traditional computer algorithms. The best approach was commercial software for chip design from companies like Cadence and NVIDIA.

“Reinforcement learning appears to lag significantly behind the state-of-the-art in every benchmark that would be considered a fair comparison,” Madden says. “I don’t think that’s a promising research direction when it comes to circuit placement.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Reviewing the Zenbook Duo: Is having two laptop screens superior to just one?

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PLaptops with multiple touchscreens have long been the stuff of science fiction movies, but in the real world, several manufacturers have tried to build dual-screen laptops without much success.

This usually happens because they try to do too much and end up compromising too much, and now Asus thinks it's solved that problem with its new dual-screen machine, which also has a full-size, detachable physical keyboard.

In theory, this means the 2024 version of the Zenbook Duo could be the best of both worlds: a regular laptop with a standard keyboard and trackpad, and a futuristic machine with two touchscreens.

But such advancements always come with a hefty price tag, and the new machine is available in a range of configurations and prices depending on the region, starting from £1,799 in the UK, all the way up to £2,000 for the Core Ultra 9 version we tested.

Windows Hello recognizes your face to log you into the laptop, and the keyboard and trackpad provide a great typing experience. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

It has two full 14″ touchscreen OLED displays hinged like a book in the middle, one in the lid and one where a regular laptop keyboard would be. The full-size laptop keyboard and trackpad attaches magnetically to pins in the screen at the bottom, completely covering the screen. It fits snugly and works so well that you might not even notice there's a display underneath. If you want to use it as a regular laptop, you don't have to compromise too much, but the keyboard can also be detached from the laptop and used via Bluetooth, which is very handy.

Detach the keyboard and you have two screens. The lower display houses a full-size touchscreen keyboard with a simulated trackpad, but it's fine for simple actions like search queries and AI prompts. The included stylus can be used to draw and write on either screen; how well it works depends on the app you're trying to use. Microsoft's handwriting recognition is better, while Asus' system isn't as good.

The kickstand and detachable keyboard allow the Zenbook Duo to be used in a variety of configurations. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

A kickstand on the back of the machine lets you prop up the Duo in a variety of configurations beyond the standard laptop L-shape. Stand the Duo upright, screen-top to screen-top, perfect for using two screens at your desk for a huge productivity boost, or prop it up like an open book, with the two screens side-by-side, perfect for documents.

The Core Ultra 9 version's 3K 120Hz OLED screen looks great, with very sharp blacks and vibrant colors, but it’s not particularly bright and struggled to overcome glare and reflections in direct sunlight, requiring a bit of adjustment to the screen angle in bright environments.

specification

  • screen: Dual 14″ FHD OLED (60Hz) or Dual 14″ 3K OLED (120Hz)

  • Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 (155H) or 9 (185H)

  • Ram: 16 or 32 GB

  • storage: 1TB or 2TB

  • graphic: Intel Arc

  • operating system: Windows 11

  • camera: 1080P Front, Windows Hello

  • Connectivity: wifi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, headphones

  • size: 313.5 x 217.9 x 19.9mm

  • weight: 1,650g

Performance and Battery Life

The kickstand is quite sturdy and can support the laptop at a variety of angles on a desk. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The Zenbook Duo is equipped with Intel's new Core Ultra chips, and in our testing, the Ultra 9 185H was the best performing, delivering impressive performance for a thin and light laptop. It handled everyday tasks with ease, including advanced photo manipulation and juggling three screens simultaneously (the laptop's two 3K displays and an external 4K monitor).

Benchmark tests show that its performance is on par with similar 14-inch PC laptops from Dell, Lenovo and others, as well as Apple's M1 Pro chip in the 14-inch MacBook Pro. However, the Zenbook does get quite warm, with the top quarter of the machine's lower half getting noticeably warm even under light loads.

Battery life varies greatly depending on how many screens you're using. Used as a standard laptop with the keyboard attached and screen brightness set to around 70%, it lasted just over seven hours with light work using Chrome, Evernote, a light text editor, and various messaging apps. Using both screens simultaneously halves that figure to less than four hours in similar circumstances. Of course, performing more demanding tasks will drain the battery much faster.

Windows 11 + some stuff

The touchscreen keyboard and trackpad are nearly the same size as the real thing. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Duo comes with Windows 11, which is designed to be great for computers with multiple screens. It remembers the position of apps on both screens, automatically adjusts the screen orientation when you rotate the screen, and lets you easily move windows between screens.

Asus also bundles software to help you take advantage of the dual-screen setup, including a utility that pops up quick controls for turning the bottom screen on or off, summoning a virtual keyboard, swapping windows, and more.

The Asus Dial and Control app lets you create a custom set of virtual dials, buttons and tools on the bottom screen for doing things like changing brush thickness in a paint app or altering the volume knob on Spotify, but in general I found it better to use the second screen as a full monitor rather than covering it with touchscreen controls.

However, please note that it is not accessible on the Zenbook Duo. Microsoft's new Copilot+ AI tool It's limited to certain new chips as part of a Windows 11 update.

sustainability

The Zenbook Duo is a little thicker than a standard laptop, and its speakers aren't the best. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Asus rates the battery to retain over 80% of its original capacity for at least 1,200 full charge cycles, and there's a care tool available to extend its lifespan by limiting charging to 80%. The device is repairable in the UK, and the SSD is upgradeable. The body is made from recycled magnesium-aluminium alloy, and Asus Free machine recycling.

price

The Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) is priced from £1,799 (€1,899.99/$1,499.99) with an Intel Ultra 7 chip and FHD display. £1,999.99 (€2,499.99/$1,699.99/A$3,999) with Intel Ultra 9 and 3K display.

By comparison, the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i Gen 9 dual-screen laptop is priced at £2,011.50, the Microsoft Surface Laptop starts at £1,049 and the Apple MacBook Air M3 at £1,099.

verdict

The Zenbook Duo is one of the most successful attempts to make a dual-screen laptop work in the real world. If you want to use it as a regular laptop, you get a great keyboard and trackpad. But once you’re at your desk, it takes just a few seconds to set up the two screens, which can make you much more productive. It also reduces the back and neck pain that can come from hunching over a laptop.

The middle ground between the touchscreen keyboard and widget-packed controls isn’t appealing, but those with artistic skills may be pleased to be able to draw with the included stylus.

There are four main compromises: it heats up more easily than a comparable standard laptop, has a slightly shorter battery life, is heavier and thicker, and is much more expensive. Despite being an all-new machine, the Duo runs on an Intel chip and can’t run the new Copilot+ feature that Microsoft is now adding to Windows. It remains to be seen whether these compromises will be a deciding factor.

This isn’t a laptop we’d recommend for everyone, but if you want a portable dual-screen setup, the Zenbook Duo

Source: www.theguardian.com