Qualcomm debuts Snapdragon 888 Plus chipset with better CPU, AI performance

At this year's MWC, Qualcomm has just upgraded its best processor with an even better one. The Snapdragon 888 Plus gets a better clock speed, bumping up the Kryo 680 CPU from 2.84GHz to 2.995GHz. Its sixth-gen AI engine also gets upgraded from being able to perform 26 trillion operations per second (TOPS) for AI tasks on the Snapdragon 888 to around 20% more power on the 888 Plus at 32 TOPS. According to Qualcomm, we should be seeing the first phones sporting this new chip in Q3 2021. 

Source: The Verge

LG TVs to get dedicated support for Facebook's Portal TV

Soon it'll be much easier to set up and use Facebook's Portal TV with LG TVs. A new firmware update (version 6.0) coming to webOS-powered televisions will allow users to just plug the device into an HDMI port, and it will be detected. A pop-up notice will allow for quick access from the dashboard or webOS home screen. Once you've set it up, you can control the Portal TV app using LG's Magic Remote.

Facebook's Portal TV supports apps like Messenger and WhatsApp as well as Zoom, Workplace, and GoToMeeting for video calls. So, for users who want a bigger screen to make video calls on, this LG update will make it easier for you.

Source: Engadget

Lenovo Smart Clock 2 gets an optional MagSafe-compatible wireless charging dock

Lenovo updates its smallest-ever Assistant Smart Display with the new Smart Clock 2. This clock no longer features a wedge shape. Instead, it looks like a shrunken-down Smart Display. What is unique about this smart device is the introduction of an optional Wireless Charging Dock. You can place the Smart Clock 2 on the left via a pogo pin connection, and then the right side is marked by a plus. That portion allows for wireless charging, supporting speeds of 10W, 7.5W, and 5W. And according to Lenovo, the charging pad is MagSafe compatible, allowing you to charge iPhones that support MagSafe. On top of this, the dock comes with an 11 lumens night light as well.

The Smart Clock 2 gets a 4-inch display and a body wrapped by fabric in either Abyss Blue, Heather Grey, or Shadow Black. The back of the Smart Clock 2 has a power plug and a mic switch to disable Google Assistant. Aside from that, there are volume control buttons at the top. It is powered by a MediaTek MT8167S chipset with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. It has a far-field microphone paired with 1.5-inch 3W front-firing speakers. When it comes to connectivity, it has 2.4GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2. Lenovo plans to sell the Smart Clock 2 for USD 89.99 starting September.

Source: 9to5Google

Adobe reminds users it'll pull Photoshop Sketch and Illustrator Draw from app stores next month

In case you missed Adobe's announcement, the company wants to remind mobile users that its Photoshop Sketch and Illustrator Draw apps are going away. Both apps will no longer be available for download starting July 19. The company then plans to stop supporting the apps for existing users on January 10, 2022. You can still use the apps until then, but Adobe will no longer add any new features or updates once they are discontinued.

Instead, Adobe wants its users to move to its Fresco app. All projects created on the two apps can be automatically migrated to Fresco after signing into the app with your Adobe ID email address.

Source: MacRumors