Arm is stepping into the graphics upscaling arena with its new Accuracy Super Resolution (ASR) technology, promising significant enhancements for GPU performance on mobile devices.
ASR is a temporal upscaler based on AMD’s open-source FidelityFX Super Resolution 2 (FSR2). This compatibility allows developers to leverage familiar API and configuration options, streamlining integration. AMD’s FSR and Nvidia’s DLSS have primarily boosted graphical fidelity on gaming PCs, enabling higher frame rates and rendering capabilities. Arm’s focus, however, is on the power savings achievable through reduced GPU use, which is crucial for mobile devices where thermal throttling can degrade performance.
Peter Hodges, Arm’s Director for Ecosystem Strategy, highlighted ASR’s ability to maintain high-quality visuals at lower temperatures, reducing thermal throttling. This results in a more stable gaming experience and prolonged device engagement. ASR’s optimization for lower memory bandwidth devices, like mobile GPUs with integrated graphics, is a key differentiator. Arm claims ASR uses only a third of FSR2’s GPU resources at equivalent resolutions and scaling factors, delivering 20% to 40% better frame rates on Arm devices.
Arm used a specific GPU at 2x upscaling resolution. ASR boosts frame rates by 53%, compared to FSR2’s 36%. Tests with MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 chip reveal that 2x ASR reduces power consumption by over 20% versus native 1080p rendering. This results in longer battery life and reduced overheating, addressing key concerns for mobile gamers.
Once the ASR specification is released, it will be up to OS makers and game developers to adopt it. Apple is expected to continue using its MetalFX upscaling technology, which also stems from AMD’s FSR. Microsoft is promoting Automatic Super Resolution for its Qualcomm-based Arm devices and is working on a vendor-agnostic upscaling API called DirectSR. Qualcomm also introduced its Snapdragon Game Super Resolution just over a year ago.
While this hardware-agnostic technology promises superior image quality and performance on a broad range of devices, it is too early to say if it can set a new standard in mobile graphics upscaling.
Mozilla is giving Firefox’s Smart Window two new tricks. If you haven’t tried it yet, Smart Window is an optional AI mode in Firefox with a built-in chat that helps you get things done while you browse. With this update, it can fill out online forms using details from your tabs and keep an eye on websites for you.
Tired of typing the same details into every form?
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.