An Israeli company will test its equipment on astronauts in space expected next week during a SpaceX flight to the International Space Station (ISS).
The company Brain.Space has been developing methods to study brain activity for four years.
The company said on Monday that three astronauts on the planned private space firm Axiom Space’s mission to the ISS will wear its devices. The equipment will be a head covering, or helmet, that can record electrical brain activity through a test called an electroencephalogram (EEG).
The 10-day mission is the first private trip to the space station. The launch is set for April 3 with four astronauts.
Brain.Space Chief Executive is Yair Levy. He told Reuters scientists know that a low-gravity environment affects the way the body works. He said that such an environment will probably also affect the brain. He said his company would like to study that.
Levy said that data has continuously been collected on heart rate, skin resistance, and muscle mass through measurements in space but not brain activity.
Brain.Space’s effort joins 30 experiments that will be included in the so-called Rakia Mission to the ISS.
An electroencephalogram (EEG) enabled helmet, due to be used in an experiment on the effects of a microgravity environment on the brain activity of astronauts is shown at Israeli startup Brain.Space in Tel Aviv, Israel on March 22, 2022. (REUTERS/Nir Elias)
Three of the four astronauts, including Israeli Eytan Stibbe, will wear the special helmet. The device has 460 points that connect to the top of the head. It performs a number of functions for 20 minutes a day. During that time, data will be sent to a computer on the space station. The company said one of these jobs, called the “visual oddball,” has been effective at finding unusual brain activity.
Similar studies using these functions have been completed on Earth. After the mission, Brain.Space will compare the EEG data to look for any differences in brain activity between Earth and space.
Company officials say such experiments are needed because long-term space exploration and “off-world living are within grasp.”
Brain.Space said it raised $8.5 million in investments. It describes itself as a brain infrastructure company.
Brain.Space is working with the brain sciences department at Israel’s Ben Gurion University to turn huge amounts of data into useful knowledge. Levy said he hoped the space mission would help organizations, researchers, and computer program developers.
"Space is an accelerator. The idea is to revolutionize and make possible brain activity apps, products and services that's as easy as pulling data from an Apple Watch," Levy said. He said measuring mental health disorders like ADHD could be a possible goal.
I’m Gregory Stachel.
Steven Scheer reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English.
Quiz - Israeli Company to Measure Brain Activity on Space Mission to ISS
mission– n. a flight by an aircraft or spacecraft to perform a specific task
function –n. the special purpose or activity for which a thing exists or is used
grasp– n. the ability to get or find something
infrastructure– n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country, region, or organization to function properly
accelerate– v. to quicken the progress or development of something
revolutionize– v. to change (something) very much or completely
app– n. a computer program that performs a special function
That's why it's important to think carefully about whether it's time to upgrade to the Galaxy S22 Ultra. In many cases, the most important factors to consider will be camera quality and the S Pen. If you have a relatively recent phone like the Galaxy S21 Ultra or Note 20 Ultra, you don't need to upgrade just yet. The S22 Ultra is more of an iterative update to those devices, and you'll get more for your money by holding onto your device for a longer period of time.
You're much more likely to notice the Galaxy S22 Ultra's new features when coming from a phone that's at least 3 years old. That said, it's also worth noting that the older your phone is, the less likely it is to continue getting the latest software updates. Samsung is guaranteeing four generations of Android operating system updates on phones in its families of Galaxy S22, S21 and Z devices, as well as certain Galaxy A phones. It previously committed to three years of updates, meaning some older phones like the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 might be close to the end of their software update cycle.
You'll also want to consider some of the features present on older phones that Samsung has eliminated on newer models. Samsung's new phones don't have expandable storage, for example, but the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, S20 Ultra and Note 10 Plus do. Samsung also phased out MST support for Samsung Pay, the technology that enables the payment service to work with older terminals that don't support NFC, starting with the Galaxy S21 line in the US. (MST is still available in select global markets.)
Read on to learn more about how the Galaxy S22 Ultra compares with Samsung's older high-end phones.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Lexy Savvides/CNET
Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra
If you have a Galaxy S21 Ultra, there's no need to upgrade yet. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is an iterative update to its predecessor. It comes with a newer processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Samsung's latest Exynos chip depending on the market), a camera that can perform better in low light and an S Pen that you can store inside the device.
But those reasons alone aren't enough to spend on a new device, especially since you can purchase an S Pen for the Galaxy S21 Ultra separately. The Galaxy S22 Ultra's improved low-light photography is useful, but its camera system is otherwise very similar to the Galaxy S21 Ultra's. Both devices have a 108-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses that provide a 10x optical zoom. Their screens are equal in size and both support refresh rates of up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling.
That's a detailed way to say the overall experience is essentially the same on the S21 Ultra and S22 Ultra, with some iterative upgrades to the camera and included S Pen.
The bottom line: There's no major reason to upgrade to the S22 Ultra if you have the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The updates are mostly iterative and will be more noticeable when upgrading from an older phone. If you're a Galaxy Note fan looking to store your S Pen inside the Galaxy S21 Ultra, you're better off buying a case that includes a storage slot for the stylus.
Samsung's Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
Angela Lang/CNET
Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is less than 2 years old, which means it should have plenty of mileage left in it. There isn't much to be gained from the S22 Ultra other than its camera improvements, which are appreciated but likely aren't enough to justify upgrading for most people.
Both phones have a 108-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, although the S22 Ultra has a newer version of the main sensor with better autofocus and dynamic range. Where they really differ, however, is in their zoom capabilities. The Galaxy S22 Ultra has two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses, while the Note 20 Ultra only has one 12-megapixel telephoto lens. As a result, the Galaxy S22 Ultra can achieve a closer zoom both optically and digitally (10x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom), compared with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (5x optical zoom, up to 50x digital zoom).
And of course, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is missing Samsung's recent improvements to low-light photography that debuted with the Galaxy S22 series. The S22 Ultra also takes better portraits than the Note 20 Ultra since it's better at distinguishing fine details, my colleague Lexy Savvides wrote in her recent comparison of the two phones.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra also has a sharper 40-megapixel front camera than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra's 10-megapixel selfie camera. That might not matter to everyone, but it could be an important consideration if you spent a lot of time on video calls.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra also comes with a newer processor and a larger battery, although the difference doesn't seem to be game-changing. Both phones are capable of lasting an entire day, according to CNET's S22 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra comparison. The Galaxy S22 Ultra would typically have 20% of its battery left by the end of the day, while the Note 20 Ultra would have 10% to 15% of its battery remaining. Our test applies to the Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered version of these phones, so it's possible that the Exynos versions could differ. And both phones come with Samsung's S Pen stylus for taking notes, drawing and marking up documents.
There are also a couple of small trade-offs to be made by upgrading from the Note 20 Ultra to the S22 Ultra. Samsung's newest high-end phone has a slightly smaller screen than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (6.8 inches versus 6.9 inches). It also lacks a microSD card slot for expandable storage, unlike the Note 20 Ultra, which can support up to 1 terabyte of additional space.
The bottom line: You can hang on to your Galaxy Note 20 Ultra for a little longer. Unless you really want a 100x digital zoom and slightly longer battery life.
Samsung's Galaxy Note 20.
Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 20
Once again, the biggest difference between the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy Note 20 is in its camera. The Galaxy S22 Ultra also has a larger and sharper screen, a bigger battery and a newer processor than the Galaxy Note 20. Most people probably don't have to upgrade just yet. But there's a stronger case for upgrading from the Note 20 than from the Note 20 Ultra since the regular model also has a smaller screen and less capable camera than its bigger sibling.
The Galaxy Note 20 has three rear cameras: a 12-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor and a 64-megapixel telephoto lens. You get a 3x optical zoom on the Galaxy Note and up to a 30x digital zoom. The Galaxy S22 Ultra improves on this in several ways. It comes with four rear cameras: a 108-megapixel main sensor, two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens.
Since it has two telephoto lenses, the S22 Ultra can zoom up to 10x optically and 100x digitally. And don't forget: Samsung's Galaxy S22 lineup also boasts improved low-light photography. In general, the Galaxy S22 lineup also has improved color and contrast compared with other phones, as I found during my testing.
For most people, the Galaxy Note 20's triple-lens camera will probably be enough. In my own use, I've found that image quality becomes too blurry and noisy when zooming past 30x. But if photography is a main priority and you frequently use your phone for professional work, the S22 Ultra could be worth considering for its improved camera. The selfie camera is also sharper (40 megapixels versus the Note 20's 10 megapixels), which could be important for those who take a lot of video calls.
Otherwise, you'll also get a slightly larger screen (6.8 inches versus 6.7 inches) that's also sharper since it packs 500 pixels per inch compared with the Note 20's 393 pixels. You also have the option to set the screen to a higher refresh rate of up to 120Hz on the S22 Ultra for smoother scrolling, unlike the Note 20. Both phones come with Samsung's S Pen stylus. But the Note 20 does have a less premium plastic construction than the pricier Note 20 Ultra. So upgrading to the Galaxy S22 Ultra also means you'll get a design that feels more polished and high-end.
The bottom line: You probably don't need to upgrade, but doing so makes more sense than upgrading from the Note 20 Ultra. The Galaxy S22 Ultra brings camera improvements and a larger battery that might make a meaningful difference to those who use their phones for pro-grade photography. If you meet that criteria and can also score a great trade-in deal, the S22 Ultra would be worth it. If you mostly want a better camera and don't mind sacrificing the S Pen and a little screen space, I'd also recommend checking out the Galaxy S22 Plus.
Samsung's Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy S20 Ultra
The Galaxy S20 Ultra is 2 years old, but it still has plenty to offer. The biggest differences between the S20 Ultra and S22 Ultra are the latter's inclusion of Samsung's S Pen stylus, its newer processor and some moderate camera changes. These are incremental improvements that make the Galaxy S22 Ultra better than its predecessors. However, there's nothing that makes this phone feel wildly different from the Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Both phones are around the same size, but the S20 Ultra is slightly larger at 6.9 inches compared with the S22 Ultra's 6.8-inch display. The S20 Ultra also packs more pixels per inch, and each phone can boost its screen's refresh rate up to 120Hz for a more fluid experience. Both devices also both have a 40-megapixel selfie camera and the same battery capacity. Both phones also have 45-watt fast-charging, although you'll have to purchase the required adapter separately.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra and S20 Ultra have similar camera systems, although there are some differences when it comes to their zooming capabilities. Both phones have a 108-megapixel main sensor and a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor. But the Galaxy S22 Ultra has two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses, while the S20 Ultra has one 48-megapixel telephoto lens and a depth sensor.
That dual telephoto camera gives the S22 Ultra some advantages when it comes to quality and ease of use. You get a true optical zoom at either 3x or 10x on the Galaxy S22 Ultra, whereas the S20 Ultra has a hybrid optic zoom system that uses some digital cropping to achieve the desired zoom level. Zooming in should also feel steady and more smooth on the Galaxy S22 Ultra compared with the S20 Ultra. The Galaxy S22-lineup phones can also take clearer and brighter photos in the dark and are generally better with color and contrast.
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All of these changes make the S22 Ultra feel like a step forward, but the Galaxy S20 Ultra already has an excellent camera. The Galaxy S22 Ultra's changes improve photo quality rather than adding drastically different features and shooting modes. However, if you've been frustrated by the Galaxy S20 Ultra's autofocus issues, you might find yourself in more of a hurry to upgrade.
What you'll really have to ask yourself is whether it's worth upgrading for the S Pen. That's the key distinction between the S22 Ultra and the S20 Ultra. The S Pen feels like a nice bonus rather than a necessity for the Galaxy S22 Ultra. But given the popularity that Samsung's Galaxy Note has cultivated over the last decade, I imagine there are plenty of people who might disagree. The S Pen lets you jot down notes (even when the screen is turned off), sketch, mark up screenshots and other documents and translate text, among other tasks. The stylus can even function as a remote control for the phone's camera.
The bottom line: Unless you really want the S Pen, there isn't a major reason to upgrade to the Galaxy S22 Ultra from the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Both phones have a giant screen with a high refresh rate for smoother scrolling, and they have similar cameras. They also have the same battery capacity. The Galaxy S22 Ultra does get some camera improvements, particularly when zooming or taking low-light photos. But the changes aren't drastic enough to encourage most people to upgrade just yet.
Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 Plus.
Angela Lang/CNET
Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 10 Plus
Just as with the other phones on this list, the biggest reason to upgrade from the Galaxy Note 10 Plus to the Galaxy S22 Ultra is its camera. But the upgrades are more than incremental this time. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus' triple-lens camera has a much more limited zoom range than the Galaxy S22 Ultra's, and it's also missing the 108-megapixel main sensor that debuted on the Galaxy S20 Ultra.
For the purposes of this article, we've decided to compare the Note 10 Plus because it has a noticeably larger screen than the regular Note 10 (6.8 inches versus the standard model's 6.3-inch display). That makes it a more straightforward comparison against the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Samsung's new top-of-the-line phone has four main camera lenses: a 108-megapixel main sensor, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus, comparatively, has a 12-megapixel wide camera, a 16-megapixel ultrawide camera, a 12-megapixel telephoto camera and a depth sensor.
For casual photographers, the Note 10 Plus' triple camera might be adequate enough. But those who prioritize camera quality will find a lot to love about the S22 Ultra. It can zoom up to 10x optically and 100x digitally, while the Galaxy Note 10 Plus only has a 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom. That's a big difference that will feel significant to anyone who frequently takes photos from a distance, as perhaps at sporting events or concerts.
Otherwise, the Galaxy S22 Ultra brings extras like a 120Hz refresh rate screen, a sharper 40-megapixel selfie camera, support for 8K video recording, a much newer processor and a larger battery. That said, both phones have large and vibrant 6.8-inch screens that are ideal for reading and watching video, and they both come with the S Pen. But the Galaxy S10 Plus also has more memory and storage at the base level than the Galaxy S22 Ultra, and there's no microSD card slot on Samsung's newest Ultra phone.
The bottom line: Yes, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is worth the upgrade if you have the Galaxy Note 10 Ultra, particularly if you can find a good trade-in deal. But the answer will depend on your needs and preferences. If photography is a huge priority, the S22 Ultra's upgraded camera will feel like a major improvement. The drastically improved zoom, better low-light performance and overall improvements to color and contrast make it a more versatile and capable camera overall. But if you mostly just care about having an attractive phone with a big screen, you can probably get by with your Note 10 Plus for a bit longer. If you have the non-5G model, the S22 Ultra gives you even more of a reason to upgrade.
Samsung's Galaxy S10 5G.
Angela Lang/CNET
Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy S10 5G
The Galaxy S10 5G was Samsung's high-end flagship phone from 2019, and it has a lot in common with the Galaxy Note 10 Plus. With that in mind, similar advice applies if you have a Galaxy S10 5G. It's worth the upgrade, particularly if you love taking photos and prioritize having a phone with top-notch zooming capabilities. But you can also probably get by with your current phone if you don't necessarily care about having the best camera and purchased the S10 5G mostly for its giant screen.
The Galaxy S10 5G has a 12-megapixel wide camera, a 12-megapixel telephoto camera, a 16-megapixel ultrawide camera and a depth sensor, just like the Note 10 Plus. As such, all of the benefits mentioned above apply to those upgrading from the Galaxy S10 5G, too. Samsung's newest premium phone brings significantly better zoom, improved photos in low light, a sharper selfie camera and better overall image quality compared with the S10 5G, plus 8K video recording and a larger battery. The difference in performance is also likely to be more noticeable when upgrading from a 3-year-old phone like the S10 5G.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra's screen is also slightly larger than the S10 5G's (6.8 inches versus 6.7 inches). But more importantly, you can increase the refresh rate up to 120Hz to make scrolling feel more seamless. And of course, it also comes with Samsung's S Pen stylus to make better use of that large screen.
The bottom line: Yes, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is worth upgrading if you own a Galaxy S10 5G. The Galaxy S22 Ultra brings features that are legitimately new rather than incremental upgrades, such as an included S Pen and an overhauled camera with significantly better zoom. If you don't care about these features, you can get by with your Galaxy S10 5G for a little while longer. But for those who prioritize photography in a camera and are ready for something new, the S22 Ultra won't disappoint.
Samsung's lineup of foldable phones could be getting a new name when updated models arrive this year. And current events could be the reason.
Leaker Ishan Agarwal tweeted that some European countries are now selling the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 without the Z in their name. Instead, the foldables are now listed as the Galaxy Fold 3 and Galaxy Flip 3. XDA-Developers reports that the change appears in countries like Estonia and Latvia.
Samsung has removed the ‘Z’ from its phones in certain European countries.Z Fold/Flip3 are being sold as just Galaxy Fold3/Flip3.Change could be due to symbol ‘Z’ representing Russian Army during the ongoing invasion in Ukraine. New retail boxes have been printed as well. pic.twitter.com/RvadGYN0XiMarch 29, 2022
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There's no official explanation for the sudden name change — and on Samsung's U.S. website, the Z remains in place for both the Fold and the Flip — but the speculation is that Eastern European countries are dropping the Z so as not to conjure up any connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russian armies have used the letter Z as a military marking, and it's since been adopted by Russian officials and Russian nationalists as a symbol of support for the Ukrainian invasion. With Russia's military attack earning near-global condemnation, you can understand why a company like Samsung might want to avoid anything that could evoke the invasion — especially in countries in close proximity to the shooting.
While the movement away from the Galaxy Z name appears limited for now, it does raise questions as to whether Samsung might consider a new name for the upcoming versions of its foldables. Both the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 are rumored to be in the works for a late summer release, giving Samsung a window for simply dropping the Z from the name.
After all, "Fold" and "Flip" seem to be the more critical parts of the phones' respective names, as those terms describe how the foldables actually work. (The Galaxy Fold opens like a book to reveal a larger screen inside, while the Galaxy Flip looks like a flip phone of old.) The "Z" part of the name is actually superfluous and creates a name that doesn't really roll off the tongue.
Then again, the name of Samsung's upcoming foldables probably won't crack the list of most interesting changes that Samsung has in the works. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 — or Galaxy Fold 4, if you like — is rumored to be getting a built-in stylus, just the S Pen Samsung added to the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The Fold 4's screen could be upgraded to a more stylus-friendly design as well, while Samsung looks to improve the under-display camera that debuted on last year's phone.
Rumors about the Galaxy Z Flip 4 are less definitive at this point, though we'd expect a new chipset and, hopefully, an improvement upon the lackluster battery life that's the biggest flaw of the Flip 3. Rumors suggest an under-display camera similar to the one on the Galaxy Fold could be in the works, too.
Both new phones are expected to arrive this August, which is when Samsung traditionally holds an Unpacked event introducing new devices for the fall. Whether the foldables will be accompanied by that suddenly controversial Z remains to be seen.
Samsung has reportedly dropped the 'Z' letter branding from its foldable phones. The year 2022 family of foldable phones -- Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3. These phones will be simply called Galaxy Fold 3 and Galaxy Flip 3 in Europe. The reason being the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
The letter 'Z' started getting a bad reputation after the footage of Russian tanks marked with the letter appeared during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The alphabet 'Z' is said to be painted on Russian military units to help them distinguish from Ukrainian units. Due to this, 'Z' is now apparently seen as a symbol of pro-Russian sentiments. This has made customers in many of these countries quite sensitive to the Z branding. It has also being outlawed for political display in some countries like Germany.
The Samsung store websites in several European countries too have started listing the foldable phones as simply the Galaxy Fold 3 and Flip 3. The same is printed on the new boxes of the devices in these countries.
https://twitter.com/TheGalox_/status/1508604944831631362?s=20&t=Ads0KjKnM-q1ABlBNfpn7g
https://twitter.com/TheGalox_/status/1508605251645067266?s=20&t=Ads0KjKnM-q1ABlBNfpn7g
Samsung first launched foldable phones in 2018. Over the years, the company consolidated its foldable lineup under the Z branding. Starting with the Z Flip, Galaxy Z, the branding is now synonymous with all Samsung phones that fold.
Microgravity has many unknown effects on the human body. Considering longer term space missions to the Moon or potentially even Mars, humans do not yet know how that could impact our very physiology. “Astronauts are being monitored in so many different areas, such as their heart rate, oxygen levels, body mass, and blood content, except for the most important organ: the brain,” brain.space co-founder and CEO Yair Levy told CTech in an interview.
Brain.space, a data collection-neuroscience fusion startup, has developed a unique headset that will be donned by next Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe on his upcoming mission to the International Space Station on Sunday. The helmet functions as a sort of portable EEG machine, measuring brain waves, brain activity, neurohealth and more. “There are billions of stars in the Universe, and billions of neurons in our brains. We’re all connected. Answering those questions about life is part of an amazing story,” added Levy, whose company recently closed a $8.5 million Seed round from Mangrove Capital and angel investor Sammy Segol.
The brain.space helmet can measure brain activity.
(brain.space)
In order to be part of the list of 35 experiments being sent to space, the startup had to jump through many hoops to get there. That involved adhering to strict NASA regulations, altering their prototype to work aboard the station while being light enough cargo, funding the experiment’s trip, working sans batteries, while completing all of the above within a short two-month timeframe.
A startup within a startup
It all started back when co-founder and Chairman Dr. Shai Efrati’s 11-month old baby daughter fell and suffered brain damage. She eventually recovered from her impairment and her condition improved, once the team started to develop a monitoring device that could monitor her brain and provide treatment. The company’s team includes experts in fields such as neuroscience, psychiatry, bioinformatics, and software engineers who specialize in machine learning and artificial intelligence. “We’re a data collection company that wants to enable other companies to make use of the information we gather on our brains,” added Levy. “We’re a startup within a startup.”
The device is a helmet, (and comes in several different colors), and on the inside is equipped with 460 sensors that move and rotate to accurately fit a person’s scalp. That is more than typical EEG machines have - which must be attached manually. “We’re providing a GPS system for the brain,” said Levy, adding that the machine allocates every signal it records to a specific area in the brain. “We want to ensure that when we collect data we do it in the right way. Each sensor is designed to sit above a different functional area in the brain. We also standardize the data: we collect the data, and ‘clean’ it from noise such as other brain activity. When you blink or talk, it generates ‘noise’ to the sensors. Thirdly, we apply AI models to analyze data and provide brain insights. This helps other companies utilize brain activity to power their own applications. Lastly, we use a simple interphase and code, along with cybersecurity measures to provide an end-stack solution that gives us simple access to the brain,” he said. And knowing what goes on inside people’s brains is an age-old question, shedding light on what the future could look like. “It’ll be as simple as accessing any payment app, but we’re talking about the brain,” Levy added.
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EEG scans can only be conducted by medical professionals, since the setup is complex, but using brain.space’s device, people can do so on their own since the system is automated.
The helmets can fit different scalp sizes, and are equipped to fit both genders. The company is currently working on its next-generation version. As of now, the headset will be worn by Stibbe, LĂłpez-AlegrĂa, and Connor. “We’ve been talking to Stibbe a lot, and have watched him do our baseline experiments. It’s a huge opportunity for a small Israeli startup like ours.” Once worn, the device shows the wearer a series of video games and short videos, where the subject must respond, thereby testing his or her mental acuity.
Becoming the golden standard in space
Measuring human brain activity for longer term space missions is crucial, added Levy, in order to properly monitor cognitive activity and mental health. The hypothesis, the team believes, is that physiological conditions will change in space and the astronauts’ blood pressure will go down, leading the heart to pump more blood into the brain. This, in turn, will have an impact on the human body by increasing brain activity, perhaps making the trio ‘more capable’ or ‘smarter’ in space, leading them to a sense of hyperactivity. Brain.space has partnered with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev on the research front, and is looking forward to obtaining the data.
While a lot of space tech companies are focused on the duality aspect - how technologies can be used on both Earth and in space - brain.space believes it is making its mark. “This is the first time something like this has ever been tried. We want to be the golden standard.” Using the data, people can see what types of treatments they need to heal their brain, whether that be lowering a mental load, practicing mindfulness exercises, getting psychological help, or medication.
The company employs 30 people out of its Tel Aviv offices, with employees’ age ranging from 17 to 78. It has high school boys and young women, senior citizens, and mid-aged scientists from a variety of fields. Brain.space is currently recruiting, and while it has no plans on going public, it is open to the idea of partnering with an academic institute or being acquired by a larger company.
“We are on a constant quest for answers. This is what drives us forward and helps us overcome tremendous challenges,” concluded Levy.
TEL AVIV- Israel's Brain.Space, a four-year-old startup that studies data on brain activity, is set to put its gear to test on astronauts in space next week during a SpaceX shuttle flight to the International Space Station (ISS).
Three astronauts on the planned private space-flight firm Axiom Space's mission to the ISS will use a special electroencephalogram (EEG)-enabled helmet made by Brain.Space, the company said on Monday.
The 10-day mission, the first-ever private trip to the space station, will set off on April 3 with four astronauts.
"We actually know that the microgravity environment impacts the physiological indicators in the body. So, it will probably impact the brain and we would like to monitor that," Brain.Space Chief Executive Yair Levy told Reuters.
Data has continuously been collected on heart rate, skin resistance, muscle mass and others in space but not yet on brain activity, he said.
Brain.Space joins 30 experiments that will take part in the so-called Rakia Mission to the ISS.
Three of the four astronauts -- including Israeli Eytan Stibbe -- will wear the helmet, which has 460 airbrushes that connect to the scalp, and perform a number of tasks for 20 minutes a day, during which data will be uploaded to a laptop on the space station. The tasks include a "visual oddball" one that the company says has been effective in detecting abnormal brain dynamics.
Similar studies using these tasks have been completed on Earth and after the mission, Brain.Space will compare the EEG data to see the differences in brain activity between Earth and space.
It noted that such experiments are needed since long-term space exploration and "off-world living are within grasp."
Brain.Space, which also said it raised $8.5 million in a seed funding round, bills itself as a brain infrastructure company and is working with the cognitive and brain sciences department at Israel's Ben Gurion University to transform terabytes of data into usable insights.
Levy said he hoped the space mission would be a springboard for other institutions, researchers and software developers to use its brain data platform.
"Space is an accelerator. The idea is to revolutionise and make possible brain activity apps, products and services that's as easy as pulling data from an Apple Watch," Levy said, pointing to measuring ADHD as an example.
(Reporting by Steven Scheer Editing by Bernadette Baum)
While the company is not currently sharing full details of its product, the Israeli startup’s vision revolves around building a game creation platform that brings together players, creators and developers in a mobile-centric community
The best camera in any situation is the one you have with you, and most of the time, that’s the camera on your smartphone. That’s why, over the past few years, mobile photography has become a crucial part of flagship smartphones, and the results are often incredible. But who has the best smartphone camera on Android? In “Shot for Shot,” we’ll let your eyes be the judge.
Which are the best Android cameras?
Before we dive into the samples, who are the contestants? In this comparison, we want to take a look at the smartphones that are widely considered to offer the best overall (rear) cameras when it comes to versatility, consistency, experience, and quality:
Google Pixel 6 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S22+
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
OnePlus 9 Pro
Oppo Find X5 Pro
The thing about cameras in the Android ecosystem is that they can go down two different paths. Some devices will throw every piece of hardware possible at the situation, while others will rely more heavily on software.
Google’s Pixel series is a great example of a device that relies heavily on software. The Pixel 5 previously held its own compared to better-equipped devices like the Galaxy S21 Ultra but ultimately fell apart on zoom and other key aspects. Since then, the company’s Pixel 6 Pro has upped its game in the hardware department, with a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 48MP telephoto lens. And that’s still backed up by the simple and consistent shooting experience we’ve loved for years.
Then, there’s Samsung, which has a hardware-first approach on its Galaxy S22 Ultra but increasingly better software on the Galaxy S22+ (along with a new sensor similar to what’s in the Pixel). The Ultra model has a 108MP primary camera backed up by three other lenses — 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, and 10MP 10x telephoto. Meanwhile, the S22+ has a 50MP primary camera with a 12MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto.
There’s also the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which has to compromise on hardware due to its form factor, forcing it to lean heavily on Samsung’s software optimizations. Impressively, despite only going with a trio of 12MP cameras on its back, it holds up really well.
The OnePlus 9 Pro, with its successor right around the corner, also remains one of the best cameras available on an Android phone today that’s readily available in the United States. It packs 48MP primary camera, 50MP ultrawide, 8MP 3.3x telephoto, and a 2MP monochrome sensor.
Looking outside of the US market, the Oppo Find X5 Pro is a noteworthy contender, in part because the phone packs Oppo’s own MariSiliconX chip to bolster its camera. In terms of pure hardware, though, it offers up a 50MP primary camera, 13MP 2x telephoto, and 50MP ultrawide camera.
How do the best Android cameras compare?
We could go on and on talking about camera features, resolution, colors, and more, but honestly, the best judge of a smartphone’s camera is your own eyes.
As Spring emerges, we decided to take our six contenders out to Reynolda Gardens near Wake Forest University to capture some of the season’s early growth on a bright, sunny day. Just about any modern smartphone will thrive under these conditions, but a mix of a windy afternoon and some distant subjects offered up interesting obstacles for these phones to deal with in terms of grabbing focus, sharpening outdoor subjects at the edge of their zoom capabilities, producing authentic bokeh with these newer sensors, and nailing the colors.
Below, you’ll find test samples from every one of our contenders in a few scenarios. After you’ve viewed them, vote in the poll below to let us know which you think is the best Android camera.
In this comparison, every phone is being used on its default settings, in its standard shooting mode unless stated otherwise.
For each gallery below, you can click to expand each photo or click on “view full size” underneath to view the uncompressed photos on Google Drive.
Primary camera, natural indirect light
Pixel 6 ProOnePlus 9 ProSamsung Galaxy S22 UltraSamsung Galaxy S22 PlusSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 3Oppo Find X5 Pro
View full size | Left to right — Pixel 6 Pro, OnePlus 9 Pro, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S22 Plus, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Oppo Find X5 Pro
When it comes to natural daylight, it’s honestly pretty hard to trip up a modern-day flagship smartphone, and many aspects come down to personal preference. The Pixel 6 Pro and Galaxy S22 Ultra, expectedly, are the most immediately pleasing shots with sharp focus and great bokeh. Google’s was closest to the actual scene as far as colors go here, where Oppo was the furthest, especially with its over-brightening of the mulch.
Primary camera, battling sunlight
Pixel 6 ProOnePlus 9 ProSamsung Galaxy S22 UltraSamsung Galaxy S22 PlusSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 3Oppo Find X5 Pro
View full size | Left to right — Pixel 6 Pro, OnePlus 9 Pro, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S22 Plus, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Oppo Find X5 Pro
This second primary camera test was meant to mainly test out HDR with direct sunlight hitting the lens, but it was focus that was really put to the test here. With almost constant wind, each phone had to lock onto the branch and constantly adjust to actually grab the shot. I personally love the look that the Galaxy S22 Ultra hit here, but the Galaxy S22 Plus had the objectively more attractive shot out of the entire bunch, with vibrant colors and great detail. The Pixel’s results are great, but oddly too dark.
Ultrawide camera
Pixel 6 ProOnePlus 9 ProSamsung Galaxy S22 UltraSamsung Galaxy S22 PlusSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 3Oppo Find X5 Pro
View full size | Left to right — Pixel 6 Pro, OnePlus 9 Pro, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S22 Plus, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Oppo Find X5 Pro
Ultrawide cameras won’t make or break your shooting experience, but all too often, quality can quickly degrade compared to the main sensor. Oftentimes, too, distortion can ruin even the best ultrawide camera on an Android phone. In this comparison, we also can see the difference in field-of-view between each device. Google has always traded field-of-view for a lack of distortion, and that provides a pleasing shot here. But in this specific instance, the Galaxy S22 Plus or Oppo Find X5 Pro would be my winner, with very good colors and only minimal distortion for their wider views.
Zoom camera
A few years ago when Google choose to add a telephoto camera to the Pixel 4 instead of an ultrawide, the company was ridiculed mercilessly for the decision. But really, they were right. Ultrawide cameras are fun, but telephoto is more important.
In the time since, the smartphone industry has also really stepped up when it comes to zoom photography on phones, with amazing results. Below, we took our test subjects through 2x, 3–4x (depending on device), 10x, and 20x zoom lengths to see how they handle stabilization, quality, and processing of digital zoom. Even under these pretty ideal lighting conditions, the results are quite fascinating.
Pixel 6 Pro (2x)OnePlus 9 Pro (2x)Galaxy S22 Ultra (2x)Galaxy S22 Plus (2x)Galaxy Z Fold 3 (2x)Oppo Find X5 Pro (2x)
View full size | Left to right — Pixel 6 Pro, OnePlus 9 Pro, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S22 Plus, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Oppo Find X5 Pro
Pixel 6 Pro (4x)OnePlus 9 Pro (3.3x)Galaxy S22 Ultra (4x)Galaxy S22 Plus (4x)Galaxy Z Fold 3 (4x)Oppo Find X5 Pro (4x)
View full size | Left to right — Pixel 6 Pro, OnePlus 9 Pro, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S22 Plus, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Oppo Find X5 Pro
Pixel 6 Pro (10x)OnePlus 9 Pro (10x)Galaxy S22 Ultra (10x)Galaxy S22 Plus (10x)Galaxy Z Fold 3 (10x)Oppo Find X5 Pro (10x)
View full size | Left to right — Pixel 6 Pro, OnePlus 9 Pro, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S22 Plus, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Oppo Find X5 Pro
Pixel 6 Pro (20x)OnePlus 9 Pro (20x)Galaxy S22 Ultra (20x)Galaxy S22 Plus (20x)Oppo Find X5 Pro (20x)
View full size | Left to right — Pixel 6 Pro, OnePlus 9 Pro, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S22 Plus, Oppo Find X5 Pro
As you may have noticed, there’s no 20x shot for the Galaxy Z Fold 3, and that’s because the phone isn’t actually capable of that distance. The maximum zoom level, even with digital, is 10x for that device.
That aside, it’s unsurprising where things end up here. The Galaxy S22 Ultra with its pair of telephoto lenses sweeps away the competition, to the point where nothing else truly holds up. The Pixel 6 Pro is the only competition, with a 4x telephoto lens and excellent processing leaving it with usable results in most cases.
Which do you think is the best Android camera?
After looking at the samples above, which do you think is the best option?
For me, a lot of this comes down to consistency and ease of use. I’d rather have a phone that can reliably capture just about anything I throw at it versus something that, with the right settings or tweaks, could potentially take a better shot. To that end, in this comparison and previous ones, the Pixel 6 Pro has been my go-to, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra putting up a strong showing and being a very close second place.
This article is regularly updated as new contestants arrive on the market. Occasionally, older devices will be removed as successors are released or they become irrelevant to the comparison.
