Grab the TECLAST T50HD 11-inch Tablet at a £60 Discount on Amazon

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Apr 19, 2024

TECLAST T50HD is the latest tablet launched by Teclast, designed to cater to the desires of budget-conscious consumers craving powerful performance. Packed with 14GB RAM, 256GB storage, and powered by Android 14, this tablet delivers exceptional performance and storage capacity. Grab it now on Amazon, for only £109.99 (£60 coupon) available for a limited time from April 18th to April 21st, 2024.

WHERE TO BUY

TECLAST T50HD at £109.99 @Amazon

With its expansive 11-inch screen, certified with TÜV blue light technology, the tablet effectively reduces eye strain, ensuring comfortable extended use. Weighing just 530g and boasting a thickness of 7.8mm, its sleek and lightweight design offers unparalleled portability, perfect for on-the-go usage.

Driven by the latest Android 14 OS, privacy is prioritized with improved app permissions and secure passwords. Powered by the Unisoc octa-core processor the tablet offers smooth multitasking, gaming, and streaming. With 14GB RAM and 256GB ROM, expandable to 1TB, you don’t have to worry about storage as the tablet can accommodate all your apps and media.

Experience stunning visuals with the T50HD’s Full HD 1200P IPS display, certified with Widevine L1 for high-quality streaming on platforms like Disney+ and YouTube. TÜV certification further enhances your viewing experience by reducing screen light stimulation and minimizing eye fatigue during prolonged use.

Equipped with high-quality speakers and a dual microphone array, enjoy clear and loud sound output and enhanced communication during video calls. Additional features such as wireless screen mirroring, split-screen mode, parental control, and low blue light mode provide added convenience and customization options.

Stay connected and entertained for longer with the high-performance 8000mAh battery, offering up to 9 hours of gaming, 9.5 hours of online video streaming, and 14 hours of reading time. Plus, with a two-year warranty, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your investment is protected.

TECLAST T50HD 11-inch Android 14 Tablet combines innovative design, powerful performance, and advanced features to elevate your digital lifestyle all at an affordable cost.

Pixel 9 Pro leaks in real-life for the first time: Check out the design [Gallery]

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Apr 19, 2024

Google is set to release the Pixel 9 series later this year, reportedly featuring three devices: the Pixel 9, a more powerful but compact Pixel 9 Pro, and a larger flagship, the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

We have seen the renders of all three devices, and now real-life images of the Pixel 9 Pro have popped up online. The images, shared by a Russian website named Rozetked, supposedly showcase the Pixel 9 Pro’s design alongside some potential specs.

First things first, the phone looks a bit worse for wear in the images, with visible cracks on the back. But they still reveal a lot about the device.

Compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max with a 6.7-inch screen, this Pixel appears smaller, suggesting it could be a 6.1-inch display. What strongly hints that it’s a Pixel 9 Pro is its triple camera setup on the back.

The regular Pixel 9 will stick with the dual-camera setup like its predecessor, while the rumored Pixel 9 XL is said to have a triple camera setup, paired with a 6.7-inch screen. So the leaked image certainly seems like of Pixel 9 Pro.

Nonetheless, one image reveals the phone in fast boot mode, showing its codename “caiman” and some key specs. These details align with earlier reports associating this codename with the Pixel 9 Pro.

Interestingly, the leaked info suggests a big RAM upgrade for the 9 Pro. The unit packs 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, a jump from the Pixel 8 Pro’s max of 12GB. It seems storage, however, will remain at only 128GB.

More photos of the phone give a 360-degree view of the phone. The design seems to have flat sides meeting the front and back with a smooth curve.

There’s a cutout on the top, likely for the mmWave antenna, similar to the Pixel 8 Pro.

It’s important to note that these are leaks. While they match earlier renders, it’s wise to be cautious.

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HyperOS is rolling out to Redmi Note 13 series in India

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Apr 19, 2024

Xiaomi has rolled out a major update for its popular Redmi Note 13 series in India. Previously running on MIUI, the Redmi Note 13, Redmi Note 13 Pro, and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ can now benefit from the all-new HyperOS.

The update brings a significant performance boost, a revamped interface, and a host of new features designed to enhance the user experience. Let’s go through the details here.

Redmi Note 13 Series HyperOS Update India

HyperOS update on the Redmi Note 13 series brings “Comprehensive Refactoring,” a technology that optimizes task scheduling and distributes workloads across the phone’s various processing units.

It should lead to smoother performance, particularly in demanding tasks like gaming. The update also claims to improve power consumption during gameplay.

Moreover, HyperOS emphasizes security with “End-to-End Security” measures to protect user data and privacy. It also brings various interface enhancements to enhance usability.

For instance, there’s a customizable lock screen with different styles, backgrounds, and widgets. The control center now features a label-free layout for easier access to essential functions.

Moreover, for photography enthusiasts, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G has received a camera upgrade with the new OS update. However, Xiaomi hasn’t provided specific details about these improvements or whether they apply only to the Pro Plus model.

HyperOS also introduces new app icons and animations inspired by Xiaomi’s new “ALIVE DESIGN PHILOSOPHY” design philosophy. The animations are now lighter and more responsive, according to Xiaomi.

The File Manager app has also been redesigned with better categorization options for improved organization and file management. Weather information is now presented with new animations that accurately reflect current conditions.

Apart from these features, Xiaomi notes that additional optimizations have been made to the underlying software stack of the Redmi Note 13 5G series.

The rollout of HyperOS to the Redmi Note 13 5G series is likely staged, so it may take some time for all users to receive the update.

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Nothing Phone (2) gets much-awaited Nothing OS 2.5.5 update with multiple bug fixes, camera improvements & ChatGPT integration

By

Sudhanshu

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Apr 19, 2024

After releasing the Nothing OS 2.5.5 update for the Nothing Phone (2a) earlier this week, the brand has now finally started rolling out the update for the Phone (2) as well. Users of the device have been eagerly awaiting this update in hopes that it will fix a lot of the issues that have popped up on the Phone (2) recently. So let’s take a look at what the update has in store for its users.

The update is 206MB and includes ChatGPT integration and widgets. It will be available for Phone (1) and Phone (2a) in late April. This provides system-level access to ChatGPT, like screenshot sharing and Nothing-themed widgets. The update also fixes several bugs and adds Ultra XDR for the camera, an HDR switch in Photo and Portrait Modes, RAM Booster, and Recorder and Battery Widgets. You can check out the complete changelog below.

Nothing Phone (2) Nothing OS 2.5.5 update changelog

ChatGPT Integration
The following features are available with the latest ChatGPT version installed from the Play Store:
● Added a new gesture option in Nothing X to start a voice conversation with ChatGPT for Nothing Ear & Nothing Ear (a). Coming soon to our other audio products.
● Added new ChatGPT widgets to launch ChatGPT in different modes from your home screen for quicker access.
● Added a button on the screenshot and clipboard pop-up to directly paste the content to a new conversation in ChatGPT.

More features
● Camera now supports Ultra XDR. To set, head to Camera settings > Ultra XDR.
● Within the camera app, Photo and Portrait Modes now feature an HDR switch. Activate or deactivate via the settings at the top.
● Added RAM Booster feature. To set, head to Settings > System > RAM Booster.
● Added a Ring Mode option in Quick Settings for easier sound management.
● Added a new Recorder widget for effortless audio recording on-the-go.
● Introduced a new Battery widget to monitor power usage more efficiently.
● Added Glyph Interface Debug Mode to developer options.

Improvements and Bug Fixes
● Enhanced system stability, NFC functionality, and Wi-Fi connection stability.
● Optimised animations for smoother widget and app openings.
● Improved response speed when setting Bluetooth in Quick Settings.
● Optimised volume settings to make interactions more intuitive.
● Improved clarity of album cover display in the Music Player widget.
● Fixed experience issues when switching SIM cards with the Data during call feature enabled.
● Resolved flickering when launching apps from Quick Settings on the lock screen.
● Resolved flickering issues on the AOD interface.
● Addressed the disappearance of lock screen widgets after ending screen share in certain scenarios.
● Addressed abnormal lock screen wallpaper display when swiping-to-unlock is interrupted.
● Fixed a widget display issue which showed Bluetooth as being off when a watch was connected.
● Resolved frequent refreshing and flickering when setting Wi-Fi in the Quick Settings widget.
● Other bug fixes and performance enhancements.

The update will be released gradually, so some users might experience a delay in receiving the OTA notification on their devices. If you haven’t received the notification or want to check if the update is available, go to Settings > System > System update.

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Xiaomi Unveils New French Door Refrigerator with a Sleek Design and Loads of Smart Features

By

Anubhav

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Apr 19, 2024

Xiaomi has introduced a new French door refrigerator, the Mijia Refrigerator French 439L, boasting a sophisticated design and innovative features for modern kitchens.

The refrigerator has a 360 degree air cooling cycle to maintain freshness

This refrigerator features a sleek ice feather white finish and a slim 60cm depth, allowing for seamless integration into existing cabinetry. With a total capacity of 439 liters, it offers ample space for groceries, with a 260L refrigerator compartment, a 154L freezer compartment, and an additional 25L convertible compartment.

The Mijia Refrigerator French 439L prioritizes food preservation with a 360° air cooling cycle and water molecular sieve ecological freshness technology. This built-in technology helps maintain optimal humidity levels and prevent bacterial growth. Additionally, a silver ion antibacterial and odor-free module effectively neutralizes odors and keeps your refrigerator hygienically fresh.

This Xiaomi refrigerator is designed with energy efficiency in mind. It boasts a first-level energy rating, consuming only 0.78 kWh per day. Operates quietly at just 34 decibels, ensuring minimal disruption in your kitchen.

The Mijia Refrigerator French 439L features a dual-frequency conversion system with an inverter compressor and inverter fan for efficient and reliable cooling. It also offers rapid freezing power of 7kg/12h and comes with a 10-year warranty on the compressor for peace of mind.

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Philips just Launched the Starfish 4 Series Plus Air Fryer on JD.com for 549 Yuan ($75), Pre-orders are Live

By

Anubhav

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Apr 19, 2024

Philips has just unveiled their latest offering, the Starfish 4 Series Plus (model NA230), now available for pre-order on JD.com at a starting price of 549 yuan.

The air fryer has a 6.2 liter capacity with 360-degree hot air circulation

This air fryer boasts an impressive 6.2-liter capacity, perfect for preparing meals for families or creating large batches for meal prepping. Its powerful 1700W heating element ensures even and efficient cooking, while the innovative 360-degree three-dimensional hot air circulation technology guarantees crispy results without the need for excess oil.

Convenience is key with the Starfish 4 Series Plus. A visual window allows you to monitor your food’s progress without interrupting the cooking cycle. For effortless operation, it features intuitive touch controls and comes pre-programmed with eight commonly used menus. No more guesswork on temperatures and times – simply select your desired setting and let the air fryer do the work! Plus, the automatic heat preservation function keeps your food warm and ready to enjoy even after cooking is complete.

Looking to add a versatile and user-friendly air fryer to your kitchen? Look no further than the Philips Starfish 4 Series Plus. Pre-order yours today on JD.com!

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Tesla Recalls Almost 4,000 Cybertrucks Due to an Accelerator Pedal Issue

By

Anubhav

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Apr 19, 2024

This time, Tesla isn’t shipping more Cybertrucks out, but in fact, the company is recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks due to a potentially serious problem with the accelerator pedal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the pedal’s cover may become dislodged and stuck in the floor trim, causing the vehicle to accelerate even when the driver lifts their foot. Now that’s risky.

The cause of the issue is too much lubricant on the pedal cover

Videos circulating online show the culprit: excessive lubricant on the pedal cover. This allows it to slide upwards and wedge itself in place, preventing the pedal from fully returning to its resting position. This could lead to unintended acceleration, posing a safety risk.

Tesla has confirmed they will replace or repair the faulty accelerator pedals at no cost to owners. While official recall notices will be mailed in June, concerned Cybertruck drivers can contact Tesla now at +1-877-798-3752 and reference recall service number SB-24-33-003 to schedule a service appointment.

This recall comes amidst a wave of recent news for Tesla Cybertruck owners. Deliveries have been delayed, and many were likely informed of the upcoming recall explanation for this delay. This news follows Tesla’s first year-over-year decline in deliveries since 2020, with a 20% drop compared to the previous quarter. The company has also implemented layoffs to cut costs and boost productivity. While this recent period has been challenging, Tesla has signaled a focus on efficiency throughout 2024, with CEO Elon Musk previously hinting at slower sales growth for the year.

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Upcoming Smartphones: Realme Narzo 70x, iQOO Z9 Turbo, and more

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Apr 19, 2024

Not many smartphones are scheduled to launch in the next few days. Only two brands have confirmed to debut new products.

The companies that will unveil new handsets are iQOO and Realme. The former will take wraps off a mid-range phone lineup in China, whereas the latter will announce a budget model in India.

iQOO’s new phones will be part of its Z series. On the other hand, Realme’s handset will belong to its Narzo lineup.

Let’s take a look at the devices one by one.

Upcoming Smartphones Next Week

Prev Next

1. Realme Narzo 70x

The Realme Narzo 70x will be made official on April 24 (Wednesday) in India. It will be announced at 12 PM IST.

As per official teasers, the device will feature a circular camera module like almost all the latest smartphones from the brand. It will arrive with a flat frame and a 120Hz display.

The phone will be backed by a 5,000mAh battery. Finally, it will carry support for 45W charging.

2. iQOO Z9 Series

The iQOO Z9 series is set to launch in China on April 24 (Wednesday). The event will begin at 7 PM GMT+8.

The lineup will include three handsets, namely iQOO Z9, iQOO Z9x, and iQOO Z9 Turbo. They will be powered by Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, and Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipsets, respectively.

The Z9x will sport an LCD display and support 44W charging. Whereas the Z9 and Z9 Turbo will come with OLED displays and 80W charging support.

Lastly, the design of these products will be inspired by the iQOO 12 lineup.

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Experience the World of ‘The Fallout’, Claim Your Free Fallout 76

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Apr 19, 2024

The Fallout TV series on Prime Video continues its internet domination. Widely considered one of the best video game adaptations ever, it’s captivated both die-hard Fallout fans and newcomers. With viewers hungry for more, if you’re one of those people, we have great news. Amazon is offering Fallout 76 for free to Prime subscribers on Xbox. Here are the details…

How to Get Fallout 76 Free with Your Amazon Prime Account

If you do not know, Fallout 76 is an action role-playing game released by Bethesda in 2018. The game focuses on the story of Vault 76 residents who settle in West Virginia after a nuclear disaster. While set 100 years before the show, it still delivers a complete Fallout experience. Moreover, acquiring this game for free is quite easy, all you need to do is become an Amazon Prime subscriber.

If you’re already a Prime subscriber or have subscribed, all you need to do is link your Prime account to your Prime Gaming account. To do this, follow these steps:

Ensure that you have Prime Membership
Go to the Prime Gaming page
Click on “Link Your Account”
Log in to your Amazon account
Confirm linking your accounts
Then, click here to go to the Fallout 76 page and get your game code

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itel S24 Confirmed To Launch In India, Specs & Price Teased, itel 11T Pro Buds Also Arriving Soon

By

Viraj Gawde

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Apr 19, 2024

Earlier today, itel announced the Super Guru feature phone with support for YouTube and 4G. Now, the brand has confirmed the launch of two more devices. These include the itel S24 smartphone and itel 11T Pro TWS earbuds. The former is listed on the e-commerce platform Amazon revealing its key specifications and also teasing the price. Read on to know all the details.

itel S24, 11T Pro TWS earbuds to launch in India soon

The itel S24 is set to arrive as the successor to last year’s itel S23. As per the Amazon microsite, the phone is teased to be priced under the Rs 10,000 segment. Buyers who purchase the device will be eligible for a free itel Icon smartwatch.

The listing reveals the itel S24 with a circular camera module housing a 108MP main sensor and a secondary lens. There will be various camera modes and features. The upcoming offering will flaunt a colour-changing back panel under sunlight. The smartphone is confirmed to be powered by a MediaTek Helio G91 processor under the hood. The rest of the details of the device remain under wraps. However, an official listing of the S24 last month revealed that it will be available with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. It will feature an HD+ display with 90Hz refresh rate. The phone will be backed by a 5,000mAh battery with support for 18W charging.

As for the itel 11T Pro Buds, they will be equipped with a 13mm driver. The earphones will feature a 360-degree super bass technology for delivering deep and strong bass. A teaser image of the audio device confirms an in-ear design with a stem and silicone ear tips.

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Realme P1 Pro or Honor X9b: Which is a better pick at ₹25,000?

By

Sudhanshu

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Apr 19, 2024

The Realme P1 Pro has been recently launched in the Indian market, boasting impressive features within the sub-25000 price range. This phone faces tough competition from the Honor X9b, which entered the Indian market a couple of months ago.

Both devices share the same 5G processor, but they differ in several aspects that are important to consider when choosing between the two.

Prev Next

1. Design & display

The recently launched Realme P1 Pro and the Honor X9b both feature distinct designs with the only thing common between them being their circular camera islands and their slightly curved display. The P1 Pro is available in appealing color options, while the Honor X9b has a more premium look.

You get a higher-resolution 1.5K (2652 x 1200 pixels) OLED display on the Honor X9b, while the P1 Pro features an FHD+ (1080 x 2412 pixels). Both of these phones offer a 120Hz refresh rate, however, the X9b is slightly brighter with 1200 nits peak brightness, compared to 950 nits on the P1 Pro. The X9b also has some special features like its Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Display, which features a double-strengthened glass with shock-absorbing materials, making it resistant to cracking from drops up to 1.5 meters.

2. Performance & software

Both the P1 Pro and the X9b use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, which made its debut in September 2022. This processor is manufactured by using Samsung’s 4nm process, and it yields an AnTuTu score of around 575K.

The processors on both of these devices are paired with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, so you won’t notice any differences in performance. That being said, one major difference between the two is their software.

While the Honor X9b debuted with Android 13 and is yet to receive its Android 14 upgrade, the P1 Pro has launched with Android 14 out of the box with a promise of 3 OS updates, and 4 years of security updates. In contrast, Honor has not confirmed these details, however, we expect the device to get around 2 major OS updates.

3. Battery & fast charging

This category is a mixed bag. On one hand, the Honor X9b comes with a larger 5,800mAh battery, compared to the 5,000mAh battery on the P1 Pro. However, the P1 Pro features a 45W wired fast charging, compared to the 35W fast charging on the X9b.

The disparity in fast charging capabilities isn’t significant enough to warrant choosing a phone with a smaller 800mAh battery. Thus, customers who prioritize battery life might prefer the X9b.

4. Cameras

Perhaps the biggest difference between the smartphones is seen in the camera department. The Realme P1 Pro comes with a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 primary camera sensor that offers optical image stabilization. The other camera on the back is an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle lens.

In contrast, the Honor X9b features a 108-megapixel main camera with up to 3x in-sensor zoom, as well as a 5-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 2-megapixel macro camera.

While the X9b’s primary camera is satisfactory, it doesn’t quite match up to the Realme P1 Pro’s LYT-600 sensor. The P1 Pro’s optical image stabilization (OIS) improves zoom shots. In terms of ultra-wide camera performance, the P1 Pro’s 8-megapixel sensor offers better detail and sharpness compared to the X9b’s 5-megapixel ultra-wide lens.

As for videography, both smartphones offer support for 4K 30fps recording, however, the P1 Pro is capable of up to 120FPS recording in 1080p, while the Honor X9b tops out at 60FPS at 1080p. On the front, both smartphones offer 16-megapixel selfie cameras capable of 4K 30FPS video recording. Quality aside, the Honor X9b offers some special features for vlogging, like multi-video mode and AI noise canceling for videos.

5. Pricing

The Realme P1 comes with a starting price of ₹21,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant, whereas the Honor X9b comes in a sole 8GB + 256GB configuration which is currently going for ₹24,999. The P1 Pro also has an 8GB + 256GB configuration priced at ₹22,999, making it more affordable overall.

In conclusion, both devices are capable, but the Realme P1 Pro has an edge with its camera system, while also being more budget-friendly than the Honor X9b. The X9b has its own positives, such as a drop-resistant higher resolution display and a larger battery. However, its camera performance is somewhat lacking compared to the competition. If camera quality isn’t your top priority, the X9b is worth considering for its premium look, superior display, and battery life, even at a slightly higher price.

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Samsung Galaxy F15 5G Gets 8GB + 128GB RAM And Storage Variant In India

By

Viraj Gawde

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Apr 19, 2024

Samsung launched the Galaxy F15 5G in India last month. It was available in 4GB + 128GB and 6GB + 128GB RAM and storage configurations. Now, the South Korean brand has announced a new variant of the device. It is a top-end option with a higher RAM but the internal storage remains the same as the other two models.

Samsung Galaxy F15 5G gets a new RAM and storage variant

The Samsung Galaxy F15 5G now comes in 8GB RAM and 128GB native storage. It carries an aggressive price tag of Rs 15,999. Interested buyers can avail of bank cashback or an upgrade bonus worth Rs 1,000 on the purchase of the smartphone. The device is offered in Ash Black, Groovy Violet, and Jazzy Green colour options. The new variant of the Galaxy F15 5G is available for purchase from Flipkart and retail stores across the country.

The 4GB + 128GB and 6GB + 128GB variants of the Galaxy F15 5G cost Rs 12,999 and Rs 14,499 respectively.

The Samsung Galaxy F15 5G features a 6.5-inch sAMOLED display bearing an FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. It has a triple rear camera setup of a 50MP main sensor, a 5MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro unit. There is a side-mounted fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button. The smartphone is powered by a Dimensity 6100 processor. It is backed by a 6,000mAh battery unit with support for 25W fast charging. The Galaxy F15 5G ships with Android 14 OS and is eligible for four years of future updates and five years of security patches.

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Logitech Signature AI Edition M750 Mouse With Dedicated AI Key, AI Prompt Builder Software To Summon ChatGPT Announced

By

Viraj Gawde

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Apr 19, 2024

AI has already made its way into smartphones and PCs this year. It is here to stay for a long period with a bunch of new features coming out every now and then. Microsoft’s dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard is adopted by many laptop OEMs on this year’s models. Popular peripheral maker Logitech is also joining the bandwagon The Signature AI Edition M750 is the first of its kind mouse with a dedicated AI button. Additionally, the brand has also released a software called Logi AI Prompt Builder that helps users access the chatbot’s assistance. Read on to learn all the details below

Logitech Signature AI Edition M750, Logi AI Prompt Builder introduced

Beginning with the newly announced mouse, the Logitech Signature AI Edition M750 has a dedicated Teal-coloured button closer to the scroll wheel. It can be used to access the Logi AI Prompt Builder tool (more about this below). A back button can trigger ChatGPT directly whereas a forward button is said to activate OS dictation. The buttons can be reassigned in the Logi Options+ app.

The Signature AI Edition M750 has a compact form factor with a contoured shape, a soft thumb area, and rubber side grips for a comfortable usage experience. It features two buttons on the top, two on the side, and a smart wheel scrolling. The peripheral device offers a quieter operation when clicking. It is backed by an AA battery that is claimed to last up to 24 months.

Now coming to the Logi AI Prompt Builder, it currently works with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and understands English at launch. It is free to use and only compatible with Logitech keyboard and mouse even if they don’t have a dedicated AI button. The Prompt Builder is not just a chatbot. It has preset recipes including rephrasing, summarising, replying, and creating email functions.

The Logitech Signature AI Edition M750 is priced at $49.99 and £54.99 in the US and UK respectively. It is available through the company’s online store.

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How Is Huawei Able to Survive Without Google

By

Vicky

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Apr 19, 2024

The US is a major player in the tech space, owning some of the biggest tech brands, such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple. It’s hard to imagine mobile devices without partnering with these brands, especially Google, but Huawei is doing it by breaking all the barriers. But how did they do it? You’ll learn everything about it in this post.

Huawei was one of the top three smartphone sellers worldwide in 2019. In fact, the company surpassed Apple’s sales in many quarterly results throughout 2018 and 2019. Huawei’s smartphone business was at its peak during this time, and then the US government gave a massive blow to this Chinese company – the restriction to work with any organisation operating in the United States.

In May 2019, the US government, led by President Donald Trump, announced that Huawei and several other Chinese companies were now on the “Entity List.” In other words, this means that new Huawei phones can no longer ship with Google-owned apps such as YouTube, Google Maps, and Google Drive. They can’t work with any other company operating in the country.

Huawei smartphone sales, after reaching record highs, experienced a sharp decline after the ban. The inability to preinstall Google-owned apps was a major blow, but restrictions on cutting-edge 5G technologies proved equally detrimental to their high-end devices.

The Rise of Huawei

Three months after the Entity List ban, Huawei publicly unveiled HarmonyOS at its inaugural developer conference in Dongguan on August 9, 2019. The company revealed that they had been working on it since 2012. Huawei didn’t position HarmonyOS as a mobile OS until September 2020, when they announced HarmonyOS 2.0.

In July 2021, the Huawei P50 series was unveiled as the first phones with HarmonyOS. This was a big success for the brand, but the phone didn’t have 5G support.

Huawei didn’t stop there and waited for US sanctions to end. Instead, it focused on building an in-house chip fabrication plant. On August 29, 2023, the company announced Kirin 9000S – Huawei’s first fully domestically fabricated chip with 5G support. This was Huawei’s answer to the US that it can develop chips on its own without Western support.

Huawei Mate 60 and Mate 60 Pro were the first phones to get the Kirin 9000S chip. These are flagship phones which have sold over 30 million units.

Huawei’s Software Growth

Although Huawei AppGallery has existed since 2011 in China, the rapid development began after the US ban to make it the best alternative to the Google Play Store. On March 1, 2021, Huawei AppGallery had over 530 million active users, which, in October 2022, jumped to 580 million.

During the HarmonyOS 3 event in July 2022, Huawei revealed that the HMS ecosystem had roughly 1.6 million global developers, which has now crossed 5.4 million.

HarmonyOS is not completely independent from Android. It still uses Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to some extent. To clarify, Huawei can still use AOSP since it’s open-source but it can’t use Google Mobile Services (GMS).

However, the Chinese giant is already working on the second phase of HarmonyOS development – HarmonyOS Next. It will be completely independent of the Android operating system. It won’t even allow sideloading Android apps, which is currently possible with HarmonyOS. It will force app developers to create HarmonyOS-specific versions.

Huawei’s Alternatives to Google Apps

Huawei has developed alternatives to Google apps, which has helped the company grow in the competitive smartphone market.

Google App: Huawei Assistant
Google Duo: Zoom, Skype
Google Photos: Huawei Gallery, Huawei Cloud
Gmail: Huawei’s Email app
Google Maps: Here We Go Maps
YouTube: use the YouTube website in a browser
Google Drive: Huawei Cloud, Deego
Google Chrome: Huawei Browser
Google Docs/Sheets/Slides: Microsoft Office
Google Play Store: Huawei AppGallery

In short, Huawei has done tremendous work building an in-house chip plant and HarmonyOS to survive the US ban and compete against American tech giants. HarmonyOS Next will be the next big move from Huawei, which will be interesting to compare with the Android OS.

Huawei has recently announced the Pura 70 series powered by the all-new Kirin 9010 chipset. Read more about it here.

Acer drops new AI-powered Predator Helios gaming laptops in India with cutting-edge tech

By

Sean

-

Apr 19, 2024

Acer is shaking things up in India with its latest gaming laptops that feature AI (Artificial Intelligence). The new Predator Helio 16 and Predator Helio Neo models have been announced for the region. These pack some cutting edge specs and features. So here are all the details.

Acer Predator Helios 16

Talking about the more expensive model first, the brand’s Predator Helios 16 comes with top notch hardware. The notebook sports a tall 16.-inch IPS display that offers 1920×1200 resolution, 500 nits of peak brightness, and 240Hz refresh rate, and 3ms response time. Under the hood, the laptop is equipped with the 14th Gen Intel Core i9 processor that is paired with either the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 or the RTX 4070 GPU. This model was teased to launch in India last month.

This is paired with 16GB of GDDR5 RAM (upgradeable up to 32GB) and 1TB of PCIe Gen4 storage (upgradeable up to 2TB). It runs on the Windows 11 OS with support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The port selections include 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, and 2x USB Type-C ports (Thunderbolt 4). A large 90Wh battery pack powers this device that charges via a 330W AC adapter.

Acer Predator Helios Neo

The Acer Predator Helios Neo sports a 16-inch IPS display as well with identical resolution, response time, and brightness. Although, its refresh rate maxes out at 165Hz. The hardware in this gaming laptop starts from an Intel i7 13th Gen CPU, but there are also 14th Gen i7 and 14th Gen i9 options as well. This CPU is paired with either an RTX 4050, RTX 4060, or RTX 4070 graphics card. The 14-inch variant of this model was previously announced in the US.

Similar to the Helios 16, the Neo also comes with the same storage configuration, OS, connectivity options, ports, and battery capacity. The AI capabilities on both laptops include a 3rd Mic and Purifier Voice 2.0. This is basically an AI powered noise reduction technology. Other notable features in both laptops include DLSS 3.5 with the new RTX 4000 series cards, swappable WASD Magkey 3.0, and FineTip RGB-backlight keyboard.

Pricing and Availability

Acer’s latest gaming laptops will be available purchase from major platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Acer eShip, Croma, Vijay Sales, and partnered retail stores. These arrive with a hefty price tag, so let’s check it out:

Predator Helios 16

Intel 14th Gen i9 & RTX 4070 – 199,999 INR (roughly $2,396)
Intel 14th Gen i9 & RTX 4080 – 249,999 INR (roughly $2,995)

Predator Helios Neo

Intel 13th Gen i7 & RTX 4050 – 1919,999 INR (roughly $1,438)
Intel 14th Gen i7 & RTX 4060 – 134,999 INR (roughly $1,617)
Intel 14th Gen i9 & RTX 4070 – 179,999 INR (roughly $2,156)

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Huawei’s new Kirin 9010 chip tested in real-life gaming, performs much better than expected with no overheating

By

Rajesh Regmi

-

Apr 19, 2024

Huawei‘s latest flagship smartphone, the Pura 70 Ultra with all-new Kirin 9010 SoC underwent thorough testing by reviewers at a Chinese publication. shedding light on the performance of its new chipset. The benchmarks reveal the Kirin 9010 is more of an incremental upgrade than a huge leap forward.

This isn’t entirely surprising considering the Kirin 9010 seems to be a polished version of the Kirin 9000S found in the Mate 60 series. It features a single 2.3GHz Taishan core, three 2.18GHz Taishan mid-cores, and four lower-clocked 1.55GHz Cortex-A510 cores, designed to handle less intensive tasks.

The core architecture is essentially similar to the Kirin 9000S of the Mate 60. The notable difference lies in Huawei’s adjustments to the clock speeds of the cores. Meanwhile, the graphics processing unit remains unchanged, sporting the same Mali-G78 GPU clocked at 750MHz.

Benchmarks

Starting with synthetic benchmarks, the AnTuTu score for the Pura 70 Ultra landed at 940,000 points. Whereas, in the GeekBench 6.2, the single-core scores reached 1,431 points, with multi-core scores reaching 4,430 points in a room temperature environment.

Enabling the phone’s performance mode resulted in minimal gains, pushing single-core scores to 1,440 and multi-core scores to 4,436. On paper, these scores are clearly better when compared to the Kirin 9000S.

Processor	Geekbench Single-Core	Geekbench Multi-Core	AnTuTu Overall
Kirin 9010	1440	4436	940,000
Kirin 9000s	1350	4200	700,000

Huawei has managed to achieve this even while lowering the clock speed of Kirin 9010’s high-performance core.

However, the GPU appears to be a sticking point, according to the report. 3DMark Wild Life EXTREME testing yielded scores of 1575 points at room temperature and 1577 points in cooling mode. It’s a limited improvement in graphical processing power.

Games

But the real-world testing shows that the phone can run popular games like Genshin Impact fairly well.

Running the game at the highest settings with 60fps locked and frame rate boosting features disabled, the Pura 70 Ultra managed an average frame rate of 60.2fps in a room-temperature environment.

The frame rate remained fairly stable at around 60fps for the first 10 minutes before dropping to a steady 55.7fps average over the remaining 15 minutes. The phone’s back cover reached a maximum temperature of 46.8 degrees Celsius during this test.

Another graphically demanding title, Honkai: Star Rail, pushed the Pura 70 Ultra further. Set to very high settings with 60fps locked, the phone averaged 53 frames per second over a 15-minute run.

While the frame rate dipped to around 50fps after the initial 4 minutes, it remained stable throughout the rest of the test. The back cover temperature climbed to a maximum of 49.6 degrees Celsius here.

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(Via)

itel Super Guru with YouTube & 4G support arrives in India for just Rs 1,799

By

Sean

-

Apr 19, 2024

itel has just dropped a brand-new phone in the Indian market. The device is dubbed the itel Super Guru 4G, which is the latest keypad phone. It offers support for 4G networking and YouTube for a budget price tag. Back in January 2024, the itel released the Power 450 in India, so let’s check out the newer launch.

itel Super Guru 4G: Pricing and Availability

The itel Super Guru 4G keypad phone was announced in the region for a 1,799 INR price tag (roughly 22 US Dollars). It will be available for purchase via the brand’s official website and Amazon India. Buyers can get their hands on this device in multiple color options, namely Green, Black, and Dark Blue. This device also appears to be the successor to the itel Super Guru Feature phone that launched back in 2023.

itel Super Guru 4G: Specs

Despite being a budget grade handset and a simple keypad phone, users still get access to some features that are essential in this day and age. Thanks to support for 4G, users get access to YouTube, even letting them stream YouTube Shorts. You can even make UPI payments by scanning the merchant QR codes thanks to the VGA camera on the Super Guru 4G. On the front, the device sports a 2-inch screen.

Other notable feature include a 1,000mAh battery pack that promises to offer up to 6 days of battery life, 4G LTE connectivity, support for 13 Indian languages, LetsChat support for messaging, built-in games like Sokoban, 2048, and Tetris, and BBC News in Hindi, English, Urdu, and Punjabi.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Next-Gen Flip phone flexes flagship specs on GeekBench

By

Sean

-

Apr 19, 2024

Samsung‘s next-gen flagship foldable smartphones are set to launch later this year. The latest foldable phones include the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Galaxy Z Flip 6. But ahead of the official announcement, the US version of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 was spotted packing some beefy specs on a popular benchmarking platform.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 visits GeekBench

The South Korean tech giant’s upcoming flip phone was spotted on the Geekbench platform. This device surfaced carrying the SM-F741U model number and we also got a look at its synthetic benchmark performance for the Vulkan test. It managed to score 1,5084 points with an octa core Qualcomm processor, which is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 that is custom made for Galaxy. For those unaware, this is a higher clock speed variant of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.

This flagship grade processor is paired with up to 8GB of RAM. Another notable aspect is that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 will run on the Android 14 OS based One UI 6.1 custom skin. Unfortunately, the GeekBench database did not reveal any other finer details regarding the Galaxy Z Flip 6. Although we covered more details of this device in a previous report. A leak from last month claimed that the device will come with up to 512GB of storage and 12GB of RAM.

Under the hood, it will be equipped with either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the Exynos 2400. The former is for the US market, while the latter is for the rest of the world. A larger 4,000mAh battery pack will power the next gen model, while even the cover display gets a higher 120Hz refresh rate. This is all the information we have at the moment, so stick around for more updates.

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(Via)

Xiaomi 14 series starts internal testing of hundreds of AI features of its “AI Treasure Chest”

By

Debasish

-

Apr 19, 2024

Xiaomi 14 was one of the first phones to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip that enables on-device generative AI, thanks to Qualcomm’s first AI Engine that can run multimodal generative AI models. It enables smartphone manufacturers to build and implement a range of helpful AI features that can operate without relying on a cloud server. We have already seen a couple of similar implementations on the Galaxy S24 series as an outcome of the manufacturer’s partnership with Google.

HyperOS to get some new AI features

Now the news is that Xiaomi has started internal testing of its “AI Treasure Chest” feature for the Xiaomi 14 series.

The Xiaomi Al Treasure Chest is basically a collection of ‘hundreds of’ AI features designed to uplift the user experience of their latest Xiaomi 14 series devices. A notable feature of them is called “AI Surprise Wallpaper”. Xiaomi notes that the goal is to provide users with a comprehensive, intelligent, convenient, and efficient solution by integrating multiple Al technologies to help users solve various problems and application scenarios.

The internal testing period is from April 18, 2024, to August 2, 2024. Notably, 78 people were registered, when the company shared the information and there were 40,000 places left for the internal testing.

A person familiar with the development of the feature informed me that one of the top 100 “AI Treasure Chest” features will be released soon, which is likely the previously mentioned AI-powered surprise wallpaper feature, As mentioned before, the development is expected to offer a range of productivity tools and creative features to the Xiaomi 14 series.

Users of the Xiaomi 14 series participating in the internal testing are encouraged to share their feedback about the features through the company’s official feedback channel.

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Vivo V30e with curved AMOLED display, big battery launches in India on May 2

By

Sean

-

Apr 19, 2024

Vivo recently teased the launch of a new V series smartphone in India. The company is set to announce the V30e model in the region soon, and now, we finally have an official launch date for this device. So here’s everything you need to know.

Vivo V30e lands in India on May 2

As per an official announcement, the Chinese brand will unveil the Vivo V30e in India on 2nd May 2024. In other words, the launch is just two weeks away. To recall, the device is expected to sport a tall 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display that offers a 120Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution. Under the hood, it could be equipped with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, which will have it compete with the likes of the Realme P1 Pro and the Honor X9b.

Vivo V30e - Velvet Red — Vivo V30e – Velvet Red

The teasers shared previously confirmed that it will come with a Gem Cut design and in Velvet Red and Silk Blue color options. It also offers the Aura Light and a Sony IMX882 primary camera on the rear. Meanwhile, the front packs a 50-megapixel selfie shooter that supports auto focus. A large 5,500mAh battery pack powers this device, despite the body measuring only 7.69mm in thickness.

The processor is expected to be paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Vivo V30e would likely run on the Android 14 OS out of the box and offer 44W wired fast charging. It is set to go on sale via the brand’s official website and Flipkart. So stick around for more as we will be covering the upcoming launch event.

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