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Microsoft unveils custom Final Fantasy 14 themed Xbox Series X console for giveaway

Microsoft and Square Enix are celebrating the imminent launch of Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox Series X/S with a custom console. The companies have partnered to make a custom Xbox Series X console, featuring a design inspired by the game.

The console is not available for sale, but fans have a chance to win it through a giveaway Xbox is hosting on Twitter.

Xbox Series X Final Fantasy 14 Console

Alongside the console, the winner will also receive a controller, Final Fantasy 14 Complete Collector’s Edition, and a year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

The giveaway coincides with the final week of the Final Fantasy 14 Xbox Series X/S open beta, which closes before the full release on March 21. 

The open beta currently serves new players, allowing them access to the free trial version that encompasses the core campaigns of A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, and Stormblood – all with no playtime limits and a level 70 cap.

The custom Xbox Series X console stands out with its design inspired by the in-game Aetherytes, instantly recognizable to Final Fantasy 14 players. The blue console features gold accents and crystal embellishments, along with the Final Fantasy 14 logo. The included controller sports a crystal logo, a golden D-pad, and a meteor icon.

How to Enter

To enter the giveaway, fans must follow @Xbox and @FF_XIV_EN on Twitter and retweet the promotional post with the hashtag #XboxFFXIVSweepstakes. The giveaway is open until March 28th. Residents of Canada and Mexico can participate via @XboxCanada and @XboxMexico, respectively.

It’s a busy time for Final Fantasy 14, with the console launch coming on the heels of Patch 6.58 on March 19th and the Dawntrail panel at PAX East.

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Vivo T3 5G launch date confirmed, design revealed

After teasing the arrival of the Vivo T3 5G for the past few days in India, Vivo has finally confirmed its launch date. The mid-range 5G phone is all set to break cover on March 21 in the country. Once announced, the device will be available for purchase via Flipkart.

Vivo T3 5G India launch date

As can be seen in the above X post, Vivo has revealed the front and rear designs of the Vivo T3 5G, apart from confirming the launch date. On the front, the device features a punch-hole display, and its rear panel has a rectangular camera module, which seems to feature two cameras, a flicker sensor, and an LED flash.

Vivo has confirmed that the Vivo T3 5G will come equipped with dual speakers. The other details of the smartphone are yet to be confirmed. It is speculated that the device could be similar to the iQOO Z9 5G, which recently debuted in the country.

Vivo T3 5G specifications (rumored)

As per reports, the Vivo T3 5G will have a 6.67-inch AMOLED FHD+ screen that produces a 120Hz refresh rate. It will feature the Dimensity 7200 chipset, 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB / 256 GB of native storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 44W fast charging. The device will run on FunTouch OS 14-based Android 14.

The Vivo T3 is expected to feature a 16-megapixel front-facing camera, and a 50-megapixel (Sony IMX882, with OIS) + -2-megapixel (depth) dual-camera system on the back. It will have an under-display fingerprint sensor for security. It will be priced at around Rs 20,000 and sold in Crystal Flake and Cosmic Blue color options.

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OnePlus Ace 3V RAM and Storage specifications confirmed, battery details revealed

There’s not much time left for the OnePlus Ace 3V launch in China; it’s next week, although the exact date is yet to be confirmed. Leading up to the launch, the company is gradually teasing the specs of the device. 

OnePlus Ace 3V

As previously revealed, It will be among the world’s first phones to be powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip. While OnePlus has also given a sneak peek of the device’s front design. In a new teaser, the company has now confirmed the RAM and storage details of the OnePlus Ace 3V. 

OnePlus Ace 3V RAM / Storage

The teaser shared on the company’s official Weibo account reveals that the smartphone will have up to 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage running the show alongside a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip. 

OnePlus Ace 3V RAM Storage

Moreover, the teaser also mentions that the smartphone has received TÜV SÜD 48-month Fluency Rating A for its long-term system fluency. TÜV SÜD 48-month Fluency Rating is a globally recognized rating scale for gauging the effectiveness of the synergy between hardware and software in terms of smartphone fluency.

Additionally, OnePlus China President Lie Jie Louis shared in a separate post that the Ace 3V’s battery life is “extremely good”. The smartphone is rumored to have a 5500mAh cell and he mentioned that during his extensive usage, the phone’s battery performance even surpassed that of the OnePlus 12.

In terms of other specs, the Ace 3V is said to feature an OLED panel that offers a 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and an in-screen fingerprint scanner. 

Moreover, the device is rumored to have a 16-megapixel front camera, a 50-megapixel dual-camera system, dual speakers, and an IR blaster. Globally, the device is likely to carry the OnePlus Nord 4 moniker.

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Vivo V30 SE 5G battery size, charging details revealed via multiple certifications

Vivo launched the Vivo V30 Lite on the global market in December 2023. The brand recently unveiled the Vivo V30 and V30 Pro in multiple markets. It appears that the brand will soon introduce the new V30 series of smartphones. Yesterday, the upcoming Vivo V30e was spotted with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset on Geekbench. In a new development, according to a report by MySmartPrice, the Vivo V30 SE 5G has received approval from certification platforms, such as the FCC and UL Demko.

Vivo V30 SE battery size, charging speed revealed

A new Vivo phone with model number V2349 has appeared in the database of the FCC certification platform. This device has already been spotted before with the Vivo V30 SE 5G moniker in the databases of the Google Play Supported Devices list and Bluetooth SIG.

As per the FCC certification, the Vivo V30 SE 5G will offer connectivity features, such as dual-band, Wi-Fi, 5G, and Bluetooth (5.0). It also reveals other details, such as that it has a BA48 model number battery and supports power adapters with model numbers V440L0A0-EU and V440L0A0-US.

The UL Demko certification reveals that it has a 4,900mAh (rated value) battery, which indicates it may have a typical size of 5,000mAh. In addition, it has also been found through the UL Demko certification that the above-mentioned charger supports 44W fast charging. The other details of the smartphone are yet to be revealed.  

In related news, Vivo is gearing up to hold a launch event on March 26 in China. It is likely to see the arrival of multiple devices, such as the Vivo X Fold 3 and X Fold 3 Pro foldable phones, along with the Vivo Pad 3 tablet. It is unclear whether any of these will be released on the global market.

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Realme confirms that the realme GT Neo6 SE will equip the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip

Realme is gearing up to release the realme GT Neo6 and GT Neo6 SE to the Chinese market. The Neo6 and Neo6 SE were previously expected to offer the Snapdragon 8d Gen 3 and Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 respectively. Now Realme has officially confirmed that the realme GT Neo6 SE will indeed be the first to equip the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip.

Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 confirmed for realme GT Neo6 SE

The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (SM7675) equips a core cluster of 1 x 2.9 GHz Cortex-X4 + 4 x 2.6GHz Cortex-A720 + 3 + 1.9GHz Cortex-A520. For graphics, it equips the Adreno 732 GPU. This mid-range chip is noted as a “major upgrade” by renowned tipster Digital Chat Station. This chip reportedly inherits the architecture of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 that most of the current flagships are running on.

Aside from this possibly power efficient and decently capable Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip, the upcoming realme GT Neo6 SE has some other notable aspects too. Tipster DCS says that this phone will offer a 1.5K OLED that also supports LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) technology. He highlights that not many devices in its range offer an LTPO panel. For power, it is expected to come with a 5,500mAh battery and a 100W charging support.

To give you an idea of the upgrade over its predecessor, the realme GT Neo5 SE, was launched in early April last year with the predecessor of Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chip with a 6.74-inch 1240 x 2772 resolution OLED display. It offered the same 5,500mAh capacity battery +100W charging combination. Notably, this device was around 2000 Yuan in China (~$278).

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Infinix GT 20 Pro gets BIS certification, India launch near

Infinix could soon launch its upcoming mid-range smartphone, the GT 20 Pro in India as it has been spotted on the BIS certification website carrying the model number X6871. 

As usual, the listing doesn’t reveal any hardware or software specifications of the handset but certainly hints at the arrival of the Infinix GT 20 Pro in India. 

Infinix GT 20 Pro BIS certification

The smartphone with the same model number has also been spotted on other certification sites, namely SDPPI, EEC, Wi-Fi Alliance, and TUV. From the TUV listing, it has been revealed that the device is powered by a 4900mAh cell which Infinix might round up to market as 5000mAh.

The major details come from its recent sighting in Geekbench which revealed that the smartphone will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset. 

Its predecessor, the GT 10 Pro, features a Dimensity 8050 SoC, so this is a modest upgrade in terms of performance. The Geekbench platform further reveals that the device will have 12GB of RAM. However, it is also expected to arrive in an 8GB RAM variant. For storage, there is a rumor of a sole 256GB model.

Moreover, the smartphone is found running the latest Android 14. Infinix launched  GT 10 Pro with a near-stock Android experience in India. Hence, there is a possibility that the GT 20 Pro may also offer a similar experience in some markets.

Besides this, there’s not much we know about the Infinix GT 20 Pro as of now. We will keep you updated on any new information as it becomes available. 

In related news, Infinix is preparing to launch Note 40 series smartphones on March 18. The smartphones are said to be powered by the company’s self-developed Cheetah X1 chip and will also feature 100W charging, the fastest in an Infinix phone yet.

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Honor Magic 6 RSR Porsche Design appears in real, reveals hexagonal camera island

On March 18, Honor will announce two new phones, namely the Magic 6 Ultimate and the Magic 6 RSR Porsche Design for the Chinese market. Recent reports have revealed the design of the Ultimate variant. Now, a live shot of the Magic 6 RSR Porsche Design has emerged on Weibo to showcase its rear design.

Honor Magic 6 RSR Porsche Design revealed

Honor Magic 6 RSR Porsche Design
Honor Magic 6 RSR Porsche Design’s leaked image

The above X post (now deleted), released by tipster Teme, gives the first look at the rear design of the Magic 6 RSR Porsche Design. It has a hexagonal camera module housing three cameras and an LED flash. The right edge of the module has “100X” mentioned for the digital zoom.

The Magic 6 boasts a slim 8.1mm profile, while the Magic 6 Pro is slightly thicker at 8.9mm to accommodate its larger 5600mAh battery. While the Magic 6 RSR appears thicker in leaked images, there’s no official word on its exact thickness yet.

The Magic 6 RSR’s front design remains a mystery, but it’s rumored to feature the same quad-curved OLED panel with a pill-shaped camera cutout as other Magic 6 models. Honor recently teased that the Magic 6 series will introduce the industry’s first dual-stack series OLED architecture, promising a 600% increase in screen life and a 40% improvement in energy efficiency. Speculation suggests the 8T LTPO panel could reach a peak brightness exceeding 5000 nits with support for 4320Hz PWM dimming.

Unfortunately, the detailed specifications of the Magic 6 RSR are yet to be revealed. Like the existing Magic 6 and 6 Pro phones, the RSR variant is also expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.

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Alleged Vivo Pad 3 Pro spotted with most powerful MediaTek chip on Geekbench

Vivo is expected to hold a launch event on March 26 in China. The brand is expected to unveil the Vivo X Fold 3 and X Fold 3 Pro, equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipsets, respectively. Reports have revealed that the Vivo Pad 3 Pro tablet is also slated to go official alongside the Vivo X Fold 3 series of smartphones. Ahead of the expected launch, the upcoming tablet has emerged on Geekbench with some of its key specifications. Here is a look at what to expect from the device.

Vivo Pad 3 Pro Geekbench listing

Alleged Vivo Pad 3 Pro's Geekbench listing
Alleged Vivo Pad 3 Pro’s Geekbench listing

A new Vivo tablet with model number PA2473 has emerged on Geekbench. The said tablet was previously in the database of China’s 3C certification platform last month. It seems that the said tablet will debut in the Chinese market as the Vivo Pad 3 Pro.

The Geekbench listing of the Pad 3 Pro reveals that it features the Dimensity 9300, which is the most powerful MediaTek chip available on the market. The name of the chip is not explicitly mentioned in the listing, but the CPU and GPU details available on it are enough to state that it has the D9300 chip onboard.

The listing further reveals that the Vivo Pad 3 Pro has 16 GB of RAM and runs on Android 14, which is likely to have a layer of OriginOS 4 for Pad on top. In the single-core and multi-core tests of Geekbench, the Pad 3 Pro scored 2223 and 7547 points, respectively.

According to reports, the Vivo Pad 3 Pro will have a 12.95-inch LCD panel that offers a 3K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. It is expected to house an 11,500mAh battery with 66W fast charging support. On the front, it will have an 8-megapixel camera, and its back panel is likely to sport a 13-megapixel single camera with LED flash.

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Lenovo Legion R7000P gaming laptop with 16″ 165Hz display, Ryzen 7 8845H CPU & RTX 4060 GPU launched

Lenovo has launched the 2024 Legion R7000P gaming laptop in China, now available for preorder. The new model comes with a significant update from its predecessor, which is the AMD Ryzen 7 8845H CPU.

Lenovo Legion R7000P

This CPU has 8 cores, and 16 threads, with a base clock speed of 3.8GHz and a boost clock speed of 5.1GHz. Additionally, it comes with an NPU onboard. This NPU allows the Legion R7000P to deliver AI performance up to 38 TOPS, massively boosting performance in AI-intensive applications.

The Legion R7000P offers a 16-inch display with a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels, 165Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, and a peak brightness of 350 nits. The laptop uses an Nvidia RTX 4060 mobile GPU with 8GB VRAM and a maximum power draw of 140 watts. This is a comparatively lower-tier GPU, however, it won’t have problems running modern AAA and competitive titles.

The laptop has a cooling system made up of two fans and five heat pipes. It also features a large 80 Wh battery, WiFi 6E, a suite of connectivity options, and a Nahimic speaker system for quality audio.

Priced at CNY 8,399 (approximately $1,168), the laptop is available available to buy in China via online channels. Lenovo has not yet announced a release date for global markets.

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iQOO Z9 Turbo CQC certification confirms support for 80W fast charging

Yesterday, we reported that the iQOO Z9 Turbo could support 80W fast charging. China’s CQC certification platform confirms that the upcoming device with the model number V2352A will indeed support 80W fast charging. It also mentions the model numbers of the original chargers being V8073L0A1-CN, V8073L0EO-CN. The output configuration of 11VDC/7.3A confirms over 80 watts of power output for support of the charger.

Credit: ITHome

In addition to the fast charging support, the device will also offer a 6000mAh battery, according to reports from tipster Digital Chat Station.

The tipster also claims that the device will be powered by the upcoming Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (tentative name) and a 6.78 inch 1.5K display 144Hz AMOLED panel with 2160MHz high-frequency PWM dimming. A higher PWM dimming helps reduce eye strain for some people.

Speaking of the upcoming SD 8s Gen 3 chip, it’s expected to equip a core cluster of 3.01 GHz Cortex-X4 + 4 x 2.61 GHz Cortex-A 720 + 3 x 1.84GHz A520. For graphics, the chip equips the Adreno 735 GPU, which is up from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s Adreno 730. According to earlier reports, the Z9 Turbo may come with a 16GB LPDDR5X memory and a 1TB storage configuration.

This phone is expected to launch in China in April with Android 14 based OriginOS 4. For photography, it will likely be a 50 MP dual camera setup for the back.

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Motorola Edge 50 Fusion key specifications, color options, may launch soon

Motorola has recently confirmed that its next launch event will be held on April 3 in India. While the brand is expected to announce an Edge-series phone, it is not clear whether the brand will announce the Edge 50, Edge 50, or Edge 50 Fusion on the said date. Evan Blass, a well-known leaker, recently revealed the existence of the latter in an X post. Here’s a look at what to expect from the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion.

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion specifications (rumored)

motorola-edge-50-pro
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion leaked render by AndroidHeadlines

According to Blass, the Edge 50 Fusion, which is codenamed “Cusco,”  will feature a 6.7-inch P-OLED display. However, the leak has no information about the screen resolution or refresh rate.

Under the hood, the Fusion model will have the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset. This indicates that it will be a midrange phone priced at ~$300 (~Rs 25,000). The device will offer 256 GB of built-in storage and pack a 5,000mAh battery with 68W fast charging.

On the front, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion will have a 32-megapixel front camera. The rear camera setup will have a 50-megapixel primary camera. While it is not mentioned in the leak, the device is expected to run on My UX-based Android 14.

In terms of durability, the Edge 50 Fusion will have Gorilla Glass 5 panel protection on the front. In addition, it will have an IP68-rated chassis. The device will be available in color options, such as Peacock Pink, Ballad Blue (with vegan leather back), and Tidal.

In related news, Motorola is also working on the Edge 50 Pro, which is expected to be released with the Moto X50 Ultra moniker in China and the Edge 2024 name in the US. While other smartphones have already launched Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered flagship phones, the Edge 50 Pro will be the first Motorola phone to feature the said chipset.

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Is Poco X6 Neo better than Redmi Note 13?

Recently, Poco X6 Neo was released in India. It is the most affordable model in the X6 series with a starting price of ₹15,999.

The device is almost identical to Redmi Note 13 with one notable difference. This single change and the online-only availability make it cheaper than Redmi’s ₹17,999 starting price.

So the question arises which one should you opt for? We try to answer this in this post.

1. How is Poco X6 Neo different from Redmi Note 13?

Poco X6 Neo
Poco X6 Neo

The Poco X6 Neo features a downgraded camera system. It has only two rear cameras instead of three, unlike the Redmi Note 13.

The missing camera on it is the useful 8MP ultrawide unit. While the remaining three cameras are the same, which are a 108MP primary sensor with 3x in-sensor zoom support. a 2MP depth sensor, and a 16MP front-facing snapper.

Additionally, the base variant of the Poco phone arrives with 8GB RAM as compared to 6GB RAM on the Redmi handset.

 Here’s how much these products cost.

  • Poco X6 Neo
    • 8GB + 128GB – ₹15,999
    • 12GB + 256GB – ₹17,999
  • Redmi Note 13
    • 6GB + 128GB – ₹17,999
    • 8GB + 256GB – ₹19,999
    • 12GB + 512GB – ₹21,999

2. Should you buy Poco X6 Neo or Redmi Note 13?

Redmi Note 13
Redmi Note 13

If you use ultrawide camera on a regular basis, Redmi Note 13 is the pick for you as this camera is not available on Poco X6 Neo.

Otherwise, Poco X6 Neo is a better option as all other features are identical on the two smartphones. Most importantly, it is ₹2,000 cheaper.

However, there’s one caveat. The X6 Neo like other Poco products is sold exclusively via Flipkart. Thus, financing options are limited as well.

On the other hand, Redmi Note 13 is a multi-channel device. It can be purchased from Amazon, Mi.com, Xiaomi Home stores, and retail stores across India. Therefore, you get lots of financing options to choose from if you cannot afford the phone upfront.

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Red Magic OS 8.0 announced for Red Magic 8 Pro global models

Back in November, Red Magic started rolling out the Red Magic OS 8.0 update for the Red Magic 8 Pro in China. The brand has now announced that the Red Magic OS 8 is finally here for global users of the Red Magic 8 Pro. The brand has now attached an official change log with the update so we don’t have much to go by in terms of what the update has to offer. That being said, we can take a look at the Chinese update changelog to get some idea of what we can expect.

Red Magic 8S Pro

Red Magic 8 Pro Red Magic OS 8.0 Changelog (Chinese model):

  1. New Features:
    • Game record function.
    • Player power panel plug-in.
    • Streamer desktop function.
    • Spotlight application set.
    • Floating light notification set.
    • Lock screen setting.
    • Personalized signature function.
  2. Desktop Enhancements:
    • Multiple page-turning effects.
    • New desktop drawer mode.
    • New desktop component and icons.
    • New personalized signature component.
    • New sports billboard component.
  3. Additional Features:
    • Smart quick network finding function.
    • Smart high-speed rail mode.
    • Smart antenna capabilities.
    • System settings.
    • Customizable desktop icon shapes and system colors.
    • Application hiding function.
    • Dialing with two fingers to call.
  4. Optimizations:
    • Improved game plug-in display experience.
    • Optimized individual game settings.
    • Enhanced barrage message experiences.
    • Charging separation settings.

Some, if not all of these above-mentioned changes are expected to be packed into the global update. It is worth mentioning that this update is still based on Android 13, and the brand is planning to ship Android 14 with the Red Magic OS 9 update. The brand is planning to develop a beta build for Red Magic OS 9 soon.

The Red Magic OS 8.0 update will initially be arriving in the non-EU regions. The brand has assured users that they are working towards making the EU version of the update available as soon as possible.

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Here’s How Google Announced the May 14 Date for its I/O 2024 Event

Google has revealed May 14th as the date for this year’s I/O developer conference. In a weird twist, Google required participants to solve a logic puzzle before announcing the date. Here’s what it looks like:

Users have to lay down a path to make the marble reach the destination. Sounds pretty simple, right? Well, you have to do it 15 times in order to see the date of the event for yourself. While this was pretty playful on Google’s part, 15 levels seems a bit too much. You can simply click the “Save the Date” Button on the top right of the UI to see the date.

Google I/O 2024

Originally conceived in 2008 as a platform for Google to connect with and encourage its developer community, Google I/O has transformed into a highly anticipated annual event. It’s become a stage for Google to unveil its latest innovations and advancements across various technological sectors. Pixel phone enthusiasts eagerly await announcements about new features and upcoming models. Developers working on the Android operating system flock to I/O for technical deep dives and insights into the future of the platform. The conference also serves as a window into Google’s progress with artificial intelligence, which the company does better than most others on the planet. However, Apple just recently acquired DarwinAI. Maybe the competition could be more serious in the not-so-distant future.

You can check out the event page for Google I/O 2024 right here.

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Intel Launches the i9-14900KS Processor with a Record-Breaking 6.2 GHz Turbo Frequency

Gamers and Intel fanboys have an extra reason to celebrate today. Intel has unveiled the i9-14900KS, the crown jewel of their 14th generation desktop processor family. This unlocked beast came through the gate swinging, boasting a record-breaking turbo frequency of up to 6.2 GHz. It’s not just setting new records, it’s pushing the boundaries of desktop performance. The launch date of the processor was previously revealed in a report by VideoCardz.

The CPU supports up to 192GB of DDR5 memory & is compatible with Z790 and Z690 motherboards.

“This processor showcases the raw power of our 14th Gen lineup,” says Intel’s Roger Chandler. “Gamers and creators can expect a whole new level of performance, taking their experiences to the next level.”

Intel

The i9-14900KS packs a serious punch with 24 cores (8 performance-oriented and 16 efficiency cores), 32 threads, and 36MB of Intel Smart Cache. Official benchmarks claim a 15% gaming performance leap over the previous generation, while content creators will enjoy significant efficiency gains in demanding workflows like 3D rendering.

The i9-14900KS boasts a flagship set of features: a record-breaking 6.2 GHz turbo frequency fueled by Thermal Velocity Boost technology, 24 cores, 32 threads, 150W base power, 36MB Intel Smart Cache, and 20 PCIe lanes (including 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes). Gamers can expect an extra edge with Intel Gaming Optimizer (APO), delivering up to an 11% performance boost in supported titles (currently 14 games). Additionally, it supports up to 192GB of DDR5 memory and is compatible with Z790 and Z690 motherboards.

The i9-14900KS will be priced at $689, and it will be available for purchase boxed at retailers or pre-integrated into high-end systems from Intel and its partners.

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Apple Acquires DarwinAI, Expect Lots of Artificial Intelligence-powered Features in the Future

Apple has made a key move to progress its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities with the acquisition of Canadian startup DarwinAI, according to a Bloomberg report. This could spell big things for the trillion-dollar tech giant.

Apple has merely confirmed the acquisition, providing no information regarding future plans

Founded in 2017, DarwinAI carved a niche in the AI space with two key technologies- inspection and machine learning to generate scaled-down AI systems. Public records indicate DarwinAI received a total of $15.5 million in funding over five years, with Lockheed Martin and Intel listed as the biggest collaborators.

DarwinAI

Following the acquisition, DarwinAI’s online presence has vanished, with their website and social media accounts deactivated. Dozens of former DarwinAI employees have reportedly transitioned to Apple’s AI division, with AI researcher Alexander Wong joining as a director.

While Apple confirmed the acquisition, there was no statement released regarding the company’s purpose or future plans. This move could be a part of a bigger-scale effort to integrate AI features across their product line, including the upcoming iOS 18 and macOS 15 operating systems. It also goes without saying that Apple is clearly making an attempt to close the gap with competitors like Microsoft and Google. The organization’s ambitions could extend to generative AI, potentially integrating it with Siri, Shortcuts, and other core applications. Rumors also suggest Apple is actively testing large language models and acquiring new patents for industry-leading designs. Hopefully, we are treated with more intelligent Apple products in the future.

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BYD e2 Glory Edition electric hatchback launched at a cheaper price than its predecessor

Leading global EV manufacturer, BYD has launched the new e2 Glory Edition electric hatchback. The new EV comes with a cheaper price tag than its predecessor and it is now available for pre-order in China. A second luxury option of the new model features various upgrades and is about $1,000 more expensive than the standard model.

BYD e2 Glory Editiion

Features

The BYD e2 Glory Edition is powered by a 70kW motor with a CLTC range of 405km. Its release is part of BYD’s strategy to improve EV prevalence with a growing list of less-expensive models on offer. The original BYD e2 EVs were released last year and are much more expensive than its current iteration.

The e2 Glory Edition EV is based on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 and its maximum torque is 180Nm. It has a 43.2Wh battery and utilizes Vehicle to Load (VtoL) technology that allows the driver to use the onboard battery to power an external device with up to 3.3kW output. The EV also features a smartphone NFC key, a rotating infotainment screen, and a reversing camera system. The infotainment screen is 10.1 inches wide in the standard model and 12.8 inches wide in the Luxury version.

BYD e2 Glory Editiion

Pricing

The e2 Glory Edition is part of the BYD Ocean series with the first e2 models debuting in 2019. BYD has similarly launched the Seagull Glory Edition in the US with increasing calls for greater tariff restrictions on BYD and other Chinese manufacturers. The BYD e2 Glory Edition has a starting price of 89,800 yuan ($12,500) for the standard model and 96,800 yuan ($13,500) for the Luxury version. The 2023 version of the BYD e2 was priced at 102,800 yuan ($14,300) and 109,800 yuan ($15,300).

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Rad Power Bikes unveils the Radster Trail e-bike with all-terrain capabilities

US e-bike manufacturer Rad Power has launched the Radster Trail e-bike in the US and it comes with off-road capabilities. The Radster Trail is designed and manufactured by Rad Power Bikes and comes with a 750W electric motor and a battery pack using the brand’s fire-resistant battery technology.

Rad Power Raster Trail

Features

The Radster Trail e-bike has 3-inch fat tires from Kenda and an SR Suntour hydraulic suspension fork offering 80mm of travel. Rad Power Bikes closed its European operations last year, hence it is unlikely that the new e-bike will be available in Europe. The 750W motor has a maximum torque of 100Nm and the rider can achieve a top speed of 45km/h. The assistance mechanism can be activated with a half-twist throttle, while the torque sensor matches the pedaling output with the power delivery. There are 8 speed levels on the e-bike and it comes with the 720Wh Safe Shield Battery with a range of about 105km (65 miles). The battery technology helps to prevent accidents due to battery overheating.

The Radster Trail has an upgraded full-color display for viewing the speed, switching assistance mode, and also charge your mobile device. There is a USB-C port on the handlebar-mounted display which can be locked via a code or a fob as another layer of security. The e-bike also comes with a Shimano derailleur, a 200-lumen LED light, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. There are front and rear racks for carrying luggage on the Radster Trail with up to 165kg of loads supported.

Rad Power Raster Trail

Pricing & Availability

The Radster Trail e-bike weighs about 35kg and comes with an aluminum frame. The electric bicycle is available in two sizes – Regular and Large, as well as two colors – Fir Green and Copper Red. The Radster Trail is now available for pre-order in the US at a price of $1,999. Most of the shipments are expected to be done by the end of March 2023 but the Regular Fir Green option of the bike will arrive from April 10, 2023.

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MSI launches premium gaming laptops with 18″ UHD+ Mini LED displays & RTX 4090s in India

MSI has recently announced a bunch of new premium laptops in India along with the MSI Claw gaming handheld console. Three machines stand out in the lineup, called the Titan 18 HX, Raider 18 HX, and Stealth 18 AI Studio, all of which are meant for gaming.

MSI Titan 18 HX Raider 18 HX Stealth 18 AI Studio

Titan 18 HX

The Titan 18 HX is at the top of its class with the Intel Core i9 14900HX processor and up to 128GB DDR5 RAM. Its 18-inch UHD+ Mini LED display offers a 120Hz refresh rate and full coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut. The brand provides an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU that can fully leverage this display in modern gaming titles.

It features one NVMe M.2 SSD with PCIe Gen 5×4 and two additional NVMe M.2 SSD slots using PCIe Gen 4. The laptop has a mechanical Cherry RGB keyboard and a six-speaker system with two woofers. The Titan 18 HX is also equipped with multiple Thunderbolt 4 and USB 3.2 ports, along with HDMI 2.1 output for high-resolution displays.

Raider 18 HX

The Raider 18 HX steps up with the Intel also comes with a Core i9 processor 14900HX and supports up to a massive 128GB DDR5 RAM. It features an 18-inch UHD+ 120Hz display, just like the Titan 18 HX. For storage, it offers an NVMe M.2 SSD using PCIe Gen 5×4. As for GPU, the laptop offers choices between an RTX 4090 16GB, an Rtx 4080 12GB, and an RTX 4070 8GB. The laptop includes a high-quality six-speaker system and ports including multiple USB and Thunderbolt ports, as well as a dedicated HDMI 2.1 port for high-resolution external displays.

Stealth 18 AI Studio

The Stealth 18 AI Studio is the lightest laptop of the bunch and comes powered by the Intel Core i9 Ultra 9 185H processor. Despite being powered by the more efficient CPU, MSI offers three GPU options for it, all the way up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090. This laptop also features the same 18-inch display UHD+ 120Hz refresh display as the two models mentioned above. The laptop supports up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and comes with dual NVMe M.2 SSD slots using PCIe Gen 4. In addition to an IR camera for face ID login, this model also comes with a fingerprint reader.

Unified Features

All three MSI laptop models come with Intel’s Killer Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7 for reliable connectivity, and they are built with security in mind, featuring IR webcams, TPM 2.0, and webcam shutters for privacy.

Pricing & availability

The MSI Titan 18 HX has a hefty starting price of INR 4,99,990 ($5424), which can go all the way up to INR 6,19,990 ($7423) for the top-spec model. The Raider 18HZ starts at INR 3,79,990 ($4580) and goes up to 4,49,990. Lastly, the Stealth 18 AI Studio model starts at 3,89,990 and goes up to 4,49,990 ($4700). These models will be available through both online and offline MSI retailers as well as other e-commerce platforms.

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PlayStation Plus March lineup: NBA 2K24, Resident Evil 3, Marvel’s Midnight Suns & more

This March, PlayStation Plus is rolling out a mix of games for different tastes. From basketball and zombies to superheroes, there’s a little something for everyone in the Game Catalog lineup starting Tuesday, March 19.

PlayStation Plus March 2024

Here’s What’s Coming

NBA 2K24 Kobe Bryant Edition

NBA 2K24 Kobe Bryant Edition: Basketball fans, get ready to play as your favorite teams in NBA 2K24. The game, available on PS4 and PS5, promises updated teams, better controls, and lots of playing modes.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns

Marvel’s Midnight Suns: For those who like their heroes with a side of darkness, Marvel’s Midnight Suns on PS4 and PS5 pits players against demons in a tactical RPG setting.

Resident Evil 3

Resident Evil 3: Horror lovers can revisit the terror of Raccoon City on both PS4 and PS5. Help Jill Valentine escape a nightmare filled with zombies and the fearsome Nemesis.

LEGO DC Supervillains: Unleash your inner bad guy in this LEGO adventure for PS4. With the Justice League gone, it’s up to you to find out what the new “heroes” are up to.

Mystic Pillars: Remastered: Dive into puzzles and a story set in Ancient India, beautifully remastered for PS5.

Blood Bowl 3: Fantasy football meets brutal competition in Blood Bowl 3, available on PS4 and PS5.

Super Neptunia RPG: A side-scrolling RPG for PS4 where you join forces with goddesses in a world where 2D is king.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot: PS5 players can explore new adventures with Goku and friends in this action RPG.

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