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Duracell unveils 60,000mAh, 25,000mAh power banks in charming battery design

Foremost traditional battery manufacturer Duracell has signposted its presence in the power bank segment with the unveiling of two nice-looking power banks. Both Duracell battery-themed power banks look like huge Duracell batteries. The two new Duracell power banks are the M150 with a built-in MagSafe charger and the M250 rated at 60,000mAh battery capacity.

Duracell

The M150 power bank weighs 816g and has a capacity of 25,000mAh. Duracell claims the M150 has enough juice to fully charge a smartphone six times or a laptop once. There are two USB-C ports on the M150. The USB-C ports deliver 100W and 60W charging respectively. In addition, there are two USB-A ports each rated to deliver 18W charging. The Duracell M150 also features a Qi charging pad with an integrated magnetic ring at the top. You can charge the M150 via USB-C @ 60W or using a wireless charging dock.

Duracell power bank

The Duracell M250 has a capacity of 60,000mAh or 216Wh. It has a similar port architecture as the M150 and weighs about 2kg. It has a large ring LED that can be used to illuminate the surroundings with the press of a button. The M250 offers up to 100W charging and has storage space for another charger.

Duracell power bank

Pricing & Availability

As per pricing, the Duracell M150 power bank is priced at $199 in the US while the M250 has a $299 price tag. Duracell has not provided the performance optics of the M250 but expectedly it will more than double that of the M150.

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Keychron M2 Mini wireless mouse with lightweight design launched in China for 228 Yuan ($31)

Keychron released the M2 mouse a few months ago, and they have now introduced a new version, the M2 Mini wireless mouse, in China at a price of 228 Yuan ($31).

Keychron M2 Mini wireless mouse

Keychron M2 Mini Key Features:

The mouse comes with a compact and lightweight design and is equipped with the high-performance PAW3395 sensor chip. This sensor offers an impressive DPI of up to 26,000 and 50g acceleration for precise and responsive tracking. The mouse also incorporates durable Omron switches, rated for up to 80 million clicks, ensuring long-lasting performance.

In terms of design, the M2 Mini features an ergonomically curved shape optimized for right-handed users, providing a comfortable grip. Its dimensions are 117 x 64 x 38 millimeters, making it a portable and user-friendly option. Additionally, it weighs only 50 grams, enhancing user comfort during extended use.

Keychron M2 Mini wireless mouse

Performance-wise, the mouse offers a high polling rate of 1000 Hz in 2.4G and wired modes, and 125 Hz in Bluetooth mode, ensuring a stable and responsive connection. It also boasts Teflon or PTFE feet for smooth gliding across surfaces.

The M2 Mini offers versatile connectivity options, including 2.4G wireless, Bluetooth, and wired connections, making it compatible with various devices. It is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems and comes with two types of 2.4G receivers (Type-C and Type-A) to accommodate different devices.

Keychron M2 Mini wireless mouse

This mouse is powered by a 600 mAh battery, providing up to 70 hours of continuous use. It also features adjustable lift-off distance, motion sync support, and optional angle snapping. External buttons allow for easy DPI and polling rate adjustments without the need for software intervention.

To minimize drag, the Keychron M2 Mini includes a detachable ultra-flex paracord cable and comes with all the necessary cables and adapters for immediate use on different devices. With its advanced features, ergonomic design, and lightweight build, it caters to both gamers and everyday users seeking a high-performance and portable mouse.

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Blackview Tab 18 with MediaTek Helio G99 chipset and 33W fast charging unveiled

Not too long after unveiling the Shark 8 smartphone, Blackview has just introduced the Tab 18 Android tablet powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 processor. The Blackview Tab 18 runs on Android 13-based DokeOS-P 4.0. The global launch of the Blackview Tab 18 is on November 11 via AliExpress.

Blackview Tab 18

Features

The Blackview Tab 18 has a 12-inch 2.4K display which supports WideVine L1. The MediaTek Helio G99 is a very common choice for Android tablets. This notwithstanding, the Blackview Tab 18 ticks most of the boxes to pass as a flagship model. The Tab 18 comes with significant changes from its predecessor, the 11-inch Blackview Tab 16. Its 8,800mAh battery is an improvement over the Tab 16 and the device can be recharged via 33W fast charging.

The Blackview Tab 18 has a 12GB/ 256GB memory/ storage configuration. It also has a microSD slot that further expands the memory by up to 1TB. The tablet has quad Harman Kardon speakers with Harman AudioEFX 2.0 tuning. There are two cameras (8MP and 16MP) with ArcSoft 7.0 processing. The tablet supports video streaming via Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. The model is available in three color options namely Turquoise Green, Space Grey, and Glacier Blue. The Blackview Tab 18 has the new S Pen Gen 2 magnetic stylus.

Blackview Tab 18

Pricing & Availability

The new Blackview Tab 18 Android tablet will be available in limited quantities from November 11. The starting price for the model is around $199.99 via AliExpress. More optics for the Blackview Tab 18 are expected ahead of the November 11 launch event.

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Rakuten Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Clara 2E and Kobo Nia eReaders released in India

Rakuten Kobo has released three eReaders into the Indian market. The Rakuten Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Clara 2E, and Kobo Nia are designed to cater to the digital needs of various segments of the population. The new models all feature support for up to 15 different file formats and a slew of customization options.

Rakuten Kobo Libra 2

Features

The new Rakuten Kobo eReaders are ergonomically designed and overall, delivers an immersive reading experience for users. There are 13 fonts available in the eReader and 50+ font styles. The Kobo Libra 2 offers increased storage and a faster E Ink screen while in Dark mode. The display itself is a glare-free, 7” HD E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen with a 1264 x 1680 pixels resolution. The Kobo Libra 2 has a 1GHz processor and 32GB of storage. It can accommodate 24,000+ ebooks or equivalently 150 Kobo Audiobooks. It is also fully waterproof and available in black or white colorways. The outlook of the Kobo Libra 2 can be further enhanced with a SleepCover in several exciting colors.

Rakuten Kobo Libra 2

The Kobo Clara 2E is made with 85% recycled plastic and features a 6-inch HD E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen with full anti-glare capabilities. It is being marketed as the brand’s first fully waterproof eReader. The Kobo Clara 2E is available in the Deep Ocean Blue colorway and also features ocean-inspired SleepCovers. The Kobo Clara 2E can be used in the water for up to 60 minutes, according to the company. It has a 1500mAh battery that can last for 7 days and is recharged via USB-C.

The Kobo Nia eReader comes with a 1,000mAh battery and a 6-inch Carta E Ink touchscreen. It features ComfortLight blue light reduction for reading seamlessly even in less-than-ideal light scenarios. It is available in a black colorway and several SleepCover options. You can have up to 6,000 books on the Kobo Nia.

Rakuten Kobo Libra 2

Pricing & Availability

The Kobo Libra 2 retails at Rs. 19,999 (~$240) while the Kobo Clara 2E costs Rs. 14,999 (~$180). The Kobo Nia is priced at Rs. 10,999 (~$132). The SleepCovers are priced between Rs. 2,399 (~$29) and Rs. 3,999 (~$48). Rakuten Kobo is offering a 1-year warranty on all three eReaders.

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LG Ultragear 45GR65DC & 45GR75DC 45″ 200Hz DQHD monitors launched in the US

LG has brought two impressive 44.5-inch Ultragear gaming displays to the global market. These panels are called the 45GR65DC and 45GR75DC, and they share almost identical features designed to provide gamers with a captivating visual experience.

LG 45GR75DC

Both models sport a curved VA panels with 1500 R curvature and a DQHD resolution of 5120 x 1440 pixels in a 32:9 aspect ratio. They offer high refresh rate of 200 Hz, a notable 3000:1 contrast ratio and a rapid 1 ms response time. These panels are adequately bright with 400 nits typical brightness.

LG 45GR65DC

In terms of color, both screens offer 10-bit color depth, 95 percent DCI-P3 coverage, and a DisplayHDR 600 certification. To ensure smooth gaming, they come with FreeSync Premium Pro technology.

LG 45GR65DC

In the connectivity department, both screens feature two HDMI 2.1 inputs, a DisplayPort 1.4, a USB 3.0 hub, and a headphone output with DTS Headphone:X. The 45GR75DC goes a step further by including a USB-C port with DisplayPort alternate mode and 90W PD.

These screens offer a range of practical features, including tilt, rotation, height adjustment, VESA mounting (100 x 100 mm), blue light filtering, and flicker-free backlight. LG has also considered users with color vision deficiencies by adding a dedicated mode.

Pricing & availability

These gaming screens are priced at $799.99 (LG 45GR65DC) and $899.99 (LG 45GR75DC) in the US and are expected to be launched in other regions soon.

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YouTube Premium is Now More Costlier in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, Germany, Poland, and Turkey

If you, like me, enjoy watching YouTube videos while having a meal and happen to live in one of the countries mentioned above, I have some bad news for you. Starting from November 1, 2023, YouTube Premium prices are going up in certain countries. Actually, this isn’t much of a surprise, as a few months ago, YouTube already raised the price of the YouTube Premium subscription. However, this change didn’t affect some countries at that time. Now, the circumstances have “equalized” for everyone once again. Here are the details…

YouTube Premium Price Hike to Go Into Effect in November

Starting November 1, 2023, YouTube Premium prices are increasing in the following countries:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Chile
  • Germany
  • Poland
  • Turkey
YouTube

Existing subscribers will start to see the new pricing with their next billing cycle. However, in Australia, existing subscribers will be able to keep their current pricing for at least three more months. YouTube says that the price increase is necessary to “continue to improve Premium and support the creators and artists you watch on YouTube.” YouTube also says that it wants to help creators earn more money, and that increasing the price of Premium will help it do that.

The price increase will make YouTube Premium more expensive for users in the affected countries. However, users who value the features that Premium offers, such as ad-free viewing and background play, may still find that it is a good value. YouTube has recently taken a more aggressive stance against ad blockers. In some cases, YouTube has even blocked users from watching videos if they have an ad blocker installed. This is likely because YouTube relies on advertising revenue to generate income.

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Boston Levin Storm 9 TWS earbuds with 13mm drivers, LCD digital display & ₹999 price tag

Boston Levin has just released their new TWS earbuds, the Boston Levin Storm 9, which comes with affordable price tag, along with an interesting design and attractive features. Let’s dive into what sets these earbuds apart.

First up, the charging case. It’s not your run-of-the-mill case – it’s lightweight, robust, and boasts an LCD digital display that shows you the battery percentage. Say goodbye to the days of guessing how much juice is left or being caught off guard by a sudden battery drain.

With large 13mm speakers delivering deep, rich bass, these earbuds are sure to appeal to people who like punchy audio. The earbuds use Bluetooth v5.2 for a stable connection and have touch controls that let you manage your calls, music, and even your voice assistant with just a tap.

BOSTON LEVIN Storm 9

That’s not all, as the Boston Levin Storm 9 earbuds are claimed to be quite comfortable, with a snug fit design and skin-friendly silicone ear tips. Plus, with a battery life of 7 hours on a single charge and an additional 25 hours from the charging case, you won’t have to worry about running out of juice. The earbuds are also suitable for active users as the IPX5 certification ensures durability against sweat.

Pricing & availability

Available in black and white, the Boston Levin Storm 9 TWS earbuds are priced at Rs. 999 for a special launch offer. You can grab them on the company’s official website or on Amazon.in.

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Apple Accidentally Sends a Man $96,000 Worth of 60 1 TB iPhone 15 Pro Max Units

Have you ever been afraid that something would happen to your order when you ordered an expensive product online? Such as the product being lost in shipping, delivered to the wrong person, or the company making a mistake? It’s a natural concern, as any of these things can happen. Recently, a business person ordered four iPhone 15 Pro Max smartphones for their employees. However, instead of receiving four phones, they received 60 units of the 1 TB iPhone 15 Pro Max. Here are the details…

Apple Shipping Mistake: Man Receives 60 iPhone 15 Pro Max Units Instead of 4, But Can Apple Take Them Back?

The incident came to light with a video shared by a TikTok user named @legends_gio. According to the video, a businessman who wanted to purchase iPhone 15 Pro Max for the employees in his company placed an order for one with 1 TB storage for himself and three with 256 GB storage for his employees. After a waiting period, the man received the products and was left in utter astonishment.

@legends_gio

Someone reallyyy screwed up 😭 #fyp

♬ original sound – Legends_gio

He ordered four iPhone 15 Pro Max phones for $3,600, but instead received a box of 60 units of 1 TB 15 Pro Max. The international selling price of each of these phones is $1,599, so the cost of this shipping error to Apple is approximately $96,000. Interestingly, the man is not obligated to return the phones, but Apple can render them unusable if it chooses. For example, during the Black Lives Matter protests in the US, phones stolen from looted Apple Stores were rendered unusable with messages requesting their return.

iPhone 15 Pro Max Antutu Benchmark Score Revealed

The real question is how Apple made such a mistake. After all, Apple has many checks and steps in place before shipping an order. As a result, very few users have problems with orders directly from Apple. This makes people wonder if this could happen to their order too.

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PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for November unveiled: Claim three new games for free

Sony has just dropped the exciting news for PlayStation Plus subscribers, revealing a trio of captivating games available for free in the upcoming month.

From November 7 to December 4, PlayStation Plus subscribers can grab the three November month Essential Games without any additional cost. So, what can you look forward to in your gaming library this November?

PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for November

Mafia II: Definitive Edition offers an opportunity to dive into the world of organized crime during the post-World War 2 era. The remastered version of this classic title is presented in stunning HD detail, letting you live the life of a gangster in the sprawling city of Empire Bay, New York. Accompany Vito Scaletta in his quest to climb the family ladder and prove himself amidst organized crime’s booming industries.

Dragon Ball: The Breakers takes you on an online asymmetrical action adventure where you must survive as a team of ordinary citizens while being hunted by a formidable Raider. Work together to escape or go solo if the circumstances demand it. On the flip side, as a Raider, revel in the power to hunt and eliminate Survivors, evolving into an unstoppable force.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite transports you to the Aliens universe, where you explore the mysteries of LV-895 in a thrilling third-person survival shooter. Battle your way through four campaigns and customize your Marine with six unique classes and an arsenal of weapons. Team up with friends or AI to take down Xenomorphs and conquer various game modes.

Additionally, don’t forget to grab October’s Monthly Games, including The Callisto Protocol, Farming Simulator 22, and Weird West, before they vanish from the library on November 6. These free games are accessible to all PS Plus subscribers. As long as you maintain an active PS Plus membership, the claimed games remain available in your library.

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iQOO 12 Pro Spotted On AnTuTu Benchmark Ahead Of Launch

The iQOO 12 series has been in the news quite a lot in the last few days. The standard and pro variants are set to debut in China on November 7. The upcoming offerings will arrive as the successors to the last year’s iQOO 11 duo. Yesterday, the iQOO 12 Pro surfaced on the Geekbench database. Now, the smartphone has been spotted on the AnTuTu benchmark listing revealing its performance results in various aspects. 

iQOO 12 Pro surfaces on AnTuTu

Overall, the iQOO 12 Pro scores 2,169,893 points on the AnTuTu benchmarking platform. In the CPU test, it clocks 4,50,560 points whereas in the GPU result, it scores 8,73,661 points. The smartphone registers 5,13,782 and 3,31,890 points in the memory and UX tests. The AnTuTu listing does not reveal any additional details. 

The iQOO 12 Pro is already confirmed to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor under the hood. It will have a Q1 e-sports chipset for an immersive gaming experience. The smartphone is also confirmed to pack up to 16GB LPDDR5x RAM and 1TB UFS 4 storage. Teasers have also revealed that the upcoming offering will feature a four-zone heat dissipation system. 

The iQOO 12 Pro is confirmed to come with a curved E7 AMOLED display bearing a 2K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. It will have a large vibration motor, three-dimensional dual stereo speakers, and support for Hi-Res audio. 

We should learn the official details about the iQOO 12 series next Tuesday. 

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Black Shark Fengming Youth Edition TWS earbuds launched in China for 199 Yuan ($27)

Black Shark, a gaming-focused company, originally launched the Fengming TWS earbuds in 2021. They have now introduced a new variant called the Black Shark Fengming TWS Youth Edition in China. Priced at 199 yuan ($27), these earphones will be available starting November 5th. They offer a combination of style and performance, featuring a typical Black Shark design with a sleek black in-ear form and distinct green highlights that showcase the brand’s gaming roots.

Black Shark Fengming Youth Edition

Black Shark Fengming TWS Youth Edition Key Features:

The Black Shark Fengming Youth Edition TWS earbuds feature a 10mm dynamic driver unit for high-quality sound. They also come with advanced 40dB FF+FB hybrid active noise cancellation to block out ambient noise and provide an immersive listening experience. The buds also offer compatibility with SBC and AAC codecs.

Additionally, there’s a transparency mode for awareness of surroundings without sacrificing audio quality. Gamers will appreciate the low latency mode, with only a 60ms delay, making these earbuds suitable for competitive gaming where minimal delay is crucial.

The earbuds offer impressive battery life, providing up to 6 hours of continuous playback. With the charging case, the total battery life extends to 24 hours, making them suitable for all-day use. Quick charging is supported, offering 2 hours of use with just a 15-minute charge. These earbuds also feature seamless and reliable connectivity thanks to Bluetooth 5.3 technology, ensuring stable connections within a 10-meter range.

The earphones have an IPX4 water resistance rating, making them resistant to splashes and sweat, suitable for workouts and outdoor activities. They feature touch controls for easy management of playback, volume, and calls. Additionally, they offer unique “Shark Sauce” voice prompts that provide auditory cues for battery levels and connection status, enhancing the user experience.

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Volkswagen Delays Fourth Battery Factory Amidst Sluggish EV Demand

Volkswagen Group has opted to delay the decision on its fourth battery cell factory, citing a less than expected demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe. CEO Oliver Blume expressed that, given the slow growth of the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) market in Europe, there is currently no justified business reason to proceed with deciding on additional locations.

The company stopped looking for potential sites in Europe

Previously, the company had paused its decision-making process regarding potential sites in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. The decision was postponed by a year, and there was no urgency shown earlier this year in making a choice.

Volkswagen

A recent meeting between Blume and Czech officials did not seem to result in any progress. The Czech Republic had proposed a site for the battery gigafactory, but with Volkswagen’s indecision, the country’s Prime Minister, Petr Fiala, announced that they could not wait any longer. The proposed site will be offered to other potential investors.

This move by Volkswagen is in contrast to its initial plan to open six battery gigafactories in Europe by 2030 through its PowerCo battery subsidiary. Locations already selected for these gigafactories include Salzgitter, Germany; Valencia, Spain; and St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. The Salzgitter and Valencia sites are expected to become operational in 2025 and 2026, respectively, with the Ontario site projected to open in 2027.

Interestingly, Europe is Volkswagen’s largest EV market, contributing to over 60% of its global EV sales. However, the company’s EV orders in Europe have seen a significant drop, with CFO Arno Antlitz revealing a 50% decline from 300,000 last year to 150,000 this year.

It’s worth noting that Volkswagen is not alone in its decision to postpone EV-related plans. Several global automakers, including Ford and General Motors, have also delayed their EV battery production and model launches, while Toyota has revised its EV sales expectations for the current fiscal year.

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Sony Unveils New XAV-AX8500 Customizable Car AV Receiver

Sony has recently unveiled the latest addition to their car AV receivers lineup, the XAV-AX8500, and it’s nothing short of impressive. With an extensive array of customizable options and a top-notch HD screen with a unique tilt and swivel mechanism, the XAV-AX8500 aims to provide a personalized visual and audio experience for all users.

The 10.1-inch HD touchscreen has an anti-glare filter

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key features of the XAV-AX8500. The device boasts a 10.1-inch HD touchscreen that provides crystal clear picture quality and easy operation. The screen is designed with an anti-glare filter to reduce sunlight reflections, ensuring safer driving. With HDMI connectivity, users can connect external audio and visual sources for an enhanced experience while parked.

Sony

The XAV-AX8500 also comes with a range of other convenient features, such as Sony’s Quick Wake Up feature, wireless smartphone connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and iDatalink Maestro compatibility, which connects the vehicle’s onboard computer with car audio. The device also supports USB Type-C connectivity and plays back FLAC files with up to 24-bit depth and sampling frequency at 384 kHz.

Moreover, the XAV-AX8500 has been designed with the environment in mind. The packaging is made of up to 90% paper materials, and printed information has been reduced to minimize printer ink usage. This reflects Sony’s commitment to reducing their environmental impact.

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Chinese EV Makers Outperform Tesla in EV Sales, Li Auto and Xpeng Set Monthly Delivery Records

Electric vehicle competition is heating up, with major players like Tesla, BYD, and Volkswagen vying for dominance. Smaller manufacturers are also finding success by targeting niche audiences. Chinese EV makers broke delivery and revenue records in October, led by BYD, Li Auto, Nio, and Xpeng, which outperformed Tesla in EV sales. Here are the details…

BYD, Li Auto, Nio, and Xpeng Lead China’s EV Market

China is currently one of the world’s largest electric vehicle markets. The country’s population has shown significant interest in this cost-effective and environmentally friendly technology. Furthermore, with the increase in domestic brands and rising competition, the prices of electric vehicles have decreased, which has further boosted this popularity. Recently, it has come to light that these brands, particularly in the luxury car segment, have outperformed competitors like Tesla in terms of sales.

Li Auto, Nio, Peng

For example, one of these successful brands, Li Auto, delivered 40,422 cars in October, showing a 12.1% increase compared to the previous month and a remarkable 302% growth compared to the previous year. Xpeng is another rising star in China, and its popularity is increasing day by day. The manufacturer is expected to enter other countries with price-performance-focused models in the future.

Similarly, Li Auto, which had a successful period like Xpeng, sold 30.7% more cars in October 2023, with 20,002 vehicles reaching users in China. Nio also increased its sales by 2.8% during the same period, selling 16,074 vehicles. While it may not have the same growth rate as its competitors, it still achieved positive results.

Of course, when we talk about China and electric vehicles, we can’t leave out BYD. The company, which recently entered the European market with its Atto 3 model, managed to sell 301,833 vehicles in China in October, an incredible number compared to others. Additionally, let’s not forget that BYD is not only China’s but also the world’s largest-selling electric vehicle manufacturer.

During the same period, Tesla delivered 72,115 China-made electric vehicles in October 2023. This is a 2.6% decrease from the previous month but a 0.6% increase from the same month last year. Before the year ends, the targeted total electric vehicle sales in China are 8.5 million units. With upcoming growth and increasing interest, this target is considered highly achievable.

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New NASA+ Streaming Service will be Launched on November 8

NASA has always been quite forward-thinking, always down to change the way we explore space. This time, however, it’s not about rocket launches or spacewalks. Instead, the agency is bringing space to our screens, for free, with the launch of its new streaming service, NASA+.

The service will apparently be completely free when it launches

Set to go live on November 8, NASA+ promises an ad-free experience packed with an exclusive look at NASA’s live shows, which have been recognized with Emmy Awards for their high production quality. Viewers will also be treated to a curated selection of original series that highlight the agency’s groundbreaking missions.

NASA

For a bit of context, other streaming platforms like Disney+ charge around $7.99 per month for their basic plan, while Curiosity Stream offers a selection of science and history documentaries for about $2.99 a month. In contrast, NASA+ is completely free and requires no subscription, giving everyone access to the wonders of space.

But the streaming service is just one part of NASA’s broader digital transformation. The agency is also overhauling its app and flagship and science websites to create a more cohesive and informative user experience. These updates are expected to align with the launch of NASA+ and further enhance access to NASA’s vast array of multimedia content.

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Retailers offer hefty discounts on iPhone 15 in China to boost sales

The Apple iPhone 15 sales started with a bang in China when it was introduced. The first two hours registered a whopping 253% compared to last year.

However, a few weeks later, when the initial sales reports were released, it was shocking to learn that the overall sales of the iPhone 15 went down by 4.5% as opposed to the iPhone 14 in 2022.

Researchers attribute this trend to the resurgence of Huawei. Now, nearly two months post-launch, there’s a considerable amount of unsold inventory that retailers are offering heavy discounts to boost sales.

Apple iPhone 15

China is gearing up for the upcoming Singel’s Day sale season, which is considered the largest in the world. Retailers have already started offering discounts on some of the products.

JD.com (Jingdong), a leading online retailer, is providing heft discounts on the Apple iPhone lineup. These limited-time offers are changing now and then.

Yesterday, the vanilla iPhone 15 with 256GB storage was discounted by ¥1,201 (~$165). But today’s deal has listed it at ¥851 (~$115) off, including the plus model. Similarly, there’s a ¥800 (~$110) discount on iPhone 15 variants as well.

These offers are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Also, not every color and storage version is discounted.

Either way, it is probably the best time for Chinese consumers to get their hands on the latest Apple iPhone 15 models.

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Apple May Kick Off iPhone 17 Production In India, Aims To Double Up Its Production Capacity

Apple has been making iPhones in India since 2016. The company has been reducing its reliance on China for the last few years due to many reasons. Hence, India has quickly become an emerging manufacturing destination for the Cupertino-based tech giant. While production of previous iPhones commenced a few months after their launch, this year marked the first time the non-pro iPhone 15 models were manufactured in the country ahead of their debut. Additionally, Apple also sold Made in India iPhone 15 variants on the launch day. Now a new report courtesy of the reliable Ming-Chi Kuo reveals interesting details. 

Apple to double iPhone 17 production in India

As per a past report earlier this year, Apple has been planning to increase its iPhone manufacturing capacity in India to 25 percent. The latest development from Ming-Chi Kuo also echoes the same. The Cupertino-based tech giant aims to double up its iPhone production capacity in the country. Kuo believes that currently 12-14 percent of the global iPhone shipments in 2023 are made in India units. This would eventually be increased to 20-25 percent. 

The striking bit about the latest development is that Apple will start the iPhone 17 production in India in the second half of 2024. This will mark the first time, the company will begin the manufacturing of a new iPhone model outside China. Kuo reveals that Apple selected the base iPhone 17 because of the lower difficulty associated with design and development thus reducing the risk and error. The iPhone 17 series is expected to launch in Fall 2025.

Additionally, Kuo also adds that Foxconn which is Apple’s largest contract manufacturer will slash its iPhone production capacity in Zhengzhou and Taiyuan facilities by 35 – 45 and 75-85 percent respectively. The report comes at a time when Tata Group has acquired Wistron which was Apple’s previous contract manufacturer in India with the former expected commence the production of iPhones from the country for the domestic as well as global markets within two and a half years. 

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Early benchmark results show M3 Max performance as fast as the M2 Ultra

The first Geekbench 6 results for Apple’s M3 Max chip have surfaced, providing a look at its CPU performance. The results show that the M3 Max offers a similar performance to the M2 Ultra chip for a lot less money.

The results appear to be for the new 16-inch MacBook Pro, with the highest multi-core score for the M3 Max with a 16-core CPU being 21,084.

This means that the M3 Max is around as fast as the M2 Ultra chip, which has an average multi-core score of 21,182 in the Mac Pro Tower and 21,316 in the Mac Studio. The M3 Max is within 1% of the M2 Ultra in terms of CPU performance.

Apple M3 Max chip performance

Apple claims that the M3 Max chip is up to 50% faster than the M2 Max chip, and the early Geekbench results support this claim. However, it is important to note that benchmarks only provide a snapshot of performance, and real-world performance can vary.

The new 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip starts at $3,499 in the U.S., which is $500 less than the Mac Studio with the M2 Ultra chip. This means that you can effectively get the same CPU performance for less money with the new 16-inch MacBook Pro.

The new MacBook Pro is available to order now, and most configurations will be shipped on November 7 while M3 Max configurations will be available later in November.

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Apple Registers Highest-Ever Quarterly Growth In India In Q3

Recently, Tata Group took over Wistron’s operations becoming the first Indian company to manufacture Apple’s iPhones locally. The Cupertino-based tech giant has been largely focussing on the Indian market as it opened two retail stores in the country earlier this year. Additionally, Apple sold Made In India iPhone 15 on the launch date for the first time this year. The company has also been repeaing the benefits of its efforts. Now, Apple’s third-quarter performance results are out. 

Apple registers best quarterly performance in India

iPhone 15 series shortage Korea

During the third quarter of this year i.e. the period between July to September, Apple recorded the highest-ever quarterly shipments in India. Research firm Counterpoint revealed that the company sold more than 2.5 million iPhone units during the three-month period. It indicated a 34 percent year-on-year growth compared to the corresponding quarter last year. 

While the global smartphone market experiences headwinds due to various factors, Apple’s significant growth in India is great news for the company. However, the Cupertino-based tech giant still continues to have a single-digit market share in the country. It is said to grow to 6 percent from 4.5 percent last year. Apple’s growth is reportedly attributed to consumers’ shifting preferences towards premium smartphones due to financing schemes, discounts, and various offers. 

Counterpoint revealed to TechCrunch that the iPhone 14 Pro accounted for more than a third of iPhone shipments in 2023. Apple is also said to grow by 38 percent in India although the overall smartphone market will contract by 5 percent in 2023. 

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Lenovo Xiaoxin 25 monitor with 100Hz refresh rate launched for under $100

Lenovo has launched a new budget monitor in China. Officially called the Lenovo Xiaoxin 25, this display offers a good set of features for the asking price.

Some of the Xiaoxin products are sold in global markets under different names. But we couldn’t find this product. Perhaps, it will be released later outside mainland China or never at all.

Anyways, let’s take a look a the specs of this monitor along with its pricing.

Lenovo Xiaoxin 25 Monitor

Lenovo Xiaoxin 25 Specifications

The Lenovo Xiaoxin 25 monitor arrives in a single white color option with a futuristic design. Its thinnest point measures just 6.9mm making it slimmer than most of the smartphones on the market.

It has 2mm bezels on three sides, however, the bottom part is comparatively thicker. It comes with a removable stand featuring a cable management hole and a platform to place phones. There’s also support for VESA wall mount.

Talking about the screen, the monitor sports a 24.5-inch IPS LCD panel (WLED) with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (FHD), up to a 100Hz refresh rate, and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The screen supports 8-bit (6-bit + FRC) color depth, 250 nits typical brightness level, and 4ms response time.

The screen can cover 99% of the sRGB color gamut and has a 1300: 1 contrast ratio as well as a 178° viewing angle. Also, it offers DC dimming and is certified for Eyesafe Display 2.0, TÜV Rheinland low blue light, and TÜV Rheinland flicker-free.

Last but not least, the monitor arrives with HDMI 1.4 port and VGA ports.

Lenovo Xiaoxin 25 Price

The Lenovo Xiaoxin 25 monitor is priced at just ¥699 (~$95) in China. For a limited time, it is up for sale at a discounted price tag of ¥599 (~$80)

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