Following the Pixel Watch 2 launch, and the availability of Wear OS 4 on the Pixel Watch, here comes a much-needed update for the Pixel Watch Companion App. The new version of the app extends support for the new Pixel Watch 2 and Wear OS 4. It also bundles some exciting design changes aimed at improving the users’ accessibility.
The new Companion App is inclusive of a reorganized settings menu which now looks more compact and modern. It even packs side-by-side “Watch faces” and “Tiles” for enhanced navigation. Overall, the app now looks more into Material Design 3.
The app update also brings support for the Google One backup which is now part of the Wear OS 4. It allows the users to restore the Watch from the available backups. It is even helpful in transferring a watch to a new phone or while performing a factory reset.
If you’re a Pixel Phone user, then there’s an additional synchronization feature for the Do Not Disturb and Bedtime Mode. If users enable it on Pixel Phone, then the same will apply to their Pixel Watch.
Here’s the official Pixel Watch App 2.0 Changelog
Support for Pixel Watch 2
Support for Wear 4 features and updates, which include:
Back-up with Google One
Restore during watch setup from the available back-ups
Ability to transfer Watch to a new Phone without factory reset
Factory reset protection during watch setup
Redesigned experience for the Pixel Watch app
New settings and education under “Safety & emergency” section *✝
DND (Do Not Disturb) and BTM (Bedtime Mode) mode mirroring for Pixel Watch 2 users under the “Notifications” setting for Pixel phone users *
Bug fixes to improve the quality of the app
Precisely, the Pixel Watch 2.0 App with build 2.0.0.567628986 is now out for users, and it will arrive on the Play Store shortly after some time. However, interested users can sideload the app to enjoy the new features rather than wait for the Play Store update.
In Q1 2023, China experienced a nearly 15% decline in semiconductor production and a 13.8% drop in smartphone production, primarily affecting local brands like Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi. This decline in electronics production contrasted with a 4.5% GDP growth and 3.9% industrial output increase in March. The US export control regime on semiconductor equipment and increased competition from factories in Vietnam and India are contributing factors to China’s challenges.
Now according to recently released data by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) indicates a notable recovery in the electronic manufacturing sector in China from January to August. Key findings from the report reveal:
Chinese Electronic Manufacturing Sector Is Recovering Slowly
Steady Improvement in Production: Electronic manufacturing enterprises contributed to a 0.9% year-on-year increase in value added, showing improvement compared to the first seven months.
August’s Strong Performance: August witnessed a remarkable 5.8% year-on-year increase in value added by the electronic information manufacturing industry.
Mobile Phone Production: Despite a slight decline of 0.9%, mobile phone production reached an impressive 935 million units, with smartphones contributing 679 million units but experiencing a 7.5% decline.
Decline in Microcomputer Devices and Integrated Circuits: The production of microcomputer devices fell by 21.7%, and integrated circuits saw a 1.4% decline.
Mixed Export Picture: The electronic information manufacturing sector faced an 8% decline in export delivery value, though it improved slightly compared to the earlier part of the year. Exports of laptops, mobile phones, and integrated circuits declined by 21.7%, 10.9%, and 6.2%, respectively.
Financial Performance: The industry generated an operating revenue of 9.21 trillion yuan ($1.2 trillion), with a 3.5% year-on-year drop, which showed signs of improvement. Costs decreased by 3%, totaling 8.06 trillion yuan ($1.12 trillion), and profits stood at 354.7 billion yuan ($49.6 billion), reflecting a substantial decrease of 20.6% but improving over the previous months.
China’s electronic manufacturing sector has displayed resilience and a positive trajectory despite facing challenges during the first eight months of the year. While there have been declines in certain areas, such as smartphone production and exports, the overall industry has shown signs of recovery and growth, with August particularly standing out as a strong month. The sector’s ability to adapt and improve, along with a potential boost in the coming months, indicates a promising future for China’s electronic manufacturing industry.
However, as pre-order customers in Malaysia started receiving their Xiaomi 13T orders yesterday, a lot of the buyers unboxed and noticed that the freebies of RM568 (120 USD) were not included in their Xiaomi 13T pre-order as advertised. This prompted an outrage controversy in the reviews complaining about the missing freebies for pre-order customers, and an uptick of return orders for Xiaomi Malaysia as Xiaomi 13T buyers were not given their freebies due to the misleading advertisement.
Pre-order Advertisement of Xiaomi 13T series with Redmi Buds 4 Pro and Smart Band 8 as free gift for pre-order customers.
Initially, Xiaomi Malaysia used the excuse that the stock of Redmi Buds 4 Pro and Xiaomi Smart Band 8 had run out, thus the lack of free gifts in the pre-order packages, but after the commotion raised by Xiaomi 13T pre-order customers yesterday and today. Xiaomi Malaysia had decided to officially reimburse Xiaomi 13T customers who didn’t receive their Redmi Buds 4 Pro and Xiaomi Smart Band 8 with coupons that allowed them to buy the gifts for free directly from their store.
After realising the error on their part, Xiaomi Malaysia managed to resolve the Xiaomi 13T series pre-order controversy within 24 hours. Malaysian buyers who have not received their free gifts can directly chat with their online customer service on Xiaomi Malaysia Local Store on Lazada or Shopee to redeem their free gifts coupon to purchase back the free gifts for free.
The Xiaomi 13T series officially goes on sale starting 7th October in Malaysia, and features a flagship triple camera setup that is in collaboration with camera giant Leica, alongside Xiaomi’s first 144Hz refresh rate OLED display in its smartphone lineup. The Xiaomi 13T series is also Xiaomi’s first flagships to be promised with 4 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates.
After bringing One UI Beta 6 support for all the major Galaxy S Series smartphones, and eventually the Galaxy A series, here it comes for the Foldables. Samsung is rolling out One UI 6.0 beta for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. The program is now live for smartphones in the US, South Korea, India, and the United Kingdom.
Based on Android 14, the One UI 6.0 brings several new features and enhancements that surely improve the system’s stability and enhance the users’ accessibility. The users can participate in the One UI 6.0 Beta program by browsing the beta card in Samsung’s Community app on your Galaxy Z Fold 5 or Flip 5 smartphones.
Samsung Galaxy Z Foold 5 is receiving firmware F946BXXU1ZWJ2 and version F73U1EU1ZWJ2 on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, both featuring the October 2023 Security Patch. The update package weighs around 2.7GB in size on both smartphones.
Interestingly, if you have not received the update banner in your community app, then you should try to reinstall the Members app.
One UI 6.0 Beta Program Development
One UI 6.0 is now official and it bundles several new changes including a whole new Quick Panel, quick Brightness Control, Dynamic Lock Screen, and much more. It even brings better notification management.
It’s been a couple of months since Samsung introduced the One UI 6.0 Beta Program for the Galaxy S23. Over time, the Galaxy S23 Beta program progressed and it recently received the One UI 6.0 Beta 6 build featuring some final changes (Hopefully!).
Samsung is also working on beta programs for the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S21, Galaxy A54 5G, and Galaxy A34 5G.
Samsung has officially announced the Exynos 2400 SoC, and it is likely that this chip will be used in the upcoming Galaxy S24 series. However, since the Exynos name has a mixed reputation, some users may be hesitant to see it return to the Galaxy S24 series, especially after Samsung’s decision to use Snapdragon chips globally in the Galaxy S23 series. A new report sheds light on the use of Exynos and Snapdragon chips in the S24 series.
According to a report by Korean outlet The Elec, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will use a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset exclusively—no matter the region or market it’s sold in.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ will use either the Exynos 2400 or the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, depending on the region. It is likely that the Exynos 2400 versions of the Galaxy S24 and S24+ will be launched in Africa, Asia (including South Korea), Europe, and Latin America, while the Snapdragon-equipped versions will be launched in North America (Canada and the US).
This is similar to the approach Samsung took with the Galaxy S22 series. Samsung is reportedly in the final stages of deciding how to distribute the different variants of the Galaxy S24 series phones. So it is unlikely that the company will change its strategy now.
Exynos 2400
The new Exynos chip features a 70% faster CPU and 14.7x faster AI processing than the previous generation Exynos. It also features the Xclipse 940 GPU, which is based on AMD’s latest RDNA3 architecture. Samsung has not unveiled its stats for GPU performance, but it claims that the chip offers substantially improved ray tracing performance in games.
However, based on past trends, the Exynos 2400’s GPU performance is unlikely to be as good as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s. The Exynos 2400 chip is reportedly fabricated on Samsung Foundry’s 4nm LPP+ node and has a 10-core CPU.
Meanwhile, the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip is expected to use TSMC’s latest node, but some reports claim that there may be versions on both the 3nm and 4nm process. We will learn more about the process when Qualcomm unveils it at its Snapdragon Summit this month.
Mini-PCs are these small, simple desktop computers that don’t take up much space, yet offer enough power for your home office tasks. Azulle, a leading manufacturer of mini PCs, has recently announced its new model, Byte 4 with a modular design, and a range of add-on modules that bring extra features to your desk. Here are all the details.
The Byte 4 is designed to be a versatile and customizable device that can meet the needs of a wide range of users, from home users to businesses. As a result, its modular design allows users to choose the modules they need and add them on as needed, without having to purchase a new device. Specifically, Azulle offers three add-on modules for the Byte 4 — Active Cooling, 4G LTE, and Power over Ethernet (POE).
Azulle’s Active Cooling module is designed to keep the Byte 4 cool under even the most demanding conditions. It’s perfect for users who need to run the device in hot or dusty environments, or for extended periods of time. In fact, Azulle claims that the Active Cooling module can withstand up to 130°F (54.4°C).
Likewise, the 4G LTE module enables cellular connectivity in the Byte 4. Users can rely on it when their primary network fails, in remote locations with no wired internet access, or in emergency vehicles.
In addition to cellular connectivity, Byte 4 also supports Power over Ethernet (PoE). This means that it can be powered and connected to the internet using a single Ethernet cable. This should be a convenient and cost-effective solution for businesses and organizations that need to deploy multiple Byte 4 devices.
As for the core specifications, the Byte 4 is available with two CPU options: the Gemini Lake N4020 and the Jasper Lake N5105. It comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, regardless of the CPU you choose. You can pre-install Windows 11 Pro or Linux on the Byte4, but the final cost of the device varies depending on your OS selection.
The Byte 4 starts at $225.99, excluding add-on modules. You can purchase it from the company’s official website or contact Azulle for help.
In a few weeks, Daihatsu is set to make a buzz in the electric vehicle (EV) market at the upcoming Japan Mobility Show. While the brand may not ring bells in America, it’s still a powerhouse in Japan, specializing in compact cars and commercial vehicles. What’s more interesting? Daihatsu is a Toyota subsidiary, and it’s ready to prove that small doesn’t mean less innovative.
A total of four electric concept vehicles will be displayed at the Japan Mobility Show
Daihatsu is showcasing not one, but four electric concepts at the event, each bringing something unique to the table. Let’s start with the Osanpo. This electric roadster is designed for those who like the wind in their hair. Measuring at a compact 133.7 inches, it’s perfect for quick city jaunts. The name Osanpo means “to walk” in Japanese, underlining the brand’s philosophy of creating a car that offers the open-air freedom of a casual stroll.
Not to be outdone, the Me:Mo EV concept features an eye-catching rectangular design and large windows to let the sunshine in. At 116.3 inches, it’s smaller than Osanpo but has a chic urban vibe. Then there are the Uniform Cargo and Uniform Truck. These utility EVs share the same size as the Osanpo and aim to revolutionize compact commercial vehicles with removable interior and exterior parts for customization.
But Daihatsu isn’t just stopping at EVs. They’re also bringing a refreshed concept of their Copen roadster to the event. This newer, wider model packs a 1.3-liter engine, making it a beefier version of the brand’s current 658-cc, 63-hp offering.
Why should you care? Because Daihatsu’s approach is vital in understanding how automakers are evolving to meet the growing demands of the EV market. While Toyota, Suzuki, and Daihatsu are joining forces to develop next-gen electric mini-commercial vans, Daihatsu is doing its part to show that electric vehicles can be diverse in both form and function.
Google unveiled its latest-generation flagship Pixel 8 series globally earlier this week. The smartphones come with 7 years of Android OS updates putting the search giant ahead in terms of software support. Now, in a new development, Google has announced that it will provide spare parts for the Pixel 8 series for the same 7-year duration to align with the software policy commitment. This also ensures that the latest-generation Pixel 8 series lasts its entire lifespan for customers.
Pixel 8 series gets 7 years of spare parts support
In an interview with Android Authority, Google’s Director of Product Management confirmed that the company will offer spare parts for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro for seven years. Smartphones usually have a lifespan between 3 to 5 years and during this period, their hardware undergoes degradation. Problems like the device’s display and issues with the battery crop up several years down the line.
Fortunately, Google has thought about this in its commitment to offer 7 years of software support. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be eligible for spare parts throughout the period. This means that users will easily be able to purchase spare part to keep their phone running till it reaches the end of lifecycle.
Google did not explicitly reveal the specifics as to when and how the spare parts will be available for the Pixel 8 series. iFixit is the company’s partner in the US, hence, it’s likely that the spare parts will be available from the repair website. Notably, iFixit offers genuine parts for previous Pixel phones along with guides for DIY repairs.
Google’s hardware and software commitment for the Pixel 8 series is good news for customers who want to keep their phone running over a long period. We can expect Google to share more details about the spare parts like its market availability and more in the coming weeks.
As the holiday season approaches, we’re offering incredible discounts on essential home appliances. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your old equipment or invest in a brand new piece, this is the perfect opportunity. Amazon is offering up to INR 1000 off coupons on best-selling home appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners.
You can check them out below.
RefrigeratorsDeals:
Get your hands on the bestselling refrigerators and enjoy a flat discount of INR 1000. Simply use the code AZFFGIF23 at checkout.
Acer, a leading name in the world of technology and innovation, has officially unveiled the VG272K V3 gaming monitor in China. The new monitor promises to redefine the gaming and entertainment experience for users.
Acer’s latest gaming monitor features a 27-inch monitor with a 4K Ultra HD display and a dazzling resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. The resolution delivers stunning visuals that will captivate users in the world of gaming, content creation, and beyond. The monitor also supports a 160Hz native refresh rate, making it an ideal choice for gamers who demand silky-smooth graphics and lightning-fast response times.
In addition, the monitor comes with a remarkable 1ms (GTG) response time, effectively eliminating motion blur and ensuring gamers remain in control during even the most intense gaming sessions. It equally supports an impressive 95% DCI-P3. This results in breathtaking color accuracy and vibrancy, enhancing the experience for both gamers and content creators.
But the VG272K V3 doesn’t stop there. It seamlessly integrates AMD FreeSync Premium technology, ensuring that the monitor’s refresh rate synchronizes flawlessly with the GPU, preventing unsightly screen tearing and stuttering. Gamers can now immerse themselves fully in their virtual worlds without distractions.
Furthermore, the VG272K V3 has received TUV Rheinland hardware-level anti-blue light certification, safeguarding users’ eyes during prolonged use. The monitor also supports HDR technology and has achieved DisplayHDR 400 certification, with a peak brightness of 400 nits.
In terms of design, the VG272K V3 features a sleek and modern look. It packs a narrow bezel design that allows for multi-screen setups, providing users with the flexibility to expand their digital workspace. The monitor’s adjustable base ensures ergonomic comfort during extended periods of use. It also comes with two built-in 2W speakers offering convenience for basic audio needs.
Connectivity options are plentiful with 2 HDMI 2.1 interfaces, 1 DP1.4 interface, and an audio output interface, giving users the freedom to connect to various devices and peripherals.
The Acer VG272K V3 monitor is set to officially hit the shelves in China on October 7 via Jingdong (JD.com).
Earlier this week, Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and the Tab S9 FE+ tablets around the world and in India. Starting today, both of these tablets are available to Indian customers via Amazon and other channels.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Specs and Features
The main difference between these two tablets is the display and battery size. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE boasts a 10.9-inch WQXGA LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, while the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ steps up with a larger 12.4-inch WQXGA LCD display. Both tablets feature a smooth 90Hz refresh rate and come with IP68 dust and water resistance for added durability.
Under the hood, the tablets are powered by the Exynos 1380 processor, ensuring smooth and responsive performance. Memory and storage options vary, with the Galaxy Tab S9 FE offering 6/8GB of RAM and 128/256GB of storage, and the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ providing 8/12GB of RAM and 128/256GB of storage. Both tablets support expandable storage of up to 1TB via a microSD card.
In the camera department, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE features an 8MP rear camera and a 12MP front camera, while the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ takes it up a notch with an 8MP + 8MP ultrawide rear camera setup and a 12MP front camera.
Connectivity options include WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, and a USB Type-C port for seamless data transfer and connectivity. These tablets run on the Android 13-based OneUI 5.1 operating system, custom-made for tablets.
Additional highlights of these tablets include dual speakers tuned by AKG, Dolby Atmos support for immersive audio, and Samsung Knox for enhanced security. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is equipped with an 8000mAh battery, while the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ boasts a larger 10090mAh battery. Both tablets support 45W fast charging.
Pricing & availability
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and the Tab S9 FE+ carry a starting price tag of ₹36,999 and ₹46,999, respectively. However, as an introductory offer, you can get the 6GB + 128GB model of the Tab S9 FE for as low as ₹32,999 with Bank discounts on Amazon. Similarly, the 8GB + 128GB version of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ can be brought for as low as ₹41,999.
Samsung has also announced the Galaxy S23 FE for India. Pre-bookings for the device are currently live on Amazon with attractive introductory offers that could save you up to ₹10,000 on the purchase. You can read more about it here.
A Glasgow, Scotland motorist has had to call the police to help him bring his runaway EV to a halt by ramming the car off the road. The incident happened to Brian Morrison, a 53-year-old man whose electric vehicle was unable to be brought to a stop. Morrison was then forced to dodge red lights and roundabouts to avoid a collision. He subsequently called on local police to ram the car off the road.
The new posh EV of Mr. Morrison started driving itself and the brakes couldn’t work. The car in question is allegedly an MG ZS EV, a subcompact crossover SUV produced by the Chinese automotive manufacturer SAIC Motor under the British MG marque. The victim was reportedly cruising at 30mph when the car suffered a catastrophic malfunction.
Thankfully, the police were able to bring the car to a halt by allowing it to crash into a police van. Even after the collision that brought the car to a halt, Morrison says the car tried to keep moving when the police van was being moved away. The incident which happened at about 10 pm on Sunday, October 1 was quite terrifying.
Morrison said he noticed the problem when he was approaching a roundabout at 30mph and was unable to slow down. He managed to get around the roundabout but the car continued on its cruising speed even without the driver accelerating. He said he later heard a loud, grinding noise that sounded like brake pads. Morrison who had mobility issues said he was trapped in the car. The driver initially called his partner to ask her to warn the cars ahead of him that he could not stop his car. He later called emergency services.
The unique incident was quite puzzling as the call handlers were asking whether the car was a self-driving vehicle. Morrison said that this was the first time they had experienced such an issue and they had no idea what to do. Three police vehicles were part of the rescue operation and having it ram into a police car was after several failed attempts at turning off the engine. Police had to sit with the car for several hours before the RAC arrived at the scene.
The incident is already under investigation by Morrison’s insurance company but the driver is apprehensive of driving an electric vehicle again. The EV maker MG Cars is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Although we’ve reviewed many DOOGEE rugged phones, this is the first time we’ve reviewed a tablet from DOOGEE. As we all know, DOOGEE always likes to do something different, so this T20 mini, as you can see, is smaller than my face. This means that if you want to buy a mini-size tablet, there is a new option for you.
Unboxing
Since this is an entry-level tablet, the accessories won’t come as much of a surprise. Inside the box, you’ll find the manual, card pin, charger, and cable. There was a pre-applied screen film here, but I accidentally tore it off and it affected the quality of the screen, lol, please don’t do it like me.
Smallis the new big
The first impression of the T20 mini is that it’s small, really small. The screen size is only 8.4 inches, which is about the same as the iPad mini 6. The reason why the iPad mini 6 is so popular among some people is because it is easy to control the whole screen with both hands. Even with one hand, you won’t find it difficult to handle. If the phone didn’t need to be considered to fit in your pocket, then this is what it should look like in its Ultimate form.
For example, if I need a big screen device to take out with me often, a tablet around 8 inches is the perfect choice. Watching videos, reading e-books, or scrolling on TikTok, you only need one hand to hold it and you won’t get tired, it must be a better experience than a cell phone with a much smaller screen.
And it’s a SIM card installable as well as a Micro SD card. Your eBooks or videos can be viewed both offline and online, and do not require your phone to share a WIFI hotspot with it.
Gaming Experience
If you play games on an 11-inch tablet regularly, you will definitely feel that this screen is not suitable for gaming. If it’s an 8-inch screen, your thumbs will be able to cover most of the area where the game needs to be operated. So with a tablet like the T20 mini, I’m sure there are some gamers out there who would love to have one!
Some people feel that a foldable phone is the best portable device with a big screen. I can understand that because I have used a lot of foldable phones as well. It all has two drawbacks though, the first is that their screen ratio is closer to 1:1. so you’ll be wasting a huge amount of screen space watching 16:9 or 21:9 videos. Tablets like the T20 mini don’t have this problem. The most important thing is that foldable phones are really too expensive. One foldable phone costs as much as 10 T20 minis. This should be beyond most people’s budgets.
Indeed, it is also a first-class for playing some light load games. The T20 mini’s processor is a Spreadtrum T606, which is an entry-level processor. Its limit is probably PUBG Mobile at 30fps at smooth graphic mode, so I’ll generally be playing lighter games on the T20 mini.
Battery & Display
DOOGEE has put 5060mAh on this little tablet. I didn’t keep track of its battery life, but I have watched TikTok and online videos for two to three hours a day and sometimes I played games, and it lasted till the fourth day as well. Yeah, pretty long battery life.
As an entry-level tablet, the screen quality of the T20 mini is good enough for daily use. What shocked me is that it also supports Widevine L1, which is a little surprise for movie lovers from DOOGEE. The T20 mini does have dual speakers, but both speakers are on the same side. So the 3.5mm headphone jack really helps a lot.
Summarize
To summarize, the T20 mini is a tablet with distinctive features. The best feature is written in its name: Mini, and as I just said, a tablet in this size is the best big-screen device to be out with you. If you don’t need a lot of performance and you want to try out a small tablet like this, then the T20 mini can do the job. I’d like to end this video by quoting the slogan that Apple used to use on the iPad mini: Small is the new big. The biggest thing is now small. Black Friday is coming soon too. Why not check out this mini tablet?
Honestly, when I was writing this script for the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, I often thought of a phone we’ve reviewed before: the realme 11 Pro+. There are so many similarities between them, such as they both have vegan leather back covers, 200 MP main cameras, and they both only sell for around $300. That realme 11 Pro+ is no longer in our hands, but the tested data is still there. So can the Note 13 Pro+ beat this phone released four months ago? let’s check it out.
Performance & Gaming
If a Redmi Note model doesn’t have a T in its name, then the performance is usually poor. But this time the Note 13 Pro+ performance is a bit better than expected. It’s not as strong as the Note 12 Turbo, but it’s better than last year’s 12 Pro+ and realme 11 Pro+. The long-term output of Note 13 Pro+ doesn’t seem to be a problem either, its gaming experience should theoretically be better, and it is. But the frame rate advantage doesn’t look as big as the score shows. In fact, I don’t feel that the frame rate advantage is significant, the gaming experience is on the same level.
So the Dimensity 7200-Ultra on the 13 Pro+ didn’t help at all? Not really. After all, if you’re going to record video in 4K resolution, then the support of EIS makes footage smoother. And the realme 11 Pro+ can’t do that.
Camera
Like the realme 11 Pro+, the Note 13 Pro+ replaces the telephoto camera with a super high-megapixel primary camera, which is a great way to go for a mid-range phone. The HP3 is a great sensor, even if it doesn’t take 200MP photos, it’s still one of the best.
But here are a couple of caveats you need to know: first, if you need to take a photo of an object from a certain distance, try to zoom in before you take the photo, rather than using a 200MP photo to crop it yourself. In these two images, you will see that manual zoom is much sharper.
Second, the lower the light, the weaker the zoom ability. If you feel that it is dark, then try to avoid zooming in more than 2 times to take pictures, otherwise the picture quality will crash very badly.
Third, the night mode will improve the dynamic range, but not the sharpness. To get sharper photos after zooming, use Auto mode instead of night mode.
Fourthly, the purple-fringing issue of the main camera is very noticeable, and it has a bug. I am pretty sure what I photographed is not a Christmas tree, but the way it flickered around really made me laugh. Every tree can be a Christmas tree if you take a picture of it like I did. This is probably the biggest problem with the current software version of the Note 13 Pro+.
Display
Since TCL’s display panels have gotten better and better, the display we use on the budget phone has gotten better too. Although you’ve probably heard it many times before, I’d still say it’s the best screen I’ve seen in its price range. It’s top-notch in terms of both peak brightness and color calibration. Various eye protection features are also present, and it’s even got various certifications from TÜV Rheinland.
But for me personally, it would be nice if it was a straight screen because curved screens can never skip the problem of greenish edges.
Design
We didn’t get to see the vegan leather version of the Note 13 Pro+ in the Unboxing and Hands-on videos. But now you have it. I don’t know what you guys think, but I think this Note 13 Pro+ is the most beautiful Redmi phone I’ve ever seen.
But it seems that the vegan leather is softer or has more cavities inside, and the back cover resonance can be noticeable when the volume is high. I don’t really think it’s a big issue, maybe Redmi just intentionally made the back cover part of the speaker as well. Speaking of speakers, this time the Note 13 Pro+ comes with AAC’s 2-in-1 speaker motor part – Combo. this speaker not only saves space for the vibration motor inside but also gets more bass and more volume. I have a feeling that more and more phones will use such speakers in the future.
Battery & Charging
Although the Note 13 Pro+ has 120W of charging power, it can also be fully charged in 23 minutes. Compared to realme 11 Pro+, only in the first fifteen minutes when Note 13 Pro+ have a slight advantage. The price we need to pay for better performance is worse battery life, or perhaps the system is not yet optimized, Anyway, so far the battery life of the 13 Pro+ is not considered excellent.
Conclusion
Unsurprisingly, the Note 13 Pro is a great phone to buy. There’s not much to complain about except that the performance and battery life is a bit worse than some certain phones. After all, budget phones always have trade-offs. It has better performance than realme 11 Pro+, better speakers and motors, and IP68. so out of the two phones, I would recommend the Note 13 Pro+.
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Despite facing a sluggish start in 2023, China‘s smartphone market could be gearing up for a turnaround. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, smartphone production in China decreased by 7.5% in the first eight months of 2023 compared to the same period last year. Sales also dipped by 4%, hitting their lowest second-quarter figures since 2014, as noted by market research firm Counterpoint.
Huawei has already seen growth of 41% from the last year (so far)
However, experts are optimistic for the rest of the year. Why? Look no further than Huawei Technologies and their recent launch of the 5G-enabled Mate 60 Pro series. “These new releases have brought great confidence back to China’s smartphone market,” says Ivan Lam, senior research analyst at Counterpoint.
Huawei’s sales have already seen a whopping 41% uptick from last year during the first eight months of this year. The company seems to have bounced back from supply chain issues, and has returned to its regular product launch cycles, including a low-key presales campaign for the Mate 60 Pro 5G.
The Mate 60 Pro series could be Huawei’s trump card, as it taps into its vast domestic user base of HarmonyOS—an alternative to Android. These new 5G models are not just expected to woo new customers but could also lure back those who had switched to other brands. Counterpoint predicts sales for these handsets to reach between five to six million units by year-end.
Apple is also expected to fuel a comeback in sales with the iPhone 15, but it’s Huawei’s indigenous tech—especially the mysterious, made-in-China Kirin 9000s processor—that’s catching eyeballs.
The tech innovation is now being deployed by some Japanese cities to protect their populations against wild animal invasion. The robotic “Super Monster Wolves” or robo-wolf was first introduced to tackle invasive wild pigs but is now being used as well to deter wandering black and brown bears.
The solar-powered robotic wolves came into the limelight in 2017 when Japanese researchers started testing the prototype against wild boars ravaging farmlands. It has since progressed and a company, Wolf Kamuy has expanded its sales of these sentry gadgets.
The robo-wolf has menacing fangs, fur, and flashing LED eyes. Its head is capable of shaking side-to-side and the device can emit a 90dB howl. The robo-wolf is quite handy for rural Japanese communities with the fear of bears encroaching into living spaces. The robo-wolf is now being deployed as a deterrent for such bear encroachment.
The dual purpose of the super monster wolves is to protect both crops and farmers in rural communities. Recent reports have been seen on the dangers that bears pose to human activities due to possibly a shrinking of their habitat resulting from human activities.
There are indications that the bear population in some regions of Japan is increasing. It is estimated that there are about 22,000 bears located in the Hokkaido region. There have been up to 150 bear attacks in the last 60 years. However, in 2021 alone four fatalities were recorded. There are many cases reported of bears wandering into crowded towns and cities bordering wildlife areas.
It is believed that the robo-wolf’s howls effectively deterred bears from encroaching within up to 1 square kilometer radius. This is more expansive and better than any electric fence installation. When these robo-wolves are deployed expertly, they can provide protection for elderly communities and also protect the bears. The mix between the safety of the bears in their natural habitat and climate change, together with expanding development, calls for proper balancing between animal rights and human development.
In a move that is set to exacerbate already tense relations between the United States and China, the U.S. government is finalizing updated regulations regarding the export of chip-making equipment to China. These rules, aimed at tightening restrictions and closing existing loopholes, specifically target shipments of semiconductor equipment and advanced artificial intelligence chips.
The initial restrictions on chip-making equipment exports to China were put into effect on October 7, 2022, causing strains in the bilateral relationship between the two economic powerhouses. The updated rule, titled “Export Controls to Semiconductor Manufacturing Items, Entity List Modifications,” has been posted on the Office of Management and Budget website, following a typical procedure involving agreement among various departments including State, Defense, Commerce, and Energy.
The specifics of the regulation were revealed by an anonymous source familiar with the matter, as government rules are usually kept confidential until a consensus is reached among the concerned departments. The Biden administration’s approach involves publishing both rules simultaneously. While a spokesperson for the Department of Commerce refrained from commenting on the matter, it is anticipated that these new restrictions will limit China’s access to crucial chip-making tools and advanced AI chips from the U.S.
The implementation of these enhanced export controls is expected to further strain U.S.-China relations. With tensions already high between the two nations, these restrictions could have far-reaching consequences for the global technology supply chain, impacting industries and economies worldwide. The move is indicative of the United States’ commitment to safeguarding sensitive technologies, even at the cost of diplomatic relations, in an era where advancements in semiconductor technology are at the forefront of global economic competition.
Geely has released official images of the Galaxy E8 all-electric sedan coupe which is scheduled for launch shortly. The Geely Galaxy E8 joins the L7 and L6 in the Galaxy series. It bears similar performance and features to the BYD Han EV.
As per the new images released by Geely, the Galaxy E8 has dimensions of 501 x 192 x 146.5 cm and a wheelbase of 292.5cm. It is categorized as a medium-to-large pure electric sedan. It has a fastback design with hidden door handles and through-type taillights. The Galaxy E8 has pedal-style rims while the roof comes with optional Lidar and cameras for advanced driving assistance.
Earlier released images have shown that the Geely Galaxy E8 comes with a closed design of its front face. It has sharp headlights and a trapezoidal black grille in the lower part. A fang-like structure is created with the C-shape design on both sides. The interior of the Galaxy E8, as per earlier leaked images, is minimalist in design, similar to the Galaxy Light concept EV. A 45-inch 8K screen comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chipset. The anti-glare screen is also anti-fingerprint and waterproof.
The air conditioning outlet of the Geely Galaxy E8 is only visible through a thin slit and there are minimal features on the circular dashboard. The steering wheel of the EV is designed as a polygonal structure with just two spokes. The Galaxy E8 will launch with rear-wheel and four-wheel drive versions but the full performance measures are not known yet. It has however been speculated that the rear-wheel version will come with a single electric motor with 200kW capacity and a top speed of 190km/h.
The high-end AWD version of the Geely Galaxy E8 will expectedly come with greater performance metrics and premium features. There is no pricing information for the Geely Galaxy E8 at this time.
Xiaomi has started recruiting range extender system development engineers, as it plans an entry into the EV space. The inference was drawn based on an ad placed on the Xiaomi website. Range extenders are increasingly becoming important additions to an EV. Interested applicants are expected to have a basic engineering degree and more than three years of experience.
As per the ad on Xiaomi’s website, the engineer will be in charge of developing and testing range extender systems and assisting in building a supply chain. The job description of the engineer also includes research into future range extender technology trends. The ideal engineers for the task should be experienced in mass production and maintenance projects. Xiaomi is also looking for internal combustion, air-intake, and exhaust system engineers, as well as NVH developers.
While Xiaomi has not released an official message on its EREV plans, there is some evidence to support the development of EREV. The Xiaomi Sedan’s design points to possible EREV integration. The yet-to-be-released Xiaomi MS11 sedan is long enough to have an internal combustion compartment.
Xiaomi has been rumored to have received one of the two relevant permits that will propel it to begin production. The company had also started recruitment for its production facility in Beijing, China back in August. There had also been rumors that Xiaomi has started trial production of the MS11 which is also said to be launched later this year. Xiaomi currently has a stake in Roborock, somehow linked to the Xinchen China Power range extender system via Rox Motor.
BenQ has launched a new laser TV projector in India. The BenQ V5000i comes with several over-the-top features. For one, the projector has 2500 ANSI Lumens of RGB laser brightness and powerful 40W speakers. The device runs Google’s Android TV OS on the software front to give you an experience similar to your regular TV. Let’s have closer look at the pricing and specifications of the new BenQ V5000i.
BenQ V5000i Specifications
In case you’re not aware, laser TV projectors are a more affordable alternative to big-screen TVs, especially on a per-inch basis. They come in a variety of image sizes, starting at around 100 inches. For example, the BenQ V5000i has an image size of 100 inches, while the Hisense L5K laser TV series we recently covered has a projection size of up to 120 inches. The largest laser TV projectors can have projection sizes of up to 150 inches.
Circling back to the BenQ projector in question. The BenQ projector has a 4K Ultra HD resolution and a built-in Hi-Fi audio system with 40W speakers, including tweeters and woofers. It can reproduce colors accurately, with 95% BT 2020 and 98% DCI-P3 color gamut. It has a throw ratio of 0.252 and options for auto screen fit, manual screen fit, and ceiling mounting through 2D keystone correction. It also supports HDMI eARC compatibility for external 5.1/7.1 speakers.
As mentioned, the V5000i runs Android TV OS with access to streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. There’s also support for voice assistants, mirror casting, and connectivity via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Pricing and availability
The BenQ V5000i is now available for purchase in India at a price of Rs. 5,49,000 ($7137). The projector will be sold through BenQ’s various retail Home AV System Integration Partners and its official online store starting today.
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