Geely Galaxy L6 PHEV sedan with 1,370 km range launched in China starting at $15,900

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Sep 19, 2023

The Geely Galaxy L6 PHEV sedan has been unveiled in China. The new sleek Geely plug-in hybrid electric vehicle has a range of 1,370km and comes in five variants. The price range of the models is between $15,900 and $20,600.

The Geely Galaxy L6 is the second model under the Galaxy lineup after the Galaxy L7 SUV. There are five exterior color options that consumers can choose from. The appearance of the model is based on the Galaxy Light design and includes split headlights, a closed front face design, and through-type taillights. The Galaxy L6 is based on the e-CMA architecture with a high-strength steel chassis. The car can either use 16-inch or 17-inch wheels. The car has a wheelbase of 2752mm and can accommodate five persons.

The seat material of the hybrid sedan is a combination of fabric and imitation leather. The seat is specified by Geely as a marshmallow seat and it has a 15mm cushion. The backrest of the car is 20mm thick while the interior features a 10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster. The interior also features a 13.2-inch vertical central control screen and a two-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel.

The Geely Galaxy L6 is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 SoC and runs on Galaxy N OS with support for AI voice recognition and interaction. The top models in the lineup support level 2 advanced driving assistance. The models are also equipped with the Geely NordThor Hybrid 8848 system. The car has a 1.5T engine and a front electric motor connected to a 3-speed system. The engine can deliver a maximum power of 120kW and a maximum torque of 255Nm. The electric motor has a 107kW output combined with a 338Nm torque. The car can go from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds.

Two battery options are available for the Geely Galaxy L6 corresponding to cruising ranges of 60km and 125km respectively. The corresponding comprehensive cruising ranges are 1,320km and `1,370km respectively. You can charge the battery via DC fast charging from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes. Geely has already received 20,000 pre-orders for the Galaxy L6 since the car was showcased last month at the Chengdu Auto Show.

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Logitech Yeti GX USB mic with RGB lighting launched

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Sep 19, 2023

The Logitech Yeti GX USB mic has been launched. The new USB mic comes with RGB lighting and is among a set of Logitech products just released. The Yeti GX is designed for gamers, streamers, and similar creators.

The Logitech Yeti GX is a USB microphone that has a solid stand and features RGB lighting. It is a dynamic super cardioid mic with unidirectional support. It can focus on sound in front of it and not behind it. This mic is appropriate in scenarios where the user does not want background noise to distort the output. The mic has to be used within its unidirectional range and your voice quickly falls away when moving away. It is an excellent microphone when you are contending with poor recording scenarios. The Yeti GX has been compared with the Shure SM7 microphone.

The Yeti GX has two configurable RGB LED lights. The lights are in a circle on the back of the mic and another is behind the Logitech logo on the side. The Yeti GX has a USB-C port for connecting it to your PC. You can set various animated effects or choose specific colors for the RGB lights. The mic has an LED stripe in the digital volume wheel that is either red or blue when the mic is muted or unmuted. Smart Audio Lock is activated when you press the volume wheel. Logitech says the Smart Audio Lock is a safety net that prevents the mic from clipping and distorting the audio delivery. It has an analog limiter that compresses excited voices when it gets too loud.

A built-in downward expander is featured in the Logitech Yeti GX mic helps to lower the volume of background noise or echo. The Logitech Yeti GX USB-C microphone comes with a USB-C to USB-A cable desktop mount. It can also be attached to a standard boom mic stand. The Logitec Yeti GX microphone is priced at $149.

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Fire-Boltt Avalanche with Bluetooth calling, metal body, HD display launched for Rs. 2,399

By

Soumyakanti

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Sep 19, 2023

Fire-Boltt has launched its new smartwatch called the Fire-Boltt Avalanche. It boasts a 1.28-inch high-definition display and a stylish stainless steel body.

The smartwatch offers several impressive features and is available in various colors like Black, Black Gold, Black Silicone, Blue, Blue Red, and Gold Black. The introductory price for the Avalanche is Rs. 2,399.

Let’s check out the specifications of this smartwatch.

Fire-Boltt Avalanche smartwatch specifications:

The Fire-Boltt Avalanche features a circular dial with a rotating crown and two push buttons for improved user interaction. Its 1.28-inch screen has a 240 x 240-pixel resolution, offering a spacious display.

The smartwatch includes a built-in microphone and speaker for Bluetooth calls, and it also supports voice commands through a voice assistant feature.

The smartwatch prioritizes wellness and health with its integrated Health Suite, offering features such as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and SpO2 monitoring. Additionally, it provides a variety of sports modes designed for various physical activities, making it a comprehensive fitness companion.

The smartwatch offers durability with a zinc-alloy frame and stainless steel strap, along with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The device is equipped with a 220mAh battery, delivering an impressive one-week battery life

The Fire-Boltt Avalanche offers extensive customization with over 100 cloud-based watch faces. It includes various functionalities like smart reminders, weather updates, a calculator, music and camera control, as well as alarm, timer, and stopwatch features. Additionally, it provides specific health tracking for women, along with reminders for staying hydrated and avoiding prolonged sitting.

The smartwatch is currently available on Fireboltt.com and Amazon.in.

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Apple A17 Pro vs A16 Bionic: What’s The Difference?

By

Soumyakanti

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Sep 19, 2023

When Apple announces a new chipset, it’s often met with excitement around the world. This year, the spotlight was on the A17 Pro. But how does it fare against its predecessor, the A16 Bionic?

Let’s break it down.

A17 Pro vs A16 Bionic Chipset Comparison

Manufacturing Process

A17 Pro: The standout feature of the A17 Pro is the industry’s first 3-nanometer chip built on TSMC’s latest 3nm fabrication process. This nanometric reduction from its predecessor means the chip can fit more transistors in the same space, resulting in improved performance and energy efficiency. To be precise, the A17 Pro houses approximately 19 billion transistors.

A16 Bionic: The A16 Bionic, which works on a 4nm process and has around 16 billion transistors, was quite impressive in its time. However, with its 3nm process, the A17 Pro represents a major step ahead.

Raw Performance

CPU Cores: Both chips feature a 6-core CPU. However, architectural enhancements in the A17 Pro deliver what Apple describes as “the fastest single-threaded performance in any smartphone.”

Geekbench Insights: Benchmarks indicate a substantial performance boost for the A17 Pro. The single-core performance on Geekbench shows an improvement of around 16%, and the multi-core performance jumps by approximately 13% compared to the A16.

AnTuTu Insights: The iPhone 15 Pro Max scored 1,641,883 points on AnTuTu. In the CPU test, it achieved 392,643 points, and in the GPU test, it scored 597,734 points. It excelled in the memory department with a score of 306,164, surpassing the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s score of 233,925.

Graphical Prowess

GPU: While the A16 Bionic houses a 5-core GPU, the A17 Pro ramps it up with a 6-core GPU. According to Apple, this enhancement results in up to a 20% performance boost.

Real-World Impacts: This isn’t just a numbers game. The added core means better handling of high-res graphics, from gaming to professional graphic tasks.

Moreover, the A17 Pro’s GPU includes hardware-based ray tracing, a significant improvement in rendering realistic lighting and shadow effects. To be precise, the A17 Pro chip offers four times faster ray tracing performance compared to the A16 Bionic.

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GFXBench Insights: In GPU benchmark results on GFXBench, it outperformed the A16 Bionic by significant margins. For example, in the Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen test, the iPhone 15 Pro Max with A17 Pro performed about 19% better than the iPhone 15 Plus with A16 Bionic. In the Manhattan 3.1 Offscreen test, the A17 Pro showed improvements of up to 31.5%, with 199.8 fps compared to the A16’s 151.9 fps. While not all comparisons reached the advertised 20% boost, the A17 Pro appears to deliver greater GPU performance improvements.

AI and Neural Capabilities

Neural Engine: Artificial Intelligence (AI) tasks play a crucial role in modern smartphones. While both chips incorporate a 16-core Neural Engine, the A17 Pro’s version is said to be twice as fast, performing up to 35 trillion operations per second. This leads to improved performance for AI tasks and better photo and video optimizations.

Apple-A17-Pro-vs-A16-Bionic-Neural-Engine

Memory and Efficiency

RAM: The A17 Pro boasts 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, outshining the A16’s 6GB. This additional memory will assist in multitasking, allowing smoother app transitions and better performance in memory-intensive tasks.

Efficiency: The A17 Pro’s 3nm process improves energy efficiency, enabling tasks to be performed with less power consumption. This leads to longer battery life and reduced heat generation, ensuring the device remains cool during demanding operations.

Improved ISP (Image Signal Processor)

Photonic Engine: The A17 Pro features improvements in its Image Signal Processor, including the new Photonic Engine and Smart HDR 5, resulting in improved photo and video quality compared to the A16 Bionic.

Mesh Shading: It also introduces Mesh shading and offers video capabilities such as 2.8K @ 60 fps in Cinematic and Action Modes, surpassing the A16’s 30 fps limit. Additionally, the A17 Pro captures 48MP HEIF images in addition to 48MP Pro RAW images.

Connectivity and Additional Features

USB 3 Performance: The A17 Pro brings USB 3 capabilities to iPhones, allowing for faster data transfer rates of up to 10 Gbps, a significant step up from the 480 Mbps seen in the A16 Bionic.

Apple-A17-Pro-vs-A16-Bionic-Dedicated-Engines

Media Engines: The A17 Pro also stands out with the addition of an AV1 decoder, expected to improve video streaming on newer iPhones.

The A17 Pro builds upon the A16 Bionic’s foundation with a range of refinements and enhancements, solidifying its position as a formidable contender in the mobile chipset industry.

The importance of these enhancements may vary from user to user, but for those seeking top-tier performance, the A17 Pro establishes a new standard in the continually evolving realm of smartphone technology.

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Tecno Phantom V Flip Roundup: Specs, design, price & more

By

Sudhanshu

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Sep 19, 2023

In the past, flip phones were seen as fancy and expensive, only for people willing to spend a lot. But now, Tecno is changing things. They’re coming out with the Tecno Phantom V Flip, a flip phone that’s not super pricey. This means more people can afford it. On September 22, 2023, Tecno will show off this new phone. It’s for folks who like the flip style but want it at a more reasonable price. Here’s everything we know so far about the smartphone.

Design & display

Design-wise, Tecno is sticking to the established book fold design, however, it is taking a unique approach to the camera and the cover display. Unlike other flip phones, the Phantom V Flip will feature a round cover display with a large ring going around it that will feature the camera setup. Tecno has essentially fused the cover display and the camera island into one.

Leaks have revealed that the cover display of the smartphone measures 1.32 inches and will utilize a 466 x 466 resolution AMOLED panel. On the inside, the phone will feature a tall 6.9-inch flexible AMOLED display that has a 1080 x 2460 pixels resolution, a 20.5:9 aspect ratio, and a 144Hz refresh rate. The right side of the upper panel will feature the volume rocker and the power button. A fingerprint sensor is said to be built into the power button for convenient unlocking. Leaked pictures of the device hint towards a metal outer frame.

Performance

To make the smartphone more budget-friendly, Tecno is making some compromises in terms of its performance. Instead of using a high-end processor, the Phantom V Flip is rumored to feature a mid-range Dimensity 8050 SoC. For those who might not be familiar, the Dimensity 8050 is essentially a rebranded version of the Dimensity 1300 SoC, built on TSMC’s N6 (6nm) technology. This octa-core processor consists of four powerful Cortex-A78 cores and four energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cores. The Cortex-A78 cores are divided into one Super Core running at speeds of up to 3GHz and three Performance Cores clocked at up to 2.6GHz. The chipset can handle up to 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 3.1 storage.

As for graphics, it relies on the Arm Mali-G77 with nine cores. The Dimensity 8050 also supports 4K video recording and a maximum display resolution of 2520×1080 pixels. Devices like the Realme 12 Pro series feature this chip, so you can expect a similar level of performance from the upcoming foldable.

We can expect the Phantom V Flip to come with 8 GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Due to the cost-cutting factor, we can expect it to be LPDDR4x RAM paired with UFS 3.1 or below storage. Additionally, the phone is said to debut with HIOS based on Android 13. Under the hood, the device will have a 4,000mAh battery with 66W fast charging support via a USB-C port. The Phantom V Flip will provide various connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.3, and 5G connectivity with support for 14 different 5G bands.

Camera

The camera options will be fairly simple with a 64-megapixel primary camera featuring autofocus support, along with a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera and a ring LED light. Upfront, it will feature a 32MP selfie snapper located in the centered punch hole at the top. Currently, it is unclear if the smartphone will have features like OIS, and the ability to use the primary camera as the selfie camera when the device is folded.

Pricing & availability

The global launch of the Phantom V Flip is scheduled for September 22 at 3 PM SGT. Although the brand has kept the pricing under wraps, known tipster Paras Guglani claims that the smartphone will debut in between Rs. 50,000 to 55,000 ($600-$660). It is expected to come in three color options: Minimal Black, Film White, and Periwinkle Purple.

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Evoke AmpX electric motorcycle with 1,000Nm of torque unveiled

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Sep 19, 2023

Evoke Motorcycles has launched the AmpX electric motorcycle. The Evoke AmpX comes with a groundbreaking torque of 1,000Nm. The new off-road AmpX electric motorcycle is a powerhouse for a motocross bike.

Evoke Motorcycles are based in Hong Kong and Beijing but have a global distribution network. The brand is well known for its naked electric motorcycles for commuters. The AmpX is, on the other hand, a bike suited for dirt tracks and trails. Described as a groundbreaking new electric dirt bike, the bike is primed to electrify off-road adventures. You can deploy the AmpX to motocross tracks and off-road riding. It has a ground clearance of 320mm, a front fork of 300mm, and a rear fork of 120mm.

The Evoke AmpX is powered by a 20kW electric motor connected to a five-speed manual gearbox. The AmpX delivers a torque of 1,000Nm at its 19-inch rear wheel. The manual gearbox featured in the AmpX is not that common but exists. The bike is capable of riding for up to 5 hours on a single-track trail. It offers enough power for wide-open throttle rides around race circuits.

The AmpX has a high-discharge 5.8kWh lithium-ion battery and can output up to 20kW of power. Evoke Motorcycles says the new bike’s battery is the culmination of years of development. The main design thrust of the AmpX is to provide riders with ultimate freedom through the wilderness while limiting CO2 emissions in the process.

There is no release and pricing information yet for the Evoke AmpX electric bike. Evoke will start receiving pre-orders for the bike from October 1. Reservations can be made via Evoke’s website and its dealers in different markets. The Evoke AmpX will be available in multiple markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and New Zealand.

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Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e wireless headphones with noise cancellation and a stylish design unveiled

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Sep 19, 2023

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e wireless headphones have been unveiled. The new wireless headphones come with a stylish design and functionality that competes with Sony’s WH-1000XM5. It retains a sleek exterior as its predecessors but has a Forest Green color outlook.

The B&W Px7 S2e offers significant sound improvements over the Px7 S2. It has an extensively upgraded DSP with custom, slightly angled 40mm drivers. The model comes with improved processing that has allowed Bowers to retune the acoustic platform excellently. It bridges the gaps of lack of spaciousness and energy that were visible with the Px7 S2. The new model is primed for stiff competition with the leaders in the segment dominated by Sony and Bose. The Sony WH-1000XM lineup and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are the premium models in the market.

The new B&W wireless headphones support high-quality Bluetooth codecs, Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive. It also has a USB-C connection as well as a 3.5mm audio jack. The Px7 S2e headphones offer up to 30 hours of battery life with fast charging support. Up to 7 hours of playback can be gotten with 15 minutes of charge for the headphones.

Active noise cancellation is featured in the B&W AmpX headphones. It has six microphones that help to cancel environmental noise for clarity in listening to music or making calls. Two of the mics measure the driver’s output, two help to detect and remove ambient noise, while the other two help to deliver voice clarity during calls.

The B&W Px7 S2e’s EQ can be adjusted, features a transparency mode, and also supports music streaming services like Tidal, Tuneln, and Deezer. The streaming service will be upgraded with the addition of more options subsequently. The headphones are priced equivalently for $399.

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Android 14 beta for Xiaomi 13, 13 Pro, & 12T arrives for global markets

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Sep 19, 2023

For the last few years, Google has been releasing new versions of Android in August. But this year, the search giant didn’t. The next version of Android is now expected to debut alongside the Pixel 8 series in October.

Partner OEMs have been running the Android 14 public beta program for their devices since August. The most notable ones are Oppo, OnePlus, and Xiaomi. All of them kickstarted their initiative in August starting with China.

Recently, OnePlus opened up its Android 14 beta program for global users. Now, even Xiaomi has joined the club.

In China, the Android 14 beta program by Xiaomi only covers Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro. However, for international markets, the company has also included Xiaomi 12T. We already knew that these three devices would be soon receiving the update back in August itself.

As usual, the beta software builds for the aforementioned smartphones are only available for select users. They are being exclusively rolled out to Mi Pilot testers.

Though the firmware files can be downloaded from Xiaomi servers by anyone, they cannot be installed on every device. Because the software build checks for the Xiaomi account, IMEI number, and serial number associated with the testers recruited by the company.

Thus, regular users will have to wait for some time to get their hands on the latest software. It may take weeks or even months after Android 14 goes official.

As for the MIUI version, it is still 14 though we have been hearing about MIUI 15 for a while. The next iteration of MIUI will likely arrive alongside the Xiaomi 14 series in November.

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Asus ROG Ally with Ryzen Z1 processor now on US store shelves

By

Sudhanshu

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Sep 19, 2023

Back in April, Asus unveiled the ROG Ally handheld console in two versions – a $700 model featuring the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme and a more affordable $600 variant with the standard AMD Ryzen Z1. Reviews about the pricier model have mostly been positive, and now the brand has started shipping the $600 version as well.

The $600 AMD Ryzen Z1 shares all of its key specifications with the Z1 Extreme model like 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB storage, a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz display, and a 40Wh battery.

The main change in this version of the ROG Ally is the inclusion of the Ryzen Z1 APU, which boasts six CPU cores. The Ryzen Z1 Extreme on the other hand has eight CPU cores. The iGPU onboard features 4 Compute Units (CUs). Overall, the performance on both GPU and CPU fronts is a bit cut down compared to the Extreme editions. Some independent testers have also claimed that the Steam Deck offers better performance compared to this machine at 15W.

Setting other details aside, Asus has reduced the initial cost of the ROG Ally featuring the Ryzen Z1 by $100. This adjustment aims to cater to a wider audience of gamers eager to enter the realm of handheld gaming. This new starting price of $599 may attract a broader audience, as ASUS aims to strike a balance between performance and affordability.

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China’s Baidu launched an industry-grade medical AI model

By

Anurag

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Sep 19, 2023

Hot on the heels of launching its AI chatbot Ernie, China’s Baidu has now unveiled another large language model (LLM) with the aim of improving the digitization and intelligence of the healthcare industry. The new industry-grade AI model is called Lingyi (machine translation gives “Spiritual Doctor”) and it is currently available for trial use in both upstream and downstream healthcare sectors.

The LLM can generate structured medical records from free-text input and accurately analyze and generate patient complaints, medical histories, and more based on doctor-patient conversations. It can do simultaneous parsing of multiple Chinese and English medical literature articles, enabling intelligent question-answering based on the content of the literature.

When it comes to assisting in diagnosis and treatment, the Lingyi Large Model offers real-time understanding of a patient’s condition through multi-turn dialogues. It assists doctors in diagnosing diseases, and recommending treatment plans. It also serves as a 24-hour “healthcare manager” for patients and provides various capabilities to pharmaceutical companies, including professional training and medical information support, among others.

Currently, the Lingyi Large Model is available is offered in Lite, flagship, and custom versions, each tailored to different needs and application scenarios. Baidu will let partners access the large model through API integration or embed it as plugins into existing product systems.

ITHome reports Baidu has already partnered with companies like Gushengtang and Ling Jiashe and is selectively open to over 200 medical institutions, including public hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, internet hospital platforms, and chain pharmacies.

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Leaked Bethesda Game Plan Sparks Conversations on Microsoft’s Industry Dominance

By

Anubhav

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Sep 19, 2023

A leaked Bethesda roadmap recently surfaced from the FTC v. Microsoft case, disclosing both expected and unannounced projects, such as a new Doom installment called “Doom Year Zero.” However, the spotlight isn’t just on Bethesda’s future lineup; it casts questions on Microsoft’s growing influence in the gaming industry.

There is a lot of unrest over Microsoft taking control of Activision Blizzard

The roadmap includes Bethesda games planned from 2020 to 2024, like the highly-anticipated “Dishonored 3” and a sequel to “Ghostwire: Tokyo,” both slated for 2024. But it’s Microsoft’s ties to Bethesda that make these revelations extra intriguing. Bethesda became an Xbox property in 2021, part of Microsoft’s strategic expansion in the gaming ecosystem. Microsoft’s acquisition spree didn’t stop there; they announced intentions to buy Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, though it’s currently facing regulatory scrutiny.

Why does this matter? Microsoft Gaming chief Phil Spencer’s disclosed ambition to acquire Nintendo in the same set of leaked documents adds another layer to the story. If Microsoft successfully navigates its way around regulatory hurdles, it’s set to gain monumental control over a variety of popular game titles and franchises. This could dramatically shape how future titles, including those in Bethesda’s roadmap, get developed, distributed, or even conceptualized.

The roadmap also listed “Fallout 3 Remaster” and an “unnamed licensed IP game,” leaving fans and critics alike wondering about Microsoft’s role in steering these developments. Will the tech giant use these high-profile acquisitions to standardize the gaming experience, or could they enrich the industry with more diverse, high-quality content? All this serves not just as a sneak peek into what games to expect but as a talking point about Microsoft’s gradually-increasing influence. With regulators already questioning Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the company’s next moves will be watched closely it seems.

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Amazon’s ‘Just Walk Out’ Now Available in Fan Gear Stores, Uses RFIDs for Payments

By

Anubhav

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Sep 19, 2023

Amazon continues to redefine the shopping experience with its ‘Just Walk Out’ technology, this time focusing on the sports arena. Fans can now grab their favorite gear and exit the store without waiting in long checkout lines. Amazon is integrating Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to make this a reality, particularly for softline merchandise like team jerseys and hats.

The new payment method saw a 112% increase in total sales per game

The RFID technology, although nothing new, adds a fresh layer to ‘Just Walk Out,’ enabling not just quicker payment but also anti-counterfeit measures. While retail experts had been harnessing RFID for years, Amazon’s entry into this tech avenue is a big deal for stadiums and fans alike.

The ‘Just Walk Out’ tech, after successful trials at Seattle Kraken’s Climate Pledge Arena, has been extended to Seattle Seahawk’s Lumen Field. The first ‘Just Walk Out’ store at Lumen Field witnessed an 85% jump in transaction rates and a whopping 112% increase in total sales per game in comparison to its predecessor. Such stats not only show the rising trend of tech-integrated shopping but also underline its acceptance among regular folks. Amazon claims that this is just the beginning, with new locations popping up every month.

While this technology is currently limited to the U.S., U.K., and Australia, Amazon’s integration of RFID opens doors for a smoother, more secure shopping experience. This is not just another retail tech gimmick but a game-changer that could set a new standard for stadium shopping. So the next time you’re cheering for your team, remember you can quickly snag some gear and be back in your seat without missing any action. This feels like the future of hybrid shopping. Only time will tell how people receive it.

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Mysterious Xiaomi wearable gets certified by EEC and IMDA

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Sep 19, 2023

Back in April, the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 was unveiled in China alongside the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. Later in August, the company debuted the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro at the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 launch event.

Both these wearables are yet to make their way to global markets. Going by their predecessors, they could be released outside mainland China before the end of the year.

But before that, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro with Wear OS will go official later this month. Additionally, as per certifications, there could be one more wearable from the company for this year.

A mysterious Xiaomi group wearable with model number M2302B1 has been certified by EEC. Unfortunately, the listing does not reveal anything significant about this product.

The listing suggests that the device could be sold under either Xiaomi, Mi, or Redmi brands. Since Xiaomi no longer uses ‘Mi’ branding, the other two could be a possibility.

Looking up on the internet, we found that this product was already certified by IMDA in June. Even this listing only mentions the branding thing and nothing else.

All we know is that it’s a wearable but not certain whether it is a fitness tracker or a smartwatch. As with any consumer tech product, we are looking forward to learning more about it in the coming days via multiple sources.

Given that the device has received EEC certification, it should get approvals from other regulatory bodies. Also, leakers may share its renders from retailer listings once we near the release date.

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iPhone 15 Pro Max AnTuTu scores show a significant performance boost

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Sep 19, 2023

AnTuTu, a popular smartphone benchmarking platform, has released the AnTuTu score for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and it’s impressive. The flagship device scored a total of 1,641,883 points, which is higher than any previous iPhone model. However, it is only marginally ahead of the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro (1,733,703 points) and iQOO 11S (1,645,393 points) in the overall leaderboard.

The AnTuTu benchmark test was recorded on the iPhone 15 Pro Max with 8GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, which is the top-end model. The device was running on iOS 17.

As a breakdown, the iPhone 15 Pro Max scored 392,643 points in the CPU test and 597,734 points in the GPU test. This is a significant improvement over the previous-generation iPhone 14 Pro Max, which scored 358964 points in the CPU test and 466281 points in the GPU test.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is also leading in the memory department test with a score of 306,164. This is higher than the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s score of 233925.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is powered by the new A17 Pro chipset, which is the first Pro chipset by Apple for iPhones. It is also the first processor based on the TSMC’s 3nm process node to be commercially used in smartphones.

The A17 Pro features a 6-core CPU with 2 performance cores and 4 energy efficiency cores. The microarchitecture of the CPU has been also improved, and the GPU has been upgraded to a new architecture with more cores.

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Jio AirFiber launched in 8 Indian cities with loads of added benefits

By

Anurag

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Sep 19, 2023

Reliance Jio has today launched the Jio AirFiber— its integrated end-to-end solution for home entertainment, smart home services, and high-speed broadband. The service has been launched in 8 Indian cities and you can subscribe for a starting fee of ₹599 and a maximum payment of ₹3999. The benefits vary from plan to another.

“With JioAirFiber, we are expanding our addressable market to rapidly cover every home in our country with similar quality of service. JioAirFiber will enable millions of homes with world-class digital entertainment, smart home services and broadband, through its solutions across education, health, surveillance, and smart home,” said Akash Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited.

Jio AirFiber will offer users access to more than 550 digital TV channels and they will be able to use Catch-up TV. The service will also bring over sixteen different OTT app subscriptions. With Jio AirFiber, users will also get high-speed WiFi Service, covering their entire premise, be it home or office space.

Jio AirFiber will also offer home services such as Cloud PC for education and work from home. The service will also help provide security and surveillance solutions, healthcare, education, smart home IoT, gaming, home networking, and more. Jio AirFiber users will receive three devices for free with their subscription: a Wi-Fi router, a 4K smart set-top box, and a voice-activated remote.

Detailed prices of the Jio AirFiber can be seen in the image below:

Jio AirFiber has initially been launched in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. You can book AirFiber for yourself from the official Jio website. Once you apply, Jio will get in touch with you and connect your home on priority, as soon as services in your building are ready.

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Boult Y1 Pro with BoomX 13mm bass drivers, 60h playback, fast charging launched

By

Soumyakanti

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Sep 19, 2023

Boult Audio introduces its latest product, the Y1 Pro earbuds. The TWS earbuds are priced at Rs. 1,099 and are available in Blue and Black colors. The earbuds can be purchased from the official Boult Audio website and Flipkart. Let’s check out the specs of this product.

Boult Y1 Pro earbuds specifications:

The standout feature of the Boult Y1 Pro earbuds is their BoomX 13mm bass drivers which promise to deliver a rich and immersive audio experience. They also come equipped with a Quad Mic AI-ENC Chip that uses AI-powered noise cancellation. This feature is particularly handy for making crystal-clear calls even in noisy surroundings.

In terms of design, Y1 Pro TWS earbuds have a distinctive dual-tone design with a knurled pattern and metallic finish, giving them a refined and modern look.

If you’re a gamer, you’ll be pleased to know that the earbuds offer a low-latency gaming mode with a minimal 45ms delay. They utilize Bluetooth 5.3 technology and support both SBC and AAC codecs. Plus, they come with handy features like blink and pair fast pairing and intuitive touch controls. Moreover, they have an IPX5 water-resistant rating, making them suitable for various environments.

The earbuds provide a total battery life of 60 hours and boast Lightning Boult Technology, allowing for 120 minutes of playtime with just a 10-minute charge using Type-C. Additionally, they come with a 1-year warranty.

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Ford Ranger Goes Electric, But Will the U.S. Get a Piece of the Action?

By

Anubhav

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Sep 19, 2023

Ford is making waves with the introduction of its first-ever plug-in hybrid Ranger—except, it’s only for Europe. The 2025 Ranger PHEV is slated for production later this year, promising a mash-up of traditional fuel efficiency and electric power. The announcement has left some Americans scratching their heads, wondering when or if the eco-friendly version will make its way across the Atlantic.

The 3.0 liter V6 diesel version generates 443 pound-feet of torque

The Ranger PHEV isn’t just any truck; it’s based on Europe’s top-selling truck model. Equipped with a 2.3-liter plug-in hybrid system, Ford claims the truck will boast greater torque than any other Ranger produced so far. For context, the existing 3.0-liter V6 diesel version pushes out 443 pound-feet of torque, indicating that the PHEV could be a real powerhouse.

For those concerned about mileage, Ford aims for a fully electric range of up to 28 miles on one battery charge. That’s not the only trick up its sleeve—the new Ranger will also have a braked towing capacity of 7,716 pounds, and it features Pro Power Onboard, a system that allows you to plug tools and appliances directly into the truck’s cargo bed.

Visually, there’s not much to set the PHEV apart from its standard cousins, except for a rear-mounted charging port and 18-inch wheels with a unique design. It’s set to launch in the high-end Wildtrak trim, with other versions possibly following. It’s worth mentioning that while Ford is leading the pack, Volkswagen has yet to confirm a plug-in hybrid version of the Amarok—a truck also built by Ford, but in South Africa.

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Google Pixel Watch 2 Will Reportedly Get A Temperature Sensor And Enhanced Personal Safety Features

By

Viraj Gawde

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Sep 19, 2023

Google is set to debut its second-generation Pixel Watch at the company’s annual event on October 5. The search giant has already shared a teaser of the upcoming offering revealing its design from all angles and it is quite similar to its predecessor. Leaks and rumors have revealed some key details of the Pixel Watch 2 in the past. Now the folks at 9to5Google have shared new information about the wearable device.

Pixel Watch 2 to come with temperature sensor and enhanced safety app

9to5Google citing their sources reveals that the Google’s second-generation smartwatch will come with a skin temperature sensor for taking readings whenever they feel. This is different compared to the Fitbit Sense 2 which only measures temperatures at night. However, it remains to be seen if the Pixel Watch 2’s temperature sensor will help women track their menstrual cycles similar to the Galaxy Watch 5 and 6 series. Notably, the Pixel 8 Pro is also confirmed to feature a temperature sensor.

Google already offers a Personal Safety app on the Pixel Watch. It is expected to get significant upgrades with the second-generation offering. It will pack a car crash detection feature and work in tandem with the Pixel phones. This is similar to last year’s iPhone 14 series and Apple Watch Series 8 and later. On the Pixel Watch 2, the feature will display core medical information so that emergency responders can find it easily. The app will also come with Emergency Sharing that will let the user share their location with trusted emergency contacts. Notably, it will work without a phone if the watch has an active LTE connection.

The Pixel Watch 2 will also come with a safety check countdown that will let Personal Safety make attempts to verify that the user is okay and if they don’t respond, their emergency contacts will be notified of their location.

The report also adds that the Pixel Watch 2 will see the comeback of translation features for Wear OS. However, it won’t be in the form of a dedicated Google Translation app. The Google Assistant’s interpreter mode is said to enable translations.

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Xiaomi to launch Redmi Buds 5 with 46dB ANC on September 21

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Sep 19, 2023

Xiaomi has officially announced that it will launch the Redmi Buds 5 earbuds alongside the Redmi Note 13 series smartphones in the Chinese market on September 21. The announcement was made via one of Xiaomi’s Weibo handles, along with a teaser poster revealing the upcoming earbuds.

As can be seen from the poster, the Redmi Buds 5 has a distinct design from its predecessor, the Redmi Buds 4. The Buds 4 features an oval case with a canal-style design of its earbuds, but the Buds 5 has a rectangular case with earbuds with stems.

The teaser poster also reveals that the earbuds will have 46dB active noise reduction and will come in three colors: Purple, Black, and White. Likewise, the earbuds will have a 2kHz noise reduction range and dual-microphone AI call noise reduction feature.

Xiaomi’s previous generation Redmi Buds 4 features 35dB active noise reduction with 3 ANC levels. There’s also a dual-mic setup with AI call noise reduction and a 10mm dynamic driver.

The Redmi Buds 4 can play music for up to 30 hours on a single charge, with each earbud lasting 6 hours. They also support fast charging, with 5 minutes of charge giving you 1 hour of listening time.

It is likely that the upcoming Redmi Buds 5 will have all of these features, along with better active noise cancellation than the previous generation.

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Honor V Purse Outward Folding Phone With 8.6mm Thickness Launched

By

Viraj Gawde

-

Sep 19, 2023

Honor has launched a new foldable in China today. It is the Honor V Purse that was unveiled at IFA in Berlin earlier this month. As the name suggests, it is a fashion-centric offering that can literally be worn like a purse. Yes, you read that right! Honor touts the V Purse as an electronic gadget that doubles up as a fashion accessory offering ‘unlimited opportunities for self-expression’. However, the caveat is that it’s not a functional purse meaning you cannot store any items inside it.

Honor V Purse specifications

The Honor V Purse is an outward folding phone instead of the regular foldable phones that fold inwards. The device features a wraparound display on its back panel. It is only 8.6mm thick when folded similar to traditional flat smartphones. The company says that the hinge is durable and can withstand 400,000 folds. The phone comes with interchangeable straps and chains to customize its appearance. The brand has used vegan leather material for straps.

The Honor V Purse has a 6.45-inch main screen with a 2348×1088 pixels resolution and in the unfolded state, it becomes 7.7 inches bearing a 2348×2016 pixels resolution. Both displays have a flexible OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,600 nits peak brightness. The device features an Always-on display with various interactive and interchangeable wallpapers that can match the user’s outfit. Honor has worked with various artists to design the AOD styles. This means that the device can mimic the appearance of a handbag.

On the imaging front, the Honor V Purse has a dual rear camera setup of a 50MP main sensor paired with a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. There is an 8MP front-facing selfie snapper.

Under the hood, the Honor V Purse is equipped with a Snapdragon 778G processor. It packs 16GB RAM onboard and up to 512GB storage. The device is backed by a 4,500mAh battery unit with support for 35W fast charging. Software-wise, it runs on MagicOS 7.1 based on Android T.

The Honor V Purse starts at CNY 5,999 ($822) for the 16GB + 256GB variant whereas the 16GB + 512GB configuration costs CNY 6,599 ($890). It will be available in limited quantities with pre-booking from today and sales commencing from September 26. The device is offered in Camellia Gold, Glacier Blue, and Elegant Black colors.

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