We have been hearing about the Galaxy S24 Ultra even before the release of the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Several details about Samsung’s next-gen flagship slab smartphone have leaked in the past few months and they keep happening.
Earlier today, a reliable tipster shared exclusive information regarding the Galaxy S24 Ultra. This is the first time we are hearing about this.
As per the source, the device will sport a new zoom camera. Let’s go through the details.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Ice Universe is a Chinese internet personality known for his Samsung-related posts on X (formerly Twitter) and Weibo. Today, he shared something interesting about the successor of the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
As per him, the Galaxy S24 Ultra will feature a 50MP 3x telephoto camera. For the unaware, the current-gen model has a 10MP sensor.
Previously, Samsung was rumored to replace the 3x lens with a 5x one. But according to the latest information, the current 3x lens will be retained with a sensor upgrade. The higher megapixel sensor could result in better zoom shots in the 3x-9x levels.
Going by the previous reports, the 200MP ISOCELL HP2 primary sensor will be retained from the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Even the 12MP selfie camera will make a comeback. But there are no concrete details on other cameras.
As far as other features are concerned, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to arrive with a titanium frame, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Exynos 2400 chipsets, and a 5,000mAh battery.
A recent study conducted by Purdue University in the United States has shed light on a concerning issue related to the accuracy of ChatGPT’s responses to programming questions. The study’s findings indicated that more than half of ChatGPT’s answers were incorrect, and its advanced language abilities managed to mislead a significant portion of the participants.
Why Relying on ChatGPT May Be Counterproductive
The research team examined 517 programming questions sourced from Stack Overflow and assessed various aspects of ChatGPT’s responses, including correctness, consistency, comprehensiveness, and conciseness. The outcomes of the evaluation were disappointing, as it was revealed that 52% of the provided answers were inaccurate, and a substantial 77% were unnecessarily lengthy. What raised even more concern was the observation that the AI’s eloquent and methodical language style often led the participants astray. Only in cases where the errors were glaringly obvious were the participants able to identify the inaccuracies.
In spite of the incorrect responses, nearly 40% of the participants preferred ChatGPT’s answers. However, a significant 77% of those favored responses turned out to be incorrect. The researchers, including individuals like Samia Kabir, David Udo-Imeh, Bonan Kou, and Assistant Professor Tianyi Zhang, clarified that many errors stemmed from ChatGPT’s inability to grasp the contextual nuances of the questions.
These findings present a compelling argument that current generative AI, in its existing state, may not be a suitable tool for assisting with code generation and might even have counterproductive effects. Acknowledging this reality, various tech giants such as Google, Apple, Amazon, and Samsung have issued warnings or imposed bans on the utilization of generativeAI for code suggestions.
According to reports, OpenAI is working on its next GPT iteration GPT-5 which is expected to solve these errors. Expectations include reduced hallucinations, improved multi-modality with text, images, videos, and audio, enhanced computational efficiency, memory, and contextual understanding. GPT-5 could enable more detailed interactions, expand into new domains, and offer a higher number of parameters for more powerful AI content generation.
There have been rumors for some time that the iPhone 15 lineup will ditch the Lightning port in favor of USB-C. They were further fueled by the recent leak of alleged images of iPhone 15 USB-C connector ports. This is yet another indication that Apple is getting ready to switch from Lightning to USB-C, which is the common charging port for most other smartphones.
iPhone 15 with USB-C port
Leakers @lipilipsi and @John011235 have shared the alleged image of the iPhone 15-series USB-C port. The images show the Type-C port attached to flexible PCB components for the standard iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max. These images suggest that all 2023 iPhone 15 models will feature USB-C ports, a change that has been rumored for some time.
Reliable leakster such as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have consistently said that Apple will make this switch with their upcoming iPhone.
For those unaware, Apple is expected to make the shift from the Lightning port to the USB-C port to comply with the European Union’s ruling to set a standard port across the industry.
Different USB-C ports on Pro and Non-Pro models?
Even though iPhones will soon ditch the infamous Lighting port, Apple may restrict the cables that can be used with the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 lineup, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo believes that only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will have USB 3.2 ports. While the base iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will have USB 2.0 ports. This would mean that the higher-end models would support faster data transfer speeds. And the lower-end models would be limited to slower speeds.
Image: 9to5Mac
Additionally, there have been rumors that the iPhone 15 models will only officially support USB-C accessories that have received approval from Apple’s Made for iPhone (MFi) program. This means cables and chargers that are not MFi certified may not work with the iPhone 15. We will know about all these at Apple’s annual iPhone event, which is expected to take place in September 2023.
Qualcomm has been rumored to be working on new Oryon-based chipsets for Windows devices since late last year. The company even teased the name of the chipset codenamed, “Hamoa,” at its Snapdragon Technology Summit 2022. It was previously thought that Hamoa would only have a 12-core CPU, but a new report claims that there will be other variants with 8 and 10 cores as well.
The new chipsets might launch later this year
According to Winfuture, Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon “Hamoa” chip will not only be available in a 12-core version. The company has also been developing two other variations with 10 and 8 cores, known internally as SC8370, SC8370XP, SC8350, and SC8350X. The main difference between the versions is the number of cores.
The report indicates that in the SC8370 and SC8350 variants, Qualcomm might scale down the count of high-end cores. This could potentially lead to an integration of around six or four high-performance cores, while keeping the energy-efficient cores at four, as before.
The pair of 12-core versions should carry the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 4 label for their marketing. And as pointed out by GSMArena, the remaining two variations are likely to find their place in the lower series such as Snapdragon 8c and 7c.
Qualcomm announced that Oryon-based chipsets will be used in Windows-based ARM PCs. The launch date is still unknown, but mark your calendars for October 24th, when Qualcomm will host their Snapdragon summit. The company will introduce the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile processor at the event, and there’s a chance that the Snapdragon “Hamoa” will also be revealed. Stay tuned for more updates!
Samsung Electronics is gearing up to introduce its new vision for system semiconductors at Samsung Tech Day 2023 in October. The company plans to develop and produce “Semicon Humanoids” which are robots with human-like sensory functions such as smelling and tasting. This is an amazing feat, as it will allow robots to interact with the world in a more natural way.
Samsung Semicon Humanoids will Feature Special Semiconductors
Samsung Tech Day is an annual event that showcases the company’s latest advancements in semiconductor technologies. And this year, it sure does have something very interesting to share.
Samsung’s Park Yong-in, President of the LSI Business Division, will give a keynote address at the event. He is expected to discuss Samsung’s Semicon humanoids, their development status, and their commercialization plans.
Samsung has long been a leader in the semiconductor industry, manufacturing chipsets, and camera sensors. And it is said to be developing semiconductors that can detect taste, smell, hearing, touch, and vision for their Semicon humanoids.
To explore the potential applications of the robot, the System LSI Division has established a new business task force. The task force is led by Joo Hyuk and he is expected to introduce a medical robot utilizing semicon humanoids at Samsung Tech Day.
In addition to Park Yong-in and Joo Hyuk, Samsung Tech Day 2023 will also feature presentations from Benny Katibian, Vice President of the Samsung Austin Research and Development Center (SARC), and Lim Seok-hwan, Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ LSI Division.
Katibian will provide updates on Samsung’s GPU and neural network processing unit (NPU) technologies. Lim will present language learning model (LLM) related technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT. AMD Vice President Martin Ashton will also participate in the event. He is expected to provide an update on their technological alliance with Samsung Electronics.
JBL has officially announced a new soundbar for the Indian market. The new Bar 1300 is the company’s latest audio product, which was recently teased in the region. So here are all the details regarding the new soundbar.
JBL Bar 1300 Specs and Features
The Bar 1300 is the company’s new premium soundbar, which features six drivers and 11.1.4 Channel. Alongside the new soundbar, buyers also get a detachable speaker wireless surround speakers (can be used as standalone speakers), and a 10-inch wireless subwoofer. The total output of the new speakers is 1,170W, which supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D surround sound as well.
Specifications aside, the new soundbar arrives with some nifty features. This includes JBL’s MultiBear technology, which helps offer an immersive experience. Similarly, it offers PureVoice technology that brings a clearer voice when sound effects are loud. Apart from all this, the Bar 1300 features Dolby Atmos support and supports voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa. For connectivity, it includes Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.0, and JBL One app support for EQ customization.
JBL Bar 1300 Price
The JBL Bar 1300 soundbar has been announced in India for a special introductory price tag of 1,49,999 INR. It has a 1,59,999 INR MRP. Buyers can purchase this soundbar from the company’s official website. Keep in mind that it arrives in a single black color option.
OnePlus is gearing up to launch the Ace 2 Pro smartphone in China on August 16. The company has already released a promotional video that reveals the phone’s design, and rumors have been circulating about its specifications. Recently, Li Jie, the President of OnePlus China, shared a video on his Weibo account that demonstrates the Ace 2 Pro new “Rainwater Touch Control” feature.
OnePlus Ace 2 Pro’s Screen gets a Custom Chip
Have you ever had your phone not respond to your touch inputs because it was raining or your hands were sweaty? OnePlus’ new self-developed “Rainwater Touch Control” technology claims to solve exactly this problem.
In the shared video, the upcoming OnePlus Ace 2 Pro is compared to the Apple iPhone 14 Pro. The video shows both phones being exposed to rain, with water droplets on their screens. When the user tries to unlock the iPhone 14 Pro, the touch input is not registered properly and the phone takes several tries to unlock. On the other hand, the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro unlocks on the first try with no problems.
This suggests that OnePlus’ Rainwater Touch Control technology is really effective in wet conditions. This could be a major advantage for OnePlus, as it will allow users to use their phones more easily in wet weather.
The test also simulated a foggy environment. And as expected, the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro was easy to use in the fog. However, the iPhone 14 Pro was still not smooth enough for precise controls.
OnePlus says a custom screen chip and three new core touch algorithms were developed specifically for this technology. These algorithms overcome the challenges of touch input in wet conditions. This allows the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro to achieve an industry-leading wet-hand touch experience.
OnePlus has also teased the display details of the Ace 2 Pro. The phone will have a 6.74-inch AMOLED display with a sharp 2772 x 1240 pixel resolution, a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 1600 nits. The panel has also been certified for HDR10+ playback, and the display bezels are just 2.17mm thin. The camera will reportedly have a triple setup with a primary Sony IMX890 sensor, an 8MP secondary sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor.
After launching the Galaxy Tab S9 series in the global market, Samsung is now working on the Galaxy Tab S9 Fan Edition tablets. The Tab S9 FE global model was spotted on FCC a few days back, and now, the WiFi-only model of the tablet has also cleared the certification.
Spotted by MySmartPrice, the Tab S9 FE WiFi variant has emerged on FCC with model number SM-X510. The certification reveals the single rear camera design of the tablet via schematics. Further, the EP-TA800 charger being tested with the tablet suggests that the Tab S9 FE could have 25W fast charging onboard. No other details have been revealed by the certification, so let’s look at what’s known so far.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE specs (rumored)
In our earlier coverage, we discussed the potential inclusion of a 10.9-inch LCD panel in the Galaxy Tab S9 FE. Additionally, the tablet is said to feature an Exynos 1380 SoC, as revealed by a recent Geekbench listing. A dual-speaker setup, a maximum of 8GB RAM, and storage options reaching up to 128 GB are also expected to be onboard. Speculation has also arisen, indicating that the tablet might be priced at approximately Rs 63,000 for the Indian market.
Ulefone has once again pushed the boundaries of rugged smartphone design with the highly anticipated launch of its latest mid-ranger, the Armor X12 Pro. Combining style, durability, and performance, this compact rugged phone promises a refreshing fashion experience while excelling in even the harshest conditions.
One of the standout features of the Armor X12 Pro is its eye-catching X racing flag design on the back shell, beautifully adorned with a checkered flag decoration, symbolizing the spirit of high performance and speed. Going beyond mere toughness, this rugged phone embraces flair and style, offering users a unique blend of ruggedness and elegance. For personalization, Ulefone provides the Armor X12 Pro in three stylish color combinations – black, green, and orange – allowing users to choose the one that best aligns with their personal style.
With a perfectly balanced 5.45-inch screen, the Armor X12 Pro delivers both usability and compactness, making it an ideal companion for those who prefer the convenience of a one-handed size phone. Despite its compact design, Ulefone has not compromised on durability. The device meets the stringent IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810H standards, guaranteeing its ability to handle challenging conditions without breaking a sweat. From dust and accidental drops to water immersion, extreme temperatures, and high humidity levels, the Armor X12 Pro is well-equipped to handle it all.
Under the hood, the Armor X12 Pro packs a powerful punch with its Helio G36 octa-core chipset. This robust processor ensures seamless performance, handling everyday tasks and most games with ease. Backed by 4GB of memory and 64GB of internal storage, users have ample space for their favorite apps, photos, and files. To accommodate even more digital needs, the device supports an additional 4GB of virtual memory and up to 256GB of storage expansion.
In addition to its eye-catching design, compact size, and powerful processor, the Ulefone Armor X12 Pro boasts an impressive 4860mAh battery that ensures long-lasting performance. With approximately 264 hours of standby time, 20 hours of talk time, and almost 8 hours of video playback, users can rely on this rugged phone to keep up with their busy lifestyles without constant charging.
Furthermore, the Armor X12 Pro’s photography capabilities are equally remarkable. Equipped with a 13MP Sony IMX214 sensor for its main camera, it delivers high-quality photos. The 8MP front camera offers a variety of camera modes, including portrait mode, UHD, and beauty mode, catering to diverse selfie preferences. The standout feature, however, is the underwater camera mode, allowing users to capture photos while swimming or rafting, making it the perfect companion for aquatic adventures.
The software experience of the Ulefone Armor X12 Pro sets a new standard, running on the latest Android 13. Users can expect a smoother and more user-friendly interface with improved features for notification permissions and media access. Adding to the phone’s convenience is the inclusion of NFC functionality, enabling seamless mobile payments and the use of public transportation payment systems.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Armor X12 Pro is well-equipped with a range of useful tools tailored for rugged environments. The tool pack and glove mode ensure usability in tough conditions, catering to the needs of adventurous users. The phone’s navigation capabilities are equally impressive, with support for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou, guaranteeing reliable navigation in any outdoor setting.
To enhance the Ulefone Armor X12 Pro experience, a variety of accessories are available to meet diverse user demands. The Armor case for the X12 series provides full protection, ensuring the phone’s durability in challenging conditions. For stable placement on flat surfaces like windshields, dashboards, mirrors, and tables, Ulefone offers a practical phone holder option. Furthermore, the versatile phone holder, Armor Mount Pro, is specifically designed for use on vehicles with handlebars, making it ideal for outdoor activities involving bikes, motorcycles, scooters, and e-motorcycles.
Customers have the flexibility to purchase the Ulefone Armor X12 Pro and its accessories separately, enabling them to customize their experience according to their specific needs. To know more about the discount offers and promotions, check out the Ulefone Store at AliExpress, where the latest deals will be released.
Whether you’re an adventurous outdoor enthusiast in need of a dependable rugged companion or someone who values a compact and stylish phone with robust capabilities for everyday use, the Ulefone Armor X12 Pro is designed to cater to your unique needs. With its remarkable features and a wide range of practical accessories, the Ulefone Armor X12 Pro undoubtedly stands out as a compelling choice for those seeking a rugged, reliable, and stylish smartphone capable of withstanding the toughest challenges.
Xiaomi has been working on its new generation of smartphones for the past few months, and a bunch of them are expected to be announced during company CEO Lei Jun’s annual speech, scheduled for August 14th.
During last year’s speech, Xiaomi revealed the Mix Fold 2 and Redmi K50. In this year’s annual speech, the brand has confirmed the launch of the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3. Alongside the foldable, we also expect the brand to launch the Xiaomi Pad 6 Max and the Redmi K60 Ultra.
Previous reports have revealed key specs of Mix Fold 3, Pad 6 Max, and Redmi K60 Ultra, which are provided below.
Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 Specs
Mix Fold 3 will be the new generation foldable from the Beijing based tech giant. The phone is rumored to feature a periscope telephoto lens, a 4,800mAh battery, and 67W fast charging. It is expected to be powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
Pad 6 Max Specs
According to recent leaks, we can expect the tablet to have a 14-inch LCD display with 2.8K resolution and a refresh rate of 144hz. As for the camera, the device is rumored to have a 50MP main camera and a 20MP front camera.
Redmi K60 Ultra Specs
The Redmi K60 Ultra is expected to feature 12GB LPDDR5x RAM, a 6.7-inch OLED display with 1.5K resolution, and a refresh rate of 144Hz. A 5,000mAh to 5,500mAh battery that supports 120W fast charging should power the device.
More details will be confirmed as we get closer to the launch event, so stay tuned.
Realme is gearing up to launch the Realme 11 5G in India soon. But it appears that this model won’t be alone as the Buds Air 5 Pro will be making its debut in the region alongside this smartphone. A new leak has revealed the Indian retail box, so let’s have a look.
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro India Launch
The image of the official packaging box was shared by known tipster Mukul Sharma on Twitter. The tweet also shares an image of the retail box, which hints at the Buds Air 5 Pro’s imminent launch. Realme’s upcoming hearables are confirmed to launch in at least one color variant, which is dubbed Astral Black, and carries the model number RMA2120.
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro Specifications
The tipster stated that the Buds Air 5 Pro will likely be unveiled in India alongside the upcoming Realme 11 5G, which was recently teased. Talking about its specifications, the truly wireless earbuds from the Chinese smartphone maker features 11mm woofer and 6mm micro tweeter. It offers Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) as well as AI Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) thanks to its three built-in microphones on each earbud.
The model supports Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, and LDHC audio codecs. Realme Buds Air 5 Pro offers dual connection as well, allowing you to switch between two devices seamlessly. Other notable features include an IPX5 protection rating, a USB Type-C port for fast charging, and up to 40 hours of battery life. So stick around for more as we will be providing more updates regarding the TWS earbuds.
Dough, an up-and-coming display brand that previously unveiled the cord-free NANO 2K Monitor has now unveiled a new 4K monitor for the global market called the Spectrum Black 4K ES07E3D.
Spectrum Black 4K ES07E3D specs
The Spectrum Black 4K ES07E3D monitor features a 31.5-inch diagonal display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The monitor utilizes an OLED panel that achieves a peak brightness of 1000 nits with HDR (400 nits for full-screen content). It provides complete coverage of the sRGB color gamut (100%) and an impressive 98.5% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut. The monitor boasts a contrast ratio of 1,500,000:1 and maintains a typical Delta-E of less than 1 for accurate color representation.
The ES07E3D model incorporates a Gorilla Glass cover with a DXC anti-glare coating. As stated by Dough, this combination results in a glare reduction of up to 70% when compared to their glossy monitor counterparts. Additionally, the Spectrum Black 4K ES07E3F is an alternative matte option if you want a matte display.
Smooth visuals are ensured with a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz and a rapid 0.03 ms (gray-to-gray) response time. It supports Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync technologies for enhanced graphics performance. Connectivity options encompass 2 HDMI 2.1a ports, 1 DisplayPort, 2 USB-C inputs (one offering DisplayPort 1.4 and up to 100 Watts power output, the other for upstream connection), along with 2 USB-C outputs and 2 USB-A outputs (both supporting up to 5 Watts power). A 3.5 mm audio jack is also included.
Price & availability
Dough plans to make the Spectrum Black 4K ES07E3D and ES07E3F available for pre-order, and as more orders come in, the prices will gradually go up. When they kick off the pre-orders, the matte version will begin at US$699, while the glass version will start at $799. As more batches of orders are taken, the prices will slowly rise until they reach the regular prices of $1099 for the matte model and $1299 for the glass model.
Semiconductor manufacturer TSMC has announced plans to manufacture 28/22nm and 16/12nm chips in Europe. The chipmaker has entered a joint partnership with Robert Bosch, Infineon Technologies, and NXP Semiconductors. The entity formed – European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) GmbH will drive the development. The total investment in the ESMC project is more than €10 billion and up to 2,000 jobs will be created.
TSMC will have a majority stake in ESMC (70%), while the trio of Robert Bosch, Infineon Technologies, and NXP Semiconductors gets 10% each. ESMC will begin construction of a fab by H2, 2024. Mass production of the specified chips is scheduled to commence in 2027.
The company targets the production of 40,000 units of 300mm wafers per month using TSMC’s 28/22nm process and the 16/12nm FinFET process. The fab will not build smartphone chipsets or GPUs as the focus is on older nodes. The older nodes are needed for the production of microcontrollers needed in the automotive industry.
The other stakeholders in ESMC also bring automotive hardware expertise into the production mix. Bosch and Infineon are German-based companies while NXP is based in the Netherlands. Infineon produces memory for embedded systems used in modern cars. TSMC had previously built a 28nm fab for Sony image sensors used in cameras.
The evolution of ESMC is bound to bolster Europe’s automotive and industrial sectors. The target is outside the growing cutting-edge silicon field but key components are still relevant in modern cars and other technologies. It is also targeted at mitigating the impact of possible chip shortages in the automotive industry.
Edifier has just announced brand-new wireless Bluetooth earphones for fitness enthusiasts in China. It is the new X200BT Sports Neckband earphones, with features that are fit (no pun intended) for those that love working out. So let’s have a look.
The company’s latest wireless hearables feature Bluetooth 5.3 that supports quick switching between two connected devices. This is quite handy when your earphones are connected to two different products like your laptop and your phone. It houses 10mm drivers and supports AI noise reduction for calls as well. As per official notes, this model offers an IP55 protection rating against dust and water.
On a single full charge, the Edifier X200BT can last for up to 20 hours. Gamers can also use these earphones since it offers low latency. Notably, both earbuds can be connected magnetically and the ear tips feature wings for better grip on your ear and are made with antibacterial coating. The X200BT Sports Neckband earphones support customizability via the partner application.
As of right now, Edifier has started selling the X200BT Bluetooth earphones in China. The sale began earlier today (9th August 2023) and the model carries a price tag of just 99 yuan. This is roughly around 14 US Dollars and can be found in major Chinese e-commerce platforms like JD.com. So if you’re physically active, you can check out these earphones.
Back in June, OnePlus debuted the Nord N30 5G for the US market. The device is essentially a rebranded OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G. The brand has now started rolling out a new update for the device that comes with the latest security patch, along with system and camera improvements.
The OxygenOS 13.1.0.601 update with firmware version CPH2513_13.1.0.601(EX01) is now being seeded in North America. It features the July 2023 Android security patch along with general improvements to the camera, improved system stability, and expanded network compatibility. You can check the official changelog below.
OnePlus Nord N30 5G OxygenOS 13.1.0.601 update changelog
System
• Integrates the July 2023 Android security patch to enhance system security.
• Improves the stability and expands the compatibility of network connections.
Camera
• Improves camera performance for a better user experience.
A similar update for the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G was also released last month that featured network improvements along with the July Android security patch.
As per the usual process, the update will be released in stages. If you haven’t received the OTA notification yet, you can navigate to Settings>System>System Updates. The phone will automatically check for the availability of the update for your device.
Nothing recently released the Nothing OS 2.0.2 update for its newly launched Phone (2) smartphone. The update was supposed to bring a number of camera improvements, but some users are reporting that it has actually degraded the camera performance. The update has apparently made the HDR performance worse and the photos now fail to retain shadows.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), a YouTuber @Pmkphotoworks says the Nothing OS 2.0.2 update has degraded the camera quality of the Phone (2). They said the HDR performance has become “much worse” and that the photos look “very bland.” They also report that Phone (2) is failing to retain shadows and is showing uneven skin tone brightening. The YouTuber also shared a set of pictures (embedded below) to highlight these issues.
Nothing OS 2.0.2 has degraded the Phone (2)'s camera quality. Have a look 👇
– HDR performance has become much worse (1st Pic) – Photos look very bland (2nd Pic) – Fails to retain shadows properly (3rd Pic) – Uneven skin tone brightening (4th Pic)
YouTuber @r3dash echoed the sentiment, saying that the Nothing Phone (2) has been “very inconsistent and weird with processing HDR.” They also noted that it is ironic that the OTA update was meant to improve HDR, but it seems to have had the opposite effect.
To remind you, Nothing OS 2.0.2 began rolling out to the Phone (2) on August 4th. The changelog for the update included a lengthy list of camera-focused improvements, including:
Enhanced photo clarity in 50 MP Mode
Optimised stability and contrast when recording videos on the rear camera
Improved photo quality in low-light settings
Improved the contrast and Bokeh effect when shooting in Portrait Mode
Optimised the clarity of faces when shooting in Portrait Mode
Faster HDR processing speed
Nothing has so far been very responsive to user feedback and fixed any issues that emerged. We hope the Carl Pei-led startup will address these camera issues in the next update.
Back in May, Mobvoi launched the TicWatch Pro 5 smartwatch in the global market. At launch, the smartwatch was only available in a single black color option. However, Mobvoi has now teased a new color option called “Sandstone”
As you would have guessed, Sandstone is likely the fancy name for the beige color option. The company is also running a contest where you could win the upcoming Sandstone color option for the smartwatch. The contest involves using AI tools like Midjourney to create an image of a landscape or cityscape using sandstone hues. You can check out the details of the contest over at Mobvoi.
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 specs
The TicWatch 5 Pro comes with a 1.43-inch AMOLED display featuring a dual-layer design, which is protected by Corning Gorilla Anti-fingerprint Cover Glass. Driving its performance is the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 SoC. The smartwatch boasts a premium design, incorporating materials such as metal, aluminum, and nylon for added durability.
When it comes to battery life, the TicWatch 5 Pro excels. In Smart Mode, it can last for up to 80 hours, while in Essential Mode, it stretches to an impressive 45 days. Additionally, the smartwatch supports fast charging, capable of reaching 65% battery capacity in just 30 minutes.
Health-related features are also a strong suit, with the inclusion of a heart rate sensor, SpO2 blood oxygen monitoring, and a skin temperature sensor. The watch offers added convenience through a rotating crown for navigation. It also holds up well in various environments with 5ATM water resistance and a MIL-STD-810H military durability rating.
The smartwatch’s capabilities are further enhanced by the built-in speaker and microphone. Connectivity-wise, it offers Bluetooth 5.2, and it’s equipped with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage.
Microsoft Edge is constantly being updated with new features, some of which are very useful, while others are more puzzling. The company is reportedly testing a new feature in its browser that will allow you to save screenshots of visited web pages to your browser’s history. This is a bit of a head-scratcher, as average users might get confused as to why Microsoft would want to do this.
Microsoft Edge’s ‘Save screenshots of websites for History’ feature
Microsoft Edge 117, which is currently available for testing in the Canary and Dev channels, has a new feature that allows you to take screenshots of every page you visit. This feature is called “Save screenshots of the site for History,” and Microsoft describes the feature as:
We’ll take screenshots of the sites you visit and save it so that you can quickly revisit the site you want from history.
Image source: Neowin
This new feature in Microsoft Edge seems quite useful at first glance. When turned on, you can revisit any page from your browsing history without an internet connection. As Neowin mentioned, you can also view a webpage’s thumbnail by placing your cursor over it in history. However, Microsoft has given this feature quite a confusing name and description.
It could mislead average users into thinking it takes screenshots of every webpage they visit. Additionally, Microsoft has not yet explained how it will protect user privacy and security since it will be saving webpages for later access.
Instead of taking screenshots of every site, Microsoft should at least offer the option to manually save selected web pages. Hopefully, developers will release this feature in a more polished and refined state in the stable channel.
The feature is currently in the testing phase and is turned off by default. If you’re on the Canary or Dev channel of Edge, you can enable the feature by going to Settings > Privacy and Services. Alternatively, you can directly visit the edge://settings/privacy link to check for the option.
Today I am so glad to introduce the TECNO‘s latest phone, the Pova 5 Pro 5G. The Pova series has always been known for its cool looks and focus on gaming performance. Actually, to some extent, it’s one of our most anticipated phones in 2023.
So how will such a popular phone series made for youth and gamers perform? Well probably you will find out here!
Unboxing
For packaging, it’s still the same impressive triangular box as what we had with the Pova 5. Blue and white as the main colors, with a coil shape pattern highlighting the texture on the front, packed with a very techy feel. I was attracted by the gold Hi-res Audio certification logo at first glance, which did make me look forward to the sound quality of the Pova 5 Pro.
Opening the package, the compact box contains the phone, a protective case, a Type-c cable, a charger that supports up to 68watt, the wired earphones, as well as the user manual and warranty card. It is worth noting that the earphones come with a mic, which is something we haven’t seen for years. But I have to say that it is really gamer friendly.
Design
As for the phone’s look, I got both the Silver Fantasy and the Dark Illusion color variants. I personally would go for the Dark illusion, and it’s worth noting that the color is actually closer to the dark blue shown on the box. The back design is pretty cool, which is also something that makes the phone different from other competitors at its price.
There are four LED strips on the back. Three of them are connected together and form a triangular pattern. This special design makes the phone look futuristic and full of some sort of geometric beauty. In addition, there is also a coil-style decoration that brings a mechanical texture.
With all these thoughtful details, including the LED straps, the coil, some metal-style patterns, it looks like a mecha from the future. The only regret is that the back of the Dark Illusion variant collects fingerprints easily. All in all, I’m really surprised by the exterior design of the Pova 5 Pro, and of course, I like it so much. At the same price, I couldn’t find any other brands so serious about the phone’s design. And even if you put it along with some premium gaming phones, the appearance of the Pova 5 Pro can still stand out.
The Pova 5 pro is not a particularly thin model, but I enjoy using it since the weight of 214g is still acceptable. It is very reasonable for a gaming machine with a 6.78-inch big screen. And the frame is very smooth without interfering with the edge swipe. The phone feels quite solid in my hand thanks to the comfortable grip.
The Pova 5 Pro supports dual sim cards and SD storage expansion, which means you can expand the local storage while loading 2 sim cards. The 3.5mm headphone jack is definitely a bonus to gamers, as wired headphones are always better options with lower latency than Bluetooth headsets in gaming. the Pova 5 pro adopts the dual speaker design, and if you want to know the performance of the speakers, there is a speaker test at the end of the video.
Battery & Charging
As for battery and charging, I’d say the Pova 5 Pro has one of the best solutions. The combination of a 5000mAh battery and 68-watt fast charging is quite an attractive feature on a budget phone. The charging speed of the Pova 5 pro is very impressive, it can reach 50% in just 20 minutes, and can be fully charged in 45 minutes. TECNO has also put Battery Lab 3.0 management on the Pova 5 Pro, which utilizes different strategies for gaming and daily entertainment separately. It is perfect for going out with the phone and staying online for over 8-hour entertainment. There is another feature in the battery system called Bypass Charge. So when activating the bypass charging mode, it can bypass the phone’s battery and supply power directly to the phone. This feature not only eliminates the heat generated during battery charging but is also good for keeping a good battery state. If you play games a lot, you will definitely love it.
Gaming Performance
In terms of performance and gaming, the Pova 5 pro offers Dimensity 6080 5G soc and 120Hz display, which is a very good hardware combo in a budget phone. In Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, the Pova 5 pro even supports the ultra mode at 120fps. In 20 minutes of super mode gameplay, it reached an average of 75 fps, the gaming experience was very smooth and the frame rate didn’t drop in the intense chaotic battles, which already excess my expectation about such a budget phone. In another game, Free Fire, it also performed very well, the game kept running at 60fps throughout the game. The 6080 chipset is made by TSMC at 6nm and has excellent thermal performance in the game. Even in this hot summer, after 20-minute gameplay, the hottest part of the phone was only 40°C. This is amazing.
Software
Pova 5 Pro also did a lot of work in the software, You can quickly access features in the game space while gaming, and easily switch between different performance modes. You can also click on the Bypass Charge here, which is very convenient. In Game Space it can also enable the Message Barrage notification, Showing any Whatsapp and Messenger messages in the form of barrages. Even in intense gaming, you will not miss any important messages. For the LED light on the back panel of the phone, they have also been designed for multiple uses, it can be used as a message reminder, as an ambient light while playing music and can even be linked with PUBG mobile so that when I am killing an enemy, blacklight starts working to celebrate, giving a lot of fun in such RGB gaming experience on a mobile phone.
Camera
Back to the camera system, the 50MP sensor is also a bonus to such a gaming phone. It produces quite decent photos with good colors in good lighting. I was more than happy with the Beauty cam.
It’s Tecno’s specialty now, and we are happy to see the algorithms were kept on the Pova 5 Pro, no over-the-top beauty effects, it is just the right amount. For video recording, the lack of 4K video recording is a bit disappointing. But overall, at this price the Pova 5 pro cameras are enough for daily recording and sharing.
Verdict
The Pova 5 Pro is a very distinctive mid-range phone. The design, gaming performance, and battery system are all impressive. If you like gaming and distinctive looks, this phone is worth checking out. And most importantly, to enjoy some of the gaming features, we don’t have to pay that high price for premium gaming models. Now we have another option called Pova 5 Pro.
So what are your thoughts about the Pova 5 Pro? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below.
It’s been a long time since Google started pushing RCS as a new standard for texting, replacing SMS and SMS. While the company works on getting more players onboard, the Mountain View-based tech giant keeps on adding new features.
In a new development, Google has announced that all users will now have RCS enabled by default unless it was previously disabled by the user. Also, RCS messages in the Messages app will now be fully end-to-end encrypted by default.
As for the enrollment in RCS, instead of manually enrolling for the service or registering with a phone number, the enrollment will now happen automatically and silently in the background, without the need for user input.
With end-to-end encryption, the messages will remain private from Google as well as network carriers, making it a big milestone for the service. The company has also announced that the group chats in Messages are also end-to-end encrypted.
Apart from encryption, RCS comes with several improvements over the standard SMS, such as typing indicators, read receipts, as well as the ability to share high-resolution photos and videos.
Google Messages is now looking like the true iMessage competitor for Android users. While Google is working on convincing more manufacturers to adopt RCS, Apple is a major holdout but if Apple adopts it, then texting between iPhone and Android phones would be much better.
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