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Tesla Leads Electric Vehicle Sales in California as Registrations Surge State-wide

California‘s commitment to greener transportation reached new heights in the first half of 2023, with new light vehicle registrations surging by 11.6 per cent year-over-year to reach 905,752 units. But the real standout was the state’s electrification trend, with plug-in electric car sales far ahead of the general market.

The year-over-year growth represents massive opportunities for EV manufacturers

During H1 2023, California registered 220,624 new plug-in cars, representing over 24 percent of the total market. The year-over-year growth for plug-ins, particularly battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), was estimated at over 40 percent, showcasing the rapid adoption of electric cars.

Tesla

Battery-electric vehicles led the pack with 191,041 registrations, capturing 21.1 percent of the market, while plug-in hybrid vehicles secured 3.3 percent with 29,583 registrations. Notably, over 100,000 BEVs were registered in Q2, a milestone for a single quarter. Conversely, non-rechargeable hybrid registrations experienced a significant decline, down by about a quarter compared to the previous year, amounting to 38,629 units.

Q2 2023 data for plug-in electric car registrations painted an encouraging picture as well. Have a look below:

  • Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs): 103,516 registrations, 22.7% market share
  • Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs): 13,113 registrations, 2.9% market share
  • Total Plug-Ins: 116,629 registrations, 25.6% market share
  • Non-Rechargeable Hybrids (HEVs): 38,629 registrations, 8.5% market share
  • Total xEVs (all electrified vehicles): 155,258 registrations, 34.1% market share

The popularity of electric vehicles was evident in the list of most-registered models in their respective subcategories, with Tesla‘s Model Y and Model 3 leading the way. Tesla also achieved a historic milestone in Q2, outperforming Toyota in new registrations for the first time, solidifying its position as the dominant player in the BEV segment with nearly 67 percent market share.

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Tecno Pova 5 Pro’s microsite goes live on Amazon

Tecno is gearing up to launch the Pova 5 series of smartphones in India. The lineup is likely to include two models, such as the Pova 5 and Pova 5 Pro. The Pro model is expected to arrive as Tecno’s first phone with an LED-lit Arc Interface on the back. Ahead of the expected launch, the microsite for the Tecno Pova 5 series is now live on Amazon.

Tecno Pova 5 Pro’s Arc Interface

The Pova 5 Pro landing page does not reveal anything about its specifications. However, it mentions that the company will introduce the Arc interface feature on the Pova 5 Pro. As teasers have revealed, The Pova 5 Pro boasts an innovative RGB light system on its back panel, featuring three intersecting lines that cleverly form a small triangle at their meeting point.

The microsite confirms that the Arc Interface on the Pova 5 Pro will glow when there is an incoming call. It will support 5 light effects, such as Soft, Racing, Dreamy, Breath, and Party. The company will soon reveal other features of the Pova 5 series through the landing page in the coming days.

The rumor mill is yet to leak the specifications of the Pova 5 Pro, but the details of the vanilla model are already known since it debuted in the global market recently.  

Tecno Pova 5 specifications

The Pova 5 has a 6.78-inch IPS LCD FHD+ 120Hz display, an 8-megapixel front camera, and a 50-megapixel dual-camera system on the back. The Helio G99-powered device offers 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB / 256 GB of storage, and a 6,000mAh battery with 45W charging. It has a side-fitted fingerprint sensor and runs on HiOS 13-based Android 13.

We’re eager to hear your thoughts and views on the Pova 5 Pro’s captivating RGB light system. Share your comments below and let us know what you think of this innovative design.

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Hearmo HearPods Pro 2 ANC, HearPods Mini, HearPods Pro & HearPods Air TWS launched in India

Hearmo has unveiled its latest lineup of wireless earbuds under the HearPods moniker. The premium lineup includes the HearPods Pro 2 ANC, HearPods Mini, HearPods Pro, and HearPods Air TWS earbuds. This follows the earlier release of the Hearmo Bluetooth wireless neckbands earlier this month. Each of the new HearPods gadgets has been designed to deliver enhanced sound and improved connectivity, according to Hearmo.

Hearmo HearPods Pro 2 ANC
Hearmo HearPods Pro 2 ANC

Hearmo is a budding Indian company with an increasing portfolio of audio products in the Indian market. The HearPods Pro 2 ANC comes with enhanced active noise cancellation for optimal audio output. It outputs well-defined, crisp, and sparkling audio across the frequency range. It is equipped with a 10mm dynamic driver with AAC support. Its four MEMS mics help to deliver exceptional clarity during calls and 50-60ms latency. The HearPods Pro ANC supports Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.

Hearmo HearPods Mini

The Hearmo HearPods Mini has a semi-in-ear, ergonomic design. It comes with a 13mm dynamic driver and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. There are two MEMS microphones on the earbuds and up to 14 hours of battery life. It comes with intuitive touch controls and USB-C charging. Voice Assistant support is also featured on the HearPods Mini while it is available in Black and White colors. The HearPods Pro delivers crystal-clear audio during playback and when making calls. It also comes with a semi-in-ear design that guarantees comfort during extended use. It has a 13mm dynamic driver and IPX4 protection against sweat and water drops.

Hearmo HearPods Pro 2

The Hearmo HearPods Air TWS earbuds have up to 24 hours of battery life. It delivers ultra-low latency audio output and supports noise cancellation. It also features in-ear detection, a 13mm dynamic driver, Bluetooth 5.3, touch control, and ASAP 3c Fast Charging. The HearPods Air is available in Black and Blue colorways.

Hearmo HearPods Pro 2 ANC

The Hearmo HearPods lineup is priced between Rs. 799 (~$10) for the HearPods Mini and Rs. 1,699 (~$21) for the HearPods Pro 2 ANC. All the products are available from retail platforms across the subcontinent as well as from the Hearmo website.

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DJI Air 3 drone with dual 4K cameras announced

DJI, the global leader in drone tech has unveiled its latest drone DJI Air 3. The semi-flagship drone stands out with its dual camera and offers more powerful photo and video capabilities than its predecessor Air 2s.

DJI Air 3

DJI Air 3 specifications:

DJI Air 3 comes with a dual 4K camera system, featuring a wide-angle lens with a 24mm equivalent focal length and an f/1.7 aperture, as well as a medium telephoto lens with a 70mm equivalent focal length and an f/2.8 aperture. Both these lenses are 1/1.3-inch in size and support dual native ISO.

The medium telephoto lens provides a 3-9x zoom range while the wide-angle lens offers a 1-3x zoom range. On the other hand, its predecessor, the DJI Air 2S, had a single 22mm lens with an f/2.8 aperture and a 1-inch CMOS sensor.

DJI Air 3

The DJI Air 3 offers superior video capabilities compared to its predecessor, the Air 2S. It can shoot uncropped, high-frame-rate 4K@100fps and 4K@60fps with HDR, providing a richer visual experience. In contrast, the Air 2S can shoot 5.4K at 30fps or 4K at 60fps. Additionally, the Air 3 supports dual 2.7K vertical shooting in a 4:3 aspect ratio, eliminating the need for post-cropping and reaching the display limit of most smartphones.

The drone is equipped with an advanced safety feature, the omnidirectional vision sensing system. This system can detect obstacles in all directions, and with the help of APAS 5.0, it can smoothly navigate around detected obstacles, ensuring a safe flight.

The DJI Air 3 comes with advanced color modes, offering 10-bit D-Log M and 10-bit HLG support across all lenses. The 10-bit D-Log M mode preserves more detail in highlights and shadows, allowing for flexible post-processing. On the other hand, the 10-bit HLG mode delivers a higher dynamic range directly on HDR-supporting devices, eliminating the need for post-color grading.

The DJI Air 3 is packed with intelligent features like focus follow for capturing stunning shots and Waypoint Flight for precise flight routes and missions day and night. Its Night Scene mode enables impressive 4K@30fps low-light captures with noise reduction, and it also supports slow motion recording in either 4K/100fps or 1080p/100fps for creating 4x slow-motion videos.

The DJI Air 3 features a new O4 HD image transmission system with a range of up to 20 kilometers, offering improved stability and supporting 1080p/60fps image transmission. It also has a higher wind resistance of 12 m/s compared to the Air 2S’s 10.7 m/s.

DJI Air 3

Despite being slightly heavier at 720g compared to the Air 2S’s 595g, it compensates with many more features and higher wind resistance. The Air 3 also boasts an extended battery life, providing a maximum flight time of 46 minutes with its 4241mAh battery, a 48% improvement over the previous generation. The new charging hub allows power collection, enabling the transfer of remaining power from multiple batteries to the one with the highest capacity.

The DJI Air 3 is available for purchase from today on store.dji.com and through authorized retail partners. It comes in three configurations:

  • DJI Air 3 (DJI RC-N2) priced at $1,099
  • DJI Air 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N2) priced at $1,349
  • DJI Air 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) priced at $1,549

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Oukitel RT6 rugged tablet with 20,000mAh battery, Android 13 & a detachable kickstand unveiled

The Oukitel RT6 tablet has been launched and it comes with some decent features. The new and rugged tablet comes with a high-capacity 20,000mAh battery and runs on Android 13. The tablet also comes with a detachable kickstand for added versatility.

Oukitel RT6 rugged tablet

The Oukitel RT6 is being propped as the brand’s most powerful rugged Android tablet. It has a 10.1-inch display, as well as an expandable RAM. Oukitel is promising outdoor productivity for extended periods using the RT6. The rugged tablet comes with IP68/ IP69K/ MIL-STD-810 standard. Its battery offers an extended usage time even when watching videos or playing games. It has a USB-C port for recharging the device at up to 33W speeds. The tablet can also be used as a power bank via its USB-C cable.

The Oukitel RT6 has an innovative and heavy-duty rear panel kickstand. This can be used as a handle or swapped out for a hand strap or a carrying strap. The tablet has a 14.4:9 aspect ratio and a display resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels. The gadget is rated to have better visibility outdoors and its peak brightness is 400 nits. The RT6 has 8GB of RAM together with 256GB of internal storage. It is powered by the Media Tek MT8788 chipset which is a refreshed Helio P60.

Oukitel RT6 rugged tablet

The Oukitel RT6 has a dual-SIM 4G/LTE architecture and omits a microSD slot. The Oukitel RT6 is priced at $252.46 on AliExpress and additional discounts are available via coupons. The long battery life and versatility of the RT6 could spur demand for the product.

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AOC Q27G3XMN 2K QD-MiniLED Monitor with a 27-inch, 180Hz refresh rate screen is now on sale in China for 1,899 yuan ($266)

Earlier this month, AOC unveiled its latest QD-Mini LED monitor, the Q27G3XMN 2K QD-Mini LED screen. Back then, availability details were lacking for the model. AOC has now released pricing and some availability information for the QC27G3MN 2K QD-MiniLED screen.

AOC

The AOC Q27G3XMN sports a 27-inch panel and 180Hz refresh rate. The high refresh rate is one of the highlights of the model which also supports Adaptive Sync synchronization technology. The Q27G3XMN delivers a 2K resolution (2560 x 1440p) and a high refresh rate.

The Adaptive-Sync technology helps to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering with the monitor. The display itself has passed VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification. It uses MiniLED technology and has 1,344 LED particles + 336 partitions with independent backlight control. The monitor also has a 4000:1 static contrast ratio and an 80 million:1 dynamic contrast ratio. It also has 96% DCI-P3 coverage and 99% sRGB.

Connectivity options for the monitor include Display Port, HDMI, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The fuselage of the monitor has an adjustable stand that supports tilt, swivel, height, and left/right adjustments. The AOC Q27G3XMN 2K QD-MiniLED monitor has 88% NTSC color gamut coverage and its high refresh rates make it useful for gaming and other intense applications.

AOC Q27G3XMN 2K QD-MiniLED Monitor

The AOC 2K QD-MiniLED monitor is available for pre-order from JD.com at a retail price of 1,899 yuan (~$266). It however requires an initial 100 yuan (~$14) or 200 yuan (~$28) deposit. The availability of the AOC 27” Monitor in overseas markets has not been specified by the OEM.


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Google Pixel Watch 2 could be lighter but less durable with an aluminum case

Google Pixel Watch debuted last year as the brand’s first wearable, offering a premium design and stainless steel body. The search giant is now preparing the second-gen Pixel Watch, which is rumored to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. The new wearable is also reportedly getting a makeover, with a new report suggesting that it will have an aluminum case. This could make the watch lighter but also more susceptible to damage.

Google Pixel Watch 2 could be a promising upgrade

According to a 9to5Google report, the Google Pixel Watch 2 is getting a makeover, and it’s losing some weight in the process. The second-generation wearable will be made with aluminum, instead of the stainless steel used in the first generation. As a result, the smartwatch could weigh slightly less. For reference, the original Pixel Watch weighs about 36 grams without straps, making it relatively heavier than many other options in the market.

google-pixel-watch

The outlet reports Google is also preparing to launch new “Coach”-branded workouts as part of a redesigned Fitbit app, which is expected to launch alongside the Pixel Watch 2. The new Fitbit app is expected to include a number of new features, including a new UI and new metrics.

A previous report revealed the upcoming Pixel Watch 2 be equipped with the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 platform chipset. The watch should be launched in two variants and one of the models will be equipped with an LTE modem. Both models will have a 41mm case which is compatible with Google’s watch straps. Pixel Watch 2 could share most of its design with its predecessor, featuring the same domed glass edge-to-edge construction.

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Xiaomi India President sees 5G taking off in the Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 price range

Xiaomi has launched some high-end 5G phones in the market, including the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, which competes with the likes of Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Despite this, the Chinese company seems to be committed to its core strategy of offering affordable smartphones tailored for the Indian market. Xiaomi plans to cater to India’s budget-friendly 5G market segment as the company’s India president, Muralikrishnan B, recently pointed out that real potential for 5G lies within the price range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000.

The Real Potential for 5G Lies in the Mid-Range Market?

Muralikrishnan B said in an interview with CNBC-TV18 that “Majority of the devices sold in the high-end segment, which is the above Rs 30,000 segment have 5G. Then it diffused to the Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 bracket. However, the big opportunity lies in the Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 bucket where we (Xiaomi) have launched a few devices like Redmi Note 10T 5G, Redmi Note 11T 5G.”

Xiaomi India

The executive is not wrong, as most Indians still prefer to buy a balanced budget smartphone rather than opting for a premium one. The average selling price (ASPs) of smartphones in India was $224 (around Rs. 18,000) in 2022, according to Statista. Additionally, focusing on the Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 price range might prove beneficial for Xiaomi, considering the company’s reputation for offering budget-friendly phones in India.

After all, Xiaomi is not having the best time in India. According to Counterpoint Research numbers from January, Xiaomi’s India smartphone shipments in 2022 declined by 24% year-on-year. Despite managing to maintain its top position overall for 2022, the company dropped to the third place in Q4, falling behind Samsung and its Chinese competitor, Vivo.

Xiaomi’s confusing portfolio might also have something to do with its dimming shine in India. We believe the Chinese giant needs to fix its smartphone portfolio in India to keep up with the competition.

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Xiaomi unveils the MIJIA Sweeping Robot 3C Enhanced Version with a 5000Pa Suction power & Laser Navigation

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has launched the MIJIA Sweeping Robot 3C Enhanced version. The robot vacuum is an upgraded version of the MIJIA 3C Robot Vacuum cleaner and comes with several upgrades in terms of suction power, dust box capacity, and water tank capacity.

Mijia Sweeping Robot 3C Enhanced Version

The enhanced version boasts a staggering 5000Pa fan, delivering unmatched suction power that effectively captures dust and debris from every corner of the home. The vacuum clean comes with 3-speed suction modes. Its 400mL dust box capacity ensures extended cleaning sessions without frequent emptying. It also features a new dust box dust-proof sheet that prevents secondary pollution, keeping the air fresh and clean.

MIJIA Sweeping Robot 3C Enhanced Version

One of the most notable improvements is the intelligent laser navigation system, which allows the robot to create precise home maps, cover corners, and operate seamlessly in low-light conditions. Additionally, the built-in sensors effectively reduce collisions and jams, ensuring a hassle-free cleaning experience.

MIJIA Sweeping Robot 3C Enhanced Version

Another highlight of the Mijia Sweeping Robot 3C Enhanced Version is its mopping capability, supporting both bow-shaped path and Y-shaped mopping for thorough and efficient floor cleaning. The vacuum cleaner also supports XiaoAI’s voice control, or MIJIA app’s remote control, and supports viewing implementation progress, scheduled cleaning, scheduled cleaning, OTA upgrade, etc.

The MIJIA Sweeping Robot 3C Enhanced Version is priced at 1099 yuan ($154). There is no word yet on the availability of the product.

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Acer Nitro VG1 & VG0 series gaming monitors with 27″ WQHD IPS panels launched in Japan

Acer has added two new 27-inch 2K monitors to its Nitro lineup called the Nitro VG1 (VG271UM3bmiipx) and the Nitro VG0 (VG270UEbmiipx). These panels are aimed at casual and esports gamers and come with a reasonable price tag. Let’s check out the features in detail.

Acer Nitro VG1 monitor

Acer Nitro VG1 & Nitro VG0 monitors specs

The Acer Nitro VG1 (VG271UM3bmiipx) is a 27-inch monitor with a wide IPS panel featuring an anti-glare coating. It boasts a WQHD (2560 x 1440) resolution, offering sharp and clear images. Gamers will appreciate the 180Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms (GTG) response time, ensuring smooth and fluid gameplay. With AMD FreeSync Premium technology, screen tearing and stuttering are effectively eliminated. Additionally, the monitor supports HDR10, resulting in a wider color gamut and richer contrast for more realistic visuals.

 Acer Nitro Gaming Monitor

To enhance user comfort, the Acer Nitro VG1 comes equipped with Blue Light Shield and Flickerless technology, reducing eye strain during extended use. For added convenience, it features HDMI 2.0 x 2 and DisplayPort v1.2 x 1 ports, as well as 2W + 2W stereo speakers for clear audio output. The monitor’s tilt angle can be adjusted up to 20° upwards and 5° downwards to suit individual preferences.

With VESA mount compatibility (100 x 100 mm), users have the option to mount the monitor on a wall or a compatible bracket. The overall dimensions of the monitor are approximately 614.0 x 475.0 x 240.0mm, and it weighs about 4.6kg with the stand or 4.2kg without it. The package includes essential accessories like DisplayPort and HDMI cables, a power cable, user guide, etc. The Acer Nitro VG1 comes with a 3-year warranty, with the panel and backlight unit covered for 1 year.

The Acer Nitro VG0 (VG270UEbmiipx), on the other hand, also boasts a WQHD (2560 x 1440) high-resolution IPS panel. It offers a 100Hz refresh rate and a fast 1ms (VRB) response time. AMD FreeSync technology ensures a lag-free and stutter-free gaming experience during intense action scenes.

Acer Nitro VG1

Like its counterpart, the Nitro VG0 supports HDR10, offering a wide color gamut. It includes HDMI 2.0 x 2 and DisplayPort v1.2 x 1 ports and features 2W + 2W stereo speakers for clear audio output. The Blue Light Shield and Flickerless technology help reduce eye strain, and the zero-frame design gives the monitor a sleek and modern appearance.

Its dimensions are approximately 614.4 x 475.0 x 240.1 mm, with a weight of about 5.33kg with the stand or 4.88kg without it. The package includes an HDMI cable, power cable, user guide, pedestal, support, etc.

Pricing & availability

Currently, the Acer Nitro VG1 (VG271UM3bmiipx) is priced at ¥42,800 ($304) in Japan. On the other hand, the Nitro VG0 (VG270UEbmiipx) costs ¥29,979 ($213). It is currently unclear when the monitors will be launched in other regions.

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Vivo V3 imaging chip will bring 4K movie portrait mode for flagship phones

Vivo V1 was announced back in 2021 as the company’s first imaging chip. This chip promised to enhance the imaging performance of Vivo phones and it delivered with noticeable improvements. Later the company also announced the V1+ and V2 chips with neat optimizations. Now, the Chinese company is ready to launch the V3 imaging chip later this month with an impressive 4K movie portrait mode.

Vivo V3 could come packed in the Vivo X100 series

Jia Jingdong, Vivo’s VP and General Manager of Brand & Product Strategy, announced the upcoming V3 imaging chip on Weibo. The chip will be the star of Vivo’s imaging festival, which takes place from July 23 to 31. The first week of the festival will also see the launch of the company’s latest imaging technology, the conclusion of the vivo Imaging Plus mobile phone photography competition, and the awarding of the vivo × FIRST ultra-short film competition.

Vivo V3

Circling back to the V3 ISP. The teaser shared by the exec reveals the chip is based on a 6nm process and brings notable capabilities. It will let Vivo smartphones capture portrait mode videos up to 4K resolution and even offer advanced post-processing editing functions. It’s safe to say the chip will be featured inside the Vivo X100 flagships, expected sometime later this year.

To remind you, the Vivo V1 chip was first introduced in the Vivo X70 series in September 2021. The chip was made to work with the smartphone’s ISP to improve noise reduction, dynamic range, and color reproduction. Further, it also supports MEMC (motion estimation and motion compensation) technology, improving the smoothness of videos.

The Vivo V1+ chip was introduced with the Vivo X80 series in 2022. The chip is an upgraded version of the Vivo V1 chip, and it offers a number of improvements. Do you think in-house imaging chips give Vivo phones an upper hand over the competition?

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Huawei’s in-house Kirin chips to power mid-range phones later this year

Kirin chips were once dominantly used in Huawei phones, but US sanctions restricted further development. Now, there are only a limited number of mid-range devices available in the market, powered by the older Kirin 710A SoC. While there have been rumors about these chips returning to the market, we are yet to see one actually materialize. It seems the wait will be over this year, as a popular tipster claims Kirin-branded processors are going to launch later this year, albeit without much firepower.

The yield rate of Kirin chips has started to increase: Tipster

Digital Chat Station has claimed on Weibo that Kirin chips return this year. Huawei has apparently started to get better yield from the chips, meaning the company is now able to produce more chips from a silicon wafer. This is good news because the production of chips will be more economical for the company if the yield rate is better.

Kirin_9000

In replying to comments, the source hinted that these upcoming Kirin chips won’t be powerful enough for a flagship phone. As Huawei Central rightly points out, the Mate 60 series is unlikely to pack Kirin SoCs under the hood. Instead, the flagship series might get MediaTek chips because Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is ruled out by leaks, while the rumored Kirin chips could find their way into mid-range devices.

It seems that these alleged Kirin chips are based on larger process nodes. Leaks suggest that Huawei is making use of 12-14 nm process nodes. For those unfamiliar with the term, ‘node’ refers to the length of the transition gates. In simpler terms, a lower number indicates a better process. For example, a 4nm process node would be better than a 12nm node.

This news comes after Huawei denied the return of Kirin chips last year. Does that mean the company has managed to achieve some groundbreaking results in the development of its in-house chips? We can’t say for sure. But would you be willing to use Kirin-powered mid-range phones?

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iPhone 15 Series Likely Won’t Be Delayed, But Brace Yourself for the Most Expensive iPhones Ever

The iPhone 15 series is about to be launched, and because of this, news about Apple’s much-awaited smartphone lineup is everywhere. We previously discussed Apple’s search for a ‘Bezel-less’ iPhone and the possible delay of the iPhone 15 series. Particularly, the delay news was a bit disappointing for users. However, recent information suggests that everything is going well for the company. Apple has apparently fixed the initial production problems with the displays for the iPhone 15 lineup, and for now, there’s no delay in sight. Here are the details…

Apple’s iPhone 15 Display Problems a Thing of the Past, New Models on Track for Release

Apple is a company that strongly adheres to its traditions. For this reason, it’s usually not too hard to predict what they’re going to do each year. However, the company sometimes manages to surprise everyone. For example, until recently, the standard iPhone and Pro series were identical to each other, apart from camera and size. But recently, the tech giant distinguished the two series in terms of both processor and design.

Apple iPhone

Therefore, while the iPhone 14 was introduced with a design featuring a notch, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max went on sale with the Dynamic Island feature. This situation confused many users and felt like two different generations of phones. Fortunately, Apple didn’t insist on this approach and, according to recent information, will use the Dynamic Island feature in all models this year. However, this has also brought about different problems.

In March 2023, there were news reports that Apple was having problems making the screens for the soon-to-be-released iPhone 15 series. This situation was especially concerning for people who were thinking about buying a new phone but were waiting for the release of the iPhone 15 series. Thankfully, these issues did not last long. Apple was said to have fixed the early screen production problems for the iPhone 15 series. As you may know, the company works with competitors like Samsung and LG for production.

According to reports, the manufacturer facing the problem was LG Display. The company was specifically having difficulties with creating the holes for the selfie camera and the Face ID. After cutting these parts on the OLED screens, a some kind a dark spots would form. Those who have used OLED phones before and experienced unfortunate accidents know that these spots can grow and, in a short time, you may not see anything on the screen. Luckily, this problem has been solved. In summary, LG created an isolated area where the cutting process would take place, and the damaged spot from the cut did not spread to the entire screen. This is great news, isn’t it? Well, not exactly.

Unfortunately, there was another special reason why Apple didn’t make changes every year, and that was cost. However, the company will include the Dynamic Island feature in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models to maintain its premium feel, and it will also use a USB-C port instead of Lightning in its phones to avoid issues with the European Union. This means that costs are going to significantly increase. If the claims are correct, the company will raise prices by at least $100 for its new models.

So, what do you think about this issue? Which do you think is more useful, the Dynamic Island or the notch?

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Infinix GT 10 Pro Price In India Teased, Offers Revealed Ahead Of Launch

Infinix GT 10 Pro is confirmed to launch soon in India. The brand has started teasing its arrival. The upcoming device is confirmed to be available from Flipkart. The smartphone has already been spotted in leaked renders. Now the brand has revealed some key details of the upcoming GT series phone. 

Infinix GT 10 Pro key specs teased, price and benefits revealed

As per the Flipkart microsite, the Infinix GT 10 Pro will be available for pre-order from August 3rd at 12 noon. However, the smartphone’s exact launch date remains unknown. It is teased to be priced under Rs 20,000 segment. The first 5,000 customers who pre-book the device will be eligible for a Pro Gaming Kit that will include universal shoulder triggers, gaming finger sleeves, and a carbon box. Buyers can avail Rs 2,000 instant bank discount or Rs 2,000 off on exchange. There is also a 6-month no-cost EMI on all banks. 

The Infinix GT 10 Pro is also teased to feature a Cyber Mecha design with a transparent photo chromatic rear panel. The upcoming offering mimics Nothing Phone (2)’s transparent back panel design, however, it remains to be seen if the device will feature any LED lights. 

As per Flipkart, the Infinix GT 10 Pro will feature a center-aligned punch-hole display and a SIM card-shaped camera module on the rear. The microsite also reveals that the device will come with an ad-free clean OS. The upcoming offering is expected to sport a 120Hz AMOLED display. On the optics front, the Infinix GT 10 Pro is teased to pack a 108MP main camera paired with two 8MP lenses. The Flipkart microsite will reveal more details in the coming days leading up to the launch event. 

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After China, the Oppo Pad Air 2 will also launch in India: Report

Last week, we found out that Oppo is working on a new tablet called the Oppo Pad Air 2. The device has already cleared the radio certification in China revealing that it features support for dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Now, tipster Mukul Sharma has revealed that the tablet will also be coming to India.

Oppo Pad Air 2

In a recent tweet, Mukul Sharma has indicated that the upcoming Oppo Pad Air 2 will eventually be coming to India. However, the exact launch date, or even the launch timeline is still under wraps. A recent leak revealed that the Pad Air 2 could be equipped with an 8,000mAh battery. Other specifications are still unknown at the moment. So, let’s take a look at the specs of the Oppo Pad Air to get an idea of what to expect from the successor.

Oppo Pad Air specs

Oppo Pad Air

The OPPO Pad Air features a metallic body with a dual-tone back panel and a 10.36-inch LCD display offering 2,000 x 1,200 pixels resolution and 360 nits peak brightness. Under the hood, the tablet is powered by a Snapdragon 680 processor and comes with up to 6GB RAM and up to 128GB internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot. It houses a 7,100mAh battery with 18W fast charging support.

It comes with an 8MP rear camera, a 5MP front-facing selfie snapper, and quad speakers. Running on Android 12 OS, the OPPO Pad Air is compatible with a smart stylus and keyboard. Connectivity options include a USB-C port, WiFi 6, and Bluetooth 5.1.

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 Tipped To Be Lighter Than Its Predecessor

Apple debuted the Apple Watch Ultra last year. It is a top-of-the-line smartwatch from the Cupertino-based tech giant. The smartwatch is expected to get its successor this year at the company’s fall event which will likely take place in September. Now a tipster on China’s microblogging platform Weibo has revealed key info about the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra. 

Upcoming Apple Watch Ultra will be lighter than its predecessor

As per Setsuna Digital, the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will have a reduced weight. The tipster does not reveal anything apart from this including the revised values. This will be quite a welcome change on the brand’s upcoming smartwatch. 

For those unaware, the current Apple Watch Ultra is one of the biggest and heaviest smartwatches compared to its competitors. The smartwatch’s titanium model has a 49mm casing and tips the scales at 61.3 grams. This makes it twice as heavy as the lightest Series 8 watch which is the 41mm aluminium model weighing 31.9 grams. 

As per reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Cupertino-based tech giant is planning to use 3D parts for making the Watch Ultra. If plastic parts are used instead of metal parts, then it could aid in reducing the weight of the smartwatch. Additionally, it is also said to cut down on production times and cost. There are also rumors that the Apple Watch Ultra will feature a 2.1-inch Micro LED display. 

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boAt EnergyShroom 10,000mAh And 20,000mAh Power Banks Launched In India

boAt has expanded its range of power banks with two new offerings in India. They are dubbed the boAt EnergyShroom PB300 and PB400. Both are affordable charging accessories with a large battery capacity and share similar features. Read on to know what the two power banks offer out of the box. 

boAt EnergyShroom PB300 and PB400 specifications and features

The boAt EnergyShroom PB300 is a sleek and lightweight power bank. It is 16mm thin and weighs 255 grams. On the other hand, the PB400 is bulky due to its high battery capacity. It is 28mm thin and weighs 449 grams. Both power banks have an aluminium finish that are resistant to scratches and high temperatures. There is a smart power button and LED indicators. 

The boAt EnergyShroom PB300 and PB400 are backed by 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh battery capacities. They feature a built-in 12-layer protection system against a host of issues to ensure the safety of devices. There are two USB-A output ports, one micro-USB input port, and a Type-C two-way port. The Type-C port is capable of offering 22.5W charging speed. The EnergyShroom power banks also support 2-way charging. 

The boAt EnergyShroom PB300 is priced at Rs 999 whereas the PB400 costs Rs 1,499. They are offered in Carbon Black and Steel Blue colors. The power banks can be purchased from the brand’s website and Flipkart. 

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iQOO Quest Day Sale offers fantastic discounts on iQOO 11, iQOO 9 series & Neo 7

The iQOO Quest Days Sale is your chance to get a great deal on the latest smartphones from iQOO! From July 24th to July 28th, you can find discounts on a wide variety of handsets with all the features you’re looking for. Enjoy incredible savings and pick up your ideal phone with ease. Check out the deals on smartphone in the iQOO sale below!

Some of the best deals you can grab:

iQOO 11 5G: The Android flagship, boasting a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a 2K Samsung E6 AMOLED display, and 144Hz refresh rate, can be grabbed for Rs 49,999 (8GB/256GB variant) and Rs 54,999 (16GB/256GB variant) after a Rs 5000 instant discount on HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank cards and EMI transactions.

iQOO 9 Pro 5G and iQOO 9T 5G: Both of these smartphones, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processors respectively, can be grabbed for Rs 39,999 (iQOO 9T 5G) and Rs 42,990 (iQOO 9 Pro 5G) due to a Rs 2000 instant discount on HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank cards and EMI transactions.

iQOO 9 SE 5G: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and a 120Hz AMOLED display, this phone can be yours for Rs 28,990 for the base model, with a Rs 3000 instant discount on HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank cards and EMI transactions.

iQOO Neo 7 Pro 5G: This gaming smartphone, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and 120W FlashCharge fast charging, is available at a discounted price of Rs 32,999 (8GB/128GB variant) and Rs 35,999 (12GB/256GB variant) thanks to an instant Rs 2000 discount through ICICI Bank and SBI Bank cards and EMI transactions.

iQOO Neo 7 5G: This model, packed with a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 processor, supports 120W FlashCharge fast charging and can be grabbed for Rs 26,999 for the base variant using the Rs 1000 instant discount on HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank cards and EMI transactions.

*Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Nvidia RTX IO can help deal with stuttering issues while gaming

Nvidia finally release the RTX IO, which had first announced back in 2020. The GPU decompression technology was first unveiled alongside the RTX 3000 series of GPUs and is now making its way to its cards. The company claims that this technology can help deliver a smoother gaming experience, by reducing stuttering issues. So let’s see how this process works.

Nvidia RTX IO: What is it all about?

Nvidia rolled out the RTX IO along with the release of Portal: Prelude RTX. With this technology, your PC can offload the workload from your CPU cores to your GPU when gaming. This basically helps improve performance stability since GPUs are better equipped to handle such tasks. The technology was also built to deal with the changing process of how your PC’s hardware access game data. Typically, the assets of a game are sent from the hard drive to the CPU after being decompressed through system memory, finally makings its way to the GPU.

The multiple steps in this process are what lead to stuttering in games since the size of video games and their assets have grown in recent years. A bottleneck is created between the CPU and the RAM, which makes the gaming experience choppy every so often. This issue has grown more apparent as faster NVMe SSDs have become more common in gaming rigs.

Nvidia RTX IO

This is where the RTX IO comes in, as it increases the I/O bandwidth by delivering the compressed data directly to the GPU. This creates what Nvidia refers to as a ‘minimal staging’ in the system memory. Furthermore, Team Green’s GPU decompresses the data by using the GDeflate open compression standard. Thanks to this, the CPU is free to deal with other processes.

To highlight this, Nvidia’s announcement showcased the faster texture load times and reduced disk space from the RTX IO. This technology can offer up to 5 times faster texture load times and can even lower disk space by 44 percent in Portal: Prelude RTX. WccfTech reached out to Nvidia to confirm if this technology can reduce stuttering in games. The company responded stating “RTX IO can be an aiding technology to improve stuttering by reducing the dependence on the CPU in loading textures and geometries and freeing it up to work on other tasks.”

Keep in mind that these figures were tested with the remodeled version of an old Portal RTX remaster. So it isn’t exactly the best benchmark to rely on. Although, there are new titles on the way like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC, which will feature DirectStorage 1.2 with the GPU-based compression technology that uses RTX IO. So we can expect better benchmarks soon.

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We Don’t Need Chargers in the Box: Researchers Develop Long-Distance Wireless Charging with 80% Efficiency

Wireless charging is getting more and more popular these days. We can see this technology it in our phones and even things like AirPods. However, when we look at the usage rates, the numbers suddenly start to drop suddenly. This is mostly because wireless charging isn’t truly ‘wireless’. Your device needs to touch a charging pad, and that can be harder than just using a USB-C or Lightning cable. However, engineers at Aalto University have developed a new system that can fix this. Here are the details…

Aalto University Researchers Develop Long-Distance Wireless Charging System

As mentioned above, currently, wireless charging requires a device to be placed on a pad or dock, which isn’t much more convenient than wired charging. For example, even though I have a wireless charging pad and my phone supports this technology, I almost never use it. Experts aware of this situation aim to achieve truly wireless charging without the need for contact with any surface.

Current wireless charging technologies use magnetic induction to transfer power over short distances, but this limits the range of the charger and the amount of power that can be transferred. Of course, it is possible to increase this range. However, the efficiency of wireless charging decreases rapidly as the distance between the power source and the receiver grows. That’s why researchers have been working for some time to find a way to increase the range without sacrificing efficiency. Now, engineers at Aalto University have created a new system that could allow for more efficient wireless power transmission over longer distances.

Before going into more detail, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the work of a company like Apple or Xiaomi. Therefore, there isn’t a product you can buy in the near future. In fact, there isn’t even a product at all. The Aalto team has merely developed a new dynamic theory. While this is indeed a significant step and some tests have been conducted, it is still only a research study. However, it’s also good to remember that such studies are the foundation of all modern technologies.

The team tested the idea using two loop antennas, each 7.2 cm (2.8 in) wide. By tweaking the currents in the antennas, they were able to suppress the radiation resistance in the loops and increase the efficiency. Even when placed 18 cm apart, the power transfer efficiency remained high at over 80%. Here is the statement of the Aalto research team on the subject:

“We wanted to balance effectively transferring power with the radiation loss that always happens over longer distances,” said Nam Ha-Van, lead author of the study. “It turns out that when the currents in the loop antennas have equal amplitudes and opposite phases, we can cancel the radiation loss, thus boosting efficiency.”

You probably didn’t think that 18 cm was much, which isn’t really a great distance. But as we said, this is only the first step in technology and it is likely that it will near perfection in the future. This could have a big effect on how we use our gadgets. Especially when you consider that companies like Apple and Samsung have removed the charger from the box for some products like phones. So, what are your thoughts on this topic? Do you use wireless charging technology in your daily life?

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