AYANEO has been on a roll with a bunch of announcements. The company recently unveiled new gaming handheld devices like the Air 1S and Pocket Air. Now, the latest one is pretty unique since it is the world’s first Windows gaming handheld with an RGB backlit keyboard.
AYAONEO Slide resembles old phones with QWERTY keypads
Unlike some of its more recent reveals, the company has shared more key details regarding the Slide model. AYANEO’s upcoming gaming handheld will feature a 6-inch IPS LCD panel that offers Full HD resolution and outputs 400 nits of peak brightness. Notably, the screen also covers 85 percent DCI-P3 and 120 percent sRGB color gamut.
For ports, you can expect to find two full function USB4 ports, an M.2 slot for PCIe 4.0 drives, and an SD 7.0 standard microSD card slot for memory expansion. Under the hood, the AYANEO Slid appears to be powered by an AMD Zen 4 and RDNA 3-based APU. This will be the world’s first Windows gaming handheld with an RGB backlit keyboard, which is something that is usually found in gaming rigs like gaming notebooks.
Apart from this, the device also features an x-axis linear motor, a six-axis gyroscope, and Hall effect joysticks and triggers. Unfortunately, this is all the information we have at the moment. So stick around for more, as the company has teased that a surprise pre-order campaign and official launch event is just around the corner.
The resurgence of handheld gaming consoles has captured the attention of gamers once more, thanks to impressive offerings like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, ONEXPLAYER 2 Pro, and more. Alongside high-end consoles, brands are also introducing low-powered ones tailored for playing classic NES-era games. One such console is the Pocket 2S, launched by Retroid.
Affordable Hall Effect retro gaming console
Despite not being as powerful as its counterparts, the Pocket 2S has its unique strengths. Its retro aesthetics evoke a strong sense of nostalgia, and it boasts 3D hall effect joysticks, ensuring gamers won’t have to worry about stick drift issues. Hall effect joysticks use magnets and sensors to detect movement. They are more durable and accurate than traditional joysticks, and they do not have any moving parts that can wear out.
The Retroid Pocket 2S handheld gaming console comes in a compact and portable design, with dimensions of 155 x 80.6 x 28 mm and a weight of 200 grams. Powering the device is the Unisoc Tiger T610 SoC which has a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU to handle the graphics processing.
Gaming on the Pocket 2S is facilitated by its 3.5-inch touchscreen display, boasting a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels and a classic 4:3 aspect ratio. The console is equipped with a 4,000 mAh battery, ensuring sufficient playtime without frequent charging. Users have the option to choose between 32 GB or 64 GB of storage, and it comes with either 3 GB or 4 GB of RAM for smooth gaming performance.
Running on Android 11, the Pocket 2S provides access to a wide range of games and apps. The device is attractively priced at $99 for the 3 GB/32 GB variant and $119 for the 4 GB/64 GB variant, making it an affordable option for gamers seeking a portable retro gaming experience. Retroid has announced that the shipping of Retroid Pocket 2S pre-orders will commence on August 10.
The Vivo V29 series is expected to debut soon in multiple markets. The vanilla was spotted with model number V2250 in the Google Supported Devices list recently. Now, a listing of the phone has appeared in the Google Play Console. As usual, it has revealed the key specifications, including the processor of the device. In addition, the listing has an image that reveals its front and rear designs.
Vivo V29 Google Play Console listing
Vivo V29 Google Play Console listingVivo V29
As per the Google Play Console listing, the Vivo V29 is powered by a Qualcomm chip that includes four Kyro 670 CPU cores operating 2.4GHz, four Kyro 670 CPU cores clocking at 1.8GHz, and Adreno 642L GPU. These details suggest that the device could feature the Snapdragon 778G chip. The listing further reveals that the device is equipped with 8 GB of RAM and Android 13, which is likely to be overlaid with FunTouch OS 13.
The image of the phone shown in the Play Console listing reveals that it has a curved-edge AMOLED display and a triple camera unit with a ring LED flash. It seems to be equipped with an under-display fingerprint scanner. The phone is equipped with volume buttons and a power key on the right.
The previously seen FCC listing of the device revealed that the Vivo V29 will pack a 4,505mAh battery and offer 80W charging. It will offer 5G and NFC, among other connectivity features.
It is speculated that the Vivo V29 could be equipped with a 50-megapixel front camera and an OIS-enabled 64-megapixel triple camera unit on the back. As far as the display of the V29 is concerned, the V29 may feature a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel that offers an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Excited about the Snapdragon 778G-powered Vivo V29? We want to hear your thoughts! Share your opinions and expectations about the Vivo V29 in the comments below.
Samsung recently held its Galaxy Unpacked event where it unveiled a bunch of new anticipated products. One of the announcements included the latest flagship Galaxy Tab S9 series of tablets. And now, the Indian pricing for these large-screen devices has been revealed.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Series Pricing & Availability
The South Korean tech giant’s new tablets arrive in two color options, namely Graphite and Beige. These will also come with no-cost EMI options for up to 18 months. As of right now, the Galaxy Tab S9 series is available for pre-orders in India from the Samsung Online Store and other major online and offline stores. So let’s have a look at the pricing:
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
128GB (Wi-Fi only) – 72,999 INR
128GB (5G) – 85,999 INR
256GB (Wi-Fi only) – 83,999 INR
256GB (5G) – 96,999 INR
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
256GB (Wi-Fi only) – 90,999 INR
256GB (5G) – 1,04,999 INR
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
256GB (Wi-Fi only) – 1,08,999 INR
256GB (5G) – 1,22,999 INR
512GB (Wi-Fi only) – 1,19,999 INR
512GB (5G) – 1,33,999 INR
Notably, there are also bank cashback offers and upgrade bonus discounts, which will bring down the effective price tag of these tablets by up to 20,000 INR. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 series are premium models that are powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. All three models also feature a 120Hz AMOLED display and feature IP68 water and dust protection and an S Pen.
boAt held its first-ever tech launch event last month where it unveiled the Nirvana 525 ANC. During this event, the company made a lot of noise for these neckband earphones and even showcased some of its notable features like Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation in a special booth. But is it overpriced at 2,799 INR (roughly $34)? And do the world’s first Dolby Audio-powered neckband earphones actually sound good? Find out in our comprehensive review to see if they’re worth the hype.
What’s in the Box?
The hearables arrive in a surprisingly premium packaging box that opens up like a book. On the inside, you can find the wireless neckband earphones along with a 1-year warranty card, extra silicon tips, USB Type-C charging cable, and boAt stickers.
Design
The Nirvana 525 ANC arrives in three color options, namely Space Black, Cosmic Grey, and Celestial Blue. We reviewed the black variant, which also features red accents just below the earbuds. Since it features a neckband design, the company primarily employs silicon for the portion that wraps around your neck.
The ends of the silicone band on the right feature plastic that houses the buttons which include the volume rockers, the power button, the USB-Type C port, and the button dedicated to switching between the various modes. These buttons feel tactile and responsive and support custom mapping for additional functionalities.
The build quality won’t offer a premium feel, but the earphones do not feel cheap or flimsy at all and have a sleek look. As they offer a snug fit, you can expect good noise isolation even without ANC enabled. It was comfortable with longer periods of use as well, and the magnetic tips on the earbuds helped prevent the earphones from falling off when not in use.
But one feature that was sorely missed was the magnetic pairing feature. In recent neckband earphones, the device goes on pairing mode when the earbuds are separated and turn off when connected together. This can be found in earphones that are much cheaper, so it is odd that this wasn’t included.
Sound & Call Quality
For the Nirvana 525 ANC, boAt partnered up with Dolby to bring the world’s first Dolby Audio-powered neckband earphones. The signature boAt sound profile makes its way to these earphones as well, which basically means that bass heads are going to love this one. boAt always placed an emphasis on offering punchy and powerful bass and the 11mm drivers on the Nirvana 525 ANC delivers. Thankfully, the bass did not drown out the vocals, which were clear and stood out.
However, I found the highs of the Nirvana 525 ANC to be slightly distorted and compressed at higher levels while mids just blended in with the bass. The earphones had a one-of-a-kind sound profile, as the songs I listened to had pronounced vocals and an emphasis on bass and lows. Meaning, audiophiles might not appreciate this model, but bass lovers in India are in for a treat as the beats on their favorite tracks will have new energy in them. These were also quite loud and I rarely crossed 60 percent volume levels.
I tested out the earphones while mainly using the Dolby Audio mode out of the box. Although, you can also play around with the EQ from the boAt Wearables app. The Adaptive EQ on this app brings intelligent tests to create a personalized EQ profile for you, which is a nice feature to have. But apart from this, there are two custom presets, namely Natural mode and Movie mode. Note that selecting either of the two will disable Dolby Audio.
By default, the Nirvana 525 ANC runs on an SBC codec, so you’ll need to manually switch to AAC for higher quality. It supports Bluetooth 5.2 as well as dual pairing which is handy when switching between two different devices.
The calling experience from the Nirvana 525 ANC was solid with no issues in terms of audio clarity or connection. The ENx technology from boAt was also great in cutting out noise when in an outdoor environment. So the people on the other side were never bothered by traffic or any other jarring noises during calls. But there were times when the audio from Nirvana’s mic was muffled if the background noise got too loud.
Active Noise Cancellation
The Nirvana 525 ANC features good ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) for its sub-3000 INR price tag. As per official notes, it can lower sound by up to 42 decibels and the ANC was undoubtedly one of its strong suits. The Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation feature is powered by 4 microphones. Whenever I’m on a flight, my go-to audio product is a pair of over-the-ear headphones that feature ANC. These help in drowning out the engine sound or any crying babies on the flight.
But this time around, I tested the Nirvana 525 ANC in the same situation. Even without a track playing, the earphones made me a lot more comfortable by tuning out the noise while the ambient sound completely disappeared after the music started playing. The earphones feature an Ambient mode, which was decent but I recommend not using it on a busy street. A dedicated button lets you cycle through ANC, Ambient, or turn off both of them.
Battery
The company claims a battery life of 40 hours of battery life on a single full charge and I managed to get around 25 to 30 hours with ANC turned on. The fast charging feature is also pretty nifty since a few minutes of charging can get you a couple of hours of playback easily. I was never really worried about it being out of juice and small bursts of charging were always good enough for the day. It charges via a USB-Type C port that is housed right next to the buttons, under a protective flap.
Verdict
With a price tag of 2,799 INR, the boAt Nirvana 525 ANC may not be for everyone. If you’re looking for a more balanced audio listening experience, the earphones aren’t for you since the songs’ audio quality gets muddled at high volumes. However, boAt is cleverly leveraging the Indian market, since many in the region prefer loud bass over everything else. Just make sure to tinker with the equalizer to get the most out of these earphones.
To conclude, as I said before, this is going to be a hit with bass fans. But personally, I feel these earphones might have been a better deal if they cost around 2,000 INR. Dropping Dolby Audio might have helped in reducing cost since it isn’t too effective either.
You can get the boAt Nirvana 525 ANC earphones for around 2499 on Amazon right now.
Samsung recently unveiled its latest offerings, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Z Flip 5, in addition to a range of other gadgets such as newtablets and smartwatches. The company has now disclosed the pricing for these foldable devices in India.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 & Flip 5 pricing in India
Samsung has officially announced the pricing and availability details for its much-anticipated devices, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Z Flip 5, in India. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing:
Galaxy Z Fold 5:
The base variant with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage: Rs 1,54,999
12GB RAM and 512GB storage model: Rs 1,64,999
Top variant with 1TB storage and 12GB RAM: Rs 1,84,999
Color options:
Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream (for the 12GB+256GB and 12GB+512GB models)
Icy Blue (exclusive color for the 1TB variant)
Galaxy Z Flip 5:
8GB RAM and 128GB storage model: Rs 99,999
8GB RAM and 512GB storage model: Rs 1,09,999
Color options:
Mint, Graphite, Cream, and Lavender
Both devices will be available for purchase starting August 17, 2023. Pre-orders are now open and can be made through offline as well as online stores across India.
Samsung is offering attractive pre-booking offers, including benefits worth Rs 20,000 for the Z Flip 5 and Rs 23,000 for the Z Fold 5.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 & Flip 5 specs
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 boasts a 7.6-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED main display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, offering a resolution of 2176 x 1812 pixels and a peak brightness of 1750nits. Additionally, it features a 6.2-inch HD+ AMOLED cover display with the same refresh rate, providing 2316 x 904 pixels resolution and 402ppi. Powering the device is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, clocked at up to 3.36GHz Octa-Core. It comes with a generous 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or a whopping 1TB UFS 4.0.
Running on the latest One UI 5.1.1 based on Android 13, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 offers a versatile camera setup with a 50MP main camera (f/1.8, OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.2), and a 10MP telephoto camera (f/2.4, OIS, PDAF) capable of 3x optical zoom and 30X space zoom. For selfies, there’s a 10MP front camera, and an additional 4MP under-display camera enhances the overall photography experience. The device is packed with features such as S Pen support, IPX8 water resistance rating, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, NFC, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, a Type-C port, and eSIM support. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is fueled by a 4,400mAh battery and supports 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 offers a 6.7-inch Full-HD+ Dynamic AMOLED main display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing a resolution of 2640 x 1080 pixels and 425ppi. It also comes with a 3.4-inch AMOLED cover display with a 60Hz adaptive refresh rate and 720 x 748 pixels resolution. Like its counterpart, it is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM and storage options of 256GB or 512GB UFS 4.0.
Running on the same software, One UI 5.1.1 based on Android 13, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 features a 12MP main camera (f/1.8, OIS) and a 12MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.2) for photography needs. The front camera is a 10MP shooter, and the device shares several features with the Z Fold 5, including IPX8 water resistance rating, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, NFC, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, a Type-C port, and eSIM support. The battery capacity is also the same at 4,400mAh, with support for 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.
In a significant blow to Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, an Australian court has ordered the tech giant to pay fines amounting to $20 million ($14 million) for unlawfully acquiring user data through a smartphone application that misleadingly claimed to prioritize user privacy while covertly harvesting personal information.
The Federal Court of Australia also ruled that Meta, along with its subsidiaries Facebook Israel and the now-defunct app Onavo, must bear the legal costs of $400,000 payable to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the body that initiated the civil lawsuit against the company.
The ACCC’s legal action against Meta stemmed from its investigation into the data practices of the social media conglomerate, revealing that the Onavo app, marketed as a tool to protect user privacy, was surreptitiously collecting and mining users’ personal data without proper disclosure or consent.
This landmark ruling by the Australian court sends a stern message to tech companies about the importance of transparency and compliance with privacy regulations. The court’s decision is seen as a significant step towards safeguarding user privacy in the digital era, as it sets a precedent for holding tech giants accountable for their data collection practices.
In response to this case and the growing concerns about digital privacy, the Australian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has unveiled a series of proposed amendments to the Privacy Act. The proposed changes aim to modernize the legislation, bringing it in line with the evolving landscape of digital technology and the need to protect individuals’ personal information from unauthorized exploitation.
The fines and legal costs imposed on Meta Platforms not only serve as a financial penalty but also highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in the tech industry. With governments worldwide increasingly focusing on data protection and privacy concerns, this ruling may prompt other countries to review their own privacy laws and take necessary steps to hold tech giants accountable for mishandling user data.
Recently, Apple unveiled the anticipated 15-inch model of the MacBook Air, which is similar to the regular 13-inch model of the MacBook Air but with a bigger screen.
While the device was highly anticipated for a couple of years, customers’ actual demand for the 15-inch MacBook Air is not matching up. In fact, the sales numbers are so low that the company is cutting production.
According to the latest report coming from DigiTimes, sources in the supply chain claim that sales for the new 15-inch MacBook Air are as much as 50 percent lower than the Cupertino-based tech giant’s predictions.
The report further adds that because of the low demand, the company is scaling back production, but it is not yet known if Apple has made the move to lower the production numbers or is still in consideration.
This is the first model of the Apple MacBook Air to feature a larger 15-inch display. Prior to this, users would need to purchase the more expensive MacBook Pro models if they wanted a larger than 13-inch screen.
Apple’s new 15-inch MacBook Air, launched last month at WWDC, carries a starting price of $1,299. It continues with the same design and M2 chip as the regular model but with a larger display and two extra speakers.
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has recently reported its best quarter since 2021. However, the company’s ambitious dive into the metaverse has been met with substantial financial setbacks. During the second quarter of 2023, Reality Labs, the division responsible for overseeing Meta’s virtual and augmented reality projects, reported a staggering loss of $3.7 billion, with a revenue of just $276 million.
Mass Employee Layoffs may have played a major role in stabilizing Meta’s position
Despite these challenging figures, Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg remains steadfast in his commitment to the metaverse vision. During the company’s earnings call, he downplayed the significance of the losses, assuring investors that Meta will forge ahead. He expressed optimism about the upcoming launch of the Quest 3 headset at the Connect event in September, promising it to be the company’s most significant headset release since 2020. Zuckerberg attributed the rising expenses to bringing the tech to the market.
While the metaverse may be a financial drain at present, Meta’s overall performance remains quite robust. The company reported an impressive $32 billion in revenue, marking an 11 percent increase compared to the previous year. Key successes include the popularity of Reels, drawing a staggering 200 billion views daily across Facebook and Instagram. Meta’s emphasis on AI-driven recommendations has been instrumental in Reels‘ success.
Amid the metaverse challenges, Meta has launched Threads, a new application that has shown promise with early user engagement. Though analytics data indicated a slight decline, Zuckerberg remains hopeful, foreseeing Threads potentially attracting “hundreds of millions” of users in the long run.
Efficiency has been a central focus for Meta, evident in the completion of substantial layoffs since last fall, reducing the company’s workforce by over 20,000 employees. Zuckerberg’s cultural changes at Meta have streamlined operations, and he expressed satisfaction with Threads’ development led by a relatively small team.
However, when it comes to the metaverse’s profitability, Zuckerberg remains cautious. He acknowledged that it is a long-term bet and that investors may feel uncomfortable with the uncertainties. Nevertheless, he believes the metaverse aligns with the world’s future direction, and Meta is prepared to face the challenges (clearly).
A recent report claimed that Poco is gearing up to launch its first-ever TWS earbuds for the Indian market. It revealed that the brand will announce Poco Pods by the end of this month. Today, the brand officially confirmed that the Poco Pods will be announced on July 29 in the country.
Poco Pods launch date. price in India
Poco Pods
Poco India has officially announced that the Poco Pods will make their debut at 12 pm on July 29. As indicated in the poster above, the brand has also confirmed that the Poco Pods will be available at a special price of Rs 1,199 (~$15). A landing page for the product is now live on Flipkart, but at the time of writing this post, the page encountered an error and there is no information mentioned on it.
The Poco Pods feature a stylish dual-tone design, with the charging case in black and the inner portion in yellow. The earbuds themselves are black, while the eartip area is highlighted in yellow. The company has also confirmed that the Poco Pods will be equipped with 12mm extra bass drivers and will offer up to 30 hours of playback time. It will be available for purchase through Flipkart.
As per reports, the Poco Pods will be a rebranded version of the Redmi Buds 4 Active, which is priced at Rs 1,399 (~$17) in India.
The Redmi Buds 4 Active has 12mm audio drivers, a 34mAh battery in each earbud, and a 440mAh battery in the charging case. It is equipped with other features, such as fast charging, Bluetooth 5.3, a USB-C port, touch controls, and IPX4 water resistance.
What are your thoughts on their dual-tone design and the special price of Rs 1,199? Share your opinions and expectations in the comments below.
An upcoming Oppo phone with model number PJG110 was recently approved by China’s TENAA authority. The certification revealed images of the phone but did not shed any information about its specifications. A new leak, courtesy of tipster Digital Chat Station has shown that the PJG110 phone will be called the Oppo A2 when it arrives in the Chinese market.
OPPO A2 key details emerge
zOPPO PJG110 TENAA images
According to the tipster, the Oppo A2, which is codenamed Givenchy, will come equipped with a 6.7-inch display. It will sport an OLED panel that offers a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2412 pixels and 2160 Hz PWM dimming.
The Oppo A2 will have a flagship-like appearance as it will feature a curved-edge display. DCS added that the device will be equipped with a new primary camera and a large battery. Unfortunately, the leaker did not share any more information about the Oppo A2.
The TENAA images of the phone revealed that it will feature a round camera module. It appears that the phone will come equipped with an under-display fingerprint sensor. The A2 will succeed the Oppo A1, which debuted earlier this year in April. Now that the Oppo A2 has received certification from the TENAA authority, it may debut in August in China.
To recall, the Oppo A1 features a 6.72-inch LCD panel that offers an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The device runs ColorOS 13.1-based Android 13 and comes with a side-facing fingerprint scanner.
Under the hood, the Oppo A1 has the Snapdragon 695 chipset, 8 GB / 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging. It has an 8-megapixel front camera and a 50-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual-camera system.
Twitter, now known as X, is taking a tough stance on advertisers as part of its rebranding strategy to boost its revenue. Facing a concerning 50 percent drop in revenue, the company is implementing measures to increase its bottom line. According to The Wall Street Journal, X is demanding brands to spend a minimum of $1,000 per month on ads to maintain their verified status on the platform. This move comes as a response to combat the proliferation of scammers who create numerous fake accounts on the platform.
The company is facing a massive drop in Revenue, which will affect all departments
Elon Musk, the popular (and controversial) entrepreneur and Twitter user, defended the cost, stating that it serves as a deterrent against such malicious activities that are widespread these days. Alternatively, brands have the option to pay the same amount for the company’s verified organization badge. In an effort to attract more advertisers, X is also slashing prices on some of its advertising slots. The company is offering a generous 50 percent discount on all new bookings until July 31st, aiming to entice advertisers to capitalize on high-impact moments like sporting events, where they can significantly increase their reach.
While larger brands might find the $1,000 monthly expense manageable, the new approach could potentially hurt smaller businesses that lack the financial flexibility or the willingness to commit to this expense. This might lead to a disparity in the representation of businesses on the platform, favoring bigger players while hindering the growth and visibility of smaller enterprises.
The focus on advertisers may be essential to navigate through difficult times, but it also raises questions about the platform’s inclusivity and support for businesses of all sizes. It’ll be interesting to see if Twitter, or rather, X will emerge as a winner on the other side of this uphill battle.
Elon Musk’s ambitious rebranding of Twitter as ‘X’ has encountered a major obstacle in Indonesia. The social media platform, now known as X, faced a block in the country due to its association with the domain X.com, which had previously hosted sites violating Indonesia’s strict laws against online pornography and gambling.
In the past, Netflix, Google, Facebook and others have avoided similar problems by complying with content regulations
The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Informatics confirmed the restriction and stated that they had communicated with representatives from Twitter to clarify the nature of the site. While Twitter assured the government that X.com would be used exclusively for their platform, this move left over 24 million Indonesian users unable to access the site. Indonesia’s total population stands at around 270 million.
Elon Musk‘s rebranding aimed to transform the platform into an “everything app,” extending its services beyond social networking to include payments and banking. However, the Indonesian authorities have a history of blocking or threatening to block websites deemed offensive, criminal, or harmful to social harmony. In the past, popular platforms like Netflix, Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter faced potential bans but managed to avoid them by complying with content regulations.
Regarding the X.com block, some analysts speculate that negative connotations associated with the name might have contributed to the decision. Aribowo Sasmito, co-founder of a fact-checking group, pointed out that the name X.com might be seen as resembling “XXX,” alluding to adult content. This issue raises a dilemma in Indonesia, where some people value freedom of expression, while others prioritize adherence to religious values as the country has the world’s largest Muslim population. Despite the block, internet users in Indonesia have found ways to circumvent censorship in the past. Changing domain names or URLs to bypass restrictions has been a common practice among site owners, undermining the effectiveness of such measures.
Audi, the renowned German automaker, is celebrating impressive global car sales during the second quarter of 2023. Surging ahead with a remarkable 23 percent year-over-year increase, Audi sold 491,400 vehicles during the period. The first half of the year also showed strong performance, with sales amounting to 907,100, marking a 15.5 percent increase compared to the previous year.
The company sold almost 27,000 units of the Q4 e-tron during the second quarter
Key to Audi’s recent success is its all-electric car sales, which have reached new heights. In Q2 2023, the brand recorded the sale of approximately 41,100 battery electric vehicles (BEVs), a 59 percent increase from the same period last year. Audi’s BEVs accounted for 8.4 percent of total vehicle sales during Q2, up from 6.5 percent a year ago. The Audi Q4 e-tron, based on the MEB platform and available in Sportback version, shone as the star of the brand’s electric lineup. With an impressive 26,700 units sold in Q2, the Q4 e-tron represented almost two-thirds of all Audi BEVs sold.
In the first half of 2023, Audi recorded a 51 percent year-over-year increase in BEV sales, totaling 75,600 units, making up 8.3 percent of the brand’s total sales for the period. Looking back to 2022, Audi sold a total of 118,196 all-electric vehicles worldwide, witnessing a 44 percent year-over-year increase. At that time, BEVs accounted for about 7.3 percent of the brand’s total sales.
Committed to a greener and more sustainable future, Audi has announced its plan to introduce only all-electric models to the global market from 2026 onwards, signaling a decisive shift away from internal combustion engines and reinforcing their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Electric bikes have taken the cycling world by storm, offering a new level of excitement and convenience for riders coming from all backgrounds. Among the leaders in the electric bike industry is Greyp, a Croatian specialist known for its innovation and cutting-edge technology. Recently, Greyp joined forces with Porsche, a partnership that includes e-bike system specialist Fazua.
The bike combines futuristic features with the best aspects of bicycle rides
The highly-awaited outcome of this collaboration is the Greyp Zaney, an ultralight trail bike that seamlessly blends impressive technology with a focus on an authentic and natural riding experience. The Zaney distinguishes itself from traditional commuter and cargo e-bikes, as it caters to sport and adventure enthusiasts who seek the thrill of off-road trails while preserving the agility and maneuverability of a standard non-electric bicycle, all with the added benefit of pedal-assist capabilities.
Powering the Greyp Zaney is the advanced Fazua Ride 60 system, striking a perfect balance in terms of power output. With 60 Newton-meters of torque, the Ride 60 outperforms smaller systems but remains more accessible than the high-powered versions offered by other brands. Notably, the Ride 60 features a Boost Mode that empowers riders with an additional 550 watts of power for 12 seconds, ideal for tackling challenging uphill sections. The motor’s intuitive Ring Control Hub makes controlling the bike effortless, while the mobile app provides in-depth tuning options and the convenience of using a mobile phone as a display.
Emphasizing its capabilities as a capable trail machine, the Greyp Zaney boasts generous suspension travel. The front suspension offers an impressive 150 millimeters of travel, complemented by 145 millimeters at the rear. For the top-tier model, riders enjoy even longer front suspension travel, with an extended 160 millimeters. The bike’s Horst Link suspension system, featuring a one-piece rocker arm, contributes to reduced weight, increased durability, and enhanced stiffness, resulting in a remarkable 18-19-kilogram overall weight, depending on the variant.
To ensure superior performance, the Greyp Zaney incorporates high-quality components from Sram’s latest Eagle group sets. The base model features the NX Eagle, while the top-of-the-line version boasts the brand new Transmission, complete with electronic shifters and an innovative chain design. Additionally, all Zaney models come with the SP Connect smartphone mount and a OneUp EDC tool in the fork steerer.
In September 2022, Hero MotoCorp, the renowned Indian motorcycle manufacturer, sent shockwaves through the industry with a $60 million investment in Zero Motorcycles, a California-based electric motorcycle manufacturer. The move sparked intrigue and speculation as to how this partnership would shape the future of electric vehicles (EVs) for Hero.
Hero Motocorp has been a leading motorcycle manufacturer in India for decades now
The initial announcement provided little detail, leading to speculations that Hero might integrate Zero’s cutting-edge technology into its upcoming electric models. Until then, Hero had primarily focused on combustion-powered two-wheelers, but earlier in 2022, they had unveiled their first-ever electric two-wheeler, the Vida V1, born from a collaboration with Taiwanese electric scooter and tech company Gogoro.
Fast forward to July 2023, Hero MotoCorp’s Annual Report laid bare the company’s ambitions and plans for their partnership with Zero Motorcycles. The report highlighted the intent to co-develop premium electric motorcycles, leveraging Zero’s expertise in creating innovative and high-performance EVs. By diversifying their EV portfolio, Hero aimed to capture a wider customer base and capitalize on the global shift towards electric mobility.
The report emphasized the synergy between Zero and Hero MotoCorp, combining Zero’s technical prowess with Hero’s manufacturing, sourcing, and marketing capabilities. As the largest motorcycle manufacturer in India, Hero was poised to take advantage of India’s significant motorcycle market and capitalize on the growing demand for electric vehicles.
Hero MotoCorp’s forward-looking partnership with Zero Motorcycles showcased a deep commitment to sustainable mobility. The collaboration aimed to introduce Zero’s portfolio to the Indian market, expanding access to cutting-edge clean mobility options for Indian consumers. Notably, Zero Motorcycles also planned to manufacture its products in India, cementing India’s position as a crucial hub for electric vehicle production.
The timing couldn’t be more critical, especially with Energica, another premium electric motorcycle manufacturer, announcing its intentions to enter the Indian market by 2024 in October 2022. Hero MotoCorp’s strategic alliance with Zero positioned the company to be a key player in accelerating India’s transition to electric mobility, and its global markets as well.
Giztop is giving a $50 pre-sale discount coupon for the Lenovo Legion Y700 2023 gaming tablet. The tablet which generally retails for $499 is now available for a discounted price of $399 by using the coupon code: Y70023. Please note that the coupon is valid only till Aug 15.
The Lenovo Legion Y700 gaming tablet features a TUV Rhineland Certified 8.8 inch 2K LCD screen and supports a 120Hz refresh rate. The display comes with Dolby Vision, DC dimming, and 500 nits brightness.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 octa-core processor, the tablet comes in two memory variants viz: 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB/ 512GB UFS 3.1 storage, further expandable with a MicroSD slot.
The tablet comes with a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera to capture images and videos and conduct face-to-face chat and video calls. Also for enhanced security, Legion Y700 comes with the face id unlock feature.
Lenovo Legion Y700 2023 gaming tablet is fueled by a massive 6550mAh battery and supports Quick Charge 3.0. Also to enjoy an immersive gaming and video experience, the tablet comes with dual JBL speakers supported by Dolby Atmos. Running on the Android 13 OS-based ZUI 15, the tablet offers you a fresh user experience and advanced multitasking options.
You can now get the Lenovo Legion Y700 2023 gaming tablet for as low as $399 only on Giztop.
For more information on such exciting deals and offers, check out our deals hub.
Microsoft and Google have outperformed market expectations, propelled by their advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), in the second quarter of the fiscal year. Microsoft reported a remarkable net profit of US$20.1 billion, marking a substantial 20% year-on-year increase, while the tech giant’s quarterly sales reached an impressive US$56.2 billion. At the same time, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, recorded a net income of US$18.7 billion, with revenues amounting to an impressive US$74.6 billion in the recently concluded quarter.
Despite these stellar financial outcomes, both companies acknowledge that AI’s full potential is yet to be realized, and deeper investments will be essential before significant gains are seen in their bottom line. The AI frenzy is driving these tech giants to push the boundaries of innovation, understanding that it will be a key driver of future growth. Although the initial costs may seem daunting, the potential long-term benefits are clear, with AI expected to revolutionize various industries and augment overall business efficiency. Investors and industry observers remain optimistic, anticipating a future where AI-powered solutions become pervasive and contribute significantly to Microsoft and Alphabet’s ongoing success.
Microsoft attributed the rise in costs to its ambitious efforts to construct new data centers solely supporting AI capabilities. Moreover, the company foresees a continued uptick in capital expenditures as it acquires cutting-edge chips from prominent suppliers like Nvidia Corp to power these data centers. Analysts have identified two primary avenues through which Microsoft bears the costs of AI advancement. Firstly, the company is investing in AI to power its own products, such as the upcoming Copilot AI assistant, which is set to be offered at $30 per month. Secondly, Microsoft is also catering to companies seeking to leverage its Azure cloud computing services to develop their own AI-driven products.
While the AI investments have led to increased costs for Microsoft, company executives remain optimistic about the future revenue potential. They anticipate that the Copilot AI service will become a significant revenue generator, contributing substantially to Microsoft’s fiscal year 2024 earnings, set to end on June 30. The release of ChatGPT, an AI language model, came at a time when technology giants were grappling with lay-offs and cost-cutting measures, resulting in share prices fluctuating after soaring during the pandemic.
Investor reactions have been mixed, with Microsoft’s shares plummeting over 4% in premarket trading on Wednesday, while Alphabet’s saw a substantial gain of nearly 7%. Investors are closely watching the AI developments of these tech titans, as AI technology continues to revolutionize various sectors and promises to be a key driver of future growth. The market sentiment remains mixed, but the potential for AI to reshape industries and boost business efficiency continues to fuel excitement in the sector.
Pure Electric has unveiled the Advance Flex folding e-scooter which comes in a compact design. The Advance Flex can be folded to a fraction of its size in 5 steps and is suited for last-mile trips. It is powered by a 710W electric motor and a single charge yields a range of 39km (24 miles). The e-scooter is small enough to fit under an office desk or in the boot of a car.
The Advance Flex e-scooter weighs 16kg and it packs enough power to take you to and from short commutes in the city. It also comes with enough power to navigate difficult terrain or inclement weather conditions. The new Pure Electric Advance Flex combines comfort, power, portability, and versatility into its architecture. It has a forward-stance design that features two dedicated footrests for a more comfortable ride. This gives the rider a natural stance with both feet side by side.
The Forward Stance on the e-scooter allows the user to easily maneuver the machine in a balanced position. Furthermore, the side-by-side stance keeps maintains your center of gravity for a more balanced ride. The scooter is rated IP65 and comes with an entirely repairable design.
The Advance Flex has a top speed of 25km/h and its 710W peak power provides enough torque to take the scooter uphill. The scooter has a 36V/ 9.5Ah battery which yields a range of 24 miles. The e-scooter has three driving modes and an integrated lighting system for safety even at night. The folding mechanism deployed in the Advance Flex consists of five user-friendly steps. The handlebar and strategically located hinges help to make the scooter to be very compact. The Advance Flex has dimensions (L x W x H) of 24.4 x 11.8 x 22.4 inches when folded. Originally the dimensions of the Advance Flex are 41 x 23.6 x 42.5 inches.
The Pure Electric companion app for the Advance Flex offers more control for the scooter. You can check a raft of information from your smartphone, as well as digitally lock the e-scooter. The Award-Winning Advance Flex is listed as “Coming Soon” on the Pure Electric website and it is priced at £1,099 (~$1,420).
The TCL C955 Mini LED TV with a 98-inch 4K screen has been unveiled in Japan. The expansive TV has a 4K Mini LED display with Quantum Dot (QD) technology. It delivers a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits and features built-in Google TV and gaming features. The new TCL C955 Series Mini LED TV also supports Dolby Vision IQ and has a variable refresh rate of 144Hz.
The new TCL 98-inch 4K Mini LED TV is AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certified and has more than four-fold local dimming zones than the C845 series. Both HDR10+ and HLG display formats are supported on the C955. The native refresh rate of the screen is 120Hz but this can reach 144Hz under VRR.
The TV uses the AIgo Engine Max II for AI image enhancement, 4K upscaling, and MEMC motion smoothing. You can stream content from various streaming platforms, thanks to the in-built Google TV. You can also wirelessly cast content to the TV from a mobile device via Apple AirPlay 2 or Chromecast.
The TCL C955 series TV can be deployed for immersive and seamless gaming. The gaming features include Game Master, Game Accelerator, and Game Bar. The Game Mode activates the 144Hz VRR with a 4K resolution and a 0.8 ms response time. The TV has an HDMI 2.1 eARC port for connecting to the game console.
The TCL C955 series 98-inch Mini LED TV is priced in Japan at ¥979,980 (~$6,982). TCL has not provided release information for the model for overseas markets.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
