The Future of VR is Here: Meta’s Highly Anticipated Quest 3 VR Headset Has Been Unveiled for $499.99

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Jun 2, 2023

The competition is heating up in the virtual reality world. Just days before Apple’s expected reveal of its first mixed reality headset at WWDC 2023, Meta has announced its Quest 3 VR headset. This new headset, which boasts a 40% slimmer profile compared to the Quest 2, is set to launch this fall. A 128 GB version will be available for $499.99 and an unspecified price for the 256GB model. Here are the details…

Meta vs. Apple: The Battle for Mixed Reality Dominance

Meta, has been working on virtual reality for a long time. For instance, the company purchased Oculus VR for $2 billion in March 2014. If we consider that this technology still has some shortcomings today, we could say that nine years is quite old. Since then, the social media giant, which has introduced a few headsets and brought the concept of the Metaverse into our lives, now about to face a very strong competitor.

Apple’s mixed reality headset has long been in the news with ongoing leaks. Although nobody has a clear idea of what it will be like, the consensus is that Apple is expected to succeed in this field. As you know, the tech giant is more interested in being the best at doing something rather than being the first. It seems that this situation may have scared Meta a bit, as they suddenly announced the Quest 3 VR headset in a released video.

Quest 3 Features New Design, Improved Performance, and More for an Immersive VR Experience

At first glance, the Quest 3 doesn’t seem drastically different from its predecessor. However, it actually brings significant innovations in both design and technical terms. According to the company’s claim, the headset is more ergonomic, lighter, and equipped with a more powerful processor and higher resolution. This opens the door for a more comfortable and realistic gaming experience. The Quest 3 is also compatible with Quest 2’s games, allowing users to continue playing their favorite titles on the new headset. Meta also announced a price reduction for the Quest 2 starting from June 4th. The 128 GB model will be available for $299.99 and the 256 GB model will be priced at $349.99.

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Microsoft to add Amnesia: The Bunker & more on Xbox Game Pass

By

Sean

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Jun 2, 2023

Microsoft is gearing up to bring a bunch of new games in its Xbox Game Pass. The company plans to add a number of new exciting titles in the game pass over the course of this month. So let’s have a look.

Microsoft brings new games to Xbox Game Pass

The American tech giant is set to bring in eight new games on its vast library of video games on the Xbox Game Pass. These games will be added within the first half of this month. Just today (1st June 2023), the brand has brought in two titles in the game pass. Back on May 30, the company brought in Chicory: A Colorful Tale and Farworld Pioneers. And now, the Xbox Game Pass will offer Car Mechanic Simulator 2021, Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengeance of the Slayer, and The Big Con.

Furthermore, Microsoft will add the Amnesia: The Bunker and the Hypnospace Outlaw on June 6. Similarly, the Rune Factory 4 Special and Stacking will be brought onto the platform o June 8. Following this, Dordogne will be added to Xbox Game Pass on June 13. On the other hand, titles Bridge Constructor Portal, Chorus, Maneater, Mortal Shell, Serious Sam 4, and Total War: Three Kingdoms will be leaving the Game Pass on June 15. So over the next couple of weeks, there are plenty of fun titles are being added that gamers should definitely check out.

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Snapdragon Tech Summit 2023 date confirmed, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 launch expected

By

Sudhanshu

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Jun 2, 2023

Qualcomm has confirmed the dates for its annual Snapdragon Tech Summit, which will be held from October 24th to 26th this year. Notably, the event is scheduled a month earlier than its usual timeframe. The highly anticipated summit is expected to serve as a platform for Qualcomm to unveil its flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, showcasing the company’s latest advancements in mobile technology.

Although the brand has not revealed any details officially, leaks have already emerged regarding the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Rumors suggest that the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650) SoC will feature an updated architecture, shifting from a “1+2+2+3” setup to a “1+5+2” configuration. This change is expected to introduce a more powerful performance core with a higher frequency. Additionally, the chip will reportedly be manufactured using the TSMC N4P process, known for its advanced capabilities.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is rumored to consist of 1 x Cortex-X4 prime core, 5 x A720 performance cores, 2 x A520 power efficiency cores, and an Adreno 750 GPU. Notably, according to reputable leaker Ice Universe, the Adreno 750 GPU is anticipated to deliver significant performance improvements compared to its predecessor, the Adreno 740. It is also rumored to feature a 10MB L3 cache, up from the 8MB L3 cache found in the previous iteration.

Other than that, the performance of the new chip has also been revealed. According to a Geekbench listing, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 scored 2563 points in GeekBench single-core test and 7256 points in the multi-core test. Both of these scores are quite impressive, however, the jump in the multi-core test scores compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC shows some serious improvements coming our way. In contrast, the device achieved an impressive AnTuTu score of 1,712,271, with the CPU contributing 331,292 points and the GPU contributing 853,295 points.

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Nokia launches C300 & C110 budget smartphones with HD+ displays

By

Sean

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Jun 2, 2023

HMD Global has just unveiled a couple of new budget series of smartphones that target the entry level segment of the market. The two new phones are the Nokia C300 and C110 model, which are a pair of 4G enabled devices. So let’s have a look.

Nokia C300 & C110 are the brand’s latest budget phones

The Nokia C110 sports a 6.3 inch LCD display that has a HD+ resolution, 2.5D toughened glass, 20:9 aspect ratio, and up to 400 nits of peak brightness. Under the hood, this model is equipped with the MediaTek Helio P22 SoC that is paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage that can be further expanded up to 256GB via a microSD card slot. On the rear, the handset features a 13 megapixel camera, while the front houses a 5 megapixel selfie shooter.

Other notable features include Android 12 OS, 3.5mm headphone jack, FM Radio, IP52 dust and splash resistance. It is powered by a 3,000mAh battery pack with 5W charging. Meanwhile, the Nokia C300 sports a taller 6.52 inch HD+ display, 20:9 aspect ratio, 2.5D toughened glass, and up to 450 nits of brightness. This model is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 SoC that is paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage as well. It also supports memory expansion and runs on Android 12. It has a larger 4,000mAH battery pack that supports 10W charging.

It also offers 3.5mm headphone jack, FM Radio, 13 megapixel triple cameras on the rear and an 8 megapixel front facing shooter, IP52 rating, and side mounted fingerprint scanner. The Nokia C110 has been launched in grey for just 99 US Dollars, while the C300 arrives in blue for 139 US Dollars. These new devices are currently available in the US.

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AMD showcases new Ryzen XDNA AI tech during Computex 2023

By

Sean

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Jun 2, 2023

With the Computex 2023 event show kicking off, various brands have taken the stage their latest breakthroughs in technology and innovations. AMD is one of these companies and has just announced the new Ryzen XDNA AI tech that was demoed during the major tech event.

AMD Ryzen XDNA AI tech demoed on laptops at Computex 2023

With the new technology, Team Red is gearing up to prepare the operating system and the software ecosystem for carrying out AI related tasks locally on the PC. Ryzen XDNA AI engine was found running on an ASUS Strix Scar 17 gaming laptop that was also equipped with the Eyzen 9 7940HS SoC and the Radeon 780M graphics. The XDNA AI engine is basically a dedicated accelerator that resides on the die with the CPU cores.

As the name suggests, this tech will seek to execute AI interference based workloads such as audio, video, and photo processing. These are typically lower intensity tasks but with the new AI engine, it is more energy efficient than using the CPU or GPU. In other words, this will help boost performance while also saving battery life. During the Computex 2023 event, the XDNA AI engine was spotted working on facial recognition tasks.

The engine can handle up to 4 concurrent AI streams and also supports INT8 and bfloat16 instructions. AMD also claims that XDNA AI is faster than the neural engine present on the Apple M2 processors. We can expect to see this technology makes it way across a number of its future products. So stick around for more.

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XMG APEX 17 & 15 gaming laptops unveiled with revamped design, 144Hz IPS displays & Ryzen 7 7735HS chip

By

Sudhanshu

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Jun 2, 2023

Schenker‘s renowned gaming brand, XMG, has made an exciting announcement regarding its latest APEX-series laptops. In an unexpected move, the APEX line-up will now serve as the entry-level range, typically filled by the CORE line. Despite this change, the newly introduced M23 variants are anticipated to deliver a performance level in the mid to upper-mid-range category. This is made possible by the inclusion of graphics options with a 115W TGP (Total Graphics Power), which can further increase by up to 25W through the Dynamic Boost feature, enabling a maximum power rating of 140W for the mobile RTX 40-series.

Notably, the APEX series is not merely a refresh; it boasts a revamped chassis with significant improvements in cooling and a user-serviceable design featuring dual DDR5 and PCIe Gen 4×4 slots. The M23 design, in particular, will serve as the foundation for future models that will adopt AMD Phoenix platforms and offer WQHD display options.

The APEX 15 and 17 models feature 144Hz, 300-nit FHD IPS matte panels, covering 90% of the sRGB color gamut. While there is only one USB type-C (3.2 Gen 2) port, separate headphone and mic jacks, as well as a full-sized SD card reader, are included. The rear of the APEX M23 laptops showcases HDMI 2.1 and mini-DisplayPort 1.4a ports with G-SYNC support, along with a Gigabit Ethernet jack. It’s worth mentioning that these laptops lean towards the base-model range, employing predominantly plastic construction. However, it’s important to note that retail models of the APEX 15 and 17 will feature keyboards with a more standard ISO layout and ‘normal’ Enter keys.

Excitingly, the XMG APEX 17 and 15 laptops are expected to be available for pre-order soon, starting at a minimum of 16GB RAM. The APEX 17 will be priced at €1,299 ($1,383), while the APEX 15 will be priced at €1,399 ($1,489).

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iQOO Neo 7 Pro Indian price range tipped ahead of alleged June 20 launch

By

Sudhanshu

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Jun 2, 2023

Yesterday, we reported on a leak revealing the launch timeline of the iQOO Neo 7 Pro smartphone in India. It is reported that the device could launch around June 20. Now, the price range of the device has also been tipped.

Tipster Paras Guglani has shared some insights regarding the upcoming iQOO Neo series smartphone. According to Guglani, the iQOO Neo 7 Pro will be exclusively available in black color in India. The smartphone is expected to come in a configuration option of 16GB RAM and 256GB storage.

Furthermore, Guglani suggests that the iQOO Neo 7 Pro’s price in India will fall within the range of Rs 38,000 to Rs 42,000. However, it remains unclear whether this pricing applies to the base variant or the specific 16GB + 256GB configuration. Earlier reports have claimed that the iQOO Neo 7 Pro coming to India is essentially a rebrand of the iQOO Neo 8 launched last month in China.

If that turns out to be the case then we can expect the smartphone to come with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 1260 x 2800 pixels resolution, a 20:9 aspect ratio, a 144Hz refresh rate, and up to 1,300 nits of brightness.

Under the hood, the device might feature an underclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset. The iQOO Neo 7 Pro is expected to offer generous memory options, with the possibility of up to 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Powering the device will be a substantial 5,000mAh battery, supporting rapid 120W fast charging capabilities to ensure prolonged usage without interruption.

For optics, we can expect the device to debut with a 16-megapixel front-facing camera and a 50-megapixel (OIS enabled) +2-megapixel (depth) dual-camera system.

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Google Bard Update brings Precise Location, will Improve Quality & Accuracy of Local Searches

By

Anubhav

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Jun 2, 2023

Google Bard is an innovative and versatile platform developed by Google that revolutionizes the world of creative writing. With its advanced natural language processing capabilities, Google Bard provides writers with a powerful tool for crafting compelling and engaging content. It offers a wide range of features, including intelligent suggestions for rhymes, synonyms, and word choices, helping users enhance their writing skills and unlock their creative potential. In an attempt to go up against the likes of more popular chatbots such as ChatGPT and Bing Chat, the company is introducing new updates to Bard, and the latest one is aimed towards getting more relevant responses out of Bard.

Google Bard also got updated with some UI enhancements with the new upgrade

Following a series of significant updates in May, Google Bard is kicking off June by introducing support for precise location, enabling users to receive more relevant responses tailored to their immediate surroundings. This new feature leverages a combination of information from users’ Google Account’s Home and Work addresses, their IP address, and their device’s precise location to deliver personalized and location-specific search results. With this update, Google Bard aims to enhance the overall search experience, providing users with highly targeted information about their local area and enabling them to make more informed decisions. Similar to how Google Search operates, this update will prompt users to grant the necessary location permission within their browser or device settings.

The latest update to Google Bard introduces not only precise location support but also includes several user interface enhancements. Located in the bottom-left corner of the Bard interface, users can find a light/dark theme button. Furthermore, Bard now displays the user’s current city along with an explanation of how it is derived, providing an interesting insight into the underlying algorithms. Users can easily update their location by tapping on the “Update location” option if they initially dismissed the prompt.

This recent addition of precise location support to Google Bard follows a string of updates that have been rolled out to enhance the overall user experience. Just last week, Bard introduced image support, allowing users to receive visual responses alongside text-based information. Additionally, during the I/O 2023 conference, Google showcased a range of new features and previews, indicating its commitment to continual innovation and advancement.

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Uber & Serve Robotics will have a 2,000-Food-Delivery-Robot Fleet Soon

By

Anubhav

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Jun 2, 2023

In a move set to transform the constantly-evolving food delivery industry, Uber Eats and Serve Robotics have officially announced their plans to introduce robot food delivery services in major cities across the United States starting in 2026. This joint venture aims to revolutionize the way meals are delivered to customers, providing an automated, seamless and efficient experience.

The robots can go 40 kilometres on a single charge

Serve Robotics, an independent company that broke off from Uber’s business, has developed a four-wheeled robot powered by advanced AI technology for precise path planning. With a remarkable battery life of approximately 40 kilometres, these robots can transport packages weighing up to 23 kilograms, effectively catering to a wide range of delivery needs. Each robot is capable of managing multiple orders daily, ensuring swift and reliable service.

Uber has pledged its commitment to achieving a zero-carbon emission delivery platform by 2040, and the integration of robot deliveries plays a pivotal role in this mission. As part of the service, Uber Eats customers will soon have the option to choose robot delivery for their meals. Once the robot reaches the specified destination, the customer can securely retrieve their order by entering a password, ensuring a seamless and safe experience.

Field testing of robot food delivery services has already commenced in California, marking a significant milestone in the journey toward a fully automated delivery system. Building on this success, Uber plans to expand its partnership with Serve Robotics to include additional cities in 2026. San Jose, California, Dallas, Texas, and Vancouver, Canada are among the locations expected to witness the deployment of up to 2,000 delivery robots.

While the introduction of robot food delivery services holds great promise, there are several potential challenges that these robots may face in urban environments. One significant issue is navigating complex city streets and crowded sidewalks. The robots need to safely maneuver through various obstacles such as pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, while adhering to traffic rules. Additionally, they must accurately identify and reach specific delivery locations, which can be challenging in densely populated areas with high-rise buildings and intricate addresses. Moreover, there is the concern of potential theft or vandalism of the robots and their cargo, which may require robust security measures.

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ASRock unveils 55″ 8K gaming monitor at Computex with HDR 1000 certification

By

Sudhanshu

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Jun 2, 2023

During Computex 2023, Asus unveiled its latest addition to the ROG lineup, featuring expansive gaming displays with 4K resolution. Following suit, ASRock has now entered the scene by introducing the ASRock PG558KF, an enormous 55″ monitor boasting an impressive 8K resolution. Let’s take a closer look at its features.

ASRock PG558KF gaming monitor specs

Boasting its 55-inch display with an impressive 8K resolution, this monitor delivers a stunning visual experience. The flat IPS panel ensures vibrant colors and sharp imagery, resolving at an impressive 7,680 x 4,320 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

In terms of performance, the PG558KF offers a 60 Hz refresh rate and a 1,200:1 contrast ratio with 252 local dimming zones. While these specifications may seem modest compared to some high-end gaming monitors, it’s worth noting that achieving 8K gaming at a higher refresh rate is currently beyond the capabilities of most modern graphics cards. Moreover, the monitor carries the VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification, capable of reaching a peak brightness of 1,000 nits when viewing HDR content. ASRock specifies a typical maximum brightness of 750 nits.

Connectivity options on the PG558KF are abundant, with two DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 ports each. It also features a USB hub equipped with four USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A downstream ports, along with a USB Type-C upstream port supporting 90 W charging through the USB PD 3.0 protocol.

While pricing and availability details for the PG558KF remain undisclosed at this time, it is expected that ASRock will provide further information later in the year.

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Twitter’s Head of Trust and Safety Resigns Amidst Mounting Criticism

By

Anubhav

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Jun 2, 2023

In a surprising turn of events, Ella Irwin, the head of trust and safety at Twitter, has tendered her resignation. This development adds to the growing concerns surrounding the social media giant’s lax protection measures against harmful content since it was acquired by billionaire Elon Musk in October.

Twitter might face another setback with the departure of Ella Irwin

There could be several factors contributing to Irwin’s decision. It is possible that she may have received a better career opportunity elsewhere or decided to pursue a different professional path aligned with her goals and aspirations. It is also conceivable that there were internal dynamics or strategic disagreements within the company that influenced her decision to step down.

It is crucial to recognize that executive-level resignations can occur in any organization, and the circumstances behind them are often complex and multifaceted. Without further information, it is challenging to ascertain the precise motivations behind Irwin’s departure from Twitter. During her tenure, she played a crucial role in overseeing content moderation efforts. However, her departure signals a potential setback for Twitter’s ongoing battle against harmful and unsuitable content.

Notably, Musk recently announced the appointment of Linda Yaccarino, former NBCUniversal advertising chief, as Twitter’s new CEO. This move indicates Musk’s commitment to repositioning the company and addressing the mounting concerns regarding content moderation and brand safety.

Since Musk’s acquisition, Twitter has embarked on a cost-cutting spree, resulting in significant layoffs. Unfortunately, this has included dedicated employees who were actively engaged in efforts to combat harmful and illegal content, preserve election integrity, and promote accurate information on the platform – which it tried to achieve recently with Community Notes. We’ll see how Twitter’s current decisions shape the future of the company with a different Head of Trust and Safety.

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Xiaomi 13 Ultra global launch date officially confirmed, purchase benefits revealed

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jun 2, 2023

In April, Xiaomi unveiled the Xiaomi 13 Ultra in China. The ultimate flagship phone from Xiaomi was also confirmed to be released in the global market. A microsite for the Xiaomi 13 Ultra for a global audience is now live. The countdown timer available on it confirms the launch date.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra global launch date

The countdown timer on the official site reveals that the Xiaomi 13 Ultra global launch will be held on June 8. Those who purchase the 13 Ultra will be able to take advantage of benefits, such as a 3-month YouTube Premium subscription for free and a 6-month 100 GB Google One subscription for free.

Recent reports have revealed that the Xiaomi 13 Ultra will be available in a 12GB+512GB version only in the global market. In Europe, it could be priced at 1,299 euros or 1,499 euros. It will be available in black and green colors.

Update: you also can grab the Chinese version Xiaomi 13 Ultra phone for $999 on Giztop now, click HERE.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra specifications

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a 6.73-inch AMOLED LTPO display equipped with Quad HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and an under-display fingerprint scanner. It runs on Android 13 and MIUI 14.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset powers the 13 Ultra with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. It packs a 5,000mAh battery that supports 90W wired and 50W wireless charging.

The 13 Ultra has a 32-megapixel front-facing camera. On the back, it has a 1-inch Sony IMX989 50-megapixel primary camera, which is paired with a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens, a 5-megapixel telephoto camera with OIS, and a 50-megapixel periscope lens with OIS and 5x optical zoom.

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Dell’s Revenue Dips 20% in Q1 2023, which is still better than Analysts’ Predictions

By

Anubhav

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Jun 2, 2023

Dell, a renowned name in the technology industry, recently announced its quarterly results, defying expectations and showcasing its enduring legacy. While the PC market faced challenges, Dell’s financial figures exceeded analyst estimates, highlighting the company’s ability to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

Dell’s Enterprise PC Segment was the saving grace for the company

With a rich history spanning decades, Dell has established itself as a key player in the technology sector. Founded in 1984 by Michael Dell, the company initially gained recognition for its direct-to-consumer sales model, revolutionizing the way computers were distributed. By cutting out the middleman and offering customizable solutions, Dell rapidly gained a loyal customer base.

Over the years, Dell expanded its product portfolio, encompassing a wide range of offerings, including personal computers, laptops, servers, and storage devices. The company’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions propelled its growth, allowing it to become a global leader in the industry.

In the face of a challenging PC market, Dell’s recent financial report offered a glimmer of hope. Despite an overall revenue decline of 20% compared to the previous year, the figures surpassed analysts’ predictions. Dell’s effective cost control measures contributed to improved earnings, underlining the company’s ability to navigate turbulent times successfully.

One particular highlight within the report was the performance of Dell’s enterprise PC segment. Sales exceeded expectations, generating substantial revenue and showcasing the company’s strong foothold in the corporate sector. However, the consumer PC business faced headwinds, experiencing a significant decline in sales. Even in China, Dell doesn’t seem to be doing too well.

While Dell’s competitors also struggled with lower-than-expected PC sales, the company remains optimistic about the future. Looking ahead, Dell’s Vice President, Yvonne McGill, revealed that revenue for the upcoming quarter is expected to range between $20.2 billion and $21.2 billion, signalling a potential turning point. As Dell continues to evolve and adapt to changing market dynamics, it will be interesting to see how the company’s future success plans look like.

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Gmail Scammers Exploit Verification Systems, Google gets a Wake-Up Call

By

Anubhav

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Jun 2, 2023

Google’s Gmail introduced a new feature that used Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) technology to verify the identity of email senders. When an email was received from a verified sender, a blue checkmark appears next to the company’s name in the inbox. Google initially introduced BIMI in Gmail in 2020, allowing enrolled brands to include authenticated logos in their emails. The blue checkmark is supposed to be a more noticeable indicator that the sender is legitimate, providing users with an extra layer of protection against email scams. It seems that it might’ve backfired on Google to some degree, as scammers seem to have already found a way around this.

Google ignored the first bug report made, but then social media did its thing

Chris Plummer, a diligent cybersecurity engineer, uncovered a concerning trend: scammers finding a way to deceive Gmail’s authentication systems, enabling them to appear as legitimate sources and bypass security checks. Despite Plummer’s sincere efforts to bring this to Google’s attention, his bug report was shockingly dismissed as “intended behavior.” Obviously surprised by the response, Plummer took to social media (specifically Twitter) to voice his frustrations, sparking a significant and m outcry from concerned users.

Plummer’s revelations on Twitter resonated with users and experts alike, highlighting the severity of the issue and the need for action. The collective opposition seems to have caught Google’s attention, prompting the company to reconsider its initial reaction to the same. Realizing the potential consequences of scammers exploiting the system, Google is now compelled to address the vulnerability and fix it swiftly. Social media can be a really useful tool at times, it seems.

While it is kind of annoying that Plummer had to resort to public pressure to elicit a response from Google, it is essential to acknowledge the company’s subsequent acknowledgement of the issue (even though it might be for the sake of the company’s image). Users must remain optimistic that Google will try to identify and resolve the problem.

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Nintendo Europe Division winds down Russian Operations amidst Economic Stress

By

Anubhav

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Jun 2, 2023

Nintendo‘s recent decision to suspend product shipments to Russia and place the Nintendo eShop under maintenance has had a profound impact on the Russian gaming market. In early 2022, Nintendo took this drastic step following the suspension of transactions in Russian rubles by payment providers. Now, Nintendo of Europe has made the difficult decision to wind down its operations in Russia, citing the challenging economic outlook as a determining factor.

Existing Russian Nintendo Account holders will continue receiving limited service

However, the company remains committed to its loyal customer base in Russia and is taking steps to honour its previous commitments. The Russian version of Nintendo eShop will continue to offer a limited service to existing customers. Effective May 31st, 2023, and for the foreseeable future, Russian customers who possess an active Nintendo Account will still be able to redownload digital content they have previously purchased. This move aims to ensure that players can continue to access and enjoy the games they have invested in.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that creating new Nintendo Accounts with a country setting of Russia will no longer be possible. As a precautionary measure, payment information associated with Nintendo Accounts, such as credit card or PayPal details, has been deleted for security reasons. While this may inconvenience some customers, Nintendo prioritizes the safety and protection of its users’ personal information.

Nintendo’s decision to wind down operations in Russia reflects the complexities of the global gaming market and the challenges faced by multinational companies in navigating economic uncertainties. The sales of the Nintendo Switch are already expected to take a hit this year. Despite this setback, the company remains committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences to players worldwide, while taking appropriate measures to ensure the security and satisfaction of its loyal customer base.

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Vivo V29 Lite 5G launched with curved AMOLED display, Snapdragon 695, 64MP OIS triple cameras

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jun 2, 2023

Several reports have claimed that Vivo will launch the Vivo V29 series of smartphones in the global market. The first V29 series phone, the Vivo V29 Lite 5G, has now gone official in the Czech Republic without any fanfare. Here is a look at the specifications, features, and price of the device.

Vivo V29 Lite 5G specifications and features

The Vivo V29 Lite 5G comes equipped with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with curved edges. The screen offers an FHD+ resolution, a 20:9 aspect ratio, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 300Hz touch sampling rate, a 2160Hz Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) eye protection, up to 1,300 nits of brightness, and a DCI-P3 color gamut. In addition, it is also equipped with an in-screen fingerprint scanner.

Under the hood, the Vivo V29 Lite 5G features the Snapdragon 695 chipset and 8 GB of RAM. The device offers 8 GB of virtual RAM and 128 GB of storage. It ships with Android 13 OS and FunTouch OS 13 preinstalled. The company has guaranteed that the V29 Lite will receive two major Android OS upgrades and three years of security updates. It houses a 5,000mAh battery that supports 44W fast charging.

The Vivo V29 Lite 5G has a 16-megapixel camera on the front. Its rear-facing camera system has a 64-megapixel main camera with OIS support, a 2-megapixel bokeh lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera.

Vivo V29 Lite 5G black — Vivo V29 Lite 5G in Dark Black

The V29 Lite 5G measures 7.89mm in thickness and weighs 177 grams. The back panel of the phone has nano-scale photo-etched patterns, which give it a sleek look. Lastly, the phone comes with IP54-rated dust and water protection.

Vivo V29 Lite 5G price and availability

The Vivo V29 Lite 5G is now available for pre-sale and is scheduled to go on sale on June 15. Those who pre-order the phone between June 1 and June 14 will receive the Vivo TWS 2e earbuds worth CZK 1,499 (~$68) for free. The device, which comes in an 8GB+128GB configuration only, is priced at CZK 8,499 (~$386), including VAT. Buyers can avail in Dark Black and Summer Gold colours. It comes with a two-year warranty.

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BOE unveils the first 110-inch 16K TV that dwarfs current projectors

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jun 1, 2023

BOE has showcased a massive 110-inch 16K TV which is a great and refreshing alternative to projectors. The TV prototype was presented at the SID Display Week 2023 in Los Angeles. The BOE 16K TV offers greater display clarity over the lower 4K and 8K models. The prototype offers a four-fold increase in pixels above an 8K screen and 16 times the pixels count over a 4K TV.

The unveiling of the new BOE 110-inch 16K TV coincides with the Chinese company’s 30th Anniversary celebration. The SID Display Week 2023 brings together a rich collection of cutting-edge resolution screens. The prototype is about the same size as home theater projectors but with a more powerful 16K resolution. The leading home theater projectors cannot boast of anything near a 16K resolution.

The prototype has a pretty underwhelming maximum brightness of 400 nits compared to up to 1,400 nits from the best projectors and TVs. The frame rate on offer for the BOE prototype is 60Hz while some current TVs offer up to 120Hz. The prototype also comes with an LCD panel as opposed to an OLED, QLED, or Mini-LED. It has to be stated that this is still a prototype and could possibly not make its way to the market.

BOE 110-inch 16K TV showcased at the SID Display Week 2023 in Los Angeles

The BOE 110-inch 16K TV prototype has 16 DisplayPort cables which look quite clumsy. It would seem that the flipside of a 16K screen trumps the benefits. There is a little sprinkling of models/ prototypes with 16K screens.

The BOE 16K TV prototype may have a long trajectory if it is to transit into a production model. It is however interesting that the TV could be a stepping-stone to more developed models. Maybe in the nearest future, we will get a true 16K model with excellent features and few drawbacks.

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Redmi K50i drops to its best price yet in India, available for Rs. 18,999

By

Anurag

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Jun 1, 2023

The Redmi K series phones often remain exclusive to China but last year Xiaomi made an exception, and released the Redmi K50i in India. This was three years after the company launched the K20 series in the country. The device arrives as a solid mid-ranger with a powerful Dimensity 8100 chip and 144Hz refresh rate display. It was a decent deal at the launch price but the company has made it more tempting by offering a sweet discount. Here are the details.

Redmi K50i becomes a solid deal

Redmi K50i 5G base model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage can now be purchased for Rs. 18,999 in India. Although the handset is listed on the company’s website for Rs. 20,999, there’s an exchange bonus of Rs. 2,000 for any old Redmi or Xiaomi phone, which brings down the price to Rs. 18,999. In addition, users can get up to Rs. 1,500 instant discount with ICICI Credit Cards & Credit EMI, as well as with ICICI Net Banking transactions.

With the discounts, the Redmi K50i becomes a really good phone for what you are getting. You get snappy performance with the Dimensity 8100 processor, a 5,000mAh battery with fast charging, and decent cameras. The display department of the device is also pretty solid with a 6.6-inch LCD panel, offering an FHD+ 2460 x 1080 pixels resolution, 144Hz variable refresh rate, DC dimming, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and 650 nits peak brightness.

For clicking pictures, you get a 64MP camera with f/1.89 aperture, 8MP ultra-wide lens with 119° FOV, f/2.2 aperture, and a 2MP macro camera. Selfies are covered by a 16MP front-facing camera. The device supports 67W charging.

Apple Store Becomes India’s Leading Electronics Retailer, Generating Over 22-25 Crore Rupees in Monthly Sales

By

Oğuz Çakır

-

Jun 1, 2023

In today’s digital world, we can do many things without ever leaving our homes. We can shop online, bank online, and even work online. This has led some people to believe that physical stores are becoming obsolete. However, Apple’s new stores in India are proving that there is still a demand for physical retail. According to the latest reports, Apple’s two stores in India have been generating more than 22-25 crore Rupees (approximately $3 million) in sales every month. Here are the details…

Apple India Stores Generate Monthly Sales of Rs 25 Crore Each

Apple recently opened its first physical store in India, following a lengthy period of anticipation. These stores, located in Delhi and Mumbai, were immediately met with strong interest from local users. Apple’s two stores in India have been generating sales of 22-25 crore Rupees (approximately $3 million) every month. This makes the Apple Store the country’s leading electronics retailer in terms of revenue. So what is the price of iPhones in India?

Unfortunately, geography plays a significant role and can affect your purchasing power in a particular region. Moreover, tax policies in some countries can contribute to a widening gap between technology enthusiasts and the products they aspire to acquire. In this context, India can be considered a country in the middle ground. While it may not experience alarming price increases like Brazil and Turkey, it is slightly more expensive compared to the United States and European countries. For instance, the prices of iPhone 14 in the country are as follows:

Model	Storage	Price (INR)	Dollar Equivalent (USD)
iPhone 14	128GB	₹79,900	$966.45
iPhone 14 Pro	128GB	₹99,900	$1175.29
iPhone 14 Max	128GB	₹89,900	$1064.89
iPhone 14 Pro Max	128GB	₹109,900	$1263.33

One of the main factors contributing to the relatively affordable prices of iPhones in India is the accessibility of sales in the country. However, we cannot ignore the success generated by Apple’s brand perception. The company manages to achieve significant sales figures even in countries with high taxes, as mentioned above.

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Surface Duo and Duo 2 Update Causes Device to Reboot Randomly, Microsoft Says It’s Investigating

By

Oğuz Çakır

-

Jun 1, 2023

Microsoft has been in the smartphone market for nearly two years with its dual-screen Android phone, the Surface Duo. The device was not a huge sales success, but it did attract a loyal customer base. In September 2022, Microsoft released the Surface Duo 2. Both devices offer the openness of Android with unique features from Microsoft. However, the latest software update for the Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 is causing some major problems. Here are the details…

Microsoft Surface Duo Users Report Random Reboots After Installing May 2023 Update

If you’re developing a smartphone with two screens and aiming to create some advantages that dual-screen offers, your task is quite challenging. Even Microsoft, a company valued at $141.6 billion and employing 221,000 people worldwide, is struggling to achieve this. We all remember the software issues that were present at the launch of the Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2. Although this situation was not well-received by some users, we all acknowledged the problems that Android phones had when they first launched. Especially after the bug festival that Google Pixel models presented to their users and us.

However, bugs coming with updates long after their release, are simply unacceptable. Unfortunately, this is precisely what Surface Duo and Duo 2 users are experiencing. A recent May 2023 security update has introduced new and serious issues. Users from all over the world have reported that their devices are randomly rebooting after installing the update. The subsequent reboot screen apparently also asks users whether they’d like to try booting up again or factory resetting their device. Even though these issues are driving users insane, they won’t last long.

Microsoft, aware of the problem users are facing, made a statement about the issue to a competitor as respectable as Gizmochina, saying: “Microsoft is aware and is looking into it. For additional information please refer to our Microsoft’s Q&A community page: Surface Duo 2 – permanent reboots after Update May 30 2023 – Microsoft Community.” Unfortunately, the statement did not provide information on when the problem would be resolved.

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