Google’s New Accessibility-focused Features Include Live Captions, Lookout & More

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May 19, 2023

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) serves as a reminder of the ongoing work required to promote digital access and inclusion for the over one billion people with disabilities worldwide. Google, a leading tech company, is committed to making the world more accessible. In celebration of GAAD, let’s explore some of Google’s recent innovations and features designed to empower individuals with disabilities and foster a more inclusive digital environment.

Google’s Updates include Maps, Lookout, Live Caption & Wear OS

Digital images often lack descriptive captions and alt text, rendering them inaccessible to individuals with visual impairments. Google’s AI-driven solution, Lookout, offers a new feature called “image question and answer.” By leveraging an advanced visual language model developed by Google DeepMind, Lookout can now process images and provide descriptions, enabling users to gain a more detailed understanding of their content. This innovative feature has the potential to enhance accessibility and empower individuals with blindness or low vision.

Google Maps has been a valuable tool for navigation, and now it incorporates accessibility information for wheelchair users. The Accessible Places feature displays a wheelchair icon to indicate locations with step-free entrances. Additionally, users can find further accessibility details in the “About” tab, such as wheelchair-accessible seating, parking, or restrooms. With contributions from the Maps community, business owners, and Local Guides, accessibility information is available for over 40 million businesses worldwide, fostering confident and inclusive travel experiences.

Live Caption, an AI-powered feature, now offers real-time captions for various Android devices and platforms like Chrome and Google Meet. Updates to Live Caption include an optimized captions box for Android tablets, the ability to type back responses during calls, and expanded language support. The availability of Live Caption on a wider range of devices allows more people to benefit from this inclusive feature, fostering communication and engagement for individuals with hearing impairments.

Google is dedicated to improving accessibility across its platforms. Wear OS 4, launching later this year, will introduce a faster and more reliable text-to-speech experience. On the Chrome browser, a new feature automatically detects URL typos, suggesting corrections for easier website access. These enhancements empower individuals with dyslexia, language learners, and those prone to typographical errors, ensuring a seamless browsing experience. Apple also unveiled a wide variety of accesibility-focused updates to their OS, indicating that companies are not oblivious to the growing needs of people across the world.

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China Plans For Increasing Charging Stations in Rural Areas

By

Joane

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May 19, 2023

In an effort to boost the sluggish growth of its electric vehicle (EV) market, the Chinese government is aggressively working towards the expansion of charging infrastructure for new energy vehicles like electric cars. Simultaneously, they are also focusing on implementing policies that incentivize and facilitate the transition to battery-powered cars among rural motorists.

Following a routine meeting, the cabinet expressed that the enhancement of charging infrastructure for new energy vehicles has the potential to unlock rural consumption and contribute to the growth of rural tourism. This initiative is expected to invigorate rural revitalization efforts, providing fresh momentum to the overall development of rural areas.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Administration of Energy (NEA), the leading authorities in economic planning, have issued a collective appeal for the accelerated deployment of charging infrastructure in remote areas.

The NDRC has emphasized the importance of financial incentives offered by local governments to facilitate the establishment of EV charging stations. They have urged for an extended reach of these facilities, ensuring coverage in additional counties, villages, and rural highways. Furthermore, the commission has called upon electric car manufacturers to broaden their product portfolios, aiming to better cater to the unique demands of rural markets

Xin Guobin, the vice minister at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, revealed that the government is actively examining policies to stimulate auto consumption and support the modernization of China’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market. This comes as the NEV market faces challenges arising from weak domestic demand.

The limited purchasing power among rural residents stands as a significant obstacle to the widespread adoption of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) in rural areas, said Zhang Xiang, a visiting professor at Huanghe Science and Technology University’s engineering department. To address this challenge, Zhang suggests that cash incentives provided by local governments and car manufacturers, along with the introduction of affordable car models, will play a pivotal role in driving NEV adoption in rural regions.

The government’s focus on promoting auto consumption, supporting NEV market modernization, and expediting the establishment of advanced manufacturing clusters reflects their commitment to bolstering the innovation-driven growth of China’s industries and securing the robustness of the nation’s industrial supply chains.

ChatGPT Official App for iOS Brings Conversational AI to Your Fingertips

By

Anubhav

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May 19, 2023

In a move that caters to the needs of its mobile users, ChatGPT has officially launched its dedicated app for iOS. This exciting development allows individuals to harness the power of ChatGPT on the go, transforming their devices into intelligent conversational companions.

The ChatGPT app includes Whisper, a speech-recognition system for Voice Input

One of the standout features of the ChatGPT app is its seamless synchronization across devices. Whether you’re starting a conversation on your iPhone and continuing it on your iPad, or vice versa, your chat history effortlessly follows you, ensuring a consistent and uninterrupted experience. This level of convenience truly enhances the usability of ChatGPT, making it accessible wherever and whenever you need it.

The integration of Whisper, an open-source speech-recognition system, adds an extra layer of versatility to the app. By enabling voice input, users can engage in hands-free conversations with ChatGPT, making interactions even more natural and convenient. Whether you’re busy cooking in the kitchen or driving in your car, you can now ask questions, seek advice, and engage with the AI language model effortlessly.

For those seeking an elevated experience, ChatGPT Plus subscribers gain exclusive access to GPT-4′s advanced capabilities. These subscribers enjoy early access to new features, faster response times, and a host of powerful functionalities that enhance their interactions with ChatGPT.

The ChatGPT app excels in its ability to serve a wide range of purposes. It can swiftly provide precise information without the need to sift through ads or multiple search results. Whether users require advice on cooking, travel plans, or crafting a thoughtful message, ChatGPT is there to assist them. It also proves to be a valuable tool for creative inspiration, helping generate gift ideas, outline presentations, or even craft a beautiful poem. Professionals can benefit from its ability to provide feedback on ideas, summarize notes, and offer assistance on technical topics. Moreover, the app offers a platform for learning, allowing users to explore new languages and delve into various subjects at their own pace.

The ChatGPT app is initially rolling out in the United States, with plans to expand to additional countries soon. As users embrace this new offering, the developers eagerly await their feedback to further improve the app’s features and ensure its safety.

With the release of the ChatGPT app for iOS, the developers take a significant step forward in their mission to provide accessible and empowering AI tools. Android users can also look forward to experiencing the power of ChatGPT on their devices, as plans are underway to bring the app to their platform.

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Google Pixel 8 Pro tipped to measure body temperature with built-in thermometer

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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May 19, 2023

The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are expected to launch in October this year. The CAD renders of the Pro model, which appeared in March, gave the first look at its design. The images revealed that it will feature a new sensor aside from the triple camera unit and an LED flash in its rear-facing camera bar. According to a report by 91mobiles, which cites tipster Wojciechowski as a source, the new sensor is nothing but a built-in thermometer that can be used to measure body temperature.

The report also carried a video that demonstrated how the Pixel 8 Pro can be used to measure body temperature. However, the video has been removed. It states that the thermometer available on the Pixel 8 Pro can also be used to measure the temperature of objects.

Google Pixel 8 Pro has built-in thermometer

As per the report, the thermometer that is placed just below the LED flash on the camera needs to be held very close to the forehead or skin. One needs to ensure that it does not touch the screen or that there are no accessories on the forehead or skin.

Google Pixel 8 Pro measure body tempearture — Google Pixel 8 Pro can measure body temperature

After pressing the start button on the screen, one needs to move the phone towards the temple within five seconds. The measured temperature will show on the screen of the Pixel 8 Pro.

Rumors surrounding the Pixel 8 Pro have revealed that it will be equipped with a 6.7-inch flat OLED panel. The Google Tensor G3 chipset, which is reportedly based on Samsung’s unannounced Exynos 2300 chipset, will power the Pixel 8 Pro. The rear camera setup of the phone will be headlined by Samsung’s ISOCELL GN2 camera sensor. It is a 1/1.12-inch sensor with a 50-megapixel resolution.

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Realme 11 Pro series page goes live on Flipkart

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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May 19, 2023

Recently, Realme confirmed that the Realme 11 Pro series will be announced in June in India. Its landing page has been available on Realme India’s website for a couple of days. Now, its microsite has gone live on Flipkart.

The Realme 11 Pro series page available on Flipkart only confirms that it will feature a 200-megapixel camera by Samsung. The page also states that it will be equipped with the world’s first 200-megapixel camera with 4 x in-sensor zoom.

The specifications of the Realme 11 Pro and Realme 11 Pro+ are no secret since they have already launched in China. Both smartphones have a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen that produces an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Dimensity 7050 chipset will power both smartphones.

It is speculated that the Realme 11 Pro will be available in options like 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, and 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage in the Indian market. On the other hand, the Realme 11 Pro+ is expected to arrive in variants like 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage and 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage. Both phones will run on Android 13 OS and Realme UI 4.0.

The Realme 11 Pro features a 100-megapixel main camera and a 2-megapixel macro snapper. It has a 16-megapixel front camera. The Realme 11 Pro+ has a 32-megapixel selfie camera, and its back panel has an OIS-enabled 200-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera.

Both smartphones have a 5,000mAh battery. The Pro model supports 67W fast charging, whereas the Pro+ offers 100W charging. For security, both smartphones have an in-display fingerprint sensor.

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Xiaomi & DJI Make a Bold Bet on Chip Design with Acquisition of Oppo’s Zheku Team

By

Oğuz Çakır

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May 19, 2023

Oppo is facing financial difficulties. Initially, there were claims that the company would withdraw from France and Europe. Now, it seems the company is preparing to sell its processor manufacturing business. Reports from Chinese media suggest that both Xiaomi and DJI, among others, are interested in acquiring this pool of talent. Here are the details…

Xiaomi & DJI looking to grab talents from OPPO’s Disbanded chip team

After Oppo confirmed that it would be disbanding its Zheku chip design business, the fate of its 3,000 employees has become a hot topic of discussion within the industry. Some media reports have indicated that both Xiaomi and DJI are interested in acquiring these talented individuals, with DJI reportedly taking the most proactive approach. In fact, DJI has even created a WeChat group to prioritize consideration of these displaced professionals.

This move reflects DJI’s ongoing ambition to overcome key challenges in chip design. After all, proficient IC design professionals are hard to come by, and Zheku’s team was once lured away from Qualcomm, Huawei Hisilicon, and Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA among other firms by Oppo with high salaries, attesting to their caliber.

However, it is important to note that Zheku’s chip development team under Oppo focused mainly on ISP chips for smartphone cameras and some communication chips. Industry insiders speculate that DJI, with its current business areas including drones, robotics, Lidar, and autonomous driving, would likely prioritize camera ISP due to its core business still revolving around drones.

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Beepberry: The BlackBerry Keyboard That Will Make You Feel Like a Hacker

By

Oğuz Çakır

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May 18, 2023

I’m sure many of you remember BlackBerry, the legendary phone manufacturer of yesteryears. As one of the pioneers in the industry, the company was quite successful until the rise of smartphones. However, they failed to keep up with trends that came with touchscreens and eventually vanished from the market. However, if you miss Blackberry, it looks like there’s a new product that’s just your speed: the “Beepberry.” Here are the details…

Beepberry is a BlackBerry keyboard tinker toy from the founder of Pebble

Who could forget the BlackBerry and its fantastic keyboard? Although modern smartphones have achieved some success in this regard, the company seems to cater specifically to those born to write. Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble smartwatch and co-founder of Beeper, aware of this situation, has crafted an ingenious device that may just meet your needs. Beepberry, priced at $79, is a custom-made pocket computer featuring a genuine BlackBerry keyboard.

I’m excited to introduce a little side project I’ve been working on: Beepberry – a portable e-paper computer for hackers, designed for chatting on Beeper. It’s available today to pre-order for $79. It’s a partnership between me (@onbeeper) and @sqfmi: https://t.co/hIZRQMTrvr
— Eric Migicovsky (@ericmigi) May 17, 2023

Although it’s primarily designed to run the Beeper messaging app, this remarkable gadget can be tweaked to perform almost any task you desire.The Beepberry is a pocket-sized computer that combines the Raspberry Pi Zero W with the keyboard of a BlackBerry Classic. It is designed to run the Beeper messaging app, but it can be used for a variety of other tasks. The Beepberry has a 2.7-inch screen, a backlit keyboard, a USB-C port, an RGB LED, a side button, a power switch, and General Purpose Input / Output (GPIO) breakouts.

It is powered by a 2,000mAh battery. The Beepberry is available for $79. The Beepberry kit, which includes a preinstalled Pi Zero W, is available for $99. The Beepberry is a versatile device that is perfect for hackers, tinkerers, and anyone who wants a unique and portable computer. It is still under development, but it has a lot of potential.

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BYD Playing Catch-Up in Autonomous Driving Race, But Has a Secret Weapon

By

Oğuz Çakır

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May 18, 2023

Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly popular and advanced. We are seeing AI technology being used in more and more areas of our lives, including the automobile industry. Tesla has been a leader in the use of AI for autonomous driving, and now Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is making a major push into this sector. BYD has announced plans to invest heavily in AI for autonomous driving. Here are the details…

BYD Hires Thousands of Engineers for Autonomous Driving Division

BYD, a leading global electric vehicle maker, is making a major push into the autonomous driving sector. The company has hired thousands of software engineers and established a new research division, and it is partnering with two leading autonomous driving chip technology firms. BYD’s senior vice president, Stella Li, said that the company is not ahead of its competitors in the autonomous driving race, but it is confident that it can catch up in two to three years.

Li said that BYD is hiring software engineers from top universities in China, and it is also looking to hire talent from abroad. The company is also investing in research and development, and it is working on developing its own autonomous driving technology. BYD is partnering with Nvidia and Horizon Robotics to develop autonomous driving technology. Nvidia is a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) chips, and Horizon Robotics is a Chinese AI chip company.

BYD’s new research division will focus on developing autonomous driving technology for its next-generation cars. The company is also working on integrating autonomous driving features into its existing cars. BYD is a major player in the EV market, and it is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the autonomous driving market. The company has a strong track record of innovation, and it is investing heavily in autonomous driving technology. It will be interesting to see how BYD’s autonomous driving efforts pan out in the coming years.

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Huawei MateBook E 2023 arrives with a 12.6-inch OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate & more

By

Jed John Ikoba

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May 18, 2023

Huawei also unveiled the MateBook E 2023 tablet in China in addition to the MateBook Air. The Huawei MateBook E 2023 is being projected as a strong competitor of the Microsoft Surface Pro, given its features. It comes with a 120Hz OLED panel and a 2-in-1 design. The MateBook E has a built-in kickstand and a detachable keyboard.

The Huawei Matebook E 2023 is equipped with a 12.6-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the Intel Ader Lake-U processors which are upgraded versions of its previous iteration. However, the new MateBook E does not feature the Raptor Lake-U successor CPUs such as the Intel Core i5-1335U and Core i7-1355U options. Instead, it uses the 12th -gen Core i5-1230U and Core i7-1260U 10-core processors.

The MateBook E 2023 is being offered with up to 1TB of storage which doubles that of its predecessor. It has the Iris Xe Graphics iGPU series and up to 16GB of RAM. The Huawei MateBook E 2023 has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels and a 16:10 aspect ratio. This shows no difference with the 2022 MateBook E model. The refresh rate has however been doubled to 120Hz.

The 2023 MateBook E retains a 42Wh battery which is coupled with a 10.8Wh battery on the keyboard accessory. The keyboard supports Bluetooth connectivity which is an improvement over the Microsoft Surface Pro 9.

Huawei MateBook E 2023 pricing & availability

The MateBook E 2023 is priced at 7,499 yuan (~$1,068) in China for the 16GB+512GB configuration. The variant with 16GB+1TB is sold at 7,999 yuan (~$1,137). It is expected that more details about the global availability of the MateBook E 2023 will be provided subsequently.

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Xiaomi MIJIA Air Conditioner 2HP with a new level of energy efficiency launched

By

Jed John Ikoba

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May 18, 2023

Xiaomi has launched the MIJIA Air Conditioner 2HP in China. The air conditioner comes with a retail price of 3,199 yuan ($453) but is currently available at a launch price of 2,899 yuan ($412).

The MIJIA air conditioner’s super power-saving 2HP model utilizes the new first-level energy efficiency, achieving an APF (Annual Performance Factor) of 4.69. This means that compared to the new third-level energy efficiency, it can save approximately 380 kilowatt-hours of electricity throughout the year.

The air conditioner boasts a rated cooling capacity of 5000W and a rated heating capacity of 6700W, making it suitable for spaces ranging from 20 to 30 square meters. It incorporates full DC frequency conversion technology and large-diameter wind wheel technology to provide powerful performance and deliver a high air volume. Additionally, it supports wide temperature range operation.

The MIJIA air conditioner features a self-developed air duct and a high-efficiency electronic expansion valve. Its internal unit is equipped with high-temperature self-cleaning ability, capable of removing invisible pollution. Through a thorough cleaning process and high-temperature drying technology, it effectively eliminates attached bacteria.

The new MIJIA air conditioner can be conveniently controlled using the MIJIA app and XiaoAi. With the MIJIA app, you can remotely turn the air conditioner on and off, as well as adjust various settings to control the temperature according to your preferences.

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Huawei MatePad Air Android tablet with a Snapdragon 888 SoC, 144Hz display unveiled

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

May 18, 2023

Huawei has launched the MatePad Air Android tablet in China. The sleek slate features an IPS display that can output 2.8K content and has a variable refresh rate.

The Huawei MatePad Air features an 11.5-inch display with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,840 pixels and a 270 ppi pixel density. The screen-to-body ratio of the tablet is 87% and the display refresh rate varies between 30Hz and 144Hz.

The new high-end Huawei tablet comes with a much earlier chipset in the Snapdragon 888. The Snapdragon 888 SoC has the Cortex-X1, Cortex-A78, and Cortex-A55 cores and the Adreno 660 GPU. The tablet offers up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. There is also a variant of the tablet with 8GB RAM128G storage configuration.

The Huawei MatePad Air is equipped with an 8,300mAh battery and supports 40W wired charging. The MatePad Air comes with an LTE modem, an 8MP front-facing camera, and a 13MP rear camera. The sound system of the Huawei MatePad Air includes four speakers and four microphones.

Huawei MatePad Air pricing and availability

The Huawei MatePad Air has an accompanying stylus and keyboard although these accessories are sold separately. The MatePad Air is priced in China at 2,899 yuan (~$412) for the 8GB+128GB model and 4,499 yuan (~$639) for the 12GB+512GB variant. There are no global availability details for the MatePad Air but this could be available shortly.

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Nokia 105 (2023) and Nokia 106 4G debut in India with UPI support

By

Anurag

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May 18, 2023

Although feature phones are not commonly seen nowadays, there is still a market for them, and HMD continues to tap into it. The brand has recently launched two new feature phones, the Nokia 105 (2023) and Nokia 106 4G, for the Indian market. These humble phones offer support for India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI) system, allowing users to make instant payments using 123PAY, even without internet access. Here are the details.

Nokia 105 (2023) & Nokia Specifications

The Nokia 105 (2023) features a 1.8-inch TFT LCD with a resolution of 120 x 160 pixels, while the Nokia 106 4G comes with a 1.8-inch IPS LCD panel. The Nokia 105 is equipped with a 1,000mAh battery, which is claimed to offer 12 hours of talk time and 22 days of standby time. On the other hand, the Nokia 106 4G has a larger 1,450mAh battery that can last for a couple of weeks in standby mode. Both devices can be charged using a Micro USB port. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The two phones boot on the Series 30+ (S30+) operating system, which is specifically designed for Nokia feature phones. The Nokia 105 is limited to 2G connectivity, while the Nokia 106 4G supports LTE. Both devices are certified with IP52 water resistance. They also support wireless FM radio, eliminating the need for plugging in a headset. Additionally, the Nokia 106 4G allows you to play MP3 files by inserting your own microSD card.

The Nokia 105 (2023) is available in Charcoal, Cyan, and Red Terracotta color options and is priced at Rs. 1,299 ($16). On the other hand, the Nokia 106 4G comes in Charcoal and Blue colors with a price tag of Rs. 2,199 ($27). Both phones are now available for open sales starting today.

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iQOO TWS Air Pro to launch as the brand’s first noise-canceling wireless headset on May 23

By

Jed John Ikoba

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May 18, 2023

Chinese smartphone maker iQOO is scheduled to launch the iQOO Neo 8 series on May 23 in China. A recent leak shows that the company will also launch the iQOO Pad on the same day. A new teaser poster by the company has confirmed that the brand will also be launching its first wireless earbuds with noise cancellation on May 23.

The new earbuds will be known as iQOO TWS Air Pro, according to the teaser poster. From the offical renders of the earbuds shared, it will have the same design with the iQOO Air TWS earbuds launched in October last year. That means it’ll utilise a semi-in-ear deisgn which is different from what obtains on most nois-cancelling earbuds that utilize an in-ear design.

Noise cancelling earbuds rely on the physical ability of the buds to block out anbient noise from eantering into the ear canal. Thus, since earbuds using semi-in-ear design can’t properly cover the ears, the noise reduction capability of such earbuds are not as efficient as that of in-ear headphones.

Semi-in-ear earbuds have their advantage, though, and one advantage is that they put lesser pressure on the ear canal. Personally, I get some discomfort when I use an in-ear earbuds for a long period. While the semi-in-ear may put lesser pressure on the ear canal, they also bring some discomfort since there are no silicon buds at the tips.

iQOO is yet to disclose the nosie cancellation technology at play on the iQOO TWS Air Pro earbuds. We await the further details from the company.

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Huawei Enjoy 60 Pro debuts with a Snapdragon 680 chip, 50MP camera

By

Anurag

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May 18, 2023

Huawei has been adding new devices to Enjoy 60 series recently. The vanilla model was unveiled back in March this year and last month, the company launched the Enjoy 60X with a particularly large 7000mAh battery. Now, Huawei has introduced another model in the lineup, dubbed Huawei Enjoy 60 Pro. The smartphone brings the Snapdragon 680 chip under the hood and gets some decent specifications minus 5G connectivity. Here are the details.

Huawei Enjoy 60 Pro Specs and Price

The Enjoy 60 Pro debuts as a mid-range smartphone. It gets a boxy design with flat sides and back panel. There are two large rings on its back that house the camera sensors. On the front, there’s a center punch hole for the selfie camera. Notably, the bezels on the display look pretty thin. Overall, the phone looks decent. It is worth noting that it is the rebranded version of the Honor Nova 11i for the Chinese market.

The Huawei Enjoy 60 Pro is a feature-packed smartphone with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor. It gets a 6.8-inch LCD panel that offers a 2388×1080 pixels resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. Fueled by a 5000mAh battery, the device supports 40W fast charging. For photography, it has an 8MP front camera and a rear dual-camera setup comprising a 50MP primary lens and a 2MP secondary lens. The phone is slim, measuring 8.55mm thick and weighing 193g. It comes in mint green, gold black, and galaxy silver colors and offers side fingerprint recognition for security.

The Huawei Enjoy 60 Pro is available in two storage configurations. The 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant is priced at 1599 yuan ($227), while the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant is priced at 1799 yuan ($255). The handset will be sold in China and the pre-sale starts tonight.

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Samsung begins mass production of 12nm-Class EUV-based DDR5 DRAM

By

Soumyakanti

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May 18, 2023

Samsung has recently announced that it has started mass production of its 16-gigabit (Gb) DDR5 DRAM, utilizing the industry’s pioneering 12-nanometer (nm)-class process technology. This achievement comes after the initial announcement made in December of the previous year.

Boosting AI Applications: The Potential of Samsung’s Newest DRAM

The production process incorporates advanced multi-layer extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, establishing the highest die density in the industry. Consequently, this technology yields a 20% increase in wafer productivity.

Furthermore, this DDR5 DRAM exhibits a considerable reduction in power consumption of up to 23% when compared to previous generations. Samsung asserts that this makes their solution highly suitable for global IT companies aiming to enhance their eco-friendly operations.

The utilization of a new high-κ material contributes to increased cell capacitance. Enhanced capacitance results in a significant electric potential difference in data signals, facilitating more accurate differentiation between them.

The DDR5 DRAM claims to deliver speeds of 7.2 gigabits per second (Gbps). To put this into perspective, it can process two 30-gigabyte (GB) ultra-high-definition movies in just one second. This exceptional speed positions the technology to support an expanding array of applications, including data centers, artificial intelligence, and next-generation computing.

Samsung completed the evaluation of its 16-gigabit DDR5 DRAM for compatibility with AMD in December of last year and continues to collaborate with global IT companies to drive innovation in the next-generation DRAM market.

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US Justice Department charges former Apple engineer with theft of autonomous tech for China

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

May 18, 2023

A Chinese national and former Apple Engineer Weibao Wang has been charged by the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The six-count charges border primarily on theft and attempted theft of autonomous car technology. This is yet another incident that continues to dampen Sino-American relations over the years.

US prosecutors allege that Wang stole troves of source code on Apple’s autonomous technology for a Chinese company. The suspect is reported to have fled the US on the same day his residence was searched by law enforcement. The former Apple software engineer worked at Apple between 2016 and 2018, according to the DOJ indictment sheet. He worked on Apple’s Annotation Team and was granted broad access to databases accessible to just about 2% of Apple’s 135,000 employees at the time.

The Wang case is the third such related to the theft of Apple’s autonomous technology for Chinese interests. He is accused of stealing or attempting to steal Apple’s entire autonomy source code, tracking systems, behavior planning for autonomous systems, and hardware descriptions supporting the autonomous system. While still working with Apple, Wang accepted a job at the US-based subsidiary of the yet-to-be-named Chinese company. The company was developing autonomous driving technology and Wang started to siphon large amounts of sensitive Apple technology and source code to the company. The DOJ indictment also indicated that at a time only about 4% of Apple employees were aware of the project.

The search of Wang’s home in California on June 27, 2018, turned up large quantities of stolen, confidential, and proprietary data. He subsequently fled from the US even after making promises not to do such. He is confirmed to have boarded a flight to Guangzhou, China from San Francisco International Airport. If extradited and convicted, Wang could face 10 years in jail for each count. Four other cases were also unveiled as part of sweeping enforcement action led by the DOJ’s Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Apple has yet to make any official statement on the issue.

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Oraimo Monster 100 electric bike is an affordable Mountain e-bike starting at $599

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

May 18, 2023

Fast-emerging Chinese tech brand Oraimo may not be popular in Europe and other regions but in Africa, the brand is known for quality electronics products and accessories. The company has now made its debut in the e-bike market with the unveiling of the Oraimo Monster 100 e-bike. The electric bike comes with features that prop it as a practical mountain e-bike. The barebones mountain bike is an all-terrain bike and quite affordable.

Oraimo is a pretty new player in the electric bicycle segment of the market. However, the Monster 100 comes with some solid components and great practicability. For a fact, Oraimo Monster 100 lacks the fancy and allure of a premium e-bike. But in terms of reliability, the new Oraimo e-bike ticks all the important boxes. It is powered by a 350W Bafang electric motor and it has a maximum output of 500W. The bike has a maximum assisted speed of 32km/h (20mph). The Monster 100 has a full three-by-seven-speed Shimano drive train.

Oraimo has carved a niche for itself in producing reliable power banks and other power accessories. The new e-bike has a battery pack that delivers up to 97km (60 miles) of assisted range. The battery can be fully charged in less than 4 hours and its quick charging capability allows for a rapid replenishment of the battery. It offers up to 11km of range with just 15 minutes of charge.

Electric bicycles continue to catch the fancy of a growing segment of the population due to their simplistic functionality and affordability. Europe and Asia are some of the regions that have witnessed rapid growth and deployment of e-bikes. A lot of people now opt to commute on these e-mobility solutions, offering access to those with tight budgets an opening. There are some e-bikes that are now substantially cheaper than their corresponding conventional bicycles.

Oraimo Monster 100 electric bike with a 97km range, fast charging unveiled starting at $599

The Oraimo Monster 100 is originally priced at $749 but it has a launch price of $599. Oraimo is also offering a two-year warranty for the Monster 100.

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Samsung rumored to manufacture Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy chips

By

Soumyakanti

-

May 18, 2023

Recent reports suggest that Samsung may partner with Qualcomm to produce Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chips for select models of the Galaxy S25 series. While some Galaxy S24 phones are expected to feature Samsung’s own Exynos 2400 processor, Samsung could potentially resume using customized Snapdragon chips a year later, with some of these chips being manufactured by Samsung Foundry.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4: Fabricated by Samsung Foundry for Galaxy S25?

According to insider information shared by tipster Revegnus, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor will be manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm (N3E) process. On the other hand, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 For Galaxy variant is rumored to utilize Samsung Foundry’s 3nm GAP (3GAP) process. This development implies that Samsung Foundry’s 3nm node could potentially rival TSMC’s 3nm process in terms of both performance and efficiency. However, it’s important to note that these details should be taken with caution, as the Galaxy S25 is still two years away, and more concrete information will likely emerge in late 2024.

If the rumors prove accurate, this would mark the first instance in a while where a company employs two different suppliers for the same chip, akin to Apple’s approach with the iPhone 6s‘ A9 processor. In that case, some A9 chips were produced using Samsung’s 14nm process, while others were manufactured using TSMC’s 16nm process. The Samsung-made A9 chip boasted a smaller size, while TSMC’s chips offered slightly better power efficiency.

Furthermore, alongside the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 For Galaxy chip, Samsung’s highly anticipated Exynos chipset might also make its debut in certain Galaxy S25 devices. Both chips are expected to be produced using Samsung Foundry’s 3nm GAP process and are anticipated to offer similar performance levels. Although there may be slight differences between the two, Samsung will likely strive to minimize these variances, particularly in terms of power consumption.

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Alldocube iPlay 50 Mini tablet launched with 8.4-inch display, 4G connectivity, Android 13, and more

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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May 18, 2023

Alldocube is known for affordable laptops and tablets. After releasing iPlay 50 and iPlay 50 Pro Android tablets, the brand has now launched iPlay 50 Mini.

The new ‘Mini’ version arrives in a smaller form factor and less powerful hardware. Thus, it is even cheaper than the other two. Let’s check out everything it has to offer.

Alldocube iPlay 50 Mini Specifications

The Alldocube iPlay 50 Mini is built around an 8.4-inch IPS LCD screen that offers a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels and 270 PPI. The panel has a 1200:1 contrast ratio and can reach a maximum brightness level of 320 nits.

It is powered by a Unisoc T606 chipset paired with 4GB LPDDR4x RAM and 64GB UFS 2.1 storage. The device boots Android 13 and offers multiple useful features like split-screen, forced landscape mode for apps like TikTok, and more.

The tablet is Widevine L1-certified, and thus, it can stream content in FHD quality on streaming platforms. It also comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack and a MicroSD card slot (up to 512GB).

On the connectivity front, the device arrives with a dual-SIM card slot for 4G data connection as well as VoLTE calls and messages. It also offers dual-band WiFi. Bluetooth 5.0, and GNSS.

The tablet draws energy from a 4,000mAh battery, which is limited to 10W charging. Last but not least, it has three first-party accessories, such as a double-sided capacitive stylus, a keyboard, and a case. All of these are sold separately.

Alldocube iPlay 50 Mini Price and Availability

The Alldocube iPlay 50 Mini is priced at $109.99 and can be purchased from AliExpress. Buyers can make use of coupons to lower the price.

In China, the product retails at a cheaper price of ¥599 (~$85). Chinese customers also get an 18-month warranty, a 180-day replacement period, and interest-free EMI.

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Amazon Echo Pop, Echo Show 5, and Echo Show 5 Kids Smart Speakers Launched

By

Viraj Gawde

-

May 18, 2023

Alongside launching the Amazon Echo Buds, the e-commerce giant has also announced three new smart speakers. These include the Echo Pop, Echo Show 5, and Echo Show 5 Kids. The Echo Pop is a new addition to Amazon’s Echo family. All three devices are said to provide customers with more options to access Alexa. Read on to know more about the newly announced speakers.

Amazon Echo Pop, Echo Show, Echo Show 5 Kids specifications

From left to right – Echo Show 5 Kids, Echo Show 5, and Echo Pop

Beginning with the Amazon Echo Pop, it features a semi-spherical design with a built-in mic-off button. It has a 1.95-inch front-firing speaker and lossless high-definition audio. The speaker comes with advanced audio distribution profile support. There is in-app privacy control. Connectivity options on the Echo Pop include WiFi, Bluetooth low energy mesh, and Matter which enables seamless connectivity and control of compatible smart home devices from different brands.

Coming to the Amazon Echo Show 5, it has a 5.5-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 960 x 480 pixels. This lets users to watch news clips, check their ring doorbell camera, view shopping lists, and make video calls. The latest version is said to be faster than its predecessor. It comes with three microphones and an upgraded 1.75-inch speaker for improved bass and clear sound. There is a 2MP camera with a built-in shutter for privacy.

The Amazon Echo Show 5 is equipped with a MediaTek MT 8169 B and AZ2 neural edge processor. Connectivity options on the smart speaker are the same as the Echo Pop.

Lastly, as the name suggests, the Echo Show 5 Kids is designed for kids. It features a colorful space-themed design. There is a built-in camera shutter and microphone/camera off button for privacy purposes. The smart speaker also features motion detection and tap gestures. There is a parental dashboard that allows parents to adjust age settings, monitor activity, and set bedtime limits. The device can help kids with kid-friendly answers, jokes, homework, clean lyrics, and more.

The Echo Show 5 Kids comes with a two-year guarantee and one year free Amazon Kids+ subscription service that offers ad-free and age-appropriate audiobooks, videos, games, and Alexa skills.

Amazon Echo Pop, Echo Show, Echo Show 5 Kids pricing

The Amazon Echo Pop comes in Charcoal, Glacier White, Lavender Bloom, and Midnight Teal colors. It is priced at $39.99. The Echo Show 5 costs $89.99 and is offered in Charcoal, Glacier White, and Cloud Blue. The Echo Show 5 Kids carries a price tag of $99.99.

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