In a world where technology is advancing at a rapid pace, it’s become more important than ever to harness its power for good. And that’s exactly what OPPO Research Institute, alongside its global partners Qualcomm Technologies, GSMA 5G IN, Amazon Web Services, and LinkedIn, are aiming to achieve with the launch of the 2023 OPPO Inspiration Challenge. This initiative seeks to empower technology professionals and entrepreneurs from around the world to develop innovative solutions that can create a positive impact on society and the planet. So, if you’re an innovator with a big idea, keep reading to find out how you can participate and potentially bring your vision to life with the help of this collaboration.
OPPO is inviting Proposals for two categories, People & the Planet
As part of its commitment to “Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World”, OPPO is inviting proposals in two categories: “Inspiration for People” and “Inspiration for the Planet”. The former seeks to address key issues in digital health and accessible technology, while the latter focuses on solutions related to environmental protection and low-carbon development.
To participate, interested parties must submit their proposals from May 8 to June 30, 2023. Three regional demo events will then be held in Bangkok, Boston, and Shenzhen in early August, followed by the global final demo event at the end of the same month.
The proposals will be evaluated based on four criteria: Feasibility, Technological Innovation, Long-term Potential, and Social Values. The top 15 proposals from the regional demo events will be selected as global finalists, with the top 5 winning proposals receiving a grant of $50,000 each. Furthermore, the top 45 proposals worldwide will have access to further partnership opportunities, including productization and commercialization, strategic partnerships and investment opportunities, and the chance to showcase their solutions at global technology events. They will also receive cloud resources and technical support from Amazon Web Services.
The OPPO Inspiration Challenge is not a new initiative. Last year, the challenge received 536 proposals from innovators worldwide, with the focus on ‘Accessible Technology’ and ‘Digital Health.’ OPPO has since worked with 18 of these teams to further develop and implement their proposals. Some of these ideas were showcased at OPPO INNO DAY 2022 and MWC 2023.
OPPO’s commitment to “Virtuous Innovation” is at the core of this challenge. The brand believes that innovation should always prioritize the needs of people and the planet. As such, the 2023 Inspiration Challenge aims to bring together like-minded innovators who share this vision to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues.
The 2023 OPPO Inspiration Challenge presents an exciting opportunity for technology professionals and entrepreneurs to make a positive impact on the world. By collaborating with OPPO and its global partners, participants can bring their innovative solutions to life and potentially receive support to bring their ideas to market. With OPPO’s focus on “Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World,” the challenge promises to inspire a new generation of socially responsible innovators.
Longer is currently running a sale with discounts of up to 54% on a variety of products. These deals apply to a wide selection of items like 3D printers, engravers, lasers, and more, available on the official Longer website. Let’s take a look at three of their most popular products that are currently available at incredible discounts.
Ray5 20W Laser Engraver
Retail Price: $999.99 Discounted Price: $759.99
The Ray5 20W Laser Engraver is a highly efficient device that can both cut and engrave a variety of materials such as wood, acrylic, stainless steel, leather, and even silver. It is considered to be one of the most reasonably priced engravers currently available in the market.
Equipped with dual beam technology, the device boasts a formidable 20W laser and 120W electric power that can effortlessly slice through tough materials such as wood and metal. With a single pass, it can easily carve through a 0.59”/50mm pine wood board and a 0.31”/8mm acrylic material. The device is also capable of cutting 0.002”/0.05mm stainless steel. Moreover, it can be utilized for engraving at a maximum speed of 10,000mm per minute.
The Ray5 20W is capable of producing intricate and delicate engraving due to its advanced compressed laser technology, which generates a laser spot that is twice as thin as regular lasers available in the market. This results in ultra-fine cutting and engraving with precise and clear texture, featuring thinner lines and delicate details.
The Ray5 20W laser cum cutter comes with a 3.5” smart color screen which can be used to complete various DIY projects. The device comes with multiple data transfer options like Wi-Fi, USB cable, TF card, etc. It also comes with wide software compatibility which makes sit easy to use the device anytime and anywhere across the globe.
The device has safety features such as a thermal sensor, emergency stop button, flame-resistant acrylic cover, and panoramic filter glass for eye protection. Other interesting features include a brand new protective lens case and dust-proof hood that protect the laser lens from smoke and improve the service life of the module.
The Ray5 10W Laser Engraver is a powerful cutter and engraver that can be used on wood, acrylic, stainless steel, leather, silver, and more.
The laser comes with dual beam technology and has a 10W intense laser that easily cuts through hard materials like wood. It can easily cut a 0.8”/20mm thick wood board and 1.2”/30mm acrylic material. The device can also be used for engraving at a max 10000mm/min engraving speed.
Ray 5 can be used for beautiful and delicate engraving art, as it features the latest compressed laser technology that generates an ultra-fine laser spot which is two times thinner than ordinary lasers available in the market. This means the device gives you ultra-fine cutting and engraving which is precise, consistent, and crystal clear with thinner lines and delicate texture.
The Ray 5 comes with a thermal sensor that detects accidental flames and automatically stops the laser and starts a buzzing alarm to inform you of the same. Moreover for your safety, the device comes with a flame-resistant acrylic laser protective cover. Other interesting features include a 3.5” touch screen, multiple data transfer options, multiple machine control options, wide software compatibility, etc.
Laser B1 comes with a 6-core laser head that gives an ultra-high power output of 33W, resulting in a highly concentrated laser beam that enhances the cutting capability by over 20%. With this power, the device can cut through 25mm basswood and 50mm acrylic by performing multiple passes.
The device has a large engraving area of 17.72 x 17.32″, making it particularly suitable for A3 panels. It features a 32-bit chipset and a rapid engraving speed of up to 36,000mm per minute. It comes with a smart Air-Assist system that is automatically controlled by LightBurn software and boasts eight essential safety features like Move, Flame, Offline, Motionless, Security Lock, Eye Protection, Emergency Stop Button, and Zero Reset and comes with a robust frame for added durability.
Tech giant Lenovo has unveiled the Legion M5 Wireless Gaming Mouse as the latest addition to its lineup of gaming peripherals. Designed with gamers in mind, the new gaming mouse boasts a sleek and ergonomic design that delivers both comfort and precision for long gaming sessions.
The Legion M5 is equipped with the latest technology, featuring the PixArt PAW3370 sensor that provides up to 19,000 DPI sensitivity, ensuring pinpoint accuracy for every movement. The mouse also offers a 1ms response time, ensuring lightning-fast input and a lag-free gaming experience.
The gaming mouse features 10 programmable buttons that can be customized according to the user’s preferred settings. This allows the user to execute complex commands with just the press of a button. Additionally, the mouse offers customizable RGB lighting with the light strip sitting at the tail end of the mouse.
The Lenovo Legion M5 wireless gaming mouse offers dual connectivity options: Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless connection. It also comes with support for up to 180 hours of battery life on a single charge. Thus, there is hardly a chance the user will run out of battery power mid-game.
In addition, the Legion M5 utilizes a durable design that can withstand even the most intense gaming sessions. The mouse is coated with a matte finish, providing a comfortable and secure grip for extended periods of use.
The Legion M5 Wireless Gaming Mouse is open for reservation in China on Jingdong and it carries a price tag of 129 yuan ($19).
Edifier has released its HECATE G3M Pro gaming mouse in China. The new Edifier Hecate G3M Pro gaming mouse is equipped with a PAW3395 sensor and offers three modes. The gaming mouse weighs 63g and its lightweight design makes it comfortable to use. It also offers up to 70 hours of battery life, as well as game/ mute double micro-motion.
The HECATE G3M Pro is a three-mode and lightweight wireless gaming mouse. It has dimensions of 118.7 x 61 x 38.6mm and a symmetrical design. It is therefore suitable for use both on the left and right hand. The mouse’s original PAW3395 sensor supports 2600 DPI, 650IPS, and 50G acceleration. It also supports Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, as well as USB-C wired connection.
The Edifier G3M Pro gaming mouse is equipped with PTFE Teflon pads for seamless operations. Its 70 hours of battery life could catch the fancy of gamers, but its affordability is also a possible driver of its demand.
The new Edifier gaming mouse will be available in three color options including white. The Edifier HECATE G3M Pro Gaming Mouse has a launch price of 199 yuan (~$29) but its original price is 249 yuan (~$36). It is available on retail platforms in China including JD.com. There are no indications yet if Edifier plans to ship the new gaming mouse to overseas markets. It is however expected that the G3M Pro gaming mouse will berth in selected markets subsequently.
A budget version of the Anbernic RG353P gaming handheld has been launched. The Anbernic RG353PS is a 3.5-inch gaming handheld that offers similar options as the RG353 but at a less expensive price. It is powered by the Rockchip RK3566 and offers 1 GB of RAM but no built-in storage.
Anbernic introduced the RG353P back in June 2022 powered by the same low-power Rockchip RK3566 chipset. The RK3566 has four ARM Cortex-A55 CPU cores running at 1.8GHz and a Mali-G52 MP2 GPU. However, the latest iteration of the RG353P comes with a reduced RAM capacity of 1GB compared to 2GB in its predecessor.
Another thing with the Anbernic RG353PS is that it lacks in-built storage or Android support. It features two MicroSD card slots dedicated for games storage and its Linux-based OS.
In addition, the RG353PS gaming handheld has a 640 x 480 pixels resolution for its 3.5-inch IPS display. This is the same display resolution as the RG353P and it also retains a 3,500mAh battery as its predecessor.
Anbernic RG353PS gaming handheld arrives as an affordable option for gaming buffs on a budget
The new gaming handheld’s battery can last for up to 6 hours of game time. You can connect the Anbernic RG353PS to an external display via its HDMI port. It also has a Wi-Fi chip for multiplayer gaming.
Since the release of the RG353P, Anbernic had launched the RG353Vand RG353M handhelds successively. The Anbernic RG353PS will be available in three colorways and the prices start at $86.99. The gaming handheld will subsequently revert to its original price of $94.99. There are no specifics yet on the release date of the new gaming handheld but this is expected to be soon.
Artificial intelligence technologies continue to sweep the internet by storm. In terms of popularity, ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, maintains its leadership position, while Google, falling behind, is persistently working to close the gap. In line with this, the company is reportedly planning a significant upgrade to its search engine, aiming to make it more “visual, snackable, personal, and human.” Here are the details…
Google plans to upgrade search with AI chat, video clips
Google has been working on integrating artificial intelligence technology into its services for some time. Following the popularity of ChatGPT, the company had to speed things up and recently introduced an AI chatbot called Bard, based on LaMDA technology. However, according to information received, the tech giant does not plan to stop there. Google is preparing to completely change the internet.
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Google plans to break away from the traditional “10 blue links” format. The company is going to incorporate more human voices and experiences into its search engine. At the upcoming annual I/O developer conference, the tech giant is expected to unveil new features, including a conversational AI program code-named “Magi.”
This project will allow users to interact with an AI-driven chatbot, making search more engaging and personalized. The company hopes to overtake its competitors in the AI race with this move. However, the real concern is what will happen to websites. As you know, when you search on Google, you reach sites like Gizmochina and find the answer to your query.
In return, the mentioned site gains traffic and generates advertising revenue. Google has long been a key part of this system. However, having all searches resolved by AI could mean a serious problem for the system. Unfortunately, we cannot answer today how the future of the internet will be. We will all see what will happen in the coming months together.
Artillery Sidewinder X2 3D Printer is now available at a discounted price. The printer that generally retails for $469 is now available at a discounted price of $349 only. Also by using the coupon code: 50X2ZB, you can get an additional $50 discount. Thus you can buy the device for as low as $299.
The Artillery Sidewinder X2 3D Printer is equipped with advanced features such as ABL auto-calibration, exclusive heat bed protection, and automatic bed leveling. It also has a matrix automatic bed leveling function that supports dynamic leveling compensation, making the printer highly efficient and eliminating the need for the difficult and time-consuming manual leveling process.
With a spacious printing area of 300mm x 300mm x 400mm, the Artillery Sidewinder X2 3D Printer is ideal for a wide range of creative projects. Its synchronized dual z-axis design, double lead screw, and loose screw synchronous belt ensure excellent synchronizing performance and produce high-quality output. Additionally, the dual z-axis design is particularly useful for handling intricate layer patterns.
The Artillery Sidewinder X2 3D Printer boasts an array of features, including the ability to detect power interruptions and filament depletion with a dedicated alarm for low filament levels. It also supports auto printing resumption, operates with ultra-quiet printing, and utilizes a 32-bit motherboard, tempered glass platform, AC heat bed, intelligent touch control panel, high-quality broadband power supply, and more.
Generally retailing for $469 you can now buy Artillery Sidewinder X2 3D Printer for a discounted price of $299 only. Please note that this deal ends on July 31, 2023.
For more information on such exciting deals and offers, check out our deals hub.
The competition in the processor market continues at full speed. As ARM-based mobile processors begin to take over the PC market, companies are doing everything they can to strengthen their positions. In line with this, Qualcomm has announced its plans to acquire Israeli auto-chip manufacturer Autotalks. Here are the details…
Qualcomm Acquires Autotalks: A Step Forward in Automotive Technology
Qualcomm, already one of the most successful companies in its field due to its current technologies, continues to take strategic steps to remain competitive in the market. For example, a few years ago, Qualcomm acquired an automotive tech company called Veoneer for $4.5 billion. Now, they have taken another step in this area.
Recently, the company announced plans to acquire Israeli auto-chip maker Autotalks. This strategic move aims to enhance Qualcomm‘s automotive portfolio and capitalize on the growing demand for advanced driver-assistance systems. With the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles and autonomous features in cars, the number of chips used by automobile manufacturers is rising, turning the automotive market into a significant growth area for chip producers.
Autotalks manufactures specialized chips used in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology for both manned and driverless vehicles, with the aim of enhancing road safety. Nakul Duggal, Senior Vice President of Automotive at Qualcomm Technologies, said in a statement, “Since 2017, we have been investing in V2X research, development, and deployment, and as the automotive market matures, we believe there will be a need for a standalone V2X security architecture for advanced driver safety and intelligent transportation systems.”
Last year, Qualcomm reported that its automotive business volume increased by over $10 billion, reaching $30 billion. The company attributes this surge to the Snapdragon Digital Chassis product used by car manufacturers and suppliers. Snapdragon Digital Chassis can provide both assisted and autonomous driving technology, as well as in-vehicle infotainment and cloud connectivity. It was announced that Autotalks’ solutions will be incorporated into the Snapdragon Digital Chassis portfolio. No financial details about the acquisition have been disclosed yet.
Traditional watchmaker Casio has announced the new DWH5600 G-Shock hybrid smartwatch. The new smartwatch is the latest in the G-SHOCK Move lineup. It is coming on the heels of the release of the Casio GBDH2000 smartwatch earlier this year.
The new Casio G-Shock hybrid smartwatch has several daily activity features including running, workouts, walking, and interval training. There are also health monitoring sensors in the smartwatch like heart rate monitoring. There are several modes in the hybrid smartwatch and its optical sensor for heart rate measurement uses LED light to determine any changes in blood flow. The new Casio hybrid smartwatch also features an accelerometer for counting steps and an in-built GPS. The smartwatch has a shock-resistant structure and has 200M water resistance.
The hybrid nature of the Casio DWH5600 means it can be charged via solar and USB sources. The world time in the smartwatch features 38 cities + UTC while Sunrise/ Sunset times are also supported. Its 1s stopwatch can measure up to 100 hours and it also features a 60-minute countdown timer. Up to four daily alarms can be set on the smartwatch while the Full-Auto LED light illuminates the smartwatch always. Vibration alert is also supported on the Casio DWH5600 hybrid smartwatch.
Some of the components of the smartwatch (case, bezel, and band) are made from bio-based resins. The case is made from carbon fiber-reinforced resin and it is the first model in the G-SHOCK lineup with such components. The Casio DWH5600 can be pre-ordered from Casio at a pre-order price of $300. It will be available for purchase from selected retail outlets from May 10, 2023. It is unclear whether Casio hopes to distribute the model globally.
Although Android is developed by Google, it is often customized by smartphone manufacturers. This results in each brand offering its own unique experience, but it also occasionally leads to problems. For example, different devices handle background services differently, which can be frustrating for some users. Fortunately, Google is working on a partnership with Samsung to deliver a more consistent background services experience. Here are the details…
Google and Samsung Unite to Address Android’s Inconsistent Background Services
Google and Samsung have joined forces to tackle one of Android’s most frustrating problems: the inconsistent handling of background services. The tech giants are working together to ensure a more uniform implementation of Android 14’s background APIs, starting with Samsung’s One UI 6.0 update for Galaxy devices.
In fact, the issue of background services is not new. Smartphone manufacturers have been limiting certain system features for a long time to extend their devices’ battery life. This often leads to unintended app behavior and a subpar user experience. Android 14 introduces changes to address these problems, including streamlined background operations and new Google Play policies.
Samsung is the first company to partner with Google in this endeavor, and their collaboration will be evident in the upcoming One UI 6.0 update. As developers update their apps to target Android 14, the overall user experience should improve significantly. Actually, Google has guidelines for background processes. However, these guidelines have not been very effective up until now.
Google’s I/O event will take place on May 10th. It is expected that the company will introduce Android 14 at the event and shed more detailed light on its features.
iQOO launched several new mid-range smartphones in India this year, with two phones in the Z7 series itself. The Vivo-subsidiary is also confirmed to unveil its next premium lineup on May 10, albeit only in China as of now. However, the company may soon bring another budget model for the Indian consumers, dubbed iQOO Z7s. While there’s no official confirmation yet, the handset has appeared on Google’s Supported Devices list, hinting at an imminent release.
iQOO Z7s: What we know so far
The new iQOO smartphone will likely debut soon. However, we are still waiting to learn its hardware specs. Based on its moniker, we can assume the iQOO Z7s will be yet another mid-ranger in the series that already features the iQOO Z7 and iQOO Z7x. However, Z7s could be priced lower than the rest two. For reference, the Z7 carries a price tag of $230, while the Z7x costs around $207.
iQOO Z7 (Indian version)
iQOO Z7s recently popped on the Bluetooth SIG website with model number I2223. The device was listed to support Bluetooth v5.1. In the recent development, MySmartPrice has spotted the smartphone on the Google Play Supported device list, which confirms its model number (I2223) and marketing name.
It is worth noting that the Indian version of iQOO Z7 is already a decent option in its category. We noted in our review that the smartphone is a great affordable 5G smartphone suitable for all kinds of users. However, one may get disappointed from its underwhelming camera performance and annoying FuntouchOS ads. The device gets a MediaTek Dimensity 920 chipset with a 4,500mAh battery and support for 44W charging.
The countdown to Apple’s WWDC 2023 has begun. The event, set to take place on June 5th, will showcase new versions of popular software like iOS and macOS. We can also expect new features and design changes to be revealed. Although there are more than 20 days left, leaks are providing us with some early information on what to expect. According to one of these leaks, Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a new Apple Maps Live Activity feature for the Lock Screen with its iOS 17 update. Here are the details…
Apple Maps Lock Screen directions could get a new look in iOS 17
Apple is reportedly working on a new Apple Maps Live Activity feature for the Lock Screen in its upcoming iOS 17 update. This claim was made by a Twitter user named @analyst941. The leaker, who has shared similar leaks in the past, stated in their post, “Love it or don’t, Apple doesn’t care – this is the new Maps ‘Live Activity’ for Lock Screen (all iPhones). – Seamless transition when unlocking. – View notifications over the map by swiping up as usual. – Shows most Lock Screen elements until unlocked (except widgets as far as I know).”
Love it or don’t, Apple doesn’t care – this is the new Maps “Live Activity” for Lock Screen (all iPhones).
– Seamless transition when unlocking.
– View notifications over the map by swiping up as usual.
Up until now, people using the Maps have always had to keep the app open to track their destination. With this updated Lock Screen design, users will be able to minimize the Apple Maps display to the size of the music player widget, and a single tap will quickly expand it to full size. Although the Lock Screen Map display won’t be interactive, it will dynamically update to show users their current location and navigation directions.
What users are really curious about is whether this feature is limited to Apple Maps or not. As you know, although Apple has made significant progress in the field of maps, it still lags behind Google Maps and even Yandex. For this reason, many iPhone owners prefer alternative apps instead of the default Apple Maps. However, considering the company’s general policies, it doesn’t seem very likely that third-party applications will be supported.
It might seem a little early but iQOO is ready to launch the Neo 8 series in China on May 10. The new lineup should include the iQOO Neo 8 and the Neo 8 Pro. Both models are expected to debut in the mid-range category with top-notch specs. While there’s time for the official launch, the Neo 8 Pro has appeared on Google Supported Devices list that confirms it moniker. The listing also hints at a launch in the global market.
iQOO Neo 8 Pro could be a “flagship killer”
iQOO’s Neo series smartphones are known for offering the best bounce for the ounce. Both the recent Neo 7 and the older Neo 6 are excellent examples of this. Now, iQOO is gearing up to introduce the Neo 8 series and the expectations are high, especially from the Neo 8 Pro. While we don’t get any details from the handset’s Google Supported Devices listing, various leaks and rumors have revealed plenty of its specifications.
From what we know so far, the iQOO Neo 8 Pro could be the next flagship killer from the brand. It could debut as one of first phones with Dimensity 9200+ chipset. The processor is MediaTek’s answer to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and its Geekbench listing suggests it even outperforms Qualcomm’s champion. The chipset could be paired with 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 512 GB of UFS 4.0 storage.
Leaks suggest the smartphone will get an immersive 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with a 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and an under-display fingerprint scanner. The device will run on Android 13 OS with OriginOS 3 on top. It is expected to feature a 16MP selfies shooter. For photography, you could get a 50MP Sony IMX866V primary camera with OIS support.
Philips has unveiled a new 13.3-inch dedicated e-ink monitor with a resolution of 1200 x 1600 pixels. The new Philips Business Monitor sports an e-ink Mobius Display with 150 PPI and joins a limited list of brands with dedicated e-ink monitors.
Philips has also been marketing its 23-inch IPS monitor with a secondary e-ink screen. The older model however is more expensive with a $1,500 price tag. Dasung and Onyx Boox have some current models with dedicated e-ink displays like the Mira and Mira Pro. The Philips Business Monitor has a black-and-white display with warm and cool lighting. The monitor can be used comfortably in the day and at night.
The LED panels of the monitor do not shine directly into your eyes but project light evenly across the screen. The new Philips e-ink monitor has a 3:4 aspect ratio, is height adjustable, and can switch between landscape and portrait modes with the base. In terms of connectivity options, the Philips E INK monitor has DP 1.2, HDMI 1.4, and USB-C ports. The device is compatible to connect to Windows and Mac computers. There is also space for a VESA mount and a Kensington lock at the back of the device.
Philips Business Monitor is gentle on the eyes with its 13.3-inch e-ink display
The Philips Business Monitor can be controlled by the Philips Smart Remote software using several simple menus. Using the software, you can search for content, drag files to tools windows, switch pages, and zoom in and out. The Philips Business Monitor 13.3-inch e-ink display retails at $799.99. More details and app information can be gotten from the Philips website support pages for the gadget.
Realme C55 was the latest addition to the brand’s affordable C series. The handset featured Apple’s Dynamic Island-like capsule for notifications and some impressive specs for the price. Realme is also rumored to be working on another model, dubbed Realme C53. The device has been making rounds on various certification sites recently and now a report has revealed its design as well as storage details.
Realme C53 could bring a Familiar Design
A MySmartPrice report has shared an image of the Realme C53, which shows it won’t stray a far from the Realme C55 in terms of design. The handset will feature two circular rings on the back to house the camera sensor. The device has flat frames on the sides, with the volume and power buttons located on the right edge. On the front, the smartphone has a premium look with thin bezels and a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera.
At the bottom, there’s a speaker grille and a USB-C port. Unfortunately, there is no 3.5mm headphone jack, but we have come to accept that most phone brands have decided to remove this beloved feature from their product range.
The publication claims the Realme C53 will be launched in India with at least 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There could be other storage options during the launch. A recent listing of the handset revealed it will pack a 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W charging. Currently, there is no official confirmation regarding the launch of the Realme smartphone. However, we expect it will debut as a mid-range smartphone, positioned below the Realme C55, which was released in India with a starting price of Rs 10,999.
Leading Taiwanese electronics manufacturer ASUS recently launched a range of laptops under its Creator Series in India. The Creator Series comprises five laptops designed for content creators, vloggers, and 3D graphic designers. The ASUS Creator Series laptops offer powerful performance, stunning displays, and various connectivity options.
ASUS Vivobook Pro 14 Duo OLED
ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED
The first laptop in the Creator Series is the Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED. This high-performance laptop comes in a sleek and portable chassis and boasts a 13th Gen Intel Core i9 CPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics, and 32GB of memory. It has a 14.5-inch 2.8K OLED display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED comes with a secondary ScreenPad Plus display, which is a 12.7-inch 120Hz touchscreen that supports stylus input. This enables creators to have a versatile user experience while editing photos, videos or doing other creative work.
ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 OLED (K6602)
The Vivobook Pro 16 OLED (K6602) is the next laptop in the series. It features a stunning 16-inch 3.2K ASUS Lumina OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 and Pantone validated colors.
ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 OLED
The Vivobook Pro 16 features the latest 13th Gen Intel Core processors with the topmost model packing a Core i9-13900H chipset with 16GB DDR5 RAM. The graphics is powered by an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. The notebook PC gets its power from a 96WHr battery with 150W AC fast-charging. Other features oonboard include Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5, and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. The laptop also gets an extra biometric feature which is a fingerprint scanner with Windows Hello. It also features a 1080p Full HD webcam with a physical shutter to guarantee the user’s privacy.
ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED (K6502)
ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED (K6502) features an expansive 15.6-inch display laptop that provides creators with a brighter and more detailed viewing experience. The notebook’s display features a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio nad a peak brightness of 600 nits. The display also has a 0.2ms response time, and 0.0005 nits of deep black brightness.
ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED
The laptop can be customized with processor and storage options up to Intel Core i9-13900H and 32 GB 4800 MHz DDR5 and 2 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD with dual M.2 Slot. The laptop utilizes a Precision Touchpad (PTP) technology which allows users to use up to four finger smart gestures. The laptop is available in two hues; Quiet Blue and Cool Silver.
ASUS Vivobook 14X, Vivobook 14X OLEDand Vivobook 16X
The new Vivobook series also include the Vivobook 14X and 14X OLED as well as the Vivobook 16X. ASUS designed the models with optimized performance and portability at the fore. As the names imply, the Vivobook 14X models come with a 14-inch display, one of which is an OLED panel while the 16X packs a 16-inch screen. All the displays utilize a 16:10 aspect ratio while the OLED variant has a 0.2ms response time.
The Vivobook 14X OLED also boasts a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, up to 600-nit peak brightness, and a slim bezel design, providing creators with a more immersive viewing experience. The laptops are powered by up to the latest 13th Gen Intel Core processors, NVIDIA graphics, and DDR5 RAM. They also come with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 connectivity options.
ASUS TUF Gaming F15 (FX506) and F17 (FX706) laptops
The TUF Gaming F15 (FX506) and F17 (FX706) are powerful gaming laptops with a 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch anti-glare FHD display respectively. They are equipped with an 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11400H Processor and an Optimus NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 Laptop GPU with 4GB GDDR6 graphic memory that ensures smooth and crisp gameplay. The laptops also have an integrated Intel UHD Graphics that supports less demanding games. They come with a 512GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 SSD that can be expanded using 2x PCIe slots and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
The TUF Gaming F15 (FX506) and F17 (FX706) also have a 720p HD camera, a backlit chiclet keyboard with 1-zone RGB lighting, a 2-speaker system, built-in array microphone, AI noise-canceling technology, and DTS sound. They have a 48WHrs battery (90WHrs for the 17″ model) and a 150W AC adapter. They run on Windows 11 Home, which ensures the latest features and security updates. The laptops come in a Graphite Black color and weigh 2.30kg and 2.60kg respectively.
The TUF Gaming F15 (FX506) and F17 (FX706) are designed to deliver high-quality gaming experiences. They have a 144Hz refresh rate, a 16:9 aspect ratio, and a 250nits brightness, ensuring crisp and clear visuals. The laptops also have a powerful cooling system that amplifies CPU performance and keeps acoustics stealthy. With its military-grade durability, the laptops can withstand rough handling and accidental drops, making them ideal for gaming on the go.
Pricing and Availability
Here are the prices of the new ASUS laptop models in India;
ASUS Zenbook Pro 16 OLED – Rs 199,990 ($2445)
ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 OLED – Rs 124,990 ($1528)
ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED – Rs 122,990 ($1508)
ASUS Vivobook 14X OLED – Rs 79,990 ($978)
ASUS Vivobook 16X – Rs 68,990 ($843)
ASUS Vivobook 14X – Rs 62,990 ($770)
ASUS TUF Gaming F15 – Rs 62,990 ($770)
ASUS TUF Gaming F17 – Rs 62,990 ($770)
The models will be available on ASUS Exclusive stores, ROG stores across India and online via ASUS e-shop, Flipkart and Amazon India.
Poco is scheduled to unveil the Poco F5 series on May 9. The lineup will include the vanilla Poco F5 and the higher-end Poco F5 Pro. Both models have leaked extensively in the past, so much so that we know all about them expect the pricing. Now just a day before the launch, the company’s UAE wing went ahead and listed the smartphones on the official website with complete specifications. Here are the details.
Poco F5 Pro
The Poco F5 Pro is expected to be a premium mid-range smartphone that will continue the company’s flagship killer legacy. It has been listed on the official Poco UAE website with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, paired with 8GB or 12GB RAM and 256/512GB internal storage.
It gets a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with WQHD+ resolution (3200 x 1440 pixels), 120Hz refresh rate, 480Hz touch sampling rate, an in-screen fingerprint reader, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. For photography, it will get a 64MP main camera with Omnivision OV64B sensor, f/1.8 aperture and 6P lens. The primary camera will be accompanied by an 8MP ultrawide-angle shooter with 120-degree FoV and a 2MP macro camera. The camera system will support OIS and EIS. There’s a 16MP shooter for selfies.
Poco F5 Pro is listed with a 5,160 mAh battery that supports 67W wired charging and 30W wireless charging. It runs Android 13 with MIUI 14 on top. It will be available in the UAE in White or Black color options.
Poco F5
The more cheaper Poco F5 also gets a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate, but the resolution is only 1080p. It makes use of the mid-range Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 SoC with 256GB onboard storage and either 8GB or 12GB RAM.
In the rear camera department, there’s a 64MP main sensor, 8MP ultrawide unit and 2MP macro camera. There’s support for OIS and EIS. For selfies, you get a 16MP front-facing shooter. Poco F5 packs a 5,000 mAh battery and supports 67W charging. It runs Android 13 with MIUI 14, and gets NFC, IR blaster, NFC and Bluetooth 5.3.
With the rise of wild parties, camping, and road trips, more secure outdoor power stations may be coming into common people’s lives. If you’re a wilderness explorer or camper, you are probably familiar with what I am talking about. The UGREEN PowerRoam 1200 power station is one of our favorite tech products recently. It features the latest LiFePO4 EV-rated batteries that offer a pretty large capacity of 1024Wh. Even so, it’s amazingly portable and compact to ease our outdoor shooting work, as well as our outdoor parties.
UGREEN
Here I have to introduce the brand UGREEN just in case some of you may not have heard of it. Actually, it has quite a big reputation in China as it has been supplying wide categories of electronics since 2012. I bought quite a lot of their products like power banks, expandable hubs, and adapters. Last year they started a cooperation with the leading electric vehicle manufacturer – BYD, and the PowerRoam series is one of their representative works of the cooperation. So let’s check out how it offers high-performance and safe power for private households.
BYD x UGREEN
What’s included
The package we received is pretty compact. It shows the look of the Power station at the front and some important features at the back. Unboxed the box, we can see the PowerRoam 1200, with the manual and warranty cards. In addition, the accessory pack offers a few cables for various kinds of power inputs and supplies, including an AC power cable, A DC car charging cable, A DC5521 to DC5525 cable, and another Solar parallel adapter. Yes, apart from the AC wall outlet and DC car outlet, it also supports fast solar charging for outdoor uses.
The fast solar charging capacity is one of the most surprising features of the new power station. We also prepared two UGREEN SC200 solar panels in this review to test the clean charging method. Later we will show you how it works if we don’t have any DC or AC charge sources.
And I really like the input cables here without any bulky adaptors. It gets the input management module built inside the station, which is really convenient for us on the go, and no more worries about forgetting the adaptor.
Design & Output
Looking back at the power station. The PowerRoam 1200 has a classic grey-black design with decent built quality. Judging how good a power station is, we first look at whether it has been designed and built with effort about safety. With this in mind, we found it’s indeed solid and reliable.
The shell is made almost entirely of PC and ABS plastics, which are frame-retardant and leak-proof for high electrical safety. There’s another inner layer made of steel to protect the power station from damage from falls or crushes. And it’s almost the best protection that we can see on a portable power supply.
Some detail here is pretty impressive. For example, the handle on the top is solid and not removable, while UGREEN adds thickened rubber footpads to the bottom. There’re only two moving parts on the surface. One is the dust plug of the car-charging port, and the other is the magnetic dust cover for the side charging panel. Considering UGREEN guarantees a 5-year warranty, the power station is likely to be a durable piece of equipment in our studio. It weighs about 12kg, which is actually light compared to other power stations at the same level.
You can see there are several buttons and output interfaces that we used a lot at the front. The LED light on the far left is pretty useful for dark environments, with 4 modes to choose from: low light, high light, Flash, and SOS modes. By the way, designed for emergencies, the light can still work even if the battery level is 0.
There’s a loT button below the LED light, which helps you connect the phone and manage it on the PowerRoam app. And we will talk about the app and phone control later.
There’re two USB-C ports and 2 more A ports for digital devices, which can work at the same time for various devices like your smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other devices that require USB output.
The C ports support up to 100W power output respectively, while the maximum output of the A ports can reach 22.5W. The USB-C ports have excellent compatibility. We measured that the USB-C ports support quite a variety of charging protocols, including FCP, SCP, AFC, QC3.0, MTK, QC5, PD3, PPS, DCP, and Apple 2.4A.
The info-screen over the USB ports carries all the information about the power station. You can check out the working mode here with overload and temperature warnings, current input and output power, any working outputs, remaining recharge and discharge time, and WiFi or Bluetooth connection. As I said earlier, you can check all the information from your phone. But even from the screen alone, you can still monitor the complete status of the power station without anything else.
Below the USB interface is a master power switch. On the right, there’s a Car outlet and 2 more DC outlets supporting a maximum output power of 120W in total.
But we still use the AC outlets most often with the power station. The outlets are integrated on the right-side panel below the built-in fan. It offers 6 AC outlets with a maximum 1200W output for a total, which is widely compatible with various electronic devices, most appliances, and power tools. And actually, some power-hungry appliances may require instantaneous power exceeding the rated power, which is also taken into account by UGREEN with their latest U-Turbo power-conversion technology. The U-Turbo ensures that devices requiring higher power can also be safely run with the PowerRoam 1200. It can actually drive 2500W devices and reach an insane peak of 3000W output. It is supposed to drive high-power appliances by the solution of reducing the voltage and increasing the current, which can meet most of the supper-high-power appliances, but here I recommend that users only access one AC device to avoid malfunction.
INPUT
AC *6
120v~60Hz 10A 1200VA/1200W Max (Pure Sine Wave)
Max Ouptut 2500W (U-Turbo Tech)
Peak Output 3000W
USB-A *2
Single-Port: 5V 3A / 9V 2A / 12V 1.5A /5V 4.5A 22.5W Max
Dual Port: 45W Max
Total Output Power (Standard: without U-Turbo boost)
1565W Max
So now let’s make a small summary of its output. The PowerRoam 1200 can support a total of 9 outlets and 4 USB ports, including 6 AC outputs that support up to 1200W total output, 1 car charger and 2 DC outlets that support 120W total output, and 4 additional USB ports that provide up to 245W total output. So in this compact power station, you can theoretically get a maximum output of 1565W. And if your device requires AC power exceeding 1200W, it still can handle it safely at up to 2500W and a peak of 3000W.
Here we did a small discharge test with a shooting light featuring an output power of 160W, although we couldn’t ensure that the light runs at an exactly fixed power. Until the power station ran out of power and shut down, it lasts more than 4 hours and discharged about 942Wh of power.
Charge
To charge the Power station, the fastest and the most common way is certainly to plug it into the household AC Wall outlet. It supports the brand’s latest high-power charging technology – PowerZip. Using the included charging cable, it only took 30mins to collect back 50% of the power and took 79mins to be fully charged, which is even faster than the official claim of 90-min full charging time.
Charge it with UGREEN Solar Panels
Or if you are on a long road trip or engaged in outdoor activities, you can also recharge it with your car charger or Solar Panel. Using the two 200W Solar Panels, you can get nature’s most generous energy source to fully charge the power station in as little as 4 hours, while the charging time would be a bit longer if you connect it to your car with the DC port. If you need to keep sufficient power outdoors, I highly recommend you buy these additional solar panels from UGREEN. As for the battery durability, the power station uses the latest LiFePo4 battery and the brand claims it has a 3000-cycle lifetime.
Charge the PowerRoam 1200 with 2 200W UGREEN Solar Panels
UPS – continuing power supply
In addition, one more of my favorite features is the UPS to support continued supply power. In events like a power outage or electric grid shutdown, the power station can continue supplying power to connected devices within 20ms of a power outage. If you are afraid that a power outage would destroy your unsaved work, trust me, keep your devices connected to the Power station, and it will save you from the chagrin of wasting your life.
APP
Finally, I must commend UGREEN for its efforts in the software. Even a novice who’s never used a power station before can still easily have full control of the power station on the App, where you can check all essential data of it, adjust power settings, run diagnostic checks, and confirm the remaining charge.
Verdict
As tech reviewers, to be honest, it seems that we have been difficult to feel the real convenience and pleasure with most tech products. But on the PowerRoam 1200, we have almost no complaints. It’s highly integrated, safe, and fast. And most importantly, it can benefit your team or your family, instead of just an individual.
A few years ago, smartphones came with built-in FM Radio. However, in recent years, the trend has died down and there’s been a significant decline in new phones shipping with FM Radio. Today, it is mostly found in feature phones and some low-end devices. Now, the Indian government has issued an advisory to smartphone makers in the country to ensure that FM Radio is enabled and available on devices.
FM Radio must on all smartphones in India
Radio broadcasting is one of the oldest, most effective, and reliable ways of communication. It is used to send warnings and alerts to the public in case of emergencies and disasters. They act as an important communication link between local authorities and the public. Additionally, FM Radio also offers access to information and entertainment.
The move to make FM Radio accessible on smartphones is to bridge the digital divide and offering radio services in rural and remote areas where people cannot offer standalone radio sets. This will make services available to all citizens in tough times.
The Minister of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) stated that the FM Radio feature should not be disabled if it is built-into smartphones. Additionally, if devices don’t have it, then it should be included. Even though most smartphone chipsets support FM Radio, it is disabled by OEMs. Cupertino-based tech giant Apple does not provide FM Radio on its iPhones.
The government has issued an advisory to the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) and Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAID) to ensure that FM Radio is easily accessible on smartphones.
Huawei is set to unveil its latest smartwatch, the Huawei Watch 4, at its upcoming Huawei Summer 2023 product launch conference on May 18th. Ahead of the launch, official photos of the device have been released, revealing a circular design with a more rounded overall shape and a natural transition between the dial and the bezel. What sets the Huawei Watch 4 apart is its rotating crown, which gives it a more mechanical watch-like appearance.
Huawei Watch 4’s Design Features a Rotating Crown for a Classic Look with Modern Functionality
The Huawei Watch 4 will come with a range of new and improved features, including support for BeiDou satellite messaging. This technology called “Breaking the Sky,” will allow users to send emergency communication and distress calls even without network coverage. This could be a game-changer for people who enjoy outdoor activities, as it provides an extra layer of safety and security.
Another exciting feature of the Huawei Watch 4 is its rumored non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, with a recognition rate of over 85%. If true, this would put Huawei ahead of Apple, which has been working on similar technology but may not officially launch it for another seven years. This could be a significant development for people with diabetes, as it would allow them to monitor their blood glucose levels without the need for painful finger pricks.
The Huawei Watch 4 will also feature a unique zirconia material for the dial, providing excellent durability and anti-crack extension properties. This makes it an excellent option for anyone who wants a durable, long-lasting smartwatch that can withstand the wear and tear of daily use.
Overall, the Huawei Watch 4 promises to be an exciting addition to the smartwatch market, with its innovative features and design. As Huawei continues to push the boundaries of technology, it will be interesting to see how the Watch 4 stacks up against its competitors. According to reports, Huawei will also launch a new MatePad Air tablet, Matebook E 2 in 1 notebook, and MateBook X 2023 series.
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