Advertisement

The Future of Integrating Physical Keyboards with Touchscreen Displays

The evolution of smartphones over the years has brought about several innovative features that have changed the way we communicate, interact, and entertain ourselves. The most notable of these is the touchscreen display, which eliminated the need for a fixed QWERTY keyboard on smartphones. However, there are still some people who prefer physical keyboards to touchscreens when typing. For years, manufacturers have tried to integrate physical keyboards with touchscreen technology, but without success.

Some Users prefer Tactile Feedback over Customizability

Physical keyboards provide tactile feedback that some people find helpful, as they can feel it when they press a key. Additionally, some people find the physical keys easier to locate without looking at the keyboard. On the other hand, virtual keyboards are customizable and can change based on the context of the text being entered, offering features like autocorrect and suggested words. Ultimately, the choice between physical and virtual keyboards comes down to personal preference and typing style. Blackberry tried integrating both keyboards in the past, but now, another company is trying to research their way through this problem.

Keyboard

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University’s Future Interfaces Group (FIG) have come up with a solution that could change this trend. The FIG researchers have developed a technology called Flat Panel Haptics, which uses embedded electroosmotic pumps (EEOPs) to create temporary pop-up buttons on OLED displays. The technology is still in the early stages of development, but it shows promise. The buttons appear when content is on the screen, which would typically trigger the appearance of the virtual keyboard. The FIG team hopes that this technology will eventually reach a point where users can enjoy the novelties of a physical keyboard without giving up screen space.

RELATED:

(Via)

Purported iQOO Pad spotted at MIIT certification

In August 2020, iQOO filed trademark applications for “iQOO Pad” and “iQOOBOOK,” which suggested that the company may enter the tablet and laptop markets sooner or later. Nearly three years have passed since the trademark filings, and iQOO hasn’t launched a tablet or a notebook. A new Vivo device has been approved by China’s MIIT regulatory body. It is being said that it could be the first iQOO-branded tablet.

A couple of known Chinese tipsters have claimed that a device with model number iPA375 could be the upcoming iQOO tablet. Unfortunately, the certification has not revealed any information on the specifications of the tablet. However, it does reveal support for 5.8GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It does not state anything about 4G LTE or 5G support, which indicates that it may not support cellular connectivity.

iQOO Pad certified
iQOO Pad certified

Since iQOO is known for launching gaming-focused smartphones, the rumored iQOO Pad could be a powerful tablet powered by a high-end chipset to offer a superior gaming experience. It is advisable to wait for further reports to know more about the iQOO Pad.

Vivo and its sub-brand iQOO have several phones lined up for launch in the Chinese market. Vivo may announce the Vivo S17e, S17, and S17 Pro in May. The same month is expected to see the arrival of the iQOO Neo 8 and Neo 8 Pro in China. The latter is said to arrive as the first phone powered by the Dimensity 9200 Plus chipset.

The iQOO 11S and Vivo X90 Plus featuring the same Dimensity 9200 Plus are also said to be in the works. These phones are expected to release in the third quarter of this year.

RELATED:

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra’s marvellous large cover display revealed via multiple leaked images

Several reports have claimed that the upcoming Motorola Razr+ 2023, aka the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, will have the largest cover display seen on a flip phone. While the device is expected to launch globally on June 1, the Chinese wing of the brand has already started teasing its arrival. In the latest leak, reputed tipster Evan Blass shared new renders of the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra. The new images give the best look at the marvellous cover screen of the device.

The multiple images released by Blass also show that the Razr 40 Ultra will offer several customization options for its cover screen. It will allow users to personalize the cover screen’s layout, fonts, font size, colors, icon shape, sounds, display size, and theme.

Some of the images show that the device is equipped with a red-colored hinge. It appears that the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is equipped with a 3.5-inch cover screen. As can be seen, the horizontally positioned dual cameras and the LED flash are placed at the corner of the display.

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra specifications (rumored)

According to reports, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra will arrive with a 6.7-inch foldable OLED FHD+ panel that offers a 144Hz refresh rate. The device seems to be equipped with a side-facing fingerprint scanner.

The Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset is expected to power the Razr 40 Ultra with 8 GB of RAM. The device is likely to pack a 3,640mAh battery with 33W fast charging support. It may come preloaded with the My UX 5-based Android 13 OS. The Razr 40 Ultra is expected to rival the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Oppo Find N2 Flip, and Vivo X Flip in different markets.

RELATED:

(source)

Alleged Nokia XR30 rugged phone’s leaked renders emerge

HMD Global is reportedly working on a rugged smartphone like the Nokia XR20, which was announced in July 2021. According to a report by Winfuture.de, this upcoming phone was previously referred to as the Nokia Sentry 5G and may arrive in the market as a Nokia XR-series phone or with the “Nokia XR30” name. The publication has leaked the press renders and key specifications of the smartphone.

Alleged Nokia XR30 design

Alleged Nokia XR30
Alleged Nokia XR30

The Nokia Sentry 5G first appeared on a roadmap from HMD Global last year, which was accidentally leaked in a manufacturer’s presentation published on YouTube. The leak revealed only a few details on the specifications of the smartphone.

The leaked renders of the upcoming rugged phone from Nokia show that it is equipped with two camera sensors and a flash on the back, with the letters “XR” visible, replacing the “Zeiss” branding. The change is due to the end of the partnership with the German camera brand.

Alleged Nokia XR30
Alleged Nokia XR30

On the front, the forthcoming Nokia XR 5G phone features a punch-hole display with chunky bezels. The overall design of the phone is similar to previous Nokia models. The phone’s rugged features include a durable housing that makes it resistant to shock and water damage, making it ideal for outdoor activities and those who are always on the go.

Alleged Nokia XR30 specifications (rumored)

According to the leaked roadmap, the upcoming Nokia XR 5G will come with 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB of native storage, and a 4,600mAh battery with 33W charging. Its rear camera setup will comprise a 64-megapixel main camera and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. For selfies, it will feature a 16-megapixel front camera. It is likely to be priced at around $499.

RELATED:

(source)

POCO F5 Pro renders, full specifications, and user manual leaked before May 9 launch

POCO F5 Pro will launch globally on May 9. This phone is unlikely to be released in India. Reports have claimed that it will be a rebranded version of China’s Redmi K60. However, a new leak courtesy of Pricebaba, which carries the leaked renders, user manual, and specifications of the device, reveals that there will be a small difference between it and the K60.

As per the leak, the POCO F5 Pro’s battery will be smaller than the Redmi K60’s 5,500mAh battery. The rest of the specs seem to be identical on both models. The leaked renders show that its design will be identical to the Redmi K60. The images show the phone in black and white.

POCO F5 Pro specifications (rumored)

POCO F5 Pro leaked renders
POCO F5 Pro leaked renders

As per the report, the Poco F5 Pro will arrive with a large 6.67-inch AMOLED display that boasts a 3200 x 1440 pixels (QHD+) resolution, coupled with a high 120Hz refresh rate. The screen will be also equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection and an under-display fingerprint scanner.

The device will be powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 5,160mAh battery. The phone will support 67W wired charging and 30W wireless charging. The device will offer 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.

As for the camera setup, the Poco F5 Pro will have a triple rear camera configuration consisting of an OIS-enabled 64-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 2-megapixel sensor, accompanied by a flash.

Connectivity options include dual SIM, 5G (1/3/5/8/28/38/40/41/77/78 bands), WiFi 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, GPS, and a USB-C port. When it comes to sensors, it will come equipped with a digital compass, a screen orientation sensor, and an acceleration (G-sensor). Last but not least, it will be an IP53-rated device measuring 162.8 x 75 x 8.5mm and weighing around 204 grams. Readers can visit the source link to checkout the leaked user manual and remaining renders for the device.

RELATED:

(source)

Lava Blaze 1X 5G specifications, images leaked before launch

Lava has been consistently launching affordable yet feature-packed smartphones in the Indian market. Recent reports have revealed that the company is gearing up to launch the Lava Agni 2 in May. A recent report revealed that the company may also launch the Blaze 1X 5G in May in the country. While the rumor mill has already leaked the specifications of the Agni 2, nothing has been known about the Blaze 1X 5G. In a fresh development, a Twitter user named Aritra Sarkar seems to have come across a premature listing of the Blaze 1X 5G on Lava’s official website. While the listing is no longer available, Sarkar managed to share the screenshots on Twitter. Here is a look at the rumored specifications of the device.

Lava Blaze 1X 5G specifications (rumored)

Lava Blaze 1X 5G
Lava Blaze 1X 5G

The Lava Blaze 1X 5G will sport a 6.5-inch HD+ IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate and Widevine L1 support. Under the hood, the device is expected to feature the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset and come with 6 GB of RAM, 5 GB of virtual RAM, and 128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage.

In terms of optics, the Blaze 1X 5G is expected to come with a triple camera setup at the rear, comprising a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a VGA sensor. For selfies and video calls, the phone is rumoured to have an 8-megapixel front-facing camera.

The Blaze 1X 5G is also expected to pack a 5000mAh battery with support for 15W fast charging. However, the retail package of the device may include a 12W charger. On the software front, the Blaze 1X 5G is expected to run on Android 12 out of the box.

In terms of connectivity, the phone is rumoured to support Bluetooth 5.1 and 5G bands, including n1, n3, n5, n8, n28, n41, n77, and n78. The device is also expected to weigh in at 207 grams with a thickness of 8.9mm. It will arrive in Glass Green and Glass Blue colors.

If these rumours hold true, the Lava Blaze 1X 5G could be an exciting new addition to the Indian smartphone market, offering a compelling mix of specifications at an affordable price point. Stay tuned for more updates and an official announcement from Lava in the coming weeks.

RELATED:

(via)

Samsung and LG Will Continue to Monetize Every Apple Product Sold

“Designed in California, Assembled in China.” This phrase is likely a familiar one to many of you, as it is often found on Apple products. Despite putting in significant effort to develop its products and not being fond of relying on outside companies, Apple does not have its own production facilities. For instance, it must collaborate with manufacturers such as TSMC. One of these collaborations appears on display technologies. Apple is reportedly planning to develop its own custom MicroLED displays for its devices, with the aim of having greater control over product design. Here are the details…

As Apple Embraces MicroLED Tech, Samsung and LG Retain Their Roles

Apple has long been collaborating with manufacturers like Samsung Display and LG for the screens used in their devices. According to recent reports, this collaboration is expected to strengthen even further. The company is reportedly planning to develop its own custom MicroLED displays for devices, aiming for greater control over product design. The tech giant is said to be transitioning its devices from OLED to MicroLED displays, starting with the Apple Watch in 2024 or 2025, followed by iPhones, iPads, and eventually MacBooks. So what is the difference between these two display technologies?

OLED and MicroLED are two types of screens. OLED screens use special materials that light up when electricity is used, making them thin and flexible. They show deep blacks and have fast response times. MicroLED screens use tiny LEDs that light up one by one. They also have deep blacks but can be brighter and last longer than OLEDs. However, MicroLEDs are newer and more expensive to make.

MicroLED display production remains challenging, and manufacturing costs are higher. As a result, Apple will likely continue to source components from Korean manufacturers to save on mass production costs.However, it’s worth noting that the tech giant doesn’t rush when it comes to change. For example, even though the first iPhone with an OLED screen was released in 2015, we continued to see IPS technology until the iPhone 12 series. And even today, MacBook models still haven’t completed this transition.

RELATED:

(via)

Garmin Varia eRTL615 rearview radar for e-bikes unveiled

Smart wearables manufacturer Garmin has unveiled the Varia eRTL615 radar for e-bikes. The product is the first rearview radar for e-bikes and also includes a tail light. The accessory plugs snugly into a compatible eBike and can help in detecting approaching vehicles. It delivers both visual and audible alerts when paired with some Garmin smartwatches or via the Varia app on a compatible smartphone.

Garmin Varia eRTL615 rearview radar

The Garmin Varia eRTL615 radar has a sleek and compact design. It also offers multiple mounting options. You can either use a universal seat rail mount or a rack/ pannier mount. It is being propped by Garmin with the line: engineered on the inside for life on the outside. The new rearview radar for eBikes is expected to add some revolutionary inputs to cycling. It is also expected to enhance the cyclist’s safety at any time of the day or night.

The Garmin Varia eRTL615 rearview radar will guarantee safer riding for bikers. Garmin says that with the increasing popularity of eBike riding, the integration of trusted radar technology via the eRTL615 means enhanced safety for cyclists. The device can be paired with select Garmin smartwatches, Edge cycling computers, or a smartphone with the Varia app installed. It will provide visual and audible notifications of vehicles behind you up to 150 yards away. The radar will alert drivers to a cyclist’s presence as soon as possible with the highly visible tail light.

The tail light can be visible for up to a mile away. The eRTL615 light flash pattern changes when an approaching vehicle is detected. There are four tail light modes namely solid, peloton, night flash, and day flash. This offers more visibility for drivers in several operational scenarios.

Garmin Varia eRTL615 rearview radar

The Garmin eRTL615 rearview radar and lighting system has a suggested retail price of $299.99. There are no details yet on the global availability of the Garmin Varia eRTL615 radar at this time.

RELATED:

(source)

Asus TUF Gaming 4 Ryzen Edition Gaming Laptops Launch with R9 7940H CPU and up to RTX 4070 GPU

Asus, one of the world’s largest technology companies, continues to expand its product lineup. Most recently, they have released their TUF Gaming 4 Ryzen Edition laptops, featuring the latest AMD R9 7940H processor and a choice of RTX 4050, 4060, and 4070 graphics cards. These powerful gaming laptops are available in various configurations to cater to a range of preferences and budgets. Here are the details…

Exploring the Specs of the Asus TUF Gaming 4 Ryzen Edition Laptops

The Asus TUF Gaming 4 Ryzen Edition laptops are equipped with an 8-core, 16-thread R9 7940H processor, capable of reaching 5.2 GHz. The highest available graphics card is the RTX 4070 with a full 140W power consumption. The laptops feature dual DDR5 RAM slots, supporting up to 64GB, and PCIe 4.0 SSDs with an additional expansion slot. From a design standpoint, the device appears to be a typical gaming laptop. Currently, it is available in white and black color options.

In terms of display, the laptops come with a 15.6-inch 2.5K 165Hz screen, boasting 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and a 3ms response time. The TUF Gaming 4 Plus model offers a larger 17.3-inch FHD 360Hz screen.These laptops also provide an array of connectivity options, including USB4, HDMI 2.1, RJ45, and USB-A ports.

Asus TUF Gaming 4 Ryzen Edition laptops:

ModelProcessorGraphicsRAMStorageDisplayConnectivity
TUF Gaming 4 Ryzen Edition with RTX 4050AMD R9 7940HRTX 405016GB DDR5512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD15.6-inch 2.5K 165HzUSB4, HDMI 2.1, RJ45, USB-A
TUF Gaming 4 Ryzen Edition with RTX 4060AMD R9 7940HRTX 406016GB DDR5512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD15.6-inch 2.5K 165HzUSB4, HDMI 2.1, RJ45, USB-A
TUF Gaming 4 Ryzen Edition with RTX 4070AMD R9 7940HRTX 407016GB DDR51TB PCIe 4.0 SSD15.6-inch 2.5K 165HzUSB4, HDMI 2.1, RJ45, USB-A
TUF Gaming 4 Plus Ryzen Edition with RTX 4070AMD R9 7940HRTX 407016GB DDR51TB PCIe 4.0 SSD17.3-inch FHD 360HzUSB4, HDMI 2.1, RJ45, USB-A

Asus TUF Gaming 4 Ryzen Edition laptops Price:

  • TUF Gaming 4 Ryzen Edition with R9 7940H + RTX 4050 + 16GB RAM + 512GB SSD: $1,049.86 (CNY 7499)
  • TUF Gaming 4 Ryzen Edition with R9 7940H + RTX 4060 + 16GB RAM + 512GB SSD: $1,091.86 (CNY 7799)
  • TUF Gaming 4 Ryzen Edition with R9 7940H + RTX 4070 + 16GB RAM + 1TB SSD: $1,329.86 (CNY 9499)
  • TUF Gaming 4 Plus Ryzen Edition with R9 7940H + RTX 4070 + 16GB RAM + 1TB SSD: $1,329.86 (CNY 9499)

RELATED:

(source)

Leaks Point to Intel Meteor Lake-S Potential Desktop Debut

The competition in the CPU market continues at full speed. Intel, which has been struggling due to complacency from being at the top for a while and falling behind its rival AMD, is working to widen the gap with the red team. According to the latest information, Intel’s 14th Generation Meteor Lake processors may soon enter the desktop market, as an LGA1851 Meteor Lake-S interposer was recently discovered. Here are the details…

Intel Meteor Lake-S CPU Tool Surfaces for Desktop PC

Intel’s 14th Generation Meteor Lake processors might make their way into the desktop market. While Intel‘s commitment to a socket isn’t as steadfast as AMD’s, the appearance of these leaks may imply that the company is preparing Meteor Lake-S desktop chips. However, without access to technical specifications or documentation, the exact purpose and features of the Meteor Lake-S processors remain speculative.

The leaked information indicates a potential increase in contacts compared to the current LGA1700 socket. This could lead to improved performance and compatibility with future hardware. Another leak suggests that the 14th Generation moniker is designated for the upcoming Meteor Lake processors, but it remains unclear whether these processors are intended for mobile, desktop, or both.

An unverified Intel roadmap casts doubt on the possibility of Meteor Lake coming to desktops in the near future, as it suggests that Intel is preparing a Raptor Lake Refresh (RPL-R) for a Q3 release. This could indicate that the rumored RPL-R will be the last to utilize Intel’s LGA1700 socket. With recent developments in Meteor Lake, including Linux patches and the confirmation of an L4 cache, it’s plausible that if a desktop variant is planned, it may not arrive until 2024.

RELATED:

(via)

Pony.ai launches its Robotaxi service in Guangzhou without a safety driver and support for remote assistance

Pony.ai has announced that it has obtained the first-ever self-driving passenger taxi permit in Guangzhou, China. This will allow the company to run a self-driving ride hailing service that supports remote assistance and omits a safety driver inside the vehicle. The permit was approved on April 21 and allows the company to immediately start a driverless travel service (Robotaxi) in the city. this comes one year after it got a similar license in Beijing.

Pony.ai

The new service will allow commuters in Guangzhou to enjoy fully unmanned autonomous driving service when they place a request through the PonyPilot+ app. The new permit is coming after Pony.ai obtained the first remote test permit in the city in June 2021. It obtained another permit after the opening of the Guangzhou long-distance passenger transport policy.

The new permit will see Pony.ai fully autonomous Robotaxis traversing an area of 803 square kilometers in the Nansha District of the city.
According to Pony.ai, commuters in Guangzhou can use the PonyPilot+ to call a real self-driving vehicle and go to high-speed rail stations, subway entrances, residential areas, and several other destinations. The passenger can request for remote assistance during the trip and real-time communication will be activated. Pony.ai hopes to subsequently launch an online fully unmanned reservation system.

Pony.ai is also making inroads with its self-driving technology in other cities in China including the capital, Beijing. In March, the company obtained a demonstration application license for full vehicle unmanned operations in Beijing’s autonomous driving demonstration zone. Pony.ai was also allowed to open a fully unmanned vehicle in Yizhuang, Beijing.

The new Robotaxi models are equipped with Pony.ai’s sixth-generation self-driving software and hardware system. The Robotaxis have obtained test licenses in Beijing and Guangzhou. They have also passed expert reviews of the test without a safety driver inside the car in Beijing.

https://www.gizmochina.com/2022/04/29/baidu-pony-ai-china-first-commercial-driverless-robotaxi-permits/

The Pony.ai’s self-driving Robotaxis are based on the Toyota Senna Autono-Maas (S-AM) with up to 200km of mileage during road testing. The company continues to chalk up the numbers in terms of its successes with autonomous driving. It has achieved over 21 million kilometers of autonomous driving and more than 1 million kilometers of unmanned testing. Pony.ai has also received about 200,000 paid travel orders. The company expects to extend the travel service to other parts of Guangzhou, Beijing, and other cities in China.

Pony.ai expands its Robotaxi services in China with Guangzhou rollout

RELATED:

Huawei Mate 20, Mate 10 among 12 other models get HarmonyOS 3 Update

Huawei has been steadily rolling out the latest HarmonyOS 3 update to its devices. Recently, the company announced that it has successfully updated 100 devices with this latest version. As of April 26, 2023, a total of 101 devices have received the stable update, while 39 devices are currently running the beta build. In the latest development, the company is rolling HarmonyOS 3 update for 14 new devices, including the Huawei P20 series, Mate 10 series, and more. Here are the details.

HarmonyOS 3 makes its way to older phones

Huawei announced today the rollout of HarmonyOS 3 for more than a dozen new phones. The upgraded models in the official version include the Huawei P20, Huawei P20 Pro, Huawei Mate 10, Huawei Mate 10 Pro, Huawei Mate 10 Porsche Design, Huawei Mate RS Porsche Design, Huawei Nova 8 SE, Huawei Nova 8 SE Vitality Edition, Huawei Nova 7 SE 5G, Huawei Nova 7 SE 5G Lohas Edition, Huawei Nova 7 SE 5G Vitality Edition, Huawei Enjoy 50, and Huawei MatePad 10.4-inch 2022.

Huawei P20
Huawei P20 Pro

Additionally, the public beta recruitment has started for several Honor models, including Honor 10, Honor V10, Honor X10, Honor X10 Max, Honor 9X, Honor 9X PRO, Honor 10 Youth Edition, Honor 8X, Honor 30S, Honor 30 Youth Edition, Honor 20S, Honor 20 Youth Edition, Honor 20i, Honor Play4T Pro, and Honor Play3.

To register for the upgrade, you can access the registration entry through the [My Huawei]/[Services] app by navigating to the homepage and selecting “Early Upgrade.” Alternatively, you can use the [Member Center] app and access the registration entry through the home screen or by going to Settings > System Update > Software Update. Prior to upgrading, ensure that you have updated the My Huawei app to the latest version.

RELATED:

(Via)

GMK K3 Mini PC with Core i7-1260P CPU released in China starting at 2,499 yuan ($361)

GMK is adding another model to the Nucbox K1 and K2 mini PCs it released a few days back. The GMK K3 powered by an Intel Core i7-1260P processor has been launched in China. The K3 mini host is yet another GMK offering that provides depth and options for a mobile desktop. The pricing is also decent and performance also appreciable.

GMK K3 Mini PC

The K3’s processor has 12 cores and 16 threads. It has a frequency range from 3.4GHz to 4.7GHz. It has a turbo frequency of 64W, TDP 28Wand 18M L3 cache. The mini PC is equipped with a 1.4GHz high-frequency 96EU core graphics card which supports AV1 video decoding. The fuselage of the K3 uses an all-metal CNC roll cage design. It also sports an all-metal CNC middle frame with sandblasting and oxidation.

GMK K3 Mini PC

The GMK K3 mini host has dimensions of 123 x 112 x 43.2mm. It has a PCIe solid-state drive with up to 32GB of DDR4 memory and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. There is also a 2.5G wired network card. The mini host supports simultaneous 3-screen 4K simultaneous display output. This is thanks to its HDMI ports (x2) and Type-C USB ports.

GMK K3 Mini PC

The K3 mini host with the i7-1260P barebone model will retail at 2,499 yuan (~$361). The model with a 16GB + 1TB configuration is priced at 2,999 yuan (~$433). It is available on retail platforms in China including JD.com. Global availability details for the model have not been specified.

GMK Nucbox K3 Mini PC crams a powerful Core i7 SoC on a compact form factor

RELATED:


(source)

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite gets New OxygenOS update with camera improvements

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is the brand’s latest mid-range smartphone that debuted just a few weeks ago. Despite it being a relatively new device, OnePlus has already begun rolling out a software update to enhance its performance and camera capabilities. The update is being seeded to all the regions where the device is sold. Here are the details.

Nord CE 3 Lite gets updated with OxygenOS 13.1.0.520

According to the announcement on the official forum, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is now getting a new update, labeled OxygenOS 13.1.0.520. In India, the update is being released with the firmware version CPH2467_13.1.0.520 while the global and European units get it with CPH2465_13.1.0.520. As always, this OTA will be released in a phased manner. It will reach a small percentage of users today, followed by a broader rollout in a few days.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

As mentioned, the update improves camera performance, although OnePlus did not provide specific details regarding the improvements. However, they did mention that the user experience has been enhanced. Additionally, the software update includes the April 2023 Android security patch. You can find the rest of the details in the changelog below:

Changelog:

System

 • Integrates the April 2023 Android security patch to enhance system security.
 • Improves the user experience of fingerprint unlock.
 • Improves system stability.

Communication

• Improves the stability and expands the compatibility of network connections.

Camera
 • Improves camera performance for a better user experience.

To remind you, OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite brings a 6.71-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by a Snapdragon 695 SoC and has 8GB of RAM. There’s a 108MP primary sensor with 3x lossless zoom, a 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging support, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.


RELATED:

(Source)

Redmi Note 10S getting Android 13 with MIUI 14 in India

The rollout of Xiaomi’s MIUI 14 has been rather slow, with the company lagging behind most major OEMs, including those from China (Oppo for example). The company recently released the latest version of MIUI for the Redmi Note 12 Pro phones. And now, it’s Redmi Note 10S’ turn to get the MIUI 14 update with Android 13. The update is rolling out in India and here’s everything you need to know.

MIUI 14 brings new features and upgrades

As per MIUI’s official handle, the MIUI 14 update for the Redmi Note 10S is now rolling out for users in India. The company says the software will be available to all units in the country. However, the rollout may take a few days to complete. As mentioned, the update is based on Android 13. We are specifying this because Redmi also rolls out Android 12-based builds of MIUI 14.

Redmi Note 10S

The company details that the MIUI 14 update for the Redmi Note 10S carries firmware version V14.0.2.0.TKLINXM. The software comes packed in 3.2GBs so you’re advised to connect to a Wi-Fi network if your carrier deal is not data-heavy. The update also includes the March 2023 Android security patch and brings several new features. For one, the search in Settings is now more advanced, with search history and categories in results.

MIUI 14 was officially announced in India on February 27th, and while it brings many new features and upgrades, it is not as good as the China build. You can check out the detailed features of the latest version of MIUI in our post here. Additionally, Gizmochina discovered earlier this month that devices running Indian and Global versions of MIUI now have to deal with two uninstallable browsers— Chrome and Opera.

RELATED:

(Source)

iQOO Neo 8 Pro Appears On Geekbench

iQOO is reportedly working on the Neo 8 series smartphone. The lineup will probably include a standard and pro variant. Recently, the Neo 8 Pro with model number V2302A appeared on the AnTuTu benchmark. Now the same device has been spotted on the Geekbench database. 

iQOO Neo 8 Geekbench

As per the latest benchmark listing, the iQOO Neo 8 has a motherboard codenamed k6985v1_64 and it comprises four cores at 2GHz, three cores at 3GHz, and one primary core at 3.35GHz.  The processor setup and codename correspond to MediaTek’s Dimensity 9200+. The listing also mentions the presence of an integrated Mali G715 Immortalis MC11 GPU and 16GB RAM onboard. The device will run on Android 13 out of the box The aforementioned information is in line with the smartphone’s AnTuTu benchmark listing. Additionally, the AnTuTu listing also revealed 512GB of storage.

In the Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core test results, the iQOO Neo 8 Pro scores 2034 and 5245 points. 

Past reports suggest that the iQOO Neo 8 will feature a 6.78-inch display bearing a resolution of 2,800 x 1,260 pixels i.e. 1.5K. The device is tipped to be backed by a 5,000mAh battery unit with support for 120W fast charging. The smartphone is rumored to feature a 1/1.5-inch 50MP camera sensor. 

The iQOO Neo 8 series is expected to launch in China next month. We expect to learn more details about the smartphones in the coming days.  

Related: 

Via

China’s Jetour Auto wants to expand Globally with 12+ New Vehicles in the Pipeline

Jetour is a car manufacturer hailing from China. Although it has a presence in some markets, including UAE, South America, and Africa, the company is still relatively unknown in many prominent markets. The Chinese company is looking to change that as it is set to expand its international reach this year and is planning to enter ten additional countries, including Italy and Turkey. To aid the foray, Jetour will launch a dozen new models in the market within the next two years.

Jetour Auto is coming to Europe

Jetour’s General Manager Li Xueyong says the company has set ambitious sales goals. He noted that from 2027 onwards, the company’s overseas sales will account for half of its total deliveries. That’s a pretty bold target. To achieve this, the automaker is planning to expand its international footprint even further by foraying into 10 additional countries this year, including some European markets like Italy and Turkey.

Jetour

As mentioned, Jetour Auto is all set to launch a whopping 12 new models in the market over the next two years. These will include six to seven urban SUVs, three to four off-road vehicles, and two pickups. But that’s not all, some of the company’s SUVs will feature intelligent features that allow them to travel in convoys when heading toward the same destination

Li Xueyong claims that China-made electric vehicles boast superior technology when compared to their European counterparts. And the company is not limiting itself to just one market. Jack Chen, the General Manager of Jetour International, has revealed that it will develop both left-hand and right-hand drive models to cater to different markets around the world.

RELATED:

(Source: Press release)

Creality is giving Huge Discount on its Engravers, Laser Cutters and Accessories

Creality is offering a substantial discount on their latest and top product Falcon 2 22W Engraver. The engraver which generally retails for $1199 can be now bought for a heavily discounted price of $889 by using the coupon code “Falcon50“. 

The brand is also giving a 35% discount on its 5W and 10W engravers. Please note that this sale extends to cutters, engravers, and related accessories, all available at a discounted price, but exclusively through the official website. It is important to note that this sale will end on April 30, and the discounted prices will no longer be available after that date.

Creality Falcon 2 22W

$310 OFF

WHERE TO BUY
Creality Falcon 2 22W Engraver at $889 @Creality Store and at $1299 @Amazon.com

The Creality Falcon 2 22W is a flexible engraver and laser cutter that enables you to add your preferred designs, quotes, and images to a range of materials, such as wood and acrylic. The device incorporates an innovative FAC spot compression technology that merges four high-performance 6W laser diodes to amplify the laser power to 22W. With this upgraded power capacity, it can effortlessly penetrate through various materials, allowing it to cut through a 15mm thick wood, 10mm black acrylic, 0.05mm stainless steel sheet, and other similar materials in just one go.

Falcon 2 22W is a multifunctional device that works both as a laser cutter and engraver and is equipped with an integrated air assist feature that ensures a more precise outcome. This feature allows you to regulate the airflow manually via a knob or automatically through LightBurn. By eliminating the high-temperature smoke created during laser operation, the air assist function safeguards the laser lens, thus enabling you to engrave more intricate designs. The laser module comes with a specifically designed air duct that blows away the smoke generated during operation, thereby ensuring that your final results are of the highest quality.

The device comes equipped with a reliable triple monitoring system that continually monitors the airflow, lens condition, and flame safety. The airflow monitoring feature displays the current airflow volume and provides you with the option to adjust it as per your engraving needs. The device’s built-in lens monitoring system alerts you when the lens requires cleaning, preventing breakage or frequent replacements while maintaining its quality. Moreover, the flame monitoring system guarantees the safety of the machine and the workstation by detecting any flames and triggering an alarm along with a flashing red indicator light. The device immediately shuts down upon detection for additional safety precautions.

CR-Laser Faclon(10W/5W)

35% OFF

WHERE TO BUY
CR-Laser Faclon(10W/5W)at 35% OFF @Creality Store

The CR-Laser Falcon (10W/5W) is a state-of-the-art laser engraver that comes with a host of features to make engraving and cutting easy and hassle-free. One of the main advantages of the machine is its use of Creality’s poly-lens spot compression laser technology, which compresses the spot size from 0.32 x 0.14 mm to 0.12 x 0.06 mm. This enables the machine to engrave and cut with a high degree of accuracy, down to 0.1 mm. Additionally, the CR-Laser Falcon is capable of working with a wide range of materials, including paper, leather, wood, PVC, and anodized surfaces. The machine also comes with a preview function that reduces the risk of engraving failures or miscues.

In summary, the CR-Laser Falcon (10W/5W) is a versatile and efficient laser engraver that offers a range of features at an affordable price. Its ability to work with various materials makes it an ideal tool for artists, hobbyists, and professionals alike. The preview function is an added bonus, reducing the risk of mistakes and ensuring that your final results are exactly as you intended.

For more information on such exciting deals and offers, check out our deals hub.

Skyworth Coocaa X5 projector with up to 800 ANSI Lumens brightness launched in China

The Skyworth Coocaa X5 projector has been launched in China. The lowest model in the lineup has a native 1080p resolution with 4K decoding and 800 ANSI lumens also supported. The Coocaa X5 projector supports autofocus, wireless screen mirroring, and auto obstacle avoidance. Availability of the X5 is tied to China at this time although Skyworth released the S1 4K outdoor TV was launched in the US via Indiegogo.

Skyworth Coocaa X5 projector

The LCD light source of the Skyworth Coocaa X5 has a life cycle of 30,000 hours. This means that the projector can operate effectively for up to 10 years on an average daily usage of 8 hours. The projector has a 1.2:1 throw ratio but the maximum image size and distance are not specified. The autofocus feature in the X5 helps to quickly perfect the image, in combination with auto-calibration and automatic obstacle avoidance.

Connectivity options for the Coocaa X5 include dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This allows the user to wirelessly connect to an input device or mirror content from a mobile device.
The Skyworth Coocaa X5 can be connected to other devices like game consoles and external speakers via its HDMI, USB, or 3.5mm audio jack.

Skyworth Coocaa X5 projector

The projector runs on Coocaa OS 9.1 and delivers a maximum of 30dB operating noise. The X5 also features two 5W built-in speakers and a passive radiator subwoofer. The projector has several modes including office and kids mode. The kids’ mode provides content filters and eye protection support. The Skyworth Coocaa X5 projector will be available for purchase in China for 999 yuan (~$145). There are no indications yet on the global availability of the projector. Thus, it is unclear when the Skyworth Coocaa X5 projector will berth in other markets.

Skyworth Coocaa X5 projector brings multi-device connectivity

RELATED:

TikTok may soon let you set Generative AI Avatars

AI has taken the world by storm, and every company is trying to figure out how to use it in their products. Recently, Microsoft integrated OpenAI’s ChatGPT into their search engine—Bing. Snapchat didn’t hold back either and launched a feature it calls My AI, which has caused mixed reactions among users. TikTok has also been on a mission to implement artificial intelligence in its platform and in the latest development, it has been reported to be working on a feature that will create AI-generated profile pictures.

Here’s how TikTok’s AI Avatars may look

Social media consultant Matt Navarra shared images and videos of the new feature in development. As you’d see in the tweet below that the AI-generated avatars look similar to those produced by Prisma Labs’ Lensa app.

Navarra details that in order to create an AI-generated avatar, users will be asked to upload between three to ten photos of themselves and then select from different styles. Once this is done, the tool will generate the photos, which you will be able to download and use as your profile picture or post to your TikTok page. The examples of the Avatars shared by Navarra look pretty good, and they seem to offer a wide range of options to choose from.

There have been hints that TikTok is developing a subscription service that might include the Generative AI avatar feature. Navarra noticed a reference to ‘Plus’ as part of the subscription offering, which seems to be similar to SnapChat+. The latter is a paid subscription offering within the Snapchat mobile app that unlocks new features before anyone else gets a chance to use them.

RELATED:

(Via)