The CEO of Ford recently told reporters that the company has to rethink its brand and strategy for the Chinese automobile market. The statement arrives amid the booming electric vehicle market in the region. So here are all the details.
Ford seeks to be more competitive in China
According to Chief Executive Jim Farley, “We’re going to have to rethink what the Ford brand means in a place like China.” The senior executive made this statement highlighting the competitive market for EVs in China. He believes that Ford Motor Co needs to rethink its brand for the world’s largest automobile market. The official told reporters during a charity event in Detroit that “It can’t be like middle of the market. It’s totally over filled.”
Unfortunately, he did not elaborate on what exactly this means for the popular American car maker. But based on market reports, Ford saw a decline in sales in China during the first quarter of this year. It sales and market share also fell during this period. On the other hand, automakers that sold battery powered electric and plug in hybrid cars saw a boom in sales in Q1 2023.
Furthermore, the market was also led by the Chinese automobile giant, BYD. Ford CEO also added that his visit to China revealed that the only premium brands that were faring well in the Chinese market were focusing on electric only vehicles. These models focused on technology and aspects that improved the drivers overall experience. This wasn’t just in terms of their digital technology but even included their “beautiful” design for every vehicle. He even talked about specific brands that were succeeding in the market, including Xpeng, Li Auto, and NIO.
If there’s one thing that science fiction films have shown us, it’s that wearable technologies will be widely used in the future. Chips attached to our brains, communication systems integrated into our eardrums, phones hidden in the palms of our hands, and much more. Although wearable technologies are generally limited to smartwatches and wristbands today, tech companies continue to work on new innovations. Most recently, Humane, a company founded by a former Apple designer, demonstrated a combadge-like wearable with a projected screen. Here are the details…
Humane introduces innovative wearable device with translation and projection features
Apple frequently recruits the best and brightest names to develop top-notch products. As a result, companies founded by experienced individuals who have left Apple often attract attention. Imran Chaudhri is one of those names. Having worked as a designer at Apple for many years, Chaudhri has been focusing on wearable technologies at his own company called Humane for some time. The first product resulting from these efforts was unveiled at the TED 2023 conference.
Chaudhri, who chose the TED 2023 conference to showcase the wearable AI projector developed by Humane, put on an impressive show. In short, the device appears as a part of your clothing and is largely concealed. Only the projection, camera, and speaker components are exposed. This exposed part doesn’t look much different from a designer emblem or science fiction movie logo.
So, what exactly does Humane’s device do, and will it replace smartphones? Although Imran Chaudhri uses slogans like “you won’t need a phone anymore,” this isn’t entirely accurate. The device has a projection feature, as mentioned earlier, and it uses various surfaces, including your palm, to display images by reflecting them. It’s unclear how well this gadget, which looked quite successful during the demonstration, will perform in real life. Additionally, it’s a matter of curiosity whether users will trade their AMOLED screen phones for a greenish projection.
Of course, Humane’s wearable technology isn’t limited to this feature alone. Adopting artificial intelligence technology, the device could be particularly great for tourism. In one usage scenario, it translates what Chaudhri says into his voice fluently. This innovative solution could be especially helpful for users who want to visit other cities without a tour guide but struggle with communication difficulties. Naturally, the features Humane will offer with this product aren’t limited to these. However, to see them, the device needs to be ready for market launch. Unfortunately, we don’t have any information about the release date or price for now.
The @Humane wearable doing English->French AI translation in your own voice… wow. (SOUND ON)
Last year Xiaomi released the Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro, which has a larger screen, built-in GPS, and a new structural design that allows you to change different straps more easily, but in that review, I said I didn’t recommend fans of the traditional form of Mi band to buy it because the Pro version is really bigger and heavier. But now we’re finally getting the new Xiaomi Smart Band 8 released, whose size and screen are basically unchanged from its predecessor, but Xiaomi has put many of the features and functions from the Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro on it, so let’s see if it’s worth your money today.
Compared with its predecessor, the packaging of the Xiaomi Smart Mi Band 8 is almost unchanged except for some patterns and texture, and the accessories inside the package are almost the same, we have the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 body, a manual, a strap and a magnetic charging cable.
The cable is almost identical to the charging cable of the Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro series, because this time the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 has a similar strap connection structure and charging port as the 7 Pro, but after I verified that they don’t exactly share the same cable, it doesn’t offer a solid connection with the band 7 Pro.
Design
This is the new Xiaomi Smart Band 8. Although its size is very close to its predecessor, but if we look closer we will find many differences. The first and most important thing is that the Band is no longer completely wrapped around the strap. It now has a new structure that supports quick removal. Like a traditional watch, you can remove one side of the strap from the Band by pressing the snap and pulling it outwards.
This is a really practical change that brings a variety of looks to go with the Xiaomi Smart Band 8. Xiaomi has officially launched three straps in different materials for the Band, all of them are very beautiful and have a very affordable price, and I believe we will see more straps with different styles from third-party manufacturers soon.
In terms of body material, the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 finally has a metal frame, and like the Smart Band 7 Pro, the frame is dyed through an electroplating process, which makes it look very refined and more durable compared to the previous plastic frame. Compared to the band 7, the new Band is half a millimeter thinner and the sensor area at the bottom is not as prominent so you can get a more comfortable wearing experience.
Screen & Display
The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 has the same 1.62-inch AMOLED display as its predecessor and the bezel doesn’t get narrower, but thanks to the new powerful processor, it can now drive the screen to a refresh rate of 60 Hz.
So you know that even the band 7 Pro only has a refresh rate of 30 Hz. And actually thanks to its friendly pricing, we didn’t really complain much about the series’ refresh rate for years. Of course, the 60 Hz refresh rate will bring a big boost to daily use, and all your operations become very smooth.
Remember I predicted that Xiaomi would bring the AOD feature to the regular Xiaomi band series? Now here it is. Although the brightness of the AOD is still hardly satisfactory in sunlight considering the battery life, you can set it to turn on after sunset, and the band also supports automatic brightness adjustment so you don’t have to worry about the AOD waking you up when you fall asleep.
Features
In terms of UI and features, Xiaomi Smart Band 8 now supports up to more than 150 sports modes, the most interesting one being aerobic boxing. Thanks to the built-in acceleration sensor, we now have what is probably the world’s lightest sensory gaming device. Put on your Xiaomi Smart Band 8, follow the lessons in Mi fitness APP and you can swing your fists and burn your calories anywhere, anytime.
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 also has another useful proprietary accessory called the bean pod. It allows you to attach your Mi band to your laces to better track your stride frequency, stride length, and even the impact of your foot on the ground while running. If you are a runner and want to further improve your performance, you should really try following the professional data provided by this personal coach.
Egg Dials
In addition to bringing more sports mode support, Xiaomi also brings us an egg, you can find four mini-game dials in the dial store. If you are a Mi band 5 or band 6 user, you may feel familiar with it. Yes, some third-party community enthusiasts have developed similar mini-games and even utilities for the previous Mi band, such as calculators.
I’m very happy to see that Xiaomi is not cracking down on these behaviors but bringing these interesting ideas to their latest products. Although we keep complaining, fortunately, Xiaomi is still listening to their users.
Battery Life
In terms of battery life, Xiaomi claims that the lighter Xiaomi Smart Band 8 can last up to 16 days in typical use, and with the AOD function on, it can still last for about six days. As a long-time Mi band user, I’m not worried about its battery life because Xiaomi has been quite honest about its official figures here.
Verdict
Well, this is the new Xiaomi Smart Band 8. While its design and packaging are very much like its predecessor, Xiaomi has really put enough effort into, giving it many practical enhancements, so if you are a band 7 user watching this video, I would still recommend you upgrade to the new Mi band.
Although I am a band 7 Pro user, I am very jealous of the new Xiaomi Smart Band 8, which is the only Mi band supporting boxing classes as well as professional running monitoring. These features rely on the new sensors so all previous band models can’t get them via OTA.
The only thing that calms me down and makes me feel sorry is that the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 still doesn’t have a built-in GPS, so if you like running as much as I do and don’t want to take a phone with you, you can still stay with the Mi band 7 Pro and wait for the upcoming Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro.
Asus has just announced a number of new laptop models from its popular Zenbook and Vivobook series. These notebooks arrive with some notable specs and features, so lets have a look at the new laptops.
Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED
Talking about the Zenbook S 13 OLED model first, the company is promoting the new notebook as the world’s thinnest OLED laptop. In other words, this OLED laptop is the world’s most compact and portable, weighing just 1 kilograms and measuring 1 cm in thickness. There models also features a premium metallic design, with corrosion protection, low impact methods for sourcing its aluminum chassis.
Under the hood, the Zenbook S 13 OLED is powered by an Intel 13th Gen Core i7 processor that is paired with up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB of PCIe 4.0 SSD. As the name suggests, it sports a 13.3 inch Lumina OLED display that has a 16:10 aspect ratio, 2.8K resolution, and Dolby Vision certification. Other notable features include, Dolby Atmos support, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and FHD camera with infrared sensor for Windows Hello.
Zenbook 14 Flip OLED
The Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED model differs from the S 13 model in many ways. It sports a taller 14 inch Lumina OLED display. Although, the most highlighting difference is the inclusion of the 360 degree hinge. The laptop is built using aluminum body and features a convertible design, which means that it offers touchscreen support from its 2.8K resolution. Under the hood, the new laptop is equipped with 13th Gen Intel Core i7 and i5 CPU with Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and PCIe Gen 4 SSD.
This laptop is powered by a 75Whr battery pack that also supports fast charging. The new Flip notebook houses Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and HDMI 2.1 ports for connectivity. Other notable features include, WiFi 6E, FHD camera with Infrared sensor for Windows Hello, Dolby Atmos support, and Windows 11, & Asus Pen 2.0 stylus support.
Vivobook S 15 OLED
The Vivobook S 15 OLED is another new thin and light notebook from Asus that weighs around 1.7 kilograms, which is great for a laptop that sports a 15.6 inch display.The laptop feature military grade aluminum body and even offers a physical fingerprint scanner. It arrives in three color options as well as three 13th Gen Intel CPUs ranging from and i5 to and i9. This processor is paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD.
It sports a 15.6 inch Full HD Lumina OLED panel. Connectivity options include, Thunderbolt 4 port, USB 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 1.4, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The laptop is powered by a 70Whr battery pack as well. Other notable features include, WiFi 6E, Windows 11, ASUS ErgoSense keyboard with antimicrobial guard protection.
Vivobook 15X OLED
Another new Vivobook model is the Vivobook 15X OLED. As the name suggests, it is another laptop model that sports a 15.6 inch Lumina OLED display. THe screen also comes with VESA certified DisplayHDR, Dolby Vision, 100 percent DCI P3 color gamut. Under the hood, it features a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 along with up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage. It is powered by a 50Whr battery pack that supports 65W fast charging.
Similar to the aforementioned models, this thin and light model also comes with an aluminum body, weighs 1.6 kilograms, and measures around 17.9mm in thickness. Other notable features include, WiFi 6E, fingerprint scanner, 720p HD camera, Windows 11, 3.5mm headphone jack, HDMI, and more.
Vivobook 15 OLED
Similar to the other models, the new Vivobook 15 OLED is a thin and light laptop as well. It is built using ASUS Antimicrobial Guard Plus protection and military grade chassis that has a US MIL-STD 810H durability with EPEAT Silver certification. This model is equipped with an Intel Core i5 13500H CPU along with up to 24GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB PCIe Gen 3 SSD storage.
The Asus Vivobook 15 OLED sports a tall 15.6 inch Lumina OLED display with FHD resolution and 600 nits of peak brightness. It is powered by a 50Whr battery pack that supports 65W fast charging support. Some of the notable features include, Windows 11, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, 1.7 kilograms, Iris Xe graphics, 720p webcam, 3.5mm headphone jack, and more.
Vivobook 16
The new Vivobook 16 is the only 16 inch laptop model that was announced in the Indian market. The display offers Full HD+ resolution along with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and 300 nits of peak brightness. This model is also built with military grade build with a MIL-STD 810H certification. Although, it still measures just 19.9mm in thickness and weighs around 1.8 kilograms. This makes it a thin and light despite its tall display size.
Under the hood, the Vivobook 16 is equipped with a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 that is paired with 16GB of DDR4 RAm and 512GB of internal storage. Other notable features include, ASUS Antimicrobial Guard protection on its keyboard, stereo speakers, 42Whr battery pack with 65W fast charging, fingerprint scanner, 3.5mm headphone jack, and more.
Pricing & Availability
The new Asus laptops will be available from the company’s official website, Amazon, Flipkart, and even offline channels like ROG stores, Asus exclusive stores, Croma, Vijay Sales, and Reliance Digital stores. So here are the list of all the starting prices:
Acer recently unveiled its flagship-grade desktop PC in the global market alongside a 44-inch 2K curved gaming monitor. The brand has also launched a monstrous machine for customers looking for something a bit more portable to game on. It is a premium laptop named the Acer Predator Triton 17 X which comes with mind-blowing specifications. Let’s take a look at it in more detail.
Acer Predator Triton 17 X specs & features
Acer’s latest offering, the Predator Triton 17 X, is a flagship gaming laptop designed for creators and gamers who need high-end performance. With the Triton 17 X, Acer is offering an Intel Core i9-13900HX processor with 24 cores, 32 threads, and a maximum clock speed of 5.4 GHz. The Triton 17 X also features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card with 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM, ensuring smooth and seamless gaming experiences.
The display on the Predator Triton 17 X is equally impressive, with a 17-inch panel that outputs 2,560 x 1,600 pixels in a 16:10 aspect ratio. The screen operates at a maximum refresh rate of 250 Hz and is capable of producing a peak brightness of 1,000 nits thanks to its Mini-LED backlights. These features make the display highly suitable for content creators who require accurate color reproduction, while gamers can enjoy an immersive visual experience with a high refresh rate and peak brightness.
Apart from the processor and graphics card, the Predator Triton 17 X also boasts 64 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM and 4 TB of storage arranged in RAID 0. The laptop’s housing is made of CNC-milled unibody, making it both durable and aesthetically pleasing. Acer has also ensured that the Triton 17 X is equipped with all necessary connectivity options such as HDMI, USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, and Ethernet, making it a versatile device for both gaming and content creation.
Acer Predator Triton 17 X price & availability
The Predator Triton 17 X is set to release in June with a starting price of €4,299. Overall, it seems that Acer has left no stone unturned in terms of performance and design with the Triton 17 X, making it a compelling option for both gamers and creators looking for a high-end laptop.
Running large-scale machine learning models such as ChatGPT on servers can be expensive due to the significant computational resources required to train and maintain these models. Additionally, the cost may vary depending on factors such as the size and complexity of the model, the amount of data being processed, and the level of user demand. Nonetheless, organizations that use AI language models may consider the benefits of their capabilities to be worth the costs of running them on their servers. ChatGPT is the most popular language model in the world right now, and as per recent reports, the cost of running it is quite hefty.
ChatGPT costs $700,000 a day to run, GPT-4 costs may be higher
OpenAI’s language model, ChatGPT, which provides natural language processing (NLP) services, requires significant computing power and can cost up to $700,000 to run. The high cost comes mainly from expensive servers needed to provide feedback based on user input, including writing cover letters, generating teaching plans, and optimizing personal data. Moreover, while Dylan Patel, Chief Analyst at SemiAnalysis, estimated the cost of the GPT-3 model, ChatGPT could now be even more expensive after adopting the latest GPT-4 model.
Artificial intelligence reasoning costs far exceed the cost of training, and the inference cost of ChatGPT exceeds the training cost. Companies that have been using OpenAI’s language models have been paying high prices for the past few years, and the cost of running the AI model and purchasing Amazon AWS cloud servers for the startup Latitude’s AI dungeon game cost up to $200,000 per month in 2021. Microsoft is developing an artificial intelligence chip, code-named Athena, to reduce the running cost of generative artificial intelligence models, but the chip will be released only for internal use by Microsoft and OpenAI as early as next year.
Electric planes are still in the experimental phase, but recent progress suggests they could become a reality in the near future. The main challenge of electric planes is the limited energy density of batteries compared to jet fuel, but new battery technologies and advancements in lightweight materials are being developed to extend the range and improve efficiency. Companies such as Airbus, Boeing, and Rolls-Royce are also investing in electric plane technology. The potential environmental and economic benefits, as well as regulatory pressures to reduce carbon emissions, are driving interest and investment in this technology, and while electric planes may not completely replace traditional aircraft, they could become a more common sight in the skies in the near future.
CATL’s focus is Achieving Carbon Neutrality for its Batteries
Chinese battery manufacturer, Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), has launched a new battery that it claims can power electric passenger aircraft. The battery is a semi-solid state battery with condensed electrolyte and has a density of up to 500 Wh/k, allowing it to store 500 Watt hours of energy for every kilogram of its weight. CATL said that the battery can be mass-produced in a short amount of time and is already working with partners to develop flying electric vehicles. Additionally, CATL says it’s working to improve the carbon footprint of its batteries and plans to achieve carbon neutrality for its manufacturing plants by 2025 and across the battery value chain by 2035. It plans to focus on mining, bulk raw materials, battery materials, cell manufacturing and battery systems to achieve the goal.
While electric planes have been in development for some time, there are still significant challenges to overcome before they become a viable alternative to traditional jet-fuel-powered aircraft. Despite this, CATL is confident that the technology behind its battery marks a significant breakthrough, and it plans to achieve carbon neutrality for its manufacturing plants by 2025 and across the battery value chain by 2035.
Acer has been busy expanding its product line-up by launching a variety of new devices globally. Along with a potent workstation laptop and a curved gaming monitor, the brand has also released its flagship gaming desktop PC, the Acer Predator Orion X. This powerhouse of a computer offers a host of features that are worth exploring.
Acer Predator Orion X gaming PC specs
Acer has announced the launch of a new high-end gaming desktop, the Acer Predator Orion X, which comes with a unique three-zone design. The three zones are dedicated to specific functions, with Zone 1 being the largest and housing the CPU, memory, and NVMe SSDs. Zone 2 accommodates the graphics card and additional storage slots, while Zone 3 is focused on cooling.
The Acer Predator Orion X can be configured with either an Intel Core i9-13900KS, a Core i7-13700K, or a Core i5-13400 processor. Notably, the Core i5-13600K processor is not available as an option. The graphics card options include an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti, GeForce RTX 4080, and GeForce RTX 4090, with no AMD SKUs in sight.
Other features of the Acer Predator Orion X include up to 64 GB of DDR5 5600 MT/s RAM and a 2 TB M.2 SSD, as well as a hot-swappable NVMe SSD slot and 2.5-inch drive slots for additional storage. The desktop also includes Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G Ethernet, with front I/O comprising one Gen1 Type-C port, one USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A port, and a combo 3.5 mm audio jack. The back I/O includes one USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port, three USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A1 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and one RJ45 Ethernet jack.
Acer Predator Orion X price & availability
The Acer Predator Orion X is set to go on sale in September 2023, with prices starting at €2,499 (US$2,742). Acer has also announced that users will be able to purchase the case separately at a later date. With its unique design and powerful specs, the Acer Predator Orion X is poised to be a formidable player in the gaming desktop market.
In an era where wireless earphones dominate the market, it’s not uncommon for users to notice a disparity in sound quality when compared to their wired counterparts. This presents a challenge for both audiophiles and casual listeners who desire exceptional audio performance without compromising on convenience. To address this growing demand, Hidizs has introduced the MS5 4BA+1DD Hybrid 5 Units HiFi In-Ear Monitor Earphone, which is also the brand’s latest flagship HiFi earphone. The refined IEMs have achieved a new breakthrough and upgrades from their predecessors. Predictably, as the brand’s most competitive IEMs to date, the Hidizs MS5 IEMs are sure to have a place in the market for HiFi. Here are the details.
MS5’s Performance and Specs
Specification
Details
Model
MS5
Product Name
4BA+ 1DD Hybrid 5 Units HiFi In-Ear Monitor Earphone
Earphone Type
Customized HiFi In-Ear Monitors
BA Driver
Denmark Sonion (High frequency E50DT composite unit,
Mid-high frequency unit 2389, Low frequency unit 17A003)
The MS5 IEMs incorporate a variety of innovative technologies to deliver exceptional audio performance. It features a custom 10mm liquid silicone dynamic driver, which is highly elastic, sensitive, and responsive, producing a natural and soft sound. In addition, the MS5 integrates four Denmark Sonion balanced armature drivers for a clear, dynamic audio experience with excellent resolution and a wide soundstage. The dynamic driver is designed to work with the top E50DT composite units exclusively for processing high and extremely-high frequencies, another 2389 unit for mid-high range, and a 17A003 unit for low-frequencies particularly. The tri-frequency design offers an immersive and detailed sound experience across different frequency ranges without perceivable overlap and interference.
The replaceable “Hidizs Pneumatic Sound Tuning Filter” allows users to customize their listening experience by adjusting the air vibration waveform based on the pre-designed sound tube structure and tuning cotton density. This means listeners can enjoy different sound styles without the need for multiple devices or tuning styles.
Hidizs offers three different structures of the turning filters, including a Balanced filter – Rose Gold (suitable for pop, folk), a High-Frequency filter- Quiet Silver (suitable for ACG, small compilation), and a Low-Frequency one – Charm Red (suitable for rock, heavy metal). By replacing the Different turning filters, users can physically shift into different music styles, which definitely brings more fun for audio players.
The MS5 IEMs cable is composed of 504 6N single-crystal copper silver-plated wires and 6N single-crystal copper wires, braided into eight strands. This unique combination delivers a pure, delicate, and lively sound that enhances the overall listening experience. The Hi-Res certification of the Hidizs MS5 IEMs guarantees a high-quality audio experience, meeting the standards set by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), Digital Entertainment Group (DEG), and other industry leaders. This certification serves as a testament to the earphone’s ability to deliver an exceptional listening experience, rivaling that of many wireless options on the market.
Hidizs Unveils MS5 4BA+1DD Hybrid 5 Units HiFi In-Ear Earphone: Striking Design with a Focus on Comfort
The Hidizs MS5 boasts a visually appealing design that combines both form and function. The one-piece aluminum alloy cavity is lightweight yet sturdy, while the resin hollow panel features an angel wing motif that adds a touch of sophistication. The earphone has been ergonomically designed to conform to the shape of the human ear, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit for extended periods of use.
In addition to its impressive design, the Hidizs MS5 IEMs also feature a detachable 0.78mm 2pin cable design, providing users with the flexibility to pair the earphones with other cables for varied sound experiences. This user-friendly feature allows for easy customization and ensures that the earphones remain compatible with a range of devices and accessories.
With its innovative design and technology, the Hidizs MS5 4BA+1DD Hybrid 5 Units HiFi In-Ear Monitor Earphone offers a high-quality audio solution for those seeking a wired alternative to the increasingly popular wireless earphones. Its highly customizable feature and flexible sound configuration make it ideal for professional uses for producers, record labels, recording studios, and other scenarios that require precise audio performance. In addition, also thanks to its impressive audio performance, the MS5 is a high-quality option for all kinds of users who love HiFi music.
You can click here to reach the product’s page and browse its features.
By offering a combination of striking design, ergonomic comfort, and advanced audio technology, the Hidizs MS5 4BA+1DD Hybrid 5 Units HiFi In-Ear Monitor Earphone is poised to become a popular choice for those seeking an alternative to wireless earphones regardless of professional monitoring or daily music. Its customizable features and versatile sound profiles make it a compelling option for music lovers everywhere.
Acer has had a bunch of new releases recently ranging from office laptops and workstations, all the way to gaming machines and peripherals. One such device is the Acer Nitro XZ452CU V curved gaming monitor that offers a 165Hz refresh rate. Let’s take a look at the monitor in more detail.
Acer Nitro XZ452CU V monitor specs
Acer has unveiled of its latest gaming monitor, the Nitro XZ452CU V. Designed to cater to the needs of avid gamers, the monitor boasts a range of features to enhance the overall gaming experience.
With a curvature of 1500R, the Nitro XZ452CU V has a 44-inch 8-bit VA panel with a resolution of 5,120 x 1,440 pixels and a refresh rate of 165 Hz. This ensures smooth gameplay with reduced motion blur. The monitor has a response time of 1 ms and covers 90% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. It also has Vesa HDR400 certification which enables it to achieve a peak brightness of 450 nits.
The monitor has an impressive selection of I/O ports including two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DP1.4 port, one USB-C port that supports 90 W fast charging, two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, and an RJ45 Ethernet jack. The inclusion of the USB-C port is particularly noteworthy as it enables users to quickly charge their devices while gaming.
Eye protection is a priority for Acer, and the Nitro XZ452CU V features various eye protection features such as BlueLightShield Pro, ComfyView, and Eyesafe 2.0 certification. AMD FreeSync Premium Pro is also supported. For audio, the monitor comes equipped with two in-built 3 Watt speakers, along with a USB-B port that doubles up as a KVM switch.
Acer Nitro XZ452CU V price & availability
The Acer Nitro XZ452CU V gaming monitor is slated for release in October 2023, with a price tag of €1,099 (US$1,205).
On April 11, Vivo unveiled the Vivo T2 5G and Vivo T2x 5G smartphones in India. The T2, which starts at Rs 18,999 (~$231), has been available for purchase since April 18. Starting today, the T2x is available for purchase in the country. The T2x has arrived as Vivo’s most affordable 5G-enabled smartphone.
Vivo T2x 5G price in India
Vivo T2x Vivo T2x
The Vivo T2x 5G is available in India in 4 GB, 6 GB, and 8GB RAM variants. These models are priced at Rs 12,999 (~$158), Rs 13,999 (~$170), and Rs 15,999 (~$195), respectively. All three models have 128 GB of internal storage.
The device is available for purchase through Flipkart and Vivo India’s online store. It can be bought in shades like Glimmer Black, Marine Blue, and Aurora Gold.
Customers can avail up to Rs 1,000 discount using HDFC and ICICI bank cards when purchasing the smartphone through Flipkart. Hence, the T2x can be bought for as low as Rs 11,999 (~$146).
Vivo T2x 5G specifications
The Vivo T2x 5G houses a 6.58-inch IPS LCD FHD+ panel with a teardrop notch. The phone runs on Android 13 OS with the FunTouch OS 13 on top. For security, it has a side-facing fingerprint scanner.
The T2x has an 8-megapixel selfie camera. The back panel of the device features a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and an LED flash.
The Dimensity 6020 chipset is present under the hood. It houses up to 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM, up to 3 GB of extended RAM, 128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 18W charging. Some of its other features include dual SIM, 5G, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, a USB-C port, a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Samsung recently launched the Galaxy M14 5G smartphone in India. The device is catered to customers looking for something impressive in the sub-Rs 15,000 range. It has an FHD+ 90Hz display that is paired with an Exynos 1330 chipset and a massive battery. This device is now on sale in India. Let’s check out all the details.
Samsung Galaxy M14 5G price & offers
The Samsung Galaxy M14 is being launched in India today and will be sold exclusively through Amazon and Samsung India Store. The smartphone is available in two variants – one with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage and the other with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. The 4GB variant is priced at Rs 13,490 while the 6GB variant costs Rs 14,990. It is worth mentioning that these prices include bank offers that are available with select cards.
Samsung Galaxy M14 5G specs
Samsung has announced the Galaxy M14 5G, a smartphone that offers a spacious 6.6-inch PLS LCD display with a refreshing 90Hz rate, making it ideal for streaming videos, playing games, and browsing the web. The FHD+ resolution of 1080 x 2408 pixels ensures that images and text are sharp and clear. The smartphone runs on the latest One UI Core 5-based Android 13 OS, making it a modern and intuitive device.
Powered by the Exynos 1330, an octa-core processor clocked at 2.4GHz and paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, the Galaxy M14 5G is a powerful device that can handle multitasking and demanding apps with ease. Users can expand the storage further with an external microSD card slot that supports up to 1 TB. The smartphone is supported by a robust 6,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging, ensuring that users can use the device for extended periods without worrying about running out of power.
The Galaxy M14 5G comes with a 13-megapixel front-facing camera that allows users to take stunning selfies. On the rear, the smartphone boasts a triple camera setup, including a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The primary camera allows users to capture full HD videos at 30 fps, ensuring that users can take high-quality photos and videos.
Measuring 166.8 x 77.2 x 9.4mm and weighing approximately 206 grams, the Galaxy M14 5G is a relatively lightweight smartphone that is easy to carry around. Its Infinity-V notch design complements its sleek look, making it a stylish device that users can be proud to show off. Other features of the smartphone include dual SIM, 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, a USB-C port, a side-facing fingerprint scanner, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
In November 2021, Lava launched the Lava Agni 5G as the first 5G-enabled smartphone from an Indian brand. Reports have revealed the brand is working on its successor edition, named the Lava Agni 2 5G. At the same time, the company also seems to be working on another phone called the Blaze 1X 5G.
Lava President has teased the arrival of the Agni 2 5G. As per reports, the company could be planning to launch it in May. A recent leak revealed that the Lava Agni 2 will come equipped with a 6.5-inch AMOLED panel that offers a 120Hz refresh rate. It is likely to feature a side-facing fingerprint scanner.
The device was recently spotted on Geekbench with a Dimensity 1080 chipset, 8 GB of RAM, and Android 13 OS. It may offer 128 GB of built-in storage and a microSD card slot for additional storage.
The Agni 2 5G may pack a 5,000mAh battery with 44W fast charging. It may arrive with a 16-megapixel camera, and on the back, it may feature a 50-megapixel primary camera. The Agni 2 5G is likely to be priced between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000 in India.
In the comments section of Raina’s tweet, a Twitter user has shared a poster of the unannounced Blaze 1x 5G. To recall, the Blaze 5G as one of the most affordable 5G-enabled smartphones last year. As of this writing, there is no word on the specifications of the device. Also, it remains to be seen whether the brand unveils it in May. In all likelihood, it could be yet another affordable 5G offering from the brand.
SpaceX is a private American aerospace company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk. The company’s goal is to reduce space transportation costs and enable the colonization of Mars. SpaceX has achieved many milestones in space exploration, including the first privately-funded liquid-propellant rocket to reach orbit, the first privately-funded spacecraft to visit the International Space Station (ISS), and the first privately-funded reusable rocket, the Falcon 9, which has become the backbone of the company’s launch capabilities. SpaceX has also been developing the Starship spacecraft, which is intended to carry people and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The first launch for the Starship took place yesterday, and apart from the rocket blowing up, the launch was a success for the company.
Starship Explosion Wasn’t A Total Loss, Useful Data Gained
Though the flight did not go as planned, with the Starship failing to separate from the Super Heavy booster and exploding, CEO Elon Musk had previously warned enthusiasts to lower their expectations. The primary objective was to clear the launchpad, with any further progress deemed a bonus. Starship and Super Heavy together are taller than the Saturn V rocket and have 39 total Raptor engines, which are powerful enough to carry payloads of up to 330,000lbs to low Earth orbit when fully reusable and 550,000lbs when expendable. The new rocketry allows for missions that were previously impossible, including eventual trips to the Moon and Mars that require extensive fuel and supplies. Success with the next test is vital for both SpaceX and NASA, with Starship counting on lunar tourism and other commercial flights, while NASA’s Artemis Moon landings depend on the rocket for reaching the surface and returning astronauts to the Orion capsule for the trip home.
The sooner SpaceX can prove Starship’s viability, the better its chances of minimizing further delays, with NASA’s exploration efforts slated to begin in December 2025. Despite the failed test, the future of space exploration still looks promising, with SpaceX and other private companies pushing the boundaries and pioneering a new era of space travel.
Xiaomi has expanded its existing F2 Fire TV lineup in Europe with the addition of a new model – a 32-inch LED HD TV. The latest offering from Xiaomi features a resolution of 1,366 x 768 pixels, a 60 Hz refresh rate, and a 178° viewing angle. The Fire TV interface allows users to stream content from popular apps such as Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube. Additionally, users can wirelessly share content from their Android, IOS, or Mac devices via Miracast or AirPlay.
The TV comes equipped with built-in 10W speakers that provide stereo sound and are compatible with Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X, and DTS-HD. The F2 Fire TV 32-inch model also supports Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, or users can opt for HDMI, USB 2.0, and Ethernet ports or a 3.5mm headphone jack to connect external devices.
The TV runs on Fire OS 7 with a quad-core CPU, 1.5GB RAM, and 8GB ROM, allowing for quick and seamless performance. Xiaomi boasts that the new model features a higher screen-to-body ratio with a bezel-less design. Users can also control the device and other smart home gadgets using Amazon Alexa voice commands or the accompanying remote, which features dedicated Alexa, Prime Video, and Netflix buttons.
Xiaomi F2 Fire Europe Pricing & Availability
Xiaomi has not disclosed the release date or price of the F2 Fire TV 32-inch model, but it is expected to be in line with the pricing of the 43-inch model, which retails for €399 (~US$437) in countries like Spain. With the new addition to the F2 Fire TV lineup, Xiaomi continues to expand its presence in the European market and offer consumers a range of affordable yet feature-packed smart TVs.
Yesterday, Vivo held a major event in China where it unveiled a range of new products. These included the brand’s first attempt at clamshell foldables—the Vivo X Flip—and the second-generation Vivo X Fold 2. Additionally, the Vivo Pad 2 was also unveiled on the same stage. While these products took the limelight, the brand also introduced a new accessory—an 80W dual-port car charger that comes at an affordable price.
Fast charging on the go
The new Vivo car charger comes with Type-C and USB-A dual charging ports that can be used to charge two devices at the same time. Among them, there’s an upper 80W port that should deliver enough power to charge many of the Chromebooks and even Windows laptops out there, in addition to every smartphone with a Type-C connection.
This charger is equipped with an intelligent processing chip, which is claimed to make the car charger compatible with various fast charging protocols such as PD (Power Delivery) and QC (Quick Charge) that are used on mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices.
The accessory will be available in a sleek black color with a notable design. It’s built with a 14-fold protection design that reduces the risk of overvoltage and overcurrent. The charging port also features a stylish turbo light effect on the rims, which lights up when it’s charging, making it easy to use at night.
Talking about the price, the Vivo 80W car charger carries a price tag of 199 Yuan but will initially be available at 179 Yuan ($26). It will be available for purchase in China through the company’s official website only.
Acer has refreshed a few of its laptops in the market, and one of them is the Acer Swift X 16. The refreshed device comes with powerful specifications and a larger trackpad.
The device also comes powered by the new AMD 7040-series processors and for those looking for a powerful laptop can add NVIDIA 30 or 40-series graphics card.
As for the design-related changes, the trackpad on the aluminum chassis laptop is now 33 percent larger compared to its predecessor. Acer adds that the airflow on the device has also improved by 36 percent compared to the older model.
Coming to the specifications, the new Acer Swift X 16 features a 16-inch WQXGA IPS LCD display with a screen resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and offers a peak brightness of 500 nits. There’s also an option to opt for a WQXGA+ OLED screen with a 3200 x 2000 pixels resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut.
Under the hood, the device comes powered by the new AMD Ryzen processor, from Ryzen 5 7535HS to Ryzen 9 7940H. It packs 16GB of RAM and three options for storage — 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. As noted above, there’s also an option to add NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 or RTX 4050 GPU.
It also comes with two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports, one of which can be used to charge the laptop. There’s also an HDMI 2.1 port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. The device is powered by a 76Wh battery which is claimed to offer a battery life of up to 10 hours on a single charge.
The Acer Swift X 16 will have a starting price of $1,250 for the base model and will be available for purchase in the North American market from July this year.
Xiaomi has recently launched the Xiaomi 13 Ultra flagship phone in the Chinese market. Now, the next phone from the brand could be the Xiaomi Civi 3. The reason behind it is that the said device has been approved by China’s 3C authority.
A Xiaomi device with model number 23046PNC9C was approved by the MIIT authority in March. It appears to be the next Civi-branded phone from the company. It is yet to be ascertained whether it will be called the Xiaomi Civi 3 or Civi 2s. Nevertheless, the 3C certification gives a hint about the charging capabilities of the device.
Xiaomi CIVI 3 3C listing
The Xiaomi Civi 3’s 3C certification reveals that it may ship with a 67W fast charging, which has the MDY-14-EV model number. The 3C listing did not reveal anything else about the device.
Xiaomi Civi 3 specifications (rumoured)
Xiaomi CIVI 2
As per reports, the Xiaomi Civi 3 will feature a curved-edge OLED screen with a pill-shaped cutout, which may house 32-megapixel dual front-facing cameras. It is expected to support an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
The Dimensity 8200 chip is likely to power the Civi 3. On the back, it is expected to feature a triple camera unit headlined by an OIS-assisted Sony IMX8-series camera. Now that the device is 3C certified, it may launch in the next month (May) in China. There is no word on the global release of the device.
In related news, Xiaomi has recently launched the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Xiaomi Pad 6 series of flagship tablets in the Chinese market. As confirmed by the brand, the 13 Ultra is now available for purchase in the home market. In the coming months, it will also release in Europe and some other markets, but it is unlikely to arrive in India. The Xiaomi Pad 6 is also expected to receive a global release, but the Pro will remain confined to the Chinese market.
As Twitter‘s regulations continue to change, some users are seeking alternatives to the platform, and Jack Dorsey’s Bluesky may be one. Bluesky is an invite-only beta app that showcases a new social protocol, AT, aimed at creating a decentralized social network, similar to Mastodon’s ActivityPub protocol. Although Bluesky was originally incubated within Twitter and received $13 million in funding, its future is uncertain due to Jack Dorsey’s departure as CEO and Twitter’s acquisition by Elon Musk. Additionally, several companies have committed to embracing ActivityPub, and polished Mastodon clients like Ivory and Mammoth have gained significant traction. However, Bluesky’s arrival on the App Store suggests a public launch may be near, and its ability to compete with decentralized alternatives to Twitter remains to be seen. As per recent news, the Bluesky app is now available on Android, but users still need an invite code to join the platform.
Bluesky, originally launched on iOS, is now available for Android Users
Those lucky enough to get in have reported a friendly and engaging environment that closely resembles Twitter in its early days. The platform is still missing some basic features like Direct Messages, but developers and engineers are working to build the infrastructure that will support it. The rise of Bluesky comes at a time when concerns over censorship and control of user data are at an all-time high. Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter last year has led to significant changes to the platform, and many users are looking for a more open and democratic alternative.
Bluesky represents a promising development in the world of social media, one that has the potential to give users more control over their online experience and create a more community-driven platform for communication and interaction. With the backing of Jack Dorsey and a team of talented developers, Bluesky may just be the social media platform that users have been waiting for.
After unveiling the ROG Ally Handheld console via teasers and Youtube videos, Asus is getting ready to launch the console in an official capacity. The console was previously rumored to hit the markets around October 2023, however, we now know that the console will be coming sooner than that.
Ahead of the launch, the Asus ROG Ally has appeared on Geekbench with some hardware information in addition to performance numbers. The Asus ROG Ally has earned an impressive score of 35,498 in Geekbench’s OpenCL benchmark. Upon a quick glance at other Geekbench listings, it appears to perform similarly to other Radeon 780M GPUs. According to a previous leak, it is expected to surpass the Steam Deck, and provide similar performance to a GTX 1650 Max-Q.
Geekbench also provides insight into the Asus ROG Ally’s CPU boost clock, which is an impressive 5.0 GHz for a 15 Watt chip. However, it remains to be seen how AMD and Asus will optimize the device’s computing power to support its 120 FPS FHD screen. Lastly, we can see the device running Windows 11 as its operating system.
Asus ROG Ally console specs
It has been reported that the upcoming Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming console will run on Windows 11 operating system and is rumored to have the ability to support an external GPU. According to sources, the device will feature a 7-inch touch display with an FHD resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen will also have a peak brightness of 500nits and a 7ms response time.
An industry insider has claimed that the Asus ROG Ally will be thinner, narrower, and lighter than its rival, the Valve Steam Deck. It is anticipated that the device will weigh 608 grams and have dimensions of 280mm x 113mm x 39mm. These specifications indicate that the Asus ROG Ally may have a more streamlined and portable design compared to its competitors.
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