Asus ROG Ally gaming handheld console could launch sooner than expected, price point tipped

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Apr 17, 2023

Two weeks ago, Asus teased its upcoming handheld gaming console. What many took as an April Fools joke later turned out to be an actual console which the brand started sending out to promonent tech Youtubers (pre-production models) for their first impressions of the device.

Reports online had predicted that the new console will make its debut sometime in October this year, however, a new teaser from Asus suggests that the console could launch alot sooner than October.

Asus has announced that its upcoming gaming handheld, the ROG Ally, will soon be available globally. However, the company seems to be giving priority to a North American launch, with Best Buy potentially serving as an exclusive retailer. The Phawx, a reliable source for handheld gaming news, has reported that ASUS is targeting a launch price of around US$650-US$700 for the ROG Ally, which is lower than the previous speculation of up to US$800. This means that the device will be priced competitively with the highest-spec Steam Deck model.

Asus ROG Ally specs: What we know so far

Asus is set to release the ROG Ally, a new handheld gaming console powered by a custom AMD Ryzen chipset and running on the Windows 11 operating system. The device will also have the capability to support external GPUs for more resource-intensive games.

According to YouTuber Dave 2D, the ROG Ally will feature a 7-inch touchscreen display with a Full HD 1080p resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The device is expected to be narrower, thinner, and slightly lighter than its competitor, the Steam Valve, weighing 608 grams and measuring 280mm x 113mm x 39mm.

Additionally, the ROG Ally prototype unit features some software customizations, including a fingerprint reader that is speculated to be used to switch between different accounts.

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Tesla’s $25000 Electric Car may Disrupt the EV Industry for the Better

By

Anubhav

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Apr 17, 2023

Tesla’s electric vehicles have disrupted the traditional automotive industry with their innovative designs, high-performance capabilities, and sustainable energy approach. With a range of models, including the popular Model S, Model 3, and Model X, Tesla has set the standard for electric vehicles, boasting impressive acceleration, advanced autonomous driving features, and cutting-edge technology. The automobile industry is abuzz with news of Tesla’s highly anticipated, cheaper electric car. With a price point of between $25,000 and $30,000, this new offering will have a huge impact on automakers, the car market, and buyers alike.

What’s driving down the cost of electric vehicles? While the expansion of the $7,500 U.S. tax credit and Tesla’s aggressive cost-cutting efforts have played a role, the root cause is car companies’ improving EV technology and crucial new manufacturing processes. As a result, more new models are hitting the market, making electric vehicles cheaper and more mainstream. Supply and demand will play a major role in the normalization of EVs over the next decade.

Tesla’s lower-priced electric car is expected to be a game-changer. If these new models catch on, they will solidify electric transportation as a mainstream consumer product, while also enabling Tesla and other EV startups to become mainstream automakers. Analysts believe that Tesla’s cheaper model will be a compact luxury car. In the US, the Biden administration is pushing for reforms to reshape the auto market in favour of electric vehicles faster than previously expected. With the average price of a new car in the United States at $48,763, a rise of 30% in the past three years, the argument that EVs are a product for only the wealthy sections of society may no longer hold water if these new models sell for much less than that.

In addition to Tesla’s new electric car, there are over 60 new electric models expected to hit the market in the next few years. Experts predict that most companies will compete fiercely in the compact sedan segment. While the regulations around tax credits for electric vehicles are increasingly complex, there are more financing options in the auto loan market than ever, designed for environmentally friendly vehicles.

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Ather introduces affordable variant of 450X e-scooter, Ather 450 Plus discontinued

By

Sudhanshu

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Apr 17, 2023

Ather Energy has made the Ather 450X electric scooter more accessible to the masses by introducing a more affordable variant priced just under Rs 1 lakh. While the entry-level model shares the same electric motor and battery pack as its premium version, some advanced features such as fast charging, riding modes, and connected technology have been left out. Moreover, the introduction of this variant marks the end of the Ather 450 Plus in the company’s stable.

The base variant of Ather 450X comes with a price tag of Rs 98,079 (ex-showroom New Delhi, after FAME II and state subsidies) and can be upgraded with more features using the Pro Pack, which costs an additional Rs 30,364. The Pro Pack-equipped Ather 450X comes with a 5-year/60,000km warranty for the battery pack, while the base variant gets a 3-year/30,000km warranty. Both variants come with a 3-year/30,000km warranty on the vehicle and the charger. The Ather 450X is available in six colour options, including True Red, Cosmic Black, Space Grey, Lunar Grey, Salt Green, and Still White.

Mechanically, the Ather 450X base variant remains almost identical to the premium version and features a 6.2kW motor and 3.7kWh battery pack. The electric scooter provides a claimed range of 143km and a top speed of 90kmph. However, the base variant does not support fast charging and could take up to 15 hours and 20 minutes to charge the battery fully. The entry-level model also misses out on ride modes, park assist, hill-hold assist, Bluetooth connectivity, GPS navigation, live tracking, and OTA updates.

The Ather 450X with the Pro Pack gets all these features, allowing for faster charging time of just 5 hours and 40 minutes. With the Pro Pack, the Ather 450X also gets a 5-year/60,000km battery warranty, in addition to the other warranties. The purchase of the Pro Pack is optional and comes at an extra cost.

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From ChatGPT to Chemical Weapons: The Risks and Rewards of GPT-4’s Powers

By

Anubhav

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Apr 17, 2023

OpenAI’s GPT-4, the AI system behind popular chatbot ChatGPT, has recently made headlines after a chemical engineer used it to propose a new nerve agent. The engineer, Andrew White, was part of a group of experts hired by OpenAI to explore the risks associated with deploying advanced AI systems in society. The group, called the “Red Army,” pushed GPT-4 to test its limits and understand its potential dangers. They tested the model’s ability to answer probing or dangerous questions related to toxicology, plagiarism, national security, and language manipulation.

While many of the testers raised concerns about the potential risks associated with linking language models with external knowledge sources through plugins, OpenAI assured the public that it has taken security seriously and tested the plugins before releasing them. The Red Army’s feedback was also used to retrain the model and address its problems before the wider rollout of GPT-4. However, despite OpenAI’s efforts to address the risks associated with the model, some members of the Red Army, such as Roya Pakzad and Boru Gollo, noted that GPT-4 still exhibits biases and discriminatory tones, especially when tested on gender, race, and language. Despite criticisms and complaints from technology ethics groups, OpenAI has launched a new feature called ChatGPT plugin, which allows partner apps to give ChatGPT access to their services, enabling it to place orders on behalf of users.

The development of GPT-4 and other advanced AI systems raises important questions about the potential dangers of deploying these systems in society. While they offer faster and more accurate tools for research and development, they also present significant risks to public safety and security. As such, it is crucial for companies like OpenAI to take proactive measures to address these concerns and ensure the responsible development and deployment of AI technology.

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Zotac ZBOX edge MI351 is a super slim mini-PC with Intel Alder Lake chipset

By

Sudhanshu

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Apr 17, 2023

Slim mini-PCs are becoming increasingly popular due to their compact size and portability. These miniature computers can pack a lot of power despite their small form factor, making them a great option for those who need a powerful computing solution that doesn’t take up too much space. Moreover, their sleek design allows them to blend seamlessly into any workspace or entertainment setup, making them a great addition to any home or office.

Zotac has launched its latest mini-PC, the ZBOX edge MI351, which is built on the powerful Intel Alder Lake-N processors. Despite its slim size of 149.86 x 149.86 x 27.94 mm, the mini-PC is packed with features that make it a great computing solution for both personal and professional use.

The ZBOX edge MI351 features 16 GB of replaceable DDR5 RAM, which can run at a speed of 4,800 MHz, making it perfect for multitasking and running resource-intensive applications. The mini-PC is also equipped with an easily accessible M.2 2280 slot, although Zotac has not yet confirmed whether this slot is PCIe 3.0 or PCIe 4.0 compatible.

To keep the processor in check during demanding tasks, the ZBOX edge MI351 comes with a small active cooling solution. The likes of Processor N100 and Processor N200 can boost to 25W during demanding tasks, hence a cooling solution is necessary to keep the processor at an optimal temperature. This ensures the longevity of the device and keeps it running efficiently.

In terms of connectivity, the ZBOX edge MI351 features four USB 3.2 Type-A ports, DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet connections, and 3.5 mm input and outputs. However, for some reason, Zotac has elected against including any USB Type-C ports. Zotac has not yet confirmed pricing or availability, but more details can be found on its website.

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Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Air Undergoing Compatibility Tests, May Launch Soon

By

Anubhav

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Apr 17, 2023

The MacBook Air is a line of ultra-thin laptop computers introduced by Apple Inc. in 2008. The first MacBook Air was a game-changer in the world of laptops due to its slim, lightweight design, and solid-state drive (SSD), which made it faster and more efficient than most other laptops on the market at the time. Since its initial release, the MacBook Air has undergone numerous updates and redesigns, with each iteration offering improved features and specifications. We have now reached the point where newer MacBook Air models are more powerful than slightly older MacBook Pro laptops, thanks to Apple’s M-series chipsets. As per latest reports, Apple may be gearing up to unveil its 15-inch Macbook Air soon, since the laptop is already undergoing compatibility tests with third-party App Store applications.

We already know that Apple will feature an M-series chip for the newest MacBooks, which will be the case for the 15-inch MacBooks as well. According to developer logs shared with Bloomberg, the 15-inch MacBook Air, known as “Mac 15,3” in the logs, will feature an eight-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, along with 8GB of RAM. These impressive specifications suggest that the new MacBook Air will come equipped with an M2 chipset, rather than Apple’s next-generation chip, as previously speculated. While the new MacBook Air is not expected to feature Apple’s M3 chip, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman notes that “bigger changes to the Mac will come later with the release of an M3 chip.” Instead, the focus, for now, seems to be on the device’s compatibility with third-party apps, ensuring a smooth user experience upon its release.

The logs also revealed that the 15-inch MacBook Air will feature a display resolution that is “equal” to that of the 14-inch MacBook Pro, meaning that the new MacBook Air will have a less dense display as compared to smaller MacBooks. Nonetheless, the difference in display quality will most likely be minimal, and we know that Apple focuses on highlighting the stronger points of its products during its launches. With the announcement of macOS 14 expected at WWDC 2023, it’s only a matter of time before we get to see the highly-anticipated 15-inch MacBook Air in action.

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Realme’s Next Smartphone Could Standardize 16GB RAM and 1TB Storage in Mid-Range

By

Sudhanshu

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Apr 17, 2023

The mid-range smartphone market is experiencing a significant shift towards high-end specifications, including faster charging and larger internal storage options. According to a recent leak from Digital Chat Station, Realme‘s upcoming GT Neo-series smartphones may drop 8GB or even 12GB of RAM as the base model and introduce 16GB as the new standard. This report comes after the launch of the Realme GT Neo 5 SE in China which has a 16GB RAM + 1TB storage option. It is worth noting that storage and RAM used in the device are not the most cutting-edge available on the market today, however, this change may force other smartphone manufacturers to follow suit, resulting in a decline in prices for once hyper-premium specs.

The tipster also mentions the upcoming mid-range smartphones from Realme will also be standardizing 100W fast charging with a large 5,000mAh battery capacity. Previously, 100W charging was a feature reserved for flagship smartphones, but mid-range devices like Realme’s GT Neo 5 SE now have access to this technology. All of these above-mentioned features are present of the current Realme GT Neo 5 SE smartphone that consts around US$380 in China, making it a highly desirable option for consumers.

As the economy stabilizes and the recession decreases, smartphone manufacturers may have an easier time offering higher-end specs in mid-range devices. The decreasing cost of high-end components would make it more affordable for manufacturers to produce mid-range devices with top-of-the-line features.

The rise of high-end specifications in mid-range smartphones is excellent news for consumers who want affordable options without sacrificing performance. As more mid-range devices introduce premium features, the smartphone market’s future is intriguing, and we’ll undoubtedly see even more exciting developments in the coming years.

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Google’s $3 Billion Dilemma: Will Samsung Ditch It for Microsoft’s Bing?

By

Anubhav

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Apr 17, 2023

Google has long dominated the search engine arena, with a market share that exceeds 90% in most countries. This level of dominance has raised concerns about the company’s monopoly power, with some critics suggesting that it could stifle competition and harm consumers. Despite various antitrust investigations and lawsuits, Google remains the most widely used search engine worldwide, with billions of searches conducted on its platform every day. However, this may be the first instance in a long, long time when the search engine giant would have to worry about its market position, as Samsung may have considered making Bing its preferred search engine instead of Google.

Microsoft’s Bing has been playing catch-up to Google for years, but the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT’s technology into Bing has made it smarter than ever before. This spells a huge threat to Google, which failed to launch its own AI, Bard, in a spectacular way as compared to ChatGPT. The news about Samsung adopting Bing reportedly caused Google employees to enter panic mode. Google’s contract with Samsung currently earns the company an annual estimated revenue of $3 billion, and losing Samsung could result in missing out on an annual revenue of $20 billion if Apple follows suit and also switches to Bing as the default search engine on its devices.

Google is responding by accelerating its own AI technologies, with recently unveiled plans to offer a new AI-powered search engine that offers a more personalized experience than the existing one. Although Bard, Google’s own chatbot, has not been received as well as ChatGPT, the company remains obsessed with modernizing its search engine experience, which was worth $162 billion in 2022. In this rapidly evolving race of AI-oriented search engines, Google seems to be firing at all fronts, only because the competition has racked up a number of strong points as well. Time will tell if Google excels in this race, or is left behind, thanks to OpenAI‘s ChatGPT.

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Pixel 7a to be Reportedly Shipped to Retailers Within the Next 14 Days

By

Anubhav

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Apr 17, 2023

As the Google I/O 2023 event draws near, fans of the Pixel lineup have a lot to look forward to, even if the company’s foldable smartphone isn’t making its way to the market anytime soon. Apart from the company’s developer notes at the conference, the Pixel 7a is expected to be officially launched at the event, which is scheduled for May 10 next month. As the date of the expected unveil draws near, the company is reportedly making preparations ahead of launch, as leaks have indicated that Google is already shipping out the Pixel 7a devices to retailers, and all the devices are expected to be shipped within the next 14 days.

Pixel 7a is set to arrive at retail-stores within the next 14 days, so ready to launch @Google #IO2023. No new signs of the Pixel Fold (yet?).

And no, there is no “Jade” colour of the Pixel 7a, different to recent reports.
— SnoopyTech (@_snoopytech_) April 16, 2023

According to industry insiders, the Pixel 7a is rumoured to boast an impressive 8GB of RAM, which is an upgrade from its predecessor, the Pixel 6a. One of the most notable features of the Pixel 7a is its dual-camera setup, which is said to include a 64MP Sony IMX787 main camera sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide camera sensor, making it perfect for capturing high-quality images and videos. For selfie enthusiasts, the phone is expected to feature a 10.8MP front camera, the same as the premium Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.

In terms of display, the Pixel 7a is said to come with a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution, providing a smooth and immersive viewing experience. The phone’s sleek and stylish design features the signature Pixel metallic visor-like camera module on the back, adding to its overall appeal. Under the hood, the phone is expected to be powered by Google’s custom-designed Tensor G2 SoC, delivering lightning-fast performance. Although there is no official word on the battery and charging speed details, it is speculated that the phone will support 5W wireless charging.

The Pixel 7a is set to run on Android 13 out of the box, making it one of the few phones to feature this exciting new operating system. While the pricing and availability details are yet to be announced, the leaked real-life images and design renders have created quite a stir among tech enthusiasts, leaving them eagerly anticipating the phone’s release.

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Vivo S17, S17 Pro chipset, display, and camera details leaked

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Apr 17, 2023

Vivo is reportedly working on the S17 series of smartphones for the Chinese market. Reports have claimed that the S17 lineup will take on the Honor 90 series and Oppo Reno 10 series of smartphones in the home market. These Vivo, Honor, and Oppo are expected to launch in May and be available for purchase during China’s 618 shopping festival in June. Hence, the rumor mill has started leaking key information about these smartphones. In a new Weibo post (via. TechGoing), tipster Digital Chat Station revealed the key specifications of the Vivo S17 and S17 Pro.

Previous reports have revealed that the Vivo S17 line will have three models, such as the Vivo S17e (V2285A), Vivo S17 (V2283A), and Vivo S17 Pro (V2284A). At present, there is no information on the chipset that powers the S17e model. In the latest, tipster DCS revealed that the Vivo S17 will have the Snapdragon SM7325, which appears to be the Snapdragon 778G or Snapdragon 782G chipset.

The Vivo S17 Pro, on the other hand, will have the Dimensity 8200 chipset. To recall, the Vivo S16 and S16 Pro were equipped with the Snapdragon 870 and Dimensity 8200 chipsets, respectively.

DCS further said that the Vivo S17 and S17 Pro will feature a BOE-supplied OLED display that offers a 1.5K resolution. However, he did not reveal the screen size. Previous reports have claimed that the displays of the S17 series will have curved edges.

The rear camera setup of the Vivo S17 and S17 Pro will have a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766V primary camera, which is said to support optical image stabilization (OIS). A 12-megapixel IMX663 telephoto camera will be present in addition to it. There is no information on the other cameras that will be a part of the Vivo S17 series’ rear panel.

Lastly, the leak reveals that the Vivo S17 series will support 80W fast charging. However, the tipster did not mention anything about the battery size of the S17 duo.

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Xiaomi 13 Ultra Design Officially Unveiled, Showcases Unique Camera Grip & IP68 Protection

By

Anubhav

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Apr 17, 2023

Xiaomi fans have been eagerly waiting for the official unveiling of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra Smartphone, which was subject to past leaks for a long time. Recently, it was reported that the device would last 60 minutes at one percent battery, which was impressive. The term ‘flagship-killer’ is often thrown around recklessly in the smartphone industry, but Xiaomi has managed to do it in the past, and it seems like the company is on track to achieve the same feat again. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra has now been officially unveiled by the company, and it highlights some impressive features of the smartphone in all its glory. With an impressive spec sheet and a sleek design, this device is set to take the market by storm.

One of the most striking features of the smartphone is its back design. It has made appearances online in the past, but nonetheless, the olive green and pigmented leather back cover combined with the camera design contributes towards a stunning visual appeal. And that’s not all – the device also has a disc camera module wrapped in a circle of gold, which adds a touch of elegance to the overall design. Under the hood, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra packs a punch with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, LPDDR5X memory, and UFS 4.0 flash memory. It also provides up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, which is more than enough for even the most demanding users. In addition, the company claims that the smartphone is IP68 dustproof and waterproof.

The real star of the show is the device’s imaging capabilities. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra features a new Leica Summicron lens, a new generation of cameras for the company, and a large aperture at all focal lengths. The device comes equipped with four Leica cameras, all of which are 50 million pixels and have large apertures. It supports snapshots, night scene shooting, and 8K video shooting, making it a photographer’s dream. The device uses 4 Sony sensors, one of which is the IMX989, and the other sensors are all IMX858. The main camera of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra also boasts a “Leica One-inch Variable Aperture,” providing two aperture sizes of f / 1.9 and f / 4.0. This feature enables the device to take stunning photographs in a variety of lighting conditions, making it perfect for photography enthusiasts.

The device is also a powerhouse when it comes to battery life. With a 5000mAh large-capacity battery, it supports 90W charging power and wireless charging up to 50W. The device is also equipped with self-developed annular cooling pump heat dissipation technology, which enables it to achieve continuous shooting at 4K 60 frames without dropping frames throughout the process.

To make things even more photography-oriented, the company has also released an optional camera handle set for the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. This handle set looks more like a camera and complements the device’s sloped back cover. It’s a perfect accessory for those who take their photography seriously and want to get the most out of their device. A past report had previously revealed that the handset will come in three configurations, such as 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, and 12 GB RAM + 512 GB storage. These models could be priced at 6,299 Yuan (~$916), 6,799 Yuan (~$990), and 7,499 (~$1,090), respectively. The top-of-the-line 16GB RAM + 1TB storage trim may cost 7,999 Yuan (~$1,163).

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Google reportedly working on a new AI-powered search engine

By

Jeet

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Apr 17, 2023

As the Artificial Intelligence race heats up, Google is feeling the pressure, and the company is now reportedly working on a new AI-powered search engine.

According to the latest reports, the Mountain View-based technology giant is in the process of creating a new AI-powered search engine as well as updating technology in the existing search platform.

Internal documents indicate that the company has a project named Magi which is aimed at updating the existing search engine with the new technology and about 160 employees are currently working on it.

The new features are being created by designers, engineers, and executives working in sprint rooms to tweak and test the new versions. After the changes, the search engine would offer a more personalized experience than the company’s current service.

Google is reportedly planning to announce Magi next month and is expected to introduce additional features sometime in the fall. If that’s the case, then we expect the company to reveal details at the upcoming Google I/O. As per the report, Magi will be rolled out to one million users in the US before expanding to 30 million users by the end of the year.

The development comes at a time when it is reported that Samsung is considering ditching Google for Microsoft Bing as the default search engine on its devices. This poses a threat to a $3 billion contract with Samsung a similar $20 billion contract with Apple is up for renewal for the company.

Microsoft Bing, along with other products and services from the Redmond-based technology giant, has been in the news lately as the company has been increasingly relying on AI technologies, especially the ones developed by OpenAI to enhance offerings in the market.

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Coolpad Cool 30 budget smartphone now up for pre-order in China; price starts at 699 yuan ($102)

By

Jeet

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Apr 17, 2023

Coolpad Cool 30, a new smartphone from the Chinese brand, is now available for pre-order in the company’s home market through online marketplace JD.com.

The phone comes in three options — 4GB + 64GB, 4GB + 128GB, and 6GB + 128GB, costing 699 yuan (~$102), 799 yuan (~$117), and 899 yuan (~$131), respectively.

The smartphone can be pre-ordered with a deposit of just 1 yuan, and those who pre-order the device will get a 100 yuan (~$15) discount on the final payment.

Coming to the specifications, the Coolpad Cool 3 features a 6.51-inch LCD panel with a screen resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels and a standard refresh rate of 60Hz. Under the hood, the device is powered by the MediaTek G85 processor, coupled with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

In the camera department, there’s a 48-megapixel primary camera sensor and a 13-megapixel secondary sensor on the back panel, along with an LED flash. There’s also a 5-megapixel front-facing snapper for taking selfies and video calling.

The device runs the Android operating system out-of-the-box with the company’s own Cool OS 2.0 custom user interface on top. It is powered by a 4,500mAh battery and has a power-saving mode to extend the battery life.

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Acer Hummingbird Fun 2023 thin and light notebook with Intel Core i5-1335U processor launched in China

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Apr 16, 2023

Acer has unveiled the Hummingbird Fun 2023 notebook in China. The new Acer notebook comes in a sleek and lightweight design and is equipped with the 13th generation Intel Core i5-1335U processor. The Core i5-1335U is a low-voltage processor with 10 cores and 12 threads. It has a maximum turbo frequency of 4.6GHz and an LPDDR5-4800 specification of up to 32GB. A 16GB memory variant of the Hummingbird Fun 2023 is also available.

The Hummingbird Fun 2023 notebook offers up to 512GB of storage and sports a 15.6-inch full HD screen. The notebook has an aluminum alloy body and also features an FHD camera. The built-in 50W battery of the notebook allows for extended use of the laptop without connecting to a power source. Connectivity options in the Hummingbird Fun 2023 include Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and USB. The Acer Hummingbird Fun 2023 notebook also supports WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. The notebook’s audio system is also pretty decent.

The upgraded Intel Core i5-1335U processor in the Hummingbird Fun 2023 is an improvement over its predecessor and this translates into its performance. The Acer Hummingbird Fun 2023 notebook is available on pre-sale in China with a starting price of 3,999 yuan (~$582). The actual sale of the model will commence on April 17 and it can be purchased via different retail platforms in China like JD.com.

There are no details yet on the global availability of the Hummingbird Fun 2023. It is however expected that the sleek and light Acer notebook will subsequently berth in some overseas markets. The overall product specs and pricing mean that the gadget could attract the fancy of the market.

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Samsung Galaxy F54 to launch in India in April with 108MP camera

By

Anurag

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Apr 16, 2023

Samsung has recently launched two new mid-range smartphones under the A series in India, but one can argue that they are not exactly affordable, with the Galaxy A54 starting at Rs. 38,999 in the country. However, the company may soon bring a more budget-friendly smartphone for Indian consumers, dubbed Galaxy F54. While there’s no official announcement yet, a recent report has indicated that the handset is expected to launch in April, and has also revealed some of its key specifications.

Galaxy F54 coming soon

As reported on SlashLeaks, Samsung will be launching the Galaxy F54 in India by the end of April. There’s no confirmation from the brand yet but the timing seems reasonable as the device has already received various certifications, and its support page has gone live in both India and Bangladesh.

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy F54 is expected to feature its signature triple camera rings on the back, a design that the Korean company has been using consistently this year across its flagship S series phones as well as its more affordable A series devices.

As per the leak, the Samsung smartphone will sport a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution of 2,400 x 1,080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The handset will boast a 32MP front-facing camera enclosed in a center punch hole.

In the rear camera department, the phone could get a 108MP main camera sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) support. There may also be an 8MP ultra-wide sensor and a 2MP macro shooter. The Galaxy F54 5G will likely feature a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and run Android 13 out of the box and have a layer of One UI 5.1 on top. The phone will measure 8.4mm thick and weigh about 199 grams.

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Garmin Edge 540 and Edge 840 GPS bike computers with solar options and e-bike compatibility unveiled

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Apr 16, 2023

Garmin has unveiled two new bike computers – the Garmin Edge 540 and Garmin Edge 840. The models come in several variants including solar options and electric bike compatibility. The two models are generally compatible with regular bikes.

Garmin has continued to offer several products outside its traditional forte of smartwatches. It offers a range of cycling accessories and the new Edge 540/ 840 models follow that trajectory. The Garmin Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S smartwatches were just released a few days back. The two new Garmin bike computers have several similarities and the higher model sports a touchscreen. The two products are available with integrated solar cells at an extra cost of $100. The regular Edge 540/ 840 models offer up to 26 hours of battery life while the solar option yields up to 32 hours on a full charge.

The more versatile Edge 840 model has 32GB of storage while the Edge 840 has only 16GB. They both come with 2.6-inch displays and 246 x 322 pixels resolution. Both GNSS and GPS modules are present in the two Garmin Edge models. They are also compatible with Varia radar systems. The Garmin Edge 540 has a retail launch price of $349.99 while the Garmin Edge 840 launches at $449.99. The solar models are priced higher by $100 but they lack sensor bundles.

More details about the new Garmin Edge 540 and Edge 840 bike computers are available on the Garmin website. It is not clear at this time which markets will sell the models. These and more details will surface subsequently.

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Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 rumoured to get Wear OS 3 upgrade soon

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Apr 16, 2023

The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 is rumored to be among the models that will get the Wear OS 3 upgrade. Some reports have earlier hinted that Mobvoi may upgrade all its Snapdragon Wear 4100-based models to Wear OS 3. This seemed to contradict Mobvoi’s earlier position that only the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra and TicWatch E3 will receive a major OS update by the end of 2023.

The Wear OS 3 upgrade for the lineup of Mobvoi smartwatches holds lots of promise. It has been previously reported by Gadgets & Wearables that Mobvoi has notified TicWatch customers of the Wear OS 3 release schedule. The original TicWatch Pro 3 sports the same Snapdragon 4100 chipset as the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra and E3 models. The arrangement has been that all the other TicWatch Pro models will remain the same until the release of the TicWatch Pro 5.

A new clarification by Mobvoi has pointedly indicated that the TicWatch Pro 3 is eligible for an OS upgrade. There are no fine details yet on the release date for the Wear OS updates and Mobvoi says such information will be provided on its website. It is believed that the update to Wear OS 3 for Mobvoi smartwatches will roll in anytime soon. Mobvoi had previously pointed to Q3, 2023 as the take-off date. This may however be unrealistic with Wear OS 4 possibly being released by Google soon.

It is speculated that Google is in line to showcase Wear OS 4 next month during the I/O 2023 event. Other expected highlights of I/O 2023 are the release of Android 14 and the Google Pixel 7a. It remains to be seen how Mobvoi will navigate through the Wear OS 3 conundrum. The coming days will certainly provide greater clarity for the models.

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Nvidia’s AI Chips Priced Over $40,000 on eBay Amid Surging AI Demand

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Apr 16, 2023

Nvidia’s cutting-edge graphics cards, the H100 processors, are seeing prices north of $40,000 on eBay, as the appetite for chips essential to develop and implement artificial intelligence (AI) software keeps expanding. John Carmack, a pioneer in 3D gaming and ex-consulting technology chief at Meta, drew attention to the H100 processors’ prices on Twitter. As of Friday, at least eight H100s were listed on eBay, with prices between $39,995 and just under $46,000. Some retailers have sold the H100 for approximately $36,000 in the past.

Nvidia’s top A.I. chips are selling for more than $40,000 on eBay

Launched last year, the H100 represents Nvidia’s most recent flagship AI chip, replacing the A100, a roughly $10,000 chip often referred to as the AI application “workhorse.” Developers utilize the H100 to create large language models (LLMs), which underpin AI applications like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Running these systems necessitates powerful computers that can process terabytes of data for extended periods. Additionally, they depend on significant computing power for generating text, images, or predictions.

Nvidia H100 GPUs going for $40k on eBay. pic.twitter.com/7NOBI8cn3k
— John Carmack (@ID_AA_Carmack) April 14, 2023

The collaboration of hundreds of top-tier Nvidia GPUs is essential for training AI models, especially sizable ones like GPT. Microsoft has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in tens of thousands of Nvidia A100 chips for ChatGPT development. Nvidia currently holds a significant share of the AI chip market. Nvidia’s offerings also include the DGX supercomputer, which houses eight GPUs working together. The company announced new services earlier this year that enable businesses to rent DGX computers for $37,000 per month.

However, the system uses Nvidia’s older A100 processors at this price point. According to Nvidia, the H100 is the first chip tailored to the specific AI architecture responsible for numerous recent AI breakthroughs, known as transformers. Industry insiders anticipate the need for even more powerful chips to create larger and more data-intensive models than those presently available.

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Xiaomi Unveils Master Series 86 Inch Mini LED TV with Enhanced Picture Quality

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Apr 16, 2023

Xiaomi officially announced the arrival of its new television offering: the Xiaomi Master 86 inch Mini LED TV, boasting a “meticulously tuned picture quality.” As a new addition to Xiaomi’s “Master” series, the 86 inch screen employs Mini LED technology, offering significant hardware advantages compared to traditional LED backlighting, such as wide color gamut, high contrast, and refined dynamic partitioning.

Xiaomi to Launch Master Series 86 Inch Mini LED TV with Enhanced Picture Quality

Simultaneously, Xiaomi has implemented a brand-new self-developed engine for this TV, completely reconstructing the picture quality algorithm and delivering professional-grade color accuracy. This makes the Master 86 inch Mini LED TV the pinnacle of Xiaomi’s television lineup in terms of color accuracy and picture quality.

As part of Xiaomi’s ecosystem, the TV also features the company’s proprietary “multi-screen color consistency” technology, ensuring consistent color displays between the television, smartphones, and tablets. This fundamentally resolves the display issues caused by color inconsistencies when screen mirroring from smartphones or tablets.

From the information currently available, the Xiaomi Master 86 inch Mini LED TV, as a new product in Xiaomi’s high-end “Master” television series, has undergone noticeable upgrades in both hardware and software. Of course, as a premium TV product, performance in aspects like sound quality and response time is also crucial. While Xiaomi has not yet disclosed the TV’s performance in these areas, it is expected to impress. The Xiaomi Master 86 inch Mini LED TV will be unveiled at a launch event on April 18th, alongside other new products such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and the Xiaomi Mi Band 8.

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Nvidia Reportedly Holding Off on Boosting RTX 40-Series Output

By

Oğuz Çakır

-

Apr 16, 2023

Nvidia, the undisputed leader in the graphics card market, has been expanding its product lineup, including the dominating RTX 40-series. Recently, they introduced the budget-friendly RTX 4070 model. However, many users still face challenges in finding these cards. Those looking to buy a new card often struggle to find stock or are forced to pay sky-high prices for the scarce 40-series models. It seems that this situation might be intentional, as reports suggest that Nvidia is holding off on increasing the production of the RTX 40-series. Here are the details….

Nvidia Reportedly Holding Off on Boosting RTX 40-Series Production: Is It A Strategic Move?

According to a recent report by DigiTimes, Nvidia may be taking a strategic approach with its latest GeForce RTX 40-series GPUs based on the Ada Lovelace architecture. The company’s backend service providers, Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL) and King Yuan Electronics (KYEC), have reportedly not seen increased orders for testing and packaging of the new GPUs. This suggests that Nvidia is waiting for its partners to sell off remaining GeForce RTX 30-series inventory before supplying them with the latest generation graphics chips.

Despite having introduced an extensive range of Ada Lovelace GPUs for client applications, including the AD102, AD103, AD104, AD106, and AD107, Nvidia has not signaled to its OSAT providers to scale up production for the GeForce RTX 40-series. The company had previously pre-paid TSMC for silicon manufacturing services during 2021-2022, and likely has N4-based Ada Lovelace wafers in stock. However, it still needs to book OSAT capacity before ramping up orders to increase supply.

Usually, Nvidia’s sales of GPUs to its partners trend upward in the third quarter, which should lead to the company booking OSAT services at this time. However, if the DigiTimes report is accurate, it seems that Nvidia is holding off on increasing testing and packaging of its Ada Lovelace silicon. Nvidia’s partners have already started shipping GeForce RTX 4070, RTX 4070 Ti, RTX 4080, and RTX 4090 graphics cards for desktops. Despite being among the top graphics cards available, demand for these products is reportedly not as high as Nvidia would like.

The market has also seen a variety of laptops equipped with GeForce RTX 4050, RTX 4060, RTX 4070, RTX 4080, and RTX 4090 Laptop GPUs. With Ada Lovelace graphics processors already covering almost all market segments, the anticipated popularity of solutions like the GeForce RTX 4070 and the expected RTX 4060 suggests that Nvidia will need to increase GPU volume and packaging services.

Nvidia and its partners may already have enough RTX 30- and 40-series GPUs in stock, negating the need to ramp up testing and assembly ahead of the rumored GeForce RTX 4050 and RTX 4060 GPU launch in May-June. Furthermore, Nvidia has not yet attempted to drop prices into the sub-$500 range. While testing and assembly procedures do take time, they are not as lengthy as wafer production, meaning a delay of a few weeks in ordering OSAT services is unlikely to cause significant problems for the market, especially given the globally slow demand for new PCs.

With reports of a severe downturn in PC and laptop sales, many people and businesses may be opting to stick with their current systems amid economic uncertainties. However, as this information comes from an unofficial source and lacks many details, it should be taken as a rumor rather than a confirmed fact.

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