Meta Rolls Out Paid Verification for Instagram & Facebook Users in the US

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Mar 18, 2023

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is a social media company founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg. With over 2.8 billion monthly active users across its various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, Meta is one of the world’s largest social media companies. Mark Zuckerberg announced today on his Instagram channel that the company’s paid verification program is now available in the United States.

Those who sign up for Meta Verified will receive a blue verification badge on both Facebook and Instagram, “proactive impersonation protection,” and direct access to customer support. The program is priced at $12 per month via the web and $15 per month for iOS or Android users to account for platform fees. Subscribers will also receive stars each month that can be used to tip Facebook creators, as well as extra stickers for Stories and Reels.

In contrast to Australia and New Zealand, Verified subscribers in the US won’t immediately gain increased visibility in some parts of the apps. According to a Meta spokesperson, the company is taking the time to further explore this feature’s value and learn from user feedback before considering expansion outside of Australia and New Zealand. While continuing to test the program, Meta intends to explore other features that could be added to Verified.

Meta’s verification program differs from Twitter Blue, as it requires Instagram and Facebook users to provide government-issued ID that matches their account name and photo. Additional eligibility requirements include being 18 or older and having two-factor authentication enabled.

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NVIDIA RTX 4060Ti Leaks Showcase Smaller Two-Slot Design

By

Anubhav

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Mar 18, 2023

NVIDIA is a leading manufacturer of high-end graphics cards that are used by gamers, creative professionals, and researchers for high-performance computing. The company’s high-end graphics cards are designed to deliver exceptional graphics performance, allowing users to enjoy immersive gaming experiences, render high-resolution graphics and videos, and accelerate complex computations for AI and scientific applications. NVIDIA’s 40 series graphics cards were launched back in 2022, and now the first leaks for the newer 40xx series cards are surfacing on the internet.

Maybe, RTX 4060 Ti. pic.twitter.com/uA6w5u44CS
— Elysian Realm (@KittyYYuko) March 16, 2023

The much-anticipated release of the more affordable RTX 40 series GPUs seems to be drawing near. According to reports, NVIDIA is set to unveil the RTX 4070 on April 12, with a launch scheduled for the following day. Recently, images of the supposed RTX 4060/Ti Founders Edition cards have surfaced, shared by the Twitter user @KittyYYuko. Interestingly, while the GPU bears the label “RTX 4060” on the front, the leaker suggests that it could actually be an RTX 4060 Ti.

The overall design is similar to the RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 Founders Edition boards, but the RTX 4060/Ti GPU appears to be a smaller, two-slot card. However, it’s worth noting that these pictures may be edited, as one commentator pointed out that the “RTX 4060” label appears to be placed on top of the watermark. Despite this, rumours suggest that both the RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti will offer improved performance over the RTX 3060/Ti, along with lower TGP figures compared to previous-gen GPUs. It remains to be seen whether NVIDIA can also deliver on pricing to make these midrange GPUs a viable option for those on a budget.

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Dangbei X3 Air Projector with laser autofocus and 3,050 ANSI lumens brightness released in China

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 17, 2023

The Dangbei X3 Air projector has been released in China. The X3 Air comes with laser autofocus technology and it can reach a brightness level of 3,050 ANSI lumens. The projector is capable of throwing images up to 300 inches wide. It also features AI color optimization and AI brightness adjustment.

The Dangbei X3 Air has a native resolution of 1080p and integrates the ALPD laser technology optimized brightness. The laser light source of the projector has an expected lifespan of 30,000 hours. The AI intelligent brightness feature helps to adjust the projector’s brightness to suit the room conditions. The AI Color Engine Pro provides smart color optimization while MEMC motion smoothing achieves up to 120Hz. The projector also supports HDR10+ images.

The laser autofocus technology helps you to quickly perfect any image even at the maximum size of 300 inches. It also has auto keystone correction tools and supports Dolby Audio and DTS-HD. The projector uses two built-in 10W speakers for its audio output.

The Dangbei X3 Air projector is equipped with an MT9669 chip with 3GB/ 64GB memory/ storage configuration. It runs on Dangbei OS 3.0, so you can cast content using your iOS or Android mobile device. Its companion app is the Dangbei app which can also help you to locate your remote control. You can also adjust the projector with voice commands. The X3 Air has an assortment of interfaces to connect the device. These include HDMI eARC, HDMI, USB-A, and an audio jack. It also supports Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.

The Dangbei X3 Air projector is available for pre-order in China at 4,999 yuan ($725). The original price of the projector is however 5,299 yuan ($768). Global availability details for the projector are lacking at this time.

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Huawei Qingyun G540 notebook with a drop-resistant design unveiled

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 17, 2023

The Huawei Qingyun G540 commercial notebook has been announced in China. The Qingyun G540 will be among the products to be unveiled during the March 23 Spring Flagship Products launch event. The new notebook has a unique new design and it is drop-resistant.

The released promo images indicate that the Qingyun G540 is a bit different from the Huawei MateBook. It has a built-in camera protector which is regulated by a physical button beside the front-facing camera. The notebook has a 180-degree hinge system that allows the notebook to be opened flat on a surface. The gadget’s keyboard is spill-resistant in addition to its drop-resistant makeup. It has a 14-inch IPS panel with a 16:9 screen ratio and a 60Hz refresh rate. The notebook has a maximum brightness of 300 nits and 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution.

The drop-resistant feature in the Qingyun G540 makes it the first to have such a feature. It is listed as having a single-color design of Space gray. The model comes under the commercial lineup of the notebook series different from the MateBook lineup. It will run on Windows 11 Home Chinese Edition and has two battery options – 42Wh and 56Wh. The G540 measures 325 x 218 x 172mm, with slightly different weights for the two battery options.

Due to its versatile hinge design, you can view the screen up to 178 degrees. The processor options are available for the notebook. These are the Core i7-1260P, the Core i5-1240P, and the Core i5-1235U 12th generation processors. There are no pricing details yet for the Huawei Qingyun G540 commercial notebook.

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Google Photos Develops Video Unblur Tool and Effects for Pixel 8 Series

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Mar 17, 2023

Google is reportedly working on a new Video Unblur tool, along with a range of video effects for Google Photos, following the successful debut of Photo Unblur on the Pixel 7 series. These new features aim to enhance the user experience, particularly for those with the latest Pixel smartphones. Here are the details…

Google Photos Works on Video Unblur Tool and Effects for Pixel 8 Users

Google Photos first introduced the Photo Unblur tool with the release of the Pixel 7 series. This innovative feature used the Tensor chip’s machine learning capabilities to enhance the sharpness of images. Since its introduction, Photo Unblur has remained exclusive to Google’s latest smartphones, while the Magic Eraser tool, which debuted with the Pixel 6, has been offered as a premium feature on other devices through Google One.

As rumors surrounding the Pixel 8 continue to circulate, it seems that Google is working on extending the unblur tool to videos. Once functional, Video Unblur is expected to use machine learning to give videos a sharper appearance, greatly improving video quality for users. Given Google’s focus on popularizing Photo Unblur with the “Fixed on Pixel” tagline, it is not surprising to see the company working on expanding support for videos. Video Unblur may be another Pixel series exclusive, potentially debuting on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro later this year.

In addition to the Video Unblur tool, Google Photos is also preparing a set of video effects that users can apply when editing a video in the app. This collection of video effects, accessible through a new “Overlays” tab, is designed to enhance creativity and offer more options for personalizing videos. There are 14 video effects currently in development, with some having clear purposes based on their names. For example, the “Chromatic” effect will likely add a chromatic aberration, while “VHS” and “Super 8” are expected to emulate the styles of those iconic video formats.

Google Photos is seemingly gearing up to introduce a Video Unblur tool and a variety of video effects, which could potentially be exclusive features for the Pixel 8 series. If these features are released, they promise to significantly enhance the Google Photos experience for users, particularly for those with the latest Pixel smartphones. As the Pixel 8 launch approaches, the anticipation for these new features and their potential impact on the user experience continues to grow.

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Xiaomi Youpin launches the Rubik’s Cube 2nd-Gen Mini Computer Host lighter than a mobile phone

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 17, 2023

The Rubik’s Cube 2nd Generation CR160R mini-computer host which is designed to be as portable as possible has been launched on the Xiaomi Youpin platform. It weighs only 145g and measures just 62x62x44mm, which is roughly the size of a Rubik’s Cube. Despite its small size, it packs quite a punch in terms of performance, making it an ideal choice for people who need a powerful but compact computer.

The Rubik’s Cube II is powered by an Intel J4125 processor, a quad-core processor that can achieve a turbo frequency of up to 2.7GHz. It also comes with DDR4 memory and an M.2 solid-state drive, which provides fast and efficient storage. As a result, the computer can boot up in just 10 seconds and has a high-speed read and write speed of up to 500MB/s.

In terms of connectivity, Rubik’s Cube II comes with a range of options. It has two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, a TF card port, and a 3.5mm headphone port. Additionally, it can be connected to an expansion dock, which provides even more connectivity options. The computer also has a Gigabit Ethernet port, which makes it easy to connect to a wired network. It supports 2.4G/5G dual-band Wi-Fi and has a Type-C power supply, which means that it can be charged using a USB-C cable.

Another great feature of the Rubik’s Cube II is its Bluetooth wireless module, which allows it to be connected to a range of devices, including speakers, keyboards, and mice. This makes it a great choice for people who want a computer that can be used in a variety of different settings.

The Rubik’s Cube II comes in two versions: the regular 6G+128G version, which is priced at 989 yuan, and the upgraded 8G+256G version, which is priced at 1199 yuan. Both versions offer excellent performance and connectivity options, making them a great choice for people who need a powerful but portable computer.

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Huawei Enjoy 60’s leaked Poster hints at a 6000mAh battery, 48MP camera

By

Anurag

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Mar 17, 2023

Huawei’s Enjoy series already has some good-looking mid-range smartphones, and it seems a new addition is on the way. The upcoming Huawei Enjoy 60 has been previously leaked, and it is rumored to come equipped with a Kirin chipset and a dual-ring camera setup. The smartphone should launch on March 23, alongside the P60 series flagship. Although an official announcement is yet to be made, a leaked poster has emerged online, showcasing its design and a few specifications.

As per the promo poster, Huawei Enjoy 60 will have a slightly curved back with a familiar dual-ring camera setup. The module is cylindrical with two gold rings placed vertically. The poster also reveals several key features of the phone. It shows the Enjoy 60 could have a particularly large 6000mAh battery with support for 22.5W charging. The handset could get a 48MP primary camera on the rear and run the latest HarmonyOS 3.0 operating system.

Previously, it has been revealed that the Huawei Enjoy 60 will be offered in three colors— Magic Night Black, Dawn Gold, and Ice Crystal Blue. The handset could be available with 8GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB internal storage. Further, the smartphone is tipped to get a 6.75-inch water-drop LCD display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. It may support a standard 90hz refresh rate.

The 48MP main camera on the device could be accompanied by a 2MP depth of field sensor. It could feature an 8MP selfie camera. Under the hood, the device is rumored to equip an entry-level Kirin chipset. It could be the Kirin 710A SoC based on a 14 nm process designed by HiSilicon and printed by China’s SMIC.

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Oppo Announced Pad 2: Book-like Screen and MediaTek Dimensity 9000

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Mar 17, 2023

Oppo has officially announced the worldwide launch of the OPPO Find X6 series and the Oppo Pad 2 on March 21 at 2 PM. The company has started promoting the tablet, emphasizing its remarkable screen, which boasts a 7:5 golden ratio and delivers high-definition visuals with stunning color accuracy. Here are the details…

Discover the Oppo Pad 2: Innovative Design, Flagship Screen, and Advanced Features

The Oppo Pad 2 is designed to provide a book-like experience, thanks to its innovative 7:5 aspect ratio screen. This high-definition display ensures exceptional color accuracy and ease of use, whether you’re holding it horizontally or vertically. Oppo has unveiled an official poster featuring black and gold models of the tablet, along with a rear-centered camera.

The tablet is also compatible with new accessories, including a stylus and keyboard, to boost productivity and inspire creativity for users. These add-ons further demonstrate OPPO’s commitment to innovation in the mobile device market. According to earlier reports, the Oppo Pad 2 will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip and will feature an 11-inch, 2800×2000 resolution LCD screen with a 144Hz refresh rate.

The display will have a maximum brightness of 500 nits and will support both Dolby Vision and HDR 10+. The device will house a 9500mAh battery and will offer 67W fast charging capabilities. The Oppo Pad 2 will come equipped with a new smart touch keyboard and a gold stylus (model OPN2201), providing users with a versatile and powerful device suited for various needs.

With the upcoming release of the Oppo Find X6 series and the Oppo Pad 2, the company is set to redefine mobile imaging technology. The superior flagship screen, robust processor, and advanced features make the tablet an attractive choice for anyone seeking a premium tablet experience.

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OPPO Enco Free3 earbuds launching on March 21 with World’s first Bamboo Fiber Diaphragm

By

Anurag

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Mar 17, 2023

After months of speculation and rumors, Oppo officially announced that it will be launching its newest Find X6 series of flagship phones on March 21 in China. The Oppo Pad 2 will also be making its debut alongside the phones. Today, the brand confirmed yet another product will share the stage with new flagships. Called the Oppo Enco Free3, it will be the company’s latest pair of TWS earbuds and feature what Oppo calls a “Bamboo Fiber Diaphragm”. Here are the details.

Today, Oppo released a series of teasers confirming the launch of the new Enco Free3 earbuds. As per the brand, the hearables will come with active noise cancelation that can reach up to 49dB (decibels). They will also support Hi-Res Wireless and boast LDAC Bluetooth decoding protocol.

The Chinese company says that its latest Enco Free3 earbuds are equipped with a unique bamboo fiber diaphragm sound unit. This component is apparently made up of bamboo fibers and is commonly used in high-end audio equipment like headphones and stereos. The bamboo fiber diaphragm is characterized by its thinness, hardness, and sensitivity, allowing it to reproduce more sound details and deliver a clear, natural, and realistic sound quality.

The Panasonic HC4 audio system is an example of a device that uses this kind of diaphragm unit to provide high-frequency reproduction and low-frequency dynamic performance.

Design-wise the earbuds look similar to some of Oppo’s Buds Air series models. The TWS has a stemmed design with the ‘L’ and ‘R’ symbols cut out on each earbud to form openings for the inner microphones. You get an oval charging case with a translucent upper panel. The Enco Free3 buds could be offered in Green and White colors.

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iPhone 15 Pro Max to break Record with Thinnest smartphone Bezels yet

By

Anurag

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Mar 17, 2023

Remember when early iPhones had those chunky bezels all around? That was Apple‘s thing for quite some time but the company slowly started slimming bezels down, and now the latest iPhone 14 series is basically all screen. However, rumor has it that the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro Max will up the ante further and feature a display with the thinnest bezels ever seen on a smartphone. Here are the details.

The information comes through Ice Universe, a reputed tipster with a penchant for ultra-thin bezels. According to The Cat, Apple’s upcoming flagship smartphone will boast impressively thin bezels measuring only 1.55mm – a significant reduction from the current iPhone 14 Pro Max’s 2.17mm borders. This would set a new record for the thinnest bezels on a smartphone, currently held by the Xiaomi 13 with 1.81mm bezels. By way of comparison, the Galaxy 22 and S23 have bezels that measure around 1.95mm.

This is arguably an interesting upgrade, but should you actually care about “ultra-thin” bezels? It is definitely a matter of personal preference. One can argue that the existing iPhone models already have slim-enough borders and a further reduction may not really affect the user experience.

While Ice Universe specifically mentions the Pro Max model, recently leaked renders suggest thinner bezels on the smaller iPhone 15 Pro as well. The two phones will continue to use the Dynamic Island design with a centered pill-shaped punch hole. Additionally, the design may also make its way to the vanilla iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. They may also flaunt a Dynamic Island but lack ProMotion and AOD features.

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iQOO Z7 Series China Roundup: Specs, Design, & More

By

Sean

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Mar 17, 2023

iQOO is gearing up to launch its latest Z generation of mid range smartphones soon in China. The iQOO Z7 lineup arrives as the successor to the Z6 series. So here’s a round up of all details that we have regarding the upcoming devices like its specs, design, and more.

iQOO Z7

The new Z7 series includes the base Z7 and the Z7x models. The former is a higher end model and is expected to sport a FHD+ display with an LCD panel and a 120HZ refresh rate. The LCD panel will offer a punch hole cutout for the selfie camera and low blue light emission at the hardware level, eye protection mode, DC dimming, and adaptive brightness. The device will arrive in two color options, namely blue and orange.

Under the hood, this device will be equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G SoC. This chipset will be paired with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 156GB of internal storage. The iQOO Z7 will be powered by a 5,000mAh battery pack that will support an impressive 120W fast charging. The rear is believed to feature a 64 megapixel primary camera along with two 2 megapixel sensors and an 8 megapixel selfie shooter.

iQOO Z7x

The iQOO Z7x is a more affordable option in the upcoming lineup but still offers some notable specs. While the exact display parameters are still unclear, the brand confirmed that it will sport an LCD panel that also offers DC dimming, and low blue light output with eye protection. However, it is unclear if the display size will be the same as its more expensive sibling. Earlier today, the company revealed a new teaser for the series, revealing 7 ‘flagship’ features. This includes a NFC, OIS stabilization, infrared remote control sensor, X axis motor, dual stereo speakers, WiFi 6, and high performance antennas.

This model will be equipped with the Snapdragon 695 SoC, although, it will be powered by a larger 6,000mAh battery pack that supports 80W fast charging. This model could offer either 6GB or 8GB of RAM as well . Unfortunately, there is still no information available regarding the camera on this model. Although, both the Z7 and Z7x will run on Android 13 OS based OriginOS 3.0 custom skin.

As of right now, finer details like expected pricing and full specs are still unclear. iQOO is set to launch both of these phones in China later this month on 20th March 2023. So stick around for more as we will be covering the launch event next month.

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Oppo Find X6 series Roundup: Design, Specs, Price & More

By

Sudhanshu

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Mar 17, 2023

On March 21, Oppo will be hosting a launch event to launch some new devices in China. Currently, it is confirmed that the Oppo Find X6 series flagship smartphones will launch at the event alongside the Oppo Pad 2. The new flagship smartphones will feature an eye-catching design alongside the latest chipsets and cutting-edge camera hardware. Let’s take a look at what’s known so far about these devices.

Design & display

Starting off with the design, both the Oppo Find X6 and X6 Pro will feature a similar design. Both devices have a curved back along with curved edges. There is a large circular camera island on both smartphones that holds a triple camera arrangement, an LED flash, and some sensors.

The Find X6 comes with a large screen measuring 6.74 inches and a screen resolution of 2772 x 1240 pixels. It features an adaptive refresh rate of 40-120Hz and a peak brightness of 1,400 nits. Meanwhile, the Pro version has a bigger 6.82-inch display with a higher resolution of 3,168 x 1,440 pixels and an impressive local peak brightness of 2,500 nits.

Performance

The Find X6 and Find X6 Pro differ in their processing power, with the former boasting the MediaTek Dimensity 9200 processor while the latter runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. However, both models share similarities in their LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 internal storage.

Both smartphones have appeared on Geekbench giving us an idea of their performance. The Find X6 Pro scored 1,494 and 4,973 points in Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core test results. On the other hand, the Find X6 model achieved a single-core score of 1806 and a multi-core score of 4705 on Geekbench 5.

The latest Android 13 operating system, customized with OPPO’s ColorOS interface, powers these smartphones. The Find X6 has a 4,800mAh battery with fast 80W charging, while the Pro version has a 5,000mAh battery and can charge at a super-fast rate of 100W.

Camera

On the camera front, users can expect a triple-camera setup at the back, paired with a 32-megapixel front-facing camera that’s perfect for capturing selfies and making video calls. The Pro variant of these smartphones will feature a primary camera with a 50-megapixel 1-inch Sony IMX988 sensor, accompanied by two other 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 cameras for ultra-wide and periscope zoom shots. Meanwhile, the standard version is anticipated to have three 50-megapixel cameras on the rear, including the Sony IMX890, Samsung JN1, and another Sony IMX890 sensor. Additionally, both models are expected to come equipped with Hasselblad camera optimizations and MariSilicon X2 ISP.

Pricing

A recent leak has revealed that the Find X6 Pro will be available in three different versions, including a base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage priced at 6,499 Yuan (~$947), a 16GB + 256GB variant priced at 6,799 Yuan (~$990) and a top-end model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage priced at 6,999 Yuan (~$1020).

The Oppo Find X6 on the other hand will be available in two different configurations. The 12GB RAM and 256GB storage model will be priced at 4,699 Yuan(~$684), while the 16GB + 512GB variant will cost 5,199 Yuan (~$757).

The review is coming soon on the Youtube channel Gizmochina. Please subscribe and stay tuned.

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OPPO Find X6 Pro Official Camera Samples Reveals Details About Camera Apertures

By

Viraj Gawde

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Mar 17, 2023

Earlier today, OnePlus CEO shared the upcoming OPPO Find X6 Pro’s low-light camera samples. The Find X6 series along with the OPPO Pad 2 tablet is set to launch on March 21st in China. Now ahead of the launch next week, the brand has officially shared camera samples of the Find X6 Pro confirming details about the sensor apertures. Additionally, the upcoming offering will also come with the legendary camera maker Hasselblad’s imaging capabilities.

OPPO shared three photos shot from the Find X6 Pro on the microblogging platform Weibo. All three images show great details and sharpness in the picture clarity. OPPO also shared the EXIF of the captured photos. The landscape shot is likely taken from the primary camera and it is going to have a 23mm equivalent lens with an f/1.8 aperture. The eagle shot’s EXIF mentions a 144mm focal length with a bright f/2.6 aperture on a telephoto lens and the zoom is likely digital. The final third image seems to be taken with a long optical zoom and the EXIF reads 65mm focal length at an f/4.5 aperture. However, looking at the image, the aperture figure could be an error since the telephoto lens certainly has f/2.6.

Apart from the EXIF confirming the aperture values, the images don’t reveal any additional details. The Find X6 Pro’s triple rear camera setup is expected to comprise a 1-inch Sony IMX988 50MP main sensor and two Sony IMX890 50MP lenses for ultra-wide and periscope zoom shots. The smartphone is expected to feature MariSilicon X2 ISP and Hasselblad camera optimsations.

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boAt Wave Leap Call With 1.83-inch Display Launched In India

By

Viraj Gawde

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Mar 17, 2023

boAt has launched a new smartwatch in India. The latest offering from the homegrown brand is part of its Wave series. It is called the boAt Wave Leap Call. The device is an affordable offering and competes against other smartwatches from brands like Noise, Fire-Boltt, DIZO, and more in the market. Read on to know what it offers out of the box.

The boAt Wave Leap Call features a square dial with a large 1.83-inch display bearing an HD resolution and 550 nits peak brightness. It is IP68-certified dust, sweat, and splash-resistant and the device has a crown-like button on the right side.

On the health-centric front, the boAt Wave Leap Call is equipped with a heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, and a sleep tracker. There is also a daily activity tracker and breathing training sessions. The wearable device packs support for more than 100 sports modes.

The boAt Wave Leap Call is equipped with a built-in microphone, speaker, and Bluetooth for hands-free calling. Users can save up to 10 contacts on the device and there is also dial pad for easier access. The device features Google Assistant and Siri. Other convenient features include music and camera control, weather updates, find my phone, etc. The boAt Wave Leap Call is claimed to deliver 10 days of battery on a single charge, 3 days with Bluetooth calling, and 60 days of standby time.

The boAt Wave Leap Call is offered in Black, Blue, and Pink colours. It carries a special launch price tag of Rs 1,499 and can be purchased from Amazon starting March 20th.

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Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 Announced, Confirmed To Power Redmi Note 12 Turbo and Realme GT Neo 5 SE

By

Viraj Gawde

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Mar 17, 2023

Qualcomm has launched the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 processor. It arrives as the successor to the last year’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. The newly announced chipset is a mid-range premium flagship processor for smartphones. It is said to pack a host of improvements over its predecessor. Read on to know more about it below.

The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is based on TSMC’s 4nm process technology. It comprises a primary Cortex X2 core clocked at 2.91GHz, three Cortex A710 performance CPUs at 2.49GHz, and four energy-efficient Cortex A510 cores ticking at 1.80GHz. Qualcomm says that the CPU configuration offers a 50 percent jump in performance compared to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. The Adreno GPU remains unnamed and is said to offer 2x performance increase and power efficiency also increases by 13 percent in various scenarios. The latest chipset comes with an integrated X62 5G modem-RF system with support for 4G/5G Dual SIM Dual Active. It also supports WiFi-6 and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.

The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is capable of supporting up to QHD+ resolution at 120Hz and Dolby Vision, HLG, and HDR10+ formats. It has an 18-bit triple ISP with support for a 200MP sensor and HDR video capture from two cameras simultaneously. The chipset comes with Snapdragon Elite gaming features like auto-variable refresh rate shading, volumetric rendering, and Snapdragon Sound with Qualcomm aptX for lossless music streaming.

At the announcement, Qualcomm said that Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2-powered phones will launch from this month. Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi and Realme confirmed that they will launch two smartphones with the latest chipset. These are the Redmi Note 12 Turbo and Realme GT Neo 5 SE respectively. Both smartphones are set to launch in China later this month.

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Upcoming Smartphones: Oppo Find X6, Huawei P60, iQOO Z7, and more

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Mar 17, 2023

There are going to be multiple smartphone launches in the next week. Five brands have scheduled events to debut new products.

One of these companies has planned two events for two different markets. All of these devices are new models, except for one by Realme, which will be introduced in an important market.

The other brands that will be involved in new phone releases are iQOO, Oppo, Huawei, and Samsung. Some of them will be debuting multiple handsets. Let’s take a glimpse at these devices.

Upcoming Smartphones Next Week

Prev Next

1. iQOO Z7 Series

iQOO Z7 (China)

iQOO has confirmed to launch the iQOO Z7 series in China on March 20 at 12 PM GMT+8. The very next day (March 21), the lineup is also planned to release in India at 12 PM IST.

The iQOO Z7 family for China includes two phones, namely iQOO Z7 and iQOO Z7x. Whereas for India, there’s only a single handset called iQOO Z7, and t it is different from the Chinese variant.

The Chinese iQOO Z7 series is said to offer centered punch-hole LCD displays, Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G/695 chipsets, and up to 120W charging. On the other hand, the Indian iQOO Z7 is expected to come with a dewdrop AMOLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity 920 SoC, and 80W charging.

2. Oppo Find X6 Series

Oppo Find X6 Pro

The Oppo Find X6 series is set to launch on March 21 in China. It will be announced at an event that will begin at 2 PM GMT+8. The smartphones will be also accompanied by Oppo Pad 2.

The Find X6 series is said to include two models. The vanilla version will house a MediaTek Dimensity 9200 SoC, while the Pro variant will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip.

The Find X6 Pro will arrive with exciting features, such as a 50MP 1-inch main camera, Hasselbrad image processing, leather finish, 100W wired charging, and 50W wireless charging. Unfortunately, it may not release in global markets.

3. Realme C55

Realme C55

The Realme C55 is scheduled to launch in India on March 21 at 12:30 PM IST. This device is already official in Indonesia, so we know everything about it.

The C55 is just another 4G-only budget smartphone. But it comes with Apple’s Dynamic Island-like feature called ‘Mini Capsule.’

The phone comes with a 6.72-inch 90Hz display (LCD), a MediaTek Helio G88 chipset, a 64MP primary camera, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a 5,000mAh battery, and 33W charging support.

4. Huawei P60 Series and Mate X3

Huawei P60 Pro

The Huawei P60 series and Mate X3 are planned to launch in China on March 23 at 2:30 PM GMT+8. Multiple other products, such as MatePad 11 (2023) and FreeBuds Pro 2 Plus will be announced alongside these handsets.

The Huawei P60 lineup is expected to include three devices, namely P60, P60 Pro, and P60 Art. The Pro model is expected to come with a 2K OLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, and a self-developed XMAGE 2..0 image processing powered triple camera system headed by a 50MP Sony IMX888 sensor.

On the other hand, not much is known about the Mate X3, except that it will arrive with a 2K internal foldable display without any notch or punch-hole and a satellite communication system.

5. Samsung Galaxy F14

Samsung Galaxy F14

The Samsung Galaxy F14 is scheduled to go official in India on March 24 at 12 PM IST. Thanks to leaks and teasers, all the key features of the phone are already known.

It is said to come with a 6.6-inch FHD+ 90Hz display (LCD), an Exynos 1330 chipset, a 50MP primary camera, One UI Core 5 based on Android 13, 2 guaranteed Android updates, 13 5G bands, a 6,000mAh battery, and 25W charging support.

Last but not least, the handset is expected to cost under ₹15,000.

Discover Your Smartphone’s Display with Samsung’s OLED Era Page

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Mar 17, 2023

Samsung has recently launched a dedicated webpage called “OLED Era” to help users identify whether their smartphones are equipped with OLED screens or not. This new feature is a useful resource for those interested in learning more about the display technology used in their Samsung devices. Here are the details…

Samsung’s OLED Era Page: A One-Stop Resource for Identifying OLED-equipped Smartphones

To access the OLED Era page, simply visit the Samsung Display website by clicking here. Once there, you can type in your smartphone’s brand and name to see if it has an OLED screen. Alternatively, you can browse a list of Samsung and other brands to find out which models have OLED displays.

Keep in mind that not every Samsung smartphone uses an OLED screen. Some budget-friendly models come with LCD screens, which are more affordable but also have some drawbacks compared to OLED screens. Samsung generally reserves OLED screens for its high-end smartphones, such as the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series.

OLED, short for Organic Light Emitting Diode, is a display technology that uses organic compounds to create light. Unlike LCD screens that need a backlight, each pixel in an OLED screen emits its own light. This results in more accurate colors, deeper blacks, and higher contrast ratios. OLED screens are slimmer, lighter, and more energy-efficient than LCD screens. They also boast faster refresh rates, making them perfect for gaming and other fast-paced applications.

There are two primary types of OLED screens: PMOLED (Passive Matrix OLED) and AMOLED (Active Matrix OLED). PMOLED screens are more straightforward and cheaper, but they have limited resolution, making them suitable for small displays like smartwatches. AMOLED screens, on the other hand, are more advanced and costly but offer higher resolution and superior performance, which is ideal for larger displays like smartphones and TVs.

Samsung’s OLED Era page is a convenient tool for users looking to learn more about their smartphone’s display technology. By offering an easy way to find out if a Samsung smartphone features an OLED screen, Samsung provides valuable information for those interested in the benefits of OLED technology. As OLED screens continue to grow in popularity and become more common in electronic devices, resources like Samsung’s OLED Era page will be invaluable for consumers seeking the ultimate display experience.

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Asus Chromebook CR11 & CR11 Flip laptops launched in China with Intel N200

By

Sean

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Mar 17, 2023

Asus has just updated its budget lineup of Chromebooks. These new notebooks are geared towards educational purposes and includes the new Chromebook CR11 and CR11 Flip model, both of which are based on the Intel Alder Lake N processors.

The Taiwanese PC maker’s new Chromebook models sport an 11.6 inch HD displays. The CR11 (CR1102C) features an Intel N200 processor that is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage. On the other hand, Chromebook CR11 Flip (CR1102F) is a flip model with touchscreen support, an adjustable stylus, and a 360 degree hinge. Both laptops also feature a study build with rubber bumpers, spill resistant keyboards, MIL-STD-810H tested drop proof and shock resistant design.

The new notebooks are also built as a portable offering for IT professionals and launched the new Asus laptops with a modular design, which makes it easier to swap out components like the touchpads, display, and keyboards in a matter of minutes. Both the Asus Chromebook CR11 and CR11 Flip arrive with two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type C ports along with USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A ports, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD card slot. Other notable features include, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, 50Wh battery, and a 45W USB Type C power adapter.

Both models have a 720p webcam with a privacy shutter, although, the CR11 Flip model also offers an 8 megapixel world facing camera above the keyboard. So when you flip the keyboard thanks to the 360 degree hinge you can take videos or pictures like a tablet. The CR11 can also fit the stylus inside the body, which is an optional purchase.

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Baidu Shares Fall amidst a disappointing launch of Ernie Bot: The much-awaited rival of ChatGPT

By

Joane

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Mar 17, 2023

Baidu launched Ernie Bot the AI chatbot which will compete with ChatGPT, yesterday at Baidu’s Beijing Headquarter. The launch event saw CEO Robin Li presenting slides of images and pre-recorded videos of the chatbot instead of a live demo. Even the recorded videos did not show any extraordinary features, which ultimately led to a fall in the company’s share price.

The hour-long launch event gave a very small glimpse of the much-awaited Ernie Bot which was speculated to take on the world’s most famous AI app ChtaGPT. ChatGPT is taking the world by storm with its ability to converse like a human, compose music, write and debug computer programs, write stories, poetries, fairy tales, essays, and speeches, take tests, and more. However, the launch event of Ernie Bot showed very limited features like the bot carrying out mathematical calculations, speaking in Chinese dialects, and generating a video and image with text prompts.

Also where ChatGPT was opened to the general public last November, Ernie Bot is still developing and Baidu has released the beta version to selected users only. The company said that it will open the chatbot for a small group of individual users with invitation codes. Corporate organizations who wish to use the chatbot’s service can embed the bot into their products via Baidu’s cloud platform.

Baidu’s Share Price and Future Value

Last month when Baidu announced its plan to take on ChatGPT with the indigenous Ernie Bot the company shares soar within hours and gained almost 15%. However, the use of pre-recorded videos and lack of public launch disappointed the investors and send the company stocks crashing. Baidu’s Hong Kong shares fell as much as 10% during the event and closed at a 6.4% lower price. The company lost almost $3 billion in market value within an hour.

During the presentation, CEO Li admitted that Ernie Bot was far from perfect and was launched not because it was ready but only because the market demanded it. Post-event, the company said that after the release of ChatGPT, only Baidu has made a benchmark product among the major tech companies in the world. Though the company did not comment on the sharp drop in stock price, it released an official statement saying that the traffic on Baidu’s cloud was soaring as more than 30,000 corporate users had applied to test the API of Ernie Bot’s business-facing edition.

86Research analyst Charlie Chai said that though the event didn’t go well with investors, he still viewed Baidu as the best in China’s AI space. He further added that he would still advise investors to patiently hold on to Baidu shares as the company has great future prospects.

Baidu has great plans for using Artificial Intelligence in almost all segments of its business. The company has spent years in research and Development and invested extensively in Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning Technology. The company’s game plan is to use Ernie Bot to revolutionize its search engine and advance its cloud services. It also plans to integrate the AI chatbot with its smart car technology and household appliances thereby creating a whole new eco-system controlled by Artificial Intelligence.

OnePlus CEO shares Oppo Find X6 Pro’s low light camera samples

By

Sean

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Mar 17, 2023

Oppo is gearing up to launch its latest generation of flagship smartphones later this month. But ahead of their official announcement, the CEO of OnePlus has shared some impressive low light camera samples taken from the Find X6 Pro.

Peta Lau, the CEO and Co Founder of OnePlus, shared the camera samples on his official Weibo account (a Chinese microblogging website). In the social media post, the executive stated that he saw camera samples taken from the telephoto shooter on the Find X6 Pro yesterday and today (17th March 2023) he got his hands on low light camera samples. For those unaware, the Chinese smartphone maker is gearing up to the launch the Oppo Find X6 series on March 21.

During this event, the company will also unveil a number of new products like the Pad 2 flagship tablet, Enco Free 3 truly wireless earbuds. Looking at the images shared by the exec, there were three pictures uploaded of the same scene for a better comparison. The first image is likely the one taken from the Find X6 Pro and we can see that it manages to retain a fair amount of detail in a night scenario.

The image does not over expose the light sources while the other two images show blown out scenes. Furthermore, it also keeps the scene around the church well lit and doesn’t darken the entire scene. This was all the information shared in the social media post, so stick around for more as we will be covering the launch event later this month.

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