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Google is Changing the Way Pixel Users Exit the Android Beta Program

Pixel fans are always Google has announced that it will launch the beta program for the June Feature Drop on March 13th, 2023. Pixel users who are on the QPR2 Beta will automatically receive Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1 next week if they don’t exit the program by March 13th. However, the big news is that Google is changing the way to exit the Beta program without wiping the phone.

Google Pixel 7

Previously, if users were going to exit the Android 13 QPR2 Beta program, they had to install the stable version of QPR2 before opting out of the Beta program. But now, if they want the stable version of QPR2, they will need to exit the Beta program first. To do this, before March 13th, users will need to go to www.google.com/android/beta and click on the rectangle that says “View your eligible devices.” They will then be taken to an image of their Pixel device with the words “Opt out” underneath. Once they tap on the button, that’s pretty much it. As long as users ignore all the other downgrade buttons, opting out will not force them to wipe their phones. However, users will still have to wait for the stable version of the QPR2 update (the March Feature Drop) to be released later this month.

If users refuse to opt out, they won’t receive the stable version of QPR2. If they can’t wait to return to the latest public version, they can simply tap on “downgrade OTA update,” but be warned that doing this will force users to wipe their phones. If they do nothing, users will receive the QPR3 Beta 1 update on Monday and they will be forced to stick with the Beta program until June 5th when the June Feature Drop should be released by Google, unless users want to wipe their phones clean. This is a significant change, and Google wants to make sure that users don’t accidentally wipe their data, so they are taking all the steps to cover their bases.

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New Google Pixel 7 Bug Doesn’t Let Users Save Zoomed-in Pictures

Since the launch of the Google Pixel 7, the phone has received rave reviews from critics with regard to its camera setup. The device constantly grabs headlines in the tech space whenever the topic of the best smartphone cameras comes up. However, Pixel devices are also infamous for being home to various bugs occasionally. In the past, users have faced bugs such as the camera app freezing, and another bug causing auto-rotate and tap-to-wake to stop working. As per reports, the latest bug doesn’t let users save images that they capture while they are zoomed in on the camera app.

Google Pixel 7

Pixel smartphones have encountered a bug that prevents users from saving photos taken while using periscope zoom, with reports coming in from various users of the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro phones. When users take a photo using periscope zoom and try to save it, the camera app hesitates for a while, but ultimately nothing happens. It has been found that the issue occurs with phones that have version 8.7.250.494820638.44 of the Google Camera app, and is likely due to HDR functionality. 

However, there is no real danger, and users need not worry about anything serious, such as their phones freezing or spontaneously combusting. Google has not yet commented on the issue, but a fix is expected to be available soon. The company might even ship the fix with the new QPR2 update (or the feature drop) coming later this month,  While Pixel phones have had a few bugs in the past, their ever-growing list of features continues to make them some of the best Android phones available.

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Microsoft is Investing in Algae To Reduce Carbon Footprint

The big tech industry has seen massive growth in recent years, with companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft leading the way. However, this growth has come at a cost to the environment, as the carbon footprint of these companies continues to increase. The energy required to power the massive data centers that support their services, as well as the energy consumed by their employees and customers, are major contributors to their carbon emissions. Despite efforts to transition to renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency, the scale and speed of their operations make it difficult to fully mitigate their impact on the environment. As a result, it is important for big tech companies to prioritize sustainability and reduce their carbon footprint in order to mitigate the negative effects of their operations on the planet. Microsoft is one of those companies.

Microsoft

As one of the tech industry giants, Microsoft faces an alarming carbon pollution problem, which is only escalating despite its commitment to becoming carbon negative by 2030. In response, the company has sought out Running Tide, an organization that specializes in mitigating the environmental impact of large-scale corporations. Running Tide, which has previously worked with Stripe and Shopify, intends to tackle Microsoft’s carbon emissions by utilizing the ocean as a carbon sink.

The plan is to grow kelp, or algae, on biodegradable buoys, which will absorb carbon dioxide before sinking to the ocean floor. Although this is a relatively new process, Running Tide has stated that it has removed less than 1,000 tons of carbon in research and test deployments, with the goal of removing up to 12,000 tons over two years for Microsoft alone. While the carbon removal industry is still in its early stages, the innovative approach taken by Running Tide has the potential to significantly reduce Microsoft’s carbon footprint, despite concerns from some scientists about the potential impact on ocean ecosystems.

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RoboUP No Perimeter Wire Robotic Lawn Mower: Maintain your Lawn using AI Robot

RoboUP has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its innovative No Perimeter Wire Robotic Lawn Mower. This interesting device helps you to maintain and manage your lawn easily, without any hassle. You can get the RoboUP T2000P Robotic lawn mower for $1699 under the Super Early Bird Offer. Apart from this, the campaign also offers various pledge options like early bird VIP specials and bundle deals that allow backers to choose the package that best suits their needs.

RoboUP Lawn Mower is the world’s first Robot Lawn Mower that uses RTK, robot vision, and AI technology to give you perfectly mowed and leveled lawns. Lawn care or lawn management is an important part of your housekeeping as a perfectly mowed lawn not only is aesthetically pleasing but also helps to keep your environment healthy and clean. Proper lawn care ensures that your lawn can withstand threats from lawn-damaging weeds and insects. It also ensures that your flowers, grass, and shrubs can fight off diseases. 

However, lawn management can be a tiring and time-consuming job. To keep your lawn healthy, attractive, and manageable you need to mow it every 6 to 7 days. With busy schedules, it often becomes difficult to find time to mow your lawn regularly and consistently. But you can choose the RoboUP lawn Mower to do this job for you and forget about your lawn maintenance forever.  

RoboUP gives you a perfectly mowed lawn for all types of yards, without the need for perimeter wiring. The robot comes with a proprietary Dynamic Exact Positioning System (DEPS) that helps it to mow efficiently in parallel lines and trim along edges with precision. Dual AI cameras, help it to avoid objects and living things and give you a safe and hazard-free mowing experience.

RoboUP No Perimeter Wire Lawn Mower features RTK GPS, Robot Vision, and AI that help it to navigate the yard without any need for perimeter wiring and also avoid obstacles and hurdles. The device can mow up to half an acre area on a single charge and can work on 45-degree slopes. 

Powered by the AI boundary real-time recognition and accompanying smart app you can go for multi-zone management and control the device remotely. RoboUP comes with an automatic charging function. This means once the device is out of charge it will automatically go to the charging station to juice up and resume its interrupted mowing session. 

RoboUP lawn mower comes with an anti-theft device and is easy to operate and maintain. It is a super silent lawn mower with less than 56dBA noise level and is IPX6 certified waterproof. Other interesting features include a built-in rain sensor, voice assistant support, patent floating front wheel design, etc. 

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

Upcoming Smartphones in March 2023: Redmi, Poco, Oppo, Huawei, and More

The Mobile World Congress 2023 ended a few days back. But brands are still expected to release new smartphones throughout March.

These handsets range from budget to flagship segments. Around 11 brands are said to debut new phones in the coming days.

A few of these devices have already gone official. However, they will be making their way to more markets this month.

But most of these handsets are brand-new. Some of them are even the most-anticipated releases, such as the Oppo Find X6 series and Redmi Note 12 Turbo.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at these phones one by one.

Upcoming Smartphones in March 2023

1. Oppo Find N2 Flip

OPPO-Find-N2-Flip-
Oppo Find N2 Flip

The Oppo Find N2 Flip was initially announced in China in December. It made its global debut in February. Now, the device is scheduled to release in India.

Oppo has confirmed that it will reveal the pricing and availability of its first clamshell foldable smartphone for India on March 13. It is not known if the product will be available for pre-order on the same day.

Some of the features of this phone include a 6.8-inch 120Hz LTPO foldable display, a 3.26-inch cover display, a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus chipset, a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary camera, a 4,300mAh battery, and 44W fast wired charging support.

2. Poco X5

Poco X5
Poco X5

The Poco X5 was announced alongside the Poco X5 Pro for Europe in February. A month later, the device is now set to launch in India on March 14.

The vanilla X5 is the same as the Redmi Note 12 but features a Snapdragon 695 SoC instead of a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chip. Thus, it arrives with a 6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, a 48MP main camera, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a 5,000mAh battery, and 33W fast charging support.

3. Samsung Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34

Samsung Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34
Samsung Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34

Samsung is tipped to unveil the Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34 on March 15. However, in India, these handsets have been officially confirmed to break cover on March 16.

Just like all Samsung smartphones, almost everything about this duo is also known ahead of their official debut. We have been hearing about them for months. Both of them will look similar to the Galaxy S23 series but will offer a different set of specs. 

The A34 will come with a 6.6-inch dewdrop-notched display, a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chip, and a 48MP primary camera. Whereas, the A54 will arrive with a smaller 6.4-inch centered punch-hole display, an Exynos 1380 SoC, and a 50MP main camera.

4. iQOO Z7 Series

iQOO Z7

The iQOO Z7 is planned to launch in India on March 21. The brand has already confirmed all the key details of the device.

The Z7 will come with a Dimensity 920 chipset, an AMOLED display, an OIS-assisted 64MP primary camera, Funtouch OS 13 based on Android 13, and 44W fast charging support.

The handset is designed exclusively for India and it is tipped to cost ₹17,999 for 6GB RAM and 128GB RAM. It is also said to come in an 8GB + 128GB memory configuration and two colors (Pacific Night and Norway Blue).

The Chinese version of iQOO Z7 is also expected this month. It will be a different product altogether powered by a Snapdragon 782G chipset. It will be accompanied by iQOO Zx featuring a Snapdragon 695 SoC.

5. Vivo Y11 (2023)

Vivo
Vivo Y11 (2019)

The Vivo Y11 (2023) is tipped to launch in China by the end of March. The smartphone is also said to debut in global markets in April.

The phone is expected to arrive with a 6.5-inch FHD+ display (LCD), a MediaTek chipset, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, a MicroSD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a 5,000mAh battery, and 18W charging support.

6. Redmi Note 12 Turbo and Redmi Note 12 4G

Redmi Note 12 4G

The Redmi Note 12 Turbo is expected to house the yet-be-announced Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 1 chipset, which is said to be an underclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. This phone may release by the end of March in China and later in other markets as Poco F5.

It is tipped to come with a 6.67-inch 120Hz OLED display, an in-screen fingerprint sensor, a 50MP + 8MP + 2MP triple camera system, a 5,000mAh battery, 67W charging support, and MIUI 14 based on Android 13.

On the other hand, the Redmi Note 12 4G will be identical to the 5G variant, except for the chipset, It will be powered by an overclocked Snapdragon 680 SoC instead of a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chip. This phone could go official this month or next.

7. Redmi A2 and Redmi A2 Plus

Redmi
Redmi A2

Xiaomi might launch Redmi A2 and Redmi A2 Plus by the end of March. The successors of Redmi A1 and Redmi A1 Plus are tipped to come with the almost same set of features.

The major difference is the newer models will house a MediaTek Helio G36 SoC instead of an Helio A22 SoC. They are expected to offer a 6.52-inch HD+ display, an 8MP rear camera, a 5MP front-facing camera, Android 13 Go Edition, a 5,000mAh battery, and 10W charging support.

The Redmi A2 Plus will house a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, while the vanilla Redmi A2 won’t.

8. Realme GT Neo 5 SE and Realme C55

Realme C55
Realme C55

The Realme GT Neo 5 SE is the second smartphone on the list powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 1 chipset. It is expected to go official by the end of March.

It is said to arrive with a 6.74-inch 2K 144Hz OLED display, a 64MP (wide) + 8MP (ultra-wide) + 2MP (macro) triple camera system, a 16MP front-facing camera, Android 13-based ColorOS 13, a 5,500mAh battery, and 100W fast charging support.

Whereas, the Realme C55 was just recently released in Indonesia. It is anticipated to debut in other markets in the next few weeks. Its primary features include a MediaTek Helio G88 chip, a 6.72-inch 90Hz display (LCD), iPhone 14 Pro-like dynamic island functionality, a 64MP main camera, and 33W fast charging support.

9. Infinix Hot 30 Series

Infinix Hot 30i
Infinix Hot 30i

The Infinix Hot 30 lineup may debut before March ends. The series is said to include handsets, such as Infinix Hot 30, Infinix Hot 30i, and Infinix Hot 30 Play.

The Hot 30 and Hot 30i are expected to look identical. Thanks to a leak, we even know some specs of the latter device,

The Hot 30i is tipped to arrive with a 6.6-inch HD+ display, a MediaTek Helio G37 chip, a 50MP main camera, Android 12, a 5,000mAh battery, and 18W charging support.

10. Oppo Find X6 Series

Oppo Find X6 Pro mockup
Oppo Find X6 Pro

The Oppo Find X6 series is anticipated to launch later this month. It is rumored to go official on March 21. As usual, the lineup is said to include two models, namely Oppo Find X6 and Oppo Find X6 Pro.

The vanilla and Pro variants are tipped to house a MediaTek Dimensity 9200 SoC and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, respectively. Both phones are said to come with triple 50MP cameras and a 32MP selfie camera. The main sensor on the Pro version will measure 1 inch in size.

The duo is rumored to be backed by a 5,000mAh battery. The Pro version will carry support for 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, whereas the vanilla model will be limited to 80W wired charging.

11. Huawei P60 Series

Huawei P60
Huawei P60 Pro

The Huawei P60 family of premium smartphones may break cover by the end of March. It is expected to go official on March 23.

The lineup is tipped to include three handsets, such as Huawei P60, Huawei P60 Pro, and Huawei P60 Ultra. They are said to feature cameras powered by the company’s in-house XMAGE imaging technology.

Unfortunately, they will be limited to 4G connectivity despite housing the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset due to the US ban.

12. Meizu 20 Series

Meizu 20 Pro
Meizu 20 Pro

The Meizu 20 series may also go official before March ends. The lineup is anticipated to include two phones, such as Meizu 20 and Meizu 20 Pro. Their design will be inspired by the Galaxy S23 series.

The Pro variant is said to offer a QHD+ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, LPDDR5x RAM, UFS 4.0 storage, a 50MP primary camera, a 5,000mAh battery, and 80W wired/50W wireless charging support.

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Zero Showcases the SR-X Electric Motorcycle With a Stunning Design

Zero has provided some impressive footage of the Zero SR-X electric motorcycle. The new concept e-bike has a design based on the Zero SRS motorcycle. It has an impressive design that holds promise for sustainability-focused fans of the Zero brand.

The Zero SR-X concept e-bike is an all-electric two-wheeler that comes in a design that is bound to resonate with consumers. The new electric motorcycle concept is expected to replace the Zero SRS flagship in the future. The Zero SR-X has a futuristic concept design and a sporty look to go with it. It was developed as a collaboration between Zero and Huge-Design. Zero claims that the SR-X will offer a glimpse into the near future of electric motorcycles. The designers of the bike prioritized clean lines and high performance, while also ensuring aesthetic appeal.

The Zero SR-X is based on the SRS and comes with the same chassis allegedly. It is equipped with the ZF75-10 drivetrain that delivers a peak output of 110Hp and 190 Nm of torque. It has a lithium-ion battery with a 17.3kWh capacity. There are several key details still lacking for the SR-X. Performance metrics like the acceleration, top speed, range, and charging time for the model are not yet known. It is unclear when the Zero SR-X will transit into a production model. Whenever that happens, we expect the Zero SR-X electric motorcycle to hit the market with a bang.

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Lenovo ThinkStation P5, P7, and PX With Intel Sapphire Rapids Xeon Scalable CPUs Unveiled

Lenovo has unveiled the ThinkStation P5, P7, and dual-socket PX workstations. The new Lenovo PCs have the legendary Aston Martin design chassis and feature the Intel Sapphire Rapids Xeon CPU. The scalable CPU architecture means that some of the models have up to 120 cores. The new workstations also come with the Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada GPUs.

Lenovo ThinkStation P5

The Lenovo ThinkStation P5 comes with the Nvidia RTX A6000 based on Ampere while the P7 and PX feature Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada GPUs. The parameters of the three new Lenovo workstations make them the most powerful series released by the OEM. The new models combine performance with aesthetics. The collaboration with Aston Martin will see the chassis of the ThinkStation P5, P7, and PX adorning the Aston Martin looks. The 3D grill chassis of the models are based on the Aston Martin DBS. They also feature redesigned air baffles, 3D hexagonal vents, and Lenovo’s three-channel cooling system.

The Lenovo ThinkStation P5 has an Intel Xeon W-2400 processor with up to 24 cores. The processor supports 64 PCIe Gen 5 and the ECC memory is expandable to 512GB while storage can reach 3×4 TB NVMe and/or 3×12 TB SATA. The ThinkStation P7 CPU has up to 56 cores and offers the best performance of a single-socket configuration. The Lenovo ThinkStation PX is the premium offering among the lot. It has a dual-socket configuration while the processor can reach up to 120 cores. It also features significant memory and storage improvement over the P5 and P7. The ThinkStation PX has an additional 10GbE LAN which is absent in the other models.

As part of the Lenovo-Aston Martin collaboration, the carmaker will use the workstations for automotive design and development. All three workstations feature Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 vPro with Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. They are preloaded with Windows 11 Pro for Workstation and Ubuntu. The systems also support Windows 10 Enterprise and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

The three new Lenovo workstations are expected to berth in the market by the end of May 2023. Lenovo has not provided any pricing details for the models yet.

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Silicon Valley Bank Liquidated, Biggest Bank Failure Since 2008 Global Financial Crisis

US banking regulators on Friday issued an immediate notice on Friday, stating that Silicon Valley Bank, one of the country’s largest banks, has its operations shut down by Californian authorities, and the bank’s assets have been seized and taken over by the country’s Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Silicon Valley Bank Liquidated
Image Source: Reuters

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was a commercial bank headquartered in Santa Clara, California. The bank’s customers and depositors are mostly consisted of technology workers in the US, tech startups in Silicon Valley and venture capital-backed companies. The bank used to operate from 29 offices in the United States and from offices in India, the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Denmark, and Sweden.

As reported by CNBC, the Silicon Valley Bank bank run is the largest US bank failure since the 2008 global financial crisis that happened more than a decade ago. The interference from regulators comes shortly after the shares of SVB were halted on Friday after tumbling as much as 66% in premarket trading. 

FDIC, the organisation tasked to handle the bank’s closure, has stated that it has created the Deposit Insurance National Bank of Santa Clara, which now holds the insured deposits from SVB. The press release also mentions SVB’s official cheques will continue to clear. The main office in Santa Clara and all branches of Silicon Valley Bank will reopen on March 13 Monday and all insured depositors will have full access to their insured deposits no later than Monday morning.

For context, the FDIC’s standard insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, for each account ownership category. It is unclear exactly how larger accounts or credit lines for companies will be impacted by the closure.

The FDIC said it would seek to liquidate SVB’s assets and that future dividend payments may be made to uninsured depositors. Uninsured depositors will be receiving an advanced dividend within the next week, with potential additional dividend payments as the regulator gradually sells SVB’s assets.

CNBC reports that the closure of SVB would impact not only the deposits but also credit facilities and other forms of financing. The FDIC said loan customers of SVB should continue to make their payments as normal.

United States of America Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said during testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee on Friday morning that she was “monitoring very carefully” developments at a few banks in the country. Yellen made her comments before the FDIC took over SVB.

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Sony WF-C700N Budget Earbuds With ANC Certified by Bluetooth SIG

The Sony WF-C700N has been leaked and the budget earbuds will support active noise cancellation (ANC). The WF-C700N is the successor to the Sony WF-C500 but has been upgraded to support ANC. The leaked pair of earbuds will be a cheaper alternative to the Sony WF-1000XM4. The details of the leak were contained in a report by the Walkman Blog.

Sony WF-C700N

The WF-C500 was launched in 2021 and had an affordable price tag. It however did not come with ANC functionality and this was a major drawback. The WF-C700N however remedies that shortcoming. There has been a previous leak of the WF-C700N with model number YY2968. The new leaked details, therefore, point to the imminent release of the product.

The Bluetooth SIG certification of the WF-C700N indicates that the earbuds will support Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. That is another improvement over its predecessor which had Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. It is expected that the new pair of earbuds will support the LDAC codecs, omitted from the WF-C500.

There are a few similarities between the new WF-C700N and its predecessor. For one, the new earbuds closely resemble its predecessor. It will be available in the same black, green, white, and violet colors as the WF-C500. There are also no indications that the battery life of the new model will surpass that of its predecessor (10 hours).

Sony has not provided full availability and pricing details yet for the WF-C700N earbuds. There are hover speculations that it could be released anytime soon, possibly by spring this year. It is however expected that the WF-C700N will be more affordable than the higher WF-1000XM4 premium earbuds.

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Custom BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept e-Scooter Unveiled

BMW Motorrad and Austrian customizing specialist Vagabund Moto GmbH have unveiled the BMW CE 04 electric scooter. The concept e-scooter is based on the BMW CE 04 and has an eye-catching, sporty, and functional outlook. The machine has a youth-centric design but the company says it will appeal to an even wider demography. The fashionable and functional BMW CE 04 e-scooter has a functional design and is equipped with a 42Hp motor with a battery that delivers up to 80 miles of range.

BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept e-Scooter

The BMW CE 04 e-scooter concept has a top case that showcases smiley faces and also serves as additional storage for the bike. It also has a surfboard with an integrated transport system for amphibious movement. The BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto concept is a stylish, multifunctional, and versatile e-scooter for urban travel.

BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept e-Scooter

According to Vagabund’s Managing Director and Founder, the new concept e-scooter comes with a great touch of individuality and functionality. It was based on a strong synergy between functionality and aesthetics and is suitable for daily use.

BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept e-Scooter

The e-scooter concept has an attractive color scheme that combines black, white, green, and beige to deliver a unique look. Performance-wise, the e-scooter can go from 0-50km/h in 2.6 seconds while the battery can be recharged up to 80% in 65 minutes. There is an optional fast charging solution also available. There are no details at this time on the production trajectory of the BMW CE 04. BMW Motorrad however expects the model to provide work, leisure, and individual flair to suit the choices of customers.

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Benro Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Theta: An Intelligent Modular Travel Tripod

Benro Theta is the latest intelligent travel tripod launched by Benro. The company has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the product. 

Theta is a highly innovative and intelligent tripod designed for the globe trotter and adventure lover who is always on the go. It works as steadily and efficiently as any other tripod available in the market but comes with some unique and interesting additional features that take your photography experience to the next level. Basically, Theta helps you to capture your image quickly and efficiently even in the most difficult terrain and ground. 

Key Features and Functions:

Smart Leveling:

Theta comes with a smart leveling function. Auto-leveling helps you save time as you don’t need to find a flat surface or manually keep on adjusting your tripod to get a straight shot. To level your theta you need to simply keep the get the camera level on the ball head. The Theta ball head was designed with a locking system that allows the ball head to be aligned with the tripod at all times and can be switched between free mode and roll lock mode.

Lightweight, compact, and stable:

Most tripods available in the market compromise on compactness and portability or stability or choose stability and sturdiness over portability. However, while designing theta the company was very sure that they didn’t want to compromise on stability or portability.

Theta used structural optimization of the central shaft in order to have zero wasted space while maintaining a round tube design. This increased the stability and capacity of the tripod which weighs just 1.25 kg and comes to 44cm in size when folded. 

Single-step camera mounting:

Theta comes with an automatic snap-lock mechanism that helps you to mount your camera quickly and safely, with a single click. You can also remove or unmount your camera with a single click. 

Other Interesting Features:

  • 10-second deployment and storage
  • Aluminum casting for durability and longevity
  • Carbon fiber legs increase sturdiness and can be used in water
  • Compatible with Arca swiss plates and L brackets
  • Anti-slip leg locking mechanism
  • Perfectly stable in different terrains and weather conditions like light rain and wind, sand, water, etc
  • Theta App – To remotely frame and control the camera
  • Auto-detect ambient light – allows the camera module to determine optimal exposure settings
  • Live stream in high quality using Theta’s GoLive module 

Benro has also created an advanced version of Theta called Theta Max: a heavy-duty travel tripod for professionals who carry heavy and bulky cameras. For more information on Theta and Theta Max check out the Kickstarter campaign page here

Benro Theta is priced at $599 per unit. However, under the early bird offer, the brand is offering a whopping 42% discount to its backers. Thus you can get this tripod for as low as $349 only.

About Benro:

Benro has been designing and manufacturing tripods for the last thirty years. The brand makes the most basic camera tripods, to advanced products like the Polaris Smart Tripod Head and Theta Smart Tripod. 

JMGO N1 Ultra Triple-laser Projector With Adjustable Stand Unveiled

JMGO has released a new triple-laser projector with an adjustable stand. The JMGO N1 Ultra projector has a 4K output and can display images up to 150 inches. It has a peak brightness of 4,000 ANSI lumens for illuminating the projections.

JMGO N1 Ultra

The N1 Ultra is being offered via Kickstarter with a starting price of $1,099. The crowdfunding campaign for the JMGO N1 Ultra comes three months after the product was launched in China. At the China launch, the JMGO N1 Pro and N1 Ultra were released. However, JMGO will not be selling the N1 Pro outside China. The projector has an original price of $2,299 and will revert to that price after the current campaign. The JMGO N1 Ultra will begin shipping to the international market by May 2023.

The JMGO N1 Ultra is equipped with a DMD chip that provides for the 4K output. The projector also offers 135-degree vertical and 360-degree horizontal adjustment. The projector has a 1:2:1 throw ratio, a 1600:1 contrast ratio, and a 110% BT.2020 color space coverage. The projector’s dimensions are 241 x 236 x 203 mm and it features dual HDMI ports, a USB-A port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The projector runs on Android TV 11 and was co-created with Dynaudio.

The crowdfunding campaign for the N1 Ultra will last until the end of April 2023. The Kickstarter page of the product has currently garnered $961,642 in pledges far above the $20,000 target.

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OnePlus Takes Lead in the Android with Extended Update Support

It’s no secret that Android users are often dissatisfied with the frequency of software updates. Although this issue has slightly improved in recent years, almost every brand has received complaints from users. Fortunately, OnePlus is taking a significant step to change this perception by offering extended software upgrades. The company strives to be a reliable, long-term friend to users. Here are the details…

OnePlus Aims to Be a Long-Term Friend to Users with Extended Software Upgrades

OnePlus has officially announced that its users can enjoy the longest software version maintenance update in the market. This news has created a buzz in the smartphone market, and it is expected to benefit users of OnePlus 11, OnePlus Ace 2, and OnePlus Ace 2V. Here are the details…

OnePlus poster

According to the company’s statement, the OnePlus 11 will receive 4 major Android version upgrades and push security patches every 5 years. On the other hand, Ace 2 and Ace 2V will receive 3 major Android version upgrades and push security patches every 4 years. This means that users of these devices will have access to the latest features and security updates for a much longer period than any other smartphone brand in the market.

Li Jie, President of OnePlus China, expressed his gratitude to the users for their support and recognition. He also stated that this decision of providing the longest software version maintenance update is not an easy one, as it involves a huge investment in research and development, amounting to more than 100 million yuan. However, OnePlus is committed to providing the latest software updates to its users, and this latest announcement takes its commitment to a whole new level.

The company is known for its commitment to providing regular updates to its devices. This latest announcement shows that OnePlus is willing to be a real “long-term friend” with its users. It is a testament to their dedication to providing the best user experience and building long-term relationships with their customers.

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Nubia Z50 Ultra is now available for pre-order on Giztop

Nubia Z50 Ultra is now available for pre-order on Giztop. You can pre-order the latest smartphone from Nubia for a starting price of $699 only. Please note that this is a pre-order and the product will be shipped after March 18. 

WHERE TO BUY
Nubia Z50 Ultra at $699 @Giztop

Nubia Z50 Ultra features a 6.8-inch FHD+ AMOLED display and supports a 144Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Octa-core processor and comes in multiple memory variants viz. 8GB/ 12GB/ 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB/ 512GB/ 1TB UFS 4.0 internal storage. 

The smartphone comes with a triple rear camera set up with a 35mm 64-megapixel Sony IMX787 main camera with OIS support, an 85mm 64-megapixel periscope zoom camera with OIS support, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera, which doubles up as a macro camera. For your selfies, you have a 16MP OmniVision OV16A1Q front-facing camera powered by the company’s NeoVision imaging algorithm. 

The phone is fueled with a 5000mAh battery and supports 80W fast charging and 15W wireless charging. It runs on the latest Android 13-based MyOS 13. Other interesting features include dual stereo speakers with support for DTS X: Ultra, complete access to Google play store, dual-SIM, 5G, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, etc. 

Nubia Z50 Ultra is available in Black, and Grey color options. You can now pre-order the phone for $699 only at Giztop. Please note that this price is applicable to the base variant. 

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

Vivo T2x Global Launch Seems Near as It appears on Google Play Console

Vivo might be ready to launch a new mid-range smartphone in the global market. The product in question is called the Vivo T2x and it was unveiled last year in China with decent specifications and a rather familiar design. While there’s no official confirmation about the handset’s international launch, its Google Play console listing suggests we won’t have to wait for long.

Vivo T2x has been spotted on the Google Play console with a MediaTek MT6833 chip. This is likely the Dimensity 700 SoC, which powers many affordable smartphones out there. Further, the listing reveals the Vivo T2x 5G global variant will arrive with a Full HD+ resolution display and run Android 13 OS out of the box. The panel could have a 440 PPI pixel density and a water-drop-shaped notch. It may come with 8GB of RAM.

Vivo-T2x-5G-Google-Play-Console
Image Via MySmartPrice

Notably, the Chinese version of the handset featured a MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset coupled with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It packs a 6.58-inch IPS LCD display with FHD+ resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The LCD panel boasts a 240Hz touch sampling rate, DC Dimming, DCI-P3 color space coverage, and a peak brightness of 650 nits.

The handset debuted in China with a dual 50MP main sensor + 2MP macro lens setup, and is equipped with a brand-new linear axis vibration motor. Vivo T2x packs a particularly large 6,000mAh battery with support for Vivo’s Wired 44W FlashCharge that can charge the phone from 0% to 50% in 35 minutes. Vivo is yet to confirm the global launch of the Vivo T2x. We can expect the brand to release an official announcement pretty soon. Stay tuned.

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Nextube Retro Nixie Clock: A Modern Display Inspired by the Past

Indiegogo is becoming a hub for fascinating and innovative projects with each passing day. Individuals and companies with bold and unconventional ideas turn to this platform to raise the necessary funds to grab the attention of potential users. As Gizmochina, we sift through these campaigns to bring you the most intriguing ones. This week’s most attention-grabbing project was the Nextube retro nixie clock-inspired modern display. Let’s dive into the specifics of this exciting product.

The Nextube Retro Nixie Clock, Bringing Vintage Charm to Modern Displays

The Nextube retro nixie clock is a unique and visually appealing timepiece that merges modern technology with vintage style. Inspired by nixie tubes from the 1950s, the clock features a set of glowing numerals that change every second, giving it an enchanting and mesmerizing effect. The Nextube clock is designed with sleek aluminum casing and comes with a variety of color options, making it an ideal addition to any interior design.

What sets the Nextube clock apart from other retro nixie clocks is its ability to connect to Wi-Fi and display real-time data. Users can customize the display to show weather forecasts, news headlines, or even social media updates. Additionally, the clock comes with a mobile app that allows users to set alarms, adjust the brightness, and choose from different animations.

The Nextube clock is currently seeking funding on Indiegogo, and it has already gained a lot of interest from the backers. With its unique combination of vintage and modern design, the Nextube clock is sure to be a conversation starter in any room. So, if you’re looking for a timeless timepiece that stands out from the crowd, be sure to check out the Nextube retro nixie clock on Indiegogo.

The Nextube retro nixie clock campaign on Indiegogo is available for pre-order with a price tag of 1.160 HKD, which is quite reasonable considering the unique design and features of the clock. The campaign offers various pledge options, including early bird specials and bundle deals, allowing backers to choose the package that best suits their needs.

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HomePod With 7-inch Display Tipped To Arrive In 1H2024: Ming-Chi Kuo

Apple launched the second-generation HomePod in January this year.  Now reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reveals the Cupertino-based tech giant’s plans on a new smart speaker and its launch timeline. 

As per Kuo, Apple will unveil a HomePod with a new design. It is tipped to feature a 7-inch display panel touted to enable tighter integration with the company’s other hardware products. It will pack more functionality and the device could offer FaceTime capabilities via a built-in camera. This will also mark a significant shift in Apple’s smart home strategy. Apple’s existing HomePods have small circular displays on the top with limited functionality and mostly used as a status indicator. 

Kuo adds that Tianma Microelectronics will be the exclusive supplier of display panels for the next-generation HomePod. If all goes well, the supplier may also receive display orders for the iPads in future. 

In the past, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had hinted at Apple’s plans to launch a HomePod with a display and camera. It will reportedly run on tvOS offering various functionalities. Reports also surfaced that Apple was working on a iPad-style device to be used as a smart home controller and FaceTime device with magnetic fasteners. If the reports indeed turn out to be true, the next-generation HomePod with display will compete against the Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show. 

Both Kuo and Gurman are reliable when it comes to unreleased Apple devices. Kuo adds that Apple could launch the HomePod with a display in the first half of 2024. The HomePod has been the most unpredictable device in Apple’s product portfolio. 

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Motorola Razr 2023 Alleged Live Image Hints At A Dual-Tone Design

Recently, Lenovo confirmed that it is working on the 2023 edition of the Motorola Razr with significant improvements. It was also spotted in leaked renders last month. Now an alleged live image of the Motorola Razr 2023 has surfaced online giving us a look at the actual device. Read on to know more about it below. 

The alleged image reveals that the Motorola Razr 2023 will flaunt a dual-tone design. Leaked renders had revealed a large secondary display covering the top half portion of the back panel even engulfing the camera sensors. The alleged live image shows the same portion in a reflective black colour (because the screen is off) that almost looks like a display panel thus confirming the large screen area. There are two horizontal camera sensors and an LED flashat the top left corner. 

The remaining half portion of the back panel is in Maroon colour. There are also two glossy Maroon-coloured horizontal lines in the middle that will act as a hinge. There are Motorola and Razr brandings on the bottom of the back panel. The power and volume rocker buttons are in Red colour and located on the right side of the device. 

As per past reports, the Motorola Razr 2023 is tipped to feature a larger 3.7-inch display compared to 2.7-inch on its predecessor. It will reportedly be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. The foldable offering is expected to debut on June 1 this year as per a previous leak

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Huawei and AITO Rebrand Wenjie Cars to ‘Huawei Wenjie’

Huawei has been making waves in the electric vehicle market through its partnerships with various carmakers. The latest development in this area is the change in the branding of the AITO Wenjie car to Huawei Wenjie. Here are the details…

AITO changes car promotion to ‘Huawei Wenjie’

AITO changes car promotion to ‘Huawei Wenjie’. This news appeared quietly on Weibo, where Huawei and AITO announced a new chapter of their partnership for Wenjie electric vehicles and new technologies. A promotional image and a video teaser were shared, both featuring the Huawei Wenjie branding. This branding change has raised eyebrows, and people online have been speculating about its implications.

Huawei Wenjie

Huawei’s statement on the matter clarifies that Wenjie is Huawei’s ecosystem electric vehicle brand, which is a new business model created by the company. Huawei provides core software and hardware technologies such as electrification and smart components. The cooperation between Huawei and electric vehicle companies includes product definition, user experience, quality control, channel retailing, and brand marketing to help with sales.

Huawei has been working closely with AITO’s parent company, SERES, which was the first company to cooperate with Huawei deeply. The two companies signed a business-deepening cooperation agreement in February this year. They are also planning to launch a new flagship car platform by this year. This agreement aims to achieve 1 million vehicle sales by 2026, indicating the seriousness of the two partners in their efforts to make a significant impact in the smart car industry.

The change in branding from AITO Wenjie to Huawei Wenjie is a clear indication of Huawei’s growing influence in the smart car industry. The company’s expertise in technology and marketing is proving to be valuable to car companies that want to create good cars that are equipped with the latest technologies.

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ASUS ROG Phone 7D Spotted On Geekbench With Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 16GB RAM

ASUS is tipped to launch the ROG Phone 7 soon. The lineup will likely comprise the ROG Phone 7, 7D, and 7 Ultimate. Now the ROG Phone 7D has made its appearance on the Geekbench database. It reveals key specifications of the device. The upcoming offering is expected to arrive as the successor to the last year’s ROG Phone 6D. 

As per the benchmarking platform, the ASUS ROG Phone 7D is listed with model number AI_2205D. The listing reveals the motherboard codename ‘kalama’ which corresponds to the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The chipset comprises eight total cores with three cores clocked at 2.02GHz, four cores at 2.80GHz, and a primary core ticking at 3.19GHz. The smartphone will pack 16GB RAM onboard and we can expect more options at launch. As per the benchmark database, the ROG Phone 7D will ship with Android 13 OS out of the box. 

The ASUS ROG Phone 7D scores 2,012 and 5,697 points in the Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core tests results. 

As per past report, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 series is tipped to feature an AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate. The regular and ultimate variants are also expected to be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The former will pack up to 256GB storage whereas the latter will reportedly max out at 512GB. The ROG Phone 7 series is slated to debut in the third quarter of 2022 i.e. between July to September.  

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