OneOdio Focus A10 Review: Budget-Friendly Wireless Headphones with ANC

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Mar 8, 2023

OneOdio is a brand that specializes in affordable headphones for various purposes, such as gaming, studio, DJ, and casual listening. The OneOdio Focus A10 is one of their latest models, which offers wireless connectivity, active noise cancellation, and surprisingly, Hi-Res audio certification. The headset is designed to deliver high-quality sound, long-lasting battery life, and a comfortable fit, all for a reasonable price. In this review, we will explore the features, performance, and why we decided to add it to the Editor Picks list.

Design & Built

The OneOdio Focus A10 has a sleek and minimalist design, with a metal and plastic build. It brings an excellent build quality that obviously exceeds our expectations. The headphones have soft ear cushions and an adjustable headband. The sponge wrap provides a very comfortable fit for my head and it doesn’t put much pressure on the top of my head. It’s suitable for carrying on the go, and thanks to its foldability, it can easily be folded up and stored in the included carrying case.

The Focus A10 has a simple and intuitive control scheme, with buttons on the right ear cup for power, volume, play/pause, and another button for ANC modes on the left one. The right-side buttons are also available to answer or reject calls, activate voice assistants, and switch between devices. Yes, the A10 headphones support dual connection, which allows the seamless transition between two devices (e.g. phones, PCs, tablets) without manual reconnection.

The headphones have a built-in mic that captures users’ voices clearly, and they also have an LED indicator on each side that shows the battery and ANC status.

Wireless & Wired connection

The Focus A10 supports Bluetooth 5.0 and optimized connectivity, which brought a fast and stable connection under not just SBC codec but also ACC high-quality codec. In addition to Bluetooth wireless connection, you can also use them as wired headphones via a 3.5mm audio jack, which can achieve seamless sounds without latency. It’s another surprise that the affordable headphones have a Hi-Res audio certification, which means they can deliver decent sound with a wide frequency response.

Comfortable Fit

The ear fit of the Focus A10 is comfortable and flexible. The earpads are equipped with true protein memory foam, greatly adapting to most sized heads and ears. They are lightweight and not too tight, which makes them easy to wear for a long using time. And the cups cover my ears well and provide good isolation, which benefits the actual experience of its ANC features.

Active Noise cancellation (ANC)

The Focus A10 is claimed to have a noise reduction depth reaching 35dB, which sounds decent. Especially under low-frequency noises, such as engine hums, it’s able to build quiet listening, while for higher-frequency noises like voices, the effect could be not as impressive. But as we mentioned above, the physical isolation of the cups is great. Overall, it’s able to handle most scenarios when using the ANC mode and the transparent mode.

Sound

The sound quality of the Focus A10 headphones is impressive, especially for the price. The headphones have a balanced and detailed sound across high, mid and low frequencies. What’s most impressive is that it produced a wide and spacious soundstage with a deep and powerful bass. It’s easily put you in the middle of a surround-sound mix, and it’s especially perceivable when watching films with stereo presents.

For something a bit softer, it also delivered great vocal clarity that paired with crisp and smooth highs from instruments. And when playing orchestral music, the Focus A10 brings a spacious imagination of a concert hall, with expressive dynamics and clear separation between instruments. The experience actually brings a better pleasure than its price should offer.

Battery & charge

Another pleasure of the headset comes from its long battery life. It can last up to 50 hours on a single charge with ANC off, while with ANC on, it still lasts up to about 35 hours, which is already better than most wireless headphones. In addition, OneOdio team gives the headphones a fast-charging feature via the USB-C port. It can offer 2 hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging, which often gives me great peace of mind when I’m on the road. No more rushing around looking for a place to charge.

But we also have to admit that it would be close to perfect if the headset comes with a companion app, offering multiple EQs or more customized features. And the microphone quality is not as surprising as what we experienced above. Even so, the call quality still justifies its price.

Verdict

Overall, the OneOdio Focus A10 is a great option for those looking for their first wireless headphones but wouldn’t pay much for it. At first, I just wanted to get both ANC and Hi-Res audio on the budget OneOdio headset, but obviously, the Focus A10 also puts a lot of effort into other features and design, such as the comfortable wearing, stable dual Bluetooth connection and a long battery life with fast charging. If you are interested in the brand-new OneOdio Focus A10 headphones, here is the link to explore more about it and more audio equipment from the brand. You might find your own fun there.

WHERE TO BUY

Buy OneOdio Focus A10 @Amazon

Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch and 15-Inch Models Powered by M3 Chip Could Launch at WWDC

By

Jeet

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Mar 8, 2023

Apple has been working on its new MacBook Air models for some time and now we finally have information about the potential launch timeframe for the laptops.

According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the Cupertino-based technology giant is expected to launch the new MacBook Air 13-inch and 15-inch models in June at WWDC.

The Apple M2 chipset and the MacBook Air models powered by it were announced at WWDC last year, so it won’t be a surprise if the company continues the launch the new M3 chip and MacBook Air models at this year’s WWDC.

A report from 9to5Mac reveals that the 13-inch MacBook Air, with codename J513, is already in the works and will come powered by the yet unannounced M3 chipset. The company will also launch a 15-inch MacBook Air with the codename J515, powered by the M3 processor.

Earlier, there were reports about the MacBook Air 15-inch model powered by the M2 and M2 Pro chips to launch in April, but new reports indicate that there won’t be any such models. It appears that the 15-inch MacBook Air will get the entry-level M3 chip similar to the 13-inch model, with an 8-core CPU.

There is also no evidence that there will be a more powerful version of the chips for the upcoming MacBook Air models, like the M3 Pro. Apart from the MacBook Air, the company is also expected to launch an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro powered by the M3 chipset.

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Redmi 10 Sunset Orange Color Option Debuts in India: Check Specs & Price

By

Sudhanshu

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Mar 8, 2023

Last year, Xiaomi‘s subsidiary Redmi released the Redmi 10 in India. Now, the brand has recently unveiled a new Sunrise Orange shade for the phone. This addition has expanded the Redmi 10’s color options in the Indian market to a total of five. For those unaware, the Redmi 10 is a budget-range 4G smartphone with the Snapdragon 680 chipset inside.

We're bringing in the summer vibes! #Redmi10 now available in a gorgeous 𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝑶𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 colourway.

Head to @Flipkart and get ready to flaunt it in style: https://t.co/VOWnRwdXHK pic.twitter.com/FfehI7ZBXM
— Redmi India (@RedmiIndia) March 7, 2023

Redmi 10 Specs

The Redmi 10 is a budget smartphone that boasts a plastic body and a new camera design featuring a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. The device sports a 6.71-inch LCD display with FHD+ resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and 400 nits brightness. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and has a dewdrop notch. Additionally, it has Widevine L1 certification for HD playback on popular streaming apps such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar.

The Redmi 10 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC, coupled with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. It runs on MIUI 13 based on Android 11.

The smartphone has a dual-camera system at the back, consisting of a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies and video calls, there is a 5MP shooter at the front.

The Redmi 10 offers dual SIM card slots, 4G connectivity, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, and GNSS. It also has a dedicated MicroSD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port. Lastly, the Redmi 10 is equipped with a 6,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. However, it comes with a 10W charger.

Price & availability

In India, the Redmi 10 Sunrise Orange is priced at Rs 9299 for the 4GB + 64GB configuration option. This latest color variant of the smartphone is currently up for sale on both Flipkart and Mi Store.

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Only Two Android Phones in the Top Ten Best-Selling Smartphones List Globally

By

Anubhav

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Mar 8, 2023

In 2022, only two Android devices made it to the list of the top ten best-selling smartphones globally, as per research firm Counterpoint. These devices were Samsung’s budget-friendly models, Galaxy A03 and Galaxy A13. The remaining spots were dominated by Apple’s iPhones, with the iPhone 13 leading the chart.

This result is not surprising, considering Apple’s dominance in the smartphone market. With only a few models launched each year, consumers looking to buy iPhones have limited options, which leads to them choosing one of the newer iPhone models. On the other hand, the vast number of Android devices available means that consumers can always find several models fitting their requirements. That can be budget, camera setups or just a better battery. This trend has been consistent for several years and is unlikely to change anytime soon.

This implies that Apple is increasingly benefiting from the growing competition in the Android space. For the first time last year, eight iPhone models made it to the top ten best-selling smartphones chart. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max led the chart from January to August, followed by the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which received very well for the next three months succeeding its launch. The iPhone 14 topped the chart in December.

Overall, the iPhone 13 accounted for five percent of all smartphones sold last year, followed by the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The Samsung Galaxy A13 took the fourth spot, followed by a range of iPhone models and the Galaxy A03. Counterpoint notes that the latest iPhone Pro Max model sold more units than the Pro and base models for the first time.

Counterpoint estimates that the top ten best-selling smartphones will account for a larger share of total shipments in 2023, as Android OEMs are shrinking their smartphone portfolios. There were around 3,600 active smartphones in the global market in 2022, down over 14 percent from more than 4,200 in 2021. This trend is expected to continue as brands focus on focus on premium segments to increase profitability.

In the Android space, Samsung’s Galaxy A13 was a popular choice in the Caribbean, Latin America, and India. Despite the competition, Apple remains a dominant force in the global smartphone market.

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Renders of Upcoming Meizu 20 Shared by an Official

By

Chandan

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Mar 8, 2023

Meizu, a Chinese technology brand, is working on its upcoming Meizu 20 smartphone and we might get to hear about its official launch soon. The devices are expected to launch somewhere later this month. Anyway, an official from the brand has now shared the renders of the “Yellow” colour variant of the device. Just to mention, Apple had also released a Yellow colour variant of their iPhone 14. Now, it’s Meizu’s turn.

The CFO of Meizu China has shared a render of the upcoming Meizu 20 smartphone on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo. The device can be seen in the “Yellow” colour variant and the brand calls it “Yuedong Yellow.” The device looks quite refreshing and attractive, especially in this colour variant. The device has got triple rear cameras at the back with individual camera cutouts for each lens, making it look very similar to the Galaxy S23.

In the new colour variant, the device adapts a flat panel with a completely Yellow shade. The metal frame adopts a glossy design while the rear panel comes with a matte finish. The logo of Meizu can be seen aligned vertically on the bottom left side of the device. The power button and volume controllers are housed on the right-hand side of the device.

As for the specifications, the device is expected to feature a 120Hz Samsung E6 AMOLED panel with QuadHD+ resolution. It would be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen2 chipset coupled with up to 16GB of RAM. The brand has integrated many new techs into the display, such as 1Hz-120Hz auto refresh rate switching, up to 1800 nits of peak brightness, and much more. It would pack a 5000mAh battery.

Further, the device will come with the support of 80W wired charging and up to 50W fast wireless charging. As for the cameras, the primary camera is expected to feature a 50-megapixel lens. There is currently no information on the other auxiliary lens and the specifications of the device. So that wraps up our post. Thanks for reading till the end. Do let us know what you think about the device by dropping a comment in your words down below.

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Google Might Reveal Pixel 7a Info at the Annual Developer Conference, Dates Announced

By

Anubhav

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Mar 8, 2023

As per the latest Google announcement, the company will host its annual developer conference on May 10th at Mountain View California’s Shoreline Amphitheater. The conference will have a limited in-person audience and will be live-streamed for free to viewers worldwide. Registration for the event is free and is now open. By registering, attendees will receive updates on the conference’s schedule and content, along with relevant developer news via email. Registrants can also create a developer profile to tailor the digital experience by saving and viewing content that is relevant to them.

While the keynotes will be available to view live or on-demand, sessions will be available on-demand only. Those who don’t register can still watch the keynotes and sessions, but they might potentially miss out on receiving updates and tailored recommendations based on their interests.

In previous years, tickets for Google I/O were sold to anyone who could afford them, and attendees were given valuable gifts. However, for I/O 2023, only those who register for the event will be able to enjoy the digital experience.

At the upcoming event, Google might release a preview of Android 14. By May, the beta version of Android 14 should be available to Pixel users. Additionally, we may hear more about upcoming devices like the mid-range Pixel 7a, which is rumoured to have a 6.1-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a 64MP Sony IMX787 image sensor behind the primary camera, and an ultra-wide camera driven by the 13MP Sony IMX712 sensor. The device will also come equipped with the Google Tensor 2 SoC as per reports. Additionally, Google could also reveal more about the Pixel Fold, the Pixel Tablet, and the Pixel 8 series. Pixel smartphone users will be hoping for more information regarding the next Pixel Feature Drop for the month of March, that’s for sure.

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Redmi Note 10 Pro Bags Android 13 Based MIUI 14 Update

By

Chandan

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Mar 8, 2023

It was been more than two years passed since the official launch of the Redmi Note 10 series. The devices launched were seriously good with some top-notch hardware specifications at affordable pricing. It was launched with the Android 11 operating system out of the box. The brand has already rolled out the first major update to the devices i.e., Android 12. Now, the Redmi Note 10 Pro (Global) is receiving the second major update i.e., Android 13.

Finally, the users of Redmi Note 10 Pro devices will be able to get their hands on the latest MIUI 14 which is based on Android 13. The latest update for the Redmi Note 10 Pro (Global) comes under the build number V14.0.1.0.TKFMIXM. The update is rolling out in a staged rollout manner and hence, some of you may not get the update right now. But don’t worry, it would be rolled out to you as soon as possible. Anyway, here is the complete changelog of the MIUI 14 update for Redmi Note 10 Pro.

Highlights

MIUI uses less memory now and keeps being swift and responsive over much more extended periods.
Attention to detail redefines personalization and brings it to a new level.

Basic experience

MIUI uses less memory now and keeps being swift and responsive over much more extended periods.

Personalization

Attention to detail redefines personalization and brings it to a new level.
Super icons will give your Home screen a new look. (Update the Home screen and Themes to the latest version to be able to use Super icons.)
Home screen folders will highlight the apps you need most making them just one tap away from you.

More features and improvements

Search in Settings is now more advanced. With search history and categories in results, everything looks much crisper now.

System

Stable MIUI based on Android 13
Updated Android security patch to February 2023. Increased System security.

The phone comes with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, a Snapdragon 732G processor, a quad-camera setup with a 108MP main sensor, a 16MP selfie camera, a stereo speaker system, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, an IR blaster, a headphone jack, and a massive 5020mAh battery with fast charging support.

Because of its outstanding specifications and cost advantages, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is already a popular smartphone. The device becomes much more appealing with the MIUI 14 upgrade, which includes a slew of new features and changes that improve the user experience. Thanks a lot for reading the post till the conclusion.

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Moto G73 5G Pricing & Sale Date Leaks Ahead of March 10 Indian Launch

By

Sudhanshu

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Mar 8, 2023

Motorola is gearing up to launch the Moto G73 5G smartphone in India on March 10. The device is already available in European regions since late January. Ahead of the launch, the pricing of the smartphone has been tipped.

According to a Flipkart promotion leak shared by the known tipster Abhishek Yadav, the Moto G73 will be priced at ₹18,999 in India. With offers, the device will cost ₹16,999. Additionally, the poster reveals that the device will go on sale from March 16 onwards. Let’s take a look at the specs and features of the G73 5G.

Moto G73 5G specs

The Moto G73 5G has already been released in Europe, and its specifications are well-known. The smartphone features a 6.5-inch screen with a high-definition resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The screen has a punch-hole cutout in the center and a prominent chin at the bottom. The device has stereo speakers that have been fine-tuned by Dolby Atmos, and a fingerprint scanner is located on the side-mounted power button.

On the camera front, the Moto G73 5G has a square camera module on the back that houses a 50-megapixel primary sensor and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. There is also a 16-megapixel front-facing camera for taking selfies.

Under the hood, the Moto G73 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 930 processor. It has up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The smartphone is powered by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 30W fast charging. It runs on the latest Android 13 operating system out of the box and has a clean user interface.

It comes with 13 5G bands, Bluetooth 5.2, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Additionally, the phone is 8.29mm thick, weighs 181 grams, and has IP52 dust & water resistance.

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Honor Magic 5 Ultimate Flagship Phone now Available at Giztop

By

Joane

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Mar 8, 2023

Honor Magic 5 Ultimate, the latest smartphone from Honour is now available for purchase on Giztop. The flagship phone which comes in orange and black color variants can be bought for $1299.

WHERE TO BUY

Honor Magic 5 Ultimate at $1299 @Giztop

Honor Magic 5 Ultimate features a 6.81-inch quad-curved HDR10+ OLED display with 1312 x 2848 p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The display comes with a glass / ceramic coating for protection. Powered by the latest Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) processor, the phone features 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB internal storage.

Honor Magic 5 Ultimate comes with triple rear cameras with a 50MP (wide) primary sensor and 50MP (periscope telephoto) + 50MP (ultrawide) secondary sensors. For your selfies, you have a 12MP (ultrawide) lens with a TOF 3D depth sensor in the front.

The smartphone is fueled with a 5450mAh battery and supports 66W wired, 50W wireless, 5W reverse wired and reverse wireless charging. It runs on the latest Android 13 OS-based Magic UI 7.1 and comes with an under display, ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, and Face ID recognition. Other interesting features include USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, Bluetooth v5.2, NFC, Infrared, and more.

YOu can now buy Honor Magic 5 Ultimate for $1299 on Giztop. Please note that this phone is a Chinese edition, and doesn’t support Google Mobile Service or the Google Play store.

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

7 Years of Continuous Android Updates, This Smartphone Kept Its Promise

By

Anubhav

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Mar 8, 2023

The tech world is no stranger to Android. It is an open-source operating system used by many smartphone manufacturers. The Android platform is constantly updated with new features, improvements, and security patches. Android device manufacturers, commonly known as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), provide updates to their devices to ensure they are compatible with the latest Android version. Various companies have different levels of commitment towards their android updates. Samsung is renowned for its Android support, offering four Android upgrades and five years of security patches for most of its devices, even mid-range models. However, Fairphone took it a step further.

Fairphone is a company that specializes in producing ethical and environmentally friendly smartphones. The company originally committed to providing “three to five years” of support for the Fairphone 2. However, today the company issued the final update to the device, ending its support after an unprecedented seven years.

When the Fairphone 2 launched in 2015, it came with Android 5 Lollipop. The device kept on receiving a steady stream of security patches and updates, making it safe to use and compatible with most apps on the Google Play Store. Although the device’s Android 10 version is way behind the current stable version of Android, which is Android 13, the device is still relevant, thanks to Fairphone’s dedication to long-term software support.

Fairphone has advised caution with continuing to use the device after May 2023, the end of its official support timeline. The company’s head of software longevity, Agnes Crepet, stated, “The end of life for Fairphone 2 is bittersweet because, in the ideal world, we’d support our devices indefinitely, but due to industry and financial constraints, that is simply not feasible. But we are happy we can say we supported Fairphone 2 for an unprecedented seven years.”

The Fairphone 4, the company’s latest device, launched in 2021 and continues this trend of ethical and long-term software support.

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Samsung Galaxy M14 5G Launched with 90Hz Display, Exynos 1330, 6,000mAh Battery, and More

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 8, 2023

The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G has been quietly announced in Ukraine. In terms of specifications and design, the device is almost identical to the Galaxy A14 5G, which debuted at the beginning of this year. Here is a look at the specifications, features, and price of the M14.

Samsung Galaxy M14 5G specifications and features

The Galaxy M14 5G houses a 6.6-inch PLS LCD panel with an Infinity-V notch design. It offers an FHD+ resolution of 1080 x 2408 pixels and a refresh rate of 90Hz. It comes preloaded with One UI Core 5-based Android 13 OS.

On the front, the Galaxy M14 5G features a 13-megapixel selfie camera. The rear camera setup of the device has a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The primary camera on the back is capable of shooting Full HD videos at 30 fps.

Under the hood, the M14 5G features a 2.4GHz octa-core processor. In all likelihood, it is powered by the Exynos 1330, which also powers the A14 5G. It comes with 4 GB of RM and 128 GB of storage. For more storage, one can make use of the external storage slot on the device to add up to 1 TB of microSD card.

The Galaxy M14 5G is backed by a 6,000mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging. In comparison, the A14 5G has a 5,000mAh battery with 15W charging. Apart from these differences, both phones offer the same specifications. The M14 comes with other features like dual SIM, 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, a USB-C port, a side-facing fingerprint scanner, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Lastly, the M14 5G measures 166.8 x 77.2 x 9.4mm and weighs around 206 grams.

Samsung Galaxy M14 5G price

The Galaxy M14 5G comes in two options, such as 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage and 4 GB RAM + 128 GB storage. These are priced at UAH 8,299 (~$225) and UAH 8,999 (~$244) in Ukraine, respectively. It comes in three colors: Dark Blue, Blue, and Silver.

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Windows Rapidly Losing Market Share in the US, Market Share Drops to Historic Low of 57 Percent

By

Leo Wong De Quan

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Mar 7, 2023

Microsoft’s Windows has always dominated the desktop OS space globally, as the operating system is widely available with many PC manufacturing partners such as Dell, HP and Lenovo. However, a recent trend shows that Windows, the operating system by Microsoft, is rapidly losing popularity in the US, due to the rise of macOS and ChromeOS in the country.

The data comes from Statcounter by GlobalStats, which shows that Windows has dropped to a historic low desktop OS market share of 57.37% in the United States of America in February 2023, a far cry from its all-time high of 92.37% in January 2009. And the trend line does not show signs of slowing down, as Windows is expected to lose more market share in the country throughout 2023.

The rapid drop in market share can be attributed to stiff competition from its competitors, which are macOS from Apple, and Chrome OS from Google. As of February 2023, Windows holds 57.37% of the desktop OS market in the US, macOS holds 29.62% and Chrome OS holds 7.47%. Linux holds 2.55%, whereas other miscellaneous desktop operating systems hold 2.97%.

The rising popularity of macOS and ChromeOS is definitely one cause of Windows’ current downtrend. macOS is routinely found in Apple’s Macbooks and Mac Desktop lineup, such as the Mac Mini, Mac Studio, Macbook Pro and Macbook Air. And with the introduction of Apple SIlicon in 2020, the general public was very shocked by the improved performance and staggering battery life that Apple Macbooks offered over their Intel CPU-powered predecessors.

In turn, many previously Windows laptop users jumped ship over to Apple for superior battery life and faster CPU performance for their workload. However, the wave of Windows users jumping over to Apple seems gradual as it took until 2023 to see a significant change in the market.

As for the rise in Chrome OS, Chromebooks are normally offered in pre-K, primary and secondary educational institutions in the US in the 2010s. Students studying in those institutions have grown up into adults today, and they are more familiar with Chromebooks compared to Windows devices, and would suggestively buy something that they are more accustomed to than one that they are a stranger to.

In addition, Chromebooks are generally cheaper in the laptop market than Windows laptops, leading to many schools buying Chromebooks in bulk for cheap, or either a typical family buying a Chromebook for their child as a first laptop experience because it is more affordable.

Thus, it is clearly seen that Microsoft’s monopoly on the desktop market with Windows is starting to lose its momentum as competition heats up. And recent announcements such as adding Bing to Windows 11, and leaked documents suggesting Windows 12 show that Microsoft is currently developing something in-house to compete with Apple and Google soon.

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Chinese Companies Huawei and ZTE May be Banned from German 5G Networks

By

Joane

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Mar 7, 2023

Germany is planning to ban components made by Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE from parts of its 5G Network. The move is a part of the German government’s plan to revive and reshuffle its telecommunication network to address national security concerns.

A spokesperson for German Interior Ministry said that the government was carrying out a general review of telecom’s tech suppliers and preparing a draft list of potential threats. However, he said that the ministry was not targeting any specific manufacturers or companies.

The ban if levied will stop telecommunication operators across Germany from using components from specific Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE in their 5G network.

The potential ban will create an additional burden for telecom operators as they may have to remove and replace parts already built into the network without any compensation from the government.

The US-China tech war has intensified over the years with many allies like Japan, Netherlands, and South Korea joining the US to curb the technological advancement of China. The Biden administration is nervous about the technological advancement of China, especially in the field of Artificial Intelligence and futuristic tech, and is slapping sanctions on technology export to China in order to slow down its progress.

Recently the European Commission also joined this group by banning its employees from using the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok on their work-related devices, citing cybersecurity concerns. Though the European Union has not explicitly banned Huawei or other 5G equipment vendors, the UK has banned Huawei from making new contracts in the country.

Now Germany plans to join this group to ban Chinese companies. Noah Barkin, MD of Rhodium Group’s China practice said that the plan to ban Chinese firms is a sign that the German government may finally be taking China-related risks to national security seriously.

According to Reuters, an interior ministry paper stated that a specific supplier could be banned from providing critical components if it were deemed to be directly or indirectly controlled by the government of another state.

Huawei, ZTE, and the Chinese government have repeatedly rejected the claims of espionage and national security threats. The Chinese government has said that ongoing sanctions are motivated by a protectionist desire to support non-Chinese rivals and hinder China’s technological advancement.

(via)

Apple Adds Yellow to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus Color Options

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Mar 7, 2023

The Apple iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus is now available in yellow. The new color option for the latest Apple iPhones 14 series provides more options for customers to choose from. This comes after it was leaked that Apple was adding yellow to the iPhone 14 colors. The rumor has now been confirmed by Apple.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus yellow colorway option is now orderable. It is coming as a mid-cycle update for the models released in September 2022. The mid-cycle color update for the iPhone 12 was purple in March 2021, while the iPhone 13/ iPhone 13 Pro got a green upgrade in 2022. There are now six color options for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus offerings. Previous colors were Starlight, Midnight, Purple, Blue, and Red. Apple has continued to provide mid-cycle color upgrades for its iPhone models and this year was no different.

Apple has left the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max color options unchanged. These colorways are Space Black, Silver, Gold, and Deep Purple. Interested iPhone fans could pre-order their yellow iPhone 14/ iPhone 14 Plus models from March 10 while shipping will commence on March 14. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 yellow option models are priced as the other colors. The iPhone 14 starts at $799 while the iPhone 14 Plus starts at $999.

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Sonos Era 300 and Era 100 Speakers With Immersive Audio Output Launched

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Mar 7, 2023

Sonos has introduced the Era 300 and Era 100 speakers with significant improvements from their predecessors. The duo of new Sonos speakers offer a truly immersive listening experience.

The Sonos Era 300 comes in an unconventional design as it discarded the traditional speaker shape. Its hourglass design is based on accentuating the audio experience. It delivers audio in a very pleasing and immersive manner, amplifying spatial audio. The internal configuration of the Sonos Era 300 consist of six speakers.

There are four tweeters for high and mid-range audio, while two woofers provide low-end output. The tweeters are directed in four different directions to help create a solid listening experience. The woofers are positioned on the left and right sides of the unit.

The Sonos Era 100 comes with a compact design and a unique two-tweeter arrangement. The tweeters cover high and mid-range frequencies. A single woofer provides deep bass and accommodates the low frequencies.

Both the Era 300 and Era 100 speakers are factory tuned, but they can be pushed even further using the Sonos Trueplay app for an optimized audio experience. The Sonos Trueplay is available for Android and iOS devices and will allow customers to initiate a self tuning process for the speakers. You can also optimize the sound experience and customize the audio for the room.

The Era 300 can be paired with the Sonos Arc or Beam, for an even more immersive surround-sound audio experience. The Era 100 can be used in pairs, or as rear channels when paired with a Sonos soundbar.t Both speakers will be available starting on March 28. The Era 300 will retail at $449 and the Era 100 will cost $249. Both speakers will be available directly from the Sonos website.

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Samsung Provides Visual Aid Solution to People with Low Vision

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Mar 7, 2023

Technology continues to make our lives easier. Today, we use many different products and applications for many tasks. However, technology goes beyond this and is used to overcome obstacles. Samsung’s latest project Relumino proves this. The South Korean tech giant is distributing wearable glasses to the visually impaired. Here are the details…

Samsung Distributes Wearable Glasses to Visually Impaired

Samsung has taken a significant step towards making the world a more inclusive place by launching the distribution of its wearable glasses to the visually impaired. The initiative is part of the company’s Relumino project, which aims to provide a visual aid solution to people with low vision.

The Relumino device consists of a Relumino application, a smartphone image processing software, and a glass-type wearable device. It enhances object recognition for people with low vision by applying tactile senses, allowing users to easily operate their smartphones without having to look at the screen and view videos through a glass display.

Samsung has distributed 30 wearable glasses for free to the visually impaired at the Community Agency of Blind in Gyeonggi Province to verify the usability of Relumino Glass. The company has also conducted clinical trials jointly with Samsung Medical Center to ensure the user stability of Relumino.

The company claims that Relumino boasts outstanding performance and usability compared to existing products, based on a separate experience test by other visually impaired users. The Relumino project was launched in 2016 as a seven-year research project as part of Samsung Electronics’ in-house venture fostering program C-Lab.

Cho Jeong-hoon, a researcher at Samsung Electronics who initiated the Relumino project, said, “We started the research after survey results showed that 92 percent of the visually impaired people enjoy watching TV as leisure activity when their viewing access, in fact, is limited.”

Samsung Electronics developed the Relumino app using a virtual reality (VR) device in 2017 and a glass-concept device in 2018 after reflecting the needs of actual users. The company is currently working on further advancements to the Relumino technology, such as radio wave certification, clinical trials, and software verification.

The distribution of wearable glasses to the visually impaired by Samsung Electronics is a significant milestone towards making the world a more inclusive place. It will provide a visual aid solution to people with low vision and enhance their quality of life. The Relumino project is an excellent example of how technology can be used to create a positive impact on society, and it will be interesting to see how it develops in the future.

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New AI Technology from Microsoft Enables Easy App Creation without Coding Experience

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Mar 7, 2023

Artificial intelligence technologies continue to spread, particularly ChatGPT developed by OpenAI is causing a storm on the internet. Many people use AI to write articles, books, and even scripts. Recently, a new one has been added to these usage areas. Microsoft will allow users to develop applications with little or no coding experience. Here are the details…

No need for coding experience? Microsoft combines ChatGPT-like AI with tools to make apps

Microsoft has recently integrated the AI technology behind ChatGPT with its popular Power Platform tool, enabling users to create applications with little or no coding experience. This new approach with generative AI technology will automate workflows, gather and analyze data, and create email campaigns. This move comes weeks after Microsoft integrated AI with its search engine Bing, indicating the company’s increasing focus on AI in its products.

With the integration of ChatGPT-like AI technology, Power Platform users can create applications with ease, incorporating artificial intelligence into their products. Power Virtual Agent, a tool for businesses to build chatbots, can now connect to internal company resources to generate summaries of weekly reports and customer queries.

Additionally, AI Builder, a tool that automates workflows, has been updated with generative AI. Microsoft has also launched a new version of its business management platform, Dynamics 365 Copilot, which integrates AI to automate certain tasks. According to Microsoft’s recent survey on business trends, nearly 9 out of 10 workers hope to use AI to reduce repetitive tasks in their jobs.

The company claims that with Dynamics 365 Copilot, organizations will give their workers AI tools built for sales, service, marketing, operations, and supply chain roles. Eventually, AI will allow everyone to spend more time on the best parts of their jobs and less time on mundane tasks, claims Microsoft.

Microsoft’s Chief Executive, Satya Nadella, is set to host an event on March 16 to discuss “reinventing productivity with AI.” While the company has announced AI updates for its popular Windows operating system and search engine Bing, it has not yet done so for its Office productivity suite, which includes Word and Excel. However, with Microsoft’s focus on AI, it may not be long before we see AI updates in its Office productivity suite.

With AI automation, workers can spend more time on the best parts of their jobs and less time on mundane tasks. Microsoft’s focus on AI indicates that we can expect to see more AI updates in its products in the future, ultimately leading to increased productivity and efficiency.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Receives Surprise Update Beyond Its Scheduled Support Period

By

Anurag

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Mar 7, 2023

Samsung has a history of releasing software updates to devices even after their scheduled support period ends, and the company has done so again with the Galaxy Note 9. The handset was released way back in 2018 and the Korean company officially ended its support late in 2022. However, it has received an unexpected update with the February 2023 security patch. Here are the details.

As reported by SamMobile, Galaxy Note 9 is getting a surprise in the form of an unexpected software update that bumps the security patch level to February 2023. The update does not bring any new features or notable changes. Although the update was released last month, it has only been rolled out to the United Kingdom and Ireland in the past week. It should also make it to other markets in the near future.

The update is rolling out with firmware version N960FXXSAFWB3 and folks residing in the UK and Ireland should be able to download the update directly to their device OTA by tapping the Download and install option in its Settings » Software update menu.

Samsung has not provided any information on the new features or bug fixes included in the latest firmware update for the Galaxy Note 9. Additionally, the last three months of security patches released by Samsung do not reference any updates specifically for the Galaxy Note 9, as noted by SamMobile.

Galaxy Note 9 was retired with Android 10, however, it continued receiving security updates till May 2022. It was launched back in August 2018 with a Super AMOLED display, a versatile dual-camera setup, a 4000mAh battery, and the S-Pen. The smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 845 under the hood and 6GB RAM paired with 128GB Storage.

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Xiaomi’s Groundbreaking Solid-State Battery Tech: Doubling Your Phone’s Battery Life Safely

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Mar 7, 2023

Smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. Today, we use these devices for everything from basic communication to financial transactions, which is why they are always within reach. However, regardless of the brand, the weakest and slowest developing part of our phones is undoubtedly the battery. Although manufacturers compensate for this situation with ever-increasing fast-charging technologies, it is not accurate to say that battery capacities have increased much in the last 10 years. Fortunately, Xiaomi has taken an important step to address this issue. Here are the details…

Prototype Xiaomi 13 unit offers 6,000 mAh battery with breakthrough solid-state battery technology

Xiaomi has once again set the bar high for the industry with the presentation of its latest solid-state battery technology. The company claims that its solid-state batteries provide a 33% increase in capacity relative to conventional lithium-ion batteries, with no safety concerns regarding puncture-related short circuits and fires. According to the company’s Weibo account, Xiaomi has achieved 1,000 Wh/L energy density with some of its prototype batteries, significantly higher than consumer-grade batteries currently available.

The technology would enable Xiaomi 13 to offer a 6,000 mAh capacity in the same package size as the 4,500 mAh capacity currently available on the market. The solid-state battery technology not only improves capacity but also has several advantages over conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Xiaomi claims that its solid-state batteries can provide up to 20% more power than lithium-ion batteries in extreme cold, such as -20 degrees Celsius. This is particularly important for users who live in cold climates and have experienced the frustration of their phone’s battery life plummeting in freezing temperatures.

In addition, Xiaomi’s solid-state battery technology is safer than conventional lithium-ion batteries, as it eliminates the risk of puncture-related short circuits and fires. This is a significant advantage for users who may have experienced battery-related safety concerns in the past. However, Xiaomi is not yet ready to mass-produce the solid-state batteries.

It may take several years for companies like Xiaomi to pivot their entire portfolio to solid-state batteries. Nonetheless, the announcement of Xiaomi’s breakthrough solid-state battery technology is significant and marks a significant step forward in the industry’s development of more efficient and safer battery technology.

Moreover, Xiaomi has already made impressive strides in battery technology, as demonstrated by its recently launched 300 W HyperCharge technology, which can recharge a 4,100 mAh battery in just 5 minutes, setting a new standard for fast charging. While it may take several years for companies to pivot their entire portfolio to solid-state batteries, Xiaomi has once again set the bar high and demonstrated its commitment to innovation and technological advancement.

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Honda Aims to Lower EV Prices, Here’s How

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Mar 7, 2023

Honda CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, is betting on new battery technology to develop affordable electric versions of its smaller cars. However, before that happens, the Japanese automaker plans to sell larger and more expensive electric vehicles (EVs) to help absorb production costs. Honda is seeking to catch up with rivals who are leading the charge in the electric vehicle race, as the industry experiences a faster transition away from traditional cars and trucks. Here are the details…

Honda’s Plan to Develop Smaller EVs with Its Own Platform Starting in 2026

One of the biggest challenges faced by automakers in the EV industry is the high cost of batteries, which can make EVs 40% more expensive to produce than gas-powered cars. Honda is hoping that a different technology – solid-state batteries – will eventually help bring down these costs and make EVs more accessible.

Lithium-ion batteries, the current industry standard, use a liquid electrolyte to conduct electricity between the cathode and anode. In contrast, solid-state batteries replace that liquid with more stable materials like ceramics, reducing the size and cost of the battery pack. Honda has joined the race to develop solid-state batteries, although it arguably lags behind better-resourced peers like Toyota and Nissan. Other carmakers like General Motors and Ford also have solid-state ambitions.

However, Mibe is aware that getting solid-state technology ready for mass consumption could take several years, and figuring out when to ramp up production will be difficult. It will also take a significant investment to produce those batteries, so Honda needs to ensure that the market is prepared before pushing ahead.

The company is developing its own solid-state battery program, which the company has discussed with GM, and is working on another with Korean partner LG Energy Solution, a unit of LG Chem Ltd. Meanwhile, the company’s first EVs will be larger, more expensive SUVs, built using GM’s Ultium EV platform, with the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX set to go on sale in 2024.

According to Sam Abuelsamid, an analyst at Guidehouse Insights, Honda needs to get more EVs to market to remain competitive in the US and Europe, as the market is rapidly getting to the point where you need a presence in multiple segments to stay competitive. Mibe is also aware of the challenges posed by the US market, where the charging network isn’t as robust as it needs to be for customers.

He believes that charging infrastructure is a country-level concern that Honda needs to think about as it moves toward achieving its goal of achieving 40% EV sales by 2030. Despite the challenges, Honda is committed to developing EVs and has teamed up with Sony to develop them. The company has also pledged to sell only electrified vehicles by 2040.

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