CAT S75 Rugged Phone With a MediaTek Dimensity 930 SoC, 2-Way Satellite Messaging Support Launched

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Feb 24, 2023

CAT phones are known for their rugged build but the brand has been quiet in recent times. Not anymore, though, as Bullitt Group, the company controlling the phone brand has announced the CAT S75 rugged phone. The smartphone emerges as the first to have MediaTek’s NTN chip for two-way satellite messaging support. It should be noted though, that it shares specs and design with the Motorola Defy rugged phone.

The CAT S75 features a 6.6-inch Full HD+ LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 930 6nm processor paired with 6GB LPDDR4x RAM, and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage. The phone runs on Android 12 with two OS updates and offers 5 years of security patches. As a rugged phone, it has reportedly undergone Mil-Spec 810H testing and has been tested to withstand drops from up to 1.8 meters, as well as being impervious to dust, sand, and dirt ingress

For optics, the rugged phone features a 50MP camera with f/1.8 aperture, an 8MP ultra-wide camera with f/2.2 aperture, and a 2MP macro camera with f/2.4 aperture. It has an 8MP front camera with an f/2.0 aperture. The phone has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and USB Type-C audio, and it weighs 268g with dimensions of 171 x 80 x 11.9mm. It has IP68 and IP69K ratings and is capable of handling high-pressure water jets.

The Bullitt Satellite Messenger, which is the first 3GPP standards-based satellite NTN or ‘direct-to-satellite’ messaging service for mobile phones, uses the new MediaTek MT6825 NTN chip and Bullitt Satellite Messenger to access a network of geostationary satellites. To send or receive messages via satellite, users need a subscription and an NTN-enabled device. The Bullitt Satellite Messenger service offers a twelve-month free trial of SOS Assist, providing 24/7 access to emergency response centres provided by FocusPoint International.

As for the price, the CAT S75 will retail for a hefty €599 (US$ 634). It is even available to pre-order from selected operators and retailers across EMEA. It includes a 3-month free trial of the Bullitt Satellite Messenger Essentials service plan, which includes up to 30 direct-to-satellite messages per month. The company is expected to showcase the smartphone at the Mobile World Congress 2023 next week.

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Razer Blade 15 2023 With 13th-Gen Intel Processors and NVIDIA GPUs Launched

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Feb 24, 2023

Razer has announced a new model of its Blade 15 laptop, which has been refreshed with new specs for 2023. The laptop features a 13th-generation Intel Core i7-13800H processor, which has 14 cores and 20 threads and can boost up to 5.2GHz. The processor comes from Intel’s 45W series, rather than the HX series used for the Blade 16 and Blade 18.

The new Razer Blade 15 comes with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, which offers impressive gaming performance. The laptop also features 16GB of DDR5 5200MHz RAM and a 1TB SSD, which provides ample storage for games, media, and other files.

The laptop features a Quad HD IPS panel with 100% coverage of DCI-P3 and a 240Hz refresh rate. While there’s nothing too fancy here, like a dual-mode display or mini-LED, this is still a great screen that should offer excellent color accuracy and smooth gaming performance.

The focus of the Razer Blade 15 is being more portable than the other two models, which is greatly helped by the less powerful specs. It starts at 4.4 pounds of weight, instead of the 5.4 pounds of the Blade 16. It should also last longer on a charge since the components aren’t going to use as much power.

The laptop is available starting today, and pricing starts at $2,499.99. Razer also announced that the Blade 16 and Blade 18 are available with GeForce RTX 4060 and RTX 4070 GPUs starting today. That means the Razer Blade 16 now starts at $2,699.99 and the Blade 18 starts at $2,899.99.

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TSMC Plans a Second Facility in Japan for High-end Chip Production

By

Anurag

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Feb 24, 2023

Leading chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is reportedly planning to expand its presence in Japan with a second chip plant. The new plant will be used for the production of 5 and 10 nanometer chips starting in the second half of the decade, according to the Japanese newspaper Nikkan Kogyo.

Japan believes that improving its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities is important for its future economic growth, particularly in light of the increasing importance of digital technologies. Hence, a new TSMC factory could aid in revitalizing the country’s advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry. As per Nikkan Kogyo, TSMC’s second plant in Japan will cost more than 1 trillion yen (roughly $7.4 billion).

The Taiwanese company will be building its first foundry in Japan on Kyushu island, with an aim to start the production of 12 and 16 nanometer semiconductors next year. The Japanese government is said to offer TSMC a 476 billion yen subsidy, roughly half of the factory’s expected cost. Sony Group and auto parts maker Denso Corp, which will utilize the chips produced, have also invested in the expansion.

The Chip maker did not give an official about the report, however, it referred to comments from CEO C.C. Wei at its last quarterly earnings call in January. Wei has stated that TSMC is considering expanding its presence in Japan with a second plant.

For the unaware, TSMC is a significant player in the chipmaking industry, being the exclusive producer of chips used in iPhones. Additionally, it manufactures processors designed by the Cupertino company for its desktop computers and laptops. The Taiwanese firm also manufactures the majority of the Qualcomm chips that are used in Android phones.

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Samsung Goes Beyond Apple with Full Message and Media Capability via Satellite

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Feb 24, 2023

The “Emergency SOS Via Satellite” feature implemented by Apple with the iPhone 14 series is gaining popularity. Almost every day, we hear about someone’s life being saved thanks to this feature. This brings users closer to choosing the iPhone when it’s time to buy a new phone. Other smartphone manufacturers, who do not want to lose their users, are also incorporating this feature. For example, Huawei recently announced that it will use the Emergency SOS feature on its new phones. Now, Samsung has taken a similar step on the Android front. Here are the details…

Samsung debuts satellite connectivity for smartphones using the Pixel 7’s modem

Samsung has announced its entry into the satellite connectivity arena for smartphones, following the lead of Apple’s iPhone 14 series. However, the company goes beyond Apple’s, as it enables users to send full messages, pictures, and even videos via satellite. The technology uses 5G NTN (non-terrestrial networks) to communicate, sending data from the smartphone to satellites before transmitting it back down to ground stations for transfer to the intended recipient or emergency services.

Samsung’s Exynos 5300 modem, the same modem used in Google’s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, provides the technology to support satellite connectivity. Samsung has developed and simulated 5G NTN standard-based satellite technology on top of this modem, providing proof of concept. However, this functionality will not be available in current Google phones, as Samsung intends to incorporate it into future versions of its Exynos modems.

Earlier this month, Samsung announced that it was holding off on bringing satellite connectivity to its own smartphones until the technology was mature enough. The timing of this Exynos announcement is not ideal for Samsung’s own smartphones, as Galaxy flagships switch to solely using Qualcomm chips on a global scale. Qualcomm also recently announced its own form of satellite connectivity, but it is not yet available on any devices.

Satellite connectivity is poised to become one of the “next big things” in smartphones, providing a way for people to stay connected even in areas without traditional cellular coverage. The ability to send full messages, pictures, and videos via satellite could be particularly useful in emergency situations or remote areas where traditional communication methods are unavailable. With Samsung’s entry into this market, it remains to be seen how this technology will evolve and be adopted by consumers.

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iQOO Z7 Officially Teased To Launch Soon, OIS Enabled Primary Camera Confirmed

By

Viraj Gawde

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Feb 24, 2023

A new iQOO Z-series smartphone is teased to launch soon in India. iQOO India CEO Nipun Marya tweeted a photo of the upcoming offering that reveals some key details. Although the name of the device remains under wraps, the font in the image mentions Z7. This means that the iQOO Z7 will arrive as the successor to the Z6 that debuted in September last year.

Let the craZe begin!
Dropping another hint of the Zeisty ‘🆉’ coming your way. If you have already figured it out, drop your guess in the comments below. We will give a big shout-out to the correct responses. #FullyLoaded #iQOO #ComingSoon pic.twitter.com/45oJacOTWA
— Nipun Marya (@nipunmarya) February 24, 2023

The image in the tweet shared by Marya reveals the back panel design of the iQOO Z7. It looks similar to the last year’s Vivo T1x with a rectangular camera module housing two vertically stacked sensors. Upon a closer look, the image confirms the presence of OIS on the smartphone. There is also a text ‘Photography High Definition’ written alongside the LED flash. There is an iQOO branding at the bottom centre of the back panel. Lastly, the upcoming offering is seen in Teal colour and we can expect more options at launch.

The rest of the details about the iQOO Z7 are yet to be revealed. Considering that the device has been teased, we can expect the brand to share more information in the coming days. Since the Vivo sub-brand’s Z-series is exclusive to Amazon, we can expect the upcoming offering to be available on the e-commerce platform.

A previous report revealed that the iQOO Z7 series will have a regular Z7 5G and a Z7 Pro 5G with model numbers I2207 and I2213 respectively. We will have to wait and learn if both devices will be launched by the brand simultaneously.

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Tecno & TCL Jointly Develop a Flagship Dual Screen for the Upcoming Phantom V Fold

By

Anurag

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Feb 24, 2023

Tecno has confirmed it will be showcasing an interesting and rather new smartphone during the MWC Barcelona 2023. The device in question will be the brand’s first-ever foldable smartphone, Phantom V Fold. While we wait for the formal debut, Tecno has revealed that the upcoming folding phone features an advanced flagship screen developed in collaboration with technology giant TCL CSOT, in a joint laboratory of the two technology brands.

Tecno and TCL CSOT set up a joint lab in July 2022, strengthening their long-standing partnership. The lab aims to drive innovation and meet customer needs, as both brands value research and development. The new flagship display is a result of this collaboration and it is claimed to deliver an outstanding visual experience in both folded and unfolded large-screen setups.

Tecno says the upcoming Phantom V Fold uses an LTPO dual screen with up to 120Hz refresh rate. In addition, the display will apparently fold “ultra-flat” and have a “virtually crease-free surface to provide immersive and remarkable large-screen visuals”.

Phantom V Fold’s Successor and a Rollable Device Also in Development

Additionally, Tecno confirmed that the successor of the upcoming Phantom V Fold is also in development and it will have even better display capabilities. The next-gen foldable is slated to be released sometime in 2024 with Tecno’s self-developed Pattern 2.0 crease optimization technology that will ensure the crease on the display is almost non-existent.

The phone’s screen layering is said to be approximately 20% thinner and it will use TCL CSOT’s PLP technology to further improve the display.

Notably, Tecno and TCL CSOT have another intriguing large-screen device in development. This said device will be a rollable smartphone with an extendable and retractable screen. Apparently, they’re planning to put a motor in the device that can roll out the screen and make it big without needing to fold it. This means that the screen won’t have any creases and will be really flat.

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(Source: Press release shared by Tecno)

Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Pad 6, Pad 6 Pro and Mix Fold 3 To Feature USB 3.2 – Leak

By

Leo Wong De Quan

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Feb 24, 2023

Xiaomi flagships are famously known for their price-to-performance value offerings, however, the cheaper price tag always means that some cost-cutting was done in the feature department. And one shortcoming of Xiaomi flagships that has been known by buyers for quite some time is the company’s reluctance to upgrade from the 23-year-old USB 2.0 data transfer standard on their flagships like the Xiaomi 13 Pro, and Xiaomi 12S Ultra.

After much criticism from buyers and reviewers, it seems that the company is listening to feedback from its users, as the next 4 Xiaomi flagship products will include the USB 3.2 standard onboard.

The rumour comes from the famous and reputable Chinese leakster, Digital Chat Station. In their latest post on Chinese social media, they claim that the next 4 flagship devices from Xiaomi feature USB 3.2 data transfer, as well as support for the USB PD (Power Delivery) charging standard protocol.

Although not directly revealed in the post, the next 4 flagship devices from Xiaomi are respectively the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Xiaomi Pad 6, Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro, and the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3.

The move to include USB 3.2 data transfer speeds on their flagships finally puts Xiaomi on par with other brands such as Samsung which included USB 3.2 in their flagships since 2020 with the Samsung Galaxy S20 series, and Vivo which included USB 3.2 in their flagships since 2022 with the Vivo X80 Pro.

However, it was not mentioned in the post which USB 3.2 generation (Gen 1, Gen 2 or Gen 2 2×2) data transfer is supported in the upcoming Xiaomi flagships.

As for the inclusion of USB PD support, it is said to improve inter-compatibility when using different charging devices, as long as the charging adapters and cables are USB PD certified as well. In turn, it translates to faster charging even when Xiaomi’s original charger is not around.

If you want to know more about Xiaomi’s upcoming Leica-branded flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, you can learn more about it from our previous article here.

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Motorola Defy 2 Rugged Phone, Defy Satellite Link Bluetooth Accessory With Two-Way Messaging Launched

By

Viraj Gawde

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Feb 24, 2023

Lenovo-owned Motorola has launched a new rugged smartphone. It is dubbed the Defy 2 and arrives as the successor to the Defy 2021. Additionally, Bullitt Group, a British mobile manufacturer and Motorola Mobility has also released a Defy Satellite Link that is a Bluetooth device. Read on to know more about the two devices below.

The Motorola Defy 2 is a rugged phone with IP68 and IP69K-certified dust, sand, dirt, and waterproof resistance. It has passed MIL-STD810H tests for withstanding tough environments. The device has been designed to survive drops and falls and also repeated drops onto a steel plate. The smartphone also features Bullitt’s Hygiene+ technology meaning it can be cleaned and sanitised with soap and water or alcohol wipes.

The Motorola Defy 2 comes with a 6.6-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a waterdrop notch. It has an 8MP front-facing snapper and a triple rear camera setup of a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro unit.

Under the hood, the Motorola Defy 2 is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 930 octa-core processor coupled with 6GB RAM and 128GB onboard storage expandable via a microSD card slot. The device draws its power from a 5,000mAh battery unit with support for 15W wired charging and Qi-wireless charging. It runs on Android 12 OS with two years of future OS and five years of security updates.

Coming to the Motorola Defy Satellite Link, it is a Bluetooth accessory offering satellite connectivity. The device features a handy attachment loop with physical SOS and location check-in buttons. It has also passed MIL-Spec 810H testing and is waterproof and dustproof with an IP68 rating. The accessory offers two-way messaging over satellite. Any messages sent or received will be deducted from the satellite messaging subscriber’s plan at no cost. The Motorola Defy 2 and Defy Satellite Link use the first 3GPP standards-based satellite NTN (direct-to-device) service, providing affordable and continuous coverage internationally over existing infrastructure.

The Motorola Defy 2 is priced at $599 including 12 months of SOS Assist. The Defy Satellite Link cost $99. The former will be available from Q2, 2023 from select operators across North America, Latin America, and Canada. The Defy Satellite can be purchased from April.

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LumaFusion, The Powerful Apple Video Editing App Now Available On Android and ChromeOS

By

Viraj Gawde

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Feb 24, 2023

LumaFusion is now officially available for all Android devices and Chromebooks. It is one of the most popular video editors on iOS, iPads, and Macs. The app was in the beta phase last year. The video editor has been on Apple store since 2016 and it was a hit thanks to its powerful editing features. It also won App Store award for iPad app of the year in 2021.

The LumaFusion app is now available on Google Play Store for Android phones, tablets, and Chromebooks. It is also available on Samsung Galaxy Store although it restricts the download to only Samsung devices. On smartphones, the app weighs 29MB in size and runs on Android version 10 and up.

The video editor costs $30 and there are also pro features that can be purchased within the app. Those who already purchased the beta version won’t have to pay an additional fee to access the full version. Additionally, Google is also offering Chromebook owners 25 percent off on LumaFusion on eligible devices and three months of StoryBlocks, a subscription-based library of stock footage for free.

The LumaFusion app offers all the basic features that are required to edit videos on the go. These include support for six video and audio track layers, a magnetic timeline, and more. Pro features include layer effects, powerful colour correction tools, frame rates from 18fps to 240fps, and support for speed effects.

Chromebooks aren’t usually known for their creative capabilities and the options for professional video editing tools prior to LumaFusion’s release have been limited.

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Here’s a Closer Look at the New Oppo Find N2 Flip’s Design

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Feb 24, 2023

Foldable smartphones are getting more and more popular every day. The number of devices in the market also shows a similar increase. One of the devices in question was recently introduced. This phone, named Oppo Find N2 Flip, has managed to fascinate everyone, especially with its design. Let’s take a closer look at the design and features of this model, which is the best foldable phone ever introduced in terms of engineering…

Here’s a Closer Look at the New Oppo Find N2 Flip

One of the biggest challenges when designing a foldable smartphone is creating a durable and dust-proof hinge mechanism that will not damage the flexible screen. Oppo has addressed this issue with their new and smaller Flexion Hinge, which is at the heart of the Oppo Find N2 Flip.

The Flexion Hinge is the result of years of research and development and is designed to provide a more stable and durable solution for foldable smartphones. This hinge is designed with fewer parts, which creates a cleaner and more stable solution. It features a new cam system and 1/4 spindle assembly, allowing it to hold firm between 45° and 110° when folded, which eliminates any gap when the phone is folded.

OPPO Find N2 Flip launched. It looks irresistible, what about you?#OPPOFindN2Flip #SeeMoreInASnap #InvisibleCrease pic.twitter.com/QvOhsSfVRi
— GIZMOCHINA (@gizmochina) February 15, 2023

Another notable design element of the Oppo Find N2 Flip is its screen on the rear. This device features the largest cover screen among vertical foldable phones. This screen, which measures 3.26 inches, allows users to perform many operations when the phone is folded. It also features a camera function that we are already familiar with from the Z Flip4. Users can take selfies using the phone’s main camera when it is folded. The main camera offers a resolution of 50 MP, while the 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera accompanies it.

The cover screen of the Oppo Find N2 Flip is the first point of interaction and provides users with a snapshot of their digital life at a glance. The largest ever cover display on a flip phone allows for engaging new user experiences, from previews of photos and videos to quick access to tools like timers and important system settings.

The convenience of the cover display continues to include Smart Widgets for Wi-Fi, mobile data, flight mode, Bluetooth, notification alerts, do not disturb, power saving modes, and the torch that can all be turned on and off with a swipe down and a tap. Users can also fully customize the cover display with an always-on display, sticker pack, or even interactive pets.

The Oppo Find N2 Flip is designed with ergonomics in mind. Its polished aluminum frame and matte glass back that gently curves around the edges make for a phone that is gorgeous to look at and comfortable to hold. The newly-engineered hinge mechanism sports a micro-engraved waveform pattern to give it visual flair. The fluid design continues to the subtle camera rings and bezel-less cover display that sits in harmony with the micro-etched matte frame of the Find N2 Flip. The phone is available in Moonlit Purple and Astral Black.

Oppo Find N2 Flip Specs

Display	6.8 inch 120 Hz and 3.26 inch 120 Hz
CPU	MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus
RAM	8 GB
Storage	256 GB
Selfie camera	32 Megapixel
Rear camera	50 Megapixel main camera, 48 Megapixel ultra wide angle camera
OS	Android 13
Battery	4,300 mAh (44 watt fast charging)

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Huawei Aims to Access China’s Mid to High-End EV Market

By

Joane

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Feb 24, 2023

Huawei recently unveiled its plan to target high-end Electric Vehicle (EV) customers. Though the company has no plans to make its own EVs, it has partnered with already established domestic automakers to penetrate the EV market.

When asked about its EV plans, the CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group, Richard Yu said that the company planned to sell more than a million EVs powered by Huawei’s Ecosystem, in 2025. The base variant of EVs using the Huawei software would cost no less than $29020 (RMB 200,000). Essentially Huawei plans to partner with automakers who compete with market leaders like BYD and Tesla which sell EVs at an average price of $33000.

Huawei’s EV Partnership

Huawei which entered the EV market in 2021 partnered with companies like Seres, Changan, and BAIC to sell EVs in China. It is also working on partnerships with JAC Motors and Chery Automobile CO. Ltd, a state-owned automaker known for its partnership with Jaguar Land Rover.

Huawei, which was one of the top tech companies, was crushed under the heavy sanctions levied by the US over the past few years. Once the company entered the infamous US Entity Trade list, it was boycotted by all US firms and suffered a huge loss in its business.

In 2021, Huawei’s revenue shrank 28.6% to 636.8 billion yuan ($93.7 billion), as it could not bypass the US-led sanctions and trade bans over the past three years. In fact, this revenue loss is also one of the major reasons for the company to step into the lucrative EV industry. As China is the biggest EV market in the world, Huawei also wants a share of the pie. Hence it partnered with local automakers to dive into the EV market.

Huawei’s EV Journey

Huawei announced its plan to enter the EV industry in 2021 and unveiled the first Huawei-powered Electric SUV the Aito M5 in September 2022. The telecommunication giant partnered with Chinese automaker Seres to supply technology for the sports utility vehicle, which was an instant hit in China. Within 4 months of its launch, Aito M5 outsold big EV brands like Nio and Volkswagen and, in fact, gave stiff competition to Tesla’s popular EV the Model Y.

However, the unexpected sales in the initial period were actually fueled by patriotism rather than consumer demand. The Chinese people were already angry with Washington’s take on their country, and the added sanction on companies like ZTE and Huawei awakened their patriotic instincts. At the time of the launch of Aito M5, Chinese President Xi Jinping asked his citizens to refocus on the nation’s economy by buying locally. This led to a frenzy of nationalism and aided the sales of Huawei technology-powered Aito M5.

However once the nationalist sentiments cooled down Aito M5 sales, started facing pressure from factors like the global economic downturn, COVID-19 policies, weak domestic market, and cutthroat competition which affected all the EV makers in China. In 2022, the company saw below-target sales for Aito as it delivered just 76,180 cars.

China’s automobile industry in general has suffered due to its Zero-Covid policy which resulted in reduced demand, supply shortage, and a standstill in production. Now, the EV makers in China are trying to revive their sales by lowering prices and offering better features. Industry leader Tesla has already cut down the price of Model 3 and Y by almost 13%. Recently, Seres also slashed its price for Aito M5 to retain its market. Amidst this tough competition, Huawei plans to enter the EV market by targeting high-end consumers who can pay the price for its technology.

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Realme GT 3 Roundup: Design, Specs, Expected Pricing & More

By

Sean

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Feb 24, 2023

Realme is gearing up to launch the Realme GT 3 for the global market soon. The company is set to announce the new high end smartphone during the MWC 2023 event in Barcelona later this month. So here’s roundup of everything we know about this device.

Design & Display

While the Realme GT 3 isn’t exactly an ultra high end smartphone, it is still a flagship grade device with some very notable specs and design elements. For those unaware, the GT 3 model is basically a rebranded version of the GT Neo 5, so apart from the name they are identical to one another. The rear features a large camera island on the rear, which houses the image sensor and even a transparent panel.

This transparent panel showcases the high end chipset that powers this device, which is also surrounded by an LED lighting strip. These LED are RGB enabled and can output 25 different colors. Meanwhile, the front sports a tall 6.74 inch OLED display that has a 144Hz refresh rate, 2160Hz PWM dimming, up to 1,500Hz touch sampling rate, a high 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 1.07 billion colors, and a 2772 x 1240px resolution. It also houses a center aligned punch hole selfie camera.

Specifications

The Realme GT 3 can be considered a flagship grade device simply from its design and its top end hardware. It is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, which is just half a step behind the next gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip that powers every ultra high end smartphones that are available in the market right now (Ex: Samsung Galaxy S23 series). This chipset will likely be paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 3.1 internal storage.

Notably, the GT 3 is also expected to launch in the same two charging variants as the GT Neo 5. The fast charging on this phone is undoubtedly one of its highlighting aspects. So, the smartphone will come with support for either a 150W or 240W fast charging variant. The former is powered by a large 5,000mAh battery pack while the latter will house a smaller 4,600mAh battery. However, the 240W variant can charge the GT 3 from 1 percent battery to 20 percent in just around 80 seconds.

The Realme GT 3 sports a triple camera setup on the back. The primary camera is a 50 megapixel Sony IMX890 sensor that supports OIS, which is also paired with an 8 megapixel ultra wide angle lens (Sony IMX355), and a 2 megapixel macro sensor. On the other hand, the front houses a 16 megapixel selfie camera.

Launch Date, Expected Pricing, & Colors

The Chinese smartphone maker launched the GT Neo 5 in three color options, namely a Black, White, and a Purple model. So, it won’t be a surprise if the same options return for the global market. If the company actually launches two variants, the 150W version would likely start from around 370 US Dollars for its 8GB+256GB configuration. Meanwhile, the 240W variant starts from around 470 US Dollars for the 16GB+256GB model. The Realme GT 3 is set to be announced on February 28 during the Mobile World Congress 2023 event. So stick around for more updates.

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Huawei P50 Official Refurbished Models Now on Sale in China

By

Sean

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Feb 24, 2023

Earlier today (24th February 2023), Huawei officially announced the new refurbished model for one of its older flagship smartphones. The high end device in question is the Huawei P50, so here are all the details.

The Chinese tech giant’s former flagship smartphone will be available in three color options which include a black, gold, and white variant. The refurbished P50 models are being officially sold by the brand and not a third party e-commerce website. For those unaware, a refurbished phone is basically devices that have been used for either a very short time or had been opened but returned for reasons ranging from a small defect to other issues. The company takes these phones back under warranty and services them to be near new quality before reselling it at a cheaper price rate.

So now, the P50 is being offered to prospective buyers with a 15 day replacement guarantee if the device has any issues. It is also paired with a 66W fast charger as well. The Huawei P50 model was first unveiled back in 2021 and featured top notch specs and features. This includes a 4G only Snapdragon 888 SoC, 6.5 inch OLED display with Full HD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate, 50 megapixel triple cameras, and more.

So for those interested in picking up a flagship Huawei smartphone, you can get the 8GB + 128GB model for a price tag of 3,388 Yuan (roughly 488 US Dollars) while the 8GB+256GB variant is being sold for 3,788 Yuan (roughly 545 US Dollars).

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Truke Buds A1 Earbuds Launched in India with ANC & 48hr Battery for Just Rs 1,299

By

Sean

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Feb 24, 2023

Truke has just launched a brand new product for the Indian market. This device in question is the new Buds A1 truly wireless earbuds, which are a pair of budget earphones that feature some notable specs. So let’s have a look.

The company has just launched the new Buds A1 TWS earbuds that feature a unique special textured classic case design. It also adopts a stem design on the earbuds while the charging case is shaped like a pebble. The brand promises to offer a cinematic music experience thanks to its 10mm titanium audio drivers. The new Truke Buds A1 come with 3 preset EQ modes options like Dynamic Audio, Bass Boost Mode, and a Movie Mode.

One of its highlighting features is undoubtedly the support for ANC (Active Noise Cancellation). The Buds A1 feature Hybrid ANC that offers up to 30dB noise reduction, which is quite impressive for its pricing. It also houses a quad mic system for ENC to offer an improved and clear calling experience. The earbuds also support the seamless one step instant pairing technology for faster connections. It even supports the latest Bluetooth 5.3 and offer an impressive 48 hours of total battery life. On single full charge, the earbuds can last for up to 10 hours with ANC off.

The earbuds’ charging case is equipped with a 300mAh battery pack that supports fast charging via a USB Type-C port. This hearables can even be used by gamers since it offers a dedicated low latency gaming mode that drops the latency down to just 50ms. The new Truke Buds A1 will be available for purchase on Amazon India for a price tag of 1,499 INR, but have a special introductory price of just 1,299 INR for those that pre-order before its first sale on March 3.

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Microsoft Announces ChatGPT for Robotics, Robot Interactions Without Learning Complex Programming

By

Leo Wong De Quan

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Feb 24, 2023

Microsoft Announces ChatGPT for Robotics, Robot Interactions Without Learning Complex Programming

The recent announcement of Microsoft implementing ChatGPT (based on the upgraded GPT-4) into the company’s search engine Bing took the world by surprise and attracted many users to join in on the AI hype. But it seems like Microsoft is not only bringing AI to the online market, but to the offline market as well.

As recently announced on the company’s official blog post, the Microsoft Autonomous Systems and Robotics Research Group has recently published a research paper on ChatGPT for Robotics, which allows text robots to directly control physical robots.

ChatGPT for Robotics aims to help people interact with robots more easily, without needing to learn complex programming languages or details about robotic systems.

To go further into the specifics here is a comparison table between robotics today vs ChatGPT for Robotics:

Robotics Today	ChatGPT for Robotics
Current robotics pipelines begin with an engineer or technical user that needs to translate the task’s requirements into code for the system. The engineer sits in the loop, meaning that they need to write new code and specifications to correct the robot’s behaviour. Overall, this process is slow (the user needs to write low-level code), expensive (requires highly skilled users with deep knowledge of robotics), and inefficient (requires multiple interactions to get things working properly).	ChatGPT unlocks a new robotics paradigm, and allows a (potentially non-technical) user to sit on the loop, providing high-level feedback to the large language model (LLM) while monitoring the robot’s performance. By following a set of design principles, ChatGPT can generate code for robotics scenarios. Without any fine-tuning, users can leverage the LLM’s knowledge to control different robots form factors for a variety of tasks.
Requires human to translate language instruction to programming instruction	ChatGPT translates language instruction to programming instruction
Requires human for debugging	ChatGPT does some of the debugging
Process is slow, expensive and inefficient.	Process is faster, cheaper and more efficient.

In their research paper and blog, Microsoft’s research team shows multiple examples of ChatGPT solving robotics puzzles, along with controlling robot arms, drones, and home assistant robots intuitively with language.

The paper also details several challenges the team has faced since the product is still in development. However, Microsoft’s research team states that their research is only a small fraction of what is possible within the intersection of large language models operating in the robotics space, and hope that more is to come.

Microsoft stated that the tech giant believes that language-based robotics control will be fundamental to bringing robotics out of science labs, and into the hands of everyday users.

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Xiaomi Is Shutting Down Its TikTok Rival Zili in India

By

Sean

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Feb 24, 2023

Xiaomi is gearing up to shut down its short video sharing platform that is called Zili. The company will be ending its operations in the Indian market soon, so here is everything you need to know about this new move.

For those unaware, the Chinese tech giant’s Zili was first launched in Google Play Store back in 2018 and functioned similar to another social media giant, TikTok. In other words, Zili also allowed users to share or watch short videos on their platform and even sought to fill up the market left by TikTok after it was banned by the Indian government. But now, it appears that Xiaomi is also exiting the market, as it plans on shutting its operations on 13th March 2023 at 23:59PM “due to an operational adjustment.”

As of right now, the application has already been removed from the Google Play Store. Furthermore, Zili added that “All services on Zili app will be disabled on and from the shutdown date, including but not limited to the functions of download, Z-points encashments or withdrawal, etc. and all user data would be deleted from our server after that date and will no longer be retrievable.” Notably, this decision to shut down the platform would likely have resulted in a number of people being laid off in the country.

This app was quite popular in the Indian market with Play Store showing downloads crossing an impressive 100 million before it was taken down. Zili had seen breakout success after TikTok got banned in India in 2020. So it remains to be seen, which other short video sharing app will cover the gap left behind by these two platforms.

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Qualcomm Shows Off Fastest-ever Local AI Image Generation on Mobile

By

Anubhav

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Feb 24, 2023

Qualcomm has recently unveiled an exciting new development in mobile technology, showcasing its AI capabilities with the latest iteration of its image generator, Stable Diffusion. The company has claimed that this is the fastest-ever deployment of the software on a smartphone, with a demo video showing it generating a 512 x 512-pixel image in under 15 seconds. While Qualcomm has not revealed the specific phone used, it has confirmed that it was powered by its flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. The software has also undergone a range of custom optimizations to achieve optimal performance.

This is an impressive feat, particularly as generating an image in this way on a decent laptop can take minutes, let alone seconds on a smartphone. Most apps offering AI image generation do all their processing in the cloud, rather than on the mobile device itself. Dall.E is an example of one such AI image generation software that runs all of its processing threads on the cloud, which is why it generates images with the speed it does. Qualcomm’s achievement marks a significant step forward in the productization of AI, with the potential to offer greater convenience, cost savings, and privacy.

While Qualcomm has claimed that this is a speed record, some developers have pointed out that they have already achieved similar results with Stable Diffusion running on Android devices. However, this doesn’t take away anything from the impressive nature of Qualcomm’s achievement. It’s important to remember that getting big AI models running locally on mobile devices is a complex task that requires significant computing power. Plus, privacy is highly enhanced since no data is being sent over the internet. By showcasing this technology, Qualcomm has demonstrated its expertise in this field and opened up exciting possibilities for the future of mobile AI.

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Apple May Launch iPhone 15 Pro in a Dark Red Color Special Edition

By

Sean

-

Feb 24, 2023

We had just recently covered CAD renders of the Apple iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, which showcased the design of the next gen iPhone that is set to launch later this year. Now, we have another leak that showcases this high end iPhone model in a new Dark Red special edition.

The news arrives from the 9To5Mac, who also shared the CAD renders of the iPhone 15 Pro earlier this week. In the latest renders, we can see the iPhone 15 Pro in a new dark red color option. As of right now, it is still unclear if the company will actually launch such a color variant for its next gen flagship iPhones. The Cupertino based giant usually launches special color variants for the more expensive Pro models.

For example, it had released the pacific blue color for the iPhone 12 Pro, sierra blue for the iPhone 13 Pro, and space black and deep purple for the iPhone 14 Pro model. But a source close the company company has revealed the the iPhone 15 Pro model will arrive in a new dark red color option (410D0D). However, this is not the only possible color that the device will launch in as other rumors have hinted at other special edition variants as well.

This includes a possible light blue and pink color options. Keep in mind that this is still just an unconfirmed report and the brand plan to launch all or possibly none of these colors for the iPhone 15 Pro. The high end model is expected to feature titanium, so we can also expect it to opt for some natural or space black like hues to better match the new materials being used on its upcoming smartphone.

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Xiaomi 13 Lite Visits NBTC Certification Ahead of February 26 Launch

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Feb 24, 2023

The Xiaomi 13 Lite has passed NBTC certification today. As it is known, the device is scheduled to break cover alongside the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro on Feb. 26 at the MWC 2023 event. Reports have claimed that the 13 Lite will be rebranded version of the Xiaomi Civi 2 that went official in China in September 2022. The NBTC listing also shows that the Civi 2 will be rebadged as the 13 Lite in the global market.

The Xiaomi 13 Lite’s specifications are not mentioned in the NBTC listing. However, it does state that the model number of the device is 2210129SG. To recall, the Xiaomi Civi 2’s model number is 2210129SC. As a result, it appears that the Civi 2 will be renamed 13 Lite outside of China.

The Xiaomi 13 Lite is likely to be the first device to release with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 onboard in the global market. It will feature a 6.55-inch AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.

The device boasts 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. It comes preloaded with the latest Android 13 OS and MIUI 13 user interface.

On the back panel, the Xiaomi 13 Lite will feature a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 main camera with OIS support, a 20-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. On the front, it will have dual front-facing cameras, consisting of a 32-megapixel main camera and a 32-megapixel ultra-wide lens.

The leaked renders of the Xiaomi 13 Lite have revealed that its display has curved edges and a pill-shaped cutout. The device has an under-display fingerprint scanner and will be available in black, pink, and blue shades. In Europe, the device is likely to be priced at 449 euros.

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Realme GT 3 240W Spotted with Key Specifications on Geekbench Before February 28 launch

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Feb 24, 2023

Realme GT 3 has been spotted on Geekbench before its official announcement. To recall, Realme recently confirmed that it will unveil the Realme GT 3 on Feb. 28 for the global market at the MWC 2023 tech exhibition. Apart from teasing the design and revealing support for 240W SuperVOOC charging, the company hasn’t revealed any details about the device’s specifications. The Geekbench appearance of the device has leaked some of its key specifications.

A device labelled as Realme RMX3709 has surfaced on Geekbench today. The same device has also been recently spotted on other platforms, such as Indonesia’s TKDN, Europe’s EEC, and Bluetooth SIG. It has also emerged in Thailand’s NBTC database with the Realme GT 3 240W moniker.

Going back to the Geekbench listing for the Realme GT 3 240W, it reveals that a 3.00GHz Qualcomm chipset powers it. While it appears to be the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, it could be the underclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 with the same clock speed. For those who don’t know, the Realme GT 3 240W might end up as a rebranded version of the Realme GT Neo 5 240W, which launched in China earlier this month.

The Geekbench listing further states that the device has 16 GB of RAM and runs on Android 13 OS. It scored 1265 and 3885 in the single-core and multi-core tests of Geekbench 5. The rest of the specs of the GT 3 could be identical to the Neo 5.

The Realme GT 5 is likely to feature a 6.74-inch OLED 1.5K display that offers a 144Hz refresh rate. It will come with LPDDR5 RAM, UFS 3.1 storage, a 4,600mAh battery, and Android 13 OS with Realme UI 4.0 on top. The GT 5 will have a 16-megapixel front camera, and a 50-megapixel (main, with OIS) + 8-megapixel (ultra-wide) + 2-megapixel (macro) triple camera unit.

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