ASUS Announces New ROG Strix Gaming Monitor, Esports Ready with 300hz Refresh Rate

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Feb 23, 2023

ASUS has just unveiled a new gaming related product from its ROG (Republic of Gamers) sub brand. The company’s latest announcement is for the ROG Strix XG27AQMR, which is a new gaming monitor that is esports ready.

The Taiwanese tech giant’s new ROG Strix XG27AQMR, which sports a 27 inch display that has a WQHD resolution (2560x1440px). This panel comes with DisplayHDR 600 certification and support for an impressive 300Hz refresh rate. In other words, the monitor is esports ready, which means that it is a great product for competitive gamers that often play esports title like CS:GO. Other gaming related features include IPS technology that offers 1ms response time, NVIDIA G0Sync and AMD FreeSync support for a tear free experience.

ASUS has also included the new ELMB SYNC technology with this gaming monitor. It has a low motion blur technology that cooperates with VESA Adaptive Sync to remove ghosting at higher refresh rates. The ROG Strix XG27AQMR also has a 97 percent DCI-P3 and 120 percent sRGB color gamut. In other words, despite being a gaming display, it still offers accurate colors for users that is great for creative professionals. It has a 600 nits of peak brightness and two HDR modes, Cinema HDR and ASUS Gaming HDR.

For connectivity, the known PC maker offers two HDMI 2.0 ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and a lone DisplayPort 1.4 port. The gaming monitor is also built on a stand that can have its height adjusted, support swivel, pivot, and even tilt as well. Unfortunately, the pricing and availability have yet to be announced. Although, we can expect the brand to reveal this information soon.

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Vivo TWS A1 to Launch on February 25

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Feb 23, 2023

Almost all smartphone brands sell truly wireless earphones. Vivo is no exception, however, the company releases new models less frequently than others. Also, its earbuds rarely make their way to global markets.

The company offers two lineups of wireless earbuds, namely Vivo TWS and Vivo TWS Air. Earlier today, the firm revealed that it will be introducing a new series called Vivo TWS A.

Vivo is set to launch a new pair of truly wireless earphones in China on February 25 (Saturday). These earbuds are officially called Vivo TWS A1. This product will be the first model under the new Vivo TWS A family.

As of now, the brand has only revealed the design of the product. The teaser image shows that the case will be ovular in shape. It will arrive in white and black color options.

Whereas, the buds will resemble the AirPods. They will be semi-in-ear type and therefore, they won’t feature silicone ear tips.

All in all, the Vivo TWS A1 looks identical to the Vivo TWS Air from last year. Perhaps, the new model may replace the old one or it may have slightly better specs and carry a costlier price tag.

The Vivo TWS Air debuted at ¥199 (~$30). Hence, the upcoming Vivo TWS A1 could cost about the same or a bit more expensive. Either 1way, it should be more affordable than the premium Vivo TWS 3 series.

Since we are still two days away from the launch, there’s a chance that the firm may reveal more details about this product in the next few hours. We will be updating our readers as soon as that happens.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5 Storage Options Revealed Months Before Launch

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Feb 23, 2023

Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy S23 series in different markets. In the second half of the year, the company is expected to announce its next-generation foldable phones, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Flip 5. In a new report, Sammobile has shown what kinds of storage options buyers of the upcoming Z-series foldables will have.

The report states that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will be arriving in 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB storage variants. The Galaxy Z Flip 5, on the other hand, will be coming in 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB storage choices. Interestingly, these storage variants are the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 from last year.

The 128 GB variant will be equipped with a UFS 3.1 storage chip. The rest of the storage options on both models will be UFS 4.0. The report has no other information on the other specs of both models.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4

Reports say that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will have a new hinge design that will help get rid of the crease in the screen. While some rumours suggested that it would have an S Pen slot, a recent report stated that it would not have a dedicated storage slot.

When it comes to the Galaxy Z Flip 5, the device is likely to have a bigger screen on the outside than the 3.26-inch screen on the Oppo Find N2 Flip. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is most likely going to power the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5. However, it may not be the regular SD8G2, which powers flagship phones from other brands, but the 3.36GHz custom version that can be found inside the Galaxy S23 series.

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DxOMark Says Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Camera Falls Short in Low-light Situations

By

Soumyakanti

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Feb 23, 2023

Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts an impressive camera system. However, according to a recent review by DxOMark, a trusted source for camera and audio quality assessments, the S23 Ultra has fallen short of expectations and was ranked only 10th in the list of best smartphone cameras, trailing behind phones from Huawei, Google, Honor, Apple, and Xiaomi.

Despite this setback, the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s camera system still has several strengths. It performs consistently across the board and is a great all-around camera phone, according to DxOMark. The reviewers also praised its photo rendering, good autofocus in photo and video recording, and strong telephoto capabilities at long range.

However, the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s camera system reportedly falls short in low-light conditions, losing image detail and shutter lag. Additionally, there are instabilities with focus and exposure in backlit scenes. These issues could potentially affect the phone’s overall camera experience.

In terms of ranking, the Galaxy S23 Ultra tied with the Google Pixel 7 and the Vivo X90 Pro+ for 10th place, with each phone scoring 140 points for the rear-facing camera. The S23 Ultra’s selfie camera also tied with the Asus ZenFone 7 Pro with a score of 137, and both phones tied for 10th place in this category.

Devices that scored higher in DxOMark’s ranking include the Huawei Mate 50 Pro, Google Pixel 7 Pro, Honor Magic4 Ultimate, iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, Huawei P50 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra.

Overall, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s camera system may not be the best among its competitors, it still has several strengths that make it a solid choice for a camera phone. Samsung’s latest flagship phone provides a great overall experience, from hardware to software, which is consistent with the company’s brand. It remains to be seen whether Samsung will address the reported issues in future updates to further improve the S23 Ultra’s camera system.

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Tesla Model X / S seen with New Cameras and Hardware Upgrades

By

Joane

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Feb 23, 2023

Tesla Model X and Model S have been spotted with new cameras. Social media influencer ‘The Kilowatts’ who regularly spies on upcoming Electric Vehicles including Tesla Models, has captured images of the Models S and X with the latest upgrades.

He found the new cameras and upgraded hardware on Fremont, California-made Tesla Model S, and Model X units. The new Hardware 4 is speculated to come with a total of 11 cameras. This is way higher than the current 8 cameras carried by Model S and X. Though they have not confirmed the total number of cameras yet, the images show that there are several new cameras added to the vehicle with some of the old ones being changed or updated in some way.

It looks like every Model S/X without visible Ultrasonic Sensors in the delivery lot has camera units that I’ve never seen before pic.twitter.com/e1sxEG8cua
— The Kilowatts 🚗⚡️ (@klwtts) February 21, 2023

Design-wise, people are expecting an update to the vehicle’s rear badging and as per the spotted images, we can see that the steering wheel has also been changed. The images show a new round steering wheel instead of the standard yoke available in the previous models.

Steering wheels now in production! 😅 pic.twitter.com/3iVsXQbGlY
— The Kilowatts 🚗⚡️ (@klwtts) February 21, 2023

Last week Tesla got the European certificate for its latest Hardware 4.0 which apparently will make Tesla cars the most technologically advanced vehicles in the world. To date, Tesla has not made any official announcement regarding Hardware 4.0. The details of the new hardware have been speculated based on the changes and permissions, that the company applied for with the regulators.

Experts are speculating that the Hardware 4.0 upgrades may include a generation 4 complex vehicle control system (Autopilot), a new computer that is going to be 4 times more powerful than the one available in FSD 3, and a new GNSS antenna for navigation. Speculations are also being made on the speed limit, which may be increased to 174 MPH (280 km/h).

Tesla was supposed to launch the new Hardware 4.0 with its most awaited vehicle, the Cybertruck. However, the images of Models S and X confirm that these EVs are getting the upgrades even before the launch of the Cybertruck.

Though Tesla has not officially made any announcements for Hardware 4.0, people are expecting the official announcement with details on March 1, 2023, Investor Day when the company has promised to unveil its Master Plan for the future.

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Huawei Mate X3 Render, Specifications Leaked, Design, Chipset, Cameras, and More Revealed

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Feb 23, 2023

Huawei is reportedly working on its next foldable phone, the Huawei Mate X3, for the Chinese market. Today, tipster Digital Chat Station shared what appears to be the key specifications of the device.

According to the tipster, the Huawei Mate X3 will be a foldable phone with an inward-folding design. The outer screen will have a single punch-hole placed at the top-centre position.

On the inside, the Mate X3 will have a large foldable screen without any punch-hole. He added that it will be a thin and lightweight foldable phone. Here is a look at the first-ever render of the Mate X3 shared by tipster Rodent. The tipster revealed that there will be no camera on the inside.

Huawei Mate X3 specifications (rumoured)

DCS hasn’t said how big the outer and inner displays are on the Mate X3, but he has said that the inner one will have a 2K resolution. Under the hood, it will feature the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. It appears that the device may not carry support for 5G connectivity due to the ongoing US sanctions.

The leak further mentions that the Mate X3 will pack a 4,800mAh battery with 66W fast charging support. The rear camera island of the device will be headlined by a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 camera. It will be assisted by a Sony IMX688 ultra-wide lens, and a IMX351 periscope zoom camera.

The Huawei Mate X3 is likely to run on the latest version of HarmonyOS. As per a previous report, the Mate X3 may arrive with support for satellite connectivity. A recent report revealed that the mass production of the Mate X3 will start in March, which indicates that it may debut in the second quarter of this year.

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These Samsung Galaxy S23 Features Were Developed in India

By

Sean

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Feb 23, 2023

Samsung has just revealed some very interesting details regarding the features that it offers on its latest generation of flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S23 series. Some of the features were apparently developed in India, so here are all the details.

As per official notes, the South Korean tech giant’s Research and Development Institute Noida (SRI-N) is a global R&D Center that has been working on making advanced solutions for the company. Thus, SRI-N has made major contributions towards the development of smartphones and other innovations from the brand. Furthermore, this team in India has also worked closely with other teams in South Korea to help develop innovative features in the latest Galaxy S23 lineup.

Some of the features made by SRI-N engineers are in the fields of user experience, health features, performance improvements, and user safety as well. To elaborate, user experience is a crucial part in the digital work and the SRI-N team has worked hard on building an intuitive experience. The Galaxy to Share app is one such example as its lets users to share all customization and own personalization settings across different Galaxy devices. There are even various widgets and clock related features that were developed in India as well.

For health, the SRI-N engineers focused on improving health features in Samsung’s latest flagship phones. The new Galaxy S23 series devices come with a new Sleep tracker widget on the home screen and even a new track for water intake that can even setup up reminders for you to drink water. Samsung Health trackers also help in mapping the water, body composition, cycle tracking, and heart rate of the users. Lastly, the new phones’ Emergency SOS and Emergency Sharing feature was also developed by SRI-N team as well.

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Nokia Adds G10 to the List of Official Android 13 Compatible Phones

By

Soumyakanti

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Feb 23, 2023

After Nokia X30 5G and Nokia G60 5G, Nokia G10 smartphone is now officially compatible with the latest Android 13 update. The confirmation means that Nokia G10 owners can look forward to receiving the update in the near future. Nokia Mobile has already begun the Android 13 update rollout to four of the eight smartphones for which Android 13 compatibility has been confirmed: Nokia XR20 5G, Nokia G50 5G, Nokia X20 5G, and Nokia X10 5G.

Nokia G10’s Android 13 compatibility has been validated through the Google Android Enterprise Recommended program, which means it meets strict security standards to use in business environments. Check the screenshot of the Nokia G10 listing from Google’s AER directory.

The Nokia G10 joins the other Nokia devices originally listed in the AER directory, including Nokia XR20 5G, Nokia X10 5G, Nokia X20 5G, Nokia G50 5G, and Nokia G11 Plus, which have all been officially confirmed to receive the Android 13 update.

While Nokia G11 Plus is also confirmed to be Android 13 compatible, it has yet to receive the update. This leaves Nokia X30 5G, Nokia G60 5G, Nokia G11 Plus, and Nokia G10 eligible to receive the Android 13 update in the near future.

Nokia recently launched X30 5G in India which features a 6.43-inch FHD+ 90Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 695 processor with 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage. The device is backed up by a 4,200mAh battery with 33W fast charging. Nokia X30 5G features a dual rear camera setup with a 50MP primary OIS sensor and a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens. There is a 16MP front-facing selfie snapper. The device will also get three years of OS upgrades as well as monthly security updates.

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Redmi Note 12 & 12 Pro European Variants To Come With Android 12 Pre-installed, html5test Reveals

By

Sudhanshu

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Feb 23, 2023

Redmi is expected to launch its Redmi 12 series of smartphones for the European market at the MWC 2023 event, which is set to take place next week. Like India, two devices are expected to debut in the lineup for Europe. These will be the Note 12 5G, and the Note 12 Pro 5G.

Redmi Note 12 5G (22111317G) & Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G (22101316G) European versions appear on HTML5test running Android 12 OS pic.twitter.com/DkLqyIs89a
— Sudhanshu Ambhore (@Sudhanshu1414) February 23, 2023

Ahead of the launch, both of these smartphones have been spotted on the HTML5test database. The Redmi Note 12 5G and the Note 12 Pro 5G scored 520 and 472 points on the test, respectively. However, the test reveals a disappointing fact. Apparently, both of these devices will launch with Android 12-based operating systems rather than the latest Android 13 OS.

With the standard promise of 3 years of major updates, these phones will make it to Android 15. They will be supported for an additional year when it comes to security updates. Let’s take a look at the features of these devices.

Redmi Note 12 Pro Series Specifications

The Redmi Note 12 and Note 12 Pro have a 6.67-inch OLED display with FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 240Hz touch sampling rate. It also features a 10-bit color depth, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision.

Both phones are powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 SoC with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. They also come with an IR blaster, dual stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The devices support dual SIM, 5G, WiFi 6, GNSS, NFC, and USB Type-C. The Pro and Pro Plus run on MIUI 13 based on Android 12 and have a 5,000mAh battery. The Pro offers 67W fast charging, while the Pro Plus has 120W fast charging and a larger cooling system.

The Pro has a 50MP Sony IMX766 primary camera, while the Pro Plus features a 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HPX primary camera. Both phones have an 8MP ultra-wide camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 16MP front camera.

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OnePlus Ace 2 Dimensity Edition First Teaser Released, Certification Reveals 80W charging

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Feb 23, 2023

OnePlus seems to have started teasing the arrival of the Ace 2 Dimensity Edition. Today, OnePlus China President Li Jie took to Weibo to release a teaser image, that hints at the arrival of the next Ace-branded smartphone. In addition, the said device, which has the model number PHP110, has been approved by the National Compulsory Product Certification in China. This indicates the Ace 2 Dimensity Edition will debut in the next few weeks.

Last month, the OnePlus Ace 2 Dimensity Edition was spotted at the MIIT certification, and now it has bagged yet another certification in the home market. Previous leaks have claimed that the OnePlus Ace 2 Dimensity Edition has a 5,000mAh battery with 100W charging support. However, the Chinese certification has revealed that the device may offer 80W fast charging. Hence, it appears that it will be the first time a OnePlus device will support 80W charging.

OnePlus Ace 2 Dimensity Edition certification

OnePlus Ace 2 Dimensity Edition specifications (rumoured)

In terms of other specs, previous leaks have shown that the OnePlus Ace 2 Dimensity Edition will have a 6.74-inch OLED screen with a Full HD+ resolution of 2772 x 1240 pixels. The punch-hole screen will be integrated with a fingerprint sensor.

The Dimensity 9000 chipset and 16 GB of RAM will power the OnePlus Ace 2 Dimensity Edition. The rear camera setup of the device will have a 64-megapixel OmniVision OV64M main camera with an f/1.79 aperture, an 8-megapixel Sony IMX355 ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel GalaxyCore GC02M macro camera.

With some important certifications under its belt, it appears that the OnePlus Ace 2 Dimensity Edition will break cover in March in China. The device’s official launch date may be announced in the first week of March.

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MIUI 14 Indian Launch Confirmed for Feb 27, Check All Eligible Devices

By

Sudhanshu

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Feb 23, 2023

Xiaomi will be launching the Xiaomi 13 series smartphones globally on February 27. The brand has confirmed the launch of the Xiaomi 13 Pro in India on the same date. Now, the company has announced that it will also unveil MIUI 14 during the same event.

While MIUI 14 has already been rolled out for eligible smartphones, the Xiaomi 13 Pro will be the first device to come pre-installed with MIUI 14 on top of Android 13. Xiaomi plans to showcase the features of MIUI 14, which have not been available on smartphones updated with the software yet. Muralikrishnan B, President of Xiaomi India, made the announcement regarding the launch of MIUI 14.

Currently, Xiaomi has not yet enabled all the features of MIUI 14 on smartphones running in India. One of the main changes coming with MIUI 14 is the revamped user interface design, along with new features such as icon resizing and various widgets. Animations will be faster and more crips and the in-built apps like recorder, compass, and app vault will be revamped. To find out which phones qualify for the Android 13-based MIUI 14 update, you can check the list below.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi 12 Pro
Mi 11 Ultra
Xiaomi 11T Pro
Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge
Xiaomi 11i
Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G
Mi 11 Lite
Mi 11X Pro
Mi 11X
Xiaomi Pad 5

Redmi

Redmi Note 12 Pro+
Redmi Note 12 Pro
Redmi Note 12
Redmi K50i
Redmi Note 11 Pro+
Redmi Note 11 Pro
Redmi Note 11S
Redmi Note 11
Redmi Note 11T
Redmi Note 10 Pro Max
Redmi 10
Redmi Note 10 Pro
Redmi Note 10T
Redmi Note 10S
Redmi Note 10 Lite
Redmi 10A
Redmi 10 Power
Redmi 10 Prime (2022)
Redmi 10 Prime
Redmi 9T

POCO

Poco F4
Poco F3 GT
Poco X4 Pro 5G
Poco M4 Pro 5G
Poco M4 Pro
Poco M4
Poco M3 Pro 5G

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Artifact, Instagram Co-Founder’s App Provides AI-Powered News & is Open To The Public

By

Anubhav

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Feb 23, 2023

Artifact, a personalized news reader developed by Instagram co-founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, has now launched and is open to the public without any sign-up required. The app originally required a phone number and an invitation to try it out, which attracted initial demand but kept it out of reach for many potential users. The company received approximately 160,000 sign-ups while on the waitlist, and users outside the U.S. were unable to try Artifact, as a U.S. phone number was necessary for sign-up. With the removal of the waitlist and phone number requirement, users will now have instant access to Artifact upon its first launch. The app’s first social feature has been introduced, and feedback controls have been added to improve the news reading experience.

Artifact’s goal is to provide tools to allow readers to personalize and expand their feed. Users can manage their interests by blocking or pausing publishers, or selecting and unselecting general interest categories. In addition, a new feature allows users to upload their contacts to see a signal that a particular article is popular within their network. This feature is different from Twitter‘s Top Articles feature, which shows articles popular with the people you follow, as Artifact’s feature is more privacy-focused. It does not tell you who read it or how many of them read it, so it keeps privacy.

Systrom stated that the underlying technology requires a certain amount of data and a number of people using it to offer the best experience. The company believes the app is now ready for a larger audience. The newly added stats feature shows users the categories they have read, recent articles they have read within those categories, and the publishers they have been reading the most. Very few news publishing apps follow this approach. The reading is grouped more narrowly by specific topics rather than general categories. The broader goal is to expand the social experience to include a way to discuss news articles within Artifact itself.

Artifact is a U.S.-based version of China‘s Toutiao or Japan‘s SmartNews. Apps like these utilize algorithms and machine learning to form a curated set of news articles for each user based on how they engage with the app’s content. Systrom claims that while Artifact is similar to these other personalized news readers, the “devil is in the details”. The machine learning used in Artifact is based on the transformer, which was invented in 2017 at Google. It’s interesting to note that the ‘T’ in ChatGPT stands for Transformer as well.

Systrom compares the emergence of Artifact with the founding of Instagram when there were already other image-sharing apps available. There has to be something that distinguishes new technology from existing technology in order to create a niche in the market. In this case, that would be machine learning and other similar algorithms.

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Xiaomi Civi 3 Key Specifications Leak Reveals Chipset, Cameras

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Feb 23, 2023

Last year in September, Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi Civi 2 smartphone. Like the original Civi and Civi 1S phones that have launched in the past, the Civi 2 was made available as a female-focused phone. Now, a new leak has revealed the key specifications of the upcoming Civi 3.

Xiaomi Civi 3 specifications (rumoured)

According to tipster Digital Chat Station, the Xiaomi Civi 3 will have a Full HD+ display that offers a 120Hz refresh rate. In all likelihood, it could be equipped with an AMOLED screen with curved edges and a pill-shaped cutout for the two front-facing cameras.

The leak further states that the Civi 3 has two 32-megapixel cameras on the front. The Civi 2 has dual front-firing LED flash units for brighter selfies in low-light conditions. It is likely that the Civi 3 may also have dual LEDs on the front.

The rear camera setup of the device will have a Sony IMX800 primary camera. He also stated that there will be no overhaul improvements to auxiliary cameras. To recall, the Civi 2 features a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 main camera, a 20-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera.

The Snapdragon 7-series chipset was used in all previous Civi models. However, it appears that Xiaomi may offer a MediaTek SoC on the Civi 3. Last month, DCS claimed that the Civi 3 will use the Dimensity 8200 SoC. He has once more stated in the new leak that the D8200 will power the device.

The rest of the specifications of the Xiaomi Civi 3 are under wraps. The Civi 2 was priced at 2,399 Yuan (~$348) at launch. Hence, it is likely that the successor may arrive with a similar price tag.

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(source)

Mercedes-Benz to Integrate TikTok for the First Time Ever

By

Anubhav

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Feb 23, 2023

After recent speculation that Tesla will integrate ChatGPT into its EV fleet, this shouldn’t come as a surprise that TikTok, the viral social media app, is set to make its way into cars. As per the latest reports, the upcoming release of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the fall of 2023 will feature TikTok. The updated version of the MBUX infotainment system in the vehicle will boast a “superscreen” that spans the entire dashboard and will allow drivers and passengers to access a variety of apps, including TikTok, Zoom video conferencing, Angry Birds, Vivaldi web browser, and Webex by Cisco.

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius stated that the company selected these apps based on what is most popular in each market or region. With the inclusion of TikTok, it highlights Mercedes’ interest in the Chinese market, where the app is particularly popular.

Passengers will have access to a portion of the screen located directly in front of them, allowing them to enjoy the content on TikTok. The driver monitoring system will track where the driver is looking, ensuring that they do not become distracted while driving.

Mercedes-Benz has created a new software architecture that allows for easier integration of third-party apps into the infotainment system. The automaker has also developed a new app store that is accessible through the Mercedes me app. Over-the-air software updates will enable more apps to be added to the vehicle in the future.

In addition to the inclusion of TikTok and other apps, Mercedes-Benz announced a long-term partnership with Google that will provide drivers with navigation, maps, and YouTube. The automaker also revealed details about its own operating system, MB.OS, which is expected to debut in its next generation of vehicles around 2025, and an expanded partnership with lidar company Luminar.

All of these new features and partnerships were announced and debuted at the automaker’s research and development center in Sunnyvale, California.

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(Via)

Xiaomi Pad 6 Series Launch Timeline & Key Specs Tipped

By

Sudhanshu

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Feb 23, 2023

Following the resounding success of the Xiaomi Pad 5 range of tablets, both in the local and international markets, the company seems to be getting ready for the imminent release of the Xiaomi Pad 6 series. Several leaks concerning the specifications and design of the tablet have surfaced in recent weeks. Now, a new report has emerged, providing us with information about the display and chipset specifications, as well as the expected launch window.

The report comes from popular Weibo tipster DCS who informs that the Xiaomi Pad 6 series tablets could launch in March or April. Some previous reports have claimed an April launch window for the tablets, alongside the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Xiaomi Band 8.

According to Digital Chat Station, the forthcoming flagship tablets from Xiaomi will be powered by either MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000 or Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. However, the base model of the Xiaomi Pad 6 is expected to feature a Snapdragon 870, in contrast to the Snapdragon 860 used in the vanilla Xiaomi Pad 5. Based on past models, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro could potentially come with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Additionally, the Xiaomi Pad 6 series may receive upgraded displays with resolutions of up to 2.8K or 3K, surpassing the 2.5K screens of the Pad 5 series.

Previous design leaks have revealed that the Xiaomi Pad 6’s camera module will look a lot like the one present on the Xiaomi 12 smartphone. The display could have a 120Hz/144Hz refresh rate and offer support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The battery is expected to be a dual-cell unit with a 10,000mAh capacity, and offer 67W fast charging.

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Xiaomi 13 Ultra Case Images Reveal Huge Camera Island with Multiple Sensors

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Feb 23, 2023

Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the Xiaomi 13, 13 Pro, and 13 Lite on Feb. 26 for the global market. Once the global launch is done, the Chinese wing of the brand is likely to gradually shift its focus to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, which will be the company’s most powerful flagship phone. Rumors are rife that it may break cover in April this year. Well before the launch, the publication TechGoing shared case images of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, revealing its rear design.

As can be seen, the alleged case for the Xiaomi 13 Ultra reveals that its design will not be too different from the China-exclusive Xiaomi 12S Ultra, which debuted last year. The leaked images show that the 13 Ultra has a humongous round-shaped camera module like its predecessor. A side view of the case reveals how much the camera island will protrude from the rest of the back.

xiaomi-13-ultra-case-image2 — Xiaomi 13 Ultra case image

The case images show four round-shaped cutouts at the centre. Rumors have claimed that the Xiaomi 13 Ultra will have a quad-camera setup, which will be headlined by a 1-inch, 50-megapixel Sony IMX989 primary camera. The main snapper is said to be equipped with gimbal optimization.

There is a pill-shaped cutout at the top inside the camera module. The remaining cutouts available inside the camera island could be for the LED flash and microphone. Coming to the edges of the phone, its right side has cutouts for volume up/down buttons and a power button. At the top, there are some cutouts, which could be for the speaker, a microphone, and an IR blaster.

Xiaomi-13-Ultra-leaked-image — Xiaomi 13 Ultra leaked image

Shown above is a leaked image of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra that emerged last week. As can be seen, the case images are almost in line with the leaked image of the device.

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HarmonyOS Performed Surprisingly Well when Installed on a PC

By

Anubhav

-

Feb 23, 2023

HarmonyOS is taking the tech world by storm, as it’s been shown to be compatible with a vast range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to smartwatches and even smart cars. But what’s really caught our attention is the recent revelation that a Chinese developer has successfully installed the open-source HarmonyOS operating system onto a PC platform, specifically an HP notebook running the HarmonyOS 3.2 Beta 3 version.

In a video demonstration, the PC was shown to be functioning smoothly, responding accurately to all mouse inputs without any lag. However, it’s important to note that while this installation does show that HarmonyOS can be adapted to a PC environment, it’s not yet in an advanced stage where it can handle performance-heavy tasks. The software will require extensive optimization and task execution capabilities to progress further.

Currently, the developer has managed to adapt the drivers for the USB, network port, SATA port, PCIE, and other hardware interfaces of the HP notebook used in the demo. However, work on adapting the drivers for the notebook’s built-in keyboard and touchpad is still ongoing. The developer has also hinted that they’ve been working on adapting HarmonyOS for X86 architecture CPU, which suggests that this adaptation is based on the Linux kernel.

The plan moving forward is to prioritize software adaptations before tackling the hardware side of things. This means that the necessary drivers will be adapted first, followed by desktop applications. However, the developer has admitted that optimizing the sound driver, graphics card driver, and external display will still need more work. In particular, GPU graphics acceleration is currently a weak point for OpenHarmony, but the OpenHarmony project team has set up a related SIG (Special Interest Group) to address this issue in future versions.

While Huawei has yet to make any specific announcements regarding adapting HarmonyOS for its notebooks, this latest development could open the doors for collaboration with PC manufacturers and software developers to bring HarmonyOS to the industry for both consumer and business devices. It’s exciting to see how HarmonyOS will continue to evolve and expand its reach.

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Microsoft Introduces Bing’s ChatGPT to iOS, Android, and Skype, Alongside New Voice Functionality

By

Leo Wong De Quan

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Feb 23, 2023

After much fanfare about Bing’s new Chat functionality on Desktop, Microsoft officially announced today that Bing’s ChatGPT functionality is now available on iOS, Android, and Skype. Currently, the new Bing is only available for preview for those signed up for preview testing via the Microsoft Bing waitlist, and if you are interested in trying out the new Bing, you can join the waitlist here.

Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President & Consumer Chief Marketing Officer of Microsoft announced that Bing’s ChatGPT service is available on the company’s Bing and Microsoft Edge mobile apps from today onwards. Both the Bing and Edge mobile apps are available on Android’s Google Play Store and Apple’s iOS App Store.

In addition to the new Chat service, Microsoft has also redesigned Bing with a fresh look and experience. As noted from the official announcement:

“Tapping the Bing icon at the bottom will invoke a chat session, where you can engage in all the same ways you can from the desktop. Ask simple or complex questions and receive answers and citations. Choose how you want your answers displayed – bullet points, text or simplified responses. Explore the Bing chat experience to refine your query or compose an email, poem or list.”

Besides expanding availability to more devices besides desktops, Microsoft has also added a new much requested functionality to Bing – voice search. Available on mobile and on desktop, voice search provides more versatility in how users can deliver prompts and receive answers from Bing.

Our news writer, Leo also had the opportunity to try out the chat voice functionality himself, and besides being able to translate from speech to text, the search engine was able to do text-to-speech as well on the Android Microsoft Edge app.

Bing with Voice Functionality in action (Yes, humans need sleep)

Aside from mobile use, Microsoft has added Bing, the new chat and search engine based on GPT-4, to the company’s messaging service Skype as well. Bing on Skype can be described as similar to Discord command bots, but instead of complex commands, you can now easily chat and prompt it like how you use ChatGPT.

To use Bing on Skype, Microsoft explains that Skype users can simply add Bing to the group, as you would any Skype contact, and now you can ask Bing to answer questions and provide information for the entire group.

To illustrate, Microsoft has given an example below:

“If your family is chatting about the next family reunion, you can simply ask Bing for suggestions on travel destinations, expected weather forecasts and interesting events around your time of travel, and everyone in the chat will get access to the results. When you are catching up with friends, you can ask Bing to simply fetch information from the web, for example, the latest news or last night’s award shows to add to your conversation.”

Microsoft Bing on Skype, Source: Microsoft

For more news on the latest in tech, stay tuned to our coverage here at Gizmochina.

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Audio-Technica AT-LP2022 60th Anniversary Edition Vinyl Record Player With a Transparent Design Unveiled

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Feb 22, 2023

Japanese audio products manufacturer Audio-Technica is celebrating its 60th anniversary and to mark the historic milestone, the company has launched the Audio-Technica AT-LP2022 60th Anniversary Edition vinyl record player for the global market including China where its products are super-popular. The limited edition turntable will retail at 12,350 yuan ($1792) in China.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP2022 60th Anniversary Edition vinyl record player has a body made of transparent acrylic. The disc body comes with a thickness of 30mm while the vinyl support place is 16mm thick. The device also comes with soft anti-vibration pads at the bottom which not only suppress vibration but also can be used to adjust the height and set the level of the turntable.

The original factory default configuration of the turntable is the AT-VM95E BK cartridge, the needle tip is oval, but Audio-Technica also provides a limited color (transparent acrylic) Shibata needle with model number AT-VMN95SH, so that users can freely replace it and experience different needle tips. The device also features a carbon fibre tonearm specially design for it. The tonearm can adjust the needle pressure, prevents slip, among other features .

In terms of power, the AT-LP2022 turntable uses a high-precision DC motor, which is driven by a belt, and the rotation speed is extremely stable. The original specification claims that the jitter rate is lower than 0.15% RPM, which can maintain the stability of the turntable. It is also equipped with an external power adapter.

In addition, as a limited commemorative product for the 60th anniversary, the Audio-Technica AT-LP2022 turntable comes with a unique packaging box. The box uses Echizen washi paper produced by hand using traditional Japanese techniques and has a mix of blue and white colors. Audio-Technica is manufacturing only 3,000 units of the turntable globally and each piece has its own serial number. Thus, this is indeed a collector’s item. There is no word on the pricing and availability.

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Apple Watch Faces Potential Ban as Biden Okays ITC Ruling on AliveCor’s Electrocardiogram Patent Infringement

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Feb 22, 2023

Apple was at the wrong end of a patent ruling by the US International Trade Commission in December 2021 where it determined that Apple Watch’s electrocardiogram function infringed on AliveCor’s patent. The ITC had imposed a Limited Exclusion Order (LEO) and a cease and desist order on Apple Watches infringing on AliveCor patents. However, the ruling had to be reviewed by the US president. A press release by AliveCor indicates that the ruling has now cleared the Presidential review.

As a reminder, the ITC ruling found that Apple’s Watch Series 4 and later models infringed on AliveCor’s electrocardiogram technology patents. Apple’s electrocardiogram feature allows users to take an ECG reading with their Apple Watch by placing their finger on the watch’s digital crown for 30 seconds. This feature is available on the Watch Series 4 and later models.

According to reports, the ban on the importation of infringing Apple Watches could have a significant impact on Apple’s bottom line, as the company sells millions of watches in the United States each year. If the ban goes into effect, Apple would likely have to redesign its Apple Watch or find a way to license the technology from AliveCor.

It is not yet clear whether Apple plans to appeal the ITC’s ruling or if the company has any plans to license the technology from AliveCor. However, the potential ban on the importation of infringing Apple Watches highlights the importance of intellectual property protection in the technology industry.

Patent infringement lawsuits are not uncommon in the technology industry, and companies often go to great lengths to protect their intellectual property. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for other companies in the industry that use similar technology in their products.

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