Apple Wants to Destroy Google: Former Engineers Speak Out

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Jan 26, 2023

Apple and Google have a rather strange relationship. Both companies have been struggling to dominate the technology world for years. However, the competition in question continues in a friendly and ethical manner. At least that’s what we thought until now. According to the latest reports, former Apple engineers claim that Apple is engaged in a “silent war” against Google. Here are the details…

Apple is engaged in a ‘silent war’ against Google, claim engineers

Competition is a useful thing for many consumers. Especially when we consider how important it is to balance the market conditions and establish the price-performance balance. However, it seems that Apple is taking the competition a little too seriously. According to a recent report in the Financial Times, two former Apple engineers claim that the company is engaged in a “silent war” against Google. One of them used the word “grudge” to describe Apple’s relationship with Google, and the other one going further and describing it as a “silent war.”

One of the key battlegrounds in this alleged war is the launch of Apple Maps in 2012. After a troubled start, the service still lags behind Google Maps these days. However, Apple Maps was created because Google refused to give the iPhone the same turn-by-turn directions it was producing on Android. This move is an attempt to provide users with an increasingly necessary feature and prevent buyers from switching to its competitors.

Another area where Apple is thought to be targeting Google is search. Since at least 2015, there has been AppleBot, a search engine that has been used by Siri and Spotlight at times. This is a separate service from offering a Google-style search for users, but it has led to reports that an Apple Search is in the works. However, this may have been stymied in late 2022 when key staff working on Apple Search left to rejoin Google.

Finally, there is the area of advertising. Apple’s own advertising business has been growing rapidly, and the company’s privacy features are reportedly affecting third-party advertisers. While this may not be a direct attack on Google, it is an area where the two companies are competing.

While the FT report is based solely on statements from two former engineers, it fits with previous descriptions of the rivalry between Apple and Google. Whether the so-called silent war between the two companies will continue to escalate, or whether the two companies will clash remains to be seen. Will find a way to live peacefully in the tech industry.

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Noise Commits to Manufacturing 90% of its Smartwatches in India from January 2023

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 26, 2023

Smart wearables maker Noise has announced its plans to focus the bulk of its smartwatch production in India. The smart wearables brand says it will produce up to 90% of its smartwatches locally in India. The company also released a digital film that highlighted its journey to the top of the Indian smartwatch market.

Noise is India’s topmost smartwatch brand, with an array of products across several strata. Noise says it is the first brand to ship over 3 million Indian-made smartwatches to the global market. It says that the Made in India, Made for India drive started with its dream to revolutionize the wearable market. Noise is also the first local brand that successfully localized smartwatch production in the subcontinent.

The Noise brand film to mark this year’s Republic Day highlights the details and efforts of the company’s engineers and technicians in making the perfect Indian-centric smartwatch. Its smartwatches resonate with the demands of the Indian audience while maintaining global standards. Noise also notes the high-quality and seamless experience that proceeds from using its smartwatches in India. Noise says it is grateful to be a part of the fast-paced wearables industry at the heart of India’s local content strategy. It says it takes pride in understanding and fulfilling the core needs of its customers in an innovative manner.

Noise is a foremost player in the fast-evolving wearables market in India. Its lineup of wearables includes audio accessories. It has continued to blossom in the global space with rising shipments of its wearables abroad.

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Samsung Galaxy S23 & S23 Ultra to Feature Google’s Fast Pair Support

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 26, 2023

Google‘s Fast Pair feature is set to debut on smartphones soon according to decompiled data assessed by 9to5Google. The data suggests the quick setup feature will be included on Samsung‘s upcoming Galaxy S23 which is set to debut on February 1st.

Fast Pair is a feature developed by Google to make it easier to set up new Android devices. The feature works by allowing one Android device to detect another device that hasn’t been set up yet. When this happens, a Fast Pair pop-up menu will appear, allowing users to follow on-screen steps to move their data from their old device to the new one. This can include contacts, photos, and other personal information.

Currently, Fast Pair supports headphones and smartwatches, but support for trackers and styluses is coming soon. When setting up a Samsung device, for example, users can use Samsung’s Smart Switch app to move their data. The feature is similar to how QR codes are used to set up other devices, with the user scanning a code to initiate the data transfer.

The Galaxy S23 series launch will be a convenient time to roll out the feature, as many people will likely be upgrading their phones to the latest Galaxy S23 models. Since the Galaxy models run on Android-based OneUI, the feature is expected to work similarly to how Wear OS watches appear on Fast Pair, making it a smooth and seamless process for users.

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OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro Design Teased, Dynaudio-tuned Speakers Confirmed

By

Anurag

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Jan 26, 2023

OnePlus has a huge event planned on February 7, where it will launch a handful of new products, including the flagship OnePlus 11, a less-expensive OnePlus 11R, the OnePlus Buds 2 Pro, and even a new Keyboard. In addition to this, the Chinese brand will also unveil a new smart TV, dubbed OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro. Ahead of the launch, the company has started teasing the design of the upcoming television and has confirmed one interesting detail.

OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro is expected to arrive as the successor of the Q1 Pro, which debuted back in 2019. The teasers posted on Amazon reveal that the new Q2 Pro will come with a soundbar on the bottom. However, it is yet to be confirmed whether it is a motorized soundbar that slides down from the back – something we saw on OnePlus TV Q1 Pro.

In addition, the company has confirmed that the OnePlus Q2 Pro smart TV will come with Dynaudio-tuned speakers. The Danish company will also be tuning the audio on the Buds Pro 2 TWS. The TV will have a center dock stand and users should also be able to wall-mount their Q2 Pro TV.

A recent report revealed the OnePlus TV will have a 65-inch QLED panel with 4K resolution and a high 120Hz refresh rate for smooth animations. The TV is said to pack a Dolby Atmos 70W speaker and run its own custom firmware built on top of Google TV. It could be equipped with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage onboard.

Currently, we have no information about the pricing and other specifications of the upcoming TV. We are destined to know it all on February 7. Stay tuned.

TCL Ion X Smartphone Launched on Metro by T-Mobile in the US Priced at $119.99

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 26, 2023

Metro by T-Mobile has combined with TCL to unveil the TCL Ion X smartphone at a hugely affordable price. The new model is viewed in some quarters as an incredibly cheap and extremely modest phone. The TCL Ion X will be among Metro’s most affordable phones with its $119.99 price tag.

The Ion X sports an incredibly outdated-looking design and low-level components. It has a 3,000mAh battery, a low-res 6-inch screen, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. The ION X could be a hard sell even with its price, as its key performance parameters are lagging behind. It has a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The price of the smartphone may be a strong motivation to purchase but its features are quite underwhelming.

The new Metro by T-Mobile smartphone will run on Android 12. It is also propped as having all the latest features of the new OS. However, the phone falls short in many areas. It is powered by the octa-core MediaTek Helio G25 processor. The TCL Ion X has a USB Type-C port, microSD card slot, and headphone jack. These are basic features that are expected in any standard smartphone.

The Metro by T-Mobile TCL Ion X could have a bumpy reception in the market. This may be due mainly to its underwhelming parameters. There are several other well-kitted and affordable smartphones that will catch customers’ fancy. The TCL Ion X retails for $119.99.

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Tesla Cybertruck delayed again, mass production pushed back to 2024

By

Sudhanshu

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Jan 26, 2023

Earlier today, Tesla had its fourth-quarter earnings call where the company’s CEO Elon Musk said that the Cybertruck won’t be seeing full volume production until 2024. As many of you may remember, Tesla unveiled the futuristic Cybertruck back in November 2019 and subsequently opened bookings for the pickup truck.

To date, potential customers have reserved more than 1.5 million Cybertracks, however, even one of them it yet to make it to a customer. During the call, Musk was questioned about if the upcoming car would fulfill a manufacturing goal that was established in Q2 of last year for the middle of 2023. Musk reluctantly acknowledged that Cybertruck production would begin “sometime this summer,” but came to the conclusion that the truck won’t go into mass production until the following year. “I always attempt to minimize the beginning of manufacturing,” Musk added. “It increases exponentially, but it is very slow at first.”

This is the latest in a line of multiple delays. Pre-production was initially planned to begin in late 2021, but the COVID-19 epidemic caused this to change. Then, it was projected to happen sometime in 2023, a year ago.

This time, however, it looks like Tesla is finally readying up for mass production as the company revealed that it has started installing the production equipment needed for the Cybertruck’s assembly, including the castings that will produce the electric pickup’s body.

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Nokia Teaming Up With NOW Telecom to Design 5G Network for the Philippines

By

Anurag

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Jan 26, 2023

Bell Labs Consulting, part of Nokia, has been chosen by NOW Telecom to develop a 5G Standalone (SA) network design for the entire Philippines and plan a national broadband network. Nokia will also be responsible for setting up a trial 5G network in various locations in Metro Manila.

Nokia will assist NOW Telecom in obtaining funding for the deployment of the first 5G Standalone (SA) network in the Philippines and offer unique services, through the network planning and design provided by the Finnish company. This effort is made possible by the grant given to NOW Telecom from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), aimed to advance the development of 5G mobile and wireless networks in the country.

For the unaware, 5G SA refers to a network having its independent infrastructure. The core of this type of network is built entirely on the 5G specification, which is devised by the 3GPP – an organization that develops standards for mobile telecommunication. There are no 4G/LTE or existing legacy components used in 5G SA.

By utilizing Nokia’s expertise in network design and planning, as well as their automation software for network management, NOW Telecom aims to meet the increasing demand for dependable and secure digital services for both residential and business customers. Their plans include offering Fixed Wireless Access and enhanced Mobile Broadband 5G services to connect underserved areas and improve network speed and responsiveness.

“We are excited that our expertise will make a critical contribution to the development of digital infrastructure in the country. The study by our Bell Labs Consulting will provide NOW Telecom with the required analysis, designs, and plans for the phased implementation of the 5G SA network,” said Stefan Wilhelm, Head of Bell Labs Consulting at Nokia.

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Samsung Announces Odyssey Neo G7 43″ Mini-LED Gaming Monitor for Global Markets

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jan 26, 2023

At the end of December, Samsung unveiled its first mini-LED flat gaming monitor. The product is officially called Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43″ (G70NC).

It was first made official in the company’s home country South Korea, followed by Taiwan. Today, in an official press release, the electronics giant has revealed (via SamMobile) the monitor’s global availability.

Samsung says that its latest one-of-a-kind gaming monitor will be available across several global markets starting in Q1 2023. Unfortunately, the company does not mention the regions and the exact availability dates since they will vary across countries.

As a result, we don’t have any information on the global pricing yet. We urge you stay tuned to the official announcements from the local wings of Samsung for further details.

Talking about specifications, the monitor flaunts a 43-inch flat quantum mini-LED panel with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K) and up to a 144Hz refresh rate (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro). The screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio and supports up to 400 nits peak brightness level.

The panel offers up to a 1ms MPRT response time and a 178° viewing angle. It comes with support for HDR standards, such as VESA Display HDR600 and HDR10+ Gaming.

The monitor arrives with multiple ports, like 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x USB 3.0, and 1 x Ethernet. It also comes with WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, and 2 x 20W speakers.

Garmin Fenix 7, Enduro 2, Epix 2, & Marq 2 get several new features with latest beta update

By

Anurag

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Jan 26, 2023

Garmin has started releasing new beta update to a wide range of its smartwatches, including the Enduro 2, Epix 2, Fenix 7, and Marq 2 series. The latest firmware brings plenty of new features to the wearables ahead of the stable release. Here are the details.

According to the announcements on the official forum, Garmin is now releasing a new beta build to Enduro 2, Epix 2, Fenix 7, and Marq 2 series smartwatches under its Public Beta program. The watches are receiving Beta version 11.22, which is a follow-up to the recently released version 11.21. To receive updates, it is mandatory to first enroll your smartwatch in the Public Beta program offered by Garmin. If you’re already enrolled, the update will be automatically delivered to your watch through GCM.

It is important to note that the GCM will perform a check for updates every 24 hours and it may take several additional hours for the update to transfer and become available for installation on your watch. In case you encounter any bugs in the software, you’re advised to report it under the appropriate section within the brand’s Beta Bug Reports forum.

The new update brings around seven new changes (changes since v11.21, previous Beta release):

Added Outdoor Maps+ access to the Configure Maps page.
Fixed issues with the new “map only” touch setting.
Fixed issue where strength reps display could show an incorrect value.
Fixed issue related to Jet Lag data that was causing shutdowns when connecting to a computer.
Fixed issue causing a blank item in the training status list.
Fixed UI issue with sunrise/sunset option menu.
Marq 2 Only: Added Tempo Training to all Marq 2 models.

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ASML Expects to Continue Business with China Despite US Pressure

By

Joane

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Jan 26, 2023

Europe’s largest semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML Holding N.V. said that the company expected to continue exports to China at the same level as it did in 2022, despite the building pressure from the US to increase export sanctions on the country.

The company is expecting to earn around 2.2 billion Euro from China sales in 2023 and hopes that the ongoing diplomatic talks between US, Japan, and Netherlands did not end in any more sanctions against China, which can jeopardize the whole semiconductor industry.

The Dutch company plays a vital role in the semiconductor industry as nobody else in the world can make the complex EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography) machine, required to create advanced semiconductors. All major chipmakers like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel depend on ASML for their lithography machines.

In an interview with Financial Times, ASML CEO Peter Wennik said that he hoped the Dutch Government would choose sensible sanctions which would not affect the key industries that are completely dependent on semiconductors. He further added that the geo-political bifurcations and increasing trade restrictions could create more friction in the industry which can lead to an increase in the pricing or worse, a reduction in the availability of chips.

The semiconductor or chip is one of the hottest technological device of the decade as it is a crucial component found in almost all electronic devices that make modern living possible. Semiconductors are needed in almost all sectors of modern life like communication, health, smart living, military, medicine, computing, clean energy, transportation, infrastructure, and more.

China is the world’s biggest semiconductor consumer and accounts for 15% of the backlog orders of ASML. Last year US introduced increased restrictions on semiconductor exports to China to stop its advancement in AI and disrupt its progress in chip making.

These restrictions stopped ASML from providing machines, tools, personnel, and technical know-how to Chinese companies. At first, the company thought that this would affect its business drastically. However, CEO Wennik said that the actual impact of trade restrictions was not as bad as they thought, as the Chinese customers decided to make older chips using ASML products that did not fall under the purview of sanctions.

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Apple’s Latest Mac Mini Teardown Videos Show Significant Changes in the Internals

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 26, 2023

Apple‘s new Mac mini brought a much-needed upgrade to a powerful, compact device that is perfect for users who need a high-performance desktop computer in a small form factor. The latest iteration of the Mac mini comes with the option of Apple M2 and Apple M2 Pro SoCs, which offer improved performance and efficiency over the previous generation Apple M1 SoC.

Teardown videos of the M2 and M2 Pro versions of the device have now appeared online. The videos show that the Mac mini is just as easy to take apart as before. The process involves removing the plastic plate on the bottom of the device, which reveals the Wi-Fi antenna and fan module. These components remain unchanged from the Apple M1 edition. The heatsink also appears unchanged on models powered by the Apple M2. Conversely, versions equipped with the Apple M2 Pro ship with a longer heatsink and a larger logic board.

The main difference between the Mac mini machines with Apple M1 and Apple M2 Pro SoCs is the size of the logic board and the heatsink. The Apple M2 Pro models have larger logic boards, which allow for more powerful components, such as more RAM and storage. They also have a longer heatsink, which helps dissipate heat more efficiently.

The teardown also shows that the Apple M2 generation models ship with 256 GB SSD modules, instead of two 128 GB modules as found on the Apple M1 models. This change results in 30-50% slower read and write speeds for SKUs equipped with 256 GB of storage. However, purchasing a model with 512 GB of storage resolves this shortcoming.

Overall, the new Mac mini is a powerful and versatile device that offers improved performance and efficiency over the previous generation. Its compact size and easy disassembly make it a great choice for users who need a high-performance desktop computer in a small form factor.

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Polestar Launches the 2024 Polestar 2 EV with 300 miles of Range and 299 Horsepower

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 26, 2023

Polestar, the electric vehicle brand owned by Volvo and Chinese automaker Geely, has just unveiled the updated version of its Polestar 2 sedan, and it’s set to be a fierce competitor for Tesla’s popular Model 3. The new Polestar 2 boasts a number of improvements over its predecessor, including an upgraded battery pack that increases its range to an estimated 300 miles for the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version, and 270 miles for the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive variant. This is a significant improvement over the previous model, which had a range of 270 miles for the single-motor version and 260 miles for the dual-motor version.

The new battery pack also allows for faster charging, with a rate of 205 kilowatts. This means that the Polestar 2 can charge to 80% in just 40 minutes, and 100% in less than an hour. The Model 3, on the other hand, is rated for 272 miles of range for the base $44,000 model, and 338 miles for the longest-range version.

The new Polestar 2 also comes with more powerful motors. The single-motor version now makes 299 horsepower, up from 231 in the previous model, and can hit 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds. The all-wheel-drive version has even more power, cranking out 421 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to hit 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. Polestar has also re-calibrated the torque ratio in the dual-motor variant to increase the rear-wheel drive feel and enhance the driving experience.

In terms of design, the Polestar 2 gets a redesigned front end that houses its radar and forward-facing camera. The car also comes standard with much more driver-aiding tech, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera, which were all optional before. This is a smart move by Polestar, as it will help them to compete with Tesla’s tech-filled and Autopilot-enabled cars.

Polestar hasn’t released pricing for the new Polestar 2 yet, but it’s expected to start slightly above its current price of $48,400. One significant advantage of the Tesla Model 3 is that it qualifies for the federal EV tax credit of $7,500. However, the Polestar 2 isn’t made in North America and thus it isn’t eligible for the tax credit.

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Samsung Launches 2023 Bespoke Windless Air Conditioner and Bespoke Cube Air Purifier in Korea

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 26, 2023

Samsung Electronics has unveiled two new air solution products in its home market of Korea. The Samsung 2023 Bespoke Windless Air Conditioner and the Bespoke Cube Air Purifier come with impressive features.

The Samsung Bespoke Windless Air Conditioner is an iteration of the 2016 wind-free air conditioner. The first-generation model came with some innovations at that time and produced cooling without direct wind. The Bespoke Windless Air Conditioner Gallery and Bespoke Windless Air Conditioner Classic are two options available. The air conditioners are operated with a windless function, including non-wind Slim, energy-specialized models, and eco-friendly/ SmartThings support.

The 2023 Bespoke Windless Air Conditioner Gallery utilizes a new silhouette and eco-friendly design. It has Samsung SmartThings functionality and enhanced connectivity. The air conditioner lineup has obtained first and second grades in energy consumption efficiency for all the models. The air conditioner has a larger heat transfer area, a larger outdoor fan, and a high-efficiency motor. It offers 10% improved cooling efficiency than the first-class energy consumption efficiency standard.

The Bespoke Windless Air Conditioner Classic has an energy consumption efficiency of 7.7. The use of the SmartThings Energy AI Saving Mode can further reduce energy consumption for the air conditioner by 20%. It has an eco-friendly refrigerant which is further expanded in the Slim model of the gadget. Some of the models feature a solar cell remote control that bypasses the use of disposable batteries. An ultra-fine filter that can be washed is reused is also part of the air conditioner’s system.

The 2023 Bespoke Cube Air air purifier comes with a customized care filter, which can also be upgraded to a pet/ deodorization filter. It offers enhanced deodorization capabilities and can easily remove strong odors from the room. It has a faster odor removal mechanism, certified by the Korea Air Cleaning Association. The AI saving mode can yield up to 30% saving in energy consumption. It also has SmartThings support for managing the air quality in your home.

The Samsung Bespoke Windless Air Conditioner Classic starts at 2.87 million won (~$2,328), while the Gallery model is priced at 3.22 million won (~$2,611). The price includes the basic installation fees. The Bespoke Cube Air purifier is priced between 790,000 won (~$641) and 1.74 million won (~$1,411). There is no information yet on whether the models will be available in other markets.

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OLED Tablets Become Popular Due To Pandemic, Jump In Penetration Expected In 2024

By

Viraj Gawde

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Jan 26, 2023

There are two types of display panels on electronic gadgets – OLED and LCDs. However, OLED panels have failed to make their appearance on big screens even after dominating smartphones. Samsung has been one of the early adopters of OLED panels in its tablets. However, other OEMs have failed to adopt the same. As per Counterpoint Research, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the OLED tablet’s popularity. The trend is said to continue and a jump in penetration is expected in 2024.

Samsung already uses OLED display panels on its Tab S series. Last year, tablets launched with OLED displays include ASUS VivoBook 13 Slate, Huawei MatePad Pro 11, and Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2.

There is a big difference between LCD and OLED displays. The former uses LED backlight for illumination whereas the latter provides pixel illumination to offer better colour contrasts and viewing angles. OLED panels are expensive as well as difficult to manufacture. However, they are also reliable as burn-in and pixel wear are more prevalent in LCDs. Falling manufacturing costs and the introduction of new technologies are expected to resolve the issues plaguing OLED panels.

As per the Counterpoint Research data, tablets with OLED displays account for 8 percent of the global market share in Q3 2022. They are likely to grow incrementally every quarter and achieve a 15 percent share in Q2 2024. Till the third quarter of 2022, South Koren major Samsung dominates the OLED tablet market with 68 percent share. Lenovo, Huawei, Microsoft, and Asus have market shares of 19,10, 2, and 1 percent respectively.

Counterpoint Research adds that significant developments in OLED penetration will likely remain dormant in 2023 as the cost of the display panel remains high. LG Display is increasing the capacities at its plants which is ultimately expected to reduce the per-unit price of an OLED panel. The research firm predicts that in Q2 2024, Samsung will have 40 percent market share followed by Apple having 21 percent share as the Cupertino-based tech giant is also expected to announce OLED iPads in future.

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OnePlus Pad Design Leaks Via Renders

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jan 26, 2023

OnePlus will be holding its first global launch event of 2023 on February 23. The conference is primarily for the OnePlus 11, however, the brand will also be debuting several other products.

The company has been revealing those additional devices for the last few days. Yesterday, it was officially disclosed that the OnePlus Pad, the brand’s first tablet, will be unveiled at this event.

Today, we get to see the design of this product via leaked renders.

Prolific leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer (@OnLeaks) has partnered with MySmartPrice to share the renders of the upcoming OnePlus Pad. This is the first time we are seeing the design of the tablet.

As per the renders, the tablet will sport a unibody metal chassis. Further, it will feature uniform bezels on the opposing sides with the front-facing camera on one of the side bezels.

The device’s rear will include a weird-looking camera, a OnePlus logo, and a OnePlus branding. All of these will be placed in a way suitable for landscape viewing rather than portrait, like on most tablets on the market.

The volume keys will be located on the right side, whereas the power will be placed on the top. The left side will have a connector, which could be for the official stylus accessory.

Last but not least, the tipster says that the device will flaunt an 11.6-inch display. Unfortunately, it’s not known whether the panel will be an LCD or an OLED.

We are looking forward to learning more about this tablet in the coming days as the official announcement is still almost two weeks away.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2’s USA Locked Version Gets Android 13 Update

By

Chandan

-

Jan 26, 2023

Samsung is all prepared for the upcoming Galaxy Unpack event. The brand will launch its 2023 lineup of flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S23 series and other products such as the Galaxy Book 3 series in the event. Anyway, the USA carrier-locked version of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 smartphone has started grabbing the Android 13 Update. The unlocked version received the update a month earlier and now, the update is finally getting released for the locked versions of the device.

The carrier-locked Galaxy Z Fold 2’s One UI 5.0 update runs on Android 13 and has the US firmware version F916USQU2IVK5. The security patch for November 2022 is also included in the update for the foldable phone. The phone hasn’t yet received the upgrades for December 2022 and January 2023, despite the fact that the device is intended to receive security updates every month. We assume that the company will shortly release the most recent security fix for the gadget.

The new version is already accessible on the networks of Sprint and T-Mobile in the US, and additional network providers could roll it out in the coming weeks. Comparing the updated version to the unlocked version, there are no significant changes. The final update is now available after a few minor adjustments made by the brand to make it work with the carrier-locked version. You can get the Android 13 update by going to Settings » Software update and selecting Download and install if you own a carrier-locked version of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in the US and use one of the aforementioned networks.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 receives the Android 13 update, which features a revamped user interface (UI), an extended Color Palette (Material You) feature, better widgets, larger app icons in alerts, improved blur effects, and smoother transitions. The update also makes it simpler to customise the lock screen and choose a wallpaper. So that’s the end of our post. I genuinely thank you for continuing to read.

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Nintendo Switch Users Beware, Your Console May Get Damaged by This Condensation Effect

By

Sean

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Jan 26, 2023

Nintendo has just shared a warning to the owners of its popular handheld console, the Switch. The company is asking its users to be careful with a condensation effect that could damage the device. So here are all the details.

Most Switch users that are more worried about issues like the infamous Joy Con stick drift. However, there appears to be another major issue that could severely damage the new handheld console. The Japanese video game giant shared a new tweet from its Japanese support account. This tweet basically warned the owners of the Switch regarding a condensation problem and also gave tips on how to deal with this issue.

The company stated that Switch users should watch out for water droplets that can be caused by rapid changes in temperature. Apparently, water droplets could form if there is any significant temperature changes in the surrounding environment. This condensation could end up damaging the console. While Nintendo did share an image to showcase this issue, the art piece does not reveal if these droplets form underneath or on top of the display panel.

The company stated that if these droplets are spotted, one should completely power off their Switch console and not put it into sleep mode. Furthermore, one should also bring the handheld console into a warm room until it dries up. The tweet that shared the warning also came with a link that offers a direction on how to completely shutting down the Switch.

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More Users to Get the Message Delivery Indicator System from Google Soon

By

Chandan

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Jan 26, 2023

To better compete with Apple and make Google Messages more akin to an RCS texting system, Google is working arduously on it. Read receipts and end-to-end encryption, which were already accessible on messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, have been added by the brand. Google Messages’ recent beta version already includes delivery and read indicators in the checkmark style. On the other hand, not many people could access it because of the limited beta testing. The upgrade is apparently now being rolled out to a larger audience by the brand.

Google began beta testing a replacement for the Messages app’s spelt-out Sent, Delivered, and Read delivery indicators in October 2022. A single indication displays for sent messages, two indicators appear side by side for delivered messages, and the checkmarks fill in when the text is read. The iconography-based replacements are circles with checkmarks. These checkmarks appear to be appearing in the Messages app for an increasing number of beta testers lately. At least two beta-enrolled phones that didn’t have the feature before testing started are now showing them.

The Google Messages app would benefit visually from a wider rollout of the new message delivery indicators, taking it one step closer to feature parity with competing services. The Google Messages app would benefit visually from a wider distribution of the new message delivery indicators, taking it one step closer to feature parity with competing services. Even while Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram are still the most popular instant messaging services, RCS on Google Messages is positioned to overtake them someday. Google made an effort to showcase the benefits of RCS at CES, but Apple has shown no evidence of changing its mind about being incompatible.

So that was all we had to cover up regarding the recent feature drop of Google Messages. What are your thoughts on this? Do let us know by dropping a comment in your words down below. Thanks a lot for reading the post till the end.

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OPPO Reno 8T Launching In Philippines On February 8

By

Viraj Gawde

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Jan 26, 2023

OPPO Reno 8T is set to debut the Reno 8T smartphone on February 8th. The brand’s Philippines branch has confirmed the launch date on its social channels. The Reno 8T will be the third device in the Reno 8 series that debuted last year. The upcoming offering has surfaced on the web various times in the past. OPPO’s Philippines website also has a microsite of the Reno 8T revealing its key specifications ahead of the launch.

As per the microsite, the OPPO Reno 8T will feature a fibreglass leather back panel. It houses dual traditional camera rings at the top left with the second ring accommodating two lenses. The device will be available in Black and Leather Orange colours. The smartphone is confirmed to come with a 100MP portrait camera. Internally, the OPPO Reno 8T will pack up to 8GB RAM along with 8GB virtual RAM expansion technology. It will come with up to 128GB of storage onboard. The upcoming offering will be backed by a 5,000mAh battery unit.

This is everything we know about the OPPO Reno 8T at the moment. The smartphone is also listed on OPPO Indonesia’s website and it will be available in 4G and 5G variants in the country. It remains to be seen which version the Philippines market will receive.

Leaks reveal that the OPPO Reno 8T 4G will come with a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with curved edges and a 90Hz refresh rate. It will reportedly be powered by an Helio G99 SoC and a 5,000mAh battery unit with support for 33W fast charging.

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Xiaomi Exec responds to brand’s upcoming Modena EV’s design leaks

By

Sean

-

Jan 26, 2023

Over the last couple of weeks, we have reported on a sighting and design leaks for the Xiaomi Modena EV, which is the company’s first ever electric car model. Now, an executive from the brand has responded to these leaks. So let’s have a look.

For those unaware, the Chinese tech giant is working on an electric vehicle that is believed to be called Modena. Earlier this month, the car was spotted going extreme weather testing in the snow, with one of the drivers being the company’s CEO and Founder, Lei Jun himself. Following this, we had also covered another leak, which revealed the front and rear bumper design of the upcoming Modena EV, ahead of its official announcement.

Based on this, we can see that the electric car appears to look quite similar to the Tesla Model 3. This seems somewhat true considering how Xiaomi is building what appears to be a sporty sedan type of vehicle. In response to these leaks, the general manager of PR, Wang Hua, stated that while the recent leaks are related to the company’s upcoming EV model, the design is a generic template.

The senior official added that this template was supplied to Xiaomi by BAIC Mold & Plastic. This statement is likely true considering the design sketch leaks also revealed the suppliers list for the EV, which had also listed BAIC. In other words, apart from the covered sighting of the vehicle, we still have no real idea as to what the Modena EV will look like. The response from the company’s executive could also hint at the prototype models that were spotted in the wild.

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