China’s Hyperloop Technology Advances with Successful Test Runs of Full-Sized Passenger Capsule

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Jan 19, 2023

China’s hyperloop project, which aims to develop ultra-fast land transport technology, has successfully completed its first test runs using a full-sized passenger capsule. The test runs took place at a superconducting maglev test line in Datong, Shanxi province, and the capsule reached speeds of up to 50km/h, travelling a distance of 210 metres each time.

The project aims to eventually carry passengers and cargo at a speed of 1,000km/h or faster in a near-vacuum tube, which would make it the fastest ground-based transport technology in the world. The test runs were conducted by defence contractor China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), which built and operates the facility.

CASIC reported that critical components, including superconducting magnets, high-power electric systems, AI safety controls, wireless communication devices, and sensors all worked as planned during the tests, paving the way for future experiments at higher speeds. The idea of a “hyperloop” tube train was first proposed by SpaceX founder Elon Musk in 2012, and he established The Boring Company to bring the idea to life.

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson also joined the race with a similar venture, Hyperloop One, in Los Angeles. However, both projects have faced financial and technical challenges, with Hyperloop One reportedly laying off more than 100 employees and abandoning the idea of transporting humans, and The Boring Company dismantling its test tunnel last year. China was late to the hyperloop game, as CASIC did not break ground on the Datong facility until April of last year.

However, it took less than a year for the project team to complete its first test run after the start of construction, which China Space News attributed to innovation and strong government support. The test facility’s tube currently measures 2km in length and is expected to be extended to 60km over the next few years to achieve a top speed of 1,000km/h.

CASIC has been involved in the development of advanced weapons systems, including rail guns and the DF-17, China’s first hypersonic missile to enter service. Some military experts believe that new technologies developed at the Datong hyperloop facility, such as electromagnetic propulsion and power management systems, could be used for defence.

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Apple Online Store Offer In Partnership With HDFC Bank: Up to Rs 12,000 Discount on iPhone 14 series, MacBooks, and More

By

Viraj Gawde

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Jan 19, 2023

Apple has announced discounts on its products in partnership with HDFC Bank in India. The discounts are only valid on the Cupertino-based tech giant’s online store in the country. Apart from the flat instant bank discounts, Apple is also providing additional trade-in benefits on the purchase of the iPhone 14 series and 3 or 6 months of no-cost EMI on all devices. It’s unclear how long Apple is running the bank offer on its official website.

The list of devices that are eligible for HDFC Bank discounts include the iPhone 14 series, iPad Air, iPad 10th generation, iPad Pro, MacBook Air M2 chip, MacBook Pro, Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 8, and AirPods Pro (2nd Generation). It’s worth noting that customers need to have HDFC Bank credit cards in order to avail the discounts.

The entire iPhone 14 series comprising the regular, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max variants are eligible for a flat Rs 7,000 instant discount. Apple is also offering an additional Rs 5,000 exchange bonus when buyers trade in their old phone for the new iPhone. However, the exchange value is indicative and depends on the condition of the phone. The total discount after the bank offer and exchange bonus amounts to Rs 12,000.

The MacBook Air with M2 chip and MacBook Pro 13, 14, and 16-inch get a flat discount of Rs 10,000. The iMac 24-inch receives Rs 5,000 instant discount. Coming to the tablets, customers purchasing the iPad Pro 12.9-inch, iPad Air, and iPad (10th gen) can avail discounts of Rs 5,000, Rs 4,000, and Rs 3,000 respectively.

Apple Watch Ultra and Watch Series 8 are eligible for Rs 5,000 and Rs 4,000 instant discounts. Meanwhile, those interested in the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) will be eligible for Rs 2,000 in instant savings.

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PLAYFIT Flaunt Smartwatch Launched With 1.78″ Amoled Display, Bluetooth Calling

By

Sudhanshu

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Jan 19, 2023

Following the release of the PLAYFIT Dial 3, the brand has now introduced the PLAYFIT Flaunt in India. The watch features a sizable AMOLED display and has good dust and water resistance.

The PLAYFIT Flaunt, an Indian-made smartwatch, features a 1.78-inch Super-AMOLED, Always-on Display (AOD) with 550 nits of brightness and an IPS display. Additionally, the watch has a 2.5D Glass design.

It is designed to interact with the PLAYFIT companion app for easy connection and fitness monitoring and is powered by the latest recent Realtek chipset. The battery life of the device is 5 days, and it may run in standby mode for more than 20 days on a single charge.

The PLAYFIT Flaunt is the ideal exercise companion because it can track a variety of user fitness activities thanks to its 100+ pre-integrated sports functions. It also has a heart rate monitor, SpO2 tracker, sleep cycle tracker, sedentary alert, and even a female health tracker.

The watch is also dust- and water-resistant thanks to its IP67 grade. In order to meet the demands of tech-savvy people, the wristwatch also includes voice assistance that is pre-integrated with both Apple Siri and Google Assistant.

Pricing and availability

Priced at Rs. 3,999, the PLAYFIT Flaunt is available through a number of e-commerce sites, including Amazon, Flipkart, and the official PLAYFIT website.

The smartwatch comes with a one-year warranty and is offered in two striking colour combinations: Champagne with Black and Black.

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POCO X5 Pro Spotted in the Hands of Indian Cricketer Hardik Pandya

By

Sean

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Jan 19, 2023

POCO has began teasing its upcoming X5 series of smartphones in India. But ahead of its official announcement, the company’s POCO X5 lineup model was spotted in the hands of a known Indian athlete.

The Chinese smartphone maker’s next gen X series of devices are set to launch sometime soon and prior to any official announcement, it was spotted being used by Indian Cricketer Hardik Pandya. This model appears to be the POCO X5 Pro in the yellow variant. The Indian T20 Cricket team captain can be seen using the phone and also making a call from the X5 Pro. Furthermore, the brand has also announced a fan meetup for the launch of its new X series of handsets in Delhi.

This fan meetup will take place on 22nd January 2023. So we can expect the official unveiling of the device to follow soon after in the coming weeks. Looking at the images, we can see the rear panel of the POCO X5 Pro, with its rear camera module being in clear view. As of right now, the new smartphone is already being teased on major e-retailer platform like Flipkart and even AliExpress that has started teasing the phone for the global markets.

From what we know so far, the X5 Pro 5G model is expected to be a rebranded version of the Redmi Note 12 Speed Edition, which is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G SoC. On the rear, the smartphone is also expected to feature a 108 megapixel primary camera. So stick around for more, as we will be covering additional teasers or any announcements that surface ahead of the launch.

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Elon Musk Begins Auction of Iconic Assets from San Francisco Twitter Headquarters

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Jan 19, 2023

Twitter has put hundreds of items from its San Francisco headquarters up for sale via an online auction. The move follows CEO Elon Musk’s efforts to cut back on company expenses and after firing nearly two-thirds of the company’s 7,500-person workforce in 2022. The sale includes various artwork of the Twitter bird logo, designer office furniture, and a full range of expensive kitchen equipment. Here are the details…

Twitter starts auctioning off assets from its San Francisco headquarters

The items are being sold through auction liquidation and advisory firm Heritage Global Partners. A total of 631 lots will first be listed in early December 2022, then go on sale January 17 at 7 a.m. PT, with bidding closing at 10 a.m. PT later today. Some notable items include “Neon Twitter Bird Light” with the highest bid currently set at $22,500, a three-foot-tall bird statue (currently $21,000,) and a floral “@” sculpture for $8,000. Office equipment is also available to buy, including standing desks, conferencing equipment like Google Jamboards, and designer furniture from the likes of Andreu World and Knoll.

The sale has drawn mixed reactions, with some seeing it as a sign of Twitter’s financial troubles and others see it as a way for the company to offload surplus assets. However, when the Twitter auction was first announced last month, Nick Dove, a representative of Heritage Global Partners, stated that the sale had nothing to do with Twitter’s current financial situation. “They’ve sold for $44 billion, and we’re selling a couple of chairs and desks and computers,” he said. “So if anyone genuinely thinks that the revenue from selling a couple computers and chairs will pay for the mountain there, then they’re a moron.”

Whatever the reasoning behind the sale, it’s an opportunity for those looking to form a start-up to snag some deals, as well as some bird-themed memorabilia. A full listing of all items can be found in the Heritage Global Partners online auction.

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Garmin Instinct Crossover Series With Rugged Design Launched In India

By

Viraj Gawde

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Jan 19, 2023

Garmin has launched two new smartwatches in India. The new devices are a part of the wearable maker’s Instinct Crossover series. The two models are dubbed the Instinct Crossover and Crossover Solar. Both variants are rugged smartwatches and pack the same specifications except that the Solar variant supports solar charging. Read on to know more about the wearable device below.

The Garmin Instinct Crossover series sports a circular dial with a monochrome display of 176 x 176 pixels. It features analog hands with Super LumiNova coating that displays time even in dark conditions. The analog hands can also automatically calibrate if they go out of alignment if the watch suffers a heavy shock. There is RevoDrive technology for the watches to show accurate time under any condition. The smartwatches are MIL-STD-810 compliant and are heat and shock-resistant. The wearable device is water-resistant up to 10 meters.

The Garmin Instinct Crossover series comes with common health-tracking features. These include a heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, advanced sleep monitoring, stress tracker, and body battery. The smartwatch is also capable of getting information about the user’s VO2 Max, Pulse Oxide, fitness age, training status, load and effect, HRV status, and recovery time. The wearable device packs built-in sports apps, HIIT workouts, and mountain biking metrics. There is a multi-GNSS tracking system for better accuracy. The smartwatch is equipped with built-in incident detection for safety features.

The Garmin Instinct Crossover supports contactless payments and Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity. It packs convenient features like smart notifications, including incoming emails, texts, weather updates, and more. The Garmin Instinct Crossover is claimed to last up to 60 days whereas the Solar is capable of lasting up to 70 days. The GPS tracking time is up to 31 hours.

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Xiaomi 12 Pro currently selling on Amazon India for Rs 44,999

By

Sudhanshu

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Jan 19, 2023

The company’s current flagship device, the Xiaomi 12 Pro, featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 SoC, a 2K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 120W fast charging, and much more, is currently on sale at Amazon Republic Day for a significant discount compared to its original pricing. So those who are looking to buy a flagship at a reasonable price, the Xiaomi 12 Pro should be an excellent option.

The price for the 8GB/256GB version of the Xiaomi 12 Pro was Rs 62,999 and the price for the 12GB/256GB model was Rs 66,999. The price has been reduced for both models to Rs 54,999 and Rs 58,999 as part of the ongoing Amazon Republic Day deal. A Rs 10,000 discount is also available when using an SBI Bank card. As a result, the price is now Rs. 44,999 and Rs. 48,999.

As we’ve already mentioned, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is unquestionably an excellent flagship, especially considering the discounted price. The device includes a 50MP primary camera sensor on the back, a 2K AMOLED display, and a lightning-fast 120W charging support with a 4600mAh battery. The phone’s issue is that the chipset throttles a bit, which ultimately degrades the user experience. The phone has a heating problem as well. If you don’t mind dealing with these drawbacks, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is a decent option.

The Xiaomi 12 Pro features a sizable 6.73-inch 2K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 3200 x 1440-pixel resolution, a 480Hz touch sampling rate, 1500nits of peak brightness, Dolby Vision, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and HDR10+. The flagship is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 Chipset with an Adreno GPU, up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. The phone comes pre-installed with the MIUI 13 custom skin and runs on Android 12 OS.

With three cameras on the back, a 50MP Sony IMX707 primary sensor with f/1.9 aperture, OIS, LED flash, a 50MP Samsung JN1 ultra-wide-angle camera with 115-degree FoV, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom—the Xiaomi 12 Pro has different types of imaging capabilities. For selfies and video calls, there is also a 32MP front-facing camera.

The phone has a 4,600mAh battery and supports reverse wireless charging at 10W, wireless second charging at 50W, and 120W fast charging. 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, and a USB Type-C port are among the connectivity options. The phone has three sizable heat-dissipating graphite sheets, a big in-display fingerprint sensor, and Harmon Kardon speakers of 2900 mm2 VC.

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Samsung Wallet Coming to India, Brazil, Malaysia, and More

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jan 19, 2023

Last June, Samsung introduced a new first-party smartphone app called Samsung Wallet. This application unifies Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass into a single app with some additional features.

It was made available in 21 countries in 2022. Now, with the start of the new year, the company has made an announcement regarding extending the availability of the application to 8 new markets.

In an official press release, Samsung notes that the Samsung Wallet app will be available in the following 8 countries starting at the end of January.

Australia
Brazil
Canada
Hong Kong
India
Malaysia
Singapore
Taiwan

Apart from the aforementioned regions, the Samsung Wallet application is already available in the following 21 markets.

Bahrain
China
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Taly
Kazakhstan
Korea
Kuwait
Norway
Oman
Qatar
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Vietnam
UAE
UK
USA

Therefore, the app will be soon available in 29 regions in the coming days.

The new Samsung Wallet application can do much more. It allows users to store credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, vaccine certifications, membership cards, loyalty cards, boarding passes, and ID cards. Users can also store passwords, NFT collections, and digital keys for cars.

Anyway, it is worth noting that not all features are available in all the markets. At the same time, Samsung is promising more features down the line.

Shanghai Plans to Become an Industrial Robotic Hub by 2025

By

Joane

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Jan 19, 2023

Shanghai, traditionally known for its advancements in finance, business, and technology, is now adding another feather to its hat by aiming to become an Industrial Robotic Leader.

The city has seen a 6% increase in the YoY output of robots used in the intelligent manufacturing sector. In 2022, more than 75000 new robotic units were installed in Shanghai making it the number one city in China for Industrial Robotics. The local authorities of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization have hinted that the Robot Density in the city will increase by 100 in the next three years.

Robot density is measured by the number of installations per 10000 employees. According to the latest IFR (International Federation of Robotics) report on Robot Density, South Korea is the undisputed leader, with a Robot Density of 1000 followed by Singapore, Japan, and Germany. However, China is also leading up to the race by surpassing the USA and reaching the fifth position with a density of 322.

To support the intelligent manufacturing and robotics sector, the Shanghai Metropolis is planning to build 10 industry-leading robot brands, 20 city-level smart factories, and more than 100 benchmark robot applications that will expand the industrial output to 100 billion yuan ($14.76 billion). By 2025, the local authorities are planning to build 20 City Level lead factories and 200 smart factories that will place the city on the global map of advanced industrial robotics.

Shanghai is the first city in China to include Robot Density statistics. According to the city-wide data, Shanghai has already surpassed twice the global average of Robot Density with the key industries accounting for a density of 383 and major enterprises showing a density of 260. According to Tang Enkan, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, Robots have become a part of the urban digital transformation of the city by becoming work assistants and life partners for the residents.

The 14th Five-Year Plan of China focuses on the development of the Robotic Industry and states that the country aims to become a global hub for robotics and innovation by 2025. China is mobilizing massive resources and investments to develop the Robotic industry and has become the fastest growing Robot market in the world. By 2025 China wants to be considered a Global Leader in Robotics and Shanghai is making a major contribution to achieve this goal.

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Vivo Republic Day Sale: Offers On V25 Series, Y75, and More

By

Viraj Gawde

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Jan 19, 2023

Vivo has announced a Republic Day Sale in India on the occasion of Republic Day on January 26th in India. The brand is offering great deals and discounts on various devices. The offers are currently live from now till January 31st and are valid across all mainline channels.

During the sale period, Vivo is offering discounts on the brand’s Y-series and V-series smartphones. Interested customers can claim a cashback of up to Rs 2,500 on the Vivo V25 Pro via ICICI Bank, SBI Bank, Kotak Bank, and other bank cards. All RAM and storage configurations of the smartphone are eligible for the offer. The V25 Pro was launched in August last year. It features a 120Hz AMOLED display, a 108MP triple rear camera, 50MP dual front camera, and a colour-changing back panel. Internally, it is powered by a Dimensity 1300 processor.

Meanwhile, credit cardholders of ICICI, SBI and other banks are eligible for up to Rs 2,000 cashback on Vivo V25 and Y75 4G. The former also features a colour-changing back panel and a 90Hz AMOLED screen. It is equipped with a Dimensity 900 SoC and backed by a 4,500mAh cell with 44W fast charging. On the other hand, the Vivo Y75 is powered by a Helio G96 processor and features 50MP triple rear cameras and a 44MP selfie snapper.

The Vivo Y75 5G also gets a cashback of Rs 1,500 on credit cards. Compared to the 4G variant, this one comes with a Dimensity 700, LCD display, and a 16MP front camera.

Lastly, customers interested in the Vivo Y35 can avail of a cashback of Rs 1,000 through various bank cards.

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WeRide L4 Self Driving Minibus Receives Beijing’s First Road Test License

By

Sean

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Jan 19, 2023

Earlier this week, WeRide announced that its autonomous technology enabled minibus was the first to officially obtain the road test license in Beijing. The bus is equipped with L4 self driving technology and is a major milestone for the brand.

As per official notes, the company’s unmanned minibus can be driven on public roads with autonomously in Beijing. The region of its license specifies a total area of 60 square kilometers. Unlike certain minibuses that still feature a steering wheel, the WeRide is a completely unmanned shuttle bus that has no built in steering wheel, no brakes, and no driver’s cockpit. In other words, the license signifies that the minibus’ autonomous technology is capable of safely operating on actual roads in Beijing.

Furthermore, the company has also reached the mass production levels for this design of its minibus. Notably, this is the first time that a high level autonomous vehicle was approved for the road test license in Beijing. In other words, this is also the first time that an unmanned L4 grade self driving behicle will be legally driven on the road in the city. WeRide’s shuttle bus will be run purely on electric power.

The WeRide minibus offers a maximum speed of 40 km/h and can be flexibly deployed in various kinds of public or closed traffic scenarios. These EVs can also operate on urban open roads around the clock. So now, the minibusses will follow the company’s existing fleet of self driving taxis and is currently available in Guangzhou, Beijing , Shenzhen, Nanjing, Wuxi, Boao, Riyadh and other cities.

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Siri Causes Unnecessary Police Raid at Gym, 15 Armed Officers Respond

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Jan 19, 2023

A pair of unlikely circumstances led to false alarms at a gym in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday. A personal trainer at PTJ Gladesville was teaching a client when his Apple Watch accidentally activated Siri and called emergency services and caused 15 armed police officers to show up. Here are the details…

Siri pulled a false alarm at the gym and caused 15 armed police officers to show

According to a report from news.com.au, a personal trainer at PTJ Gladesville was teaching a client when his Apple Watch accidentally activated Siri and called emergency services. When the emergency services received the call, they believed there was an emergency involving gun shots, possibly a suicide, had occurred at the gym. As a result, around 15 armed police officers arrived at the gym, leaving the trainer and his client in shock. Since the false alarm was an honest mistake, it wasn’t immediately clear what actually happened.

The trainer describes what happened next: “The next minute about 15 officers including undercovers showed up, with several ambulances parked out the front, and that’s when I started bricking myself. “All of them came in and I was like, ‘What is going on?’ One of them asked who Jamie Avery-or something was and I said, ‘I am Jamie Alleyne.’ “He told me I was the one who made the call which was impossible because I didn’t even have my phone on me.”

Upon realizing the mistake, the trainer explained to the police that he had not made the call and that it was a false alarm caused by his Apple Watch. Fortunately, no one was harmed during the incident. This incident serves as a reminder to be cautious of the words we say when Siri or any other voice assistive device is turned on.

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NIO Applies for NIO Phone Trademark, Hinting at Its Upcoming Launch

By

Sean

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Jan 19, 2023

Earlier today (19th January 2023), a trademark application from NIO was spotted. This application was for the NIO Phone, which basically hints at its upcoming launch. So here are all the details regarding the smartphone.

For those unaware, NIO is a known electric vehicle maker that is popular in the Chinese market and has also expanded to overseas markets as well. However, it was previously reported that the automobile manufacturer was working on a smartphone model of its own. Following rumors, it was officially confirmed that the company was venturing into the smartphone business. Furthermore, NIO’s CEO Li Bin revealed that the brand aims on developing a new smartphone every year.

In other words, it was planning on launching a single lineup every year similar to Apple’s flagship iPhone series. Although, the senior official also added that the company won’t be comparable to other smartphone makers that sell more than 100 million units in a single year. He believes that building a smartphone isn’t too difficult but the real challenge is to make a handset easily accepted and convenient to use for its customers.

As of right now, reports have hinted that the company is already developing the NIO Phone, and it is believed that the device could launch sometime later this year. Finer details regarding this phone is still unclear, but it is expected to offer over 100W fast charging and a flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. Lastly, it is also believed to launch for a sub 1,000 US Dollars price tag. This is all we know about this device, so stick around for more updates.

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Xiaomi Dropped to Third Place in India After 20 Quarters

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Jan 19, 2023

According to Canalys research, smartphone shipments in India declined by 6% in 2022 to 151.6 million units. The decline was due to subdued demand due to intermittent supply issues and global macroeconomic headwinds. Notably, the Indian smartphone market experienced its first-ever decline as shipments fell 27 percent to 32.4 million units in the fourth quarter.

India Smartphone Shipments Experiences First-Ever Q4 Decline! Xiaomi Loses Leadership Position

In the fourth quarter of 2022, Samsung shipped 6.7 million units and accounted for 21% of the market share, ranking first for the first time since the third quarter of 2017. Vivo shipped 6.4 million units mainly through offline channels, ranking second. Xiaomi, which has topped the list for 20 consecutive quarters, dropped to third place with shipments of 5.5 million units.

Xiaomi is still the largest manufacturer throughout the year, but OPPO and realme maintained the fourth and fifth positions with shipments of 5.4 million and 2.7 million units, respectively. Canalys’ Sanyam Chaurasia analyst attributed the drop in shipments to cooling domestic consumer spending, as well as delays in purchases as consumers already had the latest technology they bought during the pandemic. This has resulted in smartphone brands struggling with inventory management And must focus on supplier channel management strategy.

Chaurasia also pointed to poor e-commerce sales in the fourth quarter for suppliers that primarily focus on online channels, with a massive build-up of product inventories. On the other hand, manufacturers that focus on offline channels in third- and fourth-tier cities, such as vivo and OPPO were able to grow year-on-year.

Despite the decline in shipments, Chaurasia remains optimistic about India’s long-term potential. He noted that India’s economy is expected to recover in 2024, when the government holds general elections and may boost consumer purchasing power. Canalys expects Indian smartphone market to grow modestly in 2023, driven by 5G device replacement cycle State governments deal with smartphone penetration and introduction of new use cases.

Vendor	Q4 2022 shipments (million)	Q4 2022 market share	Q4 2021 shipments (million)	Q4 2021 market share	Annual growth
Samsung	6.7	21%	8.5	19%	-21%
vivo	6.4	20%	5.6	13%	13%
Xiaomi	5.5	17%	9.0	20%	-40%
OPPO	5.4	17%	5.0	11%	9%
realme	2.7	8%	7.6	17%	-65%
Others	5.7	18%	8.5	19%	-32%
Total	32.4	100%	44.2	100%	-27%

Source: Canalys

Vendor	2022 shipments (million)	2022 market share	2021 shipments (million)	2021 market share	Annual growth
Xiaomi	29.6	20%	40.2	25%	-26%
Samsung	28.6	19%	30.1	19%	-5%
vivo	25.4	17%	25.8	16%	-2%
OPPO	22.6	15%	20.9	13%	8%
realme	20.9	14%	24.3	15%	-14%
Others	24.5	16%	20.2	13%	22%
Total	151.6	100%	161.5	100%	-6%

Source: Canalys

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Microsoft to cut 10,000 jobs as it aims on investing on strategic areas

By

Sean

-

Jan 19, 2023

The CEO of Microsoft has recently announced plans of cutting up to 10,000 jobs across its various departments and firms that it owns. This decision extends to outside of its core areas of business as it shifts its focus. So here are all the details.

CEO Satya Nadella has stated that the current economic conditions have caused the American tech giant to make “hard choices.” Although, he further added that the company will also be shifting focus by investing in “strategic areas” in order to remain competitive in the market. While 10,000 people being laid off is a large figure, this apparently doesn’t even account for even 5 percent of Microsoft’s total workforce.

This news was revealed through a company wide memo in which Nadella said that reduced consumer spending because of the Coronavirus pandemic isn’t as extreme as before. However, many parts of the world are still facing economic recession at the moment. So, the layoffs are unavoidable to align its cost structures and projected revenue. Furthermore, despite 10,000 jobs being cut, the company will also continue to hire new resources as and when required.

Interestingly enough, Jason Schreier also reported on Microsoft having to downsize in its gaming division as well. This includes Xbox, Bethesda, and reportedly even 343 Industries as well. Meaning, that the job cuts are across the board and not specific to any department as of right now. So we can expect some of its other operations to also be impacted by the massive layoff.

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Boston Dynamics Unveil Atlas Robot With Enhanced Mobility, Including Grabbing and Throwing Objects

By

Anubhav

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Jan 19, 2023

Boston Dynamics is a world leader in robotics. The company designs and manufactures robots of varying capabilities and exceptional design. The company is based out of Waltham, Massachusetts and was founded back in 1992. The team of talented engineers have previously manufactured robots named BigDog, Spot, Stretch and Handle. In their latest video, the organization depicted how their Atlas robot can perform complex humanoid actions to near perfection.

The humanlike robot was able to navigate rugged terrain with ease while walking on two legs, very much like a human. Through a complex array of sensors and cameras, it maps its surroundings and perceives obstacles. However, in the latest video, the robot can be seen picking up a plank and creating a bridge to walk between two platforms. It does so while holding onto a toolkit. Atlas then effortlessly walks across the thin plank and tosses the toolkit to the person on top of the scaffolding. The company refers to this motion as an inverted 540-degree, multi-axis flip. But it doesn’t stop there; the robot does a backflip off the platform before landing perfectly on its feet again.

A demo such as this depicts how humanoid robots such as Atlas are capable of performing tasks too dangerous for humans, such as working at extreme heights or carrying materials through an area too toxic or narrow for a human. Search and Rescue operations can be simplified to a higher degree with the implementation of robots. They can even be used to maintain and inspect infrastructure, such as pipelines and bridges. Human casualties can be minimized this way. Sure, there is a dilemma regarding replacing human workers with robots, but doing so for perilous tasks is nothing but a step towards increasing the value placed on human life.

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Ayaneo Confirms the Release of Their Linux-based Ayaneo OS

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Jan 19, 2023

Ayaneo announced that it will release Ayaneo OS, a Linux-based operating system for its devices later this year. The move is similar to Valve’s decision to release SteamOS 3, which powers the Steam Deck, as a way to have more control over the user experience. Here are the details…

Ayaneo confirm their Linux-based Ayaneo OS arrives this year

When they previously talked about the Linux-based Ayaneo OS, they said “Ayaneo team loves games and game consoles as well. In the process of creating the best Windows handheld in the world, they found that the existing operating system in the new form of PC handheld still has many poor experiences, and even some problems that we can’t be solved.

“In order to allow everyone to enjoy the game and the handheld hardware better, Ayaneo has launched the Ayaneo OS, which is based on the Linux system and developed exclusively.” The company also mentioned that it will be using Proton, a compatibility layer that allows Windows games to run on Linux.

Recently, Ayaneo successfully completed an IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign for the Ayaneo 2 and GEEK models, both of which feature an AMD Ryzen 6800U. The campaign garnered $3,157,147 in donations and 2,680 donations, and is currently in a pre-order-like demand phase.

While Ayaneo’s crowdfunding campaign has been successful, it’s still only a fraction of Steam Deck sales, which have surpassed 1 million units sold as of October 2022. It will be interesting to see how Ayaneo’s Linux-based operating system and gaming handheld fare in a highly competitive market market.

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Microsoft To Stop the Sale of Windows 10 License Keys Soon

By

Anubhav

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Jan 19, 2023

Windows 10 was released in the year 2015. At the time of its launch, it was one of the biggest Windows overhauls. The upgrade brought forth a refreshed UI, a new Start Menu, and Direct X 12 support. Eight years later, Microsoft is finally planning to stop selling Windows 10 licenses to users before the end of January 2023.

Microsoft is the biggest PC Operating System manufacturer in the market. In 2021, the company unveiled Windows 11, the latest addition to its OS lineup. Windows 11 introduced a newer design, Android app integration and better virtual desktop support. Recent notices posted on the Windows 10 pages on Microsoft’s official website indicate that the company will not allow users to download Windows 10 digitally after January. However, Microsoft will continue to provide support for Windows 10 for some more years.

By not selling Windows 10 license keys anymore, Microsoft wants to ensure that more new users get on Windows 11 as they start using new PCs. There is a catch, though. Those who are interested in purchasing licensed copies of Windows 10 after January 31, 2023, can do so by contacting third-party retailers. They are bound to have existing stores of Windows 10 licenses. OEM copies of Windows 10 are also purchasable via Amazon. If you are looking to build a PC with Windows 10, it might be useful to stock up on license keys for future use.

For those who don’t have a specific preference for their operating system, Windows 11 is a great choice since it will receive security updates for an extended amount of time. Windows 11 is also optimized to support games and allow the integration of Android applications within the OS, making it a great dynamic environment for a variety of tasks. Regardless, both Windows 10 and Windows 11 are very capable operating systems; keep in mind that Windows 10 licenses will become more expensive as time goes by.

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Official Name of Galaxy S23’s Custom SD8 Gen 2 Chip Leaks

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Jan 19, 2023

Samsung is set to unveil the Galaxy S23 series at the Galaxy Unpacked event on February 1. Therefore, we have been learning new things about these smartphones for the past few days.

We are already aware that the devices will be powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset by Qualcomm. Now, thanks to a new leak, we also know the official marketing name of this silicon.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform

According to a source of 9to5Google, the custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC inside the Galaxy S23 lineup will be officially called ‘Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy’.

As per previous reports, this chipset will be clocked higher at 3.36GHz. The regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 present inside the Xiaomi 13 series and OnePlus 11 is limited to 3.2GHz.

Previously, this custom chip was rumored to be manufactured by Samsung Foundry. But now, it is said to be fabricated by TSMC, just like the standard version of the SoC.

As of now, we have no idea about the thermal performance of this custom chipset. Hopefully, it is at least on par with the regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

For those unaware, this will be the first time Samsung will be using the same silicon for the Galaxy S series worldwide since the original model. You can learn about the specs of the Galaxy S23 series here.

Realme GT Neo 5 Spotted on GeekBench With Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

By

Sean

-

Jan 19, 2023

The Realme GT Neo 5 is set to launch in the Chinese market soon. But prior to its official announcement, the company’s upcoming smartphone was spotted on the GeekBench listing which reveals some of its key specifications.

Looking at the online listing, we can see that the new handset will feature the RMX3708 model number. The popular platform also revealed the synthetic benchmark performance of the device along with some of its notable specifications. The device managed to score 1279 points in its single core scores and 3902 points in its multi core scores. It managed to achieve this score thanks to its last gen flagship chipset, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC. However, this variant is expected to be an underclocked version of the chipset since it has a 3.0GHz peak frequency. This is the same processor that powers the OPPO Reno 9 Pro+ and the upcoming OnePlus 11R/Ace 2.

For those unaware, this chipset was made by Samsung on its 4nm process. The online database also revealed that there will also be at least one variant with 16GB of RAM. But we can also expect an 8GB and a 12GB RAM variant as well. Apart from this, the listing reveals that the Realme GT Neo 5 will run on Android 13 OS based Realme UI 4.0 out of the box. Unfortunately, this is all the information that was revealed regarding this handset model.

Although, based on previous sightings on other certification websites, we know that the device will feature a 6.7 inch AMOLED display that has a Full HD+ resolution on the front. Meanwhile, the rear will feature a 50 megapixel primary shooter, paired with an 8 megapixel ultra wide angle lens, and another 2 megapixel sensor. The device will also launch in two charging variants, which includes a 240W and a 150W fast charging versions.

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