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Apple Introduces 2nd Gen HomePod With Improved Sound and Intelligence

Apple discontinued the original HomePod smart speaker in 2021 in favor of a cheaper mini version. Now, after nearly two years, the Cupertino company has announced its second-generation HomePod with a refined design and a promise of incredible audio quality and intelligence. The speaker comes with a slew of new features, including upgraded audio, an S7 chip, and more smart home abilities. Continue reading to find out its specifications and pricing.

Apple-HomePod

Design-wise the new HomePod looks similar to the original model with a few changes here and there. It has transparent mesh fabric and a backlit touch surface that illuminates from edge to edge. It will be available in White and Midnight colors. The touch surface can also be used to activate the Siri voice assistant.

To deliver high-quality audio, the new smart speaker is equipped with an array of five tweeters around the circumference. With its in-house S7 processor and built-in sensors, the HomePod can carry out its own computational operations to maximize its capabilities. It can detect sound reflections and adapt itself based on where it is placed. Beamforming is used in the device to direct ambient audio and deliver spatial audio.

Apple-HomePod-2

The HomePod can be used as an in-home intercom system to broadcast messages. A software update coming later this spring will allow the new HomePod to listen for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and notify you if it hears anything. There are built-in temperature and humidity sensors that can be used as triggers for smart home automation.

Similar to the original HomePod, two speakers can be arranged into a stereo pair or used as speakers for the Apple TV 4K. The 2nd Gen HomePod has been launched with a price tag of $299. It will be available for purchase in the US, UK, India, Japan, Spain, and 11 other markets.

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Wyze Cam OG Launched in Floodlight and Telephoto Lens Variants

Wyze has released two variants of its smart home camera. The Wyze Cam OG has a floodlight or telephoto lens variant and the duo joined the earlier release of the Cam Pan v3 last week. The floodlight version of the Wyze Cam OG is the regular version while the 3x telephoto lens model omits light.

Wyze Cam Go

The Wyze Cam OG smart cameras come with some standard security surveillance features. A 1080p sensor for the camera is capable of night recording in addition to a spotlight. The brightness level of the smart camera can reach 40 lm, enough to provide little visibility. The cameras support the new picture-in-picture mode for viewing feeds from two cameras simultaneously.

The Wyze Cam OG telephoto edition offers a tighter zoomed-in field of view. It has pretty similar components and features as the standard version. It helps to provide sufficient surveillance from a distance which is great in some scenarios. It also supports the Picture-in-Picture feature for dual streaming monitoring.

Wyze Cam Go

Wyze is offering a separate kit that allows you to stack two Cam OG cameras in one spot. The cameras are rated IP65 so they can withstand the elements outdoors. The Wyze Cam OG models are available for purchase from January 18 at a starting price of $19.99. The original price of the standard version of the camera starts at $23.99. The telephoto edition of the Wyze Cam OG starts at $29.99 but its original price is $33.99. Shipping costs may vary across regions and delivery dates will also be variable.

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iPhone 15 Pro Max Could Arrive With a New LG-made Periscope Lens

Back in July 2022, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that iPhone 15 Pro Max would be the only smartphone in Apple’s 2023 lineup to get a periscope camera lens and benefit from advanced optical zoom. Now, a new report suggests the Cupertino company is planning to source the periscope lenses from LG Innotek. Here are the details.

According to The Elec, the OIS actuators used in the periscope lens of the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be supplied by LG Innotek and Jahwa Electronics, with the two companies supplying 70% and 30%, respectively. Apparently, Apple is replacing its current suppliers, Japan Alps and Mitsumi.

iphone-14

Both LG Innotek and Jahwa are noted names in the industry. Jahwa, in particular, has worked with Samsung Electronics and Samsung Electro-Mechanics on actuators based on ball guides. The Korean company is reportedly supplying the components for the upcoming Galaxy S23 series and the Galaxy A54.

Apple previously used spring-type actuators in the iPhone cameras. However, the company could now be replacing it with ball guide type actuators, which are more accurate and power-efficient. As mentioned earlier, this new camera tech may be limited to iPhone 15 Pro Max models this year. However, Apple may bring it to both iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max next year.

As usual, iPhone 15 series could debut in spring this year. Rumors suggest Apple is planning to increase the differentiation between iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max by limiting some of the major hardware features to the higher-end model. The brand could even change the name of its top-of-the-line model to iPhone 15 Ultra.

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Yadea VoltGuard Electric Scooter with a Smart Energy Retrieval System Unveiled

Yadea has announced a new commuter electric scooter that will enter the market soon. The Yadea VoltGuard e-scooter uses a dual energy system that engages the rider non-stop. It is equipped with an ATL Lithium battery pack consisting of two 72V 27Ah batteries.

Yadea VoltGuard Electric Scooter

The ultra-high density makeup of the VoltGuard’s batteries provides power efficiency for the e-scooter. The battery pack has a smart energy retrieval system with charging taking place while riding. The two batteries combine to output up to 3,000W, with peak levels of 5,500W also possible. The maximum torque of the electric scooter is 189Nm and it reaches a top speed of 80km/h.

The Yadea VoltGuard electric scooter can race from 0 to 50km/h in 4 seconds and the bike comes with some tech features. It has multiple unlock functionality, NFC, reverse mode, and decent storage. The e-scooter has a 5.5kW mid-drive electric motor with single-wire winding technology. It optimizes the magnetic system with higher efficiency and gives the bike a more agile and consistent performance. The Yadea VoltGuard is equipped with front and rear hydraulic shock absorbers. The shock absorbers help to make the ride less bumpy.

Yadea VoltGuard Electric Scooter

The yet-to-be-released Yadea e-scooter has 14-inch tires further helps to make commutes to be comfortable. The bike uses front and rear combination braking technology for efficient control. There are several other features of the bike but Yadea hasn’t provided its release details yet. It is however expected that the release of the VoltGuard may not be too far away. VoltGuard hasn’t put out any pricing information for the e-scooter as well.

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OnePlus 11 Bags BIS & SIRIM Certifications Ahead of Its Global Launch

The newest OnePlus flagship— OnePlus 11—is already available for purchase in China and is scheduled to launch globally on February 7 at the Cloud 11 launch event, which will take place in New Delhi, India. While we wait, the handset has bagged India’s BIS and Malaysia’s SIRIM certifications. Here are the details.

OnePlus 11 has been spotted on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Standard and Industrial Research Institute (SIRIM) Malaysia websites with model numbers CPH2447 and CPH2449, respectively. As spotted, the authorities have certified the smartphone but did not reveal any of its specifications.

OnePlus-11

Reports suggest the Chinese brand is also working on the OnePlus 11R. The handset is already said to be in production in India and is expected to launch sometime in April or May with an underclocked Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC. You may check its detailed specifications (leaked) here.

As for the OnePlus 11, we already know all there is to know about it. It debuts with an iconic design featuring a circular camera module. The smartphone has a 6.7-inch E4 AMOLED LTPO 3.0 display that produces a Quad HD+ resolution of 3216 x 1440 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. It is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, coupled with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 512 GB of UFS 4.0 storage.

In the rear camera department, there’s a 50MP primary camera with OIS, 48MP ultrawide unit, and a 32MP telephoto sensor. Fueled by a 5,000mAh battery, the handset supports 100W fast charging.

Dry specs can’t tell you everything about the smartphone. For a better understanding, you may check out our detailed OnePlus 11 review. Don’t feel like reading? Check out the embedded video review below.

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Nokia C12 With Android 12 Go Launched In Europe

Nokia has launched a new budget C-series smartphone in the European market. The latest offering is dubbed the Nokia C12. It arrives as the successor to the Nokia C10 that debuted way back in 2021. The newest device is an Android Go smartphone and packs decent specifications. Read on to know what the Nokia C12 offers out of the box. 

The Nokia C12 features a 6.3-inch display bearing an HD+ resolution and a waterdrop notch. It lacks a fingerprint scanner and the device instead relies on face unlock via the 5MP front camera. The smartphone has a small camera module on the back housing an 8MP sensor paired with a LED flash. The rear panel has a texturised pattern for a better grip. The phone is IP52-rated dust and splash-proof.

Under the hood, the Nokia C12 is equipped with a 1.6GHz octa-core Unisoc SC9863A processor. It packs 2GB RAM and 64GB onboard storage expandable via a microSD card slot for additional needs. Software-wise, the device runs on Android 12 Go Edition out of the box. Nokia is promising two years of quarterly security updates for the phone. The smartphone is powered by a 3,000mAh battery cell which is surprisingly user-removable. 

Connectivity options on the Nokia C12 include 4G VoLTE, WiFi, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, dual SIM, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microUSB port. 

The Nokia C12 carries a price tag of EUR 119 and is offered in Dark Cyan, Charcoal, and Light Mint colours. It will be available first in Germany and Austria with other markets to follow soon. 

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Juiced Bikes Special Edition HyperScrambler 2 e-Bike with 35mph Top Speed Launched

Juiced Bikes has launched its HyperScrambler 2 electric bike with a top speed of 35mph. The latest version of the company’s high-performance e-bike comes with improvements and a greater aesthetic appeal. Juiced Bikes founder, Tora Harris has his innovative imprimatur on the design of the limited-edition HyperScrambler 2.

HyperScrambler 2 e-bike

The Founders Edition HyperScrambler 2 e-bike will have only 150 units produced and each unit is numbered sequentially. The new e-bike comes with the same impressive performance numbers as the original HyperScrambler 2. The original HyperScrambler 2 model was a huge hit when it was released and its new sibling may not be different. It has a 1kW Retroblade motor with a peak output of 2kW and a top speed of 35mph. The maximum speed is however stated as about 30mph, although tests showed up to 35mph.

The limited-edition HyperScrambler 2 has a power battery setup that delivers a range of up to 100 miles per full charge. It has two 52V 19.2Ah batteries and its overall 2,000 Wh capacity is the highest in its category of electric bikes.

Juiced HyperScrambler 2 e-bike

The e-bike comes with some safety and other features that always guarantee a comfortable ride. Its front and rear suspension give it the power of a full electric moped. Its huge headlight provides full visibility even in extreme conditions while its Bluetooth speaker delivers high-octane music while on the go. It also has a full LED light system including the turn signals.

Juiced HyperScrambler 2 e-bike

A custom green colorway is part of the HS2, as well as an upgraded tan saddle, headlight fairing, and lots more. The e-bike’s 4-inch tires are suitable for even difficult terrains. Several power and speed modes ensure optimized performance. The Founders Edition HyperScrambler 2 e-bike has a $3,499 price tag and Juiced Bikes will start accepting orders from January 19. The very few bikes that will be produced make it to be a possible collector’s item.


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Poco X5 Series Launch Seems Imminent, Global Landing Page Appears on AliExpress

It appears that the Poco X5 series will be launching soon in the global market. A landing page for the X5 lineup is now available on AliExpress. In addition, Poco India is gearing up to hold a fan meetup event on Jan. 22 in Delhi, India. It appears that the Poco X5 series will break cover within a few days after the upcoming fan event.

Poco X5 series teaser
Poco X5 series teaser

Shown above is the banner for the next-generation X-series Poco phones that have surfaced on AliExpress. The “New Poco X series coming soon!” text is a good hint that the company may soon unveil the rumoured Poco X5 and X5 Pro in the global market. Unfortunately, the page has no information on the specs or key features of the X5 series.

The below-shown tweet confirms that Poco India will hold a meetup on Jan. 22 in Delhi. It is unclear whether the company will reveal any information about the X5 / X5 Pro at the meetup. Readers who wish to attend the fan meetup can register using this link.

Reports have revealed that the Poco X5 5G will be quite similar to the Redmi Note 12 5G. However, the X5 will have a redesigned rear panel and the Snapdragon 695. On the other hand, the Note 12 5G is equipped with the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chip. The rest of the specs could be same the on both models.

The Poco X5 Pro 5G is said to be a rebadged version of the Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed, which debuted in China recently. According to Xiaomiui, the device will come preloaded with the MIUI 14-based Android 12 OS.

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OnePlus Nord CE 3 Full Specifications Leaked Ahead Of Launch

OnePlus Nord CE 3 is expected to launch in the first quarter of this year. It will arrive as the successor to the Nord CE 2. The upcoming offering was spotted in leaked live images recently revealing its design. They are in line with the leaked renders that surfaced in November last year. OnePlus is yet to comment anything official about the Nord CE 3. In a new development, the smartphone’s full specifications have leaked ahead of the launch. 

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 will come with a 6.7-inch IPS LCD display bearing a resolution of 2,400 x 1,080 pixels. It will offer a 20:9 aspect ratio, HDR10, HLG support, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Internally, the smartphone will reportedly be powered by a Snapdragon 695 processor paired with Adreno 619 GPU onboard. It will pack 8GB RAM and 256GB storage and we can expect more configurations at launch. The device will ship with Android 13-based OxygenOS out of the box. The smartphone is rumoured to be backed by a 5,000mAh battery unit with support for 67W charging.

Coming to the cameras, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 is tipped to feature a 108MP primary sensor paired with two 2MP lenses and a 16MP front-facing selfie snapper. Connectivity options on the device include a USB-C port, 5G, 4G LTE, and dual-band WiFi. 

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 is expected to come with a new design language compared to its predecessor. It will feature a boxy form factor, a centre-aligned punch-hole cutout, and dual camera rings without any island on the back panel. 

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Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, Galaxy A23 5G Now Available for Purchase in India, Checkout Price, Offers

Samsung’s mid-range 5G phones, namely Galaxy A14 and Galaxy A23, went official on Monday (Jan. 16) in India. Starting today, both phones are available for purchase via Samsung India’s online store. Here is all the information on the price and offers available for A14 and A23 buyers.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G price, offers

The Galaxy A14 5G comes in three options, such as 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage for Rs 16,999 (~$209), 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage for Rs 18,999 (~$233), and 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage for Rs 20,999 (~$258). It can be purchased in colors like Dark Red, Light Green, and Black.

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G price, offers

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G (left), Galaxy A14 5G (right)
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G (left), Galaxy A14 5G (right)

The Galaxy A23 5G is available in two configurations, such as 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage for Rs 22,999 (~$282) and 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage for Rs 24,999 (~$307). It can be bought in colors like Silver, Light Blue, and Orange.

Buyers will receive an instant discount of Rs 1,000 (on the Galaxy A14) or Rs 1,500 (on the Galaxy A23) on their SBI Bank credit card EMI and full swipe on the Samsung India website. Customers can get up to Rs 3,000 cashback if they pay with Paytm Wallet or Paytm Postpaid. This offer guarantees a minimum cashback of Rs 300. There is a welcome bonus of Rs 2,000 off if any of these are purchased through the Samsung Shop app. In addition, buyers can make use of the EHS64AVFBEC coupon code to get a stereo headset for free with the Galaxy A23. Both phones are also available with a no-cost EMI offer starting at Rs 1,944.33 (on A23) / Rs 3249.81 (on A14).

Starting Jan. 20, the Galaxy A14 5G and Galaxy A23 5G will be available through Samsung exclusive and partner stores and other online retailer sites. Here is the link to the launch post of these phones to read about their specifications.

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Samsung Galaxy A24 4G With Helio G99 SoC Appears On Geekbench Database

Samsung launched the Galaxy A14 5G and Galaxy A23 5G in India earlier this week. Now the Galaxy A24 4G variant has surfaced on Geekbench benchmarking platform. It is listed with model number SM-A245F. The benchmark database reveals some key specifications of the device. 

As per Geekbench, the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G is listed with eight cores out of which six cores are clocked at 2GHz and two cores ticking at 2.30GHz. This suggests that the device will be equipped with a MediaTek Helio G99 processor. The benchmarking database reveals that the smartphone will pack 4GB RAM and run on Android 13 OS out of the box. We can expect the device to arrive in more RAM and storage configurations.

The Samsung Galaxy A24 4G scores 561 and 1,943 points in Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core tests. Apart from this, the benchmark platform does not reveal any additional details. 

The Samsung Galaxy A24’s key specifications surfaced in October last year. It will reportedly feature a 6.24-inch sAMOLED display with an FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. It was rumoured to be equipped with a four-year-old Exynos 7904 SoC however, the latest Geekbench listing contradicts this. As per a recent leak, the smartphone is tipped to be backed by a 5,000mAh battery unit with support for 25W charging. Past reports also suggest that Samsung may ditch the depth camera on its upcoming Galaxy A-series. The Galaxy A24 could come with a 50MP main sensor paired with a 5MP ultra-wide-angle lens, 2MP macro unit, and a 13MP front-facing selfie snapper. 

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Sony Achieves Revenue Growth Thanks to Apple’s iPhone 14 Series in 2022

In 2022, the global smartphone image sensor market faces a downturn, with annual smartphone shipments falling by nearly 11%, and the trend of multi-camera adoption slowing down. This led to a contraction in CIS (CMOS image sensor) sales and a correction of oversupply in inventory, especially for 8MP and Low megapixel sensor. According to Counterpoint’s Smartphone Camera Tracker, global smartphone image sensor shipments are down 15% compared to 2021, with all major suppliers seeing declines of varying degrees. However, there are a few vendors who manage to stand out in this regard Challenging market.

Sony was the only major vendor to achieve growth, thanks to Apple’s camera upgrades

Sony was the only major vendor to report year-over-year revenue growth thanks to Apple’s camera upgrades. Apple, which contributes an estimated half of Sony Mobile’s CIS revenue, further improved iPhone camera specs during the year. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max come with a new A 48MP image sensor for the main rear camera, a larger ultrawide sensor, and a front-facing sensor with autofocus. As a result of these upgrades, Sony estimates that each unit adds more than $6, or about $300 million in sales, in the second half of 2022.

Source: Counterpoint BoM analysis service

In the Android camp, Samsung LSI also benefited from the trend of camera enhancements and improved product mix, partially offsetting the sharp decline in shipments. Samsung has a first-mover advantage in mass-producing sub-0.7μm high-resolution sensors, with expected shipments of 200 million units An affordable 50MP image sensor in 2022.

The 0.64μm-based Samsung S5KJN1 has achieved great success and is widely used in rear main cameras in low- and mid-range smartphones as well as front-facing or ultra-wide-angle cameras in high-end models. Samsung also continues to dominate the 100MP and Higher than sensors and raising the bar with the commercialization of 200MP sensors (ISOCELL HP1 @ 0.64μm HP3 @ 0.56μm).

Source: Counterpoint BoM analysis service

On the other hand, OmniVision Galaxycore and SK Hynix see double-digit YoY revenue declines in 2022. The performance of these vendors is more vulnerable to shrinking mobile CIS demand. The smartphone CIS market will become more consolidated in 2022 in terms of revenue. sony Its share widened to just over 54%. The top two vendors accounted for approximately 83% of the total market revenue. Market consolidation is expected to continue in 2023.

Despite declining shipments and revenue in 2022, the mobile CIS market is expected to quickly return to growth as long as the camera system remains at the heart of smartphone upgrades. This will lead to improvements in resolution sensor size and even the integration of artificial intelligence functions. This The high-end camera market will be very competitive through 2023, with Sony’s large-area 50MP sensors and Samsung’s new 200MP series expected to battle it out for design wins.

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Apple Hit With a $17 Million Fine by the Russian Anti-Monopoly Agency

Apple has just been hit with another multi million dollar fine. The company is facing a 17.4 million US Dollar fine in Russia by the nation’s federal anti monopoly service (FAS) for abusing its leading position in the local market.

The latest fine imposed on the Cupertino based giant follows after a ruling made in July 2022. At that moment, the agency found that the iPhone maker was in breach of local laws with its App Store rules. These rules had forced developers to use only the payment system that was provided by the company. In other words, the FAS basically ruled that Apple was taking advantage of its market dominance in the region.

Apple

As per an official statement, the regulator stated that “App Store rules prohibited iOS app developers from informing in-app customers about the possibility to pay for purchases outside of the App Store, as well as from using alternative payment methods. The company demanded that developers remove links to their own Internet sites and change the functionality of the application to prevent registration forms from leading to external sites.”

Apart from this, a similar ruling was made by the FAS last July against another tech giant, Google. It is still unclear how the agency will enforce this fine, since Apple has already announced its withdrawal from Russia following the Ukraine invasion. So stick around for more updates regarding this matter.

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Micron Unveils 24GB and 48GB DDR5 Memory Modules

Micron, a leading supplier of memory and storage solutions, recently introduced new DDR5 memory modules in 24GB and 48GB capacities. The modules are compatible with AMD EXPO and Intel XMP 3.0 profiles, making them easy to set up and use with desktop PCs running the AMD Ryzen 7000 series And Intel 12th and 13th Gen Core processors.

Micron’s new DDR5 memory modules feature 5200 MT/s and 5600 MT/s data transfer rates and CL46 latency at 1.1V. DDR5-5600 DIMMs come in traditional 8GB, 16GB and 32GB versions, but the new 24GB and 48GB models stand out because they’re based on 24Gb memory chips, while traditional Dimensions may use 16Gb DRAM ICs. Meanwhile, DDR5-5200 modules are only available in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB sizes.

The 24GB and 48GB capacities are ideal for next-generation server platforms because they allow systems to balance memory capacity and core count, reducing cost. Additionally, AMD EXPO and Intel XMP 3.0 profiles, designed primarily for enthusiasts, are supported, suggesting that these Modules are for the desktop.

Using a few 24GB or two 48GB modules instead of a pair of 32GB and 64GB DIMMs allows you to build a PC with 48GB or 96GB of dual-channel memory, which is less expensive than a machine with 64GB or 128GB of RAM. Meanwhile, capacities like 48GB and 96GB are more suitable for modern CPUs with 16 or 24 cores – For example, if you’re doing a virtual machine, you might get 2GB or 3GB per core.

Micron has not revealed suggested prices for its DDR5-5200 and DDR5-5600 modules. However, given the expected low PC demand in Q1 and the expected 18-23% drop in DDR5 SDRAM prices in Q1 2023, new memory modules are expected to be relatively cheap, although Their high capacity and higher performance.

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Global Notebook Computer Market Records Lowest Shipments in a Decade

The notebook computer market is facing an uncertain future due to various major events affecting the global economy. According to a recent analysis by TrendForce, global notebook shipments are expected to decline year-on-year in both 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, US brands are adjusting their supply chain strategies, with Vietnam becoming an increasingly popular choice for the relocation of equipment production. Here are the details…

Notebook Computer Shipments for 1Q23 Are Projected Reach 10-Year Low

According to the latest reports, global notebook shipments will reach approximately 186 million units in 2022, a year-on-year decline of 24.5%. The outlook for the performance of the notebook computer market in 2023 remains uncertain, and total shipments are expected to Only 171 million units, a year-on-year decrease of 7.8%. This decline can be attributed to various major events affecting the global economy and politics, resulting in a sharp decline in the demand for consumer electronics.

Notebook computer

Another concern is that the Lunar New Year holiday in 2023 will come earlier than usual, and notebook brands worry that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in China will become a huge market variable after the holiday. In addition, there are concerns that equipment shipments will affected by component shortages caused by another round of the pandemic. As a result, global notebook PC shipments are expected to decline 9.5% quarter-on-quarter to 35.1 million units in the first quarter of 2023, which is the lowest level in 10 years for first-quarter results.

The U.S.-China trade dispute has led to heightened geopolitical tensions and prompted major electronics brands to adjust their supply chain strategies. Of these, US brands have been the most active in shifting equipment production and finding alternative sources Component supply. Vietnam has become a popular choice for relocation because of its geographic and demographic advantages, including a relatively young and low-cost workforce. Compal Wistron, Foxconn and other ODM manufacturers have started to build notebook assembly lines in Vietnam to cope with Request from a US customer. In addition, a US laptop brand set a target to increase its share of device shipments from Vietnam to 20% by 2023, while reducing its share of device shipments from China to 20~30% by 2027.

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Samsung Adds Galaxy S22 & Galaxy Book Models to Its Self Repair Program

Samsung has expanded its self repair program to include new devices on its supported list. Now, the company’s 2022 flagship Galaxy S22 series and a certain models of the Galaxy Book have been added to this program.

For those unaware, the South Korean tech giant had started a self repair initiative that it had created by joining hands with iFixit, which provides the tools and guides online for those that wish to conduct repairs on their own. So now, one can order repair kits for the 15 inch models of the Galaxy Book Pro and even the Galaxy Book Pro 360 variant. The list of supported PC repairs includes the display, battery, touchpad, case (both front and rear), power key with fingerprint reader, and rubber foot.

Samsung

Apart from this, the major addition to this self repair program is undoubtedly the Galaxy S22 series. Owners of the 2022 flagship Galaxy phones can now order repair kits for the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and even their Galaxy S22 Ultra models. These repair kits will help customers replace display assemblies, rear glass, and charging ports on your smartphones. With this updated list, the Galaxy S22 lineup joins its predecessors like the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S21, and even the Galaxy Tab S7+.

Furthermore, the new kits still include a free return label to help customers send used parts to Samsung for recycling. All of these are kits are already available as of earlier this week. If this program seems familiar, it is likely because of Apple also offering a similar initiative that allows its customers to perform repairs at home through self repair kits.

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The Best Just Got Better, Keychron launches wireless Q1 Pro Keyboard

Keychron, a well-known name in the mechanical keyboard community, has just announced their latest creation, the Q1 Pro. This new keyboard builds on the already popular Q1 model, but with one major difference. The Q1 Pro maintains the same sleek design as the original Q1, including the gasket mount design and aluminum housing.

However, it now offers the added convenience of being able to connect not only via a USB cable, but also via Bluetooth. The battery life on this keyboard is impressive, with amazing 300 hours of use on a single charge. For those who like to switch between multiple devices, the Q1 Pro can remember connections for up to three devices.

Keychron Q1 Pro

The Q1 Pro will be available on Kickstarter starting today, with a choice of a fully assembled model for $194 and a basic version without keycaps or switches for $174. While the fully assembled model is only available in the US layout, both options are available in a variety of color schemes, including black gray or white. Shipping is expected in April, and when it goes on sale to the general public, the MSRP for the fully assembled model will be $199 and the bare metal version will be $179.

While the wireless capabilities of the Q1 Pro are certainly a game-changer, there are some downsides to consider. The polling rate drops from 1000Hz to 90Hz when connected via USB, which may cause some problems for gamers. Also, if the battery life of the keyboard drops to 90 hours RGB lighting is turned on and set to minimum brightness when used wirelessly.

Keychron Q1 Pro

Keychron is no stranger to creating wireless keyboards, and its K-Series line offers a variety of configurations. However, Q-Series boards are known for their high-quality construction. The Q1 Pro also features a polycarbonate plate, which Keychron claims improves the overall typing sound and Keychron K Pro brand switches instead of Gateron models. The keyboard also features a customizable 75% layout similar to most laptop keyboard layouts, and is hot-swappable and compatible with three- and five-pin switches.

The fully assembled model comes with switches and two-tone PBT keycaps that are durable and won’t glow over time. The keyboard also includes extra keycaps for macOS or Windows machines and features hardware switches for switching between OS layouts. And Keychron is already top When it comes to choosing a wireless keyboard, the Q1 Pro probably takes the top spot for its advanced features and convenience. As always, we can’t wait to get our hands on this new keyboard and give it a full review.

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Xiaomi Car Spotted Being Tested on Snow With Founder Lei Jun Onboard

The Xiaomi Car was just recently spotted while it was undergoing a weather test in China. The upcoming electric vehicle was being tested in the snow, with one of its passenger being the founder and CEO of the company, Lei Jun.

Xiaomi

Earlier this week, a Weibo blogger (@不是郑小康) posted pictures that revealed that the Chinese tech giant was conducting a test of the yet to be announced EV model. Lei Jun, the founder himself was present during this test as per the blogger who shared the pictures on the Chinese microblogging website. In other words, the brand was clearly testing out the Xiaomi Car under extreme weather conditions of cold and likely making other key calibrations as well.

There were two EV models spotted in the wild, and it appears that Lei Jun was behind the wheels on one of the test units. Meaning, he personally conducted the tests for the new automobile. Looking at these images, we can tell that Xiaomi has hidden most of the design elements of this upcoming electric vehicle, although, we can make out the overall shape of the car. So, we can expect the Xiaomi Car to be a sporty sedan class model.

Xiaomi

Based on the recent sighting, the blogger had also claimed that there was also a LiDAR sensor on the roof of the vehicle, which hints at its driver assistance or self driving (autonomous) technology. Finer details regarding this car is still at large, but the company’s first EV is expected to be a medium sized sedan that will launch in two different versions. Furthermore, the car is rumored to be announced sometime later this year, with first sales expected to begin sometime in 2024.

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Tecno Spark Go 2023 Design, Indian Price & Specifications Leak Ahead of Launch

A new low-cost smartphone from Tecno is most likely to debut in India. According to rumors, the company will introduce the Tecno Spark Go 2023 in India to update its Spark series lineup.

The specifications are going to be entry-level. The company has not yet made the launch date official. In the meantime, a fresh leak has made the design, cost, features, and retail packaging of the Tecno Spark Go 2023 known.

Tecno

The source of the leak is PassionateGeekz. According to the source, the phone would have 3GB of RAM and one storage option when it ships to India. With a special launch price of Rs 6,999, the Tecno smartphone will come with 32GB of storage. The global version will offer 64GB of storage and up to 4GB of RAM.

The retail box and unit are also disclosed in the report. Only the phone’s name and the storage option are visible on the packaging. Additionally, the live image lists all the essential phone specifications. The phone will debut with a 16.66cm (6.55 inch) display, according to the leaked live image. The display will feature a waterdrop notch at the top for the front camera and an HD+ resolution.

The phone will have a 5000mAh battery inside. Additionally, a USB Type-C port will be present. Also confirmed by the live image is the presence of a dual-camera arrangement on the phone’s back, with a 13MP primary sensor. The front camera will have a 5MP resolution. It sports a square camera module on the back that houses two cameras and a fingerprint scanner that is located at the back.

It’ll be powered by a MediaTek Helio A22 SoC. The phone will be sold via Amazon in India in addition to traditional offline retailers.

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Samsung Promises ‘The Ultimate Premium Experience’ with Upcoming Galaxy S23 Series

Samsung is gearing up to launch its latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S23 series, and TM Roh, the company’s head of mobile, wrote a blog post discussing the new devices. In the post, Roh said the Galaxy S series is the best example of Samsung realizing its vision of using mobile devices Technology enriches people’s lives. He mentioned how professional-grade camera systems are getting smarter and able to deliver high-quality photos and videos in any lighting condition.

The new Galaxy S23 series will also feature an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset for the fastest and most powerful Galaxy performance possible, as well as improved synchronization with other Samsung products. This means users will be able to connect their Galaxy S23 to other Samsung devices such as the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds are more seamless than ever.

Samsung

Roh also mentioned the Galaxy S Ultra as the pinnacle of innovation from Samsung, and the company is committed to promoting environmental awareness. Samsung is making more durable, longer-lasting devices and using more recycled materials to help the environment. Galaxy S Ultra has Truly the pinnacle of Samsung mobile innovation, a brand that stands out, and soon we’ll be showing you what Ultra can do in more device categories as Roh writes.

Only two weeks until the next Unpacked event. Roh said that at the Unpacked event, Samsung will showcase the ultimate premium experience and will soon deliver our most powerful mobile experience that you will love for years to come. I can’t wait to share what’s next you.

Samsung Galaxy S23 series

The Galaxy S23 Ultra will come with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of storage. A 5000mAh battery will keep the lights on, with support for 45W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging. The device will also feature reverse wireless charging. Don’t forget the Galaxy S23 Ultra will take the crown again Its design is inspired by the Galaxy Note, with a square shoulder S Pen holder and a built-in silo for the digital stylus.

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