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Key Apple Partners Set to Increase Production in Southeast Asia

Apple partners Foxconn Technology Group and Pegatron have announced plans to expand in Southeast Asia in 2023 as part of their efforts to mitigate geopolitical and economic risks. Foxconn chairman Liu Yang said at a company event that we will continue to expand our China, the Americas and Southeast Asia, these efforts will bear fruit in 2023.

Pegatron, Foxconn’s smaller rival, will allocate $300 million to $350 million for capital spending this year, in part to increase capacity in Southeast Asia and auto parts production in Mexico. The company is also a supplier to Tesla Inc. Both Foxconn and Pegatron currently produce iPhones in China and India, and Apple is also using Vietnam as an alternative manufacturing base for other products such as AirPods. Pegatron will increase production capacity in Vietnam and Indonesia, they already have existing factories, the company currently Apple products are not manufactured in these two countries. Foxconn did not specify which Southeast Asian countries it plans to expand in.

The expansion plans by these major contract electronics makers fit into an ongoing trend of diversifying supply chains that began in the Trump era, when the U.S. president imposed steep tariffs on some Chinese imports in his trade war with China. This China’s prolonged coronavirus-induced lockdown has disrupted supply chains and accelerated diversification efforts.

Both Foxconn and Pegatron have experienced Covid-related disruptions in China. Pegatron had to temporarily suspend production, and Foxconn was challenged by a violent protest that swept through its main complex in the city of Zhengzhou, disrupting the iPhone maker’s activities and forcing Apple to halt production. Warning shipments may be lower than expected.

The expansion plans of Foxconn and Pegatron in Southeast Asia in 2023 suggest that the world’s major contract electronics manufacturers will continue to increase production capacity outside China to mitigate geopolitical and economic risks and diversify their supply chains.

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Norton Password Manager Faces Breach From Third-Party Platform

Cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock recently notified customers that hackers had gained access to their Norton Password Manager accounts. However, the company claimed that the attacks were not due to weak security on its systems, but rather due to vulnerabilities on other platforms.

This type of attack is known as a credential stuffing attack, where the attacker obtains data from other sources, such as compromised accounts on other platforms, in order to gain access to the intended target. In this case, Norton detected an unusually high number of failed login attempts on December 12 This usually indicates a credential stuffing attack. An internal investigation revealed that the attack began on December 1, with many accounts successfully compromised.

While the number of accounts affected has not been disclosed, a statement from Gen Digital, the parent company of NortonLifeLock, indicates that approximately 925,000 inactive and active accounts may have been targeted by the attack. Customers have been warned that attackers may have obtained details Stored in private vaults, this could lead to further compromises. The attackers may have also seen the account’s first name, last name, phone number and mailing address.

In response to this attack, Norton reset the passwords for affected accounts and took additional steps to protect against future attacks. The company also advises customers to enable two-factor authentication on their accounts and offers credit monitoring services.

The attack on NortonLifeLock is the latest known incident involving the password lock service. In December, LastPass confirmed a data breach in August involving name addresses and encrypted password data vaults. By late December, it was said that the vaults may have been Only $100.

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Twitter Offers Free Ads to Brands That Market on Its Platform

Twitter is apparently offering free advertisements to the brands that use its platform to market themselves. The social media giant is offering free advertising in an attempt to win back clients for its advertising business.

For those unaware, Twitter relies quite a bit on advertising as a revenue source similar to other social media giants. Now, the microblogging platform is offering free marketing to brands to help its advertisement business, which has been in decline following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the company. In other words, the company is seeking to attract clients by offering a free ad campaign that will match advertiser’s ad spending up to 250,000 US Dollars.

Twitter

Meaning, the clients can avail a full 500,000 US Dollar investment in advertising that must run by 28th February 2023, as per the leaked emails. However, Twitter has yet to respond to any comments regarding this matter. This initiative is basically another step to increase ad expenses by its clients. The new ad campaign might also be used to bring promoted tweets that can dun during the Super Bowl week, which is a key period for Twitter.

For those unaware, clients typically spend more during the Super Bowl week since it helps expand the respective brand’s reach. The Super Bowl is also Twitter’s biggest revenue day of the year. In recent times, many brands like Pfizer, United Airlines, and auto makers General Motors and Volkswagen have stopped spending on Twitter. Similarly, 75 out of the top 100 spenders on ads on Twitter also lowered their spending as well.

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Gizmore Blaze Max Smartwatch Launched: 450 Nits Brightness, 15-Day Battery Life, and More

Gizmore has launched a new budget smartwatch in India. The wearable officially goes by  Gizmore Blaze Max.

The latest device from the brand is fitted with a large screen. It also offers a longer battery life. Let’s check out its features.

Gizmore Blaze Max

The newly released Gizmore Blaze Max sports a 1.85-inch rectangular display. The IPS LCD screen provides a maximum brightness level of 450 nits.

Despite being an LCD panel, the display supports always on display. If you are wondering about endurance, the brand claims a battery life of up to 15 days.

Just like any other wearable, the Blaze Max also supports multiple health functions. It offers heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen level monitoring, and sleep tracking.

There’s also support for other features, such as menstrual cycle tracking, stress monitoring, multiple sports modes, and more. Interestingly, it also comes with mini-games and a calculator.

The smartwatch is IP67-rated for dust and water resistance. It arrives with a built-in speaker and a microphone, and thus, users can make calls through it.

The wearable pairs with Android and iOS smartphones via a companion app called JYouPro. Finally, apart from English, it also has support for the Hindi language.

As far as pricing is concerned, the Gizmore Blaze Max is priced at ₹1,199 in India. It can be purchased from Flipkart starting today (January 16). The product is offered in three colors, namely Black, Burgundy, and Grey.

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China Acquires Golden Shares in Alibaba: Next in line is Tencent

China has acquired ‘Golden Shares’ in a couple of domestic subsidiaries of the tech giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, strengthening its control over the company. Beijing is also proposing to get similar shares in Tencent Holdings and other tech giants, revealing its plans to sway the power equation of technology companies in the country. Other firms which already have such golden share arrangements include subsidiaries of TikTok owner ByteDance, Kuaishou Technology, Weibo, etc.

Source: Alibaba Group

‘Golden Shares’ are a type of share that gives its holder veto power over the company’s major decisions, even though he or she may not be a majority shareholder. In the case of Alibaba Group, the government has acquired a minority stake of about 1% which comes with special management rights. The government purchases such Golden Shares in tech giants through government-backed funds or state-run companies. It then appoints a government representative to the board of directors with veto power to change any major decision taken by the company. 

The Alibaba group has been a target of a severe crackdown by the regulatory authorities over the past few months. Apart from Alibaba, several other homegrown technology giants like Tencent, Didi Global Inc, etc also faced the government’s wrath. During the two-year regulatory crackdown, hefty fines and penalties were imposed on tech giants, which erased more than $1 trillion in the market value of these firms. 

With the zero covid policy and the subjugation of the major tech industries, the economic structure of China has worsened over the years. The restrictions and censorship on E-sports alone have wiped out millions from the Chinese economy. 

China’s gaming revenue for 2022 stood at a whopping $44bn. With more than 655 million mobile gamers and a $24 billion market share, the government cannot afford to lose gaming and other internet and technology businesses. Thus, it seems like Beijing is now acquiring management rights in major tech giants to reform and revive the sector.  

Therefore, the plan to acquire Golden Shares and gain special management rights can be seen as a sign of revival, to end the two-year crackdown, and move past the severe censorship. 

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Killer Drone on Netflix Set, Leaves Actor with Severe Injuries

Taiwanese actor Ke Qidong was seriously injured after being hit by a drone on the set of a new Netflix series. The incident, which took place on December 27, required as many as 30 stitches in the actor’s face. According to local reports, the accident occurred in The drone captured close-ups of Ko on the set of what is said to be the most expensive Taiwan-produced “Agent From Heaven” to date.

According to reports, the drone malfunctioned and exploded in front of the actors, sending debris flying in all directions. The drone’s propeller blades are said to have sliced ​​open Ko’s face near the cheekbones, causing serious injuries. The actor was apparently ‘covered in blood’ as he was rushed go to the hospital. His agent confirmed to Taiwanese media that Ko suffered “serious disfigurement” and is recovering after receiving as many as 30 stitches.

However, the show’s producers, Singapore’s mm2 Asia and Taiwan’s Good Films Production, insisted the report was inaccurate. In a statement to Variety, the production team explained that standard safety protocols were followed during filming. drone propeller blades Shielded by a “protective layer”, “no explosions or blade shattering”. The statement from the production team added:

“We are deeply regretful that the accident occurred and injured Kai’s cheeks. Kai was immediately provided medical attention, and his talent management team has also arranged micro-stitching for him. The production team is sorry for the incident and is further investigating the matter. We have temporarily paused filming for our lead actor Kai to allow him time to rest and recover. We are looking forward to having him back on set when he is fully recovered.”

While Netflix has yet to comment on the accident, the streaming service did send Ko a care package on Wednesday, as indicated on the actor’s Instagram Story feed. Meanwhile, production has resumed on scenes that Ko didn’t star in. Agents from Heaven follow ex-drug story Drug addicts are recruited to do the bidding of a legendary Chinese god, the Third Prince, in order to atone for their sins.

Gao Baowen is a big star in Taiwan, rising to fame in 2011 with the movie “You Are My Sweetheart”, which earned him the Best New Actor trophy at the prestigious Chinese Film Golden Horse Awards. In 2022, Ke Yidong’s directorial debut “Bad Education” Four Golden Horse Award nominations.

It’s worth noting that drones have become a popular filmmaking tool of late, with countless professional videos shot each year without a single unfortunate incident. Exact details of what happened on the set of Agent From Above on Dec. 27 remain unclear, The incident underscores the importance of safety protocols on movie sets.

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YouTube’s New Ad-Supported Streaming Service Offers Free TV Shows, Movies and Channels

YouTube is reportedly testing a new ad-supported streaming service that will allow users to stream TV shows, movies and channels for free. Google, the parent company of YouTube, is in talks with entertainment companies to test the concept. with few people. The new service is similar to apps like Pluto TV, which offers streaming TV shows from content providers like Paramount Movies and TV Land Drama.

Companies like Vizio and Roku already sell TVs that offer similar streaming services, but they earn more from advertising and subscription commissions than they do from selling hardware. YouTube is reportedly working with Lionsgate and A&E owns the History Channel FYI and Lifetime. Google demands a 45% cut of the ad revenue.

YouTube recently signed a deal with the NFL Sunday Ticket, and starting with the 2023-2024 season, the games will be shown on YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels. Google currently has about 5 million subscribers, and YouTube TV offers more than 100 live TV channels for $64.99 each moon. Company may decide to market the free, ad-supported service under the YouTube TV brand.

The current trend in streaming services is to offer free or low-cost ad-supported tiers of service. Netflix Peacock Disney and HBO Max both have ad-supported tiers of service, and it looks like YouTube TV will be next. YouTube’s move also signals a shift in Google’s strategy. With a free, ad-supported streaming service, YouTube will be able to reach a wider audience, especially those who don’t want to pay for a subscription.

Additionally, the move fits with Google’s focus on advertising as the main source of revenue, as the company looks to diversify its revenue streams. As streaming services grow in popularity, more and more companies may look to offer free ad-supported tiers because It allows them to reach a wider audience while still generating revenue through advertising.

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Tecno Phantom X2 Pro 5G Indian pricing tipped ahead of imminent launch

Tecno recently launched the Phantom X2 5G smartphone in the Indian market. The brand is now readying up to launch the Techno Phantom X2 Pro 5G soon. While the official launch date has not been made public yet, the company will start taking pre-orders for the smartphone starting tomorrow (January 17).

Tecno

Ahead of the launch, the pricing of the Phantom X2 Pro 5G has been leaked. As per tipster Anir Chakraborty, the Phantom X2 Pro 5G will be priced at Rs 49,999. It will have 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, according to the device’s Amazon India landing page. Mars Orange and Stardust Grey will be the colors offered.

It appears that the picture is a screenshot of a listing that appeared on Amazon India. But since the image’s authenticity could not be verified, it is wise to take the leak with a grain of salt.

Pre-orderers of the Phantom X2 Pro 5G through Amazon will be eligible for promotions like an additional Rs 5,000 discount on phone exchange, a 12-month free Amazon Prime membership, and six months of interest-free financing. A premium business gift box will be given away for free to the first 600 customers who pre-order the Phantom X2 Pro 5G through offline retailers. 50 lucky buyers who pre-order the Phantom X2 Pro through Amazon or a physical retailer will receive a free upgrade to the Phantom X3 5G. Additionally, the company is offering a special discount of Rs 2,000 as part of the launch campaign.

Tecno Phantom X2 Pro 5G specs

The Tecno Phantom X2 Pro 5G will include a 6.8-inch curved-edge FHD+ AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz and an in-screen fingerprint sensor. The Dimensity 9000 will power the device. It is paired with 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 5,160mAh battery with 45W fast charging capabilities.

Tecno Phantom X2 Pro prebooking

There will be a 32-megapixel selfie camera on the Phantom X2 Pro 5G. It will sport three cameras on the back: a 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS, a 50-megapixel portrait camera with a retractable lens, and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens. It will ship with the HiOS 12-based Android 12 operating system preinstalled.

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Ferrari Joins Hands With Samsung’s Harman for Road Cars & F1 Experiences

Samsung ElectronicsHarman had revealed a bunch of new in car technologies under its “Ready” branding during the CES 2023 event. Now, the company has announced that its Ferrari will be its latest partner for its Ready Upgrade technology.

Harman has just entered into a partnership with Ferrari and will offer its Ready upgrade hardware and software suit to the known automobile maker’s in-cabin experience for its vehicles. Basically, the brand’s customers will now gain access to update and personalize features and services at any time “similar to a smartphone.” At the moment, various car manufacturers have partnered up with mobile brands and other as they have had difficulties in keeping up with changes in technologies and security features outside of their specialty.

Ferrari

Thus, Harman ready Upgrade is an innovative software and hardware technology that would enable efficient in car updates that would help improve the vehicles life cycles and shorten the development cycle for car manufacturers. Apart from the collaboration, Harman also announced that it is now the In-Cabin Experience Team partner for Scuderia Ferrari. Meaning, Harman will be the exclusive In-Cabin Experience partner for Ferrari’s Formula 1 team beginning with the 2023 season.

Although, the two companies have yet to reveal any further details regarding their new partnership. So it is unclear if Harman Automotive is a sponsor or if the company will deliver Ready Upgrade technologies for the Scuderia Ferrari’s In-Cabin Experience Team throughout the 2023 Formula 1 season. According to CEO of Ferrari, Benedetto Vigna “our partnership brings together two brands celebrated for excellence and for pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation.”

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Stadia Demise, But the Controller Stays Alive With Bluetooth Capability

With the Google Stadia service set to shut down on January 18, 2023, many gamers have been wondering what will happen to the Stadia controller. The controller is designed to work with the Stadia cloud service, which has many questioning its future usefulness. However, Google recently Announced that it will release a self-service tool that will allow customers to enable Bluetooth on their Stadia controllers.

This update will allow the Stadia controller to connect with other devices as a standard Bluetooth controller instead of just being tied to the Stadia service. This is a welcome development for Stadia customers, as it means they will be able to continue using the controller with other devices Device after service shutdown.

Alongside this update, Google also released the last game, Worm Game, for Stadia players before the end of service. The game has been used internally for years and by the team to test Stadia’s capabilities. While it’s a neat minimal title, it works as a unique Easter egg Players experience games used to test and build services.

Overall, while the shutdown of the service is certainly disappointing, the ability to use the Stadia controller via Bluetooth is a positive development, allowing gamers to continue using the controller with other devices. Also, Worm Game’s release as a final farewell is a nice touch The touch adds to the nostalgia for the end of service.

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POCO C55 Likely to Launch Soon as it Receives IMDA Certification

POCO has recently launched the POCO C50 smartphone in India. Recent reports have revealed that the next C-series phone from the brand will be called the POCO C55 when it arrives in the market. In September 2022, the device was spotted with model number 22127PC95G at the EEC certification in Europe. Now, it has been approved by Singapore’s IMDA authority.

The IMDA listing does not reveal anything significant about the specifications of the POCO C55. It only reveals that the device has support for Bluetooth and WiFi. Reports surrounding it have revealed that it will be a rebranded version of the Redmi 12C, which debuted in China recently.

POCO C55 IMDA certification
POCO C55 IMDA certification

The POCO C55 will have a 6.71-inch IPS LCD panel that offers an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1650 pixels. It runs on the MIUI 13-based Android 13 OS and has a rear-facing fingerprint sensor.

The Helio G85-powered device is likely to arrive with up to 6 GB of RAM and up to 128 GB of storage. The phone is equipped with LPDDR4x RAM and eMMC 5.1 storage. It will house a 5,000mAh battery with 10W charging. There is a 5-megapixel camera on the front for selfies. Its rear shell has a 50-megapixel (main) + 0.08-megapixel (depth) dual-camera setup.

Redmi 12C
Redmi 12C

The Redmi 12C is expected to be released in both global and Indian markets. The Indian model is likely to lack support for NFC connectivity. The EEC and IMDA certifications are a good indication that the C55 will arrive on the global market. However, there is no word on whether it will be released in India.

Apart from the POCO C55, the company is also expected to soon unveil the POCO X5 and X5 Pro smartphones. It is also said to be working on the POCO Pods TWS earbuds.

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Samsung’s Game Launcher App Leaked and Now Available for Download

Samsung is set to unveil its new flagship lineup, the Galaxy S23 series, on February 1st, and it looks like the company is already preparing its software for the new devices. A leaked version of the Game Launcher app, which is expected to be part of the upcoming One UI 5.1 update, is now available for download.

First possible One UI 5.1 app is now available for download!

The new version of the Game Launcher app, version 7.0.00.5, is said to not bring any new features, but it does put gaming recommendations at the forefront, which is a slight improvement over the current version. However, it’s unclear if this version of the app will be part of One UI 5.1 or if it will be released as a separate app update for existing Galaxy devices.

The Galaxy S23 series will run on Android 13 out of the box, with One UI 5.1 on top. In addition to new software, the devices are also expected to feature hardware upgrades such as a 200MP camera on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, new Snapdragon chip on all phones and bigger batteries on the base Galaxy S23 and Plus model.

It’s worth noting that this is an unofficial version of the app, and as such, it may not work properly on all devices. If you decide to download and install the leaked version of the Game Launcher app, it’s best to do so at your own risk.

In conclusion, Samsung is gearing up for the release of its new flagship devices and with the leak of the Game Launcher app, it appears that the company is also preparing its software for the new devices. While the leaked version of the app doesn’t seem to bring any new features, it does put gaming recommendations at the forefront, which is a slight improvement. It’s unclear if this version of the app will be part of One UI 5.1 or if it will be released as a separate app update for existing Galaxy devices.

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Realme V30 Series Receives Google Play Certification With Dimensity 700 SoC

Just a couple of days ago, we had reported on the Realme V30 being spotted on various certification websites. Now, another such online listing hints at the V30 series launch being just around the corner.

The Chinese smartphone maker’s upcoming devices were now spotted on the Google Play Console. Looking at the listings, we can see that there are two models in the works that carry the RMX3618 and RMX3619 model numbers. Although, they appear to have similar specifications and appearance. Meaning, these two handsets are likely a part of the same lineup, which is the Realme V30 series. The RMX3618 model was spotted receiving Google Play certification with the MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC.

Realme

In other words, the launch of the V30 series could be right around the corner. Prior to this report, the TENAA listing also revealed that the device will sport a 6.51 inch LCD panel that has a HD resolution. Under the hood, a large 5,000mAh battery pack will power the device. For optics, it will offer a 13 megapixel primary rear camera and a 5 megapixel selfie shooter on the front. Other aspects include an 8.1mm thickness, 186 grams in weight, a side mounted fingerprint scanner, and Android 12 OS out of the box.

As of right now, finer details are still at large but the Dimensity chips signify that the new budget phones will be 5G enabled. We can also expect to see a 3.5mm headphone jack as well. Unfortunately, this is all the information we have at the moment so stick around for more updates regarding this matter.

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iQOO Neo 7 5G Launch Date for India Revealed, Here’s What to Expect

In December 2021, iQOO unveiled the iQOO Neo 6 and the iQOO Neo 6 SE in China. The SE model was rebranded as the iQOO Neo 6 in India in 2022. In recent months, the company has launched the iQOO Neo 7, Neo 7 SE, and Neo 7 Racing Edition phones in China. These devices are powered by the Dimensity 9000 Plus, Dimensity 8200, and Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipsets, respectively. It appears that the Neo 7 SE will be rebranded as the iQOO Neo 7 5G in the Indian market.

iQOO India has confirmed that it will be announcing the iQOO Neo 7 5G on Feb. 16, and it will be sold through Amazon India. It will be the first Dimensity 8200-powered satellite to land in India. Here is a look at the specifications of the iQOO Neo 7 SE 5G (Chinese edition). The same specs are likely to be available on the Indian version of the iQOO Neo 7 5G.

iQOO Neo 7 5G India launch date
iQOO Neo 7 5G India launch date

The Neo 7 SE 5G has a 6.78-inch flat AMOLED panel. It offers a Full HD+ resolution, a refresh rate of 120Hz, and an under-display fingerprint sensor. On the front, it has a 16-megapixel selfie camera.

The rear camera setup of the iQOO Neo 7 5G is headlined by an OIS-enabled 64-megapixel camera. It is paired with a 2-megapixel macro camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The OriginOS 3.0-based Android 13 OS. Its rebranded version is likely to offer a FunTouchOS 13 experience.

iQOO Neo 7 SE
iQOO Neo 7 SE

The Dimensity 8200 chipset, LPDDR5 RAM, and UFS 3.1 storage power the iQOO Neo 7 SE. In China, the device is available in multiple variants, such as 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, 12B + 256GB, 16GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 512GB. The device’s base model costs 2,299 Yuan (~$343; ~Rs 27,900).

The iQOO Neo 7 SE has a 5,000mAh battery, which supports 120W fast charging. It offers other features like 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, NFC, an IR blaster, and a USB-C port.

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OPPO A78 5G Launched with 90Hz Display, Dimensity 700, & 50MP Dual Cameras

The OPPO A78 5G has been launched in India. The 5G-ready midrange phone from the brand offers key features, such as a 90Hz display, Dimensity 700, a 50-megapixel dual-camera setup, and a big battery. Here is all the information on the specifications, features, and price of the A78.

OPPO A78 5G specifications and features

OPPO A78 5G
OPPO A78 5G

The OPPO A78 5G has a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display with a teardrop notch. It offers an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels and a 90Hz refresh rate. The screen supports 96 percent NTSC color gamut, 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut, and up to 600 nits of brightness. For security, it has a side-facing fingerprint scanner.   

Under the hood, the OPPO A78 5G features the Dimensity 700 chipset. The phone comes in a single configuration that offers 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage. It offers up to 8 GB of virtual RAM.

The A78 5G houses a 5,000mAh battery that supports 33W SuperVOOC charging. The company claims that it can achieve a full charge in 67 minutes. It ships with the ColorOS 13-based Android 13 OS.

OPPO A78 5G
OPPO A78 5G

The A78 5G has an 8-megapixel camera for shooting selfies. On its back, it has a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and an LED flash. Other features of the A78 5G include Panda Glass protection for the display, a multi-cooling system for heat dissipation, face unlock, dual stereo speakers, dual SIM, 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

OPPO A78 5G price in India

The OPPO A78 5G has been launched with a price tag of Rs 18,999 (~$233). The device can now be pre-ordered through OPPO India’s website and Amazon India. It will go on sale in the country on Jan. 18. Buyers can purchase it in Glowing Black and Glowing Blue color options.

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Samsung Galaxy A23 5G, Galaxy A14 5G India Launch Officially Confirmed, Key Features Revealed

Samsung recently confirmed that it will be holding a launch event on Jan. 18 in India to announce the new A-series of smartphones. It did not, however, confirm the names of the phones that will be available on the specified date. Over the weekend, the company released a couple of teasers to reveal that it will be unveiling the Galaxy A14 5G and the Galaxy A23 5G on Jan. 18. A few social media posts released by the brand have also confirmed the key features of the A23.

The Galaxy A14 5G and the Galaxy A23 5G are set to launch at 12 pm (local time) on Jan. 18 in India. It is now confirmed that the A23 5G will feature a waterdrop notch display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate. The other poster confirms that the device will support optical image stabilisation (OIS). It appears that the company will roll out a few more teasers before the upcoming launch.

The Galaxy A23 5G that is heading to India appears to be the same device that has been available in the global market since August 2022. The A23, which is available in other markets, features a 6.6-inch PLS LCD panel that offers an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It has an 8-megapixel front camera and a 50-megapixel (main) + 5-megapixel (ultra-wide) + 2-megapixel (depth) + 2-megapixel (macro) quad-camera unit.

The Snapdragon 695-powered device comes with up to 8 GB of RAM and up to 128 GB of storage. It has a 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging support. It is equipped with a side-facing fingerprint sensor. According to a recent report, the 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage model could cost Rs 23,999 in India.

The Galaxy A14 5G is expected to feature a 6.6-inch IPS LCD 90Hz display, a Dimensity 700 chip, up to 6 GB of RAM, up to 128 GB of storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 18W charging support. It has a 13-megapixel camera on the front and a 50-megapixel (main) + 2-megapixel (macro) + 2-megapixel (depth) triple camera unit on the back. It also features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. The variant offering 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage is likely to cost Rs 16,499.

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Google breaks silence on ₹1337 crore ($162 million) anticompetitive fine in new statement

In October, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed a fine of Rs. 1337.76 crores ($161.95 million) on Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., for abusing its monopoly over Android. The CCI also requested that Google lift its prohibitions on smartphone manufacturers pre-installing apps.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) refused to grant a stay, thus on January 11 the Supreme Court agreed to hear Google’s appeal for a hearing regarding the delay of a further Rs 1,337 crore penalty order by CCI on January 16.

Google

Google has now produced a statement in advance of the court proceedings that enables users and stakeholders to fully grasp the significance of the issues at hand. The company said that the CCI’s antitrust decision “strikes a blow” to the ecosystem-wide initiatives to hasten the adoption of digital technology in the nation.

With more and more people going online, Google believes that its open-source and free Android is playing a critical role in lowering the cost of cell phones and accelerating India’s digital transformation. In relation to the app issue, Google states:

For a country like India, where the cost of adoption is the biggest barrier to digitisation, this has had profound implications. More users have incentivised more developers, and each of those developers achieve immediate scale by writing a single app for Android.

The availability of Play Services APIs to OEMs, app developers, and rivals for the development of forked Android versions was also addressed by Google in response to CCI remarks. Google claims that the Android remedies mandated by the CCI will expose users to more privacy and danger online. The company said:

“Devices built on incompatible ‘forks’ would prevent Google from securing those devices, as these versions will not support the security and user safety features that Google provides. Lack of robust and consistent security upgrades will leave the users of those devices exposed to cybercrime, bugs, and malware – which is most troubling for the millions of new internet users who are especially vulnerable.”

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Xiaomi 13 Ultra might launch later than expected: Report

Last month, the Xiaomi 13 series smartphones officially made their debut in China. The devices are said to debut globally at MWC next month. While the series currently consists of the vanilla Xiaomi 13 and the Xiaomi 13 Pro, rumors about a Xiaomi 13 Ultra are also floating around online.

Xiaomi‘s CEO Lei Jun recently confirmed that the brand will launch the Xiaomi 13 Ultra as its main flagship device for both the Chinese and the global market. This gave rise to many rumors claiming that the launch could occur at the MWC event. However, popular tipster Digital Chat Station has released some contradictory information.

Xiaomi
Xiaomi 12S Ultra

According to Digital Chat Station, both the OPPO Find X6 and Honor Magic5 series will be released shortly after Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year is on January 22. Given the length of the celebrations, both lineups should debut in the middle to end of February. But the leaker is adamant that the Xiaomi 13 Ultra won’t launch until later.

It is unlikely that the Xiaomi 13 Ultra will be unveiled at MWC, which starts in late February. The global release of the premium Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro devices has been confirmed, though. If rumors posted on Chinese websites are to be believed, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra may be ready for a late March or early April release in Xiaomi’s home market. However, it is unknown whether the flagship will make its appearance simultaneously everywhere.

So far, information available on the Xiaomi 13 Ultra states that it could bring a quad-camera setup featuring a 1-inch Sony IMX989 50-megapixel primary camera. All four cameras may have PDAF autofocus, and the primary camera is likely to allow gimbal optimization. It might use a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and provide up to 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 500GB/1TB of UFS 4.0 storage.

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s official protective covers unveiled

Samsung is gearing up to launch the Galaxy S23 series of smartphones on the first day of February 2023. As usual, the generation will consist of three devices – Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus, and Galaxy S23 Ultra. Ahead of the launch, tipster Evan Blass has shared images of the protective cases of the Galaxy S23 Ultra which will be directly sold by Samsung and its retail partners.

The images shared by Evan Blass revealed that the brand will offer two kinds of protective covers for the galaxy S23 Ultra. The first will be the regular snap-on shell, while the other will be a classic-style flip case.

Both types of covers will be available in the following colors: Phantom Black, Cotton Flower (cream), Botanic Green, and Misty Lilac (pink or lavender).

Samsung Galaxy S23 series specs

All three variants of the Galaxy S23 Ultra series are rumored to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, per leaks and rumors. A huge 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a QHD+ resolution is anticipated for the Galaxy S23 Ultra. With a brightness of 2200 nits, the display is also claimed to be more bright than the iPhone 14 Pro series.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Along with a new 200 MP main camera, two 10MP telephoto cameras with 3x and 10x optical zoom, and a 12 MP ultrawide camera, the S23 Ultra will also sport a quad camera system. The S23 Ultra’s battery is anticipated to have a capacity of 5000 mAh and support 25W fast charging and at least 15W wireless charging.

The triple camera combination on the rear of the S23 and S23 Plus, which has a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto camera with a 3x optical zoom, is equally noteworthy. The 6.1-inch and 6.6-inch screens on the S23 and S23 Plus will offer Full HD+ resolutions and AMOLED panels that support a 120 Hz refresh rate, respectively.

In addition to supporting 25W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging, the S23 and S23 Plus will have cutouts for the front-facing camera. The S23 is speculated to feature a battery capacity of 3900 mAh, while the S23 Plus is anticipated to have a battery capacity of 4700 mAh. Additionally, all three phones will ship with Android 13 already pre-installed and a layer of One UI 5.0 on top, providing a user-friendly and feature-rich experience.

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Motorola Thinkphone Could Be Sold To Non-business Customers in Some Countries

During CES 2023, Lenovo finally announced the laptop-inspired Thinkphone by Motorola. The rugged smartphone packs a powerful chipset and comes with a military-grade rating. The phone is reported to be sold only to B2B clients, which is definitely a bummer for those who were eager to try it. However, a popular tipster has claimed that the Thinkphone will also be available for non-business customers in some countries. Here are the details.

Roland Quant says the Thinkphone by Motorola will be sold to non-business consumers as well. However, only folks in “certain” countries would be able to get their hands on the smartphone. Quant didn’t mention the name of the countries or the stores but revealed that the 8/256GB version of the handset will be priced at €999 ($1,080). Apparently, it will be available for purchase by the end of this month.

Lenovo-thinkphone

To recall, the ThinkPhone by Motorola has a rugged design with an aramid fiber-made back panel and aircraft-grade aluminum frames. There’s Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the front.

It comes with a 6.6-inch OLED display with a 2400x1080px resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support. The handset is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, which is very capable. The processor is paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, and 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage.

The handset packs a 5,000mAh battery that supports 68W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. It’s MIL-STD 810H and IP68 certified and packs a 32MP selfie camera with autofocus. On the back, there’s a 50MP f/1.8 main camera with both PDAF and OIS accompanied by a 13MP f/2.2 ultrawide with Macro Vision. The smartphone features various interconnectivity features as well.

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