Prolific Chinese drone manufacturer reputed as the king of drones – DJI has teased the upcoming launch of a non-drone product. The product is a handheld gimbal, yet another niche where the company’s products excel. The launch is scheduled to hold on January 10, 2023. While the post did not explicitly name the gimbal model that would be unveiled, the teaser poster hints that it would be of the RS 3 series.
Already, DJI has launched the RS 3 and RS 3 Pro handheld gimbals around June 2022. Thus, we expect the product to be a Mini model of the RS 3 series. The product, likely called DJI RS 3 Mini, will have a smaller size compared to its predecessors. To put this in perspective, the teaser poster contains three gimbals of different sizes. The large and medium-sized models correspond to the RS 3 and RS 3 Pro. Thus, the smaller one will likely be the mini version.
At teh moment, details of the upcoming gimbal model are not known neither has the company indicated the price tag it would adopt. However, considering that the RS 3 Pro and RS 3 are priced at 5499 yuan and 2999 yuan respectively, we expect the new model to be cheaper.
Apart from a cheaper price, the model will likely come with trimmed down features. It is expected to weigh less than the 1.3 kg which the RS 3 weighs. The payload capacity will also likely be less than 3kg which is the carry capacity of the RS 3.
We expect the gmbal to come with basic features such as stabilization technology and just like the others, it will likely be a camera gimbal. However, we don’t expect the gimbal to come with a built-in LiDAR laser focus found on the RS 3 Pro and missing on the vanilla RS 3.
We expect to find out more details of the upcoming DJI handheld gimbal when it is officially unveiled.
OPPO recently announced its first flip foldable phone. The OPPO Find N2 Flip will be launched in the global market in the first part of this year and it is already available in China. Meanwhile, you should know that it is not the only last-generation flip phone out there. Besides the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, it has another very important rival: the Motorola Razr 2022. Both flagships, both very compact, and both with amazing specifications from every point of view. So, it will be a tough fight. That is the reason why you should know the differences between these two handsets. And you will learn them through this comparison between the main specifications of the OPPO Find N2 Flip and the Motorola Razr 2022.
OPPO Find N2 Flip vs Motorola Razr 2022
OPPO Find N2 Flip
Motorola Razr 2022
THICKNESS
16 mm when folded, 7.5 mm when unfolded
17 mm when folded, 7.6 mm when unfolded
DISPLAY
Main display: 6.8 inches, 1080 x 2520p (Full HD+), Foldable AMOLED
External display: 3.26 inches (382 x 720p), AMOLED
6.7 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), Foldable AMOLED
External display: 2.7 inches, AMOLED, 573 x 800 pixels
Foldable display, secondary external display, 5G, water repellent
Design
As you already understood, these two phones have the same form factor: they are flip phones able to fold in half in order to make their dimensions very small. However, the Motorola Razr 2022 is slightly more compact, thanks to the presence of a smaller display and a smaller battery. Further, it has an outstanding build quality, including a water-repellent design, a glass back protected by Gorilla Glass 5, an aluminum 7000 series frame, and a stainless steel hinge. On the other hand, the OPPO Find N2 Flip comes with a nearly perfect hinge making the cease almost invisible, so do not underestimate it.
Display
The foldable internal display of the Motorola Razr 2022 is more interesting not only because it is able to show up to one billion colors, but also because it sports a higher 144 Hz refresh rate. It is an AMOLED panel with a diagonal of 6.7 inches, a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, and HDR10+ certification. The OPPO Find N2 Flip has a more interesting external display: a bigger 3.7-inch panel placed vertically allowing for a better user experience. The external display of the OPPO Find N2 Flip is an AMOLED panel protected by Gorilla Glass 5 with a resolution of 382 x 720 pixels. On the internal side, the phone sports an AMOLED display with a diagonal of 6.8 inches, a Full HD+ resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ certification.
Specs & Software
These two phones have different processors but similar performance. The Motorola Razr 2022 is powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 mobile platform running at a max frequency of 3.19 GHz and paired with up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of native storage. The OPPO Find N2 Flip has a MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ chipset with the same max frequency, paired with up to 16 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of native storage. The OPPO Find N2 Flip wins the hardware comparison due to its higher amount of RAM. It also ships with a more recent Android version out of the box: Android 13 instead of Android 12.
Camera
The Motorola Razr 2022 wins the camera hardware comparison. It has a dual rear camera including a 50 MP main sensor with OIS and a 13 MP ultrawide shooter, as well as a 32 MP front camera. The OPPO Find N2 Flip has a 50 MP main camera too, but without OIS and accompanied by an 8 MP ultrawide lens.
The biggest battery is the one found on the OPPO Find N2 Flip, with a capacity of 4300 mAh instead of just 3700 mAh. Further, it charges quicker due to 44W fast charging.
Price
You need at least $845/€800 to purchase the OPPO Find N2 Flip in China, while the Motorola Razr 2022 starts from $1200/€1200 globally. I would choose the OPPO flip phone due to its bigger battery, Android 13, and better external display: which one would you pick?
The Dell Concept Nyx gaming controller has been unveiled. The new Dell second-gen gaming controller comes with a futuristic bent. The announcement was made during CES 2023. Recall that the original Nyx was showcased during CES 2022.
The Concept Nyx comes with advanced features that help to deliver an immersive gaming experience. It has a fingerprint sensor and a customizable trigger response. The controller also features the ability to move a game from screen to screen by pointing it at the screen. When the Nyx is connected to a gaming server, it allows you to play your favorite games. You can play games using one controller or even play two games simultaneously.
The possibility of the Concept Nyx transiting into commercial production is slim. It is rather seen as a stepping stone for future practical gaming controllers. It looks a bit different from its predecessor with some improvements.
A few elements of the Xbox Series S controller are visible in the Concept Nyx. The fingerprint sensor allows you to instantly open the last game played. This cool feature is capable of recognizing multiple fingerprints of users.
With the customizable buttons, you can set your preferred haptic feedback level and also remap the buttons. An intelligent overlay provides you with button activity during gaming. In essence, the on-screen controls adapt to your new settings. The shift button adds a second layer of functionality to the controller’s buttons.
Dell has not provided any concrete plans for the commercialization of the Concept Nyx. However, with its appearance at CES for two years in a row, we could expect something big, possibly soon. Some experts are predicting that a commercial version could come out by CES 2024.
A new hands-on video of the next iteration of the Pixel lineup has surfaced. The yet-to-be-released Google Pixel 7a comes with a 90Hz display refresh rate. The video also shows a similar design for the Pixel 7a to its predecessor.
The Google Pixel 7a will enter the market later this year. It follows the May 2022 release of the Pixel 6a and the leaked video reveals the entire design of the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 7a leaked video is linked to a Vietnamese Facebook group. Apart from the hardware, the smartphone’s software interfaces were also revealed. The leaked video all but confirms earlier renders about the Pixel 7a.
The Google Pixel 7a sports a similar camera module to the Pixel 6a. A 3D thermoformed composite back was also shown for the smartphone. The 90Hz refresh rate for the upcoming Pixel smartphone is a significant improvement from its predecessor. The Pixel 6a has a 60Hz refresh rate.
The new smartphone has a symmetrical screen and a punch hole at the center for the front camera. The video also revealed thick borders around the phone’s screen. The internals of the Pixel 7a is still not confirmed but a Tensor G2 chip could be in the mix. It will also come with an OLED screen and a dual rear camera setup.
There is a raft of additional details about the Pixel 7a from already been revealed from rumors and source codes. The smartphone is rumored to come with wireless charging functionality but these details are not definitive. Expectedly, more details about the Pixel 7a will be released as the buildup to its official unveiling gathers steam.
The ASUS ROG Nightmare Mechanical Keyboard has been unveiled in China. The new device comes with the NX Hawthorn red switch and three connectivity options – wired, wireless, and Bluetooth. The mechanical keyboard supports RGB lighting effects, and customization and uses the customized gasket structure.
The ROG Nightmare supports wireless magic light synchronization with up to 10 lighting effects. The AURA SYNC magic light synchronization allows the user to create an illuminating gaming atmosphere. The ARMOURY CRATE software allows you to customize the keyboard’s parameters. It is also possible to save your custom configurations, as well as switch settings seamlessly during use.
The mechanical keyboard with its impressive lighting and connectivity options is a decent gaming accessory. It also features an OLED screen. The new ASUS ROG mechanical keyboard is now part of a fast-expanding collection of gaming accessories from the company.
The Republic of Gamers (ROG) gaming keyboards are equipped with premium-quality switches, innovative designs, and customizable functions. They also offer speed, versatility, and immersive lighting. The ROG lineup of gaming keyboards includes the ROG Strix Flare series, and ROG Claymore Core, as well as several other gaming accessories.
The ASUS ROG Nightmare mechanical keyboard currently retails in China for 1,799 yuan (~$261). It can be purchased directly from Jingdong, as well as other leading e-commerce platforms in the country. There are no indications yet on the global availability of the new ROG keyboard at this time. It remains to be seen whether the new ROG mechanical keyboard will get a decent reception in the market.
The latest 13th Generation Intel Desktop chipset has shown excellent performance and was able to compete with its competitor. The chipset does deliver good performance. Raptor Lake, the newest mobile chipset from Intel’s 13th generation, will soon be unveiled, according to the manufacturer. The highlight of the event is Intel’s Core i9-13980HX, which has 24 cores and a 5.6GHz turbo frequency. The 24-core combination has never been supported by a laptop CPU before, and Intel calls it the “fastest mobile processor in the world.”
In comparison to the same 12th Gen CPUs, Intel claims the end result is up to 11 per cent faster single-thread performance and up to 49 per cent quicker multitasking performance. It is also claimed that gaming performance will be up to 12 per cent faster compared to its predecessor. Additionally, up to 128GB of RAM is available along with support for DDR4 (up to 3,200MHz) and DDR5 (up to 5,600MHz). The most recent 13th Gen mobile HX CPUs from Intel also enable Bluetooth 5.2, Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 6E.
The flagship Core i9-13980HX from Intel features eight performance cores and 16 efficiency cores on the same chip that it uses for its 13th Generation of desktop processors. It has twice as many efficiency cores as the preceding Core i9-12950HX but the same amount of performance cores. All of this is included in a 55-watt chip that is made to function with the most recent discrete mobile GPUs for high-performance tasks and gaming.
The 13th Gen variants of Intel’s 28W P-series for thin and light laptops and the 15W U-series for ultralight laptops, foldable, and beyond are being released for laptops with less demanding performance requirements. With a maximum turbo speed of 5.2GHz and support for both DDR4 and DDR5, the P-series can accommodate up to 14 cores (six performance/eight efficiency). The flagship U-series processor (i7-1365U) has a maximum turbo frequency of 5.2GHz and a total of 10 cores (two performance and eight efficiencies).
Samsung has unveiled its latest Bespoke wall oven with lots of impressive features. The new Samsung Bespoke AI oven allows the user to live stream a video feed of what is cooking. The new oven is equipped with a 7-inch screen and features touch controls. It is part of a new lineup of customizable kitchen appliances.
The Bespoke AI wall oven supports various cooking methods including air frying, steam cooking, and air sous vide. It has an AI camera inside that can provide a live feed of the cooking process. The camera can detect what’s cooking and suggest optimal cooking settings. The AI camera can also send warning notifications to prevent your food from getting burnt. The wall oven’s screen also provides visual media to keep tabs on what is cooking inside the oven.
The Samsung Bespoke AI oven can be remotely controlled via the SmartThings app. The photo and video options will provide a rich resource for food and cooking enthusiasts. The oven also has Samsung Health integration for workout stats and diet goals based on the food being cooked.
Samsung has also unveiled a few other Bespoke products. They include the Bespoke Wall Mount Hood, the 4-Door Flex refrigerator, and the Bespoke Side-by-Side fridge. The new wall mount is designed to match other Bespoke appliances with a maximum sound of 65dB. It has a ventilation rate of up to 700 cubic feet per minute and can sync with the smart Samsung cooktop.
The 4-door flex fridge comes with a larger Family Hub and touchscreen measuring 32 inches. The spacious display allows for multiple app functionality and connection to other SmartThings-compatible devices.
The Bespoke side-by-side fridge comes with touch sensors on each door and SmartThings integration. All the products have scattered availability in South Korea, Europe and the United States. The Bespoke AI oven is already available in Europe and will enter the US market in the summer. The Bespoke Side-by-Side fridge will be available in the US by April 2023, while the 4-Door Flex is expected by Q2 2023.
Back in August 2019, Xiaomi debuted the MIJIA LCD Blackboard for the first time in China. Since then, the brand has launched the slate in a couple of different sizes. Till now, the brand only manufactured the slates to produce a single color while writing on them.
However, the brand has now kicked off the crowdfunding campaign for the Xiaomi MIJIA LCD Small Blackboard Color Edition. As the name suggests, the slate is capable of producing multiple colors, thanks to a custom-made color liquid crystal panel. The blackboard is available in two sizes: 10-inch and 13-inch.
It allows for pressure-sensitive writing, with the thickness of the handwriting changing as the force is applied. There is a sensing area above the screen that can be used to easily clear the blackboard. The screen has no backlight, and natural light reflection is used to present handwriting.
According to the company, the screen is blue-light-free, so children and people of all ages can use it for extended periods of time. Furthermore, the board only consumes energy when the content on it is erased.
Unfortunately, there is no mention of the ability to save write-ups for future reference. It is simply a “write and wipe” tablet, similar to a writing board. If you are interested in a slate with built-in storage, you can check out the Xiaomi MIJIA LCD Small Blackboard Storage Edition.
The Xiaomi Mijia LCD Small Blackboard Color Edition will be available on Xiaomi YouPin starting at 10:00 AM tomorrow (January 4), with a price tag of 59 Yuan for the 10-inch model and 99 Yuan for the 13.5-inch model.
Months after the $899 InZone M9 gaming monitor debuted, Sony‘s InZone 1080p variant is now available. It is the same, however, it doesn’t have full-array local dimming and runs at a lower resolution. With a similar 27-inch size and a white-on-black look akin to the PS5, the InZone M3 launches for $529 and is currently in stock. This display completes Sony’s remarkable year of producing technology that appeals to consumers other than die-hard PlayStation enthusiasts.
The largest difference is its IPS panel’s shift from a 4K to a 1080p resolution. This display does not support 1440p natively, however, the PS5 does. Additionally, the M3’s screen lacks full-array local dimming, which gave the M9’s screen exceptional contrast, especially when showing HDR titles. The M3 is edge-lit instead, with a 400-nit maximum brightness. It has DisplayHDR 400 for PCs and supports HDR10 and HLG.
Even though this 1080p monitor is priced in line with QHD monitors, the M3 still has advantages over other comparable-sized models. It has a 240Hz refresh rate, auto low latency mode, and variable refresh rate for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PCs (with G-Sync compatibility). It supports multiple device connections over HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and USB-C. You may control two PCs using the same mouse and keyboard thanks to its automatic KVM switch. It also supports a wall mount and monitors arms.
So that was it regarding the latest launched Sony InZone M3 gaming monitor. The brand has kept it below the InZone M9 gaming monitor. It has got several advantages like support for 240Hz variable refresh rate. What do you think about the gaming monitor? Do let us know in the comment section below.
The Skyraptor Series of audio sunglasses have been unveiled in India. The Just Corseca Skyraptor smart eyewear can stream music to the ears. The two models in the series are the Skyraptor and Skyraptor Pro.
Both models feature built-in open-ear speakers that connect wirelessly to your smartphone. On the visual aspect, the Skyraptor series lens protect your eyes from intense sunlight.
The new Skyraptor sunglasses join a growing collection of Just Corseca products. Last year, the company released the Ray K’anabis smartwatch with support for Bluetooth calling. The rim frame of the Skyraptor is made of durable ABS plastic with flexible hinges.
The frame is waterproof (rain and sweat) and can be worn comfortably for extended periods. The open-ear design helps you to keep in touch with your environment while listening to music. You can also receive calls hands-free thanks to the embedded omnidirectional mics.
The Skyraptor and Skyraptor Pro boast super-low latency 60ms Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Just Corseca says that the low latency rating of the smart eyeglasses is an industry-leading performance. Clarity and stutter-free audio are delivered whenever the sunglasses are connected to your smartphone.
The Skyraptor Pro smart sunglasses feature UV400 lenses that provides up to 100% UVA/UVB protection. The sunglasses also significantly reduce blue light by up to 35%. This helps to reduce eye strain while working or watching the movies.
Availability of the Just Corseca Skyraptor is priced at Rs. 1,999 (~$24) and the Skyraptor Pro costs Rs. 3,999 (~$48). The special offer for the two smart sunglasses will subsist until after the launch period. Both smart glasses come with a 12-month warranty.
Major e-commerce platforms in India are already retailing the Skyraptor Series. The smart glasses can also be purchased directly from the Just Forseca official website. The product is available in both online and offline outlets in the subcontinent.
According to reports, the three most well-liked social media networks—Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat—have partnered with the Korean electronics giant Samsung. The collaboration is being done to avoid any deterioration in the quality of photographs taken with these social media applications’ built-in cameras. Even if you download the captured photographs from the apps later, it would still provide the same quality.
Ahmed Qwaider, a well-known tipper, provided the following information on Twitter. The tipster claims that Samsung took notice of this in order to enhance user experience and possibly because a lot of its customers were using these apps. The statement said that the upgraded versions of the chosen programmes would be available to all Samsung Galaxy S23 models. Later, the brand might introduce this to a larger audience. Other Samsung devices are also likely to receive the upgrade in the future.
According to earlier sources, users could now access the Samsung Galaxy S22 flagship series camera features on a few well-known social media platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram. In these particular social media platforms, the brand provided support for night mode and auxiliary camera lenses. The company may now aim to enhance the smartphone user experience even more.
The collaboration between the industry leaders in social media and Samsung appears to be fantastic and will undoubtedly enhance their consumers’ experiences. Samsung is the first and only brand in Android to offer these functionalities in its user interface as of yet. Users of Samsung flagship smartphones have unique access to these features.
Blaupunkt has launched a new soundbar in India. The brand has expanded its range of home audio devices with the latest offering. The new soundbar is a part of SBW range and it is dubbed SBW250. The company had launched SBA15 and SBA15GM soundbars last month. They pack 2.5-inch dual speakers with a 15W sound output, a 2,000mAh battery, and fast charging. Read on to know what the Blaupunkt SBW250 offers out of the box.
The Blaupunkt SBW250 comes with a subwoofer and a soundbar. The former measures 8 inches and is placed in a solid casing to reduce vibration and offer a deep bass. The soundbar is capable of delivering 200W sound output and is claimed to clear audio and enhanced noise control. It also features 3D Surround Sound for an immersive audio experience.
The Blaupunkt SBW250 packs three EQ modes and multiple music modes including sony, cinema, dialog, and 3D. The soundbar also features dedicated karaoke and guitar ports for party needs. Connectivity options on the audio device includes HDMI ARC, optical, AUX, line-in, and Bluetooth for easy pairing with the TV. Additionally, the soundbar also comes with a remote too with functions like play, pause, bass, and all other audio modes.
The new Blaupunkt SBW250 carries a price tag of Rs 8,499. It is available for purchase from the brand’s official website and Amazon.
PLAY has launched a new smartwatch in India. The latest offering from the homegrown wearables brand is dubbed the PLAYFIT Dial 3. It falls under the Rs 3,000 price bracket and competes against other smartwatches offered by brands like Noise, boAt, DIZO, and more in the market. Read on to know what the device offers out of the box.
The PLAYFIT Dial 3 comes with a square dial bearing a 1.8-inch display and 500 nits peak brightness. The watch offers a resolution of 240 x 286 pixels and also customisable watch faces. It is IP67-rated dust and water-resistant. The device has a button on the right side.
On the fitness front, the PLAYFIT Dial 3 is equipped with a heart-rate tracker, SpO2 sensor, sleep monitor, female health tracker, and blood pressure. The wearable device also packs features like sedentary reminders, hydration reminders, and breathing exercises. It packs support for more than 100 sports modes.
The PLAYFIT Dial 3 is equipped with a built-in speaker and microphone. It comes with Bluetooth calling and Enhanced Bass Extra Loud drivers for a hands-free music experience. The smartwatch packs convenient features like notifications display, weather alerts, music and camera control, and support for Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. It is claimed to deliver 5 days of battery usage.
The PLAYFIT Dial 3 carries a price tag of Rs 2,999 and can be purchased from the brand’s official website, major e-commerce platforms, and offline retail stores across the country. It is offered in Blue, Silver, and Grey colours.
How much money would you spend on a toilet? If your answer is over $10k and Alexa integration, LED lights, and speakers are important to you, there’s a product for you. The Kohler Numi 2.0 Smart Toilet is finally available for installation in homes after being showcased at CES2019. This high-tech toilet comes with a hefty price tag of $11,500. Here are the details…
The $11,500 toilet with Alexa inside can now be put inside your home
Kohler Numi 2.0 has several luxury features such as a bidet with front and back wash capabilities, UV light cleaning, temperature and pressure control, a misted bowl to minimize residue, automatic flushing and deodorizing, a heated seat, and an air dryer. All of these features can be controlled by a handheld remote or through the Kohler Konnect app.
Image: Kohler
The toilet also has an automatic lid and emergency backup flush. One of the standout features of this toilet is the built-in Alexa integration, which allows users to access all of the capabilities of the virtual assistant while using the bathroom. If you’re in need of a high-tech toilet with all the bells and whistles, the Kohler Numi 2.0 might be worth the investment.
Most importantly for anyone who has ever lived with a person who leaves the lid up — it has a lid that automatically opens and closes. And again, you’ll also have to pay $11,500 just to buy this toilet. Kohler Numi 2.0 Smart Toilet is available to distributors today and should be available to purchase directly over the coming days.
Your Google smart speakers could be used to spy on you. A new report has found that hackers can use smart speakers to listen in on your private conversations at home. So here are all the details about this vulnerability.
Researcher Matt Kunze had found that hackers might be able to spy on users of Google Home smart speakers. Kunze discovered that Nest Mini has a rogue or “backdoor” account could be created using the Google Home application. Furthermore, the account could then be used to control the smart speaker. In other words, a hacker with malicious intent basically has remote access to a microphone feed inside your homes.
After this discovery, Kunze shared the information with the Search engine giant who awarded him with a heft sum of 107,500 US Dollars. The rogue account was capable of controlling the smart speaker and it let hackers send commands remotely via the cloud API, which allows two or more computer programs to communicate with one another. The hacker was also able to send a request to Google’s server requesting a link to the smart speaker.
This would even let the hacker to gain access to other smart home products as well by letting them unlock the front door, control smart appliances, possible even make online transactions as well, among other things. Those with malicious intent could also have the speaker call his phone allowing him to listen in to a conversation in the victim’s home through the speaker’s microphone.
Besides releasing new versions of Android and rolling out monthly security patches, Google also pushes out Play system updates on a regular basis. These updates are unique in that they are distributed directly by Google to all compatible Android devices, including non-Pixel phones, in order to improve the performance and security of the Android operating system. Lastly, some Samsung Galaxy S22 and S21 series owners have reported that their phones have been stuck on the July 2022 update. Here are the details…
How to fix Samsung Galaxy phones stuck on July 2022 Play system update
Some Samsung Galaxy phone users are experiencing an issue where their devices are stuck on the July 2022 Google Play system update. This issue appears to have started after the rollout of the Android 13-based One UI 5 update, and is affecting not just Samsung’s flagship phones, but also the Galaxy A52.
Users have reported the problem on Samsung’s support forums and Reddit. Saying that despite manually checking for updates, their phones remain stuck. In some cases, users are given the option to restart and install a new build. However, after the reboot, the Google Play system update still remains on July 2022. It is not clear if other non-Galaxy Android phones are experiencing a similar issue.
If your Galaxy phone is stuck on the July 2022 Play system update, you can try manually sideloading the November 2022 build by downloading and installing the latest main components from reliable APK websites. After a reboot, your phone should be running the November 2022 Google Play system update. Keep in mind that the build with S+ in its name is meant for Android 12 and newer versions of the OS, so be sure to download the correct version.
The Government of India has passed a new law the country which makes the use of USB Type-C charging ports compulsory for all upcoming electronic devices. The government gave a deadline of March 2025 to all the manufacturers out there to impose the changes. This means every product launching after March 2025 should have a mandatory USB Type-C charging port in the country. Further, there is some relief for the laptop manufacturers as they are given a deadline of the year 2026.
However, a recent piece of information hovering online claims that these new rules are not compulsory for all electronic devices. There are some devices which are excluded from the new law. The devices include feature phones, wearables, and wearables. This means they can continue to use the relevant charging method and are is no more forced to use the USB Type-C charging port. Rest all electronic devices, including smartphones will have to bring Type-C charging port in order to comply with the new guidelines released by the government of India.
The government official stated, “USB Type-C port has been made mandatory for mobiles and electronics, and the industry players are also on board, although stakeholders have stated that costs would increase for featurephones, wearables, and hearables.” The official added that the exclusion was implemented as a result of industry participants’ concerns about input expenses, which would increase the price of feature phones.
It is obvious that India is still a very large market for feature phone users, and it will be a very long time until they completely move to smartphones. The Indian government has created another subgroup to look into the viability of a standardised charging procedure for wearables purchased in India. The new initiative by the Indian government is definitely worth praising, and it will undoubtedly result in the creation of a single universal charging cable for all the electronics in your immediate environment.
Apple has officially announced that it is increasing the prices of out-of-warranty battery replacements for its devices. This means that users who need to replace batteries on their iPhones, iPads, and Macs will have to shell out more. The battery replacement costs for all three products i.e. smartphones, tablets, and PCs will be expensive by $20. The revised prices will come in to effect from March 1st. So if you own any of the Apple devices with degrading battery life, now is the ideal time to get it replaced.
Currently, the battery replacement cost for the latest-generation iPhone 14 lineup costs $99. It doesn’t get a price hike.
The Cupertino-based giant charges $69 for all iPhone 13 variants to the iPhone X lineup. For models below the iPhone X and those that come with the Touch ID button, the battery replacement service is priced at $49. However, from March 1st, the battery replacement cost will be expensive by $20 for all iPhones. This means that the service will start from $89 for the iPhone 13 to iPhone X series and $69 for the iPhone 8 and lower devices.
Alongside iPhones, the battery replacement costs for MacBooks also get expensive. Currently, the service for the MacBook Air models costs $129 and it will increase by $30. The battery replacement for the MacBook Pro and MacBook variants costs $199 at the moment. This will be hiked by $50 amounting to $250.
As for the tablets, the out-of-service battery replacement fee will be hiked by $20 for all iPad models.
It’s worth noting that the hike in prices of battery replacement services will only impact customers who don’t have AppleCare or AppleCare+. Those who have this are not required to pay anything for battery replacement once the battery health has gone below 80 percent. The main reason behind the price hike is not revealed by Apple but we assume it to be the increased cost of materials. The aforementioned price hikes are excluding tax and shipping fees. Additionally, the increase in prices of battery replacement services is applicable in other countries and regions as well.
Google has been long rumored to be working on its very own foldable smartphone, called the Pixel Fold. Now, a new leak hints that this device might seek to bravely compete with foldable phones from Samsung.
A new report claimed that sources from with the supply chain of Samsung have claimed that the Pixel Fold will be entering mass production int he July to September quarter, which is the third quarter of this year. Apparently, the source from the Samsung Display claimed that the company has received orders for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 as well as the Google Pixel Fold. The Pixel Fold will reportedly sport a tall 7.57 inch OLED primary display and a smaller 5.6 inch cover screen, which will begin production in July or August of this year.
This basically means that the Pixel Fold’s launch might coincide with the release of the Galaxy Z Fold 5. For those unaware, the South Korean tech giant is the largest foldable phone maker in the market. So, Google might have have to face a major foldable phone release around the same time of its release timeline. In other words, the Pixel Fold’s sales might also be affected by this launch window.
As of right now, finer details regarding this Pixel Fold is still unclear, although it will likely run on Android 14L out of the box. For those unaware, the L version of the OS basically meant for larger screened devices and tablets and place a focus on multitasking. So stick around for more, as we will be providing more updates when additional information is available regarding this matter.
Eventually, Verizon stopped supporting the 3G CDMA network. Verizon delayed the termination of its 3G network until 2022 although it was originally scheduled to do so in the year 2019. The company said it took this action to express its concern for its customers and make every attempt to keep service interruptions to a minimum as it transitioned to newer and more sophisticated systems. Verizon’s 3G CDMA network will now be totally shut down on January 1st, 2023. The final day you could utilise your 3G phone or gadget on the Verizon and T-Mobile carrier networks with Sprint was New Year’s Day.
If you are a Verizon customer and still use a 3G (CDMA) or 4G handset that does not support HD Voice (non-VoLTE), after December 31, 2022, the device will no longer be able to make calls, send texts, or access data services. Your device may have continued to be able to access these services up until Saturday, but not anymore.
Image credit – Verizon
The brand has further exclaimed that “Verizon is actively dismantling its 3G CDMA network, as previously announced. The deadline for completion is December 31, 2022, at the latest. Network extenders, 4G Non-VoLTE devices, and 3G (CDMA) devices are all impacted by this decommissioning exercise. We want to make sure that the impacted customers are informed of what this means for their Verizon service and what they can do to update their device(s) to stay connected, on our 4G LTE and/or 5G network, as we are now very near to finishing our decommissioning operations.“
Customers who still use 3G technology will be actively encouraged to upgrade right now. Verizon’s service centres will only be able to provide very limited troubleshooting assistance on these older devices as the shut-off date draws nearer, and users still using the 3G network may face a decrease or loss of service. You should probably now switch to an LTE or 5G network. It’s finally time to say Goodbye to your old 3G-only device.
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