You can now pre-order the latest Oppo Find N2 for a starting price of $1499 only on Giztop. Please note that this is a pre-order only and the actual shipping will start at the end of December.
Oppo Find N2 the foldable flagship, features a 7.1” E6 AMOLED inner display and a 5.54” AMOLED outer display. The smartphone runs on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Octa-Core processor and comes with Adreno 730 GPU. It comes in multiple memory variants viz: 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB / 512GB internal storage.
Oppo Find N2 comes with a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main camera and 48MP and 32MP secondary cameras. At the front, you have a 32MP selfie camera on both the inner and outer display. The smartphone is fueled by a 4520mAh battery and supports 67W wired fast charging. The phone comes in three color variants viz: Green, White, and Black.
Oppo Find N2 foldable smartphone runs on Android 13 based Color OS 13 and supports Dual 5G mode. You can now pre-order the foldable phone for $1499 only on Giztop. Please note that Giztop offers global shipping for its products.
For more information on such exciting deals and offers check out our deals hub.
Japanese electronics giant Sharp Corporation has launched a new high-end gaming TV for the Chinese market. The smart TV is dubbed Sharp AQUOS V Series 86-inch Gaming TV and adopts a hefty 16,599 yuan ($2380) price tag.
As the name implies, the Sharp AQUOS V Series 86-inch Gaming TV features a wide 86-inch LED screen with an Ultra HD resolution of 3840 X 2160 pixels. The display also has support for a 120Hz refresh rate, as well as a 110% BT709 color gamut. The ginormous smart TV is equipped with 5 speakers of 12W output each and also supports Dolby Atmos.
In terms of configuration, the AQUOS V series is powered by an unnamed Quad-core processor consisting of two Cortex-A75 and two Cortex-A55 cores. The processor is paired with 3GB RAM while there is 64GB storage onboard. You also get support for dual-band Wi-Fi.
In other respects, this TV is equipped with an AI smart camera that utilizes a slider design. The camera supports functions such as video calls and AI dancing. The TV weighs 20.4 kg and has several interfaces including USB 2.0, and HDMI, among others. The TV runs on the Android operating system.
The Sharp AQUOS V Series 86-inch Gaming smart TV is presently available on Jingdong (JD.com).
OPPO’s foldable phone reached the second generation. The OPPO Find N2 is official and it brings several improvements over its predecessor. Among them, there are a better hardware department, a better camera hardware, and even a better hinge making the phone sturdier and more compact. But are these improvement enough to fight the leader of the foldable phones niche? There is no better way than comparing the new OPPO foldable device with the most famous and widespread foldable in the global market. So, here you can find a comparison between the main specifications of the OPPO Find N2 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4.
OPPO Find N2 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
OPPO Find N2
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
THICKNESS
14.6 mm when folded, 7.4 mm when unfolded
15.8 mm when folded, 6.3 mm when unfolded
DISPLAY
Main display: 7.1 inches, 1792 x 1920p (Quad HD+), Foldable AMOLED
External display: 5.54 inches Full HD+ (1080 x 2120p), AMOLED
Foldable display, secondary external display, 5G, reverse wireless charging, S Pen support
Design
If we talk about the design and the dimensions, then there is definitely no challenge: the OPPO Find N2 is the best here. It is the most compact and even the most lightweight horizontal foldable phone out there. It weighs just 233 grams, almost like a normal smartphone. Further, it comes in a special color variant made with a leather back. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 remains very interesting because it is a waterproof phone, thanks to the IPX8 certification. It is thinner when folded and even when unfolded, but it is way heavier as it weighs more than 260 grams.
Display
The displays of these two phones are close in terms of image quality: they have AMOLED panels with 2K resolutions, 120 Hz refresh rates, and HDR10+ certification. The most important thing here is the dimension: the OPPO Find N2 has a 7.1-inch internal display and a 5.54-inch external one, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 has a 7.6-inch internal display and a 6.2-inch external one. Note that the external display of the Samsung foldable is actually inferior to the one found on the OPPO one. On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Fold4 is the only one to support a stylus: the S Pen. Do you prefer having bigger displays or a more compact design on a foldable phone like these ones?
Specs & Software
The hardware departments of these two devices are very close to each other. They are both powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 mobile platform by Qualcomm: a flagship chipset built with a 4 nm production processo and sporting an octa-core architecture. It is composed of a Cortex X2 performance core, three Cortex A710 performance cores, four Cortex A510 efficient cores, and an Adreno 730 GPU. The OPPO Find N2 is more interesting in terms of performance because it has more RAM: up to 16 GB instead of 12 GB. But the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 offers more internal storage: up to 1 TB. Another advantage of the OPPO Find N2 is the operating system: it ships with Android 13 out of the box instead of Android 12.
Camera
The camera hardware of the OPPO Find N2 looks more convincing than the one found on its rival. On the rear side, it has a 50 MP main camera with OIS (the Sony IMX890 sensor), a 32 MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 48 MP ultrawide shooter. With the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 you get a 50 MP main sensor with OIS as well, but inferior secondary sensor: a 10 MP telephoto lens and a 12 MP ultrawide shooter. So, you should have a better camera performance with the Find N2.
If you are looking for a longer battery life, then you should opt for the OPPO Find N2, as it sports a 4520 mAh battery and smaller displays consuming a lower amount of energy. With this phone, you will also get faster charging speeds, thanks to 67W fast charging. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 supports wireless charging.
Price
The starting price of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 roughly translates into $1378/€1300, but it varies depending on the market. The OPPO Find N2 is available starting from $1166/€1100, but it is only available in the Chinese market. Which one would you pick?
OPPO Find N2 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4: PRO and CONS
Leaked Samsung Galaxy S23 dummy units have highlighted the differences between the three models. The Galaxy S23 series is made up of the S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra. The lineup has been the subject of leaked renders previously. These dummy units of the Galaxy S23 series are the closest details of the models. Samsung has been able to guard details about its unreleased phones so far.
There are no hands-on real videos of actual Galaxy S23 models so far. Previous renders have indicated that the S23 and S23 Plus will come with the same floating camera array as the Ultra version. That aside, the full specs of their cameras will be different. The dummy S23 model shows a smartphone similar to the Galaxy S22 but with flatter sides and thinner dimensions. The alleged dummy also shows thinner bezels for the new smartphone, although slightly longer than its predecessor.
Group shots were also provided for the Galaxy S23 series dummies. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the bigger model of the trio. It has a 6.8-inch display, as well as a slot for the S Pen stylus. The Galaxy S23 has a 6.1-inch screen while the S23 Plus stands in the middle with a 6.5-inch display. While the S23 Ultra sports a boxy design, the S23, and S23 Plus come in a rounded design.
Although the design of the S23 series shows some marked departure from its predecessor, there are more changes, especially internally. Samsung is yet to provide full details about the Galaxy S23 series. The S23 lineup remains a trade secret for now until Samsung opens the lid. That notwithstanding, it is rumored that the flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra could come with a monster 200MP camera.
The Galaxy S23 lineup could be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Thus, it is speculated that the phones could be as fast as the iPhone 14. There are several other rumors flying around the Galaxy S23 series ahead of its February 2023 launch. Speculations will continue until the models are eventually released.
This Holiday Season, Longer3D is showering discounts on almost all of their products. The brand which is known for its high quality and advanced 3D printers, laser engravers, and other related accessories is giving up to 50% discount on a variety of its products, under the Christmas Sale. Also, additional discounts and free gifts are available on combo deals. So be sure to check out their website for more information about the sale. The deal starts on 15 December and ends on 5th January 2023.
Flash Deal: Get the Ray5 5W laser engraver for half price $199.99(limited to 50 pieces)
The Ray5 10W Laser Engraver is a powerful cutter and engraver that can be used on wood, acrylic, stainless steel, leather, silver, and more. It is one of the most cost-effective engravers available in the market.
The laser comes with dual beam technology and has a 10W intense laser that easily cuts through hard materials like wood. It can easily cut a 0.8”/20mm thick wood board and 1.2”/30mm acrylic material. The device can also be used for engraving at a max 10000mm/min engraving speed.
Ray 5 can be used for beautiful and delicate engraving art, as it features the latest compressed laser technology that generates an ultra-fine laser spot which is two times thinner than ordinary lasers available in the market. This means the device gives you ultra-fine cutting and engraving which is precise, consistent, and crystal clear with thinner lines and delicate texture.
The Ray 5 comes with a thermal sensor that detects accidental flames and automatically stops the laser and starts a buzzing alarm to inform you of the same. Moreover for your safety, the device comes with a flame-resistant acrylic laser protective cover. Other interesting features include a 3.5” touch screen, multiple data transfer options, multiple machine control options, wide software compatibility, etc.
LK5 PRO + PLA Filament(1KG)x2 + Ceramic Coated Glass
Longer’s latest product is the LK5 Pro FDM 3D printer. It is one of the cheapest 3D printers in its category, available in the market. The printer can be used for building large models and features a building size of 300x300x400mm. It comes with an all-metal integrated design and is fitted with dual inclined rods to hold the Z axis with a more stable structure and reduce vibration which results in a better output.
The 3D printer comes with 3kits of TMC2208 chipsets to drive X / Y / Z Axis stepper for quiet printing. This means you get less noise and distraction during the actual printing process. Also, to ensure a consistent and standard quality of printing, the device comes with a new teflon tube that can stand high temperatures.
LK5 Pro FDM 3D Printer features an upgraded ceramic coated glass bed which is perfectly flat and stable and comes with better adhesion which makes it easy to peel off the finished model. The printer is designed to be user-friendly and comes with a 4.3-inch smart touch screen which makes it easy to operate and preview the printing process. The device is 90% pre-assembled in the factory and takes just 4 easy steps to set up and start operating.
Longer LK4 X FDM 3D printer features a direct dual-gear extruder with a 5:1 reduction ratio and is compatible with a wide variety of materials like PLA, TPU, ABD, PETG, Wood, etc. It comes with an intelligent auto-leveling system that features 16-point precise leveling that compensates for the hotbed’s unevenness and gives you perfect output. This kind of precision and ease cannot be achieved with manual leveling.
LK4 X FDM is a quiet printer as it comes with 4 kits of TMC2208 ultra-silent chipsets. Unlike the generic printers with 8-Bit chips, the Longer LK4 X FDM comes with a 32-Bit main control chip which gives you faster output with better print quality. The chip supports upgrades and avoids a lot of firmware issues which helps you to get up-to-date technology and quality output at a faster pace. The 3D printer platform is built from a premium spring-flexible steel that allows for simple filament adhesion to the print bed. This means you don’t need to use a separate adhesive which makes it easy to remove the printed model by removing the PEI sheet.
Longer LK4 X FDM 3D printer is easy to install as 95% of the device comes pre-assembled. It consumes less power than an average printer and comes with advanced features like a dual fan bowler kit, manual belt tensioners, improved teflon tube, etc which all help in giving better quality output.
Oppo is hard at work updating all of its eligible devices to Android 13. The brand has already released stable and beta builds of ColorOS 13 for a large number of its smartphones in China as well as the global market. In the latest development, the brand is releasing a stable ColorOS 13 update for the Oppo Reno 7 Pro in India. Let’s look at the details.
According to a recent post on the Oppo community forums, Oppo Reno 7 Pro is now receiving stable ColorOS 13 in India. To receive the update users need to make sure they have updated to the ColorOS 12 base version first. The company hasn’t yet shared a similar release schedule for other regions, but we expect it to reveal more details as soon as the update is ready.
If you have an eligible device, you can download the ColorOS 13 stable update by heading over to the Software Updates section in the Settings app on your phone, and tapping on the Software Updates section. Before updating your phone, please make sure that you have backed up your important data to avoid data loss caused by incompatibility or other unforeseen circumstances.
Earlier this month, Oppo revealed it will release the ColorOS 13 update to a large number of devices in December. As per the schedule, the brand will release a stable update for Oppo Pad, Reno 5 series, and 10 other devices. Readers can check out the December rollout plan here.
ColorOS 13 was released back in August at the OPPO Developer Conference 2022. It brings significant upgrades and a new Aquamorphic design. There are improved animations, security and privacy improvement, and Material You icons. The company also launched new OPPO Sans 3.0 fonts.
It seems Samsung could finalize work on its foldable OLED display laptop and release the product in 2023. The latest indication comes from a little detail tucked in a report of the tech giant’s production plans. Note that HP is also preparing to launch its foldable display laptop made by LG.
Samsung Electronics seems to have made significant progress in the development of a foldable display laptop. The new laptop will have a 17.3-inch panel produced by Samsung Display. The laptop will have its largest screen diagonal when closed. There are suggestions that the delay in the release of these new laptop models may not be unconnected with a significant lull in notebook demand globally. The pricing of these foldable laptops is also a critical factor in consideration for the models.
The recently released Asus ZenBook 17 Fold has a foldable screen produced by BOE and it retails for $3,500. The premium pricing means that the laptop is targeting the noveau-rich segment of the market. Only 10,000 units of the panel were reportedly ordered from BOE. It is also speculated that the upcoming HP foldable laptop will also be available in a limited quantity.
Samsung, it should be noted, will be producing the foldable panel from its subsidiary, unlike Asus and HP who outsourced to BOE and LG respectively. This could deliver a less expensive OLED foldable laptop with a wider clientele in mind.
Samsung’s upcoming foldable laptop will have the largest remaining screen space of 13.3 inches diagonal when folded. The HP model only gets an 11-inch remaining screen real estate, while the Asus ZenBook foldable has 12.6 inches. Another impressive foldable is the ThinkPad X1 Fold Gen 2 with a 16.3-inch OLED panel and 12 inches of diagonal space when closed.
Samsung Display is the world’s largest OLED display maker. It projects to manufacture about 8.5 million panels in 2023. The 2023 projections surpass this year’s target by about 2.5 million units. There are no specific release details for the device at this moment.
Dell has unveiled new details about its Concept Luna sustainability-focused laptop design. The Concept Luna has been further refined and it currently omits the use of wires or adhesives internally. This implies that repairs and upgrades will be achieved easily. The elimination of wires and adhesives is a major highlight of improvements from last year.
Dell has also included telemetry to help users and robots track the status of components on the laptop. Repairability and sustainability are the main fulcrums of the development of Concept Luna. Dell continues to make progress in delivering a superior user experience for the Concept Luna laptop that may surface. The Concept Luna is a modular laptop with easy-to-remove components. It will be made from recyclable materials which can be easily removed.
It is a major achievement that Dell’s engineers have been able to eliminate the use of adhesives and wires on the laptop. It also minimizes screws which are also great for repairability. This also implies that the Concept Luna can be disassembled by robots – thanks to telemetry. The Concept Luna uses device telemetry to diagnose the health of individual components. The telemetry will help users to identify components that may need replacement. It will also provide robotic automation and micro-factories for the repair/ upgrade of laptops.
Oukitel the Chinese tech company known for its rugged smartphones is now entering the Green Energy market with its sub-brand ABEARL. The brand ABEARL was born with a vision to provide safer, faster, and greener power solutions that can solve our growing energy problems and save the planet. The company plans to create portable power supplies, solar technologies, and smart home backup power systems that can provide you with energy on the go. Their ultimate goal is to provide individuals with a sustainable and green power solution and reduce overall carbon emissions.
ABEARL is planning its maiden product launch with the powerful P5000 portable power station. ABEARL P5000 is the world’s first 5kWh device with the highest energy density and massive output. The power station comes with competitive features like massive capacity, large output power, versatile output ports, and fast charging.
However, the highlight feature of ABEARL P5000 is its powerful battery. The battery has gone through extensive testing and it took the R&D team four years to achieve a breakthrough in increasing the energy density of LiFePO4 batteries as well as raising the safety level. If we talk about the battery system then P5000 uses LiFePO4 batteries, which boast 3500 life cycles, much higher than the industry average of 500 life cycles. The P5000 has an advanced BMS system for improved safety and charging efficiency. It supports three recharging options viz. wall outlets, solar panels, and carport. The device comes with a built-in UPS mode that guarantees a switch from the grid to the battery in under 10ms and is safe to use with computers, appliances, or CPAP machines.
When talking about the battery system, Ricky Johnson, R&D director from ABEARL said, “All batteries have passed through a series of rigorous tests, like drop tests, extreme high & low-temperature tests, and charging cycle tests, etc. Basic industrial standards are not what we want, we have to make sure the P5000 is the safest power station ever,”
Even though ABEARL offers high-capacity power, at 112.4 lbs the device is lightweight and portable. Moreover, with a suitcase design, it becomes easy to carry and store the P5000 when you are traveling, camping, trekking, or living off-grid.
ABEARL P5000 Power Station will be launched on Kickstarter on January 6, 2023. To know more about the device and the brand, check out their official website here.
The KOSPET Tank M2 has been introduced to the global market via AliExpress. The new smartwatch is the successor to the Kospet Tank M1 Pro that was launched earlier this year. It boasts up to 60 days of battery life and also features Bluetooth calling. On regular usage, you can use the Tank M2 for 15 days while it lasts about 60 days on standby mode. The smartwatch also comes with health and fitness monitoring features.
The KOSPET Tank M2 features heart rate monitoring and blood oxygen measurement. There are no indications yet however that the sensors have gotten the FDA certification. The readings from the smartwatch may therefore lack accuracy. The gadget features sleep and exercise tracking, with over 70 sports modes available. The smartwatch supports Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity which allows it to receive calls and notifications and play music.
The KOSPET Tank M2 has a 1.85-inch rectangular display with a 320 x 385 resolution. It can be controlled using side buttons on the watch as well as voice commands. The smartwatch can automatically track six exercise activities including walking, cycling, and running. It can also provide weather reports, has an alarm, and also a simple calculator. The Tank M2’s 380mAh battery can provide power for up to 60 days. Color combinations available for the Tank M2 are black and orange, black and red, or pure black, and it comes with a silicone strap.
The original price of the KOSPET Tank M2 is $199.98 but it is available on pre-sale for $99.99. It can be ordered from AliExpress and deliveries are expected by mid-January 2023. The device ships directly from China and shipping charges may vary across different markets. There are no indications yet of how long the discounted offer will last for the smartwatch.
After rolling out stable One UI 5 to Galaxy A71 5G and a bunch of other devices, Samsung is now moving towards two new budget smartphones. The devices being updated are the Galaxy M32 5G and the Galaxy A12 Nacho. The new software is currently rolling out to users residing in Europe, it should reach other regions very soon.
The One UI 5 update for Galaxy M32 5G has firmware version M236BXXU1BVK5, and it brings all the new Android 13 features as well as the November security patch. The software is reported to be only available in several European countries at the moment, but it should extend to other markets in the coming days.
The affordable Galaxy A12 Nacho is also receiving the latest Android 13 update. The software comes with firmware version A127FXXU7CL2 and includes the November 2022 security patch instead of the December one. As of now, the update is rolling out in several European countries, including Poland and Russia.
Galaxy A12 Nacho receiving the latest update comes as a surprise since the device wasn’t mentioned in Samsung’s update plan. Regardless, the Korean OEM’s decision to make One UI 5 accessible early even for budget smartphones is quite impressive.
As usual, the software is being released in a phased manner, so it might take several days before it’s available for everyone. If you own the above-mentioned devices, you can manually check for the update by going to Settings, and selecting Software Update.
To recall, One UI 5 arrives with many visual changes and improvements. It features new notification icons and notification interfaces and also includes stackable widget support, Bixby Text Call, new multitasking gestures, and more.
Xiaomi recently unveiled its latest Android 13-based interface— MIUI 14— in China with a streamlined design and new features. One of the major highlights of the software is the new photon engine, which is claimed to speed up third-party apps. During the initial testing phase, the company limited this feature to a limited number of smartphones. However, now it has been confirmed that all the devices that will run MIUI 14 will support the photon engine. Here are the details.
Xiaomi recently took to Weibo to confirm that all models upgraded to MIUI 14 now support the photon engine. The company says due to the need for in-depth coordination of software and hardware, and a large amount of system architecture adjustments, it will be rolled out to eligible smartphones gradually in batches.
During the announcement, the firm revealed that the photon engine operates on the underlying Android kernel which can be accessed by third-party app developers. This will allow the devs to streamline their apps and improve the loading speed.
It is claimed to increase the fluency of third-party apps by up to 88%. In addition, the feature will reduce the power consumption of apps by up to 16%.
Other notable features of the MIUI 14 include customizable folders with large icons and new widget options with various shapes and sizes, automatic compression for less-used apps, and a toggle to turn off permanent notifications. In addition, MIUI 14 has been improved with MIUI Interconnection now accelerating earphone discovery by 50%, mobile TV connectivity by 13%, and image transmission during streaming by 77%.
The latest version of MIUI has not been announced for global users yet. We can expect the software to debut soon with a few omissions. Stick around for the updates.
The Tecno Phantom X2 and Phantom X2 Pro smartphones are expected to get up to Android 14 updates. The two flagships were released earlier this month but both came with Android 12 out of the box. Now the company seems to ramp up the profile of both smartphones with its plans for their OS upgrades.
The Phantom X2 lineup is guaranteed to get Android 13 and Android 14 updates, while a decision on Android 15 has not been made. Tecno says it will make a decision on Android 15 when Google seeds the final release of the software.
As of this time, there are no clear timelines for the updates to the Phantom X2 series. It is however expected that the Android 13 update should roll in sooner rather than later. This could further raise the profile of the Tecno Phantom X2 pair of smartphones.
Tecno has also pledged to ensure at least three years of maximum software support for the two models. That means that the Phantom X2 series will enjoy support up to 2025 at least.
As part of scaling up availability outside its home market, Tecno plans to make the Phantom X2 series available in other markets. Some of the countries include India, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and Nigeria. Tecno currently services up to 70 markets globally and it has a large focus on emerging markets. Thus, the Phantom X2 lineup will first berth in the selected countries before spreading to other countries/ regions.
The Tecno Phantom X2 Pro is a top-notch offer by Tecno. It has an eye-catching unibody design with ergonomic considerations. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC and it features a retractable portrait camera system.
The Phantom X2 Pro has a 6.80-inch AMOLED screen with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. Its large 5160mAh battery provides sufficient juice for the device for extended periods. The Phantom X2, on the other hand, comes with some decent features and capabilities.
The European Union has treated Apple quite harshly. Previously, they outlawed the sale of iPhones because the devices don’t come with charging adapters in the box. Later, a law mandating USB Type-C ports for all electronic equipment was passed by the Union, which indirectly hit Apple. A new online report asserts that the EU has ordered the Cupertino tech giant to permit third-party app stores and sideloading of software in their iPhones. The company is supposedly working on it right now.
Apple is only going to add sideloading support in Europe at first. If the company implements the new change on their iPhones, users would be able to download apps without using the App Store, which would eliminate the need for developers to pay Apple’s 15 to 30 per cent fees. According to Apple, sideloading will “undermine the privacy and security measures” that iPhone users depend on, making consumers more susceptible to viruses, swindles, data tracking, and other problems.
If additional countries enact legislation with a similar structure, alternative app stores might become accessible outside of the European Union. For instance, legislation mandating Apple’s approval of sideloading is being considered in the United States. The Digital Markets Act of the European Union, which came into effect on November 1, mandates that “gatekeeper” businesses make their platforms and services available to other businesses and developers. The DMA will have a significant impact on Apple’s platforms and may lead to significant changes to the App Store, Messages, FaceTime, Siri, and other services. Apple has until March 6, 2024, to respect to EU regulations.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is investing a “substantial amount of resources” to open up “critical aspects of Apple’s platforms,” with the help of its software engineering and services staff. The functionality will be available for iOS 17 in 2023, which would put Apple ahead of schedule. Some staff informed Bloomberg that there is a chance that these significant improvements may have an impact on the development of new features for iOS 17.
Apple is thinking about implementing security criteria like verification, a procedure for which it may charge a fee rather than just taking money from software sales, to safeguard customers from the abovementioned risks of sideloading. Users can browse apps outside of the Mac App Store while being safe thanks to Apple’s authentication system for Mac. The iPhones might also use a similar system.
Apple agreed to pay $50 million to settle a class-action lawsuit related to faulty butterfly keyboards that were used in MacBooks from 2015 to 2019. Emails about the settlement are now being sent to eligible MacBook Pro owners who may receive a payment.
MacBook Pro owners eligible for compensation in “Butterfly Keyboard” settlement
MacBook Pro owners with faulty butterfly keyboards will now be receiving emails about the $50 million settlement reached in a class-action lawsuit against Apple. The lawsuit, which dates back to 2018, was filed by a group of customers who claimed that Apple concealed the defect in the butterfly keyboards of their MacBooks in order to continue selling the machines. The butterfly keyboards, which were used in MacBooks between 2015 and 2019, were known for experiencing problems such as repeating keys, sticky keys, and full keyboard failures.
In June 2018, Apple launched a keyboard repair program for MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models that covered four years after purchase. However, the program only replaced butterfly keyboards with another butterfly keyboard, rather than fixing the underlying issue. In response to the lawsuit, Apple agreed to pay $50 million to settle the case and offer compensation to affected customers.
MacBook Pro owners who had at least two topcase replacements from Apple within four years of purchase are considered Group 1 Settlement Class Members and will receive an automatic payment as well as an email about the settlement. Group 2 Settlement Class Members, who had a single topcase replacement, will need to submit a claim form to receive compensation.
Group 3 Settlement Class Members, who had a keycap replacement, can also submit a claim form to receive a small settlement. Monetary awards will be based on the number of repairs required, with amounts up to $395 provided to those who had two or more topcase replacements. In the mail it says:
“Dear MacBook Owner, You are receiving this email because you previously reached out to our firm regarding your MacBook laptop. On November 28, 2022, the Court granted preliminary approval of $50 million nationwide settlement that would benefit MacBook purchasers who had their “Butterfly” keyboard repaired. You can find more information about the settlement, eligibility, the approval process, and your options at (here).”
Claims will be accepted through March 6, 2023, and a final approval hearing will take place on March 16, 2023.
Earlier this month, OnePlus announced that it is partnering with popular keyboard maker KeyChron. Yesterday the brand revealed some key details about its first-ever mechanical keyboard. The company has also confirmed the availability of the PC accessory. It is a part of the OnePlus Featuring lineup. Read on to know what we know about the keyboard so far.
The OnePlus keyboard will feature an aluminium body for a premium experience. It is said to be meticulously crafted with ultra-precise CNC aluminium that guarantees a silky smooth feel. The upcoming PC accessory from the brand is confirmed to have a Double Gasket design ensuring a precisely calibrated and softer actuation paired with a satisfying sound. The keys are the most important element of a keyboard. OnePlus stated that the audible sound that we hear in mechanical keyboards is dampened while retaining a superior typing experience.
The OnePlus keyboard will pack customisable features including hot-swappable switches and flexible, open-source firmware. The former is said to offer fast and smooth changes of switches for unique personalisation. The open-source firmware will provide real-time control without reflashing firmware. With this, users can customise RGB lights and remap keys unlocking the keyboard’s full potential.
The OnePlus keyboard will serve as an all-in-one solution for users’ keyboard needs. It is designed to seamlessly work with Windows and Mac. The layout matches the MacBook keyboard. Additionally, the keyboard is also compatible with Linux.
OnePlus revealed that its first-ever keyboard will launch officially in February. The mass production will begin between March and May and it will go on sale from May 2023.
Zebronics has expanded its range of smart LED projectors in India. The latest offering is dubbed as ZEB-PixaPlay 17. It packs impressive specifications and is said to offer an immersive visual experience. The projector is aimed at home theatre aficionados. Read on to know what the device offers out of the box.
The Zebronics ZEB-PixaPlay 17 has a box-shaped form factor similar to other projectors in the market. It offers support for screen size up to 569cm and 1080p FHD display resolution. The projector features 6,000 lumens of light for exceptional details and vibrant colours. There is an autofocus and keystone adaption feature.
The ZEB-PixaPlay 17 is equipped with built-in speakers and features Dolby Atmos for an immersive sound experience. Users can also connect to another Zebronics speaker for a better sound. The projector comes with a ceiling mounting facility for ease of use.
The ZEB-PixaPlay 17 is powered by a quad-core processor. It packs 1GB RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. The device runs on Android 9 OS out of the box. The lamp in the projector is claimed to last for 30,000 hours. Users can put their favourite app on the projector and watch OTT content directly. There is also a Miracast feature.
The Zebronics ZEB-PixaPlay 17 features dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, two HDMI ports, two USB ports, and an AUX out. The projector also comes with a remote control for easier usage.
The Zebronics ZEB-PixaPlay 17 is priced at Rs 59,999 and can be purchased from Flipkart.
The competition in the smartphone market is increasing day by day, with a number of established brands vying for market share. Despite this intense competition, consumers are still willing to give new brands a chance, and one such brand that has gained significant popularity in recent years is Tecno.
Tecno: A rising star in the competitive smartphone market
Tecno was founded in 2006 as a subsidiary of Transsion Group, a Chinese multinational company specializing in mobile communication and consumer electronics. It initially focused on producing feature phones and basic mobile phones, but started producing smartphones in 2014. The Spark and CAMON smartphone lines were particularly successful, leading Tecno to open nearly 1,000 stores in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2017, Tecno began expanding globally, entering markets in India, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe.
Tecno has experienced strong growth in recent years, with double-digit growth in many markets. It has consistently ranked in the top 10 in the global smartphone market since Q4 2020. Tecno’s success is due to its ability to take advantage of growth opportunities, such as the expansion of 4G technology, and its focus on vertical integration, which allows it to offer high-spec smartphones at competitive prices. The company has also implemented a “glocalization” strategy, which involves developing a strong research and development ecosystem to create international smartphone models that can be customized to meet regional needs.
This has helped Tecno deliver smartphones based on local consumer requirements and fulfill emerging markets’ demands faster. Tecno has seen particularly strong growth in emerging markets such as India, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe, and its parent company, Transsion Group, increased its R&D spending by 40% in Q2 2022, indicating a commitment to producing more sophisticated products for higher-value markets.
Tecno customized smartphones for markets and users
Tecno has adopted a strategy called “glocalization,” which involves building a strong R&D ecosystem to deliver international smartphone models that can be customized to meet regional-level needs and demands. This strategy has helped Tecno drive growth in various markets by tailoring its products to the specific needs and preferences of local consumers. For example, Tecno has customized its smartphone cameras to enhance men’s beards in South Asia, and has also customized its smartphones for women in the region by enhancing the appearance of moles.
These localizations allow Tecno to offer a more personalized and targeted product offering, which has helped drive its growth in emerging markets. Tecno has also focused on building strong local partnerships and distribution networks, which has helped it reach a wider customer base and expand its presence in these markets.
Tecno’s push into the premium smartphone market: The Phantom X2 and Beyond
Tecno is actively working to become a premium brand in the smartphone market and has been successfully moving up the price bands. Its PHANTOM and CAMON series are helping the company scale up the price-band ladder and appeal to consumers in the premium segment. This trend of consumers pivoting towards premium products has been aided by a variety of factors, such as low upfront value of the devices, trade-ins, and financial schemes like “buy now, pay later” and EMIs. As a result, Tecno is poised for further market share gains driven by its continuous push in the high-end segment.
Consumers in the premium segment have higher expectations for advanced features like advanced photography and videography, battery life, display, high-speed internet connectivity, and a console-like mobile gaming experience, and Tecno is focusing on these capabilities as it continues to innovate and expand its product offerings. The company is also moving regionally to ride the wave of demand for premium products, and its expansion into more premium products and focus on delivering great cameras has been central to this effort.
One of Tecno’s premium products is the Phantom X2 smartphone, which is part of the company’s PHANTOM series. The Phantom X2 boasts a number of impressive features that make it appealing to consumers in the premium segment. For example, it has a 6.6-inch full HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, which provides a smooth and responsive experience when navigating the device. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 processor, which delivers fast and efficient performance, and it has a large 6GB of RAM, which allows for smooth multitasking.
The Phantom X2 also boasts a 64-megapixel triple camera system, which allows for stunning photography and videography. It has a 5,000mAh battery, which provides long-lasting battery life, and it supports fast charging, so you can quickly top up your battery on the go. Overall, the Phantom X2 is a feature-rich smartphone that is well-suited for consumers in the premium segment.
Back in August, Corsair unveiled the Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 monitor during Gamescon 2022. After nearly four-months of initially introducing the monitor, the brand has finally started taking pre-orders in the US, UK, and other European regions.
The Xeneon FLEX 45WQHD240 costs $1,999.99 before taxes in the United States, with free shipping from Corsair. In the UK, the monitor will cost £2,099.99, or £1,679.99 excluding VAT. Corsair has not yet announced pricing for the Eurozone. While Corsair emphasizes that the Xeneon FLEX 45WQHD240 is limited in quantity, it has not confirmed how many monitors it has or plans to produce.
For those unaware, the Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 gaming monitor has a bendable design, a refresh rate of 240Hz, and a response time of 0.03ms. Because of its bendable design, the monitor can function as a curved or flat display. It has a resolution of 1,440 pixels, AMD FreeSync Premium, and NVIDIA G-SYNC.
The Xenon Flex is the result of a partnership between Corsair and LG. The model features a 45-inch LG W-OLED panel with a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits. The new monster gaming monitor has a contrast ratio of 1.35 million:1, which is typical of an OLED display. The machine’s super-fast response times and high refresh rates are quite impressive.
Two new Honor phones were recently certified by the 3C authority of China. The model numbers of these devices are AGT-AN00 and ANB-AN00. It is speculated that these devices will debut on Dec. 26 as the Honor 80 GT and the Honor 80 Pro’s flat display variant. To recall, the Honor 80 Pro, which was recently announced in China, features a curved-edge display.
The 3C listings of the alleged Honor 80 GT and 80 Pro’s flat display variant reveal that these devices may support 66W fast charging. Both phones will also have support for 5G connectivity.
The Honor 80 GT and Honor 80 Pro’s flat display variant are said to be powered by the low-frequency version of the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. Some other rumors that are circulating on Weibo claim that the GT model will have an FHD+ OLED panel that offers a 144Hz refresh rate. The Honor 80 Pro’s new edition is likely to feature an OLED panel that offers a 1.5K resolution.
Honor 80 Pro
Another tipster has said that Honor will be holding a launch event on Dec. 26. The event is expected to see the arrival of the Honor Pad V8 Pro tablet, which is said to be equipped with the Dimensity 8100 chipset. It is said to be the world’s first IMAX Enhanced tablet. The 3C certification of the tablet (model number ROD-W09) that surfaced earlier this month revealed that it may carry support for 33W fast charging. It is expected to run on MagicOS 7.0 and come in blue and orange colors.
At the same event, Honor may also unveil the above-mentioned Honor 80 models. The tipster added that the company has teamed up with The Three-Body Problem animation series for the upcoming Honor 80 GT.
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