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LG 27″ and 45″ 240Hz OLED Gaming monitors can now be pre-ordered

Last month, LG unveiled two new UltraGear gaming displays that feature OLED panels with 240Hz refresh rates. These are the UltraGear 27GR95QE and the UltraGear 45GR95QE monitors, which will also be showcased at CES 2023. The brand has finally opened pre-orders for these monitors.

LG

LG Ultragear OLED 240Hz monitors pricing & availability

The price of the 27-inch UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor is $999.99, while the price of the 45-inch UltraGear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor is $1,699.99. Pre-orders for these monitors are now live, and LG has already revealed that they will start shipping the 45-inch model on December 28th. You can place a pre-order by heading to LG’s e-Store.

27-inch (27GR95QE) OLED Gaming Monitor

LG’s UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor (model 27GR95QE) has a QHD (2,560 x 1,440) resolution, a refresh rate of 240 Hz, and a reaction time of 0.03 ms (GTG) for low-latency gaming. It covers 98.5% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, guaranteeing a vivid gaming experience.

LG

No matter the lighting conditions, the monitor’s anti-glare and low reflection (AGLR) display makes it easier to see what is on screen. The LG 27-inch UltraGear supports VESA Adaptive Sync, FreeSync Premium, and NVIDIA G-SYNC. It also has a variable refresh rate (VRR).

It supports DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.1, and a 4-pole DTS Headphone:X headphone plug. Hotkeys on the included remote can be customized for simple display modification.

45-inch Curved (45GR95QE) OLED monitor

The first 45-inch curved OLED gaming display from LG boasts a WQHD (3,440 x 1,440) resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio. It also has a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03 ms response times (GtG), and a curvature of 800R.

The screen has a low-reflective and anti-glare coating, as well as small bezels on all sides. The monitor supports HDR10 and has a DCI-P3 color gamut of 98 percent. It has picture-by-picture and picture-in-picture modes for multitasking. For connectivity, the monitor has two HDMI 2.1 ports, a display 1.4 port, and two USB 3.0 ports.

The UltraGear 45GR95QE is also AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatible, which should reduce visual tearing.

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Audeze Maxwell gaming headsets with Bluetooth 5.3 and 90mm drivers announced

The high-end headphones manufacturer Audeze has now stepped into the gaming market with their new pair of headsets aimed at providing a rich experience to users of platforms such as the Playstation, Xbox, and PC.

Audeze

These new headsets are called the Audeze Maxwell, and they offer wireless connectivity. When the headset is released, there will be two models: one for the Xbox that, in Audeze’s words, “features the first auto-activating Dolby Atmos license” and one for the PlayStation that supports Tempest 3D Audio. A PC can be used with either version.

The Maxwell headset supports a number of codecs, including LC3, LC3Plus, SBC, AAC, and LDAC, and it can connect wirelessly through Bluetooth 5.3 LE. Its 1800 mAh battery, according to Audeze, can operate at 80 dB for more than 80 hours. The bundled 9-watt charger needs about 2.5 hours to charge from 0 to 100%. The headphones can also be connected via USB to provide up to 24-bit, 96 kHz lossless audio.

The headset provides noise reduction thanks to an integrated 5-microphone array and internal A.I. noise filtration developed by Audeze. Additionally, a detachable cardioid boom microphone made by Shure will be included.

The headphones have a closed-back over-ear design and feature 90 mm planar magnetic drivers. The frequency response of the headset spans 10 Hz to 50,000 Hz. Memory foam-filled synthetic leather surrounds the ear cups. An adjustable synthetic strap and steel headband is used to secure the ear cups. The entire ensemble weighs about 490 g.

The Audeze Maxwell headphone is compatible with any gadget that supports USB or Bluetooth connectivity, including Macs, smartphones, and the Nintendo Switch. Maxwell is anticipated to ship in January, according to Audeze. The Xbox model costs $329, compared to the PlayStation version’s $299 price.

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Doogee V30 will launch on December 22, specs & price revealed

The Chinese OEM Doogee, best known for its rugged smartphones, is gearing up to launch the Doogee V30. The smartphone’s spec sheet has been officially confirmed, along with its pricing. Going by the details revealed, this will be the brand’s first rugged smartphone to feature a 108MP camera, along with an eSIM and a 120Hz display.

The brand has also confirmed that the smartphone will debut on December 22 with a US$399 price tag. However, for the first 48 hours, the brand will be selling the smartphone at a special price of US$279. The brand is said to bump up the price of the smartphone all the way up to US$699 after a set period of time. It will be available for purchase via AliExpress and DoogeeMall.

Doogee

Spec-wise, the smartphone will come with a 6.58-inch display with 2,408 x 1,080 pixels resolution, 480 nits peak brightness, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. As mentioned above, this will be a 120Hz refresh rate panel.

Under the hood, we will find a MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset, which is based on a 6nm node and has 5G integration. The base configuration of the device will offer 8GB of memory and 256GB of internal storage, with microSD support of up to 1 TB. Powering the hardware will be a massive 10,800 mAh battery. Doogee promises that the battery can last up to 4 days with regular use, 2 days with video streaming, and can provide 18 hours of talk time. It will offer up to 40 days of standby time.

A 108 MP camera, a 20 MP night vision camera, and a 16 MP ultra-wide sensor make up the trio of cameras on the back of the device. The 32 MP Sony IMX616 sensor is used by the selfie camera. The Doogee V30 can capture 4K content at a frame rate of 30 frames per second with its main camera, while its night vision camera can capture 4K content at a frame rate of 30 frames per second in monochrome. Last but not the least, the device will offer dual speakers with Hi-Res Audio certification, and will feature the MIL-STD-810H certification proving its toughness.

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iQOO 11 Smartphone Now Available For Purchase In China; Price Starts At 3,799 Yuan ($544)

A few days back, Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO launched its latest flagship smartphones in the form of iQOO 11 and iQOO 11 Pro. Now, the standard model in the lineup is available for purchase in the Chinese market.

The iQOO 11 is offered in five different models based on the memory configuration. It comes in three color options — Gray, Green, and White. As for the pricing, it starts at 3,799 yuan, which is about $544.

iQOO
iQOO 11

The base model of iQOO 11 with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage is priced at 3,799 yuan (~$544), while the model with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage costs 4,099 yuan (~$587). The 12GB RAM model with 256GB of internal storage is priced at 4,399 yuan (~$630), while the 16GB RAM and 256GB internal storage model costs 4,699 yuan (~$673). The top-end model with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage is priced at 4,999 yuan (~$716).

Coming to the specifications, the smartphone features a 6.78-inch E6 AMOLED display, which supports a 2K screen resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels, a 144Hz refresh rate, a peak brightness of 1800nits, and 1440Hz PWM Dimming, along with HDR10+ certification.

Under the hood, the device comes powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, coupled with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 internal storage. Along with the onboard RAM, the phone also supports virtual RAM expansion for up to 8GB. It also comes packed with the new Vivo V2 customized Image Signal Processor (ISP).

In the camera department, there’s a triple-camera setup that offers 50-megapixel primary camera sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 13-megapixel telephoto sensor with 2x optical zoom. On the front side, the phone features a 16-megapixel snapper for taking selfies and video calling.

The device runs the Android 13 operating system out-of-the-box with the company’s own OriginOS 3 custom interface on top. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 120W fast charging.

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Daymak Combat Electric Motorcycle Also Double as a Snowmobile

Canadian company Daymak has unveiled an electric motorcycle that can also be used as a snowmobile. The Daymak Combat comes with an innovative design that combines the thrills of cycling with high-octane snow sports using a snow bike. It is a multi-role electric vehicle- e-bike and e-snowmobile.

Daymak Combat Electric Motorcycle

Electric motorcycles are several thousand bucks more expensive than their internal combustion counterparts, with the same scenario also true for electric snowmobiles. Daymak is therefore combining an electric motorcycle and an electric snowmobile in the Daymak Combat. The EV is equipped with a set of track and ski attachments that can be deployed during winter.

When Spring sets in and the weather becomes conducive for motorcycling sports, the wheels can be restored. Daymak notes that the Combat is a strictly off-road vehicle. It is not intended to be ridden on urban streets or for daily commutes. It is purely a sports vehicle for use in off-road settings.

The Daymak Combat has a 5kW electric motor that peaks at 14kW (about 19hp) which is very impressive. This delivers much power to the motorbike cum snowmobile. It has a top speed of about 70km/h which is great for off-road movement.

The bike’s 4.8kWh battery that’s located in its frame delivers up to 80km on a single charge. For comparison, the battery capacity of the Daymak Combat compares squarely with that of several lightweight electric motorbikes.

The Daymak Combat is an off-road flat-tire electric bike that lacks street-legal status. Its dual-use capability could engender interest from several segments of the market. The Combat, however, does not come cheap. Daymak says that the bike will retail at $13,995 for the first 100 Founders Edition units. It is expected that the Daymak Combat will begin deliveries in June 2023.

Daymak is alternatively offering the Deluxe Edition of the bike for $14,999. Interested customers will pay a $1,000 deposit for the Deluxe Edition which is expected to debut in 2024. Daymak says the hybrid EV demonstrates its new direction as it evolves into a full-fledged designer and manufacturer.

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Baseus Mini Travel Power Strip 1AC With a 1m Extension Cable Launched for 29 yuan ($4)

Baseus has released the Mini Travel Power Strip 1AC in China. It is a power strip that allows you to charge your device away from the wall outlet. The 1AC uses a 1-meter extension cable to separate the charging apparatus from the wall outlet. You can thus connect the charger to other electrical appliances that need AC power from a distance. This allows you to be comfortable while accessing power away from the wall outlet. The device is made of heat-resistant, durable, and bend-free material.

Baseus Mini Travel Power Strip 1AC

The Baseus Mini 1AC is a power strip with a single dual-hole AC port with a maximum power output of 2,500W. It can be used for monitors, routers, TVs, fans, refrigerators, and a variety of other appliances. The Baseus Mini Travel Power Strip 1AC is well suited for use on a business trip or travel.

Baseus Mini Travel Power Strip 1AC

According to the company, the power strip has a tightly-closed and stable interface which is a good safety feature. This prevents possible overheating while the power strip is in use. There is also a child safety protection door in the adapter, and thickened extension cord, and the shell material is heat-resistant.

Baseus Mini Travel Power Strip 1AC

The 45º angled plug prevents interference with the side jacks and safety is guaranteed when used simultaneously. The power strip is resistant to bending and its easy wiring helps to meet the needs of different scenarios. The Baseus Mini 1AC travel power strip is available in China for 29 yuan (~$4). It can be purchased from e-commerce platforms in China including Jingdong. There is no global availability information for the new Baseus power strip at this time.

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra TENAA listing reveals 108MP primary camera

Samsung is expected to launch its Galaxy S23 series of flagship smartphones sometime in Q1 2023. The series will be led by the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which has already appeared on the FCC certification database and Geekbench. Now, the device has also appeared on China’s TENAA database revealing a lot of the key specifications of the device.

Samsung

According to the listing, the bearing model number SM-S9180 has a 6.8-inch screen with a resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels and 16.7M colors. The smartphone weighs 233g and has dimensions of 163.4mm, 78.1mm, and 8.9mm. A performance core clocked at 3.36GHz rather than 3.2GHz appears to be part of a custom-built (overclocked) Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. The smartphone also appears to include 8/12 RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.

Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra TENAA

The listing makes a major reveal, which is that the Galaxy S23 Ultra will come with a 108MP primary camera rather than the rumored 200MP camera, which has been the most anticipated feature of the device so far. Going by this information, it is most likely the same 108MP ISOCELL HM3 sensor that is present in the current-gen S22 Ultra. Other than that, a 12MP telephoto, a 12MP ultra-wide, and another 2MP sensor will also be present on the rear camera module of the device. As for the front, the smartphone will have a 12MP selfie snapper.

The device will also have a gravity sensor, distance sensor, light sensor, and under-screen fingerprint reader. On the connectivity front, the listing says that the Galaxy S23 Ultra features NR SA bands – Band 79, Band 78, Band 41, Band 28, N1,2110-2155MHz, and NR NSA bands (Band 41, Band 78, and Band 79).

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Xiaomi Mini PC With 12th Gen Intel i5 Chipset Launched Officially

Xiaomi has announced a host of its new products in China today. The much-awaited Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro, alongside the Xiaomi Mini PC, Xiaomi Buds 4 and Xiaomi 10 Gigabit Router has been launched. Xiaomi Mini PC was also amongst the most interesting gadget launched at the event, obviously after the Xiaomi 13 lineup. Well, it’s nothing but a powerful PC mechanism fit into small and compact hardware which you can carry anywhere, which takes its portability to the next level.

The Xiaomi Mini PC measures the dimension of 112*112*38 mm and the main body of the device weighs just 437 grams. The main body is built using aluminium alloy which has undergone many processes like CNC, metal sandblasting, and anode oxidation to provide you with a clean and elegant look. The Mini PC pack the 12th generation Intel Core i5-1240P processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphic support. The CPU has up to 4.4Ghz maximum turbo frequency, 12MB of Level 3 cache, and it’s based on 12 cores and 16 threads.

Xiaomi Mini PC

It packs 16GB of 3200MHz DDR4 RAM and 512GB of PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. On the back side, it comes with 2X HDMI 2.1 interface, 1x 2.5G network port, 1X USB 3.0 Gen2 and 1X USB 2.0 port. On the front, it has a 2X USB 3.0 Gen2 port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. As for wireless connectivity, it supports WiFi 6 and the latest Bluetooth 5.3. The availability of such a huge pair of ports makes it compatible with almost any laptop or monitor out there. It comes pre-installed with the Windows 11 Home Chinese Edition. It has a rated power input of up to 100W. The gadget is priced at CNY 3699 (~$531) in China and will be soon available to purchase in the country via official online and offline retailers.

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MIUI 14 launched: All details about Xiaomi’s Android 13 update

After a long wait, Xiaomi finally unveiled its latest custom Android skin, MIUI 14, alongside the new flagship number series. The user interface of the new software is based on Android 13 and comes with plenty of visual changes, several new features, and improved cross-device collaboration. The Chinese firm says MIUI 14 has a reduced firmware size compared to MIUI 13 and it arrives with an enhanced system architecture, for better performance and efficiency. Let’s have a detailed look at what’s new in Xiaomi’s Android 13-based software.

MIUI 14

Design

The latest MIUI 14 comes with a significant visual overhaul. The company has made changes to the icons and the overall UI. The icons are large and their size can be adjusted. In addition, there are also new widget formats and home screen folders, giving users more customization options.

Further, the software brings new pet and plant widgets. This is somewhat similar to the Pixel Pals app for iOS. Once you add the pet/plant ornament on the home screen, you can interact or play with it.

Performance

Xiaomi talked a lot about performance during the launch of MIUI 14. The maker has worked a lot in making the software light. MIUI 14 comes with a new MIUI photon engine, which runs on the underlying Android kernel. This will allow third-party developers to create smoother and more power-efficient applications.

The system memory footprints have been greatly reduced and now there are only eight apps that cannot be uninstalled. Xiaomi claims the fluency of the system has been improved by up to 60%. Not only system apps, but third-party apps also offer improved performance and efficiency.

New Features

The biggest feature of the MIUI 14 would be its small size. The total size of the firmware is just 13.09GB, which is very less compared to the previous versions of MIUI. There’s also a new app cleaning feature that will compress low-frequency applications and save only one copy of duplicate files.

The software also brings new notification management options. Users will now be able to close the resident notifications with just one swipe. Also, newly installed apps will require notification authorization.

Privacy is also improved with no user data being stored in the cloud and all actions performed locally on the device.

AI Features

Several new AI features are packed into MIUI 14. The UI can now extract text from images. Users can also press and hold the text on a Gallery image to instantly recognize it now. Up to 8 languages are supported. There’s also a live captioning feature for video conferences.

Xiaomi has made notable improvements to the Mi AI voice assistant as well. It can be used to scan documents, translate, and filter spam calls. It can perform complicated daily tasks with simple voice commands.

MIUI Interconnection

MIUI 14 will allow users to seamlessly connect with other ecosystem products. The company says over a billion devices are supported by two major interconnection centers. There is an updated paired-device interface with each device occupying its own space onscreen, some of which can be moved from one to another to switch inputs.

MIUI 14 Xiaomi Magic Center

The Xiaomi Magic center, a platform that lets you manage your Xiaomi ecosystem products, has also been revamped and now offers improved interconnection speed between devices. As per the company, the new high-speed interconnection bus has increased the speed of earphone connectivity by 50%, the speed of mobile TV connection by 12%, and picture transmission during streaming by 77%.

Family Service

The latest version of MIUI is said to be even more family-friendly. It comes with various family services which let you create groups with up to 8 members and assign various roles with different permissions. Users will be able to share photo albums with their family groups. Everyone in the group will be able to view and upload new items.

Family services also allow sharing of health data like heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep with family members. In addition, there are various parental control options that will allow users to limit screen time, restrict app usage, set a secure area, and more.

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Xiaomi 10 Gigabit Router Launched Alongside Xiaomi 13 Series

Today, Xiaomi held a large product announcement event in Chinese territory. Xiaomi launched a number of smartphones and devices, including the Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro, Xiaomi Router, and Xiaomi Mini PC. In this article, we’ll discuss the recently released Xiaomi 10 Gigabit Router. It includes a number of fascinating improvements, including support for NFC tags, a larger transmission bandwidth, and an updated design and builds.

Coming down to the hardware specifications of the Xiaomi 10 Gigabit Router, it comes with three different wireless channels; 2.4GHz, 5.2GHz and 5.8GHz. The 2.4GHz channel can theoretically provide speeds up to 1376.4MBPS, the 5.2GHz can provide a maximum speed of up to 5764.8MBPS and the 5.8GHz can push the speeds to as much as 2882.4MBPS. The router is powered up using a Qualcomm quad-core A73 processor clocked at 2.2GHz. To ensure the smooth performance of the device, the brand has also provided active cooling technology inside it.

Xiaomi 10 Gigabit ROUTER

The router comes with both the external high-gain antenna and NFC built-in antenna support. The gadget comes with three different buttons, one for system reset, second for power input interface and the third one is a mesh button. It comes with 9 different LED indicators; 1X system indicator, 1X Internet indicator, 1X ambient light and 6X network port indicator.

As for the ports, it has got 4X WAN/LAN ports which are adaptive and can switch automatically between 10/100/1000/2500M, 1X WAN/LAN port with an adaptive switch between 10/100/1000/2500/5000/10000M, 1X SFP+Network Port (1000M/2500M/10000M) and 1X USB 3.0 Interface. The gadget also has support for WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK/WPA3-SAE encryption, wireless access control (black and white list), SSID hiding, and an intelligent anti-fraud network.

The gadget comes with 1 year of warranty support by the brand. It measures the dimension of 270 × 270 × 174 mm and will be available in one and only black variant. The device is priced at CNY 1699 (~$244) and will be soon available to purchase in China. Currently, there are no words on the global availability of the device.

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Xiaomi Introduces Two New Color Options for Mix Fold 2

Xiaomi has officially launched its highly anticipated Xiaomi 13 series smartphones, which have been generating a lot of buzz in the tech industry due to their advanced features and sleek design. Along with the new smartphones, the company has also unveiled several other products, including the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 and its special “Extreme Set” with two new colors.

Xiaomi has introduced “Moonlight Silver” and “Black Night” color options for Mix Fold 2

Xiaomi has introduced two new color options for its Mix Fold 2 foldable device, which is set to launch on December 20. The Mix Fold 2 is the company’s second-generation foldable device and comes with a number of impressive features, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and a Foldable LTPO2 OLED FHD+ (1914×2160) 120Hz screen with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support.

 Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 Black Night color option

The new color options, “Moonlight Silver” and “Black Night,” will be available as part of the special “Supreme Gift Box” which includes the Mix Fold 2 smartphone, earphones, and a watch. This set is a good option for New Year’s gifts and will be available for ¥8999.

The Mix Fold 2 also comes with 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB/512GB/1TB UFS 3.1 storage options, as well as a 4500mAh Li-Po battery with reverse charging support. It runs on MIUI 13, which is based on Android 13. The launch event for the Mix Fold 2 was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances but has been met with great excitement from fans and tech enthusiasts.

 Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 Moonlight Silver color option

In addition to the Mix Fold 2, Xiaomi has also unveiled the Xiaomi Sound Pro smart speaker, which is set to compete with other popular smart speakers on the market. The launch event was a success and has further solidified Xiaomi’s position as a leading player in the tech industry.

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Xiaomi Watch S2 With Body Composition Measurement Launched In China

Xiaomi held its biggest event in China today. It announced multiple products including the Xiaomi 13 series, Buds 4, MIUI 14, and more. The brand also unveiled the Xiaomi Watch S2. It arrives as the successor to the last year’s Watch S1. The smartwatch competes against the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, Apple Watch series, and more in the market. Read on to know what the wearable device has in store for us. 

Xiaomi Watch S2

The Xiaomi Watch S2 comes in two circular dial sizes i.e. 42mm and 46mm. It has two oblong-shaped physical buttons on the right side. The smartwatch features a stainless steel metal middle frame and sapphire glass. The 42mm variant offers a 1.32-inch screen whereas the 46mm model features a 1.43-inch display. Both have an AMOLED panel bearing a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels. The wearable device is water-resistant up to 5 meters. 

In terms of health and fitness, the Xiaomi Watch S2 is equipped with a heart rate and SpO2 sensor. It comes with body composition measurement that is capable of measuring data like fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, protein volume, and more. To track this, users have to place two fingers on the side buttons. The smartwatch can also measure skin temperature. The wearable device also features a sleep and stress tracker, a women’s menstrual cycle monitor, and breathing exercises. It packs support for more than 100 sports modes. 

The Xiaomi Watch S2 comes with a built-in microphone and speaker for Bluetooth calling functionality. There is also a safety tracking feature that will send help to the user’s pre-set contacts. The smartwatch comes with a host of apps. It packs GPS, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC support. The 46mm variant is backed by a 500mAh battery unit and is claimed to last 12 days whereas the 42mm model is powered by a 305mAh cell and is rated to deliver 7 days of usage. 

The Xiaomi Watch S2 is priced at RMB 999 (~$143) and RMB 1,199 (~$172) for the 42mm Black standard and Light Gold leather colour variants respectively. The 46mm carries a price tag of RMB 1,099 (~$157) and RMB 1,299 (~$186) for the 42mm Black standard and Light Gold leather colour variants respectively. The smartwatch is up for purchase in China. 

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Xiaomi Sound Pro Smart Speaker Launched

Xiaomi has officially launched its highly anticipated Xiaomi 13 series smartphones, which have been generating a lot of buzz in the tech industry due to their advanced features and sleek design. Along with the new smartphones, Xiaomi has also unveiled several other products, including the Xiaomi Sound Pro smart speaker, which is set to compete with other popular smart speakers on the market.

Xiaomi Sound Pro smart speaker offers flagship-quality sound

Xiaomi has launched its new Xiaomi Sound Pro smart speaker, which features a transparent upper part with ambient lighting that changes with the rhythm of the music. The speaker is available in black and comes with SBC and AAC audio transmission protocols, 8-ohm impedance, and a 3.5mm AUX port. Xiaomi claims that the speaker offers flagship-quality sound. The device is now available for purchase in the Chinese market.

Xiaomi Sound Pro smart speaker

The Xiaomi Sound Pro boasts a 7-unit acoustic configuration, upgraded from previous models. It includes a 3-unit full-range speaker for clear and transparent sound and a 3-unit passive radiator and custom-made subwoofer for an unparalleled low-frequency experience. The speaker also features a large woofer with a loud volume and can deliver a shocking 91dB of sound pressure.

In addition to its impressive sound quality, the Sound Pro also offers a 360-degree omnidirectional sound field, allowing the whole family to enjoy good sound no matter where it is placed. The device has also been expertly tuned by Xiaomi’s acoustic engineers using professional software, resulting in a clear and balanced sound pleasing to the ear.

Xiaomi has also included its innovative computing audio technology in the Sound Pro, which has been upgraded to version 2.0. This technology fine-tunes the sound quality from input to output, resulting in a live-level listening experience. The Nightingale algorithm has also been upgraded to support independent adjustment of sound effects, allowing users to choose their preferred style through the Xiaomi Speaker APP.

In terms of design, the Sound Pro features a galaxy ambient light effect generated by LED lamp beads surrounding the device’s body. The light follows the music in real time, creating an elegant atmosphere. The speaker also has an intelligent perception of the human body, combining audio and visual computing technology that provides a sense of direction and smart lighting effects. Overall, the Xiaomi Sound Pro is a powerful and impressive smart speaker with high-quality sound and a range of advanced features.

Pricing and availability

The Xiaomi Sound Pro smart speaker is now available for purchase. The initial price of the speaker is 999 yuan, but there is currently a 10% discount on the package. The company mentioned that they will be giving away a Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Pro with the purchases on December 25. Along with the Sound Pro, Xiaomi also launched its Xiaomi 13 series smartphones, Xiaomi Mini Host, and Xiaomi 10G Router on 11 December. Xiaomi has yet to announce whether the Sound Pro will be available in markets outside China.

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Xiaomi Buds 4 With ANC, LHDC 5.0 Launched In China

Today at a launch event, Xiaomi unveiled multiple devices including the Xiaomi 13 series smartphones. The brand also announced the Xiaomi Buds 4. The TWS earphones are a toned-down version of the Buds 4 Pro that debuted in China in August this year. They arrive as the successor to last year’s Xiaomi Buds 3. Read on to know what the audio device offers out of the box. 

Xiaomi Buds 4

The Xiaomi Buds 4 feature an AirPods-like semi-in-ear design. They do not have silicone ear tips and the device is IPX54-rated water-resistant. There are microphone cutouts on each earbud. Users can control various functions by tapping on the stem of the earbud. 

In terms of audio, the Xiaomi Buds 4 is equipped with a graphene-dual magnetic dynamic driver. It features intelligent active noise cancellation, 360-degree spatial audio, and transparency mode. The audio device also packs Hi-Res audio wireless certification and LHDC 5.0 for CD-level sound quality. There are three built-in microphones along with noise reduction for clear quality on calls. The device is also capable of eliminating wind noise 

The Xiaomi Buds 4 come in a pebble-shaped storage and charging case with a dual-tone design where the upper part has a glossy finish and the lower half has a plastic feel. The TWS earphones are powered by a 480mAh battery with each earbud backed by a 30mAh cell. It offers 6 hours of playback and 30 hours of total battery life. The audio device can be connected to two devices simultaneously. 

The Xiaomi Buds 4 carries a price tag of RMB 699 (~$100). It is offered in Moon Shadow, Salt Lake White, and Field Green colours. The TWS earphones are on sale in China and can be purchased starting today.

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Xiaomi 13, 13 Pro With Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Leica Cameras Launched

Xiaomi 13 series has launched in China today. It includes the regular and Pro variants. The devices pack significant upgrades and arrive as the successor to last year’s Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro. Alongside the smartphones, Xiaomi has also unveiled the Redmi Buds 4, Watch S1 Pro, and MIUI 14 at the event. Read on to know what the Xiaomi 13 duo offer out of the box. 

The Xiaomi 13 duo come with an AMOLED display, an integrated fingerprint scanner, and a centre-aligned punch-hole cutout. Both smartphones offer a 120Hz refresh rate, 1,900 nits peak brightness, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG support. The regular variant has a 6.36-inch flat screen bearing an FHD+ resolution whereas the Pro model offers a 6.73-inch QHD+ display with curved edges. 

The Xiaomi 13 features a boxy form factor whereas the Pro model has a slim design. Both devices have a square camera module on the back panel and are IP68-certified water and dust-resistant. The smartphones also feature a nano-skin technology that is said to make the back panel easier to clean. On the audio front, the smartphones are equipped with stereo speakers tuned by Dolby Atmos. 

In the photography department, the Xiaomi 13 series has Leica-branded triple rear cameras. On the regular variant, the setup comprises a 50MP OIS-enabled Sony IMX800 sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 10MP telephoto unit. The Pro model gets a 1-inch Sony IMX989 50MP primary lens paired with 50MP ultra-wide, and 50MP telephoto lenses. Both smartphones feature a 16MP front-facing selfie snapper. The Xiaomi 13 duo also come with legendary camera maker Leica’s technology for enhancing imaging capabilities. 

Under the hood, the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro house Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. Both devices pack up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB UFS 4.0 storage technology. They also feature a liquid cooling heat dissipation system onboard. The Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro are backed by 4,500mAh and 4,820mAh battery cells with support for 67W and 120W wired charging respectively. Both phones have a Surge G1 charging protection chip with support for 50W wireless and 10W reverse wireless charging. 

The Xiaomi 13 series runs on MIUI 14-based Android 13 OS out of the box. Connectivity options on the devices include 5G, 4G, WiFi, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, IR Blaster, and USB-C port. 

The Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro come in White, Black, Green, and Light Blue colours. The regular variant is also announced in five limited custom colours including Flame Red, Sapphire Blue, Hurricane Yellow, Jungle Green, and Cement Gray. It’s worth noting that the limited edition is only for the 12GB + 512GB configuration. Take a look at the pricing below. 

Xiaomi 13 

  • 8GB + 128GB: RMB 3,999 ($574)
  • 8GB + 256GB: RMB 4,299 ($617)
  • 12GB + 256GB: RMB 4,599 ($660)
  • 12GB + 512GB: RMB 4,999 ($718)

Xiaomi 13 Pro  

  1. 8GB + 128GB: RMB 4,999 ($718)
  2. 8GB + 256GB: RMB 5,399 ($775)
  3. 12GB + 256GB: RMB 5,799 ($833)
  4. 12GB + 512GB: RMB 6,299 ($905)

The Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro are up for pre-orders starting today in China. Both devices will go on sale from December 14th.

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Xiaomi Reveals MIUI 14 Supported Devices

Today, Xiaomi officially announced the MIUI 14 at Xiaomi 13 series launch event. The new software comes with plenty of new features and improvements. The maker says the Android-13-based software has a small size and will offer improved performance. Xiaomi also revealed the first batch of smartphones that will receive the MIUI 14 update. Here are the details.

MIUI 14

Xiaomi will start releasing the MIUI 14 update to the first batch of smartphones in February. The software will initially be rolled out to the flagship Xiaomi 12 series, Redmi K50 series, and the latest Xiaomi Mix Fold 2. The company will announce the second and third batches soon. Do note that the timeline is for Chinese users.

MIUI 14 Update Timeline

As mentioned, the latest MIUI 14 update will start rolling out to the first batch of supported devices in February 2023. Here’s the list of devices:

  • Xiaomi 12S Ultra
  • Xiaomi 12S Pro
  • Xiaomi 12S
  • Xiaomi 12 Pro
  • Xiaomi 12 Pro Dimensity Edition
  • Xiaomi 12
  • Xiaomi MIX Fold 2
  • Redmi K50 Pro
  • Redmi K50
  • Redmi K50 Extreme Edition
  • Redmi K50 Gaming Edition
MIUI 14 supported device list

Xiaomi is yet to reveal the update plan for the Poco devices. Also, the company hasn’t announced the global rollout of the MIUI 14 yet. We can expect an official announcement soon.

If we talk about the update itself, MIUI 14 arrives with a small size and an improved system architecture. The software has fewer pre-installed apps, which means there’s better performance and less space is consumed.

It will offer more personalization options with a new widget format, home screen folders, and Super icons. The privacy of user data has also been revamped with all actions performed locally on the device and no data is stored in the cloud. Mi AI voice assistant has also been improved and it can now perform document scanning, translations, and filter spam calls.

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Twitter Blue Will Relaunch on Monday With Higher Price for iOS and New Checkmarks

Twitter Blue, the subscription service offering the now-controversial blue checkmark, will relaunch on Monday with a “vetting process” designed to prevent impersonations on the site. The checkmark and other features will cost $8 a month via the web and $11 per month via iOS.

Twitter Blue relaunching on Monday starting on $8 a month

Twitter tweeted on Saturday that subscribers to Twitter Blue will now receive the blue checkmark, but only after their account has been reviewed. The company said in a tweet thread: “When you subscribe you’ll get Edit Tweet, 1080p video uploads, reader mode, and a blue checkmark (after your account has been reviewed).”

It is not clear what the account review process will involve, but an image included in the thread mentions the need for a “verified phone number”. This suggests that the review process will involve verifying the user’s identity in some way, although it is not yet clear what form this verification will take.

The previous pay-for-verification setup, introduced by Twitter owner Elon Musk, had critics arguing that the blue checkmark had become meaningless. Traditionally, the verification process involved submitting a government-issued ID and providing evidence that the user was a “prominently recognized individual”.

In response to the chaos caused by impersonators using the blue checkmark, Musk tweeted a plan in late November that would see companies receiving a gold verification checkmark and government entities receiving a gray one. He said at the time: “Blue for individuals (celebrity or not) and all verified accounts will be manually authenticated before check activates.”

Elon Musk, owner and CEO of Twitter

Saturday’s thread from Twitter confirmed that the plan for the gold and gray checkmarks for businesses and government would be going into effect. It also said that Twitter Blue subscribers “will be able to change their handle, display name or profile photo, but if they do they’ll temporarily lose the blue checkmark until their account is reviewed again”.

Twitter didn’t give any further information about the verification review process. However, the company’s tweet thread did reveal some additional details about the features available to Twitter Blue subscribers. These include being “rocketed to the top of replies, mentions and search”, seeing half the ads, and being able to post longer videos.

Twitter Blue subscribers who already signed up via iOS for the earlier $8 a month price will receive a notification about the new $11 monthly iOS cost and can choose to subscribe via the web instead, at the $8 rate, according to Twitter product lead Esther Crawford. Crawford also confirmed that the iOS and web versions would offer the same features, and that Android users can purchase on the web and use Twitter Blue on their devices.

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(via)

Humanoid Robot Xiaomi CyberOne learns to Play Drums

In August 2022, Xiaomi unveiled its full-scale humanoid bionic robot, CyberOne. Standing at 177cm tall and weighing 52kg, the robot impressed with its ability to perform human-like movements. To demonstrate the capabilities of its state-of-the-art product, the company taught CyberOne how to play the drums.

Xiaomi trains CyberOne to play drums

Xiaomi’s full-size humanoid robot, CyberOne, has been trained to play drums. The robot was able to complete its drum performance in three steps. First, it automatically parsed out the beat from an input Midi music file to generate a drum sequence. Then, using an offline motion library and online calibration, a motion trajectory synchronized with the drum sequence was generated. Finally, the robot’s body was controlled to complete each movement through a whole-body controller.

According to reports, the most difficult part of CyberOne’s drum performance was playing long sequences of drum rhythms, as it had to ensure that its movements were continuous and collision-free. To solve this problem, the team at Xiaomi Robotics Lab extracted the basic beat and then optimized it by building an offline drum beat motion track library. This allowed CyberOne to generate a continuous track that was consistent with any drum beat.

CyberOne’s ability to play the drums is a testament to its ability to coordinate its whole body and perform fast, accurate, and wide-ranging movements. However, the robot’s drumming skills are not yet on par with those of professional drummers. The team at Xiaomi is working on improving CyberOne’s locomotion and manipulation abilities in the second generation of the robot.

However, robots playing drums is not a new concept. In fact, there is an all-robot band called “Compressorhead” from Germany, which features a drummer with four arms. However, CyberOne is the first full-scale humanoid bionic robot to be trained in this skill.

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(Source, Via)

AnTuTu Released The List of Top 10 Most Powerful Smartphones of November 2022

Unquestionably, one of the most popular smartphone benchmarking tools is AnTuTu. The benchmark performs several tests before providing us with a score that we can use to estimate the performance of the device. Every month, the platform publishes a list of the 10 most powerful gadgets, and in keeping with that trend, the list of the Top 10 smartphones for November 2022 has also been publicly released. Let’s see which device made it to the top of the list and which one came in last!

The list provided by the platform is based on tests administered between November 1 and November 20, 2022. AnTuTu V9, the most recent version, was used for all testing. With 1117968 average marks, the ROG Phone 6 Pro, a gaming phone, has topped the list when looking at the results. With scores of 1110082 and 1086197, respectively, ROG Phone 6 and ZenFone 9 are in second and third place. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 chipset from Qualcomm powers all three of these devices.

AnTuTu

The Xiaomi 12T Pro, which has an average score of 1064841 and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 CPU, is in fourth place. A Snapdragon 8 Gen1 SoC and 1051650 scores put the Nubia RedMagic 7 in fifth place. BlackShark 5 Pro and Motorola Edge 30 Pro, with scores of 1026704 and 1005920, respectively, are in sixth and seventh place. With 1003314 points, the Vivo X80 is in eighth place, followed by the Motorola Edge X30 (988627 points) and Galaxy Z Fold4 5G (983354 points).

All of the smartphones on the list, with the exception of the Vivo X80, were equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile chipsets. Top models featured the Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 SoC, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen1 wasn’t far behind. There were not many differences in performance across the top smartphones’ ratings because they were powered by the same platform.

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As Many As 50 Cities Are Now Covered With 5G Networks in India

Only a few months ago, the official launch of India’s 5G network was announced. Two of the industry’s top behemoths were Jio and Airtel. While Airtel is leveraging the current 4G infrastructure to deliver the 5G technology, and their full coverage may take some time, Jio is working on standalone 5G technology and has pledged to reach all of India with 5G by the end of 2023. It has been reported that up to 50 different Indian cities are now covered by the 5G network as both telecom companies are deploying 5G at a rapid rate.

Prior to addressing Tier-based cities, the operators are focusing on covering metropolitans and megacities. Both providers’ 5G networks have already been extended to major cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Delhi. The list of cities that are compatible with 5G networks has since been expanded by the telecom giants.

5G

Union Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed the information during the parliamentary question period. The minister stated in response to a question in the parliament that “Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have started offering 5G services in the country from January 1, 2022, onward, and as of November 26, 2022, 5G services have started in 50 towns.” He also emphasises the fact that both providers presently offer 5G services at no additional charge.

Airtel customers can access 5G if they move to an area that is covered by 5G support without any invitation or something, whereas Jio is now offering invite-only access to 5G. A 5G-capable device is necessary, though. However, it is important to note that Jio is presently dominating the country’s 5G network fluency by offering a quicker and more reliable speed when compared to Airtel. Since neither of them has yet reached the mature level, they are both now in their starting stages. As time goes on, we might start to notice other improvements.

Currently, only a few cities, including Delhi, Siliguri, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Varanasi, Nagpur, Mumbai, Chennai, Gurugram, Panipat, Guwahati, and Patna, have access to Airtel 5G. Jio, on the other hand, has a larger coverage area thanks to the 5G network that is being deployed in cities like Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad, Mumbai, Varanasi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Nathdwara, Pune, and Ghaziabad. Unexpectedly, all 33 district headquarters in Gujarat now have access to Jio True 5G.

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