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Honor Magic Vs 3 Debuts In China With Primary Curved Display, Periscope Camera, And More

At an event held in China today, Honor took the wraps off of its two foldable phones – the Magic Vs 3 and Magic V3. They arrive as the successor to the last year’s Magic Vs2 and Magic V2. Both devices come with a new design and significantly upgraded specifications compared to their predecessor. They compete against the recently launched Galaxy Z Fold 6, OnePlus Open, OPPO Find N3 (review), and more in the market. In this post, we will explore what the Honor Magic Vs 3 offers out of the box.

Honor Magic Vs 3 specifications 

Honor Magic Vs3

The Honor Magic Vs 3 sports a curved AMOLED display with thin bezels on the front measuring 6.43 inches bearing a resolution of 2,376 x 1,060 pixels and 2,500 nits peak brightness. It has the same panel internally that measures 7.8 inches with a 2,344 x 2,156-pixel resolution and peak brightness maxing out at 1,600 nits. Both screens feature a 120Hz LTPO refresh rate and support HDR Vivid.

Design-wise, the Honor Magic Vs 3 features a slim profile that is 9.7mm thin when folded and 4.65mm when opened making it incredibly thin similar to a candy-bar phone. It weighs only 229 grams. The back panel has a protruding rectangular camera island that is in Black and Silver colour giving a dual-tone look. There is a side-mounted fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button. The foldable phone is equipped with the brand’s Luban Titanium hinge and shield steel that ensures durability and lightness.

On the optics front, the Honor Magic Vs 3 comes with triple rear cameras. The setup comprises a 50MP OIS-enabled main sensor, a 40MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and an 8MP periscope unit with 5x optical and 50x digital zoom. The primary and periscope lenses support OIS. The external and internal screens have 16MP and 8MP sensors for selfies. 

In terms of hardware, the Honor Magic Vs 3 is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. It packs up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. The foldable phone is backed by a 5,000mAh battery unit with support for 66W charging and 50W wireless charging. There is also RF enhancement and security chip for stable connectivity and privacy protection respectively. The device runs on MagicOS 8.0 with features like split screen and more.

The Honor Magic Vs 3 is offered in Qilian Snow, Tundra Green, and Velvet Black colors. The foldable phone starts at CNY 6,999 (~$963) for the 12GB + 256GB variant. The 12GB + 512GB and 16GB + 1TB configurations are priced at CNY 7,699 (~$1,060) and CNY 8,699 (~$1,198) respectively. It will go on sale starting July 19.

Afirstsoft PDF Review: Likely to Be The Best Adobe Acrobat Alternative

When discussing PDF readers, Adobe Acrobat often comes to mind. It’s the world’s most widely used PDF reader, with over 1 billion subscribers. However, as good as Acrobat is, it is not suitable for all users, including its high price (up to $240 per year). Its feature-rich and complex user interface is also suitable only for professional users. For these reasons and many more, we want to introduce you to the perfect Adobe Acrobat alternative, Afirstsoft PDF. It’s a beginner-friendly and AI-powered PDF reader that doesn’t sacrifice functionality and practicality. Keep reading this review to find out why you should start using this PDF management tool.

How Afirstsoft PDF Fixes Chaos

Managing documents can be challenging and time-consuming. You can face obstacles like incompatible files, unsigned documents, and disorganized pages. Thankfully, Afirstsoft PDF has a list of user-friendly features to help you tackle common PDF problems. Here are some PDF struggles you can handle with this tool:

PDF Editing:

Editing and sharing documents can be a nightmare. Sometimes you may want to edit PDF texts and update information or correct errors. Afirstsoft PDF can edit, delete, and add PDF texts with stylish fonts and colors. The OCR feature lets you convert PDFs and scanned images into searchable and editable texts. It supports 20+ OCR languages.

Organizating Chaos:

Organizing documents ensures uniformity and professionalism. Unfortunately, dealing with a pile of documents can be a struggle. Afirstsoft PDF provides an intuitive interface to manage PDF pages and avoid duplication or confusion. You can extract, delete, and reorder pages. It also lets you split and merge PDFs for easier document management.

Information Overload:

Reading PDFs word-by-word can be tedious, especially when dealing with long texts like essays or newsletters. White at it, you can find hard-to-understand texts and slangs. Afirstsoft AI can do all the dirty work by summarizing and explaining PDFs. You can also ask the AI chat feature any question regarding your PDF document.

As you can see, Afirstsoft PDF can help you solve multiple PDF problems. Other solutions that this program offers include:

  • Losslessly convert PDFs to and from dozens of document, web, and image formats.
  • Upload PDFs to Afirstsoft Cloud for remote document access. This enables collaborative PDF editing using features like comments and feedback.
  • Afirstsoft PDF also lets you create interactive documents from scratch. You can create PDFs from Office files like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

>Afirstsoft PDF is currently offering a 30% discount to all new subscribers, and subscribers will have the opportunity to receive a free license.

Power of Affordability: Slash Costs, Boost Productivity

Many people would choose Adobe Acrobat when searching for a PDF editor. After all, this program houses several innovative features, including cloud-based editing and AI support. It’s also worth mentioning that Adobe invented the PDF format in 1993, making Acrobat one of the best options for viewing and managing documents.

However, as mentioned earlier, Adobe Acrobat isn’t cheap. The monthly and yearly subscriptions can be backbreaking for a casual user. The good news is that Afirstsoft PDF offers similar functions to Acrobat at a pocket-friendly cost. The Afirstsoft PDF’s price is only 25% of Acrobat. This easy-to-use program offers AI support, OCR scanning, PDF conversion, and other Adobe Acrobat features.

The deal gets sweeter if you choose Afirstsoft PDF. This all-in-one PDF reader currently offers 30% off for all new subscribers. Afirstsoft also provides free licenses for all new website users. You can use a single license across platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Web and Android.

Beyond Affordability: Unveiling Afirstsoft’s Advantages

Choosing the best PDF editor involves looking beyond the price point. A good PDF viewer must pack enough features to allow you to accomplish important goals more conveniently. Therefore, we want to list some of the four advantages that Afirstsoft PDF brings to the table.

Cross-Platform Powerhouse

Are you looking for a PDF reader to view and annotate documents on any platform? Afirstsoft PDF Creator is the best choice, thanks to its convenient cloud service. This program offers excellent compatibility with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android systems and Web. You can access all Afirstsoft PDF services on two desktops and two mobile phones with a single account.

Below are some possible configurations:

  • 2 Mac/Windows + 2 iOS
  • 2 Mac/Windows + 2 Android
  • 1 Mac and 1 Windows + 2 Android
  • 1 Mac and 1 Windows + 2 iOS
  • 2 Windows/Mac + 1 Android and 1 iOS

AI for the Win

Another advantage of using Afirstsoft PDF over Adobe Acrobat is the AI Assistant. In Acrobat, the AI service comes with a separate subscription plan. Conversely, Afirstsoft PDF offers you a free AI Assistant to make PDF management quicker and more convenient. It can summarize long PDF texts and explain hard-to-understand vocabularies or sentences. You can also chat with the AI and ask questions about your PDF. In short, it saves time and enhances productivity.

User-Centric Design: PDF Made Easy

Afirstsoft PDF is one of the most basic and beginner-friendly PDF readers. The user interface is exceptionally minimalistic without sacrificing this program’s functionality. Navigating this program using the ribbon-style menu resembling Microsoft Office is quick and straightforward. Beginners can easily find tools for editing, converting, highlighting, and more. You don’t need prior PDF editing experience to use this program.

Focus on Efficiency

Afirstsoft PDF can help streamline your workflow with its collection of user-centric features. First, the Afirstsoft Cloud feature ensures collaborative PDF editing and annotation across various devices, making PDF handling more efficient. Afirstsoft PDF also provides a well-organized layout with multiple reading modes. The PDF navigation tools give you more control over your document as you scroll the pages using your preferred layout style.

You can arrange and navigate the PDF pages as follows:

  • Single page
  • Single-page scrolling
  • Two page
  • Two-page scrolling

Conclusion

You now have every reason to include Afirstsoft PDF in your document management workflow. The robust set of features makes it perfect for PDF creation and editing. It’s a pretty versatile document management system for personal and business use. Overall, it does everything Adobe Acrobat can do at a lower subscription price. Don’t forget to claim the special offer and enjoy editing PDFs anywhere, any time.

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 design, battery, and health tracking improvements tipped

While Xiaomi has been busy launching new devices in 2024, including its first POCO tablet, there hasn’t been any official word on a new wearable successor to the Smart Band 8 and Smart Band 8 Pro. However, a recent leak suggests the Smart Band 9 might well be in the works with a few iterative improvements over its predecessor.

Visually, the leak suggests the Smart Band 9 won’t stray far from the design of the Smart Band 8, which itself closely resembled the Smart Band 7. It’s expected to retain the familiar oval form factor and a 1.62-inch display. 

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Leak
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Render

The dimensions are rumored to be slightly smaller than the Band 8 at 46.53 x 21.63 x 10.95 mm. The leak, however, hints at a possible material upgrade to an aluminum alloy casing with a sandblasted finish for a more premium look.

The display itself might see a notable improvement in brightness. While the refresh rate is expected to remain at 60Hz, the peak brightness is rumored to reach 1200 nits, doubling what the Smart Band 8 offered. 

Battery life is also said to receive a modest boost. The leak suggests a 233 mAh battery, a 43 mAh increase compared to the Band 8. This should translate to a rumored 9 days of battery life with the always-on display enabled, or 21 days with it off.

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Render

Other improvements of the Smart Band 9 are said to include a 10% improvement in the accuracy of the heart rate and SpO2 sensors, as well as a shift to Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. 

Importantly, the leak doesn’t spill the beans on a possible release date or pricing for the Smart Band 9. So we’ll have to wait for further leaks or official announcements to get more details about the Xiaomi Smart Band 9.

(Source)

Google Pixel 9 series price will disappoint buyers

French publication Dealabs has leaked what appear to be the European prices for the four upcoming Pixel 9 devices: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. If accurate, the leak shows a price increase for most models compared to their Pixel 8 counterparts.

According to the leak, the base Pixel 9 will start at €899 for the 128GB model and €999 for the 256GB model. The available colors are reported to be Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), Cosmo (likely pink), and Mojito (presumably green).

The Pixel 9 Pro, expected to be similar in size to the base model but with additional cameras, will start at €1,099 for 128GB, €1,199 for 256GB, and €1,329 for 512GB. The top-tier configurations will reportedly be limited to Obsidian and Hazel, while the other storage options will also include Porcelain and the rumored pink shade, possibly named “Cosmo.”

Pixel 9, Pro, Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold Price leak

The Pixel 9 Pro XL, tipped to be the true successor to the Pixel 8 Pro in terms of size, will share the Pixel 9 Pro’s internals but come in a larger form factor. Prices will start at €1,199 for 128GB, €1,299 for 256GB, €1,429 for 512GB, and a staggering €1,689 for the rumored 1TB model. The color options are even more complex, with the 1TB model exclusive to Obsidian, 128GB and 512GB models also available in Porcelain and Hazel, and the 256GB variant uniquely including Pink.

Finally, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the successor to the original Pixel Fold, is expected to cost €1,899 for the 256GB version and €2,029 for the 512GB version. Color options for the foldable appear to be limited to Obsidian and Porcelain.

It’s important to note that these prices are based on Euros, and VAT variations might cause slight fluctuations across the European Union. However, if the leak is accurate, it indicates a trend of price hikes for most Pixel 9 models compared to their Pixel 8 predecessors.

Redmi K70 Ultra battery size, charging capabilities officially confirmed

Redmi has yet to confirm the launch date of the Redmi K70 Ultra for the Chinese market. However, the brand is busy revealing the key specifications of the device. Today, the brand revealed the battery size and charging capabilities of the K70 Ultra.

Recent teasers of the Redmi K70 Ultra only focused on its rear design. So far, the brand has confirmed that the device will have a metal frame and a glass back, and it will be available in black, white, and purple shades. In addition, the device will offer IP68-rated dust and water resistance.

The above poster, which was released today, revealed that the K70 Ultra will sport a flat display with slim bezels on all four sides. The top and side bezels of the device measure only 1.7mm, whereas the bottom bezel is slightly thicker at 1.9mm.

While the exact screen size has not been revealed, the K70 Ultra’s TCL C8+ display is confirmed to support a 1.5K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and 3840Hz PWM dimming. The other posters released by the brand today confirm that it will pack a 5,500mAh battery, support 120W fast charging, and feature the Pengpai T1 signal enhancement chip.

The Redmi K70 Ultra will come equipped with the Dimensity 9300 Plus chipset, up to 24 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and up to 1 TB of storage. For photography, it is expected to feature a 20-megapixel front camera, and a 50-megapixel + 8-megapixel + 2-megapixel triple camera unit.

The Redmi K70 Ultra is expected to debut with the Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 and Mix Flip later this month in China. It seems that the K70 Ultra may remain exclusive to the Chinese market. However, a tweaked version of the phone equipped with better cameras is expected to be released in the global market with the Xiaomi 14T Pro moniker.

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 gets a significant price drop

Huawei launched the FreeBuds Pro 3 (review) globally towards the end of last year with dual drivers and the company’s ANC 3.0. The earbuds also support L2HC 3.0 Hi-Res wireless audio and LDAC codec. The FreeBuds 3 Pro was launched at 1,499 yuan (179 GBP). Now the TWS earbuds receive a significant discount of 200 Yuan (~21 GBP).

Connectivity:

The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 is equipped with the Kirin A2 chip and brings Polar Code to a pair of earbuds for the very first time. It which uses the company’s proprietary connectivity technology to support 1.5 Mbps transmission, and deliver lossless audio. It also makes it four times more efficient than the FreeBuds Pro 2.

However, it also supports standard Bluetooth connectivity and is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and more platforms. It also supports dual-device connectivity, which lets it connect to two of these devices at the same time and switch audio between them automatically. Notably, when connected to EMUI devices, you can switch audio between more than two of them.

Audio:

The FreeBuds Pro 3 boasts a dual-driver setup with an 11 mm dynamic driver + planar diaphragm driver, enhanced by a Halbach array with a high transient response. The earbuds also equip digital cross-over technology and can offer 14kHz – 48kHz audio without sacrificing the quality.

With Huawei’s triple adaptive EQ algorithm, the earbuds can detect volume level, ear canal shape, and wearing status in real-time, and apply the optimal sound level and EQ settings.

It also offers 2.5 times better voice pickup during voice and video calls, with a redesigned bone conduction voice pick-up (VPU) sensor that stays closely fixed to your ears.

Battery life

The earbuds and the case weigh around 5.8 g and 45.5 g and pack 55mAh and 510mAh batteries respectively. Speaking of battery life, the product can run 7 hours on a single full charge and 33 hours when used with the charging case (with ANC disabled). With ANC enabled, it offers a battery life of 5 hours on a single charge and 23 hours with the charging case included.

Infinix Zero Flip 5G battery size revealed via certification, launch imminent

An IMEI database listing in April revealed that Infinix is developing its first-style foldable display phone, the Infinix Zero Flip. The said device, which bears the X6962, has already been spotted on certification platforms such as Europe’s EEC and FCC. Now, the device has received approval from the TUV certification platform, revealing its battery size.

Infinix Zero Flip 5G battery size

Infinix Zero Flip 5G TUV
Infinix Zero Flip 5G TUV certification

The above screengrab reveals that the Infinix Zero Flip 5G will feature a dual-cell battery with capacities of 3,410mAh and 1,180mAh. Hence, the device is expected to pack a 4,590mAh (rated value) battery unit. It is likely that it may offer a typical value of 4700mAh.

The FCC certification of the Zero Flip revealed that it may ship with a 70W rapid charger. It is likely that the device will ship with 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of built-in storage. The other specifications of the Zero Flip are under wraps.

Infinix Zero Flip FCC 1
Infinix Zero Flip FCC certification

The schematic of the Zero Flip, which got revealed via FCC certification, revealed that it will have a large-sized square outer display. It will be flanked by a vertical dual camera system, followed by an LED flash. While it is confirmed to come in Titanium Black variant, the other color variants of the device are not known yet.

The FCC authority has also approved the Zero 40 5G and Zero 40 4G, in addition to the Infinix Zero Flip 5G. It is likely that these products will go official in various markets either this month or in August.

Infinix Zero 40 5G design, variants, chipset revealed via FCC, Geekbench listings

An Infinix phone bearing the X6861 model number has received approval from the FCC authority. It is speculated that this device could be the upcoming Zero 40 5G. The aforementioned device has already appeared in Europe’s EEC and Geekbench databases.The latter appeared in June but went unnoticed. It revealed the chipset that powers the device.

Infinix Zero 40 5G spotted at FCC, Geekbench

The FCC listing of the Infinix Zero 40 5G reveals that it measures 164 x 74 x 8mm. To recall, its predecessor model measured 164.5 x 75 x 7.9 mm and featured a 6.78-inch curved-edge AMOLED display. Hence, it appears that the Zero 40 may feature a similarly sized screen. Polar Black will be one of the color variants of the device.

Speaking of the design, the Zero 40 5G will sport a round camera module that houses three cameras and a dual-LED flash unit. The top-left corner of the phone’s back also features a separate cutout. It is unclear whether it is also intended for an LED flash or something else.

The ID label document reveals that the device will arrive with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. It is speculated that the device will also come in a 12GB+256GB version.

The device may come with the Dimensity 8200 chipset and Android 14 OS, according to the Geekbench listing. The FCC documents also suggest that the Infinix Zero 40 5G may support NFC connectivity and 45W fast charging.

In related news, the X6860 model number reportedly belongs to the 4G version of the Zero 40. It is expected to ship with 8 GB of RAM, 512 GB of storage, Android 14, and an identical rear design to its 5G version.

GC Daily: Xiaomi Confirms 24GB+1TB Variant for the Redmi K70 Ultra

First up, China’s tech titans are reaching for the stars – literally. Huawei, Honor, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo users are getting a ticket to ride the satellite wave, free of charge. It’s not just about making calls anymore; it’s about staying connected, no matter where you are on the planet.

Speaking of connections, CMF is taking customization to new heights with their Phone 1 accessories. But are these add-ons truly innovative, or just quirky for the sake of being different? We’ll break it down for you.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi is zooming into the future with its 15 Pro. With a rumored 5x periscope zoom, they’re bringing far-off subjects closer than ever. And if you thought 12GB of RAM was excessive, wait until you hear about Redmi’s latest memory monster.

More details on the above stories are in today’s roundup below.


Huawei, Honor, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo phones get free satellite service for one year

China Telecom has launched a new program offering a one-year free trial of its satellite service to users of specific smartphone models. The program targets users of Huawei, Honor, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo phones.

Read more


CMF Phone 1 Accessories: Customization Options and Their Quirks

The CMF Phone 1 from Nothing’s sub-brand has finally arrived, with a unique back design that allows for customization with color panels. But the innovation doesn’t stop there. CMF has released a complementary range of accessories designed to enhance the phone’s usability and cater to various user preferences. Let’s delve into each accessory and see if they might be a worthwhile addition to your CMF Phone 1 experience.

Read more


Xiaomi 15 Pro reportedly features 5x periscope zoom camera

Xiaomi is expected to unveil the Xiaomi 15 series of smartphones in October of this year in China. With several months remaining before the launch, the rumor mill is gradually leaking details about the Xiaomi 15 lineup. The latest leak, courtesy of reliable tipster Digital Chat Station, reveals that the 15 Pro will offer a major upgrade in the optical zoom department.

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Xiaomi Confirms 24GB+1TB Variant for the Redmi K70 Ultra

Xiaomi has confirmed a high-storage option for the highly anticipated Redmi K70 Ultra phone. Wang Teng, a high-ranking official at Xiaomi, recently responded to online inquiries on Weibo, explicitly stating the phone will offer a massive 24GB of RAM paired with 1TB of storage.

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🔥 More Top Stories You Might Have Missed

Huawei Nova 13 series, two flagship tablets tipped to launch in August

Huawei is reportedly working on the Nova 13 series of smartphones for the Chinese market. Initial rumors surrounding it claimed that the Nova 13 lineup would be announced in the second quarter of this year. However, a May report revealed a postponement of its launch to July. While there is no new information about its arrival, a Chinese leaker has revealed what to expect from next-generation Nova phones.

Huawei Nova 13 series incoming

Tipster Smart Pikachu claims that Kirin processors are present in all models of the Huawei Nova 13 series. He added that the top variant features flagship-level satellite communication capabilities.

To recall, the Nova 12 series, which debuted in December 2023, included multiple models, such as the Nova 12 Lite, Nova 12s, Nova 12 Pro, and Nova 12 Ultra. Among these, the Pro and Ultra models came equipped with support for calling and messaging via satellite connectivity. Hence, it is likely that the Nova 13 Pro and Nova 13 Ultra may continue to offer satellite connectivity.

The tipster further said that Huawei will also announce two Kirin-powered flagship tablets, also powered by Kirin chips. Both devices will also support Huawei’s Star Flash NearLink technology. For those who don’t know, it is a groundbreaking short-range wireless technology that combines the strengths of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It offers significantly faster transmission speeds, lower power consumption, lower latency, increased connection capacity, and enhanced security compared to existing technologies. The leak also suggests that the tablet may support satellite connectivity.

Regarding the launch, Huawei may unveil the Nova 13 series and the new tablets in August. A recent report claimed the Kirin 9010E-powered Nova-branded flip phone may launch in August.

Microsoft’s Market Strategy involves Slowly Shifting Away from Xbox Consoles in Europe, Middle East, and Africa

Microsoft‘s strategy for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) market appears to be shifting away from traditional Xbox consoles, according to a report from The Verge on July 12th. The report suggests Microsoft might be considering discontinuing console sales within the region altogether, focusing instead on promoting its cloud gaming services, Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, and controllers.

Microsoft has been focusing on cloud gaming for a while now.

This aligns with Microsoft’s recent emphasis on cloud gaming and platform-agnostic experiences. They’ve previously highlighted that players don’t necessarily need an Xbox console to enjoy Xbox titles, with many new releases finding their way onto PC as well. The Verge’s report cites sources claiming that Microsoft has internally decided to adjust its game promotion and release focus, potentially de-emphasizing the Xbox console itself.

Xbox Game Pass titles

This move could be a strategic shift towards a subscription-based model. The report mentions Microsoft’s efforts in promoting Game Pass subscriptions, which offer access to a library of games at a discounted price, particularly for new users. By focusing on cloud gaming and subscriptions, Microsoft might be aiming to reach a wider audience who wouldn’t necessarily purchase a dedicated console.

However, it’s important to note that this is just a report, and Microsoft hasn’t officially confirmed any plans to discontinue Xbox console sales in the EMEA market. We’ll have to wait for further announcements from Microsoft to know for sure about their future strategy in the region.

(Via)

Chinese Astronomers Reveal New Findings about the Size of the Milky Way Galaxy

Chinese astronomers have revealed new findings about the size of the Milky Way galaxy, suggesting it’s significantly larger than previously thought. Their research, published in the prestigious journal Nature Astronomy, utilized data from the world’s first large near-infrared stellar spectral survey, APOGEE.

The survey team analyzed the distribution of stars across the Milky Way

This survey allowed the team, led by Associate Professor Lian Jianhui of Yunnan University, to account for dust and other factors that can impede traditional measurements. By analyzing the distribution of stars across the Milky Way, they were able to reconstruct a more complete picture of its structure.

Their findings challenge the long-held assumption of the Milky Way having a single exponential disk – a flat structure where stellar density decreases steadily moving outwards. Instead, the research suggests a more complex structure. The outer disk (beyond 24,000 light-years from the galactic center) appears to conform to the exponential model. However, the inner disk (between 11,000 and 24,000 light-years) exhibits a flatter distribution, with stellar density remaining relatively constant.

This revised understanding has significant implications. Previous estimates based on the exponential disk model placed the Milky Way’s radius at around 10,000 light-years, making it appear denser than galaxies of similar mass. The new data, however, suggests a nearly doubled radius of 19,000 light-years, bringing the Milky Way in line with other galaxies of its type.

Professor Lian emphasizes the importance of near-infrared observations in overcoming the limitations of traditional methods. Dust particles significantly affect visible light, but their impact on near-infrared wavelengths is much smaller. This allows for a clearer picture of stellar distribution, particularly within the Milky Way’s dusty inner regions.

(Via)

15 Teenagers Sentenced to a Year of Probation for Using Deepfake Technology to Make Indecent Photos of Female Classmates

A Spanish court has sentenced 15 teenagers to one year of probation for using deepfake technology to create and spread indecent photos of their female classmates. This incident, reported in July 2023, has sparked widespread concern about the potential for misuse of deepfakes and the impact it can have on victims.

The perpetrators were a group of teenagers aged 13 to 15.

The case began in Almendralejo, Spain, when parents discovered photoshopped nude images of their daughters circulating on the social messaging app WhatsApp. Deeply disturbed by the incident, they reported the matter to the police, who launched an investigation. It was revealed that the perpetrators were a group of teenagers aged 13 to 15.

Following the investigation, the Badajoz court in Spain sentenced each teenager on 20 counts: one for creating child abuse imagery and another for violating the moral integrity of their victims. The court’s verdict included a one-year probationary period for each defendant, along with mandatory participation in gender and equality awareness programs. Additionally, they will be required to take courses on responsible technology use.

This case highlights the disturbing potential for deepfakes to be used to create and spread harmful content, particularly among young people. It also emphasizes the importance of education on responsible technology use and digital literacy, especially for teenagers navigating the online world. The court’s decision, requiring the teenagers to undergo specific awareness programs, reflects a growing focus on addressing the misuse of technology and its impact on others.

It’s important to note that Spanish law protects minors under 14 from criminal prosecution. However, their cases are often transferred to child protection departments, which can mandate participation in rehabilitation programs.

(Via)

Noise 4 wireless headphones launched in India with 40mm drivers, 70 hours battery life & INR 2,499 price tag

Noise, a top brand in India for electronic lifestyle products, has launched its new wireless headphones, the Noise 4 in India.

Noise 4 wireless headphones

Noise 4 wireless headphones specs:

The Noise 4 headphones are made for comfort with a foldable design that’s easy to carry around. They come in two colors: Carbon Black and Calm Beige, making them stylish as well as functional.

Noise 4 wireless headphones

These headphones have 40mm drivers for strong, clear sound with deep bass. They can play music for up to 70 hours on a single charge, making them great for long trips or busy days.

The Noise 4 includes AI-enhanced environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) to make calls clear, even in noisy places. The Instacharge feature gives you up to 300 minutes of playtime with just 10 minutes of charging.

Noise 4 wireless headphones

With Dual-Device Pairing, you can easily switch between your phone, tablet, or laptop. The Bluetooth 5.4 technology provides stable connectivity, a longer range, and low latency. These headphones are also water-resistant with an IPX5 rating, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities.

Pricing & availability

The Noise 4 Wireless Headphones will be available for INR 2,499 starting today on gonoise.com, Amazon, and Flipkart. If you buy them from the company’s website, you can get an extra INR 200 off.

In related news, the brand recently also launched the Triumph smartwatch featuring swappable dials with a simple snap mechanism. It has a 24/7 heart-rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, breathing practice, and hydration and sedentary reminders. It supports multiple sports modes.

For connectivity, it offers hands-free Bluetooth calling via a built-in speaker and microphone within a 10-meter range. Additional features include weather updates, alarms, music control, and a calculator. The battery lasts up to 7 days on a single charge.

ROMOSS Dual-line fast charging power bank with a 10000mAh capacity launched starting at 71 yuan ($10)

ROMOSS has unveiled its latest power bank in the Chinese market. The ROMOSS dual-line fast-charging mobile power bank has a capacity of 10000mAh. It can rapidly replenish the juice of mobile phones, earphones, and other accessories. The power bank comes with an affordable price tag atop discounts relating to the product launch.

Romoss Power bank

The ROMOSS dual-line power bank features Type-C and Lightning dual cables and supports 22.5W charging. It has dimensions of 110.1 x 64.6 x 26.3 mm, slightly larger than a pack of playing cards. It weighs 236g and the C line is made of durable materials that support hand carrying. The power bank is well suited for both outdoor and indoor use. The Type-C cable of the power bank supports a maximum of 22.5W while the maximum input is 18W. The Lightning cable has a maximum output of 20W.

The ROMOSS dual-line fast charging power bank, apart from its dual line, has USB-C and USB-A ports. The USB-C port of the device has a maximum output of 20W and a maximum input of 18W. The USB-A port has a maximum output of 22.5W. When the four ports are simultaneously in use, the total maximum output from the power bank is 15W.

Pricing & Availability

The original price of the ROMOSS dual-line power bank is 89 yuan ($12) but ROMOSS offers a discount of up to 18 yuan ($2.5). Thus, customers can get the power bank for 71 yuan ($10). Customers can also get a further 5 yuan red packet when ordering. Therefore customers only need 66 yuan ($9) to get the power bank. It can also be used as a gift item due to its versatility and affordable price tag. The ROMOSS dual-line fast charging power bank is available from retail platforms like JD.com. Three color variants are on offer currently for the power bank.

Suunto launches three new special-edition smartwatch models and a wristband

Three new smartwatches have been added to the Suunto lineup, as well as a new wristband. The new models come with an extensive collection of features and functionality. The smartwatches are limited-edition and were released to commemorate the UTMB World Series. They are the Suunto Vertical, Suunto Race, and Suunto Race S special edition models.

Three new smartwatches have been added to the Suunto lineup, as well as a new wristband. The new models come with an extensive collection of features and functionality. The smartwatches are limited-edition and were released to commemorate the UTMB World Series. They are the Suunto Vertical, Suunto Race, and Suunto Race S special edition models.

The Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) is a grueling and challenging ultramarathon. It has a distance of about 170 kilometers and thousands of meters of altitude. The extreme altitude conditions of the mountain marathon make it a challenging route. The trail requires strong navigational tools and the Suunto Vertical, Race, and Race S special edition models provide such platforms.

 Suunto Vertical

Training sessions can be accurately recorded when using the smartwatch models. They also offer extensive evaluation of training progress and performance improvements. They support the use of maps and navigation even when mobile networks are not available. There are several smart functions on the smartwatches for controlling music playback and sleep analysis, amongst others. The new limited-edition Suunto smartwatches come with an extensive suite of exercise and health monitoring features.

 Suunto Race S

Pricing & Availability

The Suunto Vertical Special Edition is priced at $449, the corresponding Suunto Race S model is priced at $349, while the Suunto Vertical retails at $629. The limited-edition models are priced higher than the standard Suunto smartwatches. Suunto is also offering a themed silicone wristband for $49. The wristband is a special-edition offering as well but it remains to be seen how its price will impact its demand. More details about the new Suunto smartwatches and themed wristband can be obtained from the brand’s official website.

Patent images show Huawei is working on five different designs for flip phone

Huawei has been a steady player in the foldable phone market, recently launching the Pocket 2, the first clamshell design with a quad-camera array on the exterior. Now, patents filed with China’s CNIPA offer a glimpse into what future Huawei flip phones might hold.

While patents don’t guarantee their use in final products, they can provide clues about a company’s design direction. These patents, unearthed by 91mobiles, show five variations Huawei might be exploring for their future clamshell foldable design. The core folding mechanism remains consistent across all the models, with the variations primarily focusing on camera placement.

Huawei’s current Pocket 2 features a vertically stacked design with a quad-camera module and a separate circular cutout for the cover display. The new patents show what could be the future alternatives for it:

One design proposes two circular rings on the phone’s exterior like the Huawei Pocket 2 but they are placed horizontally. Another patent shows the same format but this one has a strip around the upper section of the rear side.

The third is an interesting one that shows a clamshell phone with two cutouts of different sizes positioned diagonally. The larger one presumably houses the cover display and the smaller ring might be for the cameras. 

Huawei also appears to be experimenting with square camera modules in place of circular ones. As you can see in the patent below, the flip phone features two square frames on the rear (arranged horizontally) instead of in a circular configuration.

Another design shows the square frames arranged diagonally in a larger and smaller layout, similar to the circular design.

These patents suggest Huawei is considering a shift away from the dual-ring design of the Pocket 2. Whether these layouts translate into real-world devices remains to be seen, but they offer an interesting look at the company’s foldable phone development.

OnePlus Nord 4 will get 4 years of OS updates & 6 years of software support

OnePlus is gearing up to launch the Nord 4 smartphone in the global market on July 16th. The device will come with some impressive specifications as well as a fully metallic body. That said, the brand has now revealed details about its software support.

OnePlus Nord 4

As per the recent announcement made by OnePlus, the Nord 4 will come with 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of software support. Recent flagship smartphones have been receiving similar software update policies, but as we know, the OnePlus Nord 4 is not a flagship smartphone, so this software policy makes it quite unique in the mid-range. This is also the longest support package OnePlus has ever offered on a smartphone.

OnePlus Nord 4 specs:

The upcoming device is anticipated to feature a 6.74-inch 1.5K OLED Tianma U8+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2150 nits, matching the screen size of the Nord 3.

OnePlus Nord 4

It will likely be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC with an Adreno GPU, replacing the Dimensity 9000 SoC found in the Nord 3. The chipset is expected to be paired with at least 8GB of RAM, with storage options possibly including 128GB and 256GB.

The phone is rumored to include a large 5,500mAh battery with support for 100W fast charging, an upgrade from the 5,000mAh battery and 80W charging of the Nord 3.

In terms of the camera, the OnePlus Nord 4 might feature a dual-lens rear setup with a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens. This would be a slight downgrade from the Nord 3’s triple camera system, which includes a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 2MP sensor.

(Source)

Huawei, Honor, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo phones get free satellite service for one year

China Telecom has launched a new program offering a one-year free trial of its satellite service to users of specific smartphone models. The program targets users of Huawei, Honor, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo phones.

According to user reports (via Huawei Central), China Telecom is notifying customers about the offer via SMS. The message reads “Experience satellite calls, free for a whole year!” 

HUAWEI-Pura-70-Ultra-Retractable-Camera-1

The free plan provides users with 2 minutes of complimentary satellite talk time each month. Standard satellite calls on China Telecom normally cost 9 yuan per month.

Users can subscribe to the free 12-month plan by replying to the SMS with a specific code. This will initiate a process to collect user information and activate the service.

Here are the smartphones currently eligible for the free satellite service trial:

  • Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
  • Huawei Pura 70 Pro+
  • Huawei Mate 60 Pro
  • Honor Magic 6 Ultimate
  • Honor Magic 6 Pro
  • Xiaomi 14 Ultra
  • OPPO Find X7 Ultra
  • Vivo X100 Ultra

The free trial allows users to make or receive calls via satellite in situations with weak or no cellular network coverage.

While the free trial covers voice calls, it’s important to note that text messaging remains a separate service with a monthly fee of 10 yuan. Users who activate the free trial will need to manually cancel the text messaging service if they don’t intend to use it after the trial period ends.

China Telecom launched its direct smartphone-to-satellite service in September 2023. It allows users with compatible phones and a China Telecom SIM card to directly activate satellite features for SMS and voice calls, even without cellular network access.

The standard service comes with a monthly fee of 10 yuan, but users can also choose from tiered packages offering different call minutes. For 200 yuan you get 50 minutes, for 300 yuan gets 100 minutes, and for 500 yuan you can talk 200 minutes via satellite.

Arm Introduces Accuracy Super Resolution (ASR) Upscaling Tech for Smoother Mobile Gameplay

Arm has unveiled a game-changer for mobile gamers: Arm Accuracy Super Resolution (ASR). This upscaling tech, based on AMD‘s FSR2 but optimized for mobile devices, lets you enjoy smoother gameplay even on less powerful phones and tablets. Unlike FSR2, designed for PCs and high-end consoles, Arm ASR prioritizes mobile applications and runs smoothly on devices with limited processing power. To further sweeten the deal, Arm offers ASR as an open-source solution, freely available to developers for integration into their games without licensing fees.

ASR prioritizes mobile apps and runs smoothly with limited processing power

This technology arrives at a critical juncture. With the increasing processing power of Arm processors (think Apple’s M series chips bringing Arm to laptops), mobile gaming is booming, with even demanding 3A titles landing on smartphones and tablets. Arm ASR addresses this shift by being specifically optimized for mobile limitations.

Internal tests by Arm are impressive. Using a specific GPU at 2x upscaling resolution, ASR delivers a 53% frame rate increase compared to FSR2’s 36%. Additionally, tests with MediaTek‘s Dimensity 9300 chip show that 2x ASR reduces power consumption by over 20% compared to native 1080p rendering. This translates to longer gaming sessions on battery-powered devices and helps prevent overheating – a major concern for mobile gamers.

While not the first mobile super-resolution technology (Qualcomm’s offering focused on performance over image quality), Arm ASR takes a different approach. It utilizes temporal super-resolution sampling technology, working with the game engine to deliver higher image quality but with slightly higher processing demands. This approach could positively impact Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC running Windows 11 on Arm, considering their focus on enhancing the Arm gaming experience. While Microsoft’s Auto SR technology offers AI-powered performance improvement, its reliance on AI processing currently limits its use to Copilot+ PCs.

Finally, Arm ASR boasts ease of use. Its foundation in AMD’s FSR2 allows familiar developers to quickly adapt to its API and configuration options. The open-source nature also eliminates licensing fees, simplifying cross-platform game development and enabling seamless progress transfer between devices, so you can pick up your game wherever you left off.

(Via)