Apple introduced Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system integrated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). It leverages generative models and personal context to deliver intelligent features and experiences across Apple devices. Available for A17 Pro, M1, M2, M3, and M4 series chip-powered Apple devices, Apple Intelligence offers personalized AI tools to help with daily tasks like prioritizing notifications and managing emails, all while ensuring privacy through on-device data processing.
Apple Intelligence: All the key features
Apple-Intelligence
Writing tools in Apple Intelligence include options for rewriting with multiple versions, as well as proofreading and summarizing tools integrated into all apps. The Mail app benefits from Smart Reply suggestions and the ability to surface priority emails at the top of the inbox. Image creation is enhanced with the Image Playground, allowing users to create images in sketch, illustration, and animation styles. Genmoji, generative AI emoji based on profile pictures, add a fun element, while the Clean Up tool helps remove unwanted people and objects from photos. The Memories feature enables users to create video stories by typing descriptions, with song suggestions to match.
For audio and transcription, the Notes and Phone apps now allow users to record, transcribe, and summarize audio. When recording a phone call, participants will be notified, and a summary will be provided once the call ends. Siri also sees significant enhancements with a new look, improved context retention, and the ability to type questions. Siri can now understand more natural language and will gain the capability to operate apps with on-screen awareness over the next year.
Integration with OpenAI brings ChatGPT into the mix, accessible through Siri and systemwide writing tools. Apple assures users that their requests and information will not be logged, with options for ChatGPT premium features. The technical aspects of Apple Intelligence include Private Cloud Compute, which uses server-based models for complex queries without storing user data, and independent verification to ensure privacy and security promises are met.
While the ChatGPT integration is expected later in the year, it may not be available at the initial launch of iOS 18. Nonetheless, Apple Intelligence represents a significant step forward in personalized AI, offering a seamless and secure experience across Apple devices.
Ubisoft kicked off their 2024 preview conference with a bang, showcasing a thrilling 13-minute gameplay demonstration for Assassin’s Creed: Shadow. Set against the backdrop of Japan’s Warring States period, the game seems like a trip, with dual protagonists and diverse combat options.
Gamers can play as a skilled ninja and a powerful samurai
Players take on the roles of both a skilled ninja and a powerful samurai, offering a fresh approach to the series’ combat. This flexibility allows you to choose between stealthy maneuvers favored by ninjas or the direct, head-on approach of a samurai.
The gameplay retains the series’ signature blend of open-world exploration, street brawls, and strategic stealth mechanics. The video depicts how NPCs react differently to your chosen character; crowds scatter in fear of the samurai, while bowing respectfully as they pass.
Ubisoft highlighted the game’s core concept: “Two different assassins, two completely different combat modes! Choose the way to achieve your goals at will, and write a new legend in the Japanese Warring States Period!”
Assassin’s Creed: Shadow is slated for release on November 15, 2024, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC platforms. As per reports, the game’s availability on Mac and iPad thanks to information revealed at Apple’s WWDC24 conference. This wider platform reach extends the Assassin’s Creed experience to a broader audience.
Apple officially unveiled the iOS 18 update today at the WWDC24 developer conference. Alongside the announcement, they released the first developer preview version.
Previously, iPhone 14 Pro and earlier models were limited to 80% charging
One of the noteworthy features in the new update is the introduction of more charging limit options for iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro users. In addition to the existing 80% limit aimed at extending battery lifespan, users can now choose from 85%, 90%, and 95% limits through a convenient slider control.
Previously, iPhone 14 Pro and earlier models were limited to the single 80% charging limit option. It’s important to note that this expanded charging limit feature remains exclusive to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro series for now.
Apple also released the developer preview beta update (internal version number: 22A5282m) for iPhone users today. The public beta is expected to arrive next month, with the full system rollout planned for this fall.
The already strained relationship between Elon Musk and OpenAI took another blow following Apple‘s announcement at WWDC24. Apple revealed a future collaboration with OpenAI, intending to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology with Siri. This news sparked outrage from Musk, who took to platform X with a series of posts accusing Apple of “selling user data.”
The public spat between Sam Altman and Elon Musk seems to be escalating
Musk expressed his skepticism, stating, “Apple isn’t innovative enough to create its own AI, yet thinks it can guarantee user privacy through OpenAI? That’s laughable! Once your data reaches OpenAI, Apple loses control. They’re essentially selling you out.”
His criticism escalated further, threatening a potential ban: “If Apple integrates OpenAI at the operating system level,” Musk declared, “Apple devices will be prohibited within my companies. This represents a serious security breach. Visitors will be required to surrender their Apple devices at the entrance and store them in Faraday cages.” (A Faraday cage is a metal enclosure that blocks electromagnetic signals.)
This public spat highlights the ongoing tension between Musk and OpenAI. With Apple entering the equation, the battle lines for artificial intelligence development and user data security become even more complex.
Realme has expanded its color offerings for the Realme C65 5G with a new Speedy Red variant. Initially launched in April 2024 with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, this smartphone features a design similar to the previously released Feather Green model.
The Speedy Red version will be available from June 14 at noon on Flipkart and Realme’s official e-Shop. To promote this new color, Realme is offering an instant discount of up to Rs 1,000. The pricing details for the different configurations are as follows:
4GB RAM + 64GB Storage: Rs 10,490
4GB RAM + 128GB Storage: Rs 11,490
8GB RAM + 128GB Storage: Rs 12,490
Realme C65 specs:
The Realme C65 5G features a 6.67-inch LCD screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate and HD+ resolution. It includes virtual RAM expansion for enhanced performance and a MiniCapsule 2.0, which functions similarly to Apple’s Dynamic Island, showing notifications and battery status.
Camera capabilities include a 50 MP main sensor with a 2 MP secondary camera and an 8 MP front camera for selfies. The phone is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery that supports 15W charging.
Additional specifications include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, face unlock, and an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. The device is also equipped with Air Gestures and a Dynamic Button.
In related news, Realme has recently launched the Narzo N63, which is a premium-looking, yet affordable smartphone. It is powered by the UNISOC T612 processor and comes in a vegan leather back option. The starting price of the device is only Rs. 7999, however, after the launch offer window is over, it will jump up to Rs. 8499.
Huawei has introduced a new update for its Pura 70 Ultra smartphones, aimed at resolving issues related to device overheating. This patch follows earlier updates that enhanced camera functions and integrated the May 2024 security measures to protect against vulnerabilities.
Recent reports from users indicated that the Pura 70 Ultra was overheating even during regular use. In response, Huawei has quickly deployed an EMUI system patch designated as version 14.2.0.161, the same as the previous update but with a file size of 2.61MB.
Update Focus:
Overheating Fix: The update addresses specific conditions that cause the device to overheat.
System Stability: Although no new features are added in this patch, users might notice improved stability and performance post-installation.
How to Install the Update:
Navigate to Settings > System and Updates > Software Updates on your device.
Search for the latest update.
Once the update appears, tap on Download and Install.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra specs:
The Pura 70 Ultra features a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,500 nits. It has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
It runs on a Kirin 9010 chip and includes a 5,200mAh battery with 100W wired charging 80W wireless charging, and 20W reverse wireless charging.
The Pura 70 Ultra’s camera setup includes a 50MP primary camera with a retractable lens, a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom and OIS, and a 40MP ultra-wide lens with autofocus.
In related news, the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra was crowned the king of smartphone cameras by DxOMark last month and it is yet to be dethroned. The device excels in Photography, videography, zoom, Bokeh, and low-light performance.
The Blackview MP100 mini PC has been launched and it comes with an affordable price tag. The new Blackview mini PC is powered by the Ryzen 7 5700U chipset with up to 64GB of RAM and . 3TB maximum storage.
The Blackview MP100 mini PC comes with a decent amount of power. It comes in several memory/ storage configurations from 16GB/ 512GB to 32GB/ 1TB. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U has 8 cores and 16 threads and can comfortably take care of most productivity and entertainment workloads. The processor’s storage capacity can be extended up to 3TB while the memory can reach 64GB of RAM. This can be achieved using the Crucial CL22 kit which is currently retailing on Amazon for $133.65.
The MP 100 has the AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 integrated GPU but this is sub-par compared to the Radeon 780M. Recent benchmark results indicate that the MP 100 can conveniently run many games at 30fps or higher with the settings scaled down. In terms of cooling, the Blackview MP 100 mini PC has an integrated cooling system that keeps the components cool during operation with minimal noise output. The maximum noise level of the mini PC is 40dB and this threshold is approached during stress conditions.
The Blackview MP 100 mini PC has two USB-C ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2, one USB 2.0, one Ethernet, one HDMI 2.0, and one DisplayPort interface. It is compatible with Bluetooth 5.2 and WiFi 6 wireless connectivity. The mini PC comes with a VESA mount, triple display out capability, and RGB lights to illuminate the computer.
Pricing & Availability
The Blackview MP 100 is currently offered via AliExpress at a discounted price of $276.99 for the 16GB/ 512GB configuration. The top option in the range is the 32GB/ 1TB option which is priced at $341.60.
Xiaomi has announced a crowdfunding campaign for the Smart Camera C300 Dual-Camera Edition on Xiaomi Mall. The camera comes with two screens and the campaign will open on June 12.
Features
The Xiaomi Smart Camera C300 Dual-Camera Edition has a dual-lens design that allows the camera to cover and shoot two different scenes at the same time. This effectively enhances the monitoring of blind spots in the home. The dual lenses of the camera are each rated 3MP and they offer a resolution of 2304 x 1296 pixels. The camera combines a 6mm pan-tilt telephoto lens with a 2.8mm short-focus fixed lens. This arrangement takes care of a wide range of applications and combines both long and short focal lengths.
When operational, one lens is responsible for dynamic monitoring while the other takes care of static monitoring. This ensures a 360-degree horizontal viewing angle and a vertical viewing angle of 88 degrees. The two lenses of the Xiaomi Smart Camera C300 Dual-Camera Edition are equipped with twelve 940nm infrared fill lights, delivering clear video recording in any environment. The device has several AI care functions including AI detection of dual images simultaneously, support for human detection, virtual fences, and AI face recognition, among others.
The Xiaomi Smart Camera C300 Dual-Camera Edition is compatible with the Xiaomi Pengpai Intelligent Link technology. Both lenses can trigger device linkage and this offers an intelligent linkage experience for many more scenarios.
Pricing & Availability
The dual-lens camera will be available from June 12 on Xiaomi Mall and the crowdfunding price is 269 yuan ($37). However, the original price of the camera is 299 yuan ($41).
Philips has launched a new 23.8-inch monitor called the “24E1N1520” in the Chinese market. This monitor boasts a 2K 100Hz display, making it a great option for productivity tasks and casual gaming. The monitor is now available on JD.com for 699 yuan ($96). Let’s check out its key specs.
Philips 24E1N1520 Monitor Specifications:
The Philips 24E1N1520 features a 23.8-inch IPS LCD panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution and 8-bit color depth. The IPS panel offers wide viewing angles (178 degrees) and accurate color reproduction, making it well-suited for office work, design, and multimedia consumption. The monitor boasts a 100Hz refresh rate ensuring smooth visuals.
The monitor also boasts a 1ms (MPRT) response time for gamers, which minimizes ghosting and blurring for a more responsive gaming experience. Additionally, the monitor supports Adaptive Sync technology, which helps to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering.
The Philips 24E1N1520 covers 94% of the sRGB color gamut and 73% NTSC, delivering vibrant and accurate colors. This makes the monitor suitable for content creation and design work. The monitor features a brightness level of 250 nits and a static contrast ratio of 1300:1, enabling deep blacks.
The monitor also features a number of eye care features, including a low blue light filter and flicker-free technology, which can help to reduce eye strain during long periods of use.
The monitor’s intelligent features extend to SmartContrast technology, which dynamically adjusts colors and backlight intensity based on the content being displayed. This adaptation enhances the overall viewing experience by boosting contrast and optimizing picture quality for different types of media.
In terms of connectivity, the Philips 24E1N1520 comes equipped with HDMI 2.0 and DP 1.4 ports. This allows you to connect the monitor to a variety of devices, including computers, laptops, and gaming consoles. The monitor also features a VESA mount hole pattern, so you can easily mount it on a wall or monitor arm.
Xiaomi has established itself as a major player in the Indian television market, offering a range of TVs under both the Xiaomi and Redmi brands. This variety meets different budgets and needs, but it can also make choosing the right TV a bit confusing.
So in this article, we’ll simplify things by breaking down the Xiaomi TV lineup in India. We’ll categorize them by series, display technology, software, and price range. Let’s dive in!
Just like their smartphones, Xiaomi offers TVs under both the Xiaomi and Redmi brands. As you might have guessed, Redmi TVs are generally positioned as a more budget-friendly option, while Xiaomi TVs cater to a wider range, including mid-tier and premium segments. That said, there is an affordable series under the Xiaomi brand called the Xiaomi Smart TV A series, which the company updates annually.
Xiaomi TV Series
Xiaomi offers several TV series under its brand name. Here’s a breakdown:
Smart TV A Series: This series focuses on affordability, featuring HD-ready and Full HD resolutions suitable for budget-conscious buyers.
Smart TV X Series: Stepping up the screen quality, the X Series offers 4K resolution with HDR capabilities, targeting those seeking a superior viewing experience.
Smart TV X Pro Series: A step above the X Series, the X Pro Series offers higher-end features, such as improved picture processing and premium build materials.
QLED / OLED TV: These are Xiaomi’s premium-end TVs packed with all the features you would expect on a flagship-grade TV.
Redmi Smart TVs
The smart TV choices available under the Redmi brand are more limited compared to Xiaomi. The current lineup centers around:
Redmi Smart TV X Series: Similar to the Xiaomi X Series, these Redmi TVs provide 4K resolution with HDR for a price-conscious option in the 4K segment.
Redmi Smart Fire TV Series: As implied by the name, this series comes pre-installed with Fire TV from Amazon as its operating system which may appeal to users familiar with the Amazon ecosystem.
2. Display Tech
The display technology used in Xiaomi TVs varies depending on the series and model.
LED (Light-Emitting Diode): LED TVs are the most common display type across Xiaomi and Redmi’s lineup. They offer decent picture quality and are available at various price points.
QLED (Quantum-dot Light-Emitting Diode): QLED is a variant of LED technology that utilizes quantum dots to enhance color accuracy and brightness. Currently, QLED TVs are not as prevalent in Xiaomi’s offerings in India.
OLED TV: Sitting at the pinnacle of Xiaomi’s display technology offerings, OLED panels boast exceptional contrast ratios, perfect blacks, and wide viewing angles. This premium technology is ideal for discerning viewers seeking the most immersive and true-to-life picture quality.
Resolution: Xiaomi TVs (including RedmI) offer a range of resolutions from HD Ready (720p) to Ultra HD (4K). Higher resolutions provide sharper visuals, which are ideal for larger screens and viewing content with intricate details.
3. Software
As of now, Xiaomi has two different software platforms for their TVs:
Patchwall: This is Xiaomi’s proprietary smart TV interface built on top of Android, available on most Xiaomi and Redmi TVs. Patchwall focuses on content discovery with personalized recommendations and a curated content library. It can also seamlessly integrate with other Xiaomi smart home devices for a unified ecosystem experience.
Fire TV: The brand recently introduced a few Redmi Smart TVs that run on Fire TV OS. They are easy to identify as they carry the ‘Fire TV’ tag in their name, such as ‘Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K’. They offer native access to the Amazon content library and can seamlessly integrate with other Amazon devices.
4. Price
Xiaomi’s TV lineup caters to a wide range of budgets. The A series caters to the affordable segment, with prices starting around Rs 12,499 for a 32-inch HD Ready model. Likewise, Redmi’s Smart Fire TV 4K 43-inch model costs Rs 24,999.
Prices increase steadily with larger screen type and size, higher resolution, and software experience, and can even exceed the 1 lakh mark. For instance, the Mi TV QLED 75 is likely the most expensive offering by the brand in India, priced at Rs 109,999.
5. Conclusion
Xiaomi’s dominance in the Indian smart TV market is due to its diverse product lineup catering to various budgets and preferences. The A series offers a more budget-friendly entry point, while the X series caters to those who want a premium home entertainment experience.
Moreover, with different software platforms like Android-based Patchwall and Fire TV available, users have the flexibility to choose their preferred platform. Ultimately, the decision comes down to individual needs and budget constraints.
JBL recently showcased its new Live TWS 3 series at CES 2024, including the Live Beam 3 earbuds, which are set to be available soon in India and other international markets.
While the official release date has not been announced, these earbuds are already listed on Amazon and JBL’s Indian websites. On the JBL website, the device is priced at Rs. 24,999 in India. That said, we expect it to be a placeholder price as Amazon Indian has teased that these earbuds will be priced below Rs. 20,000. You can check out the specifications and features below.
JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds specs:
The Live Beam 3 comes with 10mm dynamic drivers and JBL’s signature sound. The earbuds can last up to 48 hours on a single charge without noise cancellation, and up to 40 hours with noise cancellation activated. They also offer a quick charge feature that gives 4 hours of playtime after just 15 minutes of charging.
These earbuds include a customizable SmartCase for controlling sound settings and calls, and even personalizing the case’s screensaver. Other features include Hi-res audio, adaptive noise cancellation for clearer sound in noisy environments, and six microphones for better call clarity.
The Live Beam 3 supports wireless charging and can be adjusted using the JBL Headphones app, where users can tweak the EQ, audio, and video settings. They come with the latest Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity for reliable pairing and are available in black, blue, and gray.
In related news, JBL has also recently debuted the JBL Live Buds 3 earbuds in China. Like the Live Beam 3, the Live Buds 3 also features a touchscreen LCD panel along with a 7-level Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), as well as 3D spatial audio. These earbuds have launched with a 1,299 Yuan (~$179) price tag in China. These earbuds are already available in other regions across the globe, like the EU for EUR 200.
Nokia‘s CEO Pekka Lundmark made a phone call using a new technology called “immersive audio and video.” According to the company, their new calling technology improves the quality of a call, adding a three-dimensional effect for a more realistic listening experience. The demonstration call was held with Stefan Lindström, Finland’s Ambassador of Digitalisation and New Technologies.
NOKIA/REUTERS
Nokia expects their 3D calling technology to become the new standard
Nokia expects their new 3D calling method to become a standard soon. So they encouraged network providers, chipset manufacturers, and handset manufacturers to work on the latest technology and implement the ‘immersive’ calling capability into their products.
The goal of this new development is similar to Google’s Project Starline. However, Nokia’s immersive calling technology has fewer requirements than Google’s.
The CEO effectively demonstrated the future of voice calling. Reportedly, he was also present during the demonstration of the 2G calling.
Both the underlying technology in calling and the end result have stayed largely the same for quite some time. Calling used heavy compression to reduce the file size, which was necessary for the transmission when the technology was first developed. Although high-quality audio with multiple channels can be transmitted with the current infrastructure, we still use the monophonic system. That’s why Nokia’s 3D audio-based immersive calling is a notable addition to the calling technology.
Nokia’s latest contribution will not only let you hear the speaker on the other end. but also let you visualize the environment on the other end. “It is the biggest leap forward in the live voice calling experience since the introduction of monophonic telephony audio used in smartphones and PCs today,” said Jenni Lukander, Nokia’s president.
One of the advantages of this new calling method is that it does not require special audio devices to experience the 3D effect. Creating the immersive effect reportedly only requires a stereo microphone setup, which nearly all recent smartphones already have.
If you’re still thinking about the transmission, the call was demonstrated with a regular 5G enabled smartphone. In the image above you will see CEO Pekka Lundmark holding a Pixel device. Reportedly, besides a person-to-person call, the new immersive experience can also be implemented for conference calls.
Nokia expects to license the new technology and make it available to the public within a few years.
OnePlus is hosting the OnePlus Community Sale on Amazon India with massive discounts on OnePlus smartphones and other accessories. Interested folks can save most on the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Series, OnePlus Bullet Wireless Series, OnePlus Buds 3, and OnePlus Buds Pro 2 earbuds. Users can also upgrade to the latest OnePlus smartphones at a good price.
OnePlus One Community Sale in India: Details
Along with inclusive discounts, there’s an additional instant discount of up to Rs 5,000 applicable to smartphones and audio products if you purchase with ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, OneCard, and BOBCard.
There’s an additional discount on each smartphone and audio product, and it is inclusive of the price the product is retailing.
OnePlus Bullet Wireless Series
Good discounts are going on for the OnePlus Bullet Wireless series of earphones. Specifically, the OnePlus Bullets Z2 Wireless Earphones are now available for Rs. 1249, the price is inclusive of the Bank cashback and other discounts. However, the list price on the website is Rs 1394 for OnePllus Bullets Z2 Bluetooth. OnePlus 11R 5G
The popular OnePlus Nord Buds 2r is also available for a discounted price of Rs 1549. However, it currently retails for Rs 17,99, exclusive of bank discounts and cashback.
The famous earbuds from OnePlus are now retailing for the price of Rs 4499, given Rs 500 bank discount on the present retail price. It offers Adaptive Noise Cancellation support, the ability for simultaneous connections, and a battery life of up to 44 hours.
On June 12, Xiaomi will launch the Xiaomi 14 Civi smartphone in India, a highly anticipated rebrand of the Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro that debuted in China back in March. If you’re interested in watching the event live, here’s how you can do so.
As stated earlier, the launch is scheduled for June 12 at precisely 12 Noon. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube, and you can find the link herelink here.
Earlier, the Xiaomi 14 Civi’s features were also revealed on Flipkart, confirming that it exactly the same as the Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro (full review). The device is features a slim 7.4mm metal body with a premium vegan leather finish on the back, and a ‘floating quad-curve’ display with 1.5K resolution on the front. The device also has a 120Hz refresh rate, support for over 68 billion colors, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. As for audio, it features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos tuning.
Under the hood, it is confirmed to house a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip, with Android 14-based HyperOS running the software side. The device will draw power from a 4,700mAh battery, paired with 67W fast charging.
For optics, the device is confirmed to feature dual front cameras with a 32 MP primary sensor and a 32-megapixel ultra-wide lens. As for the rear, we expect the device to debut with a 50 MP OmniVision OV50E primary camera with OIS, accompanied by a 12 MP ultra-wide lens and a 50 MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom.
Unfortunately, the pricing of the device is not yet available. That said, many tipsters have claimed that it will debut in the 45K-50K INR. At this price range, the device will be going up against the likes of the OnePlus 12R.
Huawei recently unveiled a new magnetic power bank called the “Huawei SuperCharge All-in-One Magnetic Power Bank” in the Chinese market. The power bank is now officially up for sale on JD.com. It is priced at 369 yuan (approximately $52).
Huawei SuperCharge All-in-One Magnetic Power Bank Specifications:
The powerbank boasts a slim and portable design, measuring just over 11 millimeters thick and weighing a mere 141 grams. Despite its compact size, it packs a 5000mAh battery capacity, offering enough power to top up your phone.
The power bank caters to both wired and wireless charging needs. It supports bi-directional 25W wired charging, allowing you to quickly charge the power bank itself or power the other devices.
For wireless charging, it delivers 15W when powered by the internal battery. However, if you connect the power bank to an adapter, the wireless charging capability jumps to a more impressive 30W.
The magnetic power bank boasts compatibility with various fast charging protocols like SCP, UFCS, and PD, ensuring seamless charging with a wide range of devices, not just Huawei phones. However, the magnetic aspect adds a layer of convenience specifically for Huawei users.
Here’s where things get interesting. The magnetic feature comes into play when paired with Huawei phones that support wireless charging and utilize an official magnetic adsorption case (sold separately).
This allows for a cable-free charging experience by simply attaching the phone to the power bank. The magnetic functionality is currently compatible with select Huawei phone models, including the Pura 70 series (Pura 70, Pura 70 Pro, Pura 70 Pro+, Pura 70 Ultra) and the Mate 60 series (Mate 60, Mate 60 Pro, Mate 60 Pro+).
The power bank comes with a built-in foldable stand, allowing you to prop up your phone for hands-free video watching or working while it charges. Huawei claims that in base charging mode, the power bank can fully charge both itself and a phone overnight. The package includes a 25cm USB-C to USB-C cable for wired charging convenience.
JBL launched the LIVE FLEX 3 TWS last week in China for 1,399 yuan ($212) with 12mm dynamic drivers and a built-in touch screen. The company has now launched another TWS earphone with a similar touch screen called the LIVE BUDS 3. You can learn more about the LIVE FLEX 3 here. Let’s check out the latter one here.
The LIVE BUDS 3 will go on sale at 0:00 tomorrow in China with an initial price tag of 1,299 Yuan (~$179).
JBL LIVE BUDS 3 specs and features:
Audio and ANC
This pair of TWS earphones offer 10mm composite diaphragm driver units with neodymium magnets that present a concert-like sense of presence with crisp and clear audio. This product also offers 3D spatial audio.
The earbuds equip an in-ear detection feature that can take certain steps on its own such as pausing the audio as you remove the earbuds or automatically receiving a phone call when you are wearing them. It adds convenience and can also save some battery power. You can also customize the sound output using the equalizer to adjust the base to your preference. It is designed to offer a balanced sound output.
This earphone has an Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature and it can switch between 7 levels of noise cancellation based on the environment. You can also control it yourself via the JBL Headphones app.
The microphone matrix inside and outside the headset is also equipped with a digital noise reduction software engine, which helps the earbuds generate reverse sound waves with high precision to achieve noise reduction and noise cancellation. The earplugs are also reportedly soundproof, which means they are designed to prevent environmental noise from getting inside your ear canal.
Battery life and charging
The LIVE BUDS 3 offers 10 hours of battery life on a single session and 30 hours of battery life with the charging case. It also supports fast charging and offers 4 hours of playback with 10 minutes of charging. Notably the battery life the company has mentioned is likely tested with ANC turned off and turning it on will consume additional power and result in a relatively lower battery backup.
Something special
As you can see from the image, there is a 1.5″ LCD color screen that supports one-finger touch control. You can also change the wallpaper on the screen.
Sometimes it can be more convenient to utilize the case rather than the touch controls on the earbuds. This is where the screen on the case comes handy. It lets the user switch between noise reduction, spatial audio, sound effect modes, and sleep aid mode from the charging case.
Philips has introduced a new 27-inch designer monitor, the 27E2F7900, targeting creative professionals with a feature-rich set of specifications. The monitor boasts a 3840 x 2160 resolution LGD Nano IPS panel with a 60Hz refresh rate, delivering sharp visuals and smooth performance for design and editing workflows.
The monitor places a priority on image quality, covering 110% of the Adobe RGB Color Gamut
The 27E2F7900 prioritizes image quality with a peak brightness of 400 nits, a 1300:1 static contrast ratio, and a fast 4ms response time. It also boasts impressive color reproduction, covering 110% of the Adobe RGB color gamut, 100% of the sRGB color gamut, and 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, ensuring accurate color representation for creative tasks.
The monitor stand offers a high degree of ergonomic flexibility with options for lifting, tilting, rotating, and adjusting the monitor to a horizontal or vertical orientation for comfortable use in different scenarios. VESA mount compatibility (100 x 100mm) provides additional placement options.
For connectivity, the 27E2F7900 comes equipped with 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, 1 DP 1.4 port, and a versatile USB-C port that supports 90W Power Delivery (PD) for charging compatible laptops or devices while transferring data. Additionally, it includes a USB-B port and four USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 interface for connecting peripherals. The Philips 27E2F7900 is currently available for purchase on JD.com in China for 2,499 yuan (approximately $378 USD).
Synology has unveiled two new home surveillance cameras, the FC600 and BC800Z, offering users additional options for securing their properties. Both cameras are designed to work seamlessly with Synology’s NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices, allowing users to store surveillance footage locally for added security and privacy.
While the FC600 has a fisheye lens, the BC800Z has a zoom function and 8MP sensor
The FC600 camera boasts a fisheye lens and a 6MP sensor, capturing a comprehensive 360-degree panoramic view of your surroundings. This makes it ideal for monitoring large indoor areas, like living rooms or hallways. The camera also features infrared low-light shooting for clear visuals even in dimly lit conditions. An interesting addition is the built-in call function, but specific details on its functionality haven’t been revealed yet.
The BC800Z takes a different approach, equipped with a zoom function and an 8MP sensor for capturing high-resolution, 4K video footage. This camera is well-suited for outdoor surveillance, offering sharp visuals for identifying details. It also boasts impressive weather resistance with IP67 and IP66 ratings, making it waterproof, dustproof, and capable of withstanding harsh environments ranging from -30°C to 60°C. Additionally, it meets the IK10 certification for impact resistance, ensuring durability against physical impact.
While both cameras offer promising features for home security, specific details regarding their launch date and pricing remain unknown. For those interested in a local storage solution with NAS compatibility, these Synology cameras are worth keeping an eye on for future announcements.
The rumor mill continues to churn in the favor of Samsung‘s upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event in July, with the Galaxy Watch 7 series receiving Bluetooth SIG and now BIS certification in India according to 91mobiles. Thanks to this certification process, there are chances of an imminent debut for the new smartwatches.
The Galaxy Watch 7 will come in 40mm and 44mm sizes
The filing reveals four models for the Galaxy Watch 7 series: SM-L300, SM-L305F, SM-L310, and SM-L315F. Additionally, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is listed with the model number SM-L705F, while the Watch FE appears under SM-R861. This wider range of models indicates Samsung’s strategy to cater to different price segments: entry-level, mid-range, and high-end, with the Watch FE likely targeting budget-conscious consumers and the Ultra competing against the Apple Watch Ultra.
Leaks have shed light on some key specifications for the Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra. The Galaxy Watch 7 will come in 40mm and 44mm sizes, with green and cream color options. It will boast a sapphire crystal display with a peak brightness of 2000 nits and maintain a durable build with IP68 and 5ATM water and dust resistance. Battery capacities are also revealed, with the 40mm model sporting a 300mAh battery and the 44mm model packing a 425mAh battery. An exciting upgrade comes in the form of a new 3nm process chip, offering a smaller size, improved performance, and better power efficiency. Storage space is also set to double to 32GB.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra takes things a step further with a more rugged design. It will sport a 47mm titanium case available in three colors: titanium grey, titanium silver, and titanium beige. Upping the durability factor, the Ultra boasts a 10ATM water resistance rating alongside the usual IP68 dustproofing. It will also pack a larger 590mAh battery and benefit from the same 3nm chip and 32GB of storage as the Watch 7. However, it appears the Ultra will only be available in a cellular version.
With BIS certification now secured, the wait for Samsung’s official unveiling of the Galaxy Watch 7 series and the Galaxy Watch Ultra shouldn’t be much longer.
Qualcomm announced the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 smartphone chipset in November 2021. A month later MediaTek released the Dimensity 9000, featuring the same cores and core cluster.
With these chipsets, the chip giants aim to capture the premium smartphone segment. Although the two chips use the same cores and core cluster, they have many differences. In this post, we’ll compare the Dimensity 9000 chip against the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 to see how they compare.
Dimensity 9000
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Launch year
2021
2021
Model number
MT6983
SM8450
Process node
4nm TSMC
4nm Samsnung
CPU
1 x Cortex-X2 @ 3.05 GHz 3 x Cortex-A710 @ 2.85 GHz 4 x Cortex-A510 @ 1.80 GHz
1 x Cortex-X2 @ 3.0 GHz 3 x Cortex-A710 @ 2.5 GHz 4 x Cortex-A510 @ 1.8 GHz
GPU
Mali-G710 MC10
Adreno 730
NPU
MediaTek APU 590
Hexagon NPU
Memory
LPDDR5X 3750 MHz
LPDDR5 3200 MHz
Storage
UFS 3.1
UFS 3.1
Camera
Imagiq 790 18-bit HDR ISP Up to 320MP camera support
Spectra 18-bit ISP Up to 200MP camera sensor support
Video recording
4K videos @ 30 fps
8K videos @ 30 fps 4K slow-mo @ 120 fps
Display
FHD+ @ 180Hz, WQHD+ @ 144Hz
4K Ultra HD @ 60Hz, QHD+ @ 144Hz
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3
Snapdragon X60 5G modem Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3
Benchmarks
[Geekbench 6]
Dimensity 9000
Single core: 1,440
Multi core: 3,775
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Single core: 1,595
Multi core: 3,868
[AnTuTu V10]
Dimensity 9000
CPU: 282060
GPU: 263553
Memory: 163826
UX: 215730
Total: 925169
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
CPU: 299031
GPU: 419757
Memory: 198841
UX: 239181
Total: 1156810
CPU Performance
The Dimensity 9000 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 have the same (1+3+4) core cluster. The cores are unchanged, but they have slightly different clock speeds.
The Cortex-X2 prime core in the Dimensity 9000 runs at a slightly higher clocked speed of 3.05 GHz (vs. 3.0 GHz in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1). Also, the Cortex-A710 performance cores are slightly overclocked in the Dimensity chip.
The Dimensity 9000 is ahead of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the CPU spec sheet, but benchmarking platforms tell a different story. For example, the Geekbench 6 tests show that the Snapdragon chip has higher single and multi-core scores than the Dimensity chip, although the difference is not much.
Geekbench results for the two chips are nearly similar, but the AnTuTu benchmark shows a significant difference. The Xiaomi 12 Pro (powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1) scores 25% more points than the OnePlus Nord 3 5G (powered by Dimensity 9000) on the AnuTuTu (V10) benchmark.
So, the bottom line is that the Dimensity 9000 CPU specs look good on paper, but benchmarks favour the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
GPU Performance
The Dimensity 9000 chip’s graphics power comes from ARM Mali-G710 MC10, a 10-core MediaTek GPU, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip has Adreno 730 for handling graphics tasks.
Both GPUs can handle high-end games while offering great smoothness. They achieve similar performance and benchmarking scores.
The Adreno 730 in Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 retains a higher frame rate for a slightly longer duration than the Mali-G710 MC10 and offers a slightly higher frame rate in several games. However, that’s not true for all games. In games such as PUBG Mobile, the Mali-G710 MC10 performs better than the Adreno 730.
Memory Support
The Dimensity 9000 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chips use UFS 3.1 fast storage. However, they are different in terms of RAM technology. The former uses LPDDR5X RAM, which is nearly 20% more power-efficient than LPDDR5 RAM in the Snapdragon chip.
Camera Support
The Dimensity 9000 chip uses the Imagiq 790 18-bit HDR ISP, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 features the Spectra 18-bit ISP. Both chips support recording videos from three cameras simultaneously.
Dimensity 9000 is the world’s first smartphone chip with simultaneous triple camera 18-bit HDR video recording (three cameras recording with three exposures per frame). It’s also the first smartphone chip to support a 320MP camera sensor, which is limited up to 200MP in the Snapdragon chip.
Despite its high camera resolution, the Dimensity 9000 lacks 8K video recording, which is supported by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The Snapdragon chip can take up to 4K slow-mo videos at 120 fps.
Display Support
The Snapdragon is clearly ahead of the Dimensity chip in terms of display resolution. The former supports up to 4K Ultra HD display at 60Hz, while the latter only supports up to WQHD+ resolution at 144Hz.
Connectivity Features
The Dimensity 9000 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chips support necessary connectivity features such as 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 4.3, NFC, and location features — GPS, QZSS, Beidou, Galileo, GLONASS, and NavIC. However, they do offer different peak download and upload speeds.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip has a Snapdragon X65 5G modem, offering up to 10Gbps peak download speed, while the R16 5G modem in Dimensity 9000 has a peak download speed of 7Gbps. The peak upload speed is also higher in the Snapdragon chip, which is 3.6Gbbs (vs. 2.5Gbps in Dimensity 9000).
Dimensity 9000 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 1: Which is Better?
Both Dimensity 9000 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 are powerful smartphone chipsets. The CPU performance of the two chipsets is similar, but the Snapdragon chip performs a little better on the benchmarks. They also have similar GPU performance and can handle high-end games while offering stable frame rates.
One of the major differences between the two chips is their ability to record videos. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can take 8K videos, the Dimensity can only support up to 4K video recording. Also, the Snapdragon chip supports higher display resolution. But, the Dimensity chip leaves the Snapdragon chip way behind by offering up to 320MP camera support (vs. 200MP in Snapdragon 8 Gen 1).
Last but not least, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is more power efficient than the Dimensity 9000 chip. Now, make a list of your priorities and choose the one that fits your needs.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
