Realme 12+ 5G has been unveiled in Malaysia and Indonesia ahead of its arrival in India. The handset comes with an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity chipset, a full-HD+ OLED screen, and a triple rear camera unit. The model is available in two colour options and ships with an Android 14-based UI. The phone is confirmed to launch in India on March 6 alongside the Realme 12 5G. These models are set to join the other Realme 12 series handsets that were introduced earlier this year - the Realme 12 Pro 5G and the Realme 12 Pro+ 5G.
Realme 12+ 5G price
Offered in Navigator Beige and Pioneer Green colour options, the Realme 12+ 5G is priced in Indonesia at IDR 41,99,000 (roughly Rs. 22,200) for the 8GB + 256GB configuration. In Malaysia, the handset is listed at MYR 1,499 (roughly Rs. 26,200) for the 12GB + 256GB variant.
Realme 12+ 5G specifications
The Realme 12+ 5G features a 6.67-inch full-HD+ (2,400 x 1,080 pixels) OLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate, up to 240Hz touch sampling rate, and 2,000 nits peak brightness level. It also gets Rainwater Smart Touch support that is said to help users use the phone in the rain as well as with wet or damp hands.
Realme's new phone powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC paired with an ARM Mali-G68 MC4 GPU, up to 12GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. The RAM is virtually expandable to up to an additional 12GB. The phone runs Android 14-based Realme UI 5.0 out-of-the-box.
For optics, the triple rear camera system of the Realme 12+ 5G carries a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 primary sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS) support, alongside an 8-megapixel sensor paired with an ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter. The front camera, on the other hand, carries a 16-megapixel AI-backed sensor.
Realme also packs a 5,000mAh battery into the Realme 12+ 5G with support for 67W SuperVOOC charging. For security, the phone is equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor. It also supports 5G, GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and USB Type-C connectivity. The handset weighs about 190g and measures 162.95mm x 75.45mm x 7.87mm in size.
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 alongside the Galaxy Tab S9 series and Galaxy Watch 6 series at its first Galaxy Unpacked event in South Korea. We discuss the company's new devices and more on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
The newly launched OnePlus Buds 3 appears as a brand-new product line since OnePlus never launched a Buds 2 truly wireless earphones. Technically, these are closer to the Nord Buds Z2 both in terms of features and in terms of price, so you can say that these buds are the spiritual successors to the Buds Z2. However, their pricing places them just below the premium OnePlus Buds Pro 2 in the OnePlus audio range. OnePlus, with its new Buds 3 truly wireless earphones, claims to deliver premium features at a lower price point. I've been using them for a couple of weeks, and here's why I think they are an excellent choice at Rs. 5,499 in India.
OnePlus Buds 3 Review: Design and Features
The design of the OnePlus Buds 3 case appears identical to the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. Pick it up, and you will notice that it's a bit chunky compared to the latter, and that's down to the bigger case battery. The case has a plastic finish and does not feel as premium as the Buds Pro 2's case, but this is fine as it also retails for half its price. Its thicker overall dimensions also make it easier to open the case when accessing the earphones, letting me confidently open and close it with one hand.
The OnePlus Buds 3 has a very comfortable fit with a grippy semi-chrome finish
The earbuds are available in two finishes, Splendid Blue and Metallic Gray. I received the Splendid Blue earbuds for review, and they have a nice chrome finish around the stalks with the blue plastic casing exposed closer to the silicon tips. These chromed stems, which are thicker than those of the Buds Pro 2, also lend it some grip (even though they do get smudgy), so they don't slip out of my hands when removing or placing them into the charging case. Just like the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, the earbuds have a very comfortable fit, and I had no trouble wearing them for hours on end without any discomfort.
The charging case weighs 40.8 grams, while each earbud weighs 4.8 grams, which isn't heavy. In fact, these are lighter than the combined weight of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 (over 50 grams). Just like the OnePlus Buds Z2, the Buds 3 offer an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance. This means that the buds can withstand splashes of water or sweaty workouts as well. The sales package includes two extra sets of silicon ear tips and a short USB-C charging cable.
The OnePlus Buds 3's charging case (right) is thicker but has a bigger battery compared to the Buds Pro 2's case (left)
OnePlus Buds 3 Review: App and specifications
When connected to a OnePlus smartphone, all the settings and customisations can be accessed under the Bluetooth Settings of the phone under Settings> Bluetooth> OnePlus Buds 3> i> Earbuds functions. One can adjust the active noise cancellation's effectiveness, tweak the equaliser, toggle 3D audio, and, more importantly, adjust the earbud controls from here. One can also find their earbuds and control the camera when connected to a OnePlus smartphone (not available on non-OnePlus devices).
For non-OnePlus smartphones and iPhone users, there's the HeyMelody app. It's available for both Android and iOS devices and offers plenty of control and customisation. You get Noise Control (ANC), adjustable EQ, Golden Sound, and even OnePlus 3D Audio. One can even toggle dual connections and even check out the connected devices on an iPhone. There's even a game mode toggle for those who prefer lower latency, and one can even upgrade the firmware using an iPhone, which is quite impressive. Earbud controls are available under a separate section altogether.
The touch controls that come with the OnePlus Buds 3 are brand-new. These work very well and provide accurate feedback when sliding a finger up or down the stem of the earbuds. While touch controls have been present on OnePlus earbuds for a while, the new slide gesture lets one either change a track or adjust the volume.
The HeyMelody app works well on iOS and non-OnePlus devices, offering enough features and customisations
What's more, is that the slide gesture can be customised for each earbud, so one can be used for switching tracks while the other can be used for adjusting volume. This feature or gesture alone seems justifiable for many to upgrade to this pair of truly wireless earphones because even the top-end Buds Pro 2 do not let you adjust volume controls via the earphones.
As for specifications, each earbud gets a 10.4mm woofer and a 6mm tweeter (dual drivers) that offer a sensitivity of 110db and a frequency response range of 15Hz to 40,000Hz. There are 3 mics on each earbud that are also used for noise cancellation apart from calls. Each earbud has a 58mAH Li-ion battery, while the case offers a large 520mAh unit. The earphones use Bluetooth 5.3 and support AAC, SBS and even the LHDC 5.0 codec.
OnePlus Buds 3 Review: Performance and battery life
As expected from an audio product at this price point, the audio caters mainly to the bass-heavy crowd. However, this isn't the usual muddy bass but a rather clear and defined type, which is very enjoyable when listening to dance music or even when watching movies as it adds that extra bit of thump without going overboard. But all of this happens at the default Balanced EQ setting, which literally does what it claims to, reserving the more bass-heavy sound for the 'Bass' setting. The mids as usual, still take a bit of beating here, but most users won't notice it much. For those who do, the 'Serenade' preset seems to take care of this to an extent.
There's also a BassWave feature which I found to be quite unique. Activating it in settings lets one not only increase the bass level but also drop or reduce it. However, utilising the feature only seemed to make things worse (no matter where you are headed), so I preferred keeping it off.
As for the microphones, they do an excellent job of drowning out unnecessary ambient sounds, making the caller's voice sound loud and clear in various settings. At no point during the review period did I ever hear a caller complain about my voice quality, which is pretty impressive as I've heard callers complain quite frequently when using the Buds Pro 2?
While the two appear a bit similar, the OnePlus Buds 3's earbuds have thicker stalks
The active noise cancelling (ANC) tech works as expected and is able to suppress low-frequency noise well, but not so much with mid and high-frequency noise as they managed to get through. Still, it's quite capable and gets the job done, given its price point.
In terms of connectivity, the OnePlus Buds 3 did quite well. I was able to have conversations and listen to music several metres away (with solid walls with doors in between) in my apartment, and the connection did not seem to drop or struggle (provided I stuck to the lighter SBC/AAC codec). When playing games, there is a separate mode to prioritise latency over audio quality when using the HeyMelody app on iPhone or other Android devices.
As for battery life, playing music continuously using the AAC codec, at 50 percent volume, the buds easily lasted me 10 hours on a single charge with the ANC turned off. Turning ANC on dropped this figure to around 6 hours. Switching to the heavier LHDC, as expected, reduces play time even further, dropping it to around 5 hours only. Indeed, the chunky case does come with some benefits letting the earbuds 4 times on a single charge.
While LHDC audio codec is available, it's quite obvious to conclude that it's wiser to stick with AAC for better battery life and ANC usage, as the advantages of LHDC are a bit gimmicky with these earbuds. They manage a bare minimum of 400kbps while being unusable (in terms of stability and range) at the promised 1Mbps or 1,000kbps bitrate.
I wasn't able to accurately test out charging speeds, but OnePlus claims that the Buds 3 truly wireless earphones, when charged with the case for 10 minutes, can provide up to 7 hours of combined usage, which sounds good enough, so I'll take their word for it.
Verdict
At Rs. 5,499, the OnePlus Buds 3 truly wireless earphones offer a plethora of features that have trickled down from the more premium Buds Pro 2, almost making the latter redundant when it comes to certain features. Key among these are the new slide gestures with touch controls, which make for a convenient way to control the volume and music playback experience without the need to reach for your smartphone. While the addition of LHDC codec is questionable, you still get capable ANC and excellent voice quality. A well-designed companion app that offers most of the features of a OnePlus smartphone, even on a non-OnePlus device, ends up making the OnePlus Buds 3 earphones a very compelling audio package at this price point.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite launched in India with a sub-Rs.20,000 price tag. How does it perform against the competition. We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Ever since the Humane AI Pin was first announced, people have been curious whether it could replace smartphones someday. The device was also mentioned in Time's "Best Inventions of 2023", and finally, we spent some time with it in the hands-on zone of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. While we didn't use it independently, an extended demo where company representatives talked about all the features and demoed most of them gave us a sneak peek into the future of mobile devices, but at the same, it also felt that the AI Pin isn't ready to replace your smartphone just yet.
The square-shaped screen-less device has been designed by ex-Apple employees, and it is currently available for pre-order in the US for $699 (roughly Rs. 60,000). It is like a full-blown device minus a screen and is attached to the user's chest with the help of a magnet. You can interact with the device with the help of hand gestures, and the best is it has a projector that can beam display for the menu and more on your hands using the company's Laser Ink Display. The demo looked fantastic, with the Humane employee showcasing various use cases, such as asking about a particular city and weather conditions. The AI Pin can pick up gestures mid-air, which makes it great for practical use.
Another thing that we liked is the fact that it supports E-SIM, which makes it a standalone device. There are multiple ways the AI Pin comes into use, be it for checking information about something or typing texts. The Humane AI Pin can also pair with your smart speakers and play music via Tidal. During the demo, one of the Humane employees showed us various features and added that AI Pin can translate about 50 languages, which is fantastic.
The small square-shaped device can hear and respond to the user through small speakers. The company currently claims up to five hours of battery life. However, the backup can be enhanced with a battery booster accessory.
The attention to detail is very apparent like the presence of a Single RGB LED light on the device while it is attached to the chest, which lights up to show when the device is functional. If you loved playing with the laser during childhood, your love is back. The voice is the main play here as there's no touchscreen to interact with - also a central theme of the Humane AI Pin.
Apart from voice, users can also interact using the touchpad on the front side. As the name suggests, AI backs the entire package and keeps you on top of everything - from your email to text messages to reminders and more.
In about an hour that we spent looking at different demos shown by Humane employees at the MWC booth of Qualcomm and asking multiple questions related to AI Pin, there were a few observations that we believe are applicable in real-world usage. For, the display on your palm is easy to read, tilting and rolling your hand to interact with the display is easy to understand, close your fingers to make a selection is again an easy gesture to interact with; the interpreter is loud, considering we were in a large hall and there was ambient noise around. The AI Pin also has a camera that captures a photo by double-tapping the touchpad with two fingers.
Now we reach the million-dollar question: can Humane AI Pin replace smartphones? No. Imran Chaudhri, President and Chairman of Humane, stressed during a short conversation with Gadgets 360 that it is more of a companion device than one that is designed to replace your smartphone. What AI Pin can do is minimise your interaction with your smartphone because you can get so much done with the small square-shaped screenless device with just your voice.
Sam Altman-backed Humane has already revealed its intention to bring the AI Pin to India, as confirmed to Moneycontrol. This will be an interesting move because Humane, as per Chaudhari, has received an "overwhelming number of inquiries" from India. While the talks are in the initial phase, seeing how the AI Pin performs when it starts shipping in March 2024 will be interesting.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra could make its debut this year alongside the company's anticipated clamshell- and book-style foldable phones, according to a report. The South Korean technology firm could introduce standard and "Ultra" models in the Galaxy Z Fold series, with the latter offering more advanced hardware specifications and features. Like the company's Galaxy S-series of smartphones, the purported Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra is also expected to debut with a higher price tag than the regular model.
According to a WinFuture report (in German) citing sources at the ongoing Mobile World Congress, Samsung plans to launch a Galaxy Z Fold 6 and a more expensive Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra model. It is expected to debut as the company's most premium foldable phone — similar to its Galaxy S24 Ultra model in the flagship Galaxy S-series lineup.
This isn't the first time that Samsung has been tipped to launch two book-style foldable phones this year. A report in January stated that Samsung was planning to introduce two models as the successors to the Galaxy Z Fold 5, hinting at the arrival of a cheaper variant. In contrast, the WinFuture report suggests that the company plans to introduce a premium version of the foldable phone with some notable improvements over the standard model.
As per the publication, the Galaxy Z Fold Ultra model might feature a different design compared to the company's previous smartphones. This model could sport a different screen size and a more modern, thinner appearance — like the Honor Magic V2, Pixel Fold, and OnePlus Open. The premium model could also be equipped with more advanced cameras, more inbuilt storage, improved battery capacity, and S Pen support.
Earlier this week, CAD renders of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 were leaked by a tipster. The handset is claimed to sport a new design with sharper edges that are similar to the corners of Galaxy S24 Ultra. The leaked images indicate the presence of a vertically aligned triple rear camera setup, along with a selfie camera in a centrally aligned hole punch cutout on the outer screen. A notable omission in the renders was the presence of an S Pen mount or storage area, pointing to the likelihood of its availability on the purported 'Ultra' model.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Electronic Arts will reduce 5 percent of its workforce as part of a restructuring plan that also includes a reduction in real estate, the company said on Wednesday, as the video game industry struggles to grow amid high interest rates.
The company, which makes gaming titles such as Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, expects to incur about $125 million to $165 million in charges related to the move.
Sony, Microsoft and Tencent-owned Riot Games have also laid off thousands of employees in recent months due to a slow recovery in the gaming market amid high borrowing rates.
"While not every team will be impacted, this is the hardest part of these changes, and we have deeply considered every option to try and limit impacts to our teams," CEO Andrew Wilson said in a letter to employees.
Out of the charges, about $50 million to $65 million would be related to office space reductions and $40 million to $55 million to severance and other employee-related costs, the company said.
The actions associated with the plan is expected to complete substantially by December 31.
As of March 31 last year, the company had about 13,400 people, with 65 percent located internationally, according to a regulatory filing.
EA had forecast fourth-quarter bookings below estimates in January.
Last year, EA had laid off about 6 percent of its workforce and reduced office space, incurring up to $200 million in related charges.
What are the most exciting titles that gamers can look forward to in 2023? We discuss some of our favourites on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Tecno unveiled the Camon 30 Pro 5G, Camon 30 5G, and Camon 30 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 alongside the Camon 30 Premier model. The Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultra SoC, while the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 SoC powers the Tecno Camon 30 5G. All three models feature 50-megapixel triple rear cameras, backed by a 5,000mAh battery with 70W fast charging support. The regular Camon 30, on the other hand, runs on a MediaTek Helio G99 SoC.
Price and availability details of the new Camon 30 series smartphones are not available at this moment. The Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G, Camon 30 5G, and Camon 30 come in glass back and vegan leather finishes. They are expected to launch in the second quarter of this year alongside the Camon 30 Premier.
Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G specifications
The Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G features a 6.78-inch display with a 1,080 x 2,436 pixels resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. It runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultra and has a triple rear camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel 1/1.56 sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS), a 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. For selfies and video chats, there is a 50-megapixel front camera with autofocus. The handset houses a 5,000mAh battery with 70W fast charging support.
Tecno has packed stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos on the Camon 30 Pro 5G. It comes with an IR blaster as well.
Tecno Camon 30 5G specifications
Tecno Camon 30 5G sports a 6.78-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. The handset runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 7020 SoC and has a similar triple rear camera unit, led by a 50-megapixel primary sensor with 1/1.57-inch size and OIS. Tecno has packed a 50-megapixel selfie sensor with autofocus on the front. It also has features like IR remote control, a 5,000mAh battery with 70W fast charging support, and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos.
Tecno Camon 30 specifications
Finally, the Tecno Camon 30 features a 6.78-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. The 4G handset runs on a MediaTek Helio G99 SoC. It also includes a triple rear camera unit, headlined by a 50-megapixel primary sensor with OIS and a 50-megapixel front camera with autofocus. It offers NFC connectivity.
Like the 5G variant, the Tecno Camon 30 also houses Atmos-enabled stereo speakers and a 5,000mAh battery with 70W charging support.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Samsung Galaxy A55 is set to debut in global markets next month, according to a report. Ahead of its anticipated release, the detailed specifications of the handset have surfaced online. The successor to the Samsung Galaxy A54 will reportedly be equipped with an Exynos 1480 chipset along with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. It is also said to feature a triple rear camera setup that includes a 50-megapixel primary shooter with optical image stabilisation (OIS).
WinFuture reports that the Samsung Galaxy A55 will go on sale in Germany on March 11 for around EUR 449 (roughly Rs. 40,300), alongside the Samsung Galaxy A35. The smartphone will reportedly be available in four colour options — Ice Blue, Navy, Purple, and White. The South Korean smartphone maker is yet to officially announce plans to launch the handset in global markets, including India.
The list of specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A55 shared by the publication reveals that it will be powered by the company's Exynos 1480 chipset and run on Android 14-based One UI 6.1 out-of-the-box. The smartphone will arrive in 6GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB RAM and storage configurations, as per the report.
The Samsung Galaxy A55 will sport a 6.6-inch full-HD+ (1,080x2,340 pixels) AMOLED screen, as per the leaked specifications shared by the publication. It is said to be equipped with a 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS and an f/1.8 aperture, a 12-megapixel secondary camera with an f/2.4 aperture, and a 5-megapixel tertiary camera with an f/2.2 aperture. On the front, it might feature a 32-megapixel selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture.
According to the report, Samsung's upcoming Galaxy A55 handset will offer 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, and NFC connectivity. It will also be equipped with a USB 2.0 Type-C port and pack a 5,000mAh battery. The Galaxy A55 is also said to have an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and feature stereo speakers. It measures 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2mm and weighs 213g, according to the report.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Bitcoin is undergoing a period of rally with its pricing going higher by the day. The asset on Wednesday, February 28 recorded a gain of 2.20 percent. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at the price point of $56,992 (roughly Rs. 47.2 lakh). For a brief time, the asset did touch the mark of $57,000 (roughly Rs. 47.4 lakh) before receding. In the last 24 hours, the value of BTC has risen by $1,240 (roughly Rs. 1.02 lakh).
“Bitcoin (BTC) saw a substantial surge, registering an 11.5% increase in the past 24 hours. The primary catalyst for this surge is the assertive purchasing behaviour of Bitfinex traders, collectively acquiring $123 million (roughly Rs. 1,019 crore) worth of Bitcoin. Simultaneously, there was noteworthy spot buying activity on a major exchange, further solidifying the positive sentiment in the market,” Rajagopal Menon, Vice President, WazirX told Gadgets360.
Ether clocked a profit of 0.228 percent on Wednesday. With this, its trading value has climbed to the price point of $3,248 (roughly Rs. 2.70 lakh). Over the last day, the value of ETH has spiked by $28 (roughly Rs. 2,320).
“Ethereum has been up for the past six days and is up by 42 percent month-to-date. Ethereum's resistance lies at $3,500 (roughly Rs. 2.9 lakh) level, the current trend suggests that this resistance could be tested soon,” Edul patel, CEO of Mudrex told Gadgets360.
With both, BTC and ETH rallying with gains – several altcoins are recovering from their prior losses. These include Ripple, USD Coin, Dogecoin, Tron, and Polkadot.
The overall crypto market cap rose by 1.90 percent in the last 24 hours. The valuation at this point stands at $2.16 trillion (roughly Rs. 1,79,10,115 crore), according to CoinMarketCap.
“Memecoins like FLOKI (+19.51 percent) and DOGE (+5.3 percent) have also started to see investor interest even though DOGE could not sustain over the 10 cents mark for a very long time. Traders are still eyeing the ETH/BTC pair which faced resistance at 0.06 levels and could test 0.055 again. Any move in this pair usually defines where the altcoin market is headed,” the CoinSwitch Markets Desk told Gadgets360.
“Today's announcement of the US GDP prelim (QoQ) could introduce some volatility into the market,” the CoinDCX research team has warned.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Cryptocurrency is an unregulated digital currency, not a legal tender and subject to market risks. The information provided in the article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, trading advice or any other advice or recommendation of any sort offered or endorsed by NDTV. NDTV shall not be responsible for any loss arising from any investment based on any perceived recommendation, forecast or any other information contained in the article.
Japan's Sony is cutting about 900 jobs at its PlayStation unit and shutting a studio in London, it said on Tuesday as the videogame industry struggles to recover from a post-pandemic slump.
The layoffs will affect about 8 percent of the division's staff in regions from the Americas to Asia and come days after Sony slashed the annual sales expectation for its PlayStation 5 console.
"We have concluded that tough decisions have become inevitable," said Sony gaming chief Jim Ryan, blaming it on changes in the way the videogame industry develops, distributes and launches products. Ryan is set to retire in March.
The move aligns Sony with the likes of Microsoft and Tencent-owned Riot Games, which have also laid off thousands of employees in recent months due to slow recovery in the gaming market.
The global videogame market grew just 0.6 percent last year to $184 billion (roughly Rs. 15,25,664 crore), according to industry tracker Newzoo, though that was better than a decline of more than 5 percent in 2022.
Sony had earlier this month said it expects a gradual decline in unit sales of the PlayStation 5 from the next financial year and that it does not plan to release any major franchise titles in the coming fiscal year.
The device has racked up life-time sales of more than 50 million units since its launch in late 2020, after a slow initial few years when supply shortages caused by the pandemic limited the entertainment conglomerate's device production.
Apple is canceling a decadelong effort to build an electric car, according to people with knowledge of the matter, abandoning one of the most ambitious projects in the history of the company.
Apple made the disclosure internally Tuesday, surprising the nearly 2,000 employees working on the project, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the announcement wasn't public. The decision was shared by Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams and Kevin Lynch, a vice president in charge of the effort, according to the people.
The two executives told staffers that the project will begin winding down and that many employees on the car team — known as the Special Projects Group, or SPG — will be shifted to the artificial intelligence division under executive John Giannandrea. Those employees will focus on generative AI projects, an increasingly key priority for the company.
The Apple car team also has several hundred hardware engineers and vehicle designers. It's possible they will be able to apply for jobs on other Apple teams. There will be layoffs, but it's unclear how many.
Apple, based in Cupertino, California, declined to comment.
The move came as a relief to investors, who sent Apple shares climbing Tuesday after Bloomberg reported the news. The stock was up about 1 percent at $182.63 by the close in New York.
Elon Musk, head of Tesla, also celebrated the move. He shared a post on the X social media site with a saluting emoji and a cigarette.
The decision to ultimately wind down the project is a bombshell for the company, ending a multibillion-dollar effort called Project Titan that would have vaulted Apple into a whole new industry. The tech giant started working on a car around 2014, setting its sights on a fully autonomous electric vehicle with a limousine-like interior and voice-guided navigation.
But the project struggled nearly from the start, with Apple changing the team's leadership and strategy several times. Lynch and Williams took charge of the undertaking a few years ago — following the departure of Doug Field, now a senior executive at Ford Motor Co.
Apple was still years away from producing a car and contemplated many different designs. Beyond the look of the vehicle, cracking self-driving technology was a major challenge. Apple had road-tested its system since 2017 using a Lexus SUV exterior, putting dozens of vehicles on roads in the US. The company also tested more secretive components on a gigantic track in Phoenix that was once owned by Chrysler.
In the end, Apple was facing a cooling market for EVs. Sales growth lost steam in recent months after high prices and a lack of charging infrastructure discouraged mainstream buyers from shifting to all-electric vehicles. General Motors Co. and Ford are pivoting to producing more hybrid vehicles after confronting lackluster EV demand and manufacturing bottlenecks, and automakers across the industry are slashing battery-electric car prices, production targets and profit forecasts.
Even Tesla, the pioneer of the EV revolution in the US, has warned its rate of expansion will be “notably lower” this year. Domestic EV sales growth will decelerate to 11% this year from an estimated 47% growth rate in 2023, according to a forecast by UBS AG.
Apple's most senior executives finalized the decision in recent weeks, according to the people. It comes just a month after Bloomberg News reported that the project reached a make-or-break point. The most recent approach discussed internally was delaying a car release until 2028 and reducing self-driving specifications from Level 4 to Level 2+ technology. Apple had employees from across the car industry working on the project, including designers from Aston Martin, Lamborghini, BMW and Porsche.
Under the new arrangement, Lynch will report to Giannandrea. He previously reported to Williams, who also has overseen software engineering for the Apple Watch.
Apple once envisioned creating a car without a steering wheel and pedals, but it scrapped that notion earlier. The company also spent time working on a remote command center that could take over for a driver.
Most recently, Apple had imagined the car being priced at around $100,000. But executives were concerned about the vehicle being able to provide the profit margins that Apple typically enjoys on its products. The company's board was also concerned about continuing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year on a project that may never see the light of day.
Apple continues to invest heavily in other areas. The company spent $113 billion on total research and development over the past five years, with an average annual growth rate of about 16%. The company also recently launched the Vision Pro headset — its first new product category in almost a decade — and has built up that business.
The company has scrapped projects before, including a plan to make a TV set that was abandoned around 2015. But few endeavors have lasted this long, involved so many employees or racked up billions of dollars in expenses.
So far, Apple's biggest push into the auto industry was its CarPlay software, which lets drivers access iPhone features like maps and Siri. It's being redesigned to integrate more deeply with vehicle controls and entertainment systems. By not competing with automakers, Apple could give a boost to that software, helping spread it to more models.
Ultimately, focusing on AI may be a better bet, Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Anurag Rana and Andrew Girard said in a note. “Apple's decision to abandon electric cars and shift resources toward generative AI is a good strategic move, we believe, given the long-term profitability potential of AI revenue streams versus cars.”
Apple unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, at its annual developer conference, along with new Mac models and upcoming software updates. We discuss all the most important announcements made by the company at WWDC 2023 on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Nubia Flip 5G was announced as the first foldable smartphone from the ZTE owned brand at the Mobile World Congress 2024 (MWC) event in Barcelona on Tuesday (February 27). The clamshell foldable features a 6.9-inch foldable OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and runs on Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC. The Nubia Flip 5G carries a 4,310mAh battery supporting 33W fast charging. It is expected to compete with Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, and Tecno Phantom V Flip 5G when it goes on sale.
Nubia Flip 5G price
The price of Nubia Flip 5G will start from $599 (roughly Rs. 50,000). This initial price tag would make it a budget foldable phone. For comparison, Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 5 with a similar vertical display has a starting price tag of $999 (roughly Rs. 82,000) in the US, while the Oppo Find N3 Flip's price starts at CNY 6,799 (roughly Rs. 77,000) in China. Motorola's Razr 40 also has a starting price tag of EUR 900 (roughly Rs. 80,000) in Europe.
Nubia Flip 5G's retail price will obviously vary in different markets. Nubia, however, did not reveal the availability details of the new flip phone yet.
Nubia Flip 5G specifications
The Nubia Flip 5G features a 6.9-inch foldable OLED display with 1,188 x 2,790 pixels resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It has a 1.43-inch cover screen with 466 x 466 pixels resolution. The circular-shaped cover screen will allow users to access different applications without unfolding the phone. The handset runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC, paired with 6GB and 8GB RAM options and 128GB and 256GB storage options. It uses a dual-rail suspended hinge that is claimed to withstand over 200,000 unfolds.
For optics, the Nubia Flip 5G features a 50-megapixel dual rear camera unit. For selfies and video chats, it boasts a 16-megapixel front-facing camera. It houses a 4,310mAh battery with support for 33W charging.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
iOS 18 is expected to be released by Apple later this year for eligible devices, along with a new visual redesign, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple's next operating system for smartphones is said to be equipped with new AI features, as the iPhone maker plays catch up with other companies like Google and Samsung. A recent unconfirmed report suggested the update could bring major changes to user interface (UI) elements that could resemble parts of Apple's visionOS operating system.
In the subscriber-only version of his weekly Power On newsletter (via 9to5Mac), Gurman says that Apple is making changes to UI elements on iOS and that these changes are likely to arrive this year. This means that iOS 18 — expected to arrive later this year for select smartphones running on iOS 17 — could change how iOS looks and feels after several years.
A recent report stated that Apple was planning on bringing several UI components from visionOS to iOS 18. These include translucent UI elements and a blur effect across various system apps. However, Gurman suggests that the company isn't planning on such an extensive UI overhaul for the iOS 18 update.
Meanwhile, Gurman says that Apple is also working on updating the macOS interface, alongside its operating system for smartphones. Unlike the iOS 18 update, however, it looks like users will have to wait until macOS 16 or macOS 17 to see these changes as the company has just begun the work on its upcoming operating system.
Last year, Apple reportedly paused the development of iOS 18 for around a week, in order to weed out bugs in the operating system that were previously undetected. Due to a lack of major hardware upgrades on the purported iPhone 16 series, Apple is said to be equipping its next major iOS version with AI features in order to convince customers to upgrade to the successors of the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, which are expected to arrive later this year.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Nothing Phone 2a is set to launch in India on March 5. The company recently confirmed its SoC details. Other key specifications like storage, camera, battery, as well as price, colour options and design of the phone have been tipped several times. Now the UK-based OEM has revealed the design of the upcoming smartphone. The model is seen in a single colourway with a redesigned back panel compared to the earlier Phone 2 and Phone 1. It is expected to launch as an upgrade over the Nothing Phone 1 while also remaining cheaper than Phone 2, with toned-down features of the latest flagship.
In a video shared in a post on X by Nothing, the Nothing Phone 2a is shown in a white colour option. Similar to the other handsets from the company, the upcoming model also sports a transparent rear panel design. The dual rear camera unit of the phone is placed horizontally within a pill shaped camera module at the top center.
An unboxing like no other. Phone (2a) just dropped in London.
Surrounding the camera module of the Nothing Phone 2a are the LED modules that are part Nothing's signature Glyph Interface. Two of these units are placed in circular arcs, while the other is placed vertically on the right hand side of the back panel.
The company has previously confirmed that the Nothing Phone 2a will be powered by a 5G-supported MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro SoC, which is claimed to be paired with 12GB of RAM and an additional 8GB of virtual RAM. Nothing CEO Carl Pei has also affirmed that the Phone 2a units sold in India, will be manufactured in the country.
Nothing Phone 2a has been previously tipped to launch in black and white colour options. It is expected to be priced in India at Rs. 30,000. It is said to ship with Android 14-based NothingOS 2.5. The handset is also likely to get a 6.7-inch 120Hz full-HD+ OLED display, two 50-megapixel rear cameras, and a 32-megapixel front camera. Previous leaks claimed that the phone may carry a 5,000mAh battery with support for 45W wired fast charging.
Will the Nothing Phone 2 serve as the successor to the Phone 1, or will the two co-exist? We discuss the company's recently launched handset and more on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
MicroStrategy, a pro-Bitcoin business intelligence firm, is not airdropping any crypto token represented as MSTR. In the early hours of Monday, February 26, the X account of MicroStrategy was reportedly hacked by notorious scammers. The account, with over 196,000 followers, found itself flooded with posts showing links where people could click and register for the airdrop of Ethereum-based ‘so-called official' MSTR token. The acronym MSTR represents MicroStrategy in the stock market arena. Micheal Saylor, the founder and CEO of the platform has not reacted to the development so far.
The malicious links that were posted via the hacked MicroStrategy X account redirected clickers to a fake website that prompted them to connect their wallets and claim the false MSTR tokens. An unidentified number of people interacted with these links a few hours before thehack was detected.
Market analysers like Scam Sniffer and ZachXBT estimate that this scam has already managed to steal around over $440,000 (roughly Rs. 3.6 crore). The exact figure of the stolen amount remains unclear as for now.
— Scam Sniffer | Web3 Anti-Scam (@realScamSniffer) February 26, 2024
As per a CoinTelegraph report, the wallet address that is linked to the scam belongs to PinkDrainer – an infamous hacking group. An official response from MicroStrategy on the incident remains awaited. An investigation into the case is likely on the cards but whether or not the stolen funds are recovered – that remains to be seen.
Time and again crypto industry experts have urged the community members to be very cautions before interacting with suspicious links and random airdrops. Most MicroStrategy followers would know that the company is inclined towards Bitcoin and hence an airdrop of Ethereum-based tokens from the firm should have been identified as shady.
As per a recent PeckShield report, there were over 600 crypto hacks in 2023 that led to the loss of $2.61 billion (roughly Rs. 21,696 crore) -- despite the number of crypto hacks having dipped by 27.78 percent in 2023 in the backdrop of rules and regulations being gradually deployed.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Xiaomi Watch 2, Xiaomi Watch S3, and Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro were unveiled globally at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 in Barcelona on February 25. These smartwatches will soon be available in select markets including Europe, the company confirmed as it announced the price of the products. It is not clear if and when these models will see an India launch. All three newly introduced smart wearables come with interchangeable straps allowing users to customise it as per their preference.
Xiaomi Watch 2, Watch S3, Smart Band 8 Pro price
All three Xiaomi smartwatch bodies are offered in black and silver colourways. The Xiaomi Watch 2 and Smart Band 8 Pro start at EUR 199 (roughly Rs. 17,850) and EUR 69 (roughly Rs. 6,200), respectively. These come with interchangeable straps. The Xiaomi Watch S3, on the other hand, comes with interchangeable straps as well as interchangeable bezels and starts at EUR 149 (roughly Rs. 13,400). The models have started rolling out in a few European markets and will be available in select regions soon.
Xiaomi Watch 2 specifications
The Xiaomi Watch 2 features a 1.43-inch (466 x 466 pixels) AMOLED screen with up to 600nits brightness. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 SoC paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. It runs Google's Wear OS out of the box and carries a 495mAh battery that is claimed to offer up to 65 hours of battery life.
A camera remote function on the Xiaomi Watch 2 allows users to preview the viewfinder of their Xiaomi smartphone directly on the watch display, which helps them adjust the frame and settings before clicking the photo or recording the video. The watch also supports L1+L5 GNSS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity.
Xiaomi Watch S3 specifications
Xiaomi Watch S3 also features a 1.43-inch (466 x 466 pixels) AMOLED screen like the Watch 2, and runs on Xiaomi's new HyperOS. It supports Bluetooth calling and features health and fitness trackers including heart rate monitor, blood oxygen level, sleep patterns, menstrual cycles, etc. This watch has a 486mAh battery that is claimed to offer up to 15 days of run time.
The most novel feature of the Xiaomi Watch S3 is the ability to interchange its bezels. The stainless steel bezels use a circular wire drawing technique and the rotating buckle structure is said to ensure that the "bezel stays secure while still allowing easy removal." The Watch S3 bezels are available in four colour options - Ocean Blue, Chrome Yellow, Dual Tone Ceramic (Black and Green), and Rainbow.
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro specifications
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro sports a 1.74-inch (336 x 480 pixels) AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. It comes with a 5ATM rating and supports GNSS and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.
Xiaomi has packed a 289mAh battery that is claimed to offer a battery life of up to 14 days. The fitness tracker is compatible with devices running on Android 8.0 or iOS 12.0 and above. With support for over 200 watch faces and over 150 sports modes, the Smart Band 8 Pro also carries essential health trackers like heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep and menstruation.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Croma Collections products are designed by experts. If you're looking for recommendations and great deals on top washing machines, TVs, audio devices, or other electronics then this is the place to visit. You can buy a wide range of electronics and home appliances on Croma Collections section of the website. HDFC Bank customers are currently eligible for a 10 percent instant discount worth up to Rs. 2,000 on credit and debit card transactions. We've rounded up some of the best deals and offers you can grab today.
If you're looking to switch to a fully automatic washing machine, the Croma 7.5kg fully automatic washing machine is down to Rs. 13,490 on Croma. You can buy it for an effective price of just Rs. 11,477 by using the bundled HDFC Bank cashback offer worth Rs. 1,349 and use the coupon code COL9M151 to get another Rs. 664 off the marked price.
Eyeing a budget smart TV this year? Croma 43-inch full-HD LED smart TV is down to Rs. 13,965 (effective price) on Croma Collections. This includes HDFC Bank cashback offer worth Rs. 1,649 and a coupon code 'COL8H102' for another instant discount worth Rs. 884.
If you're looking for a more compact fully automatic washing machine, Croma's 7g fully automatic washing machine is now available at an effective price of Rs. 10,592. HDFC Bank credit and debit card users are eligible for a cashback worth Rs. 1,249 and you can use the coupon code COLOL132 for another discount worth Rs. 649.
If you're looking for a compact budget smart TV under Rs. 10,000, go for the Croma 32-inch HD-ready LED smart Google TV. The smart TV is currently selling at an effective price of Rs. 9,300 on Croma Collections. This includes a cashback worth Rs. 1,099 for HDFC Bank credit and debit card users and a coupon code COL3B52U worth Rs. 599.
If you're buying a new or simply looking to improve the audio experience of your current setup, grab this Croma 40W soundbar that's currently selling at an effective price of Rs. 4,499 (flat Rs. 1,000 discount when added to cart). Croma is also offering a no-cost EMI payment option for up to 6 months with popular online payment methods.
