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iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, tvOS 18, macOS Sequoia Rolled Out

News

17 September 2024

iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, tvOS 18, macOS Sequoia Rolled Out

Today’s the day when Apple’s whole portfolio of products gets updated with a new major software update, including iOS 18 for iPhones, iPadOS 18 for iPads, watchOS 11 for Apple Watches, tvOS 18 for Apple TV devices, and macOS Sequoia for all the macOS powered MacBooks and other Mac devices. Here are the supported models and features for these new updates.

iOS 18: Supported models, Features

Apple will now allow users to put icons anywhere on the home screen grid, a functionality available to Android users since the operating system’s inception.

Next up, there’s a new Theme engine that’ll add a single tint colour to all icons and widgets. Think of it as Apple’s version of Material You theming which Google introduced in Android years ago, beginning with Android 12. Apple is also allowing users to have icons with a black background when dark mode is enabled, something that’s also available on Android.

In iOS 18, you get a redesigned control center with multiple pages and third-party Appsupport. Again, both of these features have been available on Android for years now.

In addition, Apple has also introduced the ability to record and transcribe calls on iPhone with iOS 18. Audio transcription will only be available in English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, and Portuguese. Moreover, whenever you begin recording the call, the person on the other end will be notified about the same for privacy reasons.

Next, the lock screen shortcuts for flashlight and camera can also be changed now, similar to how Android allows the same. Then, on iOS 18, locked and hidden apps offer users peace of mind to users that information they want to keep private, such as app notifications and content, will not inadvertently be seen by others. Users can now lock an app; and for additional privacy, they can hide an app, moving it to a locked, hidden apps folder. When an app is locked or hidden, content like messages or emails inside the app are hidden from search, notifications, and other places across the system.

Further, iOS 18 introduces Apple Intelligence to supported iPhone models, that unlocks new ways for users to enhance their writing and communicate more effectively. With brand-new, systemwide Writing Tools built into iOS 18, users can rewrite, proofread, and summarise text nearly everywhere they write, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps. Not all the features of Apple Intelligence are available at the moment, as they’ll be added with subsequent iOS 18.x updates later this year.

Apple has also added RCS support in iOS 18 which brings read and delivery receipts along with richer media for those who do not use iMessage, such as those on Android. A new Passwords app is now also available to iOS users, similar to Google’s Password Manager and other third-party password manager apps. Apps like Health, Fitness, Home, Reminders, Calendar, Photos, Notes, Journal, Safari, Apple Maps, and more, have also been updated with new features in iOS 18.

The supported models for iOS 18 include:

iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone SE (2nd generation)
iPhone SE (3rd generation)

iPadOS 18: Supported models, Features

iPadOS 18 finally brings a calculator app to the iPad, featuring an intuitive new addition called Math Notes. Apart from being a regular calculator, the app allows users to type or write out mathematical expressions and see them instantly solved in their own handwriting. They can also assign values to variables when learning new concepts in class, calculating a budget, and more.

Then there’s also a new graphing feature so users can write or type an equation and insert a graph instantly, and can even add multiple equations on the same graph to see how they relate. And Math Notes are automatically accessible in the Notes app in the new Math Notes folder.

The basic and scientific calculators on iPad allow users to view entire expressions before completing them. The history feature helps track previous calculations, while unit conversions enable quick conversions of length, weight, currencies, and more.

Similar to iOS 18, the new theme engine is also included in iPadOS 18. In addition, app icons and widgets can be placed in any open position on the Home Screen grid so a user can actually view their wallpaper which makes sense considering iPads have huge screens. Icons can now be customized to appear exactly how users want — light, dark, or with a tint. Even the app icons and widgets on the home screen can be resized to the user’s preferred size.

As for the control center, it shows new groups of a user’s most-utilised controls, such as media playback, Home controls, and connectivity, as well as the ability to easily swipe between each. This allows it to have multiple pages. Users can now add controls from supported third-party apps into Control Center all from one place.

Apple intelligence is also being made available on those iPads that have an M1 chip or later. That means the likes of iPad Mini, iPad, and some iPad Air and iPad Pro models are out of this equation. Apple intelligence introduces the same AI features that have been added to iPhones.

iPads are powerful devices for gaming and Apple is fully utilising that potential with the introduction of a new Game Mode. This mode minimizes background activity to sustain consistently high frame rates for hours of continuous gameplay. In addition, Game Mode dramatically reduces audio Latency when paired with AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and makes wireless game controllers even more responsive.

There’s a new smart script feature which automatically straightens user’s handwritten text in real time. Additionally, there’s a new Passwords app that can store and generate passwords, an updated Freeform app with improved diagramming and layout along with a new Scenes feature, hands-free Siri interactions with AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), distraction-free reading in Safari with auto-generated Summaries, and more. Updates for apps like Maps, Fitness+, Calendar, Home, Apple TV, and more, have also been introduced.

Supported models for iPadOS 18 include:

iPad: 2019 and later
iPad mini: 2019 and later
iPad Air: 2019 and later
iPad Pro 2018 and later

tvOS 18: Supported models, Features

tvOS 18 introduces intelligent features like InSight, which displays timely information about actors, characters, and music from every live-action Apple TV+ movie and show onscreen in real time. Enhance Dialogue also gets smarter with tvOS 18, leveraging machine learning and computational audio to deliver greater vocal clarity.

Subtitles now automatically appear at apt moments, including when users mute, when they skip back while watching, or when the language in a show or movie does not match the device language. Additionally, tvOS 18 brings new screen savers, like Portraits, to Apple TV 4K.

Updates to the Home app are also available, including guest access with iOS 18, which provides users with convenient ways to grant guests control of locks, garage doors, and security systems; schedule individualized or time-based access to the home with smart locks; and view Activity History for guests.

Additionally, the Home app now makes it easier for users to access, understand, and make more informed decisions about their home electricity use in partnership with leading utilities, beginning with Pacific Gas and Electric Company in California.

AirPlay adds Spatial Audio so users can get an immersive experience when streaming audio from iPhone and iPad to HomePod and compatible third-party audio equipment.

Available later this year, tvOS 18 will add 21:9 support for playing movies and shows on projectors, and introduces new screen savers, like Snoopy. Additionally, robot vacuum cleaners will be compatible with the Home app and can participate in automations and scenes. Other new features Live Captions in FaceTime for English in the U.S. and Canada, ability to share control of music playing from HomePod and HomePod mini using SharePlay and Apple Music, and a redesigned Apple Fitness+ app.

Supported models for tvOS 11 include:

Apple TV 4K
Apple TV HD

watchOS 11: Supported models, Features

watchOS 11 adds Sleep Apnea notifications on Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. To detect signs of sleep apnea, Apple Watch uses the Accelerometer to monitor small movements at the wrist during sleep that are associated with interruptions in normal respiratory patterns, tracked by a new Apple Watch metric called Breathing Disturbances.

Sleep apnea notifications use the advanced processing power of the S9 SiP and S10 SiP and scientifically validated algorithms. The feature was developed with advanced machine learning and training data from thousands of nights of clinical-grade sleep apnea tests, and validated in the largest study ever conducted for the FDA clearance of a sleep apnea device, as per Apple.

There’s also a nee Vitals app, giving users a way to check in on their daily health status and explore noteworthy overnight health metrics at a glance, so they can easily see when the metrics are out of their typical range. When two or more metrics are out of their typical range, users can receive a notification, along with a message detailing how the changes in these specific metrics may be linked to other aspects of their life, such as elevation changes, alcohol consumption, or even illness.

Training load support is now also available. Training load is a way to measure how the intensity and duration of workouts are impacting a user’s body over time. Apple Watch will establish a 28-day training load, a weighted average taking into account both the duration of users’ workouts over this period and the intensity of the workouts, which is measured by a new effort rating.

With watchOS 11, Activity rings are even more customizable. Activity ring goals can now be customized by the day of the week, so they are suited as per users’ schedules.

watchOS 11, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18 offer additional support for users who log a pregnancy in the Health app, to reflect changes in their physical and mental health during this important time. On Apple Watch, the Cycle Tracking app will show a user’s gestational age and allow them to log symptoms for things frequently experienced during pregnancy. In the Health app, they will also be prompted to review things like their high heart rate notification threshold, since heart rate tends to increase during pregnancy.

Smart Stack is now also more persinalised, which is designed to help users quickly access important information from any watch face, and now uses intelligence to add and suggest widgets based on time, date, location, daily routines, and more.

Check In also comes to Apple Watch with watchOS 11, and can be accessed directly from the Workout app in addition to Messages. A new Translate app is now also available on Apple Watch, using machine learning for speech recognition and rapid translation that users can access directly on their wrist. Next, the double tap gesture can now be used to scroll through any app.

New watch faces are also added, including the new updated Photos face that can now help a user select their best photo options by using machine learning to make recommendations based on aesthetics, composition, and even facial expressions, a new Flux face, and a new Reflections face.

To help users plan and enjoy open water activities and stay aware of changing conditions, watchOS 11 introduces a new Tides app to Apple Watch. Users can access seven rolling days of forecasted tidal information for coastlines and surf spots around the globe, including information on high and low tides, rising and falling tides, tide height and direction, and sunrise and sunset, all plotted against a timeline.

Additional updates include more workout types in the Workouts app, hiking support in Apple Maps across U.S. national parks, Custom workouts for pool swims and a new Up Next workout view, tickets in Apple Wallet, Tap to Cash, and more.

Supported models for watchOS 11 include:

Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Ultra 1 and Ultra 2

macOS Sequoia: Supported models, Features

A new continuity feature has been added in macOS Sequoia called iPhone Mirroring. Users can now access and engage with their iPhone from their Mac. Custom wallpaper and app icons appear just like on iPhone. With iPhone Mirroring, users can also swipe between pages on the Home Screen; launch and browse favorite apps; and review and respond to iPhone notifications directly from their Mac.

iPhone remains locked the whole time while iPhone mirroring is being used, so nobody else can access or see what the user is doing. It also works with StandBy, so users can continue to get information at a glance on their iPhone as they use iPhone Mirroring.

Safari has been updated with new features including “Highlights”, which automatically surfaces directions for a location, summaries of articles, or quick links to learn more about people, music, movies, and TV shows. A redesigned Reader allows users to read articles more quickly with a streamlined view, a summary, and a table of contents, and a new Viewer helps users put videos front and center while still giving them full access to system playback controls. With Distraction Control, users can hide items on a webpage that they may find disruptive to their browsing.

There’s support for enhanced Window tiling. By dragging a window to the EDGE of the screen, macOS Sequoia automatically suggests a tiled position on the user’s desktop. Users can release a window into place, quickly arrange tiles side by side, or place them in corners to keep even more apps in view. And new keyboard and menu shortcuts help organize tiles even faster.

An all-new Passwords app in macOS Sequoia makes it easier to access passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and other credentials all in one convenient place on Mac, similar to the new Passwords app in iPads and iPhones.

During video calls in FaceTime or third-party apps like Webex, users can now apply built-in backgrounds, including a variety of color gradients or shots of the scenery in and around locations like Apple Park in Cupertino, California. They can even upload their own photos to use as a background. With presenter preview, users can now see what they’re about to share before sharing it with apps like FaceTime and Zoom.

Apple Intelligence is also coming later this year on macOS, with most of the features making their way to supported Mac models. Messages, Notes, and Maps app have also been updated with new features.

Supported models for the update include:

iMac: 2019 and later
iMac Pro: 2017 and later
Mac Studio: 2022 and later
MacBook Air: 2020 and later
Mac mini: 2018 and later
MacBook Pro: 2018 and later
Mac Pro: 2019 and later

HMD Skyline Launched in India; To Compete with OnePlus Nord 4 5G, iQOO Neo 9 Pro 5G

News

Abhishek Malhotra

16 September 2024

HMD Skyline Launched in India; To Compete with OnePlus Nord 4 5G, iQOO Neo 9 Pro 5G

HMD India, after teasing the launch of Skyline earlier today, has launched the smartphone in the country at a price point below Rs 40,000. The new HMD Skyline is available in a single trim, and comes with 2 years of OS upgrades and 3 years of security upgrades. Here’s what all it has to offer.

HMD Skyline: India Price, Availability

The HMD Skyline is priced at Rs 35,999, and it will be available on Amazon.in, HMD.com and at retail stores in Twisted Black and Neon Pink Colours beginning September 17. As a part of a launch offer, buyers will get a complimentary 33W Type-C fast charger along with the purchase of the handset.

HMD Skyline: Specifications

The HMD Skyline sports an FHD+ 6.55-inch pOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, up to 1000 nits brightness, and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Processor under the hood and gets 12GB RAM with 256GB of storage which is also expandable up to 512GB.

There’s a triple rear camera system, including a 108MP f/1.8 primary sensor with Hybrid OIS + EIS, LED flash, along with a 13MP f/2.5 ultra-wide angle camera, and a 50MP f/2.0 telephoto camera with 50mm portrait mode, 4K video capture, and OZO Spatial Audio capture with wind-noise cancellation. There’s a 50MP f/2.5 sensor on the front with Autofocus support for selfies.

The handset is backed up by a 4600mAh battery with 33W fast wired charging support, 15W Qi2 wireless charging support, and 5W reverse wireless charging as well. The device runs on Android 14 and will receive 2 major OS updates and 3 years of security patches. HMD Skyline comes with a Custom Button, allowing users to set up personal shortcuts for quick access to their favorite apps, navigation, or even an AI-powered assistant.

For connectivity, you get 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.2, GPS/A-GPS, Galileo L1/L5 dual-band, GLONASS, BDS, USB Type-C port, and NFC. The device is further IP54 rated and also gets stereo speakers for audio playback. It further has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometrics.

HMD Skyline is competing with the likes of Realme GT 6T, OnePlus Nord 4, and the iQOO Neo 9 Pro, all of which have a price tag below Rs 35,999 (except for iQOO’s handset which is priced the same). While these devices have a superior processor compared to Skyline’s chip, Skyline has a telephoto sensor on the back, which none of these smartphones offer. The Skyline’s USP is that telephoto sensor and it’s unique design, while features like battery, charging speeds, displays, etc., are better on the competition.

HMD Skyline India Launch Teased: Everything to Know

News

Abhishek Malhotra

16 September 2024

HMD Skyline India Launch Teased: Everything to Know

HMD India has teased the launch of a new smartphone which is likely the HMD Skyline. The HMD Skyline India launch date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but we know how much it could cost in the country. Skyline debuted globally a couple of months back, reviving the old signature Nokia Lumia design.

HMD Skyline India Launch: What to expect?

The HMD Skyline India launch was teased by the company’s official X handle, with a teaser that said, “Shoot for the Sky,” along with the another teaser that stated, “Soon, discover what it means to touch the Sky.” The Sky being the keyword here, along with other hints dropped in the video, HMD is preparing to soon launch the Skyline in India.

In July earlier this year, we reported that Skyline was expected to launch by the end of August. However, it appears the release was pushed back by a few weeks for reasons that remain unclear. The HMD Skyline could debut by the end of September instead.

Additionally, the Indian price range for the smartphone was also confirmed to us, indicating that the device might be priced between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000. In the UK, the device is priced at £399 (approx Rs 43,340) for the 8GB + 128GB model, £479 (approx Rs 53,000) for the 8GB + 256GB model, and £499 (approx Rs 54,200) for the 12GB + 256GB version.

If that’s indeed true, the device may find it tough to find a spot in an already crowded market that has a load of value-for-money options available in the price range, such as the OnePlus Nord 4 5G, Realme GT 6, and more.

HMD Skyline: Specifications

The HMD Skyline sports an FHD+ 6.55-inch pOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, up to 1000 nits brightness, and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Processor under the hood and gets up to 12GB RAM with up to 256GB of storage which is also expandable up to 512GB.

There’s a triple rear camera system, including a 108MP f/1.8 primary sensor with Hybrid OIS+EIS, LED flash, along with a 13MP f/2.5 ultra-wide angle camera, and a 50MP f/2.0 telephoto camera with 50mm portrait mode, 4K video capture, and OZO Spatial Audio capture with wind-noise cancellation. There’s a 50MP f/2.5 sensor on the front with Autofocus support for selfies.

Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K Series 2024 Launched in India: Price, Features, Availability

News

The Mobile Indian Network

16 September 2024

Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K Series 2024 Launched in India: Price, Features, Availability

Xiaomi India has announced the launch of Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K series 2024 in India, now being available in a bigger 55-inch size as well. The TVs run on Amazon’s Fire TV operating system with access to over 12,000 apps via the Appstore. Here’s everything to know about the new models.

Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K series 2024: Price, Availability

Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K will be available in two models 43-inch and 55-inch starting 18th September 2024 at a special launch price of Rs 23,499 and Rs 34,499, respectively, including a Rs 1,500 discount on ICICI bank cards. They’ll be available for purchase across mi.com, and Flipkart.

Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K series 2024: Features

The Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K packs a 64-bit quad-core Processor paired with 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. Then, it packs a 4K HDR display with a sleek, bezel-free design along with support for MEMC technology. For audio, there’s a 30W speaker system on the 55-inch variant and 24W speakers on the 43-inch variant.

Fire TV built in offers a seamless, quick, and convenient access to entertainment and content on the home screens. Fire TV users can stream tens of thousands of films and TV show episodes through 12,000+ apps via the Appstore, including popular services like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5, JioCinema etc.

Users can also perform multiple other functions such as controlling Alexa-compatible smart appliances through voice and access multiple content sources simultaneously through the Picture-in-Picture feature. The TV supports a wide range of connectivity options, including Bluetooth 5.0, Dual-Band Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, and Miracast.

Tecno Phantom V Fold2 5G, Phantom V Flip2 5G Launched: Price, Specs

News

Abhishek Malhotra

16 September 2024

Tecno Phantom V Fold2 5G, Phantom V Flip2 5G Launched: Price, Specs

Tecno has announced the launch of two new foldbales in the global market, including the Tecno Phantom V Fold2 5G, as well as the Tecno Phantom V Flip2 5G. These foldables succeed the Phantom V Fold and the Phantom V Flip from last year, and here’s what they have to offer.

Tecno Phantom V Fold2 5G: Price, Specs

Tecno phantom v fold2 <a href='https://www.themobileindian.com/glossary#5g' rel='tag'>5G</a> launched

The Phantom V Fold2 5G is priced at USD 1,099 (approx Rs 92,210). It comes in a sole 12GB + 512GB model. It comes in Karst Green and Rippling Blue colours.

The Tecno Phantom V Fold2 5G sports a 6.42-inch AMOLED LPTO outer display with a punch-hole design. It offers a Full-HD+ Resolution of 1080 x 2550 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. On the inside, it gets a 7.85-inch foldable AMOLED LTPO screen with a punch-hole, a resolution of 2000 x 2296 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The device is equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

The Phantom V Fold2 5G is powered by the Dimensity 9000+ processor, paired with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The foldable phone comes preloaded with Android 14 OS, which is based on Tecno’s HiOS UI and will receive major OS updates till Android 16.

For optics, you get a couple of 32-megapixel front-facing cameras, with one on the outer display and another on the inner display. The rear camera setup includes a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 50-megapixel telephoto snapper that offers 2x optical zoom, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide shooter, and a dual-LED flash.

The device is backed by a 5750mAh Aircell Battery with 70W wired charging and 15W Wireless charging. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, NFC, and a USB-C port for charging. The device is IP54 rated, supports PHANTOM V Pen, and also packs stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.

Tecno Phantom V Flip2 5G: Price, Specs

The Tecno Phantom V Flip2 5G is priced at USD 699 (approx Rs 58,650) and comes in shades including Travertine Green and Moondust Grey.

The Phantom V Flip2 5G sports a 6.9-inch full-HD+ (2640 x 1080 pixels) flexible LTPO AMOLED inner display that supports 120Hz refresh rate, 2160Hz PWM Dimming, and a 100% P3 colour gamut. The AMOLED cover display is 3.64-inches in size, with Always-on display functionality and a resolution of 1056 x 1066 pixels.

The smartphone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8020 SoC paired 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 inbuilt storage. The device supports virtual RAM also. It ships with Android 14 and is touted to get two years of OS updates and three years of security patches.

The Phantom V Flip2 5G includes a dual rear camera setup, including a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, and a 50MP ultra-wide angle sensor. A dual-LED Flashlight unit accompanies it. The front camera is a 32MP sensor with f/2.5 Aperture and Autofocus support.

Connectivity options include 5G, Wi-Fi 6, NFC and Bluetooth v5.3. The phone packs a 4,720mAh battery with 70W wired Fast charging support and has stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.

Motorola Edge 50 Neo 5G Launched in India: Did Motorola Kill its Own Edge 50 Fusion?

News

Abhishek Malhotra

16 September 2024

Motorola Edge 50 Neo 5G Launched in India: Did Motorola Kill its Own Edge 50 Fusion?

Motorola EDGE 50 Neo 5G has been launched in India with a price tag similar to that of Motorola’s Edge 50 Fusion. The new Edge 50 Neo 5G debuted globally back last month and with its arrival in India, the device is set to compete with other brands’ devices in the sub-Rs 25,000 range.

Motorola Edge 50 Neo 5G: Price, Availability

The Edge 50 Neo 5G comes in four Pantone shades, including Nautical Blue, Latte, Grisaille, and Poinciana. The device is priced at Rs 23,999 for the sole 8GB + 256GB model and will go on a special sale later today at 7 PM IST. HDFC bank card users can avail a discount of Rs 1,000 on the purchase of the smartphone.

Motorola Edge 50 Neo 5G: Specifications

The Edge 50 Neo 5G sports a 6.4-inch 120Hz pOLED display, 1.5K resolution, 3000 nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, 360Hz touch sampling rate, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and Gorilla Glass 3 protection.

The Edge 50 Neo 5G gets a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies. The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC paired with 256GB UFS 2.2 storage. The device has 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM.

The Edge 50 Neo 5G packs a 4310mAh battery with 68W fast wired charging and 15W wireless charging. There is a triple rear camera setup, which includes a 50MP f/1.8 primary sensor with OIS, a 13MP f/2.2 ultra-wide angle sensor with PDAF, and a 10MP f/2.0 telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom.

It runs on Android 14 out of the box and will get five Android OS upgrades according to Motorola global, which is a first for any Motorola handset. The device also gets moto AI features. For connectivity, it features Bluetooth v5.3, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, GPS, and a USB-C port for charging. It is also IP68 rated. In addition, it packs stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.

Motorola Edge 50 Neo 5G Cannibalises Edge 50 Fusion

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion 5G which launched earlier this year in India costs Rs 22,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model and Rs 24,999 for the 12GB + 256GB trim. The newly launched Edge 50 Neo 5G sits right between these two models of the Edge 50 Fusion in terms of price, and actually has better specs to offer.

The display on the Edge 50 Neo 5G is better, with a higher Resolution as well as brightness. While it does have 120Hz Refresh Rate which is lower than 144Hz of Edge 50 Fusion’s panel, the difference in real world use won’t be much noticeable once you get used to it. In terms of processor, the Dimensity 7300 in the Edge 50 Neo is also slightly better than the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Edge 50 Fusion.

The Edge 50 Neo 5G gets 8GB RAM while Fusion goes up to 12GB. However, the Neo handset costs Rs 1k lesser as well, which makes up for the RAM difference. For optics, the Edge 50 Neo 5G is again a better pick because of the additional telephoto sensor which the Edge 50 Fusion lacks.

If that wasn’t enough, the Edge 50 Neo 5G also gets longer software support than Edge 50 Fusion, with up to 5 major Android OS upgrades and 5 years of security patches which means you’ll get updates till Android 19. In comparison, the Fusion will receive only 3 majoe OS upgrades and 4 years of security patches.

Finally, for battery, the Edge 50 Fusion packs a bigger 5000mAh battery than the 4310mAh cell used in Edge 50 Neo 5G which finally gives the Edge 50 Fusion a slight “edge” over the other model. However, the Neo makes up for it with wireless charging support, which might prove convenient for many.

While the Edge 50 Fusion is a decent handset for the price, as we noted in our review of the handset, we feel the Edge 50 Neo 5G definitely puts a roadblock in the path of Edge 50 Fusion’s sales due to it being a better overall package for the money.

Google Calendar Extension in Gemini Now Rolling Out

News

Abhishek Malhotra

16 September 2024

Google Calendar Extension in Gemini Now Rolling Out

Google announced that the Google Calendar extension is rolling out to Gemini. Announced earlier this year, the extension will allow users to manage and create calendar events. Google has now detailed how exactly the extension will work.

Google confirmed via a support page that, for now, the features related to Google Calendar in Gemini are available in English only. It is gradually releasing these features, so they might not be available for everyone just yet. Aside from that, Google noted that Gemini Apps work with events in your default calendar only, and the calendar-related features aren’t available in Gemini in Google Messages.

Then, to create and manage your Calendar events, you’ll need to connect Google Workspace to Gemini Apps. Once done, you can ask the Gemini app to create or show an event from Google Calendar. Gemini Apps can’t perform certain actions in Calendar, like:

Create, ask for, or manage events that aren’t in your default calendar
Add or invite people to events
Add or update the location or description of an existing event

The Google Calendar extension in Gemini can, though, create events by giving specific details, create events based on your conversation, find events for a specific day or date range, find events based on event details, edit your events in Google Calendar except for the location or description of an event, and finally, cancel your events in Google Calendar.

Earlier last week, Google announced that Gemini Live is rolling out to free users on Android, meaning it will be accessible at no extra cost and no longer requires a Gemini Advanced subscription. However, it’s only available to users who are using the English language on their devices. We can’t see the Gemini Live option in our Gemini app on Pixel 9 and Galaxy S23 Ultra, suggesting it is a phased rollout and might take days or weeks to reach all users.

Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G Review: High-End Media Experience Without the High-End Price

Reviews

Abhishek Malhotra

14 September 2024

Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G Review: High-End Media Experience Without the High-End Price

Redmi debuted the Note 13 series earlier this year in January, consisting of three devices and out of those three, today we’ll be reviewing the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G, which is currently selling for Rs 24,999 for the base model and goes up till Rs 27,999 for the top-end model. With the festive season incoming and brands announcing heavy discounts on their products, we’ll let you know in this review of Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G whether you should buy it during the sales or skip it.

Design & Display

The Redmi Note 13 Pro 5 G’s design stands out from the crowd in all colours except black, which is a bit ordinary. The coral purple model we had for review had a slight gradient of blue as well. The camera module has a block design, housing the three Sensors and a flashlight.

The device has a dual-sided glass body, which means the back is also made of glass with a soft-touch matte finish, making it feel quite premium in the hand. The frame is entirely plastic and also has a matte finish, which does depart from the premium in-hand feel to some extent, but it’s manageable.

The sides are flat, accounting for decent grip in the hand. However, because it’s a relatively big phone, you can’t expect one-handed usage. The buttons on the right have a decent travel when clicked. The Haptics are also tight, well implemented within the software, and add to the premium feel, but they could have been stronger in our opinion.

The bottom houses the speaker grille, a mic, a SIM Tray, and a USB-C port. The top side has a fake speaker grille because the earpiece doubles as the second speaker. Speaking of audio quality, with Dolby Atmos support, we’d say the Redmi Note 13 Pro speakers were not bad at all for their price. The sound quality remains high, and so does the loudness. The vocals sound clear, and there’s a slight hint of bass, too.

There’s a mic next to the speaker grille on top, paired with an IR blaster and a 3.5mm audio jack, which is difficult to find on smartphones nowadays. Including a 3.5mm Audio Jack is a nice touch for those who still prefer wired earphones.

The handset is also IP54 rated, so splashes and dust shouldn’t harm it. Redmi also includes a grey-coloured silicone case in the box, which is surprisingly high-quality.

Design-wise, we’d say the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G nails the basics and looks as well as feels premium.

Coming to the display on the front, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G sports a 6.67-inch 1.5K Resolution AMOLED Display with a Refresh Rate of 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 12-bit colours, 1800 nits peak brightness and HDR10+ support.

The display on the Note 13 Pro 5G is the ultimate one when it comes to quality. It feels like a flagship panel because it doesn’t lack in any area. The colours, viewing angles, and brightness levels in outdoor conditions are all top-notch.

The Netflix App shows that the device supports Dolby Vision and viewing videos on this panel was a treat for the eyes. The panel is also responsive to the touch and runs smoothly at 120Hz when set to default.

What’s even more surprising is how thin the bezels are compared to smartphones in a segment above, such as the Galaxy A35 5G and Galaxy A55 5G. The thin bezels add to the handset’s aesthetic appeal.

The in-display fingerprint sensor is an optical one and works as it should. It’s quick as well as accurate in detecting the finger.

Software & Performance

The device is equipped with Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC under the hood, with up to 12GB of LPDDR4x RAM. It comes with up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. It ran on MIUI 14 based on Android 13 when launched, but when we began using it, the device had the HyperOS update available out of the box, which is based on Android 14.

Speaking of performance, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G handles most daily tasks without any issues. The user interface animations are smooth, and switching apps is a breeze. We could notice some micro-stutters while opening and closing apps, but there was nothing major a software update couldn’t fix. RAM management is decent, and there’s nothing to complain about in that regard.

Gaming isn’t exactly the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G’s forte, as the chip struggles to handle titles like Call of Duty or BGMI at maximum graphics. I could also notice some heating when trying to play these games at maximum graphics, which also leads to throttling and, ultimately, some lag. Gamers would be better off with smartphones that are priced slightly higher, such as the Poco F6 5G.

The software is filled with features, including various themes, a full-fledged lock screen customisation that is one of the best we have seen, animation speed control, Xiaomi interconnectivity for seamless control of Xiaomi tablets, watches, and phones, and essential features like app lock.

However, the software has its quirks, too. First, the always-on display doesn’t actually stay “always on.” It can only stay on for 10 seconds, and we don’t know why it’s called an “Always-on display” when it cannot stay lit. The panel seems impressive enough to support the feature, and we couldn’t think of any reason why Redmi nerfed the AOD functionality so badly.

Secondly, it comes with a considerable amount of bloatware. While it can be uninstalled, apps like GetApps, Xiaomi’s own app store, cannot be disabled and are used to provide system app updates. Further, for some reason, the device comes with two Music apps, one of which has Chinese music, and the same app can fortunately be uninstalled.

The device is running on the July 2024 security patch which came with the HyperOS update and the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G hasn’t received any update since.

In conclusion, the software performs well in smoothness and offers a good range of features. However, it falls short in covering some essential basics.

Connectivity-wise, 5G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth perform as they should, but NFC, which should have ideally been there, is a noticeable omission.

Battery life

The Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G packs a 5,100mAh battery with 67W Fast charging support. The device doesn’t struggle in this department, as it can easily last you a day and a half with usage including browsing the web, social media apps such as X and scrolling through Instagram Reels, watching YouTube videos, and chatting on WhatsApp. I could easily get 7 hours of screen-on time and sometimes more which is quite decent.

The device charged from 2% to 100% in around 47 minutes, which is a solid performance.

The device also offers battery protection features like optimised charging, speed-up charging when using the bundled charger, turning off Mobile Data when the device locks, and more. However, what I do not like about HyperOS is that it doesn’t show you screen-on time since the last charge, so I had to track it with a third-party app. In fact, it doesn’t show screen-on time of any sort, be it of the last 24 hours, which is disappointing.

Cameras

The Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G features a triple camera setup with a 200-megapixel Samsung HP3 f/1.65 primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. The smartphone has a 16-megapixel selfie camera.

A 200MP shooter on a device that costs Rs 24,999 is a segment-first feature; the camera nails it in outdoor conditions. While the hue is cooler, the detailing is impressively high. The exposure is under control, while the dynamic range is quite decent, too. The colours stay vivid and look appealing. Overall, the shots look very impressive when you shoot under enough sunlight.

The photos tend to have a pronounced cool hue for ultra-wide angle shots, which feels overdone and unnatural. This excessive use of cooler tones results in images that appear somewhat distorted or off, detracting from the overall realism of the scene. The EDGE distortion is well controlled but the detailing at the edges takes a major hit where there’s a lot of noise as well. The overall photo also has fewer details than the ones taken by the primary sensor, but it’s acceptable.

Redmi note 13 Pro 5G 10x Zoom — 10x Zoom

The device can zoom in up to 10x but anything beyond 2x is barely usable as the photo turns into an oil painting of sorts. As for the selfies, the skin tones are handled fine while the detailing is decent. The bokeh in portrait selfies has inaccurate edge detection and looks unnatural. However, the sensor handles standard selfies well and are unlikely to disappoint frequent selfie-takers.

The portrait shots from the rear sensor are excellent. The photos maintain a natural color tone and accurate edge detection. Unlike selfie portraits, the bokeh effect looks natural in portraits shot by the rear sensor. They are sharp, clear, and leave a strong impression.

Redmi note 13 Pro 5G artificial lighting

Photos taken under artificial lighting are once again impressive. The images are sharp, with excellent detail retention, and the colours appear vibrant and true to life. Exposure levels are well-balanced, ensuring no overexposure or harsh contrasts. Overall, the shots are visually striking and maintain high appeal.

The sensor handles extreme low-light shots well. Focusing on the subject in such conditions is no issue, which is great because I don’t see it often. There’s some noise in the shot, but the exposure is cranked up for better visibility of the subject. Moreover, it does take a while to click the shot, and you’ll have to keep your hand steady; otherwise, the shot will turn out blurry.

Shots taken at night have decent detailing and colour reproduction, but there’s slight noise in the photo, even when Night mode is enabled.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is Available for Rs 1,09,999: Should You Consider it Over Pixel 9 Pro XL?

News

Abhishek Malhotra

13 September 2024

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is Available for Rs 1,09,999: Should You Consider it Over Pixel 9 Pro XL?

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra price in India has been heavily discounted for a limited time, bringing it down to the range of Google’s latest Pixel 9 Pro XL. The new Pixel 9 Pro XL retails for Rs 1,24,999 but users can avail a discount of Rs 10,000 on it with certain banks’ credit cards, which is quite close to Galaxy S24 Ultra’s new pricing. Here’s an analysis to help you out as to which one should you consider, especially now when Galaxy S24 Ultra is available for Rs 1,09,999.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra India Price Discounted

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is now available at Rs 1,09,999 as part of a limited period offer. The smartphone was originally priced starting Rs 1,29,999. The special price includes an instant cashback of Rs 8,000 along with an additional upgrade bonus of Rs 12,000.

Alternatively, consumers can avail bank cashback of Rs 12,000 if they do not want to opt for the upgrade bonus. Without the offer, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is retailing for Rs 1,21,999. Additionally, consumers seeking enhanced affordability can take advantage of no-cost EMI for 24 months.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Specifications	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra	Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Display	6.8-inch 2K Dynamic AMOLED 2x panel, 1440 x 3120 pixels resolution, VRR from 1Hz till 120Hz, 240Hz touch sampling rate, Eye comfort shield, Up to 2600 nits peak brightness, Corning Gorilla Armor	6.8-inch 2K Super Actua LTPO OLED panel, 1344 x 2992 pixels resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 486 ppi, Up to 3000 nits of peak brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy	Tensor G4
RAM & Storage	12GB RAM; Up to 1TB Storage	16GB RAM; Up to 512GB Storage
Battery & Charging Speed	5000mAh; 45W fast charging, 15W wireless charging	5060mAh; 37W fast charging, 23W wireless charging
Operating system	Android 14, One UI 6.0; Up to 7 years of OS updates	Android 14; Up to 7 years of OS updates
Cameras (Rear)	200MP f/1.7 main sensor, OIS + 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide sensor + 50MP 5x f/2.4 telephoto sensor, OIS + 10MP 3x f/2.4 periscope telephoto sensor, OIS	50MP f/1.68 primary sensor, OIS, PDAF + 48MP f/2.8 telephoto sensor, 5x optical zoom, OIS + 48MP f/1.7 ultra-wide angle sensor
Camera (Front)	12MP f/2.2 sensor	42MP f/2.2 sensor
Additional Features	IP68 rated, stereo speakers, in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, S-Pen	IP68 rated, stereo speakers, in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL costs Rs 1,14,999 with the bank offer included, while the S24 Ultra costs Rs 5,000 less than that when clubbed with the offer. With both of these flagships having their own plus points, it might become a little difficult for consumers to prefer one over the other, and here we’ll tell you which one would be a more suitable pick for you.

Starting off with the build, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a titanium frame while the Pixel 9 Pro XL gets an aluminium one. Both of them have a matte finish back. While the S24 Ultra is theoretically stronger, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is more comfortable to hold despite both being similar in size. That’s because the Pixel has rounded corners compared to the sharp ones on the Galaxy S24 Ultra which can cause discomfort when holding for extended periods.

Coming to the display, the Galaxy S24 Ultra gets a better panel, not only in terms of resolution (which is higher than the Pixel 9 Pro XL), but also because of the additional features, including Corning Gorilla Armor that significantly reduces reflections and makes a notable impact in daily use. The Pixel 9 Pro XL does have a slightly higher brightness at 3000 nits compared to S24 Ultra’s 2600 nits, but that wouldn’t account for a major difference in terms of daily use.

Speaking of performance, both these chips can easily handle day-to-day tasks without any issues, as we have noted in our review of Pixel 9 (which uses the same chip as Pro XL) and the Galaxy S24 Ultra as well. However, Samsung’s handset will always perform a little better than Pixel 9 Pro XL due to Qualcomm’s chip being more efficient and yet powerful at the same time than Google’s Tensor G4. You’ll notice this difference while you are pushing the device to its limits, especially while gaming, where the Galaxy S24 Ultra can sustain peak performance for longer without heating. The Pixel 9 Pro XL does offer 16GB RAM which is higher than that of Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Software-wise, both One UI and Google’s stock Android have their own minuses and advantages. One UI offers you with more productivity features as well as an extensive list of customisation options. It’s smooth, feature-rich, and won’t make you feel as if you are missing out on anything. On the other hand, Google’s Pixel runs on a minimal yet smooth software with a not-so-extensive list of customisation features compared to One UI. However, it does have some Pixel exclusive features, like 1 year free Google Advanced subscription, Pixel screenshots app, and more. Both of them also pack a load of AI features where Samsung’s are slightly more useful in our opinion. Both the devices will get major OS updates till Android 21, so longevity isn’t an issue on either.

Cameras are a strong point for both of them. However, in Samsung’s case, you get slightly better zoomed shots as it packs a dedicated 10x telephoto sensor for higher quality photos. Pixels retain more natural colours in photos while Samsung’s devices shoot photos with more contrast-rich tones in general.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL packs a 5060mAh battery while the S24 Ultra has a 5000mAh cell. The Pixel charges at 37W max speed while S24 Ultra charges slightly faster at 45W. While the physical capacities remain similar, it depends on how well the software is optimised to determine which one provides a better backup.

Overall, the Galaxy S24 Ultra looks like a better deal if you want a complete overall package along with extra features like the S-Pen, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL lacks in terms of raw performance. However, if you’re fine with how the Pixel 9 Pro XL performs and want a cleaner software that’s not too complicated, opt for Google’s device.

Realme P2 Pro 5G, Pad 2 Lite Launched in India: Price, Specs, Availability

News

Abhishek Malhotra

13 September 2024

Realme P2 Pro 5G, Pad 2 Lite Launched in India: Price, Specs, Availability

Realme has announced the launch of a new P-series handset in India, dubbed Realme P2 Pro, also the successor to P1 Pro 5G which debuted earlier in April this year. The new P2 Pro comes packed with a Snapdragon Processor under the hood, paired with a Sony primary camera sensor on the back. Here’s everything you’d want to know about the new Realme device.

Realme P2 Pro 5G: Price, Availability

The realme P2 Pro 5G comes in Parrot Green and Eagle Grey colours and is priced at Rs 21,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model, Rs 24,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model and Rs 27,999 for the 12GB + 512GB model. The phone will be available for purchase via realme.com, Flipkart and offline stores. An early bird sale will be held on September 17th at 6PM. There’s a flat Rs 2,000 coupon discount users can avail on all variants, while buyers of 12GB RAM models can avail an additional Rs 1,000 bank discount.

Realme P2 Pro 5G: Specifications

The Realme P2 Pro 5G gets a 6.7-inch curved OLED Display with an FHD+ Resolution and offers 10-bit colour depth, 2160Hz PWM dimming, 100% P3 colour gamut coverage, 120Hz refresh rate, 2000 nits peak brightness, Gorilla Glass 7i protection, and 240Hz touch sampling rate. It also has a 20000-level automatic brightness adjustment.

Under the hood, the smartphone equips a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC, up to 12GB LPDDR4x RAM, and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. For optics, it comes with a 50MP Sony LYT-600 f/1.8 main camera with OIS, and an 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide sensor. On the front, the smartphone gets a 32MP f/2.45 Sony selfie sensor.

Next, it packs a 5200mAh battery with support for 80W fast wired charging. The smartphone runs on Android 14-based Realme UI 5.0 out of the box. Additional features include an in-display fingerprint sensor and dual stereo speakers. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, 5G, USB-C port and Bluetooth v5.2. The handset is also IP65-rated.

The device competes with the likes of Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, Vivo T3 Pro 5G, Motorola Edge 50 5G, and also the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G.

Realme Pad 2 Lite: Price, Specs, Availability

The Realme Pad 2 Lite is available in Space Grey and Nebula Purple, and two storage variants: 4GB + 128GB priced at Rs 14,999 and 8GB + 128GB priced at Rs 16,999. The tablet will be available via realme.com, Flipkart & Mainline channels soon, with the sale date yet to be unveiled.

The Realme Pad 2 Lite sports a 10.5-inch (1920 x 1200) LCD screen with up to 90Hz refresh rate, up to 450 nits peak brightness, and Eye Comfort Display feature. It is powered by an Octa Core MediaTek Helio G99 SoC, paired with up to 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB storage which is expandable memory via a microSD slot. The tablet runs on Android 15 with realme UI 5.0 for Pad.

For optics, there’s an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing camera. There’s also a side-mounted fingerprint scanner along with quad stereo speakers. Connectivity options on the tablet include Wi-Fi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth v5.3, and a USB Type-C port, both for audio and charging the 8300mAh battery at up to 15W speeds.

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