Google seems to be in the process of making its in-car Android-based experience smarter, where it could soon introduce Gemini support in Android Auto. While Gemini has been integrated across a majority of Google’s services, Android Auto is one of the only major services left to get the AI treatment.
The report comes from Android Authority, where the publication performed an APK teardown on Android Auto v12.8.143544, where it was able to spot several clues “that indicate it could be next in line for Gemini support.” One is the new addition of the sparkle icon, now widely associated with AI. Google uses this icon for Gemini, so its appearance in the Android Auto App suggests that some Gemini functionality might be integrated into the app.
Further, the icon file’s name contains the word “kitt,” which according to the publication is likely the name of the Gemini integration within Android Auto. Further, it was able to discover other strings related to “kitt,” pointing towards Gemini integration.
Next, the strings contain the word “live”, along with the “Start conversation” text, which aligns well with expectations for Gemini Live. Supporting this, it also found a “GeminiLiveAssistantAction” function within the Android Auto app. Finally, the GeminiLiveAssistantAction function was also found in another area of the app code, indicating that it was intentionally added, suggesting the Gemini Live mentions aren’t coincidences.
There’s no official word on when Gemini might arrive in Android Auto, or what set of features it would bring, but going by the evidences spotted, Gemini Live could be one of them. Gemini Live is available only to Gemini Advanced users, which means it could be a paid feature in Android Auto as well. Whatever the case may be, if you are an Android Auto user, your in-car experience is just about to get way more smarter.
Samsung has announced the launch of Galaxy Quantum 5 in its home market, South Korea. The new Quantum 5 employs various dedicated security measures such as a quantum cryptographic chip which helps keep data with maximum security. Here’s everything to know about the Galaxy Quantum 5.
Samsung Galaxy Quantum 5: Price
The Galaxy Quantum 5 comes in Awesome Ice Blue, Awesome Lilac, and Awesome Navy shades, with a retail price of KRW 6,18,200 (approx Rs 38,772).
Samsung Galaxy Quantum 5: What’s Special About it?
The Galaxy Quantum 5 was created in partnership with SK Telecom and is exclusive to their network, making it unavailable for purchase outside South Korea. Aside from SK Telecom, Samsung also partnered with ID Quantique (IDQ), the company that provides the quantum cryptographic chip employed in the Quantum 5.
The chip is a Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) that leverages quantum physics to produce genuinely random numbers for encrypting and decrypting sensitive data like Biometrics and passwords. By using truly random numbers generated by an independent chip, it reduces the risk of external interference and tampering that can affect traditional random number generation methods.
Aside from these, the Galaxy Quantum 5 is essentially the Galaxy A55 5G. This makes the Quantum 5 a solidified A55 5G with identical specifications.
The Galaxy Quantum 5 sports a 6.6-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED panel with a full-HD+ Resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection and 1000 nits peak brightness. It is powered by the Exynos 1480 chipset paired with 8 GB RAM, Xclipse 530 AMD GPU and 128 GB storage which is expandable via a Hybrid slot. The phone draws power from a 5,000mAh battery with 25W Fast charging support.
At the back, it gets a 50-megapixel f/1.8 main shooter, along with a 12-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide snapper and a 5-megapixel macro camera. The front-facing camera includes a 32MP f/2.2 sensor for selfies. The device has an IP67 certification for protection against water and dust.
For connectivity, it gets Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.3, NFC, GPS, and 5G. The handset also gets a USB-C port for charging and stereo speakers. It runs on Android 14-based One UI 6.1.
Realme debuted a new device last week in India, dubbed Realme 13 5G, selling at a price point where it faces stiff competition from the CMF Phone 1. Here’s a comparison between the two on the basis of on-paper specs, allowing you to decide aa to which one’s the better choice and also worthwhile your money.
Display
The Realme 13 5G sports a 6.72-inch LCD Display with an FHD+ Resolution and offers 83% NTSC coverage, 120Hz refresh rate, 580 nits typical brightness, and up to 240Hz touch sampling rate.
The CMF Phone 1 sports a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED LTPS display with a Refresh Rate of 120Hz. It has a peak brightness of 2000 nits, 395 ppi, 240Hz touch sampling rate, and a 960Hz PWM Dimming rate.
As you could notice, the CMF Phone 1 clearly dominates the Realme 13 5G when it comes to display, because it sports a better AMOLED panel that’ll not only have higher colour reproduction, but is also brighter. The viewing angles would also be superior on the CMF Phone 1.
Performance & Software
The Realme 13 5G is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 Processor under the hood, paired with 8GB RAM and up to 256GB of storage which is also expandable. The CMF Phone 1 packs a more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage.
While both of them have the same price tag for the 8GB + 128GB model, the Realme device has a single advantage here, where it offers a higher storage variant, but that comes associated with a higher price as well. In terms of processor, the CMF Phone 1 gets the better chip with more power, so you could even do light gaming.
Software-wise, both of them run on Android 14 but Nothing OS is the more cleaner Android skin with lesser bloatware and a decent amount of features, while Realme’s OS offers a bit more customisation. It’s up to you which OS you prefer, but if you want better performance, CMF Phone 1 is the way to go.
Both the devices pack a 5000mAh battery but the Realme 13 5G gets slightly faster 45W charging while CMF Phone 1 maxes out at 33W. In real world, this should ideally account for a difference of a few minutes.
When it comes to cameras, there’s a dual rear camera setup at the back of Realme 13 5G, including a 50MP f/1.8 Samsung ISOCELL S5KJNS primary sensor with OIS, along with a 2MP f/2.4 portrait sensor. It has a 16MP selfie sensor.
The CMF Phone 1 features a dual camera setup at the back, also coming with a 50MP f/1.8 primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor, along with a 16MP selfie shooter on the front.
Specs-wise, while both of them are similar, the Realme 13 5G has support for OIS that should help it in more stabilised video shooting and low-light photography. Otherwise, we can’t comment on which one has a superior setup as we haven’t used the Realme 13 5G.
The Realme 13 5G also has a better IP64 rating compared to IP52 rating of CMF Phone 1, and gets you stereo speakers while the CMF Phone has a single speaker. However, with CMF’s device, you get better design customisability if you are into that.
Verdict
The Realme 13 5G and the CMF Phone 1, both are priced at Rs 17,999 and we think the latter is a superior choice due to the value it provides for the price. If you can handle lack of OIS support, and compromise on the IP rating and stereo speakers, then you get a cleaner software with significantly better performance and display panel on the CMF Phone 1.
One of the most underrated features of iPhones is that they come with international warranty which is extremely convenient for users so they can avail repairs anywhere across the globe where the device is sold. It appears that Google is taking a page from Apple’s playbook by offering an international warranty with its latest flagship smartphones, the Pixel 9 series.
While answering a question regarding international warranty for Pixel 9 Pro XL in his Q&A video, tech YouTuber Geekyranjit claimed that he reached out to Google India team regarding the subject, where the team confirmed that the Pixel 9 series indeed comes with global warranty. The international warranty, as per Ranjit, applies to all Pixel 9 series handsets, including the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
An international warranty ensures that a product is covered for repairs and replacements across multiple countries, not just the country of purchase. For the Google Pixel 9, this means that users can get their devices serviced in any country where Google offers support, regardless of where the phone was originally bought. In other words, if you buy these devices from outside India, you can easily claim their warranty in India in case of any defects with the handset and vice versa.
We noticed that Canada and the US are the two countries where all three devices are available at significantly lower prices compared to their prices in India. The introduction of an international warranty for the Google Pixel 9 is a testament to Google’s dedication to enhancing user experience. It not only provides added convenience and peace of mind but also sets a new standard in the smartphone industry. In the past, we have seen companies like Apple and Oppo also provide international warranties for their devices as well.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a premium smartwatch designed for those who demand the best. While it offers a plethora of impressive features, some of its most advanced capabilities are exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices. Here we discuss the top features that make the Galaxy Watch Ultra a truly exceptional companion for Samsung smartphone users.
Advanced Health Tracking with Samsung Health
Samsung Health is a comprehensive health and fitness platform that works seamlessly with the Galaxy Watch Ultra.When paired with a Galaxy device, you can unlock advanced health tracking features, including:
ECG Monitoring: Measure your heart rate in real-time and detect potential heart irregularities.
Blood Pressure Monitoring: Track your blood pressure trends and identify any abnormalities.
Body Composition Analysis: Get insights into your body fat percentage, muscle mass, and more.
Sleep Tracking: Monitor your sleep patterns, including sleep stages and snoring detection.
Double pinch gesture
Samsung introduced the Double pinch gesture with Galaxy Watch 7 and the Watch Ultra. It can be used for triggering various actions across the UI. However, this gesture is unusable when you pair your watch with a non-Samsung device. To use the feature, you must pair the Galaxy Watch Ultra with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone running One UI 6.1.1 or higher.
Suggested replies
Suggested replies is only available on Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra, allowing Galaxy AI within the watch to suggest you replies based on the text you may have received. For the feature to work, the watch requires the latest Wear OS version installed and must be paired with Galaxy Z Flip 6 running One UI 6.1.1 or above.
DND, Sleep modes sync with phone
The synchronisation of DND (do not disturb) and Sleep modes between the watch and the phone is supported only when the Galaxy Watch Ultra is paired with a Samsung Galaxy devices. When the modes are activated (manually or automatically) on one device, it also gets activated on the other, with similar functionality for deactivation as well.
Device Diagnostics
Device diagnostics feature allows you to check various software and hardware features of the Galaxy Watch Ultra. However, this feature is only accessible on Galaxy Watches when it’s triggered via the Samsung members app, which is only available on Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
AR emoji watch face supports advanced customisation when used with a Samsung phone, as it makes use of the Samsung AR Emoji App on the phone to create emojis as preferred by the user. The AR Emoji app by Samsung is available only on its own devices.
Bixby Routines
Samsung phones have a built-in automation tool called Bixby routines that allows users to automate various tasks on the watch. For instance, you could set a location where your watch face would automatically change once you reach there. While Bixby is accessible even when the watch is paired to a non-Samsung device, Bixby Routines are only available when your Galaxy Watch Ultra is paired to a Samsung Galaxy phone.
Samsung, every year, releases beta versions of its Wear OS skin called One UI Watch on which the Galaxy Watch Ultra and many other Samsung smartwatches run. These beta versions, like Device diagnostics, can only be installed via the Samsung members app and if you do not have a Samsung phone paired with your Galaxy Watch Ultra, you won’t be able to try the beta versions of the software.
Sync with One UI apps
One UI has various stock apps that are installed on the Watch Ultra and if you are reliant on these apps in your Samsung phone, the watch can keep that data synced. For instance, Samsung’s own Reminders app can sync your reminders on watch’s version of the Reminders app. Similar is a situation with Birthday events in stock Calendar app, where a contact’s birthday can be shown in the default watch calendar app and tile when Galaxy Watch Ultra is paired with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Again, there are alternatives for these apps but they may not work as well as One UI’s own apps do.
Xiaomi has launched a new entry-level smartphone in the global markets, dubbed Redmi 14C. The new 14C comes with a MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra while last year’s 13C came with a Helio G85 chipset. Here’s everything we know about the newly launched smartphone from Xiaomi sub-brand.
Redmi 14C: Price, Availability
While the official pricing of the device is yet to be disclosed, the Redmi 14C is already available in Midnight Black, Sage Green, Dreamy Purple, and Starry Blue colours from retailers in Czechia. Pricing in the region starts at CZK 2,999 (approx Rs 11,100) for the 4GB + 128GB trim, while the 8GB+256GB variant is priced at CZK 3,699 (approx Rs 13,700). The Redmi 14C has launched in a total of four variants, where apart from the two mentioned, you can also get it in 4GB + 256GB and 6GB +128GB models.
Redmi 14C: Specifications
The Redmi 14C sports a 6.88-inch IPS LCD display with an HD+ resolution of 1640 x 720 pixels, 260 ppi, up to 120Hz refresh rate, up to 240Hz touch sampling rate, 600 nits peak brightness, and DC dimming support.
Under the hood, the phone packs a MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra SoC, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 256GB of eMMC 5.1 internal storage which is expandable up to 1TB. The handset runs on Android 14-based HyperOS out of the box.
There is a 5160mAh battery with 18W Fast charging support. On the rear, the phone sports a dual camera setup, comprising a 50MP primary lens with an f/1.8 Aperture and an unspecified secondary lens. For selfies, a 13MP f/2.0 front-facing camera is included.
Additionally, connectivity options will include support for Bluetooth v5.4, a Dual SIM, Wi-Fi 5, NFC, GPS, FM Radio, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm Headphone jack. It also gets a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security.
Meta AI has been integrated within Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger, which seems like a move that has proven beneficial for Meta, as it announced that the AI chatbot has achieved a new milestone of 400 million monthly active users. Meta AI expanded beyond the US boundaries back in April and has reached several countries, including India, so far.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO at Meta, took to the company’s own Threads app to announce that Meta AI has 400 million monthly active users while weekly users stand at 185 million across its range of services. Zuckerberg notes that Meta AI hasn’t even touched major markets like UK, Brazil, or EU, and despite that, it has been able to achieve a significant growth.
Back in April, Meta AI rolled out in new countries apart from the US, including Australia, Canada, Ghana, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Then in June 2024, Meta AI also arrived in India.
In another recent blog post, Meta revealed that its Llama LLM has also experienced a tenfold increase in growth since last year. According to the company, its free-to-use models have been downloaded over 350 million times since Llama’s debut in February 2023, with more than 20 million downloads recorded in just the past month.
”The success of Llama is made possible through the power of open source. By making our Llama models openly available we’ve seen a vibrant and diverse AI ecosystem come to life where developers have more choice and capability than ever before,” said Meta.
In a separate report, The Information noted that Meta has already rolled out its chatbot to over 3 billion users globally. Citing two Meta employees, the report stated that the AI currently has 40 million daily active users. The report also mentioned that Zuckerberg aims for the chatbot to become the most-used AI tool by the end of the year.
Motorola has announced the Moto G35 5G and the Moto G55 5G smartphones in Europe as its latest set of budget devices. The Moto G35 5G comes powered with a Unisoc 5G processor while the G55 5G packs a MediaTek Dimensity 7025 processor. Here’s everything we know about the device.
Moto G55 5G: Price, Specs
Moto G55 pricing starts at EUR 249 (approx Rs 24,000) in Europe. It is available in Forest Grey, Smoky Green, and Twilight Purple hues.
The Moto G55 5G sports a 6.49-inch FHD+ display with a punch-hole cutout and a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7025 octa-core Chipset paired with 8GB LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB UFS 2.2 storage that is further expandable up to 1TB. The phone runs on Android 14-based MyUX 5.0 custom skin out of the box.
Moto G55 5G has a dual camera setup on the back, consisting of a 50MP f/1.8 main sensor with OIS, and an 8MP ultra-wide angle f/2.2 lens with LED Flash. There is a 16MP f/2.4 front camera for selfies and video chats. The handset packs a 5000mAh battery with 30W fast charging.
Connectivity options include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth v5.3, GPS, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port for charging. There is a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for Biometrics along with Dolby Atmos-powered stereo speakers. The handset is also IP52 rated.
Moto G35 5G: Price, Specs
The new moto G35 5G will be available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa with a starting MSRP of €199 (approx Rs 19,000). It comes in Leaf Green, Guava Red, and Midnight Black shades.
The handset sports a 6.72-inch LCD FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1000 nits peak brightness, HDR 10, 8-bit colours, and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. It is powered by the Unisoc T760 5G processor coupled with up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage which is expandable via a dedicated microSD card slot. The handset is backed by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 18W charging.
For optics, the Moto G35 5G offers a dual rear camera setup of a 50-megapixel f/1.8 main camera and an 8-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide angle lens. There’s a 16-megapixel f/2.45 front camera. It further gets a side-facing fingerprint scanner along with Android 14-based My UX for software. It also has stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos along with two mics.
Connectivity options on the Moto G35 5G include 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v5.0, NFC, GPS, a 3.5mm Headphonejack, and a USB Type-C port. It also gets a water-repellent design.
Itel is all set to debut a new feature phone in India in September, called ‘Flip One’, which will also be its first Flip Keypad phone. According to the brand, the device “flips open and shuts with a sleek, elegant design”. All set to hit the shelves in September 2024, here’s what all Itel has confirmed about the launch.
The Flip One showcases an advanced flip function and boasts a premium leather design back. The Flip one from Itel is aimed at “Gen Z and millennials seeking a break from smartphones.” The feature phone further offers a simple way to stay connected with essential internet, texting, calling, and camera features.
The device is designed for one-handed operation, and is both lightweight and portable according to Itel. Equipped with Bluetooth support, Type-C charging, and a BT caller feature, the Flip One allows users to sync their smartphone contacts and handle calls directly from the feature phone.
Additionally, it boasts a non-removable battery akin to smartphones, a glass-designed keypad, and support for 13 Indian languages. The device will be made available in three colors, two of which will include rose gold and light blue shades. The brand hasn’t confirmed the exact date of Itel Flip one India launch as of now.
Earlier this month, the brand introduced two new smartphones dubbed Itel A50 and the Itel A50C in India. The new A-series smartphones from Itel come packed with a side-facing fingerprint sensor, run on Android 14 Go Edition operating system, and more. The itel A50 is available in two memory variants in India, including 3GB + 64GB priced at Rs 6,099, and 4GB + 64GB priced at Rs 6,499. The A50C comes in a single 2GB + 32GB model priced at Rs 5,599.
The latest addition to the Nord earbuds lineup is the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, which we purchased for review. At Rs 3,299, should you consider buying these over the competition? Let’s have a look.
Design & Comfort
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro gets a cobble-shaped case with a matte black finish. The case, as the name of the colour suggests, is starry black, and it has small dots representing the stars. It looks appealing to the eye and creates an identity for itself.
The finishing of the case feels premium, and it’s also quite pocketable. The hinge holding the lid is firm and doesn’t allow much unnecessary movement. Further, it opens up nicely due to the spring mechanism and closes up similarly.
The front has a light that shows the case and buds’ battery status. At the bottom is the USB-C port for charging the buds. Next to the port is a pairing button that can be used to manually pair new devices.
The buds themselves have a dual-tone look, with plastic that has a glossy and matte finish. They also have a unique shape, with the stem getting thicker towards the bottom.
The in-ear design is well-made and fits snugly into the ear canal. It doesn’t come off even during vigorous tasks like jogging or running. Because they’re lightweight as well, the buds sit comfortable enough in the ear for extended listening sessions. They are also IP55 rated so sweat, dust, and some splashes shouldn’t harm them.
The buds also support Touch Controls, which can be customized via the HeyMelody app. These controls include single-tap, double-tap, triple-tap, touch and hold, and long touch and hold. They function adequately and typically work on the first attempt, rarely needing a second try.
OnePlus includes a couple of extra pairs of ear tips in different sizes in the box itself, alongside a short red-coloured USB-C cable, a sticker, and some manuals.
Audio quality, Call quality, App Features, Battery life
The Nord Buds 3 Pro packs 12.4mm “titanised” drivers with Basswave 2.0 technology and Bluetooth v5.4.
The audio quality is quite impressive for those who like bass, as it throws thumping bass right at you with each beat when the Basswave feature is turned on.
With it turned on, the bass can overshadow other frequencies in select tracks, but when it’s turned off, the Nord Buds 3 Pro offers a balanced experience for the most part. The mids are well-maintained, while the higher frequencies and vocals also sound clear.
The HeyMelody app has a Sound Master EQ option that allows you to choose your own sound signature. Through the custom mode, you can adjust a 6-band equaliser, which is impressive at this price point. The Serenade EQ preset turns down the bass further, while the ‘Bass’ and ‘Balanced’ options are self-explanatory.
The buds support AAC and SBC codecs, which I feel is a missed opportunity. OnePlus could have offered support for the LDAC or LHDC codecs, too, but that would have resulted in a price increase, so it’s a tradeoff you’ll have to live with. Connectivity-wise, I didn’t face any issues such as breaks in audio or anything of similar sorts.
The earbuds’ Active Noise Cancellation performance is excellent. Cancelling noise up to 49dB, the buds can suppress traffic noise to a large extent. Higher-pitched noises, such as the sound of a fan, could have been handled better, but those such as human voices, noises in a market, etc., can be cancelled out easily. You can even set the noise cancellation level from the HeyMelody app and choose between four options: High, Moderate, Low, and Smart.
The transparency mode is not the strongest, as ambient sounds tend to be mostly muffled. While there is some enhancement, it’s not to the level I would have anticipated.
Other features include a Game mode that can lower the Latency while gaming. In my experience, this feature worked well, bringing down the latency to an ideal level.
They also support multi-device connectivity, a feature that would be much appreciated by those who have two phones or need to have these connected to a phone and a PC at the same time. The Find My Earbuds feature can help you locate the buds in case you ever lose them.
The buds will also receive OTA updates from time to time to fix bugs or introduce enhancements. If you have a OnePlus or Oppo smartphone, you can access all these features from the device’s Bluetooth Settings page without needing to install the HeyMelody app.
There’s also support for Google Fast Pair, which makes the setup process quite easy. When I opened the case, my phone showed me a pop-up stating that the buds were ready to connect and pair.
Call quality of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro is also great, considering the price. It picks up loud background noises behind the wearer but cancels out unwanted noise for an ideal and clear calling experience. People on the other end of the call mostly didn’t complain about issues with my voice.
The buds pack a 58mAh battery each, while the case has a 440mAh battery. According to OnePlus, the buds can last about 5.5 hours with ANC turned on. However, because I was listening at higher volumes, I could touch the 5-hour mark but nothing beyond that. According to the brand, without ANC, you could reach up to 12 hours of listening time on a single charge.
With ANC turned off, the earbuds offer up to 44 hours of total playback time with the charging case. When ANC is enabled, the battery life drops to around 20 hours. While I didn’t hit these exact numbers during my rigorous testing, I came close, which is still quite impressive.
