Category: All News

March 31, 2024
Honor MagicBook X14/X16 Pro 2024 Laptops Available on Amazon India
Honor has recently introduced two new laptop models in the Indian market – the MagicBook X14 Pro and X16 Pro 2024, now accessible for purchase on Amazon. These laptops are bundled with a variety of promotions, making them an enticing option for individuals seeking a fresh computing device.
Honor MagicBook X14/X16 Pro 2024 Specifications
Both the X14 Pro and X16 Pro are constructed using aluminum, ensuring a balance between lightweight design and durability. The X14 Pro weighs just 1.4 kg and measures 16.5mm in thickness, while the X16 Pro is marginally heavier and thicker at 1.7 kg and 17.9mm. Internally, they are fueled by the 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H processor, ensuring efficient performance.
Display and Performance Features
The X14 Pro boasts a 14-inch Full HD display, while the X16 Pro sports a 16-inch Full HD screen, both incorporating slim bezels for an enhanced visual experience. These laptops offer up to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, operating on Windows 11 Home. Equipped with a specialized cooling fan, they are designed to remain cool during operation, supported by a 60Wh battery that delivers up to 12 hours of usage. Furthermore, they are outfitted with various ports including USB-C, HDMI, USB-A, and a headphone/mic jack.
Pricing and Availability
The MagicBook X14 Pro is priced starting at Rs 54,490, featuring 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, while the X16 Pro starts from Rs 58,490 for the 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD variant. Customers have the opportunity to benefit from an exchange offer that could reduce the price by up to Rs 16,900. Additionally, a Rs 5,000 discount is available for customers using HDFC or SBI credit cards, with EMI options commencing from Rs 2,642 per month.
Tags: honor, MagicBook X14 Pro, MagicBook X16 Pro
March 31, 2024
Huawei Tri-Fold Smartphone Set for Release This Year
The patent for Huawei’s smartphone featuring a tri-fold display has been revealed. The exact launch date for Huawei’s tri-fold smartphone is still uncertain, but insights from the patent shed light on the phone’s design. There are speculations that the trifold phone could hit the market by the end of this year.
Huawei Set to Unveil Tri-Fold Smartphone
Samsung previously showcased a tri-fold display smartphone at the CES event but did not bring it to market. Both Huawei and Samsung might introduce phones with tri-fold displays in 2024.
Huawei Tri-Fold Smartphone Design: Z-Shape
According to a recent report by ITHome on Huawei’s patent, the upcoming smartphone appears to adopt a "Z" shape when folded and incorporates two distinct hinges. A key feature of tri-fold devices is that the screen connected to the second hinge can fold outward, enabling the third part of the screen to function as a fully operational display when the device is folded. In comparison, flip-style foldable devices with outer screens often face screen interruptions due to rear cameras.
Embracing a Lighter Tri-Fold Design
The market has yet to witness tri-fold devices, primarily due to the challenge posed by their intricate design and potential heaviness with two different hinges. Huawei’s patent, however, indicates that each section of the display will have varying thicknesses, potentially reducing the overall weight of the device.
The practicality of tri-fold smartphones remains uncertain, as no company has introduced one to date. While current rumors are inconclusive, it is plausible that some phone manufacturers may introduce tri-fold smartphones in 2024.
Tags: Huawei, Tri-fold smartphones
March 31, 2024
Xiaomi 14 Ultra: 5 Gbps Mobile Network Speed with 5.5G Technology
Chinese telecommunications companies have made a significant leap from 5G to 6G by introducing the cutting-edge 5.5G (5G-A) technology, promising much higher speeds on mobile networks. Xiaomi 14 Ultra has become one of the first smartphones in China to offer the commercial availability of 5.5G capability, reflecting this technological advancement.
Advancement to 5.5G Technology
Several Chinese smartphone manufacturers, in partnership with China Telecom, have embraced the 5.5G technology. Devices like the vivo X100 Pro and OPPO Find X7 series are expected to incorporate the 5.5G (5G-A) feature by April 2024, ushering in a new era of connectivity.
Speed Milestone with Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Tests conducted by China Mobile have demonstrated that the Xiaomi 14 Ultra can achieve remarkable speeds of up to 5132 Mbps, showcasing the immense potential of 5.5G technology. This advancement not only enhances speed but also improves latency, connection scalability, and energy efficiency, leading to a substantial tenfold increase in network capacity.
Future Prospects of 5.5G
The 5 Gbps mobile network speed offered by Xiaomi 14 Ultra is just the beginning of what 5.5G (5G-A) technology can deliver. Anticipated benefits include millisecond-level latency, along with impressive downlink speeds of 10 Gigabit and uplink speeds of 1 Gigabit. Although the deployment of 5.5G technology is currently limited to specific cities in China and select phone models, it indicates a promising future despite the gradual transition to 6G networks.
Tags: 5.5G Technology, Speed Enhancements, Xiaomi 14 Ultra
March 31, 2024
PlayStation Plus April 2024 Lineup: Immortals of Aveum, Minecraft Legends
Sony unveiled the PlayStation Plus lineup for April, featuring a mix of new and distinct titles for its subscription service. This month’s selection comprises Immortals of Aveum, Minecraft Legends, and Skul: The Hero Slayer, catering to varied gaming preferences and styles.
Immortals of Aveum
In Immortals of Aveum, created by Ascendant Studios and published by Electronic Arts, players immerse themselves in a first-person shooter world where magic reigns supreme. Priced at approximately $80 upon its launch in August 2023, the game follows Jak’s journey from a thief to a crucial defender of the kingdom of Aveum, wielding magical abilities. Noteworthy is its utilization of Unreal Engine 5.1, marking it as the first AAA title to do so.
Minecraft Legends
Minecraft Legends, developed by Mojang Studios and Blackbird Interactive, introduces a real-time action strategy twist to the beloved Minecraft universe. Launched in April 2023, the game has garnered mixed reviews, boasting a metascore of 71 alongside a user score of 4.8.
Skul: The Hero Slayer
Skul: The Hero Slayer offers an immersive 2D platformer experience with rogue-like elements, where players find themselves championing for the demons. Taking on the role of Skul, a skeletal hero, players embark on a mission to rescue their demon comrades from human captors. The game has received a metascore of 80 from 23 reviews, indicating a generally positive reception from critics.
From April 2 till May 6, PlayStation Plus members can enjoy these titles. Moreover, the Overwatch 2 Mega Bundle remains accessible, providing exclusive skins and perks for Overwatch 2 enthusiasts. Some of the inclusions are:
- Beekeeper Sigma Legendary Skin
- Art Deco Symmetra Legendary Skin
- Runner Sojourn Epic Skin
- Punker Queen Junker Queen Epic Skin
- Construction Ramattra Epic Skin
- Matsuri Kiriko Epic Skin
- Cassia Lifeweaver Epic Skin
- Amethyst Illari Epic Skin
- Rugby Mauga Epic Skin
- 5x Battle Pass Tier Skips
Tags: Gaming Titles, Immortals of Aveum, Minecraft Legends, Overwatch 2 Mega Bundle, PlayStation Plus Monthly
March 31, 2024
Pre-order Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G Mystic Silver Special Edition with Discount
Xiaomi has recently introduced a special edition color option for its Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, named Mystic Silver, as part of the Xiaomi Fan Festival. This unique color variant is now available for pre-order in the UK and select European regions, boasting an appealing price point.
Pricing and Specifications
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G Mystic Silver variant boasts 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Typically, this configuration of the smartphone is priced at around £449 in the UK and €499.90 in Europe. However, customers can now purchase the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G Mystic Silver with these specifications at a discounted price of just £379 and €400.90.
Limited-time Offer
This discounted rate is a limited-time offer, requiring customers to pre-reserve the device by depositing a nominal fee of £1/€1 before April 1 at 23:59 in the UK or April 2 at 09:59 in the Eurozone. Pre-reservations can be made on Xiaomi’s regional websites. It’s important to note that the specifications of the device will remain consistent with the standard Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G model.
Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G Specifications
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G boasts a 6.67-inch curved AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra chipset, the device is equipped with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. On the camera front, it features a 200MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro camera at the back, along with a 16MP selfie camera on the front. The smartphone is fueled by a 5000mAh battery and supports 120W wired fast charging.
Tags: Mystic Silver, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, Xiaomi
March 31, 2024
Xiaomi Q2 2024 HyperOS Update Plans: Is Your Device Included?
Xiaomi introduced its latest HyperOS operating system, based on Android 14, towards the end of 2023. Since then, the company has been progressively updating its eligible devices to this new operating system.
Xiaomi’s Q2 2024 HyperOS Rollout Plan
As the first quarter of the year concludes, Xiaomi has disclosed the list of devices it intends to upgrade in the second quarter of 2024. The devices slated for the Q2 2024 HyperOS rollout include:
- Xiaomi 11 Ultra
- Xiaomi 11T Pro
- Mi 11X
- Xiaomi 11I HyperCharge
- Xiaomi 11 Lite
- Xiaomi 11i
- Mi 10
- Xiaomi Pad 5
- Redmi K50i
- Redmi 13C series
- Redmi 12
- Redmi 11 Prime 5G
- Redmi Note 11 Series
Devices Already Updated with HyperOS
Moreover, Xiaomi has also listed the devices for which the HyperOS update has already been rolled out. The complete list comprises:
- Xiaomi 13 Pro
- Xiaomi Pad 6
- Redmi 12 5G
- Redmi 12C
- Redmi 11 Prime
- Redmi Pad
- Xiaomi 12 Pro
- Redmi Note 12 5G
- Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G
- Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G
- Redmi Note 13 5G
- Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
- Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G
If you own any of these devices and have not yet received the update notification, it is recommended to navigate to Settings > About Phone and select ‘System updates’. For a detailed insight into the new features and differences in HyperOS compared to MIUI, readers can refer to our HyperOS explainer.
Tags: Device Upgrades, HyperOS update, Xiaomi
March 31, 2024
Realme GT Neo 6 SE Design Unveiled Before April Launch
Realme has officially confirmed that the GT Neo 6 SE smartphone is scheduled for an April launch, hinting that an exact release date announcement is on the horizon. Prior to the official unveiling, the device has surfaced on the TENAA listing, offering a glimpse of its design elements both on the front and back.
Design Details Revealed
The TENAA listing showcases a design consistent with earlier leaked renders of the GT Neo 6 SE. Noteworthy features include three circular cutouts on the rear, potentially accommodating three cameras and a flashlight, with the camera setup extending towards the device's sides.
Elegant Design Elements
The GT Neo 6 SE boasts curved edges on both its front and back surfaces. While the images display the device in black, there are hints that a green variant might also be in the works.
Powerful Performance and Display
Realme's GT Neo 6 SE will be powered by the newly unveiled Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor. This chipset packs a 2.8 GHz Cortex-X4 prime core, four 2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 performance cores, and three 1.9 GHz Cortex-A520 efficiency cores, along with an Adreno 732 GPU.
Realme touts significant performance enhancements and energy efficiency improvements with this processor compared to its forerunner.
Impressive Display Features
Moreover, the GT Neo 6 SE will sport a cutting-edge BOE panel with remarkable specifications. The display offers a local peak brightness of 6000 nits and a global maximum brightness of 1600 nits, ensuring exceptional visibility even in well-lit environments.
It further provides a manual maximum brightness of 1000 nits and incorporates advanced features like new 8T LTPO technology, BOE S1 luminescent materials, a 0.5-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, Pro-XDR display, 1.5K resolution, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and an impressive 94.2% screen-to-body ratio.
Tags: Realme 12 Pro, Realme GT Neo 6 SE, Snapdragon 7 Gen 3
March 30, 2024
Microsoft & OpenAI plan $100B supercomputer Stargate AI
According to a recent report from The Information, Microsoft and OpenAI are in discussions for a collaborative data center project that could amount to an estimated $100 billion. This initiative aims to introduce a groundbreaking artificial intelligence supercomputer known as "Stargate" by the year 2028.
Microsoft and OpenAI's Joint Data Center Project
This ambitious undertaking reflects the escalating demand for AI data centers capable of managing increasingly intricate tasks, largely driven by the emergence of generative AI technology.
Microsoft is anticipated to take on the primary financial responsibility for this venture, with projections suggesting that the project's budget will be a hundredfold greater than current data center operations.
Key Phases of the Stargate Supercomputer Initiative
The envisioned supercomputer, situated in the United States, will serve as the focal point of a comprehensive six-year initiative, segmented into five distinct phases. The deployment of Stargate is envisioned as the final phase, following Microsoft's ongoing development of a smaller supercomputer for OpenAI, set for unveiling in 2026.
The acquisition of specialized AI chips is slated to be a substantial expense during the latter stages of the project, with estimates indicating a price range of $30,000 to $40,000 per chip, as highlighted by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
Financial Projections and Technological Advancements
Microsoft's commitment to enhancing AI capabilities is exemplified through its creation of bespoke computing chips. The new data center project is designed to integrate chips from diverse suppliers, as detailed in the report.
The estimated expenditures for the project could potentially exceed $115 billion, surpassing Microsoft's previous year's capital investment in infrastructure by a significant margin.
Recently, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman unveiled details about the forthcoming GPT-5 model during the World Government Summit in Dubai, revealing its anticipated advancements surpassing prior iterations. GPT-5 is poised to represent a substantial leap in AI capabilities, with early demonstrations showcasing its proficiency in deciphering ancient languages. It is expected to feature functionalities such as image generation through DALL-E and video generation via Sora, with a tentative rollout projected for 2024.
Tags: AI chips, Data Center Initiative, Supercomputer Stargate
March 30, 2024
Huawei’s Remarkable 2023 Financial Success Surpasses 2019
Huawei, the prominent Chinese technology company, has announced strong financial results for the year 2023, demonstrating its resilience in the midst of ongoing adversities. Despite encountering challenges such as U.S. sanctions and market volatility, the company achieved a notable revenue increase of almost 10 percent, amounting to a substantial 704.2 billion yuan ($97.4 billion). This growth was primarily driven by the consumer business segment, which experienced a remarkable 17.3 percent surge, propelled by robust sales in the handset division, notably the Mate 60 in the 5G smartphones market.
Revenue Growth and Segment Performance
Huawei's revenue growth in 2023 showcased its ability to adapt and succeed in a challenging environment. The company's consumer business segment, particularly the handset division, played a significant role in driving this growth.
Overcoming Challenges and Financial Success
Despite facing restrictions on essential technology and software since 2019, Huawei managed to overcome these hurdles effectively, as evidenced by its impressive financial performance. The company's net profit saw an extraordinary surge of 144.5 percent to 87 billion yuan ($12 billion), supported by strong sales and continued earnings from the Honor smartphone brand's sale.
Diversified Business Expansion
Huawei's diverse business segments have been instrumental in fueling its growth trajectory. The cloud computing business witnessed a substantial 22 percent year-on-year increase, generating revenue of 55.3 billion yuan ($7.7 billion). Additionally, the smart car software and components business experienced a remarkable 128.1 percent year-on-year growth, demonstrating Huawei's prowess in emerging sectors.
In response to its financial accomplishments, Huawei's leadership, under the guidance of Rotating Chairman Ken Hu, highlighted the company's resilience and adeptness in facing challenges. Despite the intricacies of the current business landscape, Huawei remains dedicated to investing in research and innovation, allocating 23.4 percent of its annual revenue to R&D endeavors. Looking forward, the company expressed confidence in the future, with a focus on delivering enhanced value to customers and society through collaborative partnerships and innovative solutions.
Huawei's exceptional performance in 2023 not only solidifies its status as a global technology leader but also underscores its capacity to excel even in adverse conditions.
Tags: Consumer business growth, Innovation in adversity, Technology resilience
March 30, 2024
Huawei & PetroChina Collaborate for Smart Energy Solutions
In a unique public gathering convened in Shenzhen, China, Ren Zhengfei, the CEO of Huawei Technologies, participated in discussions with senior executives from PetroChina, spearheaded by Dai Houliang, the chairperson of China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) and PetroChina. The session, coinciding with Dai Houliang's tour of Huawei's Computing Innovation Lab, delved into pivotal agendas encompassing corporate governance, digital transformation, and scientific innovation.
Collaborative Initiatives in Low-Carbon Energy
One of the central themes of the discourse revolved around PetroChina's strides in low-carbon energy, emphasizing their advancements towards reaching peak carbon emissions and their ambitious target of doubling the role of low-carbon energy in their overall output capacity within the upcoming two years.
Ren Zhengfei – Huawei
The partnership between CNPC and Huawei has resulted in significant progress, particularly in the creation of a cognitive computing platform named E8. This innovative platform harnesses AI technologies to offer intelligent analyses for oil and gas exploration and production, marking a crucial advancement in modernizing operations within the energy sector.
Past Collaborations and Financial Performance
Previous collaborations between Huawei and PetroChina were underscored, notably their joint endeavors in establishing PetroChina's inaugural comprehensive energy service station in Beijing, integrating diverse energy services with non-energy ventures.
Ren Zhengfei's recent public appearance highlighted Huawei's financial performance in 2023, showcasing a year-on-year doubling of profits despite facing US sanctions. Huawei's growth areas included cloud computing, operating in over 170 countries and regions, driving digital transformation initiatives across various industries, including the energy sector.
The interaction between Huawei and PetroChina represents a notable stride towards nurturing collaboration between the technology and energy realms, with a focus on propelling innovation and sustainability globally. As both entities persist in their pursuit of digital transformation and scientific innovation, their partnership holds the potential to address critical challenges in the energy sector while uncovering fresh avenues for growth and progress.
Tags: Energy Transition, Huawei, Innovation