Category: All News

December 9, 2024
Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G Launches with Sony LYT-600 Camera Upgrades
Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 14 in India, marking the smartphone’s first international debut. Initially, the device was revealed in late September, but only for the Chinese market. The global version of the Redmi Note 14 features some hardware modifications compared to the version sold in China.
Global Version Details
Similar to the Redmi Note 13 5G (currently priced at $219.50 on Amazon), Xiaomi has appended ‘5G’ to the name for its worldwide release. While the company hasn’t officially stated this, it seems likely that this change is made in anticipation of future releases of 4G versions, like the Redmi Note 14 4G and Redmi Note 14 Pro 4G. Regardless, the Redmi Note 14 5G available globally shares several hardware components with the model exclusive to China.
Camera Upgrades
In a notable update, Xiaomi has included a third rear camera, which is an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle lens featuring an f/2.2 aperture and a 21 mm equivalent focal length. Additionally, the front camera has been upgraded from a 16 MP to a 20 MP variant, which supports up to 1080p video at 30 FPS. However, Xiaomi has removed the 12 GB RAM option for the international variant of the device.
Pricing and Availability
Consequently, the Redmi Note 14 5G will launch at a price point of INR 18,999 (~$224) for the version with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, with pre-orders commencing on December 13. Alternatively, options with 8 GB of RAM come with either 128 GB or 256 GB of storage, priced at INR 19,999 (~$236) and INR 21,999 (~$260), respectively. All memory configurations will be available in three finishes: Mystique White, Phantom Purple, and Titan Black. For additional information, check Xiaomi’s official website.
Tags: Redmi Note 14 5G, Smartphone Launch, Xiaomi
December 9, 2024
Xiaomi 15 Ultra Launch Date Officially Confirmed for This Month
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is set to join the Xiaomi 15 series, which currently includes the standard Xiaomi 15 and the Xiaomi 15 Pro. Recently, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra got 3C certification in China. Now, we have the official word on when this Ultra model will be launched.
Release Information
The launch details for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra were shared by Lao Wei, who is the general manager of Xiaomi’s mobile phone marketing division. She posted a video on Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok. In this video, she demonstrated how Xiaomi smartphones can easily connect with Apple devices. However, a comment caught her attention, where someone inquired if the rumors about a delay in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra were true. Lao Wei promptly confirmed that there will be no delays and that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is scheduled to be released in February.
Specifications and Features
The exact specifications and features of the 15 Ultra haven’t been officially revealed yet. However, rumors indicate that it will be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.
Expect it to have a 6.73-inch display boasting a 120 Hz refresh rate. In terms of photography, it might include a 1-inch primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens, and a 200MP periscope telephoto lens. The battery is anticipated to have a capacity between 5,450 mAh and 5,800 mAh. According to the 3C certification, the charger for the 15 Ultra is expected to support fast charging up to 90W.
Tags: 90W Fast Charging, Snapdragon 8 Elite, Xiaomi 15 Ultra
December 9, 2024
Two Surprise Games Added to Xbox Game Pass This Month
Microsoft usually announces new Xbox Game Pass titles two times each month. This time, though, subscribers will get a nice surprise with the addition of two unexpected games: For The King II and Hunt: Showdown 1896. The developers shared this news on X (previously known as Twitter), stating that both games will be available in the Game Pass library starting December 12.
For The King II Overview
For The King II is a strategy RPG that allows players to command a group of heroes in their fight against the Queen of Fahrul. Players can go solo or team up with up to three friends, engaging in turn-based battles and exploring procedurally generated maps. These maps are made up of hexagonal tiles, and every turn brings chances to explore, meet enemies, fulfill quests, or encounter random events. This varied gameplay helps keep the adventure lively and interesting.
Game Details and Reception
Created by Curve Games and published by IronOak Games, For The King II was released in November 2023. It is priced at approximately $25 on Steam and has earned a “Mostly Positive” rating, with around 70 percent of 9,800 reviews being favorable. The game’s Metacritic score reflects this as well, showing a Metascore of 76 and a user score of 7.8. Although many players appreciate the game, some have pointed out technical bugs and mentioned that it doesn’t bring many new ideas compared to the original game.
Hunt: Showdown 1896 Features
This multiplayer shooter drops players into a dark, monster-filled world set in 1896. As a hunter, you’ll face not just other players but also dangerous monsters, creating a thrilling PvPvE scenario. The realistic damage from weapons adds to the difficulty, especially since players use real 19th-century guns like revolvers, shotguns, and crossbows. The main aim is survival, and the permadeath feature raises the stakes, adding an extra layer of tension.
Hunt: Showdown 1896 comes from Crytek, the German studio famous for the popular game Crysis. In August 2024, the developers released an improved version that included a major graphics update using CryEngine 5.11 and a new map. “Mammon’s Gulch” takes players from the swamps of Louisiana to the rugged mountains of Colorado, providing a new setting to explore.
Pricing and Scores
On Steam, this first-person shooter costs around $30 and has a “Mostly Positive” rating, with about 70 percent of nearly 9,800 reviews being positive. The game’s Metacritic scores show a Metascore of 80 and a user score of 6.7. The mixed feedback is partly due to the initial limitations of the updated version, which was launched with only the new map “Mammon’s Gulch,” while the older maps were being updated. However, now all maps are fully accessible again.
Tags: For The King II, Hunt: Showdown 1896, Xbox Game Pass
December 9, 2024
Google Pixel 10: New Phone Case Reveals Camera Design Details
This news caught many off guard. Sonny Dickson, who is an X user recognized for leaking Apple information, has released an early image of a phone case that supposedly fits the successor to the Pixel 9 (see below). Whether this is genuine or not remains uncertain. While we cannot confirm its authenticity at this time, the leaker does have a solid reputation, at least within the Apple fanbase. It’ll be interesting to see if his leaks about Google hold the same weight.
Similar Designs
The case appears quite akin to those made for the Pixel 9 (for reference, you can check out the official cases for the Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro on Amazon). The top part of the case includes a significant horizontal cut for the camera visor, which has always seen minor changes in style across previous Pixel models. This case design indicates that the overarching Pixel camera layout will remain fairly consistent. However, this does not provide any insight into possible adjustments in features.
Rounded Corners Ahead
Moreover, the leak indicates that the Pixel 10’s frame will keep its rounded corners. There isn’t much more information available from this leak at this moment. Naturally, we cannot dismiss the chance that some independent company is audacious enough to create a Pixel 10 concept without any solid proof. It’s definitely peculiar for images of a completed case to circulate before leakers like @OnLeaks release their CAD-based designs. This might very well signal the beginning of additional design leaks for the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro in the weeks to come.
Sonny Dickson’s involvement in these leaks continues to stir curiosity among tech enthusiasts.
Tags: phone case, Pixel 10, Sonny Dickson
December 9, 2024
X Unveils New Image Generator for Limited Time
xAI, the AI startup started by Elon Musk, launched a new image generator called Aurora over the weekend, but then quickly took it down again. The company shared news about this generator, and Musk himself said that it was in beta.
Quick Removal
Just a few hours after Aurora was made available, the model was pulled offline. The option to choose it in Grok’s model picker was removed. TechCrunch had the chance to try out the model and noted that it did not have any restrictions regarding public figures or celebrities.
Creative Outputs
Some users who were able to access the generator shared some fun images. Among these were pictures of Adam Sandler and Ray Romano on a sitcom set, Sam Altman riding a giraffe, and a boxing match between Mickey Mouse and Luigi.
Specifications and Future Improvements
Details about the model’s specifications are not clear, but Musk mentioned that it was an internal model in beta that would “improve very fast.” Recently, the social media platform owned by Musk made Grok free for all users, but with certain limitations.
TechCrunch’s coverage highlights the excitement and mystery surrounding the sudden launch and removal of the Aurora image generator.
Tags: Aurora, Grok, xAI
December 9, 2024
US Grant for Low-Cost High-Energy Density Sodium-Ion Batteries
The US Energy Department is funding efforts to enhance the energy density of sodium-ion batteries to rival the cost-effectiveness of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, widely used in power banks and electric vehicles.
They are providing $50 million for research into sodium-ion batteries through the Low-cost Earth-abundant Na-ion Storage (LENS) consortium, which is led by the Argonne National Laboratory of the Department of Energy.
Research Collaboration
The LENS initiative involves several national laboratories, including Brookhaven, Lawrence Berkeley, Pacific Northwest, Sandia, and SLAC National Accelerator labs. The director of the consortium stated that the aim is to “boost sodium-ion energy density to equal and then surpass that of phosphate-based [LFP] lithium-ion batteries while reducing and eliminating the reliance on critical elements,” which are typically sourced from China.of phosphate-based [LFP] lithium-ion batteries
Recently, BYD, a Chinese company, revealed a sodium-ion energy storage system that boasts exceptional energy density. The US is eager to enhance its capabilities, given that it is one of the top producers of sodium, the essential and inexpensive material for Na-ion batteries.
Battery Cost Comparisons
Lithium batteries tend to be significantly more costly to manufacture, particularly those that include high-value metals like cobalt and nickel. This situation also heightens the reliance on Chinese suppliers, as the primary battery manufacturers and raw material suppliers are located there.
In addition to national labs, the LENS consortium comprises prestigious academic institutions, including Florida State University, University of California San Diego, University of Houston, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Maryland, University of Rhode Island, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Virginia Tech.
Excitement for Innovation
Feng Lin, a chemistry professor at Virginia Tech, expressed enthusiasm about participating in the sodium-ion battery commercialization initiative for electric vehicles: “Our world is on the edge of a major transformation in how we fuel our daily lives. With the shared knowledge of the LENS consortium, we now hold a special chance to advance new battery technologies for electric vehicles and to educate a new wave of scientists and engineers who will play a role in our domestic battery innovation and production.”
The primary objective is to develop innovative electrode and electrolyte materials for sodium-ion batteries, as well as to create prototype cells that will be integrated into new sodium-ion battery packs, which are designed to have extended life cycles and high energy density.
Tags: BYD, LFP, sodium-ion batteries
December 9, 2024
Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Lack of CSAM Detection in iCloud
In 2021, Apple unveiled a contentious iCloud feature intended to search iMessage and iCloud photos for Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), but they swiftly retracted it.
Privacy Issues Arise
This system would have allowed Apple to examine images on devices belonging to children. However, the company faced significant backlash from privacy advocates and experts, which led them to abandon the project. Apple stated they would “take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features.”
Lawsuit Emerges
Since then, Apple has been silent regarding any developments related to CSAM. Recently, a lawsuit from a victim in the US District Court for Northern California claims that Apple’s lack of safety measures has allowed inappropriate circulation of her images online. First covered by The New York Times, a 27-year-old woman revealed that she and her mother have been inundated with notifications about various individuals charged with possession of such material. The lawsuit seeks financial restitution for 2,680 victims whose images have been shared without consent.
Apple’s Response
An Apple representative, Fred Sainz, communicated to Engadget that CSAM “is abhorrent, and we are committed to fighting the ways of predators put children at risk.” He emphasized that the company is “urgently and actively” seeking methods “to combat these crimes without compromising the security and privacy of all our users.”
Tags: Apple, CSAM, Privacy Concerns
December 9, 2024
Google Sues US CSFB Over Alleged Government Overreach
Google is taking legal action against a ruling from the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that allows the bureau to “conduct examinations on a periodic basis” to check if Google is following consumer financial regulations.
Allegations Against Google
The consumer finance regulator has focused on Google Pay and Google Pay Balance. According to a report published by Engadget, the CFPB stated there was “reasonable cause to determine that Google has engaged in conduct posing risks to consumers.”
It pointed out two main concerns: one related to “allegedly erroneous transactions have posed risks to consumers,” and the other about the “prevention of fraudulent and unauthorized transactions,” which the CFPB claims also posed “risks to consumers.”
Changes in Google Pay Services
The CFPB noted that the Google Pay App was “discontinued” in February 2024, and that the Google Pay Balance platform was “available for limited purposes.” However, this was not sufficient to stop the “designation of Google for supervision, although it may affect whether the CFPB decides to conduct an examination.”
In its lawsuit, Google contended that “a product that no longer exists is incapable of posing such risk.” A spokesperson for the company shared a statement with TechCrunch, saying, “This is a clear case of government overreach involving Google Pay peer-to-peer payments, which never raised risks and is no longer provided in the U.S., and we are challenging it in court.”
Conclusion
The ongoing legal dispute highlights the tension between tech companies and regulatory agencies. As the situation develops, it will be crucial to see how both sides present their arguments and what the outcome will be.
Tags: CFPB, google, Google Pay
December 9, 2024
Google Docs Introduces AI for Easy Formatted Document Creation
Google has rolled out an exciting new tool for Docs that utilizes the Gemini AI model to help users create formatted documents.
Ease of Document Creation
As posted on the company’s support pages (via Gadgets360), this feature allows you to request Docs to produce a variety of documents such as proposals, project trackers, document ideas, blog posts, press releases, campaign briefs, dinner party menus, newsletters, itineraries, and even more.
To get started, users can simply click on "help me create" and provide a brief description of what they need. It is important to include at least one existing document by typing "@filename" for Gemini to generate content effectively.
Availability and Limitations
Currently, this feature is exclusively available in Google Workspace Alpha and the initial testing phase known as Google Workspace Labs. Google has indicated that they are gradually making this feature available, but it’s presently limited to desktop users and can only be used in new documents.
However, there are certain restrictions. Google has pointed out that it cannot "incorporate web search results or content from your Workspace files," nor can it "generate cover or inline images of people." Additionally, it is restricted to "content extraction" from files and is unable to replicate the "structure or style" of those documents.
Tags: Gemini AI, Google Docs, Google Workspace
December 9, 2024
Redmi Buds 6 Launch in India: Dual Drivers, 49dB ANC, 42 Hours Battery
Xiaomi has introduced the Redmi Buds 6 in India, alongside the Redmi Note 14 5G series. These true wireless earbuds are designed with budget-friendly audiophiles in mind, featuring impressive specifications.
Features of Redmi Buds 6
One of the standout features is the dual-driver setup: it includes a 12.4mm titanium diaphragm driver for rich bass and a 5.5mm micro-piezoelectric ceramic driver for clear treble. This combination, paired with active noise cancellation (ANC) that reaches up to 49dB, aims to deliver a deeply engaging audio experience. There’s also a transparency mode with three settings: Regular, Enhance Voice, and Ambient Sound, enhancing user control.
Connectivity and Battery Performance
When it comes to connectivity, the Redmi Buds 6 delivers a lot. They can connect to multiple devices at once, utilize Bluetooth 5.4 for lower latency, and offer easy pairing with Xiaomi smartphones through HyperOS. There’s even a remote shutter option for taking pictures.
Battery life is another impressive feature. With ANC turned off, users can enjoy up to 10 hours from a single charge, along with an additional 32 hours available from the charging case. With ANC activated, the playtime reduces to 6.5 hours per charge, but the case still offers a commendable 19.5 hours. Plus, fast charging provides 4 hours of listening time with just a 10-minute charge.
Durability and Pricing
The Redmi Buds 6 come with an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, making them ideal for exercise. They also feature AI-driven environmental noise cancellation, ensuring clear communication even in breezy conditions.
In terms of pricing, the Redmi Buds 6 are available in three colors: Titan White, Ivy Green, and Spectre Black. They are priced at Rs. 2,799 (discounted from Rs. 2,999) until December 19th, after which the price will revert to Rs. 2,999. Xiaomi also has a “Lost Worry-Free” service, allowing users to replace a lost earbud at half price within two years. These earbuds will be accessible on Amazon, Flipkart, Mi.com, and Xiaomi stores starting December 13th.
In related news, Indian electronics brand Noise has also launched the Air Clips, open-ear clip-on headphones, priced at Rs. 2,999. These headphones are available in Pearl Black, White, and Purple, and they come equipped with 12mm drivers, Bluetooth v5.4, AirWave Technology, dual-device pairing, and IPX5 water resistance.
Tags: Redmi Buds 6, True Wireless Earbuds, Xiaomi