Category: All News

  • Sharge ICEMAG 2: Qi2 Wireless Charging & Active Cooling 2.0 Upgrade

    Sharge ICEMAG 2: Qi2 Wireless Charging & Active Cooling 2.0 Upgrade

    Sharge presents a fresh take on the magnetic power bank, incorporating RGB lights and transparent features in its new design. This latest model also boasts a more contemporary look with status LEDs positioned at the top and a built-in kickstand, making it easier to watch content or game while on the move.

    Enhanced Power Delivery

    The power bank now includes a USB-C port that supports up to 30W of power delivery, an upgrade from the previous 20W in the first-generation ICEMAG. It can charge a new iPhone by 50% in just 25 minutes when using a cable.

    Versatile Charging Options

    Additionally, users can benefit from MagSafe charging by attaching it to the back of the same iPhone, or take advantage of the series-first Qi2 technology, which allows for charging speeds of up to 15W, compared to the 7.5W of older models.

    Sharge claims that this power bank can possibly charge two devices at once, thanks to its impressive 10,000mAh capacity.

    Improved Cooling Features

    The ICEMAG 2 also focuses on enhancing the cooling feature that was a selling point of its predecessor, now featuring a linear air intake that works with its spinning fan in this second version.

    Details on the pricing and availability of the ICEMAG 2 will be disclosed in November 2024; until then, the first-gen model is available for $49.99 on Amazon at the moment.


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  • Redtiger Launches New F77 Dash Cam with Dual 4K Cameras

    Redtiger Launches New F77 Dash Cam with Dual 4K Cameras

    The Chinese brand Redtiger, known for its smart accessories, has introduced a new dash cam called the F77 in its F series lineup. This latest model is outfitted with dual Sony IMX678 sensors that utilize Sony’s advanced Starvis 2 technology. It can achieve a resolution of up to 4K at 30 frames per second from both the front and rear cameras, allowing for high-quality and detailed recordings, even in dim lighting situations.

    Features Galore

    This innovative car security system is loaded with numerous features such as 24/7 Time Lapse recording. Additionally, it provides real-time voice alerts whenever it detects possible threats. Other functionalities include low-frame recording, G-sensor activated recording, and collision detection. The dash cam also supports smart voice commands and features 5.8GHz WiFi for quicker data transfers.

    Storage and Control

    Furthermore, the F77 comes with built-in 128 GB eMMC 5.1 storage, and it also has an additional slot for storage expansion. Users can manage the dash cam through Redtiger’s mobile app, which also allows for video downloads. Importantly, the device is equipped with a 4-inch touchscreen for easy navigation.

    The F77 is currently available for purchase on Redtiger’s official website and on Amazon USA, priced at $329.99. It includes a complimentary parking safety hardware kit and offers an $80 discount for a limited period.

    Redtiger via PRNewswire

  • Loongson 3B6600M: Chinese CPU Competes with 7nm x86 Processors

    Loongson 3B6600M: Chinese CPU Competes with 7nm x86 Processors

    Loongson Technology, a semiconductor company from China, has announced major advancements in its CPU development and future plans during the 2024 Loongson Industrial Ecosystem Conference. The chairman, Hu Weiwu, discussed the latest updates related to their three key product categories: high-performance CPUs, embedded SoCs, and MCU microcontrollers.

    Recent Developments in CPUs

    The latest desktop CPU offered by Loongson, the Loongson 3A6000, stands strong against 14nm x86 processors. Operating at 2.5 GHz, it matches the performance of Intel’s 3.6 GHz Core i3-10100, demonstrating Loongson’s focus on optimizing design for enhanced performance without relying on the latest technology.

    Future Plans and Innovations

    Looking to the future, the company is developing the 3C6000 server CPU, which will aim to rival 10nm x86 processors. Additionally, their forthcoming desktop CPU, the 3B6600M, is expected to compete with 7nm x86 processors, potentially lining up against Intel’s 12th and 13th-gen Core chips in the mid-to-high-end segments.

    Loongson is also experimenting with turbo frequency technology to achieve speeds of 3 GHz. Furthermore, they are incorporating x86 binary translation instructions, ensuring that Windows applications and systems will run smoothly on their CPUs.

    Graphics and More

    On the graphics front, Loongson is in the process of developing the 9A1000 GPGPU chip, with initial versions anticipated to be released in the first half of 2025. They aim for this chip to be comparable to AMD’s RX 550, capable of handling AI tasks and supporting technologies such as OpenGL 4.0, PCIe 4.0, HDMI 2.1, and DP 2.1.

    Loongson’s focus isn’t solely on CPUs; they have made significant strides in their embedded SoCs and MCU microcontrollers, now in their fourth generation. These chips are meeting or exceeding market expectations in terms of performance and value.

    Their proprietary LoongArch architecture, introduced four years ago, has passed intellectual property assessments and weathered independent lawsuits. It enjoys full support from operating system kernels, BIOS, and six prominent compilers, which include GCC, LLVM, GOLANG, Java, JavaScript, and .NET.


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  • 8BitDo Launches All-in-One Retro Mechanical Keyboard Package

    8BitDo Launches All-in-One Retro Mechanical Keyboard Package

    8BitDo is set to launch its first controller inspired by the Nintendo 64 later today. At the same time, the company has updated its Retro Mechanical Keyboard, which has been available in the form of the Commodore 64 since spring for a price of $89.99 on Amazon.

    New Best Buy Exclusive Edition

    This latest version is a special Best Buy Exclusive Edition, which can be purchased both online and in-store. However, it’s important to note that this release is exclusive to the US market. In contrast, Best Buy Canada offers earlier models of the Retro Mechanical Keyboard. According to 8BitDo’s teaser images, the new edition comes with Dual Super Button and Super Stick accessories all in one package.

    Pricing and Features

    For reference, 8BitDo usually sells the Super Stick separately for $14.99. Regardless, the Best Buy Exclusive Edition is priced just $10 higher than the normal versions. Interestingly, the Super Stick is currently out of stock on 8BitDo’s website. The new edition maintains a metal back plate, Kailh Box White V2 switches, and 87 doubleshot ABS keycaps, along with 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity. For more information, check out Best Buy’s product listing.


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  • WeChat’s Encryption Protocol Faces Intense Scrutiny

    WeChat’s Encryption Protocol Faces Intense Scrutiny

    The folks at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab recently took a look into WeChat’s encryption and found some potential security weaknesses. With more than a billion users logging in every month, WeChat operates a tailored version of the Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3 protocol, which they have named MMTLS.

    Two Layers of Protection

    WeChat’s encryption is designed with two different layers:

    However, even with these two layers in place, the researchers encountered several problems:

    Prior to 2016, WeChat only employed business-layer encryption for its requests. The addition of MMTLS was meant to improve the situation. Yet, while it enhanced the app’s security by making internal encryption more difficult to breach, the researchers claim it still doesn’t fully meet the modern cryptographic standards expected from an app of this scale.

    A Larger Issue in China’s Tech Landscape

    The report highlights a significant concern within the tech industry in China: developers often create their own encryption solutions rather than relying on established protocols like TLS 1.3 or QUIC, which typically results in less secure systems.

    Citizen Lab recommends that Tencent, which is WeChat’s parent company, should adopt a standard TLS configuration or consider combining TLS with QUIC to enhance their security measures.

  • Realme GT 7 Pro with Snapdragon 8 Elite: 60 FPS AAA Gaming

    Realme GT 7 Pro with Snapdragon 8 Elite: 60 FPS AAA Gaming

    While today’s smartphones can handle big-name games with some sacrifices, they are still in the early stages of development, as seen by the poor sales numbers on iPhones. The Realme GT 7 Pro, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, managed to do something noteworthy by running an older, yet challenging game smoothly at decent frame rates.

    Impressive Performance

    A video shared by Ice Universe (probably from Weibo) shows the device playing Assassin’s Creed Black Flag at a consistent 60 FPS. Although we don’t know the internal settings or resolution, it’s quite a remarkable achievement for a smartphone’s system-on-chip (SoC). The GPU was working at 70% capacity, indicating that there was still some power available, even though a bit of performance was likely lost in the x86-Arm adaptation.

    Game Age Matters

    Even though Assassin’s Creed Black Flag is an eleven-year-old title and not overly demanding, recent information has hinted that the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Adreno 830 surpasses its older version by 40%. This significant boost in raw performance, along with the GPU’s feature similar to DLSS Frame Generation, should allow players to enjoy newer and more challenging games on their mobile devices.

    Ice Universe on X.

  • OnePlus 100W SuperVOOC Power Bank: New Version Available

    OnePlus 100W SuperVOOC Power Bank: New Version Available

    A new edition of the OnePlus 100W SuperVOOC power bank has been launched in China. This accessory first appeared in green/white and silver/white designs earlier this year. Now, there’s a new variant featuring a dark brown wood effect available on Oppo’s online store in the region.

    Limited Information Available

    The product page for this latest version of the 100W SuperVOOC power bank doesn’t disclose much information. It seems to share similar specifications with the previous models. For instance, this new option includes one USB-A and one USB-C port, offering a maximum output of 100W. It’s anticipated that the power bank will support charging standards like PD 3.0, PPS, and QC 3.0. Additionally, it is likely to maintain the same battery capacity of 12,000mAh and can fully recharge at 45W in about 90 minutes.

    Pricing and Availability Concerns

    The dark wood effect model of the OnePlus 100W SuperVOOC power bank is priced at CNY 9,999 (around $1,406) on Oppo Mall. However, the site highlights that this reservation price does not reflect the actual retail price of the item. For context, the two original variants are currently sold for CNY 249 (approximately $35). It’s still uncertain if or when any version of this accessory will be available globally. If it does hit the US market, it would face competition from other products like the Anker Prime 12,000mAh Power Bank (130W), which is currently priced at $49.99 on Amazon.

    Oppo, IT Home

  • Poco F7 Ultra Appears in IMEI as the Brand’s First Ultra Phone

    Poco F7 Ultra Appears in IMEI as the Brand’s First Ultra Phone

    In July, we shared that Poco is working on the Poco F7 series, as the Pro model was seen in the IMEI database. Normally, the Pro model is the premium option in the Poco F lineup, but this might change with the new F7 series.

    Poco F7 Ultra Emerges

    Recently, a new Poco F7 Ultra has been spotted in the IMEI list with the model number 24122RKC7G. This was noticed by an X user, and it appeared alongside the Poco F7 Pro.

    Interestingly, the model number for the Poco F7 Ultra is identical to that of the Redmi K80. This could mean that the Poco F7 Ultra might just be a rebranded Redmi K80. If this turns out to be true, here’s what you might expect from the phone.

    Specs of the Redmi K80

    The Redmi K80 is predicted to come with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. On the display side, it’s likely to have a 2K flat OLED screen, which previous reports say will be manufactured by TCL.

    Furthermore, the phone is anticipated to include a telephoto lens that can capture macro images. Additionally, there is a possibility of a large 6500mAh battery making an appearance.

    Trends in Smartphone Battery Capacity

    A larger battery, particularly in the 6000mAh range, appears to be becoming a norm for smartphones in 2024. Many flagship models are rumored to feature batteries of this size, and even Redmi’s own Note 14 Pro+ is said to include a 6200mAh battery.

    We also look forward to at least an IP68 rating, and possibly an IP69 rating, since even the more budget-friendly Redmi Note 14 Pro has already been confirmed to sport an IP69 rating.

    The K80 is set to launch alongside its Pro counterpart, which is also likely to be equipped with the same chipset, unless it uses the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite, and will have a similar display but may differ in charging capabilities and battery size.


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  • Xiaomi Mijia Fresh Air Pro: Fast Cooling & Heating Features

    Xiaomi Mijia Fresh Air Pro: Fast Cooling & Heating Features

    Xiaomi has unveiled its newest air conditioner, the Mijia Fresh Air Pro AC Simple White 1.5 HP, designed to provide excellent cooling and heating capabilities. This model will be available for sale starting tonight at 8 PM (CST), with a price tag of 3,999 Yuan ($562) and a special introductory price of 3,599 Yuan ($506). Let’s dive into its main features.

    Specifications of Xiaomi Mijia Fresh Air Pro

    The Xiaomi Mijia Fresh Air Pro AC is a wall-mounted split unit with a capacity of 1.5 HP, capable of both cooling and heating. It comes with a variable frequency drive for more efficient performance and boasts a top-notch energy efficiency rating with an APF of 5.65.

    This model can cool down in just 30 seconds and heat up in 60 seconds, making it perfect for extreme weather conditions, working effectively in temperatures as low as -35°C for heating and up to 65°C for cooling. It has a cooling power of 3,520W and a heating power of 5,110W, with the indoor unit operating at 36-42 dB(A) in high-power mode, ensuring a quiet experience.

    Enhanced Functionality

    The air conditioner features a dual-cylinder compressor, providing 30% more stability at low frequencies, improved overload protection, and a longer lifespan when compared to single-cylinder compressors. Moreover, it has a dual-row condenser with an 82% larger heat exchange area for quicker cooling and heating. The AC is equipped with Xiaomi’s Lingyun AI Engine, which automatically adjusts its mode based on the environment.

    The dimensions of the indoor unit are 965x325x215 mm, and it weighs 13 kg. The outdoor unit measures 860x551x331 mm and weighs 28 kg. This unit is suitable for rooms between 16-20m², making it great for medium-sized areas.

    Air Quality and Smart Features

    The Fresh Air Pro provides effective whole-house ventilation with a 60m²/h air volume system and a four-layer HEPA filter that eliminates 99% of bacteria, viruses, pollen, and 93% of formaldehyde. It includes an ion purification system for superior sterilization, operates quietly at 18dB, and has an independent fresh air feature that removes 99% of PM2.5, CO, and TVOC pollutants. Furthermore, it incorporates AI-driven cloud algorithms for better energy savings and accurate temperature control.

    The AC supports Xiaomi HyperOS Connect, allowing users to control it via the Mijia App, the Xiao AI voice assistant, and NFC-based ‘Tap-to-Control’ options. It also includes various airflow modes like ceiling, carpet, and surround wind to guarantee comfort by avoiding direct drafts.

    Xiaomi has also recently introduced two new smart home devices: the Mijia Smart Aroma Diffuser Set and the Mijia Smart Blender P1. The Aroma Diffuser has a battery life of 50 days and integrates with HyperOS, while the Blender P1 boasts a robust 35,000 rpm motor, 13-layer noise reduction, and HyperOS compatibility, making them excellent additions to Xiaomi’s expanding smart home portfolio.


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  • Xiaomi 15 Geekbench Score Revealed with Snapdragon 8 Elite Processor

    Xiaomi 15 Geekbench Score Revealed with Snapdragon 8 Elite Processor

    Xiaomi seems to be getting ready to launch its upcoming flagship smartphone series, the Xiaomi 15. A device thought to be part of this lineup has recently shown up on the Geekbench benchmarking site, with a chip that will be revealed just hours from now.

    Geekbench Findings

    This device is believed to be the standard Xiaomi 15, which carries the model number 24129PN74C. It’s expected to be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, which Qualcomm is set to announce at an event today. The chipset received scores of 3180 in single-core tests and 10058 in multi-core tests. This marks a significant upgrade compared to the previous Xiaomi 14, which typically scored around 2100 and 6700, respectively.

    Specifications and Features

    The Geekbench listing also indicates that the Xiaomi 15 will come with 16GB of RAM and will operate on an Android 15-based system right out of the box. This fits our predictions for flagship devices that are set to launch in late 2024. Furthermore, there are rumors that the Xiaomi 15 series will comprise three models: the standard Xiaomi 15, a Pro variant, and an Ultra version. While the Ultra model may debut next year, it seems the standard and Pro versions could be the first to utilize Qualcomm’s latest and most powerful Snapdragon chip.

    Market Availability and Charging Capabilities

    On a global scale, it’s likely that we will only see the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra, as the company launched their respective predecessors only last year. Moreover, information from the 3C certification website shows that both the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Pro will support up to 90W wired charging with MDY-14-EC adapters, following in the footsteps of their predecessors.

    Despite all this information, Xiaomi has yet to officially confirm any specifics about the Xiaomi 15 series. Thus, it’s wise to approach these details with a degree of skepticism until official announcements are made.