The concept of eSIM has been around for a while but tech giant Apple brought the technology to the forefront by eliminating a physical SIM card slot in its latest iPhone 14 lineup. While Apple’s decision to remove the SIM card slot is exclusive to the USA for now, it is only about time that other countries like India and more also see this change. eSIM is not a new concept for India as carriers like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone have been providing them for a while. However Indian users are yet to fully embrace it. Before I tell you how to activate an eSIM on your device, let’s have a look at what eSIM actually is.
What is an eSIM?
The eSIM in the simplest terms is a virtual SIM card. It stands for Embedded-Subscriber Identity Module and is a type of SIM that is embedded onto a device virtually. Readers should note that it is not possible to have a physical SIM card and an eSIM for the same mobile number. Once an eSIM is activated, a physical SIM with the same number does not stay operational. While regular SIM cards can hold a single profile for each customer, an eSIM can hold multiple profiles. Another thing to note is that users cannot physically replace eSIMs like SIM cards. One upside to eSIM-exclusive smartphones is that if stolen, no one can swap the SIM card for another one and use the device as their own. However, one downside to having an eSIM is that if a smartphone is ever damaged then a user cannot simply swap the SIM card for an instant replacement.
How to activate an eSIM on Jio India?
Note down your device’s IMEI and EID number
Send SMS – GETESIM with the 32-digit EID number and 15-digit IMEI to 199 from your Android device having an existing Jio number
You will receive a 19-digit eSIM number and profile configuration details
Send another SMS to 199 with the 19-digit eSIM number
You will get an update about the eSIM process after 2 hours
After receiving the message, confirm it by sending ‘1’ to 183
You will receive a call on your Jio number asking you to share the 19-digit eSIM number
Your eSIM will be shortly activated
How to activate eSIM on Airtel?
Make sure your email ID is registered with Airtel to activate your Airtel eSIM
Send SMS- eSIM (space) registered email address to 121
You will receive a reply message from 121 to confirm your activation
Reply to the SMS with ‘1’
You will then receive another message from 121 to provide consent through a call for eSIM activation
Once done, you will receive the final message from 121 for a QR code which will be sent to your registered email address
When I was handed the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED for a review, I was taken aback by its elegant display, or should I say, displays! This ‘Duo’ laptop series by Asus comes with a secondary display sitting right above the keyboard for additional functionality. But is that all? Having a second display surely sets the product apart from the market but is it enough for users to jump on and grab it at the earliest? The answer is quite complicated!
We’re reviewing the maxed-out UX8402Z version of the laptop which houses the powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX3050Ti graphics card inside. This itself makes it one of the best gaming laptops in the market. It comes with Intel 12th gen i9 processor and a dynamic 32GB RAM coupled with 1TB SSD. In my usage of nearly two weeks, I did not face any issues with the laptop’s performance as one would expect with its impressive specifications. However, the drawing factor here is the displays which left me thinking if we’re already in the future!
You get two OLED screens here; a 14.5-inch 2.8K (2880 x 1800) display and a smaller 12.7-inch (2880 x 864) as the secondary display. Both of these screens are a treat to look at. Asus has not cut any corners when it comes to the displays as the primary screen comes with a refresh rate of 120Hz and a peak HDR brightness of 500 nits. Also, did I mention both the displays are touchscreen? The displays are simply vibrant, and crisp, and produce bright colors. A deal breaker for some could be the matte finish over the secondary display which honestly, felt aesthetic to me. The main 2.8K display is a stunner, watching content on this screen makes it an immersive experience thanks to the OLED display technology.
The smaller 12.7-inch screen is housed right above the keyboard and certainly has an impact on the laptop as the keyboard is pushed right into the front of it. The keyboard’s form factor has been minimized which requires some getting used to. Whereas, the touchpad and its associated buttons are pushed into the extreme right corner which does cause some accessibility issues. It is up to you to decide if this compromise is worth it for the secondary display. With the entire lower frame of the laptop used to the teeth with the secondary display and the keyboard, there is no space for you to rest your wrist. The laptop is equipped with physical buttons which allow you to quickly switch between the primary and the secondary screen, adding functionality.
Even though it sports dual screens, the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo weighs only 1.75Kg, making it relatively thinner and lighter for a gaming-capable laptop. It comes with dark-blue refined magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis and a dimension of 323.5 x 224.7 x 19.6mm when shut close. The port selection is limited for a laptop in the premium segment. It comes with one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, one HDMI 2.1 port, a memory card slot, two Thunderbolt 4 Type C ports, and finally, a 3.5mm headphone jack. The webcam placed right above the primary display has a 720P resolution. A laptop sleeve is also included in the box which is added delight!
Performance
I was sent the laptop with best-in-class specifications which proved to be more powerful than I need for my day-to-day tasks. I felt like Jim Carrey from Bruce Almighty just moments away from singing the ‘I Got The Power!’ song in my office. My daily line of work includes churning out research-based articles and scripts which do not require much processing power. I was expecting my chrome browsers to not lag at any given point and that’s what I got. However, I did install Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered for PC to get a taste of gaming on this laptop, and as one would expect, it did not disappoint. The laptop handled the game like a champ giving high refresh rates consistently. The secondary display worked its charm as a music video screen while I was working on my daily tasks throughout the day. The touchscreen capabilities of both displays are a plus point! The battery life of this laptop is decent even with both displays on the entire time. I could get through my 8-hour shift easily with just one charge, however, the mileage may vary if you’re a heavy user.
The Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED is no doubt a capable laptop, it has one of if not the best displays to offer in the market right now. But it is hard to recommend to everyone. If you’re a creator having a detailed eye for the color accuracy of your photos/videos, then this definitely is the laptop for you. This is a laptop for seasoned creators who know their way around Adobe’s apps like PhotoShop or Premiere Pro. If you’re an everyday user who browses the internet or streams YouTube/Netflix, there are ample options for you in the market!
Verdict
There is a novelty, then there is pricing! The maxed-out i9 version of this laptop which I used is priced at a whopping Rs 2,24,990. If you ask me, sure, the laptop is worth shelling out that much as it comes with multiple features which justify the pricing. But this might not be the case for everyone. If you’re not a heavy user, you can opt for the i5 variant of the laptop which is priced at Rs 1,44,990.
Are you aware of a concept known as ‘Revenge Travel’? It is definitely not as dramatic as it sounds but something that makes me think. With more than two years of COVID restrictions, people became eager to travel around and make up for the lost time. The traveling industry has seen a resurgence of people taking trips domestically or internationally as they were forced to be stuck in their homes for a long time. The trend is only going to see an upward surge now as more and more people take the trips they have been waiting for. However, what role does technology play in all of this?
In today’s day and age, technology has seeped its way into almost every aspect of the human experience. There is no doubt that it has also emerged as one of the driving forces in the travel industry. I mean, traveling across seas wouldn’t be possible without the emergence of technology, but we’re not going that far deep in history. For our travel edition, I wanted to have a look at all the technological trends which are currently paving their way to becoming a mainstream norm in the travel industry.
Technology and travel are a perfect combination. Right from the start while deciding the destination, to booking flight tickets to once you’re there and back, technology enables you to carry out difficult tasks with ease. The emerging technologies have brought about a paradigm shift as travel adapts to a new context altogether. Nowadays, social media, apps, blogs, and much more have an important part to play when it comes to traveling. Let’s be real, we all have seen our favorite celebrities take a trip to the Maldives and flex up on social media. While this is a narrower perspective of an industry that is expected to reach a total market size of $1,737 billion by 2027, let’s look at the bigger picture and explore the emerging technological trends in the travel industry:
Mobile Technology
Smartphones have become an integral part of people’s lives. Be it attending an important meeting during your vacation or video calling your kid when you’re out of town, smartphone technology allows you to bring the world closer. The evolving roles of these communication devices have now enabled them to become maps, personal travel guides, restaurant locators, planners, and much more. Here are some of the use cases of mobile technology during travel:
Mobile Apps: Be it Android or iOS, there are multiple mobile apps that make it easier for travelers around the globe. Many airlines and hotels now provide mobile applications. People can book flight tickets, check flight status, and get their boarding passes on mobile apps now. Whereas, some hotel apps provide its guest with digital room keys for easy access.
Virtual Queues: This is definitely an important technological development as it allows people to skip long queues that sometimes run up for hours. Virtual queues enable tourists to join a line without physically waiting with other people. Many Disney World attractions around the world now allow people to join a virtual queue. Visitors can simply scan a QR code with a smartphone and enter their details to join the virtual queue. They then receive a text or a notification when it’s time to enter.
QR codes for menus: This is quickly becoming a norm in restaurants around the world. Many restaurants and even food joints around the world come with QR codes for menus where customers can simply scan a QR code while dining in. The COVID pandemic turned QR code menus into a norm to avoid possibly germ-filled physical menus.
AR & VR
Augmented reality (AR) or Virtual reality (VR) is currently the top emerging trend in the travel industry. It has become a trend due to all the possibilities they can offer. Imagine you as a hotel chain owner in India wishing to show the best your hotels have to offer to a corporate prospect client in the USA. It would surely be best to fly them out in the country but VR can surely get the job done effectively.
AR & VR have allowed people to teleport themselves to the most picturesque places around the world without leaving the comfort of their couches. One example of the same is the EVEREST VR application which transports people to the top of Everest without having to climb anything. Various VR/AR apps give people a taste of their possible next vacation.
Virtual Assistants
We all know how helpful Siri and Alexa are in our day-to-day lives. Virtual assistants bring ease to your life by performing various tasks by just hearing your voice commands. The same technology of virtual assistants is now being integrated into the travel industry. Hotels are currently using virtual assistants to assist hoteliers with routine and repetitive tasks. Booking and reservations are one of the main reasons why virtual assistants are used in hotels. Besides this, meal suggestions, room service, cab bookings, itineraries, concierge services, etc. are some of the uses of virtual assistants in the travel industry.
Big Data
Big data is currently being used by most businesses to take a leap further in the future. Before jumping on how big data can help the travel industry, it is important to understand what it really is. Basically, big data is a term referred to a large set of data that can be sourced from both internal and external sources of a certain industry. It is usually associated with customer views, habits, and behavior which is now also being implemented in the travel industry.
One way big data can help the travel industry is in revenue management. To maximize the revenue output, hotels and tourism companies need to sell the right product at the right time to the right customer which can be enabled with big data. Customer experience can also benefit from big data. The tourism industry has major interactions with its customers which can result in valuable data. This data can be used furthermore to bring the best services to the customers.
Contactless payments
We all know how cash payments were frowned upon during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even food delivery applications during peak COVID times were not accepting any cash payments and strictly moved to card/UPI payments. This is now reflected in the travel industry. For the unversed, contactless payments work by holding a credit/debit card or a smartphone/smartwatch near a card reader. The user’s device then communicates with the reader using RFID technology. Disney World has one of the most innovative uses of the contactless payment method using wristbands. These wristbands are known as MagicBands, guest can link up their credit card to a MagicBand and make purchases inside the Disney World park with the swipe of a wrist. A convenient way to pay for overpriced food and drinks at the park for sure!
Ultimately, the rapid progression of technology is bringing a welcoming change in the travel and tourism industry. The emerging technology is allowing the hospitality and travel industry to go through a sustainable transformation which is providing the best services to the end customer. Technological advancements like big data give the travel industry an opportunity to make evidence-driven decisions and make it a trip of a lifetime for the traveler!
Kanye West cannot stop making headlines ever since his divorce from Kim Kardashian. The ‘I am a God’ rapper was seen making outlandish comments against her ex-wife and then about her boyfriend when Kim started dating Pete Davidson. Kanye was seen calling Pete Davidson ‘Skete’ on several occasions on social media which sparked a slew of memes across the internet. Everything up until now was considered an amusing banter amongst Ye fans and other internet users (of course, not Kim) but things took a steep left turn when the rapper was seen making anti-semitic comments while making public or podcast appearances. The internet quickly turned its back on Kanye with platforms like Instagram and Twitter deleting some of Kanye’s hate-mongering posts and ultimately banning him from the platforms altogether. Now, Ye has yet again made headlines for a controversial reason as he has decided to acquire the right-wing social media platform, Parler.
Kanye Acquires Parler
Just shortly after Kanye West was banned from mainstream platforms for sharing anti-semitic posts, Kanye West has made a bid to purchase the right-wing friendly social media platform, Parler. West, who is now legally known as Ye will now be gaining control of Parler allowing him to share his unrestricted thoughts. In his official statement, Ye noted that “In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial, we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves”
Parler was introduced back in August 2018 but it did not gain mainstream traction until 2020. The controversial platform was taken offline due to its connection with the US Capitol violence, but it quickly relaunched in a month. Ye and Parlement Technologies, who run Parler have not stated the exact price for which the former has acquired the platform.
Right now, there is no way to know whether Parler will be making its way to the mainstream climbing up the social media ladder already crowded with multiple platforms. Parler is currently collecting the crumbles left by platforms like Twitter and Instagram as people banned from those platforms usually make their way to platforms like Parler. However, the platform can soon become irrelevant as Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition could bring relaxation to its content moderation policy.
Travelling is all fun and games when you’re a kid or a teenager. Most of your care is taken by a concerned parent or guardian or teacher (on a school trip) for you to have the best time of your life when on a trip. But things are not the same anymore now that you’re an adult, are they? A day before traveling is filled with a number of chores you’d rather avoid but gotta do it anyways and still miss out on a few things! Trust me, we’ve all been there!
The butterflies of landing in a new destination can soon become a nightmare if things go south. While I definitely do not wish any of these upon any traveler, it is important to note the things that could go wrong during a vacation trip. We make our way to a much-needed holiday after hustling our months away at work and it’s heartbreaking if things go wrong, especially in a different country if you’re traveling across borders. Below are some things that COULD go wrong during your next trip:
Transport
We know getting reliable transport in any big city in India itself is a challenge, let alone in any international country. It doesn’t matter where you are around the world, transportation is not perfect. Be it not being able to catch a cab or missing out on reroutes not shown on smartphone maps, there are a number of things that can go wrong in transportation. You can plan out every little transportation need and something could go wrong as it is largely out of our hands. One way to minimize any damage from a possible transportation problem is to plan ahead of time. Be flexible with your transportation and do not fixate upon one mode of travel. If your booked cab fails to reach you on time, a bus or a train could help you out. Knowing who to contact if your train is canceled or you’ve missed a bus is also important as you would not want to sit worried in a foreign country.
Currency Exchange
Gone are the days when vacationers would have to sign traveler’s cheques in order to make purchases on foreign land. Currency exchange has become much easier over the past few years but each country has its own process of currency exchange. Getting acquainted with the system beforehand would make it far easier for you. Just walking into a country with a load of cash hoping you’ll get it exchanged easily is not a tactic I’d like you to take. Whereas, walking around an unknown country with a wad of cash can also attract trouble. Before traveling to a different country, make sure you know all the rules and regulations of currency exchange. Some banks will also exchange your cash if they’re ahead of time.
Local emergency protocol
Dialing 100 on your phone when you’re in New York and need urgent assistance is not going to help you in any way. While we all hope to have a positive trip when we travel, it is better to be prepared for any outcome cause the last thing you want to go through during an emergency is to feel deserted and helpless. One should definitely get acquainted with all the emergency numbers of the country you’re visiting. If there is a language barrier, one thing that could come in handy is having the number of your country’s embassy or consulate. Your embassy can help you communicate with the local authorities and help you get medical or any other required assistance.
Sickness
Trust me, you do not want to fall sick when you’re traveling. While the majority of that is not in our hands, it is surely important to be prepared for sickness. Heat exhaustion, altitude sickness, food poisoning, etc. are some of the most common illnesses which affect people while on a trip. While all the common illnesses are usually resolved in a day or two, it is a day or two you would not want to miss. So, if you’re climbing a mountain for your holiday, make sure you drink plenty of water and eat light meals. Take a few days to get adjusted to the high altitude before challenging your body. If you’re in a place known for its outlandish cuisine, stick to your staples as you do not want to get food poisoning. Whereas, if the adventurer in you takes you to a hot place, make sure to cool your skin down by spraying cold water on yourself, also, make sure to stay out of direct sunlight from time to time.
Airport headache
The final mention in my list has to be for the airport. One of the most annoying factors of air travel for me is the weight limit. Why put restrictions on me when all I am trying to do is bring an entirely new wardrobe from Italy? But it is what it is. You firstly need to pack light while leaving for your trip as you do not know what you’ll bring back from there. Getting distracted at the airport is yet another issue. I get that the duty-free alcohol is tempting but missing a whole flight cause you were busy checking out your favorite wines is outlandish. Your airline can also sometimes lose your luggage which is a nightmare. Failing to carry any important documentation could result in you staying back while your family boards the flight to Paris.
Ultimately, there are a number of things that could go wrong on your next trip. But instead of making those elements a deciding factor for you to go on a vacation or not, I advise you to preplan. Planning your trip beforehand to the most minute detail can surely be tiring or ‘overdoing’ for some, but it saves you from a lot of trouble. In conclusion, even if you end up not caring about any of the things mentioned above, just make sure to have emergency numbers handy as you never know what happens. As they say, “Expect the worst and hope for the best”.
The travel bug bites us all! But it surely comes with a price. Most of us want to travel to a different country but budget requirements constrain us. Sure, I’d like to go to London or Paris to spend my hard-earned vacation but it’ll definitely cost a dime. Globetrotting is a dream many people have but they may be discouraged from making it a reality as traveling abroad is perceived as costly. But what if I told you there are some locations around the world where you can travel spending as much as you would on your Goa trip? Sounds outlandish but it is true!
I understand that traveling on a budget can be challenging, but the experience counts! The next time your friends are discussing their international travel stories, you too will have something to add there. In this month’s travel edition, we wanted to compile a list of affordable travel destinations for tourists from India. Read on:
Nepal
Unlike other countries on the list, Nepal does not require Indian citizens to show their passports. Though it is vital to carry a passport, users can also possess other documents. A voter ID issued by the Election Commission of India or any photo ID proof issued by Indian government authorities can also be used to enter Nepal. Some of the oldest temples in Nepal are the Pashupatinath and the Boudhanath Stupa, they are also tourist attractions given their cultural heritage. But that is not all as there are a number of other options like monasteries, wildlife sanctuaries, and trekking at the highest peak of the world, the Mt. Everest Base Camp. Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy the scenic views of Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. This trip could cost a person in the range of ₹25-30K. Meals in Nepal could range between ₹250-500 depending on which cuisine and place you select. A decent hostel room in Nepal could cost you anywhere between ₹1,000 to 2,000. If you’re looking to kickstart your world travel journey on a budget, Nepal is your best option!
Vietnam
One of the best places to visit for people on a budget is Vietnam. This Southeast Asian country has colorful markets, fascinating caves, widespread topography, and shimmering nightlife which can be every traveler’s paradise. The round-trip flights to Vietnam from India can cost in the range of ₹12,000 to ₹15,000 if planned two months in advance. Whereas, a decent hotel stay can cost you around ₹1,500 to ₹3,000. Travelers can immerse themselves in yacht or boat cruises, caving, cultural tours, wildlife tours, or local market tours. Nha Trang, Mekong Delta, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. The highlight of the Vietnam trip can be Ha Long Bay which is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Ha Long Bay comprises 1600 islands and islets which form into a picturesque seascape mostly of limestone pillars, a sight to behold for sure! We estimate that a 7 days and 6 nights trip to Vietnam could cost one person around ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 if flights are booked in advance.
Bhutan
I would like to experience a country that publishes its happiness index. Indians surely have an advantage here over other International destinations as Bhutan offers passport-free travel to Indians. The country possesses a wide range of unexplored terrain coupled with breathtaking natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for Indian tourists on a budget. A return flight ticket to Bhutan costs cheaper than a few domestic flights around the country. Decent hotels in Bhutan cost anywhere around ₹2,000 per night. On the other hand, you can also opt for homestays which can cost around ₹1,000 and ₹1,200. So what can you do in Bhutan? The country has an abundance of tourist attractions from cultural tours to local sightseeing. The adventurer in you can also be challenged by going on a Himalayan tour. Wildlife enthusiasts can indulge in wildlife-centric tours. Bhutan also has a UNESCO heritage site where tourists can experience the Drametse Mask Dance where colorful costume depiction of gods, demons, animals, and heroes takes place. Haa Valley, Rinpung Dzong, Thimphu, and Punakha Dzong are some of the places you can visit. The trip can cost you approximately ₹35,000.
Thailand
Thailand is one of the most traveled tourist destinations for people on a budget. Thailand is definitely not limited to its depiction in the ‘Hangover’ film and offers you a set of diverse cultures and activities to experience. Be it turquoise-watered beaches, street food, vibrant markets, authentic spas, or happening nightlife, Thailand has it all! Some of the places to visit in Thailand include Bangkok for its party culture, Pattaya for its crazed nightlife, Chiang Rai for the adventure-head in you with mountain trekking, and Koh Samui for its beautiful beaches. To indulge in local cuisine like Tom Yung Goong (shrimp soup), Tom Kha Kai (chicken in coconut soup) or Gaeng Daeng (spicy red curry) is surely not to be missed. The trip can surely cost you a buck if you’re traveling around the entire country but winding it down to two or three cities can surely make it an affordable trip. We say Bangkok, Phuket, and Tarutao should be on your list if you’re on a trip to Thailand. A 5-day round trip flight ticket from India to Phuket can cost you around ₹12,000. The total trip can be wound up in around ₹40,000.
Philippines
If you’re a beach bum, the Philippines is the place for you! It is a land full of islands with over 7000 islands ready to leave you spellbound! As a vacation destination, the Philippines are unique as there is so much to choose from which can leave you confused. Be it beautiful surfing spots to emerald rice fields to volcanoes and a vast number of beaches, you’ll surely never run out of options for things to do in the Philippines. The nature enthusiast in you will surely be the happiest here as the country is full of beautiful tourist attractions which can be enjoyed through a sightseeing tour. You can simply hop in a car to take a countryside tour around the island of Bohol, in this tour you can see the Chocolate Hills and cruise along the flowing Loboc River. You can also simply walk around the city of Intramuros in Manila and learn about its rich colonial history.
Oman
Oman is surely not the spot that pops into your mind when one thinks about vacationing in the Middle East but it surely has its own surprises! With mountain views, spectacular mosques, and white-sand beaches, Oman should definitely be on your list for budget travel. A round-trip from Mumbai to Muscat can cost you around ₹16,000. You can also secure a decent hotel room anywhere between ₹2,000 to ₹5,000. The country is filled with tourist attractions like desert safari, beach visits, cultural tourism, and more. If you’re heading to Oman, do not miss out on the Wahiba sand tour. It is known as the adventure playground of Oman. You can experience the pure amber shades of sand as seen in movies! Oman also has a number of UNESCO world heritage sites like the Aflaj irrigation system and large burial grounds of Ay-Ayn, Bat, and Al Ayn. Dining is comparatively costly in Oman as a decent meal can cost you around ₹1,500. We estimate a 5-day trip to Oman can cost around ₹50,000 to ₹60,000.
When it comes to Apple, we all expect the company to launch its products in a lavish style. Apple fanatics are presented with highly produced launch events each year. Be it the iPhone or MacBook launch, Apple makes sure that it presents the best launch event to leave a lasting impression. Well, it looks like that won’t be the case this time around with the launch of its speculated iPad Pro and MacBook M2 Pro lineup.
It was Bloomberg’s analyst Mark Gurman who suggested that Apple will be holding back on an in-person event for the new Macbooks, iPads, and Apple TVs, and instead just announce the devices via press releases. As we all know, September was pretty big for Apple as the ‘Far Out’ event introduced the new iPhone 14 lineup along with Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and 2nd Gen AirPods Pro. As an Apple fan myself, I was taken by surprise when news about the tech giant skipping the October event started doing rounds on the web. But I was then reminded that it won’t be the first time Apple opts for this release strategy. The tech giant occasionally announces major new products like AirPods Pro and AirPods Max via press releases, hence the move is not unprecedented. So, what are the new devices speculated to be launched by Apple in October?
Apple is expected to release the new iPad Pro with its powerful M2 processor. Besides the Pro model, the company is also expected to launch an entry-level iPad with a revamped design. Besides this, Apple is also expected to unveil three new Mac devices in 2022, and rumor mills had suggested it’ll be in October. The new Mac Mini and Mac Pro were also expected to be launched in October. While reports suggest that Apple has a whole slew of products to be launched in October, others reported that the company decided to skip an in-person event as the new products were not exciting enough to warrant one. None of these new products is a major departure for Apple as it will only be updating upon and building upon previously launched devices. The devices will get improved specifications as opposed to a complete revamp with a chip that was already announced back in June 2022. Hence, the decision to have a ‘soft launch of the new Apple hardware via press releases seems justified.
Now, let’s have a detailed look at all the speculated devices to be launched in October by Apple. Readers must note that the following information is based upon rumors and reports around the internet. Apple might or might not release the products listed below in October as some devices are expected to be launched in early 2023.
M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro
Apple is expected to launch a revised version of 2021 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro in October. It would be easy to assume that this new lineup will also come in the standard space gray and silver colors as new colors in the MacBook lineup would surely warrant an event. However, it was back in June when Apple made a darker aluminum finish MacBook called midnight. While this color was only available for the MacBook Air, it would be interesting to see it feature on the MacBook Pro lineup. Last year, Apple fans did not like that the USB-C MagSafe 3 cable only came in white/silver colors. The company had to then launch color-matching cables for space gray, starlight, and midnight variants of the MacBook. It is now expected that the new MacBook Pros will come bundled with color-matching cables.
Ultimately, the reason for this update is mainly internal. Apple introduced the M1 Pro and M1 Max processors back in October 2021 with the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros. The M2 was launched back in June with the MacBook Air. Hence, the same can now be expected from the MacBook Pro lineup with integrated MacBook M2 Pro and M2 Max.
iPad Pro
iPad has garnered a strong fanbase through the years with Apple bringing the tablet form factor to a whole new level! Now, iPads are as powerful as MacBooks with strong computing prowess and the comfort of portability. Hence, the anticipation of the iPad Pro 2022 model is at all-time high thanks to rumors suggesting that it will launch in October. Sure, Apple puts a lot of effort into making sure that its new products do not leak before release but it is hard to avoid leaks these days. So, what does the rumor mill suggests?
It has been reported on several portals dedicated to Apple news that the new Ipad pro model will come with wireless charging capabilities. Apple’s iPad charges via USB-C or Lightning, if the tech giant brings wireless charging to the iPad, it would bring it closer to the iPhone. All the newer iPhone models can be charged wirelessly, though the recent iPhone 14 Pro has been facing some issues with wireless charging due to its giant camera module. If the iPad enables wireless charging, the next step is arguably reverse wireless charging. This would allow you to charge your iPhone or AirPods by simply laying them on the back of your iPad, sounds interesting!
It won’t be outlandish to guess that the new iPad Pro will come with improved performance. According to several reports, the 2022 iPad pro will come with Apple’s new M2 processor on board. Other improvements include a better modem for enhanced 5G capabilities and an improved camera setup. One of the first details floating on the internet was that Apple will continue the same size for the iPad Pro 2022 as the 2021 model. There have also been reports which suggest that the new iPad Pro will be coming with the MagSafe charger. It is only about time we see the new products by Apple!
Tech giant Apple’s recently released iPhone 14 Plus is witnessing low traction. The newly released device is not up to the mark when it comes to demand as it has registered unexpectedly low sales. Apple fanatics and tech enthusiasts can easily pinpoint the reason behind the lack of sales for the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. The devices were considerably overshadowed by the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max as they come with a revamped design and a newer fast chip.
iPhone 14 Plus sales disappoint
DigiTimes was the first portal to reveal that the iPhone 14 Plus sales have not kicked off as one would expect with the premium Apple device. People are leaning more toward the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. While there is a sharp difference between the sales performance of iPhone 14 Pro and non-pro devices, the overall shipment of the new devices is the same as those of the iPhone 13 lineup in the second half of 2021.
It is reported that if the sales of the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus remain the same then Apple may cut out the orders of parts included in making those devices in the second half of October itself. If Apple decides to cut part orders more aggressively than expected then the total shipment of the iPhone 14 lineup could fall down more as compared to the iPhone 13 series last year. That is an alarming development considering the iPhone 14 Plus was seated by Apple between the sweet spot of the standard iPhone 14 and the 14 Pro models. The device was expected to make a big splash in the market with its larger form factor housing a vibrant 6.7-inch display. The device also offers the best battery life on an iPhone to this date with its large battery capacity.
The picture is quite clear here. Apple fanatics are ready to pay the higher price to get the Pro models if they offer good enough upgrades. The iPhone 14 Pro definitely has new things to offer to its users with the revamped notch ‘Dynamic Island’ design and the 48MP camera capacity. Looking at this development, it will be interesting to see if Apple continues the same trend of reserving specification bumps for the Pro models and the standard variants receive a few tweaks here and there. Looking at Apple’s history, it won’t be an outlandish assumption to make.
If canceling movies, shows, books, or fashion trends was not enough, the cancel culture has officially come for emojis. We spend a good part of our lives communicating with others on our phones and thus it was only about time that emojis would be targeted by the cancel culture. So, what is going on? It looks like Gen-Z is reportedly offended by the thumbs-up emoji. You read that right! the thumbs-up emoji. 👍 Let’s dive into this topic and see if the reason behind the emoji being deemed as ‘hostile’ makes any sense.
Gen-Z Vs Thumbs Up Emoji
A Reddit post made 10 months ago has now found the light in mainstream media. A Reddit poster took to the platform and confessed that they are not ‘adult enough’ to be comfortable with the thumbs-up emoji reaction. Many commentators jumped in and agreed with the post stating that the emoji indeed feels hostile.
One 24-year old commenter shared that the emoji is considered passive-aggresive for younger people. They added that it is super rude when someone just sends a thumbs-up reaction and that they had a weird time adjusting to their workplace as it is a norm to send the thumbs up emoji. Of course, people from the older generation did not agree with this. Older redditors were quick to jump in and say that the emoji refers to signal that an approval is made or some task is understood. It surely is a generational communication difference as I would be lying if I say that I haven’t used the thumbs up emoji as a passive-aggresive response.
The story is not just limited to a Reddit thread as a survey conducted by Perspectus Global also concluded with the same outcome. A research conducted with 2000 people ranging from 16 to 29 years old found that the thumbs up emoji makes you look old. There are also some other emojis which were deemed outdated in the survey. Check them out below –
Thumbs up 👍
Red heart ❤️ ️️
Ok hand 👌
Check mark ✔️
Poo 💩
Loudly Crying Face 😭
Monkey eye cover 🙈
Clapping hands 👏
Kiss mark 💋
Grimacing Face 😬
The poll furthermore found out that 78% people admitted to have using an emoji before without knowing it had a double meaning. So, which of the emojis have you used without knowing it meant something else?
It felt like for a while, everywhere you looked you were bombarded with metaverse-related content on the internet. Be it social media, digital news outlets, or your ‘Crypto-Bro’ friend, you could not miss out on the metaverse and everything around it even if you tried. So, what’s happening with the digital revolution which was touted to change the world as we experience it? Well, nothing much! One might ask what is happening with the metaverse these days only to find articles and discourse on the internet which do not lean towards the positive side. Now, it has been revealed that one of the high-budgeted metaverses, Decentraland, only had 38 daily active users!
Decentraland’s active users
I’ll come off clean here, I too had bought Decentraland’s crypto token, MANA, during its peak hype. I quickly sold the tokens off to shift to SHIBA INU and have been a SHIB loyalist ever since. Though I was skeptical about Decentraland’s ambitious metaverse ever becoming mainstream, this was not expected! DappRadar data aggregator recently released data that the Ethereum-based Decentraland only had 38 ‘active users’ over a period of 24 hours. This is a shockingly low number given the company’s market cap of a whopping $1.2 billion.
It is important to note that according to DappRadar, active users are counted based on unique wallet address’ interaction with Decentraland’s smart contract. This means that users making any purchase using SAND or MANA tokens in the platform only are counted as active users. People simply logging in to the metaverse to communicate with one another or roaming around the metaverse are not counted as active users. CoinDesk reached out to Sam Hamilton, the Creative Director at Decentraland, who clarified that DappRadar does not track the users in its entirety but only people who interact with their contracts. Sam added furthermore that there are currently 8,000 people on average in the Decentraland metaverse daily.
8,000 daily users off a $1.2 billion investment sounds…. tragic? This certainly does not prove whether or not the metaverse is the future. But we surely are off to a rocky start.
