Author: Aamir Khollam

World Mental Health Day: How tech can help with mental health

World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10. It was first observed back in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. The objective behind this day is to raise awareness about mental health issues and destigmatize the topic to have an open discussion about mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. Here at Exhibit, we’re all about tech, and of course, technology does play a role in mental health. In today’s world, social media seems more happening and fun than people’s regular lives which led to a rise in these platforms having a strong link with issues like depression, loneliness, and negative feelings in general. However, social media does not comprise tech as a whole and there are many ways in which tech can play a major role in improving your mental health. Below, we’ll take a look at the way technology can help with mental health:

Apps

The search for mental health services on the internet can be intimidating, especially in a world that is so driven by technology. However, if you’ve wanted to address your mental health issues but are nervous to do so in the real world, there are many remote options at your service. Be it taking therapy online or using mental health apps, one can get help virtually if not physically.

Mental health apps are convenient and accessible, they can prove a source of support for people to occupy their minds, relieve stress, track their mood, or maintain a routine. An example could be the meditation apps which allow people to improve breathing and relax. There are also apps like Fabulous which allow users to build a daily planner and practice self-care.

Websites & Helplines

People with access to the internet and their phones can avail of a number of services to help them through a mental health crisis. People can use the tools available on the internet to find information about mental health problems, symptoms, and treatment options. In India, there are a number of online portals like Suicide Prevention India Foundation and The Mitram Foundation which provide confidential emotional support to people going through a mental health crisis in their lives. People seeking immediate mental health support in India can reach out to the numbers listed below –

  • Mitram Foundation – 08025722573 or 9019708133
  • AASRA – 91-9820466726
  • Lifeline Foundation – 9088030303

E-Therapy

The internet has made mental health treatment more accessible. E-Therapy programs have made it easier for people to access therapy and do so without having to leave the comfort of their homes. People do not necessarily need to sit with a therapist face to face and can get help with the help of the internet or mobile devices. E-Therapy has also allowed some people to tackle the stigma that has been attached to mental health issues for years.

Virtual Activities

With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing people into their homes, a rapid rise of virtual events was witnessed. There were virtual music shows, stand-up comedy events which were hosted from the comedian’s home, and much more. These virtual activities have now become a part of pop culture and surely help people with managing their mental health issues as they help in reducing anxiety and depression.

 

Madlad builds the universe in Minecraft!

Minecraft players often take the internet by storm. The exceptional game allows players to build to their imagination with the help of an unlimited supply of blocks and space. Players create mega structures inside the game be it on land, water, or sky. However, this time around a crazy Minecraft player has taken it to the next level. YouTuber/Minecraft player ChrisDaCow has created the ‘entire universe’ inside the game!

Universe in Minecraft

If the internet has proven anything in the past decade it is that dedicated Minecraft players hold the power to create just about anything. Be it depicting the middle heart or creating a working computer that can be used to play Tetris (Game-Ception!) Minecraft players surely do not lack creativity! Now, Minecraft player ChrisDaCow has pushed the envelope on what can be built in the game by building a universe. Check out the video below –

Sure, the astonishing build does not encompass the ‘entire universe’, but surely provides a look at some key elements of outer space. The most noteworthy wonder here is the Sun and the planets in our solar system. The Pillars of Creation can also be seen in the Minecraft universe. The best part about this build for me is the black hole which looks exactly like Nolan’s space adventure film Interstellar. The creator shared that it took around two months of constant work for him to build the universe in the game. However, he is not new to the game with an experience of over 9 years.

 

OPPO F21s Pro Review: Shimmers Like Gold!

The 20-25K price segment when choosing a smartphone is definitely difficult. The price segment is saturated and has a lot to offer. However, the OPPO F21s Pro definitely stands out. OPPO is one of the brands which places an emphasis on the style factor of a design and that is where this device excels. But that’s not all as it also has a strong spec sheet backing it with a solid camera setup! Let’s see what the OPPO F21s Pro has to offer: 

Display

When buying a phone in the 20-25K segments, what you expect is a vibrant AMOLED display with a high refresh rate. This is exactly what you get here. The OPPO F21s Pro comes with a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED punch-hole display with 2400x1080P resolution. During my extensive testing of the device, watching Netflix/YouTube videos was pleasing to the eyes as the punchy display produced some great colors! You also get an under-display fingerprint sensor here which is accurate and fast. 

Design

This is where the device has its cake and eats it too! For my review, I was handed the ‘Dawnlight Gold’ variant of the F21s Pro and it was a treat to look at. With the dawnlight gold edition, it is difficult to make out what color is the back panel exactly as it shimmers and changes colors like a chameleon. People not looking for an eye-catching device can opt for a much more serious-looking ‘Starlight Black’ variant which has a classy black finish. OPPO is known to make stylish devices and this one is on par with the brand’s history. 

Camera

The OPPO F21s Pro comes with a triple-camera setup featuring a 64MP rear camera coupled with a 2MP depth sensor and a 2MP Microscopic lens. Now, that’s new! We’re used to a triple camera setup featuring an ultra-wide camera to click wider images but OPPO decided to go the opposite route to utilize the lens to click detailed microscopic images. The microscopic lens is a throwback to school days when you’d look down the microscope in the biology lab! The microscopic lens offers 15X and 30X magnification capabilities. But that is not all as it also features a stunning Sony IMX709 32MP selfie sensor which clicks some crisp photos. Another interesting feature here is the Orbit Light at the back of the camera module which acts like a notification light. The Orbit Light looks beautiful when lit!

15x microscopic view at a cricket bat grip with the OPPO F21s Pro

 

Performance

Under the hood, you get Qualcomm’s trusted and powerful Snapdragon 680. The processor has proved its might in many midrange devices in the past and it is surely integrated well here! The device features a large 4500mAh battery here with 33W SUPERVOOC fast charging. The F21s Pro comes with 8GB RAM with expansion up to 5GB via virtual RAM. It features ample storage with 128GB onboard which can be extended via microSD Card up to 1TB.

Verdict

The OPPO F21s Pro is a solid device that packs a punch at a decent price of Rs 22,999. The device scores good marks with its display and long battery life. An extra point for its unique design! While am not a fan of the bloatware apps present on the device, they can prove helpful to some. Overall, this is a decent device at a decent price point. This could be the device you go for this festive design!

You can buy the OPPO F21s Pro from Amazon – HERE

Pixel 7 & Pixel 7 Pro launched by Google: Everything you need to know

Google has officially launched the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro at an event in New York. The new phones will be making their way to India this time around with pre-orders already kicking off on Flipkart. People keen on getting their hands on the latest Pixel devices will have to shell out Rs84,999 for the Pixel 7 Pro. However, several bank offers can bring the effective price down to Rs69,999. Whereas, the standard Pixel 7 will cost Rs 59,999 in India. Check out all the details about Google’s Pixel 7 series below:

Pixel 7 & 7 Pro details

The standard Pixel 7 comes with a 6.3-inch 1080P screen, slightly smaller than Pixel 6’s 6.4-inch display; Google mentioned that the bezels on the latest device are slimmer than the Pixel 6 but the 90Hz refresh rate remains the same. The 7 Pro on the other hand comes with a hearty 1440P LTPO display with a 6.7-inch form factor and 120HZ refresh rate. Google claims that both these devices’ displays now come with 25% higher brightness than their predecessors.

Under the hood, we have Google’s very own Tensor G2 chipset powering the Pixel 7 series. While the standard Pixel 7 comes with 8GB RAM, the Pixel 7 Pro is coupled with a powerful 12GB RAM. Both devices come with face unlock features on top of an under-display fingerprint sensor. Google has cut some corners with the Pixel 7 as it comes with a 4,355mAh battery, smaller than Pixel 6’s 4,600mAh battery capacity. The Pixel 7 Pro on the other hand houses a big 5,000mAh battery capacity. Both devices offer 128/256GB storage respectively.

Both Pixel 7 devices come with a 50MP primary lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. While the Pixel 7 comes with a dual camera setup, the Pixel 7 Pro sports a triple camera. The only differentiating factor in the camera setup here is the Pixel 7 Pro’s 48MP telephoto lens which is missing in the Pixel 7. The front of the device is a 10.8MP lens for selfies and video calls.

One pretty obvious change here in the Pixel 7 series is the camera bar. While Pixel 6 and 6 Pro used glass to cover the device’s cameras coupled with a metal outline, the Pixel 7 series features 100% recycled aluminum with a matte finish. Finally, on the software side, Google has brought some monumental changes. With the special optimization of the Tensor G2 chipset, users can now unblur older/existing photos to improve their quality. The company claims that Night Sight is now twice as fast as the Pixel 6. Real Tone has been integrated into the Portrait and Night Sight modes. A new accessibility feature has also been added to the selfie camera which allows visually impaired people to stay in frame with the help of haptic and audio signals.

Pre-order the Google Pixel 7/7 Pro from Flipkart – HERE

Redmi Pad launched in India at competitive price

The tablet market in India has seen a boom in recent years with key players introducing a number of budget tablets in the market. Xiaomi introduced the Xiaomi Pad 5 a few months back packing in powerful specs in the midrange segment. Now, Redmi has come up with its first tablet titled Redmi Pad which is launched at the introductory pricing of Rs12,999 for the base 3+64GB model. The device is currently available to buy on Mi.com and all other retail partners of Xiaomi. Read below to know all the specifications of the Redmi Pad:

Redmi Pad specifications

The tablet packs a solid 10.61-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate, at the rate of Rs 12999, this is the cheapest tablet to offer a high refresh rate. The tablet also comes with Widevine L1 certification so that users can enjoy watching content in HD. The tablet comes equipped with an 8MP front camera for video calls. It is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 with support of up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. There is also the support of expandable storage with support of up to 1TB. other features include Bluetooth 5.3, dual bank WiFi 5, dual microphones, and also a built-in document speaker.

It comes with a 2K display which is also surprising for this price range. The Redmi Pad runs on MIUI 13 based on Android 12 out of the box. users get all the features they expect from a tablet like split screen, floating window, multi-window support, reading mode, and much more. YouTube fanatics will be happy to know that the tab also comes bundled with 2 months of free YouTube Premium. The Redmi Pad is backed by an 8000 mAh battery with the support of 18W fast charging. It is quite odd that the device only supports 18W fast charging but it comes bundled with a 22.5W fast charger in the box. Redmi claims that the device can offer 21+ hours of video playback and 12+ hours of gaming. You can buy the Redmi Pad from Mi’s official website – HERE.

Twitter rolls out ‘Edit’ option

For years Twitter users have adamantly demanded the option to edit tweets. I’ve had to delete a tweet and write it down after missing out on a word or misspelling one many times, I am sure you have gone through the same. But it looks like Twitter has finally heard what its users suggested for years and provided an edit option, but there is a catch! Weeks after Twitter announced that it will launch an edit option for its paid subscribers, the microblogging social media giant posted its very first edited tweet. Check it out below:

Twitter’s Edit Option

https://twitter.com/TwitterBlue/status/1575590534529556480?s=20&t=rhUXBEFl2lNda7Er4f140A

As of now, only Twitter Blue subscribers living in New Zealand, Canada and Australia can edit their tweets. Thus it is a paid feature and not a free one. The company has stated that Blue subscribers in the US will soon be getting the feature but there is no word about the feature making its way to Twitter in India as there is not even a Twitter Blue subscription model launched in the country. In the tweet above, you can see a pencil symbol which notifies users that the tweet was edited. Users can then click on the pencil symbol and check out the edit history of the tweet. So, users thinking that they can easily hide their typos and mistakes by simply editing a tweet won’t be able to do so.

I think Twitter as a microblogging website has surely gotten late to introduce this feature. The edit option should have made its way to Twitter years back but better late than never! To edit their tweets users need to pay up $4.99 per month for a Twitter Blue subscription. When it comes to the actual functionality of the edit button, users can edit their tweets multiple times only in the first 30 minutes after the tweet has been published. Twitter describes the 30-minute time frame as a short period of time to fix typos and missed tags. being an ardent fan of the microblogging platform, I cannot wait for Twitter Blue and the edit option to become available in India.

Moto G72 launched in India with Helio G99 and 108MP triple camera

Motorola has been on a streak of launching great devices in the Indian market. It was just a few weeks back when Moto India released the flagship Moto Edge 30 Ultra and the midrange flagship Moto Edge 30 Fusion. Now, the company has launched the Moto G72 adding another device in its G series. The main attraction of the Moto G72 is the 6.6-inch pOLED display which is paired with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Check all the details about the newly launched Moto G72 below:

Moto G72 launched

Besides the 120Hz refresh rate, the Moto G72 screen also comes with a 576Hz touch sampling rate and support for HDR10, it also has a peak brightness of 1300 nits. There is an in-display fingerprint scanner here. A deal breaker for some could be the MediaTek Helio G99 processor which is built on the 6nm process and has a max clock speed of 2.2 GHz. The same processor is also present in the Poco M5 which is considerably cheaper than the Moto G72. The device comes with 128GB of internal memory which can be extended via a MicroSD card and 6GB of RAM.

In the camera department, the G72 sports a triple camera setup with a 108MP main sensor. The other two lenses include an 8MP ultra-wide plus depth lens and a 2MP macro sensor. The front of the device is packing a 16MP snapper for selfies and video calls. Moto excels in the software department with its near-stock Android experience and this device packs an Android 12 operating system. The device is backed with a powerful 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging support. With the launch of 5G in India, it is expected that all the upcoming devices will be 5G capable but this latest device from Moto misses out on it. The Moto G72 is limited to 4G LTE. Other connectivity features include Bluetooth 5.1 and dual-band Wi-Fi. The device is launched at an introductory price of Rs 18,999. Check out the Moto G72 on Flipkart – HERE.

 

 

 

Goodbye Mangalyaan! ISRO confirms Mars mission is over

After eight glorious years, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), famously known as the Mangalyaan mission has come to an end. The Indian Mars orbiter ran out of fuel and battery after completing eight years of orbiting the red planet. On 3rd October, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) confirmed that the orbiter lost communication with the ground station. As the orbiter is non-recoverable the Mangalyaan mission has completed its last lap and ended its journey. The Mars orbiter has completed a time phase much more than its expected life span of six months placing India at a pivotal place in space exploration. Here’s a look back at the Mangalyaan mission:

Mangalyaan Bids Adieu

ISRO’s MOM launched back in November 2013 and was orbiting Mars since September 2014. With its success, India became the first Asian nation to reach the Martian orbit. Interestingly, India is the only country in the world to reach Mars’ orbit in its first attempt. This was a new ball game for ISRO as it was its first interplanetary mission and to make it in the first attempt is a commendable feat. The success of Mangalyaan made ISRO the fourth agency to put a mission on Mars’ orbit. This brought worldwide recognition to the space organization, positioning it amongst prominent space agencies globally. It was back on September 24, 2014, when ISRO’s Mars Orbiter’s official Twitter announced that it had successfully made it to Mars orbit. Check it out below:

Mars Orbiter Mission History

It was announced back on 23rd November 2008 by then-ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair that India will launch a mission to Mars. The launch was initially planned for 28th October 2013 but was pushed back to 5th November due to poor weather conditions in the pacific ocean. The mission’s objective included five main tasks. MOM carried five scientific payloads weighing just 15KGs to collect data on Mars’ surface geology, morphology, surface temperature mapping, atmospheric processes, and atmospheric escape process. Another important objective of the mission was to maintain the spacecraft in all of its phases throughout and ISRO was successful in doing so.

Fun Fact: ISRO’s Mangalyaan mission was carried out at a total cost of US $57 million. The budget for Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame film is $356 million!

No TouchID for future flagship iPhones?

Apple stunned the world with its recent launch event introducing the new iPhone 14 series. While Apple’s flagship devices have washed their hands clean off the TouchID, there have been several reports in the past that suggest that it will be making its way back. Ever since Apple moved to FaceID with its flagship offerings, Apple fans have speculated that the company will be implementing an in-screen fingerprint sensor on its devices. Android devices have been sporting the feature for years so fans expecting the same from Apple is only natural. But it looks like Apple has no interest to introduce the in-display fingerprint sensor in iPhones.

TouchID abandoned?

If you ask me, back in the day Apple’s home button with TouchID was its identity. The classic design surely ruled over millions of hearts as it brought a sense of familiarity through years of design retention. It was back in 2017 when Apple decided to move away from the classic design for its flagship offering with the iPhone X which introduced Apple’s FaceID, and of course, the notch. The same year, Apple also introduced the iPhone 8/8 Plus which kept the classic design and home button with TouchID. Cut to 2022, when the tech giant introduced the iPhone 14 lineup, all equipped with notches and FaceID. it’s been half a decade since Apple introduced FaceID and in my opinion, it is time for a change. But the tech giant doesn’t feel the same!

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently shared his latest edition of the Power On newsletter where he shared that Apple has no plans of bringing back the TouchID anytime soon. According to Gurman, and leaks over the internet, Apple tested the under-screen TouchID in recent years. The resources utilized in testing the under-screen TouchID feature surely will not go to waste as Apple might implement it in the future. Will it happen with the iPhone 15 coming next year? Not at all! In fact, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has tweeted that the under-display fingerprint sensor will not make its way to the iPhone even in 2024. This means that we tentatively have over two generations of the iPhone to go before we can possibly see the feature.

But the question to ask here is whether we really need this feature. the answer for me is definitely yes! Android devices have been rocking the in-display fingerprint sensor for years now and it’s only about time that Apple brings this feature to iPhone! Technology moves at a fast pace and Apple has a lot of catching up to do. The company’s obsession to provide quality features at its own pace is commendable for sure but come on hurry up a little!

iPhone 14’s ‘Crash Detection’ feature fails to recognize collision

Apple launched the iPhone 14 lineup last month during its ‘Far Out’ event. The tech giant took a significant amount of the event to talk about its new crash detection technology. According to Apple’s own website, the crash detection feature is designed to detect severe car crashes. The latest iPhone 14 and 14 pro models can detect front, side, and rear-end collisions and rollovers in a range of vehicles like sedans, minivans, SUVs, pick-up trucks, and much more. If a heavy collision occurs, the iPhone 14/14 Pro models sound an alarm or display an alert. If a user is unable to respond to the alert in 20 seconds, the device automatically calls emergency services. While this feature has the potential to save many lives, a new test has shown that the iPhone 14 was unable to recognize a car collision.

iPhone 14 fails to detect collision

A video from Wall Street Journal recently surfaced on the internet. In the video, a demolition derby driver can be seen ramming two different cars. The driver had placed the iPhone 14 model while wearing an Apple Watch Ultra in the vehicle. The driver also had a Google Pixel in the vehicle which has a similar feature. The testing showed that the Apple Watch Ultra worn by the driver was successful at detecting crashes. But on the other hand, the iPhone did not register the impact in the car. Check out WSJ’s video testing the devices’ Crash Detection features below:

 

The Google Pixel device did detect one crash inside the driver’s vehicle but neither of the two devices detect the crash during the second test. During the second crash test, the testers drove around the vehicles before crashing in to make the smartphones think the crash was legitimate. But the crash did not trigger the smartphone. As an important feature that was highlighted as one of the key reasons to get the new iPhone 14, this is surely a disappointing result. WSJ reached out to both Google and Apple after the tests. Apple revealed that the lack of data could be the reason why the iPhone 14 failed to detect the crashes. Not being connected to Apple CarPlay or not having the tester drive around the vehicle long enough could be the reason iPhone 14 failed to register the crashes.

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