Aamir Khollam, Author at Exhibit Tech

ViewSonic LS610HDHE Projector Review: Sets a New Standard!

It was only at the start of this year that I reviewed ViewSonic’s X2 projector. It took me by surprise to how many features that projector managed to pack in a small form factor. When I was tasked to review the ViewSonic LS610HDHE projector, the excitement went above the roof as I was expecting another smart Android-based projector from the company. However, to my disappointment, the LS610HDHE projector is a pretty standard affair which does not cramp up features. It takes a different approach of being a projector suited for classrooms, boardrooms, and similar settings. So, is the ViewSonic LS610HDHE not worth exploring? I beg to differ as it definitely stands in a league of its own when it comes to picture quality.

Design & Features

ViewSonic LS610HDHE is rated to produce 4,500 ANSI lumens and comes with Full HD resolution at 1920 x 1080. For a business and education projector, it weighs pretty light and it won’t be an issue for users to move this one around. It also boasts some high-end features like HDR, HLG and 4K signal support. When it comes to the design, the ViewSonic LS610HDHE does not innovate in any sense but presents a known design aesthetic which was not an issue for me in any way.

What comes with the 4,500 ANSI lumens is the capacity for the projector to cut through ambience lighting and present some sharp images even in the brightest settings. Testing the projector out in a dark room was a grave mistake I made as its brightness prowess nearly blinded me for a second. What users also get here is a maintenance-free sealed light engine which keeps dust and moisture away from the lens.

Performance: Beyond Impressive

One of the few reasons why people opt for projectors is to get the best picture quality out of their films and series. On the performance side, the ViewSonic LS610HDHE is one of the best projectors you can buy right now. It not just produces a sharp picture quality but takes it a notch further by allowing users to choose between multiple color modes. Users get to choose between Brightest, Standard, Photo, Movie, User 1 and User 2 options. The ‘Brightest’ color mode has a green tint to it and is suitable only for ambiences with plenty of light. I found myself sticking to either standard or movie mode during my testing of the projector.

LS610HDHE houses a standard control panel on the top which allows users to quickly play around with the settings. It houses a power button and keystone buttons coupled with color mode, menu, source, and more. There is also a handheld remote control which gets the job done with ease.

The projector also houses a standard 10W speaker system which works well enough given it’s not the premium Harman Kardon speaker system which the X2 boasted. The projector can handle 4K content generally but downscales it to 1080P. I watched films like Avatar: The Way of Water & Spider-Man: No Way Home during my testing of the projector and I was glued to the superior picture quality of it.

Verdict

If you’re in the market looking for a capable projector and do not obsess over smart Android features which modern projectors offer then the ViewSonic LS610HDHE is definitely the one for you. It produces some punchy colours which can be enhanced furthermore using the color management features.

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Redmi Watch 3 Active Review: Optimum Performance!

The Indian smartwatch market is at a saturation point right now. Players like boAt, Nose, and many others offer smartwatches for as cheap as 1K with a passable list of features. However, Xiaomi has not been able to carve a niche for itself in this market segment as they’ve in the smartphone market. Well, that was until now cause I believe the Redmi Watch 3 Active is a game-changer in all aspects. Xiaomi is offering the Redmi Watch 3 Active at an attractive price of Rs 3K and covers a lot of ground when it comes to providing basic features along with an aesthetically pleasing design & a cherry on the top with Bluetooth calling. So, should it be your next smartwatch? Find out below –

Design: Straightforward

Redmi Watch 3 Active closely resembles an Apple Watch thanks to its rectangular design and soft rounded corners. It is a plastic build watch but looks ultra premium thanks to a non-conductive vacuum metallisation coating. It has a large 1.83-inch display however, it is not heavy by any means. I spend the majority of my time typing content and have to put any watch or bracelet aside whenever I am at work. However, I didn’t need to do that with the Redmi Watch 3 Active as it’s that lightweight at just 41.67 grams. There’s a single button here which works well. Overall, the no-nonsense design of the Redmi Watch 3 Active will attract a lot of eyeballs. You can choose between charcoal black or platinum grey colours. I used the charcoal black variant coupled with an olive-green strap which Xiaomi is selling at Rs 499. However, the black silicone strap you receive in-box of the device is not bad by any means. It is comfortable, however, the mechanism to hook the watch on your wrist might take some getting used to.

Performance: Beyond Expectations

As a tech reviewer, I have to switch between a lot of devices which require daily charging. Charging devices has become a hassle for all of us but the Redmi Watch 3 Active makes your life easier with its battery prowess. While Redmi promises 12-day battery life for this one, I was able to get 10 days out of the Redmi Watch 3 Active with active BT calling and general fitness tracking. When you take into consideration that this watch offers 24/7 heart rate and SpO2 tracking then the battery life becomes more than just impressive. I did not carry the charging cable for this watch while I was travelling across states for events as there was no fear of the battery running out.

There are a lot of customization options available for users when it comes to the watch faces. Redmi promises 200+ watch faces but I found myself sticking to the default watch face. The Bluetooth calling feature here is simply awesome as I did not face any issues while receiving calls on the watch for extended hours. Additionally, the speaker volume is good enough for you to not stick the watch to your ear while receiving calls in an indoor environment. I predominantly used the step tracker, heart rate monitor, SpO2, stress and sleep monitor features of the watch. While I am unsure about the accuracy of these parameters, they work well. Additionally, you also get music controls, an alarm, weather updates, and also a theatre mode for uninterrupted film watching. All these features make the Redmi Watch 3 Active a complete package for the price!

Verdict

Redmi Watch 3 Active is an easy choice for people looking for a smartwatch in the 3K price category. It has everything you need coupled with a classy design which makes it a complete package.

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐

India restricts import on laptops, tablets and PCs

India has imposed restrictions on the imports of laptops, tablets, and personal computers with immediate effect. A government notice was shared not too long ago which announced the restrictions, in a bid to push local manufacturing. The notice revealed that the import of laptops, tablets, and PCs “would be allowed against a valid licence for restricted imports.”

India restricts imports of laptops and more

In 2023 April-June, electronic imports including laptops, tablets, and personal computers were $19.7 billion. This was an increase of 6.25% year-on-year. As per reports, electronics imports range between 7% to 10% of the country’s total merchandising imports. The former director general at MAIT, Ali Akhtar Jafri said that “The move’s spirit is to push manufacturing to India.” Jafri also added that the move was not just a mere nudge, but a major push towards bringing manufacturing in India.

India has been working tediously to push local manufacturing by giving production-linked incentives in over two dozen sectors which also include electronics. The country also extended the deadline for companies to apply for the $2 billion manufacturing incentive scheme to attract major investments in IT hardware manufacturing. This covers products like laptops, tablets, PCs and servers. Dell, Acer, Samsung, LG Electronics, Lenovo, Apple, and HP Inc. are some of the key companies selling laptops in the Indian market, a big chunk of this portion is imported from countries like China. This restriction by India triggered a rise in shares by over 5% for Indian electronic maker Dixon Technologies. As per government reports, laptops, tablets, and personal computers makeup about 1.5% of the country’s total annual reports and nearly half of these imports are brought from China.

Nord CE3 5G Review: The OnePlus we Love!

Oneplus managed to win back its core fanbase with the launch of the OnePlus 11 and 11R. The flagship 11 and flagship killer 11R both were value offerings from OnePlus which was struggling to find its footing amid changed leadership. 2023 has already been great for the company and its latest release i.e. OnePlus Nord CE3 5G is another winning attempt by the company. The latest launch is a value offering that ticks all the correct boxes for a device that is smartly placed at the Rs 27K price point for the base variant. Check out the detailed review of the OnePlus Nord CE3 5G below –

Design: Flat Supremacy

We’re living in times where phones are predominantly curved. Nord CE3 5G breaks that norm and brings a flat form factor. The flat edges are sharp as a blade, while not everyone will find this design choice appealing, one cannot deny that it looks sexy. The right side of the device features a volume rocker and a lock button. There is no alert slider on this one, OnePlus has reserved that for the flagship devices. However, you get an IR Blaster on the top which is a great upgrade. The design language of the Nord CE3 5G is simple, yet elegant. The variant I used was called ‘Aqua Surge’ which is not as intense as it sounds. The back of the device is visually pleasing but loses its charm when you put on the in-box cover provided by OnePlus.

Display: The Highlight

An AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ is something one expects from devices past the 30K price point nowadays. However, the OnePlus Nord CE3 5G does not cut any corners when it comes to the display. The 2412 x 1080P display is vibrant to look at. It has a screen-to-body ratio of 93.4% and a touch sampling rate of 240Hz. Watching content on this screen is a treat. I watched hours’ worth of content and Nord CE3 5G’s display won over Samsung F54’s display in comparison.

Camera: Flagship but mid performance

Cameras have never been the strong suit for devices placed in the sub-30 K price bracket. However, on paper, The OnePlus Nord CE3 5G features a strong set of sensors. The primary lens here is the flagship 50MP Sony IMX890 which was also used in the OnePlus 11. Along with it is an 8MP ultra-wide lens, coupled with a 2MP macro lens. We get a 16MP selfie camera here which is just alright to get the job done. ‘Just Alright’ were my sentiments during the testing of this camera setup as it does not really overwhelm you with great shots or underwhelm you with a bad performance. The camera setup for the OnePlus Nord CE3 5G is simply mid.

Performance: Smooth Sailing

With a Snapdragon 782G chipset coupled with 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM, There’s nothing really that this device cannot handle. If you’re an average mobile user who switches between a few apps throughout the day with some casual gaming then this is the device for you. It packs a 5000mAh battery which can be juiced up with an 80W SUPERVOOC charger. OnePlus’ commitment to providing a charger in the box is really appreciated at a time when manufacturers do not consider it a priority. It features the X-axis linear motor for haptic feedback which makes using the device fun. The in-display fingerprint sensor is snappy, whereas the dual Dolby stereo speakers are a treat for the audiophile. Overall, the performance of the OnePlus Nord CE3 5G is stable and leaves no room for desire.

Verdict

With solid hardware and aesthetic design packaged under Rs 30K, the OnePlus Nord CE3 5G is easy to recommend. The camera performance could’ve been better, but overall, the device is a winner.

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐

World Nature Conservation Day – Uniting for a Greener World

Nature Conservation Day (July 28) is an annual observance that highlights the importance of protecting and conserving our natural environment. This day serves as a reminder to individuals and communities worldwide about the significance of preserving nature’s bountiful resources and the need to adopt sustainable practices. By understanding the history of Nature Conservation Day, we can better comprehend its significance and inspire collective action to safeguard our planet for future generations.

History of the Nature Conservation Day

The origins of Nature Conservation Day can be traced back to the global environmental movement that gained momentum in the late 20th century. During this time, concerns about the deteriorating state of the environment and the alarming rate of species extinction became increasingly prominent. People recognized the urgent need to take action to protect and conserve our natural resources.

In 1972, the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm, Sweden, marked a significant milestone in the global environmental movement. It was during this conference that the concept of sustainable development was formally introduced. The conference emphasized the need to balance economic development with environmental preservation, urging nations to adopt policies that would promote conservation and protect natural resources.

Inspired by the outcomes of the Stockholm Conference, various organizations and environmentalists across the globe started advocating for the preservation of nature and the adoption of sustainable practices. These efforts led to the establishment of numerous national parks, wildlife reserves, and protected areas worldwide. Additionally, awareness campaigns were launched to educate the public about the importance of conservation.

Significance of the Nature Conservation Day

Nature Conservation Day holds great significance in the modern world, where rapid industrialization and urbanization have placed immense pressure on our natural ecosystems. Here are some reasons why this day is vital:

Raising Awareness

Nature Conservation Day plays a crucial role in increasing public awareness about the importance of conserving our natural environment. It serves as a platform to educate individuals about the consequences of environmental degradation and the ways they can contribute to conservation efforts.

Biodiversity Preservation

Our planet is home to a remarkable array of plant and animal species. Nature Conservation Day emphasizes the importance of biodiversity and the need to protect and restore ecosystems. Preserving biodiversity is vital for maintaining ecological balance, as every species contributes to the functioning of our ecosystems.

Climate Change Mitigation

The conservation of natural habitats and forests is crucial in mitigating climate change. Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. By protecting forests and promoting reforestation efforts, we can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

Sustainable Resource Management

Nature Conservation Day promotes the sustainable use of natural resources. It encourages individuals and communities to adopt practices that minimize waste, conserve water, and promote renewable energy sources. Sustainable resource management is essential for ensuring the availability of resources for future generations.

Engaging Communities

This day serves as a platform to engage communities and encourage their active participation in conservation initiatives. It fosters a sense of responsibility and ownership among individuals, inspiring them to take action in their daily lives and become stewards of nature.

Nature Conservation Day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and conserve the natural world. By understanding the significance of this day and its historical context, we can be motivated to take action to preserve our natural heritage. Let us celebrate Nature Conservation Day by reaffirming our commitment to sustainable practices, raising awareness, and working together to safeguard our planet for future generations.

HP Omen 17 Review: Heavyweight Champion

It won’t be an over-exaggeration to claim that the 2023 variant of the HP Omen 17 with the RTX 4080 GPU and 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900HX is the best gaming laptop money can buy right now. It comes with a hefty price of ₹2,69,990, which confused me as to whether a gaming purist would invest this much in a laptop rather than custom building their own desktop. But after spending a reasonable amount of time with the HP Omen 17, I can confidently say that even the hardcore gaming desktop user will consider it their primary gaming device. There’s a lot to love with this gaming beast but also two major issues which can be a deal breaker for many.

Design: Nothing New

The HP Omen 17’s 2023 model does not bring any changes in the design section but boasts the latest hardware. It has a simple and plain black design with an HP Omen logo on the lid which reflects lighting. People looking for an aesthetically pleasing laptop cannot consider this one as it is not exactly eye candy. The first thing you’ll notice when you pick it out of the box is how bulky this machine is. This by no means is a lightweight laptop as it weighs a huge 2.78 kg. The ‘Heavyweight Champion’ title for this one suits it the best! It has a sturdy metallic build with a matte finish all over it. This is a double-edged sword as while the matte finish itself flaunts a classy aesthetic, it is also a fingerprint magnet. The 17.3-inch QHD display rests strongly on a solid hinge but the lid wobbles a little too much for my anxious self.

It sports an optical-mechanical keyboard which does not come with a dedicated number pad. Thus, heavy-duty typing will not be an issue for users. HP has shown no stringency when it comes to the port selection of this laptop. On the left side, you get a Gigabit Ethernet port, a USB 3.2 Gen1 (USB-A) Port, a Mini DisplayPort, an HDMI 2.1 port, One Thunderbolt 4 port, an audio jack and an SD card slot. The right side features just two USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports.

Display: Standout

The Omen 17 brings in a 17.3-inch IPS display with a high refresh rate of 240Hz. It sports a QHD resolution of 2560×1440 pixels with a peak brightness of 300 nits. The brightness is good enough for indoor settings and given the weight of this laptop, very few would consider carrying it around so it won’t be an issue. There’s a lot to love with the display as it produces punchy colours and has great viewing angles coupled with a high refresh rate. While it was not a problem with me, some would definitely not appreciate HP sticking with the 16:9 aspect ratio while many companies have now moved on to 16:10.

Performance: One Complaint

With a laptop which boasts features like a 13th Gen Intel i9 and RTX 4080 GPU and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, you don’t really worry whether it will perform well. It handles pretty much everything you throw at it ranging from gaming to editing high-resolution videos. I played Detroit: Become Human and Marvel’s Spider-Man on this machine resulting in optimum performance for an immersive gaming experience. Sure, the laptop needs to dissipate heat and its fans get loud, but never loud to the point where it takes you out of the game. You can barely notice any frame rates dropping during extensive gaming sessions on the HP Omen 17 which is simply amazing.

However, there is one major complaint when it comes to this laptop. You simply cannot run it without keeping it hooked to the power source. It does not matter if you’re playing games or consuming content on OTT platforms, the battery drains quickly. This is the quickest battery drain I’ve ever experienced on a laptop with a 100 to 50 power drop in just half an hour of YouTube. Additionally, the weight of this laptop coupled with the weight of the bulky charger packaged by HP in the box makes it impossible to call it portable.

Verdict

The HP Omen 17 is the quintessential laptop for all gamers out there who do not wish to invest in a desktop setup. The NVIDIA 4080 GPU coupled with 32GB DDR5 SDRAM and 13th Gen i9 makes it a complete package.

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Netflix ends password sharing in India

Netflix users had grown accustomed to sharing their passwords with friends and family in India. It was a rather common phenomenon for one user to pay for the subscription and other members chipping in their contribution. I got my first ever Netflix account with three of my friends chipping in to get it for a cheaper price. Netflix was well aware about the password sharing amongst its subscribers for years and even promoted it once on Twitter writing ‘Love is sharing a password.’ However, the era of Netflix password sharing has now officially come to an end in India.

Netflix India ends password sharing

Netflix India announced yesterday that it is bringing additional restrictions on account and password sharing in India. The streaming giant has been tirelessly working on the password sharing crackdown globally for a while now. This restricts users from sharing passwords from people other than their family members. Netflix recently shared a press note which reads as following –

“Starting today, we will be sending this email to members who are sharing Netflix outside their household in India.

A Netflix account is for use by one household. Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are — at home, on the go, on holiday — and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices.

We recognise that our members have many entertainment choices. It is why we continue to invest heavily in a wide variety of new films and TV shows — so whatever your taste, mood or language and whoever you are watching with, there is always something satisfying to watch on Netflix.”

The company will start sending out emails and informing the users a Netflix account is meant for a single household. Members outside the household can either get a separate subscription or transfer their profiles to a new account. Netflix identifies password sharing by tracking the user’s IP address, device ID and account activity from devices signed into the account. The company’s IP address tracking makes it difficult for users outside the primary household to use the account. While the crackdown of password sharing has led to positive outcome for Netflix as it has witnessed a growth in subscriber numbers, the Indian users definitely have different viewing and spending habits. The effect of the password haring crackdown could easily result in a backlash from Indian users with people ending their subscriptions entirely. It will be interesting how this new effort from Netflix to end password sharing results in the long run for the Indian market.

Google’s ‘Genesis’ AI is capable of writing news article

At a time when major strikes are happening in Hollywood over the use of AI in film writing amongst various other issues, Google has introduced an AI that can alter journalism. Google’s Bard is already a successful generative AI tool but the Alphabet-owned company has introduced a new tool which can write news articles. The AI tool titled ‘Genesis’ is being pitched to news organizations like The New York Time and more to generate news articles.

Journalism about to change?

Why have hardworking journalists investigate matters which affect the general public to bring forward the truth when you can type in some easy prompts and get a news article in no time? The New York Times exclusive story reveals that the Genesis AI tool has the ability to create written content using data provided to it. The AI is capable of handling content from different genres and can churn out content based on any topic, be it current events or any other forms of information.

The New York Times is only one of the few organizations who has seen the demonstrations of this tool. Google has the belief that the tool can act as a personal assistant for journalists by automating few tasks, in turn making it easier to focus on other responsibilities. A Google spokesperson was quoted saying that the tool is not intended to, and can neither replace the essential role of journalists.

Google views Genesis as a responsible tool which can prevent the publishing industry from facing challenges generative AI. However, I don’t really belief issues caused by one AI can be solved by another.

Several journalists who witnessed Google’s presentation of the AI deemed it unsettling. Reports suggest that the presentation easily ignores the hard work and dedication which goes into creating well-crafted news articles. For now, Google’s AI tool remains in the testing stage, and in my opinion should be shelved entirely as the fourth pillar of democracy i.e. Journalism should not be rested on the wobbly shoulders of artificial intelligence.

Christopher Nolan calls AI the ‘Oppenheimer’ of this generation

Oppenheimer has been one of the most talked about films in recent times. While Oppenheimer Vs Barbie has been the main talk of the town, we as audience members cannot overlook the fact that the former is an important film which draws parallels from the ongoing chaos in the world. The film is all set to release later this week and the director Christopher Nolan has a warning for tech companies and the engineers working in them. Without namedropping anyone, Nolan stated that Silicon Valley should learn to take accountability.

Nolan’s warning to tech companies

When J. Robert Oppenheimer first learned that Hiroshima had been struck with devastating effects, the physicist began having deepest regrets about his role in the creation of the bomb. Oppenheimer wept his heart out and expressed his regret over the creation of the atomic bomb when he met President Harry S. Truman. However, the president deemed him a crybaby and said he would never want to see him again. Nolan wishes the Silicon Valley audience members of his upcoming film are able to draw parallels from the story of Oppenheimer.

Nolan was quoted saying, “I think what I would want them to take away is the concept of accountability” The director recently held a screening of Oppenheimer at The Whitby Hotel in New York where he had a lot to share about the technological developments in the past 15 years. Nolan stated that the rise of companies in the past 15 years “bandying” about words like algorithm do not really want to take any responsibility for what the said algorithm does.

Nolan added that these algorithms being applied in the AI infrastructure make up for a terrifying possibility. He added that during his conversation with leading researchers in the field of AI, they refer to the current AI scenario as their Oppenheimer moment. Nolan highlighted that prominent people in the AI industry are looking at Oppenheimer’s story to say what are the responsibilities for scientists developing new technologies that may have unintended consequences.

28% GST slapped on online gaming industry

The Indian government plans to impose a major 28% tax on the fund that online gaming firms collect from consumers. This is a massive blow to one of the fastest-growing industries in India. This move is already being labelled as catastrophic and unconstitutional by online gaming company leaders. The government is planning to facilitate this by bringing a legal amendment in this monsoon session. It is decided that a uniform 28 per cent tax will be applicable on full face value for online gaming, casinos, and horse racing.

Online gaming takes a hit

A group of ministers were designated to look into the matter of taxation surrounding online games. This group submitted its first report in June 2022 which was taken up by the GST council in June last year. After the submission of the report, multiple discussions and debates around the implications of taxes on online games were held. Reportedly, the discussions were centred around two major questions: whether the activities of race courses and online gaming directly translate to betting and gambling or not and secondly how should the supplies of casinos, race courses, and online gaming be valued?

What does the taxation on the online gaming industry imply?

The implications of the 28% GST on online gaming in India are monumental as it entirely changes the landscape of the industry. Firstly, taxation directly translates to increased business costs for online gaming companies. The high taxation rate could result in difficulty for smaller gaming companies to compete with larger rivals. Additionally, the government can use taxation as a way to increase regulation of the online gaming industry. This could lead to stricter rules and requirements for gaming companies. The higher tax rate could lead to consumers shifting to offshore gaming platforms which are not subject to GST.