Advait Berde, Author at Exhibit Tech

Lamborghini Huracán STO: Bringing the racetrack to the road

The purest concentration of Squadra Corse’s motorsports prowess, drawn from Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO and GT3 EVO racecars, in a street-homologated super sports car.
Unique Lamborghini lightweight solution with superior aerodynamics and race car engineering.

Power of 640BHP and 565 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, weight to power ratio of 2.09 kg/hp, acceleration from 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds, braking 100 km/h-0 in 30.0 meters, 200 km/h-0 in 110.0 meters, with the dynamic pace and handling to deliver lap records.

Automobili Lamborghini presents the Lamborghini Huracán STO – Super Trofeo Omologata: a road-homologated super sports car inspired by the racing heritage of Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s one-make race series with Huracán Super Trofeo EVO, as well as its three-time 24 Hours of Daytona-winning and two-time 12 Hours of Sebring winning Huracán GT3 EVO.

With its V10 naturally aspirated 640 hp (470 kW) power plant producing 565 Nm at 6,500 rpm, the rear-wheel-drive Huracán STO delivers exhilarating acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. However, its heart beats with the exhilaration and emotion of a racecar. Superior aerodynamic efficiency, extensive use of lightweight materials, unfettered steering and first-class braking performance, ensure the Huracán STO delivers the emotion of a track experience on every road drive.

“The Huracán STO is the purest incarnation of Lamborghini Squadra Corse heritage, directly transferring technologies from the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO and drawing on the Huracán GT3 EVO’s unique accomplishment of winning three consecutive times in the Daytona 24 hours,” said Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and CEO, Stefano Domenicali. Maurizio Reggiani, Chief Technical Officer added: “The Huracán STO delivers all the excitement of a beautifully balanced, lightweight and aerodynamically superior super sports car, mirroring the driving feeling and exhilaration of Super Trofeo, and perfectly set up for the world’s most demanding tracks but created for the road. The extensive technical solutions and intelligence gained from both our Super Trofeo and GT3 programs have been refined and embodied in the Huracán STO, allowing the pilot to experience the emotions of a racing driver, daily, in a road-legal Lamborghini super sports car able to take lap records.”

Aerodynamic and lightweight superiority in super sports car design

The Huracán STO sports an entirely new exterior design, revising its inimitable Lamborghini profile to optimize airflow. Mitja Borkert, Head of Design, says: “Racing cars are always a strong inspiration for our design. The Huracán STO exquisitely reflects the technology transfer from our successful Huracán race cars, displayed in every aesthetic detail.”

The front bonnet, fenders and the front bumper are comprised of one single component: the ‘cofango’ created by Lamborghini engineers combines the ‘cofano’ (hood) and ‘parafango’ (fender) including the front bumper, inspired by the Lamborghini Miura and more recent Sesto Elemento. It is not only lightweight but also a timesaving access feature in motorsports.

New air ducts on the front bonnet increase the airflow through the central radiator to improve engine cooling as well as helping generate downforce. The cofango also incorporates a new front splitter, directing airflow to the newly designed underbody of the car and to the rear diffuser. The cofango is shaped to push the airflow on top of the front fenders, which incorporate louvres to maximize airflow exiting from the wheelhouse, reducing pressure inside and increasing the front downforce. The side profile of the cofango directs airflow around the front wheels, reducing drag.

A new rear fender derived from the Super Trofeo EVO achieves both reduction of the front area of the car and consequently the drag while increasing rear downforce and the car’s overall aerodynamic efficiency. A NACA air intake integrated into the STO’s rear fender serves as an engine air intake, with the shortened duct allowing a 30% decrease in static pressure losses. The revised rear hood design features an integrated air scoop to improve air-cooling at the rear underhood. Dedicated air deflectors, integrated into the rear bonnet’s frame, manage the significant incoming airflow from the snorkel according to the temperature regulation needs of the engine and exhaust out. An integrated ‘shark fin’ on the rear bonnet improves the dynamic abilities of the STO, particularly when cornering.

A manual, easily adjusted aero set-up of the new rear wing optimizes aerodynamic balance and drag resistance according to track characteristics. A single slotted wing with double airfoil allows the front part of the airfoil to rotate into three positions to enhance rear downforce. By reducing the gap between the front and rear airfoil, compression is increased on the upper side, upping the suction intensity and extension on the bottom of the front airfoil. The aero balance of the car can thus fluctuate by 13%, adapting the STO to different driving styles and conditions.

The Huracán STO incorporates a windscreen 20% lighter than the Huracán Performante, and features magnesium rims for the highest strength-to-weight ratio, saving further weight over aluminium alloys with the same load factor. The magnesium rims are fitted with bespoke Bridgestone Potenza tires, available in two versions: one road-focused, the other more track-oriented.

Three new driving modes exemplify the Huracán STO’s racing spirit, focused on high performance driving environments: STO, Trofeo and Pioggia. The default STO mode is for road driving and fun on curving roads. Every aspect of the Lamborghini Veicolo Dinamica Integrata (LDVI) vehicle dynamics system is optimized for all road conditions and coupled with a road-oriented suspension setting. The fully active ESC can be switched off for maximum driving fun while still supporting the driver.

The Huracán STO interior – designed for a purpose

The interior of the Huracán STO reflects the lightweight persona of the exterior: extensive use of carbon fibre features throughout the cockpit, including sports seats in full carbon fibre; an Alcantara interior with Lamborghini’s Carbon skin; carpets removed and replaced by floor mats in carbon fibre; and the full-carbon fibre lightweight door panels with a door latch as an opener. A rear arch with four-point seatbelts and a newly designed front trunk for helmet storage, underline the Huracán STO’s racing DNA.

New Human Machine Interface (HMI) graphics feature on the Huracán’s touch screen, which manages the car’s functions including drive mode indicator, the LDVI system, tire pressures and brake temperatures. A fully connected telemetry system allows pilots driving their Huracán STO on racetracks to monitor and record their performance and to analyze the data via the Lamborghini UNICA app.

Owners of the Huracán STO can fully personalize both the exterior and interior of their race car on-the-road via a rich Ad Personam personalization program, with limitless paint and trim combinations as well as race-style vinyl. The concept of a personalized livery is inherent in the design of the Huracán STO, just as Huracán Super Trofeo race cars line up in their unique colours and designs on the starting grid. The launch livery of Blu Laufey and Arancio California exemplifies the Huracán STO’s young and sporty racing spirit.

The first customers will take delivery of the new Lamborghini Huracán STO in spring 2021 and Lamborghini is expected to reveal prices around that time.

HyperX Releases Cloud Core Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround Sound

HyperX, the gaming division of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., today announced the release of the HyperX Cloud Core Gaming Headset with 7.1 surround sound for PC and PS4 gamers. Expanding HyperX’s impressive headset lineup, the Cloud Core Gaming Headset + 7.1 features virtual 7.1 surround sound for clear positional audio and a more immersive gaming experience. Plus, with HyperX’s signature Cloud DNA, the new headset offers the comfort, durability and sound to fit a range of gaming – or today’s virtual classroom meeting – needs at a competitive price point.

The HyperX Cloud Core + 7.1 features an advanced audio control box for convenient controls of headset volume, mic volume, mic mute, and an easily accessible toggle for turning 7.1 surround sound on and off. The Cloud Core Gaming Headset + 7.1 also offers multi-platform compatibility with a USB audio control box for PC and PS4 and offers a 3.5mm connection for platforms with a 3.5mm port.

The Cloud Core Gaming Headset + 7.1 is certified by Discord and Teamspeak for seamless chat compatibility and offers a flexible detachable noise-cancelling microphone that reduces background noise and provides clearer voice quality for an improved in-game chat or virtual classroom discussions. 14:43:23Aligning with the high-quality build of its predecessors, the Cloud Core + 7.1 utilizes robust aluminium frame construction that provides long-lasting durability and stability. The headset also features soft leatherette and plush memory foam for signature HyperX comfort.

The HyperX Cloud Core Gaming Headset + 7.1 is available for INR 6490/- on Amazon.

Advertisement Feature: Garmin India brings more joy to this festival with the all-new Venu SQ Smartwatch

Garmin India, a unit of Garmin Ltd. today launched their pocket-friendly yet feature-loaded latest GPS smartwatch: Venu Sq and the Venu Sq Music Edition. The Venu Sq is built with bright colour display, sleek design and best suited for every part of your day while keeping a track of your health and fitness activities.
The new Venu Sq series boasts over 20 built-in indoor and outdoor sports apps including Pilates, yoga, strength training, running, pool swimming, cycling, golf and many more supporting its users with extensive workout required to inspire movement. Adding more to it, the Music edition features on-device music storage for phone-free listening.

Apart from the sports app, the smartwatch also comes loaded with health monitoring features including advanced sleep with Pulse Ox2, respiration tracking, abnormal heart rate alerts (high and low), menstrual cycle tracking, stress tracking with relax reminders, hydration tracking and more. Bringing more convenience to the users, the Venu Sq supports battery life of up to six days in smartwatch mode and up to 14 hours in GPS mode.
Ali Rizvi, Director of Garmin India said, “We at Garmin have always focused on fulfilling the needs of our customers with the best of quality products and high-end technological innovations. Today, with the launch of Venu Sq, we are now entering into a new market segment under which people can buy a Garmin smartwatch at a competitive price with premium features including 20 built-in sports apps, on-device music storage, advanced sleep with Pulse Ox2 with the broadest range of 24/7 monitoring features available on the market.”

Venu Sq’s robust suite of workout options also includes preloaded workouts on the watch, preset workouts available to download from Garmin Connect, and “create your own” customizable workouts. Whether training for a 5K or something longer, the Venu Sq is compatible with Garmin Coach, free training plans adapted to a runner’s goals and performance, complete with a virtual personal trainer for added motivation.
Innovative Body Battery energy monitoring also lets users monitor their energy level which can help with scheduling workouts, rest times and sleep. The Venu Sq series provides all-day connection and convenience with a host of smart features including notifications, music storage, safety and tracking, and more.
The new series of Venu Sq will be available for ₹ 21,090 and the Venu Sq Music will be available for ₹26,290.

Ducati launches its first BS6 Multistrada 950 S in India

Italian motorcycle giant Ducati launched the all-new Multistrada 950 S today. The smallest ‘multibike’ in Ducati’s portfolio, it is designed to provide all the excitement of the Multistrada in a more accessible and versatile package.

The new Ducati Multistrada 950 takes things to the next level thanks to a series of improvements designed to make it safer and even more enjoyable. For the very first time, a super-technological S version featuring state-of-the-art electronics is available to fully satisfy the needs of an even greater number of motorcyclists. The motorcycle is equipped with a 937 cc twin-cylinder Testastretta 11° engine that makes 113 hp at 9,000 rpm and 96 Nm of torque at 7,750 rpm.

Mr. Bipul Chandra, Managing Director of Ducati India said, “The Multistrada 950 S is a perfect design amalgamation of the bigger Multistradas which has led to the creation of a bike with typical Multistrada shapes which is at the same time, compact, and not just visibly. The Multistrada family has gained immense popularity in India considering the growing popularity of long-distance touring and our idea behind the new Multistrada 950 S is to make Sports touring more accessible, allowing riders to explore the beautiful terrain that India has to offer.”

Clean surfaces, taut lines, and contrasting front and rear volumes remain the Multistrada hallmarks, but this time they reach new heights of quality and style. The latest Multistrada 950, in fact, features new side wings, taken from the Multistrada 1260, which make the front end even cleaner and more streamlined.

The Multistrada 950 combines Multistrada 1260 and Multistrada 1260 Enduro’s design features to perfection, taking the ‘lightest’ elements from both. The front end – with the distinctive horizontally extended headlight, the ‘beak’, adjustable screen, side ‘wings’, and tank – takes its cue from the Multistrada 1260. The rider’s seat, passenger seat, rear grab rail, the design of the exhaust and swingarm, and the wheel sizes are, instead, inspired by the Multistrada 1260 Enduro. This mix has produced a bike with classic Multistrada lines that’s also compact, and not just visually. The Multistrada 950 S includes new, lighter aluminum alloy wheels.

The tubular steel Trellis frame is linked to a new, lighter double-sided aluminum swingarm, giving the new Multistrada 950 excellent dynamic performance. The 19″ front wheel ensures comfort and fun on any road surface, asphalted or not, in the city or on country tracks. Suspension with a generous 170 mm of travel keeps comfort levels high while ensuring outstanding agility. Moreover, the 20-litre tank puts plenty of kilometers between refueling stops.

Built with long-range touring in mind, the Multistrada 950 has been designed to ensure outstanding comfort even when fully laden. This has resulted in an ergonomic “triangle” that guarantees comfort and control for rider and passenger alike. The Multistrada 950 flyscreen allows for one-handed vertical adjustment within a range of 60 mm; the accessory line also includes a lower screen. There are two 12 V power sockets, one in the zone immediately beneath the passenger seat, the other in the dashboard zone. These can be used to power items such as thermal clothing, intercoms, or mobile phone chargers. The Garmin sat-nav, available as a Ducati Performance accessory, is powered via a dedicated connector. There’s also a USB port underneath the seat, which can be used to charge smartphones.

The electronics package now includes Bosch Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Vehicle Hold Control (VHC), and the iconic semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) which continuously adjusts fork and shock absorber, based on a 48 mm diameter fork and rear shock (both electronic), Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS), Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL) and Cruise Control. The Multistrada 950 S can now mount the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS) and also features a full-LED headlight, 5″ colour TFT display, a Hands-Free System, Cruise Control, and backlit switchgear controls.

The entire Multistrada family features a Brembo braking system with the ABS 9.1ME Cornering device, an integral part of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP). Bosch Cornering ABS makes use of the Bosch IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) platform to optimize front and rear braking power even in critical situations and with the bike at considerable lean angles. Through interaction with the Riding Modes, the system provides solutions suitable for any situation or riding condition.

Priced at ₹15.49 lacs, the Multistrada 950 S is now available in the Ducati Red color. Bookings are now open across all Ducati dealerships in Delhi – NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kolkata & Chennai and deliveries will begin by the second week of November.

Move over traffic! The flying car is here.

A flying car: Something that fans of The Jetsons and tech freaks have always been pining for. After all the fantasizing and day-dreaming, finally, it is one step closer to reality. The AirCar, an experimental prototype by KleinVision has recently taken its maiden flight!

Developed by the aforementioned KleinVision, which is a Slovakian company founded by Stefan Klein, the AirCar is predominantly built from advanced composite materials that were produced by the certified Slovak company SKMODEL, s.r.o. All construction parts were manufactured meeting the highest quality standards using high-tech methods. It was tested successfully at Nitra airport in October 2019.

To test a number of aerodynamic and flight control characteristics predicted by digital simulation and analyses, a Flight Demonstrator Testbed (FDT), a model in the scale 1:1, had been built and used in flight mode. All the results measured and observed with the FDT confirmed the theoretical predictions. Currently, the FDT has been donated to and is displayed in the Aviation Museum in Košice.

The AirCar comprises several functional units. Its aerodynamic fuselage provides enough space for the passengers and simultaneously contributes to better lift characteristics during the flight. Among advanced technologies are retractable wings, folding tail surfaces, and a parachute deployment system, among others. The folding tail surfaces contribute to better longitudinal stability and take-off characteristics, just like in a conventional aircraft. However, in the car mode, the retracted tail results in a more compact size.

A fully functional flying of the AirCar prototype has been developed, from an initial idea to final product in the experimental category within 18 months. Experimental categories support the complete research and verification of all technical and design tasks.

Simulation methods and design optimization have been used throughout the entire R&D stage. A simulation, based on the CFD analyses was carried out at VUT Brno in close cooperation with experts in aerodynamics. The team has performed extensive analyses using state-of-the-art simulation methods such as FEM to achieve the best overall outcome. The load and stress calculations were conducted by Dalibor Vlček, MSc., who also contributed with his experience gained while acting as a Compliance Verification Engineer within several projects overseen by EASA.

The AirCar prototype is currently subject to intense ground and flight tests in the experimental category since October 2019. The flying prototype of AirCar was introduced to the general public on November 5, 2019, at CIIE in Shanghai, China. Thorough testing will continue in the next months to come. Variations of two engines will be included in the tests, along with an amphibious version.

Though there is no news of the official launch of the AirCar in the Indian or international market, its research is expected to conclude soon, which will lead to the initiation of its commercial production.

Ducati India opens pre-bookings for Multistrada 950 S prior to 2nd November launch

Luxury motorcycle manufacturer Ducati India today announced the opening of pre-bookings for its BS6 Multistrada 950 S. Designed to put performance within everyone’s grasp, Ducati’s smallest “multi-bike” is for those who want to get in some touring but also want an agile fun bike that’s ideal for everyday use.

Ducati India is now accepting bookings for the all-new Multistrada 950 S for an initial amount of INR 1,00,000. Customers can book their Multistrada 950 S at their nearest Ducati dealerships, deliveries will begin in the first week of November and it will be available on display across all Ducati dealerships in Delhi – NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kolkata, and Chennai.

Mr. Bipul Chandra, Managing Director of Ducati India said, “The new Multistrada 950 S embodies the traditional Ducati values of Sophistication and Performance with the addition of cutting edge technology in the form of our iconic Skyhook EVO suspension, DQS, Cornering ABS, Cornering LED headlight and much more. The new motorcycle is designed for the most demanding motorcyclists who are big on sports touring but don’t want to make any compromise on performance, handling, comfort, and safety. We are excited to share this experience with the riders in India and are looking forward to seeing the bike on the Indian roads!”

The super-technological S version featuring state-of-the-art electronics fully satisfies the needs of the ever-demanding rider. Built with long-range sports touring in mind, the Multistrada 950 S has been designed to ensure outstanding comfort even when fully laden. This has resulted in an ergonomic “triangle” that guarantees, for rider and passenger alike, comfort and control in varied situations.

The Multistrada 950 S will be launched in India on 2nd November 2020.

Unleash your inner Avenger with TVS NTORQ 125 SuperSquad Edition!

Many adults (like me) have an inner child hidden deep somewhere. Although we don’t usually get a chance to let the child loose, TVS is offering a great opportunity! Even if that is not the case, parents of today’s generation can now help their children unleash their inner Avenger!

The global two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturer recently launched the TVS NTORQ 125 SuperSquad Edition inspired by Marvel’s Avengers. The Company has associated with Disney India’s consumer products business to introduce a special SuperSquad edition of TVS NTORQ 125 – India’s first Bluetooth connected scooter with RT-Fi technology, inspired by the iconic Marvel Super Heroes.

In 2018, TVS NTORQ 125 was launched as India’s first Bluetooth connected scooter. In the past year, TVS NTORQ 125 has also introduced Race Tuned Fuel Injection across its portfolio. It continues to evolve and seeks to delight its new-generation customers – Gen Z. For Gen Z, the Marvel Universe is a strong affinity area. TVS NTORQ 125 breaks new ground with the launch of the SuperSquad Edition inspired by Marvel’s Avengers.

The SuperSquad Edition will comprise three new enticing offerings, namely Invincible Red, Stealth Black, and Combat Blue inspired by Iron Man, Black Panther, and Captain America respectively. The edition brings forth finer nuances associated with each Marvel Super Hero through the product design. To further delight the enthusiasts, the fitting campaign tagline for the edition is ‘Play Smart. Play Epic’.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Aniruddha Haldar, Vice President (Marketing) – Commuter Motorcycles, Scooters & Corporate Brand, TVS Motor Company, said, “We are excited to launch the TVS NTORQ 125 SuperSquad Edition inspired by Marvel’s Avengers. With this association, our common Gen Z consumers can ‘Play Smart. Play Epic’. We have all had our favourite Super Hero, with whom we relate. We find ways to celebrate this relationship. The TVS NTORQ 125 SuperSquad Edition, gives new expression to this ageless fascination. The initial feedback has been nothing short of EPIC. We are sure that this too will be a blockbuster!”

The SuperSquad logo and the iconic Avenger’s ‘A’ are prominently placed on the front panel, leg shield, and below the speedometer.

Stealth Black

Inspired by Black Panther, this edition packs in the jet-black colour along with hues of purple. The scooter sports elements from the Black Panther suit as a large part of the decals. For enthusiasts, it packs more surprises with the signature salute Wakanda Forever and the inclusion of the number 66 (1966), denoting the year when the character was introduced in the Marvel Universe.

Invincible Red

Inspired by Iron Man, the decals replicate his Red and Gold suit giving it a stellar look. The Iron Man helmet is embossed on the leg shield, while the arc reactor finds its way to both panels. Enthusiasts will be delighted with the Mark XXIX encryption on both panels which signifies Fiddler, Iron Man’s 29th suit, along with the number 63 (1963) indicating the year when the character was introduced in the Marvel Universe.

Combat Blue

Inspired by Captain America, the scooter gets the blue, white, red colour tone associated with the First Avenger. True to the character, it sports the number 41 (1941), the year when Captain America was introduced in the Marvel Universe. The shield is at the front of the scooter and the edition flaunts Super Soldier on both panels with pride.
The TVS Connect App of the SuperSquad Edition is powered by SmartXonnect* and will come with customized UI, inspired by the characters. The app opens with the silhouette of the respective characters and then important elements such as Captain America’s shield, Iron Man’s suit, and Black Panther’s eyes along with the character crest are consistent across the app interface. Each app screen is crafted with a unique character trait of the selected Super Hero, making it a complete Marvel experience.

TVS NTORQ 125 SuperSquad Edition is priced at Rs. 77865 (ex-showroom)

Kingston launches refreshed ‘Canvas’ Card Series and ‘MobileLite Plus’ Readers in India

Kingston Technology announced today the refresh of its ‘Canvas’ series Flashcards to Canvas Plus. The new SD and microSD lineup include Kingston’s first UHS-II cards. To keep up with Canvas Plus, new MobileLite Plus UHS-II readers have been engineered to support blazing fast read speeds. Canvas Plus represents the next generation of SD and microSD cards with increased performance for DSLRs, 4K/8K video production, Android devices, action cams, and drones.

Canvas Plus offers three different variations for both SD and microSD cards: Select Plus, Go! Plus, and React Plus. Canvas Select Plus, which began shipping in Q4 2019, is joined by Canvas Go! Plus and Canvas React Plus. They support not only the latest advanced cameras that are capable of 4K and 8K video capture, React Plus and MobileLite Plus are also backward compatible with UHS-I and conventional SD bus standards. MobileLite Plus readers will be available on their own or as a bundle with React Plus cards to ensure optimized speeds.

The Canvas Plus card series include:

Canvas Select Plus:

Designed for recreational/amateur Full HD and 4K DSLR cameras (SD), and Android mobile devices (microSD).
Class 10 UHS-I speeds1 up to 100MB/s read.
MicroSD supports the A1 app performance class to expedite workflow on tablets and smartphones.
SD and microSD in capacities2 up to 512GB.

Canvas Go! Plus:

Ideal for shooting 4K UHD video and burst-mode photography on your DSLR (SD), or using with your 4K action cameras and drones (microSD).
Class 10 UHS-I U3 speeds1 up to 170MB/s read3, 90MB/s write.
MicroSD supports the A2 app performance class to expedite workflow on next-gen tablets and smartphones.
SD and microSD in capacities2 up to 512GB.

Canvas React Plus:

Top-of-the-line UHS-II performance to capture professional-grade 4K/8K videos and high-resolution photos on industry-standard cameras.
Class 10 UHS-II U3 speeds1 up to 300MB/s read, 260MB/s write4 (SD) and 285MB/s read, 165MB/s write4 (microSD).
The first UHS-II microSD to support the A1 app performance class to expedite workflow on tablets and smartphones.
SD and microSD in capacities2 up to 256GB.

MobileLite Plus Readers:

Built to increase workflow efficiency with incredible UHS-II speeds for faster file transfers and processing time.
USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds with backward compatibility support for UHS-I cards.
Designed for optimal performance with Kingston microSD and SD cards.

Asus Expertbook: Is it really an expert?

Asus has been known to provide genre-specific, purpose-oriented computers that are built for a reason and they follow that reason alone. But what about a laptop that is touted as an ‘expert’? Is it a stronger testament to their dedication towards a purpose or is it more of a forced moniker to draw attention away from its flaws?

Touch, feel, and vibe:

First and foremost, it is a solid laptop hands-down. Good built quality, sturdy backlit keyboard, and decently lightweight. It also offers a modern version of the ThinkPad TrackPoint, called the SensePoint. For newcomers, it is basically a tracking nub in the centre of your keyboard. Yes, the old-school one. The trackpad is also old-fashioned, with the left and right-click buttons on the top, instead of the conventional bottom. What’s more, there is even a privacy shutter for the webcam, so you can access the dark web more easily (just kidding, please don’t visit the dark web. It’s bad, trust me.) Weighing in at around 1.5 kilos, it also offers great portability. So what’s the problem? It is the display.

Display:

Oh, the display! If only it were sharper and clearer! Colour accuracy of only 46% sRGB is acceptable, so is an average brightness level of around 190 nits. However, what rubs off all the charm is the aspect ratio of 70:1! It simply destroys the picture quality and does not give a good output whatsoever. The LCD screen is absolutely outdated and takes away all the modernness of the laptop. Just by glancing at my colleague’s screen and looking back at mine, I could make out the difference. Yes, it is that hindering.

Performance:

That said, the laptop performs like a businessman. Crisp, curt, professional. What else can you expect though, with Intel’s 10th-Gen i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a pretty decent graphics card? Yes, you can play games and edit videos, and generally use it as a standard laptop. Or, you can be a good employee and use it exclusively for work! That way, you won’t have to deal with overheating, lagging, or battery drainage. Speaking of, moderate to standard office use will allow the battery to run for an entire day, assuming it is fully charged.

User Experience:

Funnily enough, I got the chance to use this laptop under varied circumstances. Be it on the desk of my office or in the middle of nowhere during a shoot, the laptop did its job and did it well. There were no complaints when copying or transferring data and also sustaining a day-long use without a recharge. But again, the display quality was a big let-down and dimmed the otherwise bright spotlight. Nevertheless, there is nothing a standard office-goer would miss on this laptop. Its body is meant to be durable and that’s what it is. You will have a tough time breaking it apart, provided you don’t make special efforts to do so! The keyboard is also intuitive, though the SensePoint nub is a bit intrusive. That would probably be because its presence is scarce these days, but the privacy shutter over the webcam is a welcome addition.

Verdict:

With a starting price of ₹62,999, the Asus Expertbook can be a consideration for anybody looking for a sturdy laptop with sufficient corporate abilities. Other users with a more focussed purpose, such as gamers, content creators, or graphic designers will find a lot of flaws and shortcomings and hence should prefer other options. Overall, the Expertbook is definitely not an expert, but rather a business specialist.

Apple launches lighter, sleeker and stronger iPhone 12 series!

American tech giant Apple has launched the latest iPhone series around the world. The new iPhone 12 will be available in three variants apart from the standard one. These include the iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and an affordable option, the iPhone 12 mini.

Apple launched the phones at its virtual “Hi, Speed” event which was live-streamed on its official YouTube channel as well as its website. CEO Tim Cook took the centre stage where he announced the latest lineup of the iPhone, as well as the latest HomePod mini.

The iPhone 12 will run on Apple’s latest operating system, the iOS 14. All phones will also have complete 5G support. While the iPhone 12 is still a 6.1-inch device with an OLED Super Retina XDR screen, the iPhone Pro Max will span 6.7 inches. That, as well as the 6.1-inch iPhone Pro, will be equipped with an OLED Super Retina XDR display with 10-bit Colour Depth. The iPhone 12 Mini, on the other hand, gets a 5.4-inch OLED screen. All phones will also carry over the notch from their predecessors, though none have a 120Hz refresh rate.

Apple has made the iPhone 12 stronger by giving it a “ceramic shield”. Essentially a stronger protection material for the display screen than conventional materials, the “shield” is claimed to be four times tougher than other smartphone glasses.

Apple has equipped the iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 12 with a dual-camera setup that includes a 12MP wide and a 12MP ultrawide lens, while the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max get triple cameras each that offer an additional 12MP telephoto camera with 4x optical zoom. The Pro models also borrow the LiDAR from the iPad Pro models.

The LiDAR Scanner offers the ability to measure light distance and use pixel depth information of a scene. This technology delivers faster, more realistic AR experiences and improves autofocus by 6x in low-light scenes for more accuracy and reduced capture time in photos and videos. This advanced hardware, combined with the power of the Neural Engine of A14 Bionic, also unlocks Night mode portraits, rendering a beautiful low-light bokeh effect.

The entire series will be powered by Apple’s latest A14 Bionic chip. It is the first chip in the world to be built on the 5nm technology. It gets a hexacore CPU along with a quadcore GPU. Its Neural Engine also now gets 16 cores, increasing its performance by 80 percent, taking it up to 11 trillion operations per second! The iPhones get 4GB RAM and are offered with an option between 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage.

Coming to the HomePod, it is integrated with Apple’s latest S5 chip which makes it more of artificial intelligence than a simple smart speaker. Combined with Siri, the HomePod mini offers a chance for users to transform their homes into complete smart homes, quite like living in a Tony Stark mansion!HomePod mini makes controlling smart home accessories easier than ever with simple voice commands for Siri to turn off the lights, change the temperature, lock the doors, or set a scene. HomePod mini is the perfect home hub, providing access to smart home accessories while at home or away.

A new Intercom feature offers a quick and easy way for family members to connect with each other at home. One person can send an Intercom message from one HomePod to another — whether in a different room, a specific zone, or multiple rooms throughout the home — and their voice will automatically play on the designated HomePod speaker. Intercom works with iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay, so everyone in the household can get Intercom notifications and send Intercom messages from the backyard or on their way home.

Apple has given the iPhone 12 a base price of $799 while the mini retails at $699. The iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max will be offered for $999 and $1099 respectively.