Category: News

Xiaomi India announces long term partnership with German camera maker Leica

Mobile photography is an ever-growing landscape in the tech industry. over the years, we have seen a number of smartphone brands collaborating with mainstream camera makers worldwide to take mobile photography to the next level. There is no denying that mobile photography in its current state does not compare to the quality of DSLR cameras and there is a big gap to bridge. However, smartphone manufacturers making efforts to make phone photography better with collaborations with camera pioneers is definitely a step in the right direction. Xiaomi India has now announced a long-term strategic partnership with German camera maker Leica to develop innovative solutions in the smartphone camera module segment.

Xiaomi x Leica

Xiaomi India and Leica Camera have announced a long-term partnership revolving entirely around mobile imaging. According to an official statement, the aim of this collaboration “is the joint development of innovative solutions in the smartphone camera module segment as well as the optimization of optical performance. The strategic alliance between Xiaomi and Leica Camera AG demonstrates the passion to continuously push the limits of what is technologically possible. In addition to innovative strength and premium standards, the two companies are united by the commitment to uncompromising quality. The collaboration between Xiaomi and Leica provides fantastic opportunities. Both are global brands with a clear focus on the entire customer journey and successfully engage with their customers across multiple languages, cultures, channels, and devices.”

 

According to the official statement, Xiaomi and Leica’s partnership aims at bringing advanced camera capabilities to the smartphone photography arena. The partnership aims at pushing the boundaries of mobile photography with Leica providing expertise in optical engineering, design, imaging software, and consumer experience to help Xiaomi achieve the best imaging prowess. The statement reads – “Xiaomi has been making breakthroughs in the smartphone photography space and has extensive experience in the research and development of imaging systems and AI algorithms. Leica brings its comprehensive expertise in optical engineering, design, imaging software and consumer experience related to the art of photography to the partnership. Leica supports Xiaomi in its efforts to achieve the best possible imaging results in the field of smartphone photography – and to take it to the next level of quality. The globally recognised expertise of Leica is based in large parts on its ability to guarantee the tightest tolerances on the market. This justified claim to excellence is of course also an integral part of the technology partnership with Xiaomi and is implemented in the production processes of the camera modules to ensure supreme quality.”

Budget 2023: Mobile phones and televisions to get cheaper

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget 2023 today i.e February 1, 2023. The new budget announced major changes in various duties and taxes which results in some items getting cheaper and others being costlier. A major development in the new budget includes the government’s plans to boost the production of smartphones and TVs in India by incentivizing manufacturers. However, it’s not just the manufacturers who’ll benefit from the incentivizing as it will also translate down to the end consumers receiving cheaper tech products like mobile phones and TV. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamam revealed that the govt plans to provide relief to both smartphone and TV manufacturers by reducing customs duty on key components.

Relief for smartphone and TV manufacturers

 

In the budget speech, Sitharamam revealed that mobile phone production in India has seen a major increase from 2014-15. As per the minister, mobile phone production in India reached 31 crore units valued at Rs 2,75,000 crore in the last financial year. This is a significant increase from 5.8 crore units valued at Rs 18,000 crore in 2014-15. In order to accelerate smartphone production in India, govt will reduce custom duty on the import of certain parts along with camera components of the phone. The relaxation of customs duty for lithium-ion cells is also being retained for 2023-24.

Here is what Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamam said during Budget 2023 –

“As a result of various initiatives of the Government, including the Phased Manufacturing programme, mobile phone production in India has increased from 5.8 crore units valued at about ` 18,900 crore in 2014-15 to 31 crore units valued at over ` 2,75,000 crore in the last financial year. To further deepen domestic value addition in manufacture of mobile phones, I propose to provide relief in customs duty on import of certain parts and inputs like camera lens and continue the concessional duty on lithium-ion cells for batteries for another year.”

Additionally, the Finance Minister also revealed that customs duties on several parts of open cells of TV panels will also be slashed by 2.5 per cent. Whereas, basic customs duty on electric chimneys has been upped by 7.5 to 15 in order to boost domestic manufacturing of the product.

Cyber crime hit a new peak in 2022

the world is turning digital as more and more people start spending the majority of their online. Be it playing online games, social media, watching YouTube videos, or streaming films, there are a number of avenues for users now to spend their time on the internet. Not just that, platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed have even allowed people to find jobs online. While it’s all well and good when it comes to the general public using the internet, there is always a flip side to the coin where some malicious people use the internet with the intent of harming others and committing cyber crimes. It looks like the cases of cyber crimes have reached a new peak according to a new Mumbai Crime report.

Cyber crime hits new peak

As a big chunk of people become tech-savvy and use the internet for their benefit in an ethical manner, the number of cyber crimes has also hit a new peak. The registration of cyber offences, which include online frauds under the pretext of offering job opportunities, gifts, and/or payment of electricity bills or EMIs rose by a whopping 63.7%. In total, the number of reported cyber crimes rose to a total of 4,718 in 2022 when compared to 2021’s 2,883 cases, according to an official report by the Mumbai Crime branch. If compared to the pre-COVID period in 2019, the cybercrime cases in Mumbai rose by an alarming 112%.

During the COVID period, the majority of people be it students, working individuals or the general public made their way to the internet. Post the pandemic times, crimes such as part-time job fraud, crypto scams, insurance fraud, sextortion, and electricity bill fraud have risen significantly.

So what can you do at an individual level to save yourself from falling prey to cyber crimes? For starters, set a strong password! Make sure your passwords do not include your birthday, phone number, Astro sign, partner’s name, etc. Besides having a strong password, users can also opt for 2-step verification for their social media accounts. Using a VPN while surfing the internet is also advised. The most important to not entertain any calls that ask for your banking details. If you wish to report a cyber crime then you call the governing authorities at – 1930.

Apple launches second generation HomePod at ₹32,990

In what can only be called Apple’s biggest gap between upgrades, the tech giant has now launched the HomePod (2nd Generation) While the smart home speaker market has predominantly been synonymous with Amazon’s Alexa, Apple has not been out of the race in any degree. As they say, later is better than never and with the launch of the Gen 2 HomePod Apple brings in a number of features to the smart speaker experience. Read on to know about what’s new with the latest Apple HomePod –

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) features

It is no doubt that the second-gen HomePod is marginally better than its previous version. While it features a similar 4-inch high excursion woofer as before, the new five horn-loaded tweeters have now replaced the original seven tweeters. Whereas, four latest far-field mics have replaced the six microphones of the original HomePod. A new internal low-frequency calibration mic has been added for automatic bass correction. It is powered by the Apple S7 SoC to process computational audio and real-time tuning of sound.

A singular HomePod in itself is a capable product but Apple has also introduced stereo pairing where if two of the HomePods are placed together then you will be asked if you want to pair them. However, it should be noted that a first-gen and second-gen HomePod cannot be paired together for a surround sound experience. The latest HomePod also comes with temperature and humidity sensors. The HomePod comes equipped with real-time information reporting of your surroundings and trigger functions such as turning the AC on or closing the blinds.

Price and Availablity

Apple HomePod (2nd Generation) is priced at ₹32,990 in the Indian market. It is compatible with iPhone SE (2nd Gen) and above or the iPhone 8 and above. The device is up for pre-orders right on the Apple Store and will go on sale in the country on February 3, 2023.

Tesla disrupts the market with global price cuts

Tesla has been under a lot of heat in recent days having fallen short of market expectations in quarterly deliveries and Elon Musk getting criticised for having too much on his plate with his recent Twitter takeover. The company lost 65% of its market value in 2022 which could be a matter of concern for any carmaker but continued to be the world’s most valuable automaker even after the loss. it is evident that Tesla needs to get its wind back by increasing sales at a time when demand is going down and it looks like the company might have found a solution!

Tesla global price cut

Tesla has cut down the prices of its cars in the US and Europe by as much as 20%. An extensive discounting effort has been undertaken in order to challenge its rivals and make up for the missed out delivery estimates for 2022. This move marks a monumental shift in Tesla’s strategy where new vehicle orders usually exceeded supply. This move comes after Musk had previously warned that a recession is right around the corner that could lower prices all around the market to sustain growth and keep profits low.

It was Elon himself who had acknowledged that the Tesla car prices had become ’embarrassingly high’ in recent years that could ultimately hurt demand. Tesla shares are currently down 0.9% after falling as low as 6.4% on Friday. Whereas, 2022 was the year when Tesla experienced its worst year since the company’s start. The downfall was blamed on China’s slowing growth and Musk’s undivided focus on getting Twitter on its feet.

As of now, Tesla has lowered prices across the USA, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The company made several price cuts in Asia just last week. Analysts claim that the price cuts in Tesla vehicles will allow demand to go up and increase pressure on the rivals. It will be interesting to see how Tesla turns out to perform in 2023.

Apple CEO Tim Cook takes a 40 percent pay cut for 2023

While we work our way in our mundane shifts to make a survivable income, tech giants around the world pay millions of dollars to their top hires. Be it Sundar Pichai or Tim Cook, the big tech players of the globe take home a fat slack of salaries. While the current atmosphere on social media has been anti-capitalist with a huge outcry over unfair wealth distribution, we all know the 1% is going to be there not just surviving but striving. But 2022 was different, we saw many tech giants around the world having to let go of their staff amidst uncertain economic situations and plummeting stock prices. it looks like the price cuts have now finally made their way to the higher end of the chain as Apple CEO Tim Cook is all set to receive a major pay cut for 2023.

Tim Cook Pay Cut

As per a new regulatory filing, Apple CEO Tim Cook will receive a salary of $49 million in 2023. This would mark a 40% drop from Cook’s previously drawn salary of $84 million in 2022.

The changes to Cook’s salary are entirely from adjustments made to his equity award value. In 2022, the Apple CEO’s equity award was estimated to be worth $75 million which will now be dropped to $40 million. However, his base salary of $3 million and the annual cash incentive of $6 million will remain intact. But why would an ultra-successful company like Apple need to make pay cuts for its celebrated CEO anyways?

Apple has continued its winning strike in the tech market, however, its market cap has dropped $1 trillion from its peak a year ago while the company continues to face production challenges with its flagship seller, the iPhone. While it’s uncertain whether Apple will continue to face these challenges, a pay cut for Tim Cook surely hints at the changing landscape of the company.

Apple might be working on AirPods Lite for $99

It would be an understatement to say that Apple revolutionized the audio market with the launch of its Airpods back in 2016. It’s not like wireless Bluetooth earphones did not exist before Apple launched them but the company’s decision to get rid of the 3.5mm audio jack altogether made them mainstream. Now, there are TWS available at different price points in an oversaturated market where Apple has carved itself a place in the premium TWS segment. However, it looks like it may not be enough for the tech giant that is now working to capture the midrange TWS market with a cheaper ‘Airpods Lite’

AirPods Lite in the making?

Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently shared that Apple is working on a new generation of AirPods including an entry-level AirPods Lite. The lite version of the AirPods is reportedly aiming to hit the $99 target price. it should be noted that Kuo is not the only analyst to report this development as Jeff Pu had also shared similar news earlier.

Readers should not that AirPods Lite is not the official name of the rumoured budget AirPods. Perhaps, they’ll be called AirPods SE? We never know!

Besides the cheaper AirPods, Apple is also reportedly working on the new-gen AirPods Max. If true, it would be the first update to AirPods Max since its initial release back in December 2020. Kuo states that the new-gen AirPods could be released in the second half of 2024. Thus there won’t be any new updates to the AirPods lineup this year.

What do you think about Apple introducing a cheaper variant of its AirPods lineup? if the TWS is launched at that price point without a cutdown on major features like ANC, then it would make the perfect deal!

Microsoft Teams moves to a premium subscription model

If you’re in the corporate working sector then escaping Microsoft Teams is something you cannot do. Whether in chats or meetings, most organizations rely on Teams to get their communication on line. While using the platform for all communication needs was pretty standard, no one thought a premium subscription model would ever be necessary for the service. Well, no one except Microsoft!

Microsoft Teams premium subscription

It is not like the Teams premium subscription is something that just surfaced right now as Microsoft announced it back in October 2022. The preview for the same debuted back on December 16. However, in a note for its partners, Microsoft revealed that the premium product will be available in February 2023. This means, having a Microsoft 365 subscription will now not be enough as users will also have to buy the Microsoft Teams Premium subscription in order to get the best of the service.

The licensing guide for the new Microsoft Teams specifies that some of its features will now be moving to the premium license. The features are as follows –

  • Live translated captions
  • Timeline markers in Teams meeting recordings for when a user left or joined meetings
  • Custom organization Together mode scenes
  • Virtual Appointments – SMS notifications
  • Virtual Appointments – Organizational analytics in the Teams admin center
  • Virtual Appointments – Scheduled queue view

So how much would users have to shell out for the premium Teams experience? While a definitive price has not been revealed, Microsoft has revealed that the expected price would be $10 per month. However, the fixed price will be only revealed when the service becomes available to the general public.

Global billionaires lost nearly $2 trillion in 2022

We have stepped into the new year over the past weekend but the horrors of 2022 do not seem to catch a break. The previous year, 2022, was a bad one for billionaires who went through a hard time. With tech billionaires having to let go of their workforce in massive layoffs, crypto moguls getting arrested, the stock market plummeting, wars, and alarming inflation, it was definitely a challenging year, to say the least. However, the total amount of wealth lost by tech giants and billionaires, in general, was a whopping $1.9 trillion dollars!

According to a report by Forbes, the planet’s billionaires lost $1.9 trillion in 2022. The collective wealth of the elite dropped from $13.8 trillion to $11.9 trillion, whereas, the number of billionaires around the world also took a hit. Reports suggest that nearly 150 people lost billionaire status this year with the overall number dropping from 2,671 to 2,523 billionaires. Big names like Sam Bankman and the controversial Kanye West famously lost their billionaire status in 2022.

However, the horrors are truly witnessed in the tech sector where around 300 tech billionaires lost $1 trillion in the previous year. After showing an outlandish boom in 2020-21, the tech sector took massive hits costs plummeting, layoffs, and dropping share prices. Forbes reports that Amazon shares have dropped nearly 50%, wiping off $80 billion from Jeff Bezos’ net worth. Whereas, Google’s parent Alphabet and Microsoft’s stock slid 36% and 27% respectively. Mark Zuckerberg took one of his biggest hits this year with Meta’s stock falling down by 66% amounting to $78 billion wiped off his net worth. The biggest loser of 2022 was, however, Elon Musk who lost over $115 billion in 2022. The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX has been busy working his way to ‘restore free speech’ on Twitter which has concerned investors and stakeholders leading to a massive net worth loss. What do you think 2023 looks like for tech billionaires around the world?

 

2022 Rewind: Best 4K monitors of the year

In 2022, wanting a 4K gaming setup is certainly a dream for most of us. Thanks to gaming creators gaining mainstream popularity and the gaming industry itself developing some of the best immersive games, 4K content has become a norm as opposed to being a premium format limited to only a few devices. Gaming enthusiasts and content creators in general benefit from the extra details provided by a 4K display and the rise of 4K content on OTT platforms is a cherry on the check. Thus, while looking back at the amazing year in tech that was 2022, it was difficult to simply look over the best 4K monitors of the year. Here is a look – 

Acer Predator CG437K 42.5-inch Gaming Monitor

Not everyone needs a 42.5-inch gaming monitor but it surely doesn’t hurt to have one. This monitor by Acer fills in the gap between a crisp gaming monitor and a television. One could simply use this monitor as a TV placed in their living room as it comes with a built-in 2-speaker with 10 watts per speaker system. The Acer Predator series is known for its supreme gaming experience and this monitor extends that experience to a bigger form factor. It also comes with a high refresh rate of 144Hz for a smooth gaming experience. The Acer Predator CG437K Gaming Monitor was launched at a price of 1.32 Lacs but is currently available for 79,488. 

4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
120Hz refresh rate overclocked to 144Hz
2-speaker unit
Proximity and light sensors
Remote control
2 display ports, 3 HDMI ports, 1 Type-C port

ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q1A 4K Monitor

ASUS is another tech player that makes prominent gaming hardware. Be it ROG laptops or mobile phones, ASUS has managed to carve itself a place in the gaming arena. Thus, it was a no-brainer to include ASUS’ gaming monitor in this list. This monitor comes with a 28-inch form factor with a 4K Ultra HD resolution and an HDR high dynamic range. It comes equipped with ASUS Shadow Boost technology that clarifies the darker areas of a game without overexposing the brighter areas for a better viewing experience. The ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q1A 4K monitor is priced at Rs 37, 519. 

28-inch 4K IPS display
HDR10 High Dynamic Range
Shadow Boost feature
Flicker-Free Technology 

Samsung 43-inch Monitor

Samsung is known to make vibrant displays and lead the industry standard with its Super AMOLED displays in the mobile arena. However, the company also makes some of the best monitors that serve multipurpose functionality. The Samsung 43-inch monitor comes equipped with smart features such as the Wireless DeX that allows users to connect a monitor to a smartphone for extended functionality. It also offers smart hub features to quickly access content on OTT platforms. The Samsung 43-inch 4K monitor is priced at Rs 44,065.

UHD Resolution
Mobile Connectivity
Remote Access
Adaptive Picture Quality
USB Type-C Port 

BenQ Ew3270U 32-inch Monitor

This BenQ Ew3270U monitor is a 4K panel offering 95% DCI P3 colour coverage. However, it is limited to a refresh rate of 60Hz which could be a deal breaker for some. It comes with two specific modes of HDR and Cinema HDR which adjusts its output to resemble real-world visions. It also comes equipped with AMD FreeSynch technology that reduces lags during extensive gaming sessions. It houses two 2W speakers and also offers additional connectivity with a Type-C port, HDMI, and display ports. The BenQ Ew3270U is priced at Rs 29,990. 

3000:1 ultra-high native contrast
95% DCI-P3 coverage
Smart Focus
AMD FreeSync
TUV Rheinland Certificiaton

Acer Nitro VG280K 28 Inch UHD 4K IPS Gaming Monitor

A considerably cheaper offering by Acer is its Nitro display which comes with a 28-inch form factor. This gaming monitor comes with a zero-frame design which makes content immersive and more enjoyable. The Nitro 4K also sports 300 nits brightness, HDR10 support, and built-in dual 2 watts speakers. The Acer Nitro VG280K 4K monitor is priced at Rs 29,000. 

4K Ultra-HD display
Multiple levels of HDR
2W dual-speaker setup
Smart Focus technology

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