Introducing the upcoming Generative Erase tool for Windows! Microsoft is rolling out a new feature called Generative erase to the Photos app for both Windows 11 and Windows 10. Now you can magically remove unwanted elements from your photos using the power of AI. Get ready to take your photo editing game to the next level with Microsoft’s AI-powered tools.
Windows is set to receive its very own Magic Eraser for AI-enhanced photo editing. The new Generative Erase feature is on its way to the Photos app in Windows 11, and it will also be available for Windows 10 users. Just like Google and Samsung, Microsoft is jumping on the bandwagon of incorporating magical AI-powered selective photo erasers into their devices. The company has introduced Generative erase, allowing users to perform similar tasks within the Photos app that is included with Windows.
Microsoft is currently developing its own upscaler similar to DLSS for Windows 11, showing that even Notepad is not exempt from the company’s significant AI advancements in Windows. Although this may not be as flashy as other AI features you’ve seen, the good news is that you won’t need to purchase a new Pixel or Galaxy device to enjoy this functionality. Microsoft has confirmed that it will not only introduce this feature to Windows 11 but will also bring all of the Photos app’s AI editing capabilities to Windows 10, including Windows 11 for Arm64 devices. This includes a background removal tool as well.
For now, these tools are only available to Windows Insiders. Microsoft has stated, “This update is starting to roll out to Windows Insiders in all channels today (including Windows Insiders on Windows 10 in the Release Preview Channel). Be sure to update your app to version number 2024.11020.21001.0 or higher.” The company’s blog post does not mention whether AI-edited photos will contain metadata or watermarks to differentiate them from unedited images. Image editing AI seems like a mandatory feature in most operating systems going forward.
Paytm has been under some serious trials in India. Is Paytm Wallet going to continue functioning after March 15? Paytm has not provided a clear clarification on this matter yet. Although they have published a detailed FAQ page explaining what will and will not work on Paytm after March 15, they have not specifically mentioned whether the Wallet will still be operational for those who have not linked it with Paytm Payments Bank.
The company has not given any indication as to whether the Wallet will continue to function for users who have linked it with other banks. Paytm has stated that the ban will not affect features such as Paytm QR, Soundbox, and Card Machine. Paytm Payments Bank is set to be banned or seized next month, as the deadline for this has recently been extended. However, there is still confusion among some people regarding whether Paytm will completely stop working or if certain services will still be available. While Paytm has provided information on what will work on the platform after March 15, they have not clarified the status of the Wallet for users who have not linked it with Paytm Payments Bank.
The company has stated that if your Paytm account is linked with Paytm Payments Bank, you will be able to continue using it, withdrawing funds, and transferring to other wallets or bank accounts until the balance is available. However, after March 15, 2024, you will not be able to make any deposits into the Wallet. Refunds and cashback can still be credited to your Wallet. It has been confirmed that users will still be able to use the Paytm app for bill payments and recharges without any interruption. The recent ban on Paytm Payments Bank will not affect individuals who have linked their Paytm accounts with authorized banks such as ICICI, HDFC, and others. Users can carry out their usual transactions, including recharges and bill payments, through Paytm. It is important to note that the ban imposed by the Reserve Bank of India only applies to users who have specifically opened accounts with Paytm Payments Bank.
The recent announcement from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has prompted Paytm Payments Bank to provide further details on the impact of the directive. As of March 15, 2024, new deposits and credit transactions will no longer be accepted by Paytm Payments Bank Account/Wallet. Nevertheless, customers can still withdraw funds from their existing balance post this date. It’s worth noting that the directive does not affect the current balances in customers’ accounts or wallets, and the company guarantees the safety of their money within the bank.
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) of 2024, the most highly anticipated event in the field of technology, has returned to the streets of Barcelona. With the latest innovations in mobile technology, MWC attracts journalists, industry leaders, and enthusiasts from around the world. This year, MWC gave us a glimpse into the future of mobile innovation, showcasing cutting-edge technologies such as AI and bendable displays. Here is a rundown of the major brands and innovations displayed at the Mobile World Congress.
SAMSUNG
Samsung showcased the latest mobile tech at the Mobile World Congress, and it’s pretty impressive! The Samsung booth showcased a range of products, including the Galaxy Book4 series, which offers a more intelligent way to get stuff done. They also had the Galaxy Watch6 series on display, which has some incredible health features. And Samsung’s latest wearable device, the Galaxy Ring, made its public debut at the event!
At the booth, Samsung demonstrated some of the AI features of the Galaxy S24 series. For instance, Live Translate allows you to get real-time translations during phone calls. Circle to Search with Google is another cool feature that makes searching easy. Not to mention Note Assist, which simplifies complex texts, and Generative Edit, which offers creative flexibility in photo editing.
Samsung’s health lineup is also pretty incredible! The Galaxy Ring, for instance, is a new health form factor that offers smarter and healthier living experiences. Samsung Health provides a more connected digital wellness platform, and upcoming features like My Vitality Score offer personalized health insights based on multiple factors.
And that’s not all! With Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem, you can control connected lights for optimal sleep, set reminders to take medicine, and track exercises while following a fitness video on a connected TV. These features are available on the Galaxy Watch6 series when paired with the Galaxy S24.
MOTOROLA
During Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, Motorola made an announcement about its collaboration with Corning, the leading glass manufacturer. As per this partnership, Motorola has decided to use Corning Gorilla Glass exclusively for all its upcoming smartphone models scheduled to launch later this year. While most of Motorola’s high-end devices already come equipped with Gorilla Glass, this move is more targeted towards the budget and mid-range phone segments. With this collaboration, Motorola aims to enhance the durability and toughness of its phone screens while offering a superior user experience to its customers.
Motorola has presented a revolutionary phone with a rollable display at the Mobile World Congress. The Adaptive Display concept was first introduced in October, and it’s a significant achievement in flexible display technology. The Motorola rollable phone features a 6.9-inch screen that can bend around the wrist, completely transforming the conventional smartphone design. The phone has a plastic-based pOLED display with FHD+ resolution, providing a regular smartphone’s appearance with a slightly taller form factor. The Motorola bendable phone has a back panel of multiple segments covered with textile material, enabling the device’s flexibility, which cannot be achieved with metal or plastic. The device can be wrapped around the wrist, turning it into a bulky smartwatch or a small wearable display. When the device is flat, it functions as a traditional Android smartphone with a full-screen interface. Users can adjust the device to a self-standing position or a compact form with a 4.6-inch display.
LENOVO
Lenovo has created a buzz with its latest innovation, the ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop Concept. This groundbreaking laptop features a 17.3-inch Micro-LED transparent display that combines the virtual and real worlds. It’s powered by AI-generated content creation (AIGC) tools to make your work more efficient and collaborative. This feature lets you interact with physical objects and overlay digital information. The keyboard area is also transparent, and the chassis design offers a sleek, futuristic look.
The latest laptops from Lenovo include the ThinkPad T14 Gen 5, ThinkPad T14s Gen 5, ThinkPad T16 Gen 3, ThinkPad X12 Detachable Gen 2, and ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4. These devices are powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, which provide top-notch security, power efficiency, and an immersive user experience. They come equipped with AI features designed to significantly enhance work efficiency and productivity. The T series features premium design and user-centric innovations, highlighting Lenovo’s focus on sustainability and repairability by incorporating recycled materials and allowing for easier upgrades.
In addition to laptops, Lenovo introduced accessories and software designed to complement the mobile workforce. The ThinkVision M14t Gen 2 Mobile Monitor provides a portable touch-enabled second screen option for professionals who are always on the move. To further enhance users’ mobility and connectivity, Lenovo has developed the ThinkPad Executive 16-inch Backpack and the USB-C Slim Travel Dock. Lenovo also unveiled Smart Connect, a solution that offers seamless multi-device experiences, and Lenovo Identity Advisor, powered by Norton, to monitor and safeguard users’ digital identity.
HMD
HMD’s announcement at the Mobile World Congress brings a new vision – it’s all about creating Human Mobile Devices! They are committed to making affordable, beautiful, and desirable phones to help you solve tech-related problems such as e-waste and digital fatigue.
HMD wants to create visually attractive phones. They have won awards for producing repairable devices and phones that last longer. They want to make the repairability experience accessible to everyone and aim to sell more repairable devices globally.
This coming summer, HMD plans to launch a new and innovative smartphone that will be a platform for creativity, making technology more accessible to more people worldwide. They will release a toolkit for developers and businesses to enable people and businesses to augment their phones to fit their needs and champion their creativity.
In addition, HMD has announced an exciting partnership with Mattel and Barbie. The Barbie Flip Phone will arrive in 2024 and offer style, nostalgia, and a much-needed digital detox flipping the script on smartphone culture.
HMD even committed to sell Nokia phones and bring back an iconic phone this summer. They will also introduce a stellar line-up of exciting new brands this year.
TECNO
Tecno has expanded its product portfolio beyond smartphones at this year’s MWC. They have introduced two new products, the Tecno Pocket Go and AR Pocket Vision.
Tecno Pocket Go
The Tecno Pocket Go is a Windows handheld console that works with a pair of AR glasses. The headset has a 0.71″ micro-OLED screen, with a viewing angle equivalent to a 215″ TV from six meters away. The handheld is 50% smaller and 30% lighter than other Windows gaming handhelds and looks like an Xbox controller. Tecno revealed that the device has an 8-core, 16-thread CPU with frequencies up to 5.1 GHz. It also has a cooling fan and three copper pipes for heat dissipation and a 50 Wh replaceable battery.
The glasses are called AR Pocket Vision and come with a six-axis gyroscope with an AI algorithm that learns about the head movements of the object. The Pocket Go has a Tecno Smart Box, a central hub for managing games and settings. It also allows the AR Pocket Vision and Windows handheld to connect to other Tecno devices and act as a mobile workstation.
Tecno Dynamic 1
Tecno Dynamic 1 is a robot dog inspired by the German Shepherd. It is designed to provide smart home entertainment, assistance, education, and training.
Dynamic 1 has a torque output of 45 Nm/kg, meaning the dog can effortlessly climb stairs. It can also bow and give a paw. An AI HyperSense Fusion System and Intel Real Sense depth camera take care of the stable mobility that allows it to recognize and move around obstacles. The robot is equipped with an unspecified 8-core Arm CPU.
The dog has 64 GB storage, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. It can be operated via a smartphone app and supports remote control operation and voice commands. Dynamic 1 has a 15,000 mAh battery that provides 90 minutes of runtime, and it can be swapped and charged separately for minimum downtime.
By the way, Tecno mentioned that Dynamic 1 is not here to compete with products from Boston Dynamics. As a matter of fact, it’s unlikely to be commercialized at all. Tecno said the unveiling of this dog is to showcase the company’s innovation capabilities in advanced robotics and AI.
XIAOMI
Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Xiaomi hosted a significant event in Barcelona just before MWC and unveiled two new flagship smartphones for an international audience. The phones are the Xiaomi 14 and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipsets. However, while the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra were launched at the event, the Xiaomi 14 Pro is only available in China.
The Xiaomi 14 smartphone features a 6.36-inch LTPO OLED screen with up to 3000 nits peak brightness and a 1200p resolution, and it comes with Gorilla Glass Victus on top. The rear camera setup is quite impressive, with three 50 MP cameras, and the primary camera features a brighter f/1.6 aperture and a larger 1/1.31-inch sensor with dual-pixel PDAF. The telephoto camera has a 75 mm equivalent 3.2x zoom lens, while the third is an ultra-wide-angle lens. The Xiaomi 14 also has a slightly larger 4,610 mAh battery that supports 90W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging.
Moving on to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the phone is even more incredible! It comes with a 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED panel that can reach up to 3000 nits peak brightness and uses a custom protective sheet called Shield Glass. The rear camera setup is quite similar to the Xiaomi 14, with the primary camera having an upgraded variable aperture that can go as bright as f/1.6. The phone also has a new 1-inch type sensor. The 5x telephoto camera, the 3.2x telephoto camera, and the ultra-wide-angle shooter are all the same as in the predecessor – 50 MP Sony sensors that are 1/2.51 inches in size. In Europe, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra comes with a 5,000 mAh battery, slightly smaller than the 5,300 mAh battery in China. The device comes with Android 14-based HyperOS pre-installed.
The Xiaomi 14 comes in three colours: Black, White, and Jade Green, and has two storage variants (12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB) with a starting price of €1,000 (approx. ₹90,000). The Xiaomi 14 Ultra, on the other hand, is only available in Black or White and has only one storage variant (16GB/512GB), which costs €1,500 (approx. ₹1,35,000). Don’t worry if you accidentally break your screen in the first 6 months of ownership. Both phones come with free screen repair.
HONOR
Honor Magic 6 Pro
Honor launched its latest smartphone, the Honor Magic 6 Pro, at the Mobile World Congress. The phone features the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and an IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
Here are some of the phone’s specifications: The Honor Magic 6 Pro boasts a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display with a peak brightness of 5,000 nits and 4320Hz of PWM Dimming. Its glass is protected by NanoCrystal Shield, which is said to be 10 times more drop-resistant than regular glass. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with an Adreno graphics processor for all the graphics-intensive tasks. The smartphone comes with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. It runs on the company’s proprietary MagicOS 8 custom skin based on the latest Android 14 operating system.
Regarding optics, the Honor Magic 6 Pro features a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, a 180MP periscope telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultrawide-angle lens. Additionally, a 50MP selfie shooter to the front handles all selfie and video call-related requirements.
The phone houses a 5,600mAh battery that can be fast charged via an 80W fast charger and a 66W wireless charger. The phone also supports 5W reverse wired charging.
The Honor Magic 6 Pro comes in two variants: 12GB RAM/512GB storage variant priced at 1299 Euros (approx ₹1,16,000) and 16GB RAM/1TB storage variant priced at 2699 Euros (approx ₹2,42,000).
Honor MagicBook Pro 16
Honor MagicBook Pro 16 laptop runs on the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 155H with six performance cores, eight efficient cores, and two low-power efficient cores. It also has a GeForce RTX 40 series laptop GPU and runs on Windows 11. There is a 16-inch display with a 3072 x 1920 pixel resolution and up to 165Hz refresh rate.
The laptop also has AI features, including Smart Picture Search, Smart Document Summary, Text Comprehension, AI Subtitle, and Magic Text. Plus, it has six speakers – four woofers and two tweeters – making it the world’s first spatial audio laptop on a Windows-based PC. And if you’re worried about battery life, don’t be! The device is powered by a 75Wh battery, which gives you up to 12 hours of battery life, according to the company.
Honor Pad 9
Now, let’s talk about the Honor Pad 9 tablet. It’s equipped with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC processor, coupled with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The tablet runs on Android 13-based MagicOS 7.2 and has a 12.1-inch LCD display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution. It also has a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera. The tablet has Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, OTG, and a USB Type-C port for connectivity.
Xiaomi hosted a significant event in Barcelona just before MWC and unveiled two new flagship smartphones for an international audience. The phones are the Xiaomi 14 and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipsets. However, while the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra were launched at the event, the Xiaomi 14 Pro is only available in China.
The Xiaomi 14 smartphone features a 6.36-inch LTPO OLED screen with up to 3000 nits peak brightness and a 1200p resolution, and it comes with Gorilla Glass Victus on top. The rear camera setup is quite impressive, with three 50 MP cameras, and the primary camera features a brighter f/1.6 aperture and a larger 1/1.31-inch sensor with dual-pixel PDAF. The telephoto camera has a 75 mm equivalent 3.2x zoom lens, while the third is an ultra-wide-angle lens. The Xiaomi 14 also has a slightly larger 4,610 mAh battery that supports 90W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging.
Moving on to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the phone is even more incredible! It comes with a 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED panel that can reach up to 3000 nits peak brightness and uses a custom protective sheet called Shield Glass. The rear camera setup is quite similar to the Xiaomi 14, with the primary camera having an upgraded variable aperture that can go as bright as f/1.6. The phone also has a new 1-inch type sensor. The 5x telephoto camera, the 3.2x telephoto camera, and the ultra-wide-angle shooter are all the same as in the predecessor – 50 MP Sony sensors that are 1/2.51 inches in size. In Europe, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra comes with a 5,000 mAh battery, slightly smaller than the 5,300 mAh battery in China. The device comes with Android 14-based HyperOS pre-installed.
The Xiaomi 14 comes in three colours: Black, White, and Jade Green, and has two storage variants (12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB) with a starting price of €1,000 (approx. ₹90,000). The Xiaomi 14 Ultra, on the other hand, is only available in Black or White and has only one storage variant (16GB/512GB), which costs €1,500 (approx. ₹1,35,000). Don’t worry if you accidentally break your screen in the first 6 months of ownership. Both phones come with free screen repair.
Honor has launched several new devices at the Mobile World Congress, including the flagship Honor Magic 6 Pro, the Honor MagicBook Pro 16 laptop, and the Honor Pad 9 tablet. Here are the details you need to know.
Honor Magic 6 Pro
Honor launched its latest smartphone, the Honor Magic 6 Pro, at the Mobile World Congress. The phone features the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and an IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
Here are some of the phone’s specifications: The Honor Magic 6 Pro boasts a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display with a peak brightness of 5,000 nits and 4320Hz of PWM Dimming. Its glass is protected by NanoCrystal Shield, which is said to be 10 times more drop-resistant than regular glass. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with an Adreno graphics processor for all the graphics-intensive tasks. The smartphone comes with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. It runs on the company’s proprietary MagicOS 8 custom skin based on the latest Android 14 operating system.
Regarding optics, the Honor Magic 6 Pro features a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, a 180MP periscope telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultrawide-angle lens. Additionally, a 50MP selfie shooter to the front handles all selfie and video call-related requirements.
The phone houses a 5,600mAh battery that can be fast charged via an 80W fast charger and a 66W wireless charger. The phone also supports 5W reverse wired charging.
The Honor Magic 6 Pro comes in two variants: 12GB RAM/512GB storage variant priced at 1299 Euros (approx ₹1,16,000) and 16GB RAM/1TB storage variant priced at 2699 Euros (approx ₹2,42,000).
Honor MagicBook Pro 16
Honor MagicBook Pro 16 laptop runs on the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 155H with six performance cores, eight efficient cores, and two low-power efficient cores. It also has a GeForce RTX 40 series laptop GPU and runs on Windows 11. There is a 16-inch display with a 3072 x 1920 pixel resolution and up to 165Hz refresh rate.
The laptop also has AI features, including Smart Picture Search, Smart Document Summary, Text Comprehension, AI Subtitle, and Magic Text. Plus, it has six speakers – four woofers and two tweeters – making it the world’s first spatial audio laptop on a Windows-based PC. And if you’re worried about battery life, don’t be! The device is powered by a 75Wh battery, which gives you up to 12 hours of battery life, according to the company.
Honor Pad 9
Now, let’s talk about the Honor Pad 9 tablet. It’s equipped with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC processor, coupled with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The tablet runs on Android 13-based MagicOS 7.2 and has a 12.1-inch LCD display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution. It also has a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera. The tablet has Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, OTG, and a USB Type-C port for connectivity.
Samsung booth is all about new mobile experiences with Galaxy AI at Mobile World Congress. At the Samsung booth, Samsung showcased its portfolio, including more intelligent productivity with the Galaxy Book4 series, intelligent health with the Galaxy Watch6 series, and the Galaxy Ring, which is being publicly displayed for the first time!
At the booth, Samsung demonstrated the AI features of the Galaxy S24 series. Some of these features include Live Translate, which enables two-way, real-time translations of phone calls that defy language barriers, and Circle to Search with Google, which allows for quick, easy, intuitive searching. There is Note Assist, which simplifies and organizes complex texts, and Generative Edit, which allows users to freely resize or reposition subjects within photos for more creative freedom.
Samsung’s intelligent health lineup offers users even more personalized and seamless health experiences with the transformative power of AI across even more devices. As part of this portfolio, the Galaxy Ring was unveiled as a new health form factor that simplifies everyday wellness, supporting smarter and healthier living through a more connected digital wellness platform — Samsung Health. Samsung has also shown its upcoming intelligent health features, such as My Vitality Score, which offers personalized health insights based on multiple factors, including sleep, activity, and heart rate variability. Plus, Booster Card helps make each day healthier by tracking predefined goals and delivering actionable insights. You’ll see the benefits of these features on the Galaxy Watch6 series paired with the Galaxy S24 before public availability later this year.
Leveraging Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem, Samsung is showcasing how the home can be turned into a place for healthier living. Control connected lights to automatically turn off and on for a more optimal sleep or set alerts as a reminder to take medicine. It also allows users to track exercises and measure heart rate and calories burned in real-time while following a fitness video on a connected TV, all at the same time.
OPPO recently announced the launch of its OPPO F25 Pro 5G, which is expected to launch soon in the Indian market. The device is scheduled to be released on February 29th, 2024. It is expected to provide a fast 5G connectivity and performance, allowing for a smooth gaming and streaming experience.
The upcoming OPPO F25 Pro 5G will be equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset, and will feature the ARM Mali-G68 MC4 GPU. It is anticipated to run on the Android 14 operating system with the ColorOS 14 custom skin on top, along with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 3.1 storage.
The device may come with an AMOLED display screen with a 6.7-inch screen size, FHD+ resolution, and 120Hz refresh rate support. It is expected to have a 64MP + 8MP + 2MP triple rear camera unit and a 32MP selfie camera.
The device is expected to have a 5000mAh battery with fast charging feature of up to 67W. The OPPO F25 Pro 5G is set to launch in India on February 29th.
Headphone Zone and ddHiFi have launched a Hi-Res DAC designed for audiophiles in India. The device is a hi-res USB dongle DAC that has been in development with ddHiFi for a year. Headphone Zone collaborated with ddHiFi to create an affordable DAC under ₹2000 for India’s audiophile community.
ddHiFi is an established company that produces high-quality accessories and connectors. The quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail have made them a favourite amongst the audiophile community. During the collaboration, Headphone Zone and ddHiFi’s founder, Demond Ding, worked together to design the Hi-Res DAC.
The Headphone Zone x ddHiFi Hi-Res DAC is now available to order exclusively on Headphone Zone’s website at a price of ₹1,999.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Headphone Zone x ddHiFi Hi-Res Dongle DAC:
Turn Your Smartphone into a Hi-Res Audio Player
The Headphone Zone x ddHiFi Hi-Res DAC is a simple plug-and-play device that transforms any smartphone into a high-resolution audio player, bypassing the in-built DAC. The device works straight out of the box for smartphones with a USB-C output. A Type-C lightning adaptor would be needed for iPhones with a lightning port.
Make Your In-Ear Monitors Sound Even Better
The Headphone Zone x ddHiFi Hi-Res DAC pairs with virtually all in-ear monitors and some full-size headphones. The 3.5mm headphone output is compatible with any IEM with a 3.5mm jack.
A DAC Chip Engineered for High-Resolution Playback
At the heart of the Headphone Zone x ddHiFi Hi-Res DAC is the CX31993 DAC chip, which decodes PCM signals up to 32Bit/384kHz.
An Independent Amplifier Punching out up to 65mW of Output Power
The dongle utilizes an independent amplification stage with an MAX97220 chip. The Headphone Zone x ddHiFi Hi-Res DAC has an SNR rating of 105db.
Conveniently Usable with Laptops/PCs
In addition to smartphones, the Headphone Zone x ddHiFi Hi-Res DAC includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter to enable usage with a laptop for a desktop setup.
Seamless Calls with Mic Passthrough Support for Android devices
This dongle DAC allows for a hassle-free listening and calling experience on Android smartphones.
Nikon India Pvt. Ltd. has launched the Nikon Z 9 camera into space, which is headed to the International Space Station (ISS). This marks the first time a Nikon mirrorless camera will be used by astronauts on the space station.
Multiple Nikon Z 9 bodies, accompanied by a range of NIKKOR Z lenses, were taken into space on the 20th Northrop Grumman commercial resupply services mission for NASA.
The Nikon Z 9 mirrorless camera is replacing the existing Nikon D6 and D5 digital SLR cameras on the ISS. Nikon has a history of over 50 years in space exploration, with Nikon cameras and lenses playing important roles in numerous NASA missions. Since 1999, Nikon equipment has been integral to scientific research, maintenance tasks, and capturing imagery both inside and outside the space station.
The Nikon Z series, introduced in 2018, is known for its robust construction, reliability, and next-generation features. The Z 9 is Nikon’s flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, and it eliminates a physical shutter, enhancing durability and reliability even in extreme environments.
While the Nikon Z 9 used in space is physically identical to its terrestrial counterpart, Nikon engineers worked closely with NASA to develop custom firmware tailored to the unique challenges of space exploration. This specialized firmware enhances noise reduction at faster shutter speeds to counter cosmic radiation exposure, optimizes file naming sequences, and streamlines workflow protocols for efficient image transfer from space to Earth.
The successful integration of the Nikon Z 9 into the ISS operations highlights Nikon’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of photographic technology and its adaptability to the rigors of space exploration. This historic milestone not only showcases Nikon’s prowess in camera innovation but also reaffirms its commitment to supporting human endeavors beyond the confines of Earth’s atmosphere.
Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, has been available in India for six years. It is accessible on multiple devices like Echo smart speakers and Fire TV Stick. According to reports, customers across 99% of pin codes in India have purchased Alexa. It is available in both metro and non-metro cities, making it easily accessible to millions of users across the country.
Amazon has collaborated with various brands in India to expand the selection of compatible smart home appliances that work with Alexa. About 80% of Alexa’s smart home users have started their journey by purchasing an Echo smart speaker bundled with a smart bulb. These efforts have resulted in a 200% increase in smart home devices connected to Alexa in India over the last three years.
With a rise in connected devices, people have started using Alexa to control compatible smart home appliances like smart lights, plugs, fans, TVs, security cameras, ACs, water heaters, and air purifiers. You can conveniently ask Alexa in English, Hindi, or Hinglish to control the devices, such as “Alexa, turn on the geyser,” “Alexa, turn off AC after 15 minutes,” or “Alexa, dim the hall lights.” Asking Alexa to control the lights is one of the most common smart home requests.
Indian customers are also evolving in their smart home journeys, as the usage of Alexa to control smart fans and ACs increased by 37% in the last year, the highest amongst all smart home appliances. There are thousands of Alexa-compatible smart home appliances you can choose from. This selection has increased by 12% in the last year, with new products from brands such as Xiaomi, OnePlus, Hindware, and Atomberg.
To celebrate Alexa’s 6th anniversary, customers can visit www.amazon.in/alexaanniversary to enjoy discounts of up to 50% off on Echo smart speakers, Fire TV Stick, and Alexa smart home combos, including a flat 49% off on the Alexa smart home combo.
