Christmas is approaching, and it is time to gift yourself or loved ones the perfect top-quality headphones and earbuds. We’ve curated the Christmas wishlist that has something for every audio enthusiast, from gamers who want the Sony INZONE H5 or for a competitive edge to music lovers who want the Apple AirPods Pro for a premium wireless experience. This list has been carefully picked to offer you the best audio devices.
First on the list is the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), priced at ₹24,900. These wireless earphones provide a premium audio experience by effectively blocking out extraneous sounds, allowing you to totally immerse yourself in your music, movies, or podcasts, with 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than their predecessors.
Next is the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro, priced at ₹19,999. These earbuds provide seamless connectivity and intelligent features that adapt to your surroundings. The adaptive Active Noise Cancellation provides a personalized audio experience in a crowded or quiet room. These earbuds also boast a sleek and modern design, making them a standout accessory that complements your style for any occasion.
The SONY INZONE H5 Wireless Gaming Headset is designed exclusively for PlayStation 5 gamers. Priced at ₹19,990, this lightweight, comfy headset features 360 Spatial Sound for exact positional audio. The AI-powered noise-cancelling microphone promises that your voice is crystal clear during online matches, and the dedicated control buttons allow you to easily modify volume, mic mute, and game/chat balance.
For those who want to immerse themselves in Hi-Res certified JBL Pro Sound, the JBL Tour One M2 is the perfect choice. Priced at ₹34,999, these headphones come with True Adaptive Noise Cancelling technology and four noise-sensing mics that adapt to your surroundings, minimizing distractions. You can easily control the ANC modes with the JBL Headphones app and enjoy an unparalleled audio journey wherever you go.
Finally, the boat Airdopes 121 v2, priced at ₹2,999, brings a blend of style and performance to your audio experience. These wireless earbuds provide seamless connectivity, crisp sound quality, and a trendy design. With a sleek design, they fit comfortably in your ears, making them ideal for long listening sessions.
So, whether you’re looking for premium wireless earphones, wireless gaming headsets, or high-quality headphones, these exceptional audio devices will surely exceed your expectations.
The user engagement of Threads by Instagram is encountering challenges in maintaining its initial levels. Recent data from a Similarweb report underscores a substantial setback, disclosing a remarkable 79% decline in traffic within a span of one month. This precipitous decrease serves to underscore a noteworthy reduction in user interaction and engagement on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter).
As per the report, the Threads Android application experienced a peak traffic volume of 49.3 million daily active users on July 7, which has now dwindled to a mere 10.3 million daily active users. Similarly, the average time spent by users on the platform has plummeted from 21 minutes per day to a mere 3 minutes per day within the United States.
Threads enjoyed immediate success and garnered over 100 million sign-ups within a few days of its official launch. Nonetheless, the platform struggled to sustain this initial momentum and has experienced a marked decline since then. While its counterpart, X, presently boasts more than 100 million active users who devote an average of around 25 minutes per day to the platform, indicative of higher user activity.
In a series of posts on Threads, Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged the unprecedented response during the platform’s launch, and the company is presently engaged in efforts to stabilise the platform by introducing new features to retain its user base. Recent enhancements to the platform include incorporating chronological timelines and dedicated timelines for follower accounts, among others.
If you are looking for an excellent tablet that serves as a healthy companion to your already large phones, there are only so many good options in India. Samsung makes excellent AMOLED tablets, but those are priced in similar categories as the iPads and the sheer iPad OS features, ecosystem locks, and restricted customisations are in a niche of their own. Xiaomi launched its Pad 5 almost two years ago, and this year it finally has competition from OnePlus. I bought the Pad 5 during its first sale and have been using it ever since. It has got several updates and is running the on the latest MIUI 14 OS based on Android 13. There is a significant price difference between the two, but how good is the new OnePlus Pad vs Xiaomi’s offering from two years ago? Let’s find out.
Design and built – Two different approaches
The Xiaomi Pad 5 features what you would consider an iPad Pro design form factor. It’s a polycarbonate matte-finish rear design with a camera island familiar to Xiaomi phones during the launch year. The rounded rectangle design is excellent to hold in hands from different angles and feels symmetrical. Overall it’s a tried and tested design with tactile buttons and relatively thicker bezels. Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos support stereo switching based on the tablet’s orientation. At 511 gms, the tablet does feel tiring to hold when gaming for long, but a stand can solve this issue for most tablets. At 11 inches in a 16:10 aspect ratio, the physical dimensions are smaller than the OnePlus Pad.
The OnePlus Pad has an exciting design with a 2K 11.61-inch display. Despite weighing more than the Xiaomi Pad 5, at 550 gms, the OnePlus Pad feels slimmer to hold thanks to the clever design. Both the tablets miss a headphone jack, which is a huge turn-off. So they had the space to fill in 4 speakers in both tablets but could not make room for a little headphone jack? OnePlus expects you to use this tablet in landscape mode for most of your usage. Hence, the cameras are also placed in landscape orientation at their rear and upfront.
Display – 500nits of goodness
Why does one take a tablet? It has to be their display. In 2021, Xiaomi offered the Pad 5 with 500 nits of brightness IPS 2.5K+ panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The content looks rich, and display settings allow ample customisations on both tablets. In isolation, these tablets provide excellent video viewing performance coupled with great audio quality from Dolby Vision and Atmos support on both these tablets. The OnePlus Pad hits the ball right out of the park with support for a 144Hz refresh rate and a similar 2k resolution with similar 500 nits of brightness. OnePlus also offers various customisation options on the display as per your liking, which are more or less similar to Xiaomi Pad 5.
The real difference arises when one watches HDR content. Playing the same content next to each other reveals that the Xiaomi Pad 5 does good black levels, but then again, it suffers insane black crush issues. A thing reminiscent of 2021 Xiaomi devices in India, my Xiaomi Mi 11x has this black crush issue when playing HDR content. The OnePlus Pad, on the other hand, does not produce the same HDR brightness levels or deep black contrasts, but overall is the better display among the two for overall content consumption. Games and HDR content have no issues in the darkest areas, while the extra screen estate brings an increased immersive experience. On standard videos, you cannot go wrong with either of the tablets with sharpness, colours and saturation.
Performance – More than satisfactory
Considering that the Xiaomi Pad 5 was launched in the year 2021, it bought a balanced performance with the Snapdragon 860. It’s a 7nm SoC and has been performing flawlessly since the time I own the Xiaomi Pad 5. I have been gaming on this tablet ever since, and with updates, the tablet has become more efficient, if not powerful. The 6GB RAM + 3GB expandable is enough in most scenarios, but MIUI could get aggressive at RAM management, especially with gaming apps in the background.
OnePlus Pad is powered by a 4nm Mediatek Dimensity 9000 processor with 12GB RAM + 4 GB expandable. This one performs flawlessly and at times, better than the Snapdragon 860 in the Xiaomi Pad 5. This is apparent, especially during gaming; you can carry much higher frames and graphics settings in comparison. For example, Call of Duty mobile allows 120fps on the OnePlus Pad compared to a max of 90fps on the Pad 5. RAM management is similar to Xiaomi Pad 5, though games tend to reload if put in the background for more time than necessary. Overall, the wireless connectivity with dual-band WiFi on both pads is impressive, with the OnePlus Pad scoring high on WiFi 6 support and Bluetooth 5.3 compared to Bluetooth 5 on the Pad 5. Every app opens and performs excellently on these tablets.
OS – Tables turn
Performance shall only be as good as the software it runs on. This applies to both the Xiaomi Pad 5 and the OnePlus Pad. OnePlus Pad runs on the Oxygen OS 13.1, and apart from flexible Windows settings, nothing resembles anything special for the tablet. OnePlus needs to improve on this and provide an OTA update specifically for the OnePlus Pad. This feels like Color/Oxygen OS displayed on a large screen. The Xiaomi Pad 5 takes the cake in the software department. The tablet is feature loaded with gestures, multitasking capabilities with up to 5 windows running together, a dock accessible in most apps irrespective of the orientation and much more. MIUI 14 on the Pad 5 eliminates all the bloatware usually associated with affordable Xiaomi devices and brings a neat usage experience tailored to the tablet form factor.
Camera – They exist
OnePlus thinks we use the tablet in landscape orientation and never turn it to portrait mode like we never consume digital magazines or read articles online in comfortable portrait modes. Nonetheless, the camera placement is questionable. If you’re right-handed, you will smudge the rear and front cameras on the OnePlus Pad by simply holding the tablet. The best part is that the front 8MP with motion tracking and the rear 13MP camera are decent enough for use. Do not expect any phone-level performance from either tablet, but here are some photos and videos for your reference.
Accessories – Promises
Apart from chargers, the additional accessories for OnePlus Pad include a magnetic keyboard with a mouse pad that supports gestures. This accessory is worth 8K INR, making it a perfect small productive machine on the go. The typing experience is excellent for a tablet accessory, and the mouse pad is generous enough for the form factor. There’s also a stylus for all the creatives out there, which costs 5K INR and is nothing as impressive as the Apple Pencil or the Samsung S-pen but does its job well and charges magnetically via the OnePlus Pad. Xiaomi, on the other hand, has disappointed big time with its accessories options, there is only the Pen that can be had for 6K INR and brings 240Hz touch sampling with pressure points, but there is still no keyboard case available. Bluetooth keyboard is the only option as of now for the Xiaomi Pad 5. I hope they bring promised accessories with the next iteration; that said, isn’t it high time?
Battery and charging
The Xiaomi Pad 5 has a generous 8720mAh battery which charges via the bundled 33W charger. The OnePlus Pad has a 9510mAh battery which charges at 67W via the bundled 100W charger. The OnePlus Pad charges faster and lasts longer thanks to its efficiency and the Mediatek Dimensity 9000 4nm processor. If the Xiaomi Pad 5 lasts about 2-3 days over gaming, video consumption and music listening, the OnePlus Pad can easily surpass that time by almost 12 more hours than the Pad 5.
Verdict
The OnePlus Pad is definitely the one to get among the two if you are in the market for a great Android tablet. The Xiaomi Pad 5 was launched almost two years ago and still serves as an excellent value proposition for people strictly on a budget. In a world where flagship phones cost twice as much as these tablets, the OnePlus Pad brings flagship performance in a significant form factor. It is worth the additional asking price compared to the Xiaomi Pad 5. I am a Xiaomi Pad 5 owner, and the OnePlus Pad impresses with the hardware but desperately needs good tablet-oriented software. An exemplary job OnePlus on your first tablet. Xiaomi, it’s time for the Pad 6!
Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, from smartphones and laptops to appliances and transportation. However, the environmental impact of our reliance on technology has become a growing concern. The good news is that many companies are now investing in sustainable tech solutions that can help reduce our carbon footprint. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the sustainable tech innovations we use daily.
Renewable Energy
One of the most significant contributions to sustainable tech is renewable energy. Solar, wind, and hydropower are rapidly becoming more accessible and cost-effective. Solar panels can now be installed on residential and commercial buildings, and some cities are implementing wind turbines for energy production. Some companies are even developing portable solar panels for outdoor activities.
Smart Home Technology
Smart home technology is another sustainable tech innovation that has become increasingly popular. Smart home devices, such as smart thermostats and smart lighting, can help to reduce energy consumption in our homes. One example is the Nest Learning Thermostat, which uses machine learning to learn your temperature preferences and automatically adjusts the temperature to save energy. The thermostat can also be controlled remotely through a smartphone app, allowing you to make adjustments from anywhere. Smart lighting systems can also be programmed to turn off when not in use or dim during low-traffic hours. Smart home technology not only helps to reduce energy usage, but it can also save homeowners money on their utility bills.
Electric Cars
Transportation is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions, but electric cars offer a sustainable alternative. Companies like Tesla, Nissan, Tata and Chevy produce electric cars that are becoming more accessible to the general public. Electric cars have zero emissions and are much more energy-efficient than traditional gas-powered vehicles. Additionally, electric car charging stations are becoming more widely available, making it easier for electric car owners to travel long distances.
Smart Appliances
Smart appliances are another innovation in sustainable tech that is becoming more common. Energy Star-certified appliances, like refrigerators, washers, and dryers, use less energy and water than their non-certified counterparts. Smart appliances can also be programmed to run during low-traffic hours or when energy is cheapest. Some appliances even have sensors that can detect when they are not in use and automatically turn them off.
Eco-friendly gadgets
Sustainable smartphones and the use of materials in producing gadgets are not uncommon. Another essential device in our daily lives is the laptop, and there are several eco-friendly options. One such option is the Dell XPS 13, which is made from recycled ocean plastics and other recycled materials. The laptop also uses low-energy components and has an energy-efficient design, helping to reduce its carbon footprint. In addition, Dell offers a recycling program for its products, ensuring they don’t end up in landfills.
Sustainable Packaging
The packaging used for products can also have a significant impact on the environment. Sustainable packaging materials, such as biodegradable plastics and compostable materials, are becoming more common. Some companies are even using recycled materials for their packaging. In addition to reducing waste, sustainable packaging can also reduce the amount of energy needed for production and transportation.
Eco-Friendly Accessories
Even the accessories we use with our tech devices can be designed with sustainability in mind. For example, phone cases made from recycled materials or bioplastics can help to reduce waste and minimise the environmental impact of our devices. Companies across the globe offer eco-friendly phone cases and other stylish and sustainable accessories.
Sustainable tech innovations are becoming more accessible and affordable, offering a way to reduce our environmental impact. Renewable energy, smart home technology, electric cars, smart appliances, and sustainable packaging are just a few examples of sustainable tech we use daily. As consumers, we can make a difference by choosing products and technologies that prioritise sustainability.
There was a time in History when a corporation-owned factory could cause black clouds of toxic smoke in the air and dump tonnes of toxic waste into a nearby water stream without facing any consequences. There was no legal body to regulate harm to the environment as no EPA, Clean Air Act, or Clean Water Act was in place. However, things changed drastically in 1970 when US Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day to make environmental issues a national agenda and eventually an international one.
Over 50 years down the line, Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 and holds great significance not just among environmentalists but also among the general public. Before we go on to the theme of Earth Day 2023. Here is a brief history of the day which celebrated Mother Earth –
History of Earth Day
Gaylord Nelson was a junior senator from Wisconsin who had grave concerns surrounding the deteriorating environment in the United States. It was back in January 1969 when he witnessed the horrors of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Nelson was inspired by the student anti-war movement and wanted to bring the same enthusiasm to issues like water and air pollution. He announced the idea of a teach-in on college campuses to US media and chose Pete McCloskey as his co-chair. The campus teach-ins were organized by Denis Hayes, a 22-year-old activist on April 22.
Denis Hayes understood the movement’s potential to inspire all Americans leading him to build a national staff consisting of 85 people to promote events across the country. Soon, other faith groups and organizations latched on to the cause leading to ‘Earth Day’ as we know it today. The name change to Earth Day quickly sparked interest among the media eventually inspiring 20 million Americans to show their support.
Groups already in place fighting individually against oil spills, raw sewage, toxic dumps, and other environmental causes united on Earth Day as they shared common values. In a rare political alignment, both the Democratic and Republican parties pledged their support to Earth Day in 1970. The end of Earth Day in 1970 led to the formation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency which introduced a number of environment-centric acts. It was back in 1990 when Denis Hayes took Earth Day on a global scale. Senator Nelson also earned a Presidential Medal of Freedom for his role in the formation of Earth Day.
Current Significance
This will be the first time an Earth Day theme is being continued into the next year. Last year’s ‘Invest in Our Planet’ theme will be acting as the continuation of the 2023 theme which is focused on engaging businesses, governments, institutions, and more than a billion people who participate in Earth Day activities to their part. Kathleen Rogers, the President of EARTHDAY.Org previously shared the vision for 2023 saying, “In 2023 we must come together again in partnership for the planet. Businesses, governments, and civil society are equally responsible for taking action against the climate crisis and lighting the spark to accelerate change towards a green, prosperous, and equitable future. We must join together in our fight for the green revolution and for the health of future generations. The time is now to Invest In Our Planet,”
An official press release by the Earth Day organization announcing 2023’s theme shared that investing in a green economy is the only path to a prosperous future. The statement adds furthermore that human influence is unequivocally to blame for the warming of the planet and some form of climate disruption will now be felt for centuries to come.
Not just governments, but businesses and humans all need to work together to bring about the revolutionary progress required to save the planet. Here’s how this is achievable –
1. Businesses including investors and financial markets need to drive value for their institutions and society through green innovations and practices. There have been multiple economic revolutions in the past powered by the private sector which now needs to emphasize the green revolution.
2. Governments need to incentivize their citizens, businesses and institutions to innovate sustainable practices. Additionally, educating the general public and advancing their interest in creating an equitable and sustainable global system is also required.
3. Citizens at an individual level need to push for sustainable solutions across the board as both voters and consumers. A push from the citizens can motivate governments to take proactive steps in conserving the environment while moving towards green development. The voice of the people holds great significance in making the changes the planet needs right now.
Earth Day Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
1. April 22 was chosen as the date for Earth Day because it fell between Spring Break and final exams leading to maximum student involvement
2. About 10 per cent of the US population took part in the first Earth Day demonstration
3. The passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts was inspired by the first Earth Day in 1970
4. Nearly 1 billion people across the globe take part in Earth Day activities
5. On Earth Day 2022, 28 million trees were planted in Afghanistan under the ‘Planet Trees Not Bombs’ campaign
6. Humans today use 50 per cent more natural resources than we did 30 years ago
7. An average American today produces 4.5 pounds of trash every day
8.Nearly 80 per cent of all plastic waste ever created by humans is still in the environment
Shivya Nath is a well-known travel blogger, author, and speaker who has inspired thousands worldwide to pursue a more mindful and sustainable approach to travel. Born and raised in India, Shivya quit her corporate job at 23 to travel the world and share her stories through her blog, The Shooting Star. Her work has been featured in numerous publications and is recognised as one of the leading voices in responsible tourism. Today, Shivya continues to travel the world, sharing her experiences and insights with her followers while advocating for a more responsible and sustainable approach to travel. Let’s see what’s her thought on sustainability.
Exhibit: What inspired you to become a climate activist, and how did you get involved in this cause?
Shivya Nath: We’re living through a climate emergency – which is not just an environmental issue but also intersects with gender, social justice, biodiversity and much more. As a travel writer and storyteller, I’ve been lucky enough to witness the incredible beauty of our planet but also how climate change is changing entire landscapes and cultures. It’s almost impossible to tell real travel stories without addressing how climate change is impacting the places we visit and advocating for climate action both within the industry and globally.
Ex. How do you think technology can help address climate change, and what role does it play in the fight against climate change?
Shivya: Technology has a major role to play, both in mitigation and adaptation. In order to stay under 1.5°C of warming, we need to scale renewable energy and carbon capture and storage technologies to complement reduced consumption and nature-based solutions. To adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change, we need advanced technology to predict erratic weather changes and extreme weather events.
Ex. In your opinion, what lifestyle changes can individuals make to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future?
Shivya: We can play an important role in driving climate action by urging the organisations we work for to measure and reduce their Scope 1 & 2 emissions and work with their value chains to reduce Scope 3 emissions. By making climate change a political issue, we can also intimidate local, regional and national governments to consider it in their daily decision-making. In our personal lives, actions like reducing consumption, installing renewable energy, choosing low-carbon transport, opting for a plant-based diet, segregating, composting and recycling waste, and flying less can make for meaningful sustainability choices.
Ex. What are some of the most pressing environmental challenges that we face today, and how can we work together to address them?
Shivya: We’re simultaneously facing the interlinked crises of climate and biodiversity. The first step is to educate ourselves on what is happening, why, and what needs to be in the bigger picture. As we learn, we can use our voice, online or offline, to create awareness among our friends, families and social media followers.
Ex: How do you stay motivated and engaged in this cause, despite the many obstacles and setbacks that you may encounter?
Shivya: We don’t have a choice! To give up is to accept that we’ll hit 1.5, or worse, 2°C of warming, leading to a colossal loss of human and non-human lives.
Ex: Can you talk about a particular project or initiative that you have been involved in that has made a positive impact on the environment?
Shivya: I recently founded Climate Conscious Travel, an impact consultancy with destinations and businesses to integrate community-centric climate action into tourism offerings. This includes developing carbon-neutral trips, climate change communication through tourism, and sustainability research and storytelling. Through my blog and Instagram, I also continue my work as a travel storyteller creating awareness about sustainable tourism, climate change, zero-waste living, veganism and other interlinked areas.
Ex: How do you balance the need for immediate action on climate change with the need for long-term solutions and systemic change?
Shivya: The two are interlinked. A change in climate policies today, for instance, will pave the way for long-term solutions and systemic change. We’ve already seen this in the growth of electric vehicles and some renewable energy technologies.
Ex: What do you see as the biggest barriers to progress on climate change, and how can we overcome them?
Shivya: Public apathy is a significant barrier. Suppose we don’t collectively demand bolder climate ambition and action. In that case, there will never be enough political will and sweeping policy changes to do what needs to be done to seek a low-carbon development pathway and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Ex: Finally, how do you envision a more sustainable future, and what steps can we take today to make that vision a reality?
Shivya: A sustainable future will be one where we globally curb our emissions and use a mix of nature-based and technological solutions to remove what we’ve already emitted. Such a future will reward a minimalist lifestyle, with things like green electricity grids, sustainable aviation fuel, electric transport, conscious travel, upcycled fashion, and zero-waste alternatives becoming the norm rather than the exception!
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most popular and lucrative cricket tournaments in the world. It is a T20 format league that features eight to ten franchise teams representing different cities in India. Since its inception in 2008, the IPL has become a global phenomenon, attracting top international players and millions of fans worldwide. Technology has played a crucial role in the success of the IPL, from broadcasting to player analysis to fan engagement. Let’s explore some of the technologies used in the IPL.
Hawk-Eye Technology
Hawk-Eye is a ball-tracking technology used in cricket that provides real-time visualisations of the trajectory and path of the ball. It is used in the IPL for umpiring decisions, particularly in cases of run-outs, stumpings, and LBWs (leg before wicket). The technology uses multiple high-speed cameras to capture the ball’s movement, and the data is then processed using complex algorithms to create a 3D image of the ball’s path. This technology has helped to reduce human error in umpiring decisions and ensure fair play.
Megaphone for Online Voting
The IPL broadcaster is taking the game to the next level with high-tech wizardry, bringing fans closer to the action than ever. And, with Megaphone’s online voting system, viewers can participate in the game from the comfort of their homes. Star Sports is revolutionising how we watch cricket by offering live and interactive experiences, allowing audiences to vote during matches while analysing expert opinions. It’s like having a front-row seat to the game and being part of the action!
LED Stumps and Bails
In 2018, the IPL introduced LED stumps and bails, which are equipped with sensors that light up when they are disturbed. This technology helps to determine whether the bails have been dislodged from the stumps, particularly in cases where the naked eye may not be able to detect it. This technology has helped to improve the accuracy of run-out decisions and enhance the viewing experience for fans.
Real-Time Analytics
The IPL uses real-time analytics to track player performance and provide insights to coaches and teams. This technology uses sensors to capture data on a player’s movements, such as their speed, distance covered, and heart rate. This information is then processed using machine learning algorithms to generate insights on player performance, such as their batting and bowling strengths and weaknesses. Real-time analytics have helped coaches and teams make data-driven decisions and improve player performance.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
The IPL has also leveraged virtual and augmented reality technologies to enhance the fan experience. Virtual reality (VR) allows fans to experience the game from the perspective of the players, while augmented reality (AR) overlays digital content onto real-world objects. The IPL has used AR to create interactive experiences for fans, such as virtual games and quizzes. The league has also used VR to create immersive experiences, such as 360-degree videos of matches and virtual tours of stadiums.
BTS Tech
The BTS tech venture, AKA Behind the Scenes tech venture, is the ultimate game-changer in the tech world. It’s a slam-dunk attempt to score big for the environment by promoting cloud production and cutting out clunky hardware holding us back. With the BTS tech venture on our team, we can break free from location dependence and go the distance. We’re talking about levelling up and reducing carbon emissions while powering up our resources to bring you top-notch content for IPL matches. Let’s give the BTS tech venture a high-five for being a real MVP!
Social Media
Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have become an integral part of the IPL, with teams and players using them to engage with fans and build their brands. The IPL has also used social media to provide live updates on matches and share highlights and behind-the-scenes content. In 2020, the IPL also introduced a virtual cheering experience, where fans could cheer for their favourite teams and players using emojis and hashtags on social media.
Dolby Atmos
If you haven’t heard of Dolby Atmos, you’re missing out on some next-level audio technology! Developed by the audio geniuses at Dolby, Atmos takes your standard surround sound to the next level by interpreting sound in 3D. In short, you can experience up to 118 sound objects at once, which is insane! With Atmos, you can hear every detail of the game as if you were right there on the field.
Disney Star knows what’s up and wants to give you a real-life sports experience from the comfort of your own home. That’s why they’ve brought Dolby Atmos to their sports broadcasts. You can now watch your favourite matches in stunning Atmos sound, which means you can hear all the sounds of the game like never before. From the sound of the ball hitting the net to the roar of the crowd, Atmos puts you in the middle of the action.
So what are you waiting for? Grab the popcorn, sit back, and experience sports like never before with Dolby Atmos. Catch all the action on Star Sports1 HD and Star Sports1 Hindi HD from 31st March. It’s time to take your sports viewing to the next level!
Exhibit Magazine: Can you tell us briefly about your background and how you started your journey as a creator?
Rohit Zinjurke: If it wasn’t for content creation, I would still work as a sales executive in a textile shop. Wherever I have worked, I have always been sincere. However, content creation was my calling. I used to do both together until I realised how much potential the digital world has.
Ex: How did you first realise that you were gaining popularity, and what was your initial reaction?
Rohit: When I was at my earlier job as an executive, I had a wholesaler who had come to the shop and immediately recognised me. Also, many customers kept looking at me as if they’d seen me somewhere. That’s when I realised that I was getting there. I was absolutely humbled and knew this was my path.
Ex: How has your life changed since you became a creator, and how have you adapted to your newfound fame and success?
Rohit: More than my life, I feel like I have changed because I am surrounded with so much love that it urges me to be a better person and to make better content every day.
Ex: What do you think sets your content apart from others, and what do you believe contributed to its success?
Rohit: More than my content, I feel like it’s me as a person that my audience relates to.
Ex: Can you tell us about any memorable challenges or obstacles you faced on your journey to success and how you overcame them?
Rohit: There is no one specific challenge because every day, there is something challenging about what we do. Whether it is creating content, editing, or scripting.
Ex: Who are some of your favourite fashion photographers or creators that you look up to?
Rohit: I like Rohan Shrestha and Dabboo Ratnani’s work. For me, a person who is comfortable in their own skin is fashionable. So I can’t name one person as everyone is fashionable in their own way.
Ex: How do you engage with your audience and build a community through your vlog?
Rohit: By keeping it real and raw.
Ex: Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or collaborations you have in the pipeline?
Rohit: Picture ahi baaki hai mere dost. There is so much I have to offer, but I can’t reveal everything just yet. You will have to wait and watch.
Ex: What advice would you give to aspiring vloggers or creators who are just starting out?
Rohit: Respect your craft, and it’s okay if you haven’t figured it all out. Take it as it comes, and have fun with it.
Ex: How are you feeling after crossing 25 million people on Instagram at the age of 22?
Rohit: Imagine receiving love from 25 million amazing souls! I feel absolutely blessed, but my journey has just begun. And this also means that I’ve got the responsibility of entertaining an audience of 25M, so while I am super joyed, I am also working very hard.
It was only back in November 2022 when OpenAI released ChatGPT which quickly became a hit registering 100 million users in just two months since its launch. ChatGPT is a trained chatbot capable of interacting conversationally with users. The conversational AI became the rage on the internet with various companies jumping on the trend and releasing their own versions of a similar AI. Now, OpenAI is ready to release the next generation large language model (LLM), GPT-4 as soon as next week. Interestingly, while ChatGPT is restricted to answering user questions in a text format, the next generation of the language model might have the ability to generate AI-powered videos, images, and more!
GPT-4 on the way
The fourth generation of the LLM, GPT-4 is likely to be released next week by OpenAI. This time around, multimodality, video processing, ability to produce AI-generated videos from simple text prompts are among some of the new features. It will reportedly be more powerful than GPT-3.5 which currently powers ChatGPT. Besides multimodality, GPT-4 may also solve ChatGPT’s current issues regarding sluggish response time to user queries.
Reportedly, OpenAi might also be working on a mobile app powered by GPT-4. As of now, even ChatGPT is a web-based model having no mobile application. It is highly likely that GPT-4 will make its way to Bing search eventually, however, both Microsoft and OpenAI have not hinted towards it as of now.
On the other hand, the Bing search engine with ChatGPT capabilities has now surpassed 100 million daily active users. The integration of ChatGPT features has allowed the company to grow Bing search usage within a month like never before. Reports suggest that roughly one-third of daily Bing preview users are using the AI chat on a daily basis. The AI race only seems to gear up right now as even Discord has updated its bots with ChatGPt-like features.
9th February 2023 l New Delhi: Bolstering its coveted Luxury Acoustics Range of Speakers, Aiwa India today announced the launch of 3 new class-leading products under its impressive Audio portfolio – Aiwa MIX- 440 Enigma Beta, RS-X 100 & RS-X 150 Natsukasii Pro.
AIWA’s newest products in the highly successful ‘Luxury Acoustics’ category are designed to meet the needs of avid audiophiles and hard-core music enthusiasts who are looking for exclusivity, luxury, and high-quality sound. The new stylish & high-performance range stays true to the Brand’s promise of perfect products for those who don’t like to settle for the ordinary. All 3 products can be used indoors and outdoors as they are portable and come with high-power rechargeable batteries. The speakers further enrich a range that comprises versatile form factors from Retro to Wooden Built to luxurious leather finish to exquisite metallic build. Taking the legacy forward for more than seven decades, technology and innovation have been the core strengths of AIWA products.
AIWA MIX-440 Enigma Beta Portable Bluetooth Speaker: MRP 54,990
Born to Thrill! Exceptionally Versatile & Dynamic Speaker. The younger sibling of Aiwa’s best-seller MI-X 450 Enigma truly outperforms with Best-In-Class Audio Experience. They were packed with True Wireless Stereo for high-quality output. A new league of its own with a BASS++ sound profile. High-performance portable speaker comes with an elegant & commanding character and comes equipped with best-in-class features and software high-resolution supporting 24-bit music quality audio over Bluetooth 5.0. Enigma Beta comes with two passive bass radiators (front+ back) for the even distribution of sound. This speaker also comes with a Type – C charging point that enables 4 hours of charging time and 9 hours of playback time, powered by a 15000 mAH Li-ion battery delivering a strong 80W of powerful Sound. The Speaker also comes packed with a cordless MIC for Karaoke enthusiasts. There is also a digital control panel, and a 3.5mm AUX–IN. The Speakers also have TSW Multi-Link technology as a standard, allowing consumers to link multiple products in tandem.
AIWA RS-X 150 Natsukasii Pro Portable Retro Bluetooth Speaker: MRP 33,990
For those who don’t like to compromise. Upgrade to a Better Experience with Aiwa RS-X 150 Natsukasii Pro. Premium Retro looks with Seriously Good Sound Output, Features a Rich Speaker with Japanese Technology at the core. The Speaker comes with triple Drivers for deep distribution of sound. This speaker also features a Type – C charging point that enables 2 hours of charging time and 12 hours of playback time, powered by a 6000 mAH Li-ion battery delivering a solid 60W of pristine Sound.
AIWA RS-X 100 Natsukasii Pro Portable Retro Bluetooth Speaker: MRP 27,990
RS-X 100 Natsukasii Pro is tuned to Amaze the audiophile in you. Captivating Retro Styling with Seriously Good Sound Output, Compact and Built with Japanese Technology at the core. Like its elder sibling, it also features triple Drivers for deep distribution of sound, a Type – C charging point that enables quick charging and 9 hours of playback time, powered by a 4000 mAH Li-ion battery delivering a solid 40W of rich Sound.
Speaking on the launch, Mr Ajay Mehta – MD, Aiwa India said “We are overwhelmed with the response to our Luxury Acoustics Speaker Range. This has been the most successful range of products for Aiwa and the brand has been able to compete and establish its footing in the elite high-end speaker bracket comprising iconic international brands. We are proud to say that our consumers and channel partners have been highly appreciative of our products and we hope to continue building the ‘Aiwa Cult’ further with exciting products over the next few years. These products kick off new years’ portfolio for Aiwa India and we are ready with a number of exciting launches through the year.”
Consumers can buy the speakers on www.aiwaindia.com and also on Croma, Reliance Digital, and Select Partner Stores.
About AIWA
Founded in 1951, Japan-based Aiwa has established itself as a pioneer in the consumer electronics space and is considered one of the most recognizable brands in the personal audio segment. Best known for its speakers, boomboxes, and stereo systems, the company is also known as the creator of the iconic cassette tape recorder. The company was a leading manufacturer of audio products, including headphone stereos, mini-component stereo systems, portable stereo systems, minidisc players, CD, and cassette players, and car stereo systems throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The brand has returned to various key markets across the world, including India, with several devices using cutting-edge technology and innovative designs towards meeting the growing demand from consumers worldwide. The companies have a renewed commitment to designing and manufacturing cost-effective and high-quality consumer electronics accompanied by world-class after-sales service throughout the regions where it is present. Through its office in New Delhi, AIWA India Regional Headquarters (AIN-RHQ) has been established to manage all aspects of the AIWA brand and all AIWA products in India. AIWA India, as it is now called, is fully committed to designing, and manufacturing cost-effective and high-quality consumer electronics, including those that hoist the banner of ‘Made in India’, accompanied by a world-class after-sales service throughout the country.
