Twitter has seen a number of changes ever since Elon Musk bought the micro-blogging platform for an exorbitant price ($44 Billion to be precise) After shelling out a fortune for Twitter, it was expected that Musk would bring about massive changes to the platform which started off with his promise of ‘Freedom of Speech’ which quickly turned sour as accounts criticising Musk and many journalists started losing their accounts left and right. Then came the Twitter Blue debacle where verified accounts were offered to users at a price of $8 per month. However, the subscription model was then rolled back and is still awaiting a relaunch. Until then, Twitter is figuring out ways to differentiate between legacy verified accounts and Twitter Blue subscribers. The solution? color-coded verified ticks!
Grey tick mark for government accounts on Twitter
Twitter has begun rolling out a grey tick verification mark for government accounts. Whereas, accounts affiliated with businesses have already received a golden tick mark. This new deployment of the grey tick mark has already been deployed for the honourable PM of India’s Twitter account.
It was back on December 12 when Twitter announced it would be changing the ‘official’ label on business accounts with a golden checkmark. While it also announced that grey checkmarks would be added to government and multilateral accounts, it was applied till now. PM Modi seems to be one of the first political figures around the world to receive the grey checkmark on Twitter.
This is one way to curb the increase in impersonation of popular people on Twitter. It was only a few weeks back when Twitter Blue launched a slew of accounts impersonating Elon Musk himself flooded Twitter, talk about a backfire! However, with drastic changes coming to Twitter, it will be interesting how the social media platform transforms under Musk’s leadership.
Ahead of CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2023, Lenovo unveiled a bunch of affordable devices loaded with standout features. The annual tech event is destined to happen from 5th January to 8th January 2023 and will showcase the best of the tech world. The list of devices unveiled by Lenovo ahead of CES includes IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook (12”, 8), IdeaCentre Mini (1L, 8), Lenovo Tab M9 and Lenovo 500 USB Type-C® Universal Dock.
IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook (12”, 8)
The IdeaPad Flex 3i is a ChromeOS-powered two-in-one thin and light chromebook with plenty of connectivity options. The yet-to-be-launched chromebook sports a slightly larger 12.2-inch display than the previous generation and is available in two configurations – 4GB + 64GB or 8GB + 128GB with updated Intel N100 or N200 Processors and with either integrated Intel graphics or dedicated NVIDIA graphics.
The two-in-one chromebook can be used as a laptop or tablet and can be held in various modes, such as stand-in tent mode, on a table or a desk. The chromebook is promised to have a long battery life of up to 12 hours and a couple of stand-alone features like Rheinland low blue light certification, an optional backlit keyboard, and an ergonomic drop-hinge that lifts the keyboard 15 degrees for a comfortable typing experience.
IdeaCentre Mini (1L, 8)
Another exciting gadget Lenovo unveiled ahead of CES 2023 is its next-gen IdeaCentre Mini, a sleek 1L desktop PC with a built-in power supply unit (PSU) and an updated design. The sleek and compact device can be placed anywhere and will play another role as a room decor. The chassis of the IdeaCentre Mini is designed in such a way that it allows easy access to its dual-vortex cooling fan and memory chip.
The IdeaCentre Mini (1L, 8) features the latest Intel Core processor, two DDR4 memory chips, SSD storage8 of up to 1 TB, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and ample ports with a Type-C Thunderbolt 4.0. Through Lenovo Smart Storage Solution, one can store all the files in the cloud and access them with a tablet, smartphone, or laptop when needed and when they are away from the desk.
Lenovo Tab M9
The lightweight M9 tablet boasts a 9-inch display with a 1340 x 800 px resolution to help you have never-ending entertainment with a satisfying multi-media experience. The Tab M9 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G80 (octa-core) chipset, and its display is housed in a stylish dual-tone metal casing. The M9 has a 5,100 mAh battery with support for 15W charging via USB-C.
The tablet offers up to 128GB of storage and is enhanced by Dolby Atmos® spatial audio experience with dual stereo speakers, making it a perfect choice for someone who wants to enjoy OTT shows and movies on the go. The M9 tab offers a comfortable in-hand experience and is backed by the MediaTek® Helio G80 Octa-Core processor, Android™ 12 operating system, along with a 2MP front-facing camera and an 8MP main shooter.
Having spent a lot of time on the internet growing up, I understand the importance of having a good personal computer. Thanks to binge-watching of hours’ worth of PC-building videos, I have inherited the dream of building my very own powerful desktop that will take care of all my computing needs. Sadly, I am still stuck working on a laptop cause it allows me to move around the city having a computer in my backpack but I indeed long for having a dedicated computer space at my home. Well, if not today then someday in the future but I am sure a lot of you readers have the same dream if it’s not already accomplished. If you’ve built a PC of your own or are in the process of building one then you know how important are the external peripherals of a competent desktop computer. Leave aside a CPU and a monitor as they are the primary elements of a desktop, but it’s the keyboards, mouse, headphones, USB connectors, and other peripherals that allow you to add a personal touch to your computer.
Below are some of the best PC peripherals you can buy right now. We’ve chosen one from each category in order to make it easier for you to make a buying decision. Read on –
Keyboard – Logitech MX Keys
If you’re a content writer like me, I am sure you spend the majority of your time of the day typing away on your keyboard. It is only natural that writers look for a comfortable keyboard to type out content but that’s not all as PC gamers and the general user requires a good keyboard. For your typing needs, we recommend the Logitech MX Keys which comes with smart features like Multi-OS support and an easy switch option. This smart keyboard works with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android operating systems which allows you to have additional functionality. The easy switch option here allows you to easily switch between three devices with the help of just one button. The dual connectivity option allows users flexibility when it comes to connectivity with the help of either a USB receiver or Bluetooth with up to 10 meters range.
Mouse – Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless Mouse
If you’re going for the Logitech MX Keys keyboard then the MX Master 3 mouse is the perfect companion for you. It comes with ultrafast mag speed scrolling capabilities that offers electromagnetic scrolling. It comes with a design that does not hurt the user when working long hours as it places the thumb wheel at an ideal place for comfortable scrolling along with controls. It comes with app-specific customization that optimizes every action of a user’s workflow for the apps they use the most. Similar to MX Keys, this mouse also comes with multi-device and multi-OS support for a seamless experience. It also provides cross-computer controls to get the best out of your mouse.
Adapter – Portronics C-Konnect
There’s no scarcity of ports on a desktop CPU but an adaptor always comes in handy. Hence, the Portronics C-Konnect 3-in-1 USB Adaptor makes its way to this list. This adaptor allows users to cast their laptop screens to any monitor with HDMI support. It brings in extra functionality with USB flash disks, mouse, keyboards, cameras, removable hard disks, or other USB A 3.0 / USB A 2 compatibility. It also provides up to 5Gbps data transfer speeds which makes the Portronics C-Konnect one of the best peripherals for your PC.
Webcam – Jabra Panacast 20
What happens when you’re for the best webcam in the market for all your video conference needs? You stumble upon the Jalooking bra Panacast 20 as it is undoubtedly one of the best webcams in the market right now. As one would expect with webcams, it comes with a portable and lightweight design with 4K Ultra-HD video capabilities. The Panacast 20 also comes with AI-enabled image enhancement and intelligent zoom which keeps you in the focus during your video conferences always. The privacy cover of this Jabra webcam is also another reason why this should be on your wish list right away!
Headphones – Sony WH-1000MX5
The last yet important requirement for a well-equipped PC is a good set of headphones and the Sony WH-1000MX5 is no less than perfect for all your audio needs. This pair of headphones comes with a 30-mm driver unit that delivers the best audio quality in its price category. It’s lightweight and comes with soft-fit leather for comfortable long binge-watching and gaming sessions. There is HD noise cancellation present here with atmospheric pressure optimising for the best ANC experience.
We are only 2-weeks away from CES 2023, the most awaited tech show in the world. The 2023 edition of the show will begin on the 5th of January, which is why brands have started teasing us with new gadgets. Recently, HTC announced that they will unveil a new consumer-friendly flagship AR/VR headset next month during CES 2023.
The verge first revealed the unnamed headset with VR and AR capabilities with some details when they had a conversation with HTC’s global head of product Shen Ye. The upcoming headset by HTC will have front and side-facing cameras along with support for a controller. The self-contained headset is expected to be lightweight, comfortable, and powerful.
The headset will have a colour passthrough to help users view their surroundings and enable a mixed-reality experience. The company has claimed that the headset will have a higher dynamic range to help users read finer details like text without taking the headset off. The headset looks pretty slick and will have at least two hours of battery life.
We expect the company to reveal the full details of the product at CES 2023, and it would be interesting to see at what price it will be priced. Meta released a high-end $1500 Pro model just a couple of months ago, and soon, they will release a successor to the Quest 2. Along with Meta, Apple has long been rumoured to be working on a mixed-reality headset. Let’s hope for the best.
Havells Studio, introduced by Havells India Limited, is an endeavour to bring together innovative, premium, and ingeniously crafted technology products for today’s discerning consumers. Demonstrating the value statement of “inside thinking” Havells Studio unveiled its first product ‘Meditate Air Purifier’. Designed for India & world, the product is powered by pioneering SpaceTech air purification technology developed In-house, Tested &verified by Equinox lab for efficacy against removal of hazardous gaseous pollutants like CO, TVOC, Formaldehyde, SO2, NO2, O3, NH3 & Toluene etc. as well as pathogenic micro-organisms (bacteria, Viruses & fungal strains). The potable AQI monitor displays parameters like Air quality, battery life and fan speed and also acts like a remote for real-time air quality monitoring as well as controlling the device.
Meditate, a technological cutting-edge offering from Havells Studio, with a differentiated design language exclusively crafted to offer consumers an unparalleled experience.
Air pollution today is not just a health hazard outside homes but is a concern even within our homes. Indoor air pollution is just as deadly as outdoor air pollution. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to Pollen, dust, pathogens, and VOCs are all pollutants commonly found indoors and can be attributed to negative health effects. While pollen and dust may trigger allergic reactions and induce symptoms such as sneezing, dizziness, coughing and fever, inhaling mould and VOCs can result in more serious health ramifications. The Havells Meditate air purifier was created in response to the country’s rising pollution levels. It draws inspiration from modern-day city life, where tranquil surroundings and clean air are not commonplace. The Meditate air purifier offers a safe solution to combat indoor air pollution. It uses advanced TiO2 (Titanium Dioxide) Coated plates along with UV-C and UV-A lights that cause a Photo-catalytic Oxidation process to not just filter the pollutants but to destroy them without creating any harmful by-product. Meditate is designed to create a zen-like environment that is calm, pure, and pleasing to the senses.
Meditate: Unique Concept and Aesthetics
The aesthetics of the Meditate Air Purifier helps blend in seamlessly with the ambient home décor bringing balance and harmony to any space. It is designed for large areas and differentiates itself from existing air purifiers with its external and portable air quality monitor. The portable controller, when placed close to the user, ensures that the main device is aware of the condition of the air surrounding the user and accordingly adjusts its fan speed to maintain good air quality around them.
Features:
Predictive Analytics on App
Scheduling-Automated on/off for everyday use
Wireless Charging
360 Degree purification
Filter life indication and notification
IoT, Alexa and Google home enabled
SpaceTech Air Purification Technology
Meditate air purifier uses 6 stages of intense air purification that uses evolved SpaceTech technology to remove the finest impurities. The pre-filtration stage cleans the air of PM (Particulate Matter) by using integrated filter (Pre-filter mesh, medical grade H14 HEPA filter & Granular activated carbon filter).
The second stage of air purification degenerates the viruses /bacteria and hazardous gases by exposing the air to specific wavelength of light (UV-C & A) and the reaction is catalysed by specific catalysts (strontium titanate dopped with palladium & nano silver). This process, called photo-catalytic oxidation, is adapted from purification technology deployed for space stations – however, modified by partial mixing of strontium, palladium & nano-silver to enhance the efficacy of oxidation thereby degenerating the pathogens much faster. The hazardous gases like formaldehyde, ethylene, ozone are disintegrated to basic elements of environment, thereby eliminating them from the environment for good.
The Interface:
The AQI monitor has three capacitive touch buttons for power, mode and toggle. The display shows important parameters like Air quality, battery life and fan speed. This portable AQI monitor also acts like a remote for real time air quality monitoring as well controlling the device.
The product comes in SilverSatin colours, priced at 64900 and will be available on e-commerce platform Amazon.in
Commenting on the launch Mr. Anil Rai Gupta, CMD, Havells India said “Havells studio is our commitment to continue to offer products and experiences that set new paradigms of experience for our consumers. It will house the most advanced technology and best-designed products, from the company, for the emerging generation of users who demand nothing but the best. As the consumers evolve, Havells will continue to invest in new initiatives to meet the diversifying expectations of the new age consumers.”
“Havells has always been a technology leader. Our commitment to innovation, quality, and going beyond the ordinary has inspired us to create exceptional products that fit seamlessly into our consumers’ lives, and our latest product, Meditate is a testament to that. The premium air purifier will cater to the comfort and well-being of judicious consumers who are looking for a world-class experience from an Indian brand.”
Over the years, at Havells we have strengthened our in-house R&D initiatives and will continue to increase our capabilities for future as well. We are optimistic that our premium category under Havells studio will garner positive response from the consumers”.
Who would have thought that former president Donald Trump will come up with his very own NFTs and also sell them out in under 24 hours? Not me certainly. However, truth is stranger than fiction and it looks like Trump has made a splash in the NFT market when nobody was seemingly interested in acquiring digital images. So is Donald Trump making NFTs great again? let’s find out
Donald Trump’s NFT collection
Trump’s NFT collection dropped at a time when the market volume of the tokens is down by 89% from its peak in January. Dune Analytics reports that the trading volume of NFTs on OpeanSea Marketplace is the lowest since June 2021. One of the most famous NFT projects, Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT can be acquired now just for $80,466 which is an 81% drop from its peak value. Thus, Donald Trump’s NFTs selling out in under 24 hours is a testament to his popularity among the red-hatters.
Despite the bad timing, Trump’s NFT collection easily shot up to the top of OpenSea’s marketplace ranking, raking over $1.4 million since its launch. The collection’s trading volume is 900 ETH whereas its floor price is about 0.19 ETH which is about $230. The price has currently surpassed the original ask of $99 which is rare in the current NFT market.
Trump digital trading cards are fantasy NFT cards based on the polygon blockchain. The trading cards portray an exaggerated version of Trump showing him as a super-human, an astronaut, and a boxer, among others. There is also a certain reward program attached to the trading cards as buying 45 Trump trading cards at one go gives users a ticket to a gala dinner with Trump himself. Many are suspecting that this proposition has led to Trump Trading Cards becoming a massive hit among his fanbase and crypto bros.
There hasn’t been a dull day on Twitter ever since Elon Musk took command of the platform. Only a few days back, Musk stepped on the stage with Dave Chappelle in San Francisco to get brutally booed by people in the audience. It looks like the public booing has brought about a change of heart for Elon who recently took to Twitter and started a poll asking people if he should quit the Twitter CEO position.
Elon Musk’s CEO resign poll
Elon Musk recently took to Twitter and started a poll asking if he should step down as the head of Twitter. If the results are to be believed, it looks like Musk will be quitting the CEO position soon. He’s promised to abide by the results of the poll and so far there have been over 3.8 million people have voted in the poll, with the majority in favour of him resigning as the CEO of Twitter. Talk about digging your own grave!
It looks like Musk has now accepted the fate of having to step down as the Twitter CEO as he followed up the poll by tweeting ‘As the saying goes, be careful what you wish, as you might get it’
However, his stepping down as Twitter CEO could be a relief for Musk as he is currently the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and Twitter. A little decluttering never hurt anyone! Elon does need to divert his attention to Tesla as the company’s stock has plunged 62.55 per cent over the last year, upsetting a number of Tesla shareholders.
It was only yesterday when Elon was spotted in Qatar watching the FIFA world cup final between France and Argentina with Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of Donald Trump. It was only back in October when it was revealed that Prince Alwaleed bin Talal from Saudi Arabia and his investment firm was the second-largest investor of Twitter. This has brought about another backlash towards Musk who was already under public scrutiny. In the short time Elon took over Twitter, there has been the Twitter blue controversy, massive lay-offs, suspension of journalists from the platform, the Apple controversy, and much more! It will be interesting to see how things pan out once Elon has stepped down from the CEO position of Twitter, or will he?
While smartphones cater to your everyday needs and laptops cover your functionality and professional needs, tablets are a different ball game altogether. Not everyone needs a tablet but can surely benefit from one. One really does not need to blow up past the 1 or 2 lakh price point in today’s age in order to get the best performance from a computing device and tablets are definitely the optimum choice. Lighter than a laptop and a larger screen as compared to your mobile devices, tablets sit at the sweet middle point between the two device categories.
The trend of work-from-home and homeschooling might have come to an end as a sense of normalcy returns to the world post-pandemic. However, tablets have continued to go from strength to strength offering power-packed performance at a relatively low cost. Here are the best tablets of 2022 –
Xiaomi Mi Pad 5
Starting off with what I believe to be the best value-for-money tablet in 2022, the Xiaomi Mi Pad 5. This tablet packs an 11-inch 2K LCD display, 6GB of RAM, and the powerful Snapdragon 870 processor all at a price of just under Rs 30K. The Mi Pad 5 also comes with a 13MP primary camera and an 8MP front camera that is good enough for your video call needs. It packs a massive 8720 mAh battery and fast charging support to juice up the device in no time. The base variant sports 128GB of storage which cannot be expanded via an SD card. The only gripe with this tablet is the missing a 3.5 mm audio jack. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is priced at Rs 26,999 for the base variant.
Snapdragon 860 11-inch IPS LCD 2K display 13MP Primary & 8MP Front Camera 120Hz refresh rate 8720mAh battery
Apple iPad Air 2022
One cannot talk about tablets and miss out on Apple’s iPad offering. The Apple iPad Air 2022 is no less than a powerful laptop as it comes with the Apple M1 chip that powers the company’s flagship MacBooks. Besides a powerful chip, the iPad Air 2022 comes with a 10.9 inches IPS LCD screen coupled with a 12MP primary and 12MP front camera. While it supports USB Type-C charging, it does not come with fast charging which could be a deal breaker for many. The cellular variant of the Apple iPad Air 2022 comes with 5G support. The Apple iPad Air 2022 is priced at Rs 52,999 for the 64GB Wi-Fi-only variant.
Liquid Retina IPS LCD Display Apple M1 chipset 8GB RAM Fingerprint sensor USB Type-C charging
Realme Pad X
The Realme Pad X was yet another gem in this year’s best tablets. This tablet is powered by the capable Qualcomm 695 chipset which is 5G-capable. It packs a massive 10.95-inches TFT LCD full-view display and an 8340mAh battery that can be charged up with a 33W dart charger. It features a 105-degree wide-angle camera that is powered by machine-learning algorithms that keep you in the centre of the frame during video calls. The 6+128GB variant of the Realme Pad X is priced at Rs 27,999.
4/6GB RAM options 64/128GB storage options (Expandable up to 512GB) 10.95-inches 2000 x 1200 8340mAh battery with 33W Dart Charge Reverse charging support
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
Samsung has also established its strong footing in the tablet market with its Tab S series. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 builds upon a successful lineup of tablets by offering the best Android has to offer. It houses a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor that is more powerful than you need for your daily digital activities. It also houses a 12MP camera with 4K recording capabilities to shoot crisp videos for your YouTube vlogs. Your entertainment will be taken care of effectively with the Tab S8 as it comes with a quad-speaker setup with Dolby atmos and a vibrant 2560 x 1600 LTPS TFT screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The 128GB Wi-Fi + 5G variant of the Galaxy Tab S8 is priced at Rs 75,890.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 8GB RAM 11-inch 120Hz refresh rate 13MP + 6MP dual primary camera 12MP front camera 8000mAh battery
Special mentions –
Nokia T20 Tab Realme Tab 4 Lenovo Tab M10 FHD Plus Tablet
It looks like the crypto community cannot catch a break. With news ranging from crypto billionaires dying mysteriously to the coins’ plummeting rates, 2022 was not entirely the year for crypto investors and enthusiasts. Now, another big blow to crypto bros has come from Microsoft which has decided to enforce new restrictions on cryptocurrency mining.
Microsoft bans crypto mining
Microsoft, one of the biggest players in the cloud computing arena has decided to take drastic measures to increase the stability of its cloud services. As a result, crypto mining has been axed from Microsoft’s cloud platform. There was no official announcement of the same as Microsoft quietly decided to ban crypto mining from its online services in order to protect its customers and clouds. The Register, a British tech news agency was the first to crack this development on December 15, 2022.
Microsoft introduced the new restrictions as a part of its universal license terms of Microsoft Online Services. Microsoft’s updated acceptable policy clarifies that crypto mining is now ‘prohibited’ on its platform without prior approval. The latest policy states that users now require users to obtain a written pre-approval from the company in order to use any Microsoft Online Services for crypto mining.
As per reports, Microsoft said that the latest restrictions laid upon crypto mining aims to protect the online service from cyber risks like fraud, attacks, and unauthorized access to customer resources. Furthermore, the company stated that it may consider permissions to mine crypto only for testing and research purposes, thus crypto whales running big mining operations on Microsoft cloud will take a massive hit with this development. Microsoft won’t be the first company in recent times to adopt the new restrictions. Earlier, Google also restricted users from engaging in crypto mining without the company’s prior written approval. Besides this, platforms like Oracle have banned crypto mining entirely, whereas Digital Ocean also requires users to take written permission.
After several leaks and rumours, Xiaomi finally announced its 13-series smartphone lineup in China on Sunday. The flagship lineup consists of two smartphones, Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro, will feature a 120Hz OLED display, up to 120W fast charging support, a triple-camera setup with Leica branding and Qualcomm’s latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Along with the smartphones, Xiaomi also announced its next-gen skin, the MIUI 14.
What’s New?
The first MIUI was launched in 2010, and over the last 12 years, we have seen how Xiaomi jumped up from offering a budget smartphone segment to a premium smartphone segment. MIUI 14 is the latest Android 13-based interface for Xiaomi devices which is focused on providing a simpler experience to users without taking up too much space on their smartphones. Ex. Compared to MIUI 13 and MIUI 14 takes up to 1.5GB less smartphone space.
The latest custom Android skin from Xiaomi arrives with fewer pre-installed apps, and now users will have to encounter only 8 uninstallable pre-installed apps. With MIUI 14, the company aims to provide the most optimised and streamlined MIUI to date. The new MIUI 14 runs 60% smoother compared to its predecessor and has features like duplicate file merge, automatic compression of low-frequency apps, and the ability to easily turn off permanent notifications.
The design of MIUI 14 features customisable folders with normal and large icons like we’ve seen earlier on the Nothing (1) phone, as well as new widget options in different shapes and sizes. Along with all the changes mentioned above, the design changes also include animated cat/dog avatars on the home screen. Xiaomi also claims that end-to-end encryption and local data processing with a new user interface offer better privacy.
Which devices will get MIUI 14?
Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro will be the first lineup of smartphones to feature MIUI 14. In contrast, the rest of the smartphones* will receive the update by Jan 2023.
MIUI 14 by Jan 2023
Xiaomi 12S, Xiaomi 12S Pro, Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Xiaomi 12 Pro Dimensity Edition
