Moto e7 power review: Power on a budget

Motorola recently announced its latest budget smartphone and the newest addition to the Moto e family, the e7 Power. While it was embargoed before launch, I got a chance to spend some time with the smartphone and test out some of its capabilities. While it does not pack a benchmark-setting performance, it has its share of pros and cons. Here’s my review of the Moto e7 power.

First impressions

Simply holding the phone is sufficient to remind you it is a Motorola. Sturdy build quality, sleek aesthetics and flashy colours: everything that defines Motorola is present in the e7 power. Coupled with 4GB of RAM and  64GB of storage, the smartphone offers decent performance via its MediaTek Helio G25 octa-core SoC. However, it could do better if provided with higher specs, at least as an option.

The Moto e7 power displays all its contents on a 6.5-inch HD+ screen with 720 x 1600 pixels. It runs on Android 10 OS that offers a smooth and intuitive interface as usual. It offers a Panda glass for protection, which somewhat compromises the viewing angle and overall brightness of the phone.

Usage

The 13 MP primary rear camera is assisted by a 2 MP macro camera that works in tandem to click decent photos. The 5 MP selfie camera also surprisingly offers a wide array of options, including a manual mode, something that most smartphones lack. As mentioned before, the phone should have gotten a higher-spec variant than the 4GB + 64GB variant that it comes with. Instead, Motorola offers a lower variant with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The phone also uses eMCP type flash storage instead of the conventional eMMC format, implying a faster and more responsive interface.

The most significant parameter of this phone, however, is its massive 5000mAh battery. As per company claims, the phone can easily last for two whole days on a full charge. Realistically, the phone lasts almost two days, but the reduction in time is acceptable considering the way I used it for testing. However, there is no doubt that the Moto e7 Power will be a serious competitor when it comes to battery life.

Verdict

The phone is neither too heavy to handle, weighing in at 200 gms, nor is too bulky, being 9.2mm thick. The matte finish also ensures that the phone does not become a fingerprint magnet, while the buttons are easy to locate and use. I like the Google Assistant button since it is placed out of the usual holding position. This means you won’t tap the button unnecessarily, though a few mistaps might take place inside that tight jeans pocket. Nevertheless, the Moto e7 power is a pretty promising option at Rs 8,299.

Creative Stage V2 Soundbar review: Creatively musical

When I received a soundbar from one of the leading PC audio component manufacturers in India, I knew I was in for something good. Creative’s Stage V2 Soundbar promised to offer an even better output than its already good predecessor. But did it live up to its name? Here’s what I think.

First impressions:

Creative has taken an effort to make the Stage V2 soundbar even more compact, and it shows. Knocking off a considerable portion, it is now just 68 centimetres wide. That makes it eligible to fit in most spaces under TVs, regardless of the crampedness. It sports an all-black body with a metal grille at the front accompanied by the company logo on its left. Creative has also equipped Stage V2 with a wired subwoofer with a 5.25-inch driver. It is hardly 12 centimetres wide, making it slimmer than most of its competitors. Users can also wall-mount the soundbar with a pair of screws, though it could be inconvenient for some as all the input ports are at the back of the soundbar. Though they face sideways instead of facing the wall, they can be tricky to locate and slot in. Nevertheless, it is a manageable setup and is not difficult to the point of dissuasion.

Usage:

The soundbar can be operated with a power button, volume control keys, and the Bluetooth button, all of which are placed on the soundbar’s right side. A white 7-segment LED display shows all the relevant data on the soundbar. Stage V2 also displays the volume, bass, and treble levels along with the input mode, among other things, which is quite nifty. The soundbar can also be operated via a full-function wireless remote that comes in the package.

Speaking of the input ports mentioned above, Creative has provided Bluetooth 5.0, a 3.5 mm Aux jack, Optical input, USB, and HDMI ARC. Surprisingly, Creative has opted for a Type-C USB instead of the standard USB-A. Though a Type-C to USB-A cable is added to the bundle, the USB-A port is a male connector, implying you cannot connect to a pen drive. However, considering its available connectivity options, I did not find that to be much of a hindrance.

The audio output is handled by two 2.25-inch drivers that deliver 40W RMS combined and take care of high and mid-range frequencies. I was impressed with the combined 80W RMS of power that the soundbar gives, including an additional 40W RMS from the 5.25-inch subwoofer.

Verdict:

One downside is that the speaker isn’t Dolby-certified which lowers its value-for-money parameter. Consequently, a price tag of Rs 9999 means it will have to be a well-thought-out investment. Nevertheless, Creative offers a solid package with Stage V2, and there are hardly any aspects to criticise it over.

ASUS’s ROG Academy Registers More Than 2350 Gaming Enthusiasts!

The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG), in an endeavour to empower gaming enthusiasts in India, received an overwhelming response from gaming enthusiasts across the country. India’s first virtual academy programme for gamers – ROG Academy – has been appreciated by the esports fraternity and the registrations are testimony to the growing popularity of the initiative. ROG Academy received more than 2350 registrations within 10 days of its announcement.

Commenting on the overwhelming response from the participants on ROG ACADEMY, Arnold Su, Business Head, Consumer & Gaming, PC, System Business Group, ASUS India, stated, “It gives us immense pleasure to witness outstanding excitement from the gaming community for ROG ACADEMY. Significant observation maximum registrations have been identified from the age group 16-20. ROG ACADEMY initiative is an example of our commitment to encourage more and more young gamers to participate and provide them with professional training to hone their gaming skills. I wish everyone good luck and hope for the best talents to be identified to be India’s next esports masters.”

As part of this initiative, ASUS ROG will identify 6 players from all the registered PC gamers through an extensive screening process. The first session of the quarter will involve “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” as the official title. ROG Academy will be providing tournament-ready gaming equipment and superior quality technology to gamers with professional mentorship. The 6 finalists will receive an Ex-Gratia of INR 100,000 once they complete the 3-month training successfully. Players will also be given monetary compensation of INR15,000/ on a monthly basis during the training. The final team will be given an opportunity to represent ROG for 3 months for tournaments and events post the successful completion of the programme.

  ASUS Brings ROG Academy for e-sport enthusiasts in India

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG), the No.1 Gaming Laptop brand with an endeavour to empower gaming enthusiasts in India, announced the launch of India’s first virtual academy programme for gamers – ROG Academy. As part of this initiative, ASUS ROG will identify PC gamers through a screening process and provide them with a platform to sharpen and enhance their skills and prepare them for competitive E-sport tournaments on a national and a global level. This initiative is a testimony to India being an important market for ASUS’s consistent efforts towards building a strong gaming ecosystem in India and empowering gamers through a number of programmes and initiatives.

ASUS ROG will be providing tournament-ready gaming equipment and first-in-class high-quality technology to gamers, with professional mentorship through this initiative. This will help gamers to enhance their skills to participate and conquer the E-sport tournament.

Speaking on the announcement, Arnold Su, Business Head, Consumer and Gaming PC, System Business Group, ASUS India, said “The count of online gamers in India grew by 31% in 2019 and reached approximately 365 million. It is expected to reach 440 million by 2022 as per a FICCI-EY report on the media and entertainment industry. Due to the pandemic, we are witnessing a permanent shift in content consumption patterns globally and increased digital acceleration. With an increase in e-sports gamers during the pandemic, ASUS has strengthened its commitment towards investing in the future of the gaming industry in India. It gives us immense pleasure to be the first brand in the laptop segment to introduce first-of-a-kind unique initiatives like ROG Academy, empowering gamers to conquer competitions and elevating the e-sports industry. We aim to encourage more and more gamers to mentor them through their journey and familiarise themselves with future opportunities in this landscape. This initiative will provide a huge boost in establishing a pool of credible E-sports players in India and pave the way for next-generation gamers with access to resources, mentorship and training”.

 

ROG Academy:

Curriculum & Duration:

ASUS ROG Academy is a yearlong- programme, divided into four sessions as per the quarter, aimed at strengthening the e-sports talent pool in India. The shortlisted team and players will go through an extensive selection process divided into different phases. This will culminate in 6 select players becoming part of a 3-month long session for the first quarter, which will include activities ranging from individual skill training and mentorship from the coach to teamwork, communication, and high-level concepts used in the highest level of competition. The exercises, schedule and entire programme will be specifically designed keeping in mind the title and the existing skillsets of the players who will be a part of it. The long term goal of the programme is to have more and more skilled e-sport players from India.

Rewards & Outcome from the training:

The first session of the quarter will involve “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” as the official title as we seek to uncover India’s most talented players. Panellists will consist of a representative from ASUS ROG, partners, and CS: GO. ASUS ROG will be providing the entire team Ex-Gratia with INR 100,000 price to all the final 6 players once they complete their 3-month training successfully. Players will also receive monetary compensation of INR 15,000 as a stipend as well as a bonus on a monthly basis during the training. Also, the 6 players will continue to represent the brand for an additional 3 months while participating in any tournaments or events post completing the 3-month training programme successfully.

How to Apply: ROG Academy

Aspiring Gamers aged 16 and above and who are willing to participate in the programme can register themselves through its official website.
Gamers aged between 16 and 18 will need to provide a consent letter from their parents to participate in the programme. 

Registration to be a part of ROG academy will start from Date 1st Feb till 10th Feb

After registration, participants will have to go through a screening process which will include showcasing their abilities in the open tryouts where they will be judged by a jury.

The top six participants chosen from the tryouts phase will receive admission into the programme. Participants will receive a stipend of INR 15000.

HyperX SoloCast: A clear choice for a clear voice

HyperX recently sent us its premium live streaming microphone, the QuadCast. While it was an eyecatcher and served its purpose flawlessly, it was also rather bulky and complicated to use. Luckily, HyperX soon followed up with its more compact and user-friendly version, the SoloCast. While the SoloCast might seem minuscule compared to the bigger QuadCast, it packs a powerful punch nevertheless. Here is how my experience with SoloCast was:

First Impressions:

Right off the bat, the Cast, as I like to call it, makes its presence and its intention of being a streaming microphone quite clear. With a plain black body with the HyperX insignia embossed and a simple LED indicator at the front, the SoloCast is a pleasant and simple piece of equipment to look at. Nothing too fancy, nothing too gaudy. But that is where HyperX scores over the rest. Despite having minimalistic aesthetics, SoloCast is powerful and competent hardware and a considerable option for streamers looking to set up their streaming equipment on a tight budget.

Usage:

Since capturing voice and audio as clearly as possible is the goal, HyperX has kept that in focus. Akin to other HyperX aural devices such as headphones, the SoloCast takes the “sound over everything else” approach.” It utilises a single cardioid polar pattern as its name suggests (QuadCast uses four!). It also skips out on some fun parameters in the QuadCast, such as a headphone jack, gain control, shock mount, internal pop filter and complete RGB lighting inside. While the SoloCast does its job perfectly, the lack of these manual controls means you will have to fine-tune its settings using software like OBS or XSplit. If not, a simple plug-n-play also works perfectly well.

Standing almost half as tall as the QuadCast, the SoloCast has a rather compact and easy-going design. Apart from the stand it comes with, it also features a slot for a boom arm, should you wish to mount it so. For other connections, a USB Type-C connection does the job seamlessly. It also has a tap-to-mute sensor on top, allowing the user to quickly mute the microphone if the need arises. The aforementioned LED indicator also displays the status of the mic, so that it isn’t accidentally muted.

Verdict:

HyperX says that it has been certified by TeamSpeak and Discord and there is no doubt about it. The SoloCast is not only versatile, but it is also quite flexible and can be adjusted to fill any spot the user wishes. With a price tag of Rs 5,790, it might seem pricey but it is a pretty value for money deal. Well, that is if you are looking for simplicity and ease of use. It will go on sale on Amazon from January 28th.

Microsoft launches Surface Laptop Go in India

Microsoft has announced the availability of Surface Laptop Go in India from January 22 via commercial authorized resellers, authorized retailers and online partners at a starting price of INR 63,499. Designed to power essential everyday experiences, Surface Laptop Go extends its Surface line-up by delivering standout designs along with the features most loved by our Surface Laptop customers at a more affordable price.

Combining performance, battery life, value and style, Surface Laptop Go is ultra-light with a portable profile comprised of premium materials. Whether for learning or working, the camera, speakers, and mics are being used more now than ever before. For families, students and businesses, Surface Laptop Go offers a premium Surface look and feel at amazing value.

“As the reality of hybrid work and learning environments unfolds before us, the PC continues to play an integral role in keeping all of us connected to our work, school, and lives – and every person today needs a PC. Our goal is to design a Surface for every person, work style and location. With the new Surface Laptop Go, we want to give every person in the household or organization a laptop that’s not just something you need to use, but something you want to use. The Surface Laptop Go is our lightest and most affordable Surface laptop yet that offers the perfect balance of performance, battery life and style,” said Rajiv Sodhi, Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft India.

Sleek design and standout value: The lightest Surface Laptop ever at 1.11 kg helps people do more on a 12.4” PixelSense touchscreen display, full-size keyboard with 1.3mm key travel for an accurate and comfortable typing experience, large precision trackpad and all-day battery life plus Fast Charging, all at an exceptional value. Narrow bezels and the Surface signature 3:2 screen ratio provide more space to work naturally. Available in platinum colour, there is a Surface Laptop Go for everyone.

Familiar features and trusted security: Users can get started with the Windows they love, convenient security of Windows Hello and One Touch sign-in with a Fingerprint Reader Power button on select models. One-Touch sign-in also provides fast, secure access to OneDrive Personal Vault files and more for quick productivity. Amazing sound for music and streaming video and built-in Studio Mics, Omnisonic Speakers, Dolby Audio and a 720p HD camera enhance video calls. Bringing cloud-first device deployment and management to every organization’s IT ecosystem with Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Device Firmware Configuration Interface (DFCI), Surface Laptop Go offers Windows Autopilot to reduce IT complexity by deploying straight to employees.

Get work done with essential apps: Users can power through today’s tasks and tomorrow’s assignments with all their favourite apps, backed by all-day battery life. All configurations of Surface Laptop Go feel snappy and fast, taking full advantage of cloud-connected experiences like Microsoft 365 and online storage. Surface Laptop Go features USB-C and USB-A ports for display and accessory support along with the latest 10th Gen Intel i5 Quad-Core Processor and up to 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, helping users stay productive and connected wherever they are.

3 simple steps to switch from Android to Apple | Exhibit tech

It is not often that people opt to switch to smartphones with a completely different operating system. But for those who do, there is always the question of how to transfer data between Android and Apple! Well, we are here to answer just that today as we show you a quick and effective way of transferring your WhatsApp data from an Android smartphone to an iPhone.

Kingston Previews NVMe SSD Lineup and Workflow Station with Readers at CES 2021

Kingston Technology today announced the launch of its upcoming NVMe SSD roadmap along with Kingston’s Workflow Station and Readers at the all-digital CES 2021. Despite adopting a new format this year, Kingston will bring its industry-leading SSDs to the forefront for attendees to experience the best-in-class technology virtually. 

Kingston’s Workflow Station and Readers give users the freedom to create and customize a file offload setup that fits their needs, allowing them to transfer video, photos, and audio from multiple sources at once. Whether on a 4K/8K multi-cam shoot with portable audio recorders or filming B-Rolls with drones and GoPros, with a customizable Workflow Station dock, the user can simultaneously connect to the USB miniHub, SD or microSD readers that the shoot requires to transfer footage quickly. Workflow Readers can also be used standalone by connecting to a laptop via the included USB-C cable, giving users the flexibility to have their workflow on-the-go.

“It’s not just the flexibility of the Workflow Station and its readers that is sure to aid content creators, but also the speed,” said Kingston. “Workflow Station products support incredible USB 3.2 speeds, which together with Kingston’s high-performance memory cards and USB flash drives get users through the post-production process faster than ever.”

Kingston is poised to continue its SSD market leadership position with both new clients and data centre U.2 NVMe drives this year. 

The new offerings include its first PCIe NVMe Gen 4.0 SSD as well as an external USB 3.2 SSD:

  • Ghost Tree: Our upcoming High-Performance Gen 4.0 drive is perfect for content creators and power users. Codenamed “Ghost Tree,” Kingston is targeting speeds of 7000MB/s read and write, stretching PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 8-channel to its limit with capacities ranging from 1TB-4TB.
  • NV Series: The latest Gen 3.0 x4 SSD is the ideal entry-level drive for first-time NVMe users with capacities up to 2TB.

  • XS2000: Kingston’s all-new USB 3.2 Gen 2 x2 external drive with 500GB – 2TB storage capacity is perfect as additional storage for photos, videos and other files. The USB Type-C interface allows for super-fast data transfers up to 2,000MB/s.

  • DC1500M: The Data Center 1500M is an update to the DC1000M adding support for multi-namespaces. The U.2 NVMe SSD is designed to support a wide range of data-intensive workloads including cloud computing, web hosting and virtual infrastructure.

ViewSonic India and Ingram Micro boost Indian LCD technology

ViewSonic Corp. recently collaborated with Ingram Micro for the exclusive distribution of ViewSonic’s LCD monitors in the Indian market.

The LCD monitor business in India is at a matured state and high-end professionals and gaming professionals have been the key players in fostering its growth. Mr Eric Wei – Senior Director, Asia Pacific ViewSonic said, “We are glad to cooperate with Ingram Micro, a reputed national distributor, to jointly develop business in India. With Ingram’s strength and ViewSonic’s advantage, I believe we can create the value and share the value with partners and customers. Then eventually make life more convenient and make business more efficient.”

“We are excited to expand our offerings from ViewSonic to their LCD business. This partnership further strengthens the relationship between the two organizations and gives an opportunity to offer LCD monitors to our channel partners. It complements our existing portfolio. The best-in-class products from ViewSonic and Ingram Micro’s wide channel footprint will be mutually beneficial to both the organizations in advancing the business”, said Mr Sanjay Achawal, Executive Director, Ingram Micro India.

Commenting on the association with Ingram Micro, Mr Sanjoy Bhattacharya, IT Business Head, ViewSonic India said, “We are happy to welcome Ingram Micro as National distributor for ViewSonic range of LCD monitors in India. Ingram Micro is India’s largest distributor, and they have a vast product portfolio of computer peripherals/hardware, with ViewSonic monitor they have completed the basket.”

He also added, “ViewSonic is a global leading display brand with a futuristic product line up. I am sure this association will do wonders and together we give the best display solution to the Indian consumer & commercial customers.”

The exclusive distribution partnership with Ingram Micro will strengthen ViewSonic’s LCD business in India. The company has been steady in developing ergonomically designed LCDs in pursuit with the latest technology and best in class smart features for its end users. In this year, ViewSonic will be adding new and innovative products in its portfolio compelling with its end customers. This sole partner will ease the distribution process benefiting both. Ingram Micro has commenced its business with ViewSonic from 1st January 2021.

Kingston launches three new OTG USB Flash Drives in India

Strengthening its endeavour of bringing best-in-class storage experience, Kingston Technology, a world leader of memory products and technology solutions, today announced the launch of three new compelling USB flash drives- Kingston DataTraveler Kyson, Kingston DataTraveler 80 and Kingston DataTraveler Duo in India. The new USB flash drives aim to provide versatility, flexibility and ultimate connectivity on-the-go.

Kingston DataTraveler Kyson (DTKN) -It is a high-performance Type-A USB flash drive with extremely fast transfer speeds of up to 200MB/s read and 60MB/s write, allowing quick and convenient file transfers. With up to 256GB of storage, you can store and share photos, videos, music and other content on the go. The capless metal design will save you the trouble of losing a cap, and the functional loop makes it easy to be taken wherever you go. DataTraveler Kyson is a stylish, dependable USB-A Flash drive that comes with a limited 5-year warranty.

Kingston DataTraveler 80 (DT80)-It is a high-performance USB flash drive that supports next-generation Type-C laptops, desktops, smartphones and tablets. Designed for professional and business use, DataTraveler 80 features fast speeds of up to 200MB/s read and 60MB/s write which allows for quick and convenient file transfers. The compact and capped design has a durable casing and key ring loop making it ideal for on-the-go storage.

Kingston DataTraveler Duo (DT Duo)- It features dual USB connectors that work with both standard USB Type-A and USB Type-C ports to easily share files between laptops, desktops and mobile devices. The dual-interface drive is also ideal as extra storage with 32GB and 64GB capacities. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds allow users to easily access and transfer documents, photos, videos, music and more. Dual sliding caps protect the connectors when not in use. DT Duo is the latest addition to the Duo family of plug-and-play drives that complement mobile needs:

  • DataTraveler microDuo 3C (DTDUO3C): Dual interface that works with both standard USB and USB Type-C with fast read speeds up to 100MB/s. Available with up to 128GB capacity providing plenty of extra storage for the latest smartphones, tablets, PCs and Mac computers. 
  • DataTraveler microDuo 3.0 G2 (DTDUO3G2): Dual interface micro-USB and USB Type-A for Android smartphones and tablets that support USB OTG (On-The-Go). DTDUO3G2 can be plugged into micro-USB ports that are used for charging devices as expanded storage (up to 128GB) for quick and easy file, photo and video transfers between mobile devices and PCs.

Kingston DataTraveler Duo, Kingston DataTraveler 80 and Kingston DataTraveler Kyson USB drives are backed by a five-year warranty, free technical support and legendary Kingston reliability. All three USB drives are now available on tatacliq.com

 

DataTraveler Kyson
Part Number Capacity MRP 
DTKN/32GB 32GB INR 850/-
DTKN/64GB 64GB INR 1350/-
DTKN/128GB 128GB INR 2250/-
DTKN/256 GB 256GB INR 4800/-

 

DataTraveler 80
Part Number Capacity MRP 
DT80/32GB 32GB INR 1200/-
DT80/64GB     64GB INR 1700/-
DT80/128GB 128GB INR 2900/-
DT80/256GB 256GB INR 4700/-

 

DataTraveler Duo
Part Number Capacity MRP
DTDE/32GB 32GB INR 750/-
DTDE/64GB 64GB INR 1100/-

 

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