#techreviewsonline Archives

Beat the heat – Decrease the voltage on your PC for gains.

PC gaming is a vast market, and it’s only getting bigger. Mobile PC gaming is also catching heat thanks to technological advancements, both hardware and software. Just like full-grown consoles vs handheld consoles, a good gaming PC will outperform a similar-priced mobile gaming solution. Games are becoming increasingly demanding, and to get the most out of your hardware, you might want to overclock your CPU and GPU. The gains come at the cost of more power draw and heat generation.

With the latest generation of hardware, the amount of heat and power draw is more than ever. However, if you’re uncomfortable doing this or don’t want to risk damaging your hardware, you can underclock it instead. This will still give you a performance boost and is more efficient, meaning your hardware will last longer. This is great if you intend to use your PC for many fruitful years with minimum hiccups.

Intel processors – CPU

Intel processors are some of the most popular on the market and some of the easiest to overclock. However, underclocking is just as simple. To underclock an Intel processor, you need to use the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU). This free download from Intel’s website is compatible with all their latest processors. Once you’ve installed XTU, you can open it up and click on the “Performance” tab. Here, you’ll see a list of all of your installed processors. To underclock one of them, simply click on it and then use the slider to adjust the clock speed.

AMD processors – APU, CPU and GPU

AMD processors are more challenging to overclock than Intel processors but are also more powerful. Underclocking them is a little simpler, but you must still use a tool like AMD OverDrive.AMD OverDrive is a free download from AMD’s website and is compatible with all of their latest processors. Once installed, you can open it and click on the “AMD OverDrive” tab. Here, you’ll see a list of all of your installed processors. To underclock one of them, simply click on it and then use the slider to adjust the clock speed.

Nvidia processors – GPU

Nvidia processors are some of the most popular on the market and some of the easiest to overclock. However, underclocking is just as simple. You need to use the Nvidia Control Panel to underclock an Nvidia processor. This free download from Nvidia’s website is compatible with all their latest processors. Once you’ve installed the Nvidia Control Panel, open it up and click on the “Manage 3D Settings” tab. Here, you’ll see a list of all of your installed processors. To underclock one of them, simply click on it and then use the slider to adjust the clock speed.

Trials and Errors

Like overclocking, underclocking, too, requires some trials and errors. Sometimes the voltages need to be higher for the processor to maximise its full potential. It is advisable to go down a couple of points at a time when underclocking and not more than 5-10 points when overclocking on the under-volt settings. It is advisable to check similar settings on the internet to get the best results as tried and tested by more experienced users. Under-volt and sometimes underclocking with more headroom for boost allows the processor to perform great under increased stress loads, especially when gaming for long. PCs produce heat with vigorous power delivery, and controlling it on some parameters allows us to enjoy the best of PC performance while allowing us to beat the heat.

In Conversations With – Vinay Sinha, AMD

Q1. Describe yourself in three sentences.

I am a lifelong learner, constantly seeking new knowledge and experiences to grow and develop. A results-driven and analytical individual, able to make data-informed decisions and execute them effectively. As a huge sports enthusiast, I firmly believe that individual talent honed with teamwork is a prime constituent for aspirations.

Q2. What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?

I believe it is the ability to adapt to change. It is crucial for a leader to navigate the constantly evolving business landscape, to be able to pivot when needed and identify new opportunities. A leader who can lead and manage change effectively will be able to steer their team and organization through difficult situations and come out stronger on the other side. Another key trait that aspiring leaders should acquire is emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. A leader with high emotional intelligence can create a positive and productive work environment, build strong relationships, and handle conflicts effectively.

Q3. One thing you believe is essential for sustained growth.

One thing that is essential for the sustained growth of any business is a culture of continuous learning and improvement. This means fostering an environment where employees are encouraged to take risks, experiment, and learn from their mistakes. It also means providing opportunities for professional development and offering feedback that is both constructive and actionable. The leadership of the organization should be open to making changes to succeed in rapidly evolving business environments. This culture of continuous learning and improvement allows organizations to stay competitive, effect change positively, and ultimately achieve sustained growth.

Q4. One book that you love and the one you’ve bookmarked?

I love reading biographies as they give me very real and distinct narratives of individual journeys, I feel this impacts me as a reader differently. One of my personal favourites is ‘Never Give Up’ by Bear Grylls. Moreover, having had the opportunity to meet him at one of AMD’s global events, his impact has multiplied! For the future, I have bookmarked a detailed read on the Upanishads and Vedic Literature as this is something I have been wanting to do for a long time.

Q5. Leadership quotes that inspire you

Though there are many quotes that have left lasting impressions, the one I relate to the most is a famous quote by Mark Twain. “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog”. Another philosophy and belief that I strive to implement is based on a very matter-of-fact and profound quote by Ralph Emerson. “Life is a journey and not a destination: so make the most of it while you are on it!”

Q6. What is your unique way of maintaining a work-life balance?

As the Managing Director of Sales in India for one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies, I get this question often, especially in the advent of the pandemic. It’s important to remember that work-life balance looks different for everyone and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s a continuous effort to find the balance that works for you. My own way of maintaining a work-life balance is by setting clear boundaries and priorities. I also prioritize self-care through activities like meditation, exercise and spending time with loved ones. Having specific goals and targets for both your professional and personal life, and regularly reviewing and adjusting them as needed helps immensely.

Q7. Significant learning in the past couple of years?

The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way I think. I have realised it is very important to focus on yourself, be mindful and live in the moment. As you wade through stressful and uncertain situations, ensuring your own mental and emotional well-being, and prioritizing self-care are key.

Q8. Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life.

The efficiency of smartphones and laptops has never been more critical to the way we work, and we have some truly amazing devices available in the market. I also use a variety of productivity apps and technologies on a daily basis. I’d say Outlook, Gmail, Zoom, MS Teams and Google Docs are apps I rely on while on the go.

Q9. What is your technology detox?

I do feel strongly that this is most required as it does help in recharge and reset. As a habit, I try to take short breaks from work by going on 3-4 day long staycations with family and friends – often to reserves/ hills where the mobile signal itself is elusive (though it is getting stronger with passing time). It helps me and my family to stay closer to nature and get in bouts of fresh air.

Q10. If money was not a bar, what piece of tech and automobile would you own?

In the current era where we see evolution in tech and automobile going hand-in-hand, I aspire to own an Electric SUV as soon as the infrastructure and technology have been cemented across in the country. It’s a perfect blend of the latest technology advancements and automobiles.

A road trip with Hyundai Tucson answers the question – Why is this car Hyundai’s global bestseller?

Hyundai has become a popular brand among automobile lovers. When one thinks of Hyundai, they unanimously agree on an impressive feature list, the absolute unit of value propositions on roads and a reliable customer service network. Let’s not forget the era demands larger, sassier-looking cars that meet not just one’s demand but eventually everyone connected with the one. Adhering to modern automotive demands, Hyundai’s global best-selling product is now available in India – Hyundai Tucson. A question arises, what makes this product an international bestseller? What other way to find out than driving this beauty on a road trip? Where are we headed? We’re heading towards the answers.

Is it the bold, premium and sporty design?

Hyundai designers were briefed to make Tucson an iconic and bold design. Thanks to the brief, Tucson now feels angular, humongous and beautiful. The front fascia feels like a sizeable smiling grille. Kudos to the clever engineering covering the five-point dark chrome parametric DRLs with nickel metal coating. Turn them on, and Tucson gets a distinct identity like no other car on Indian roads. Sharp creases on the body neatly camouflage the enormous length of the Tucson and bring a contemporary design language familiar to supercar manufacturers making a large vehicle. If that was not enough, the tail section is a piece of art with connected LED taillamps finished in mesmerising lit textures and a neatly hidden rear wiper underneath the spoiler. Complementing the design are 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, purpose-built for tackling any road. Overall the new Tucson feels refreshing and eye-pleasing from the outside.

The ivory-clad interior and plush ventilated seats with unique metal accents add a sense of space and splendour, coupled with a voice-enabled panoramic sunroof. The lines inside the cabin flow in a minimalistic design, adding to the definition of opulence. The LWB enables oodles of legroom and headroom with deep recline angles for the rear passengers and a boss mode found in premium sedans a segment or two above Tucson’s asking price. The interior of the Tucson makes it a comfortable, spacious abode with a focus on comfort, the luxury of a serene driving experience and class-leading safety features, including ADAS level 2 aided by front and rear radars with a front camera. This makes Tucson one of the safest cars available in India.

Is it the features, performance, luxury, safety or something else?

Available in multiple engine options – a 2L petrol (156PS and 192Nm) and a 2L diesel (186PS and 415Nm) with an AWD variant featuring multi-terrain modes (snow, mud and sand), the Tucson offers versatility. The transmission options include a 6-speed automatic on the petrol, while the diesel variants have a sleek shifting 8-speed automatic. The engines and transmission options offer linear, smooth power delivery, with the diesel tickling the enthusiast’s senses. The NVH levels are so darn impressive; they’re unlike any Hyundai we’ve experienced. Couple that with the ivory-clad spacious interiors, customisable seat positions on the front row and deep recline angles on the rear along with passenger walk-in mode, amplifying the sense of sumptuousness, unlike most competitors. With 4 disc brakes on all 4 tyres, level 2 ADAS with 19 class-leading features safeguard you, pedestrians, other cars and the precious Tucson from any nuances on the road. The braking performance is also linear despite all discs on all tyres and adds to the overall experience of plushness.

Hyundai Tucson is one of the safest cars on Indian roads. The level 2 ADAS makes it almost impossible to collide the car with anything on the road. There are tonnes of customisations to customise the ADAS aids as per personal preference. Here’s a list of all the advanced driving-assistance system safety features for your reference. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist + Junction Turning, Front collision warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Safe Exit Warning (SEW), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Smart Cruise Control with Stop & GO (SCC with S&G), Lane Following Assist (LFA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW) and Surround View Monitor (SVM). The 360-degree cameras offer high resolution and enable dynamic parking assist lines for added convenience. The considerable safety net with numerous features cocooned in luxury makes this car seem much more valuable than its asking price.

Why is Tucson Hyundai’s global bestseller?

We scouted out with the Tucson, searching for answers to why it is Hyundai’s global bestseller. Tucson’s unaccountable features, extensive safety net with the best-in-class package, and plush feel of the ivory-clad interiors make it a fantastic premium SUV for anyone looking to upgrade their driving experience into grandeur daily drives. Hyundai designers and engineers have hit the ball right out of the park regarding the new Tucson. No wonder this car is a global bestseller featured in blockbuster cinemas and is now available as a blockbuster in our daily drives.

2.0L Nu Petrol – 156PS | 192Nm | 6-speed AT

2.0L R Diesel – 186PS | 415Nm | 8-speed AT

ADAS level 2 – 19 safety features

360-degree cameras

60+ Bluelink features

3 years unlimited warranty

17 AI tools to explore in 2023 – Time to get smarter with technology

Artificial intelligence (AI) leapt forward in 2022, reaching the masses. It’s everywhere! In 2023, a wide variety of AI tools will be available for exploration, each with unique capabilities and applications. With the right approach, these AI tools are significant for businesses and individuals. This article will look at 17 AI tools worth exploring in the upcoming year.

TensorFlow: This open-source software library is one of the most popular tools for machine learning and deep learning. It’s widely used for image recognition, natural language processing, and other tasks.

Keras: Another popular open-source library, Keras, is a high-level neural networks API that can run on top of TensorFlow. It’s easy to use and is well-suited for prototyping and experimentation.

PyTorch: This open-source machine learning library is similar to TensorFlow but is more focused on research and experimentation. It’s often used for computer vision and natural language processing tasks.

Scikit-learn: This library is built on top of NumPy and SciPy and is one of the most popular tools for traditional machine-learning tasks. It’s well-suited for regression, classification, and clustering.

OpenCV: This library focuses on computer vision and is widely used for object detection, image classification, and video analysis.

NLTK: The Natural Language Toolkit is a library for natural language processing tasks such as tokenisation, stemming, and sentiment analysis.

Gensim: This library is designed explicitly for topic modelling and document similarity analysis. It’s widely used for natural language processing tasks.

spaCy: This library is similar to NLTK but is focused on speed and efficiency. It’s often used for natural language processing tasks such as named entity recognition and part-of-speech tagging.

Hugging Face: This company provides a wide variety of pre-trained models for natural language processing tasks such as sentiment analysis and question answering.

DeepMind: This company, now a subsidiary of Alphabet (Google), is one of the leading research organisations in AI. They are known for creating AlphaGo, the AI that defeated the world champion of the Go game.

OpenAI: This company is also a leading research organisation in AI, focused on developing and promoting friendly AI. They released Chat GPT-3, one of the most powerful language models.

IBM Watson: This suite of AI tools from IBM is focused on natural language processing, computer vision, and other cognitive computing tasks.

Microsoft Azure: This cloud-based platform provides a wide variety of AI services, including machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.

Amazon SageMaker: This platform is specifically designed for machine learning and provides a wide variety of data preparation, model training, and deployment tools.

Google Cloud AI: This platform provides a wide variety of AI services, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.

Alibaba Cloud AI: This platform provides a wide variety of AI services, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, and is especially popular in Asia.

Baidu AI: This one is for people from China. This platform provides a wide variety of AI services, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, and is especially popular in China. China might not allow other AI tools, but Baidu AI is impressive. These are just a few of the many AI tools available today. As AI continues to evolve, it’s essential to stay up-to-date on the latest tools and technologies to take full advantage of AI opportunities. By exploring these tools and others, businesses and individuals can gain a competitive edge and stay at the forefront of the AI revolution.

Triple threat – Pixel 6a, Nothing Phone (1) and OnePlus 10T

Most of us already use phones, and the upgrade cycle seems like a constant change we all must endure. Either the phone gives up, or you are simply bored of using something daily that feels dated! If you are in the market with a midrange budget and want something different from most others, your options are still plenty. We have three amazing new phones, all launched a few months ago and all of which have received their share of OTA updates. Contenders demanding your hard-earned money are as follows.

Google Pixel 6a – The first phone in India to officially get the Android 13 update, albeit with beta program enrollment.

Nothing Phone (1) – The first phone from Nothing and one of the most astonishing phones money can buy.

OnePlus 10 T – OnePlus’s latest offering cuts the costs associated with additional hardware while providing a sensational nostalgic experience of the OnePlus from the past.

Disclaimer – All these phones are different from one another. From their choice of chipsets to hardware and software, these are one of the only phones with a bloat-free near-stock Android experience out of the box.

The whole design truth

Pixel 6a – I love the form factor, and with the clever use of good-quality polycarbonate plastic at the rear, the phone feels lightweight. The front glass is Gorilla glass 3, one of the best iterations of Gorilla glass, to be honest. The camera bump is less pronounced compared to most phones. The emission of a headphone jack feels unnecessary but encourages wireless audio accessories. Overall the Pixel 6a form factor and feel are second to none, and adding the IP67 rating; this phone is built to age gracefully.

Nothing Phone (1) – Interesting looking smartphone, isn’t it? The overall silhouette resembles an iPhone 13 pro max, albeit with lighter weight in comparison, and a whole conversation starter of a rear. Getting a call with the Glyph interface is like enhancing the flashlight effect on most phone ringtones and amplifying it to the next level. The edges are smooth, and the overall feel is sturdy and dense though slippery. Unlike most phones, this phone does not get an oleophobic coating on the touch Gorilla glass 5. The transparent back is an eye-catcher, and cases with lights shining through add to the appeal of using this phone. Nothing phone (1) gets an IP53 rating.

OnePlus 10T – No alert slider, duck move! The chrome bezels may appeal to bling lovers, while the subtle curves on the camera bump make this design feel like a polished version of the OnePlus 10 Pro. Gone is the hideous text neat the cameras, and this phone feels like an excellent OnePlus reboot with the essentials done perfectly.

Performance

Pixel 6a uses Samsung architecture to make their Tensor SoC with an additional Tensor processing unit for the camera, privacy, AI and machine learning. The processor is paired with 6GB DDR5 RAM, and overall, the performance is decent unless you start pushing this setup while gaming. The phone manages to throttle and warm up considerably during long gaming sessions. Other than that, the Android 13 update has improved the overall experience on the Pixel 6a by many folds. The battery drain is now optimised when idle, and currently, the phone manages a day with ease.

Up to 12GB DDR5 RAM powers nothing Phone (1), and the Snapdragon 778+ is a balanced mix of performance and stamina. The phone has gotten almost six updates since our time with the phone, and the overall UI, camera performance and gaming performance have only improved over time. Excellent work, team Nothing!

OnePlus 10T – Hell yeah! This is the OnePlus that most OnePlus fans were waiting for! Flagship internals paired with decent above, average hardware makes the 10T an excellent choice for someone who wants to best of Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 in a relatively budget package. Games run at top levels of graphic fidelity with smooth and overall operations are snappier than ever before. Camer processing in low light takes a couple of seconds, making it an excellent phone for performance lovers. Also, this is the only one of the three that comes with a charger, a freaking 150W charger that charges 0-100% in less than 20 minutes. Pixel 6a lacks charging versatility with only 18W charge capabilities and is adamant about using good cables and chargers. Nothing phone (1) charges at 45W!

Cameras

In daylight, all these phones click amazing pictures with rich details, OIS and EIS goodness with good contrast and saturation. The ultrawide sensors are also pretty decent on all the phones. The Pixel wins hand down on most post-processing thanks to Google algorithms. The thing to note is that in low light conditions, the Pixel viewfinder is noisy AF. Still, post-click image processing does wonder! Both the Nothing Phone (1) and the OnePlus 10T use the same Sony IMX766 sensor, and this sensor is no joke. In fact in low light, the sensor beats the 12MP sensors of the Pixel 6a in pure details thanks to added information with more megapixels.

Conclusion –

All three phones appeal to different target audiences. If you already use the iPhone and want a decent Android phone as your second phone, the Pixel 6a, with the absolute best of Google and Android, is a great option. The camera sensors are tried and tested 12MP sensors found on the Pixel 5 series with years of algorithmic trickery, the phone is relatively compact, and an additional magic eraser in the photos app makes editing images a breeze. The Internet has proven this to be a 90Hz display with a 60Hz lock for system stability. Maybe a future OTA update might unlock a smoother refresh rate.

The OnePlus 10T is an example of the quintessential OnePlus of the past. It does away with things that add to the price while performing like a flagship smartphone of this era. Let’s not forget that the 10T packs hardware rivalling the best smartphone worlds at a relative midrange price. For gamers, this is the phone of choice and being the largest proves to be a great multi-media companion. The Nothing Phone (1) brings a cool factor to midrange smartphones and, at this price, is one of the only ones that get wireless and reverse wireless charging. The iPhone-like wrapped OLED display is top-notch and makes for a fantastic smartphone experience. You cannot go wrong with either of the phones in this era. Let us know your favourite among the three and which one would be your weapon of choice.

Canon Maxify 6070-The real DOER

Canon’s latest super tank printers have been a favourite amongst small & medium-sized business users. Keeping this demography as the main focus point, Canon has introduced its MAXIFY GX6070 series with a lot of ink, enough for around 6000 mono and 14000 colouring pages.

Moreover, this printer can print on various textures and print surfaces and ensures businesses do not need to buy different printers when there is a need to switch between envelopes, labels, glossy paper, and banner paper. Equipped with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), it can easily hold up to 100 documents at a time to process. Also, the convenience of not just printing but even scanning, copying and faxing makes it a versatile all-rounder printer to have.

How are the overall Design and Build quality?

Weighing close to 11.6kgs, it definitely isn’t a small device which restricts its portability, knowing that a printer’s placement is hardly changed in a corporate environment. The white boxy look is pretty contemporary with room for 250 sheets in the main paper tray, 100 sheets in the tray at the rear and another 100 sheets in the ADF.

It is sturdy and well-built with a tiltable touchscreen to control all its functions. The translucent ink tanks are large enough to hold a substantial amount of ink, which eliminates downtime as compared to its cartridge alternative. Even the paper output tray is comparatively larger than usual and is capable of holding 100 sheets of paper.

How well is the Connectivity?

A USB Host port has been given for walk-up printing from a flash memory drive, which is a convenient option, but this printer has built-in Wi-Fi, broadening its connectivity horizons. It misses out on an NFC module but is compatible with all of the popular wireless protocols such as Apple AirPrint, Wireless Direct, Mopria and of course Canon’s own PIXMA Cloud Link. It also works with Google Assistance and Amazon Alexa, but the most I enjoyed most was by printing directly using my smartphone and being connected via wi-fi to the printer. What makes the Canon Maxify, even more, user-friendly is the tilting touchscreen which offers quick and easy access to the printer’s host of features.

What’s the Performance like?

The Canon MAXIFY GX6070 surpassed our expectations without any paper jams or misprints. It’s printing speed is quite quick when printing just in black and white. It functions quietly too at just 49dB. Printing monochrome pages like that of a textbook, look consistently sharp and crisp.

Colour documents and photos on photo paper also appear clean and unblemished by horizontal lines or any other disturbances. However, higher resolution images with too much detail, colour and shadows can look grainy, even at the highest print quality.

Should you consider it?

There’s not much to pin-point about the Canon MAXIFY GX6070. It is well built, user-friendly, comprehensively feature packed and has an all-rounded performance which packs enough for domestic or business purposes. The icing on the cake is those big refillable ink tanks which can store a generous amount of ink, which eliminates the need for you to buy more for a long time. And when you do happen to excruciate every drop of it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the cost of the bottled ink and the price you pay per print. For its price, yes, it’s high for an inkjet printer in today’s scenario, but you’ll end up saving money in the long term.

Reasonable: Cost of printing and connectivity

Bad: Form factor is obsolete

Ugly: High price for an ink tank printer

Rating: 3.5 star

Price: Rs.48,000 /- ( Approx as online )

Specifications :

Print, Scan, Copy
ISO standard print speed (A4): up to 24.0 images per minute black / 15.5 images per minute colour
Wireless, Wired LAN, Mopria, AirPrint, Direct Wireless
Recommended monthly print volume: 300 to 2 500 pages (A4 (21.0 x 29.7cm))

Tecno Pova 3 – A new Workhorse

Tecno has expanded its product portfolio in the Indian market to cater to a larger audience with smartphones at different price ranges. The Pova series still happens to be sitting at the sweet spot of the budget segment smartphone, a hot category among young buyers. So, does this latest iteration live up to its hype, and should you consider it?

How does it look and feel?

Tecno Pova 3 is a little hefty considering the battery it packs within. The phone feels sturdy with substantial character around it. It is also fairly big, with a 6.9-inch display. We had the tech silver model which definitely looks premium and feels above its category. The phone is IPX2 splash resistant, which protects it from drizzle and light splashes of water. It’s a handy feature to have on a phone that costs this much. Keeping up with its gaming-centric approach, there are subtle yet practical touches that have been given to the smartphone. For instance, the sides of the Pova 3 have inverted edges for placing your index fingers while you are gaming.

A design feature missing in the Tech Silver variant is an LED strip that chimes in three different colours for notifications and battery capacity. Other design elements are generic, we get a volume rocker on the left, which is tactile, and right next to them is a SIM tray. It is a hybrid slot that supports 2 Nano SIM cards and a micro SD card. To the right, you will find the power lock and unlock button with an integrated fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor is quick in its response. The bottom comprises the USB type-C charging port, speaker grill and an old-school headphone jack.

How’s the screen?

Tecno Pova 3 features a 6.9-inch FHD+ display with a 1080 x 2460 pixel resolution which is pretty nice considering the category of the phone. Most colours on the Pova 3 look natural, and the screen is able to project decent clarity.

The display has a peak brightness of 500 nits, which is sufficient for indoor usage but moves outside on a good sunny day and one might find it difficult to glance at the screen.

But all’s not bad, especially if you are a gamer. Tecno Pova 3’s screen has a max refresh rate of 90Hz. These figures might not be as phenomenal as the 120Hz that we see on other phones, but combined with the 180Hz touch sampling rate, the performance is pretty satisfactory.

A good highlight of the Tecno Pova 3 is the haptic feedback on the device which you receive while playing games. It is apt and adds a lot of character to your gaming experience. It won’t numb your hands, but the subtle vibration adds a more of personalized touch.

How does it sound?

While the display makes up for gamers, a casual user will be engrossed in consuming content. Packing in dual speakers, the Tecno Pova 3’s hidden USP is its audio prowess. The audio output is loud, sharp and clear. Be it the effects while playing games or binge-watching on social media apps or simply streaming a YouTube video, it sounds well.

What’s inside?

Tecno Pova 3 runs on Android 12 out of the box which is paired together with HiOS 8.6. It is powered by a Mediatek Helio G88 processor, an almost a year-old SoC, the G88 is a 4G chipset. The variant we tested, packs in 6GB of RAM which can be bumped up to 11GB using RAM fusion if you are gaming intensively. That being said, the default 6GB of memory is sufficient for most of the tasks and holds up applications pretty well. The internal storage on the device is 128GB out of which 20GB is used by the OS. This is ample for most of the users. But you can expand it to 1TB with a micro SD card if you need more storage.

The massive 7000 mAh battery is very well optimized and for light usage, should easily last well over 2 days.For gamers, playing graphic-intensive games continuously won’t affect much and the battery will last for at least a day. The 33W power adapter in the box charges the Pova 3 to 50% in about 45 minutes. But a full 0-100% charge needs at least 2.5 hours, which is considerable given the battery size.Tecno also provides a reverse charging feature on the Pova 3, which means it can charge up other devices with a 10W voltage. The best practical usage is charging your TWS or Bluetooth headphones if they run out of juice during a commute.

How’s the camera?

Tecno Pova 3 features a triple rear camera set-up with the primary one being a 50MP shooter with F1.6 aperture. The second one is a 2MP depth sensor and finally an AI lens for all the gimmicks it packs within. The colour grades can go off sometimes, especially if you have the AI beauty filter on. Dark colours like Red, or Navy blue look undersaturated and with the AI filter and seem to shift further away from the natural tones a bit. There is a super night mode on the camera, which aids when you are clicking pictures at night. There is no ultra-wide lens on the phone, so you cannot open up the frame and are just limited to zooming in.

The 10X zoom can be considered a feature, but it is better to be left off. The video performance is decent. The camera shoots a maximum resolution of 2K. The video stabilization is not impressive and the output can be shaky sometimes. So if you are a creator looking for a device to Vlog or just shoot in general then this camera can be considered but for a light usage. Audio recorded by the in-built mic though is pretty decent. The real charm is actually the 8MP front camera. Unlike the primary camera which can deceive you sometimes, the front camera is pretty consistent for that matter. The images look sharp and are worthy of your social media selfies. The front camera also features dual flashlights which are a talking point.

How much on my Pocket?

The Tecno Pova 3 is available in 2 variants. The base variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage is priced at ₹11,499 and the other variant packs in 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage and retails at a price of ₹12,999.

How to protect your privacy in a digital era

In an increasingly digitized world, protecting one’s privacy may, essentially, be an impossible task. It is no longer a mystery that we are being watched with every move we make on the internet. As small and accessible as our worlds are now, it comes at the cost of losing autonomy over who has access to our private information and what they do with it. So, how do you reap the benefits of a technologically advanced planet while ensuring that you are safeguarding sensitive information, sufficient downtime, and your sanity? WhatsApp is a popular internet-based text and voice messaging service with over two billion users worldwide. It is possible to use their privacy features to minimise visibility and disruptions.

Open WhatsApp, go to Settings, tap Account, and then Privacy to customize who has access to your ‘Last Seen’, ‘Status’ and who is allowed to add you to WhatsApp groups. You can block or report contacts by clicking on the contact name and scrolling all the way down and tapping Block Contact or Report Contact. Instagram is a popular social networking and photo-sharing app that allows you to connect with celebrities, brands, family and friends. There are multiple ways that you can be discreet on Instagram.

You can change the settings to make your account private thereby controlling who has access to your photos and videos. You can do this by going to Settings, Privacy and then tapping next to Private Account.You can block users by tapping on their username, scrolling all the way down and tapping on Block. If what you really need is a break from social media then you can temporarily disable your Instagram account by logging onto www.instagram.com, clicking on your profile and tapping on Edit Profile. You can scroll down and connect Temporarily Deactivate Account.

These privacy considerations are the bare minimum in times when the fear of losing oneself to the peculiar ways of the internet is looming large. As users become more vigilant, there will be a need for more intricate privacy settings such as time-specific visibility on social media and instant messaging applications.

OnePlus 10T reportedly sports improved gaming performance

Likely launching next month in India, the OnePlus 10T has been spotted on Benchmark sites reportedly performing with the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 at the helm. Frame rates, along with operating temperature have been reported on Twitter by leaker Yogesh Brar, claiming that in the popular and graphically demanding game Genshin Impact, the newly identified OnePlus smartphone boasted 57FPS on average, at 43-46˚C on Extreme graphics settings. This is in comparison to the existing OnePlus 10 Pro which currently performs at 55FPS running at 45-49˚C. A common complaint with the 10 Pro is that the phone runs too hot. Although this is not entirely fixed, OnePlus has partially internalised this problem with the new chip.

Another leaker Mukul Sharma revealed that the OnePlus 10T is currently undergoing Research and Development testing in India, revealing variants with 8GB/128GB and12GB/256GB, attesting that 150W charging is quite likely. Two supposed finishes are a Green and Grey shade, while he further confirms that the smartphone will be offered as an upper mid-range device.

In other news, the smartphone is expected to come with a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with second-generation LTPO technology allowing the display to refresh between 1hz and 120hz. The phone might come with a 360hz touch sampling rate to improve responsiveness and gaming. On the back of the phone, the phone is rumoured to come with a triple camera setup yet again, with the now popular 50MP IMX766 sensor on the primary shooter, an 8MP sensor for the ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro camera. The phone would feature anything between 4500-5000mAh battery as there is no real clarification on the same.

The Biggest Upcoming Technologies of 2022

The beginning of every New Year is no doubt exciting for a variety of reasons. However, among these reasons, is the unveiling of new technologies. This unique opportunity creates a unique platform for companies far and wide to introduce what they will be working to launch in the upcoming year. It also provides each company a unique look into what their competitors are trying to get out there.

Whether you use this platform just as an observer or a competitor, it is hard not to be left oohed and awed by some of these technological adventures. Here is just a shortlist of some of the most exciting things tech companies are working toward this New Year.

3D Home Printing

Could the old methods of home-building be about to change forever? What if you could do away with your hardhat and toolbelt and wear a suit and tie while carrying a briefcase to work every day? This might not be a sacrifice everyone is willing to make, but 3D home printing technology could forever change the world of homebuilding. You’d be surprised at just how applicable it is to feed concrete, sand, and plastics into massive 3D printers.

You might be surprised by this, but you likely be even more surprised at how cost affordable this solution is. It might end up even being less costly than the older, traditional ways of building homes. There is, however, one thing still holding the industry back. That is the lack of infrastructure to transport printing materials to parts of the world where they would be most impactful.

Self-Fertilizing Crops

When you look at all the wealth in the world, it is almost hard to believe that there are still suffering and struggling out there. Indeed, there are entire countries and regions of the world lacking, but it just seems like some people have so much. Not only this, but you combine all this excess with the waste that goes on today, and the fact that there is one starving person in the world seems kind of ludicrous. That might be about to change. And it won’t have anything to do with less spending or less wasting.

It will be thanks to self-fertilizing crops. Most people just don’t realize how harmful current farming practices are. With the use of massive commercial fertilizers, nitrogen and other harmful chemicals are just eating away at the earth daily. Nitrogen is a highly used crop production chemical that accounts for 1 to 2 percent of yearly, global carbon dioxide emissions.

While nitrogen has proven to be an effective fertilizer, it is also doing untold harm to the world.

A world that is in limited supply. Soy plants and members of the legume family like peas and lentils might be about to transform the entire industry. Scientists are already immediately working on getting corn and other cereals to self-fertilize.

Advancement Of Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies have been a slowly trudging technology that’s for the most part stayed on the fringes of mainstream finances. Consumers have seen this shift a bit in the online sports betting market. So, it is possible to play สล็อตแตกง่าย ฝากถอน ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ with specific digital currencies.

There are now a few online platforms willing to accept and payout in cryptocurrencies. Some e-commerce sites also accept digital currencies.

El Salvador has just recently become the first country in Central America to make Bitcoin the most popular cryptocurrency in the world.

Sweden, Canada, The European Union, and The United Kingdom are already a few of the global leading giants that are considering implementing financial changes. Unfortunately, there are some still not embracing this digital currency and all the potential it offers, but that could possibly change in 2022. It is the concerns and potential risks for digital fraud in countries like China, Bangladesh, Qatar, Egypt, and Morocco that have been deterring many.

Anti-Aging Drugs

Who doesn’t want to stay looking and feeling like a teenager? It seems these hopes and dreams might come to fruition in the upcoming years. At least the part about looking like a teenager.

While there are plenty of exciting and ground-breaking things going on in modern medicine, it seems that anti-aging medications are the exclusive talk of the town.

The first wave of new class anti-ageing drugs has already been shipped out and implemented in controlled testing environments. While these medications are not yet designed to make one live longer, they remove certain cells that accumulate during the aging process.